Tim Nichols
Judge

Tim Nichols began his songwriting career in 1986 when Ronnie Milsap recorded a Nichols composition that led to his first publishing deal, and attention-getting records cuts followed: “All Is Fair In Love and War” for Milsap, “Tryin’ To Hide a Fire In the Dark” for Billy Dean, and two #1s for Keith Whitley -- “I’m Over You” and “Brotherly Love.”

Nichols has continued to provide hits for an impressive list of artists, helping many break through to the big time: Jo Dee Messina’s debut smash “Heads Carolina, Tails California”; Trace Adkins’ first #1 “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing”; #1s for Lee Ann Womack with “I’ll Think Of a Reason Later” and for Patty Loveless with “That’s the Kind Of Mood I’m In.“ Terri Clark’s Greatest Hits collection featured the # 1“Girls Lie Too” and the Top 5 with “I Wanna Do It All.” Other artists to record his songs include Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt and Joe Nichols.

In 2004 Nichols co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”with Craig Wiseman, the only song to win every major song award presented for country music.