Jimmy Yeary

James Earl Yeary, born in Hillsboro, Ohio, began his musical journey at the age of eight, singing Southern gospel music with his family. This early immersion in music cultivated his passion and laid the groundwork for his future career. After graduating high school, Yeary relocated to Virginia, where he connected with musicians who would influence his move to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1994. In Nashville, he secured a record deal with Atlantic Records; however, a change in label personnel led to his debut single not being released. This turning point redirected his focus towards songwriting, which became his primary professional endeavor.

Yeary’s songwriting career developed with the support of Paul Worley and Wally Wilson, under whose publishing company, Skyline Music Publishing, he began writing. During this period, his compositions were recorded by notable artists such as Rascal Flatts, John Michael Montgomery, and Brooks & Dunn. A significant achievement from this time was the Top 10 hit “In Another World” for Joe Diffie. In 2010, Yeary signed with THiS Music, a joint venture with EMI Music Nashville. This partnership led to numerous successes, including the two-week Billboard #1 hit “Why Wait” for Rascal Flatts. He continued to write for a wide range of artists, including Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, and Jake Owen. His song “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” for Martina McBride further solidified his reputation as a versatile and impactful songwriter.

Beyond songwriting, Jimmy Yeary has also contributed his vocal talents as the lead singer for the Grammy Award-winning supergroup Shenandoah and The Isaacs. His songwriting prowess extends to over two thousand songs, many of which have achieved significant commercial success, including Grammy Awards, gold, and platinum certifications. Fourteen of his songs have reached #1 on Billboard. He received the “Song of the Year” award from both the CMA and ACM for “I Drive Your Truck.” More recently, he penned “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” for Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy, and “I Called Mama” for Tim McGraw, both reaching Number 1. As a speaker, Yeary leverages his music career experiences to provide insights into fostering growth and building effective teams, offering a unique blend of storytelling, music, and emotional connection to his audiences.