Inside Nashville With Tom Moran

This week Tom tells us about the challenges facing the country record business in 2017 and what it needs to do to survive and prosper. Country radio is also facing daunting challenges in it's struggle to compete in the on-demand world listeners live in today. Tom gives them some specific advice on how to save themselves in 2017...and isn't charging them a penny for it! He closes with the best Australian country artist of all time!  This is a must hear year end episode.  Enjoy, subscribe, and share!

This week Tom talks with legendary Nashville music man John Ettinger. John shares stories about breaking Shania, Sugarland, and others. John has seen and done it all and has a great ability to tell the stories of his journey. John also talks about succeeding as a boutique marketing company in his post corporate career.  It is easy to see why he has been so successful and we can all learn something from listening. Tom ends with what he says is the best country single ever released by a Canadian band.  Enjoy, subscribe....and SHARE!

This week Tom picks the country stars of today that merit an invitation to sit with the greats...and the ones that don't. He answers more mail about the Beyonce/CMA Awards controversy, and talks about how Miranda Lambert has seriously raised the country music bar.  He finishes with a great Miranda song about a broken heart that will move you! Don't miss this one. Enjoy, subscribe...and SHARE!

This week Tom sits with entrepreneur and Average Joes Ent CEO Shannon Houchins.  While most label heads in Nashville throw vast amounts of money at a project in hopes that some day they might see a return on their investment...Shannon manages costs and marketing plans in a way that produces profits throughout the campaign.  He could teach a class on Music Row. He is also successfully into the movie/tv, tour promotion, publishing, and mud racing businesses.  That's right ..... mud racing.  He has tapped into a new avenue to sell music....and he owns the avenue too!  We all could learn from Shannon....don't pass on this episode!

In this episode Tom explains his hatred for Christmas music. It makes sense if you make your living selling music. He then re-visits the Beyonce/Dixie Chicks  CMA Awards controversy...and has country music's old friend, Taylor Swift's back in her sexual assault case.  He closes with a beautiful song in memory of the great Leon Russell...an artist that obviously has touched Tom and many others. This is a very good episode that you shouldn't miss.  Enjoy, subscribe...and share!

This week Tom talks with talented artist, songwriter, and producer, Ira Dean.  Tom rarely interviews artists because of the political correctness constraints that prevent honest and compelling conversations. Not so with Ira Dean!  He speaks honestly about his days in the successful band, Trick Pony along with their breakup. He gives a brutally honest take on the state of country music today and the use of auto tune in Nashville studios.  He also shares some personal thoughts on his hero and mentor Johnny Cash.  Tom closes the show with a Trick Pony cover of one of Johnny Cash's greatest songs that has Johnny and Waylon Jennings helping out on the vocals.  Don't miss it!  Enjoy, subscribe....and share!

In this episode Tom talks about the 50th Anniversary Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Show.  He talks about what he doesn't like about awards shows and the value to the artist that win. He points out the good and the bad performances, production, and acceptance speeches and tells you about the controversial appearance by Beyonce.  He then dives into the awards themselves and gives us his own list of nominees and winners. He closes with HIS song of the year.  This is an honest take on the process, nominees, and winners.  You won't hear it anywhere but at Inside Nashville with Tom Moran.

In this episode Tom issues a call to arms to force the music industry to label music and concert tickets alerting the music consumer when "Electronically Altered Vocals" are utilized.  That is what the use of auto tune does...makes the voice perfect when it is lacking. He includes lip syncing at concerts on the list of frauds being perpetrated on music lovers. He then tells us about some good and some bad new releases and finishes by sending out a pre-auto tune voice to give those guilty singers something to strive for. This episode will evoke some strong reaction...don't miss it! Enjoy, subscribe and share!

In this Episode Tom talks with Cold River Records CEO and owner...Pete O'Heeron.  Pete tells us about the struggle to establish an independent label in a Nashville dominated by the corporately owned major labels. He'll share some stories and talk about what it is that keeps him pushing ahead when so many other small labels have closed their doors.  Tom then closes the episode with a song from a true artist that he thinks Pete should sign. Enjoy, subscribe....and share!

In this episode Tom revisits Episode 13 for an update on Thirty Tigers Records. Changes were made at the company since Ep 13 and he has some strong thoughts on them. He then runs down a list of the most misused and overused terms in the country music business and why they bother him. He closes with the story of the most talented artist that you never hear on the radio...Sturgill Simpson. It's a powerful episode that all that appreciate honest content should hear.  Enjoy and share!

In this episode Tom talks with David Macias...owner and CEO of the most unique music company in the business...Thirty Tigers.  David talks about his philosophy and how he has structured his company around it. He shares stories about the artists he chooses to be in business with....like Jason Isbell, Chase Rice, Sturgill Simpson, and others.  David is one of the best and brightest executives in the music business and you don't want to miss it!  Tom closes the episode by digging into David's catalog for a song that will make you laugh and move at the same time.  Enjoy and share it!

In this episode Tom talks about who he has on his list of smartest people in country music and why.  He then gives us a heads up on a few new releases to check out and a few to avoid.  He closes the show with a great track from his new favorite group....The Last Bandoleros. He cautions us to close the door and clear a space because we'll want to turn it up and move. This is honest content you will not find anywhere other than right here at Inside Nashville with Tom Moran. Enjoy and share!

Tom sits with the youngest of Nashville's power players....Broken Bow's Jon Loba. Broken Bow is the most successful independent label in country music. Jon talks about the company's beginnings with artists like Craig Morgan and its evolution through superstar Jason Aldean and Jon's newest find...Dustin Lynch. He also is honest about a couple of big names that got away.  Jon also tells us about the culture he's created at the company and we get a good feel for the type of executive he is, and why his staff and artist roster are devoted to him. Tom closes the show with a beautiful song from Craig Morgan...the song that started it all for Broken Bow. This is the type of content that you will only find here...at Inside Nashville with Tom Moran.

Tom has Blake Shelton's back I'm the face of tabloid gossip and shares some great Blake stories from the road and the board room.  He then offers Blake some well-intentioned advice on how to secure his place in country music history. The show closes with Blake's version of a Conway Twitty classic.  You will only hear these stories  here....at Inside Nashville.  It's a good one! 

In episode 9 Tom sits with rock superstar turned powerhouse country singer/songwriter AARON LEWIS from the legendary group STAIND. They talk about Aaron's country music upbringing, songwriting, and the journey from rock to country. This conversation gives us a great feel for Aaron's songwriting process and makes clear the fact that he is where he belongs....in country music. Enjoy and share!

Tom works to rescue a listener from what he calls music Stockholm syndrome by putting her love of Cole Swindell's music under the microscope and urges us all to raise our music standards. He then explains how the federal government is at war with the songwriter and helping the streaming companies.  He closes the episode with the original version of a song of the year candidate from gifted Lori McKenna. It's an episode you'll want to hear... and share!

Tom talks with Beverly Keel.  Beverly is one of the most infulential media players in Nashville as well as the Chair of the prestigious Department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University.  She also is a founding member of the important organization Change The Conversation which advocates for women in the music business. Beverly speaks about the sexist practices in both the music business and the music selection process at country radio and shares some insight into her #1 client - Jamey Johnson.  Beverly and Tom don't hold back....don't miss this powerful episode!

Episode 6: Tom runs down the pluses and minuses with signing with major and independent labels and then delivers an honest picture of the world of independent radio promotion that an aspiring artist and their representatives know.  if you or anyone you know is thinking about a career in country music you need to listen to this episode.  It's honest and vital information.  Tom finishes with his favorite song from the new Vince Gill album.  It's an important episode....enjoy and subscribe today!

Tom has an intimate and revealing conversation with one of the greatest producers in Nashville history. In addition to his 20 year history with and insight into  Kenny Chesney, Buddy shares stories about Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Mell Tillis, Alison Krauss, and others that you will simply not hear anywhere else.  He closes with a touching story about his harp playing mom that you need to hear.  Tom closes the episode out with Buddy's latest production...the famous lead singer from the hugely successful band STAIND.  You will be blown away with how country the music is. Enjoy and subscribe today!

In this episode Tom calls out the Nashville music machine and country radio for chasing adult fans away with pop and hip hop influences on the country music played on the radio. He runs down the top 20 songs on the chart to illustrate his point and if they really feel they need the help, he proposes a new influence...straight ahead R&B. He offers up a great song from a soulful singer named Anderson East as the first entry.  He also tells us about 4 newly released songs that blow him away.  Tom, as usual, doesn't mince words.  Don't miss this!