Surviving the Music Industry

Ancient drugs, songwriting and Texas music with Greyhounds and Mando Saenz. Greyhounds own Andrew and Anthony, pop in to talk about their newest record Cheyenne Valley Drive. This makes the bands 7th record and probably one of their rawest recording to date. They traveled to Memphis to cut songs like "No Other Woman" and "Credo" with producer Matt Ross-Spang in Sam Phillips Recording Studio. The guys are no newbies in the business. After years with other bands, building their own studio in...

High energy bands, Riot Grrrl music, and new music in this episode. First we have two-thirds of Skating Polly, Kelli and Peyton. This Riot Grrrl influenced punk band takes us behind their newest record, The Make It All Show and some of their songs. We also dive into punk music and if the lyrics really come from an authentic place or is it just filler. Visit www.skatingpolly.com for tour dates and follow them @skatingpolly. Then I had Daniel Ellsworth swing by to give us a glimpse into...

There are people that think that they are creative, and then there are creatives like Drew Kennedy. Drew is a creative that creates, and not just music. This prose connoisseur has 8 albums to his name, a novel, and I'm sure binders of poetry. Armed with nothing but a can do attitude, Drew learned how to write and play songs all by himself. Years later, frequent trips from Texas to Nashville, and co-writes with other celebrated song-writers like Lori McKenna, Drew made an album that is for...

Longtime Eric Church collaborator and band member Jeff Hyde, and up and coming songwriter/front man for Green River Ordinance Josh Jenkins talk all things songwriting. Jeff is a member of Eric's infamous band and has co-written some of Eric's biggest hits. "Kill A Word", "Record Year", and "Springsteen" to name a few. Then he's also penned other songs for Bobby Bare, George Strait, Charlie Worsham, Luke Bryan, Nikki Lane, and more. In 2017, Jeff released a compilation of unreleased songs...

Songwriting is a tricky business. Especially when Nashville's songwriting has shifted stylistically within the past decade. The art of country songwriting exists through Chris Hennessee and Paul Bogart. Chris is a songwriter, musician that plays in Jamey Johnson's band, and now stepping into the spotlight. Creating and writing the music that he loves. We talk about his music, what led him to Nashville, and his newest record Ramble and all the surprise appearances. Visit...

Kelleigh Bannen and Andrea Zonn have two things in common. Country music and struggles. Kelleigh is a songwriter/artist from Nashville, TN and the story teller behind the podcast ,This Nashville Life. Kelleigh and I chat about discovering music outside her recitals and acapella group (imagine Pitch Perfect but less sexy), what led her down her own path as an artist, and life after disappointments. She has reason to celebrate because Kelleigh just released new music and you should play it...

Winner of NPR Music's 2016 Tiny Desk Series, Gaelynn Lea passed through Nashville to have a conversation in Zac Brown's music studio Southern Ground. Since 2016 Gaelynn's life changed dramatically from teaching violin lessons to recording and writing her original music. We start with what it's like discovering her voice and instrument, the people that crash into your life that leaves a positive impact, and maneuvering the landscape of her new found career. Gaelynn also gives some insight...

It hasn't been that long ago since The Voice, Season 7 aired with Taylor Phelan. Since then Taylor has been on the road, writing new material, and releasing his EP, 1 Of 2 in 2017. Now he's celebrating the release of 2 Of 2. Visit www.taylorphelan.com for everything Taylor and follow him @taylorphelan. Exile is celebrating 55 years as a band. We explore the history of the band, how much has music changed, and the challenges of crossing genres. Follow the band @exileofficial, and buy...

Steve Moakler represents the future of American songwriting. He's known to capture the spirit of blue collar workers, underdogs, and the little wins of life. Whether it be love songs, party songs, or truth songs. Armed with philosophical ideals and a passion for relatable truth. Other veterans like Luke Laird, Travis Meadows, and Barry Dean for example all hail him as a co-writer and an equal in the songwriting room. Besides his own music he's also penned songs for many artists like Dierks...

Producer, songwriter, label owner, and artist is only the short list of how to describe Femke Weidema. Not to many people will learn a different language, move to a different country, and tackle becoming head of her own label. Femke is taking all that she's learned from Paul Simon, Hans Zimmer, and even Pete Anderson and giving sage advice to her artists and giving them a place to distribute music. To learn more about Femke's label visit LV Music and follow her @femkesongs. Paul McDonald...

Country music artist and songwriter, Brandy Clark, has a natural ability to tell the truth. Whether it be a song that portrays her dark comedic sensibilities, or in conversation. We discuss life before music and finding her tribe, telling the truth in music even when it's the most difficult, and how she penned some of the most empathetic songs in modern country music. Visit www.brandyclarkmusic.com for music and tour dates. Then follow her @thebrandyclark.

Recorded at The Ryman, Genevieve and Marc from Company of Thieves let me invade their green room to talk about their newest projects, and what happened in their 5 year hiatus when things seemed to be going good for the band. Visit www.companyofthievesmusic.com for all things of the band. Also, there's a clip of Daniel Ellsworth sharing the details of Daniel Ellsworth + The Great Lakes' newest records. Daniel also shares his thoughts on music streaming and and it's challenges for artists....

Tyminski is a member of Union Station, a world renowned bluegrass artist and musician, and has lent his voice on major tracks including "The Man of Constant Sorrow" from the Coen brothers' film "O Brother, Where Art Thou...", and Avicii's "Hey Brother". We take a look at his early career, chat about life after "The Man of Constant Sorrow", and we take a look behind the songs of his newest project, Southern Gothic. Download & stream Southern Gothic on your favorite platform. Visit...

Phil Madeira is a member of Emmylou Harris' Red Dirt Boys, and the brains behind an Americana classic Mercyland. We chat touring with Phil Keaggy, cult living, and his newest release, Providence. You can download Phil's music on all streaming platforms and you can keep up with him @philmadeira. Visit www.philmadeira.com for dates and all things Phil. Also, Sam Lewis' record, Loversity was recently released. We revisit the conversation we had with Sam on the idea of the album and he talks...

Walker Hayes is smashing the charts with songs like, "You Broke Up With Me" and "Craig", but things always haven't been as easy as it sounds. If you thought second chances were impossible in music, Walker's path will make you think that a comeback isn't just for sports movies. Armed with a great team, and co-writers like Shane McAnally, and headlining his first tour. There's no stopping the Ironman with flow. Also, I'm sharing a little tease of Eric Church's co-writer and utility...

The legend, the player, the master...Brent Mason. Brent was our most downloaded episode from 2017! We hear his complete journey and his thoughts of the session industry in it's current climate. Warning: it's chilly. Next time you see us will be with all new episodes! Subscribe and follow to keep up with us in 2018!

Our second most downloaded episode is none other than hit maker Josh Osborne! Josh drops so many wisdom nuggets through out the conversation it's insane. From humble Kentucky beginnings to several and almost countless hits. What we try to do is fill in the blanks of the in-between and it's inspiring! Subscribe and stay tuned for all new episodes starting on May 1st!

Three more weeks until the premiere of all new episodes. Until then Travis Meadows, the hit making song-writer, and master of life poetism was our third most downloaded episode from 2017. From where all his firsts in Mississippi to recovery in Nashville, listen how this underdog penned "Riser", "What We Ain't Got", plus more!

One of my favorite players and conversations breaks the 4th spot in our most downloaded episodes of 2017. Dave Cohen is the man behind the keys on some of the biggest songs to come out of Nashville in the past 5 years. Can Nashville really accept a Canadian foreigner in to their studio borders? Lots of laughs about religion, music, and Dave's crazy journey to become an award winning keyboardist.