Hall of Fame Songwriters
The Legends Behind the Songs.
Songs You Know. Stories You’ve Never Heard.
The San Juan Songwriters Festival is proud to feature four Headliners, a curated group of nationally recognized artists, and an original selection of regional talent, shaping the sound of modern country, pop and rock music.
These acclaimed songwriters step out from behind the artists who made their songs famous and into an intimate setting where they can share the story behind the song, how it was written, what inspired it and how it’s evolved over time.
You may not know every name - but you know their songs. Now hear their stories.
Rivers Rutherford - Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, Rivers Rutherford is a master of modern country songwriting. Known for his sharp lyrical instincts and unmistakable hooks, his songs have become staples of the genre.
The Songs:
“When I Get Where I’m Going “ – Brad Paisley
“Ain’t Nothin ‘bout You” – Brooks & Dunn
“If You Ever Stop Loving Me” – Montgomery Gentry
“Real Good Man” – Tim McGraw
“Living in Fast Forward” – Kenny Chesney
“Smoke Rings in the Dark” - Gary Allen
“These Are My People” – Rodney Atkins
Matraca Berg - Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008, Matraca Berg is one of Nashville’s most respected and influential writers. Known for emotionally rich, timeless songs, her work blends storytelling, vulnerability and depth in a way that defines great songwriting.
The Songs:
“Strawberry Wine” – Deana Carter
“XXX’s and OOO’s” – Trisha Yearwood
“You and Tequila” - Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter
“You Can Feel Bad” – Patty Loveless
“Wrong Side of Memphis” - Trisha Yearwood
Kara DioGuardi - An 11-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer and music executive, Kara DioGuardi’s work spans pop, rock and country, with a reputation for crafting songs that are both powerful and enduring.
The Songs:
“Rich Girl” – Gwen Stefani and Eve
“Walk Away” - Kelly Clarkson
“Ain’t No Other Man” – Christina Aguilera
“Undo It” – Carrie Underwood
“Sober” – Pink
Marti Frederiksen - A prolific songwriter and producer, Marti Frederiksen is known for his work with Aerosmith, Santana, Carrie Underwood and other major artists across rock and country. Marti is also the lead voice of Stillwater in Almost Famous. His songs bring a bold, anthemic quality while staying grounded in strong storytelling and melody.
The Songs:
"Jaded" - Aerosmith
"Dreamer” – Ozzie Ozbourne
"Sorry" - Buckcherry
"Love Remains the Same“ - Gavin Rossdale
“Can’t Slow Down”– Foreigner
More National Songwriters
A curated group of nationally recognized songwriters bringing current hits, rising voices, and fresh perspectives.
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“Startin’ with Me” (Jake Owen), “Right Where I Need to Be” (Gary Allan), “Younger Me” (Brothers Osborne)
Kendell Marvel is a Grammy-winning songwriter and powerhouse vocalist whose gritty blend of outlaw country and southern rock has made him a standout in Nashville and beyond. Born in Southern Illinois, Marvel began performing in bars at age 10 and penned his first major hit, Gary Allan’s “Right Where I Need to Be,” on his first day in Nashville. Since then, he’s written for artists like Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Jake Owen, Brothers Osborne and more.
Marvel launched his solo artist career with 2017’s Lowdown & Lonesome, followed by Dan Auerbach-produced Solid Gold Sounds (2019), and 2022’s Come On Sunshine, a raw, genre-blending record featuring a collaboration with Chris Stapleton. Known for his deep baritone and no-nonsense storytelling, Marvel continues to tour nationally and host his celebrated “Kendell Marvel’s Honky Tonk Experience” shows in Nashville, sharing the stage with artists like Cody Jinks, Alison Krauss, Randy Houser, Foo Fighters, Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, and more.
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“Stupid Boy” (Keith Urban), “SunDaze” (Florida Georgia Line), “Put You in a Song” (Keith Urban)
Sarah Buxton is an American songwriter from Lawrence, Kansas, with a recording career, background vocal career and songs recorded by many artists, including Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Parker McCollum, Alan Jackson and many more.
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#1 song, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” performed by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson.
Paul Jenkins is an American songwriter hailing from Southeast Texas. After signing with Sony ATV Publishing in 2009, Paul was nominated as one of Music Row Magazine’s breakthrough songwriters of the year for his #1 song, “Don’t You Wanna Stay” performed by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. Since, Paul has had various chart topping singles performed by artist such as Jason Aldean , Blake Shelton, Megan Moroney , Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Thompson Square, and Rascal Flats.
Throughout his career, Paul’s songs have garnered various Grammy, ACM, CMT, ACA, and NSAI awards and nominations.
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“Brokenheartsville” (Joe Nichols), “Some of It” (Eric Church)
Born in Panama City, Florida, Clint Daniels is an American country music singer and songwriter. He was signed as solo artist with Arista Nashville in 1998. There, Daniels released four songs, two of which charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.
Daniels co-wrote his first Number One single for Joe Nichols (Brokenheartsville), and has been primarily known for his songwriting and performing at showcases across the country. As a BMI award-winning songwriter, Daniels has co-written Number One singles for Joe Nichols, Montgomery Gentry (Roll With Me) and most recently, Eric Church (Some Of It). His songs have helped shape country music for almost 20 years and have been recorded by George Strait, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Clay Walker, Easton Corbin, Jon Pardi, Cody Johnson, Brandy Clark, Jake Worthington, Earnest and other country acts
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“Sweet Annie,” “Goodbye in Her Eyes” (Zac Brown Band)
Sonia Leigh is a genre-blending singer, songwriter, and producer whose music spans country, rock, pop, and hip-hop. Known for her musical versatility, Leigh has released projects ranging from co-producing her full length 2018 album Mad Hatter to rock-driven singles like “Thin Ice” and “Beautiful Mess.”
Her music has been featured across film, television, sports, and video games, and she has shared the stage with artists including Eric Church, Melissa Etheridge, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and Joan Jett. Leigh continues to explore new creative lanes through multiple projects, including the hip-hop/rock duos TYGR TYGR and Indica Girlz (under her alias ELYVN ELYVN). Her 2025 single “Never Stopped” channels a Motown-inspired soul sound, leading into her 2025 highly anticipated album release Songs About Ghosts, a return to her country and Americana roots that showcases her signature genre-defying style.
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Front man for The Mourning Doves. “Soul Searching,” “Learning to Fly”
Paul McDonald’s voice is immediately recognizable and impossible to ignore. Often compared to legends like Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan, the poetic story-driven narratives and deeply catchy hooks in his music are delivered by a raspy yet refined voice reminiscent of another era that demands to be heard right now. He pulls off the rare feat of being a poet, visual artist, songwriter, adamant performer, and a powerful vocalist.
Paul’s hope is to spread peace, love, and unity through his music.
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“She’s Country” (Jason Aldean), “International Harvester” (Craig Morgan), “I Love This Life” (LoCash)
Self-described “recovering preacher’s kid”, Mississippi-born Danny Myrick grew up playing, singing, and writing for his family gospel band in his hometown of Pascagoula. He had his first #1 gospel song at the age of 17. Upon moving to Nashville, Danny had 7 #1 hits in the gospel world before founding 90’s country rock band Western Flyer, with whom he had several top 40 hits. He has gone on to have cuts on a diversity of artists from country icons Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, to Joe Cocker, Maddie & Tae, and Eddie Vedder, selling over 20 million records combined. Danny’s songs have compiled over a BILLION streams.
Danny has celebrated numerous hits, such as Craig Morgan’s “International Harvester, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah”, LoCash’s “I Love This Life” and 2009’s most played country smash, “She’s Country”. Danny produced #1 gospel album Company’s Comin’ by Actor/Comedian/Social Influencer Leslie Jordan featuring Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton, Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, TJ Osborne and more. Danny wrote and produced the recent single “A Hundred” on rising star Reyna Roberts, who appears on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, and co-wrote “One More Sunset” from Kenny Chesney’s latest release, Born! He is also heavily involved with Songwriting With Soldiers, an amazing organization that assists veterans in telling their deeply moving stories through songwriting sessions with professional songwriters.
This past September, Danny was inducted, along with blues legend John Lee Hooker, into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame.
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“Love Like Crazy” (Lee Brice), “Give It All We Got Tonight” (George Strait), “Either Way” (Chris Stapleton)
Tim James has had over 90 major label cuts by artists such as Alabama Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker, Craig Morgan, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Buddy Jewel, Josh Turner, Chris Stapleton and contemporary Christian artist Point of Grace.
James penned the Trace Adkins single “All I Ask For Anymore,” which was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Country Song of 2009, and the 2010 Billboard Song of the Year. His #1 hit song “Love Like Crazy,” recorded by Lee Brice, was nominated for ACM Song of the Year in 2010 and broke a record for the most consecutive weeks on the charts. James also wrote the Rodney Atkins single “He’s Mine,” the George Strait #1 single “Give It All We Got Tonight,” and the title track and single from the Darius Rucker album Southern Style. James also wrote the single, “Either Way,” from the GRAMMY Award winning album by Chris Stapleton entitled From A Room, Volume 1 and “Loving You On My Mind” from the new Chris Stapleton album Higher.
Most recently, James landed songs in the Tyler Perry movie, Divorce in the Black as well as the hit show Landman.
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“Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Take a Little Ride” (Jason Aldean), “Watch the Wind Blow By” (Tim McGraw)
Originally from the great state of New Jersey, Dylan Altman has been writing and performing in Nashville since 1994. He has had three #1 songs: Tim McGraw’s “Watch The Wind Blow By”, Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night”, Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” as well as Chase Bryant’s top ten hit “Take It On Back”. Other artists who have recorded his songs include Trace Adkins, Eli Young Band, Joe Nichols and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
He’s also the host of his own cooking/music show on YouTube, Dylan Altman’s Soul Stew.
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“Life Ain’t Fair” (feat. Sheryl Crow), “Black Crow” (Brent Cobb), “Lowdown and Lonesome” (Kendell Marvel)
Dean Alexander is a Grammy nominated songwriter who got his first publishing deal by the late Barbara Orbison (widow of Roy Orbison) and whose work can be heard on Brent Cobb's "Black Crow" (featuring Jason Isbell), “Life Ain’t Fair” w/ Sheryl Crow, Top 40 with “Live A Little” and most recently, Kristian Bush’s “Heart of Yours,” Kendall Marvel’s “Hell Bent On Hard Times,” and more songs to be released in 2025, as well as multiple TV/syncs including the hit show NASHVILLE.
A survivor of Nashville's music industry, having earned his stripes as a Gibson Guitar luthier, Lower Broadway performer, major-label artist, and A-list songwriter long before embracing his independence, where he shines a light on his traumas and triumphs with his debut full-length album, Devil Man's Blues. Dean is in the finishing stages of his new country/rock band NEPTUNE FLOWERS project to be released in 2026.
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“This Ole Town,” “In a Trailer” (Cassady Daniels), “Rhinestoned” (Adam Mac), voice of Blue Bell Ice Cream
A sweet mixture of Laurel Canyon and smooth Tennessee Whiskey, Megan Linville is solidifying her footing as an emerging artist to watch on the country music scene. She was featured as one of CMT’s Artist Discoveries and her music video for “This Old Town” reached number 3 on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown.
She has had recent releases with artist Adam Mac (“Rhinestoned”), CBS The Road contestant, Cassidy Daniels (“In a Trailer”), and she put out her own single last year, “More Cowboy”. Megan is the voice of Blue Bell Ice Cream, alongside Nashville Hall of Fame Songwriter, Aaron Barker.
Regional Artists
Local voices. Strong Stories. Real Connection.
Songwriters from the San Juan region and beyond, grounded in place and shaped by the landscape.
Authentic, original and essential to the spirit of the Festival.
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Westfield is a musical project created by Durango local, Annie Brooks.
Her music is inspired by psych rock of the 60s and 70s and by classic western Americana, with imagery seeped in the dust and juniper of the American Southwest. Her lyrics allude to the themes of mythology and shadow, with loving nods to the landscapes of Colorado. Her songs float between earth and ether, with pulsing tremolos and deep-space reverb to create a mood that is both introspective and soaring.
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Alex is a Southwest Colorado-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with a playful, insightful approach to music and composition. Born and raised in Colorado, his musical stylings reflect his approach to creating a vibrant, positive, and downright silly existence.
He’s been performing solo and with a number of band projects throughout the Western United States for the last decade. His most recent and substantial endeavor has been the Americana Roots quartet, Birds of Play, formed after his narrow victory in the 2018 Blues Challenge at the Telluride Blues and Brews Fest.
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Abigael is an indie folk singer-songwriter currently based in Colorado. Her music weaves a sonic tapestry of emotional storytelling, exploring themes of love, loss, and healing. Embracing the full spectrum of human experience, Abigael's music is a reminder of the beauty that can emerge from feeling it all. On a mission to deeply understand love in all of its expressions, Abigael hopes that her music will offer solace and joy, and ultimately contribute to the vision of a more loving and compassionate world.
Abigael just released her highly anticipated debut album, "The Things I've Found", on November 29th 2025.
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Andrew McConathy is a Country/Americana singer-songwriter and the driving force behind Drunken Hearts; a road-tested project somewhere between Country Music and the Unknown, where outlaw grit meets cosmic reflection and every song carries the weight of scars. Solo, it’s the same work brought closer to the source: McConathy, an acoustic guitar, and songs willing to sit in the silence long enough for truth to become twang.
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Farmer. Father. Musician. Painter. Dart’s music is rooted in the life he lives — love, loss, heartbreak, and hard work beneath the Rocky Mountains. Born in Colorado and raised in rural Arkansas, Ryan’s sound blends the grit of country and the soul of rhythm and blues. Think Dylan, Cash, Van Zandt, Waits, Petty — with a touch of Fats Domino and Bill Withers.
After years touring with acts like Rose Hill Drive, Dinosaur Jr., and Ryan Bingham, Dart settled north of Denver to raise his son and start Dart Farms. His 2022 album Edge of the Wild showed his growth as a songwriter — but personal heartbreak followed. Now, he’s back with If Love Don’t Break You — a 14-song “Divorce Album” that dives deep into the emotional landscape. Featuring Texas fiddle legend Richard Bowden and an all-star lineup including Nate Barnes, Daniel Sproul, Bridget Law and of Elephant Revival — this record balances sorrow with surprising joy. It’s raw, real, and fully human.
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Caleb Schwing has been called the Miyamoto Musashi of bald, Americana adjacent musicians in Central Colorado. His band, The Holy Smokes, made up of friends, lovers and converted enemies, are sure to make you call your ex and apologize. Caleb's dive bar mix drink of creaking old Gibsons and fervent lyrics paired with transcendental pedal steel will leave you with a feeling only repeated just after death.
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Thom Chacon, the Durango, Colorado singer-songwriter and actor, breathes life into the characters he inhabits in song and on screen.
When he's not guiding fly-fishing in the Rockies, you can find Thom Chacon telling a story through music and film.
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Alex Dunn is a modern Americana troubadour, offering his own blend of country-tinged folk music out of the high desert of northern New Mexico.
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Julianne Marqua is a singer-songwriter and performing artist who brings heart, craft, and authenticity to her music. She has shared the stage with artists such as Brett Dennen, Daniel Rodriguez, and John Craigie. She is a Durango, Colorado-based musician who plays with the sounds of indie-folk and americana. She weaves inspiration from the high desert land and pulls from her life and the lives of others to share stories through songs. Julianne aims to use her music as a way for people to connect and celebrate all of life - highs and lows alike.
When not performing solo, Julianne performs with her duo Joys Familiar, where storytelling, harmony, and emotional connection take center stage.
Come for the songs.
Stay for the experience.
