country
MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2025 Volume 56 Number 9 Issue 667
Editor Kelly Gregory
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Jonny Brick, Chris Brown, Tony Byworth, Rosie Carter, Don Cusic, Larry Delaney, Julie Flaskett, Marshall Gardener, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Sianna King, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Bryce Martin, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dan Wallace, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins
New release consultant Steve Tidbury
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon
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Please recycle this magazine
Caitlin Cannon
THE HOOK UNLEASHED
A bold new songwriter showcase,
podcast, and live-streamed internet show called The Hook will hold its final test run— free and open to the public— on September 1st, at Nashville’ s Eastside Bowl from 7:30 – 9:30pm. This event precedes the official pilot taping on September 29 and invites songwriters of all levels to perform live in front of judges and audience alike. No auditions. No barriers. Just songs, raw and real.
Founded by veteran country music journalist Kyle“ Trigger” Coroneos of SavingCountryMusic. com, The Hook is designed as a high-quality, professionally filmed production for YouTube and digital platforms. The crew includes Director Jim Yockey( Grand Ole Opry, Music City Roots, Bluegrass Underground), Eric Martin, Peter Kimball, and Executive Producer Cliff Seltzer— curator of the acclaimed Jerry Garcia exhibit at the Bluegrass Museum Hall of Fame— ensuring top-tier visuals and storytelling.
“ If you’ re anything like me, you’ re perpetually frustrated that your favourite songwriters never seem to get their due,” said Trigger.“ We’ ve all had those moments when a song completely knocks you on the floor the first time you hear it. Sure, a good song can help pass the time and get your toe tapping. But a great song can change a life, change someone’ s perspective on life, or change the world itself. We’ re in search of those great songs.”
Co-hosting and judging alongside Trigger is award-winning songwriter Caitlin Cannon, known for her fearless honesty and work teaching songwriting to veterans with PTSD and incarcerated individuals. Her grounded, human-centered approach balances perfectly with the show’ s unscripted, unpredictable nature. More industry pros will join the panel over time.
“ It won’ t always be pretty,” Trigger warns.“ There’ ll be plenty of bad songs to sift through, which will be part of the fun.
“ Some might even get The Hook, but when you discover that one incredible song, it’ ll all be worth it.”
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