13 June 2025

Picture of Garth Brooks - Photo by Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame - Maverick

Garth Brooks a Surprise Guest at 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame

Country music icon Garth Brooks was a Surprise Guest at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame annual induction and awards dinner in New York City on Thursday night. Held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel, the event saw Brooks make a surprise appearance, delighting the audience with an electric performance of “Long Train Runnin” and “China Grove” in honour of his friends Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald and Patrick Simmons of The Doobie Brothers ahead of their induction. The evening kicked off with a standing ovation for Linda Moran before Nile Rodgers introduced Living Colour who delivered a groovy performance of “Cosmic Slop.” George Clinton was inducted as “the man who brings us together as one nation under a groove” prior to performing a stunning rendition of “(I Wanna) Testify” bringing the crowd to their feet. SHOF scholarship recipients MŌRIAH, Sam Opoku, and Daphne Browdy performed songs by Tony Macaulay, before Debbie Gibson honored Macaulay with an energetic performance of his timeless classic “Build Me Up Buttercup” before his inductIon. To celebrate Ashley Gorley,  Dan + Shay performed a sing-a-long medley of “You Should Probably Leave,” “Last Night,” “Play It Again,” “All American Girl” and “I Had Some Help,” then Sadie Gorley delivered a heartfelt speech for her father and a tear jerking performance of “Youre Gonna Miss This” before his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Fellow inductee, Teddy Riley introduced Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins with a touching speech and his children honored his songwriting legacy with a remarkable rendition of “The Boy Is Mine, followed by a 10-song medley that included “Say My Name,” “It’s Not Right But It’s Ok,” “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” “If You Had My Love,” and more, ending in a standing ovation. The evening continued as Pasek and Paul honored Stephen Schwartz with the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award by performing a medley of “Colors of The Wind” and “Corner Of The Sky.” Kristin Chenoweth and Mary Kate Morrissey also enchanted the audience with a stunning performance of “For Good.” Prior to his memorable performance of “Can You Imagine That?” Schawrtz said, that his name being on the Songwriter Hall of Fame list “is so stunning and humbling.” John Stamos inducted dear friend Mike Love into the Songwriters Hall of Fame stating Love’s “lyrics are cinematic” as he joined him for an exciting medley of “California Girls,” ‘I Get Around,” “Kokomo,” and “Good Vibrations.” Prior to the sing-along performance, Love said that “gratitude is the main emotion he feels and that it’s a great honour.” Aaron Dessner took to the stage to honor Gracie Abrams with the Hal David Starlight Award, which is presented to young songwriters who are making a significant impact in the music industry with their original songs. Dessner said Gracie is ”one of the greatest songwriters and musicians in the world today”  and “one of the most gifted lyricists and melodic writers” he has ever encountered. After receiving her award, Abrams performed “Free Now.” To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com  

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Picturew od People Like Me Single - Photo by MTS Management Group - Maverick

Robert Ross Releases New Single “People Like Me”

Following the success of his Top 25 New Music Weekly AM/FM Country hit “Better With Time,” country singer-songwriter Robert Ross is back with a blue-collar anthem tailor-made for summer: “People Like Me”. Rooted in heartland honesty and set to a boot-stomping groove, “People Like Me” is a salute to the salt-of-the-earth folks who work hard, live real, and enjoy unwinding with a drink in hand. Whether you’re clocking in on a job site, behind a desk, behind the wheel, or standing a post overseas, Ross’ new single celebrates the camaraderie, grit, and good times shared by everyday Americans. “People like you and people like me, we like to drink,” Ross belts out in the instantly catchy chorus, backed by driving guitars and the kind of rough-hewn charm that made country radio famous. But “People Like Me” isn’t just a party track—it’s a respectful nod to the people who make America run. From the working class to the front lines, Ross honors those who give it their all and don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. With lines like “We raise our glasses to the ones that save our ass,” the song offers a powerful tribute to service members and first responders who sacrifice for the greater good. “This one’s for the doers,” says Ross. “The people who punch in, get the job done, and crack open a cold one when it’s all said and done. No frills, no BS. Just good people living honest lives. I wanted to write a song that lets them know they’re seen—and appreciated.” With its singalong chorus, barroom swagger, and heartfelt message, “People Like Me” is destined to become a staple in backyard barbecues, dive bars, and tailgates across the country this summer. It’s Ross at his most authentic: direct, grounded, and full of respect for his audience. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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Picture of Ansel Brown - Photo by Marcello Aquino - Maverick

Ansel Brown Marks His Return to Country with Gritty New Single

Country artist, storyteller, and creative force Ansel Brown has made a powerful return to music with the release of his latest single, “The Whiskey Makes Her Miss Me”. Produced by longtime collaborator Cliff Downs, the track kicks off Brown’s next chapter with the drive, edge, and emotional punch that define his long-awaited new album, Gravity, arriving Fall 2025. The song is available for pre-save here. Written by Jesse Labelle, Rob Crosby, Liz Hengber, and Ian Flannigan, “The Whiskey Makes Her Miss Me” is a mid-tempo track that leans into the push-pull of love that lingers — the kind that shows up after midnight, runs on memory, and fades with the sunrise. “I chose to record ‘The Whiskey Makes Her Miss Me’ because it’s real country storytelling — about how a heart never truly lets go,” says Brown. “It’s not just about drinking. It’s about remembering, about feeling, about still believing there’s a chance to be missed—even when the miles, or the mistakes, get in the way.” “When I first heard it, it felt like it already knew my story,” he adds. “It’s a song for anyone who’s been loved, been left, and still believes that sometimes, love finds its way back — even if just for a night.” With a voice steeped in soul and grit and lyrics drawn from a life fully lived, Ansel Brown’s music resonates with authenticity. Raised in a Navy family and born in Greenville, South Carolina, Brown’s early life was shaped by discipline, movement, and the healing power of music. From singing in the Hawaiian Children’s Choir to overcoming personal battles and ultimately earning a college degree with honors, his story is defined by resilience and an unshakable belief in second chances. Ansel’s professional music career took off in the mid-2000s, landing him the MusicRow Discovery Award and a spot on the CMA “Who New to Watch” list with the release of You’re Just Smoke and its breakout single “Mine’s Bigger.” But just as his star began to rise, life interrupted: a battle with chronic A-Fib, a difficult divorce, and the heartbreak of supporting a son through a deeply challenging season. Through it all, Ansel found strength in faith, family, and songwriting. “Gravity tried to hold me down. Life tried to break me. But I wasn’t broken — I was becoming,” he shares. “Every scar, every story, built the voice I bring back now — louder, stronger, and truer than ever.” The decision to reunite with Cliff Downs, the producer who helped build the foundation of Brown’s early sound, was a natural one. Their renewed collaboration adds depth and perspective to this new body of work. “This isn’t just another single for me — it’s a reflection of everything I’ve lived through to get here,” says Brown. “I’m not chasing trends. I’m making music that hits you straight in the chest.” That ethos carries through Gravity, a bold and deeply personal album split into two EPs: The Rise and Falling Into Place. Songs like “The Whiskey Makes Her Miss Me,” “One Color,” and “Gravity Hill” off his upcoming EPs explore the pull of life’s defining moments, told with Brown’s signature blue-collar sincerity. Beyond music, Ansel has built a multi-dimensional life. He invented one of the world’s first sifting litter boxes, founded a creative agency (nvisionative), and collaborated with NASA to write and perform at the final Space Shuttle events. He’s acted in indie films, written music for youth football programs, and championed veterans, children’s hospitals, and faith-based causes. He also creates content with his daughter, Sophia, on their YouTube channel, Seriously Sophia, and shares life with his wife, a Colombian-born ER CNA. Now, with Gravity and the release of “The Whiskey Makes Her Miss Me,” Ansel Brown isn’t just returning to country music — he’s reclaiming it, on his terms. To read more exclusive articles and latest news, see our last issue here. Never miss a story… Follow us on: Instagram: @Maverick.mag Twitter: @Maverick_mag Facebook: Maverick Magazine Media Contact Editor, Maverick Magazine Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920 Email: editor@maverick-country.com

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