MUSIC CITY HIT-MAKERS, SOME OF NASHVILLE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITERS AND SYMPHONY MUSICIANS, ANNOUNCES DEBUT EP AND RELEASE SHOW

SONGS & SYMPHONY EP AVAILABLE JUNE 4; CHRIS DESTEFANO, 

RIVERS RUTHERFORD AND MARCUS HUMMON TO PERFORM RELEASE SHOW 

AT CITY WINERY

Music City Hit-Makers (MCHM), created by classically trained violinist Charles Dixon, announces the release of their debut EP Songs & Symphony on June 4. The EP features some of Nashville's most successful songwriters including Brett James, Jessi Alexander, Chris DeStefano, Hillary Lindsey, Marcus Hummon and Rivers Rutherford, who have penned hits for Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Miley Cyrus and countless other superstars. MCHM, often referred to as "the most famous people you’ve never heard of," features Nashville’s biggest songwriters performing their hits as arranged for a symphony by award-winning studio musician and arranger Charlie Judge.

“Nashville is the epicenter of great songwriting, so the top songwriters in Nashville really are the best in the business,” says Charlie Judge. “It is my incredibly good fortune to have the opportunity to work with these talented writers, both as a keyboardist in the studio recording their hits, and as an arranger re-casting their songs for orchestra.”

The group of writers featured on this project has a combined seventy five #1 hits from today’s superstars as well as country music legends and new artists. Taste of Country, The Boot and Billboard will be providing early listen of select songs prior to release.

“Most of the hit songs we incorporate in our Music City Hit-Makers shows can be heard on country radio,” continues Charlie Judge. “But great songs transcend genre, and they work equally well whether they’re dressed in a cowboy hat or a tuxedo. I find great joy in stripping the songs down to their essence, finding the emotional core, and then rebuilding them with the endlessly inspiring orchestral palette.”

Pre-order available on May 10, 2019.

To celebrate the release of Songs & Symphony, MCHM’s Chris DeStefano, Rivers Rutherford and Marcus Hummon will be performing on June 4 at City Winery in Nashville.

Tickets for City Winery show available here.

Music City Hit-Makers Songs & Symphony Track Listing: 

Brett James - “I Hold On” - recorded by Dierks Bentley 

Jessi Alexander - “Mine Would Be You” - recorded by Blake Shelton 

Chris DeStefano - “From The Ground Up” - recorded by Dan + Shay 

Hillary Lindsey - “Girl Crush” - recorded by Little Big Town 

Marcus Hummon - “Born To Fly” - recorded by Sara Evans 

Rivers Rutherford - “When I Get Where I’m Going” - recorded by Brad Paisley with Dolly Parton

THANK A SONGWRITER - JESSI ALEXANDER

Jessi Alexander is an American country music artist. Her songs have been recorded by Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Reba, Eric Paslay, Blake Shelton and Lee Brice. She launched her own recording career in 2004. Two of her songs charted on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, and Columbia Records released her debut album, Honeysuckle Sweet, on March 1, 2005. In 2006, the label made the unfortunately decision to drop her.

Alexander co-wrote Miley Cyrus' single "The Climb," for the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie which earned her #1 spot for 15 weeks on Billboard’s AC chart, #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Best Song from a Movie at the 2009 MTV Music Awards. She also co-wrote Lee Brice's 2012 smash single "I Drive Your Truck" with Connie Harrington and Jimmy Yeary. The single was awarded Song of the Year honors at the 47th annual Country Music Association Awards, as well as Song of the Year at the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Other hit songs that originated from her pen are:

Blake Shelton's "Drink on It" which charted at #1 on the Billboard US Hot Country Songs chart and "Mine Would Be You" which charted at #1 on the Billboard US Country Airplay chart.

Eric Paslay's latest single "Song About a Girl" which charted at #12 on the Billboard US Country Airplay chart and at #18 on the Billboard US Hot Country Songs chart.

Reba McEntire's hit "When Love Gets A Hold Of You" which peaked at #40 on the Billboard US Hot Country Songs chart.

Jessi is currently married to songwriter Jon Randall and is signed to Kobalt Music Publishing. She has been involved with NSAI's legislative efforts and has performed on NSAI benefit shows.

Connect with Jessi online via Twitter at @JessiLAlexander and thank her for her contributions to country music.

Pick up her latest cd, "Down Home"on iTunes. It includes her versions of "Mine Would Be You" featuring Dierks Bentley, "I Drive Your Truck" featuring Jon Randall, "Drink on It" which features Charlie Worsham, and "The Climb" featuring Chris Stapleton. This is one of the best "unheard" cds out there. What a fantastic collection of hits and collaborations done the songwriter way. We love it.