Surviving The Music Industry

Court is a Nashville native guitarist that is a self-proclamied “non-dreamer," which is crazy to say because most people will only dream of the gigs this guy gets. His session credits include Colton Dixon, Matthew West, Matt Broussard, Griffin House, and Denver and The Mile High Orchestra. While hearing of his faith and the personal connections that help sustain his livelihood, we dive in to what makes Court one of the most sought after “home studio” session players while touring with R&B/Blues giant Jonny Lang full-time. We talk road life, session gear, tone, weed, and Jesus all in one episode! All rise…COURT'S IN SESSION!!

What is Driver's typical day like?

This week, the guides sat down with the guitarist from Eric Church’s band, Driver Williams. By far one of the coolest dudes to set foot in the bedroom with an English Lit degree. Driver has an interesting background growing up in the country music business but wanted nothing more than to be in a metal band. Brandon and Jason dig deep into his life, and they talk a lot about Driver’s influences in metal; Metallica, Dimebag Darrell, Hatebreed, etc and how he made his way back to the world of country. This episode is chocked full of stories like hanging out with Dimebag Darrell from Pantera, how the rock fans embraced Eric Church in a time that rock was dying, getting kicked off the Rascal Flatts tour, and how Driver's song “Smoke A Little Smoke” was co-written with Eric Church and Jeff Hyde, becoming the most played song on American Jukeboxes. This episode is for players, songwriters, metal fans, and Eric Church fans...DRIVER WANTED!

The guides talk in this extra content piece about situational mixing with Pat Hundley.

The guides are still stuck in Las Vegas but they got to hang out with producer/mix engineer Pat Hundley. Pat’s credits include working with Lil Jon, Yowda, Rick Ross, DJ Paul (formerly of Three 6 Mafia), and Fetty Wap. Pat has learned from the school of hard knocks along with some guidance from Bjorn Thorsrud (Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan, and Monster Magnet) and has big plans for Sin City. We talk gear, his favorite studios, the difference between a producer and an engineer in the hip hop scene, and of course we look into what is making Pat the next big thing in Vegas. In Lil Jon fashion, we like to call this episode WHHAAAATT!?!

In this extra content blast, Jim talks to the guides about the future of music discovery and how he got started in radio.

Our interview with Jim Dorman is for the die hard artist and player that has ever wondered, "Why tour radio?" Or even, "How do I work the radio angle as an artist?" We didn't forget about players and music fans. Jim tells us his successes with artists in the industry and we give insight for players how to act on radio tour. Step one--PUCKER UP!

In this extra follow-up blip from SMI, your guides talk about Brandon Bell's nauseating kindness and he gives us a rundown of his creepy ghost encounters at Southern Ground!

This week, the SMI guides head over to Southern Ground and talk shop with the Chief Engineer at Zac Brown's Southern Ground Nashville studio, Brandon Bell. Bell talks about playing the snot out of some clarinet as a kid, being nominated for his first Grammy at 23 (whaaatttt????), working with Zac and Dave Grohl on the Grohl Sessions, and much, MUCH more. Southern Ground + Brandon Bell = SOUTHERN BELL.

In Episode 5, we visit with Nick Barre, Partner and artist manager at Proper Management. We talked how Switchfoot got their start, and how other artists he works with unconventionally found success in the current music market. Also, how he got started in the industry with Charlie Peacock and when he met Bono. He delivers a parable filled session with industry insight like you've never heard -- truly SETTING THE BARRE.

Brandon and (the less cool) Jason catch up with Jason Mowery this week in Nashville BACKSTAGE at the AC/DC "Noise Pollution" tribute they MC'ed, featuring Mowery on the guitar! Dude can do it all.

In Episode 4, SMI sits down in "the bedroom" with Jason Mowery. Jason's a songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who has toured with Clint Black, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, John Fogerty, and many other killer acts. He is definitely the most talented guy in most every room he enters. FIDDLE ME THIS--can Brandon and (the less cool) Jason hang?

In Episode 3, SMI interviews the owner and CEO of Nashville-based modeling agency AMAX Talent, Cherylann Stephens. With riveting commentary on the modeling industry and the tie-ins and analogies to the music business, Cherylann's insights and broad experiences will keep you captivated, but will she be able to give the guides retroactive tips in our segment called MODEL ME?

In Episode 2, SMI interviews entrepreneur, actor, producer, and drummer for Jason Aldean, Rich Redmond. Live from "the bedroom" studio, Brandon and Jason wow at the wide variety of entertainment-related enterprises Rich is involved in, and laugh until they cry as Rich crushes it on the tiny drum kit. More than just a drummer--uniting the smoothness of Hollywood with a Nashville vibe, he's definitely member of club NASHWOOD.

In Episode 1, SMI interviews country artist and songwriter Adam Sanders live and on-location at Big Yellow Dog Music, his publishing home. With two recent #1's as a songwriter, a budding artist career, and a passion for studying the industry, you'll find immediately that he's NOT JUST A REDNECK.American Songwriter Podcast Network