The unsung heroes of the Nashville music scene, songwriters seldom command the spotlight that performing artists do, but hit-maker D. Vincent Williams is a worthy exception to the rule. With undeniable talent as a gifted–and chart-topping–songwriter, backed by years of performing experience, this hit-maker is ready to take center stage.

“I was singing before I could really talk, music just came naturally to me,” remembers Williams. “Songwriting is no different. I hear the melody in my head and then take notes of the pictures that come to mind. The ability to sing, play and write has given me an unlimited freedom of expression.”

Born in Houston and raised in the eastern woods of the Lone Star State, Williams was baptized in gospel music. While his mother and sister played piano in church, Williams eagerly observed and naturally learned the skill. By the age of eight, he was singing and playing on his own. On a borrowed guitar, he mastered the chords and taught himself to play, and by age 11, he had a guitar of his own and his sights set on a music career. It was with that first guitar that, at age 14, Williams wrote his first song, “Wedding Bands,” for his mother.

His commitment to music was steadfast, and during his time at Stephen F. Austin University, Williams and some friends started “Five’s A Crowd,” a harmonious group that played regularly at local hot spots in Nacogdoches, Texas, and quickly grew to be one of the state’s biggest college music sensations. Home to soon-to-be-legends like Toby Keith and the Dixie Chicks, Dallas dominated the revival of the increasingly popular classic Country sound in the early ‘90s, so Williams and his band migrated to the Big D to test their mettle in Country music.

In 1995, fueled by his growing focus on music as a career and the break-up of “Five’s A Crowd,” Williams decided to head to Music City. Plagued by fear and uncertainly, he nearly turned around in Little Rock, Arkansas, but music gave him the courage to drive on, and he penned a personal song of support, “Too Late to Turn Back Now,” on the side of the road.

Unlike many Nashville newcomers, Williams met with immediate connections and success. After just a few hours in the city, he landed a job flipping steaks, and a co-worker invited him to a writers round, where he met several other successful songwriters. Six months later, the 24-year-old Texas troubadour landed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell and, soon after, signed his first record deal with Columbia Records.

After two years but no record, Williams parted ways with Columbia. Within a week, singer/songwriter Ty Herndon asked to cut one of his songs, guaranteeing him a single and the chance to sing backup. As promised, Herndon released the song, and Williams landed his first charted single with the No. 3, “Hands of a Working Man” in 1999. In 2002, Williams followed up with the Rascal Flatts’ blockbuster, “I’m Movin’ On,” the 2003 Academy of Country Music Awards’ Song of the Year.

Move on Williams did, chasing a calling yet to be fulfilled. “I’d always been told that there are only two kinds of record deals: ones that work and ones that don’t,” said Williams. It was a disheartening stage of his career, but Williams soon met insightful mentor and seasoned record producer Keith Stegall, who encouraged Williams with a simple truth: “If you have the music, the rest will fall into place.” Stegall, who would become a key catalyst in giving Williams’ career its due, couldn’t have been more right: In 2005, Williams signed a publishing deal with Bigger Picture Group, and his cut vs. single ratio soared as he penned hit after hit, including the multi-week No. 1 charting song on all three Country charts, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” recorded by James Otto in 2008.

Over the course of his remarkable songwriting career, Williams has landed cuts on albums that have sold more than 15 million copies, recorded by esteemed artists including Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Jason Aldean, and Lee Ann Womack. “I didn’t choose songwriting, it chose me,” says Williams. Still, he never lost his drive to take his talents to the stage and the studio.

Today, with a close-knit team of supporters by his side, Williams is ready to wrap up some long unfinished business: his first full-length album. “It’s more than good fortune, I feel it’s a gift from God and a responsibility I believe I need to fulfill,” says Williams of the long-awaited opportunity. Bigger Picture Group has slated D. Vincent Williams for a 2012 album release, which will feature self-penned future classics “Seventeen” and “Those Wings” as well as “Down By The River and “Plain And Simple” and will showcase Williams’ soulful sound and piano prowess. Finally, this gifted songwriter and performer will have the spotlight he deserves.

“I’ve had a love affair with music my whole life. Whether it was Friday night family karaoke, dancing in the kitchen to the radio while mom was cooking dinner, or getting to see my favorite artists in concert, I’ve always been surrounded by music.”

From the moment she declared her passion for music in the third grade, Emily Henline’s remarkable journey as a singer and songwriter began to take shape. Hailing from Waynesboro, Virginia, Emily’s love for music has been a lifelong calling, and her determination to follow her dreams has led her to the heart of the music industry in Nashville, Tennessee.

“I was going to be a singer… the stage is where I wanted to be.”

At the tender age of 11, Emily took her first steps into the spotlight, appearing on the local TV show, Virginia Dreams Center Stage. It was the beginning of a long and fascinating journey to discover her artistry and share her boundless love for music.
 

Guided by the love and support of her family, Emily made the bold decision to leave her small-town roots behind in 2017, and plant new roots in Nashville, Tennessee. Her heart set on pursuing a music career, she embraced the vibrant music scene of Music City, where opportunity and destiny often intertwine.

“One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was, “If you really want to pursue a music career, you’ll make more happen on accident in Nashville than you’ll ever make happen on purpose in Virginia.” That couldn’t have been more true. I signed my first artist development deal not long after I moved, which kept me busy recording, writing, and performing.”

In Nashville, Emily’s unwavering dedication led to an artist development deal with Mirrim Entertainment in 2018, providing her with the platform to hone her craft and record her original music. Now, with the release of her very first single, “Boot Fits,” Emily is poised to share her music and soul with the world. As she continues to inspire others and spread her unique brand of joy through her songs, Emily Henline’s journey is poised to resonate with music lovers everywhere. Watch as this talented artist leaves an indelible mark on the world of music, proving that dreams, when pursued with passion and dedication, can indeed come true.

Trent Tomlinson is an American country music artist. After several failed attempts at finding a record deal, Tomlinson was signed to Lyric Street Records in 2005, with his debut album Country Is My Rock, released in early 2006. This album produced three Top 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: "Drunker Than Me" at No. 19, "One Wing in the Fire" at No. 11, and "Just Might Have Her Radio On" at No. 21. Three further singles were released in 2009.

​Tomlinson was born in Blytheville, Arkansas. He was raised in Kennett, Missouri. His father is a former basketball star who set scoring records at the University of Missouri and was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers He was also the basketball coach, biology teacher, and assistant principal at Kennett High School.

In his junior year of high school, Tomlinson reached the finals for You Can Be a Star, a television talent show on The Nashville Network (now Spike TV), in which Trent placed second. After numerous deals cut short due to labels that went bankrupt or were being taken over, Tomlinson landed a songwriting deal with Cal IV Entertainment. Some of his songs were recorded by Emerson Drive and Blue County on their respective debut albums. He also cut some sides for Lyric Street Records, with whom he later signed a record deal. Tomlinson's debut single, "Drunker Than Me," was released in late 2005, followed by his album Country Is My Rock. Two additional singles were also released from the album: "One Wing in the Fire" and "Just Might Have Her Radio On", the former is a song about Tomlinson's father. Tomlinson also co-wrote "Missing Missouri" on Sara Evans' 2005 album Real Fine Place and "Why Can't I Leave Her Alone" on George Strait's 2006 album It Just Comes Natural.

On December 15, 2008 it was announced that Tomlinson would be the second artist signed to Lyric Street's subsidiary label, Carolwood Records. His fourth single, "That's How It Still Oughta Be," made its chart debut in January 2009. That song fell from the charts in May 2009 and was replaced by "Henry Cartwright's Produce Stand". A third single, "Angels Like Her" (a re-recording of a song on his debut), was released on October 26, 2009, shortly before the closure of Carolwood. Tomlinson subsequently returned to Lyric Street before parting ways in March 2010. All three songs were included on an EP titled A Guy Like Me.​

Tomlinson released "Man Without a Woman" via Skyville Records in 2011, and did not release an album despite the single charting. In 2014, Parmalee released the single "Close Your Eyes", which Tomlinson co-wrote. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Country Charts. In 2017, Brett Young recorded a song Tomlinson co-wrote ("In Case You Didn't Know") to #1! In 2022, Tomlinson's song "Damn Strait" (recorded by Scotty McCreery) reached #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart!