Stories Behind the Songs

Latest Episodes:

Aaron Schilb: Nashville Tour Stop Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 110 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Aaron Schilb, founder of Nashville Tour Stop. Aaron realized his true passion was behind the scenes, curating and supporting artists.

Aaron moved to Nashville in 2017 and played his own shows before shifting his focus. He explains how Nashville Tour Stop grew from a small bar gig into a vibrant songwriter community.

He also shares how losing his hearing at a young age influenced his path, and the challenges of managing a growing music platform.

Follow Aaron Schilb
Instagram @theaaronschilb | Instagram @nashvilletourstop

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The Listening Room
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Sail with us on Boots on the Water, Feb. 7-11, 2027.

Kris Rochester: Behind The Mic Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 109 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with longtime radio personality and artist manager Kris Rochester. Kris has interviewed legends like Kenny Rogers, and a president or two.

Kris shares how he got into radio, eventually landing a gig in San Diego working alongside some of the biggest names in country music, and his all-time favorite interviews.

He also talks about how streaming has changed music, his move from radio to artist management, and the challenges of breaking an artist today.

Follow Kris Rochester
Instagram @krisrochester

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.

Liz Rose: From Pitching Songs to Writing Hits Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 108 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with award-winning songwriter and publisher Liz Rose. Liz did not start writing songs until later in life, and once she did, she never looked back.

After working with songwriters through her own publishing company, Liz began writing alongside them, leading to a publishing deal and some of country music's biggest hits. She talks about her partnership with Taylor Swift, co-writing 16 of her songs including "Fearless," and co-writing "Girl Crush" for Little Big Town, a Grammy and CMA Song of the Year.

She also shares recent hits like Parker McCollum's "Burn It Down," the biggest challenges in the industry today, and the importance of songwriter education.

Songs discussed
Girl Crush (Little Big Town)
Fearless (Taylor Swift)
Burn It Down (Parker McCollum)

Follow Liz Rose
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.

Pam Tillis: A Lifetime In Music Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 107 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with the legendary Pam Tillis, celebrating 25 years as a Grand Ole Opry member. Music has surrounded Pam since day one; her father moved her to Nashville as a baby.

Pam explored every genre growing up before finding her own voice in country music. She talks about "Don't Tell Me What to Do," which hit #1 on Cashbox, and "Maybe It Was Memphis," which earned her a Grammy nomination.

She also shares how she knows when a song is meant for her or for someone else, and why "write what you know" is advice she still stands by.

Songs discussed
Maybe It Was Memphis (Pam Tillis)
Don't Tell Me What to Do (Pam Tillis)

Follow Pam Tillis
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.

Lonestar: Our 2 Year Anniversary! - A Legacy Of Hits And Harmonies Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 106 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down during The Listening Room ‘on-the-road’ show during their annual Boots On The Water cruise with Lonestar, to celebrate two years of Stories Behind the Songs. With ten #1 hits and more than 30 years together, they prove that brotherhood and great songs stand the test of time.

They dive into "Amazed," a song that says what men struggle to put into words, which spent nine weeks at #1, and "I'm Already There," which became an anthem for military families after 9/11.

They also share career highlights, from playing the Ryman to performing overseas for the troops, and advice on making it in the industry.

Songs discussed
Amazed (Lonestar)
I'm Already There (Lonestar)

Follow Lonestar
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.

Emily Falvey: Made In The USA Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 105 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter Emily Falvey. An internship at SMACK changed everything when a mentor asked where she really wanted to go, and the answer was songwriting.

Emily grew up in Colorado, moved to Texas in high school, and set her sights on Belmont. She has since written for Cody Johnson, Walker Hayes, MacKenzie Porter and more, and now teaches at Belmont University.

She talks about the future of songwriting, why Nashville is worth the chance, and the moments that shaped her career.

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.

Johnny Clawson: Chasing Songs Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 104 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter Johnny Clawson. Johnny was bartending when SMACK called in 2022 to tell him he was getting signed.

After playing in rock and metal bands in Northern Virginia, Johnny quit his corporate job to move to Nashville and did whatever it took to stay, from substitute teaching to bartending.

He shares the full-circle moment of Chris Young's "Getting Older," the unexpected journey of Blake Shelton's "Texas," and writing "weren't for the wind" with Ella Langley on a bus in Wyoming.

Songs discussed
Gettin' Older (Chris Young)
Texas (Blake Shelton)
weren't for the wind (Ella Langley)

Follow Johnny Clawson
Instagram @johnnyclawsonmusic | 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.

Scott Stepakoff: The Road To Success Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 103 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter Scott Stepakoff. Scott fronted his own jam band, Turtle Grove, and worked in TV production before taking his shot at music.

That shot led to a longtime writing partnership with Josh Osborne and cuts with Kip Moore, Kelsey Hart and Blake Shelton. He is still chasing that first #1.

He talks about the ups and downs of the industry, the stories behind his biggest songs, and the one he released himself that hits closest to home.

Follow Scott Stepakoff
Instagram @scottstepakoff | 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.

Sarah Buxton: Stupid Boy Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 102 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Sarah Buxton. Sarah co-wrote Keith Urban's Grammy-winning "Stupid Boy" and Chris Lane's first #1, "Fix."

Sarah came to Nashville from Kansas in 1998, attended Belmont University, and quickly found her way into the town's songwriting circles.

She shares how "Stupid Boy" and "Fix" came to life and what it feels like to hear her work reach millions. Now at SMACK, she reflects on going from aspiring artist to celebrated songwriter and finding joy in the process.

Songs discussed
Stupid Boy (Keith Urban)
Fix (Chris Lane)

Follow Sarah Buxton
Instagram @sarahbuxton | 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.

Kassi Ashton: Made From The Dirt Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 101 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Kassi Ashton. Every song on Kassi's debut album is a piece of her story, including one written for her grandmother.

Kassi was performing on stage at four years old and later signed her first publishing deal with Creative Nation. She talks about "Made From the Dirt" and "Juanita," written in honor of her grandmother.

She shares touring with Maren Morris and Jamey Johnson, starting over during the pandemic, and the advice that shapes her artistry: trust yourself and be real.

Songs discussed
Made From the Dirt (Kassi Ashton)
Juanita (Kassi Ashton)

Follow Kassi Ashton
Instagram @kassiashton | 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.

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