Stories Behind the Songs

Latest Episodes:

Ward Guenther: Our 100th Episode!! - Whiskey Jam and the Nashville Music Scene Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 100 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Ward Guenther, creator of Whiskey Jam, for the show's 100th episode. There was no better guest to celebrate 100 episodes than the man behind one of Nashville's most iconic live music nights.

Ward's journey started with a guitar at summer camp and brought him to Nashville in 2003. He explains how Whiskey Jam grew from an underground writers night into a platform that launched countless careers.

He shares behind-the-scenes stories, from unforgettable performances to keeping the show fresh, and reflects on the magic of live music and the joy of helping others chase their dreams.

Follow Ward Guenther
Instagram @wardguenther | Instagram @whiskeyjam

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

Styles: God's Grocery Store Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

In Episode 99 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Styles Haury. Styles's song "Country On" was cut by Luke Bryan and performed on the CMA Awards.

Styles grew up in Ohio, where his dad's shop hosted a local band, and moved to Nashville in 2018 with just one connection. He worked with Rob Snyder and Eric Hurt and landed his first publishing deal.

He talks about going from local bars to writing hits, how his love of the outdoors led to his YouTube channel, God's Grocery Store, his new EP, hunting adventures, and lessons from mentors in music and the outdoors.

Songs discussed
Country On (Luke Bryan)

Follow Styles Haury
Instagram @styleshaurymusic | YouTube: God's Grocery Store | Apple Music

Watch and listen
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Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

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

Matt Mulhare: Things I'm Going Through Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 98 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Matt Mulhare. Matt has been dreaming this big since he was an 8-year-old kid with a guitar in New York.

Matt found his voice as a songwriter and performer while studying at Belmont University. He tells the story behind "Things I'm Going Through," written with Jordan Dozzi and later recorded by Travis Denning, and the whirlwind of writing Chase Matthew's single "Fine By Me."

He talks about why chemistry with co-writers matters, finding his community, and growing into his voice as a lyricist, and plays a couple of his songs.

Songs discussed
Things I'm Going Through (Travis Denning)
Fine By Me (Chase Matthew)

Follow Matt Mulhare
Instagram @mattmulhare

Watch and listen
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Chris Blair: Instagram | chrisblair.com

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

SJ McDonald: Good Ol' Gals Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 97 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter SJ McDonald. SJ grew up on her family's turkey and cattle farm in Virginia and sold a steer to buy her first guitar.

SJ moved to Nashville in 2017 to attend Belmont University, discovered her passion for songwriting, and spent seven years sharpening her craft on Broadway. She landed her publishing deal at the Key West Songwriters Festival.

She shares songs like "Right Hand Man" and "Good Ol' Boys," recorded by Mae Estes, and her advice for navigating the Broadway music scene.

Follow SJ McDonald
Apple Music

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

Jenn Bostic: Jealous of the Angels Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 96 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic. Music became Jenn's therapy after losing her dad, and "Jealous of the Angels" has connected with listeners around the world.

Jenn grew up in a small town in Minnesota and attended Berklee College of Music before coming to Nashville, building a career in country and Christian music.

She talks about her 2022 album "You Find a Way," how her faith has carried her through challenges, her dream of sharing her music on the world's biggest stages, and the power of vulnerability in songwriting.

Songs discussed
Jealous of the Angels (Jenn Bostic)

Follow Jenn Bostic
Instagram @jennbostic | 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.

James Slater: The High Cost Of Living Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 95 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter James Slater. James settled in Nashville with one very specific goal: to be this city's piano man.

James has written for Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Jamey Johnson, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson and Martina McBride. He has lived in Miami, the Panama Canal and Switzerland, wrote in LA, and toured Europe with Huey Lewis and Bruce Hornsby.

He tells how he wrote "High Cost of Living," nominated for Song of the Year, with Jamey Johnson, and "In My Daughter's Eyes" for Martina McBride. He also shares running into Garth Brooks at Pancake Pantry, and having Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell all cut "Open Season on My Heart." He plays a few hits too.

Songs discussed
High Cost of Living (Jamey Johnson)
In My Daughter's Eyes (Martina McBride)

Follow James Slater
Instagram @jamestslatermusic

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

Jordan Rowe: "Mama Ain't Jesus" and Music Row Ministries Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 94 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Jordan Rowe, founder of Music Row Ministries. "Mama Ain't Jesus" was inspired by a phone call with Lainey Wilson.

Jordan started out playing drums in church, got his start on the Georgia acoustic circuit, and moved to Nashville in 2019, releasing his first EP while touring with Chris Janson. He shares the stories behind "Mama Ain't Jesus" and "Good News Sold," written for anyone facing hard times.

He also talks about launching Music Row Ministries, a weekly Bible study on Music Row that builds faith-driven community among artists and songwriters, and the turning point that followed a three-day prayer fast. He plays a couple of his songs.

Songs discussed
Mama Ain't Jesus (Jordan Rowe)
Good News Sold (Jordan Rowe)

Follow Jordan Rowe
Instagram @jordanrowemusic | Instagram @musicrowministries | 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.

Johnny McGuire: Chevys, Fords, and Twisters Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 93 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Johnny McGuire. A few days after arriving in Nashville, Johnny sat down next to Jordan Walker at the Commodore Grille, and Walker McGuire was born.

Originally from Dallas, Johnny moved to Nashville in 2012 to be a songwriter. He talks about the duo, his solo career, writing for other artists, and working with Billy Ray Cyrus on "Chevys and Fords."

He also tells the story behind "Already Had It," featured in the 2024 movie "Twisters," and hearing it on the big screen for the first time. He shares thoughts on country music's evolution and honest advice for aspiring artists, and plays a couple of his songs.

Songs discussed
Already Had It (Johnny McGuire)

Follow Johnny McGuire
Instagram @johnnymcguiremusic

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.

Chris Ruediger: "A Good Song Always Wins" - Navigating Media and Marketing Nov 19, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 92 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Chris Ruediger, founder of 615 House. Chris's first night at The Listening Room, he watched HARDY play raw, unreleased songs.

Chris grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Nashville in 2017 to be part of the creative process. He talks about creating 615 House, a collaborative space for songwriters and musicians born out of the COVID pandemic.

He shares insight on branding, social media, and why consistency and authenticity in content matter, plus collaboration, creative freedom and finding your own voice. His motto: a good song always wins.

Follow Chris Ruediger
Instagram @chris.ruediger | Instagram @the615house

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.

Russell Sutton: My Boy Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 91 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Russell Sutton. Russell's first #1, "My Boy," also landed him his first publishing deal, and he got to watch it performed on "The Tonight Show."

Russell moved from Texas to Nashville and made a name for himself. He tells how Elvie Shane's "My Boy" came to life, and how his next chart-topper, "Whiskey on You" for Nate Smith, took things to the next level.

He also opens up about the challenges he has faced, offers advice for aspiring songwriters, previews new music, and performs some of his biggest hits.

Songs discussed
My Boy (Elvie Shane)
Whiskey on You (Nate Smith)

Follow Russell Sutton
Instagram @russellsuttonmusic

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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