Stories Behind the Songs

Latest Episodes:

Brian White: Watchin' You (Rodney Atkins), Jason Aldean & more! Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 70 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with his good buddy, hit songwriter Brian White. In many ways Brian is a big reason The Listening Room is where it is today. He organized a fundraiser in the struggling early days that became a turning point, and it helped inspire the "Sound Good. Do Good." program.

Brian toured for about 15 years in Christian and gospel music before falling in love with country storytelling, and he has become a true Music City legend. He shares the stories behind "Watching You" for Rodney Atkins, "Blame It on You" for Jason Aldean and "Roll On Mississippi" for Charley Pride.

He also has cuts with Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins and Gary Allan, and Christian cuts like "Holding Out Hope to You" for Michael English and "The Promise" for The Martins. He talks about the difference between CCM and country songwriting and starting out as a youth pastor.

Songs discussed
Watching You (Rodney Atkins)
Blame It on You (Jason Aldean)
Roll On Mississippi (Charley Pride)

Follow Brian White
brianwhitesongwriter.com | NSAI page | Instagram @bwtunes

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Rocky Block: Man Made A Bar (Morgan Wallen & Eric Church) Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 69 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Rocky Block. Chris was close friends with Rocky's father, and it has been a joy to watch Rocky go from playing bass on a cruise line to a string of hits in just a few years.

Rocky's cuts include "Can't Help Myself" for Dean Brody, "Man Made a Bar" for Morgan Wallen and Eric Church, "Cowgirls" for Morgan Wallen and Ernest, "Broadway Girls" for Morgan Wallen and Lil Durk, "Whiskey Bent" for Cody Johnson and Jelly Roll, and "Hammer to the Heart" with Teddy Swims, who he calls a generational talent and a super nice guy.

He talks about writing with Larry Fleet and Ashley Gorley, signing with Big Loud Publishing, writing "Jupiter" with Georgia Webster, and being a fan of the artists he writes with. He also performs "Cowgirls," an idea that came from the TV show Yellowstone.

Songs discussed
Man Made a Bar (Morgan Wallen)
Cowgirls (Morgan Wallen)
Broadway Girls (Lil Durk)
Whiskey Bent (Cody Johnson)
Can't Help Myself (Dean Brody)

Follow Rocky Block
Instagram @rockyblock

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Jordan Feliz: Valet job to The River Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 68 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with his friend Jordan Feliz, GMA Dove Award winner and platinum-selling Christian artist. Chris first met Jordan when he was working valet at The Listening Room, and he is a favorite in Chris's family.

Jordan started out in Nashville living paycheck to paycheck. His first release, "The River," was also his first #1. The idea came from a verse-of-the-day notification on his Bible app, and after hours of talking about that verse with Colby Wedgeworth, Jeff Pardo and Joe Silverberg, the song came together in 45 minutes. It spent 15 weeks at #1 on the Christian charts.

He also talks about his calling to Christian music, leading worship at youth group, Christian radio, writing for "The Chosen" Christmas movie, life on the road, features with Lecrae and TobyMac, and his single "Praise God for That."

Songs discussed
The River (Jordan Feliz)
Praise God for That (Jordan Feliz)

Follow Jordan Feliz
Facebook | Instagram @jordanfeliz | jordanfeliz.com | Apple Music

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Brian Fuller: I Could Be That Rain May 28, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 67 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Brian Fuller. Brian was Chris's Unsigned Artist of the Month in October 2023, and he has since landed a major Randall King cut and a deal with Sony Music Publishing.

Brian moved to Nashville young and hungry in 2021. He shares the story behind "I Could Be That Rain" for Randall King, his song "Blue Skies Beautiful," written with Brandon Kinney, and "That Girl Can Drive," written with Joey Hyde and Justin Wilson and released May 24.

He also talks about his love-hate relationship with an "oversaturated" industry and how to say something that has been said a thousand times in a new way. He plays some of "I Could Be That Rain" and "Blue Skies Beautiful."

Songs discussed
I Could Be That Rain (Randall King)
Blue Skies Beautiful (Brian Fuller)
That Girl Can Drive (Brian Fuller)

Follow Brian Fuller
Instagram @brianfullermusic | TikTok @brianfullermusic

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Emily Landis: The Good Ones (Gabby Barrett) May 21, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 66 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Emily Landis. "The Good Ones" started with just a title and was almost trashed, and it became her first #1.

After 12 years in Nashville, Emily has cuts with Tiera Kennedy, Dylan Scott and Gabby Barrett. Gabby's "The Good Ones," written in 2018, earned CMA nominations for Song and Single of the Year. She also shares "Stuck in My Ways" for Lauren Watkins, which came together in a similar way.

She talks about losing her first publishing deal with Big Machine and how it pushed her to make more contacts and play more rounds, the story behind "Chasin' Tornados," written with Jamie Moore and Lainey Wilson, and whether melody or lyric comes first. She performs "The Good Ones" and "Chasin' Tornados."

Songs discussed
The Good Ones (Gabby Barrett)
Stuck in My Ways (Lauren Watkins)

Follow Emily Landis
TikTok @emily_landis | Instagram @emily_landis | Apple Music

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Brice Long: Heartache on the Dance Floor (Jon Pardi) & more! May 14, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 65 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Brice Long. Brice is humble to the core and credits God, mixed with hard work, for more than 100 cuts over a 25-plus-year career.

Brice has had songs cut by Garth Brooks, George Strait, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Randy Houser, Josh Turner, Reba McEntire, Gary Allan, Cody Johnson, Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Easton Corbin, Lainey Wilson, Randy Travis, Gretchen Wilson, Porter Wagoner and many more. He started out struggling to pay his bills, and he has plenty of wisdom for anyone getting started.

He tells the stories behind "Nothing On But the Radio" for Gary Allan, a #1 that came the same year RCA dropped his record deal, "Heartache on the Dance Floor" for Jon Pardi, and the CMA-nominated "Like a Cowboy" for Randy Houser. He also talks about his foundation, Back to Back, which has helped more than 150 families.

Songs discussed
Heartache on the Dance Floor (Jon Pardi)
Nothing On But the Radio (Gary Allan)
Like a Cowboy (Randy Houser)

Follow Brice Long
Instagram @bricelongsongs | bricelongmusic.com | Apple Music

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Davis Loose: John Deere Tractor Beer May 07, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 64 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Davis Loose. Chris met Davis at 16 at the St. Augustine Songwriters Festival and promised him a job at The Listening Room if he ever moved to Nashville.

In just two years in town, Davis went from serving tables at The Listening Room to playing its main stage, built a writing network that includes Mark Irwin, wrote a song that made its way to American Idol, and writes five days a week.

He tells the story behind his first single, "John Deere Tractor Beer," and plays some of it. At the time, he had the opening slot on Randy Houser's upcoming tour and was playing songwriter festivals while building his camp with some iconic writers.

Songs discussed
John Deere Tractor Beer (Davis Loose)

Follow Davis Loose
Instagram @davisloose | Apple Music

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Chris Blair: The story of The Listening Room Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 63 of Stories Behind the Songs, the tables turn. Chris was sitting down to interview Davis Loose when his staff tricked him, and Davis took over the interview. So this time, the guest is Chris Blair, and the story is The Listening Room.

Chris shares how he got into music, what moved him to Nashville, and how he ended up starting The Listening Room. He also opens up about the struggles in the early days and what it took to overcome them.

Davis Loose's own episode follows next.

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors

Jordan Dozzi: Man Made A Bar (Morgan Wallen) Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 62 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter Jordan Dozzi. Jordan landed his first #1 the very week this episode came out, with Morgan Wallen's "Man Made a Bar."

Written by Jordan, Larry Fleet, Rocky Block and Brett Tyler, "Man Made a Bar" was originally meant for Larry Fleet until Morgan heard it, loved it and released it himself. Jordan's catalog also includes "Things I Take for Granted" for Larry Fleet, "Get the Girl" for Seaforth, "Fine By Me" for Chase Matthews, "It Don't, He Won't, You Do" for Jake Owen, and a song for Nelly, his very first cut. He plays a couple of them.

He also talks about growing up in Australia, pursuing music in the US as an Australian citizen, and the community at Big Loud. He showed up with Ernest's guitar, a Cole Clark, because his girlfriend stole his, and Chris had to give it a play.

Songs discussed
Man Made a Bar (Morgan Wallen)
Things I Take for Granted (Larry Fleet)
Get the Girl (Seaforth)
Fine By Me (Chase Matthews)

Follow Jordan Dozzi
Instagram @jordandozzi

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Jenn Schott: Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton & NSAI Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 61 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter Jenn Schott, a true Listening Room OG. Jenn has been playing The Listening Room stage since the Franklin and 2nd Avenue days.

Jenn has cuts with Tim McGraw and Mickey Guyton, has played the Ryman, and landed on NSAI's "Top 10 Songs I Wish I'd Written" list. She also has "Feel It in the Morning" on Rascal Flatts' album "How They Remember You."

She shares how she went from handing out resumes on Music Row to serving as VP on the NSAI board, and passes along advice from one of her journalism professors at Mizzou: do not wait to make the move to Nashville. Follow your gut and do it now.

Songs discussed
Feel It in the Morning (Rascal Flatts)

Follow Jenn Schott
Instagram @jennschott | jennschott.com

Watch and listen
YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
Instagram | TikTok | YouTube
Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

The Listening Room
listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram | TikTok
Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Thanks to our sponsors
Sennheiser | Alclair In-Ear Monitors