Songwriter Connection

This week, we welcome an extraordinary guest to the Songwriter Connection table—Mike Carrodo, a nearly 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps whose journey bridges the worlds of military service and music. Before 9/11, Mike’s band was a touring powerhouse, playing 200–250 dates a year and sharing the stage with legends like The Derek Trucks Band, Edwin McCain, and even Tina Turner.

Everything changed when the towers fell. Mike ans...

This week on The Songwriter Connection, we welcome singer-songwriter Ronny Criss, whose heartfelt blend of Americana, Country, Pop, and Rock has captured the attention of fans and TV audiences alike — including a feature on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. Now signed to Rainfeather Records, Ronny joins us to talk about his upcoming album, Hurricane Heart, set to release this summer.

We dive into his creative process, songwriting style, and mus...

This week on Songwriter Connection, we sit down with award-winning artist Aliza Hava, whose powerful fusion of Folk, Rock, and Soul is making waves around the world—and on the charts. With gut-level honest lyrics and a voice full of passion, Aliza's music is more than just entertainment—it's a vehicle for healing, connection, and global unity.

From performing at international events to collaborating on shows for the United N...

In this episode of The Songwriter Connection Podcast, we sit down with one of country music’s most exciting new voices — Tyra Madison. With over 12 million streams to her name, features on Spotify’s New Music Nashville, Apple Music’s Country Risers, and a music video debut on CMT, Tyra is blazing her own trail in the Nashville scene.

An authentic storyteller with powerhouse vocals, Tyra opens up about her journey, her creative proce...

In this special milestone episode of The Songwriter Connection Podcast, we step out of the dining room and onto the stage at Nashville hotspot The Local to celebrate 2 million streams of the show! And who better to mark the occasion with than legendary #1 hit songwriter Chris Wallin?

Chris has penned some of country music’s most powerful and unforgettable songs, including “Don’t Blink” (Kenny Chesney), “Something to Be Proud Of” (Mo...

In this episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented Gwynn Sisters — Mia, Kylie, and Lila — three powerhouse musicians whose voices blend in perfect, soul-stirring blood harmony. Hailing from Yuma, Arizona and now calling Nashville home, these multi-instrumentalist sisters have been steeped in music their entire lives, performing everywhere from intimate house concerts to major festivals.

We talk about their journey from the...

This week, we welcome a true music industry veteran — Steve Trudell. Born into the business and raised in the legendary halls of Motown alongside his father, the iconic Johnny Trudell, Steve has spent his life working with some of the biggest names in music, including The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Disturbed, Evanescence, Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Rod Stewart,and many more.

Now based in Nashville, Steve continues to contract for maj...

Meet Kiersi Joli — a 17-year-old blues sensation with a soul far beyond her years. From the moment she picked up a harmonica at age six, Kiersi’s musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. By nine, she was already turning heads as a young spokesperson for Hohner harmonicas. Today, she’s a multi-instrumentalist, award-winning singer-songwriter, and festival favorite, known not just for her incredible harmonica chops bu...

In this exciting return visit, KC Johns joins us once again—this time with fresh tracks, raw stories, and the blazing lead guitar of Timothy B right at the dining room table. KC is a true force of nature: a road warrior with a powerhouse rockstar voice, a heart rooted in country grit, and a soul forged from the barrel racing arenas of her Mississippi upbringing, just south of Memphis, TN.

We dive deep into the stories behind her lat...

On this episode of the Songwriter Connection Podcast, we welcome Goldpine — one word, two incredible people. Married musical duo Ben and Kassie Wilson have created a name that reflects both their past and their bright future.

Goldpine isn’t just a name — it’s a journey. These two are true road warriors, traveling coast to coast playing festivals, clubs, and venues of all kinds. Their harmonies are rich, their songwriting is honest, ...

In this episode of The Songwriter Connection Podcast, we're joined by the powerhouse that is Lauren Freebird — a singer-songwriter with a voice that’s sultry, gritty, and unmistakably built for Rock and Roll. But Lauren’s music isn’t bound by one genre — she’s a true musical chameleon with a sound that transcends boundaries.

Lauren has been performing professionally since the age of 12, carrying her passion for music through her...

Since making the leap to Nashville in 2017, Kirstie Kraus has been on a mission, carving out her space in the music industry with unstoppable energy. Her strong social media presence and unique sound have helped her build a loyal fanbase—her beloved "Thirsties"—who can’t get enough of her music.

Kirstie has become a standout in the Trop Rock scene, performing all across the U.S. and the U.K., bringing her signature style to ...

We’re thrilled to welcome back hit songwriter and artist James House for his second visit to the pod! James has penned timeless hits like Ain’t That Lonely Yet, In a Week or Two, and Broken Wing, as well as charting his own songs like This Is Me Missing You and Hard Times for an Honest Man. Now, he’s back with a powerful new album, Stronger Than The Dark, featuring five songs written with veterans through the Writing With Soldiers ...

On this episode of The Songwriter Connection, we welcome the extraordinary Tai Shan—a Nashville singer-songwriter whose music has been featured in Billboard Magazine, American Songwriter, and NPR. Having toured across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, Tai has performed for audiences as prestigious as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—and even the Pope!

Join us as Tai takes us on a journey through her incredible experiences on the ...

You may have seen her light up the stage on America’s Got Talent—twice! Or maybe you caught her on American Idol and I Can See Your Voice. Now, powerhouse vocalist Macey Mac is taking Music City by storm! She’s just signed her first Nashville record deal and released her debut single, "Sneaking Around"—and trust us, this is only the beginning.

Join us around the dining room table as Macey shares her journey of growing as a s...

Join us for a special episode of Songwriter Connection as we welcome the incredibly talented Bill DiLuigi! A seasoned staff writer for Lucky Sky Music, Bill has penned songs for legendary artists like Bonnie Tyler, Richie McDonald (Lonestar), and Blessid Union of Souls. His work has earned him a Canadian Juno Award nomination and a Canadian Covenant Award win, solidifying his place in the songwriting world.

In this episode, Bill sha...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection, we welcome rising star Kaitlyn Croker and her mentor, seasoned artist and songwriter Michael Cef. Kaitlyn’s debut release is streaming everywhere right now, and with Michael’s expert guidance, she’s making waves in the Nashville songwriting scene.

Michael, who has experienced artist success firsthand, now dedicates his time to helping young songwriters take the next step, and Kaitlyn is proo...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection, we sit down with the incredibly talented J4! A Belmont graduate making waves in Nashville, J4 is a true musical virtuoso, mastering both piano and guitar while effortlessly spanning genres. Originally from Buffalo, NY, he’s just signed his first publishing deal and is also shaping the next generation of artists as an adjunct professor at MTSU.

J4 gives us an inside look at his creative proce...

Join us for a milestone episode of The Songwriter Connection Podcast as we celebrate Episode 200 with legendary Nashville songwriter Tom Douglas! Tom is the genius behind some of country music’s most powerful songs, including the ACM Song of the Decade, "The House That Built Me." A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, his impact on the craft is immeasurable.

In this special conversation, Tom shares the stories b...