Surviving The Music Industry

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  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 about some of the songs.   American Songwriter Podcast Network

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 player-Jeff Hyde.  Jeff released Norman Rockwell World and so he told me the inspiration behind some of the records songs.  Stream and download Walker and Jeff's music everywhere music is streamed.  Follow Walker @walkerhayes on Instagram and Twitter, and visit  for merch and dates.  Then follow Jeff @jeffhydemusic on Facebook and visit his site at . For all show notes and name drops visit his site at www.jeffhydemusic.com. American Songwriter Podcast Network

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!  American Songwriter Podcast Network

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.

We are getting closer to the premier of season 3 and that just means a conversation from one of "The Players", Michael Rhodes.  We really dive in pretty hard in what's in the mind of one of the most successful, still working, bass players in the music industry.  I'm not kidding, it's a dumpster dive. When Michael isn't on the road with Joe Bonamassa, he's planning his next session on a number 1 song.  What does it take to have a long career as a bass player, and how do you keep working?  Also, the incredible stories and a behind the scenes look at some of Michael's most infamous recording sessions.

One of my favorite front men from the band Republican Hair, killer songwriter, and documentarian, Luke Dick takes our 6th most downloaded episode from 2017.  We chat philosophy in his songwriting behind the cuts "Kill A Word" and "Pink Sunglasses".  His documentary, Red Dog, and funny story.  I almost get mauled by a red dog in  this episode.  

Our 7th most downloaded episode features songwriter and artist, Ryan Beaver.  Nothing but smooth, hustle from this guy.  With the philosophical mind of Socrates and the heart of a Texan, Ryan continues to impress Nashville and his fans with his songwriting.  Find out what it takes to get where he is today, and his process of creating his songs.  Season 3 comes back with all new episodes May 1st, 2018!

Eight more weeks from season 3 just means we get to showcase our eighth most downloaded episode from 2017.  Pat McMakin's career spans 40+ years in the business as an engineer and currently the head hancho at Ocean Way Studios here in Nashville.  Pat tells us some of his favorite memories with highly celebrated artists and how the studio business plans to stay a business.

Chatting with Allison Jones was one of my personal fav's from 2017 so I'm so glad the rest of you thought it was awesome.  Taking the 9th spot in our countdown to Season 3 is Big Machine SVP of A&R is Allison Jones.  We get a look into her journey and even her day to day job of developing all the acts that come through Big Machine.  What makes an artist get picked by a label, and even what do you do to develop the next biggest stars.  Season 3 of Surviving the Music Industry starts MAY 1st!

Of course the top 10th most downloaded episode of 2017 would be Ward Guenther of Whiskey Jam.  I think it had everything to do with the whiskey drinking from the top.  We also tackle how a clever name for a bar gig became one of the most happening events in Nashville, and all over the nation as a brand.  Ward lets us in on the patterns of successful artists that he's noticed, and the stories of how these ultra popular artists got their start on a Monday night at Whiskey Jam. All new episodes of Surviving the Music Industry starts May 1st!

Taking our 11th most downloaded episode of 2017 is The Voice alum Lauren Duski and award winning songwriter Lori McKenna.  Lauren popped in to chat about her newest project that is set to be released this year in 2018, and Lori found the time to let me fan girl her.  Lori and I dive in pretty hard in to her catalog and past projects, and I get to actually have a Q & A session with her.

Few people rarely understand what it takes to work in marketing music.  Here enters Faithe Dillman, owner of Marbaloo Marketing, that takes our 12th position as we countdown to Season 3.  This episode is for anybody interested in working in marketing or just curious to how to market your own music.

No surprise that Eddie Bayers would pop up in our countdown.  One of the baddest drummers in history graced us with his story back in 2017.  Since then I've bumped into Eddie at the Grand Ole Opry and he's doing great!  In this episode we tackle his journey from working in the mob, homelessness, and his legendary recordings with The Judds, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, The Beach Boys, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Kenny Chesney, Peter Frampton, Vince Gill, Lane Brody, Julio Iglesias, Alan Jackson, Elton John, Mark Knopfler, Uncle Kracker, Bob Seger, Sting, Steve Winwood,Trisha Yearwood, and way more.

Our 14th most downloaded episode is artist and player, Scott Mulvahill.  It's been awhile since we recorded this chat.  Scotts family is safe from the hurricanes that affected the Houston area in 2017, and he officially left Ricky Skaggs' Kentucky Thunder band to pursue his own artistry.  Scott is an artist that has stepped out from the sidelines, into the spotlight. We talked about stepping out of your comfort zone, and Scott’s memorable moments that led up to becoming the artist he his meant to be.

Number 15 of our most popular episodes of 2017 is none other than David Macias.  David is the president of Thirty Tigers, an all encompassing music label, management company that has been a trend setter and music industry disrupter since 2002.  This was recorded at Thirty Tigers and we talked about the vision of the company, David's philosophy in business, and his thoughts of the ever changing landscape of streaming music and it's effects on artists.

Mr. Talkbox takes the 16th spot for counting down all the way to season 3 in our 17 most downloaded episodes from 2017.  We talk about him as musician with bands like the Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, and Tobymac. To his current solo career.  Of course we talk about Roger Troutman/Zapp, Mr.Talkbox's biggest influence.

Helping us countdown to season 3 with our 17 most downloaded episodes of 2017 is Caitlyn Smith. This is perfect timing because 'Starfire', Caitlyn's new record, is coming out this week.  Enjoy the story of how Caitlyn is becoming one of 2018's most popular artists.  To listen to the full episode, take a look at Starfire//Caitlyn Smith.