The Songwriter Tapes - A three ep release from Creative Nation

It's embedded in the term 'songwriter'...

Half of the workload here is in the writing... And if that's strong enough, then the 'song' part of the equation becomes something that everybody knows and loves.

Such is the case with this new series of ep releases from stellar Nashville songwriters Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean. Three eps that consist of four songs each & that give the listener an insight into the written word behind many well-know hits.

Volume I includes two tremendous tracks that were made famous by Tim McGraw - Luke Laird's "Diamond Rings & Barstools" and Lori McKenna's brilliant & heartwarming "Humble and Kind." Also included here is "American Kids" which became a huge success for Kenny Chesney and was written by Luke Laird & Shane McAnally along with Rodney Clawson.

Volume II is no slouch either with their original writer version of Little Big Town's "Girl Crush" and Carrie Underwood's "So Small.

Volume III rounds it all out with a great version of the Eric Church classic "Give Me Back My Hometown" who's line about the 'Pizza Hut' always brings a smile to writer Laird's face & reminds him of his northwestern PA roots. Also on Volume III is "God's Will" which was a moster hit for Martina McBride, and "Crowded Table" that garnered a larger audience when it became a staple of Highwomen shows.

All in all, this project has a real 'in-the-round' vibe to it & can be as educational to the songwriting process as it is entertaining... Only available as a download, but well worth your effort to seek it out and see what these tremendous songwriting talents are all about!

Here's a couple of examples: