Songwriter Brad Warren, Wife and Son Named in Bullying Lawsuit

Songwriter Brad Warren, his wife and son have been named in a lawsuit filed by the mother of his son's classmate Spencer Tate, which alleges that Warren's son is responsible for Tate's suicide last February. Warren, however, denies the allegations and has released a statement maintaining his son's innocence.

Tate, a student at Nashville's Father Ryan High School, took his own life in February 2014 after suffering from bullying, Nashville news channel WSMV reports. In the suit, Tate's mother specifically accuses Warren's son, also a student at the high school, of verbally abusing Tate, tormenting him in front of peers and bullying him. She also alleges that Warren's son told Tate that he should "go home and kill himself" shortly before he took his life.

"The allegations are simply not true. My son is not, and never has been, a bully toward anyone," Warren says in a statement to Country Weekly through his attorney. "Parents and fellow students have assured us that the claims in the Complaint are not true. Someone has apparently provided the Mother with false or misleading information."

Tate's mother also names Father Ryan High School in the suit, citing negligence and noting that "Father Ryan failed to follow its own policies and procedures as it relates to bullying." She believes that school administrators should have seen what was allegedly happening to her child and acted to prevent it.

"We are certainly sorry for her loss. Nothing could be worse than losing a child," Warren's statement continues. "But, my son is not to blame, and we have confidence that the legal system will reveal the truth and completely vindicate my son."

Warren is a member of the Warren Brothers, the country duo that he created with his brother Brett. They have released three studio albums, Beautiful Day in the Cold Cruel World (1998), King of Nothing (2000) and Well Deserved Obscurity (2004), as well as a 2005 compilation album, Barely Famous Hits. Since then, the duo has focused on songwriting for other artists, including Tim McGraw, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Keith Urban and Little Big Town. Their hits include "Red Solo Cup," "Felt Good on My Lips," "Little Bit of Everything" and "Good Afternoon America," to name a few.