Stories Behind the Songs

In this week's episode, Stories Behind The Songs takes on CMA Fest (part two) !

We had the opportunity to interview numerous artists this past weekend, and can't wait to share their Stories Behind The Songs with you!

In this episode you will hear stories from -

Maddox Batson - @maddoxbatson

Bryan Ruby - @BryanRuby

Greylan James - @greylanjames

The Crowe Boys - @thecroweboys

Bigg Vinny - @biggvinny

Thelma and James - @thelmaand...

In this week's episode, Stories Behind The Songs takes on CMA Fest! We had the opportunity to interview numerous artists this past weekend, and can't wait to share their Stories Behind The Songs with you!

In this episode you will hear stories from -

Alana Springsteen -  @alanaspringsteen 

Callum Kerr -  @Callum_Kerr_1 

Smithfield -  @SmithFieldMusic 

Walker Montgomery -  @WalkerMontgomery 

John Paycheck -  @JohnPayCheck ...

In this episode, I sit down with @ZachJohnKing! 

Whose breakout hit took the world by storm with its raw honesty and unforgettable first line. Growing up surrounded by cowboy culture, he’s navigated the challenges of staying true to himself while breaking into Nashville’s music scene. 

We dive deep into the making of his new EP Slowed Down, a heartfelt collection of songs that reflect his journey, struggles, and growth. Along...

In this episode, I sit down with @McCoyMoore!

From growing up in small-town Florida to signing with @SonyMusic and hitting the road with @Lauren_Alaina and @HardyMusic, McCoy’s rise has been nothing short of wild. We talk about the moment he found out he was opening for Hardy, how it felt to go from parking lot parties to playing amphitheaters and arenas, and what it means to stay grounded through it all.

McCoy opens up abou...

In this episode, I sit down with @DylanGuthro!
From his early days touring with Port Cities to landing a major cut with @DanAndShay, Dylan shares the journey behind his standout track “Missing Someone”—a song that sat quietly until the stars aligned and changed everything. He opens up about playing the demo for his dad before he passed, making the moment even more meaningful.

We dive into Dylan’s evolution from artist to full...

In this episode, I sit down with @RobynOtollini!

From writing songs at 13 to landing a deal with Warner Music Nashville over Zoom, Robyn’s journey is as heartfelt as her lyrics. We talk about the viral success of her breakout hit “F-150,” a raw and emotional breakup song that struck a chord with millions—and hear the powerful live version right here on the show.

Robyn opens up about growing up in Ontario on a steady diet of c...

This week I sit down with singer-songwriter and artist, @Carson Wallace !

Originally from California, Carson moved to Nashville at just 17, inspired by his uncle—and hit songwriter, and driven by a deep love for the craft. Growing up surrounded by top-tier writers gave him a front-row seat to what it takes to succeed in Music City, and he’s been chasing it ever since.

We talk about his early days at Belmont, why he left to di...

This week I sit down with songwriter and artist, @Brinley Addington!

From growing up on bluegrass and church music in Kingsport, Tennessee, to knowing he wanted to chase music after a childhood trip to Nashville, Brinley’s been all-in from the start.

We dive into the journey behind his first No. 1 hit, “Chasing After You”—a song that sat on the shelf for years before finding its perfect moment with @Maren Morris and @Ryan Hurd—and hi...

This week I sit down with actress and singer, @Jenna Davis!

From growing up around music in Texas to jumping into professional theater by fifth grade, Jenna’s journey took her from LA’s acting scene to Nashville’s songwriting rooms.

Now the first artist signed to SMACK, she’s blending sharp songwriting, country roots, and a whole lot of heart into her original music.

We talk about her path from viral covers to original music, what she...

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...