Stay ConnectedEvery week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time… this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is… ™
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Today’s guest is the secret weapon behind some of pop’s most heart-wrenching, scream-along anthems. With a knack for tapping into raw, soul-baring emotions, he’s crafted hits that feel like they’re ripped straight from your journal—if your journal had hooks that got stuck in everyone’s head. Whether he’s working with fresh voices or pop royalty, he knows exactly how to make songs that pull you in and don’t let go. He’s a master of making you cry, dance, and hit replay a thousand times.
And The Writer Is…Dan Nigro!
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Today’s superstar has already dominated popular music for over a decade. What started as a simple talent show audition has become one of the most intriguing and eclectic careers in recent memory. Over the past decade, this writer has reshaped the sound of modern pop, seamlessly blending Latin, R&B, and contemporary influences into a unique musical style that resonates worldwide. Her genre-defying hits and dynamic collaborations reflect her multicultural upbringing and fearless approach to music, capturing hearts across both Pop and Latin music charts.
And The Writer Is…Camila Cabello!
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Today’s guest is a global phenomenon, whose songs, killer fashion sense, and stage presence empower female songwriters and artists everywhere. Having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, this superstar remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. But what the stat doesn’t accurately show is that 100 million albums sold makes her one of the top-selling songwriters of all time. Her brilliance shines on stage, on red carpets, and in session rooms — she is the definition of well-rounded. From way up North, this Canadian epitomized rock stardom, and did so with grace.
And The Writer Is…Shania Twain!
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We’re excited to announce a special bonus interview with Mikkel Eriksen, co-founder of LAAMP and one-half of the production duo Stargate, and Chris Anokute, the Executive Director of LAAMP, an A&R executive, and Founder of the entertainment company, Young Forever Inc. Ross recently sat down with Mikkel and Chris to discuss the record production world and everything they do over at LAAMP. Read below to find out more about LAAMP and listen to this conversation on any platform you find your podcasts!
Are you ready to turn your passion for music into a profession? Look no further than Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production (LAAMP). At LAAMP, we offer a state-of-the-art campus accommodating up to 50 students, vibrant common areas, and a dynamic live stage. Nestled just 5 blocks from the stunning Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, CA, and with over 15 recording studio pods, you'll have everything you need to bring your musical visions to life.
Founded by super producers Stargate, the masterminds behind chart-toppers like Katy Perry's "Firework," Rihanna's "What's My Name" and "Diamonds," and Beyonce's "Irreplaceable," LAAMP boasts a world-class, nine-month intensive songwriting bootcamp, where you'll be mentored by industry titans like Benny Blanco, Cirkut, Neyo, Diplo, and the legendary Stargate themselves. Our weekly music business workshops feature presidents of publishing companies, major A&R executives, superstar managers like Jay Brown (Rihanna), top-rated mixing engineers, vocal producers, lawyers, business managers, and more. Unlike other music academies, our students dive into songwriting and producing every single day, honing their craft like never before. And with three showcases held at top-rated LA venues throughout the year, you'll have the chance to shine in front of industry insiders and music lovers alike.
Ready to make your mark on the music industry? Join LAAMP today and let your talent take center stage. Visit LAAMPMUSIC.COM. Apply now and start your journey to musical greatness!
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We’re excited to announce a special bonus interview with Tuff Morgan, the VP of A&R at peermusic. Ross recently sat down with Tuff to discuss the publishing world, and everything they do over at peermusic. Read below to find out more about peermusic ad listen to this conversation on any platform you find your podcasts!
peermusic is somewhat uniquely situated, in that they are privately owned and also have a sizable global footprint, operating from 39 offices across 32 countries. This enables them to give their clients the best of all worlds—global reach paired with personal attention and less “red tape” allowing them to move quickly to maneuver on behalf of their writers. Their global reach also enables them to provide a high level of international creative collaboration opportunities for our songwriters, cross-cultural and global songwriting camps, a strong global administration infrastructure, and global sync teams working together to increase the value for their writer’s song catalogs.
But while they offer the benefit of working with a global company, they really have a family environment and work very close with their writers. This is from the top down. The company has been led by the same family, the Peers, since its inception nearly 100 years ago. They are now in their third generation of Peer family leadership. They work to sign the best talent and are a champion for songwriters and artists, from those just starting out to those topping global charts. And as an indie, it’s fair to say that they do prefer to keep their roster highly curated because their creative teams work very hard to ensure that their writers and artists are seen, heard, prioritized and supported at every stage of their careers. I think this is what helps make peermusic a first call for those in the industry.
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This week’s guest is one of the brightest rising stars in the music business. This drummer turned songwriter entered the production space out of necessity- when your band needs to record music and you don’t have anyone to do it, somebody’s gotta learn. With a wildly successful couple years, this Brit is his collaborators favorite producer and an all around amazing human. From Pop, to Dance, to K-pop and more, this writer has incredible range and we’re so excited to see how he continues to grow.
And The Writer Is…Lostboy!
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Today’s guest is a songwriting legend who has knocked out seven albums over two decades, sold over 20 million records worldwide, and garnered countless accolades. After serving in the British Army, this writer's career launched into the stratosphere with one of the most evergreen evergreens ever. Following the success of his debut album, our guest continued on a streak of emotionally rich smashes — solidifying himself as one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation. However, it’s not just smashes that have kept this bloke relevant. This writer is funny as hell and his personality is a fixture on social media. All the way from the countryside in the UK, this family man’s humility and perspective shine a light on how authenticity is an artist’s most important quality.
And The Writer Is…James Blunt!
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Today’s guest is a spectacular vocalist, songwriter, and humanitarian. Hailing from Louisiana, this writer grew up immersed in the zydeco, blues, and Cajun music scene. Nicknamed “the music box,” by her mother, she became obsessed with making music when bedridden due to an illness at 15. Since then, she’s dedicated her life to music. This two-time Grammy Award winner has received seven Dove Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, and has had four No. 1 singles on the Hot Christian Songs chart.
And The Writer Is…Lauren Daigle!
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Today’s guest is a songwriting hall of fame who has been a fixture in the writing scene for decades. Defining and launching careers one lyric at a time, this writer has crafted anthems for Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney Houston, Heart, The Bangles, Pretenders, Linda Ronstadt, Jojo, Demi Lovato, and many more. As much as these songs launched these artists into space, they also established this writer as one of the best writers in pop history. A Californian from humble beginnings, this writer has shown that the craft of songwriting can be as timeless as the songs themselves.
And The Writer Is…Billy Steinberg!
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Today's guest is a multi-faceted songwriter who is as versatile as she is accomplished. Topping charts from multiple genres, this writer’s vocal chops are brilliantly unique. Her songwriting wisdom is unparalleled. She’s written with huge names from just about every genre — Drake, Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles, Kasey Musgraves, David Guetta, Nas, Panic at the Disco, Weezer, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Pink, Dua Lipa, and the list goes on. After years of defining others’ artistic visions, she is now defining her own. In her debut album, From The Valley, she crafts an immersive, singular sonic universe that sounds like nothing else.
And The Writer Is…Ilsey Juber!
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Today’s three-time Grammy Award-nominated, two-time BRIT Award recipient, claimed top honors at the Ivor Novellos not just because he is an authentic crooner but because he is a prolific song craftsman. His work is known globally but his story started at open mic nights. His raw talent was captured on camera by a fan and uploaded via YouTube, which caught the attention of RCA Records, propelling him into the star he is today. His introspective storytelling and commitment to his craft have allowed him to touch the hearts of fans from all different backgrounds. All the way from the United Kingdom, this advocate for WaterAid, tiptoes a fine line between rafter-reaching rock glory and tender folk songcraft.
And The Writer Is…James Bay!
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Today’s guest is one of the leading young voices in the pop world. With her breakout hit in 2019, this writer instantly connected with listeners, and through hard work and a steady stream of releases, she has built a fiercely loyal fanbase. Her debut album came out in early 2023 and received high praise for its poetic honesty and depiction of the trials and tribulations of growing up. Following this release, our guest had an explosive year: performing as an opening act for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour and receiving a nomination for Best New Artist at the 66th Grammy Awards. Her single with Noah Kahan marked her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and gave the world a glimpse of her superstar power. Her sophomore album is set to release this summer, and we’re so excited to see what more this young artist has in store. And The Writer Is…Gracie Abrams!
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Today’s guest journey to stardom began on the World Wide Web. At 17 years old, she was quickly noticed by fans and industry professionals alike. She has since accumulated over a billion streams, sold out her first headlining tour, spearheaded her beloved clothing line, and started her own podcast solidifying herself as a multi-hyphenate artist. After spending her early 20s solidifying herself as an artist-to-watch with her massively successful sophomore and debut album, our guest is entering a new era of her artistry. Her latest EP is electrifying, filled with genre-bending tracks, and introspective storytelling. All the way from Dallas, TX, this advocate’s metamorphosis has captivated audiences around the world and empowered young women to own their truth in the face of societal pressures.
And The Writer Is... Maggie Lindemann!
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Today’s guest is a small town boy turned songwriting superstar. Hailing from Strafford, Vermont, our guest spent his life surrounded by profoundly beautiful nature, and a quaint, tight-knit community. This environment served as a source of inspiration for his introspective lyrics and homey folk melodies. After years of honing his craft in this space, our guest began to dominate the pop charts, eventually garnering several Grammy nominations.
On top of that he’s landed more than five billion streams, a Double Platinum Certification for his hit single “Stick Season,” and collaborations with Post Malone, Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Hozier, Gregory Alan Isakov, Gracie Abrams, Sam Fender, Lizzy McAlpine, Zach Bryan, Joy Oladokun, and more. Our guest has embarked on a sold-out tour across North America, selling over half-a-million tickets and performing to sold out audiences in stadiums and arenas. This guest is at the forefront of the folk-rennissane, and is doing it with grace, humility and humor.
And The Writer Is…#NoahKahan!
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Today’s versatile songwriting superstar earned her stripes touring with her family band. Originally from New York, this writer spend most of her childhood on the road, playing instruments, singing and writing songs. After the family band split up, she moved to Nashville where she dove into the songwriting scene. It took many years of grinding through the Nashville scene before stringing together this most impressive 5 year stretch. She’s been Grammy nominated for four years running, won a CMA Award, an ACM Award and was nominated for the first ever Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Year. Named Billboard’s 2022 Songwriter of the Year and a Variety Hitmaker in 2020, she has also been awarded four NSAI Awards and presented with the Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award by the Nashville-based Song Suffragettes for her contributions to the songwriting
community.
In 2020, “The Bones” reached number-one on the Country charts, achieving Top 10 on both Hot AC and Top 40 charts and shattering the record for most consecutive weeks held by a solo female artist after spending 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song’s historic reign propelled this writer to become the first female to claim the number-one spot on Billboard’s Top Country Songwriter chart, a feat she held for five consecutive weeks. The global smash also earned her several awards, including the BMI Pop Song of the Year. Her songs have also been recorded by Demi Lovato, Madeline Edward, Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, The Highwomen, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Monsta X, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Ryan Hurd, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Mitchell Tenpenny and more. It’s safe to say that this writer is a certified hit-maker who’s work ethic and passion for songwriting have propelled her into well-deserved success.
#AndTheWriterIs... Laura Veltz!!
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Today’s guest is a songwriting legend who helped shape the sound of American pop music. Originally setting out to be a recording star, this guest became one of the most respected pop songwriters within the Brill Building complex of the ’60s. A struggling New Yorker, this writer’s fortunes changed considerably when he met his future wife and songwriting partner, Ellie Greenwich, at a party in 1962. Within a short time of teaming up, the duo had an appointment at Don Kirshner’s songwriting factory, New York City’s famous Brill Building. Ushered into the business by Leiber & Stoller, this duo began writing and arranging for the groups signed to Phil Spector’s Philles label. The smash hits “Da Do Ron Ron” and “Be My Baby” resulted from the time spent with Spector and, by 1964, the duo were an integral part of the staff at Leiber and Stoller’s newly formed Redbird Records. Largely regarded by pop aficionados as the mecca for the “girl group” sound, the staff at Redbird, produced tightly crafted, musically sophisticated songs.
The duo also penned “Leader of the Pack,” which became a number one hit. They continued to write hit records throughout the ’60s, such as the seminal “River Deep, Mountain High” and the Beach Boys’ 1969 hit “I Can Hear Music,” their songs changing with the times, but still retaining the essence of their earlier Brill Building days. After the marriage broke up, their creative partnership did as well and while Greenwich went on to become a session vocalist, our guest became a staff producer at A&M Records. Throughout the ’70s, he worked with Neil Diamond, the Monkees, and Van Morrison, among other.
Overall, this guest’s credits—as a writer, co-writer, producer, or a combination—extend to a mix of different genres. His song "Out of Hand" by Gary Stewart was the longest-charted country record of its year. He also wrote many other country tunes, including "If It Ain't Love by Now," sung by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius, who later won the Country Music Association's Best Country Duo award. One of this writer’s most successful songs of all was Olivia Newton-John's 1974 worldwide smash hit "I Honestly Love You," which won "Song of the Year" at the American Music Awards, and, for Newton-John, GRAMMY Awards for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Performance.
While mainly influential to the pop world, this writer’s impact spans throughout all genres and all corners of the music industry. #AndTheWriterIs... Jeff Barry !!
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Today’s guest is a multi-talented writer, producer, music publisher and executive! He grew up in an incredibly unique environment, being the son of the legendary founder of Casablanca Records, which brought the world Donna Summer, Village People, Parliament-Funkadelic and Kiss. This musical upbringing prompted him to work in virtually every sector of the music industry— he worked at record labels, agencies and as a manager and rapper.
Soon enough his songwriting took off and he began working on hits with Rihanna, Beyonce, Madonna, Demi Lovato, Lizzo, Jason Derulo, and many more. Now as an established songwriter, his focus is as CEO of Seeker Music publishing company where he and his team work to develop and support artists. His company represents artists, writers and producers such as Run The Jewels, Kito, Jon Bellion, Teddy Geiger, Sofia Valdés, and many more. Our guest has also dipped his toes into the world of film, serving as the Executive Producer and Executive Music Producer on the movie Spinning Gold, which came out in March 2023, and Verona, which is still in production.
On top of all of this success, this writer’s work has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, winning one for Beyoncé’s “Halo” in 2010. Additionally, he has been awarded several BMI awards as both a songwriter and publisher. He is a passionate advocate for songwriters and serves as National Trustee for The Recording Academy and Chair of their Songwriters & Composers Wing. His dedication to the betterment of the songwriting community inspires us, and writers all around the world.
And The Writer Is…Evan Bogart!
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Today’s guest wrote her first song when she was nine years old and quickly began honing her songwriting skills. After teaching herself guitar, this writer took to open mic nights and busking around West-Sussex, using the money to launch a YouTube channel. Over time, she began cultivating what is now one of the most dedicated fanbases in modern pop. Our guest eventually signed to Atlantic Records in 2018 and released her debut EP, ‘Dressed Too Nice For A Jacket’, later that year.
In the years that have followed, our guest has firmly established herself as one of pop’s brightest new talents, racking up over a billion global streams and earning famous fans like Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Sam Smith, as well as launching her very own virtual book club, with guests including Annie Lord, Bolu Babalola and Elif Batuman. Running full steam ahead, this writer went on to sell out her second US headline tour and support Ed Sheeran on his mammoth UK/EU stadium tour, with five more dates confirmed for the North American run later this year. Continuing with a landmark year in 2023, this summer our guest released her acclaimed sophomore album The Good Witch, which earned her her first #1 on the UK Album Chart, marking her as the youngest British female solo act since 2014 to claim a #1, and the youngest artist to claim a #1 since Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour.
And The Writer Is…Maisie Peters!
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We’re excited to announce a special bonus interview with Alex Heiche, the CEO & Founder of our incredible supporters, Sound Royalties. Ross recently sat down with Alex to discuss the artist-friendly royalty funding services they provide. Read below to find out more about Sound Royalties and listen to this conversation on any platform you find your podcasts!
Alex founded Sound Royalties in 2014 with the vision of providing funding to music creatives without ever taking ownership of the underlying copyrights. Its unique business model, tailored to creatives’ individual needs, lets creators keep 100% ownership of their copyrights while providing ongoing cash flow during the term of the advance. The company works with all types of royalty streams to maximize a creative’s options, going far beyond solely music streaming platform revenues. To serve its thousands of customers in 16 countries, it works with more than 130 PROs, publishers, labels, and distributors across three continents and maintains an international network of representatives who know their region’s music professionals.
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Today’s guest is a bona fide hit-maker whose worked across all corners of the industry. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee this songwriter got their start playing saxophone in church and with bands on Beale Street before being discovered by a talent manager. He soon signed a publishing deal and began his career as a successful songwriter and producer. With credits that span Kane Brown's "Heaven" to Charlie Puth's "One Call Away," this writer is one of the most formidable up-and-coming talents in Nashville and beyond. He is among the writers behind Billy Currington's "It Don't Hurt Like it Used To," Sugarland's smash hit "Stuck Like Glue" and Rob Thomas' single "Someday." In addition to his feature on Tim McGraw's "Way Down," he has collaborated with Keith Urban on both "Never Comin' Down" and "My Wave."
Named to Variety's 2018 Hitmakers list, he has also worked with Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly and more. His roots in gospel, jazz, R&B and soul developed into an early career in hip-hop, but his gift for storytelling and love of organic instrumentation led to a natural transition into country music. Now, with a transcendent style perfectly suited to the times, he's ready to stand on his own as a country artist. His debut radio single "Good Love" and subsequent EP The Rest Of US are fitting introductions to the man behind the music.
And The Writer Is…Shy Carter!
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Today’s guest is a grammy award winning producer, songwriter and musician who has worked with an impressive and eclectic group of stars. He spent 11 years under the wing of legendary producer Dr.Dre and produced songs for Eminem, Carrie Underwood, NF, Fiona Apple, 50 Cent, Keith Urban, Twenty-One Pilots, Ed Sheeran, Gary Clark Jr., Regina Spektor, and the Jonas Brothers. A three-time Grammy nominee, Elizondo took home the “Best Rock or Gospel Album” Grammy award with Switchfoot in 2011 for the band’s Hello Hurricane. In 2016, Lin-Manuel Miranda asked him to produce three songs on the Hamilton Mixtape.
He has extensive co-writing credits, including Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” and 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” and also penned songs for artists including Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Eve, Snoop Dogg, Macy Gray, Nelly Furtado, and Mandy Moore, amongst others. He’s also worked at Warner Bros. Records where he used his passion for artist development to work with bands such as The Regrettes.
On top of all of this, he is also an accomplished musician, having contributed bass to Ry Cooder’s Chavez Ravine and B.B. King’s Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. B.B. King, among other albums. His recent productions include Lauren Daigle, Brothers Osborne, Rag'n'Bone Man, Turnstile, and Disney’s ENCANTO. Today’s guest wears so many hats in the music industry, and inspires artists to explore all of their passions.
And The Writer Is…#MikeElizondo!
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Today’s guest signed her first publishing deal at the astonishing age of 19 and has since become one of the most successful and sought-after songwriters in the music industry. She has hits with Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Lady Gaga, Yola, Dierks Bentley, Rag'n'Bone Man, Lady A, Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, and Labrinth, to name a few. She has successfully released her solo work and joined forces with Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires as The Highwomen, releasing their critically acclaimed self-titled album in 2019. After scoring the record deal she released her exceptional sophomore album Pins and Needles via Fantasy Records.
With all of this hard work and talent, it is no surprise that our guest has also been recognized by the ACM, CMA, CMT, and NSAI Awards for her prodigious and versatile contributions to songwriting. She received a Grammy award for Best Song Written for Visual Media for Lady Gaga’s, “I’ll Never Love Again,” from A Star Is Born, and later a Grammy for Country Song of the Year for "Crowded Table" by The Highwomen. Her work inspires artists of every genre and generation.
And The Writer Is…Natalie Hemby!
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Today’s guest has worked with some of the world's most famous artists and left a lasting legacy on hip-hop. Raised in a musical household in Socorro, New Mexico, this writer fell in love with Jazz at a young age. Later on, he studied Jazz piano and arranging at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where his love of music quickly turned into his life's calling. After graduating, he worked his way around the Boston music scene, playing gigs as a keyboardist before he moved to New York City. There he started to play in more jam bands, and soon found himself infatuated by songwriting.
A few years later, he moved to Los Angeles where he started to write demos for Diane Warren and Bruno Mars, slowly gaining recognition in the songwriting and producing scene. In 2008, he was introduced to Kanye West and the duo soon became close collaborators— he’s since worked on four of West’s albums: 808s & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Watch the Throne, and Donda. This writer's work with West shot his career to new heights, making him a highly sought-after songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer. Apart from his work with West, our guest is also known for producing, cowriting, and playing keyboards for the Some Nights album by Fun., which skyrocketed the group into stardom in 2012.
On top of all this success, today’s guest has won Grammy Awards for the songs “Run This Town” by Jay-Z, “All of the Lights” by Kanye West, “We Are Young” by Fun., and “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson, and received the 2016 Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical for co-producing Mark Ronson’s album Uptown Special and producing Nate Ruess’s album Grand Romantic. His work shaped the sound of hip-hop and influenced a whole generation of new producers.
And The Writer Is… Jeff Bhasker!
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Originally from Monroe, Georgia, today’s writer has accumulated 21 No. 1 hits and is a staple on Country music radio. Yet, his Southern-bred authenticity is what makes him a real star. He’s never made a project bearing solely his name — telling his story — until releasing his debut solo album on January 27, 2023. A decade ago as the lead singer of the multi-platinum-selling country music duo, Florida Georgia Line, he received every country award you can think of – CMAs, ACMs, AMAs, and Billboard Awards. The cherry on top of all of this success is that he was only 24 years old when his band took off. As a songwriter who has had more than 100 songs recorded by artists including FGL, Jason Aldean, Chris Tomlin, Zac Brown, and Kane Brown, our guest thought he could be happy as a songwriter for other artists. And he was, but the more he wrote, the more he realized many of the songs were telling his own story, through his music. We’re so happy this songwriter decided to take this courageous leap into a solo career.
And The Writer Is… Tyler Hubbard!
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With over 66 million album equivalents, and 55 million digital songs sold, not to mention over 110 billion combined streams, today guest is the singer of a GRAMMY® Award-winning, multi-Platinum rock band. The group developed a grassroots following with a series of independent EPs before making their major-label debut on KIDinaKORNER/Interscope with 2012’s Continued Silence EP and full-length debut NIGHT VISIONS, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2, while lead track “Radioactive” topped Billboard’s Hot Rock Songs, won a GRAMMY® for Best Rock Performance, and achieved RIAA Diamond status. After achieving their first #1 with “Radioactive,” the band immediately repeated this feat with “Demons,” marking the first back-to-back #1’s for the band, with both songs in the Top 5 simultaneously. 2015’s platinum selling Smoke + Mirrors debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.The 3x platinum selling album EVOLVE followed in 2017, earning a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album and unleashing three No. 1 Alternative radio hits: “Believer,” GRAMMY®-nominated “Thunder,” and “Whatever It Takes.” All three songs were also top 5 hits at Alternative radio. “Believer” was the quickest song to reach #1 for them. The band’s fourth album and platinum selling, ORIGINS, debuted atop Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts, while its lead single “Natural” spent nine weeks at No. 1 at Alternative Radio. It was recently announced that their smash single “Thunder” received Diamond certification by the RIAA. With the certification of “Thunder,” Imagine Dragons have notably become the first group in music history to achieve four Diamond singles. For their fifth studio album, the band teamed up with esteemed producer Rick Rubin. 2021’s Mercury — Act 1 debuted in the Billboard 200 top 10. In 2022, they expanded the world of Mercury with a double album, Mercury – Acts 1 & 2, including the single “Bones,” which has gathered over 380 million streams to date and the accompanying music video.
And The Writer Is… Dan Reynolds of Imagine Dragons!
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Today’s guest is an English songwriter and record producer. He has won a number of awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, 3 Grammy Awards, and 2 Ivor Novello Awards. He is best known for his work with Sam Smith (“Unholy” "Stay with Me", "Writing's on the Wall", "Lay Me Down", "Too Good at Goodbyes", "Dancing with a Stranger"), Disclosure ("Latch", "You & Me", "White Noise", "Magnets"), Clean Bandit ("Rather Be")‚ Stormzy ("Crown") and Taylor Swift ("Christmas Tree Farm"). Our guest also has songwriting and producer credits with artists including Alicia Keys, Khalid, Normani, Kano, Dave, FKA Twigs, Ellie Goulding, Mary J. Blige, James Bay and more. And The Writer Is… Jimmy Napes!
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Today’s guest is Co-Chair and COO of Warner Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group. She is at the forefront of a new generation of music executives at the intersections of creative and commercial, entertainment and technology. Known for being a champion of songwriters and their songs, her dynamic, innovative approach drives the development and promotion of music creators at all stages of their careers. Along with Warner Chappell’s Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot, our guest oversees the company’s global business, which includes a full spectrum of high-touch support services focused on creating transformational opportunities for its legendary roster of songwriters and rich catalog of songs. Since starting at WCM, she and Guy have built a culture of service and creative identity anchored in the company’s shared values of curiosity, collaboration, and commitment.Prior to joining WCM in June 2018, she was one of three partners at the acclaimed independent music publisher SONGS. During her time at SONGS, the company built a roster of over 300 songwriters, signing Lorde, The Weeknd, Diplo, and many others. She has also held positions at Universal Music Publishing, DreamWorks Music Publishing, and Elektra Records. As one of the leading voices in the music industry, our guest has been named one of Billboard's “Women in Music: The Most Powerful Executives in the Industry” for the past seven years running as well as included in the publication’s esteemed “Power 100” list in both 2019, 2020 and 2022. She was also recognized on Variety’s Variety500, along with the publication’s LA Women’s Impact Report. She holds a BA degree in Communications from the University of Southern California. And The Executive Is… Carianne Marshall!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is a multi-platinum songwriter behind 22 US Top 40 Hits including everything from Panic! At The Disco, One Direction, Fitz and the Tantrums, Weezer, Katy Perry, blink-182, Ringo Starr, Def Leppard, Carole King, Billy Idol, Jewel, Train, Tom Morello and Gym Class Heroes. He’s been named one of Variety’s Hitmakers as well as Rolling Stone's Producer of the Year and most recently held the #1 position on the Billboard Rock Songwriters Chart for nine weeks, a record. And The Writer Is… Sam Hollander!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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From humble beginnings in the NYU dorms to working alongside some of the biggest stars of the last decade, today’s producer duo guests sit at the center of music culture. They became friends during the first week of freshman year at NYU in 2011, bonding over music and genre collisions. They’re musical omnivores who do their best to inhabit the world of the sound they’re working on, from afrobeats to grime, latin trap to garage, country to pop. That appetite manifests itself in their work on Sheck Wes' 5x Platinum "Mo Bamba,” on country star Kane Brown's recent genre-bending collaboration with R&B powerhouse H.E.R., "Blessed & Free,”and "Good in Bed" from Dua Lipa’s Grammy-winning sophomore album Future Nostalgia. Their palette expands from there: alt-rock anthem "Hero" by Weezer, "High,” a heartfelt ballad by Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus, James Blake’s gorgeous single “Life Is Not The Same,” AJ Tracey and Mabel’s UK hit “West 10,” and nearly half of Kid Cudi’s long-anticipated album Man on the Moon III:The Chosen, they have left their mark on nearly every genre. Outside of the US, collaborators include Colombian rapper Feid, who was nominated for a Latin Grammy for his album 19, and international stars like Flohio, Santi, and NSG.In 2020, Daytrip earned their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with the gothic Cudi and Travis Scott collaboration “THE SCOTTS,” setting the stage for a prolific 2021. They executive produced multi-platinum star Lil Nas X’s debut album, MONTERO, garnering the duo’s second and third Billboard No. 1s singles with “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” and “INDUSTRY BABY (feat. Jack Harlow).” The album's success is a reminder that they can’t be boxed in. Moving seamlessly across styles and genres to achieve their career-long mission of creating freely and making music that connects with listeners worldwide. And The Writers Are… Denzel Baptiste and David Biral of TAKE A DAYTRIP!
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of October 10th, 2022.
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Today’s guests are a part of a globally celebrated, multi-platinum rock band and have cemented themselves as one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past two decades. Their success includes worldwide sales of more than 50-million units, solidifying their status as one of the top-selling acts of all time and the second best-selling foreign act in the U.S., in the 2000’s decade, behind only The Beatles. Their inescapable and irresistible smash “How You Remind Me” was named Billboard’s ‘Top Rock Song of the Decade’. It was the number-one most played song on U.S. radio (any format) in the 2000’s decade according to Neilsen Soundscan, being spun over 1.2 million times. Their album All The Right Reasons was Diamond Certified (10-million copies sold) by the RIAA, in 2018, and has currently sold more than 13-million units in the U.S. and 19-million units worldwide. Amongst all these accolades, they’ve also been named Billboard’s “Top Rock Group of the Decade”, and they have received a staggering nine Grammy Award nominations, three American Music Awards, a World Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, twelve JUNO Awards, seven MuchMusic Video Awards, and have been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame (2007). With more than 23 chart-topping singles and fans spanning the globe, they boast twelve consecutive sold-out world tours, playing to well over 10-million diehard and adoring fans. And The Writers Are… Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake of Nickelback!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter who has earned critical applause and an increasingly fervent fan following since the arrival of her extraordinary, platinum-certified, 2011 debut, lovestrong, which featured the 5x-platinum certified smash, “Jar of Hearts” and gold-certified “arms.” She followed lovestrong. with the worldwide hit single, “A Thousand Years,” exclusively featured on THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN – PART 1 & 2– ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACKS. The RIAA diamond certified track was a multi-format radio favorite, and accompanied by an equally popular companion video, now boasting over 1.3 billion individual views via YouTube alone. HEAD OR HEART, her acclaimed gold-certified, second album, arrived in 2014, highlighted by the RIAA 2X platinum certified single, “Human.” Our guest kicked off 2019 with songs for carmella: sing-a-longs and lullabies, a collection of songs the acclaimed singer-songwriter sang to her daughter everyday, released on Carmella’s first birthday. She released the poignant single “Tiny Victories,” a track she wrote for the HBO documentary FOSTER, which made its premiere in Spring 2019. Most recently, she released songs for rosie in honorof her daughter on what would have been her first birthday and most recently, her latest studio album, a lighter shade of blue, released this summer. And The Writer Is… Christina Perri!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is GRAMMY nominated songwriter, producer, and artist living in Nashville, TN. He is signed to a worldwide co-publishing deal with Tape Room Music (Nashville) and Artist Publishing Group (Los Angeles) as well as a record deal with BMG (Stoney Creek), and has written songs for artists such as Charlie Puth, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, Ava Max, Lee Brice, Meek Mill, Justin Timberlake, Lauren Alaina, Dierks Bentley, HARDY, Parmalee, Jake Owen, David Guetta, Bebe Rexha, and more. Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, he grew up surrounded by music. He is a classically trained pianist and cellist, and grew up performing everywhere from bluegrass festivals to orchestra concerts. From a young age, our guest has written and produced music with his two sisters in their country band Track45 (managed by Missi Gallimore and Gary Borman, and signed to BBR/Stoney Creek). His first major cut was “Patient” with multi-platinum pop artist Charlie Puth on the 2018 album “Voicenotes”. Since then, heʼs had many cuts in both the pop and country worlds, as well as success as a producer. Johnson had his first #1 in 2020 with Lee Brice’s “One of Them Girls”, which stayed at the top of the charts for 3 weeks. He has gone on to write many more #1 songs including “Gone” (Dierks Bentley), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “Best Thing Since Backroads” (Jake Owen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, HARDY, Breland), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), a Canadian country #1 with “11 Beers” (The Recklaws), and a 4 week Alternative Airplay #1 with Weezer’s “All My Favorite Songs”. In 2021, our guest broke into the top 10 on Music Row Magazine’s Top Songwriter Chart and has been in the top 5 for the last 6 months. He won the 2021 AIMP Song of the Year award for “One of Them Girls” as well as the 2021 AIMP Publisher’s Pick Award for HARDY’s “Give Heaven Some Hell”. Additionally, he was nominated for the 2021 Music. He made history in 2021 with the first song to ever win Country Song of the Year at all three PROs (BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC) with “One of Them Girls”. In 2022, Johnson received his first GRAMMY nomination for “Rock Song of the Year” with Weezer’s “All My Favorite Songs”. And The Writer Is Live… with Ben Johnson!
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Today’s guest is an American songwriter / producer. He has released seven studio LP's that have garnered him a loyal following despite never being fully embraced by mainstream media and commercial radio. Describing his music is difficult, he's been inspired by artists such as John Lennon and Stevie Wonder to Bob Marley and Outkast. His compositions have been recorded by Carlos Santana, Dido and Richie Havens. In 20 years of touring, he has built a devout following, performing at sold out theaters and ballrooms across the country. Over time, our guest’s music has become the soundtrack to the lives of those who have embraced it and he continues to inspire audiences through what can only be described as deep personal connection. And The Writer Is… Citizen Cope aka Clarence Greenwood
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of August 15th, 2022.
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Today’s guest has enchanted an audience of millions as a singer, songwriter, actress, designer, producer and style icon. In her music, she has delivered one anthem after another on stage and in the studio, earning multiple gold certifications, and performing to sold out crowds far and wide. On-screen, she has generated mega-fandom throughout television and film. She had her first leading role in the 2019 movie The Short History of the Long Road, which premiered at The Tribeca Film Festival with rave reviews and earned her the Jury Award for “Best Performance” at the 2019 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Our guest also led the cast and executive produced Netflix’s Work It which debuted at #1 on the platform upon its release in 2020. In the same year, she made her Broadway debut starring in Mean Girls. She then starred in Justin Baldoni’s Warner Bros feature Clouds (Disney+). Her growing musical catalog encompasses gold singles— “Thumbs”, “Sue Me” and “Why”—and the albums Singular: Act I & Singular: Act II. Of her music, Time Magazine wrote “she’s one to watch” and V Magazine added “With two successful pop albums and a hard-hitting social commentary under her belt, Carpenter’s career has matured faster than many of her Disney-bred predecessors.”In addition to her growing list of acting and music credits, in 2020 she was selected for Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” list. She also co-stars in the recently released comedy thriller film Emergency (Amazon Prime), which premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Our guest recently signed to Island Records, where she released her newest smash hit singles “Skin,” “Skinny Dipping,” “Fast Times” and “Vicious.” She just recently released her studio album, Emails I Can’t Send, on July 15, 2022. And The Writer Is… Sabrina Carpenter!
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of August 1st, 2022.
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Today’s guest is a singer-songwriter born of Caribbean roots with records that have entertained masses for over 15 years and his momentum has yet to stop. His talents touch the core elements of a hit record; whether he’s lighting up the stage as a performer or writing and producing your favorite top-charting hit. As a native of St. Thomas, VI; he first entered the music industry as one half of powerhouse duo R.City, alongside his brother. The road to becoming a world-renowned artist and songwriter isn’t always as smooth as one may hope. The brothers arrived in the US with only $35 to their name, sleeping in studios and on the MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation); but their mindset remained ambitious. At 25yrs old, our guest and his brother Timothy signed their first deal with Akon propelling them into the next stage in their career, making hits. While signed to Akon, the Thomas brothers’ catalog grew and the potential for producing #1 records became a reality. R.City penned Mario's "Music For Love", Sean Kingston “Take You There” and Pussycat Dolls “When I Grow Up”; as well as music for Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, Flo Rida, and Usher. Later R.City signed to RCA and Dr. Luke and this relationship led to popular songs that dominated radio by Ciara, Beyonce, Nikki Minaj, Rhianna, Miley Cyrus and many more. Now, after years of success he continues to produce grammy award-winning projects like Grammys 2020 Best Contemporary Album “Cuz I Love You” by Lizzo, #1 Rhythmic Radio Hits like "Best Friend" by Saweetie & Doja Cat and "Big Energy" by Latto. 4x Grammy-winning songwriter and strategic businessman, our guest has merely scratched the surface of his capabilities. And The Writer Is… Theron Thomas from Rock City!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is continuing her path to world domination, kicking off 2022 with a Best New Alternative Artist nomination for the iHeart Radio Music Awards. It’s a well deserved nod after being the most played female artist on Alt Radio with “Serotonin.” The song reached #2 and spent 30 weeks on the Alt chart, 21 of those weeks in the Top 10. “Serotonin” streams surpassed 84M for the track, with over 1.85 billion career streams to date. Her first headline tour since the release of her debut completely sold out the North American run and was a hot pick at the Coachella Music Festival this past April. Since our guest released her critically acclaimed debut album if i could make it go quiet last year, the album received world-wide critical acclaim from fans and critics alike and was revered by the likes of Taylor Swift, Camilla Cabello and more. It was included on “Best of 2021” lists from Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, NPR, Stereogum, NYLON, and more. In 2021, she also performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With Seth Meyers, as well as TV performances worldwide on Skavlan, Late Night Berlin, and MTV’s EMAs. And The Writer Is… Girl In Red!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is one of country music’s most renowned, talented and distinguished writers. From his early days of writing and drumming in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to being crowned Songwriter of the Century by ASCAP, he has indeed created for himself a monumental platform in the history of country music. As the writer of songs including Brooks and Dunn’s “Believe” to Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here” to Morgan Wallen’s “Chasin’ You”, he has amassed over 350 cuts, 130 singles, and 29 #1’s. After moving to Nashville in 1985 to pursue a career in songwriting, he received his first chart success after having co-written “The Only One” from Roy Orbison’s album, Mystery Girl. In 1990, our guest signed his first publishing deal with Almo/Irving Music, and ten years later, he signed with BMG Music Publishing. In 2003, he opened his own publishing company, and within the first year of the independent company’s operation, he experienced the first single of the catalog; “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw not only peaked at the top of the charts for ten weeks, but it also was named NSAI Song of the Year, CMA Song of the Year, ACM Song of the Year and won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song. In 2012, our guest co-founded Big Loud’s management division, the launchpad of Florida Georgia Line, followed by Big Loud Records in 2015. His success has continued to escalate at exponential levels throughout the years. He was proclaimed ASCAP’s “Songwriter of the Year” in 2003, 2005, and 2007 in addition to being named “Writer of the Year” by NSAI and Music Row in 1997. In 2009, he received the impressive honor of NSAI’s “Songwriter of the Decade” and won the 2014 Heritage Award from ASCAP as the most performed country songwriter of the century. Following those years of success, hard work & accomplishments, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October of 2015. In 2017, he was honored with a CMA Triple Play Award for FGL’s “Anything Goes” & Blake Shelton’s “Gonna” & “Came Here To Forget.”. For the past 18 years, Wiseman has hosted The Stars of Second Harvest Show at the Ryman, showing his philanthropic heart and giving all proceeds to the Second Harvest Food Bank Of Middle Tennessee. To date, this musical event has raised over $2 million for the food bank. And The Writer Is… Craig Wiseman!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of June 21st, 2022.
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Today’s guest is an American songwriter and record producer. He is best known for his work with Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, The Kid Laroi, and Gracie Abrams. He has charted five songs in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, including The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” and 24kGolden and iann dior’s “Mood” which both charted at number one. Our guest was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and began playing guitar at 10 years old. After playing in bands and singing covers at venues around LA, he discovered what it meant to be a producer and became enamored with the career. At 16, he began an internship with producer Benny Blanco before moving to New York City to attend New York University. While attending NYU, he worked as a producer and songwriter with Gracie Abrams and Omar Apollo, executive producing both their debut projects. After dropping out of NYU to return to Los Angeles, he began working full time on music. During the pandemic in 2020, he met and began working with longtime collaborators The Kid Laroi, Lil Nas X, Omer Fedi, and 24k Golden. In October of that year, he got his first Billboard Hot 100 #1 song with “Mood” ft. Iann Dior, which topped the chart for 8 weeks. Later that year he produced The Kid Laroi’s breakout hit “Without You” and in July of 2021 produced “Stay,” a fast-paced pop rap, pop rock, and synth-pop song, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 7 weeks, later becoming the 2nd longest running song in the top 10 of all time and spent the most weeks at #1 in pop radio history. He earned a nomination at the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards for Album of the Year for Lil Nax X’s ‘Montero,’ which Slatkin worked on as a producer and songwriter, working on “That’s What I Want”. Our guest was named to Variety’s Hitmakers of the Year in 2021 and to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List in 2022. He was an honoree for Pop Song of the Year at the 2022 BMI Pop Awards for “Mood” and was nominated for Producer of the Year at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards! And The Writer Is… Blake Slatkin!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of June 6th, 2022.
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Today’s guest is a lifelong advocate for empowering creators and the Founder and Executive Chairman of Downtown Music Holdings. Since its start in 2007, Downtown has become the leading service provider to the global music business by driving equity and innovation across the industry. As Executive Chairman, he leads Downtown’s Board of Directors, drives strategic development and works with the executive team on transformational growth opportunities for the organization. Today, Downtown manages more than 23 million music assets on behalf of over one million artists and enterprise clients hailing from 145 countries from a catalog that spans 100 years of popular music, including music for film and television, and the single largest independent sound recording catalog in the industry. The company’s diverse client base features some of the biggest brands in music and entertainment, including iconic songwriters, composers and recording artists, major film and television production studios, gaming companies, the world’s largest music companies, music asset owners and other music service providers. Over the course of his career, our guest has received numerous esteemed recognitions, including Variety’s New Leaders, Billboard’s Power 100, Crain’s New York “40 Under 40,” and is a recipient of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Indie Award. He serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), and is co-founder of NY is Music, a non-profit coalition dedicated to advancing the importance of the role of music in economic development, culture, and education in New York State. And The Executive Is… Justin Kalifowitz!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of May 23rd, 2022.
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With his countless musical ventures, today’s guest has defined the term reinvention. In collaborating with some of the world's largest artists to date, he has paved the way for unique creativity. From being the frontman of alternative rock band, The Sleepy Jackson to half of electronic music duo Empire of the Sun, after 20 years of music making, he now emerges with a mystic, domestic wisdom on the comparatively unadorned and transportive new debut solo album, Listen To The Water. He has always taken the road less traveled, and now that road has led to a secluded cabin on a private lake in Northern California, and the birth of a new chapter of music. “I have hard-wired myself to be in a constant state of ever-grow. I will never be satisfied. You don’t make a record for no-one to hear. I want people to be captivated by it. In a way it’s a life story. You want them to hear the mistakes, the wisdom, the failure but also the glory”, our guest reflects. And The Writer Is… Luke Steele!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of May 9th, 2022.
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Today’s heavy hitter guest broke out with critically acclaimed 2020 debut album, A ROCK, “an album that owes as much to AC/DC as George Jones” and “one of the most self-assured full-length debut albums in years'' (Billboard). The project joins countrified mixtape HIXTAPE VOL. 1 and most-recent HIXTAPE VOL. 2, as well as career-launching EPs THIS OLE BOY and WHERE TO FIND ME. HARDY is the 2022 ACM Songwriter of the Year and two-time AIMP Songwriter of the Year, additionally nominated for New Artist of the Year at the 2021 CMA Awards. One of CRS’ 2021 New Faces of Country Music, a CMA Triple Play award recipient and a Vevo DSCVR artist, the pride of Philadelphia, Miss. has earned his reputation as "a breakout in the making" (HITS). HARDY has co-penned 11 #1 singles since 2018, including his own chart-topping, double platinum-certified single “ONE BEER” feat. Lauren Alaina + Devin Dawson, and most-recent #1 alongside Dierks Bentley and BRELAND, “Beers On Me.” Current Top 10 hit “GIVE HEAVEN SOME HELL” is a hard-charged tribute to a fallen friend, the most-added single of the week at country radio upon launch. Serving as direct support on Morgan Wallen's Dangerous Tour now, he has also opened for Jason Aldean, FGL, Chris Lane, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell and more.. And The Writer Is… HARDY!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of April 25th, 2022!
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Today’s guest is an urban legend in the flesh. An acknowledged virtuoso in the music industry, he began his career as a prodigy at the age of 15. Tireless in his work ethic, our young guest quickly established himself as a formidable musical force, with a trail of outstanding accomplishments writing his indelible page in music history. The wildly successful producer/songwriter/musician, has been an in‐demand producer since his early beginning; megastars line up to work with him to insure that next smash. He has added to the hit lists of music talents such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Brandy, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Drake, Big Sean, Toni Braxton, Kelly Clarkson, The Pussycat Dolls, N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Jessie J, Ludacris and countless others. CEO of his production company, Sonix, Inc., our guest has garnished over 250 million sales worldwide. He also serves as National Trustee, Vice President of Advocacy, and Los Angeles Chapter Governor of the Recording Academy (Grammys) to improve the rights for all music creators and is a happily married father of four children:. And The Writer Is… Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of April 11, 2022.
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Today’s guest is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter who creates the kind of self-possessed pop music that’s empowering for both artist and audience. Since making her debut with the boldly confessional “dumbass”—a heavily playlisted track that premiered in early 2020—the Nashville-based musician has independently released a series of singles built on her unfiltered yet beautifully nuanced brand of songwriting. Her debut single for Atlantic Records, “abcdefu” has quickly proved a breakout hit for our guest, topping charts left and right with a viral stint that’s been fueled by the creation of over 1.5 million TikToks using the track. Along with propelling her to #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart, “abcdefu” debuted at #51 on Billboard’s Hot 100 before reaching #15. The infectiously honest track peaked at #1 on both iTunes’ Pop and overall US charts, along with reaching the #1 most-Shazamed song in the US on November 30, 2021. Along with reaching #1 on Spotify’s Viral Songs Global and being featured on the cover of Spotify’s “Today's Top Hits,” “Fierce Femme,” “Pop Rising,” and “Teen Beats” playlists,“abcdefu” has also been added to Spotify’s “New Music Friday” and “The New Alt,” and many more. Now at work on her debut project, our guest is intent on making music that offers her listeners a certain emotional freedom. And The Writer Is… GAYLE!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of March 14, 2022.
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Today’s guest is a Pulitzer Prize, Grammy®, Emmy®, Tony® and Olivier Award-winning songwriter, actor and director. Creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony®-winning Hamilton and In the Heights. Additional Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme (co-creator, guest performer, Special Tony® Award Recipient), Bring It On (co-composer/co-lyricist, Tony® nomination for Best Musical) and West Side Story (2009 revival, Spanish translations). Recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award, the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors and the 2019 Portrait of a Nation Prize. Our guest, alongside his Family, are active supporters of initiatives that increase people of color’s representation throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico. TV/Film credits include: Television/film credits include: Hamilton (2021 Emmy® Award,Outstanding Variety Special - Pre-Recorded), His Dark Materials, Fosse/Verdon, Curb Your Enthusiasm (2018 Emmy® nomination), Saturday Night Live (2017 Emmy® nomination), DuckTales, Sesame Street, The Electric Company, House, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, Siempre, Luis, 200 Cartas, Mary Poppins Returns, Moana (Grammy® Award for Best Original Song), In the Heights, Vivo, tick, tick… BOOM! and Encanto (2022 Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Song). For Vanessa, best of wives and best of women. And The Writer Is… Lin-Manuel Miranda!
Watercolor by: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of March 14, 2022.
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We are excited and honored to welcome back today’s guest to not only talk about the craziness of his last few years but also an upcoming release, NFT’s, blockchain and the future of music. Today’s guest is a 3x Grammy award winning songwriter and producer who has worked with everyone from Adele to Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, U2, Miley Cyrus and Lil Nas X in addition to being the lead singer, writer and producer of the multi-platinum selling band OneRepublic. Most recently, he was a writer on both Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s #1 albums as well as writing and producing the Billboard #1 song “Sucker” for the Jonas Brothers, which was also the most played song in the world in 2019. Our guest wrote and produced the title track for John Legend’s 2021 Grammy award winning album Bigger Love. Currently he is in the studio working with MGK, Lil Nas X, The Jonas brothers, and Miley Cyrus on their upcoming projects. As a producer, he received the Grammy award for “Album of the Year” for Adele’s 21 and 25, and Taylor Swift’s 1989. As a songwriter, he has received the National Music Publishers’ Association’s Songwriter Icon Award, as well as 3 RIAA certified Diamond Awards and has amassed over 450mm in record sales. OneRepublic’s latest album, Human, dropped on August 27, 2021. It includes singles, which combined have over 2.5 billion global streams: “Somebody”, “Run”, “Somebody To Love”, “Wanted”, “Didn’t I”, “Better Days” and “Rescue Me”, which has been certified RIAA Gold. Outside of music, our guest served as an executive producer and judge on NBC’s “Songland” and a producer on Nickelodeon’s “California Dreaming.” And The Writer Is… Ryan Tedder!
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of February 28, 2022.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of February 21, 2022.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of February 14th, 2022.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of February 7th, 2022.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of January 31st, 2021.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of December 13th, 2021.
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of December 6th, 2021.
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Today’s multi-platinum entertainer, songwriter, producer and humanitarian guest was a man on a mission when he signed his record deal with Reprise Records almost two decades ago. The Canadian artist has earned 4 Grammys, scores of Junos, critical acclaim and sold well over 60 million records. As a songwriter, some of his No. 1 smash hits include the now iconic “Home”, “Haven’t Met You Yet” and “Everything”. His 6 global tours have sold out in over 40 countries. Today’s guest has accomplished the unthinkable: a pop artist who is equally at home in the worlds of great standards, jazz, r&b, beautiful ballads, and can also swing like his musical heroes like Louis Prima and make it all work harmoniously. His 2011 holiday album, Christmas, went straight to No. 1, his third chart topper and the second biggest selling album of that year. It has continued its reign every year during the holidays and has to date sold well over 16 million copies around the world and has been streamed over 4 billion times – ten years following its initial release. He is a proud husband and a father to three beautiful children. Our guest is also deeply committed to supporting many charities including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH). The anticipation is rising as this artist is set to release his ninth studio album in early 2022. And The Writer Is… Michael Bublé!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is Golnar Khosrowshahi, the Founder and CEO of Reservoir, an award-winning independent music company headquartered in New York City and with operations in Los Angeles, Nashville, Toronto, London, and Abu Dhabi. Founded in 2007, Reservoir is the first U.S.-based publicly traded independent music company and the first female founded and led publicly traded music company in the U.S. Under Golnar’s leadership, Reservoir has grown to own and administer over 130,000 copyrights and 36,000 master recordings, with titles dating as far back as 1900. Golnar continues to lead the team in building a well-attended roster and an established catalog, earning her the recognition as one of Billboard’s Most Powerful Female Executives for 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, and a Billboard Indie Power Player for 2017 and 2018. Furthermore, Reservoir was awarded Publisher of the Year at Music Business Worldwide’s The A&R Awards in 2017 and 2019, and was named IndependentPublisher of the Year at the 2020 Music Week Awards.
In addition to her role as CEO of Reservoir, Golnar serves as a Director on the board of the National Music Publishers’ Association, based in Washington, DC and working to ensure fair compensation and property rights for songwriters and their representatives. She also sits on NMPA’s SONGS Foundation Board of Directors, an organization that raises funds to support career songwriters. Working alongside Artist Director and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Golnar served as Board Chair of Silkroad, a non-profit organization formed in 2000, and is now a Director. And the Executive is…Golnar Khosrowshahi!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Leading a new wave of Latin music and culture for over a decade, today’s famed producer and artist guest, is the mastermind behind some of music's most iconic hits. A four-time GRAMMY© nominee, three-time Latin GRAMMY winner along with seven nominations, multiple BMI Award Winner, he has been churning out career-defining hits for artists as well as his own, including Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Rosalia, Lauren Jauregui, Zion & Lennox, Anuel, Ozuna, Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Kali Uchis, Rauw Alejandro, Jhay Cortez and more. In 2019, he made his artist debut reaching the top charts with hit singles: “I Can’t Get Enough,” ”Adicto,” ”Callaita,” #1 Latin Pop and Airplay single “Agua” and GRAMMY® nominated “Un Dia(One Day).” In 2021, our guest continued pushing the culture forward on a global scale executive producing, Selena Gomez’ first full Spanish language body of work "Revelacion," "Sunbathe" alongside Miguel, and Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez’ “Dakiti,” which went No. 1 globally. In addition, he continues to break records as the only producer to sit at the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for a record 102 weeks. His latest two hit releases pack massive star power; “Summer Of Love” with Shawn Mendes and “Lo Siento BB:/” featuring Bad Bunny and Julieta Venegas. And The Writer Is… Tainy!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper. He currently lives in LA and was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our guest has been Grammy-nominated as well as receiving multiple awards from ASCAP. He has scored multiple chart-topping albums while working with Ariana Grande on all six of her studio albums as well as executive producing Grande’s 2020 album Positions. In addition to Grande, his most recent work includes Justin Bieber’s single “Holy”, Blackpink’s “Ice Cream feat. Selena Gomez” and “Bet You Wanna (feat. Cardi B)”. Brown has also collected production credits for three songs on Grammy-award-winning artist Meghan Trainor's second album, Thank You. Our guest learned from production greats Roy "Royalty" Hamilton and Rodney Jerkins, while working alongside them and eventually creating a team of his own. And The Writer Is… Tommy Brown!
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of October 4th, 2021.
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Today’s guest is the co-founder, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist for the American folk rock band, The Lumineers. On January 22nd of 2021, our guest released his highly anticipated solo debut album, Piano Piano. Releasing through Dualtone Records in the U.S. and Canada and Mercury KX for the rest of the world, Piano Piano is a collection of gorgeous, intimate piano-centric instrumental songs that Fraites has been working on for the better part of a decade. The profoundly revealing and emotionally direct songs capture Fraites’ reflective moments from his Denver home. His songwriting reaches into deeply personal spaces with moving grace and stark elegance, retaining the folk-inspired melodicism so familiar from his work in The Lumineers, transported into a more classically sophisticated setting. In addition to piano, Fraites plays nearly every instrument on the album, including guitar, drums, synths, and programming. And The Writer Is… Jeremiah Fraites of The Lumineers!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of September 20th, 2021.
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Today’s rockstar guest is a member of one of the most iconic, influential, unpredictable and vital forces in American rock music, The Flaming Lips. During their tenure, their ever-evolving, GRAMMY Award-winning sound has become a genre unto itself and contains lush, multi-layered arrangements. Lyrically, their compositions reflect the light and dark in all of us combined with bold experimental production that breathes life into their space-age-prog, punk pop and appeals to a broad spectrum of music lovers around the globe. Known for their elaborate live stage shows, THE LIPS have become the ultimate live rock experience with the likes of Q Magazine and Rolling Stone naming The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die." Their reputation as canny songwriters and great performers have made The LIPS an actively sought out collaborative entity who have participated in numerous, oddly diverse recorded and live performances that include Yoko Ono, David Lynch, Philip Glass, Bon Iver, Lightning Bolt, Coldplay, Beck, Nick Cave, Erykah Badu, Thievery Corporation, Grace Potter, The Chemical Brothers, Jim James, Miley Cyrus and many more. The band recently achieved yet another set of “Firsts” by being the first band to perform prophylactically for late night TV (Colbert/Fallon), and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. In January 2021, The Lips played The World’s First-Ever Space Bubble Concerts with band and audience safely encased and physically distanced within their own individual clear Space Bubbles in their hometown of Oklahoma City. And The Writer Is… Wayne Coyne!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of September 6th, 2021.
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Today’s singer, musician, songwriter, and record producing guest is a founding member of the genre defining pop punk band, blink-182 as well as the popular +44 and pop duo, Simple Creatures. He has survived three decades of alternative music - from punk clubs of Southern California to unlikely pop stardom in the TRL era to navigating the new millennium's post-genre revolution. The band is noted as bringing the genre of pop punk into the mainstream. In 1995, blink-182 released their debut album, Cheshire Cat which launched their first national tour. The group's album Enema Of The State peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200, led by it's No. 6 track, "All The Small Things." The album has since been certified five-times platinum by the RIAA. The band received their first career GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Album for their album, California in 2016 during the 59th Grammy awards. blink-182 has sold over 13 million albums in the United States, and over 50 million albums worldwide. Our guest is not only recognized as the bassist and co-vocalist of one of the most iconic bands but also as an incredibly loving father, husband and overall human. And The Writer Is… Mark Hoppus!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of August 23rd, 2021.
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Today’s Grammy Award winning guest is one of today’s most successful producers, songwriters, and DJs of this generation. He began his career as a DJ in Kansas City, producing beats for several artists before meeting Cardi B and producing her chart-topping singles, "Bodak Yellow, "I Like It” and “Money.” In 2020, our guest produced "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as "A Lot” by 21 Savage featuring J. Cole, which reached number 12 on the Hot 100. He executive produced Iggy Azalea's second studio album, In My Defense, and its lead single "Sally Walker". Our guest also produced the tracks "Started" and "Freak of the Weak” as well as “Muwop” for Mulatto and Gucci Mane, just to name a few. And The Writer Is… Anthony Jermaine White aka J White Did It!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of August 9th, 2021.
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Today’s Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, musician and record producing guest emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been called contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has given sold-out concerts in many of the world’s best-known venues. Known for performances that convey deep emotion, Vega’s distinctive, “clear, unwavering voice” (Rolling Stone) has been described as “a cool, dry sandpaper-brushed near-whisper” by The Washington Post, with NPR Music noting that she “has been making vital, inventive music” throughout the course of her decades-long career. Her songs have tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real-world subjects. Notably succinct and understated, her work is immediately recognizable—as utterly distinct and thoughtful as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 30 years ago. Widely regarded as one of the foremost songwriters of her generation, our guest released her latest album, An Evening of New York Songs and Stories, on September 11, 2020. And The Writer Is… Suzanne Vega!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of July 26th, 2021.
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Today’s guest is a multi instrumentalist producer, songwriter and artist who has had 6 Uk No1s, 11 Top 10s and last year was the youngest ever winner of the Brit Award for Producer of the Year. He has been called “a genius” by Brian Eno and “The White Burna Boy” by Burna Boy. A child prodigy, he wrote and produced his first album at 10 and started writing his first Symphony at 14. This was performed by a 50 piece orchestra at his high school when he was 16. His second symphony written aged 17 was performed in London by the Royal College of Music with a 60 piece of Orchestra to two sold out nights. Two years later he had his first No 1 with Clean Bandit & Demi Lovato, followed up immediately with his second with George Ezra which took his first off the top spot. The latter was the biggest selling song of that summer and has become the longest running UK Top 75 song of all time. He also became a key collaborator of Ed Sheeran, producing the bulk of his No 5 Collaboration Project including 3 more No 1s. He is presently writing Ed’s next album. At the time of writing he is not only the #1 selling pop producer in the UK of the last year but also the #1 selling rap producer as well as being nominated for Best Dance Recording at the Grammys this year (with Jayda G). He has worked with artists including Ed Sheeran, FKA Twigs, Justin Bieber, Stormzy, George Ezra, Brian Eno, Khalid, Nicki Minaj, Maisie Peters, Headie One, Cardi B, Camilla Cabello and many more. Now releasing music as an artist himself, our guest has garnered over 4mil monthly listeners on spotify. And The Writer Is… FRED!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Your weekly update with industry news and happenings from ATWI. Update for the week of July 12th 2021.
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Today’s guest greets everyone by saying, “Happy Birthday.” For as unexpected as it may be, it always incites a smile. Then again, everything about the two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur is just as unpredictable. His gracious demeanor belies a downright unbelievable career. Earmarked by blockbuster smashes such as Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?”, Usher’s “Caught Up,” Dan + Shay’s “10,000 Hours,” and Chris Brown’s “I Can Transform Ya” [feat. Lil Wayne & Swizz Beatz] as well as the 13-times platinum “Despacito (Remix)” [feat. Justin Bieber] for Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, his catalog has registered sales of over 350 million records worldwide, dozens of multi-platinum certifications, and 100 billion streams and counting. Our guest has worked with artists ranging from 112 and Lupe Fiasco, to Jack Ü (Skrillex & Diplo), J Balvin, and DJ Khaled, from J-Lo, Mariah Carey and Billie Eilish, to Ed Sheeran and Zac Brown, among many others. At the same time, his entrepreneurial portfolio includes Black Star Burger, HFACTOR water, Wonderbrett dispensary, gaming team 100 Thieves, and his own Bearthday Music record label. As of late, he signed a joint venture agreement with Def Jam Recordings and released his latest single, “The Day You Left” on June 11 via BMG! And The Writer Is… Poo Bear!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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In a career spanning over 30 years, today’s guest has been the guiding force behind selling over 50 million records and instrumental to some of the most musical moments of this generation. He has written and produced many chart topping R&B and pop singles and albums such as: Rihanna’s GRAMMY winning "Umbrella"; Beyoncé’s GRAMMY winning “Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)"; Justin Bieber’s "Baby"; Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" and "Obsessed"; Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine"; Frank Ocean’s “Novacane”; The-Dream's "Love/Hate" and "Love vs. Money"; Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream”; Beyoncé’s “4”; Ciara's "Ride"; Frank Ocean’s “Nostalgia, Ultra”; the Britney Spears and Madonna collaboration "Me Against the Music” and so many more. He has also discovered and/or developed game changing talents like: Ester Dean, Frank Ocean, Justin Tranter, Ricky Reed and writing partner The - Dream. Our guest is head of his own record label and commercial studio complex, RZ3 Recordings, based in Atlanta and he previously served as President of A&R at Epic Records. In 2012, Billboard named Stewart to the “40 under 40 list of Music Executives”. And The Writer Is… Tricky Stewart!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guests are the dynamic duo from the foothills of Boulder, CO to a household name – if we’re talking house parties.Since 2008, the American electro-pop duo has rocked sold out venues, amphitheaters, and college campuses around the world, playing shows on every major continent except Antarctica (too cold). With over 15 million singles sold worldwide and three U.S. RIAA Certified platinum songs, this duo has cemented their sound with global hits like their 3x multi-platinum single “Don’t Trust Me,” which reached #1 at Top 40 Radio and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as hugely popular songs “STARSTRUKKK” (Feat. Katy Perry) and “My First Kiss” (Feat. Kesha) and memorable performances on American Idol, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the MTV Video Music Awards. Over the past decade, they have pivoted to more behind the scenes work, having written and produced hits for other artists such as Maroon 5’s “Love Somebody,” Steve Aoki’s “Waste It on Me” (Feat. BTS), MAX’s “Lights Down Low,” Ariana Grande’s “Tattooed Heart,” and Kesha’s “Blah Blah Blah” among many others. They continued to play in front of thousands of fans while celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their RIAA certified Gold album WANT. Now, the duo is back with Photo Finish Records, where it all started – and they’re coming harder than ever. Their new single “LONELY MACHINES” (feat 100 gecs) is the first taste of much more music to come. And The Writers Are… Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte of 3OH!3.
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest boasts a more diverse catalogue and interesting journey than your average songwriter. With multi-platinum hits across genres, her own label/publishing/management company, Jinsing, and a Senior A&R position at Parlophone Records, she has achieved so much since hanging out in her Grandad’s reggae shop as a child. Recognising the early talent of the now seven times #1 artist Jess Glynne whilst hosting a song-writing masterclass at Jess’s college, our guest went on to co-write the UK No. 1’s ‘Hold My Hand’ which led to her Ivor Novello nominations and to her winning a BMI Award. She has gone on to collaborate with a host of international producers and artists and recently co-wrote the 2021 UEFA Championship x Pepsi anthem ‘Rotate’ by Burna Boy and Becky G. Other collaborators include producers such as Fraser T Smith, Toby Gad, Stephen Di Genius, Diplo and David Guetta, and artists Jax Jones, Paloma Faith & Sigala, RAYE, Madison Beer, Sean Paul, Rita Ora, Clean Bandit, Craig David, Gary Barlow, Jennifer Lopez & Maluma, Joel Corry and Hailee Steinfeld. In recognition of her achievements she was nominated for Songwriter Of The Year at the Music Business Worldwide Awards 2018, and won the “Music Creative” Award at Music Week's 2018 Women In Music event. She also recently won her second BMI award for Madison Beer’s ‘Home With You’ and joined the board of Directors of the prestigious Ivors Academy in 2020. And The Writer Is… Jin Jin!
Artwork: Michael Richey White.
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Today’s guest is a songwriter, producer and musician from Long Island, NY. After playing in his own pop-rock band, ‘As Tall As Lions’ as lead vocalist and guitarist, he relocated to Los Angeles to work as a songwriter and producer. In the years since, he's worked with artists as disparate as Olivia Rodrigo, Sky Ferreira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Caroline Polachek, Empress Of, FINNEAS, Conan Gray and many more. Most notably, he co-wrote and produced the entirety of Olivia Rodrigo's debut album Sour, which broke the record for the biggest album debut week by a female artist. This record includes the record-smashing single "good 4 u", which holds the Spotify record for most streams of a song in a single week (passing her other record-smashing lead single "drivers license"). Our guest also enjoys a similar long term creative relationship with the singer-songwriter Conan Gray. And The Writer Is… Daniel Nigro!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is a New York City-based indie pop band composed of brothers Adam (vocals/bass), Jack (vocals/guitar), and Ryan Met (ukulele/piano/vocals). The band is a DIY pop group who write, produce, and mix their own material in the living room of their Chelsea apartment. Their music style has been described as “eclectic”, combining elements of pop, barbershop, electronic, and dubstep music. They have opened for Demi Lovato, Hoodie Allen and the Wanted. In 2013 the trio released their debut independent single, "I'm Ready." Well-received, the track peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart, and appeared on an initial EP as well as the band's 2015 full-length debut album, Living Room. Today, the Multi Platinum indie pop trio have made their first Top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 with their hit single, “Bang!”. It cracked Top 10 at three radio formats—peaking at No. 6 on Pop Radio, No. 2 on Alternative Radio and No. 1 on Adult Pop Radio—and is double platinum certified, marking their sixth platinum song to date. And The Writer Is… Jack and Ryan of AJR!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is an American music producer, musician, songwriter and entrepreneur, based in Nashville, Tennessee and is a three-time Grammy Award nominee and winner of the 2011 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song for Fantasia’s “Bittersweet". After college, our guest relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he garnered his first major songwriting credit as a co-writer alongside Ne-Yo on Celine Dion's "I Got Nothin' Left" from her 2007 album Taking Chances. Since then he’s earned production, composition, and songwriting credits on songs by artists including Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Toni Braxton, Jesse J, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Olly Murs, Kanye West, Janet Jackson, John Legend, NAS, Kelly Rowland, Johnny Gill, Keyshia Cole, Keri Hilson, K'naan, Bono, Corinne Bailey Rae, Seal and Sara Evans. In 2015, our guest partnered with longtime collaborator Claude Kelly forming the progressive band Louis York and released their debut EP, Masterpiece Theater – Act I, which they released through their creative hub and independent record label Weirdo Workshop. In 2017 the two partnered again to form the educational and community building initiative Tiny Book Club through their Weirdo Workshop umbrella which has held in-person events in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and New Jersey as well as virtual meet-ups online while the country has been on shutdown throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Our guests’ main objective is to continue to promote excellence in music through first class musicianship, empathetic business practices, and pure inspiration. And The Writer Is… Chuck Harmony!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest took the world of country music by storm in 2015 with her critically acclaimed full-length debut, Untamed. The record not only bowed in the Top 15 of the Billboard Top 200 and registered at #2 on the Top Country Albums Chart, but it also yielded her double-platinum GRAMMY®, CMA and ACM-nominated smash single, "Burning House," which remains the bestselling country song by a female solo artist since its release in 2015. Since then, our guest has continued to thrive as both a songwriter and musician. She recently released her sophomore album, The Otherside and she’s lent her writing voice to Miley Cyrus' 2015 album, Bangerz, and co-wrote "Palace" with Sam Smith for his 2017 album, The Thrill of It All. She broke boundaries with her bold and empowering 2017 lead single, "Diane," and further showcased her range when she teamed up with Diplo for the genre-bending Thomas Wesley 2019 debut single, "So Long." She has consistently sold-out shows across the globe, cementing her status as an international powerhouse on stage. She performed alongside Sam Smith for 4 sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London and joined him on his 2018 North American tour, opened for Harry Styles at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, delivered standout festivals sets including the coveted sunset slot at Stagecoach in 2019, headlined top venues across Europe and Australia, and performed a "game-changing" (Rolling Stone) debut-headline gig at The Ryman Auditorium. By taking risks and standing up for herself, our guest has continued to hustle and pave her own way. And The Writer Is… Cam!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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And The Demo Is… “Every Season” by Philip Bowen, “Never Have I”
by Ahlei, and “Sundress” by Devin Kennedy!
In Part 2 of Episode 1 of Ross and Joe’s new live web series, “And The Demo Is…”, the guys critique the songs “Every Season” by Philip Bowen (Twitter: @Philbow55, IG: @philipbowenmusic, TikTok: @philipbowenmusic), “Never Have I” written by Ahlei (Twitter: @itsjoeyc_, IG: @itsjoeyc_, TikTok: @itsjoeyc_) and M Basa, and “Sundress” by Devin Kennedy (Twitter: @DevKennedyMusic, IG: @DevKennedyMusic, TikTok: @DevKennedyMusic).
Big thanks to YouTube for their support!
To submit your demo for Ross and Joe to critique visit: https://linktr.ee/andthewriteris
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Today’s Grammy nominated hit songwriter and mega-producer guest, has been the man behind a decade of sound, helping some of the biggest artists in the world use their voices and he is now returning to his roots as a solo artist. He is a 4x BMI Songwriter of the year and has penned smashes that include 30 No. 1 songs and other chart climbers for stars including Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney and P!nk, Dierks Bentley, and so many more. Our guest has also produced acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated albums for Urban, Bentley, and others. Now focusing on his own artist story, today’s guest is releasing his EP, Somewhere There’s a Light On, a five-song collection of his shimmery Southern pop. Featuring back-to-back singalongs and our guests’ ferocious musicality, the EP is radio-ready piano, staccato percussion, synths, snaps and smooth vocals, with country music’s love of cohesive narratives. He co-wrote Somewhere There’s a Light On with favorite collaborators, including a pair with Ed Sheeran. And The Writer Is… Ross Copperman!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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And The Demo Is…“Shatter” by Malena Cadiz, “Staying” by Kyle Reynolds and “Where Do We Go” by Naashi!
Ross and Joe’s new live web series, “And The Demo Is…”, launched on the ATWI Official YouTube Channel December 17th, 2020. In the series, dedicated to highlighting and mentoring new songwriters, Joe and Ross provided a real-time critique and offered tips on the featured demos. In Part 1 of Episode 2 which aired on Friday, March 26, the guys give feedback on the song “Shatter” by Malena Cadiz ( IG: @malena.cadiz / TikTok: @malena.cadiz) who collaborated on the song with songwriter, Marshall Gallagher (IG: @swinghero). They also critique “Staying” by Kyle Reynolds (Twitter: @KyReynoldsMusic / IG: @kylereynoldsmusic / TikTok: @kylereynoldsmusic), which was co-written by Ellee Duke (IG: @elleeduke). The last demo they went over on Part 1, Episode 2 of ATWI was “Where Do We Go” by Naashi (IG: @naashiwroteit / Twitter: @_naashi_ / TikTok: @naashi) who wrote the song with Kyle Junior (IG: @kylejunior).
Big thanks to YouTube for their support!
To submit your demo for Ross and Joe to critique visit: https://linktr.ee/andthewriteris
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Today’s guest is one of the most in-demand rap producers of the decade. He’s produced entire projects and hundreds of thundering, wildly different beats for critically-acclaimed rappers like Rico Nasty, Vince Staples, Freddie Gibbs, Denzel Curry, Key!, 03 Greedo, JPEGMAFIA, and Ski Mask the Slump God. Today, the 29-year-old’s signature tag (“Woah, Kenny!”) is virtually inescapable. Born and raised in Connecticut, today’s guest inherited his eclectic ear from his father, whose tastes ranged from Sheryl Crow to Dr. Dre. He played drums and guitar throughout his childhood and began making beats in high school, imitating idols like Timbaland and Pharrell. While studying music business at Berklee College of Music, he interned for renowned rap label Cinematic Music Group and began placing beats with rappers like Schoolboy Q (“Party”), Smoke DZA, and Ab-Soul (“Hunnid Stax”). During his senior year, he moved to Los Angeles and made a brief but successful foray into EDM. Once he’d accrued enough funds DJing around the world, Kenny returned to rap and opened The Cave, one of the most vital studios in contemporary rap. He is also a member of D.O.T.S. (Don’t Overthink Shit). A tight-knit and ever-evolving creative team, D.O.T.S. assists artists with every aspect of their careers, whether that’s beats and music videos or merch and art direction. They are creative midwives, helping musicians birth all their gestating ideas. And The Writer Is… Kenny Beats!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today we are joined by two highly-influential music creators’ rights advocates. Kris Ahrend began his career in the music industry working in the Law Department at Sony Music, where he provided legal services to all of Sony’s US divisions, including its publishing company. He subsequently worked in the business and legal affairs department at Sony BMG Music Entertainment before accepting a senior executive role at Rhino Entertainment. Kris Ahrend now serves as Chief Executive Officer for The MLC, where he leads the organization’s mission to ensure songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers receive their mechanical royalties from streaming and download services in the U.S. accurately and on time. Most recently, Ahrend led the development and launch of Warner Music Group’s Center of Excellence for Shared Services in Nashville, where he oversaw the operations of fifteen different functional teams providing a variety of administrative, financial, and legal services to Warner Music’s U.S.- based publishing teams, record labels, and corporate divisions.
Michelle Lewis is an award-winning songwriter, composer, singer and music creators’ rights advocate. From her early career as a recording artist signed to Irving Azoff’s Giant Records, to her first radio hit, Cher’s “A Different Kind of Love Song” in 2002, to the 2014 worldwide #1 single “Wings” by the British girl group Little Mix, Ms. Lewis brings authenticity, musicality, and heart to a diverse range of pop music. In 2015, Michelle Lewis co-founded the non-profit advocacy organization, Songwriters Of North America (SONA) in response to the ever-increasing complexities and inequities in digital royalties paid to songwriters and composers. Through her roles as SONA’s Executive Director, on the ASCAP Board of Directors, as an LA Chapter board member of the Recording Academy and on the Executive Committee of the Music Peer Group for the Television Academy, Michelle is solidly situated on the leading edge of issues facing songwriters: the ongoing fight to make streaming royalty rates more fair to creators, education and empowerment of creators through metadata, the implementation and utilization of the new Mechanical Licensing Collective, and fighting for songwriters to get healthcare and workplace safety standards in place.
And The Executive are… Kris Ahrend and Michelle Lewis!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is a Grammy nominated songwriter, former American Idol judge, producer, music executive and publisher. For the past seven years, she has been a Herb Albert Visiting Scholar at Berklee College of Music, mentoring the likes of Charlie Puth and Ingrid Andress. As one of the most successful contemporary songwriters in the world, her songs have appeared on more than 160 million albums. She has won over 23 BMI awards for most performed songs, including BMI’s 2007 Songwriter of the Year award. She’s had over 320 songs released by major labels, 150 songs on platinum selling albums, and over 50 charting singles. Her credits include successes and collaborations with artists such as Pink, Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Jason Derulo, Demi Lovato, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Colbie Caillat, Enrique Iglesias, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Fletcher, Faith Hill, Santana and many more. She discovered Jon Bellion and Ingrid Andress; who are both signed to her publishing company Arthouse Entertainment. Dedicated to giving back, today’s guest built five recording studios at Phoenix House, one of the nation’s leading nonprofits dedicated to leading individuals, families and communities affected by addiction from disrupted to productive lives. She also has an educational scholarship in her family’s name at the Columbus Citizens Foundation that provides financial support to students of Italian descent. In 2017, she co-founded Inspired Nation, a non for profit that creates youth talent shows across the country with all benefits going to youth oriented charities. She is an advocate for creating awareness and legislative reform around child sexual abuse. She is also on the newly created MLC (Music Licensing Collective) board. And The Writer Is… Kara DioGuardi!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is an American record producer, musician and songwriter from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As the son of Philadelphia soul icon Dexter Wansel, he grew up in the music industry and began writing and producing his own music at the age of ten, citing rapper Nas and Motown songwriting team Holland–Dozier–Holland as his early inspirations. In 2006, today’s guest reached out to Nicki Minaj via Myspace message looking to collaborate. After her initial interest, he sent her an idea that would eventually become the basis for "Your Love". Nicki recorded the track and the unmastered demo subsequently leaked in 2009, landing at #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 Rap Songs, and launching our guest and production partner Warren "Oak" Felder to international acclaim. Since then, today’s guest has collaborated with an impressive list of artists including Ariana Grande, Usher, Demi Lovato, Kehlani, Rihanna, Alessia Cara, Megan Thee Stallion and many more. And The Writer Is… Pop Wansel!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Based out of Williamsburg, VA, today’s guest first rose to national prominence with The Way It Is, his 1986 Grammy-winning debut album with The Range. The title track became the most-played song on American radio in 1987 while Tupac Shakur’s timeless song “Changes” builds on “The Way It Is” and set the stage for many subsequent versions of the track, including Polo G’s current single “Wishing For A Hero.” In 1991, Hornsby collaborated with Bonnie Raitt, playing on her iconic hit “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Additionally, Hornsby was a part-time member of the Grateful Dead from September 1990 to March 1992, performing over 100 concerts in America and Europe. He has written six full film scores for Spike Lee including his recent Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, and contributed music to four others, including 2018’s BlacKkKlansman. Last year, Hornsby released his acclaimed album, Non-Secure Connection, which featured collaborations with James Mercer, Jamila Woods, Vernon Reid, Leon Russell, Justin Vernon and more. The 13-time Grammy nominee has solidified his status as a highly sought-after collaborator. Hornsby’s own 21 albums have sold over 11 million copies worldwide, and he has appeared on over 100 records including releases with Bob Dylan, Don Henley, the Grateful Dead, Ricky Skaggs, Bob Seger, Chaka Khan, Brandon Flowers, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, Mavis Staples, Willie Nelson and more. And The Writer Is… Bruce Hornsby!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Throughout a catalog streamed nearly half-a-billion times and highlighted by two gold albums, two gold singles, and a platinum single, today’s guests perennially raised the bar for both pop and punk. Since 2003, the group notched five straight Top 10 entries on the Billboard Top 200, spanning the gold-certified Nothing Personal [2009], Dirty Work [2011], Future Hearts [2015], and Last Young Renegade [2017]. The latter attracted tastemaker acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, Paste, and more as the band canvassed the world, headlining arenas on three continents. 2019 saw them celebrate Nothing Personal with a string of sold-out shows and a re-recorded liveperformance of the album at RedBull Studios. The record’s influence remained prevalent with Rock Sound citing its impact on Fall Out Boy, 5 Seconds of Summer, and more. Along the way, they achieved honors such as “Album of the Year” at both the Alternative Press Music Awards for Dirty Work and Rock Sound Awards for Last Young Renegade. After nearly two decades together, they rekindled the spark they first ignited in a Baltimore basement on their 2020 eighth full-length studio album, Wake Up, Sunshine [Fueled By Ramen]. These four lifelong friends—Alex Gaskarth [lead vocals, guitar], Jack Barakat [lead guitar, backing vocals], Zack Merrick [bass, backing vocals], and Rian Dawson [drums]—walked into a tiny room, plugged in, and turned up with the same spirit, but a little more wisdom, a lot more experience, and proficiency gained by performing to millions worldwide. As a result, they delivered a dynamic body of work at the apex of pop punk prowess, rock energy, and genre-busting adventurousness. And The Writer Is… Alex and Jack of All Time Low!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Described as “A signpost for modern female complexity,” by Billboard, today’s Warner Music Nashville / Atlantic Records recording artist guest was nominated for three GRAMMY Awards and was the only country artist nominated in the general field “Big Four” categories as a Best New Artist nominee. Tied as this year’s most-nominated country artist alongside Miranda Lambert, she co-wrote and co-produced every song on her debut album, Lady Like, which earned a nod in the Best Country Album category as well. The critically-lauded project features her Platinum-selling, No. 1 debut single “More Hearts Than Mine,” also nominated for Best Country Song, and her current single “Lady Like,” which is climbing the country radio charts now. In addition, the 2020 CMA, ACM and CMT Music Awards nominee took home Song of the Year honors earlier this year from both the MusicRow Awards and NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards. She has received widespread acclaim from outlets such as The New York Times, NPR, HUFFPOST, Entertainment Weekly, ELLE, Teen Vogue, WWD, PAPER and Wonderland to name a few and has made several national TV performances including appearances on ELLEN, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Late Show with James Corden, TODAY, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The 54th Annual CMA Awards and The 2020 CMT Music Awards. The accomplished singer / songwriter has penned songs for artists including Bebe Rexha, Charli XCX, FLETCHER and Dove Cameron. Having started last year touring with Keith Urban on select dates, Andress’ 2020 tour dates also included shows with Dan + Shay, Tim McGraw and Thomas Rhett. And The Writer Is… Ingrid Andress!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Multi-platinum, GRAMMY nominated artist/producers – comprised of brothers Kyle and Michael Trewartha – are known for their chart-topping style of pop music, blending crisp electronic production and infectious vocal melodies. Each amassing over 2 billion global streams, our guests' viral hit singles “The Middle” and “Starving” introduced the duo to virtually every corner of the world. In 2016, RIAA Quadruple-Platinum song “Starving” with Hailee Steinfeld and Zedd reached #5 at the US Top 40 and was nominated for an American Music Award. In 2018, “The Middle” – in collaboration with Zedd and Maren Morris – became a certified RIAA Triple-Platinum record, held the #1 spot on the US Top 40 charts for five consecutive weeks, and accumulated three GRAMMY nominations, two iHeart Music Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and an AMA nomination. The duo has performed “The Middle” with collaborators Zedd and Marren Morris on The Billboard Music Awards and Ellen. Other notable releases include Camila Cabello collaboration “Crown” for Netflix’s Bright Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2017), and “Grey Area” featuring Disney starlet Sofia Carson (2019). In 2020, our guests offered their most personal and genre-defying installment yet in the form of sibling EPs: LIGHT and DARK. The 11-song project features vocals, writing, and production from the brothers on every song, and represents a new and exciting phase for them. Michael explains, “This time the music is really coming from us. It’s about our lives and our friends, the good and the bad.” And The Writer Is… Grey!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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She is one of the most versatile artists in the music and entertainment world. A true pioneer and multi-talented woman with unprecedented success as a world-record composer, singer, producer, communicator, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and dedicated philanthropist. All in one. Born in Panama, of Brazilian, European, and Asian roots; our guest was raised in a multicultural and multilingual environment, which allowed her to be the versatile professional she is today in a global market. Her songs have been recorded by Justin Bieber, Akon, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Marc Anthony, Chayanne, Gloria Trevi, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Prince Royce, and Ha-Ash among others. She is the only Latina woman, in history, to achieve a #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list, with a Spanish song. She is also the female composer with the longest number #1 record on Billboard, the first Hispanic woman to obtain a Grammy nomination for a Major Category (Song of the Year), the composer with the most reproduced song of all time (worldwide) on digital and radio platforms, and the youngest person to enter the Latin Composers Hall of Fame. About 200 CDs and more than 40 singles have been released with her songs, (including the unprecedented worldwide success "Despacito"). Simultaneously, with music, she has a respectable career in the media world, both in front and behind the screens. Through her company ENDERTAINMENT, she creates formats and produces shows and diverse contents, with high results, not only in numbers but also, in social impact. Her true mission has always been using arts as a vehicle for the common good. This task has been successfully achieved through her Foundation (Puertas Abiertas), by benefiting thousands of children and young people, with projects such as TalenPro, which unites entertainment, culture, values, social responsibility, and education. In 2020, She released her new album ‘MP3 - 45,’ a multilingual concept album that pays tribute to the music of her past while charging head-first into the sounds of her future, celebrating the dichotomy of a modern woman who both honors tradition and embraces change. And The Writer Is… Erika Ender!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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For more than five years this guest has quietly and steadily become one of pop’s brightest rising stars. He has released all of his music completely independently with 5 billion streams to his name while writing for some of the biggest stars in the world, performing late-night talk shows, playing stadiums opening for Ed Sheeran, and selling out shows in 21 countries as a headliner. He first gained attention in 2015 when his single “The Other” went viral, peaking at number three on Hype Machine and hitting Spotify’s Global Top 100 before eventually being certified Gold. After concentrating on working with other artists, he hit again with 2017’s “I Like Me Better,” which reached #7 at Top 40 and #2 at Hot AC and was certified 4X multi-platinum in the US and platinum in 12 other countries. “I’m so tired…” his duet with Troye Sivan, has also been certified platinum, with over 600 million streams worldwide. His official debut album ~how i'm feeling~ featured 3 new collaborations with Alessia Cara, Sofia Reyes, and BTS. Accepting and celebrating the multiple facets of ourselves and the different personalities we carry with us, is a theme throughout the debut album, even extending to the cover art. And this artist has been open about his struggles with anxiety and depression and has taken action on the issue with his Blue Boy Foundation, which supports programs that help young people feel more comfortable reaching out for help with mental health. In 2019, he launched the “My Blue Thoughts” initiative, a community-building mechanism for fans to anonymously write down or record whatever is on their mind, as a way to engage with people around the world who may be having similar experiences. And The Writer Is… Lauv!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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There are two stories you can tell as a songwriter: yours or someone else’s. Today’s guest not only tells the stories of some of the biggest artists in the world as a songwriter, but she also shares her story as an artist. By 10-years-old, she began writing songs for herself and learned five instruments. After graduating from Berklee College of Music, she founded New York indie upstart band, Amy & The Engine. In 2018, she wrote the multi-platinum hit “Back To You” by Selena Gomez and opened up the floodgates to collaborate with A-list talent, including Halsey (“Without Me”), Harry Styles (“Adore You”), Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Sam Smith, and Marshmello. Forbes named her on the coveted “30 Under 30” list, while Variety dubbed her “Hitmaker of the Year.” Reclaiming her passion for performing in 2021, she introduces her sound as an artist on her full-length debut for Warner Records. All of her past experience has led her to this point, to creating a collection of personal and meaningful songs that make up her debut album. Her songs are lived-in tales, reminiscent of the American troubadours that have come before her - heroes like Tom Petty or Sheryl Crow, Carole King or John Prine or Bruce Springsteen. Heralded by her initial song releases and a debut album to follow, she tells her own story now. And The Writer Is… Amy Allen!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Growing up in suburban New Jersey, this singer, songwriter, and producer has always been surrounded by music. In 2015, he released his first EP as a freshman at Colorado College pursuing a degree in Molecular Biology, and by 2017 he had signed a major label record deal with Republic Records. Since then, he has released four EP’s with breakthrough singles, such as Gold Certified singles, “talk is overrated” featuring blackbear and “all the kids are depressed,” and his biggest song to date, “comethru,” which is Platinum Certified and has surpassed over one billion streams. In 2019, he collaborated with Chelsea Cutler on ‘brent’ and their Platinum-Certified global viral hit, “you were good to me.” Last spring, he released his long-awaited debut album, ‘love is not dying,’ to praise from critics and fans alike, as he recently crossed over a staggering 3.2 billion total streams across his catalogue with his latest single, "supercuts." Most recently, he and Chelsea Cutler released their new single “this is how you fall in love” and EP, ‘brent ii.’ And The Writer Is… Jeremy Zucker!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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When this Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter moved across the country from New Jersey to Los Angeles only a couple of years ago in pursuit of his dream career, he started by writing a song a day in exchange for a floor to sleep on. Soon after, he landed a feature as the iconic voice behind Kanye West's hit single, "All Mine" and found himself atop the Billboard charts. His overnight success is years in the making. As the epitome of a “rags to riches” story, he spent nights on park benches, couch hopping, and using songwriting as a means of currency. Today, he is recognized as one of the most in-demand songwriters and upcoming artists, due to his work with Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Camilla Cabello, Kanye West, Kali Uchis, H.E.R., G Eazy, Pharrell, etc. In 2020, he released his debut LP, ‘Happy 2 Be Here,’ which features Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and Ty Dolla $ign and is nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2021 Grammy Awards. And most recently, he performed his song “Better Days” with Justin Timberlake at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. And The Writer Is… Ant Clemons!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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He is a Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter who has worked with a diverse roster of artists, including Adele, Haim, Sky Ferreira, Vampire Weekend, Charli XCX, Usher, Brandon Flowers, Madonna, Tobias Jesso Jr., Carly Rae Jepsen, Cass McCombs, and Justin Bieber among many others. He co-wrote and produced Usher’s 2012 single, "Climax", which won the 2013 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. In 2014, he was nominated for a "Producer of the Year" Grammy and won for his production on Vampire Weekend's ‘Modern Vampires of the City,’ which was awarded "Best Alternative Music Album." In 2017 he won for his production work on Adele's 25, which was awarded "Album of the Year." In 2020, he won a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for his production work on Vampire Weekend’s ‘Father of the Bride.’ And most recently, this year he is a 2021 Grammy nominee for Album of the Year his writing and production on HAIM’s ‘Women in Music Pt. III.’ And The Writer Is… Ariel Rechtshaid!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is the epitome of a modern artist - a Grammy-nominated multi-talented and versatile singer, songwriter, vocal producer, and dancer; an artist that lives up to the hype. Her unique and truthful perspective showcases her duality; fresh and familiar, sexual and substantial; a feeling of nostalgia blended with modern and youthful aesthetics. Selected as Apple Music's Up Next artist in 2020, Monét released her critically acclaimed project JAGUAR in August, which was the #1 R&B album on iTunes in 66 countries. The self-assured young artist we know today as one of the most promising singer-songwriters of 2021, who is responsible for some of the biggest hits in contemporary pop, hip-hop, and R&B for top 40 and critical darlings alike, including Ariana Grande, Brandy, Chloe x Halle, Nas, T.I., BLACKPINK, Selena Gomez, Lucky Daye, and Kehlani. Her songwriting is just an extension of her ability to shine as an artist in her own right. Her music and art play with the idea of gender roles, themes of femininity, and owning one’s own sexuality. And her motivation to bring honesty into her music makes it possible for many to find their truth in it. And The Writer Is… Victoria Monét!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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Hailed as “the most promising and influential new country star of the last five years" by The New York Times, he is a multi-platinum, ACM, CMA, CMT, and Billboard Music Award-winning artist from Asheville, NC. His new deluxe album, What You See Ain't Always What You Get, recently debuted at #1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. It also set the new weekly streaming record for a country album with 102.26 million on-demand streams, breaking his own record, which was set last November with the release of his platinum-certified, global #1 album, What You See Is What You Get. The new deluxe album features all 18 tracks from What You See Is What You Get as well as five new songs including “Forever After All,” which debuted at #2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart—the highest entrance ever for a male country solo artist. Adding to a series of groundbreaking and historic years, Combs recently made history as the first artist ever to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart—breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record at 24 weeks. The achievement comes as What You See Is What You Get topped the chart for the 25th time, while his 2017 debut, This One’s For You, has spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at #1—tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart. Moreover, Combs recently won two awards at the 55th ACM Awards, three awards at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, and two awards at the 54th CMA Awards. Continuing his triumphant run at country radio, Combs’ recent single, “Lovin’ On You,” spent multiple weeks at #1 on both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart and the Billboard Country Airplay chart. This is Combs’ ninth-consecutive #1 single—a first on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart—as well as his eighth single to spend multiple weeks at #1. His current single, “Better Together,” is already top 10 at country radio and rising. And The Writer Is… Luke Combs!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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She is a three-time GRAMMY Award-winner who has achieved global success as, among other accomplishments, a performer, songwriter, frontwoman for ska-punk heroes No Doubt, and multi-platinum solo artist. To date, she’s sold more than 50 million units worldwide, including her four-times-platinum debut solo album ‘Love.Angel.Music.Baby.’ The 2004 release delivered the hit singles “Rich Girl,” “What You Waiting For?”, and the Pharrell Williams-produced No. 1 hit “Hollaback Girl.” Her 2015 solo album, ‘This Is What the Truth Feels Like,’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Most recently, she released her new reggae-tinged single “Let Me Reintroduce Myself”, which she co-wrote and recorded in quarantine with our very own, Ross Golan. The single finds her reminding fans of what she does best: create vibrant, uplifting music that is real and honest to who she is as an artist. “Let Me Reintroduce Myself” caps off a busy 2020 for Stefani. She had two top 10 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with fiancé Blake Shelton, “Nobody But You” and “Happy Anywhere.” And her holiday album, ‘You Make It Feel Like Christmas,’ was just reissued with two new songs, including Ryan Tedder co-write “Here This Christmas.” And The Writer Is… Gwen Stefani!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
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And The Demo Is… “Every Season” by Philip Bowen, “Never Have I”
by Ahlei, and “Sundress” by Devin Kennedy!
In Part 2 of Episode 1 of Ross and Joe’s new live web series, “And The Demo Is…”, the guys critique the songs “Every Season” by Philip Bowen (Twitter: @Philbow55, IG: @philipbowenmusic, TikTok: @philipbowenmusic), “Never Have I” written by Ahlei (Twitter: @itsjoeyc_, IG: @itsjoeyc_, TikTok: @itsjoeyc_) and M Basa, and “Sundress” by Devin Kennedy (Twitter: @DevKennedyMusic, IG: @DevKennedyMusic, TikTok: @DevKennedyMusic).
Big thanks to YouTube for their support!
To submit your demo for Ross and Joe to critique visit: https://linktr.ee/andthewriteris
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And The Demo Is…“Better” by Tyreeq DeMarious and “Easily” by John The Dropout!
Ross and Joe’s new live web series, “And The Demo Is…”, launched on the ATWI Official YouTube Channel Thursday, December 17th, 2020. In the series, dedicated to highlighting and mentoring new songwriters, Joe and Ross provided a real-time critique and offered tips on the featured demos. In Part 1 of Episode 1 of ATDI, the guys give feedback on the song “Better” by Tyreeq DeMarious (Twitter: @TyreeqDeMarious / IG: @tyreeqdemariousmusic) who collaborated on the song with producer, RISC (IG @madebyrisc). They also critique “Easily” by John The Dropout (Twitter: @johnthedropout / IG: @johnthedropout / TikTok: @johnthedropout), which was co-written by Jess Farren & Tony Chetta.
Big thanks to YouTube for their support!
To submit your demo for Ross and Joe to critique visit: https://linktr.ee/andthewriteris
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Our final guests of 2020 are a dynamic duo who are best known for contributing their original songs to the Oscar-winning animated film ‘Frozen’ and its 2019 sequel, ‘Frozen 2,’ the biggest animated film of all time.
They composed seven songs for the sequel, including the single "Into the Unknown" which was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and most recently a 2021 Grammy Nomination for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The duo was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. The original Grammy-winning ‘Frozen’ soundtrack spent 33 weeks in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, including 13 weeks at No. 1. It is certified 4x Platinum and was ranked the No. 1 best-selling album on the 2014 year-end Billboard 200 chart. The soundtrack received two Grammy Awards for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media and Best Song Written for Visual Media for “Let It Go.” Following the success of Frozen, our guests collaborated in writing songs for the 2017 Pixar film ‘Coco,’ for which they won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "Remember Me.” In addition to film, they have each have written songs and composed for renowned Broadway shows such as ‘The Book of Mormon’ and ‘Avenue Q,’ and ‘In Transit.’And one half of this duo, joined an exclusive list of 12 other individuals who have each won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards in competitive categories, being the youngest person ever to have earned all four awards. And The Writer Is… Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez!
Art: Michael Richey White
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She first made history in 2014 with her diamond-certified smash single “All About That Bass.” Since then, the award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has garnered a GRAMMY for Best New Artist, achieved eight multi-platinum singles and two platinum albums, sold out three world tours, penned multi-platinum hits for peers across pop and country, and received countless industry awards and nominations. Expanding her influence on pop culture, she starred on FOX’s hit series THE FOUR: Battle for Stardom for two seasons and on the superstar coaching panel of ITV's The Voice UK alongside Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am, and Olly Murs. She kicked off 2020 with the release of her third full-length album, ‘Treat Myself,’ which includes the platinum smash “No Excuses” as well as blockbuster anthems and collaborations such as “Nice To Meet Ya” (feat. Nicki Minaj), “Genetics” (feat. Pussycat Dolls), “After You” (feat. AJ Mitchell), and “Wave” (feat. Mike Sabath). In July, she released ‘Treat Myself Deluxe,’ which featured three new original tracks, including “Make You Dance,” and two acoustic recordings of fan favorites. This fall, she released her first-ever Christmas album, ‘A Very Trainor Christmas’ via Epic Records. And The Writer Is… Meghan Trainor!
Art: Michael Richey White
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Born and raised in Reston, VA, our guest is an award-winning artist, record producer, songwriter, and musician. As a producer and songwriter, he is responsible for hundreds of millions of album sales worldwide due to his work with artists including Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, Halsey, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kesha, Sia, The Weeknd, Selena Gomez, Wiz Khalifa, Kanye West and many more. He is the recipient of the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a five-time BMI Songwriter of the Year award winner, 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year award winner, and eight-time Grammy nominee. This creative is also the founder of two labels in collaboration with Interscope Records: Mad Love Records and Friends Keep Secrets. His latest release, “Lonely” with Justin Bieber follows his 2018 debut album ‘FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS,’ which featured hits “Eastside” with Halsey and Khalid, “I Found You” with Calvin Harris, “Better to Lie” with Jesse and Swae Lee and “Roses” with Juice WRLD and Brendon Urie as well as collaborations with Ty Dolla $ign, 6LACK, Ryan Beatty and more. “Eastside,” the producer’s first-ever artist release, topped charts worldwide and is certified 4x Platinum in the U.S., with many other accolades worldwide. The album has been streamed more than 4 billion times to date. In 2019, he shared “I Can’t Get Enough” with Tainy, Selena Gomez, and J Balvin; and “Graduation” with Juice WRLD. Recently he made his television debut with a guest role in dear friend Lil Dicky's FX Networks comedy "Dave," and premiered the first season of his food show with acclaimed chef Matty Matheson, "Matty and Benny Eat Out America." He was the first guest on our podcast and in this episode, he is back to catch us up on everything he’s been up to. And The Writer Is... benny blanco!
Art: Michael Richey White
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He’s collaborated with such legendary artists as George Harrison, David Bowie, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ringo Starr, among many others, and he’s toured with the likes of Stevie Nicks, Greg Allman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cheap Trick, and the Steve Miller Band. At 18, he co-founded one of the first supergroups, Humble Pie. By 22, he was touring incessantly and making use of the talk box which would become his signature guitar effect. In 2007, he won the Grammy Award for “Best Pop Instrumental Album” for ‘Fingerprints,’ and in 2014 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. His 2019 album, ‘All Blues’, was No.1 for fifteen weeks on Billboard’s Blues Chart. He has voiced himself in “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” and appeared on “The Colbert Report” and “Madam Secretary.” For Cameron Crowe’s film, Almost Famous, he wrote songs, served as an advisor, and played the role of Reg. In his memoir ‘Do You Feel Like I Do?: A Memoir,’ he shares stories of his diverse collaborative work and reveals both the blessing and curse of ‘Frampton Comes Alive!,’ his breakout 1976 live album that spawned three top-20 singles and sold 8 million copies the year it was released (over 17 million to date). He opens up about his experience grappling with fame at a young age and how he continues to play despite an inflammatory muscle disease. Woven throughout is the story of his favorite guitar, which he thought he’d lost in a plane crash in 1980 but reappeared in 2011, saved from the wreckage. And The Writer Is… Peter Frampton!
Art: Michael Richey White
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Today’s guest is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, artist, and record label executive. Her journey into music began at the age of five when she found a piano buried in the garden at her parents’ house in South London. By the age of 19, she was recording her own songs, and soon after, she signed her first publishing deal with Allen Jacobs at EMI. And at 22, she signed a record deal at Mercury Records (with Tom Vickers and Ed Eckstine), relocated to Los Angeles, and started work on her first album. Her debut album self-titled garnered her a nomination for Best New Artist at the 1994 American Music Awards. Her single “The Color of the Night” was a top 10 hit on Adult Contemporary radio and also landed her a nomination for Best Song in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes. As she started a family, she reinvented herself as the co-creator of The Matrix. Alongside creative partners Graham Edwards and Scott Spock, the trio wrote and produced Avril Lavigne’s worldwide phenomenon album ‘Let Go’ which included three international No. 1 hits: “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi,” and “I’m With You”. For “Complicated,” the Matrix trio won the Ivor Novello Award for International Hit of The Year. The Matrix also received seven Grammy nominations including Producer of the Year (she is one of 7 women to ever be nominated). She is also a two-time Juno Award winner and a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award recipient. The Matrix has sold more than 30 million records and has worked with artists including Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz, Shakira, Liz Phair, Korn, David Bowie, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Rihanna, and Greyson Chance among many others. Her independent work includes Enrique Iglesias’s worldwide No. 1 hit “Tonight I’m Loving You,” as well as songs with Kelly Clarkson, Jason Derulo, Bebe Rexha, Iggy Azalea, Avril Lavigne, The Struts, and more. Recently she started her record label, Youth Be Served Records (YBS Records). The first signing is artist Jenn Bostic, whose ‘Take My Hand EP’ entered the iTunes Christian chart at No. 11. And her second signing is Australian artist Tassia Zappia, who is in the studio now with an expected release during 2020. And The Writer Is...Lauren Christy!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Our guest is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and vocal producer known for her signature concepts, edgy and prolific lyrics, and catchy pop melodies. She's written for Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Kim Petras, Charli XCX, 5 Seconds of Summer, Years & Years, Idina Menzel, Santigold, The Neighbourhood, New Kids on the Block, and many more. Most notably she co-wrote Katy Perry's "Dark Horse ft. Juicy J" and nine songs on Katy Perry’s album ‘Witness,’ including her single “Swish Swish.” She also co-wrote the alternative hit “Good Things Fall Apart ft. Jon Bellion” by Illenium, “Something’s Gotta Give” by Camila Cabello, “Black Widow ft. Rita Ora” by Iggy Azalea, “Two Fux” by Adam Lambert, “Get On Your Knees (Beg For It) ft. Ariana Grande” by Nicki Minaj, and “The Feeling ft. Halsey” by Justin Bieber. And most recently, she has penned Dua Lipa's hit singles “Physical” and "Levitating" from her album 'Future Nostalgia' and "What Makes a Woman" by Katy Perry for her album 'Smile.' As an artist, she formed the underground electro club pop project called Ultraviolet Sound (UVS). UVS topped the dance chart with their single, "Girl Talk" from an independent label in 2011. She has also been featured and has co-written on multiple EDM records such as "Fuzzy Peach" by Brillz, “Saturn” by Kill The Noise/Brillz, “Can’t Get Enough” by Tommie Sunshine/Halfway House, and “Reality” by Bro Safari. In 2017, she released her solo EP and accompanying short film entitled ‘Songs from the Sea.’ In addition to her work in music, she co-hosts “Right to the Source,” a podcast about the creative process and spiritual journey. This guest understands the mind of the artist and is not afraid to be different and daring in her approach to songwriting. And The Writer Is… Sarah Hudson!
Art: Michael Richey White
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He is a Grammy-nominated multi-platinum hit songwriter, producer, artist, executive, and entrepreneur who has been on the charts for 25 years. His active discography includes P!nk, Cher, Sting, John Legend, Take That, Kelly Rowland, Hall & Oates, Jessica Simpson, Martina McBride, Celine Dion, among others, and has written numerous Top 10 hits around the globe and achieved sales of over 125 million albums. Beginning as an A&M artist in 1994, after two solo albums, his ambition helped him pivot towards writing, producing, and entrepreneurialism. In 2001, he founded Stealth Entertainment, a talent development company with a special focus on brand partnerships. Over the years, Mann’s ability to discover promise in talent early ranges from Oscar-winner Emma Stone to hitmakers Teddy Geiger, John Ryan, Supah Mario and Christian Medice, to Tik Tok royalty Dixie and Charli D’Amelio. EMI acquired Stealth in 2007 and he was soon after appointed to EMI’s Board and thereafter President of International/Global Artist Management, overseeing EMI’s rosters in over 34 countries championing the careers of such artists like David Guetta, Pablo Alboran, Robyn, Zoe, Helene Fischer, Tiziano Ferro, and many others. In 2010, he was appointed President of Creative-BMG North America before becoming CEO of Green & Bloom/Topline the following year (a catalog that boasts of 4,000 copyrights that include artists like Drake, Tory Lanez, Lovelytheband, Travis Scott, John Legend, Drake, Tiesto and more). In 2012, he founded Manncom Creative Partners, a management company that has consulted numerous major brands and represents independent-minded (often digital focused) creative talents like Alex Aiono, Christian Medice, Charli D’Amelio, Dixie D’Amelio, Kid Sistr, Veronica Ferraro, among others. He is a national board member of Autism Speaks serving on the Advocacy, Strategic and Digital Committees, co-founder of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation, and was an elected Governor of Songwriters in New York for the National Academy of Arts & Sciences (Grammys). In 2007, he helped draft the Autism Policy for the Obama/Biden Presidential campaign and later had the honor of watching his oldest son, Jasper, receive the first pen in the Oval Office from President Obama after he signed H.R. 2005, the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act in 2011. In December 2013, his family was presented The Champion Award at The Winter Ball at the Met by friend Senator Bob Casey (PA), an original sponsor of the ABLE Act. He resides in Connecticut and is a proud husband and father of four children. And The Writer Is… Billy Mann!
This episode is sponsored by SESAC.
Art: Michael Richey White
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This Oklahoma born, Nashville-based songwriter and artist has written songs for the likes of Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Dierks Bentley, The Brothers Osborne, The Highwomen, Eli Young Band, and more. This year, he is nominated for Song of the Year at the 54th CMA Awards for co-writing Miranda Lambert’s #1 single, “Bluebird” from her album ‘Wild Card’ for which he wrote 5 songs. He also notably co-wrote Dierks Bentley’s hit single “Burning Man,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Velvet Elvis” for her GRAMMY-winning Album of the Year, ‘Golden Hour,’ and Eric Church’s single “Kill A Word.” As an artist, he fronts the new wave punk band called Hey Steve. The band delivers its rebellious message in a way that only they could conjure. Rolling Stone Country calling our guest and his band “something of an anomaly in the Nashville songwriting community.” Last year he premiered his first feature-length documentary, ‘Red Dog,’ at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival. The film which he co-directed, co-produced, and scored, explores his childhood experiences living at The Red Dog, an Oklahoma strip club where his teenage mother worked as a dancer. He just released a new song as a solo artist called "Polyester" featuring Miranda Lambert. And The Writer Is… Luke Dick!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Today's featured guests have established themselves as A-list writers and producers in the music industry, crafting major hits such as “Traicionera,” “Sé Que Te Duele,” and the worldwide smash “Despacito.” In 2017, they won the Latin GRAMMY for Record of the Year and were also nominated for the National GRAMMY of Record of the Year with “Despacito.” This year, they received three nominations at the 21st Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards for Producer of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Song for “Bonita (ft. Sebastian Yatra)” by Juanes. Born in Colombia where they began their respective careers, this production duo, who often writes as a team, has become one of the most sought after teams in the world and have worked with artists such as Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, OneRepublic, Sebastian Yatra, Morat, Cali Y El Dandee, Nacho, Alejandro Fernández, Carlos Vives, among many others. One member of his creative duo is half of the very successful urban pop duo Cali Y El Dandee, and crafted major hits for the band such as "Yo Te Esperaré" and "Por Fin Te Encontré." The other member has developed a career as a session musician, producer, and songwriter. He earned a Latin GRAMMY for his work with Alejandro Sanz and received several nominations. He has worked with artists and producers such as La Santa Cecilia, Sebastian Krys, David Bisbal, Noel Schajris, Alejandro Sanz, Jesse & Joy, among many others. In 2015, they decided to join forces after a long friendship and professional relationship. And The Writers are… Andres and Mauricio!
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Today’s guest epitomizes what it means to be a successful, uncompromising, and independent artist. Wearing many hats, she is a songwriting legend, passionate philanthropist, dedicated animal rights advocate, generous friend, and an incredible mother. With a storied career, she began her musical journey as the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes and has continued to have a profound impact on pop culture with her message of female empowerment. She has composed and produced hit songs for artists such as P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, and Adele, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. Most recently, our guest was nominated for a 2020 GRAMMY Award with Dolly Parton for “Girl In The Movies,” a song they wrote together for the Netflix film Dumplin'. Last year, she was nominated for the 2019 GRAMMY award for Producer of the Year, making her the first woman in 15 years to be nominated in the category. That same year, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and Critics Choice Award for her work on “Girl In the Movies.” In addition, she is the co-founder of We Are Hear, a combination record label, publishing house, management company, and production entity that she launched with fellow multi-platinum producer Kerry Brown in 2017. Today, she fosters the creativity of others, actively seeking and nurturing new talents to share with the world. And The Writer Is… Linda Perry!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle and BMI.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Garnering two GRAMMY-Awards, seventeen number ones across multiple charts, billions of streams, and over 100 million albums sold since the launch of his career, this guest unlocks the unpredictable side of superstars throughout pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock, and beyond. After meeting Timbaland in 2001, he ignited an unbelievable string of seminal smashes—yet to relent. By 2019, his discography encompassed Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack,” “My Love,” “Lovestoned,” “What Goes Around Comes Around,” “Filthy,” and “Say Something (feat. Chris Stapleton),” DJ Khaled’s “Shining (feat. JAY-Z & Beyoncé,” M.I.A.’s “Bad Girls,” Britney Spears’ “Gimme More,” Madonna’s “4 Minutes,” and Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous [feat. Timbaland),” to name a few. Additionally, he helmed songs for the likes of Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Ciara, JoJo, Duran Duran, Chris Brown, Björk, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, T.I., and 50 Cent, among others. He has been named “Songwriter of the Year” by SESAC for 2007, 2008, and 2010. And The Writer Is... Danja!
This episode is sponsored by SESAC.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Today And The Writer Is…releases it’s 100th episode! To celebrate this milestone, Ross and Joe will answer questions from past guests such as Ryan Tedder, Charli XCX, Nick Jonas, Lindy Robbins, Ricky Reed, Simon Wilcox, Luke Laird, and more, as they reflect on the songwriting and the podcast. We want to express our deepest thanks to our listeners for their support and to everyone who has made this podcast possible. It is an honor to feature the stories of such talented music creatives. We are humbled by the opportunity to use this platform to amplify their voices and advocate for songwriters.
A big thank you to our production team!
Producers: Big Deal Music Group & Mega House Music
Host & Producer: Ross Golan
Producer: Joe London
Producer: Casey Robison
Producer: David Silberstein
Producer: Ashley Alexander
Producer & Social Media: Meg Goggins
Producer: Zack Weinstein
Producer: Kelley Fox
Watercolor Artwork: Michael Richey White
Marketing Consultant: Dodge Williams
Special thanks to: Mark Tindle, Miles Bergsma, Fame House, Amber Packer, and Hipgnosis Songs Group.
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Today’s guest hails from Mississippi and is the quintessential illustration of a highly successful and driven jack-of-all-trades: singer, writer, host, actor, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cosmonaut. Beyond his fame as a member of the phenomenally successful group *NSYNC, where the group sold an impressive 80 million-plus records worldwide, he has since made himself a household name. With countless career highlights in music including multiple Grammy nominations, two diamond RIAA awards, MTV Video Music Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards to name just a few. Other career highlights include: being the youngest person ever inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, starring as Corny Collins in the Broadway hit, “Hairspray,” publishing his best-selling memoir, “Out of Sync,” making it to the finals on ABC’s hit show, “Dancing with the Stars,” and most recently producing a documentary, “The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story,” which debuted at the SXSW film festival in March 2019. On his podcast, ‘The Daily Popcast with Lance Bass’ he breaks down the biggest stories in Hollywood each day. The show takes a journalistic approach to entertainment with unprecedented access to the biggest names in the industry. Philanthropically, he remains active in various charitable organizations. In addition to being on the Board of Trustees for onePULSE, he also serves as an executive board director of the Environmental Media Association and has been serving on the board for nearly a decade. In being with the EMA, he has helped educate both children and adults on environmental issues. He’s the national youth spokesperson for World Space Week and is a certified cosmonaut. He is a strong advocate for animals and supports numerous causes and charities like The Trevor Project, Thirst Project, HRC, Vanderpump Dog Foundation, and St. Jude’s hospital. And The Writer Is...Lance Bass!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle.
Art: Michael Richey White
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With more than three decades of experience, our guest is one of music’s most respected, accomplished executives and a preeminent creative authority. She is the first female chairman of a global music company and the first woman to be named CEO of a major music publisher. Since joining Universal Music Publishing Group in 2015, she has transformed the company into a billion-dollar business and the industry’s best global home to songwriters. She has led the signings and extensions of world-class songwriters including the Bee Gees, Elton John, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Rosalia, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Jack White, SZA, Post Malone, Quavo, Brandi Carlile, Ariana Grande, H.E.R., Harry Styles, Maren Morris and many more. A strong advocate for women’s empowerment, our guest co-founded and serves on the Board of Directors for She Is The Music, a nonprofit championing equality and inclusion for women. She also serves on boards for the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA), and The Archer School for Girls. She has been named to numerous prestigious honors, including: Billboard 2020 ‘Executive of the Year’ for the prestigious Power 100 list; Billboard Power 100 numerous consecutive years; Billboard 2015 Executive of the Year for their Women In Music issue; Rolling Stone’s ‘Future 25’; Variety’s Power of Women L.A.; 2016 March of Dimes Inspiring Woman of the Year for her accomplishments as a leader in the entertainment industry and as a dedicated mother; and more. Prior to joining Universal Music, she served as Co-President of Sony/ATV Music Publishing. Previous to that, she was part of the senior management team at EMI Music Publishing, serving as head of the company’s east coast publishing division and then revitalized and led EMI’s west coast division. Outside of music, this executive has also served as a producer of the successful films Drumline and ATL and as executive producer for VH1’s Drumline 2. And The Executive Is... Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, Jody Gerson!
This episode is brought to you in partnership with She Is The Music.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Home and the people who make it have captivated this artist and songwriter for years. Over the last 3 decades, as she became a wife and mother of five, she has also emerged as one of the most respected, prolific singer-songwriters in popular music. Her 2016 release ‘The Bird and the Rifle’ netted 3 Grammy nominations, along with Americana Music Association nods––all firsts for her as an artist. In 2016, she became the first woman ever to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year two years in a row thanks to co-writing Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” and penning Tim McGraw’s no. 1 “Humble and Kind” solo. Both songs also clinched back-to-back Grammy wins for Best Country Song. In 2017, she became the Academy of Country Music’s first female Songwriter of the Year. Her highly anticipated new album, ‘The Balladeer’ is her most personal album to date featuring songs that reflect firsthand on her relationships with her children, husband, and family. And The Writer Is...Lori McKenna!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle and BMI.
Art: Michael Richey White
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He is one of the most versatile and freely collaborative artists of his generation. Renowned as being one of the top jazz musicians in the world, this three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has become a creative engine at the epicenter of LA's progressive hip-hop scene. His noteworthy production has included major collaborations with Kendrick Lamar (‘good kid, M.A.A.D. city’ and the GRAMMY-winning ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’), Travis Scott, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock, Leon Bridges, and many other influential artists. His versatility as a musician and producer has led his path in parallel with the greats including Quincy Jones and Dr. Dre, while also launching his vibrant, progressive, genre-crossing record label, Sounds of Crenshaw. This year he collaborated with Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, and 9th Wonder on the supergroup album project, ‘Dinner Party’ which features guest vocals from Phoelix. As the name lends, Dinner Party is an authentic connection and camaraderie. Years of friendship, shows, dinners, conversations, laughs, and life experiences, all converging into one moment. And most recently, his new album 'DRONES' takes him from being a ’secret weapon’ within the industry and renowned in the jazz world, to a household name on a mainstream level. Featuring contributions from friends and frequent collaborators, the record is a career in the making. Stepping out from behind the boards of so many iconic records and into the spotlight, he has created a classic of his own. And The Writer Is…Terrace Martin!
Art: Michael Richey White
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He is one of the world’s most influential music makers. An artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist, and producer. Hailing from Hull, Quebec, this guest is the sonic shaper and spiritual inspiration of albums by the likes of U2, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris, and Bob Dylan. An ambient music pioneer, his unique and innovative approach to sound is a key ingredient to the many well-loved songs he’s written over the past four decades that appear on his critically acclaimed solo albums such as ‘Acadie,’ ‘The Beauty of Wynona,’ ‘Shine’ and Grammy-nominated ‘Belladonna.’ His music, whether vocal or instrumental, has always maintained a cinematic quality, which carries through to his steel guitar symphony projects ‘Flesh And Machine’ and ‘Goodbye To Language’ albums. Most recently, he co-wrote and produced the ‘Red Dead Redemption 2 Soundtrack’ and is currently working on his upcoming project, ‘Daniel Lanois & Heavy Sun’, soon to be released via eOne. “The road is calling as the music keeps on guiding me through the labyrinths of song, messages, and inventions. Surrounded one more time by talent I admire, this new body of work features harmony singing with built-in capacity to raise the spirit." And The Writer Is...Daniel Lanois!
Art: Michael Richey White
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This week’s episode features an industry executive who is Apple Music’s first Global Senior Director of Music Publishing. She leads a team that cultivates and fosters relationships with music publishers and songwriters, ensuring licensing, payments, and creative solutions are readily available and handled appropriately. Our guest began her career in the entertainment industry as a barrister in the U.K. and then an entertainment litigation attorney at Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles, CA. She was appointed to her post at Apple in 2018 when she hung up her barrister’s wig and transitioned from the legal side of the entertainment industry to the business. In her more than 14 years at Apple, she has been intimately involved in the expansion of iTunes to countless countries around the world, the launch of Apple Music in more than 100 countries on one day (including being responsible for licensing of all publishing rights for the service outside the US), and played a key role in all 10 editions of the iTunes Festival (the Apple Music Festival in its latter years). Over this time she has become very well-acquainted with the music publishing landscape, and the music publisher and collection society community around the world, having been in the thick of numerous shifts in the music publishing landscape since 2007. The creation of music, and the ecosystem and industry that nurtures that, is her passion. And The Executive Is… Elena Segal!
Art: Michael Richey White
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He is one half of the GRAMMY Award-winning and Billboard Chart-topping artist/producer duo, The Chainsmokers, who have evolved into a dominating musical force with a diverse repertoire of songs that have led them to become one of music's hottest recording artists. In 2016, the group catapulted to worldwide stardom with three Multi-Platinum certified hits - "Roses (ft. Rozes)”, "Don't Let Me Down (ft.Daya)”, and "Closer (ft. Halsey)”, which went on to become the longest-running #1 single of 2016 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2017, the group released its debut album via Disruptor/Columbia Records titled ‘Memories... Do Not Open’. The album, which has been certified Platinum, debuted at #1 in the U.S. on the Billboard 200 chart and produced Multi-Platinum certified smash hits "Paris" and "Something Just Like This" featuring Coldplay. In 2018, The Chainsmokers released the album ‘Sick Boy’, which has accumulated over 1 billion worldwide streams to date and includes Platinum-certified single "This Feeling (ft. Kelsea Ballerini)” and Gold-certified single "Side Effects," featuring longtime collaborator Emily Warren. The duo’s latest album, titled ‘World War Joy’, which includes "Push My Luck," Gold-certified single "Takeaway" with ILLENIUM featuring Lennon Stella, Platinum-certified singles "Call You Mine (ft.Bebe Rexha)” and "Who Do You Love (ft. 5 Seconds of Summer)”, "Kills You Slowly" and "Do You Mean" featuring Dolla $ign and bülow. Additionally, the duo has been nominated for a 2020 Kids' Choice Award, a 2019 American Music Award, a 2019 MTV Video Music Award, multiple 2019 Teen Choice Awards and was honored with two wins at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards for Top Dance/Electronic Artist and Top Dance/Electronic Album for Sick Boy. And The Writer Is… Drew Taggart!
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The epitome of the phrase “persistence pays off,” today’s guest laid it all on the line to make his dreams a reality. This artist and songwriter moved to Nashville from Southern Delaware with $21 in his pocket. He lived in his car and worked multiple odd jobs waiting tables, making smoothies at a gym, stocking shelves at Wal-Mart, etc. Now signed to BBR Music Group’s Stoney Creek Records, a lifetime of never giving up has brought him full circle. His debut single “Best Shot” from his 2018 debut album ‘Mercury Lane’ is an RIAA certified Platinum hit that claimed the No. 1 spot on Country radio for three weeks. On the heels of that success, his second single “Make Me Want To” hit the No. 1 spot on the Country Airplay chart this year, marking the first time in history that a Black artist launched their career with two consecutive No. 1 singles on Country radio. His talent for songwriting is undeniable, with a knack for razor-sharp hooks and a love of deep messages. In 2019, he received his first ACM nomination for New Male Artist of The Year, a CMT Music Awards nomination for Breakthrough Video of the Year for “Best Shot” and won Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year at the 31st Annual MusicRow Awards. His current single “This Is Us” is a genre-defying track featuring Noah Cyrus has garnered 30 million streams – his fastest consuming single to date. It is featured on his new collaboration project, ‘Bettie James.’ Inspired and named after his late father and grandmother, the EP was co-produced and co-written by our guest and combined his deep love of family and wide ranging musical sensibility. It features collaborations with hitmaking artists such as Nelly, Noah Cyrus, Rita Wilson, Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, and more. To him, it is a musical composition of love, heartbreak, perseverance, hope, and faith. NPR calls the project an “announcement of his arrival” and a “huge step for country” while Billboard hails it “a powerful statement from a developing voice.” And The Writer Is… Jimmie Allen!
This episode is sponsored by SESAC.
Art: Michael Richey White
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He is a six-time Grammy Award winner and one of popular music’s most accomplished producers and songwriters, whose records have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide. During his diverse career, he has worked with the biggest names in music, from Barbra Streisand and Aerosmith to Dave Matthews and Katy Perry. He wrote and arranged “Man in the Mirror” for Michael Jackson, and co-wrote and produced the Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated song “Believe” by Josh Groban for the feature film ‘The Polar Express’. He has written and produced songs for Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, Shakira, Idina Menzel, George Benson, George Strait, Wilson Phillips, Van Halen, Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Al Jarreau, Andrea Bocelli, and many others. And his production credits include producing and arranging records for Annie Lennox, No Doubt, and POD. Also quite notably, he produced and co-wrote Alanis Morissette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ which sold 33 million records worldwide, earned four Grammys and was named Best Album of the Decade by Billboard Magazine. The album also inspired the musical called ‘Jagged Little Pill’ whichdebuted on Broadway in November 2019 with Diane Paulus directing and a book by Diablo Cody. Expanding on his successful theater background, he wrote original lyrics and music for ‘GHOST the Musical’ (now in its eighth year of world-wide presentation), and presently he is co-producing and writing original music and lyrics for a stage adaptation of 1985’s ‘Back to the Future’. The musical, in collaboration with film composer Alan Silvestri and director John Rando, premiered in Manchester, England at the Manchester Opera House in March 2020 to glowing reviews just before performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His work in film includes composing original songs for ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ ‘Beowulf,’ ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘The Croods,’ ‘The Mummy Returns,’ and ‘Valentine’s Day.’
Today his production company Augury is currently developing original, music-driven content for television, film, and stage. His most recent project is a Netflix Original series called ‘The Eddy’: a music-driven and multicultural drama about a jazz band trying to survive in chaotic modern-day Paris, for which he serves as executive producer and has written and composed original music for the show as well. And The Writer Is...Glen Ballard!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
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Today’s guest is a music producer, songwriter, and entrepreneur who brings a versatile and dynamic dimension to the music industry. Her skill within multiple genres, as well as melody alignment, makes her a highly sought-after collaborator. Having worked alongside well-known producer and music executive, Ernest Dion “No I.D.” Wilson, She is the next “it producer”. Her work includes “MAINTAIN (ft. Nav)” by Belly, “Overstimulated” by Jhene Aiko, "Bad News" and “Pearls” with Luke James, “Slim Thicc” by Dawn Richard featuring our guest, as well as collaborations with Andra Day and Vic Mensa. She launched her DJ career at the renowned Soundset Festival and has also scored original music for projects with Rhude Menswear’s SS 2021 Paris Fashion Week short film ‘The Audacity to Dream’, Reebok, Gimlet ESPN/The Undefeated, and the feature film ‘This Changes Everything’ starring Reese Witherspoon, Shonda Rhimes, Geena Davis, and Zoe Salanda. As an advocate, she encourages women to seek greater access to roles in the male-dominated production and business facets of the music industry by providing mentorship and workshops. And her brand promotes self-awareness and women empowerment through production in music and technology. In 2018, she created The “7% Series,” (based-off the statistic that women producers and engineers make-up less than 7% of the industry) which is a unified and inclusive platform designed to highlight and create a haven for women in music. Additionally, she is a member of the Recording Academy’s Diversity + Inclusion Task Force and on Spotify’s EQL board. She has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Billboard, BET's digital docu-series 'Beauty & The Beats', NYLON, The L.A Times, ID magazine, The Fader, and The Huffington Post. Most recently, she launched “TRAKGIRL TV” on the streaming platform Twitch. The channel features original music and gaming content featuring interviews with DJ Dahi, Stro Elliot, and composer Amanda Jones. And The Writer Is...TRAKGIRL!
Art: Michael Richey White
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Our guests this week are two Grammy Award-winning artists, songwriters and musicians who were members of the alternative rock band, R.E.M. Having established a powerful legacy as one of the most enduring and essential rock bands in popular music history, R.E.M. pioneered the alt-rock movement of the ‘90s, influencing the likes of Radiohead, Nirvana, Pavement and Pearl Jam. Formed in 1980, the group enjoyed an extraordinary three-decade-long run of creative vitality and multi-platinum sales before amicably disbanding in 2011. With the massive commercial and critical success of 1991’s ‘Out of Time’ and 1992’s ‘Automatic for the People,’ in just a few years, the Athens, GA, four-piece had become one of the biggest, most recognizable bands in the world, thanks to hits like “Losing My Religion,” “Man on the Moon” and “Everybody Hurts.” Despite great success, the band members never lost track of their core values—remaining outspoken in their views about political, social, and environmental issues, and never wavering when it came to artistic integrity. Throughout the course of their career together—an immense legacy which approaches a 40-year tenure in 2020—R.E.M. released a total of 15 studio albums, won three GRAMMY Awards, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2019 Craft Recordings released a 25th-anniversary reissue of R.E.M.’s acclaimed ninth album, ‘Monster.’ And The Writers are...Michael Stipe and Mike Mills of R.E.M.!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle, SESAC & Royalties.
Art: Michael Richey White
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Our guest is a 22-year-old Grammy-winning songwriter, record producer, and artist from Union, New Jersey. She is best known for her work with Beyoncé and Jay Z (“Heard About Us”, “LoveHappy”), Cardi B (“Ring”, “I Do”), and Chris Brown and Drake (“No Guidance”) as well as her releases with Post Malone, Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Anitta, 21 Savage, Ella Mai, Major Lazer, and many more. Most recently she celebrated her first No. 1 for Lady Gaga’s single with Ariana Grande, “Rain On Me”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. She has also gained attention as a featured artist alongside Beyoncé and Tierra Whack on the record, "My Power" from the Lion King live-action soundtrack album,’The Lion King: The Gift’. This year she was named an honoree in Forbes 30 under 30 Class of 2020. And The Writer Is...Nija Charles!
Artwork: Michael Richey White
Photo: Nailah Howze
This episode is sponsored by BMI and ROYALTIES, a new show from Darren Criss available exclusively on Quibi. Watch the whole season now and hear soundtrack courtesy of Republic Records.
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This Season 1 guest is a Grammy-nominated and multi-Platinum-selling songwriter who was recently recognized as the 2019 BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year and whose works have been collectively streamed over 12 billion times globally. Some of her most notable co-writes include the 3-time Grammy-nominated "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, the multi-format No. 1 “Let Me Love You (feat. Justin Bieber)” by DJ Snake, international hits "Havana (feat. Young Thug)" by Camila Cabello, "It Ain't Me (feat. Selena Gomez)" by Kygo, "Lonely Together (feat. Rita Ora)" by Avicii, “Anywhere” by Rita Ora, “Wolves” by Selena Gomez & Marshmello, “Let Me Go (feat. Florida Georgia Line & watt)” by Alesso & Hailee Steinfeld, “Girls (feat. Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX)” by Rita Ora, and “Youngblood” by 5SOS. Most recently, she co-wrote 9 songs off the latest 5SOS album, ‘CALM,’ 7 songs on Rita Ora's album, ‘Phoenix,’ 6 songs off the latest Camila Cabello album, ‘Romance,’ The Chainsmokers’ x Bebe Rexha single “Call You Mine", "Senorita" by Shawn Mendes x Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa's newest single "Break My Heart”. And The Writer Is… Ali Tamposi!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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This guest from Season 1 is a songwriter, producer, artist, and father who has built an incomparable resume over the past decade. He is known for his work with Lizzo, Meghan Trainor, Twenty One Pilots, Christina Aguilera, Halsey, Leon Bridges, Kesha, Phantogram, Bomba Estéreo, and more. Been nominated for 5 GRAMMY Awards, two of which for Producer of The Year in 2019 and 2016. He’s launched his label, Nice Life Recording Company, and founded the publishing company Nice Life Copyright Company. He was a major contributor to Lizzo’s breakout album ‘Cuz I Love You’, and co-wrote and co-produced the No. 1 hit “Truth Hurts.” These days you can find him on his weekly YouTube series, ‘NICE LIVE’ where he sat down with Ross for this interview. And The Writer Is… Ricky Reed!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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We last spoke with this guest in Season 2. Since then he has earned 47 No. 1 singles and has had more than 300 songs recorded by artists such as Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and Darius Rucker. He has been named the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year 7 times. And the NSAI Songwriter of the Year 4 times. He has been nominated for multiple Grammy, CMA, and ACM Awards and is the most decorated CMA Triple Play Awards recipient with 15 total trophies to his credit. In 2011, he formed Tape Room Music, a publishing company with a focus on artist development. And The Writer Is… Ashley Gorley!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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This Season 2 guest is a mother, singer, songwriter, producer, label head, and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year winner from Sterling, Kansas. Since we last spoke to her, she launched her label, Songs & Daughters, an imprint of Big Loud (which will soon have a publishing division). The company is dedicated to signing female artists and nurturing both the art and the artist. She also co-wrote the No. 1, 4xPlatinum single “Tequila” by Dan + Shay, which won the GRAMMY Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. The song also won Single and Song of the Year at the CMA’s and BMI’s Country Song of the Year. Many of her songs have been recorded by Florida Georgia Line, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Camila Cabello, Kenny Chesney, Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Kelsea Ballerini, Raelynn, Walker Hayes, Martina McBride, among others. And The Writer Is… Nicolle Galyon!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris
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This Grammy-nominated, Season 1 guest is known for his big hooks, masterful use of dynamics, and innovative sound design. Since we last spoke with him he’s had a global hit with Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You (ft. Cardi B)” which he produced and co-wrote. As well as Maroon 5’s smash single “What Lovers Do (ft. SZA).” He’s co-written and/or produced for Selena Gomez, RUFUS DU SOL, Jonas Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, Clean Bandit, Hobo Johnson, Charlie Puth, Bebe Rexha, Charlotte Lawrence, Chromeo and more. And recently, he and his wife formed a music duo called Elephant Heart, which pushes genre boundaries and expresses ideas of love and spirituality. And The Writer is… Jason Evigan!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewri
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This Season 1 guest is one of the most in-demand songwriters in the industry. Since we last spoke, they've written on some of the most significant recent albums including Ariana Grande's ‘Thank U, Next,’ Jonas Brothers' ‘Happiness Begins,’ and Selena Gomez’s new no. 1 record ‘Rare.’ They’ve also worked with an impressive range of artists such as Dua Lipa, King Princess, YUNGBLUD, Camilla Cabello, Marshmello, as well as the diverse roster of artists, producers, and songwriters signed to Facet (the record label & publishing company that they co-founded). They have earned consecutive BMI “Songwriter of the Year” awards in 2017 & 2018, and Grammy & Golden Globe nominations. Throughout the years, they’ve continued to give back as a committed activist & GLAAD Board member, using their platform to rally for change across many causes. And in 2019 they were given the ACLU’s Bill of Rights honor for their activism, making history as the first gender non-conforming honoree to receive the award. And The Writer Is... Justin Tranter!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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In this episode, we catch up with a Season 3 guest who is a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist and songwriter who has written songs for mainstream pop artists such as Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, The Chainsmokers, FRENSHIP, Charli XCX, and more. Most recently, she co-wrote Dua Lipa’s No.1, platinum single, “Don’t Start Now” which spent 6 weeks at the top of the pop radio charts. A native of New York City And The Writer Is…Emily Warren!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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Today we catch up with a prolific Season 1 guest who is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum, songwriter and producer. He has written multiple hit songs, including “Memories,” “Sugar”, and “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5, “Attention” and “How Long” by Charlie Puth, “Look What God Gave Her” by Thomas Rhett, “No” and “Me Too” by Meghan Trainor, and recently co-wrote Katy Perry’s new single “Never Worn White” as well as “Feel Myself” for Selena Gomez’s new album ‘Rare’. And The Writer Is… J Kash!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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In the first episode of our “And The Writer Stays at Home” series, we catch up with a Grammy-nominated writer and producer from Season 3 who has produced and written for artists such as Jason Derulo, Selena Gomez, Nick Jonas, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Dua Lipa, and more. Most recently, this Los Angeles native co-wrote and produced Dua Lipa’s current Top 40 No.1 hit single, “Don’t Start Now,” which was just RIAA certified platinum. And he also co-wrote and produced Selena Gomez’s single “Look at Her Now” from her No. 1 album ‘Rare.’ And The Writer Is… Ian Kirkpatrick!
Please join us to help keep the music community alive and thriving, giving it as much as it gives us. To donate or to apply for assistance visit the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund site: https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/musicares-coronavirus-relief-fund
Watch this video interview on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris or on Instagram at @andthewriteris.
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NOW ANNOUNCING: AND THE WRITER…STAYS AT HOME! WHILE WE’RE ALL UNDER QUARANTINE AND ADHERING TO THE GOVERNMENTS RECOMMENDED SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES, WE DECIDED TO CHECK IN WITH SOME OF THE WRITERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SEE HOW THE CURRENT CRISIS IS AFFECTING THEIR WRITING PROCESS AND DAILY LIVES. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY AND FIND THEM REASSURING IN KNOWING YOU ARE NOT ALONE. WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. STAY SAFE AND STAY HOME!!
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In today’s MUST-LISTEN episode we catch-up with Season 2 guest, President, and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), David Israelite. Israelite is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the NMPA’s operations, from legal strategy and implementation to government affairs and advocacy. His tenure to date has produced landmark successes on behalf of songwriters and publishers including the Music Modernization Act (MMA) and the largest CRB rate increase in history, in addition to groundbreaking industry collaboration in royalty rate agreements and raising the profile of the publishing community.
We begin our conversation highlighting the new CARES Act which was signed into law on March 27th, 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic which offers various types of provisions to individuals in need of aid. We also discuss the current state of the world and the music industry, specifically how it has affected songwriters and publishers. And we look back on the time in between our last conversation with Israelite in 2017. Learning more about the passing of the MMA (which became law in October 2018), the creation of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) which will be the central hub from which streaming services will obtain permission to use the millions of songs found on their platforms, details on black-box funds, and more. And The Writers Is… songwriter advocate, David Israelite!
For information on The CARES Act visit the NMPA Resource Guide:
http://nmpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/NMPA-Resource-Guide-to-the-CARES-Act-.pdf
For additional information on how to access support please visit:
NMPA - http://nmpa.org/
SONA - https://www.wearesona.com/
NSAI - https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/
ATWI - http://www.andthewriteris.com/
To watch the video interview: https://www.youtube.com/andthewriteris
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We were all devastated by the loss of the great Allee Willis last December. Needless to say, she was truly one of a kind. Revisit our episode with her and join us in remembering and celebrating Allee's life and work.
Our guest is a one-woman creative musical think-tank, a multi-disciplinary artist and visionary thinker whose range of imagination and productivity knows no bounds. This GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony award-winning and nominated songwriter’s hits include the seemingly ubiquitous "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire, “I'll Be There for You” (the Friends theme song), as well as the co-authored Oprah Winfrey-produced Tony and GRAMMY-winning musical, The Color Purple. She has written for artists across many genres, including Cher, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Boy George, Patti LaBelle, Justin Timberlake and more. She is an advocate for songwriter’s rights being credited as the first pop artist to address Congress on artist rights in cyberspace. Our guest most recently completed writing, recording, producing, directing and animating “The D,” a song for her hometown of Detroit. She has also started performing a series of sold-out one-woman shows, combining her songs with her comedy, art, videos and technology. We are honored to introduce this 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, And The Writer is… Allee Willis!
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This week we’ve partnered with the Songwriters Hall of Fame to bring you the final episode of Season 5, which features our special guest host, Hannah Karp, editorial director of Billboard. Among music legends, this guest is truly exceptional. He amplifies his legacy as a multiple GRAMMY-winning composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist by constantly traversing new musical terrain and successfully expanding the boundaries of popular music. As the co-founder of CHIC and the newly elected Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he pioneered a musical language that generated chart-topping hits like “Le Freak,” (the biggest selling single in the history of Atlantic Records) and sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good Times”. This writer transcends all styles of music across every generation with a body of work that’s garnered him inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (2017) and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2016). With the late Bernard Edwards, he was responsible for writing and producing the songs for their band CHIC, including the hits "Dance, Dance, Dance,” "Everybody Dance,” "I Want Your Love," and "Good Times.” The team also wrote and produced hits for other artists such as Norma Jean Wright, Sister Sledge, Sheila and B. Devotion, Johnny Mathis, Debbie Harry and Fonzi Thornton, with major hits including “He’s The Greatest Dancer” and “We Are Family” (both for Sister Sledge) and “I’m Coming Out” (Diana Ross). His work in the CHIC Organization and his productions for artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Madonna have sold over 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide while his innovative, trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, Sigala, Disclosure, and Sam Smith reflect the vanguard of contemporary music. And most recently, he was appointed as the first-ever Chief Creative Advisor for the legendary Abbey Road. He & CHIC recently released their first new studio album, “It’s About Time” in over 26 years to critical acclaim and a Top 10 position in the UK album charts. And The Writer is… Nile Rodgers!
This episode is presented in partnership with the Songwriters Hall of Fame and features special guest host, Hannah Karp, editorial director of Billboard. Prior to joining Billboard as news director in 2017, Hannah worked as a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal, where she covered the music business as well as other industries including sports, travel and consumer products, and regional economics. A native of Berkeley, Calif., she holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Duke University and a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
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This legendary guest is an acclaimed songwriter, entertainer, and actor. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, the enormous success of his first number one hit, “Diana” made him a star at the age of 15. Soon after he found himself traveling by bus with the ‘Cavalcade of Stars’ which featured the top names of the day. He honed his craft surrounded by the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Frankie Lymon, and Chuck Berry. And he is the youngest entertainer to ever perform at the Copacabana in New York, as well as the Sahara and Sands Hotels in Las Vegas. The best-known titles of his early career included hits like “Put Your Head On My Shoulder,” “You Are My Destiny," "Lonely Boy," and "Puppy Love," (which also was recorded by Donny Osmond). By age 18, he had five Top 5 hits to his credit. After a few hit songs, he gained confidence in his talent as a writer and wisely knew that being a songwriter meant the power was in the pen. As a result, he went on to write for Connie Francis, Leslie Gore, and Buddy Holly (including the last song Holly ever recorded, “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore”). Other hit songs include the Academy Award-nominated theme for the 1962 film in which he starred, ‘The Longest Day.’ And he notably penned the longest-running theme in television history for The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson (“Johnny’s Theme”). In the early ’60s, he became a junior associate of Sinatra and the Rat Pack. Even with the British invasion, he still had chart records. He moved to Italy and outsold the Italians, selling an astonishing 4 million records there. In the late ’60s, he wrote “My Way” for Frank Sinatra and by the ’70s, he had another string of hits like “(You’re) Having My Baby”, “Don’t Like To Sleep Alone”, and “Times Of Your Life” which confirmed his status as an icon of popular music. Additionally, he’s written with Michael Jackson (“This Is It” and “Love Never Felt So Good”) and Drake (“Don’t Matter To Me”). He’s been named the 21st most successful artist in Billboard’s history, putting him alongside music greats Elvis Presley and the Beatles. And he is the only artist in history to have a song in the Billboard Top 100 over 7 consecutive decades. And The Writer Is…Paul Anka!
This episode is sponsored by BMI and ABKCO.
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He is a composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, director, and performer – who has been hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim” (Philadelphia Inquirer). Best known for his dazzling scores to several of the most renowned musicals of his generation, including the generation-defining ‘The Last Five Years,’ his debut song cycle ‘Songs for a New World,’ and the seminal ‘Parade,’ for which he won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Score, he also received two Tony Awards for his score for ‘The Bridges of Madison County,’ a musical adapted with Marsha Norman from the bestselling novel. A film version of his epochal Off-Broadway musical ‘The Last Five Years’ was released in 2015, starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan and directed by Richard LaGravenese. His musical ‘13,’ written with Robert Horn and Dan Elish, is now in production with Netflix to be adapted for the small screen. For the past four years, he has been the artist-in-residence at New York’s SubCulture, where he offers a sold-out concert every month with stars of Broadway and the music world. He is the winner of the 2018 Louis Auchincloss Prize, the 2002 Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyrics and the 1996 Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Foundation Award for Musical Theatre. The New York Times refers to him as “a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.” And his songs, including the cabaret standard “Stars and the Moon,” have been performed and recorded by Ariana Grande, Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter, Betty Buckley, Renée Fleming, Jon Hendricks, and many others. And The Writer Is…Jason Robert Brown!
This episode is sponsored by ABKCO.
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Our guest this week is an Ivor Award-winning songwriter, producer, and musician, who has collaborated with a wide range of artists including One Direction, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Chris Brown, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Maroon 5, Big & Rich, Leona Lewis, and Little Big Town. He co-wrote and co-produced a majority of One Direction’s last three albums including the hit singles, “Drag Me Down,” "Best Song Ever" and "Story of My Life.” With Thomas Rhett he has co-written and co-produced numerous songs including his No. 1 singles “Craving You (feat. Maren Morris),” from the Grammy-nominated album ‘Life Changes’ and “Look What God Gave Her,” from the CMA Album of the Year nominated album ‘Center Point Road,’ (which he also co-produced). Additionally, he co-wrote and produced Niall Horan’s recent single “Nice To Meet Ya,” the No. 1 Top 40 single “Slow Hands,” as well as “On The Loose” & “Finally Free,” Rudimental’s Ivor Award-winning, multi-platinum single “These Days (feat. Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen),” Harry Styles’ “Two Ghosts,” Amber Mark’s “Put U On (feat DRAM),” Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs’ “Don’t You Forget About Me,” and many more. And The Writer Is…Julian Bunetta!
This episode is sponsored by BMI, ABKCO, and NSAI.
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Last month Ross got back together with Charlie at Vox's Switched on Pop; this time to discuss everything from classic songwriting techniques, the happy accidents behind pop songs, and good listener habits. Dive into the conversation with this special BONUS episode, and boy does it have it all! Many thanks to our friends at Switched on Pop for always being down to nerd out with us. Enjoy!
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He is an ASCAP, BMI and Billboard Music Award-winning, multi-platinum songwriter, producer, and musician. As the principal singer and songwriter for the band Sugarcult, he toured the world for more than a decade with multiple platinum-selling success. From there, his writing and production duties with Neon Trees spawned the hits “Animal," "Everybody Talks," and "Sleeping With A Friend”. He produced the Walk The Moon album ‘Talking Is Hard’- which included the chart-topping song "Shut Up and Dance”. And he has also worked with Weezer, Elle King, The Strumbellas and Coin. Most recently, Pagnotta produced and co-wrote two singles (“Blame It On My Youth” and “Happy Days”) from blink-182’s #1 Billboard Rock and Alternative album, Nine. Tim also co-wrote the new Weezer single, “End of the Game,” which is currently #8 on the Alternative Radio Chart. In total, his songs have sold in excess of 12 million copies worldwide and streamed over 1 billion times. In addition to producing and writing, he is also developing artists and writer / producers - and is also about to launch his publishing venture. And The Writer Is…Tim Pagnotta!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
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He is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and musician best known for his work with Shawn Mendes and co-writing the Grammy-winning No. 1 song, "Don't Let Me Down" by The Chainsmokers featuring Daya. Additionally, he co-wrote the Shawn Mendes single, "There's Nothing Holding Me Back" which hit #1 at TOP 40, the newest Shawn Mendes single, “If I Can't Have You”, the Grammy-nominated for song of the year “In My Blood”, and the current The Head and The Heart single, “Missed Connection” which hit #1 at alternative radio. Recently, Harris had the singles “Walk Me Home”, which hit #1 at Hot AC radio, and “Hurts 2B Human” by P!nk, “Ballin Flossin” by Chance the Rapper featuring Shawn Mendes and Kesha’s “Best Day” featured in the film, Angry Birds 2. He has also worked with Dermot Kennedy, Alec Benjamin, Julia Michaels, K. Flay, Michael Buble, Jon Bellion, Noah Kahan, Jessie J, Bebe Rexha and X Ambassadors. And The Writer Is…Scott Harris!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
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Our next guest achieved superstar status for his Tony Award-winning performance as Evan Hansen in ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, originating the lead role. He is a Grammy and Emmy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, and actor, who is also recognized for his role as Benji Applebaum in ‘Pitch Perfect’ and ‘Pitch Perfect 2’. This year he shared another side of himself as a songwriter and solo artist with the release of his first full-length album, ‘Sing To Me Instead’, which delivers confessional lyricism by way of soulful intimacy as part of one cohesive narrative. The 12-track album chronicles the highs and lows of a transformative relationship. Showcasing his personal story, he penned several songs solo and co-wrote the remainder of material alongside the likes of Ben Abraham, Eg White, Nate Cyphert, Michael Pollack, Jenn Decilveo and more. In addition to his recent album, he is the executive producer and leading star of the new Ryan Murphy series, ‘The Politician’, currently on Netflix. He is the youngest artist to be one award away from EGOT status, And The Writer Is…Ben Platt!
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This Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist and songwriter is the definition of a modern-day rock star. With the recent release of his EP ‘Oh My Messy Mind’ which featured the infectious duet “Peer Pressure” featuring Julia Michaels, and the heart-wrenching ballad “Bad,” he continues to highlight his songwriting and musical prowess. This past year he finished his sold-out US heading tour and this summer he opened for Ed Sheeran on his overseas European arena tour. In 2018, after the release of his sophomore album ‘Electric Light,’ he won the world over again with its singles “Wild Love,” “Pink Lemonade” and “Us.” Following the release of his debut album ‘Chaos And The Calm,’ featuring the singles, “Hold Back The River” and “Let It Go” he was nominated for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Best New Artist at the 2016 Grammy Awards. In the UK, the record became the “Biggest New Artist Album Release” that year and has sold nearly 5 million albums and generated 3.5 billion streams worldwide. Receiving the BRIT’s Critics Choice award in 2015, this songwriter has also gone on to win Best Male Solo Artist at the BRITS, International Newcomer at the ECHO Awards, Best New Act & Best Solo Artist at the Q Awards, and Most Performed Work for “Hold Back The River” at the Ivor Novello Awards. On the other side of the globe, he has also received a nod for “Best International Artist” at the ARIA Awards in Australia. And The Writer Is…James Bay!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle.
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Busbee fought for songwriters. He was one of the key advocates during the passage of the Music Modernization Act and was one of the first elected to the MLC. He wrote pop hits. He wrote country hits. But most importantly, he was our friend. The entire Nashville and LA songwriting community has lost a champion. We are sending all of our love to Jess and his three daughters.
busbee
Full name: Michael Busbee
1976 - 2019
With Love,
Ross, Joe and the ATWI Family.
"Originally hailing from the Bay Area and now based in LA, this Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and publisher has deservedly become an untouchable force in the songwriting community. Best known for carving parallel careers in mainstream Pop and commercial Country, busbee has written with and produced for a wide range of artists, including Gwen Stefani, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Jon Bellion, Timbaland, Rachel Platten, Christina Aguilera, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lady Antebellum, Shakira, and more. Recent smash hits in the Country market include "The Fighter“ by Keith Urban (feat. Carrie Underwood), "My Church" & "80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris, and BMI of the Year "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line. Additionally, many of busbee’s hits in both the Pop And Country markets have been 50/50 collaborations. A true musician's musician and family man....And The Writer Is…busbee!"
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Our next guest is an Australian born and raised, No. 1 charting, Grammy-nominated songwriter. Her passion for music sparked at a young age after winning a songwriting grant, which inspired her to follow the career path of her idol, Sia. After learning Sia – along with her other favorite songwriters Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift – were signed to Sony/ATV Publishing, she submitted a demo to their Sydney office which impressed Head of A&R, Maree Hamblion and she was later signed. Since then this songwriter has used her unique talent to co-write US and Australian radio charting songs such as LDRU’s “Keeping Score (feat. Paige IV),” Cosmo’s Midnight’s “History,” David Guetta’s “Don’t Leave Me Alone (feat. Anne-Marie),” and two of Zedd’s No.1 hits, "Stay (with Alessia Cara)” and the 2019 Song of the Year Grammy-nominated song “The Middle” with Grey and Maren Morris. She has also crafted songs for major artists such as Camila Cabello, Galantis, Dua Lipa, Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, Ruel, Mabel and contributed four songs to Khalid’s No. 1 Billboard Top 200 debut album 'Free Spirit'. In 2018, she received the APRA Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year award and then won APRA’s Songwriter of the Year award the very next year. Additionally, she is nominated for Song of the Year at the 2019 CMA Awards for co-writing Maren Morris’ No. 1 single, “Girl.” And The Writer is… the unstoppable, Sarah Aarons!
This episode is sponsored by BMI and Bandzoogle.
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This week our guest is a songwriter and the lead singer of the band, X Ambassadors. X Ambassadors’ debut platinum-selling album ‘VHS’ saw the band transition from Ithaca alt-rockers and Brooklyn indie scene outsiders, to Billboard stalwarts. The album was an intimate insight into our guest and his brothers’ youth, studded with audio snippets from home movies, and early recording sessions and sound checks. With it, came the genre-defining, multi-platinum hits “Unsteady” and “Renegades,” a three-year global touring odyssey and a string of high-profile festival performances. His songwriting became increasingly personal resulting in the shattering, shimmering 2018 singles “JOYFUL” and “Don’t Stay” followed by a North American headline tour. With X Ambassadors our guest has co-written and featured on songs such as “Home” from the Bright Soundtrack with Machine Gun Kelly and Bebe Rexha, “Transmission” with Zedd and Logic, and the 3x multi-platinum song, “Sucker for Pain” from the Suicide Squad Soundtrack with Imagine Dragons, Lil Wayne, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign & Wiz Khalifa. He has also co-written songs for other artists and projects including, “American Oxygen” by Rihanna, “Bad Husband” by Eminem, “Jerome,” “Cuz I Love You,” and “Heaven Help Me” by Lizzo. Additionally, he co-wrote 8 songs on the 2019 album, ‘For The Throne (Music Inspired by the HBO Series Game of Thrones)’ which featured artists such as Maren Morris, X Ambassadors, SZA, The Weeknd and Travis Scott. Always looking to give back to the community that raised them, X Ambassadors returned to Ithaca for the second annual Cayuga Sound Festival this past September creating and curating two days of musical performances and raising money for local charities. In 2019 X Ambassadors released “BOOM,” a quick-fire anthem for emphatic recovery and personal revolutions from their new album, ‘ORION’. This episode features two parts; an intimate discussion with Ross and the other a live audience interview held at the Deutsch agency in Los Angeles. And The Writer Is… Sam Nelson Harris!
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Kicking off Season 5, at 22-years-old, this multi-talented guest has already become a buzzing and sought-after producer, songwriter and artist. Working behind the scenes on numerous hit singles, he has stepped out into the spotlight with his own innovative and ambitious solo project. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, he was homeschooled alongside his younger sister, Billie Eilish. Music was always an important part of their childhood and education and by the age of eleven, his parents had taught him the guitar and piano. He took to writing his own songs and by the time he was a teenager, he was already teaching himself to produce. In 2015 he wrote a song titled “Ocean Eyes” in his bedroom studio. That song became the breakout hit for Billie Eilish, quickly grabbing her a record deal with Interscope and gaining major media buzz. The siblings continued to write and record together for Billie’s solo project, creating her debut EP ‘don’t smile at me’ and No. 1 debut album, ‘When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’. He has also had the opportunity to collaborate with artists including Khalid, Kehlani, Jessie Reyez, Ashe, Olivia O'Brien, Sabrina Claudio, Marian Hill, Bruno Major. Already regarded as a major producer and songwriter to watch, as an artist his anticipated debut EP, ‘Blood Harmony,’ is set to be released this October featuring the first single, “Shelter.” Unafraid to be vulnerable and unfiltered, his songs are rich with pure unadulterated emotion. And The Writer Is… FINNEAS!
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Ricky Reed hosts this episode of “And The Writer Is!” Ricky interviews Ross in a candid conversation about Ross's 14 year project called “The Wrong Man.” Ricky produced the concept album released on Interscope Records that is being adapted into a musical opening in NYC by the Hamilton director by Tommy Kail and music director Alex Lacamoire. How does a project grow through word of mouth to a major label release and Off Broadway show without every releasing recorded music until last week? Listen to find out about this amazing journey from a West Hollywood apartment in the mid 2000s to a worldwide distributed album!
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The music that our Season 4 finale guest has written, performed, and produced — both as a solo superstar and as founding member of the Fugees — has been consistently powerful and a pop cultural force for over two decades. In 1996, his band the Fugees released their monumental album ‘The Score’. As a solo artist, he has released eight albums that have sold nearly nine million copies worldwide, including his 1997 debut ‘The Carnival’ and 2000’s aptly titled ‘The Eclectic: 2 Sides II a Book’. His album, ‘Carnival III: The Fall and Rise of a Refugee’, was named one of the “25 Most Anticipated Albums” of the fall by Billboard Magazine that year. And his recent release, ‘Wyclef Goes Back To School Volume 1’ is a collaboration with students he met while touring the United States and visiting colleges across the country. He is a 3 time Grammy award winner who has worked with mega stars such as Whitney Huston, Santana, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, Missy Elliott, Destiny’s Child and more. As a highly esteemed musician, he has undoubtedly influenced the artistry of musicians all over the globe. With his ethos centered around nurturing and growth, he has persistently made efforts to make positive changes, whether that be by holding charitable events, running for presidency in Haiti or just using his music to make others aware of actualities that don’t get enough media coverage. Live from South by Southwest, And The Writer Is…Wyclef Jean!
This episode is sponsored by SONOS.
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Originally from Buchanan, Virginia our guest is an award winning, multi-platinum artist who moved to Nashville to pursue his passion for songwriting. There he met his future bandmates and together went on to form the band Old Dominion, in which he is the lead singer. He co-wrote the band’s first hit song, "Break Up With Him," which is RIAA certified platinum. Old Dominion’s sophomore album, ‘Happy Endings’, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart & #7 on the Billboard Top 200. The album produced three platinum, #1 singles, “Written In The Sand,” “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart” and “Hotel Key,” all of which our guest co-wrote. He also co-wrote the band’s single “Make It Sweet,” which recently hit #1 on the Country charts. In addition to his band, he has written hit songs for other artists such as Kenny Chesney ("Save It for a Rainy Day"), Sam Hunt (“Make You Miss Me”), Dierks Bentley (“Say You Do”), Luke Bryan ("Goodbye Girl") and Tim McGraw (“Kiss A Girl”) among others. He is a three-time winner of the Association of Independent Music Publishers “Artists Writers of the Year” award, a two-time CMA “Triple Play Award” winner and the recipient of the ASCAP “Artist Writer of the Year” award. Additionally, he is a two-time Academy of Country Music Award winner for “Vocal Group of the Year,” and Country Music Award winner for “Vocal Group of the Year” as a part of Old Dominion. And The Writer Is...Matthew Ramsey!
This episode is sponsored by SONOS.
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His remarkable story wasn’t the result of any long-term plan, but more a tribute to his hard work and creativity. Recent chart-topping hits include Kehlani’s “Distraction”, The Chainsmokers new single “Who Do you Love?” with 5 Seconds Of Summer, and Demi Lovato’s “Sorry Not Sorry” for which he recently won a BMI Award. He has co-written and co-produced breakout hits for Nicki Minaj, K. Michelle and Alessia Cara and worked with stars like Rihanna and Alicia Keys. He has 5 songs on the new Alessia Cara album and co-wrote and produced 8 records on Kehlani’s 'SweetSexySavage’ album. Our guest has celebrated consecutive #1 Billboard Mainstream Top songs with Alessia Cara’s “Here” and “Scars to Your Beautiful”, and two Grammy Awards for his work on Alicia Keys’ ‘Girl on Fire' (Best R&B Album) and Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic' (Best Urban Contemporary Album). And The Writer Is… Oak Felder!
This episode is sponsored by SONOS and BMI.
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She is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated artist, songwriter and producer hailing from Rochester, New York. At the age of 15 she signed her first record deal with Columbia Records and released her debut album, ‘Underage Thinking’. The album’s lead single, “For You I Will (Confidence),” quickly found a spot in the Top 40. After a brief stint as a teen pop star, she began to co-write and produce music for other artists. She has written songs for acclaimed artists across the musical spectrum including P!nk, Maroon 5, Anne-Marie, Dej Loaf, Leon Bridges, Christina Aguilera, One Direction, Tiesto, Matoma, Empire of the Sun, Niall Horan, 5 Seconds of Summer, Birdy, DJ Snake and DNCE. Most notably her compositions and productions with Shawn Mendes have earned her multiple #1s and include the 2017 BMI song of the year “Stitches,” hit singles "Treat You Better,” “Mercy,” "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back,” the Grammy nominated “In My Blood,” as well as Shawn’s new single “If I Can’t Have You”. And she played an integral role on the Billboard #1 self-titled Shawn Mendes album producing and co-writing 11 tracks. As an artist, she recently released her new solo album ‘LilyAnna’ under the moniker teddy<3 which features the singles “Body & Soul” and “I Was in a Cult”. And The Writer Is…Teddy Geiger!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
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Our guest is a three-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer who has earned 40 No. 1 singles to date. He was named Songwriter of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 2014 and 2019. Hot Country Songwriter of the Year by Billboard in 2015. This writer co-produced Kacey Musgraves' 2012 award-winning debut album, ‘Same Trailer Different Park,’ which earned him the Grammy for Best Country Album, and her 2015 follow-up, ‘Pageant Material.’ He's also produced debut albums for Sam Hunt (‘Montevallo’), Old Dominion (‘Meat and Candy’), Midland (‘On the Rocks’), Walker Hayes (‘boom.’) and more. In 2016, he arranged and produced "Forever Country," a collaborative song featuring Luke Bryan, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and more to commemorate the CMA's 50th anniversary celebration. "Forever Country" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, making it the third song to debut at No. 1 on the chart since it began in 1958. He earned a five-times-platinum No. 1 co-writing "Body Like a Back Road," by Sam Hunt, which was the longest-reigning No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Song chart by a solo artist, spending 34 weeks atop the chart. Last year, our guest announced his co-presidency of Monument Records (with industry veteran Jason Owen) in conjunction with Sony Records, adding "label head" to his impressive list of accomplishments. He earned his latest No. 1 song with Old Dominion's “Make It Sweet“ and was named to Billboard's 2018 Country Power Players list. He also co-wrote Kacey Musgraves' "Space Cowboy," which recently won Best Country Song at the Grammys. This summer he will serve as a producer on NBC’s new musical competition series “Songland.” And The Writer Is…Shane McAnally!
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Our guest is a Grammy winning and six-time nominated songwriter, producer and guitarist. He has produced and/or written 45 #1 singles, 91 #1 albums and 60 million records sold to date in the genres of Rock, Pop and Country music. He has won a Grammy for Producer of the Year. And to those in the industry, his work is considered the gold standard. He started playing guitar in high school and performing with his band around LA. His incredible talent on guitar was the source of his first break, when he was asked to become Teena Marie’s tour guitarist at the age of seventeen. But songwriting was never far away, and he was soon writing jingles and themes for commercials and movies of the week, even as his guitar skills remained in high demand for demos and session work. A meeting with Melissa proved to be the next turning point in his career. After briefly playing guitar in her band, he left to concentrate on his own writing and production. Since then he has worked artists such as Alanis Morissette, Melissa Etheridge, The Corrs, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Santana, Michelle Branch, Fleetwood Mac, Miley Cyrus, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Annie Lennox and numerous others. And The Writer Is...John Shanks!
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This Florida-born, LA-based singer-songwriter wrote her first song at age eight and got her start posting self-recorded songs on YouTube as a teenager. Now, after spending nearly a decade as a chart topping songwriter, penning hits for stars like Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Pitbull, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Demi Lovato and many others, Renea has emerged to tell her own story with the chameleon-like stylistic range and emotional intelligence that has brought so many others’ hits to life. Spanning classic R&B, dark-edged country and urban-soul, her current album 'Coloured' is a fierce, political, and personal collection of stories that reckon with Priscilla's childhood in rural Florida, sublime love, violent heartbreak and racial trauma. And The Writer Is...Priscilla Renea!
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Our guest this week is hit songwriter who was trained as a classical violinist from the age of three and got his start in pop music with the Chicago area band he co-founded, Made in Hollywood. He is a powerhouse behind huge global hits including the 7x multi-platinum single “Havana” by Camila Cabello, the 5x multi-platinum “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony, 4x multi-platinum “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake & Justin Bieber, “Wolves” by Selena Gomez & Marshmello, “It Ain’t Me” by Kygo & Selena Gomez, “Let Me Go” by Hailee Steinfeld and Alesso ft. Florida Georgia Line and watt, and more. He has also contributed to several major albums and artist projects for Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Lukas Graham, Rita Ora and Carly Rae Jepsen, amongst others. This musician effortlessly carves pop melodies with more consistency than most songwriters in the game. And The Writer Is… Brian Lee!
This episode is sponsored by BMI.
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He is a Grammy award winning record producer, songwriter, musician, and mixer based in Los Angeles. With over 120 million units sold, few producers in music can rival his pedigree and resume. His credits include Adele, Twenty One Pilots, Katy Perry, Dua Lipa, Pharrell Williams, Grace VanderWaal, The All-American Rejects, Timbaland, OneRepublic, MIKA, Deftones, and Keith Urban among others. Most recently, he produced and mixed the 2x multi-platinum ‘The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack’, which held the #1 spot on the Billboard Top Albums chart for three consecutive weeks. As a fluent guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboard player, he has mastered the balance between being hands-on and drawing out an artist’s own sound regardless of genre. For this creative, the goal is to shine the best light on the artist and help them be as true to themselves as possible. It is this diversity, versatility, and musical fluency that continues to make him one of the most talented and sought-after producers, songwriters, and musicians in the industry. And The Writer Is… Greg Wells!
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This week our guest is a multi-platinum country music artist, songwriter and two time CMA Award nominee who released the best-selling debut by a male with his platinum album, ‘Up All Night’. The album featured three #1 hit singles, including “Beer Money”, “Hey Pretty Girl”, and the 2x platinum breakout hit “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck”. He has released three studio albums and his third album ‘Slowheart’ garnered instant praise from critics and landed on multiple “Best Of” lists including Entertainment Weekly and Rolling Stone. The album also featured his fourth #1 hit “More Girls Like You”. He is currently headlining a tour following the release of his acclaimed EP ‘Room To Spare: The Acoustic Sessions’. The seven-song release showcases a more vulnerable side with an acoustic show that features songs from his entire career in a stripped down setting. In addition to his work in music, he founded the Comeback Kid Skatepark Project, which aims to provide skateparks to underprivileged children in inner-city communities across the country. And The Writer Is…Kip Moore!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle.
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This Wisconsin native is a five-time Grammy nominated singer and songwriter. She is responsible for co-writing some of the most memorable songs to light up the Billboard Hot 100 and iTunes sales charts, totaling more than 25 million in sales worldwide. She has collaborated with Eminem on multiple albums with writing and producing credits on songs such as “Walk On Water (feat. Beyoncé)”, “Like Home (feat. Alicia Keys)”, “Need Me (feat. P!nk)”, as well as co-writing and featuring on his song “Tragic Endings”. Most notably this writer co-wrote Eminem’s Grammy nominated, twelve times platinum, #1 single “Love The Way You Lie (feat. Rihanna)”. She is also featured on Macklemore’s platinum single "Glorious”, Nicki Minaj’s “Bed of Lies”, Fort Minor’s “Where’d You Go”, Diddy – Dirty Money’s “Coming Home” and Dr. Dre’s “I Need A Doctor”. Currently, she is working on her third studio album with Interscope Records/Kid In A Korner. And The Writer Is…Skylar Grey!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle and BMI.
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This week our guest is an artist, songwriter, and the lead vocalist of the band Death Cab for Cutie, with which he has recorded nine studio albums including their new album ‘Thank You For Today’. He is also one half of the electronic duo the Postal Service. He also has released a solo album, ‘Former Lives’, and a collaborative studio album, ‘One Fast Move or I'm Gone’ with Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt's Jay Farrar. This lyric virtuoso is a multi-Grammy nominated writer who has penned iconic hits such as “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”, “Soul Meets Body” and “I Will Possess Your Heart”. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, And The Writer Is…Ben Gibbard!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle and BMI.
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Kicking off Season 4 of And The Writer Is…This artist, songwriter and producer is redefining pop music. With a unique genre blending sound and an artistic vision which is driven by a passion and obsession to shape music and culture, this writer has risen to be one of the most exciting artists in the industry. His discography includes his debut album, ‘The Human Condition’ which debuted top 5 on the Billboard Top 200 and is highlighted by the three times multi-platinum international hit, “All Time Low”. Four tours later, he released his latest full length album, ‘Glory Sound Prep’ which features his current single “Stupid Deep”. His accolades as a songwriter also include Jason Derulo’s multi-platinum and top 10 song “Trumpets”, Christina Aguilera’s Grammy nominated single “Fall In Line (feat. Demi Lovato)” and Eminem’s Grammy winning, six times multi-platinum, #1 song “The Monster (feat. Rihanna).'' And The Writer Is...Jon Bellion!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle and BMI.
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MMA Update: The laws for songwriters’ compensation have not changed since 1909. To put that in perspective, that’s four years after the Wright Brothers invented the airplane and 43 years before the invention of the television. It’s the people of that era, in those early Wright Brothers pictures that created the laws that govern how musicians get paid in 2018. That’s the equivalent of us deciding how people should get paid in 2127.
The MMA (Music Modernization Act) updates these laws so songwriters and artists can begin to get compensated fairly.
We now have 76 senators who are co-sponsoring the MMA with full support from DSPs, PRO’s, the recording AND publishing industry... everyone but Sirius XM Radio.
Sirius XM radio (owned by Liberty Media), is planning to make a last-ditch effort to derail the MMA. First, Sirius convinced Senators to add amendments/block Unanimous Consent. Those senators learned through billboards/shows/rallies that musicians are voters too. They flipped. Now Sirius is shopping for new Senators.
Sirius needs to be stopped and we need the songwriting community’s support to do so; social media posts, protests, and continued pressure on the senators to co-sponsor have worked so far. The clock is ticking. We have 2 weeks.
For more info visit: www.andthewriteris.com
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If you’re a songwriter or music industry professional, or if you’re working to become one, this episode is required listening. Our guest, whose episode was previously featured in Season 2 is unlike any other, in that he’s not a songwriter, yet works tirelessly on behalf of ALL songwriters. He’s been the CEO and President of the National Music Publishers’ Association for the past 13 years, where he implemented landmark legal successes for publisher and songwriter royalty rate agreements and continues to work on increasing the value of intellectual property. His work has made an invaluable impact on the furthering the progression of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) which is new legislation that aims to improve royalty payments to songwriters, artists and creatives in the digital era. He serves on several boards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has previously served in senior positions within the U.S. Government. We are grateful to have him as our industry’s backbone, standing up for songwriter rights and compensation. We are sharing key points from his episode to help inform you on the history of music copyrights, our modern-day industry and the current strides to reform and regulate copyright law. And The Writers Is… David Israelite!
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Our final guest of season three is a BRIT & Grammy-nominated songwriter and artist who has framed a career for herself as one of the most respected, connected and commercially bankable songwriters in pop’s spectrum. She effortlessly plays the role of irresistible front-woman and the wizard behind the curtain pulling the puppet strings on millennial bangers such as “I Love It” by Icona Pop, “Boom Clap,” “Fancy” with Iggy Azalea, “After The Afterparty (feat. Lil Yachty),” and “Boys”. She is a fearless artist of unique distinction who has released two full albums (‘True Romance’ and ‘SUCKER’) and mix-tapes (‘Number 1 Angel’ and ‘Pop 2’ which starred collaborations with artists including MØ, RAYE, Starrah, Carly Rae Jepsen, CupecakKe, Caroline Polachek and Tove Lo). She is also a fashioned songwriter who has always adhered to her three golden songwriting rules: to not make boring pop music, not follow pop trends and not make pop music that has been made before. She’s written for artists such as Selena Gomez, Camilla Cabello, David Guetta, Blondie, James Blunt, Afrojack, Ryn Weaver, Stargate, will.i.am and Madeon. Presently, she is on a world tour with one of the biggest artists of a generation, Taylor Swift. Hailing from England, And The Writer Is…Charli XCX!
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Our guest this week is a Grammy-nominated writer and producer who was born and raised in Los Angeles and started playing drums at the age of five years old. To date, he has landed twelve singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart including Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me” and Dua Lipa’s smash “New Rules” both of which he produced and each song hit #1 on Pop Radio. He has written and produced multi-platinum hits for major artists such as Selena Gomez (“Bad Liar” & “Back to You”), Nick Jonas (“Levels”), Andy Grammer (“Fresh Eyes” & “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah)”), and the Plain White T’s (“Rhythm of Love”). He also earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Justin Bieber’s multi-platinum album ‘Purpose’, for which he co-wrote and produced the song “The Feeling” featuring Halsey. And The Writer Is… Ian Kirkpatrick!
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In this episode we check in with one of our guests from Season 1 following the release of her new album ‘Expectations,’ (which was RIAA certified Gold on the first day of it's release) and her #1, multi-platinum hit single “Meant To Be” featuring Florida Georgia Line. From Brooklyn, NY, this songwriter is a triple threat known for her success as a hit songwriter, singer, and artist. Her repertoire includes credits like "The Monster" by Eminem and Rhianna, "Me, Myself & I" by G-Eazy, and "In The Name of Love" by Martin Garrix. This creative force never pulls punches, and that’s why she always makes a connection. And The Writer Is…Bebe Rexha!
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This Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist and songwriter has written songs for mainstream pop artists such as Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, FRENSHIP, and Charli XCX. Her songwriting career began early on having signed her first publishing deal while still attending NYU’s Tisch School/Clive Davis Institute. She co-wrote the #1 multi-platinum single, “New Rules” by Dua Lipa, as well as The Chainsmokers’ Grammy-winning hit, “Don’t Let Me Down” which has gone 5 times platinum. In addition to writing break through hits for artists, she is also an artist herself. She co-wrote and featured on the hit song “Capsize” with FRENSHIP and was the special guest on The Chainsmokers’ American “Memories...Do Not Open" tour. Recently, she released her new single, “Paranoid” and was featured on Forbes 30 under 30 Music list for the Class of 2018. Hailing from New York, New York, And The Writer Is…Emily Warren!
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This week our guest is the co-founder, lead singer, songwriter, producer and mixer of one of the most influential American punk rock groups, Goldfinger, who have sold 4 million albums worldwide. He is a creative force that drives the pulse of Punk, Pop/Punk, Rock, and Alternative music with his characteristically iconic production and writing style. He has penned hits for artists such as Panic! At The Disco, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sleeping With Sirens, The Veronicas, Good Charlotte, Black Veil Brides and the late Avicii. And more recently, he produced Blink 182’s seventh studio album, ‘California’, which landed the group’s first Grammy nomination for “Best Rock Album”. Our guest is also an A&R mastermind who signed The Used, D.R.U.G.S, Story of the Year as well as many more. And The Writer Is… APMA’s 2017 Influencer Award Winner, John Feldmann!
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This week we’ve partnered with the Songwriters Hall of Fame to bring you our next episode! Our guest is a one-woman creative musical think-tank, a multi-disciplinary artist and visionary thinker whose range of imagination and productivity knows no bounds. This GRAMMY, Emmy and Tony award-winning and nominated songwriter’s hits include the seemingly ubiquitous "September" and "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire, “I'll Be There for You” (the Friends theme song), as well as the co-authored Oprah Winfrey-produced Tony and GRAMMY-winning musical, The Color Purple. She has written for artists across many genres, including Cher, Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Boy George, Patti LaBelle, Justin Timberlake and more. She is an advocate for songwriter’s rights being credited as the first pop artist to address Congress on artist rights in cyberspace. Our guest most recently completed writing, recording, producing, directing and animating “The D,” a song for her hometown of Detroit. She has also started performing a series of sold-out one-woman shows, combining her songs with her comedy, art, videos and technology. We are honored to introduce this 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, And The Writer is… Allee Willis!
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This week we have a special interview recorded LIVE from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Hailing from Wisconsin our guest is a Grammy nominated and ACM Award winning songwriter and producer from our And The Writer Is… family. He is responsible for penning diverse hits such as Thomas Rhett’s Grammy nominated and BMI Country Song of the Year, “Die A Happy Man,” Pitbull’s “Fireball,” Jason Derulo’s “Wiggle (feat. Snoop Dogg),” Sage The Gemini’s “Now and Later,” Fifth Harmony’s “BO$$,” Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s “Speak to a Girl,” and Lizzo’s “Worship.” In addition to his success as a songwriter, he is a renowned producer who recently co-wrote and co-produced Thomas Rhett’s Grammy nominated album ‘Life Changes’ as well as co-produced the album’s hit single “Craving You (feat. Maren Morris).” He also co-wrote and co-produced Bomba Estéreo’s Grammy nominated albums ‘Amanecer’ and ‘Ayo’. As an individual he is equally as kind and as he is talented. He’s the man who makes everyone sound like angels, And The Writer Is… Joe London!
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Our next guest is a multi-platinum, Golden Globe nominated, Grammy and BMI award winning songwriter and producer with over 65 million records sold to date. He began his career as one of the founding members of Evanescence, whose debut album ‘Fallen’ sold over 18 million copies and featured the hit tracks “My Immortal” and “Bring Me To Life.” Over the past decade, he has worked with some of the biggest artist’s in the world. Whether it be writing their hits or creating successful end titles for film, he is one of the most sought after multi-genre songwriters in the industry. His signature sound starts on the piano and can be heard across many of the song he’s written such as Christina Perri’s ‘Twilight’ end title, “A Thousand Years,” as well as hit singles such as Kelly Clarkson’s # 1 “Because of You,” Carrie Underwood’s “See You Again” and Daughtry’s “What About Now.” He continues to make waves within the music industry working with megastars such as Keith Urban, Maren Morris, Jason Mraz, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, and many others. And The Writer Is… David Hodges!
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This multi-platinum, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist, actor, and award winning songwriter is a true triple threat. He is a recipient of the Songwriters Hall of Fame's prestigious Hal David Starlight Award, and has released hits such #1 U.S. radio hit, “Jealous” and the sultry chart-climbing radio single, “Chains.” His sophomore solo album ‘Last Year Was Complicated’ which included the platinum hit "Close" featuring Tove Lo, debuted as the #1 selling album of the week. He co-wrote the original song “Home” for the movie FERDINAND that was nominated for a 2018 Golden Globe in the category of “Best Original Song.” And recently he released his new single “Anywhere” with Mustard, which he also co-wrote. As an actor, he garnered unanimous critical praise for his lead role in the 2016 Sundance Film Festival favorite GOAT. He’s appeared in Fox's horror-comedy series, "Scream Queens," starred in the gritty television show "Kingdom,” and appeared alongside Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black in JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE. Not only is he a talented force to be reckoned with, but he is also a charitable inspiration who co-founded Beyond Type-1, which is a foundation that helps educate, fund research and empower those who are diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes. And The Writer Is… Nick Jonas!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle!
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This Detroit born songwriter and artist is one of the most sought after collaborators in the business. She is credited for writing some of Pop’s most influential hits such as Miley Cyrus’ #1 smash “Wrecking Ball”, One Direction’s chart topping “Perfect”, and Kelly Clarkson’s Grammy-nominated “Love So Soft.” In addition to an empire of notable songs featuring the likes of Rihanna, Ellie Goulding, Tinashe and Madonna, this writer has found her own success as a recording artist with three full length albums under her belt as well as her most recent single, “Anything Is Possible.” It is this multi-platinum writer’s mission to create honest music and lyrics that inspire human connections. It’s our pleasure to announce, And The Writer Is…MoZella! This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle!
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Originally hailing from the Bay Area and now based in LA, this Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer and publisher has deservedly become an untouchable force in the songwriting community. Best known for carving parallel careers in mainstream Pop and commercial Country, busbee has written with and produced for a wide range of artists, including Gwen Stefani, P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Jon Bellion, Timbaland, Rachel Platten, Christina Aguilera, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lady Antebellum, Shakira, and more. Recent smash hits in the Country market include "The Fighter“ by Keith Urban (feat. Carrie Underwood), "My Church" & "80s Mercedes" by Maren Morris, and BMI of the Year "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line. Additionally, many of busbee’s hits in both the Pop And Country markets have been 50/50 collaborations. A true musician's musician and family man....And The Writer Is…busbee!
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Kicking off Season 3 of And The Writer Is… we have a hit songwriter and Grammy-winning record producer who has penned songs for the likes of Adele, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran and has also worked with some music’s most influential legends such as Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé and Paul McCartney. This truly gifted writer had his first success in the music business when his own group released their song “Apologize” which quickly became an international smash, gaining the attention of hit producer and writer, Timbaland who included a remix of the song on his album “Shock Value” and signed the group to his label. This writer is Pop music’s go-to guy and frontman of OneRepublic, And The Writer Is… Season 3 welcomes Ryan Tedder!
This episode is sponsored by Bandzoogle!
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We're so excited to announce the return of And The Writer Is..., slated for April 30th. Enjoy this sneak peek of what's to come, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for exclusive content and other goodies at www.andthewriteris.com
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Our final guest of season two is an artist, songwriter, and producer hailing from the hip-hop scene of Detroit, Michigan. He was still a student at Duke University when he came up with the idea for his first single "Cooler Than Me" which went on be a multi-platinum hit and earn more than 3 million in sales in the US. Since then, he has become one of the industry’s most in-demand songwriters, penning hits for the likes of Maroon 5 ("Sugar"), Justin Bieber ("Boyfriend"), Big Sean ("Don't Tell Me You Love Me"), and Labrinth ("Beneath Your Beautiful"). His self-penned triple platinum smash “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” from his sophomore album ‘At Night, Alone’ hit #1 in the US and earned him a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. In addition to a successful solo career, he is a member of the alternative hip-hop duo Mansionz with blackbear. We’re honored to have our season finale feature this inspirational artist and songwriter. And the writer is…Mike Posner!
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It is hard to find a songwriter more dedicated to spreading positivity and truth through music than this next guest. He is a multi-platinum hitmaker who is the first male pop star in a decade to reach the Top 10 on Adult Pop Radio with "Keep Your Head Up" and "Fine By Me" off of his debut self titled album. This success paved the road for his follow-up album ‘Magazines or Novels’, featuring his triple-platinum best selling song "Honey, I’m Good". Also featured on the album was his certified gold single "Good to be Alive (Hallelujah)". More recently, his highly anticipated third album, ‘The Good Parts,’ was released just last Friday, which includes his hit "Give Love (feat. LunchMoney Lewis)" as well as charting singles "Fresh Eyes" and "Smoke Clears". And The Writer Is... The genuine, the authentic, Andy Grammer!
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Our next award-winning guest is without a doubt a lyrical genius. Born and raised in Los Angeles, this unstoppable hitmaker has been singing, with large thanks to her musically gifted father, since she was 3 years old. Growing up she preformed in theatre, cabaret and comedy improv, then moved to the Big Apple where she joined an acclaimed vocal quartet before realizing her love of music resides in songwriting. She is responsible for crafting David Guetta’s #1 hit "Dangerous (feat. Sam Martin)", the top 10 charting single "Skyscraper" for Demi Lovato, as well as the 2006 Disney Radio Song of the Year "Cinderella" by The Cheetah Girls and most recently, "No Goodbyes" off Dua Lipa’s self titled album. With writing credits for major artists such as Jason Mraz, One Direction, Brandy, Fifth Harmony, Rachel Platten, Faith Hill, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Toni Braxton, it comes with no surprise that this multi-platinum songwriter is one of the most highly sought after in the game. She is an ASCAP Pop Award winner for the songs "Want to Want Me" by Jason Derulo, "Classic" by MKTO, "Tonight, Tonight" by Hot Chelle Rae, and "What’s Left of Me" by Nick Lachey. It is our sincere pleasure to announce, And The Writer Is…Lindy Robbins!
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Our next guest is an 11-time Grammy Award winner with a career that has been nonstop for nearly 4 decades. He has earned more than 200 Top 10 R&B hits, over 50 Top 10 Pop singles, and 16 #1's. As the co-founder ofLaFace Records with L.A. Reid, he is responsible for nurturing the careers of megastars such as TLC, OutKast, Usher, P!nk, and Toni Braxton. As if that isn’t impressive enough, the ‘For the Cool in You’ artist has penned hits for legendary superstars Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and Celine Dion. Some examples of his masterful work are “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men, “Best Thing I Never Had” by Beyonce, “Take A Bow” by Madonna, "Another Sad Love Song" by Toni Braxton, and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey. With credits such as these, he has earned himself numerous awards and honors from the Soul Train Music Awards, BMI Awards, NAACP Image awards, American Music Awards, BET Walk of Fame Award, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013, and most recently, was inducted into the 2017’s Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. Not to mention he is also quite the passionate philanthropist. Currently working on his next solo album, we are honored to say, And The Writer Is…Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds!
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Our next guest is a Berklee College of Music graduate who has worked with some of the most noteworthy pop artists of the past few years. With co-writing and production credits including the #1 hits “Good For You (feat. A$AP Rocky)” by Selena Gomez and “Jealous” by Nick Jonas, this multi-platinum writer and producer is paving the way for an unstoppable career. Additionally, he has penned the top 10 hits “All In My Head (Flex)” by Fifth Harmony and "Feel This Moment (feat. Christina Aguilera) by Pitbull, as well as “We Own the Night” by The Wanted, “Body Say” for Demi Lovato, Rita Ora’s #3 UK hit “Poison”, “Believe” and “All Around The World” by Justin Bieber, and Daya's recently released single “New". He was raised in London and moved to Los Angeles by way of Boston after college. This determined songwriter (and master cold-caller) is an inspiration for any writer and is now one of the most sought after producers in pop music at the young age of 27! And The Writer Is... Sir Nolan Lambroza!
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Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, this songwriter is responsible for some of the most genre bending hits in country music. He co-wrote and co-produced Sam Hunt’s album ‘Montevallo,’ including "Body Like a Back Road," which has shattered records for the most consecutive weeks on top of the Billboard‘s hot country songs chart as the longest running #1 by a solo artist in history. This CMA Triple Play Award winner has written and produced multiple chart-topping songs for artists such as Carrie Underwood, Dustin Lynch and Keith Urban. And The Writer Is... Zach Crowell!
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He's written 35 #1 singles and had more than 300 songs recorded by artists such as Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and Darius Rucker. He was named the ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year 2013 and 2016, the NSAI Songwriter of the Year 2013 and 2016, and has received the CMA Triple Play Award nine times in his career (presented to a songwriter who has penned three #1 singles in 12 months). In 2011, he partnered with Combustion Music and Warner Chappell Music to begin his own publishing venture, Tape Room Music. And The Writer Is...This Year's ASCAP Country Songwriter of The Year Ashley Gorley!
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This Kansas native and Belmont University alum signed with Warner Chappell Nashville shortly following her graduation. She earned her first #1 song with “We Were Us” performed by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Later partnering again with Lambert, she won the ACM’s 2015 ‘Song of the Year’ and the CMA’s 2014 ‘Single of the Year’ for "Automatic." She co-wrote and co-produced RaeLynn's album 'Wild Horse', which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. This marked the first time in 10 years a female has co-produced an album that debuted #1 on the Country Album chart. She has also penned hits for Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, and Kelsea Ballerini. She is a huge advocate for the songwriting community, making frequent trips to Washington D.C. with the Nashville Songwriters Association International to meet with lawmakers and use her voice to push female producer and songwriters forward. And The Writer Is... Nicolle Galyon!
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This writer has not only been a successful solo artist, with his #1 hit “Don’t Get Me Started” but has also written chart toppers for some of country music’s biggest names. He’s had 28 #1 singles (and counting), was named the #4 Billboard Country Songwriter, and has earned BMI’s Songwriter of the Year award twice. He co-wrote Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee,” which became the highest selling digital debut by a country male solo artist. He’s won six CMA Triple Play Awards (presented to a songwriter who has penned three #1 singles in 12 months) and this year it was announced that he’s had at least one song in the Country Airplay charts every week for the past seven years straight. And The Writer Is… Rhett Akins!
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Kicking off CMA Week, this guest has been breaking charts and blurring genres since the start of his career. Raised on tour with his father and influenced by country, rock and hip-hop, songwriting and performing came naturally to this unstoppable artist. Only eight months into his first publishing deal, he contributed to Jason Aldean's 4x-platinum album 'My Kinda Party' with his song, "I Ain’t Ready To Quit." He went on to pen hits for artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Scotty McCreery, Joe Nichols, and Lee Brice. "Die A Happy Man," the single off of his sophomore album 'Tangled Up' won BMI Country Song of The Year and was nominated for the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Country Song. His latest album 'Life Changes' debuted at #1 on Billboard and features smash hits such as "Unforgettable" and "Craving You feat. Maren Morris." And The Writer Is...Thomas Rhett!
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If you’re currently a professional songwriter or if you’re working to become one, our next episode is required listening. Our guest is unlike any of our previous, in that he’s not a songwriter, but works tirelessly on behalf of ALL songwriters. He’s been the CEO and President of the National Music Publishers’ Association for the past 13 years, where he implemented landmark legal successes for publisher and songwriter royalty rate agreements and continues to work on increasing the value of intellectual property. Named to Billboard’s Power 100 multiple times, this overachiever serves on several boards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has previously served in senior positions within the U.S. Government. This honorable guest certainly has a colorful background of proven success no matter where he is and man are we grateful to have him as the backbone standing up for songwriter rights and compensation. And The Writers Is… songwriter advocate and one mean poker player, David Israelite!
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This guest is an artist, songwriter, and producer of some of the most iconic pop songs of the last three decades. He’s also the frontman of rock group Semisonic, responsible for the memorable hit "Closing Time." This lyrical genius has released four solo albums and become a highly sought after and diverse collaborator, working with artists such as Taylor Swift, Chris Stapleton, P!nk, Phantogram, Noah Cyrus, Bishop Briggs, and many others. He's penned top hits including Adele's "Someone Like You,” the Dixie Chicks' "Not Ready to Make Nice," and "Home" by Dierks Bentley. He just wrapped his US tour in support of his latest album release ‘Re-Covered,’ a collection of his reinterpretations of songs that he wrote for and with other artists, for which he also wrote and illustrated a deluxe book/CD, including session stories and songwriting tidbits. Ladies and gentleman, And The Writer Is...two time Grammy Award Winner…Dan Wilson!
Recorded in front of a live audience at Youtube Space LA!
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Born and raised in New York, New York, this songwriter caught the music bug early on, being introduced to a wide variety of music styles by his Jamaican-born mother at a young age. That passion eventually led him to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston where he went on to collaborate with notable artists such Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, Christina Aguilera, and John Legend, proving this icon is truly a source of inspiration for all. He is now a four time Grammy Nominee and has penned chart topping hits throughout the last two decades such as Britney Spears's “Circus," Bruno Mars’s “Grenade,” and Miley Cyrus’s “Party In The U.S.A." And The Writer Is... The Studio Beast himself...Claude Kelly!
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Fresh off his latest #1 single, "Attention," this artist, songwriter, and producer is gearing up for what should be another stellar year. He co-wrote and was featured on the 9x Multi-Platinum single "See You Again," by Wiz Khalifa, which was featured on the "Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". The song is one of the biggest pop songs of the last decade and is a strong contender to earn a Diamond Certification (which means it will likely sell over 10 million units). His platinum debut album "Nine Track Mind" featured the hit singles, "Marvin Gaye (feat. Meghan Trainor)," "One Call Away," and "We Don't Talk Anymore (feat. Selena Gomez)". And his forthcoming sophomore album "Voice Notes" features his new single "How Long". Oh - and maybe it comes as no surprise, but the man also has perfect pitch. And The Writer Is...Charlie Puth!
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This week's songwriter is defining the game as we know it and she's only 23! She's currently still celebrating the release of her debut mini album "Nervous System." The album's first single "Issues," has gone 6x Platinum worldwide! Moreover, she's regularly collaborating with some of pop music's biggest names, having co-written Justin Bieber's smash hit "Sorry," Selena Gomez's "Good For You," and Nick Jonas' "Close feat. Tove Lo". Quite a resume from one of the industry's best and brightest. And The Writer Is...Julia Michaels!
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Welcome back listeners! For our first episode of Season 2, we have one of the music business's most in-demand collaborators around today. At this very moment, his work is seemingly inescapable on the radio waves as he co-wrote and co-produced Taylor Swift's new Top 10 radio single 'Look What You Made Me Do,", co-wrote and co-produced Lorde's smash sophomore album, "Melodrama," including it's infectious single 'Green Light," and even dropped a sophomore album of his own, "Gone Now," for his own artist project, Bleachers. He is widely recognized for his incredible skills as a collaborator and his amicable attitude...And The Writer Is...Jack Antonoff!
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For ATWI’s Season One Finale, we have a very special episode. Last October, Ross moderated a panel discussion presented by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, in association with the Los Angeles-based GRAMMY Museum titled - The Art Of Collaboration: Songwriters & Music Publishers Making Music & History Together. The conversation, which features three of today’s most decorated songwriters and their respective publishers, dives deep into the personal and professional relationships between artist and music publisher. Featuring writers Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele, Dixie Chicks), Jack Antonoff (fun., Bleachers, Taylor Swift), and Bonnie McKee (Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Bonnie McKee), and their publishers Kenny MacPherson (Big Deal Music), Jennifer Knoepfle (Sony/ATV Publishing), and Scott Cutler (Pulse Music Group), this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Live from the Clive Davis Theatre at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, And The Writer Is… featuring the Songwriters Hall of Fame!
© 2017 And The Writer Is, LLC, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Inc. and The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live ®
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From Brooklyn, New York, this songwriter is one of the busiest creators in the game. Known for her work as a hit writer, singer and artist, she is the perfect example of a triple threat. Her repertoire includes credits like Eminem and Rhianna's "The Monster," G-Eazy's "Me, Myself & I," and Martin Garix's "In The Name of Love." A familiar friend to the studio, the stage, and the radio charts, she is one name you will surely be hearing more in the future. And The Writer Is...Bebe Rexha!
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With 5 decades under his belt in the music business, this songwriter is what you call a legend. He is a member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame AND personally cofounded the Latin Songwriter's Hall of Fame. With credits like Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer," Joan Jett & The Blackhearts's "I Hate Myself For Loving You," and Ricky Martin's "Livin' La Vida Loca," among countless other smash hits, this songwriters catalog of collaborations is seemingly endless. He is showing no signs slowing down either, having just collaborated with electronic dance artist Zedd on his single "Beautiful Now." And The Writer Is...Desmond Child!
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This songwriter from West Palm Beach, Florida is quite familiar with the roller coaster of the music business. She has seen both the apex of success and experienced the struggles of rock bottom. There is no question she is an exceptional songwriter, a creator of the highest caliber. With notable cuts like Kelly Clarkson's smash "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," DJ Snake's "Let Me Love You feat. Justin Bieber," and Kygo's "It Ain't Me fest. Selena Gomez," which also happens to currently be the #2 song on Top 40 radio, she is clearly a master of her craft. And The Writer Is...Ali Tamposi!
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This Canadian bred writer is one the busiest people in the music business today. With multiple platinum and gold singles under her belt, and credits such as Nick Jonas's "Jealous," Enrique Iglesias's "Duele El Corazon," and Fifth Harmony's "Write On Me," she has become known for her versatility and spot-on lyricism. No matter the artist or collaborator she sits in with, this songwriter's work is remarkable, as is her story. And The Writer Is...Simon Wilcox!
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This immensely talented songwriter has quickly become a household name in the pop songwriting world. Credits on Maroon 5's "Don't Wanna Know", Pitbull's "Fireball", and Jason Derulo's "Wiggle" are just a few of the reasons. Perhaps the most notable is his longstanding work with British boy band, One Direction. If you've ever heard a One Direction song on the radio, you've most definitely heard this songwriter's handiwork. He has an astounding 39 One Directions cuts and has co-written all of the singles from their last three albums including “Drag Me Down”, "Best Song Ever", and "Story of My Life”. And The Writer Is...John Ryan!
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After a stint at the famous Village Studios in Los Angeles, this songwriter serendipitously crossed paths with a person who would one day become one of his closest and most frequent collaborators. That same person, Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, eventually signed him to a publishing deal, where he quickly began racking up credits on hits such as OneRepublic's "Counting Stars", Demi Lovato's "Neon Lights", and Ellie Goulding's "Burn." For nearly a decade thereafter, this songwriter continued to hone his craft and forge his own path, eventually earning his very own Grammy and BMI Songwriter of The Year Award. And The Writer Is...Noel Zancanella!
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This band is undoubtedly one of biggest groups ever to rise out of Ireland. Ever since the 2008 release of their #1 self-titled debut album, featuring massive hit songs "Breakeven" and "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," they've gone on to sell out stadiums and arenas across the UK and much of Europe. They're well known in the community for their songwriting prowess, and especially for their earnestness in storytelling. And The Writers Are...Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan of The Script!
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To call this songwriter's work profound is a gross understatement. His name is practically synonymous with the term "country radio." Just this past year he earned his 23rd #1 Country Single on the Billboard Charts with Luke Bryan's "Fast". A few of his other notable collaborations include Carrie Underwood's "Last Name", Kenny Chesney's "American Kids", and Blake Shelton's "Hillbilly Bone (feat. Trace Adkins)." Raised in Pennsylvanian countryside, and now based in Nashville with his family, this writer has become one of the most respected and sought-after songwriters in modern country music. And The Writer Is...Luke Laird!
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Originally from Oakland, California, this writer-producer has built an incomparable resume over the past decade. Just this past year alone, he was nominated for Producer of The Year at the Grammy's AND announced his very own imprint label under Atlantic, Nice Life Recording Company. When he's not perfecting one of his own projects, he's shaping other artists' careers with notable hits such as Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty", Meghan Trainor's "NO", and Twenty One Pilots' "Ride." Still, he does it all with the humblest attitude and warmest personality. And The Writer is...Ricky Reed!
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One half of the world renowned production and songwriting duo, Stargate, this producer-songwriter is no stranger to the Billboard Hot 100. Originally from Trondheim, Norway, and now based in the States, he and his partner have been penning and producing hits with some of music's biggest names for over two decades. Garnering production and writing credits on massive #1 singles such as Ne-Yo's "So Sick", Beyonce's "Irreplaceable", and Katy Perry's "Firework", the versatility and incredible talent of this creative easily puts them into a class of their own. And the writer is...Mikkel Eriksen!
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Songwriter. Record Producer. A&R Executive. This hitmaker has done it all. You'd be hard pressed to find a person in the business who isn't familiar with the work of this heavy hitting creative. With writing credits such as Beyonce's "Ring Off" and A&Ring Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" and CeeLo Green's "Fuck You", amongst countless others, this songwriter's work is seemingly always on the radio. CEO and Founder of Artist Publishing Group...And The Writer Is...Mike Caren!
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This French-American frontman is the principal songwriter of their own widely popular LA based band. Chances are you've heard multiple hits they've penned for said band on the radio, such as "Breaking The Chains of Love", "Moneygrabber", and "Out of My League". And while frontmen often times can have reservations about collaboration, this songwriter seeks it out and believes it to be a welcome addition to the creative process. And the writer is...Michael Fitzpatrick!
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In an industry that has historically been dominated by men, this songwriter has been tearing down ancient gender barriers in the music business for over decade. She has made a name for herself as a co-writer of numerous #1 hits, all while with her own flourishing artist career to boot. Collaborator on massive songs such as Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)", "California Gurrls", "Roar", as well as the Britney Spears hit "Hold It Against Me" and Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", there no question that this creative mind has songwriting skills of the highest caliber. And The Writer Is...Bonnie McKee!
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This songwriter has a story unlike many others. Notably, they didn't first infiltrate the industry as a writer - but broke through as an executive first. However, while working a desk gig as an agent, their songwriting HOBBY started leading to a number of worldwide HITS, including Beyonce's "Halo", Ashley Tisdale's "He Said, She Said", and Rihanna's "SOS". No wonder this former hobbyist has since turned their side-gig into their main-gig...And The Writer Is...Evan Bogart!
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This Miami native is not only known throughout the industry for his infectious hits, but also for his contagious positive spirit. Since relocating to LA, he has become a trusted collaborator and featuring guest artist. As co-writer of massive songs such as Fifth Harmony's 'Bo$$' and Jessie J's 'Burnin' Up', and the namesake of his artist project with addictive jams like 'Bills' and 'Whip It!', this songwriter is sought out by many for his strength, spirit, and skills both on and off the field....And the writer is...LunchMoney Lewis!
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With a number of worldwide #1 singles already under his belt, this Grammy nominated co-writer of Jason Derulo's smash 'Talk Dirty", Nick Jonas' "Chains", and David Guetta's "Lovers on the Sun", has made the term 'in-demand' an understatement. Beyond his skills with the song-pen, he is also well known in the community for his non-profit work and interests in spirituality. One of the most beloved people in the songwriting business...And The Writer is...Jason Evigan.
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One of the most in-demand songwriters in the industry, this songwriter is a fierce force to be reckoned with. With notable cuts on Justin Bieber's smash hit "Sorry", Nick Jonas' "Close feat. Tove Lo", and Maroon 5's newest single "Cold feat. Future", he has quickly and justifiably become one of the busiest creative minds in Los Angeles. Not even to mention his penchant for fashion and political activism. And the writer is…Justin Tranter!
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From Los Angeles, CA, he is one of the most diverse songwriters in the game. His lyrical wit is always evident whether he’s writing club bangers or Country ballads. He is not just a songwriter, but a song-crafter. He was nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Country Song. And the writer is…Sean Douglas.
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From growing up in a conservative family in Austin, TX to executive producing and crafting some of the worlds biggest records, this brilliant writer and businessman has truly earned his status as one of the elite top liners in the industry.
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A star in the music community, not only for his writing but also for his Phoenix story of rising up after hitting rock bottom. He is a true legend in the making who’s only just begun to tell his story.
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He’s already a recipient of the Hal David award given by the Songwriter Hall of Fame and he’s only 28 years old. He’s the youngest of the real super-producer class and undoubtedly a better person than musician. He has too many #1 songs to count. And The Writer Is Benny Blanco
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