Bill Abernathy, 56, has been writing songs and playing guitar for most of his life, though it’s rarely been his focus. Today, with two grown children and a well-established career as a logistics expert for a large multi-national company, Abernathy has reached the top of Reverbnation’s Americana chart with his very first album, Changes.
One of the most successful female country musicians of all time, Kathy Mattea has had numerous top 40 hits in her three-decade career.
Jason Matthews moved to Nashville in 1995 to follow his dream of becoming a songwriter. His first big hit was “That’s Just Jesse” recorded by Kevin Denney in 2000. Today, Matthews is a full-time songwriter for Warner/Chappell and has written hit songs for many big name artists, including Billy Currington’s recording of “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right,” Luke Bryan’s “Muckalee Creek Water,” and Trace Adkins’ “Tough People Do.”
Growing up, Joy Collins never wanted to do anything but sing. Her father, who was in the military, was a gospel singer. He taught Collins and her sisters to sing harmony. “I would make my sisters be Louise and Irlene, and I was Barbara [Mandrell], and we would have little talent shows in front of my parents and their friends,” says Collins.
rammy-nominated singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb launched into the spotlight in 1994 with her platinum-selling, number one hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the Ben Stiller-directed film Reality Bites