Southern Rounds - The Stories Behind The Songs
About event
Sit down with the songwriters who brought you #1 hits including Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried", "Highway 20 Ride" and "Colder Weather".
Whisky River takes a deeper look in to the intimate moments that inspired your favorite songs topping the country music charts. Whether it was a moment of clarity, heartbreak, or pure joy...songwriters Wyatt Durrette, Levi Lowrey, Channing Wilson, and Dave Kennedy explain the creative process behind creating #1 hits.
Wyatt Durrette-
Wyatt Durrette is an acclaimed singer/songwriter from Richmond, VA. Best known for
his work with Zac Brown Band, Wyatt’s songs have garnered a record-setting collection
of hits. Forty total song collaborations have led to 22 MILLION singles sold, 8 MILLION
albums sold and 12 #1 hits, to be exact. His songs have secured 8 GRAMMY Awards
and countless nominations. Wyatt has been presented with the incredible honor of the
CMA Triple Play Award not once, but twice, as “Chicken Fried,” “Whatever It Is,” and
“Toes” were all chart-topping hits within a twelve-month period, followed by “Highway
20 Ride,” “As She’s Walking Away,” and “Colder Weather.” Wyatt also received
GRAMMY and Academy Award nominations in 2010 for “Where the River Goes”, a
song written for the motion Picture Footloose . Furthermore, the song “Homegrown”
co-written by Wyatt, was named Song of the Year by SESAC in 2015.
Levi Lowrey-
Levi Lowrey is a singer-songwriter from Dacula, Georgia. He has performed extensively as a solo artist, headliner, and as the supporting act for well known names including Mumford and Sons, Kid Rock, Alabama, Blackberry Smoke and Zac Brown Band. He is a great, great-grandson of Gid Tanner. Lowrey is one of the co-writers of the 'Colder Weather' performed by Zac Brown Band that went #1 for two weeks. Lowrey is also the co- writer of Zac Brown Band single 'The Wind" from their #1 Billboard album Uncaged. He is a CMA nominee for "Colder Weather" 2012 BMI Country Award Winner Top 50 songs of the year Colder Weather. 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 voted Best Local Songwriter- Creative Loafing. Roughstock named Levi 13 of 13: Ones to watch in 2013.
Channing Wilson-
"God could you throw this dog a bone. Let me turn the corner and be home. I'm tired of being on this road alone." Real lyrics are what Channing Wilson is all about.
From a small town in Northwest Georgia, Channing learned about real life American good times and hardships. He's not afraid to tell you about it either. From his songs like "Poor Man's Cocaine" referring to methamphetamines taking over rural America, to songs like “Black Jesus" which is a story of two men, one young, and one older, finding friendship in spite of the racial stereotypes of the times. Channing’s voice and songwriting is widely considered in the top echelon of the “who’s who” in the Nashville community. Channing’s songs have been recorded by artists like Tyler Farr, Luke Combs, Jason Eady, and more. He has shared bills with so many of his heroes such as Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Tony Joe White, Chris Knight, Dale Watson, and many more including going out on the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour. He has just recently signed a artist/publishing agreement with Warner Chappell and Low Country Sound (Grammy award winning producer Dave Cobb)
Dave Kennedy-
After years of paying dues everywhere from dives to theaters, Dave Kennedy has descended on Nashville like whirlwind. With a voice big enough to grab your attention and songs great enough to hold it, the singer-songwriter and East Tennessee native has spent years developing his craft both as a performer and prolific writer all around the Southeast, and is determined to take his place among the new wave of Americana and more traditional country music artists. His songs are equal parts heartbreak, redemption, whiskey and truth, which is why he’s quickly becoming a favorite of music fans, songwriters, and artists alike. Dave has spent the last 10 years tirelessly playing and writing in search of the voice and statement he wants to bring to the music he loves. With ear and heart ever faithful to the country traditions and journeys of those who came before him, his ability to connect with an audience through both his words and performance is a testament to both his traditional roots and his soulful voice, which resonates with or without a microphone. He spent much of 2017 touring nationally as opening support for his good friend, Drake White, and is looking forward to recording his first full length solo album this year. No doubt there are great things in store for this talented artist.
For more information call Whisky River at (704) 749-1097.
See you at Whisky!