NACDL and NFCJ Hosted a Writers' Round 
in Nashville, TN
 

Briana Calhoun

Briana Calhoun is an artist with a tenet all her own. Raised in the small town of Farmerville, La., she is a teacher, mother, artist, songwriter, and president of "Hope on the Inside," a nonprofit dedicated to helping inmates navigate the reentry process.

Why the nonprofit?

In 2021, Calhoun filmed a documentary depicting her incredible journey as a former inmate in a Louisiana women’s prison. She was institutionalized for the better part of three years of her young life. But, with a little grace, and a lot of grit, she managed to find her way.

After receiving her master’s degree in education, she began to pursue her first love of songwriting. Eventually, folks in Music City began to catch wind of her unique sound and story, including country music legend and fellow Louisiana native, Kix Brooks, of Brooks and Dunn.

In 2021, Calhoun recorded a six-song EP at the historically renowned Sound Kitchen Studios. Her most recent EP, Stop Missing me, includes collaborations with Hall-of-Fame songwriters Don Cook, Rafe Van Hoy, and Brooks, and productions by Jeff King (lead for Reba McEntire) and 2023 CMA Producer of the Year, Chip Matthews.

When she’s not busy being a mom and teacher, Briana can be found at some of the most prominent publishing houses in Nashville, playing at national festivals, or headlining her own shows.

Recently, she and Brooks spearheaded the initiative for Hope on the Inside, where fellow songwriters are invited to not only entertain, but share their own journey of hope to inmates in correctional facilities throughout the Southeast.

"I was given a second chance and I'm living proof that there is hope outside of incarceration," Calhoun said. "That's why I do what I do."

For more information or for booking inquiries, visit www.brismusic.com.

Bob DiPiero

Since his first number one hit in 1983, Hall of Fame Songwriter, Bob DiPiero has been responsible for an uninterrupted string of country music hits. One of Nashville’s most prolific and consistent songwriters, Bob possesses a humble drive to keep learning and stay relevant.

To date, he has had over 1,000 songs recorded by artists, countless hit singles, and an astounding 15 number one hits. Bob’s songs have been featured in TV shows, commercials, and movies. Among his countless awards are: 50 BMI Million Air honors, multiple Songwriter of the Year awards and two consecutive Triple Play awards for three number one hit songs within a 12-month period.

In November of 2017, he received yet another incredible honor when BMI presented Bob with their prestigious Icon Award celebrating his outstanding career achievements and honoring his unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers. Previous recipients include Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson. This remarkable accolade leaves no question that Bob DiPiero’s career has truly been iconic.

In 2007, Bob was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville’s Walk of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame honored Bob in 2014 with their prestigious “Poets and Prophets Series: Salute to Legendary Songwriter Bob DiPiero” and the Country Music Association presented him with the first CMA Chairman’s Award as well.

He continues to be honored. In 2020, Bob received the first CMA Advocate Award. His most recent honor was presented by his Alma Mater, Youngstown State University. Bob was invited to give the commencement address and honored with a Doctorate of Music from the Dana School of Music in 2023. Bob remains an in-demand songwriter with major recording artists; is passionate about mentoring new songwriters, can be seen performing his music around the country and is currently working on his first book titled, “Becoming Number One.”

Tim Nichols

With nearly two dozen smash hits, multiple BMI songwriting awards, a Grammy for Best Country Song, as well as being a member of the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame, Tim Nichols has earned his place among Nashville's most elite and respected tunesmiths.

In 2004,  Nichols co-wrote Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying," which stayed at number one for ten consecutive weeks. In addition to breaking a 30-year record, "Live Like You Were Dying" won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2005. It also won the Song of the Year award from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, BMI Country Awards, ASCAP Country Awards, Billboard, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. It is the only song to have won every major song award that is presented for country music.

Other Nichols’ hits helped launch the careers of Jo Dee Messina, (Heads Carolina, Tails California) and Broken Bow Records recording artist Dustin Lynch. (Cowboys and Angels) Sony Music artist Chris Young stayed at the top of the charts for three weeks with the Nichols composition, “The Man I Want To Be.”

More recently, Cole Swindell put a new twist on the Jo Dee Messina, Heads Carolina classic by staying at the top of the country charts for five weeks and winning the 2023 Academy of Country Music Song of the Year Award with “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.”

Feeling the importance of giving back to the community and the music industry, Nichols is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association and a current member of the Nashville Songwriter Association International Board of Directors. In addition to being a past President of the Board of Directors of the High Hopes Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic, Nichols participates in The Warburton and The Rahm, two annual events that benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

When not on Music Row in pursuit of his next hit or entertaining groups with his songs and stories, Tim can be found on keynote stages across the country, sharing what chart-topping songwriters know about creativity, collaboration, and teamwork—so that companies, corporations, and businesses can be at the top of the charts in their own industries.