Best Songwriter Soup Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 34 Liz Rose 1:04:59

16d ago1:04:59

1:04:59

One of Music City’s matriarchs, Liz Rose (“You Belong With Me” Taylor Swift, “Girl Crush” Little Big Town, “Burn It Down” Parker McCullum) is here for the long haul. Her tips and tricks for how to hang in there and focus on the love of the job are evergreen, just like her hits. Liz's Songwriter Playlist on Apple Music Written By Liz Rose Playlist o…

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Ep. 234 - MADELEINE PEYROUX ("Don't Wait Too Long") 1:12:30

1d ago1:12:30

1:12:30

Acclaimed genre-crossing songwriter and interpreter Madeleine Peyroux takes stock of her songwriting over the years and shares insights into the creation of her latest album. PART ONE Paul and Scott talk music books, the value of recording, and whether or not performers should stick to a strict or loose interpretation of a song when performing live…

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Ep. 233 - BRUCE HORNSBY ("The Way It Is") 1:20:47

17d ago1:20:47

1:20:47

Three-time GRAMMY winner and musical omnivore Bruce Hornsby chats about his wide-ranging career, from pop to bluegrass to jazz! PART ONE: Paul and Scott talk about their Instagram, a wild Genesis fact, and more. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Bruce Hornsby ABOUT BRUCE HORNSBY: Thirteen-time Grammy nominee and three-time winner Bruce Horns…

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Episode 33: Chris DeStefano 1:03:53

23d ago1:03:53

1:03:53

Chris DeStefano brings a rare set of skills to the writer's room. Trained in film scoring at Berklee, Chris's knowledge of musical mechanics allows him to break out of ruts in writing sessions and infuse his songs with depth and gravitas. From singing in a boys choir in Austria, to session work in LA, to playing in a Salsa band in Las Vegas, to wri…

1
Episode 32: Catalog Sales Pt3 51:50

1M ago51:50

51:50

Are you still with us? If you've made it this far into our Catalog Sale deep dive, congratulations, you're a superstar. In the third installment of this series, Tracy's back to give his take on Mike Molinar's master class, we dig further into multiples and admin rights, and wax poetic on the game of commodifying art. Learn more about your ad choice…

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Ep. 232 - RACHEL PLATTEN ("Fight Song") 1:10:46

1M ago1:10:46

1:10:46

You might know Rachel Platten for the wildly successful "Fight Song," but she's in the middle of a renaissance that's bringing her artistry into a new era. PART ONE: Paul and Scott give their unfiltered responses to the new-ish 4-part Stax Records documentary streaming on Max. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Rachel Platten. ABOUT RACHEL PL…

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Episode 31: Jonathan Singleton: Persistence, Adaptation & A Peak Into Master Sharing 1:34:13

1M ago1:34:13

1:34:13

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Songwriter Soup

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Episode 30: Catalog Sales: Part 2 with Mike Molinar 1:06:20

2M ago1:06:20

1:06:20

The catalog sale saga continues! This week we're joined by Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music president and Laura's publisher) to give a publisher's perspective on catalog sales in 2024. Mike walks us through the terminology used in these negotiations and shares insights into some of the stress-inducing misinformation that permeates songwriter circles…

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Ep. 231 - JUDAH AKERS of Judah & the Lion ("Take it All Back") 58:55

2M ago58:55

58:55

Nashville-based platinum-selling indie artist Judah Akers of Judah & the Lion goes deep on the five stages of grief and finding beauty in the midst of pain. PART ONE Paul and Scott dive deep on how Nashville has transformed into a very different kind of "Music City USA." PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Judah Akers ABOUT JUDAH AKERS Judah Ak…

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Episode 29: Daniel Tashian: Letting Music Catch Up To You 1:11:45

2M ago1:11:45

1:11:45

Songwriter, multi-instrumentalist & producer, Daniel Tashian (Kacey Musgraves Albums Golden Hour, Star Crossed & Deeper Well) took the long way around to massive success. Like many of us, his musicality was simply way ahead of its time. On purpose or by accident, Daniel managed to stick it out long enough to witness his own Golden Hour and we are a…

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Episode 28: Catalog Sales: Part 1 54:46

2M ago54:46

54:46

Strap in, y'all. We're diving into the intricate world of the Catalog Sale. While it's tempting to dream about cashing out and buying an island at 27, it's really important to know how these agreements happen, how much they're worth and when you may *actually* be ready for one in the first place. In the first part of our Catalog Sale mini-series, L…

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Ep. 230 - CAROLYN DAWN JOHNSON ("The Day I Die") 1:23:17

2M ago1:23:17

1:23:17

With an ACM Top New Female Vocalist win and nearly 20 Canadian Country Music Awards, the chart-topping Carolyn Dawn Johnson chats about everything from her songwriting successes to her artist career to her co-writing with Chris Stapleton. PART ONE Paul and Scott dive deep on their opinions about the recently-announced Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induc…

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Episode 27: Jaren Johnston: Commercial Songwriter, But Keep It Dirty 1:17:56

2M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

Songwriter & lead singer of The Cadillac Three, Jaren Johnston ("5 Foot 9" Tyler Hubbard, "Raise Em Up" Keith Urban feat. Eric Church, "Meanwhile Back At Mama's" Tim McGraw) knows how to pull a heartstring but can not help but put his southern rock energy into his songs. With a rock essence you can clearly sense from his contribution to the country…

1
REPLAY: You Don’t Suck, It Just Takes A Minute 1:10:12

2M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Big Machine Music general manager (and Laura’s publisher) Mike Molinar joins the podcast to talk about his philosophy on songwriter-publisher relationships. Mike shares his advice to young songwriters, the nitty-gritty of publishing deals, and how understanding the structure of those deals is the vital to your success. Mike Molinar brings over twen…

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Ep. 229 - DREW HOLCOMB ("American Beauty") 1:17:56

3M ago1:17:56

1:17:56

Folkie Americana indie hero Drew Holcomb joins us to chat about the songwriting process and which of his songs he's not a fan of! PART ONE Scott and Paul debrief the experience of recently seeing the 74-year-old Bruce Springsteen perform with the energy of a teenager PART TWO Our in-depth conversation with Drew Holcomb ABOUT DREW HOLCOMB Memphis na…

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Episode 26: What Lifelong Hospitality, Humility & Curiosity Looks Like: A Conversation with One of Music’s Patriarchs, Mike Elizondo 1:25:48

3M ago1:25:48

1:25:48

Songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, Mike Elizondo ("In da Club" 50 Cent, "The Real Slim Shady" Eminem, "Cowboy Casanova" Carrie Underwood, The Encanto Soundtrack with Lin-Manuel Miranda) is simply synonymous with modern music. The trio sits down with Mike to discuss his studio environment and energy, and how it puts his co-creators at …

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Episode 25: (Song)writer's Block, Suffering for Your Art & Where Ideas Might Be Hiding 1:10:30

3M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

What’s blocking you? This week, the trio discusses this ironic possibility: it might be that you’re taking this dream job a little too seriously. We all do it! At all stages, in fact. Take breaks, change the subject, nerd out on other people’s hits, or do songwriter exercises— Laura discussed many of her favorite ways to shake her brain loose. This…

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Ep. 228 - NICKEL CREEK ("Celebrants") 1:11:11

3M ago1:11:11

1:11:11

Grammy winners and astonishingly fabulous musicians Chris Thile, Sean Watkins, and Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek join us to chat about their fresh approach to songwriting on their most recent album, Celebrants. PART ONE Paul and Scott chat about musical virtuosity, Beyonce, Ricky Skaggs, and the blending of musical genres. PART TWO Our in-depth conv…

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Episode 24: Fomo, Envy & Protecting The Daily Joy of Writing Songs: A Conversation with Jessie Jo Dillon 1:11:43

3M ago1:11:43

1:11:43

On this week’s episode, Laura, Tracy & Kevin sit down with one of Laura’s best friends, critically acclaimed hit songwriter, Jessie Jo Dillon (“10,000 Hours” Dan & Shay, Justin Beiber, “Halfway To Hell” Jelly Roll, “Lies, Lies, Lies” Morgan Wallen). The group gets candid about shaking off the resistance to following in her legendary dad’s songwrite…

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Episode 23: Millions Of Ways A Perfect Song Can Die (That Have Nothing To Do With The Songwriter) 1:20:44

3M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

Songwriters always blame themselves (or the song) when something stops the process of it becoming a hit. But does it have anything to do with the song? Most of the time, IT DOES NOT. On this week’s episode, the trio discusses how many people and entities cause those interruptions and all of the millions of ways a perfect song can end up in a prover…

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Ep. 227 - ALAN BERGMAN ("The Way We Were") 1:12:50

4M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Ninety-eight-year-old Songwriters Hall of Famer Alan Bergman chats with us about a wide-ranging career that started with Johnny Mercer and continues to today. PART ONE Paul and Scott talk about the Abba Voyage virtual concert and scare themselves with the possibilities of digital technology. PART TWO Our in-depth interview with Alan Bergman ABOUT A…

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Episode 22: Sisters, Dusty Prayers & Why Nashville? A Conversation With Allison Veltz Cruz 1:11:50

4M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Laura’s sister and fellow hit songwriter, Allison Veltz Cruz (“Prayed For You” Matt Stell, “Somebody Like That” Tenille Arts, “Let Your Boys Be Country” Jason Aldean) joins the trio for a candid conversation about the sisters’ unique childhood and what lead them to songwriting after their family band broke up. They discuss Allison’s particular bran…

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Episode 21: Season Three-ever begins! Let's Talk Commerciality: Taking Your Songs From Your Bedroom To Billboard 1:03:16

4M ago1:03:16

1:03:16

Kevin, Laura and Tracy delve into the initial humility that it takes to learn the craft of commercial songwriting by unlearning how you did it before. Ouch! It takes a minute and it feels weird for a bit, but it gets better! After the craft settles in, your uniqueness returns to you and THAT is when the magic happens. The trio discuss the intricate…

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Ep. 226 - NORAH JONES ("Come Away with Me") + profile on Tish Melton 1:30:31

4M ago1:30:31

1:30:31

SUMMARY: Norah Jones joins us to chat about her new album Visions and the evolution of her songwriting since she took the world by storm in 2002. Afterward, stick around for a very special conversation with Tish Melton. The 18-year-old songwriter discusses her new Brandi-Carlile produced EP and more. PART ONE: Paul and Scott reflect on Norah Jones'…

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Episode 20: A League Of His Own: An Interview with Ashley Gorley 1:13:35

4M ago1:13:35

1:13:35

Ashley Gorley has a literal bajillion hits. He’s also got a thriving publishing company in Tape Room Music. With so much success it’s easy to overlook the fact that it took Ashley eleven years to score his first hit. But thanks to his deep connection to the community and the key investment from mentors, Ashley was prepared to ride it out. It also h…

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Episode 19: STEALING! How To Fix A Small Problem Before It Becomes A Big Ass Problem 1:06:22

4M ago1:06:22

1:06:22

What is stealing anyway? In the songwriting world, there are a million ways it can happen. Sometimes (but rarely) it’s quite blatant, and sometimes it’s as innocent as forgetting you wrote the same concept in a different room two years ago. The fact is, it happens. There can be big consequences that can tank your reputation and your finances, but a…

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Ep. 225 - CHARLIE STARR of Blackberry Smoke ("Dig a Hole") 1:19:21

5M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

Blackberry Smoke frontman and primary songwriter Charlie Starr goes deep on his music's Southern roots and wide-ranging appeal. PART ONE Paul and Scott talk Pearl Jam's new single, how travel defines fanhood, and why Blackberry Smoke are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to playing live. PART TWO Our in-depth interview with Charlie Starr AB…

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Episode 18: Breaking Up With Your Soul Sucking Artist Dream: An Interview with Emily Weisband 1:31:52

5M ago1:31:52

1:31:52

Emily Weisband (“Thy Will” Hillary Scott, “Boy With Luv” BTS, “Can’t Break Up Now” Old Dominion & Megan Moroney) is one of those people who just billows talent. Even though she moved to Nashville to become a songwriter, it didn’t take any time at all before people started trying to convince her that she should do “the artist thing.” This episode co…

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Episode 17: The Money Episode: To Spend Or Not To Spend (More Specifically, How Not To Spend) 56:58

5M ago56:58

56:58

So, you just scored your first hit song! Time to buy a boat, a big house and that Rolex you’ve been eyeing, right? Not so fast. You can still have fun, but it might be a minute before the next big one comes around so let’s breathe and do some future planning. This week the gang breaks down what a “hit” actually means, how much it might be worth and…

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Ep. 224 - BOBBY RUSH ("Chicken Heads") 1:22:25

5M ago1:22:25

1:22:25

90-year-old blues legend Bobby Rush joins us for a wide-ranging and revealing conversation about songwriting, music, life, and so much more! PART ONE: Scott and Paul chat about Scott's experiences at the Grammy awards, including running into Ted Danson, Jason Isbell, Verdine White, and others. Plus seeing the Killer Mike drama go down and getting s…

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Episode 16: You Know Elvis Didn't Write That: An Interview With Joe Ragosta 1:11:44

5M ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Joe Ragosta scored his first big hit (“Need A Favor” Jellyroll) just a few weeks before this episode was recorded. Joe brings big energy to the writing room and any other room he walks into. It’s that energy that has propelled Joe through years of slogging it out on the road with bands, commuting to Nashville from Long Island, and securing writes w…

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Episode 15: Habits Scale Up! The Basics of Managing Money As A Small Business Owner 55:43

5M ago55:43

55:43

Laura, Tracy and Kevin expand on the idea that even if you have a publishing deal, you're still very much the sole proprietor of your own business. Tracy gives a tutorial on how to divide up your income so that when tax day comes, you have all your bases covered. He also lays out some best practices for avoiding debt, systematic saving and maintain…

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Ep. 223 - DUFF McKAGAN of Guns N' Roses ("Civil War") 1:19:36

5M ago1:19:36

1:19:36

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Duff McKagan, best known as a member of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, talks about writing songs with his legendary bandmates, a few of his various side projects, and his genre-spanning recent album, Lighthouse. PART ONE Scott and Paul shout out some Patreon supporters and reflect on the small handful of artists who, l…

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Episode 14: Canadian Nice With An Excellent Bluff: An Interview with Kelly Archer 1:33:57

5M ago1:33:57

1:33:57

Kelly Archer (“Sleep Without You” Brett Young, “Wild As Her” Corey Kent, “Somebody Else Will” Justin Moore) explains what it’s like to write songs in Nashville before and after becoming a U.S. Citizen. Tricky! Kelly's story is a wild one with high stakes and time limits, making her one of Nashville’s most steadfast and determined songwriters. This …

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Episode 13: Award Show Ashmord Shmow… Let's Talk About Expectations! 1:04:06

6M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

This episode highlights one of the easiest ways to ruin what could otherwise be a really fun and fulfilling career choice: expectations. The trio talk awards and the impact they can have on your career, finances and mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Songwriter Soup

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Ep. 222 - AUDLEY FREED ("Peace Pipe") 1:31:34

6M ago1:31:34

1:31:34

SUMMARY: Audley Freed founded the band Cry of Love before going on to become a well-known guitarist for the Black Crowes, the Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, and many others. He sits down with Songcraft at his Nashville home to go deep on his own fandom, the kind of musician he tries to be, and how his riffs have kickstarted some great songs. PART ONE: …

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Episode 12: From Salad Boy to Nashville Heavy Hitter: An Interview with Jordan Schmidt 1:01:23

6M ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Jordan Schmidt ("wait in the truck" HARDY & Lainey Wilson, "God's Country" Blake Shelton, "What Ifs” Kane Brown) talks to Laura and Tracy about his journey from producing rock bands in Minnesota, to getting in on the ground floor of Florida Georgia Line’s publishing company, Tree Vibez Music, all the way to writing smashes for Jason Aldean, Blake S…

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Episode 11: We're Back! Let's Get Into Publishing Deals 54:11

6M ago54:11

54:11

Laura, Tracy and Kevin kick off Season 2 by diving head first where we left off in season one: publishing deals. Specifically, the gang gets into what a publishing deal actually is and the relationship between publisher and songwriter. They break down why a draw feels like a salary (but isn't!), the subtle art of calendar management, and how money …

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Ep. 221 - JD SOUTHER ("The Best of My Love") 1:40:09

6M ago1:40:09

1:40:09

SUMMARY: Songwriters Hall of Famer JD Souther joins Scott and Paul for an in-depth interview to kick off the New Year! PART ONE: Paul and Scott welcome two very special guests (ages 8 and 5) to help set the tone for the new year. Plus they reveal the clever message a listener sent in to win the Stax Christmas LP from the last episode. PART TWO: Our…

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Ep. 220 - STAX CHRISTMAS with Deanie Parker, William Bell, and Carla Thomas 1:11:48

7M ago1:11:48

1:11:48

SUMMARY In this very special holiday episode of Songcraft, we're taking it back to Christmas at Stax, featuring conversations with some of the luminaries of the storied Memphis label that dominated Southern soul music in the 1960s and 70s. You'll hear from Deanie Parker, William Bell, and Carla Thomas as we celebrate the season and close the book o…

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Ep. 219 - PETER CASE ("A Million Miles Away") 1:12:56

8M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

SUMMARY: Two-time Grammy nominee and acclaimed singer-songwriter Peter Case joins Songcraft to talk about his wide-ranging career. PART ONE: Scott and Paul chat about instruments that are nearly as famous as their players. PART TWO: Our in-depth interview with Peter Case ABOUT PETER CASE: Two-time Grammy nominee Peter Case made a name for himself i…

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Ep. 218 - GAVIN ROSSDALE of Bush ("Glycerine") 1:23:51

8M ago1:23:51

1:23:51

SUMMARY: Bush front man Gavin Rossdale joins to chat about the band's first career-spanning compilation as he looks back on all the classic songs. PART ONE: This is a long one that covers Scott's eyewitness account of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Paul's experience at U2's Sphere show, and the guys' thoughts on new music from the…

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Ep. 217 - DAVE BARNES ("God Gave Me You") 1:23:58

8M ago1:23:58

1:23:58

SUMMARY: Grammy-nominated artist and songwriter Dave Barnes joins us to chat about his recording career, his hits for other artists, and his latest album that was inspired from an entire year listening to nothing but the Beatles PART ONE: Scott and Paul talk about concept albums and reveal their favorites PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Da…

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Ep. 216 - NATALIE MERCHANT ("Kind & Generous") 1:16:07

9M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

SUMMARY: Celebrated songwriter Natalie Merchant chats about her songwriting, from her days fronting 10,000 Maniacs up to her most recent album, Keep Your Courage. PART ONE: Were the Lilith Fair-era 1990s the best time for women in music? Scott and Paul discuss. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with the legendary Natalie Merchant ABOUT: Natalie M…

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Ep. 215 - JOSH RITTER ("Getting Ready to Get Down") 1:25:13

9M ago1:25:13

1:25:13

Summary: Josh Ritter, named one of the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" by Paste magazine, dives deep with Scott on the evolution of his songwriting and the boundaries he pushed on his most recent album. Part One: Scott and Paul talk about politicians who play music. Because SOMEONE needs to talk about it! Part Two: Scott's in-depth conversation w…

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Ep. 214 - PAUL STANLEY of KISS ("Rock and Roll All Nite") 1:10:57

10M ago1:10:57

1:10:57

SUMMARY: You wanted the best, you got the best! Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Paul Stanley of KISS joins Songcraft to talk about his long and diverse career through the lens of his role as a songwriter. PART ONE: Paul and Scott talk about musicians who adopt personas, how KISS seems to have the best timing of any musical group of all time, and their re…

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Ep. 213 - DEANIE PARKER ("Ain't That a Lot of Love") 1:28:54

10M ago1:28:54

1:28:54

SUMMARY Stax Records legend Deanie Parker talks about writing songs for Otis Redding, Albert King, William Bell, and Carla Thomas, dives deep on what made the Stax environment so special, and shines a light on the recently-released box sets of forgotten Stax songwriter demos. PART ONE Scott and Paul discuss the wild story behind the monumental box …

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Ep. 212 - ZACH WILLIAMS of The Lone Bellow 1:16:37

11M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

SUMMARY: Zach Williams of The Lone Bellow chats about his songwriting development and the band's latest album, Love Songs for Losers PART ONE: Scott and Paul dive deep on the evolution of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" and the role that production plays in presenting a great song. PART TWO: Our in-depth conversation with Zach Williams of The L…

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Ep. 211 - RACHAEL & VILRAY ("Do Friends in Fall in Love?") 1:19:21

11M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

SUMMARY: Lake Street Dive's Rachael Price and composer/guitarist Vilray discuss their dynamic duo that preserves the spirit of the Great American Songbook with original music. PART ONE: Scott tells a story about a bad demo that helped him learn an important lesson. Then Paul introduces a pop quiz to identify songs solely based on their drum intros.…

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Ep. 210 - ASHLEY GORLEY ("Last Night") 1:19:42

12M ago1:19:42

1:19:42

SUMMARY: We chat with Ashley Gorley who, with more #1 singles than any writer in any genre, is the reigning king of country music songwriters. PART ONE: Paul and Scott discuss the state of contemporary country music, the way the genre has come to dominate the pop chart, and the rapidly-changing nature of what's the most popular song at any given mo…

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