Episode 48 – Jason Davis talks all things music!
Dec 22, 2020
Show notes
In Episode 48, Jason Davis shares about his music journey and how it has impacted his life throughout the years.
Jason Davis has spent his entire two decade career in the music industry and worked with many worldwide stars, including Boyz ll Men, Sugar Ray, P. Diddy, Alabama, Lonestar, Dolly Parton, among many others. Davis is an entertainment industry executive with a broad range of titles including award winning songwriter, award winning author, independent record label president, executive TV producer, entertainment consultant, former Senior VP of A&R for Dolly Parton’s management company CTK management and a serial entrepreneur. He has also secured record deal offers with CEO’s from the largest music companies in the world, including Capitol Records, Sony, Interscope, Island / Def Jam, Epic, Atlantic, RCA, and J Records. Traveling between New York, London, Los Angeles, Miami and Nashville, he built a reputation working with the top songwriters, producers, and recording artists in the entertainment industry on a global level. Over the span of his career, he has not only pioneered new approaches to the signing and development of some of the world’s most successful recording artists and songwriters but he has consistently championed innovative business models and partnerships with a wide range of companies around the world.
His career began as a songwriter when he was discovered by Grant Cunningham, the former VP of A&R for Sparrow Records. Davis went on to write a #1 Billboard hit, received several ASCAP songwriting and publishing awards, and was nominated for a latin music award. Davis has also co-founded other cutting edge entertainment companies such as Radar Label Group (Jimmy Eat World, Plain White T’s, Neon Trees, The Unlikely Candidates), One One 7, Awaken Records (Austin French), and Noble Management. He is also co-president and partner of booking agency Higher Level Agency. -Jason shares some great stories and how Def Leppard literally saved his life! -He also shares the story behind Pour Some Sugar on Me and how it almost never existed! -We discuss how music from an early age impacted him and what the future of music looks like. Music from an early age helped create a bond with his dad as well. -He thinks he probably drove his family nuts about his infatuation with music. -Jason talks about how his Granpa really made an impact on his work ethic. -He talks about the struggle of getting paid on his first #1 song he wrote and how the artist took credit for his song. -Shares about how comparison can be very dangerous -The story of how he met his wife and how he found her ring from a pawn shop is pretty awesome!
You can connect with Jason Davis: OneOne7 Entertainment Radar Label Group 18 Credit Questions to Consider Before Buying A Home Email – Andrew@AndrewBuckwalter.com for the ebook
Episode 47 – Stacie Flood-Popp talks dance and shares her story.
Oct 02, 2020
Show notes
In Episode 47, Staci Flood-Popp shares some of her story and why she chose a career in dance. A move to Paris for a few years changed her life forever!
After receiving her degree in Visual Arts from Wittenberg University, Stacie moved to Paris, France to study as an apprentice under visual artist and professor at Parsons School of Design, David Loeb. During her stay in Paris, Stacie found herself falling in love with another form of visual art, dance. She started classes at Cite’ Veron and Studio Harmonic; focusing on modern, jazz, hip hop, salsa and contemporary. After only one year, she trained professionally under Jean Claude Marignale, Dominique Lesdema, Christopher Huggins, Bruno Collinet and Beverley DeFosses. Stacie also danced in Marginale’s company, Tout en Danse. After she moved back to the States, she started to train in Vagonova, West African dance, and Bartenieff Fundamentals. After returning to Nashville, Stacie worked closely with world renowned choreographer Andre Fuentes and danced with Collide Dance under Erica Sobol.
For the past 18 years, Stacie has taught at Nashville School of the Arts (NSA). At NSA, she developed dancers who have performed with The Louisville Ballet, Boston Ballet, Celine Dion, Donna Summer, DCDC and various other professionals in the concert and commercial dance community. She has served as dance faculty at Vanderbilt University Dance Program and was chosen to be a visiting artist at American College Dance Festival, RADfest, and Big River Dance Festival. In 2016, Stacie earned her certification in Laban Movement Analysis through the Integrated Movement Studies Program at the University of Utah. After her certification, Stacie has studied with Deborah Hay, Christopher Roman, KJ Holmes, and other great dance makers of the current times. In this conversation, I gain a better understanding of all that goes into dance and the different styles of dance. I always enjoy hearing how experiencing a different culture can really change a person’s life.
Episode 46 – Amanda Williams shares her story and a wealth of music knowledge.
Apr 13, 2020
Show notes
In Episode 46, Amanda shares her story and what it was like growing up around the music industry. She is full of fun stories and loves helping other musicians.
Amanda Colleen Williams is an awarded songwriter and music publisher with songs on albums certified at 17 million sales by the Recording Industry Association of America®, including “She’s Tired of Boys” written with Garth Brooks. As an educator and entrepreneur, Amanda is a successful business owner, and is regularly called on to speak as a non-attorney copyright expert at government institutions including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. She is currently piloting a program with the U.S. Department of State called Arts Envoy IPR, combining arts diplomacy and intellectual property rights education.
Amanda is full of stories from her early years in East TN to many years in Nashville. She was introduced to the music scene at an early age through her dad, who was eventually inducted into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame. She attended the Berklee College of Music and started a rock band during that time. Garth Brooks had a big influence on her life and music career. As she gained more knowledge about songwriting and copyright laws, she eventually launched Songpreneurs and has been giving talks regarding songwriting publishing and copyrights and is piloting a program with arts and intellectual property. She also gives her insight into how the music industry is changing and shares how the fight with cancer changed her life.
Episode 45 – Alexis Cook shares her story and the beginnings of Unlocked!
Oct 07, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 45, Alexis shares her story and what an impact working at five different non-profit internships in five different countries over a year had on her life and how she co-founded Unlocked.
Alexis Cook is a passionate individual with a drive to create a more equitable world through increased opportunity and empowerment. The Co-Founder and Co-President of Unlocked, Alexis was an Ingram Scholar at Vanderbilt University, where she graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s in Human and Organizational Development and a minor in Economics. Prior to studying at Vanderbilt, Alexis spent a year working at five different non-profit internships in five different countries, learning more about poverty through the eyes of those experiencing it. Alexis is focused on using her leadership to elevate the voices of marginalized people, creating pathways for sustainable change.
I am so impressed with the wisdom such a young person, in my eyes, can possess. This young women is and will make a big impact in the world without a doubt! She shared how her upbringing made a big impact in her earlier years. Alexis also talked about the impact her parents made in her life. I loved how she had so much respect for her parents but when a crossroads came in her life and her parents were not on board, she turned to fasting and prayer and let God do the rest.
Alexis shares about the year of traveling to five different countries and how that experience has made a lasting impact on her. She shares in details about some of those crossroad experiences and the amazing story of how a homeless man was the first investor of the business Unlocked!
Episode 44 – Photographer Devin Williams joins me in the Rambler!
Oct 01, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 44, Devin shares some stories from his earlier years and why he chose a career in professional photography and the joy he gets out of it.
Devin Williams lives in Nashville, where he hangs out of helicopters and rides speedboats usually with a camera in his hands. He’s been a professional photographer for more than a decade after graduating from Cumberland College where he played baseball and earned a business degree.
His mother, a single parent, was super involved in his life and he talks about why she had a huge impact on him. We enjoyed swapping stories about car detailing and some of our earlier job experiences. After college baseball ended, he was not sure what he wanted to do with the rest of his life.
I enjoyed hearing about what motivates him when he has a photo shoot. Each photo takes him back to a memorable experience he captured and that is what he tries to bring to all of his shoots. The photography industry is crowded like the real estate industry and he is often thinking of ways to elevate his photography. Sometimes you means waking while everyone else is asleep in order to get the best Nashville Skyline shots or shots around downtown.
We also hit on the importance of empathy and why that is key to any great relationship.
Shout out from Devin: Favorite Local Restaurants: The Palm
Episode 43 – Chef Rahaf Amer joins me in the Rambler!
Aug 27, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 43, Rahaf and I chat about when cooking became a passion, what it is like being a women in this industry and her experience on Chopped and much more!
Rahaf learned early on how to cook and why cooking brought her so much joy. She was raised in a pretty big family and at the age of 13 started experimenting in the kitchen. Her hobby was cooking and her family benefited from that!
When it was time for college, she wanted to attend culinary school, but she was pulled in a different direction and had to put that dream and passion on hold for a bit. While in college she was still cooking for friends and roommates. She finished school and the desire to be a chef was still there.
We talk about the process she takes when coming up with a new dish. The experience on the Food Network show Chopped added to her resume. Rahaf shares some of the struggles of being a women in a predominately male industry and how that challenge has benefited her. If you are in Nashville, make sure to look her up and see where she is cooking up!
Episode 42 – Jeff Brown joins me in the Rambler!
Aug 19, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 42, Jeff and I chat about his early years and how he was prepared when he was laid off and the impact of Reading!
Jeff is an award-winning radio producer and personality, and former nationally-syndicated morning show host. Following a 26-year career in radio, Jeff went boss-free in 2013 and soon after launched the Read to Lead Podcast.
It’s gone on to become a four-time Best Business Podcast nominee, and has featured Jeff’s interviews with today’s best business and non-fiction authors, including Alan Alda, Seth Godin, John Maxwell, Liz Wiseman, Dr. Henry Cloud, Gary Vaynerchuk, Simon Sinek, Brian Tracy, and over 200 more.
Jeff has personally coached hundreds of successful podcasters around the globe – many of them award nominees and winners themselves – and has consulted on podcasts for the US government, one of the largest churches in the US, and numerous multi-million dollar companies.
Jeff and his work have been featured in Inc., Entrepreneur, and Hubspot, the blogs of Seth Godin, Chris Brogan, Jeff Goins and Social Media Explorer, as well as publications like The Nashville Business Journal, The Tennessean, and over 100 other blogs and podcasts.accolades.
We had a great time talking about why he was a bit of a difficult child for his parents. He shares his college journey, pros and cons of college and when it’s not alway good to listen to others at such a young age. He shares about the impact reading has had on his life and why he believe it is so important for growth in all areas of life.
Episode 41 – Joe Schneider aka Mote shares his musical journey!
Aug 05, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 41, Joe Schneider shares some of his story and what it took to fight off an illness that sidelined him for a year!
Mote (The working moniker for Joe Schneider) is a singer / songwriter based in Nashville. Over the last two years, he has recorded “Get the Door”. This EP marks a departure for Mote, towards a more direct and refined rock driven sound. Intertwined with a full spectrum of eclectic influences ranging from Hip-Hop and Dance to Folk.
Originally planned to be created over the course of a year, a serious illness sidelined Joe Schneider from a blossoming career for over a year. Setting into motion a period of obvious challenges and an unavoidable atmosphere of reflection. Where some might find an easy escape in the bitterness of a road block of this nature, “Get The Door” serves as proof of the unwavering optimism of Mote and its center point Joe Schneider. Like the first light refracting against the water on a foggy morning, these seven songs feel like a call to wake up, and spare a moment for hope that is always available. 2019 serves as a new launch point and rebirth for Mote, with “Get The Door” being the first step towards what is sure to be a resonant future.
Shout out from Joe: Favorite Local Restaurants: Taj & King Market Favorite Local Non Profit: Oasis Center
Episode 40 – Kyonzte Toombs joins me in the Rambler to share some of her story.
Jul 09, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 40, Kyonzte Toombs talks about her educational journey as well as why she is running for Nashville Metro Council.
When I first read about Kyonzte, I was blown away by her degrees and all that she has been involved in around Nashville. She is a Vanderbilt University Law School graduate. She is a practicing attorney for 15 years with over 10 years of government practice experience including writing and analyzing over 100 pieces of legislation. She is also the founding board member of the Equity Alliance. That is just to mention a few of her accolades.
She shares about some of your younger years and why making an impact in Nashville is important to her. She talks about why running for Nashville City Council is so important to her.
Shout out from Kyonzte: Favorite Local Restaurants: Virago Favorite Local Non Profit: The Equity Alliance
Episode 39 – Ivory Layne joins me to share her story and music journey.
Jul 01, 2019
Show notes
In Episode 39, Ivory Layne share her music journey and why she chose to move to Nashville.
I had a great time chatting with Ivory Layne. She talked about how she got a jump start when she moved to Nashville because of some connections she made. She shares about some of the ups and downs of the music industry and how releasing music has changed as well. She also sings a few songs in the Rambler.
Shout out from Ivory: Favorite Local Restaurants: Liberty Common
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