Worktapes
Welcome to Worktapes! This is a podcast where we tear apart songs. Why was the song written? What’s it about? What is the context and emotion behind it? Where were you at the time? What were you going through? How do lines come to you? What is the inspiration? How long did it take to write? In each episode, we talk to a writer about one song they've writtenand listen to the original demo or work tape of that song.
Episodes
June 20, 2025 • 64 mins
Natalie Hemby secured her first publishing deal at the age of 19, laying the foundation for a stellar career as one of the most sought-after songwriters in the music industry. With her songs recorded by top artists like Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Lady Gaga, Yola, Dierks Bentley, Rag'n'Bone Man, Lady A, Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Labrinth, and many others, she has proven herself to be an unden...
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April 14, 2025 • 72 mins
Anthony Smith is a versatile songwriter, producer and arranger who has achieved great success in many genres, including Country, Pop, R&B, and Jazz. His songs have been recorded by Bucky Covington, Lonestar, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, Emerson Drive, Heartland, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers to name a few. In this episode we discuss a smash #1 hit song nominated at the 2012 ACM Awards for sin...
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March 31, 2025 • 83 mins
With nearly 30 years of songwriting under his belt, Dave Barnes has carved his own path through rock, acoustic, country, soul, and contemporary Christian music. Over the years, he’s collaborated with a star-studded list of artists, including Amy Grant, Matt Wertz, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, and Maren Morris. He also earned a Grammy nomination for his hit song "God Gave Me You," which was recorded by Blake Shelton making it a #...
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February 28, 2025 • 65 mins
Known for his distinct blend of pop, folk, and hip-hop, Mat Kearney has created a unique sound that has led to hits like “Nothing Left to Lose” and “Trainwreck,” which contributed to his 2006 Dove Award win. He has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Mutemath, Keane, and more. His collaborations include artists like Trent Dabbs, Kate York, Paul Moak, Matthew Perryman Jones, Brooke and The Bluff, and Micah Tawlks. In this ep...
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February 17, 2025 • 90 mins
Matt Wertz, is an indie singer-songwriter whose soulful pop tunes have struck a chord with audiences worldwide. With his signature feel good indie rock-pop, Matt crafts songs that combine catchy melodies with nostalgic undertones. Throughout his career, he’s shared the stage with icons like Dave Barnes, Thad Cockrell, Jason Mraz, Ben Rector, and Gavin DeGraw, solidifying his place as a standout in today’s singer-songwriter scene. I...
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February 10, 2025 • 47 mins
Nathan Barlowe is a talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work as a member of the bands Luna Halo, Five Knives, Reality Check, Honeymoon Thrillers and Keith Urban’s band as a touring musician. His music has been recorded by high-profile artists like Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, and Newsboys. Nathan has also achieved significant success in the dance music scene, with three top 10 Bi...
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February 3, 2025 • 62 mins
Clay Mills is a Grammy nominated songwriter with cuts by Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Lady A, Diamond Rio and more. When he’s not writing he is mentoring writers through Songtown, an organization he co-founded with hit writer Marty Dodson, offering a songwriting masterclass, community building and mentorship. In this episode we talk about how he came writing jingles in NYC, not giving up and his huge number one...
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January 24, 2025 • 88 mins
Thad Cockrell has been writing music for over 20 years, both under his own name and with his band, Leagues. His musical resume is nothing short of impressive, with co-writes and collaborations with artists like Joy Williams, Devon Gilfillian, Brittany Howard, Sandra McCracken, and many more. He’s also contributed to Super Bowl ads, film placements, pub deals, and even made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallo...
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January 10, 2025 • 63 mins
In episode 59 of Worktapes, we are joined by Muscle Shoals native, singer-songwriter, and rock-Americana artist Hannah Aldridge. Her writing explores themes of rebellion and the allure of spiritual darkness while grappling with deeply rooted Southern Christian values. In this episode, we discuss growing up as the daughter of hit songwriter Walt Aldridge, what draws her to darker themes, how to stay authentic in an industry that pri...
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January 3, 2025 • 59 mins
In episode 58 of Worktapes, we hear from indie folk singer-songwriter and Epidemic Sound artist Kylie Dailey! Kylie’s calming, laid-back vocals and relatable lyrics, paired with enchanting arrangements by producer and husband Kevin, invite the listener to relax and feel seen. We discuss the dynamics of writing with your spouse, unintentionally becoming an artist, writing authentically while balancing family, and we listen to the or...
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December 21, 2024 • 62 mins
Leeland Mooring is a Texas-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with seven albums, four GRAMMY® nominations, and eight GMA Dove Award® nominations. LEELAND have become one of the most significant and standout voices in a new generation of worship music. In part 2 of this interview we we are joined by Jack Mooring who is an author, pastor and co-founder of the band Leeland. We discuss biblical worship writing vs emot...
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December 14, 2024 • 51 mins
Leeland Mooring is a Texas-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist with seven albums, four GRAMMY® nominations, and eight GMA Dove Award® nominations. LEELAND have become one of the most significant and standout voices in a new generation of worship music. In part 1 of this interview we hear about how Leeland started writing songs and touring at a young age, amazing and hilarious church stories and what shaped hi music...
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December 5, 2024 • 72 mins
Tia Sillers is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter with #1 hits such as “I Hope You Dance” (Lee Ann Womack) and “Blue on Black” (Kenny Wayne Shepherd). A triple Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee, she has over 40 singles recorded by artists like John Waite, Trisha Yearwood, The Chicks, Five Finger Death Punch, and many more. On this episode of Worktapes, we discuss a song she wrote with the band Flight Attendant called “Be Mine” and sh...
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November 22, 2024 • 59 mins
Nicole Witt is an accomplished Nashville-based songwriter and artist, with cuts by George Strait, Lee Brice, Terri Clark, Rodney Atkins, and Ellie Holcomb, just to name a few. In episode 54, we talk to Nicole about how to keep songwriting unique, where her passion for songwriting came from, her band, The Six One Five Collective, and we get to hear an original worktape of a song she wrote with John Paul White (The Civil Wars) called...
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November 15, 2024 • 62 mins
Elvie Shane is an accomplished singer-songwriter, quickly making his mark in Nashville with his authentic lyrics and soulful country sound. In Episode 53, we discuss Elvie’s appearance on American Idol, his time preaching as an evangelist, and we hear the original work tape of his song, “What Do I Know.”
Find Elvie Shane
Listen to "What Do I Know"
Produced by Brandon Carswell
Special thanks to Nick Autry, Sound Stage and Kent Coley fo...
Find Elvie Shane
Listen to "What Do I Know"
Produced by Brandon Carswell
Special thanks to Nick Autry, Sound Stage and Kent Coley fo...
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November 8, 2024 • 67 mins
In Episode 52 we hear from singer, songwriter & ripping guitarist Emma Zinck! We talk about going viral on social media, writing what you feel vs writing commercial and we listen to the original worktape of “Party Song”
Find Emma Zinck
Listen to Party Song
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us"...
Find Emma Zinck
Listen to Party Song
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us"...
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November 1, 2024 • 76 mins
In episode 51 we are joing by Nashville based singer-songwriter Carl Anderson. We discuss the pros and cons of profanity in songwriting, how he somewhat casually landed a publish deal, he plays a live song for us at the end and we hear the worktape of his beautiful heart pricking song, "Friend"
Find Carl Anderson
Listen to Friend
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music ...
Find Carl Anderson
Listen to Friend
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music ...
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October 25, 2024 • 73 mins
EPISODE 50! A special episode celebrating a major milestone! In this episode, we talk to Abner Ramirez of the band Johnnyswim. How can songs save your life? Are they merely an art form, or do they carry something more spiritual, mystical, or universal? Can a song bring two people destined for each other closer together? Abner has the answers. For this special 50th episode, we get an exclusive listen to Abner and Amanda as they writ...
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October 18, 2024 • 46 mins
In episode 49 of Worktpes we are joined by Wes Lunsford & Laurel Wright of The Young Fables!
We discuss writing songs at early ages, how songwriting can be healing through heavy loss and suffering, their documentary, " The Fable of a Song" and we hear the orginal worktape of their song, "Daddy's Girl"
Find The Young Fables
Listen to Daddy's Girl
Watch The Fable of a Song
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stori...
We discuss writing songs at early ages, how songwriting can be healing through heavy loss and suffering, their documentary, " The Fable of a Song" and we hear the orginal worktape of their song, "Daddy's Girl"
Find The Young Fables
Listen to Daddy's Girl
Watch The Fable of a Song
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stori...
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October 11, 2024 • 79 mins
In episode 48 of Worktapes we talk to songwriter, guitarist and recent contestant on The Voice, Brad Sample. We discuss growing up in Nashville, tackle the subject of being the sideman vs the artist dream and listen to the original Worktape of his song "Getaway Driver.
Find Brad Sample
Listen to Getaway Driver
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music written by Brandon Cars...
Find Brad Sample
Listen to Getaway Driver
This episode is sponsored by Duke Timeless Spirits and Stories & Sounds Podcast
Episode intro music written by Brandon Cars...
Mark as Played
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