HOOKED! JUDGES

We have two distinguished judging panels.

1) The SHOW JUDGES, who will be hearing and adjudicating your songs for the first time during the show.

2) The SUBMISSIONS JUDGES, who will be listening to all of your submissions and selecting the Top Ten to compete in the show.

HOOKED! 2024 JUDGES

TBA

HOOKED! 2023
Show Judges

  • Billy Yates is a Nashville based, Grammy-nominated, singer/songwriter whose songs have been recorded by artists such as George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Chris Young, Sara Evans, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Daryle Singletary, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Chesnutt, Gene Watson, Sammy Kershaw, Doug Stone, Rhonda Vincent, Willie Nelson, Leonard Cohen, and more. Yates also co-wrote the George Jones classics, “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” and the Grammy-award winning, “Choices”.

    A seasoned entertainer, Billy Yates also tours Europe extensively where he was recently named the European CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. With 13 number 1 singles on the European charts. Here at home, Yates has been featured on the world-famous Grand Ole Opry 50 times and has also appeared on TV shows such as Larry’s Country Diner and Country’s Family Reunion. In addition, Billy holds the distinct honor of being one of the first American artists to perform in China's former Capitol city, Xian. He is also the first American artist to be featured on the popular Irish TV documentary, Opry an luir and is the first American artist to record in the traditional Irish Gaelic language.

    As a record producer, Yates has produced a number of major European and Australian artists, plus a few US artists including country music legend, Charley Pride's last record, "Music in My Heart".

    Yates was recently honored by his home state of Missouri as they named a stretch of federal highway that runs through his hometown the "Billy Yates Highway."

  • David Orlando Cassivitis has been a touring musician / musical director for over 25 years, and has worked with many well known artists over the span of his career. Among those artists are, Tony Orlando (David’s Brother), Joan Jett, Rick Springfield, Air Supply, Fastball, Gloria Gaynor, REO Speedwagon, and many others.

    David has also spent many years producing, arranging, and writing for many well known brands or entities. Some of these include ESPN, The History Channel, Bravo Network, Coca-Cola, WABC Radio, Sirius / XM, and many others. If you have ever watched Ghost Adventures, Pawn Stars, Swamp People, or Duck Dynasty, you have most likely heard some of the music that David has created for these various shows.

  • Mina Thomas-Brett, a Hudson Valley (NY) native, is a trained Jazz, Gospel, and Soul singer, recording artist, actress, songwriter, and spoken word poet. She earned her BS in Contemporary Music Studies and Jazz vocals from SUNY New Paltz in 2012. Since then, Mina has toured Europe singing gospel and jazz and has performed with her band at various venues in NY. She was an actress at Sight and Sound Theater for 5 years with lead roles in the productions of Jonah, Samson and Jesus and she is a gifted songwriter and poet with multiple credits. She’s also a vocalist and leader in the Billboard-charting worship collective the King will come. Mina is currently working on her debut album entitled “Old Soul” which she hopes to release this Fall.

HOOKED! 2023
Submissions Judges

Your songs are gonna be heard by some pretty dope people!


  • Originally from Washington D.C., singer/songwriter/producer Aaron Space is one half of the pop songwriting and production duo, Prince Ivan. His work with Prince Ivan has led him to work with Grammy winning songwriters and has landed him a co-writing credit on the song “Let Her Be Beautiful,” which was placed in the upcoming film, “The Never List.” In addition to his career with Prince Ivan, Aaron also works as a performing and producing member of ATCK, which has led him to produce for and work with artists such as 98 Degrees, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick of N’Sync and many others. In addition to his work as an artist, songwriter and producer Aaron is also an in-demand lighting designer and tech specialist, having designed for some of the top shows in Branson, MO as well as the musical Label·less.


  • Austin Armstrong is a pop producer/songwriter based out of Los Angeles. He is a multi-instrumentalist capable of creating across multiple styles. After a few years in LA Austin has achieved a variety of writing and production credits and worked with artists such as; Cyn, Emmy, David Alexander, R3HAB, Braden Bales, Sky McCreery, Noah Davis, Jesse McCartney, Chri$tian Gate$, Suriel Hess, Alexander Stewart, Armaan Malik, THEY., Bonnie McKee, and AB6IX to name a few. With his abilities as both a producer and songwriter, Austin can seamlessly work with any artist, helping to develop their sound and create something unique.

  • Andrea Brett is co-producer of The Bretts Show and co-founder of The Nest, a singer/songwriter venue in Branson, MO.

    Her original music has garnered her recognition as Branson’s four-time Songwriter of the Year, and her innovative vocal arrangements are an integral part of The Bretts' signature sound. She also composes music for piano and recently released her first piano album, “Noel.”

    Andrea is widely known for her skilled crafting of words. Her most notable contribution is her original patriotic poem, "I Am a Veteran," which has touched the hearts of millions all throughout the United States.

    Because of Andrea’s dedication to fostering creativity and nurturing the gifts of others, she has developed an 8-week course, called “The Creativity Course,” aimed at helping people reach their creative potential.

    As a result of her many contributions as a singer, songwriter, arranger, poet, and work as a creativity coach, Andrea is a respected musician, artist and mentor.

  • Sundi Jo is a singer/songwriter living in Branson, Missouri. With an impressive songwriting background and dedication to her craft, Sundi Jo has become a prominent figure in various genres, including Country, Southern Gospel, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), and Americana.

    While Sundi Jo's journey in the music industry is still unfolding, she has already made significant strides. She has secured three single-song contracts. In 2023, Sundi Jo proudly released her debut single, "Jesus & Time," captivating listeners with a poignant and heartbreaking glimpse into the world of domestic abuse and addiction.

    Beyond her individual pursuits, Sundi Jo actively contributes to the music community as a Co-Coordinator of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Southern Missouri chapter. She's passionate about supporting and nurturing fellow songwriters, fostering a collaborative and inspiring environment for aspiring and professional songwriters.

    Sundi Jo's exceptional abilities have not gone unnoticed within the industry. She has been recognized as an NSAI "One to Watch" on multiple occasions, a testament to her immense potential and promising talent. Additionally, her remarkable work has earned her the privilege of being selected for the highly coveted "Recommended For Consideration For Publisher Luncheon" twice.

    Always seeking new ways to inspire and connect with fellow songwriters and enthusiasts, Sundi Jo is preparing to launch her podcast "Songwriting Chronicles" in the fall of 2023. This podcast promises to be a platform where Sundi Jo will share her experiences, insights, and tips on songwriting, providing valuable resources for aspiring artists and fans alike.

  • As is our HOOKED! tradition, the previous years HOOKED! champion gets a chance to be a Submissions Judge. 2022’s HOOKED! winner is Trevor Venerable and we’re excited to have him on this year’s judging panel.

    Trevor is a native of Des Moines Iowa, who has resided in Branson for the past 16 years. He is a graduate of School of the Ozarks’ class of 2018 and will graduate from Liberty University in the Spring of 2022, with a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies (emphasis in Business and Biblical studies). In his spare time he enjoys experimenting with audio software, computer graphics, and web design. He is currently working to build a website for musicians to network and exchange resources. He is also in the process of writing and producing his first album. Ultimately, he hopes that these projects will glorify God and affect culture in meaningful, positive ways.

  • Ashley Hess is a singer/songwriter, recording artist from Fremont, California. She was a finalist on the 2019 season of American Idol where Katy Perry deemed her a “bonafide star” and Luke Bryan called her voice “world class.” She has shared the stage with acts such as Jason Mraz, Andy Grammer, Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons, and more. She is currently living in New York City and is in the process of releasing her debut album “STAGES” inspired by the stages of grief.

  • Kasey Roar is a singer-songwriter from the Heartland of America. After becoming the #1 unsigned artist in the world with his project Romance on a Rocketship, he signed to Universal Rondor as a songwriter and Island Def Jam / Beluga Heights as an artist (through L.A. Reid and under care of super-producer J.R. Rotem). His radio single “Skin & Bones” struck a major chord with people in a few corners of the country, leading to sold out shows (two being a southern coliseum that had last been sold out by Elvis Presley).

    Kasey has written songs with many of the songwriters and producers that make up a good portion of hits over the last decade, gaining a deeper understanding of how music should connect with people. This quickly became his favorite part of being an artist, so he transitioned from the stage to the studio to hone that craft and chase down those magical moments of musical connection.

  • Tom Brett is a singer, songwriter, piano and guitar player, recording artist, vocal coach and co-owner and co-producer of The Bretts Show in Branson, MO. His artistpreneurship and talent have put The Bretts in front of millions on television and on stages from Georgia to Germany. Tom has been nominated Branson’s Male Vocalist of the year and has produced and/or hosted numerous live events in Branson and beyond. HIs gift for recognizing talent and knowing what it takes to succeed for over 20 years in the music industry are welcome additions to the HOOKED! submissions judging panel.

  • Singer/songwriter, Bri Ray, has engaged audiences in venues across the nation including Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Miami’s New World Center, Utah’s Vivint Smart Home Arena and California’s Dolby Theatre to name a few. Ray's original music has received national and international recognition, including being the first ever Presidential Scholar of the Arts in the singer/songwriter discipline.

    Ray has written music with and for many of the industries hottest up and coming artists including, OSTON, Victoria Canal, Zhavia, David Archuleta, Mason Murphy, Tia Thompson, and Quinn Sullivan.

    Bri Ray is now focusing on her own projects with new releases introducing a brand new riveting mix of alternative RnB, Soul, and Pop while also a sharing her vocal and writing talent as a member of the Billboard-charting Christian music collective the King will come.