In this inaugural episode of the Ten Year Town Book Club, we bring back Nashville songwriter Jimi Bell to talk about Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way Of Being. The idea behind the Ten Year Town Book club is to provide a platform for previous guests to revisit and share with us a book that has made a profound impact on them and their careers as creatives. This episode features Jimi Bell, a singer songwriter from Hawkinsville, Georgia. Jimi's written songs for some of the biggest artists ...
Feb 06, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Ashley Ray is a songwriter and artist currently signed to Lady Fairchild Publishing and Warner Chappell Music. She has had cuts with numerous artists including Lori McKenna, Charles Kelley, Little Big Town, Ruston Kelly, and more. In addition to her songwriting success, she has recorded and released three studio albums, including her most recent titled “Animal” released in November of 2023. In this episode we discuss being on the road, imposter syndrome, making ...
Jan 30, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jerry Flowers is a musician and songwriter originally from Pinch, West Virginia. He is currently the bass player and musical director for Keith Urban, and has toured with the Chicks, Counting Crows, and many others. In addition to his success as a musician, he is an accomplished songwriter and has written #1 songs for Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt and Ryan Hurd. In this epiosde we talk about Jerry’s journey to Nashville, his time as a member of “The Ranch” (Keith Urban’s first band), ...
Jan 23, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from Philadelphia, Mississippi, Michael Hardy, more popularly known as HARDY, is a hit country music songwriter and artist. In addition to his own #1 songs including “Wait in the Truck” and “One Beer”, he has also penned songs for Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line and many more. Additionally, HARDY is a partner at his publishing company Relative Music Group and signed to Big Loud Records. In this episode we talk about his journey from Mississippi to Mu...
Jan 16, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Luke Laird is a Grammy award-winning songwriter and producer originally from Hartstown, Pennsylvania. In addition to two Grammys, Luke has written over 20 #1 Billboard singles, has production credits with Kacey Musgraves, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and more, and was named both BMI and ACM’s Songwriter of the Year. On this episode, Luke shares his journey from Pennsylvania to Middle Tennessee State University, how he found his songwriting success, the founding of his company Creative Nation, his writ...
Jan 09, 2024•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jessi Alexander is a Nashville country music songwriter and artist originally from Jackson, TN. She has written songs for many major label artists including Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, Patty Loveless and many more. Her song “I Drive Your Truck” - which was recorded by Lee Brice - won song of the year at both the CMA and ACM awards in 2013. In addition to her country songwriting success, Jessi is perhaps best known for co-writing the song “The Climb” for Miley Cyrus. In this episode we discuss ...
Jan 02, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode is a rewind from episode 7 where we welcomed our first publisher-guest Courtney Allen! Courtney is a Senior Director of A&R at Concord Music. As a music publisher, she pitches and provides support for many talented songwriters in Nashville including Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Hillary Lindsey, Justin Wilson, Ruston Kelly and more. Courtney shares how she works with writers to build them a great calendar, what new songwriters can do to get on a publisher's ...
Dec 26, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Buy "The War of Art" here: https://amzn.to/3RQ62EJ In this extra special holiday episode of Ten Year Town, host Troy Cartwright covers (breifly) one of his all time favorite books about the creator's journey. New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter , Instagram . Social Channels for Ten Year Town: Youtube Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, ...
Dec 19, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Aaron Eshuis is a songwriter and producer originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan currently signed to Concord Music Publishing. Aaron has written songs for Rascall Flats, Joe Nichols, Cole Swindell, Ryan Hurd, and Scotty McCreery. He had his first No. 1, “this is it”, with McCreery in 2018. In addition to his songwriting career, Aaron has produced records for Ryan Hurd, Scotty McCreery and others. In this episode Aaron talks about his journey from Michigan to Nashville, how he got started in the mus...
Dec 12, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Currently residing in Los Angeles, Zac Barnett is a songwriter and the lead singer of the band American Authors. Having met while attending Berklee College of Music, Zac and his bandmates have gone on to tour globally, earn over a billion streams, and their biggest hit “Best Day of My Life” is RIAA 3x certified platinum and featured in over 600 commercials and film. In this episode, Zac discusses how the importance of being open to collaboration, his philosophy on releasing music independently, ...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Josh Jenkins is a Grammy-nominated hit songwriter and the lead singer of the band Green River Ordinance. He’s written songs for Walker Hayes, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, and many more. Recently, he was a co-writer on the 4x platinum hit “Fancy Like” recorded by Walker Hayes, and CMA Song of the Year “Buy Dirt” recorded by Jordan Davis. On this episode Josh talks about growing up learning how to write songs with his dad and brother, joining the roc...
Nov 28, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Harry Miree a professional studio and touring 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 (and beyond) for his popular YouTube channel (dude!). In this episode, we discuss how a music teacher changed the trajectory of his life, his thought process on building an audience, how he forged his own path to get his start as a touring drummer, and a million othe...
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join the Ten Year Town community and email list here. Host Troy Cartwright and producer Ben VanMaarth answer ten year town listener questions. submit your questions for the next episode at: http://tenyeartown.com New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter , Instagram . Social Channels for Ten Year Town: Youtube Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Crisw...
Nov 16, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Brinley Addington is a Number 1 songwriter and artist orgininally from Kingsport, Tennessee. Signed to Spirit Music Nashville, Brinley has had cuts with artists like Darius Rucker, Parmalee, Chris Janson, Kameron Marlowe, and more. In 2021, Brinley notched his first number 1 at radio “Chasing After You” recorded by Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris. On this episode, Brinley shares his how his first number one was 7 years in the making, the importance of staying focused as a songwriter, and how Nashvill...
Nov 14, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Benjy Davis is a hit songwriter currently signed to Universal Music Publishing. Benjy has written songs for many major label artists including Cody Johnson, Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae, Dan & Shay, and Chris Young, and was one of the nine writer-collaborators on the Grammy-nominated “Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville.” Benjy shares his journey, from starting his own band “The Benjy Davis Project”, to moving to Nashville to write country music, what...
Nov 07, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from Danville, Kentucky, Aaron Raitiere is a grammy award-winning songwriter, performer, and visual artist. He has written songs for Anderson East, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, Montgomery Gentry, and Lady Gaga. His song “I’ll Never Love Again” was a part of the movie A Star Is Born and earned Aaron a Grammy in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category. Aaron is a one-of-one creative, a raconteur and true Nashville original. You will leave this episode with an understanding...
Oct 31, 2023•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim Hunze is a Vice President of Publishing at Big Machine Music. A thirty-year veteran of Nashville and Music Row, Tim has pitched and provided support for many talented songwriters including Jordan Davis, Kip Moore, Bobby Pinson, Brett James and many, many more. Tim shares his journey from college intern to publishing VP, how the industry has changed and grown over the years, what makes an unsigned songwriter stand out, and how to find your voice. New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy...
Oct 24, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nashville native Derek Wells is an award-winning session guitar player, record producer, and Vice President of A&R at Spirit Music Nashville. Along the way he has played on over 100 #1 songs, been Grammy-nominated, won CMA Musician of the Year and has played on records for Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini and more. On this episode, Derek shares unique insights on his journey - from getting his start in Josh Turner’s touring band, to playing on his first #1 with Madd...
Oct 17, 2023•59 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. Jacob shares his journey - from playing in Bars at LSU, to the Louisiana oil fields, and eventually to Nashville. He offe...
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hailing from Roswell, Georgia, Andy Albert is a Nashville hit songwriter currently signed to Concord Music. He's written big songs for many major country artists including Dan + Shay, Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw, HARDY, Ryan Hurd, and had a six-week country radio number one with “Thinkin’ Bout You” (recorded by Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter). Andy shares his journey with us from moving to Nashville, signing his first publishing deal, how he extensively prepares for his writes, and why Cou...
Oct 02, 2023•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Chris McHugh is an A-list session drummer living in Nashville, Tennessee. He has played on 1000’s of records and 100’s of hit songs for artists like Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Alabama, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton and many many more. In addition to his studio work, Chris was the live drummer and music director for Keith Urban, and has also toured with artists like Garth Brooks and Amy Grant. On this episode, Chris shares his journey of how he got his start in the Christian rock band White ...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Nashville-native, Chris "Falcon" Van Belkom is the Vice President of Combustion Music Group, a boutique publishing company and record label on Music Row. Over the years, Falcon has seen the indie company celebrate over 100 Number 1 Songs as he's worked with hitmakers such as Ashley Gorley, Kings of Leon, Brett Tyler, and more. Falcon also works on the A&R side at Combustion having helped sign and develop country music artists including Jameson Rogers, Corey Kent, and Kolby Coo...
Sep 19, 2023•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Jacob Durrett is a Nashville hit songwriter and producer currently signed to Big Loud Publishing and Warner Chappell Music. He has written songs for some of the biggest names in music, including Morgan Wallen, Diplo, Zayn, HARDY, Nelly, and Devin Dawson. Jacob's been a part of several #1 songs as both a writer and producer - including Big, Big Plans (Chris Lane) and Wasted On You (Morgan Wallen). Jacob shares his journey on the pod, how he works on his relationships with artists, his though...
Sep 12, 2023•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join the Ten Year Town community and email list here. Host Troy Cartwright and producer Ben VanMaarth answer ten year town listener questions. submit your questions for the next episode at: http://tenyeartown.com John Mayer at Berklee Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRmrMDfWkNo New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter , Instagram . Social Channels for Ten Year Town: Youtube Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth. Intro and ...
Sep 07, 2023•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Originally from St. Louis and a graduate of Belmont University, Emily Landis is a Nashville hit songwriter currently signed to BMG Music. She's written songs for many major country music artists including Larry Fleet, Seaforth, Tiera Kennedy, Kassi Ashton and more. Emily's first big success was with Gabby Barrett's "The Good Ones" which spent three straight weeks at Number One and is now 3x certified platinum. On this episode, Emily shares how songwriting became her free...
Sep 05, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Wynn Varble has had 30+ year career as a hit songwriter in Nashville with songs cut by country's biggest stars, including Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Brad Paisley, Darryl Worley, Montgomery Gentry, and Trace Adkins to name a few. Wynn's been nominated multiple times for the CMA or ACM Song of the Year Award and his first number 1 song, "Have You Forgotten" by Darryl Worley, spent 7 weeks at the top of the Billboard Country Chart. Wynn's seen Music Row through many chan...
Aug 29, 2023•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Hailing from Wichita, Kansas, Cameron Bedell is a Nashville hit songwriter and producer currently signed to Liz Rose Music and Warner Chappell music. He's written songs for many major country artists such as Dylan Scott, Hailey Whitters, Seaforth, Lauren Alaina, and recently had a two-week number one with Jimmie Allen’s "down home." Cameron shares his journey, from making songs in high school on his dad's work computer, to moving to Nashville and transitioning from R&B to...
Aug 22, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Minnesota’s own, Brett Tyler, is a hit songwriter currently signed to Combustion Music Group. He’s written songs for the biggest names in country music (Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, HARDY, Lainey Wilson and Maren Morris) and had his first number one with Jameson Rogers’ and Luke Combs’ “Cold Beer Calling My Name.” Brett’s second number one came earlier this year with “Wild As Her” recorded by Corey Kent. Brett shares with the pod his journey through Nashville, how he preps for writes, why he co...
Aug 15, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week's episode welcomes our first publisher-guest Courtney Allen! Courtney is a Senior Director of A&R at Concord Music. As a music publisher, she pitches and provides support for many talented songwriters in Nashville including Russell Dickerson, Corey Crowder, Hillary Lindsey, Justin Wilson, Ruston Kelly and more. Courtney shares how she works with writers to build them a great calendar, what new songwriters can do to get on a publisher's radar, and generally what it means t...
Aug 08, 2023•50 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. 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 first time right after 9/11. New Episo...
Aug 01, 2023•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
