Crys Matthews
Already being hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Crys Matthews is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. A powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls "the poster-child for intersectionality," Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation called Matthews’s gift "a reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides."
She is made for these times and, with the release of her new, hope-fueled, love-filled social justice album Changemakers, Matthews hopes to take her place alongside some of her heroes in the world of social-justice music like Sweet Honey in the Rock and Holly Near. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.
Shannon LaBrie
The secret to Shannon LaBrie’s artistry is the seemingly effortless blending of impassioned vocals with honest and insightful lyrics.
Growing up on a farm in Nebraska, LaBrie attributes her passion for music to her Dad, who died when she was just thirteen. “He taught me my first guitar chords and when he passed away, songwriting became my way of grieving and dealing with the pain.”
On her latest album, Building, LaBrie’s undeniable voice and musicianship have been described as “nothing short of breathtaking” by American Songwriter and NPR added her heroic anthem “Firewalker” to their Top 20 of 2020.
Z.G. Smith
The son of an English professor mother and a shipwreck diver father, indie-folk artist and LA native ZG Smith has called Nashville home for a decade. During that time, he's racked up a formidable cache of musical successes including touring extensively throughout the US, Canada, and Europe fronting Americana duo Smooth Hound Smith, and sharing stages with acts like The Chicks, Trombone Shorty, and Devon Gilfillian. His ethereal debut solo EP, Nighttime Animal, was released early in Feb of 2023 to critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR's World Cafe, UnderTheRadar, The Bluegrass Situation and Nashville's Lightning 100.
Telisha Williams
of The Wild Ponies
Doug and Telisha Williams, partners in love and music, have spent the last 20 years building their careers as the Nashville-based country-folk band Wild Ponies. They’ve released five albums, hosted the long-running Wild Ponies Happy Hour radio show on WSM, led ten annual distillery tour Trail Rides for fans and friends, and garnered devoted musical audiences all over the world. Their live shows, which have often totaled into the hundreds per year, are notoriously personal. Whether it’s Doug and Telisha with their acoustic guitar and upright bass, respectively, or a full rock ‘n’ roll outfit with drums and electric guitar, everyone is welcome at a Wild Ponies show and in their community.
Kyshona
Kuh-SHAUN-uh
Kyshona lends her voice and music to those who feel silenced, forgotten or alone. She began her career as a music therapist, writing her first songs with patients -- students and inmates under her care. She became compelled to write independently and find her own voice, an endeavor which led her to the Nashville creative community and songwriting culture. Since then, she balances her music career with her passion to heal in community through her organization Your Song.