Originally from Bracebridge, Ontario, Deric Ruttan has written multiple No. 1 hits for artists like Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, and Jason Aldean. His songwriting credits include chart-topping songs such as “Mine Would Be You,” “Any Ol’ Barstool,” and “What Was I Thinkin’.” As an artist, he has released several albums of his own, earning JUNO and Canadian Country Music Award nominations. He is currently published by Sony Music Publishing and Stoneleigh Road Songs. In this episode, we discuss D...
Mar 11, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Craig Wiseman is a Grammy-winning songwriter and one of the most successful hitmakers in country music history. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he has written over 30 No. 1 songs for artists like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line. His catalog includes career-defining hits such as “Live Like You Were Dying,” “The Good Stuff,” and “Summertime.” In addition to his songwriting success, he is the founder of Big Loud Publishing, which has grown into one of Na...
Mar 04, 2025•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Craig Wiseman is a GRAMMY-winning songwriter with over 30 No. 1 country hits. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he has written songs for Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line, including “Live Like You Were Dying,” “The Good Stuff,” and “Summertime.” He founded Big Loud, now a major Nashville music company, and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. In part one of this episode, we discuss his journey from Mississippi to Music Row, th...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Feb 18, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Adam James is a songwriter originally from Loami, Illinois. He has written songs for Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, and many others. He recently achieved his first #1 hit with Chesney’s “Knowing You,” which was also nominated for ACM Song Of The Year. Adam is published by Universal Music Publishing Group. In this episode we discuss the "country flip," Knowing You, AI, writing and finding success with your friends, and many other stops along the way. This episode&a...
Feb 11, 2025•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brandon Lancaster is an artist, songwriter, and lead vocalist of the Nashville-based band LANCO. Originally from Smyrna, Tennessee, Brandon and his bandmates garnered national attention with their debut single “Greatest Love Story,” which became a No. 1 hit on the Country Airplay chart and was just certified 5x Platinum. LANCO has toured with major acts such as Dierks Bentley, Luke Combs, and Miranda Lambert, and just released their sophomore album “We’re Gonna Make It”. In this episode, we disc...
Feb 04, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conner Smith is a country singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He signed his first publishing deal at 16 and released his debut album, Smoky Mountains , in 2024. His breakout hits include “I Hate Alabama” and the Gold-certified “Take It Slow.” He has toured with artists like Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Chase Rice and Parker McCollum. He is currently signed to Big Machine Records’ Valory label. In the episode, we discuss Conner’s early introduction to songwriting, the success of the vira...
Jan 28, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. His new record “Solitary Tracks” is out February 28th; he is currently signed to Virgin Music Group. In this episode we discuss the level of songwriting craftsmanship in Nash...
Jan 21, 2025•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Bobby Bones is a radio and TV personality originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas, now based in Nashville. He is best known as the host of the nationally syndicated “Bobby Bones Show,” which is the top country morning show in the United States and Canada. He is also a 2x New York Times best selling author and the winner of Season 27 of Dancing With The Stars. In this episode we discuss how Bobby got his start, the future of radio, what is or isn’t “Country” music, and so much more. New Episodes ev...
Jan 14, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryan Tyndell is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer originally from East Texas. He has written songs for some of the biggest names in country music, including Eric Church, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters, and more. His song “Springsteen,” recorded by Eric Church, was nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards in 2013. In addition to his success as a songwriter, he has produced critically acclaimed records for Ryan Beaver, Tucker Beathard, and Charli...
Jan 07, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dave Cohen is an award-winning session musician and producer currently signed as a songwriter to Spirit Music Nashville. Originally from Calgary, Canada, Dave has played on over 50 #1 records and has co-produced songs for Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, and many more. In addition to his producer and session musician credits, he is a 3x ACM Award Winner for Keyboard Player of the Year. This episode originally aired on April 1st, 2024. In this episode, Dave shares his experience movin...
Dec 31, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Billy Montana has had a 30+ year career in Nashville with songs recorded by some of the biggest stars in country music, including number ones with Garth Brooks, Jo Dee Messina, Sara Evans and Lee Brice. This episode originally aired 8/1/23. On this episode, Billy reflects on both the lows (writing for 12 years before having a hit), and the highs (one of his songs entering the chart already at number one), and what it was like hearing his Grammy-nominated “Bring on the Rain” on the radio for the ...
Dec 24, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from a Shreveport, Louisiana, Jacob Davis is a hit songwriter currently signed to Universal Music Publishing. Jacob has written songs for major label artists including Jake Owen, Kolby Cooper, Greylan James, and his brother Jordan Davis. Jacob’s latest radio number one “Buy Dirt” (recorded by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan) earned him a CMA award for Song of the Year. This episode originally aired October 9, 2023. Jacob shares his journey - from playing in Bars at LSU, to the Louisiana o...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Host Troy Cartwright and Producer Ben (Ben VanMaarth) sit down to answer to answer our Ten Year Town community submitted questions. In this episode, we discuss what a Nashville co-write is like, battling comparison, protecting your intellectual property, writing by hand vs. writing on your phone, questions about AI and many other stops along the way. If you've got a question, you can submit yours at http://tenyeartown.com . New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitte...
Dec 10, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Josh Crutchmer is a music journalist and author originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma. Josh is a writer and planning editor for the New York Times and a contributor to Rolling Stone. He is set to release his 3rd book, Red Dirt Unplugged, on December 13th. In this episode, we discuss Josh’s journey from Oklahoma to the New York Times, why music journalism is important, the stories behind red dirt legends like Tom Skinner, Stony Larue, and much more. New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy C...
Dec 03, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast This episode features our host Troy Cartwright's interview on the SongTown Podcast. Learn more about SongTown at https://songtown.com/ . "Today’s guest Troy Cartwright (Singer-songwriter/ Host of the Ten Year Town Podcast) reveals his journey through a major label record deal, leaving that, and finding indie streaming success. Now he calls his own creative shots, crushing it with songs like “That’s Why,” “Unlove You,” and “Over You By Now.” New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Tro...
Nov 26, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nick Wheeler is a songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the band “The All-American Rejects.” Originally from Stillwater, Oklahoma, Nick wrote some of the early 2000s’ biggest hits, including “Swing, Swing,” “Move Along,” “Gives You Hell,” and others. In addition to his work with the band, Nick operates and produces out of his Wheelhouse Studio in Nashville. In this episode, Nick shares why he loves Nashville and considers it his home, his early interest in production and recording, what’s nex...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Travis Denning is an artist and songwriter originally from Warner Robbins, Georgia. Known for his creative storytelling in songs like “David Ashley Parker from Powder Springs” (certified Gold) and his first #1 song “After A Few” (certified Platinum), he has had additional success as a songwriter with cuts on Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Chase Rice, Cody Johnson, and more. He is currently published by Red Creative Group. On this episode, Travis shares his journey, from getting his start in Georgia...
Nov 12, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Marv Green is a grammy nominated songwriter and singer originally from Southern California. Over the course of his multi-decade career, he has had cuts with legendary artists such as George Strait, Eric Church, Tim McGraw, Morgan Wallen and many, many others. His song “Amazed” recorded by Lonestar won the BMI Award for song of the year. Currently, he is signed to Warner Chappell Music and Red Door Music Group. In this episode, we discuss Marv’s origin story before moving to Nashville, what it’s ...
Nov 05, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry Miree is a professional drummer originally from Birmingham, Alabama. Harry has toured with acts like Hardy, LoCash, Lindsay Ell, Ryan Follies and many, many more. He is also well known in the drumming community for his popular YouTube channel. Currently, he is the Music Director and touring drummer for Hardy. In this episode, Harry returns to Ten Year Town to discuss all that goes into creating a tour, how he translates song recordings to a live show, what he’s looking forward to and much ...
Oct 29, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tofer Brown is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and producer originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Tofer has written songs for artists like Jon Pardi, Little Big Town, Lauren Daigle, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce and many others. He is currently signed to Concord Music Publishing. In this episode, Tofer shares his journey, from transferring to Belmont University and then dropping out after only a semester, why he waited to sign a publishing deal, advice for younger writers and more. New Episo...
Oct 22, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Oct 15, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Travis Wood is a songwriter originally from Beaverton, Ontario. Travis has had songs recorded by Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Corey Kent, Parmalee and many more. He is currently signed to Creative Nation and his song “I Ain’t Sayin”, recorded by Jordan Davis, is currently a single at country radio. In this episode, we discuss Travis’ move from Canada to Nashville, how he picked up writing songs from his dad, his first Number 1 song with Parmalee, his advice to young songwriters, and more. New Episo...
Oct 08, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Oct 01, 2024•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Dylan Marlowe is a songwriter and country artist originally from Statesboro, Georgia. Dylan has toured with artists such as Hardy, Brantley Gilbert, Cole Swindell and Dan + Shay. In addition to his success as an artist, Dylan was a co-writer on Jon Pardi’s number 1 song “Last Night Lonely”. Dylan’s debut record, Mid-Twenties Crisis, is out this week via Sony Music Nashville. He is published by Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Music. In this episode we talk about his new record, finding your crew,...
Sep 24, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Stephen Wilson Jr. is a country singer and songwriter originally from Southern Indiana. He is signed to Big Loud Records and has toured with HARDY, Brothers Osborne and more. Stephen’s debut album “Son of Dad” was released in September 2023 to critical acclaim. In addition to his success as an artist, Stephen has had cuts as a writer with Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Caitlyn Smith and others. In this episode we discuss Stephen’s journey from rural Indiana to middle Tennessee, his previous car...
Sep 17, 2024•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ward Guenther is the founder of Whiskey Jam and the host of the Ward Guenther Show on Apple Music Country. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Ward started his journey in Nashville as a writer and musician. In 2011, Ward founded Whiskey Jam as a full band alternative to the traditional acoustic rounds in town. Whiskey Jam has since logged over 1,000 shows, with over 3,500 artists. On this episode, Ward shares his journey, from moving to Nashville and playing open-mics to hitting the road with to...
Sep 10, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast Katie Fagan is a music publisher originally from Indiana. Katie got her start in publishing as an intern at Warner/Chappell Music Publishing in LA, and soon began working as an assistant to Dr. Luke, founder of Prescription Songs. Katie later moved to Nashville to open Prescription’s first office outside of LA, and has since signed a number of hit songwriters including Lauren LaRue and Malibu Babie. She is the head of A&R for Prescription Songs Nashville. In this episode, Katie shares her jo...
Sep 03, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Drew Baldridge is a county music singer and songwriter originally from Patoka, Illinois. He has toured with some of country’s biggest acts including Cole Swindell, Lee Brice, and more. This week, Drew became the first ever independent artist to achieve their first Number 1 song at country radio with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”. On this episode, Drew shares his journey, from playing the label game to building his own radio team independently, how to take ownership of one’s artist career, and advi...
Aug 27, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ryan Beaver is a country music artist and songwriter originally from Emory, Texas. Ryan has written songs for HARDY, Midland, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum, and many more. In addition to his songwriting success, he’s released several records including critically acclaimed “RX” in 2016. This year, Ryan celebrated his first #1 song “Pretty Little Poison” recorded by Warren Zeiders. In this episode, Ryan shares his journey, from playing country bars in Austin to writing hits in Nashville, how h...
Aug 20, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
