15 Producers To Watch
Welcome to the first Nashville Briefing Producers You Need to Know list. This group was handpicked by our editorial team in partnership with the Nashville publishing community. If you’re in the music creation business, you can’t afford to not know these producers. If you don’t know what a producer is, well we can’t help you there. Let’s dive in! - Zak Kuhn (Founder, The Nashville Briefing)
Will Bundy
Hometown: Lebanon, VA
Publisher: Warner Chappell Music / Cornman Music
Will Bundy was born and raised on his family’s cattle farm just outside of Lebanon, Virginia, a small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. When Will picked up the guitar at age 12 with his Popaw Chambers, he instantly developed a passion for music and began writing songs. At 19, Will made the move to Nashville to fully pursue a career in music. Since then, he has written and produced over 200 songs for various artists. Notable collaborators include Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Jon Pardi, Jason Aldean, Parker McCollum, Larry Fleet, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, Ella Langley and more.
Best producer tip: Make music that you love. If you love it, there’s a good chance somebody else will too.
Daniel Ross
Hometown: Hope Mills, NC
Publisher: Big Machine Music Publishing
Known as a multi-threat talent in the writing room, Big Machine songwriter/producer Daniel Ross is having a breakout year with singles on Morgan Wallen (“Lies Lies Lies”), Jon Pardi (‘Friday Night Heartbreaker”) and dozens of recent releases by such artists as Nate Smith and Maddie & Tae, among many others. Ross similarly continues to emerge as a producer as showcased this year on “Missin’ Tonight” (George Birge), “Invisible” (Knox), and recent co-productions by artists such as Mitchell Tenpenny, Chase Matthew and Conner Smith.
Best producer tip: Best tip I know is to get the song right before you start producing. I’ve wasted hours trying to make a mediocre song do something special. You’re better off reworking the song and getting that right. Sounds basic, but a great song will instantly make the track more inspired.
Mike Robinson
Hometown: Dublin, OH
publisher: UMPG
mgmt: Shelby Yoder, Willo
Mike Robinson is a Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter signed with UMPG Nashville. As a prolific guitar player and multi-instrumentalist, Mike has been able to find success while being authentic in multiple genres including pop, folk, singer-songwriter, rock, Americana and country. During his 10 years in Nashville, Mike has been the sole producer on two full length LPs and three or more EPs in addition to producing singles and collaborating on many other bodies of work. Recent cuts include Teddy Swims, The Band CAMINO, LØLØ, Katie Pruitt, Brenn!, emlyn and Hastings, and recent collaborators include UPSAHL, Quinn XCII, Nicky Youre, Bryce Vine and LEW along with writers such as Geoff Warburton, Laura Veltz, David Hodges, Mikky Ekko, Ben Johnson and Jamie Kenney.
Best producer tip: If your vocal isn’t unbelievably good, nothing else you do in production matters. Same thing is true for the song.
Alysa Vanderheym
Hometown: San Fransisco Bay Area, CA
Publisher: Rhythm House / Warner Chappell
MGMT: Sam Drake / Range
Songwriter and producer Alysa Vanderheym arrived in Nashville in 2012 by way of the vibrant music scene of California’s Bay Area. With diverse credits ranging from Kygo and One Republic to country superstars of today, Alysa landed eight cuts on Kelsea Ballerini’s 2023 album Subject To Change and solely produced and co-wrote Ballerini’s Grammy-nominated EP Rolling Up The Welcome Mat. Most recently, Alysa co-wrote and produced Ballerini’s album Patterns, which was released in October. A Female Songwriter of the Year Nominee at the 2022 MusicRow Awards, Alysa earned her first No.1 hit single with “Cold Beer Calling My Name” by Jameson Rodgers and Luke Combs. As seen with her work on artists such as Jelly Roll, Dustin Lynch, Kygo, Russell Dickerson, One Republic, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, The Band Camino and more, Alysa aims to prove that there is more to Music City than country music.
Best producer tip: Your gut will always lead you to the next right decision in a production. Even if it’s a whisper, don’t ignore the inner guidance. Don’t be afraid to step away if you can’t find it yet. Forced creativity rarely translates.
Jimmy Robbins
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
Publisher: Boom Music Group / Cinq Music Publishing
MGMT: Mailbox Money Music
Jimmy Robbins is a CMA/ACM Award winning, Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and publisher. As a producer, he has earned four No. 1 songs and a Billboard No. 1 album. As a writer, he has earned 14 Top 10 hits and 10 No. 1s: “half of my hometown” (Kelsea Ballerini and Kenny Chesney), “I Could Use A Love Song” (Maren Morris), “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett), “Sure Be Cool If You Did” (Blake Shelton), “We Were Us” (Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert), “Whatever She’s Got” (David Nail), “Beachin’” (Jake Owen), “Lights Come On” (Jason Aldean), “Think A Little Less” (Michael Ray) and ”The Bones” (Maren Morris). Jimmy is currently working on projects for Brett Young, Colbie Caillat, Sacha, Eli Young Band and others.
Best producer tip: Remember that production is a service job. You are serving the artist (client) and the song. At the end of the day, the main gig is to make sure the artist and the label is happy. However, there are moments where it’s your job as the producer to fight for what you believe is right for the song because that’s how you best serve the artist.
Will Weatherly
Hometown: Ocala, FL
Publisher: Tape Room Music / Warner Chappell
Will Weatherly has seen great success as a producer and songwriter throughout his career. He moved to Nashville in 2013 and has continued to excel in his work pushing musical boundaries to create unique tracks and production. He has earned four No. 1s as a songwriter, including the longest-running Billboard Top 10 country hit, Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter’s “Thinkin’ Bout You.” He continues to work with artists across the genre and beyond, including Dustin Lynch, Dylan Scott, Tanner Adell, Brantley Gilbert, Ashley Cooke, Alana Springsteen, Mitchell Tenpenny and more.
Best producer tip: Hangout with people who are better than you, and make music that you want to drive around and listen to!
Andy Sheridan
Hometown: Washington Court House, OH
Publisher: Tape Room Music
Songwriter and producer Andy Sheridan began his career in the live music space, touring as a full-time musician/band leader with artists such as Phil Vassar, Rascal Flatts, Hunter Hayes, Ben Rector and more. Sheridan saw his first No. 1 on SiriusXM radio with “Narcissist” by Avery Anna and co-wrote the current Parmalee single, “Gonna Love You,” which is climbing the charts in the Top 5. He has produced for artists such as Drew Baldridge, Rascal Flatts, Sam Riggs, Jordan Rowe, Tayler Holder and more and cultivated a network of hit co-writers in Nashville, proving himself in the room and on production with his creative tracks and skilled musicianship.
Best producer tip: Serve the song. Bringing an idea to life, from the writing room to the studio is a huge deal and a collaborative effort. I feel lucky to work with world class musicians and engineers that make me sound like I know what I’m doing!
Alex Hope
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Publisher: Sony Music Publishing
MGMT: BABZ
Alex Hope is an Australian producer and songwriter based in Nashville. Alex has co-written and produced singles for Alec Benjamin, Ben Platt, Troye Sivan, Alanis Morissette and Tegan and Sara. Alex started their career with their contribution to Troye Sivan’s album Blue Neighbourhood, including singles “Wild (feat. Alessia Cara),” “Heaven” and “YOUTH”. Alex is also known for their production and collaborations with Alanis Morissette, Tegan and Sara, Selena Gomez, Tove Lo, Alec Benjamin, Ben Platt, Jack Antonoff, Wrabel, Broods, Years & Years, Missy Higgins, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Marina and the Diamonds, among others.
Best producer tip: It’s not about having the fanciest microphone or the most expensive gear, it’s about the song.
zach abend
Hometown: Syracuse, NY
Publisher: Relative Music Group
Zach is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer originally from Syracuse, New York. He has written songs for artists such as Nickelback, Kenny Chesney, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Morgan Wallen, Chris Lane, Chris Young, Dylan Marlowe, Filmore, and many more. Notably, he co-wrote “Born With A Beer In My Hand,” the lead track of Wallen’s chart-topping album One Thing At A Time. Abend also penned “RADIO SONG” on HARDY’s critically acclaimed Mockingbird & THE CROW and “Anything But Love,” featured on Ingrid Andress’ Grammy-nominated album Lady Like. He also wrote on and produced Filmore’s debut album State I’m In. In 2024, Zach notched his first No. 1 single with Kenny Chesney’s “Take Her Home” and his co-penned “PSYCHO” (HARDY) is currently in the Top 10 at Active Rock.
Best producer tip: Listen to and pull from other genres. Sometimes we think that certain instruments or sounds only belong in certain sounding songs, but in a different context they can take on a totally new, exciting life.
joe fox
Hometown: Marlboro, NJ
Team: Liz Rose Music
Joe Fox is an award-winning songwriter and producer residing in Nashville. He recently penned Jon Pardi’s Platinum No.1 hit, “Last Night Lonely” and won an AIMP Award for “Reverse Cowgirl,” also recorded by Pardi. Currently, he has three songs climbing the charts - Dylan Marlowe & Dylan Scott’s “Boys Back Home,” Matt Stell’s “Breakin’ In Boots” and Josh Ross’ “Single Again.” Fox has also had songs recorded by Post Malone, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Lainey Wilson, Warren Zeiders, Mitchell Tenpenny, Corey Kent, Lauren Alaina, Chayce Beckham and more. His production work includes albums and current radio singles for Dylan Marlowe and Matt Stell, as well as songs for Dylan Scott, Corey Kent and Josh Ross.
Best producer tip: Cmd+S
Jacob Durrett
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
Publisher: Big Loud
Jacob Durrett is an ACM award-winning Nashville-based songwriter and producer with over 25 million records sold and five billion streams. He has drawn on his grunge and metal background to create a unique style and sound all his own. Durrett has written/produced for Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Zayn, Nelly, Diplo, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Dylan Scott, Steve Aoki and many others. Wallen’s albums Dangerous and One Thing At A Time have helped Durrett notch seven Billboard Hot 100 songs as a producer since 2021.
Best producer tip: Learn your DAW inside and out. Trust your taste.
Carrie K
Hometown: Palm Beach, FL
Publisher: Warner Chappell
mgmt: Foundations Music
A producer, writer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville and Los Angeles, Carrie K is forging a path as one of today’s top upcoming producers. Beginning her career as a touring drummer before transitioning into writing and production, Carrie recently had a hand in production on Noah Kahan’s critically acclaimed Stick Season and its extended editions as well as Koe Wetzel’s recent album 9 Lives and Halsey’s song “Hometown.” She also notably produced five tracks on PVRIS’s latest record, earning a No. 1 UK Rock & Metal Album and recently produced and is currently developing country/folk artist Maggie Antone.
Best producer tip: Limit yourself in order to find new solutions
Lindsay Rimes
Hometown: Surry Hills, Australia
Publisher: Sony Music Publishing
Lindsay Rimes is an award-winning talent from Surry Hills, Australia who has built a reputation as an in-demand writer and producer, working across pop, rock and country. In addition to Lindsay’s successes with Nate Smith & Kane Brown, Rimes’ songs have also been recorded by acts including Thomas Rhett, Phillip Phillips, Chase Rice, Dylan Scott, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, & Lady A. Lindsay’s work outside of country includes contributing to Troye Sivan’s 2014 EP TRXYE, as well as co-writing and producing the title track of Kylie Minogue’s 2018 album Golden, which debuted at No.1 in the U.K and Australia.
Best producer tip: Remember to never stop learning and improving your skills. People are hiring you for your instincts and sensibility. You’re just one piece of the process so don’t let your ego get in the way of a great song.
Lalo
Hometown: El Sobrante, CA
Publisher: SMACKSongs
Lalo Guzman is a songwriter/producer from the Bay Area. Some of his notable works as a producer include current Top 10 country radio single “Cowboy Songs” by George Birge, “Wish I Never Felt” by Nate Smith, “Ain’t Missin’ You” by Dylan Schneider and more. He has also produced “Chasin’ A Feeling” and “Forever and a Day” by George Birge, “Bad Decisions” by Dylan Schneider and “My Person” by Spencer Crandall, among others. Other artists he has produced include Tyler Rich, Jordan James, Stephen Paul, Johnny Clawson and more.
Best producer tip: Trust your first instincts and don’t overthink it.
seth mosley
Hometown: Circleville, OH
Publisher: Sony Music Publishing
mgmt: Union Entertainment Group, Carter Hammond
Seth Mosley is a 3x Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter who has significantly impacted the contemporary Christian and country music industry. As the founder of Full Circle Music, he has produced and written for top artists including for KING & COUNTRY, Skillet, Gabby Barrett, Chris Lane, Sam Tinnesz, Tim McGraw, and others. His work has contributed to over 30 No. 1 radio singles, multiple RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum records and over two billion Spotify songwriter streams.
Best producer tip: Sometimes less is more when it comes to production!