Surviving The Music Industry

One is credited with developing the careers of Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, The Judds, and Wu Tang Clan. The other is developing their own sound and adding art to rock. Joe Galante, former RCA Chairman and President, and British Blues/Rock artists Chris and Stephanie of Ida Mae climb into the attic to talk about their music careers.    Ida Mae wasn't Chris and Stephanie's first project together. Hustling and running with the current with Kill It Kid gave them their first taste of a record deal. Through crazy turns, they've decided to end their heavier sound of Kill It Kid for the now Ida Mae sound we know. I was able to catch Ida Mae in between Greta Van Fleet and Blackberry Smoke dates, and before their Bonnaroo show. I instantly fell in love with their lyrics and poetry to their music. There was something classic about them that made them tangible and not stuffy or pretentious as some lyrics can be. We talk about life in the UK, recording and writing for their newest record Chasing Lights,

Music documentaries, new music, and reflecting on a 54-year career with Jeff Hanna and Austin Plaine. Austin and I talk the inevitable dad talk and how music doc's are ruining our lives. We eventually get to his latest release and style. Jeff Hanna, front member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and I reflect on a 54-year career across multiple genres of music.    Insightful and picking up on life's subtle moments, artist and songwriter Austin Plaine shares some insight into his process. Originally from Minnesota, Austin turned away from a legal career to write and record music in Nashville, TN. Releasing his latest record on June 28th, Stratford, Austin popped into the attic to talk about his songs and style. It's Gucci-good. Follow him @austinplaine for updates and visit  for tour dates.    The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was founded around 1966 in Long Beach, California, by singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna. As part of the Southern California scene, past members include Jackson Browne, Jimmie Fadden, Jimmy Ibbotson, Ber

Reflecting, motivating, and defending the voiceless with country icon Stella Parton and Bennet Cerven of The Trouble Notes. The Trouble Notes are a power trio that plays instrumental music with an international diplomatic message. Bennet shares his story of cutting ties to the financial institution for busking the streets of New York City, the messages of some of their latest music, and fills me in on European politics. Then celebrating the life and legacy of Stella Parton with her 40th studio album, Survivor. Stella shares stories of abuse, overcoming, strength, and pivotal moments in her career.   Stella Parton’s career began as early as 7 years old singing with her sisters and family in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. One of twelve siblings including Dolly Parton, country music has been synonymous with the Parton name. Stella is best known for a series of country singles that charted during the mid- to late-1970s including three Top 20 hits with "The Danger of a Stranger", "Four Littl

The problem of ticketing and celebrating with songwriter/artist Mindy Smith (@mindysmithmusic) and Stephen Glicken, CEO of Project Admission. Armed with IMDB credits, running a record label, and working from the ground floor of CrowdSurge and Songkick. Stephen's latest venture is building an improved experience for the buying, selling, and distribution of digital tickets to increase data and revenue. Then Mindy Smith and I sat down not long after the re-release of her record One Moment More on vinyl and the release of Kenny Chesney's, "Better Boat". Mindy Smith, artist and songwriter, is celebrating 15 years of her first record, One Moment More. You've heard Mindy's songs recorded or heard her voice with Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Olivia Newton John, John Prine and more. Originally from New York, Mindy made her way to Tennessee after her foster mother passed from breast cancer where she had her first taste of bluegrass music. Soon she started writing her original music and m

Love and murder, The Grateful Dead, and politics with Cris Jacobs and history minstrels Granville Automatic. Some might remember Cris from The Bridge or from collaborations with Ivan Neville, and we do tackle that. But we jump into his most recent records Dust To Gold, Neville Jacobs, and his latest Color Where You Are. Not one to shy away from political discussions or even in song form, Cris covers all of this in his music and in conversation. But first Granville Automatics Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins drop some dark history nuggets from their latest record Radio Hymns. Cris Jacobs guitarist and vocalist from The Bridge were a band from Baltimore, Maryland that called it quits 10 years after forming. Since then Cris released his critically acclaimed albums Dust To Gold and a collaborative album with Ivan Neville, Neville Jacobs. Cris and I dive into a chunk of his catalog but first, we talk about The Bridge and it's jam band roots. Then even why after 10 years, what's it like to venture out on your

Cassadee Pope takes us through her musical journey all the way back before the Hey Monday days. Cassadee has a string of successes like being the first woman to win The Voice and being the first Grammy nominated The Voice artist. Embarking on headlining solo tours like CMT’s Next Women of Country, joining tours like Maren Morris’ Girl Tour, having a successful career in pop/punk music, and she still follows up with highlights in her career. But few know what’s been happening in her life that led her all the way to her latest release, Stages. Cassadee takes us through the journey of heartache, music industry woes, and the making of Stages and its songs. Follow her and tour dates at . musician, singer, and YouNow broadcaster known for posting soulful covers of popular music on her haileyknoxmusic channel, Hailey Knox is becoming in her own right. An artist. Armed with still that soul, hip-hop swagger, she recently released Hardwired Mixtape. You’ll find snippets of Hailey’s musical brain ticks but also songs

Few people have the power to have you lock in with who they are within the first handshake. Kassi Ashton is one of those musicians that when she enters a room, you know there’s something. Pretty Shiny Things, her latest release, gives you a depth of her that you may not have even noticed when this California, Missouri native first busted on the scene. In this sneak peek to all new episodes we talk about the ugly truth of validation, breakdown her recent releases, and her view of the relationship between music and the radio business. Kassi Ashton is a Missouri native with a California, L.A. vibe. So I guess being from California, Missouri makes perfect sense…almost. Going through the motions of high school and thinking about college landed her in Nashville, Tennessee’s Belmont University studying voice. After winning the Country Showcase hosted by the university, life quickly involved publishing deals, record contracts, and writing songs. The Huffington Post gives Kassi “mad props for her songwriting and stage

Stella Parton has survived abuse, abusive relationships caused by alcohol, a kidnapping, and the music industry. Hence, the release of her 40th studio album Survivor. In this sneak peek into our newest episodes coming in April, I wanted you guys to know that the record is coming out March 29th and you should listen. The album covers topics ranging from drug abuse, recovery, forgiveness, sexism, sexual harassment, and even Alzheimers. Stella shares in this clip this phase in her life that she'd, "Rather sleep under a bridge for the rest of her life than keep her mouth shut." Listen to Survivor coming to all platforms March 29th, visit  and follow her @stellapartonofficial.  Stella Parton is from a rich musical heritage of Country Music. From the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, a sibling to Dolly Parton, and a trailblazer in her own right. Stella was one of the very first “Indie” artists before the phrase was coined. At the tender age of 24, she wrote, produced, recorded and secured the promo

To some Michael Cleveland is another run of the mill, good ol’ boy from Indiana that can play a fiddle and that is always up for a jam. To others he’s the 11-time IBMA Fiddle Player Of The Year, most sought after bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, and now the focus of a movie documenting his life. was recently released on and it captures the challenges of Michael and the pursuit of becoming the renowned instrumentalist that he is today. In this sneak peek of our newest episodes, Michael and I talk briefly about the movie. In the full conversation, we dive into his thought process of “fiddlin” and the challenges he’s faced. In the meantime till the release, enjoy the movie, follow Michael and the band , visit , and stay tuned for all new episodes April 2019.

A Star Is Born didn't walk away with the big win at the 2019 Oscars but that's ok. Because for Natalie Hemby, she's already winning life. Cuts from Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Republican Hair, and others. Who needs another piece of gold plated, bathroom art piece? In this preview of my 2019 season, Natalie shares little nuggets of the process of writing with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and also adapting to the process of film making while creating the music. Hemby also drops a little teaser of what's to come for her in 2019. Be on the lookout for her full episode in April where we talk about her music and career, and follow her @wruckestrike. You might meet Chintzy the anti-selfie model. Check out all her cuts and also her original music from her debut album, Puxico.

Granville Automatic merges history with songs. This isn't stuck in the library on a Saturday night kind of music. Imagine more if John Prine was Indiana Jones. These songs do belong in a museum but we're lucky to hear creative takes on some of histories darkest moments. It's no different in their latest record Radio Hymns. Elizabeth Elkins and Vanessa Olivarez are tenured songwriters and artists, together and separately, but together they bring history to life even when we tried to leave these stories buried. For Radio Hymns, you hear some of Nashville's best kept, darkest secrets. Themes of murder, deception, condemnation, redemption, and even Jimi Hendrix are muses for this 13 track history lesson. Again, these are the things you didn't learn in eighth grade Tenessee history.  For this sneak peek of our 2019 season, I thought. Let's share a love story on Valentines Day. It's the story of a Barber, his love, a nut case, and a gun. Visit , download and stream Radio Hymns, and give them a follow .

In case you don't know...we're recording all-new episodes and you should hear what we've been up to. Cassadee Pope, the most downloaded female country artist of 2018 just released her first full-length record. It marks a time for her in independence, changes, and discovery. In the full episode, we talk about her roots and the journey from pop-punk to her career alternating audition for The Voice. In the meantime, enjoy this bonus look at the songs of her newest record, . Tons of things happening too for Pope. She's on the and . Head to  or  for extra and exclusive content and follow Cassadee @cassadeepope on all things.

The last fresh episode of 2018 is hit country music songwriter, Jonathan Singleton.  He is known for co-writing the songs "Don't" by Billy Currington, "Watching Airplanes" by Gary Allan, "A Guy Walks Into a Bar" by Tyler Farr, "Red Light" and "Let It Rain" by David Nail, "Why Don't We Just Dance" by Josh Turner and "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools" by Tim McGraw. In 2009, the American Society of Composers, Publishers and Authors (ASCAP) awarded Singleton for "Don't," which was one of the most-played country music songs of that year. Jonathan not only talks about what led him to be an artist/songwriter, but also the trouble of being a songwriter. We discuss the politics and the next steps to just even get your song noticed. He also shares the stories of what happened in the writing room when writing some of his biggest hits. 

A taste of home, overhauling healthcare, and dropping verbal bombs with Castlecomer, Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance, and Luke Dick of Republican Hair.  One song can really change your life. That's at least the origin story for Australian based band Castlecomer. Bede and Neel of the band let us in how touring the states have been going, how their song "Fire Alarm" and 8 shows in 3 days changed their lives. We also dive into the music and how pop sounds are just the palette for lyrics that have deeper meanings. They just released their self-titled album and you have to stream it now. Check out  for everything about the band and follow them @castlecomer.    We all know healthcare needs an overhaul but rarely do we talk about or even know the current resources that are available to musicians. In steps Tatum Allsep, CEO and founder of Music Health Alliance.  Tatum has major street cred before founding non-profits. Her career includes six years with MCA Records, artist management for the legendary

Big props to Belmonts, Curb College of Music for hosting the honest conversation on where women are at in having a chance for equality in music. Recorded live at Columbia Studio A, Cassadee Pope (The Voice and recording artist), Tracy Gershon (artist manager and c0-founder of Change the Conversation), and Leslie Fram (Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT and co-founder of Change the Conversation) all share their feelings on where we are as a community in accepting women as equals in business and in creativity. All three women brought their unique experiences and vocations into the conversation. We start with the purpose of Change the Conversation and the numbers behind the topic at hand. The double standards against women and has it always been like this? Then looking ahead is there a chance for women to not just survive but to truly thrive within music.  Change the Conversation is dedicated to improving the environment for women in music. Their goal is to become obsolete and “to never have this co

Building a career, managing your career, and all things songs with artist Alex Hall and veteran music publisher Tim Hunze. Alex calls Gainesville, Georgia home but writes songs for himself and other writers in Nashville, TN. He grew up riding horses and playing sports, but music has always been an important part of his life. With encouragement from his middle school choral director, he began focusing specifically on singing. It was the summer before high school when he started playing guitar, singing at the local restaurants and bars and writing songs. We start the conversation when Alex started breaking in music and moving to Nashville. We dive into his newest song "Homesick" and what makes his writing style different than others. Visit  for tour dates and to check out all of Alex's music, and follow him @musicbyalexhall Then respected Nashville music publisher, Tim Hunze, comes in to talk things publishing and some insight into songs that he's learned through his career. Tim started his career by

Songwriting, stolen weed, and growing your career with John Craigie and Matt Urmy. First, John Craigie jumps in to talk about expectations of connections but a couple of things you should know is that John is a songwriter armed with wit and truth. “the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg.” describes him perfectly. Recently John released a song with Jack Johnson, “I Wrote Mr. Tamborine Man”. We talk about the power of lyrics and the first line, songwriting, and even types of writing songs. In 2018 his studio album Scarecrow was released and hailed as transparent and truthful which is a constant in his life. Be sure to visit www.johncraigiemusic.com for upcoming tour dates including his #KeepItWarm tour and new music, and follow him at @johncraigie. Matt Urmy talks about his perspective of songwriting, entrepreneurship, and owning your career. When Urmy was four years old his family moved to Nashville, TN, where he lived until college. He graduated with a BA in creative writing from UT, Knoxville, and an

Producing, discoverability in 2018, and new music with Dustin Burnett (aka Zayde Wolf) and Lincoln Parish (aka Parish f/t). Parish f/t is a record producer, songwriter, and guitarist based in Nashville, TN who has worked with artists including Lissie, The Moxies, Run River North, Rebecca Roubion, American Idol’s Paul McDonald and Lucinda Williams. Best known as the lead guitarist for Cage the Elephant, Parish co-wrote and played guitar on their first three albums including the Grammy nominated album Melophobia (RCA) and its No. 1 single “Come A Little Closer”. These days Lincoln is producing new music under the name Parish f/t. The "f/t" stands for feature because all the material that is being released features a different vocalist behind his tracks. You can check out Parish's latest releases "What I Need" with Paul McDonald and "Release" with Daphne Willis. We chat about his latest music, life after Cage the Elephant, and influences. Visit  or follow him @parish_ft for his late

John Oates talks Hall & Oates, songwriting, and his latest record Arkansas. John was destined to be a musician. Born in New York City, his family moved to a small town outside of Philadelphia, PA in the early 1950s – a move that would change the course of his life. He met Daryl Hall in Philly, hung out with his idols The Temptations, and even discovered folk music. John was influenced by the folk scene, bluegrass, delta blues, and ragtime guitar styles of the 1960’s and Daryl was piano, gospel, and classically driven. Soon with the help of legendary producer Arif Mardin (Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Queen, Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin) Hall & Oates became what we know today. With the help of MTV, clever songwriting, and the 80’s Hall & Oates solidified their stake in music history as one of the greatest pop acts of the 20th century. With the help of John’s memoir Change of Seasons, we chat about the early days of Hall & Oates, working with Arif, and the music of Philadelphia. We also dive into the

Behind the music, songwriting, and willing to fail with Canadian songwriter Donovan Woods. Born and raised in Canada, Donovan was pretty hip to the folk and bluegrass scene. Sighting Emmylou Harris, Fred Eaglesmith, and even east coast rap as inspirations. He knew songwriting was going to be his thing. So with the advice of his sister to pick up girls, he would need to learn the guitar.  Years of honing the songwriting craft and uploading music to Myspace, Donovan was noticed by an indie movies' producers and actors to use his song for the film. Then sometime in the mix, another song was picked up for a national ad. From there it has taken time and dedication to the craft and his music. Woods is known in his songwriting to talk about the feelings that nobody really wants to talk about or even the feelings we don't even notice.  Since flying to Nashville for songwriting sessions, he soon had Tim McGraw cutting "Portland, Maine", Charles Kelley "Leaving Nashville", Billy Currington "Swe