Stories Behind the Songs

Latest Episodes:

Marla Cannon-Goodman: Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo Jan 30, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 50 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Marla Cannon-Goodman. Marla grew up writing poems and learning from her dad, iconic songwriter and producer Buddy Cannon, and she has played many of these stories on The Listening Room stage.

Marla's career began with her first cut for Sammy Kershaw in 1996. She tells the full stories behind Lee Ann Womack's #1 "The Fool," Tracy Byrd's "Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo" and Rodney Atkins's "Cleaning This Gun," and touches on her Blake Shelton cut, "Don't Make Me."

She also explains how Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard went back and forth over who would cut "Unfair Weather Friend," and how it ended up with both of them on their duet album "Django and Jimmie." Plus, she reflects on how music has changed and what it meant to be Buddy Cannon's daughter on her own journey.

Songs discussed
The Fool (Lee Ann Womack)
Ten Rounds with Jose Cuervo (Tracy Byrd)
Cleaning This Gun (Come On In Boy) (Rodney Atkins)
Don't Make Me (Blake Shelton)
Unfair Weather Friend (Willie Nelson)

Follow Marla Cannon-Goodman
Instagram @marlacgoodmansongs | Facebook | Apple Music

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

Follow Stories Behind the Songs
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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

Adam James: Knowing You (Kenny Chesney) + more! Jan 23, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 49 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Adam James. Adam co-wrote Kenny Chesney's #1 "Knowing You," and he takes us right into the room where it happened.

In Nashville since 2009, Adam shares how he, Brett James and Kat Higgins came up with the concept for "Knowing You," and everything that unfolded after they heard Kenny Chesney would cut it.

He also has two songs on Cody Johnson's album "Leather," "Double Down" and "Whiskey Bent," and explains how Jelly Roll chose to feature on "Whiskey Bent" because the song resonated with him. Adam plays a little of it, and talks about "Burns Like Her" on Randall King's album "Into the Neon."

Songs discussed
Knowing You (Kenny Chesney)
Whiskey Bent (Cody Johnson)
Double Down (Cody Johnson)
Burns Like Her (Randall King)

Follow Adam James
Instagram @_adamjames_

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

Blake Pendergrass: SEVERAL hits for Morgan Wallen + more! Jan 16, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 48 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Blake Pendergrass. Blake co-wrote "865" for Morgan Wallen over Zoom during COVID, and it opened the door to a publishing deal and eight more Morgan cuts.

From North Carolina, Blake has been in Nashville since 2013. He talks about the early connections that led to his first cut, and how "865," track 5 on Morgan Wallen's "Dangerous" album, written with John Byron, caught Morgan's attention. His writing connects with artists like Morgan Wallen, Dustin Lynch, Jake Owen, Chase Rice and Chris Lane.

He shares the stories behind several of his Morgan Wallen cuts, "Key West & Colorado," a Chase Rice cut, and an unreleased song called "One of the Ways." He also talks about the challenges of a competitive industry and how Nashville's community culture compares with LA's more strategic approach.

Songs discussed
865 (Morgan Wallen)
Key West & Colorado (Morgan Wallen)

Follow Blake Pendergrass
Instagram @blakemccoypendergrass

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

Adam Sanders: Songs for Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Dustin Lynch, Blake Shelton, and more Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 47 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Adam Sanders, a longtime Listening Room regular. Adam was one of the writers on "Ain't Worth the Whiskey," Cole Swindell's first #1, and he was there when it all started.

Adam has cuts with Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley, Scotty McCreery, Dustin Lynch, Blake Shelton and more, plus his own EP, "Like It's Your Last," and a full album released Feb. 2. He talks about getting his start in Nashville writing with Cole Swindell and Josh Martin before any of them made it, and takes us into the room where they wrote "Ain't Worth the Whiskey."

He also shares what it was like having that song go to radio the same week as Dustin Lynch's "Hell of a Night," why he writes songs that tell a story, and his goals both as a writer for other artists and as an artist himself.

Songs discussed
Ain't Worth the Whiskey (Cole Swindell)
Hell of a Night (Dustin Lynch)

Follow Adam Sanders
Instagram @adamsanders | TikTok @adamsandersmusic | adamsandersmusic.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

Mae Estes: Thinkin' Bout Cheatin' (New artist to watch!) Jan 02, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 46 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Mae Estes to kick off 2024. Mae was a Listening Room Unsigned Artist of the Month, and just months later she signed a record deal with Big Machine.

Mae shares her journey in Nashville, from writing with her first crew of songwriters to getting signed and getting ready for her first tour. Coming up on nine years in Music City, she works hard and writes authentically, and she knows exactly who she is and what she brings to the table.

She tells the stories behind "Thinkin' Bout Cheatin'," "Town Left Me" and "Thriftstore Heart," the very first song she wrote after moving to town.

Songs discussed
Thinkin' Bout Cheatin' (Mae Estes)
Town Left Me (Mae Estes)

Follow Mae Estes
maeestes.com | TikTok @maeestes | Instagram @maeestes | Instagram @chrisblairmusic | 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

Gordie Sampson: Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take The Wheel + more! Dec 26, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 45 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Gordie Sampson. Within a year of moving to Nashville from Nova Scotia, Gordie co-wrote "Jesus, Take the Wheel."

Gordie started out as a producer and singer-songwriter in Canada. He tells the full story behind Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel," plus "Knockin' Boots" for Luke Bryan and "My Favorite Picture of You" for Willie Nelson. He also has cuts with Keith Urban, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert and many more.

He talks about writing with his camp of co-writers, building up newer songwriters, and finding ways to give back.

Songs discussed
Jesus, Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood)
Knockin' Boots (Luke Bryan)
My Favorite Picture of You (Willie Nelson)

Follow Gordie Sampson
Instagram @gordiesampson | 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.

Marv Green: Hit writer for Lonestar, Morgan Wallen, Bon Jovi & MANY more! Dec 19, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 44 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Marv Green. Marv has cuts with almost anyone you can name, from Lonestar and George Strait to Morgan Wallen and Bon Jovi.

Marv's songs have been recorded by Lonestar, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Sara Evans, Morgan Wallen, Bon Jovi, Blake Shelton, Dustin Lynch, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Dierks Bentley and many more. He moved to Nashville from California in 1993, got signed within five months, and had his first #1 after only five years in town.

He shares stories behind songs for Morgan Wallen, George Strait and Bon Jovi, the difference between Nashville in the 90s and today, tips for writing with great songwriters, and how to build connections in town.

Follow Marv Green
Instagram @marvogreeno | marvgreen.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.

Eric Van Houten: Lucky Me (New artist to watch) Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 43 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Eric Van Houten, a Listening Room regular. If you have been to a show at The Listening Room, there is a good chance you have seen Eric play.

From Buffalo, New York, Eric writes country-rock songs from a place of passion and authenticity. He tells the story behind "Lucky Me" from his debut album, "Dreamers."

After about 10 years in Nashville, he talks about what it takes to succeed in this town, connecting with Chase Rice and Chris DeStefano, and the key to connecting with fans through the music.

Songs discussed
Lucky Me (Eric Van Houten)

Follow Eric Van Houten
TikTok @ericvanhouten | Instagram @ericvanhouten | Facebook | 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.

Randy Davis: Tim McGraw's Dance Hall Doctors (Tim's Drummer) Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 42 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair travels home to Missouri, close to where he grew up, to sit down with Randy Davis at Gene's Country Club in Pevely. Randy was Tim McGraw's first drummer, and this is a different side of the stories behind the songs: the view from behind the kit.

Randy spent years on the road playing for iconic artists. He shares stories from the road, the best and hardest parts of touring, and how he now runs his dad's business, Gene's Country Club, where songwriters and artists come to play.

He also owns his own production company, writes songs, and shares his take on how the country music scene has changed over the years, from his time living in Nashville to today.

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

Halfway To Hazard: Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Daisy & more! Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

In Episode 41 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Chad Warrix and David Tolliver of Halfway to Hazard. These two kicked off their career touring with Tim McGraw, and their harmonies are still some of the best in the business.

Chad and David toured with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean and more. They share stories from the road with Tim, their debut single "Daisy," which became their first #1, and the many ways they give back to their communities. They even play a little of "Daisy."

Both are still active, playing shows and writing songs. Keep an eye out for them on The Listening Room stage.

Songs discussed
Daisy (Halfway to Hazard)

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.

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