Ten Year Town

Our inaugural LIVE episode, recorded in front of an audience in Nashville.

Jessie Jo Dillon is a Nashville songwriter behind “10,000 Hours” (Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber), “Lies Lies Lies” (Morgan Wallen), “Am I Okay” (Megan Moroney), and “Break Up in the End” (Cole Swindell). She also runs Gatsby Records, her imprint with MCA, home to Carter Faith, William Beckmann, and Abigail Osborn.

In this episode, we discuss growing up the daughter of Hall of Famer Dean Dillon, the LA publisher who told her to go home and write country songs, the library book that turned into “Break Up i...

Brothers Osborne are the Grammy, ACM, and CMA award-winning duo of TJ and John Osborne, from Deale, Maryland. Their hits include “Stay a Little Longer,” “21 Summer,” and “Burning Man” with Dierks Bentley. Their fifth album, Watertown, produced by Jay Joyce, is out now on MCA.

In this episode, we discuss a make-or-break dinner with Mike Dungan, fighting Jay Joyce over the “Stay a Little Longer” chorus, Craig Wiseman showing up from the hospital to write “21 Summer,” and how their brother-in-law’s “vision” became “Doors.”

There are, of course, many other stops along the way.

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Abigail Rose is a Nashville-raised singer-songwriter. This year her song “Betty’s in the Band,” a duet with Weston Hunter, went viral and took her from 35,000 to over a million monthly listeners. Her debut album Paisley is out October 23 on Silverlab.

In this episode, we discuss her early years on Music Row, finding her own sound, and how a back-porch rehearsal video turned “Betty’s in the Band” into a viral hit. There are, of course, many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create...

🎟️ Ten Year Town: A LIVE Episode with Jessie Jo Dillon. Monday, October 19, Analog at Hutton Hotel. Doors 5:00, show 5:30.

Tickets: https://ffm.link/tenyeartownlive

Skip Ewing is a singer-songwriter from Redlands, California, with eleven No. 1 songwriting credits. Those include Randy Travis’ “If I Didn’t Have You,” Clint Black’s “Something That We Do,” and Collin Raye’s “Love, Me.” His songs have been recorded by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, and, more recently, ERNEST and Lainey Wilson. As an artist, he had top 5 hits with “Burnin’ a Hole in My Heart” and “It’s You Again.” His new album, D...

🎟️ Ten Year Town: A LIVE Episode with Jessie Jo Dillon. Monday, October 19, Analog at Hutton Hotel. Doors 5:00, show 5:30.

Tickets: https://ffm.link/tenyeartownlive

Dasha is a California-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter whose 2023 single "Austin (Boots Stop Workin')" became a viral breakout and a member of the Spotify Billions Club. She was nominated for New Female Artist of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards. Her latest single, "82 Chevy," is out now.

In this episode, we discuss the ex-boyfriend who sent her back to country music, the freestyle that became "Austin," and what she'd tell her younger self...

LIVE SHOW TICKET LINK: https://ffm.link/tenyeartownlive

Jamie Moore is a four-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. His songs have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, TobyMac, Mackenzie Carpenter, Florida Georgia Line, and Tim McGraw. They include the #1 "May We All" and Morgan Wallen's diamond-certified "Chasin' You," which earned him NSAI's "10 Songs I Wish I'd Written" award. He's an elected board member of NSAI and signed with Spirit Music in 2026.

In this episode, we discuss growing up blocks from FAME Studios, how one co-write got his foot in the door...

Joybeth Taylor is a Nashville songwriter from Pelham, Alabama. She's written for Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, and Hudson Westbrook, co-wrote Ella Langley's "Weren't for the Wind" and Langley and Wallen's "I Can't Love You Anymore," and is a writer on "Choosin' Texas," the 2026 ACM Song of the Year and the longest-running non-holiday No. 1 in Billboard Hot 100 history. She has Corey Kent's "Empty Words" climbing at radio now. She is currently published by Sony Music Publishing and Verse 2 Music, with TAYCAN Entertainment as a creative partner.

In this episode, we discuss 4 a.m. lifeguard shifts and...

Danny Myrick is a Nashville songwriter from Laurel, Mississippi. He's written for Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Craig Morgan, and Joe Cocker, co-wrote Craig Morgan's "International Harvester" and Tim McGraw's "Truck Yeah," and had 2009's most-played country song with Jason Aldean's "She's Country." Before writing full time he sang lead in Western Flyer and cut hundreds of demos and background vocals.

In this episode, we discuss a life-changing call from Bobby Braddock, how a run-in with Jeffrey Steele changed everything, why "International Harvester" has a half-verse, and how a goof-around demo with his engineer became a hit for...

Dan Alley is a Nashville songwriter from Miamisburg, Ohio. He's written for Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Jon Pardi, and Drake Milligan, co-wrote Hudson Westbrook's "House Again," and landed his first country radio #1 with Luke Bryan's "Country Song Came On." He's a writer on Luke Combs' current single "Be By You," and is releasing his own music through River House Artists.

In this episode, we discuss walking away from a city job, making the leap to write songs in Nashville, Luke Bryan cutting "Country Song Came On,", co-writing "House Again" with Hudson Westbrook, and quitting drinking and finding "...

Zane Williams is a Texas singer-songwriter and the frontman of The Wilder Blue. He spent years as a college coffeehouse performer and a staff songwriter in Nashville, where he wrote "Hurry Home," a top 20 hit for Jason Michael Carroll, before moving back to Texas and building a grassroots following as a solo artist. He formed The Wilder Blue in 2019, and when the band's debut landed in the middle of the 2020 shutdown, a tweet from Luke Combs changed everything. The band just released their new album, Cinco, recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas.

In this episode, we...

Little Big Town is Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet and Jimi Westbrook — the same four people since they started singing together in 1998. Along the way: "Boondocks," "Pontoon," "Girl Crush," "Better Man," three Grammys for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, six straight CMA Vocal Group of the Year wins, and Opry membership since 2014. Their new record is called It's a Dying Art.

Recorded live in front of an audience in Nashville, the four of them join Troy to talk about making their new record, chasing a song that was already on hold for somebody else, and the ea...

There's a circle of wood in the middle of the stage at the Grand Ole Opry House. They cut it out of the floor of the Ryman and carried it over when the Opry moved, so that anybody standing in the middle of that stage is standing on the same boards Hank stood on.

This week, I get to stand on it.

These are a few thoughts I have about that. About my ten years in Nashville, an Opry debut, and the two songs I'm playing — including one called "Shoulders," which is about the fact th...

Michelangelo didn't wake up one morning wanting to spend four years painting a ceiling. He was a sculptor. But the Pope had a ceiling, and the Pope had money.

In this bonus episode, Troy Cartwright reads an essay about an artist named Aaron Reese, who bought a newsstand at 39th and 4th in New York City to sell his ceramics — and about the uncomfortable, ancient intersection of art and commerce that every working artist has had to figure out.

There was never an Eden where artists made exactly what they wanted and everybody showed up. Aa...

Wyatt Flores is a country artist and songwriter from Stillwater, Oklahoma. He has over 1.4 billion career streams, RIAA certifications including 2x Platinum for "Please Don't Go," and a debut album, Welcome to the Plains, released in 2024. His new album, Scared of Heights, produced by Charlie Handsome, Jacob "JKash" Hindlin, and Gian Stone, is out now via Island Records and MCA. 

In this episode, we discuss Wyatt's journey from his first paid bar gig in Oklahoma — and writing "Travelin' Kid" in a barn that same night, then refusing to play it for nearly a year — to dropping out of sc...

Dylan Scott is a country artist and songwriter from Bastrop, Louisiana. He is a multi-Platinum artist with seven number one singles at country radio, including the triple-Platinum "My Girl," "Nobody," "New Truck," "Boys Back Home" (with Dylan Marlowe), and his most recent chart-topper, "What He'll Never Have." He has nearly 5 billion career streams, a CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year, and a GMA Dove Award. He is currently signed to Curb Records.

In this episode, we discuss Dylan's journey from signing a record deal while still in high school — and learning the hard way th...

What happens when a company—or an artist—starts optimizing for engagement instead of trust?

In this solo episode, I unpack why Netflix's biggest competitive advantage isn't its algorithms or its catalog, but the relationship it has with its audience. That same tension exists in music, where creators are constantly tempted to simplify, explain, and optimize their work for platforms that reward attention over originality.

We talk about the difference between commodities and premium brands, why record labels used to function as curators, how streaming changed the value of recorded music, and why the best song...

Brice Long is a songwriter and artist from Hopkinsville, Kentucky. As a songwriter, he has written No. 1 hits including Gary Allan's “Nothing On But The Radio” and Jon Pardi's “Heartache On The Dance Floor,” along with Randy Houser's “Like A Cowboy,” which was nominated for CMA Song of the Year. As an artist, Brice recently released his new album, All I Ever Wanted.

In this episode, Brice shares the story of leaving Kentucky for Nashville, the years it took to land his first major hit, and the lessons he's learned from a career spanning decades in country music. 
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Shane McAnally is a songwriter, producer, and publisher originally from Mineral Wells, Texas. He is a 4x Grammy Winner, 2x ACM Songwriter of the Year, a Tony-nominated composer, and has written and/or produced over 50 number one songs. Some of his hits include Body Like a Back Road, recorded by Sam Hunt, American Kids, recorded by Kenny Chesney, and Merry Go Round, recorded by Kacey Musgraves. Recently, he was named as one of the New York Times’ 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.

In Part 2, we discuss his TONY award winning musical, his publishing and record company SM...

Shane McAnally is a songwriter, producer, and publisher originally from Mineral Wells, Texas. He is a 4x Grammy Winner, 2x ACM Songwriter of the Year, a Tony-nominated composer, and has written and/or produced over 50 number one songs. Some of his hits include Body Like a Back Road, recorded by Sam Hunt, American Kids, recorded by Kenny Chesney, and Merry Go Round, recorded by Kacey Musgraves. Recently, he was named as one of the New York Times’ 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we discuss Shane’s early days, including dropping out...

Charles Wesley Godwin is a country music artist and songwriter born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. He first discovered his passion for music in college, picking up a guitar after realizing his WVU football dreams weren't going to pan out and watching the Avett Brothers perform at the 2011 Grammys. He spent years developing his sound by playing small bars, cafes, and breweries across the country—often sleeping in his car—before breaking through with his independent 2019 debut album, Seneca. He is currently signed to Big Loud and Warner Chappell, and following the success of albums like How the Migh...

Brad Tursi is a songwriter, guitarist, and member of Old Dominion. As a songwriter, he has penned hits for artists including Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan, including Chesney's “Save It For A Rainy Day.” As a member of Old Dominion, he has helped create some of the band's biggest songs, including “Snapback,” “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart,” and “One Man Band.” He has a new solo album, Colorado, available everywhere June 12.

In this episode, Brad shares his journey from finding his dad's guitar in the attic in Connecticut to landing in Nashville, the chance encounter...

Jake Worthington is a country music artist and songwriter raised in La Porte, Texas. He first gained national attention as the runner-up on Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice before spending years developing his sound playing dance halls and honky-tonks across Texas. His latest record, When I Write The Song, was released in 2025, and he is currently signed to Big Loud Texas. Worthington has shared stages with artists including Stoney LaRue and Post Malone, and is currently an opener on Luke Combs’ Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old stadium tour.

In this episode, we discuss Jake’s journey from garag...

In this bonus episode, we take a look at the songwriting and philosophy of Tom Petty—what made his songs work, why simplicity matters, and what artists can learn from the way he approached music and career.

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If you want to read the Mundanity of Excellence you can find the PDF here:
https://academics.hamilton.edu/documents/themundanityofexcellence.pdf

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This episode is sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys (https://thegraphicguitarguys.com) They create custom guitar wraps used by artists and festivals across the industry. A great option for pr...

Randy Montana is a songwriter and artist raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He has written songs recorded by artists including Luke Combs, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore, Riley Green, and many others. His No. 1 hits include “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “I Hope You’re Happy,” “Pretty Heart,” and “Sleepless In A Hotel Room.” On March 16, 2026, Montana claimed the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

In this episode, we discuss Randy’s path growing up in Nashville, the stories behind some of his biggest songs, his approach to songwriting, and many other stops along the way.

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Zach Abend is a songwriter and producer originally from Syracuse, New York. He has co-written songs for artists including Morgan Wallen, HARDY, LOCASH, Kenny Chesney, and Blake Shelton. His #1 songs include writing Kenny Chesney’s “Take Her Home,” LOCASH’s 2025 single “Hometown Home,” and most recently as a writer on HARDY’s “Favorite Country Song.” He is currently published by Relative Music Group.

In this episode, Zach talks about his path from Syracuse to Nashville, his approach to songwriting and production, and his philosophy behind creating songs that connect with artists and audiences.

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This episode is...

Mitchell Tenpenny is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He broke through with his multi-Platinum No. 1 hit “Drunk Me” and has since earned additional chart success with songs like “Truth About You,” “At The End Of A Bar” (with Chris Young), and “We Got History.” He has released multiple albums including Telling All My Secrets and This Is The Heavy, and has toured with artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, and Jordan Davis. He is currently on his Speed Of Light Tour.

In this episode, Mitchell talks about growing up in Nashville, his path to his first No. 1, the reality of s...

This episode originally aired on January 20th, 2025. 

Kip Moore is an artist and songwriter originally from Tifton, Georgia. He has several multi-platinum records including songs like “Somethin’ ‘bout a Truck,” “More Girls Like You,” and “The Bull.” He is also known for his live show and a rabid touring audience that spans the US, the U.K., Australia, South Africa, and Europe. “Solitary Tracks” was February 28th, 2025; he is currently signed to Virgin Music Group. 

In this episode we discuss the level of songwriting craftsmanship in Nashville, why the live show is so important, making records, breaking in S...

Parker McCollum is an artist and songwriter originally from Conroe, Texas. He has earned multiple No. 1 hits including “Pretty Heart,” “To Be Loved By You,” “Handle On You,” and “Burn It Down,” and was named ACM New Male Artist of the Year in 2022. His 2025 self-titled album PARKER MCCOLLUM marked his fifth studio release, and he just released a deluxe edition on March 20th, 2026.

In this episode, we discuss Parker’s upbringing in Texas, the making of his latest record, the pressure and expectations that come with success, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode...

Today’s guest is songwriter and artist Ben Chapman. Originally from Lafayette, Georgia, Ben is now based in Nashville and has written songs for artists including Muscadine Bloodline, Brent Cobb, Hayes Carll, and Flatland Cavalry, among others. He is also the founder of Peach Jam, a quarterly live series at The Basement East that features his band and a rotating lineup of guest artists.

He has a new record, Feet On Fire, set for release in May, with the title track dropping Tuesday, March 24th.

In this episode, Ben talks about his path from Lafayette to...

Chase McGill is a songwriter originally from Columbus, Mississippi. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “Break Up in the End” recorded by Cole Swindell and “Lose It” recorded by Kane Brown. His songs have also been recorded by artists including Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, and Morgan Wallen. McGill is a multiple-time CMA Triple Play Award winner, including in 2026 for the songs “Happen To Me” (Russell Dickerson), “I Got Better” (Morgan Wallen), and “20 Cigarettes” (Morgan Wallen). He is currently published by Universal Music Publishing Group.

In this episode, we discuss Chase’s journey from Mississippi to Nashville, the stories behind som...

Lee Thomas Miller is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter born in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “The Impossible” (Joe Nichols), “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins), and “In Color” (Jamey Johnson). “In Color” earned both the CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards. Miller currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has cuts with artists including Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, George Strait, Randy Travis, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss Lee’s path into songwriting, the stories behind some of his biggest hits, his ro...

Chris Blair is the founder and owner of The Listening Room Cafe, one of Nashville’s premier songwriter venues. Since opening its doors in 2006, The Listening Room has become a cornerstone of the city’s songwriting community, hosting hit writers, rising artists, and industry showcases while giving audiences an up-close experience with the stories behind the songs.

In this episode, we discuss Chris’s path to opening The Listening Room, the role songwriter venues play in Nashville’s ecosystem, building a sustainable live music business, and many other stops along the way.

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Why I Listened to 2,000 Minutes of Tchaikovsky Last Year

We are living in the age of "frictionless" music. The algorithms know what we want before we do, the dopamine is cheap, and the content is served to us on a silver platter. But as Charles Bukowski once said of classical music: "It washes the crap right out of me."

Lately, it feels like there’s a lot of crap to wash out.

In this episode, I’m stepping away from the "business" of music to talk about the Aura and the Subl...

Isaac Gibson is a songwriter, vocalist,and guitarist originally from Castlewood, Virginia, and the frontman of 49 Winchester. Formed in Appalachia, the band has released five studio albums while building a devoted fanbase through constant touring. In 2025, 49 Winchester signed with MCA and Lucille Records, where they are currently working with Dave Cobb on a new full-length album scheduled for release in 2026. The band recently released a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” as their first new music under the partnership.

In this episode, we talk about Isaac’s upbrin...

Kelly Archer is a songwriter originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, and is currently signed as a writer with RED Creative and Sony Music. Kelly has written hits for many country artists, including number 1 songs with Brett Young, Justin Moore, Corey Kent, Travis Denning. Her song “I’m Gonna Love You”, recorded by Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood, is Cody's current radio single. 

In the episode, Kelly shares how she moved to Nashville from Canada to pursue songwriting, advice she’d give her younger self, her journey to her first #1, how her last two singles were over 5 years old and m...

Jerry Roe is a Nashville-based session and touring drummer. He has played on records for artists including Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, HARDY, and many others, and is also a member of the heavy duo Frendship Commanders. Roe is regarded as an A-list session drummer and has built a career recording and touring at the highest level of the music industry.

In this episode, we discuss Jerry’s approach to recording sessions, how he prepares (or doesn’t prepare) for studio work, his advocacy for musicians’ rights and union membership, and many other stops along the way.

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Josh Osborne is a songwriter originally from Virgie, Kentucky. He has written numerous No. 1 songs, including “Body Like a Back Road” (Sam Hunt), “Drunk Last Night” (Eli Young Band), “Merry Go ’Round” (Kacey Musgraves), “Come Over” (Kenny Chesney), and “Get Along” (Kenny Chesney). Osborne has been nominated five times for Songwriter of the Year by the ACM and has received multiple CMA Triple Play Awards. In 2020, he won the ACM Song Of The Year for "One Man Band." 

In this episode, we discuss Josh’s journey into songwriting, how he approaches the craft, staying inspired over a long career, the evolutio...

The music industry is panicking about AI in 2025, and I get it. But before we spiral, let's look at history. In this episode, I break down the "Quartz Crisis" of the 1970s—when Swiss watchmakers faced extinction from cheaper, more accurate Japanese technology—and how they not only survived but thrived by doubling down on craft and human artistry.

The parallels to Nashville's songwriting community are striking. AI can churn out background music and sync tracks, but it can't replicate the human stories, the cultural legacy, or the one-of-one artistry that makes music matter.

In t...

Tom Douglas is an ACM Award-Winning and Grammy nominated songwriter signed to Sony Music Publishing. Tom has had his songs cut by many legendary artists including Tim McGraw, Lady A, Keith Urban, Eric Church, and more. His song “The House That Built Me,” recorded by Miranda Lambert, went on to win the Song of the Decade Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards. 

On this episode, Tom shares his journey, from moving to Nashville two different times, to having his first Number 1 be a solo-write, how he stays inspired, and much more.

#countrymusic #tomdouglas #mirand...

Hayes Carll is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter originally from The Woodlands, Texas. He has written and recorded multiple albums, including KMAG YOYO, Lovers and Leavers, and Trouble In Mind. The 2010 film Country Strong featured his song “Hard Out Here,” and artists like Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, and Brothers Osborne have recorded his work. His song “Chances Are” was nominated for Best Country Song at the 2016 Grammy Awards.

In this episode, we discuss Hayes’ upbringing, how his time in Crystal Beach helped shape him, the influence of songwriters like Ray Wylie Hubbard on his career, and many other stops alon...