Surviving the Music Industry

Growing up in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in a small town populated mostly by family can leave an impression on you. Friday night lights, work ethic, and a strong relationship with parentals are the foundation of this now Sony Nashville artist. It's not lost on Adam the foundations of country living and the lifestyle of his Mississippi home. Adam shares the memories of growing in the time of Hurricane Katrina and his "lucky" moments that lead up to him as a songwriter/artist with a unique...

Karl Michael has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music and penned massive hits for plenty of other artists. He's recorded with all-star producers Jon Levine (Dua Lipa, The Struts, Alessia Cara) and Scott Spock (Rihanna, Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne). He's lived through crazy record deals, drops, The Voice UK, and even battles with his biggest critic; himself. Karl shares the money behind his past record label deals, the desperation of making bad decisions, and working through...

The Texas-born, Georgia-raised, Nashville-based singer-songwriter has had a hand in penning over 40 songs for the Zac Brown Band, including some of their biggest hits such as “Heavy is the Head,” “Beautiful Drug,” “Keep Me in Mind,” “Loving You Easy,” and “Homegrown.” But still, Niko confirms that it takes a certain chemistry to write songs. Now imagine your only writing partner for your music being your wife. The honesty and innermost personal detailed, Rubix cube of your feelings are now...

The Brummies made up of vocalists and multi-instrumentalists John Davidson and Jacob Bryant, and drummer Trevor Davis, have been playing together in various incarnations since high school in the Birmingham, Alabama area. John shares the journey from basement jams to publishing songs with Major Bob (Garth Brooks) early in their career. Writing for Major Bob, John and Jacob most notably penned "Done" that was recorded by The Band Perry which earned John and Jacob their first number one. After...

Joe Bonamassa is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, has over 30 records, achieved his 24th #1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart, with his latest release, Royal Tea. Most might remember Joe from a young age making the local news circuits to promote a tour with B.B. King or the news cycle propping him to be a young prodigy at guitar. Other collaborations include Eric Clapton, Stephen Still, Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Steve Winwood, Buddy Guy, and Beth Hart, just to name a few. Joe also...

Cory Marks is one of the latest artists to meld metal music with country lyrics. A sound developed with Kevin Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, Papa Roach, Modern Science, Five Finger Death Punch, Disturbed, In This Moment, Shania Twain, and Hellyeah) on Who I Am, Cory's latest album. Not the most trendsetting music on country radio for those that do listen to the radio. No surprise if you know that Cory isn't one to follow the current waves that "the man" sets. For one not to follow trends, it's a...

Bryan Wayne's "What If She's An Angel", recorded by Tommy Shane Steiner was a #2 hit in 2002 and hit it big as BMI's Millon Air award hitting 1 million spins. Bryan has also had top 25 single success with Chris Cagle's "Country By The Grace of God" and Big and Rich's "Kick My Ass". The MuzikMafia was a collection of country artists and songwriters that changed and shaped the sounds of the early 2000's that we still hear today. Bryan, being a part of that transition of country music also...

When you might figure out Melody Federer’s music. Melody releases something that will surprise you. It's no wonder since she calls her style of music "genre-agnostic". Makes sense once you see her collaborations from Burt Bacharach, P!nk, Hilary Duff, to electroclash producers Plastik Funk and Gazzo. She’s written R&B tracks for Kelly Rowland, traditional folk-rock tunes for Jacob Whitesides, and crafted alongside Michael Buble. Texas-born in a religious setting, Melody thought the nomadic...

Born and raised in New Hartford, New York and now residing in Buffalo, New York, Stephen Babcock feels that he's found his place. With the current COVID circumstance that many deal with, Stephen is taking the hand that he's dealt and taking it to his music. Working toward a larger project he's released "Notting Hill" based on the rescheduling of his wedding, and "Bowery" that he admits that he's hopeful. Hopeful that life's circumstances can move toward the better. Both Stephen and Brandon...

Since moving to Nashville from Hartstown, Pennsylvania, Luke Laird has penned and produced hits for artists including Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Brad Paisley, and many others, earning 24 No. 1 hits and two Grammys along the way. Instead of spending too much time in the history and story of his hit songs, Luke answers some of Brandon's questions on how to get a hit. Why not ask the guy that watched Brooks and Dunn write some of their hits in person? From...

Terry McBride in his growing up years was one of the most sought-after bass players in the local Austin music scene. After auditioning in his father's band, his career was proven more so with other Texas collaborations like Lee Roy Parnell, Bill Carter and the Blame, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Johnny Duncan, Rosie Flores, and Delbert McClinton would soon follow. As one does eventually, songs become of interest. A meeting with Jody Williams, former BMI Vice President of Creative, and MCA President...

Ben and Emily of Carolina Story first met in Memphis, TN. The Arkansas and South Dakota natives took a chance on a start-up school program, but more importantly, they started their relationship as they were forming the band. They admit it was never easy from the beginning. Ben shares the financial and emotional woes of writing in Nashville when they first began as a duo. The constant no's or being told that they are left of center began to take its toll. Ben and Emily swore they wrote the...

Waylon Payne is the son of country artist Sammie Smith ("Help Me Make It Through the Night," "Then You Walk In," Merle Haggard's "Today I Started Loving You Again") and Jody Payne (Willie Nelson's long-time guitarist). It's safe to say that Waylon's childhood looks a little different than most. Living with his Aunt and Uncle at the age of 2 months till adulthood would be a foundation that would set the tone for religion, hard drugs, sexual abuse, but probably more important is understanding...

Eloise Alterman is one of the freshest voices from Big Yellow Dog Music (Maren Morris, Tenille Townes, Meghan Trainor, to name a few). Originally hailing from Detroit, Eloise made the journey to Nashville with the intention of an artist's career. Something that many don't do from her home town, she went against the grain and instead of college. She opted for loneliness. Such a scary emotion that many wouldn't think to turn to as a strength. After not knowing anybody from Music City, her...

Rebecca and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe are singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist sisters creating their brand of Roots Rock 'n' Roll: gritty, soulful, and flavored by their southern heritage. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe. Starting as a trio of sisters playing the folk and bluegrass circles, Rebecca and Megan share the beginnings of their music, path, and even how they've become who...

Born and bred in Texas, Thomas Csorba has a knack of writing songs like how Walt Whitman writes poetry. Only at 23 he's able to write with earnest intent with characters that carry strong emotions. No doubt the degree in English Literature from Baylor plays in that but his musical heroes play a big role in that as well (Townes Van Zandt, Woodie Guthrie, Tom Waits). His self-titled debut album is set to be released September 25th and this episode we go through his influences and the emotions...

A dash of punk with a cup of B-movie Tarantino vibes, and mixed with attitude might describe Blackout Balter's debut LP Animal. As for Phil Cohen though (the MIT grad, former military and pro hockey player, lead singer of the band) we learn that their fan's interactions and reactions make up what Blackout Balter's mantra may be. To enjoy life. Through conversation, we learn the value of education and how that intertwines with Phil's writing for the band. Artistically and lyrically speaking,...

Daughter of a screen and Civil-Rights writer and housewife Gretchen Peters fully admits to having a childhood like the AMC hit MADMEN, automatically should set the pace to living an internal artist life like songwriting. A sudden life shift brought Gretchen to Boulder, Colorado, and thus began a love of country, Mickey Newbury, jam bands, and the freaks and misfits alike. In conversation, Gretchen shares the truth behind Martina McBride's, "Independence Day," and the inspirations behind the...

"I hit my 'fuck it' point," says Hailey Whitters. You only hear that when someone has nothing else left to lose. Most might know Hailey as the songwriter behind cuts from Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, and Little Big Town. Others might remember when her track, "Ten Year Town" made an impact on country radio and became the song to give birth to her latest album The Dream. In conversation, we go through the cycles of life that lead up to The Dream. Timing, death, self-discovery, struggle, and...

After moving to Nashville from his hometown, Anacortes, Washington, in 2017, Joey Hendricks quickly made a name for himself in the songwriting community as a talented lyricist and gifted musician. He signed a publishing deal with Parallel Entertainment (now absorbed by Anthem Entertainment), whose head, Tim Hunze, encouraged him to make the leap into solo artistry by cutting a few of his own songs. Heavily inspired by Neil Young and John Mayer, it was the stories of country music that lead...