1. Bottom of the Sea – Sean McConnell
Self-described as “lyric driven roots rock with soul,” McConnell’s energy hits both intense high and intimate lows. McConnell cites influences from Stevie Wonder to Old Crow Medicine Show to Elton John.
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane
2. I Talk To Tennessee – Marti Dodson
Marti Dodson first made a splash on the music scene in the pop arena, fronting the band Saving Jane with hits including “Girl Next Door,” which peaked at #20 on U.S. Pop Airplay. Recent cuts include “Quarterback,” the lead single off of of Canadian artist Kira Isabella’s new album Caffeine and Big Dreams, which she co-wrote with Bobby Hamrick and Rivers Rutherford.
Publisher: Shapiro Bernstein (song), BMG (current)
3. If I’m Going Down – Ryan Hurd / Andrew Dorff
Though Hurd had his first cut on Jake Owen’s Endless Summer EP in 2012, 2014 has really been his year, with cuts including Rascal Flatt’s single “Payback” and The Swon Brothers’ “Later On.”
Andrew Dorff has had a slew of cuts, including hits like Blake Shelton’s “My Eyes” and “Neon Light,” Martina McBride’s “Ride,” and Hunter Hayes’ “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” as well as for artists including Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, and Tim McGraw.
Publisher: UMPG
4. Late Bloomer – Hailey Whitters
Iowa native Hailey Whitters, signed to Carnival Music in 2012, has an incredible vibe. The Nashville Scene wrote, “Hailey Whitters summons the space-country aesthetics that Daniel Lanois brought to Emmylou Harris’ Wrecking Ball and Willie Nelson’s Teatro in the late ’90s”.
Publisher: Carnival
5. Pawn Shop – Jillian Jacqueline
Jillian Jacqueline’s music career started when she was a little younger than most; at seven, she was performing in her small Pennsylvania hometown, and at ten she wrote and recorded her first album. At nine, Jacqueline auditioned and was chosen to co-star alongside Kenny Rogers in “Christmas From the Heart” on Broadway, a production she then toured with for six years. Recently, she’s continued to write and record – her recent single, “Overdue,” features Vince Gill.
Publisher: Downtown
6. Second Wind – Caitlyn Smith / Troy Verges / Gordie Sampson
Caitlyn Smith has made a name for herself both a a songwriter and as an artist. Her first big cut was Jason Aldean’s “It Ain’t Easy,” which she quickly followed up with Rascal Flatts’ “Let it Hurt,” Cassadee Pope’s “Wasting All These Tears” and Danielle Bradbery’s “Heart of Dixie,” as well as “Don’t Put Dirt on my Grave Just Yet” for ABC’s Nashville.
Troy Verges has written for artists including Hunter Hayes (“Wanted,”) Tim McGraw (“Drugs or Jesus,”) Martina McBride (“Blessed,”) Kenny Chesney (“You Save Me,”) Kip Moore (“Beer Money,”) Carrie Underwood (“Crazy Dreams,”) Easton Corbin (“Someday When I’m Old”) and many more.
Aside from solo albums, Gordie Sampson has penned Carrie Underwood’s smash “Jesus, Take the Wheel” as well as cuts for artists including Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Willie Nelson, and Bon Jovi.
Publisher: Cornman / UMPG / BMG
7. So Good – Ryan Beaver / Andrew Dorff / Jon McLaughlin
Ryan Beaver has released two albums, 2008’s Under the Neons and 2011’s Constant. The Texas native continues to hone his songwriting craft, and is currently working towards his third album with a planned 2015 release, which is being produced by himself, Jeremy Spillman, and Ryan Tyndell.
Jon McLaughlin has had significant success as a solo artist, including several charting albums, and has opened for artists including Kelly Clarkson and O.A.R. He also wrote and performed the song “So Close” for the movie Enchanted, and had a song of his recorded by Beyonce. McLaughlin’s also got his fair share of Nashville co-writes, and has written cuts for artists including Joey Hyde.
Publisher: HoriPro / UMPG / Universal