Ten Year Town

Latest Episodes:

Episode 20: Benjy Davis Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Originally from a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Benjy Davis is a hit songwriter currently signed to Universal Music Publishing. Benjy has written songs for many major label artists including Cody Johnson, Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae, Dan & Shay, and Chris Young, and was one of the nine writer-collaborators on the Grammy-nominated “Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.”
Benjy shares his journey, from starting his own band “The Benjy Davis Project”, to moving to Nashville to write country music, what he looks for in a publisher, and the high you get from writing a really great song.

New Episodes every Tuesday.
Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.
Social Channels for Ten Year Town:
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This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.
Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.
Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.
Artwork design by Brad Vetter.
Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Episode 19: Aaron Raitiere Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Originally from Danville, Kentucky, Aaron Raitiere is a grammy award-winning songwriter, performer, and visual artist. He has written songs for Anderson East, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, Montgomery Gentry, and Lady Gaga. His song “I’ll Never Love Again” was a part of the movie A Star Is Born and earned Aaron a Grammy in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category.
Aaron is a one-of-one creative, a raconteur and true Nashville original. You will leave this episode with an understanding of the Ninja Turtle Water Ballon Theory, a desire to stream “Coffee Cups on Top of a Dryer,” and why songwriters like Aaron make Nashville such a fun and amazing community to be a part of.

Episode 18: Tim Hunze Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Tim Hunze is a Vice President of Publishing at Big Machine Music. A thirty-year veteran of Nashville and Music Row, Tim has pitched and provided support for many talented songwriters including Jordan Davis, Kip Moore, Bobby Pinson, Brett James and many, many more.
Tim shares his journey from college intern to publishing VP, how the industry has changed and grown over the years, what makes an unsigned songwriter stand out, and how to find your voice.

Episode 17: Derek Wells Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Nashville native Derek Wells is an award-winning session guitar player, record producer, and Vice President of A&R at Spirit Music Nashville. Along the way he has played on over 100 #1 songs, been Grammy-nominated, won CMA Musician of the Year and has played on records for Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini and more.
On this episode, Derek shares unique insights on his journey - from getting his start in Josh Turner’s touring band, to playing on his first #1 with Maddie and Tae’s “Girl In A Country Song”, his advice for getting started, and how winning with your friends is the best part of the business.

Episode 16: Jacob Davis Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Originally from a Shreveport, Louisiana, Jacob Davis is a hit songwriter currently signed to Universal Music Publishing. Jacob has written songs for major label artists including Jake Owen, Kolby Cooper, Greylan James, and his brother Jordan Davis. Jacob’s latest radio number one “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan) earned him a CMA award for Song of the Year.

Jacob shares his journey - from playing in Bars at LSU, to the Louisiana oil fields, and eventually to Nashville. He offers great insight into how to shine in writer’s rooms, the artistry involved with being a songwriter, and the best advice he ever received - “don’t go home.”

Episode 15: Andy Albert Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Hailing from Roswell, Georgia, Andy Albert is a Nashville hit songwriter currently signed to Concord Music. He's written big songs for many major country artists including Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, HARDY, Ryan Hurd, and had a six-week country radio number one with “Thinkin’ Bout You” (recorded by Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter).
Andy shares his journey with us from moving to Nashville, signing his first publishing deal, how he extensively prepares for his writes, and why Country Music is the straightest line from the heart of the singer to the heart of the listener.

Episode 14: Chris McHugh Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Chris McHugh is an A-list session drummer living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has played on 1000’s of records and 100’s of hit songs for artists like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Alabama, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton and many many more. In addition to his studio work, Chris was the live drummer and music director for Keith Urban, and has also toured with artists like Garth Brooks and Amy Grant.

On this episode, Chris shares his journey of how he got his start in the Christian rock band White Heart, how he transitioned a touring career into playing on big records, what it’s like touring with some of the biggest artists in the world, and how to make a song sound like a hit (when you’re Chris, you just know).

Episode 13: Chris "Falcon" Van Belkom Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Nashville-native, Chris "Falcon" Van Belkom is the Vice President of Combustion Music Group, a boutique publishing company and record label on Music Row. Over the years, Falcon has seen the indie company celebrate over 100 Number 1 Songs as he's worked with hitmakers such as Ashley Gorley, Kings of Leon, Brett Tyler, and more. Falcon also works on the A&R side at Combustion having helped sign and develop country music artists including Jameson Rogers, Corey Kent, and Kolby Cooper.
On the pod, Falcon shares his philosophy behind keeping his team small, being a free-thinker, and how the good songs always find a way.

Episode 12: Jacob Durrett Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Jacob Durrett is a Nashville hit songwriter and producer currently signed to Big Loud Publishing and Warner Chappell Music. He has written songs for some of the biggest names in music, including Morgan Wallen, Diplo, Zayn, HARDY, Nelly, and Devin Dawson. Jacob's been a part of several #1 songs as both a writer and producer - including Big, Big Plans (Chris Lane) and Wasted On You (Morgan Wallen).
Jacob shares his journey on the pod, how he works on his relationships with artists, his thoughts on AI in music, how it feels to get that first number one, and then how it feels to try to "repeat the miracle."

Q&A Bonus Episode A Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

Join the Ten Year Town community and email list here.
Host Troy Cartwright and producer Ben VanMaarth answer ten year town listener questions.
submit your questions for the next episode at: http://tenyeartown.com
John Mayer at Berklee Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmrMDfWkNo

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