Songwriters on Skyline: May 9, Allison Veltz Cruz & Adam James

Songwriters on Skyline at Skyline 500 is a curated acoustic evening and a standout among things to do in downtown Clarksville. Featuring No. 1 hit songwriters and highly respected artists, this intimate event offers a live music experience unlike any other at Shelby’s Trio. More than just a concert, it’s an immersive storytelling session that captures the heart and soul behind the hits. Guests enjoy stripped-down performances of original songs paired with the raw stories that inspired them. From creative sparks to behind-the-scenes insights, you’ll experience authentic artistry up close and personal. Created to elevate the live music scene in Clarksville, this exclusive series takes place overlooking the city at Shelby’s Trio. Born into a musical family in Alabama, Allison Veltz Cruz eventually found her way to Music City in 2011, where she immediately made her mark with the platinum K-pop hit "Mr. Taxi" by Girls’ Generation. Since then, she has become a powerhouse on the country charts, penning Matt Stell’s double-platinum, multi-week #1 "Prayed For You" and Tenille Arts’ platinum hit "Somebody Like That." The latter earned a historic place in country music as the first #1 song to be written, performed, and produced entirely by women. A 2020 AIMP Rising Songwriter of the Year, Allison’s impressive catalog includes cuts by Luke Combs, Bailey Zimmerman, and Carly Pearce, as well as Jason Aldean’s "Let Your Boys Be Country." She recently took the next major step in her career by signing an exclusive global publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. Raised on a farm in central Illinois, Adam James grew up with the sounds of 90s country radio fueling his dreams of making it in Nashville. Today, those dreams are a reality as he stands as one of the city's most respected songwriters. Adam achieved his first #1 hit with Kenny Chesney’s "Knowing You," a track that also garnered an ACM Song of the Year nomination. His gift for storytelling is woven throughout the industry, featuring prominently on Cody Johnson’s CMA Album of the Year, Leather, where Adam penned four different tracks. With a diverse list of credits including Luke Combs, Zac Brown Band, Jelly Roll, and Dierks Bentley, Adam continues to shape the sound of modern country music with every song he writes.