Hits From The Heartland

Nashville Heads to the Heartland: Nicolle Galyon Returns to Kansas for Second Annual Benefit Concert

By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine

In the music industry, they say you can never truly go home again—unless you bring a busload of hitmakers with you. Nicolle Galyon, the award-winning songwriter and Sterling, Kansas native, is doing exactly that. On January 17, 2026, the historic Fox Theatre in Hutchinson, Kansas will host the second annual Hits From The Heartland, a writers’ round that promises to bring the intimate, storytelling magic of Nashville to the center of the country.

More than just a concert, the evening serves as a homecoming with a mission. All proceeds from the event will benefit the firstborn fund, a philanthropic initiative Galyon established to support local families and nurture the same creative spirit in the community that first fueled her own dreams.

A Powerhouse Lineup: 60+ Number Ones on One Stage

The “writers’ round” is a Nashville tradition where songwriters take turns performing the hits they’ve written for others, sharing the stories behind the lyrics. The talent assembled for this year’s event represents the pinnacle of the genre, boasting a combined catalog of over 60 No. 1 hits.

The Hitmakers:

• Nicolle Galyon: With 10 No. 1s to her name, including Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic” and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila,” Galyon is a titan of modern songwriting. Her recent work includes four cuts on LANY’s 2025 album, Soft.

• Rodney Clawson: Galyon’s husband and a “mega-hit” songwriter with nearly 30 No. 1s. His credits include George Strait’s “I Saw God Today” and Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids.”

• Jimmy Robbins: An ACM and CMA winner with 10 No. 1s, including Maren Morris’s “The Bones” and Thomas Rhett’s “It Goes Like This.”

• Chris Tompkins: A two-time Grammy winner responsible for 17 No. 1s, including the legendary “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood and Morgan Wallen’s smash “Lies Lies Lies.”

The evening will be hosted for the second consecutive year by Morgan Huelsman, the Digital Director for The Bobby Bones Show and a fellow Kansan who brings a local’s heart to the proceedings.

Artist Spotlight: Nicolle Galyon’s Journey

Galyon’s career spans two decades of consistent excellence. While she is widely respected for her pen, she has recently stepped into the spotlight as a recording artist. Her debut album, firstborn (2022), was praised by Forbes for being “candid and vulnerable,” followed by the 2023 EP second wife, which explored the complexities of her life beyond her small-town roots.

Her influence extends into the business of music as well. In 2019, she founded Songs & Daughters, Nashville’s first female-focused record label and publishing house. The label has become a sanctuary for rising stars like Lauren Watkins and Emmi Elliott, reinforcing Galyon’s commitment to mentorship and gender equity in the industry.

Philanthropy: The firstborn fund

The heart of the January event is the firstborn fund. Named after her debut album, the fund is Galyon’s way of ensuring that the “Heartland” remains a place where art can thrive.

This isn’t her first foray into giving back; Galyon was named 2020 Kansan of the Year for her dedication to her home state. Her efforts have included founding the Autobiography Scholarship for Sterling High School students and partnering with Save The Music to install state-of-the-art recording studios in rural Kansas schools.

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