Zach Williams is the founding member and frontman for The Lone Bellow, an Americana Folk featuring Zach, Kanene Donehey Pipkin and Brian Elmquist. Best known for their powerhouse vocals and emotive blend of folk, country, and soul, the storied trio exploded onto the scene in 2014 with their self-titled debut, which made a bunch of end-of-year lists…

Yurina Yoshikawa is a writer, educator and Director of Education at The Porch Literary Collective here in Nashville. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, NPR, Lit Hub, The Japan Times, The New Inquiry and this autumn she won the inaugural $25,000 Southern Prize for Literary Arts. Yurina is also a gifted musician, playing viola for the Nashville P…

Walker Burroughs is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and piano player based in Nashville Tennessee. Best known as a top 8 finalist on American Idol, he toured nationally as the keyboard player in Bobby Bones’ band, and is presently playing shows with fellow Idol alum, season 8 winner Kris Allen. Walker is currently sponsored by Yomega Yo-Yos. Get fu…

Mason Mecartea is an actor and director based in Nashville, best known for his role as Dan Shelter in Stranger Things, and Cole in Damien Leone's Terrifier 3, which, as of this writing, is the #1 movie in the country. Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

On the season finale of the Morse Code Podcast, I talk with actor, comedian, musician, and self-proclaimed recovering Pentecostal Andi Marie Tillman about… well a lot of things. When someone shows up for the taping with pointy ears dressed like she escaped from the Renaissance Faire, you know it’s going to be an interesting hour. If you haven’t cau…

I speak with a rising star in the comedy world, the hilarious and genuine Amber Autry. The before we taped I was in the audience at a sold-out set for Amber’s Summer/Fall residency at Zanie’s in Nashville. Her bits were so seamlessly interwoven with her improvised crowd work that the stitches were invisible — I couldn’t tell where the rehearsed par…

On the latest episode of the Morse Code Podcast I speak with Emmy-nominated filmmaker Derek Dienner on his wild journey producing the independently-funded feature film — “Brave the Dark” starring Jared Harris (Mad Men, Chernobyl) — surviving cancer in his 30s, and staying motivated in a highly unpredictable industry. Derek and I met at Sundance Fil…

Natalya Kay is a fiddler in the Irish tradition and a key member of Celtic super group Gaelic Storm. She and I met in the spring of 2020 when she moved into the house next door to mine in East Nashville. I think the first time we jammed was at a party in my front yard. I remember thinking two things about that encounter. One was, Man this girl can …

I speak with Latin GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, producer, artist, activist, chef and friend Alex Wong about his lifelong evolution as an indie music maker and meaning seeker. Whether writing and performing his own award-winning songs or producing albums for such luminaries as Vienna Teng and Delta Rae, Alex has always pushed his work beyond convent…

With some artists the creative spark doesn’t stop just because the guitar gets put down. That’s Annie Williams. Anyone who knows her would say the same. From her self-built straw bale house to her hand-sewn performance costumes to her deeply personal songs, the muse follows her everywhere she goes, and does its best to keep up. She just released he…

I speak with director Spencer Glover about his experience with Disney as a participant in their coveted Launchpad program. Selected from more than 2000 applicants, the longtime Nashville filmmaker spent a year in the incubator, honing his skills under the auspices of industry execs. The experience culminated in his Disney directorial debut BLACK BE…

I speak with award-winning music photographer Michael Weintrob about his unusual path through the visual side of music, and how keeping his head down and his heart open has resulted in one of the most exciting careers in the business. Michael and I met around 2013. I was instantly struck by his combustible hustle, a kind of leaning forward in life.…

I speak with author Liz Riggs about the impending publication of her debut novel, Lo Fi out on Riverhead Books June 9. Liz’s publisher was kind enough to send me an advance copy, and from paragraph one I recognized the reverb-drenched setting — the live bands, late nights, broken AC, unravelling yard parties, and half-remembered conversations over …

I caught Ryan Culwell — singer-songwriter, panhandle poet and father of four — on a recent pass through town, to talk about songwriting from a personal perspective, growing up in the Texas Panhandle, and what made him move back after a decade in the Nashville hopper. I’ve know the man for almost twenty years. I’ve been his fan and I’ve caught his s…

I speak with novelist Claire Gibson about her unusual journey toward publication, from roving the country as a young Army brat, to living at West Point as a faculty daughter, to the fateful day when a close friend made a galvanizing observation: she was in a unique position to capture the lives and experiences of the women of West Point in the 9/11…

I speak with artist and multi-instrumentalist Robert Ellis, one of the best singer-songwriters of his generation. I'll tell you why: first, his songs do what great pop songs do - grab your attention with a hook as sticky as hot honey (check out “Bottle of Wine” for an example), but you get a sense there’s always something held in reserve, something…

On the latest episode of the Morse Code Podcast I speak with singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Anthony Da Costa about the unique trajectory of his musical path, already nosing into its third decade. At 33, Anthony has continued to forge a symbiotic balance between helping fellow artists realize their own visions and making songs that are un…

On the new episode of The Morse Code Podcast I speak with singer-songwriter and ultramarathon runner Jeremy Lister about his unusual - and unusually successful - path in music, starting with his emergence in Nashville as a breakaway artist in the late 2000’s through his recent gigs singing with Eric Church at Coachella to his latest synch on Grey’s…

In episode #132 of the MCP, I speak with director Kali Bailey about her career in cinema thus far, starting with the wildly successful fan film Neville Longbottom and the Black Witch (over 8 million views on YouTube), a piece written and directed by Bailey based on a character known to Harry Potter fans everywhere. We talk about the act of faith re…

Cody Duncum is a director and cinematographer working out of Nashville. His latest effort, a short film called Where the Bullets Go, has been busy on the film festival circuit, with official selections at the The Appalachian Film Festival, Filmfort, the Oxford Film Festival, IFF Boston, and more. An in-demand cinematographer, he’s worked behind the…

I speak with singer-songwriter Abigail Rose on the heels of her widely acclaimed debut EP Surprise Valley, about why she had to leave the comfort of her hometown in order to discover her artistic identity. We compare notes: I experienced a similar freedom of reinvention when I moved to Nashville almost twenty years ago. We discuss the perils and re…

I speak with singer-songwriter and mixed media artist Andrew Combs on the eve of his first solo gallery show (at Julia Martin Gallery in Nashville) about what it means to him in the context of a career spent largely in song and on stage. From touring with Kacey Musgraves to performing a set on perhaps the greatest taste-making venue ever — Tiny Des…

A great listen for anyone interested in the publishing game in its current iteration. I speak with the Editorial Director of Lake Union, an imprint of Amazon that publishes more than 80 titles a year, generating more than $40 million in yearly revenue. In her influential capacity, Danielle as been responsible for some of the biggest success stories…

I talk with three-time grammy winner, multi-instrumental singer songwriter, winner of numerous Native American Music Awards, and acclaimed painter, Bill Miller. Born on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in northern Wisconsin, his big break came when Tori Amos discovered his music and invited him to open her tour for the Under the Pink album. They …

I talk with Grammy award-winning guitarist and singer Chris “Critter” Eldridge. A regular collaborator of Julian Lage’s, Critter has lent his talents to Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, T-Bone Burnett, Fiona Apple, The War and Treaty and more. We discuss the necessity of discomfort as a prerequisite for growth, and how raising a daughter has opened u…

I talk with grammy and Emmy-award winning songwriter Drew Ramsey about the challenges and rewards of co-writing songs, which occasionally become hit songs. In this, Drew has decades of experience — his countless collaborations include India.Arie, John Legend, Jonny Lang, and Marc Broussard — and in his capacity as a songwriting professor at Belmont…

I speak with singer songwriter Robby Hecht about all things indie-folksinger. He's been making and releasing music since before Spotify was a thing, and in addition to being a multi-award-winning songwriter, his songs have been recorded by more than 60 artists. Robby is currently in the process of releasing his latest album “Not a Number” and he ju…

I speak with hit songwriter and producer Barry Dean, who, with four #1 hits, many singles, and countless cuts, somehow manages to act like an earnest kid grateful for the chance to take his shot. His songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Alison Krauss, Jon Pardi, Ingrid Michaelson, Brothers Osbourne, and many, many ot…

I speak with Alex Berger, Founder and Creative Director of Nashville-based creative agency Weird Candy. He's shepherded the visual translation of artists like The Critical and Yot Club as well as tastemaker labels like War Buddha and 3 Sirens. We kick off this conversation with Alex offering a impromptu brand appraisal of... me. And with that we ju…

Korby speaks with producer, songwriter and artist Lamont Coleman about his evolution from being an in-demand beatmaker and producer in the NYC hip hop scene to writing with country artists on music row. Lamont was an instrumental collaborator on the hit “Sweetest Girl Dollar Bill” feat Wyclef Jean, Akon, Lil Wayne, but traded the hip hop lifestyle …

Korby speaks with artist, songwriter and guitar player Boo Ray about the realities of maintaining a heavy tour schedule in a post-covid landscape, and how ‘the polaroid of the thing is sometimes more interesting than the thing itself.” A much-loved figure of the East Nashville Scene, Boo’s band gets out and plays often. We talk about the spiritual …

Korby speaks with Todd Sherwood, owner and talent booker of The 5 Spot, about the glory and heartache of running a Nashville institution for nearly twenty years. Since taking over in 2007 in his mid twenties, Sherwood has hosted more than 50,000 shows. In this insightful and often hilarious conversation, he talks about the history of the 5 Spot, so…

It’s a Valentines Day special y’all. Korby speaks with Nashville actor, producer, casting director and life partner Randa Newman. In addition to her appearances on TV shows like NBC’s 'Young Rock' and The CW’s 'Walker', Randa also produced our Morse Code TV pilot, for which this podcast is named. We talk about the weird joy it is to work and live t…

Korby speaks with East Nashville based singer-songwriter Lauren Morrow about the roller coaster reality of making a life in music, one song at a time. Lauren is the former lead singer of Atlanta’s Whiskey Gentry and now the solo artist of 2023’s EP People Talk. They talk about the fraught waters of self-promotion in a landscape dominated by social …

Korby met singer songwriter Abigayle Kompst when they both competed at a song contest at the Wildflower Music Festival in Texas in Spring 2023. A compelling performer and collaboratively-minded writer, Abigayle provides a valuable glimpse into the world of a young singer songwriter negotiating life and creativity in a landscape crowded with content…

Korby speaks with actor and spoken word artist James Kyson. Best known for his role in NBC’s Heroes, James has more than 100 appearances in TV and film. Here he shares the many aspects of maintaining a successful acting career across decades, including auditioning for new roles, playing to camera in various situations, the value of a positive attit…

Korby speaks with bassist and friend Anton Nesbitt about his evolving path through music and life, how, in spite of demand, he chose against a career outside that of a full time session player, how marriage and starting a family changed relationship to his career, and how he is instilling in his kids the values he holds most dear. “As a man thinket…

Korby speaks with writer and actor Julian Vaca, author of YA novel The Memory Index (nominated for an It List Book Award in 2023), about the surviving and thriving in the modern marketplace. As a father of four, Julian also talks about maintaining a productive writing schedule in real life, and how he uses social media without betraying himself. Ko…

Special episode! Korby met twin brothers Nathan and Jud Epting when they randomly showed up in front of his house in East Nashville, set up their easels and started painting the truck parked out front. They’ve since become good friends. Here they discuss the parallels between plein air painting and musical performance, the challenge of knowing what…

Korby speaks with author and Porch Writer’s Collective Co-Founder Katie McDougall about her journey in creative writing and education. They talk about the challenge of knowing when to publish, how reading makes you more empathetic, what’s going on with the Porch these days, and more. Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribe…

Korby speaks with John Strohm, a musician, songwriter, attorney and former label head who has been involved in music for more than 4 decades, from playing guitar for the Lemonheads to serving as president of Rounder Records. Along the way he's worked with a hit list of influential artists: Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, Phoebe Bridger, The Alabama Shake…

Korby speaks with director, writer, actor and producer Travis Nicholson about his journey through film and storytelling, from starting his career by crashing the cast party of Oh Brother Where Art Thou through his work on Still the King, a TV show he co-created starring Billy Ray Cyrus (and himself), that ran for 2 seasons on network TV. Travis als…

Korby speaks with singer-songwriter Jill Andrews about her musical evolution — from fronting the Everybodyfields through her successful run writing songs for TV to touring as a mom on the release of her new album Modern Age. Plus she plays three songs live in our studio! Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribe…

Korby speaks with composer, producer, songwriter and musician Tim Lauer, one of the most prolific - and adaptive- creatives working in Nashville today. As a keyboardist he's played on hundreds of studio albums, from Taylor Swift to Insane Clown Posse. Ten years ago he pivoted to television, where he has since produced more than 200 cast recording f…

Korby speaks with writer, editor, publishing consultant and WriterFest creator Ami McConnell about her long experience in acquisitions at a traditional publisher and creating opportunities for writers in a crowded market. Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

Korby speaks with guitarist, songwriter, and band leader Adam Levy about his ‘joy on fire’ approach to improvisation, collaborations with Norah Jones and Tracy Chapman, and growing up as the grandson of a TV composer in LA. Plus he plays a couple songs live in our studio! Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribe…

Korby speaks with acclaimed singer-songwriter Liz Longley about her uniquely dedicated fan base and how it led to an extraordinary kickstarter journey. Plus she plays 3 songs live in our studio! Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

Korby speaks with artist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Pisapia about now or never moments in an artist’s career and the value of leaping into the unknown. Plus Joe plays 3 songs! Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

What we're doing here, and why. Get full access to The Morse Code at korby.substack.com/subscribeBy Korby Lenker

Kyle Cox sits down with me to discuss incorporating parenthood into his music career, how to manage relationships, and the importance of a good night’s sleep. We also spend a lot of time discussing what it’s like to focus on booking “the right shows. And he’s got a new record coming out this month, and I’ll premiere a little bit of a tune from that…