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The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project

2026 Faculty

Stephen Bray

Stephen Bray has written and produced 12 Billboard Top 10 recordings, including Madonna’s hits “Into the Groove,” “Angel,” “Papa Don’t Preach,” “True Blue,” and “Express Yourself.” He also wrote and produced for his band, Breakfast Club, earning a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 1987 and a Top 10 single with “Right on Track.” While working with Breakfast Club, Bray continued writing and producing for Madonna and other multi-platinum artists, including Gladys Knight, Kylie Minogue, and The Jets.

Bray’s music has appeared in many films and TV shows, such as Desperately Seeking Susan, Beverly Hills Cop II, Who’s That Girl, Earth Girls Are Easy, Glee, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Scream Queens, Despicable Me 3, Pose, and Stranger Things. In 2005, his Broadway debut as composer and lyricist for The Color Purple earned him one of the show’s 11 Tony nominations. In 2017, The Color Purple won a Tony for Best Revival of a Musical, and Bray received a Grammy Award for producing the Broadway cast recording. His film work includes producing music for MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson, and the Warner Brothers feature film adaptation of The Color Purple.

Craig Carnelia

Craig Carnelia has had four shows produced on Broadway. Working with composer Marvin Hamlisch, he wrote the lyrics for Sweet Smell of Success, with book by John Guare, and Imaginary Friends, with Nora Ephron. Hamlisch and Carnelia received Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations for their score for Sweet Smell of Success, and Carnelia received a Drama Desk nomination for his lyrics in Imaginary Friends. As both composer and lyricist, Craig wrote the score for Is There Life After High School, and contributed four songs to Studs Terkel’s Working, for which he received his first Tony nomination. Off-Broadway, he wrote the music and lyrics for Three Postcards at Playwrights Horizons, with book by Craig Lucas, earning a “Best Plays Citation,” and contributed to the review Diamonds directed by Hal Prince. Regional premieres include Poster Boy at Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Good War at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre and Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief at Goodspeed’s Norma Terris Theatre, the last two written with playwright-director David H. Bell.

Craig has won a number of major songwriting awards, including the Johnny Mercer Award, the first annual Gilman and Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theatre Award, and the prestigious Kleban Award. Carnelia’s book The Reason to Sing: A Guide to Acting While Singing was published by Routledge in 2021 and is in use at universities around the country. Current projects include two musicals, The Kids in 201 with John Weidman and Just Us Boys (formerly known as Poster Boy) with Joe Tracz, and a play, 14 Animals in One Minute. He has been on the council of the Dramatists Guild since 1995 and is married to Broadway actor/educator Lisa Brescia.

Lauren Lucas

Lauren Lucas is a soulful storyteller whose voice — rich, warm, and rooted in the South — has taken her from Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry, from hit records to headline tours, and now, to your TV screen.

A Tony Award-nominated composer and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award-nominated recording artist, Lauren was part of the composing team — led by Keb’ Mo’ — behind the original score for Leanne, Netflix’s new comedy series starring Leanne Morgan. She brings her voice to the forefront as the vocalist on the show’s main title theme. She also lent her background vocals on Room on the Porch, the Billboard #1 Blues album by legendary artists Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’.

No stranger to the spotlight, Lauren’s music has been heard on ABC, on Broadway (Urban Cowboy), and in numerous films. Her songs have been recorded by artists like Danielle Peck (Big Machine/SiriusXM Y2Country), Damien Horne (Circle TV), and Risa Binder. As a vocalist, she’s lent her soulful sound to high-profile campaigns, including a duet with Keb’ Mo’ for the Canadian National Railroad’s international marketing launch.

Lauren’s touring life has taken her across the U.S. and Europe, sharing stages with everyone from Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney to Old Dominion, The Bacon Brothers (Kevin & Michael), Randy Houser, and Maia Sharp. She also spent nearly three years touring and recording as part of the all-female Americana group Farewell Angelina — praised by Rolling Stone as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.” Today, Lauren teaches songwriting at Belmont University, helping the next generation of artists find their voice.

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