Words & Music: Most people remember when they first heard a song that touched their lives. Now, learn about how the songs were written and the stories behind them in Words & Music: The Showcase for Nashville's Songwriters. Veteran entertainment reporter Harry Chapman sits down with successful songwriters who share their music and their stories, as well as important information and insights for aspiring writers. Words & Music is produced in partnership with the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Show 1
Sara Haze
Sara Haze is a singer/songwriter from Southern California who has accomplished great things in a short amount of time. Since moving to Nashville in 2011, she has secured cuts with The Band Perry, Randy Houser and Mickey Guyton, as well as Rascal Flatts current single, "Riot". In addition to writing, Sara is an established artist in her own regards. She has spent much of the last two years on the road opening for acts such as Little Big Town and Hunter Hayes. When Sara is not on the road, she can be found playing The Grand Ole Opry as a regularly scheduled guest.
Show 1
Ben Caver
Since his arrival in 2003, Ben Caver has become one of Nashville's favorite young singer/songwriters with his distinct vocal style and fresh approach to crafting songs. He describes his sound as Southern Pop - a unique blend of Country, R&B and Pop with smooth delivery and just the right amount of grit.
Ben grew up in Hoover, Alabama. He started writing songs in high school while serving as a worship leader for his church. He recalls it being the perfect environment to experiment with songwriting because the audience was much less likely to boo if the songs werent quite up to par. Turns out Bens songs were pretty darn good and he received a great deal of encouragement to pursue a career in music.
In the fall of 2003, Ben moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University where he majored in Music Business. Although his primary aspiration was to become a major label artist, Ben quickly realized he could also make a living writing songs. He devoted himself to creating great music and developing a signature sound while logging countless hours performing his songs on campus and at venues all over town. Before long, he found himself rubbing elbows with some of Music Citys top writers, performers and label executives.
After graduating from Belmont in December of 2005, Ben signed his first publishing deal with Sony/ATV. There he met Jay Demarcus of Rascal Flatts, who eventually became his producer. The two have been writing and recording since 2007 and are currently shopping a few of their collaborations to Nashville record labels.
In 2010, Ben found a new home at Universal Music Publishing Group where he continues to pursue a promising career as a major artist and hit songwriter.
Show 2
Karen Waldrup
Karen Waldrup is one of Nashville's newest and brightest stars to burst onto the music scene.
New Orleans native, Karen Waldrup is a full time touring country artist. Although she loves writing and working in the studio, her passion lies in live performances.
For the last eight years, Waldrup has been touring and sharing the stage with artists such as Rodney Atkins, Carrie Underwood, Sara Evans, Gloriana, Josh Thompson, Hank William Jr., Terri Clark & Clay Walker. Waldrup prides herself in being a touring act and has traveled to Belize, Switzerland, Honduras and Guatemala to perform. She is touring in Ireland July 2015.
She appeared on Bravo TV's 'Platinum Hit' with host Jewel & Kara Diaguardi and has music featured on a new Bravo TV reality series to air Spring 2015! Sony/RED & Sky Records released Karen's single 'Sharing the Night Together' in 2014 & are releasing her new single & video 'Trashy Crashed the Party' summer 2015. The music video will premiere on CMT.com & PURE. Karen has also played at numerous events including NASCAR ESPN LIVE, the NFL Experience Superbowl XLVII, the French Quarter Music Festival, the Cleveland Browns NFL Game, the world famous Bluebird Cafe, and many songwriter festivals across the US.
Waldrup’s vocals demand attention and her poised stage presence makes for a monumental show. Karen Waldrup is an adept artist with enough ambition and drive to become a household name.
Show 2
Melissa Bollea
Melissa Bollea is the founder and owner of Rhyme Partners, a unique publishing company run by songwriters Melissa Bollea and Bill DiLuigi. Together they have penned more than 70 songs to date with artists, television series, major motion film and commercial brand ads. This summer they added 4 new writers to their "Summer Romance" writing roster.
Most recently, Rhyme Partners landed a national campaign ad for the largest western and work wear retail chain, The Boot Barn, with their song "Dress Up This Town." The song is being used exclusively in the company’s advertising outlets in radio and television commercials and social media. Artist Mary Sarah also released “Dress Up This Town” as a single this summer.
Rhyme Partners currently has a top 40 hit on music row charts called "Running Out Of Memories," recorded by artist Amber Hayes. They have had their songs in television series like "The Hart of Dixie," Queen Lattifa's VH-I show "All The Single Ladies" and even graced daytime television with a song featured in "The Young And The Restless”.
Melissa moved to Nashville to pursue her songwriting career in 2006. She landed a front desk position in the production studio of the cable video network GAC, Great American Country where for nearly three years she cultivated strong industry relationships and gained an extensive amount of knowledge about the music industry.
Prior to starting Rhyme Partners, Melissa worked along side her mentor, friend, publisher and long time A&R executive Jim (Spoon) Williams of Spoons Tunes. Her relationship with Spoon remains one of her most valued and treasured, as he was and still is, a big champion of her songwriting career, often calling on her to write with some of the best new artists in the industry. Spoon was instrumental in setting Melissa up with artists like Rion Paige, Tara Thompson, Bonnie Tyler and so many more. Melissa proudly penned a song called “One Mistake” with Bonnie Tyler and Hit Songwriter Bonnie Baker. Bonnie Tyler is an icon of the late 80's with hits like "Total Eclipse Of The Heart," "Footloose," "It's A Heartache" and many many more.
Rhyme Partners has twice been nominated for a Covenant Award and is currently looking at a Blues Grammy Nomination with Artist Shaun Murphy. Her latest album "Loretta" delivers on track 3, "Kiss Me Like Whiskey" a song penned by Bill DiLuigi and the late AJ Masters. Both of Shaun Murphy's last two albums were Grammy nominated.
The show airs at the following times...
- Saturday 3:00am, 4:30pm
- Sunday 3:00am, 9:00am, 7:00pm
- Monday 12:30am
- Tuesday 5:30am, 9:30am, 6:00pm, 11:30pm
- Wednesday 9:30am, 6:00pm
- Thursday 12:30pm
- Friday 11:30pm
