Stories Behind the Songs

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary duo @BigandRich— and their story is just as wild as their songs.

From touring with @Lonestar right out of high school to accidentally becoming a duo after nonstop writing sessions, Big & Rich carved their own lane in country music. What started as a running joke — being called “Big & Rich” everywhere they went — became a name that would define a movement.

We dive into the stories...

This week I got to sit down with legendary songwriter, @AndyAlbert!

From a small-town Georgia kid in an alt-rock band to writing country hits in Nashville, Andy’s journey is full of heart, hustle, and some wild stories—like the time he and Marc Beeson emailed Blake Shelton a demo after a Christmas party (it worked).

We talk about “She’s Got a Way With Words,” “Thinking ‘Bout You,” and “Bigger Houses,” plus what it means to be the glu...

In this episode, I sit down with @Matt Warren!

From frat parties in a Chevy van to selling T-shirts for @Gary Allan, Matt’s Nashville come-up is anything but boring. He was waiting tables at Chili’s when a chance encounter with George Strait’s guitar techs kickstarted his songwriting journey—and he’s been chasing it ever since.

We talk about writing hits like “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” and “Learning How to Bend,” getting fired ...

In this week's episode I sit down with, @WalkerHayes!

Walker takes us on his journey from growing up in Alabama to chasing his dreams in Nashville, where a bold moment with @Shane McAnally changed everything. He opens up about the struggles of getting his songs cut, the moment he realized people truly connected with his music, and how “You Broke Up With Me” started right here at TLR before becoming a massive hit.

We also talk about t...

In this episode, I sit down with the founder of Nashville Tour Stop, @Aaron Schilb!

After moving to Nashville in 2017, he played his own shows before realizing his true passion was behind the scenes—curating and supporting artists rather than being on stage himself.

We explore how @Nashville Tour Stop evolved from a small bar gig into a vibrant songwriter community, how losing his hearing at a young age influenced his path, and the c...

In this episode, I sit down with longtime radio personality and artist manager ⁠@Kris⁠Rochester!

Kris shares how he landed a job in the radio industry—eventually scoring a gig in San Diego, where he worked alongside some of the biggest names in country music. We talk about his all-time favorite interviews (including a president or two) and what it was like sitting down with legends like @Kenny Rogers.

We dive into how streaming music...

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning songwriter and publisher @Liz Rose!

Liz Rose didn’t start writing songs until later in her life, but once she did, she never looked back. After working with songwriters through her own publishing company, she eventually started writing alongside them. This led to a publishing deal and a career filled with some of country music’s biggest hits.

We dive into her partnership with Tay...

In this special episode, I sit down with the legendary @PamTillis

We talk about her incredible career and the 25th anniversary of her Grand Ole Opry membership.

Music has surrounded Pam since day one—literally. Her father moved her to Nashville as a baby, and from that moment on, she was immersed in every kind of sound imaginable. Growing up, she explored all genres, experimenting with different styles in high school before f...

In this special episode from the Boots on the Water cruise, I sit down with Lonestar to talk about their legendary hits and decades in country music.

I couldn’t think of a better fit to help us celebrate our 2-year Stories Behind The Songs Anniversary!

We dive into “Amazed”—a song that says what men struggle to put into words, spending nine weeks at No. 1—and “I’m Already There,” which became an anthem for military families after ...

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Falvey!

Emily’s journey from Colorado to Nashville was fueled by a love for songwriting and a deep passion for music. After moving to Texas in high school, she set her sights on Belmont, where she quickly realized she was surrounded by incredible talent.

An internship at SMACK changed everything—when a mentor asked where she really wanted to go, she knew songwriting was the answer. Since...

In this episode, I sit down with @Johnny Clawson!

Johnny’s journey from Northern Virginia to Nashville is anything but typical. After playing in rock and metal bands, he knew he had to leave Virginia to chase music, eventually leading him to quit his corporate job and make the move to Music City.

From substitute teaching to bartending, Johnny did whatever it took to stay in Nashville. His big break came in 2022—he took a life-cha...

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Stepakoff!

From fronting his own jam band Turtle Grove to becoming a Nashville songwriter, his journey has been full of twists. After working in TV production, he took a shot at music, leading to a longtime writing partnership with Josh Osborne. Over the years, he’s landed cuts with Kip Moore, Kelsey Hart, and Blake Shelton—but he’s still chasing that first No. 1.

We talk about the u...

In this episode, I sit down with ⁠@Sarah Buxton⁠!

From Kansas to Nashville, Sarah’s journey is a testament to her talent and resilience. After moving to Music City in 1998 and attending Belmont University, she quickly found her way into Nashville’s songwriting circles, collaborating with some of the industry’s best.

Sarah co-wrote the Grammy-winning hit ⁠“Stupid Boy,”⁠ recorded by Keith Urban, and Chris Lane’s first No. 1...

In this episode, I sit down with @Kassi Ashton!

From performing on stage at just four years old to signing her first publishing deal with @Creative Nation, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. We talk about her debut album, where every song is a piece of her story, from the empowering “Made From the Dirt” to the heartfelt “Juanita,” written in honor of her grandmother.

She shares the highs of touring with artist...

For our 100th episode, I sit down with ⁠Ward Guenther⁠, the creator of ⁠Whiskey Jam⁠ and a cornerstone of Nashville’s music scene. Ward’s journey started with a guitar at summer camp and a dream that brought him to Nashville in 2003. Since then, he’s built something truly iconic.

We explore how Whiskey Jam grew from an underground writers night into a platform that launched countless careers for many stars we know and love. Ward s...

In this episode, I sit down with Styles! 

Styles has made his mark in country music with his song “Country On,” cut by Luke Bryan and performed at the CMAs. He’s had quite the journey, from growing up in Ohio where his dad’s shop hosted a local band, to moving to Nashville in 2018 with just one connection. Along the way, he worked with legends like Rob Snyder and Eric Hurt, and landed his first publishing deal.

We dive into his s...

In this episode, I sit down with ⁠Matt Mulhare⁠!

Matt’s journey from New York to Nashville is as unexpected as it is inspiring. While studying at Belmont University, he discovered his voice as a songwriter and performer, eventually collaborating with other songwriters to bring his music to life. His story is proof that no dream is too big—even for an 8-year-old kid with a love for guitar.

We dive into the story behind ⁠“Things I’...

In this episode, I sit down with ⁠SJ McDonald⁠!

Growing up on her family’s turkey and cattle farm in Virginia, SJ’s journey to Nashville started with selling a steer to buy her first guitar. After moving to Music City in 2017 to attend Belmont University, she discovered her passion for songwriting and spent seven years performing on Broadway, where she sharpened her craft.

From landing her publishing deal at the Key West Songwrit...

In this episode, I sit down with singer-songwriter Jenn Bostic.

Jenn Bostic has made a name for herself in country and christian contemporary music as an artist and songwriter, with her heartfelt song “Jealous of the Angels” connecting with listeners around the world. From growing up in a small town in Minnesota, where music became her therapy after losing her dad, to attending Berklee College of Music, Jenn’s journey to Nashvill...