The Hitmakers Return: Nicolle Galyon and Logan Mize Bring Over 60 No. 1s Back to the Heartland
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Kansas native and award-winning songwriter Nicolle Galyon is set to host the second annual Hits From The Heartland writers round, a star-studded Nashville showcase benefiting her firstborn fund, at the historic Fox Theatre in Hutchinson, Kan., on January 17, 2026.
This year’s event is bolstered by the addition of fellow Kansas native Logan Mize as a special guest, who returns to the stage to share his beloved hits. The evening promises an unparalleled lineup of songwriting royalty, collectively accounting for an astounding over 60 No. 1 hits across the music industry. The event will be hosted once again by Morgan Huelsman of The Bobby Bones Show.
The All-Star Lineup: A Cavalcade of Chart-Toppers
The sheer volume of success gathered on the Hutchinson stage is staggering. Galyon and Mize will be joined by a powerful trio of Nashville’s most consistent hitmakers:
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Rodney Clawson: A legendary songwriter with a monumental 24 No. 1 songs to his name.
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Jimmy Robbins: An ACM and CMA Award winner who has penned 10 No. 1 songs, including the chart-dominating, 19-week No. 1 hit “The Bones.”
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Chris Tompkins: A two-time GRAMMY Award winner with 17 No. 1 songs, whose credits span hits for artists like Morgan Wallen, Carrie Underwood, and Blake Shelton.
The collaboration between Robbins, Clawson, and Tompkins notably produced Blake Shelton’s chart-topping single, “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” underscoring the kind of creative synergy fans can expect from this unique round.
Nicolle Galyon: Giving Back to the Home That Shaped Her
The Hits From The Heartland event is a deeply personal endeavor for Galyon, taking place just outside her hometown of Sterling, Kansas. The special evening will benefit the firstborn fund, an initiative she established as a powerful way to give back to families and fuel creativity in the very community that provided her foundation.
Galyon is one of Nashville’s most respected and successful multi-faceted creatives. Across her 20-year career, she has penned 10 No. 1 hits, including some of the last decade’s biggest country anthems:
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Miranda Lambert’s ACM Award-winning “Automatic”
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Dan + Shay’s multi-platinum, GRAMMY Award-winning song “Tequila”
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Morgan Wallen’s multi-week No. 1 “Thought You Should Know”
Beyond her phenomenal songwriting catalog, Galyon has released her own critically acclaimed artist projects. Her debut album, firstborn, which gives its name to the philanthropic fund, was lauded by Forbes as “candid and vulnerable.” She followed this with the EP, second wife, which offered fans a new perspective on her life as a wife, balancing a career writing about her hometown, heartbreak, and the people who shaped her.
In 2019, Galyon further cemented her influential role in the industry by founding Songs & Daughters, a female-focused label and publishing house that is currently home to rising stars like Emmi Elliott and Lauren Watkins.
️ Logan Mize: Blending Country and Heartland Rock
Joining the event is fellow Kansas native Logan Mize, who continues to bridge the gap between country and heartland rock. Mize has built a substantial career since releasing his debut album in 2009, with an impressive track record that includes six albums, two EPs, an Opry debut, and nearly half a billion catalog streams. He has also earned two RIAA certified Gold records while touring extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
Mize’s most recent musical output includes his sixth album, Her Heartland, described as an evolutionary step in blending his signature sound. This record was followed in October by his newest single, “When I Grow Up.” Returning to the Fox Theatre for the second year in a row, Mize is sure to bring his beloved hits and a genuine sense of homecoming to the benefit.
With its blend of chart-topping artistry, heartwarming philanthropy, and the celebrated talents of its Kansas-born hosts, Hits From The Heartland promises to be a powerful and unforgettable night of music and storytelling.