You're Invited to The Nash News' 28th On The Verge Writer's Round

The Nash News will host its 28th writer's round with independent and up-and-coming artists this Thursday, June 22nd from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Nashville at Assembly Food Hall in the Fifth and Broad complex.

Artists performing include Sarah Hardwig, Gatlin Dean Williams, Zoe Walega, Charles Walker, Hailey Dawn, Noah Pelty, Virginia Louise, Blaire Elbert, and Haley Grimm. Get to know the artists and their music below.

Sarah Hardwig

Sarah Hardwig is a sophomore songwriting major at Belmont originally from Naples, Florida. She has played the Bluebird Cafe multiple times as well as at other rounds in Nashville. She sang the national anthem at the Music City Bowl after winning the Amazon Voice of the Bowl contest, won a Tennessee Songwriters Week showcase, and also participate in the Acoustic Guitar Project at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She released her first single "Who I Am" in November and has been in the studio working on more songs to come.

Gatlin Dean Williams

Gatlin Dean Williams is from a little bit of everywhere as he likes to say. Born in Florida, and with roots from Alabama to Texas, Gatlin spent time in Massachusetts and the pacific northwest. He grew up mostly in a small Washington town not far from the Idaho border, and cut his teeth as a young boy listening to artists like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Alan Jackson. He pursued music lightly as a teenager but only began pursuing it seriously in the spring of 2021. He wrote as much as possible and soon found his sound nestled somewhere in between outlaw country and Americana, and draws influence from newer artists such as Tyler Childers, Drayton Farley, and Zach Bryan, as well the classic country icons he listened to when he was young.

Williams left his Washington town behind in August of 2021 and moved back home to the south and has been chasing the songwriting dream in Nashville ever since.

Zoe Walega

Zoe Walega is a country singer-songwriter from 30A, Florida. She is currently a senior at Belmont University studying songwriting and music business. Zoe has grown up listening to county music and has always been inspired by the genre’s storytelling.

Charles Walker

Hailing from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, Charles Walker first emerged in 2017 with the Whole Again EP, a collection of songs reflecting influences from both modern emo and the classic alt-country records that define the region. The EP showcases a rare duality in an artist that cut his teeth in songwriter rounds and coffee shops, before building his fanbase at DIY house shows and clubs across the country.

Hailey Dawn

Hailey Dawn is a singer/songwriter originally from Thompson’s Station, TN. She now resides in East Nashville and describes her music as a blend of Southern rock and pop melodies. Her song “Waterfalls” from her debut EP was featured on 102.9 the buzz.

Noah Pelty

Noah Pelty is a Nashville-based Singer/Songwriter, originally from New York City. His most recent cuts/releases are “The Girl," and “Kitchen Table”, both recorded and released by Aubrey Rey.

Virginia Louise

Virginia Louise brings introspective, guitar-driven anthems to a new level while working to inspire the world with her infectious heartfelt personality. Her songs have a lyrical composure similar to Maggie Rogers with musical elements inspired by Haim, Soccer Mommy, and classics like Sheryl Crow. She very clearly and intentionally draws from a heavy female influence of fantastic artists, and wants to inspire all others with her music just the same. You can hear in her lyrics the raw emotion that comes out of the vulnerable moments we face as humans, and you can’t help but relate while singing along to her melodies.

Haley Grimm

I'm 21 years old and from Westmont, Illinois, and moved to Nashville 3 years ago to attend Belmont University to study music. Since moving to Nashville I've been blessed with opportunities like singing backup for Russell Dickerson at Belmont University's Curtain Call Awards, and singing backup for Carrie Underwood for the CMT Giants: Vince Gill special. I'll graduate from Belmont next May, and hope to stay in Nashville to pursue a career as an artist!

Blaire Elbert

Born and raised in West Texas, Blaire Elbert started her music career at the Cactus Theater at only five years old. She was in the girl group, “The Cactus Cuties,” with whom she sang at The White House and was featured yodeling on Disney’s “Cory in the House.” At age 18, Blaire moved to Nashville to begin pursuing her own solo music career. Over the past few years, she has spent countless hours honing her craft through songwriting and performing live. Blaire finds inspiration from everything when writing. She wants her music to reflect her life. With her recently released debut single, “Too Soon To Tell,” she hopes listeners will relate to her lyrics and fall in love with her powerful vocals. To learn more about Blaire visit her socials: @blaire_elbert.

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