MUSIC

As part of Country Music Month’s promotions, events, and activities spotlighting the genre and leading up to the annual CMA Awards on Thursday, Nov. 1, the CMA Songwriters Series will return to Nashville on Wednesday, Oct. 31 (8:00pm CT) at Marathon Music Works.

Featuring Kristian Bush, Brett James, Brantley Gilbert, and host Bob DiPiero, the CMA Songwriters Series allows music fans insight into the stories behind some of their favorite songs.

As one half of Country Music duo Sugarland, Bush has garnered five CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards, exceeded sales of more than 22 million units, and garnered eight No. 1 singles. An accomplished producer and songwriter, Bush is responsible for hits such as “Baby Girl,” “All I Want To Do,” and “Stuck Like Glue,” all recorded by Sugarland.

"The CMA Awards bring out the best in everybody, and that applies to fans of Country Music as well -- just being around the energy of Nashville during CMA Week is contagious,” said Bush. "So to play this CMA Songwriters Showcase for all those dedicated fans, in the middle of all that energy? What an incredible honor. It feels like the Super Bowl of writers' nights. I can only imagine how exciting it's going to be to perform."

James, known for writing such hits as “Cowboy Casanova” (recorded by Carrie Underwood), “The Truth” (recorded by Jason Aldean), and “Out Last Night” (recorded by Kenny Chesney), will share songs and the stories behind those songs.

CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Gilbert has had one of the most successful careers of any new artist as both a singer and songwriter. His sophomore project, the Gold-certified Halfway to Heaven Deluxe, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and has since produced two Gold-certified No. 1 singles “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Gilbert also penned the No. 1 hits “My Kinda Party” and CMA Single of the Year nominee “Dirt Road Anthem,” both recorded by Jason Aldean. This is Gilbert’s first time participating in the CMA Songwriters Series which falls in the midst of his first-ever headlining tour, “Hell On Wheels.”

“This is really cool that the CMA asked me to join some of the best songwriters around and give us the opportunity to share our stories. As all of my fans know, songwriting is very important to me and has definitely been therapeutic,” said Gilbert. “Whether it's about throwing a party in the sticks or getting over a girl, my music always seems to come from my personal experiences. I look forward to sharing more stories on this night."

One of Nashville's most consistent and prolific hit writers, DiPiero's chart-toppers include "Southern Voice" recorded by Tim McGraw, "Blue Clear Sky" recorded by George Strait, and "Lovin’ You Is Fun” recorded by Easton Corbin. DiPiero, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, has been hosting the Songwriters Series since its inception at Joe’s Pub in New York City in 2005.