They write the songs

Saturday was a night for songs and stories at the Park Theater.

Twenty-four hours removed from the sounds of ‘50s and ‘60s rock filling the historic theater during Friday night’s Shake, Rattle & Roll show, Reverb Rounds took to the stage for a more intimate evening with several acclaimed songwriters. A cozy, living-room set welcomed Cary Barlowe, Nathan Barlowe, Jennifer Wayne, Jesslee and Steve Virginia. The show drew audience members from as far away as Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, NY.

Virginia served as host for the evening, introducing the others and leading them in conversation about their careers and songwriting processes.

Jesslee, who was launched to fame by an appearance on NBC’s “The Voice,” kicked off the show with a set of her contemporary Christian songs, one of which she performed live for the first time in front of the Park crowd. Her album spent 45 consecutive weeks on Apple Music and iTunes Country Hot Tracks, reaching the Top 5 on the Country Sales Charts.

Wayne followed Jesslee in the center-stage spotlight, performing four songs she has written, including “Me Without You,” a tribute to her daughter. Wayne, a member of Runaway June, is carrying on a family legacy in the entertainment business. She is the granddaughter of Hollywood icon John Wayne and the first cousin of Brendan Wayne, one of three actors who portray the Mandalorian in the Star Wars saga. Wayne also performed “Wild Hearts,” a song she wrote which was recorded by Keith Urban, and “I Can Buy My Own Drinks.”

The spotlight then turned to brothers Nathan and Cary Barlowe who each have many notable songs to their credit, including “Untouchable,” a song originally recorded by the brothers’ band Luna Halo, and re-recorded by Taylor Swift. The song was performed by Swift during an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.”

Nathan is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer as well as a former member of Luna Halo and Five Knives. In addition to Swift, his songs have been recorded by Keith Urban and many more. He won the 2017 CMA Touring Musician of the Year Award as a member of Urban's touring band.

Cary has written songs for many of the biggest performers in country music including Lady A ("American Honey"), Dustin Lynch ("Where It's At"), Florida Georgia Line ("Sun Daze"), Billy Currington ("It Don't Hurt Like It Used To"), Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Dan + Shay, Rascal Flatts and more.

Nathan and Cary told the story of the surreal experience of working with rock legend Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and taking him to church the next morning. They also shared the account of watching Tyler pull a handgun out of his pants and placing it on a table during one particularly memorable recording session.

Cary brought the evening to a close with his rendition of “Famous Friends,” a hit he wrote for Chris Young and Kane Brown.