NSAI Coffee Break - podcast cover

NSAI Coffee Break

Established in 1967, The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade association consisting of thousands of professional and developing songwriters from all genres. NSAI maintains the steadfast commitment, set by its founding songwriters, to protect the rights and future of the profession of songwriting and to educate, elevate and celebrate the songwriter. With more than 90 chapters throughout the U.S. and beyond, NSAI acts as a unifying force within the music community and the community at large. With an all-songwriter board of directors and dedicated staff, some of NSAI’s legislative, judicial, regulatory, and marketplace advocacy work includes: restoring Capital Gains tax treatment to songwriter catalogue sales, being at the forefront of the creation and adoption of the Orrin G. Hatch Music Modernization Act, victorious Copyright Royalty Board trials, ensuring songwriters were eligible for federal relief and state unemployment benefits during the Covid pandemic and recent state and pending federal legislation to put guardrails around generative artificial intelligence including adoption of the ELVIS Act. NSAI is the proud owner of The Bluebird Cafe, and the historic Music Mill studios—our headquarters located on Roy Acuff Place in the heart of Nashville’s Music Row. We stage the world’s largest songwriter festival called Tin Pan South each Spring and the Nashville Songwriter Awards each Fall.
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Episodes

Josie Bisto - Love Lies

Josie Bisto began her songwriting career in the commercial country market after moving to Nashville in 2015. With over 50 cuts, her songs have been played on numerous stations and stages: including the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry and the legendary Bluebird Cafe. She also quickly fell in love with the freedom of the sync world where she developed a poetic style of writing that hits heavy on rhyme and alliteration to create an emotional backdrop. Her sync catalog includes over 125 one-stop fully...

Jan 26, 20254 min

Brad McKinney - Single Of The Year

Brad McKinney is a Kentucky-born singer/songwriter now residing in Nashville. The husband and father of 3 has been writing diligently since 2013, and has built many publisher, artist, and pro writer relationships. He has accumulated many cuts, self releases, and accolades throughout the years, most recently being recognized as the winner of the American Songwriter 2025 Session One Lyric Contest. On any given day, you can find Brad writing with Music Row's finest! -- For 25 years, the Nashville S...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Alex Lomartire - It's Easier Said

Alex Lomartire, a native of Dover, New Hampshire, is a country songwriter and artist who blends the soul of classic country with the dynamic and vibrant interpretations of the genre’s modern flare. Growing up an hour from a divided highway, Lomartire connected with the stories that country music shared and is influenced by artists such as Eric Church, George Strait, and James Taylor. A graduate of Belmont University, he worked on his songwriting and artistic crafts alongside industry leaders thr...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Emma Place - On The Run

Emma Place is a genre-defying songwriter who skillfully blends country, pop, and modern influences into songs that connect deeply with listeners and industry professionals alike. Based in Nashville, Emma has built an impressive career defined by creativity, resilience, and connection. She is a two-time participant of the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop in honor of Garth Brooks—first during her college years under the guidance of Tony Arata, and again in 2024 with songwriter and pro...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Sam Blasko - Second Wife

Sam Blasko is a Nashville songwriter originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She draws inspiration from country music’s timeless storytelling, classic melodies, and clever lyrics. At the end of the day, she believes it's all about the song, the story, and the way it makes you feel. With over 3 million streams and nearly 30 cuts as an independent songwriter, Sam is only just getting started in her career. She regularly plays shows in Nashville at The Bluebird Cafe & The Listening Room, and across t...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Claire Flynt - Bigger Person

Claire Flynt is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, TN. She studied music business and piano at Berklee College of Music, which laid the foundation for her diverse career. Claire's songwriting spans across Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Singer/Songwriter, and Country genres. Some of her achievements include co-writing and recording flute on "Spin Cycle," the title track to Theo Kandel's EP, having the music video for her song “Steal,” performed by Elle Rose, premiere on CMT, an...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Rachel Harvey Hill - Barkley Lake

Rachel Harvey Hill is a Nashville-based songwriter. She was awarded a Bluebird Golden Pick in 2022 and won the 2019 New England Songwriting Competition, Pop-Rock category. As an Air Force spouse and an artist with the non-profit, Operation Encore, Rachel is privileged to regularly play her songs alongside fellow members of the military community at events across the country. She also enjoys playing writers’ rounds in the Nashville area. -- For 25 years, the Nashville Songwriters Association has ...

Jan 26, 20254 min

Tim Comeaux - Dumpster Diving

Tim Comeaux is a songwriter who has been working on his songs for decades, and he co-writes several times per week. He began co-writing in 2020 and has never looked back. He is aiming for independent artist cuts, country radio cuts, and a publishing deal. He has had several independent artist cuts with more currently planned for release, and 3 of his co-written songs have made the NSAI Top 40 list. Everyone You’ve Ever Been (co-written with Ryan Jacobs and James Maltese) was voted as Top 12 for ...

Jan 26, 20253 min

Claire Flynt - Love To Love Him Someday

Claire Flynt is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in Nashville, TN. She studied music business and piano at Berklee College of Music, which laid the foundation for her diverse career. Claire's songwriting spans across Pop, Rock, Folk, R&B, Singer/Songwriter, and Country genres. Some of her achievements include co-writing and recording flute on "Spin Cycle," the title track to Theo Kandel's EP, having the music video for her song “Steal,” performed by Elle Rose, premiere on CMT, an...

Jan 25, 20254 min

Elizabeth Makris - Downward Spiral

Elizabeth Makris is a Nashville-based songwriter originally from Baltimore, Maryland. Her work has garnered over five million streams, including three major label cuts achieved within just a year of collaborating with Norwegian-Italian viral sensation Alessandra. Elizabeth holds a degree from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study (Class of 2022) and completed an intensive nine-month songwriting program at Norway’s Lillehammer Institute of Music Production and Industries (LIMPI) in 2023, ...

Jan 24, 20253 min

Strangers

Strangers by NSAIOfficial

Jan 15, 20203 min

1998

1998 by NSAIOfficial

Jan 07, 20204 min

Season 3, Episode 17: LJ

RED Creative Group singer/songwriter LJ Music Official delivers her own brand of pop and R&B influenced Country. Upon moving to she's built a community of songwriters and producers that contribute to her smooth and soulful approach to music. Jeremy Stover, Paul Giovanni, Monty Criswell, Kelly Archer, Sarah Buxton, Jennifer Schott, and the Warren Brothers are all a part of her upcoming debut release. In a new episode of NSAI Coffee Break, she shares stories behind originals like, “Scarecrow,”...

Oct 18, 201927 min

Season 3, Episode 16: Blanco White

Blanco White started as the solo project of Londoner Josh Edwards in 2014. After studying guitar in Cádiz (Spain), and later the Andean instrument the charango in Sucre (Bolivia), Edwards’ aim was to begin bringing together elements of Andalusian and Latin American music alongside influences closer to home. In early 2016 Blanco White released 'The Wind Rose' via Yucatan Records, a self-produced debut EP. A second EP 'Colder Heavens' was later recorded in the Autumn, this time with producer Ian G...

Oct 03, 201937 min

Season 3, Episode 15: Tolan Shaw

Tolan Shaw is an award-winning recording artist, a prolific songwriter, and an avid traveler. Based in Nashville but originally from southern California, Shaw is an acoustic troubadour with songs that are catchy and soulful, bluesy and melodic, poppy and sincere. In 2019, Shaw achieved his first major label songwriting credit with “Could I Love You Any More,” a duet by Filipino star Reneé Dominique and international superstar Jason Mraz, which quickly went to viral charts on Spotify and racked u...

Aug 29, 201927 min

Season 3, Episode 14: Jonathan Singleton

Big Machine Music/ 50 Egg Music 's Jonathan Singleton joins us this Friday for a Coffee Break to share career stories, how he discovered Luke Combs, and more about his new publishing venture! ☕️ Jonathan's extensive catalog includes Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Ol’ Bar Stools,” Rascal Flatt's, “Yours If You Want It”, (a NSAI 2018 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written), Tyler Farr’s “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes,” Luke Combs’ breakout...

Aug 09, 201932 min

Season 3, Episode 13: Griffin House

Griffin House has recorded over 12 studio albums and performed for over 15 years touring with John Mellencamp, The Cranberries, Josh Ritter, Mat Kearney and Brett Dennen, among several others. In this episode he shares the inspiration behind his latest album, “Rising Star," featuring songs like "Natural Man," "Change featuring Joy Williams", "Cup of Fulfillment" and more. In addition to the album, Griffin is releasing his first full length feature film, a documentary also called “Rising Star”, s...

Jul 19, 201936 min

Season 3, Episode 12: Ivory Layne

Originally from Denver, NC, Ivory Layne grew up performing, songwriting, and producing. Her music caught the attention of Grammy award-winning producer, Ed Cash and she then moved to Nashville shortly after to continue crafting new music. Ivory is signed to Justin Timberlake’s label Villa 40 and we talk a bit about how that came about. A few of the writers she has collaborated with include Chris DeStefano, Jimmy Robbins, Lori McKenna, and Shane McAnally. She’s received 2 major ad placements with...

Jun 28, 201949 min

Season 3, Episode 11: Dallas Davidson

Songwriter and publisher Dallas Davidson has written 25 No.1 hits, more than 30 Top 10 songs and contributed more than 300 cuts to many of today’s top country music stars including Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and others. We talk about how The Peach Pickers were formed, Dallas’ perspective on writing for the country music fan, his experience managing Play It Again Music, and what it was like writing outside the country genre with pop superstar, Lady Gaga!

Jun 14, 201935 min

Season 3, Episode 10: Phillip LaRue/Meghan Kabir

This is a two-part 'sync' themed episode featuring Phillip LaRue and Meghan Kabir. Part 1 we’re featuring Nashville-based writer/artist and producer Phillip LaRue about his latest record Analog Digital Heart released earlier this year. Phillip LaRue has produced and collaborated with artists like Tyler Farr, Jon Pardi, Phil Wickham, and Dave Barnes and others. You’ve heard his music in ads for Verizon, Volkswagen, Apple, Wayfair, and shows like Vampire Diaries, Nashville and Pretty Little Liars....

May 30, 201951 min

Season 3, Episode 9: Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus is a prolific songwriter, artist, and actor. He started his career recording his first album, “Some Gave All” at The Music Mill, aka NSAI’s headquarters. He visited NSAI in the last month to film promo pieces for his 16th studio album out today titled "The Snake Doctor Circus." He shared his journey collaborating with long-time friend and co-writer Don Von Tress on the long-anticipated project. We talk success, writing with honesty, and the value he has found in the NSAI songwrit...

May 24, 201918 min

Season 3, Episode 8: Abby Anderson

Black River recording artist Abby Anderson is a rising female in country music – she is listed in The Bobby Bones Show’s “Class of 2019,” MusicRow’s “Next Big Thing for 2019,” and Sounds Like Nashville’s “19 New Country Artists to Watch in 2019." She heads out on the road with Rob Thomas starting May 28th for his Chip Tooth Smile Tour after already playing some of the biggest festivals in the country including Tortuga and Stagecoach! We talk about many of her recent releases including a cover of...

May 10, 201929 min

Season 3, Episode 7: Derek Wells

In this episode we chat with session musician and producer, Derek Wells! From the lens of a producer, he shares his own perspective on why a well-crafted song is so important to the creative process. We also talk about his work with Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, Steven Tyler, Josh Turner and more!

Apr 25, 201944 min

Season 3, Episode 6: Corey Crowder

This episode features ACM, Billboard, and Grammy nominated songwriter/producer Corey Crowder. We visited Tree Vibez Musicto talk with him about his songwriting craft and advice he’s received from his mentors like Rivers Rutherford and Liz Rose. He’s worked with longtime friend and artist Chris Young of whom he celebrated his first #1 in 2015 for, “I’m Comin’ Over." Corey shares his experience producing LoCash’s sophomore album, “Brothers” as well as his projects with RaeLynn, Cale Dodds, Morgan ...

Apr 19, 201936 min

Season 3, Episode 5: Leah Nobel

Singer-Songwriter Leah Nobel spent three years on what she calls a 'hybrid creative endeavor' one that combines journalism, empathy, advocacy, and music. Her latest album, “Running In Borrowed Shoes” features 10 tracks thread together from over 100 interviews with passer-byers at the YMCA. Each song features a recurring theme of what it means to be human – joy, praise, concern, vulnerability, fear, and countless other emotions and experiences are a part of the story. The album was produced by Gr...

Mar 07, 201943 min

Season 3, Episode 4: Lit

Our latest Coffee Break episode features Jeremy and A. Jay Popoff from the American rock band Lit ("My Own Worst Enemy," "Zip-Lock" and "Miserable")! In this episode we talk about their latest record "These Are The Days," a fourteen-song project produced by Lit and Corey Crowder. This is their first full-length album since "A View From The Bottom." Jeremy and A. Jay talk about collaborating with Michael Hobby (A Thousand Horses), the late Andrew Dorff, Jeffrey Steele and others for "These Are Th...

Feb 15, 201919 min

Season 3, Episode 3: Andrew Ripp

Songwriter/Artist Andrew Ripp is joining us for NSAI Coffee Break to chat about his latest collaboration project with Chris Rice, "Songs We Wrote On Tuesdays"! The new album is the outcome of the inevitable creativity when two artist (friends) put music to discussions of life, struggle, faith, and love - written over an 8 year period. Andrew has opened for Sara Bareilles, Andy Grammer, Needtobreathe, Jon Foreman, and the Plain White T’s. He has performed on high-profile TV shows including ABC’s ...

Feb 01, 201936 min

Season 3, Episode 2: David Hodges

David Hodges is currently celebrating a Grammy nomination for “Dear Hate,” written with Tom Douglas and Maren Morris! In this episode you’ll hear about the inspiration behind balled recorded by Maren and featuring Vince Gill. David has written of some the biggest singles in pop music including “Because of You” for Kelly Clarkson, “Brand New” for Ben Rector, “A 1,000 Years” for Christina Perri featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and many more. David was a band member of Evanescanc...

Jan 18, 201936 min

Season 3, Episode 1: Kara DioGuardi

To kick off the new year, we are featuring an interview with Grammy nominated songwriter, producer, publisher, author and entrepreneur Kara DioGuardi! You know Kara from songs like “Sober” for P!nk, "UnDo It" for Carrie Underwood, "Heartbeat Song" for Kelly Clarkson, "Rich Girl" for Gwen Stefani and more. She was a judge on seasons 8 and 9 of "American Idol" and has mentored artists like Charlie Puth, Jason Derulo and Jon Bellion who is a phenomenal writer at her publishing company Arthouse Ente...

Jan 04, 201942 min
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