The House That Built Me

Songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin wrote“The House That Built Me” based on their childhood homes, and pitched the song to Blake Shelton. While listening to the song in his car, his then-girlfriend Miranda Lambert fell in love with it and talked Shelton into letting her have it. She later won an ACM and a Grammy for the song. Hear Douglas' original demo that he pitched to Blake.

Southern Voice

Songwriter Bob DiPiero said he wanted to pack in every southern cultural reference--from stock car drivers to novelists, social activists to evangelists—in “Southern Voice.” Hear DiPiero's original demo that Tim McGraw fell in love with and took to #1.

You Had Me From Hello

After country superstar Kenny Chesney went to see the Tom Cruise movie Jerry McGuire, he called his songwriting partner Ski Ewing. “You know that one line in there—you had me at hello—that's an amazing song idea.” Ewing took the idea and ran with it. Hear Skip Ewing's poignant piano version of “You Had Me From Hello.”

Green, Green Grass of Home

After sitting in the Sony vault for decades, country fans can now hear Curly Putman's original demo for “Green, Green, Grass of Home,” which at one time was the most performed song in the Sony/Tree catalogue with over 700 cover versions of it!

He Stopped Loving Her Today

Only two songs have ever been named CMA Song of the Year two times in a row, and Bobby Braddock's”He Stopped Loving Her Today,” was one of them. Awarded the honors in both 1980 and 1981, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” was almost 'too sad' for even George Jones to record! Believe it or not.

I Fall To Pieces

Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard was once married to legendary country songwriter Harlan Howard. Hear her nail the original demo she did for the song that Harlan and Hank Cochran wrote and pitched to Patsy Cline, which later became a country classic.  

Little Rock

Tom Douglas wrote “Little Rock” when he was selling real estate in Dallas, and had all but given up on the songwriting business and Nashville altogether. But then music executive Paul Worley heard this version of “Little Rock” in Austin and took it to Collin Raye. The song revived Douglas's songwriting career and became a huge hit for Collin Raye, as well as a healing force for many country fans who were dealing with substance abuse.

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

The original title of this song by Ed and Patsy Bruce was “Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Guitar Players,” but it just didn't have the ring to it that they wanted, so they changed it to “cowboys.” Hear Ed's demo for the song that became a smash for Willie and Waylon.