Member Spotlight

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Danni Ri, Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist

Hometown: Heflin, AL
Performance Genres: Country, Rock, Blues, Alternative, Folk
Instruments: acoustic/electric guitar and piano/keyboard
Musical Influences: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Tom Petty, Alison Krauss, Miranda Lambert, The Eagles, Carrie Underwood, Karen Carpenter, Roy Orbison, Lady Antebellum, Kacey Musgraves
Occupation: Jack-of-all-trades for family-owned and operated log home mill
Hobbies: When not singing or writing music, Danni enjoys carpentry, gardening, and working with animals.

Since the tender age of 4 years, Danni Ri has enjoyed singing on stage. Music has always been a part of her life and she was often requested to sing for special events at church, school, weddings, and parties. Having grown up in a household where every family member listened to music from different decades, she has an appreciation for almost all genres and styles of music-from 40’s big band to 80’s big-hair bands and everything in between, including rock, pop, country, rap and even disco.

Danni wrote her first song when she was only ten years old. As a college freshman, she learned to play guitar and as she experimented with her new instrument, she again embraced the gift of words and began to write her own music. After college, she sang with a classic rock cover band out of Georgia for several years, but is now stepping out to pursue her own singer-songwriting career.

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Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Sasha Aaron, Singer/Songwriter

Sasha Aaron is a Miami native who now calls Nashville home. Musically influenced by Linda Ronstadt, The Eagles, Sheryl Crow, and Trisha Yearwood – her sound is the result of a perfect balance of California rock, rhythm & blues and the honest sensibilities of country music. Her performance and songwriting skills have allowed her the opportunity to open up for major acts such as Sister Hazel and have several song placements on major network television shows (MTV, CW).

Since living in Nashville, Sasha has been quickly gaining the respect of some of the top players and songwriters in town. She has co-written songs with #1 hit songwriters Steve Dean, Frank Myers & Rob Crosby.

Sasha is currently working on a new album with Grammy nominated producer Kent Wells and is looking forward to exploring all of the doors Music City has been opening for her.

http://www.reverbnation.com/SashaAaron

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Jay Brehmer, Singer/Songwriter

I suppose I have my father to thank for my musical journey. After all, he was the person who convinced me to join orchestra and take bass lessons when I was in the third grade. My father loves music, but the only thing he knows how to play is the radio. So I took bass lessons and played with the orchestra and symphony all through school. In addition to the bass I played the baritone in band as well as percussion and eventually learned how to play the guitar. In 6th grade I got my first bass guitar and started a band. We played together until it was time for us to grow up and head off to college in various parts of the country. I still stay in touch with Todd, the lead guitar player; he has made music a career by writing and producing music for advertising, film and television and owns a studio in downtown Minneapolis. I have been in bands playing all different genres of music over the years. There were many rock “cover” bands and a bluegrass band that I still play with occasionally.

I began writing with my band members in my first band. At that time the words were not as important as the music. When we played out we would sneak the original tunes in between the Styx, Rush and REO Speedwagon covers. My writing stopped when that band broke up and we all went our separate ways. Then in 1999, I joined some friends on a trip to Nashville to attend another friend’s showcase, and I began to write again.

As a result of that I now make regular trips to Nashville to visit with and write with the many friends I have made over the years. I have tried to concentrate on improving my writing skills and it seems I learn something new every time I write. I have won numerous awards from the Songwriters of Wisconsin, taken numerous classes from people like Steve Seskin and Pat Pattison. My next goal is getting the elusive cut. I heard this somewhere and it seems to fit me perfectly. “Music has always been a big part of my life, now my life is a big part of my music.”

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Drew Six,

Singer/Songwriter

From the beginning, Drew Six knew exactly what he wanted to do. It’s always been music. His drive, focus, and willingness to bet everything on his dream is evident in his lyrics, “We never had the luxury of giving up or slowing down. We are the dreamers…”

Drew explains his passion for his chosen genre, “One of the things I love about country music is that there are no rules. Throughout its history, artists have always challenged and expanded the genre. The common thread is that these are songs about real people and the human condition of day to day life. I am proud to be a part of that movement.”

Six performs over 265 shows per year. He has recently been sharing the stage with notable acts such as Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker, Gary Allan, Dan + Shay, and Gloriana. This is where he has honed his craft and gained experience for his most important mission of all, to connect with people. “I learned early on that music has power. It brings people together that would normally never cross paths. Music has given me a special way to touch people and to give back.”

Six’s single, “We Choose Livin’” (featuring fellow emerging Nashville artist, Sarah Allison Turner) was written for and inspired by the kids of Variety Children’s Charity. Debuting the same week as Taylor Swift’s, Red, the single outsold Swift on the country iTunes chart on its release date. All of the net proceeds from the sale of the song continue to go back to the Variety organization which assists in providing mobility equipment for special needs children. Drew was honored with the “Quest For Kindness” award for his work with the international charity.

While Six splits his time between Nashville and K.C., he has maintained a close connection with his hometown. His gritty soulful baritone vocals and stage presence have earned him the title of “Best Sexy Musician” in Pitch Magazine and he is also featured as one of KC Magazine’s “100 people that have changed life in Kansas City forever.”

Drew has just released his newest single, “Learning To Drive,” and signed his fifth endorsement deal. One of his high profile brand partnerships includes international rock fashion label, Corello. Based in Nashville, TN, the label is a favorite of entertainment industry celebrities like Florida Georgia Line, Hayden Panettiere, and Miranda Lambert. Corello is featured in very select boutiques including Gary Allan’s high-end exclusive store, The Label, and will now be available to Drew Six fans at shows (as well as online worldwide).

For more information, please visit: drewsix.com

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Barry Allen, Singer/Songwriter

Born and raised in Camden, Tennessee, a small country town just west of Nashville, Barry was singing on stage with The Allan Family gospel group at the age of five, travelling all over the southern United States. Barry started writing stories and songs in high school and had some published in the local newspaper. His love of music and writing never left him, even after he married, started a family and began running his successful construction business.

Never one to miss a chance, he had an interesting meeting with the legendary Sam Phillips while he lived in Memphis. Later, after moving to Dickson, Tennessee, Barry knocked on the apartment door of Vince Gill with only song lyrics in hand. The soon-to-be megastar took the time to sit down and go over Barry’s lyrics and even introduced Barry to his father.

Such highlights have marked Barry’s music journey. In 2006, he joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and soon made himself indispensable as a regular volunteer. From there, he expanded into other volunteer jobs in the music business, helping James Ray do his The Producers Chair events and helping on meeting nights at the newly-formed Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA). Recently, Barry was the first songwriter to join Global Songwriters Connection when it formed in 2013.

These activities are very visible, but Barry is also known to have an big presence behind the scenes at many charities and civic events. “I’m a believer in friendship and supporting others,” Barry says. That’s why he’s known to his music-industry friends as someone with great ears and an even greater heart.

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Genesis Green, Singer/Songwriter

Genesis has sung on records by Stevie Wonder and Eric Heatherly. Her smoky tone has been compared to Amy Winehouse and Billie Holiday. Her debut at the legendary Bluebird Cafe sold out in less than a minute. Genesis was one of only 12 exceptional singer/songwriters to earn a spot at the invitation only “2012 Young Writers’ Conference,” held at ASCAP Nashville.

Genesis is a founding member of the band Asteria Lux, in which she’s not only a lead vocalist but also the band’s bassist and one of its primary songwriters and co-producer of their debut EP. Although they’ve barely been together for a year, Asteria Lux is one of Skope Magazine’s ’Artists to Watch’ for 2014, a MusicNotez Magazine ‘Pick of the Week’ and, twice so far this year, a Featured Artist on Reverbnation, where they topped the charts at #1 or #2 on the Nashville regional Jazz charts for the first 12 weeks of the year.  Their debut EP, Lovedrunk, reached #7 on the iTunes Jazz chart the day of its release.

Asteria Lux is a frequent guest on radio and television, including NPR and network affiliates, and regularly plays to sold out crowds at hot spots like Nashville’s world famous Bluebird Café, The Listening Room and Indigo. On the road, Asteria Lux is a mainstage act at festivals including the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and the Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival as well as legendary venues like the Florabama and The Paradise Inn.

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Blake Griffith, Singer/Songwriter

My name is Blake Griffith. I’m a happily married 27 year old, and father of an 8 month old. I live on a farm in a small town about thirty miles south of Shreveport, LA. I’ve had a love for music my entire life. I started playing guitar around 13 or 14. Soon after that, I got into writing and home recording. I have a passion for writing and hearing a melody in my head and making it come to life through recording. My influences range from Rod Stewart, Keith Urban, The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and everything in between.

My goal is to one day achieve a publishing deal, and support my family through songwriting. I play guitar, sing, and produce my own demos at home.

My other hobby is competition BBQ. Which I have won several awards in. I also do catering on the side. If you like good music and good BBQ I’m your man!

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.soundcloud.com/blakegriffithmusic

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Helene Cronin, Singer/Songwriter

Helene Cronin is a singer/songwriter who lives in Dallas, TX. For the past 9 years she has traveled regularly to Nashville to network, co-write, learn the business, and plug her songs. In November of 2012, she began making those trips to Nashville every month. She hosts rounds at the Bluebird Cafe and performs for coffeehouses and songwriter events in Texas and Tennessee. Although she loves being a solo performer, she hopes that her songs will continue to reach a wider audience and result in cuts with major artists.

Helene recently signed an exclusive publishing deal with Debbie Zavitson, of Debbie Z Entertainment in Nashville. They are very excited about the opportunity to work together!

Her most well-known work is the song Lucky Me which is based on a conversation she had with a soldier in the Nashville airport. This song has propelled her musical career in new directions. She has appeared on national TV on the Mike Huckabee show (with Mike Huckabee playing bass alongside her!), in front of Medal of Honor recipients, and for USO functions. She’s also performed the song for many events for American Airlines and their Veterans Initiatives programs sharing the stage with Gary Sinise, Dennis Haysbert and Tony Orlando. Perhaps the most meaningful moment she experienced was when a room full of Medal of Honor recipients, some of them old enough to have served in WWII, got to their feet and gave her a standing ovation after she sang Lucky Me. This is when she fully felt the power of this song to communicate gratitude to our service men and women. The videos of Lucky Me she released on YouTube have 125,000 views and over 20,000 “shares” on Facebook.

Helene just released an EP of new material. This 6-pack CD, “Restless Heart”, is available on iTunes and CDBaby. More information can be found on her website: helenecronin.com or from her Facebook fan page. While this is the first new music Helene has released to the public in awhile, she has 2 other CDs available on iTunes and CDBaby.

Connecting with people through the emotion of music, expressing some true thought or idea, finding God’s grace in the chaos of life: these are the things that motivate Helene to continue writing and pursuing the musical dreams that began when she first picked up her older brother’s guitar, when he wasn’t looking, and taught herself those first few chords.

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Clayton Jones, Singer/Songwriter

As a singer/songwriter, 23-year old Clayton Jones has spent the past seven years perfecting his craft and making wave

s across the country through his music, the last four being spent as the lead singer for Pop/Rock band The Madison Letter.

Since the band’s formation in February 2010, TML has recorded and released two EP’s, in which they’ve traveled to 22 states across the US and opened for such prestigious acts as The Script, Owl City, Secondhand Serenade, We The Kings and Alex Goot. In February 2013 they were featured on

MTV as one of the top 4 nominees in the country for MTV’s first ever College Artist Woodie Award and were also a part of Chevy Music Showcase, a TV series highlighting the top bands in four major Midwest cities.

Although Clayton has experience in multiple genres of songwriting, his primary influences derive from The Script, The Goo Goo Dolls, Maroon 5, Tori Kelly, and Mat Kearney; collectively producing a blend of Pop/Rock with tastes of R&B, Soul, and Hip/Hop elements. His pop sensibility and

incredible ear for hook writing is something that you will instantly notice after listening to one of Clayton’s songs. He talks about his writing process by saying, “Melodies are what’s constantly pouring out of me….lyrics eventually follow obviously, but typically I have to focus on them a lot more. For me personally, melody is what has always initially caught my ear about a song, so if I can manage to write a great melody and support it with great lyrics, that’s gold to me.”

Clayton strongly values the live show experience and the task of making sure what happens on stage is reaching that 3rd dimension, which is the audience. “There is an overwhelming sense of peace and something bigger than myself that I get when I listen to my favorite songs”, he says, “and being able to replicate that feeling for someone else, even if it’s just for a 3½ minute songthat’s the beauty of writing and playing music.”

Clayton and The Madison Letter are currently recording their first full-length album, scheduled to release in early summer 2014 with 10 brand new songs. “It’s taken four years to find out who we are as a band and the sound that we want to go for, and this album is going to be a clear representation of that.  We couldn’t be more excited for people to hear what we’ve been working on.”

The debut single “Don’t Wanna Miss It” is now available on iTunes and will be followed by another single later in the spring.  The album is being recorded at Groove Kitchen Studio in Nashville, TN with producer Luke DeJaynes and mix-engineer Drew Bollman.

Originally a St. Louis, MO native, Clayton currently resides in Nashville, TN recording with the band and co-writing other writers.

Global Songwriters Member Spotlight

Devon Wade Tibbetts, Singer/Songwriter

Devon Wade is an independent country music artist out of Sandpoint Idaho with a strong love for what country music has always been, songs about real life and things that matter most in life. Most recently opening for such acts as Jerrod Niemann, The Josh Abbott band, and Roseanne Cash, Devon has become known for his strong country voice coming from such influences as George Strait, Clint Black, and Garth Brooks, as well as his lively shows.

“Performing music has always been about the people, I want everyone at one of my shows to have a great time, it isn’t about me, but it should be about them. I want people to hear the memories, either it be from one of my songs, or a cover of another artist that they can request. Many times during a show, I have even learned a song someone requested that I didn’t know from an MP3 of the song or the internet, and if I can’t learn it then they are welcome to come up and sing it themselves” says Devon. Being a frequent concert-goer himself he understands what makes for a memorable experience and he is always trying to make everyone feel special at each of his shows.

“My most memorable concert experience was seeing Chris Ledoux live, I can still hear the crowd, the songs, and still remember the way I felt after that concert….I said to myself…that’s what I want to do. I may not be as popular as Chris Ledoux, but when I am on the stage with the band, that’s who I imagine myself as. I want people to walk away from a show and feel the same way I did.”

With his songwriting skills coupled with his energetic shows he has become a favorite among country music fans everywhere. “For me, making it big in the music business is not what really matters, but if I can make a new fan of country music out of someone in the audience then I couldn’t ask for anything more”.

For Booking Contact Devon Wade Productions at devonwadecountry.com or by calling 208-304-6930