AUBURN — Two country music songwriters with impressive Nashville credits will appear in the first Maine Songwriters Series at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch on Thursday, June 13. 

In a program titled “Nashville Comes to Maine,” Dylan Altman and Jeff Cohen will perform some of their compositions and tell their audiences some stories about the songs and the stars with whom they have worked.

They have penned hits for numerous country-western music stars, including Tim McGraw, Big and Rich, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry and others.

Altman, a New Jersey resident, has had two number-one songs: Tim McGraw’s “Watch The Wind Blow By,” and, more recently, Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.” His song, “Baby, I’m Home,” is on Trace Adkins’ album entitled “Songs About Me.”

Altman is an avid supporter and volunteer for “Musicians On Call,” an organization that provides live music for patients in area hospitals, and he co-hosts an annual benefit for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with good friend and frequent collaborator, EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay.

Cohen is a multi-award winning songwriter/producer whose songs have been featured on albums with total sales of more than 20 million and video games with sales of more than 10 million. He wrote the top-five hit “Crazy For This Girl” for Evan and Jaron and the top-15 country hit “Holy Water” for Big and Rich. Last year, he had four songs recorded by Laura Bell Bundy on her debut album, including the hit single “Giddy On Up.”

The Band Perry recently released Cohen’s song “Postcard from Paris.” His songs are used in numerous movies and TV shows, and he has opened for many live concerts by Nashville artists.

Leah Luddine of Broadcast Music Inc. said the “Nashville Comes to Maine” series is a collaborative presentation by BMI, the Maine Restaurant Association and the Maine Innkeepers Association. Proceeds will benefit the “Share Our Strength — No Kid Hungry” program of the sponsoring groups.

Dick Grotton, president and CEO of the Maine Restaurant Association said, “This Songwriters Series represents a phenomenal opportunity for Mainers to experience the incredible talent that resides in Nashville. Music truly enhances the dining experience, and we’re proud to partner with BMI to bring these award-winning country songwriters to our fine state, especially to benefit a great cause.”

Greg Dugal of the Maine Innkeepers Association said, “The Maine Innkeepers Association looks forward to working with BMI on the first annual Maine Songwriters Series. It is critical to shed light on the very important role that songwriters play in the process of entertaining our guests and the general public.”

Thursday’s show in Auburn is slated for 7:30 p.m. It is the first stop of three in a Maine swing that continues Friday, June 14, at the Nonantum Resort, Kennebunkport, and Saturday, June 15, at the Ri Ra Irish Pub in Portland. Tickets are on sale at the venues.

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