Surviving the Music Industry

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Natalie Hemby and Hailey Whitters Jun 18, 2019

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Breaking down the hits, talking about home, and holding hands on the struggle bus with Natalie Hemby and Hailey Whitters. Both songwriters, but one is a member of the Highway Women and the other is living in a 10 year town with The Dream.

Behind a great song is a songwriter with crazy abilities to be able to pen those songs. Most of these tracks you've heard might have been penned by Natalie Hemby. Songs and projects include Kacey Musgraves' Golden Hour, Miranda Lambert's "White Liar", "Automatic", "Highway Vagabond", Little Big Town's "Pontoon" and "Tornado", Republican Hair's "Fuck A Bomb", songs for the motion picture A Star Is Born, and way more than what can fit here. Always being connected to the industry doesn't give you a free pass. We go through Natalie's personal, family history and connections that even though it sounds like you get a pass. Natalie has proven time and time again that she is a staple in the songwriter community. We talk about trying to do the artist thing, quitting music, and coming back strong. We break down some of her biggest hits including "Rainbow" and "Always Remember Us This Way". Then her unique, supernatural ability to write songs like the way she does is discussed. Natalie also shares some news about a new album in the works after her critically acclaimed, Puxico. To keep up with Natalie and to follow updates about the Highway Women supergroup, give her a follow @wruckestrike on Instagram and Natalie Hemby on Facebook.

Hailey Whitters is 12 years in, in a 10 year town. I felt connected with Hailey, not just as a fellow musician but someone who is on her journey of figuring things out too. Her latest project, not yet released, The Dream is an introspective look into the cycles of life. Not just an artist, as a songwriter Hailey penned Little Big Town's "Happy People", and continues to show up every day in the songwriting room. We talk about her latest releases "10 Year Town" and "The Days" and looking for validation in life beyond a like and when to start trusting yourself. Life's journey and challenges continually change for Hailey, as it does for everyone, but for the conversation, we take a look at past songs and look at the growth up to the present. Follow Hailey @haileywhitters to keep up when The Dream will be released and go to www.haileywhitters.com for tour dates with Maren Morris, Lori McKenna, and Brent Cobb.

Joe Galante and Ida Mae Jun 11, 2019

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One is credited with developing the careers of Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, The Judds, and Wu Tang Clan. The other is developing their own sound and adding art to rock. Joe Galante, former RCA Chairman and President, and British Blues/Rock artists Chris and Stephanie of Ida Mae climb into the attic to talk about their music careers.

Ida Mae wasn't Chris and Stephanie's first project together. Hustling and running with the current with Kill It Kid gave them their first taste of a record deal. Through crazy turns, they've decided to end their heavier sound of Kill It Kid for the now Ida Mae sound we know. I was able to catch Ida Mae in between Greta Van Fleet and Blackberry Smoke dates, and before their Bonnaroo show. I instantly fell in love with their lyrics and poetry to their music. There was something classic about them that made them tangible and not stuffy or pretentious as some lyrics can be. We talk about life in the UK, recording and writing for their newest record Chasing Lights, and dive into a couple of stand out songs from the record. Chasing Lights is out now and you can stream it or go to www.idamaemusic.com for everything. Follow them @idamaemusic.

Joe Galante is a music industry executive. He is noted for his role in developing the careers of Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Clint Black, Miranda Lambert, and The Judds, Dave Matthews Band, Wu Tang Clan, and among others. Galante began working at RCA Records in New York in 1971. He was transferred to RCA Nashville in 1974; although originally intended to be a temporary stay, Galante remained in Nashville as a director at the label. During the early years of his career, he was criticized because he lacked a traditional background in the music industry. Galante continued to be promoted at the label, becoming vice president of promotion and marketing. In 1982 he was named head of RCA's Nashville division; then 32, he became the youngest person ever named to run a major country record label. In 1990, Galante returned to New York to become national president of RCA Records. He returned to Nashville in 1995 to run the RCA and BNA labels in Nashville as chairman RLG/Nashville. He was named the chairman of Sony Music Nashville in 2007 and served in that position until 2013. With Galante as president, RCA Records was the number one country label for 11 years in a row. We talk about the highs and lows of his career, what made certain acts work, and who really got the ax.

Jeff Hanna of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Austin Plaine Jun 04, 2019

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Music documentaries, new music, and reflecting on a 54-year career with Jeff Hanna and Austin Plaine. Austin and I talk the inevitable dad talk and how music doc's are ruining our lives. We eventually get to his latest release and style. Jeff Hanna, front member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and I reflect on a 54-year career across multiple genres of music.

Insightful and picking up on life's subtle moments, artist and songwriter Austin Plaine shares some insight into his process. Originally from Minnesota, Austin turned away from a legal career to write and record music in Nashville, TN. Releasing his latest record on June 28th, Stratford, Austin popped into the attic to talk about his songs and style. It's Gucci-good. Follow him @austinplaine for updates and visit www.austinplaine.com for tour dates.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was founded around 1966 in Long Beach, California, by singer-guitarist Jeff Hanna. As part of the Southern California scene, past members include Jackson Browne, Jimmie Fadden, Jimmy Ibbotson, Bernie Leadon, and others that have influenced and shaped the sound of American Rock music. The band's successes include a cover version of Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles". Albums include 1972's Will the Circle be Unbroken, featuring such traditional country artists as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, and Jimmy Martin. A follow-up album based on the same concept, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Volume Two was released in 1989, was certified gold, won two Grammys, and was named Album of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. In our conversation, we take the time to understand the 60's and the "Jug Band" era of the band's history. We interweave hidden gems like Steve Martin's backing band for "King Tut", recording Will the Circle Be Unbroken, touring the USSR, the highs and lows of a career in music, and even being banned from radio for blasphemy. The band tours to this day and you can see all their tour dates by visiting www.nittygritty.com, and follow them at @nittygrittydirtband.

Stella Parton and Bennet Cerven of The Trouble Notes May 28, 2019

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Reflecting, motivating, and defending the voiceless with country icon Stella Parton and Bennet Cerven of The Trouble Notes. The Trouble Notes are a power trio that plays instrumental music with an international diplomatic message. Bennet shares his story of cutting ties to the financial institution for busking the streets of New York City, the messages of some of their latest music, and fills me in on European politics. Then celebrating the life and legacy of Stella Parton with her 40th studio album, Survivor. Stella shares stories of abuse, overcoming, strength, and pivotal moments in her career.

Stella Parton's career began as early as 7 years old singing with her sisters and family in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. One of twelve siblings including Dolly Parton, country music has been synonymous with the Parton name. Stella is best known for a series of country singles that charted during the mid- to late-1970s including three Top 20 hits with "The Danger of a Stranger", "Four Little Letters", and "Standard Lie Number One". Her biggest hit being 1975's "I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight". She is also a seasoned actress, entertainer, and advocate. Her reputation as standing up for those even when it's not that easy has been ridiculed and even been threatened. She shares stories of abuse and assault in a time of the "good ole boy(s)" of Nashville and her thoughts and experiences even in the #MeToo era. Hopeful, Stella is proud of the current time and the continued conversations of abuse in entertainment, but there are still too many with a voice that don't speak for those that can't. She also offers insight or the lack there of in the sex trafficking ring of East Tennessee. As her 40th studio album was released, Survivor is a look at her past and being able to look at it with strength and grace. You can stream and download the record on all major platforms. For appearances, books, memoirs, cookbooks, merch, and tour dates you can visit www.stellaparton.com and follow her @stellapartonofficial.

The Trouble Notes are Bennet on violin, percussionist Oliver Maguire, and guitarist Florian Eisenschmidt and together with their mantra, "Music from everywhere for everyone" perfectly describes their sound. Bennet Cerven of The Trouble Notes drops in during their Nashville visit to share how easy it was for him to cut ties with the man on Wall Street and to start busking the streets of New York City. We get political and talk world news which leads to the music of the band. Completely instrumental music with a message, Bennet gives me real hope for humanity and shares the power of music in a time of desperation and war. He shares the messages and stories of their most recent music, and we talk about the reception and how one's views interpret their music. For everything visit www.thetroublenotes.com and you can also visit www.patreon.com/thetroublenotes to get a listen of their newest download, "Super Bloom".

Mindy Smith and Stephen Glicken of Project Admission May 21, 2019

Show notes

The problem of ticketing and celebrating with songwriter/artist Mindy Smith (@mindysmithmusic) and Stephen Glicken, CEO of Project Admission. Armed with IMDB credits, running a record label, and working from the ground floor of CrowdSurge and Songkick. Stephen's latest venture is building an improved experience for the buying, selling, and distribution of digital tickets to increase data and revenue. Then Mindy Smith and I sat down not long after the re-release of her record One Moment More on vinyl and the release of Kenny Chesney's, "Better Boat".

Mindy Smith, artist and songwriter, is celebrating 15 years of her first record, One Moment More. You've heard Mindy's songs recorded or heard her voice with Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Olivia Newton John, John Prine and more. Originally from New York, Mindy made her way to Tennessee after her foster mother passed from breast cancer where she had her first taste of bluegrass music. Soon she started writing her original music and made her way to Nashville, TN where she was quickly discovered. A cover song by a legendary artist perked the ears of a producer which eventually led to her debut record, One Moment More. "Come to Jesus" was her biggest commercial hit, receiving airplay on country, adult album alternative and adult contemporary radio. The song charted at No. 32 on the Adult Top 40 chart of Billboard Magazine. In 2004, Smith appeared at the Cambridge Folk Festival in the U.K., which was broadcast nationally on BBC Radio. That same year, Smith was nominated for and won The Americana Music Association's prestigious, Best Emerging Artist of the Year award. One Moment More is now available and can be bought from www.mindysmithmusic.com and she's hitting the road.

Stephen Glicken's career starts in 2000 as an audio engineer in Miami, working with artists such as P. Diddy, Toni Braxton, Nas, Whitney Houston, No Doubt, and more. After Circle House, he connected with the Wu Tang Clan, becoming Ghostface Killah's exclusive engineer on 'The Pretty Toney Album' and 'Fishscale'. In 2004, Glicken moved to Puerto Rico to produce a couple of records and ended up living there for almost 3 years and being a part of the crew that brought Reggaeton music to the mainstream. These days, Stephen and Project Admission creates a more connected experience for the management, distribution, and exchange of event tickets. With a focus on user experience, the company's custom technology tracks the chain of ownership for every ticket through its lifecycle, from purchase to event. Project Admission also knows that behind every ticket, there is a fan – someone who deserves to be protected from fraud and guaranteed the legitimacy of a ticket. By tracking the ticket, not only does Project Admission help fans, but it also helps venues and artists by providing valuable data for security and marketing purposes. Visit www.projectadmission.com for more details about what they're doing for live events.

Cris Jacobs and Granville Automatic May 14, 2019

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Love and murder, The Grateful Dead, and politics with Cris Jacobs and history minstrels Granville Automatic. Some might remember Cris from The Bridge or from collaborations with Ivan Neville, and we do tackle that. But we jump into his most recent records Dust To Gold, Neville Jacobs, and his latest Color Where You Are. Not one to shy away from political discussions or even in song form, Cris covers all of this in his music and in conversation. But first Granville Automatics Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins drop some dark history nuggets from their latest record Radio Hymns.

Cris Jacobs guitarist and vocalist from The Bridge were a band from Baltimore, Maryland that called it quits 10 years after forming. Since then Cris released his critically acclaimed albums Dust To Gold and a collaborative album with Ivan Neville, Neville Jacobs. Cris and I dive into a chunk of his catalog but first, we talk about The Bridge and it's jam band roots. Then even why after 10 years, what's it like to venture out on your own and handle change. Color Where You Are, has some noticeable changes in songwriting. This isn't lost on Cris. Songs cover topics from current state affairs, optimism and healing after trying times, but still with great production. We dive into the vibe of the record and its songs. Visit www.crisjacobs.com for tour dates and stream his latest record. Also, follow him at @cris_jacobs.

Granville Automatics own Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins doesn't offer your everyday history lesson. It's a cool balance of Adam Ruins Everything in that they tell you the true history and set the record straight and Jon Prine as Indiana Jones with a guitar. Radio Hymns, a 13-track concept record mining Nashville's lost history from the two wives of city founder Timothy Demonbreun to the day in 1974 that the Ryman Auditorium was saved from the wrecking ball. The album features guest appearances from Jim Lauderdale, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Ben Fields and Matraca Berg. Sex, drugs, ghosts, and the history of Nashville are bottled up in this conversation with Olivarez and Elkins. Stream, download their latest music and visit www.granvilleautomatic.com for tour dates and other legit records from their catalog. Be sure to follow them @grandvilleautomaticband.

Cassadee Pope and Hailey Knox May 07, 2019

Show notes

Cassadee Pope takes us through her musical journey all the way back before the Hey Monday days. Cassadee has a string of successes like being the first woman to win The Voice and being the first Grammy nominated The Voice artist. Embarking on headlining solo tours like CMT's Next Women of Country, joining tours like Maren Morris' Girl Tour, having a successful career in pop/punk music, and she still follows up with highlights in her career. But few know what's been happening in her life that led her all the way to her latest release, Stages. Cassadee takes us through the journey of heartache, music industry woes, and the making of Stages and its songs. Follow her @cassadeepope and tour dates at www.cassadeepope.com.

YouTube musician, singer, and YouNow broadcaster known for posting soulful covers of popular music on her haileyknoxmusic channel, Hailey Knox is becoming in her own right. An artist. Armed with still that soul, hip-hop swagger, she recently released Hardwired Mixtape. You'll find snippets of Hailey's musical brain ticks but also songs that embody what will be what people will remember Hailey as the songwriter/artist she's becoming. Hailey breaks down some of her songs, lets us in on her anxieties, and how all this intertwines with her musical writing and sounds. You can follow Hailey @haileyknoxmusic and look updates and merch from www.haileyknoxmusic.com

Pretty Shiny Things with Kassi Ashton Apr 09, 2019

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Few people have the power to have you lock in with who they are within the first handshake. Kassi Ashton is one of those musicians that when she enters a room, you know there's something. Pretty Shiny Things, her latest release, gives you a depth of her that you may not have even noticed when this California, Missouri native first busted on the scene. In this sneak peek to all new episodes we talk about the ugly truth of validation, breakdown her recent releases, and her view of the relationship between music and the radio business.

Kassi Ashton is a Missouri native with a California, L.A. vibe. So I guess being from California, Missouri makes perfect sense…almost. Going through the motions of high school and thinking about college landed her in Nashville, Tennessee's Belmont University studying voice. After winning the Country Showcase hosted by the university, life quickly involved publishing deals, record contracts, and writing songs. The Huffington Post gives Kassi "mad props for her songwriting and stage presence" while CMT calls Kassi "fearless" and notes "her point of view is inspired and her storytelling knows no bounds." This still remains constant with Ashton. With recording and writing songs for herself, there's no way she's slowing down or changing who she is. We like that.

Named "Who to Watch" by Huffington Post, The Tennessean and radio personality Bobby Bones' Class of 2018, Kassi also caught the attention of country superstar Keith Urban. Describing her as "such a unique, original creature," Urban featured Kassi on his song "Drop Top" for his latest album Graffiti U.

Be sure to follow Kassi @kassiashton and visit www.kassiashton.com for tour dates and merch swag.

Survivor, Stella Parton Mar 27, 2019

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Stella Parton has survived abuse, abusive relationships caused by alcohol, a kidnapping, and the music industry. Hence, the release of her 40th studio album Survivor. In this sneak peek into our newest episodes coming in April, I wanted you guys to know that the record is coming out March 29th and you should listen. The album covers topics ranging from drug abuse, recovery, forgiveness, sexism, sexual harassment, and even Alzheimers. Stella shares in this clip this phase in her life that she'd, "Rather sleep under a bridge for the rest of her life than keep her mouth shut." Listen to Survivor coming to all platforms March 29th, visit www.stellaparton.com, and follow her @stellapartonofficial.

Stella Parton is from a rich musical heritage of Country Music. From the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, a sibling to Dolly Parton, and a trailblazer in her own right. Stella was one of the very first "Indie" artists before the phrase was coined. At the tender age of 24, she wrote, produced, recorded and secured the promotion/distribution for her very first album, "I Want To Hold You (In My Dreams Tonight)." Releasing it on her own label, the album and title single became huge hits on the country charts - at a time when the industry was controlled by the major labels and very much a good ole boy system. Stella took Nashville by storm - topping the charts and inciting fear in many that a young single mother from East Tennessee could so quickly become a threat, in spite of the fact that her older sister Dolly was already a nationally known singer/songwriter. And with that maverick spirit (she actually mentions she doesn't like the maverick comparison) she continued to move forward.

The Flamekeeper, Michael Cleveland Mar 05, 2019

Show notes

To some Michael Cleveland is another run of the mill, good ol' boy from Indiana that can play a fiddle and that is always up for a jam. To others he's the 11-time IBMA Fiddle Player Of The Year, most sought after bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, and now the focus of a movie documenting his life. Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story was recently released on digital platforms and it captures the challenges of Michael and the pursuit of becoming the renowned instrumentalist that he is today. In this sneak peek of our newest episodes, Michael and I talk briefly about the movie. In the full conversation, we dive into his thought process of "fiddlin" and the challenges he's faced. In the meantime till the release, enjoy the movie, follow Michael and the band @mcflamekeeper, visit www.flamekeeperband.com, and stay tuned for all new episodes April 2019.

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