CMA Songwriters Series

Direct from Nashville, artists performing their songs and telling the stories behind them. This live free show features Ashley Campbell, Chris DeStefano, Drake White and Charlie Worsham.

Ashley Campbell

Following in a famous parent’s footsteps is never an easy path to take, and for years Ashley Campbell pursued dance and acting rather than a singing career, but eventually the youngest daughter of country legend Glen Campbell, followed her own musical muse after being asked to play banjo in a play in which she was appearing. That became a pivotal turning point in young Ashley’s life, and she’s never looked back or regretted her career change.

Growing up in a musical family, Ashley was surrounded by musical instruments throughout her childhood. Her father was not only a singing superstar, but also a highly skilled guitarist. Prior to making it as a country-pop vocalist, Glen Campbell had been an in-demand session guitarist playing on hundreds of hit records—everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Beach Boys.

Chris DeStefano

Grammy Award Winning American singer/songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist originally from New Jersey, Chris DeStefano currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.  

As a songwriter he has had multiple number one songs with artists Carrie Underwood (“Good Girl”, “Little Toy Guns”), Billy Currington (“Hey Girl”), Brett Eldredge (“Don’t Ya”), Luke Bryan (“That’s My Kind of Night”, “Kick the Dust Up”), Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood (“Somethin’ Bad,” later reworked as the opening theme for NBC Sunday Night Football), Rascal Flatts (“Rewind”) and Jason Aldean (“Just Gettin’ Started”).

Underwood’s “Good Girl”, which DeStefano co-wrote, reached number 1 on Billboards weekly char – Hot Country Songs in 2012. DeStefano also co-wrote and produced Brett Eldredge’s number 1 single “Don’t Ya”.

Chris also co-wrote the Carrie Underwood, 7-week, number one song “Something in the Water”, and co-wrote current single “Kiss Somebody” (July 2017) with its Australian singer, Morgan Evans, and fellow American songwriter, Josh Osborne – which won Country Work of the Year at the APRA Music Awards of 2018.

Drake White

Named one of No Depression’s 7 Male Artists to Breakout in 2018, Drake White is going to put together the PIECES. His PIECES EP is available now and features five new tracks, two of which he co-wrote. This follows his debut album SPARK, which has earned praise both commercially and across his loyal fan following. The 2016 Taste of Country Fan Choice Awards Album of the Year is a 12-track labor of love that showcases his exemplary songwriting with a rock-infused, organic Country sound and signature foot-stomp. The sultry song “Makin’ Me Look Good Again,” hit the top spot on SiriusXM’s The Highway with its deeply personal lyrics and pulsating groove. It also earned White the honor of International Song of the Year at the British CMA Awards. Fans from all genres voted White as CBS.com’s GRAMMY “Artist of Tomorrow” as he continues to stun crowds with his incredible live show and soulful voice. Drake, along with his band The Big Fire, has previously toured with superstars including Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, Toby Keith and more. It is no wonder that the Alabama native was featured in Entertainment Weekly’s New Artists Who Will Rule 2017, Rolling Stone’s 10 Country Artists You Need To Know and Billboard’s Hot New Country Artists to Watch. Major corporations have also taken notice with Geico showcasing his song “Heartbeat” in their national television campaign. White recently wrapped a second leg on Kip Moore’s PLEAD THE FIFTH TOUR and is currently on the road for additional headline dates. Read more at DrakeWhite.com.

Charlie Worsham

As a talented multi-instrumentalist and student of great songs, Charlie Worsham has developed a unique modern Country sound built around the traditional acoustic instruments he grew up on. Starting in his hometown of Grenada, Mississippi, Worsham was always out playing somewhere. From the Opry at age 12 to the local Missionary Baptist Church to the back-road blues joints he wasn’t even supposed to know about, much less play in, wherever he found a stage, he played. With his energy and showmanship onstage and his understated Mississippi “yes sir” and “no ma’am” offstage, it’s easy to understand why so many in Nashville’s music community are rooting for him. After studying at Berklee School of Music in Boston, he moved South to Nashville. For the last two years, Worsham has divided his time between writing songs, being an in-demand studio musician for other artists and playing his music live — sharing stages across the country with Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift and others.