Lance Cowan, Mark Irwin, & Don Henry
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About
Today's Songwriters Have Written Songs Recorded By:
Alan Jackson
Tim McGraw
Blake Shelton
And More!
Lance Cowan:
Lance Cowan has spent nearly four decades telling stories—first as a journalist, then as one of Nashville’s most respected music publicists, and now as an acclaimed singer-songwriter whose songs draw on a lifetime of observing the people and places around him.
His newest release, The Air That You Breathe—his third album since 2024—arrives July 24, 2026, on his own Lantzapalooza Muzik imprint and Boston-based Patio Records, with worldwide digital distribution through CPI/The Orchard.
The album has already earned exceptional praise. Veteran critic Bill Bentley proclaimed it "Best Album 2026," while Steve Simels wrote in his PowerPop blog, "However you categorize it—folk, country, Americana, whatever—it's inarguably wonderful." Writing in The Aquarian, Jeff Burger said the collection "cements his reputation as an affecting singer and a writer of memorable, understated songs that exude warmth and humanity." MusicRow's Robert K. Oermann called it "sensitive, engrossing and intimate," adding, "The entire collection is a gentle audio seduction." Cowan's career began in western Kentucky as an outdoor writer for a weekly newspaper before he moved to Nashville to become a correspondent for the Nashville Banner, where he honed his ability to capture compelling, authentic narratives. He later spent more than 30 years behind the scenes as a highly regarded publicist, helping shape the careers and public profiles of legendary artists including Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Guy Clark, and Michael Martin Murphey.
In 2024, Cowan stepped from behind the curtain with his acclaimed debut album, So Far, So Good, which landed on numerous year-end critics' lists. He followed it with Against The Grain (2025), which earned a place among SPINmagazine's "Editors' Favorites" and established him as one of Americana's most compelling emerging voices. Inspired by Paul Simon's belief that songwriters should be "truth-telling reporters," Cowan writes with honesty, compassion, and a journalist's eye for revealing detail. On The Air That You Breathe, he transforms everyday moments into songs of uncommon depth, blending Americana, folk, and roots rock into a collection that is both intimate and cinematic.
Produced by Scott Paschall, the album features an all-star cast of musicians, including Pat McGrath, Dan Dugmore, Dave Pomeroy, Phil Madeira, Bryan Owings, Sam Bush, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore—further elevating a recording that confirms Cowan's growing stature among today's most thoughtful Americana artists.
Connect with Lance HERE
Mark Irwin:
Originally from the Northeast but firmly rooted in Nashville since 1987, Mark Irwin's trajectory in country music is a testament to perseverance and talent. It took him four years to notch his first significant success with Randy Travis's rendition of "Meet Me Under The Mistletoe," marking the beginning of a prolific career. Notable milestones include co-writing Alan Jackson's breakthrough hit "Here In The Real World" and crafting chart-toppers for Tim McGraw with "Highway Don’t Care" and Blake Shelton with "Neon Light." His songwriting prowess extends beyond #1’s, contributing to the rise of emerging talents such as Ben Gallaher and Lainey Wilson. Mark's journey is intricately woven into the fabric of Nashville's music scene, highlighted further by his participation in the documentary "Bluebird."
Connect with Mark HERE
Don Henry:
Don Henry is an American country music singer and songwriter. His career took off when the Kathy Mattea single "Where've You Been", which he co-wrote with Jon Vezner, won numerous awards in 1990 and 1991.[1] These included the "song of the year" award at the 25th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1990,[2] and a Grammy Award for Best Country Song at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards.[3] He went on to team up with Vezner to write another song, "Whole Lotta Holes", which was also later recorded by Kathy Mattea and released as a single.[4]
In 1991, he released his first solo album, Wild in the Backyard, which was engineered and produced by Ray Kennedy.[5] The album's music was favorably compared to the music of Randy Newman.[6][7][8] The album was also named one of Billboard's top 10 records of 1991.[9] Writing in Entertainment Weekly, Alanna Nash gave the album a B+ grade and described Henry as "One of Nashville’s best young tunesmiths".
Alan Jackson
Tim McGraw
Blake Shelton
And More!
Lance Cowan:
Lance Cowan has spent nearly four decades telling stories—first as a journalist, then as one of Nashville’s most respected music publicists, and now as an acclaimed singer-songwriter whose songs draw on a lifetime of observing the people and places around him.
His newest release, The Air That You Breathe—his third album since 2024—arrives July 24, 2026, on his own Lantzapalooza Muzik imprint and Boston-based Patio Records, with worldwide digital distribution through CPI/The Orchard.
The album has already earned exceptional praise. Veteran critic Bill Bentley proclaimed it "Best Album 2026," while Steve Simels wrote in his PowerPop blog, "However you categorize it—folk, country, Americana, whatever—it's inarguably wonderful." Writing in The Aquarian, Jeff Burger said the collection "cements his reputation as an affecting singer and a writer of memorable, understated songs that exude warmth and humanity." MusicRow's Robert K. Oermann called it "sensitive, engrossing and intimate," adding, "The entire collection is a gentle audio seduction." Cowan's career began in western Kentucky as an outdoor writer for a weekly newspaper before he moved to Nashville to become a correspondent for the Nashville Banner, where he honed his ability to capture compelling, authentic narratives. He later spent more than 30 years behind the scenes as a highly regarded publicist, helping shape the careers and public profiles of legendary artists including Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Guy Clark, and Michael Martin Murphey.
In 2024, Cowan stepped from behind the curtain with his acclaimed debut album, So Far, So Good, which landed on numerous year-end critics' lists. He followed it with Against The Grain (2025), which earned a place among SPINmagazine's "Editors' Favorites" and established him as one of Americana's most compelling emerging voices. Inspired by Paul Simon's belief that songwriters should be "truth-telling reporters," Cowan writes with honesty, compassion, and a journalist's eye for revealing detail. On The Air That You Breathe, he transforms everyday moments into songs of uncommon depth, blending Americana, folk, and roots rock into a collection that is both intimate and cinematic.
Produced by Scott Paschall, the album features an all-star cast of musicians, including Pat McGrath, Dan Dugmore, Dave Pomeroy, Phil Madeira, Bryan Owings, Sam Bush, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore—further elevating a recording that confirms Cowan's growing stature among today's most thoughtful Americana artists.
Connect with Lance HERE
Mark Irwin:
Originally from the Northeast but firmly rooted in Nashville since 1987, Mark Irwin's trajectory in country music is a testament to perseverance and talent. It took him four years to notch his first significant success with Randy Travis's rendition of "Meet Me Under The Mistletoe," marking the beginning of a prolific career. Notable milestones include co-writing Alan Jackson's breakthrough hit "Here In The Real World" and crafting chart-toppers for Tim McGraw with "Highway Don’t Care" and Blake Shelton with "Neon Light." His songwriting prowess extends beyond #1’s, contributing to the rise of emerging talents such as Ben Gallaher and Lainey Wilson. Mark's journey is intricately woven into the fabric of Nashville's music scene, highlighted further by his participation in the documentary "Bluebird."
Connect with Mark HERE
Don Henry:
Don Henry is an American country music singer and songwriter. His career took off when the Kathy Mattea single "Where've You Been", which he co-wrote with Jon Vezner, won numerous awards in 1990 and 1991.[1] These included the "song of the year" award at the 25th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1990,[2] and a Grammy Award for Best Country Song at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards.[3] He went on to team up with Vezner to write another song, "Whole Lotta Holes", which was also later recorded by Kathy Mattea and released as a single.[4]
In 1991, he released his first solo album, Wild in the Backyard, which was engineered and produced by Ray Kennedy.[5] The album's music was favorably compared to the music of Randy Newman.[6][7][8] The album was also named one of Billboard's top 10 records of 1991.[9] Writing in Entertainment Weekly, Alanna Nash gave the album a B+ grade and described Henry as "One of Nashville’s best young tunesmiths".
Lineup
