SEASON 3, EP: 11 / STEVE DEAN: MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING SONGWRITER PART ONE
The competition for songwriters in Nashville is off the charts crazy and there are a lot of great writers coming to town every single day. - Steve Dean
Welcome to part 1 of the country music success story of hit songwriter Steve Dean. This Grammy nominee has written 6 #1 songs including Watching You by Rodney Atkins…the most played song on country radio in 2007. Recorded in Steve’s writing room at his home just outside of Nashville which is filled with guitars, Beatles memorabilia, and BMI awards this episode is full of wisdom for songwriters just getting started. Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, by musical parents, Steve lived in a home where music was always playing. His mother taught him how to play the piano when he was about 5 years old and Steve’s dad gave him his first guitar at 9. Teachers in school noticed how well Steve wrote stories and encouraged him to be an author. After earning a degree in advertising at the University of Arkansas, he got his start selling creative to major advertisers until one day, a colleague said: “why don’t you go to Nashville and find artists who will sing the songs you’re writing?” On February 7, 1980, Steve packed up his Toyota and made his way to Nashville where he started writing hit songs that have earned him a Grammy nomination, countless industry awards, and six #1 hits including Watching You by Rodney Atkins which would go on to become the most played record on country radio in 2007. Through it all, Steve has mentored countless young songwriters including Jacy. If you’re thinking of packing up your car and heading to Nashville, listen to this episode first. The great Steve Dean has a lot to tell you!
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SEASON 3, EP: 12 / STEVE DEAN: MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING SONGWRITER PART TWO
Persistence is the key to success. Not giving up. - Steve Dean
We were having so much fun talking to hit songwriter Steve Dean, we had to divide it into 2 parts. Over the past few years, we’ve learned that when you are interviewing an artist in their own home, you get to know them on a deeper level and that was certainly the case with Steve Dean. Steve raised his children in the house where we recorded this interview and when you walk in the door, it feels that way. Steve and his wife have created a cozy home, where love lives. He’s a family man who is grateful that he gets to write songs every day. Steve is a Grammy nominee who has written 6 #1 songs and country artists consider themselves lucky to sing his songs. In this interview, you’ll hear the stories behind some of his biggest hits including Does Your Memory Ever Sleep At Night for Steve Wariner, Reba’s Walk On, The Oakridge Boys, It Takes A Little Rain and Rodney Atkin’s smash Watching You. Steve also talks about his deep commitment to America’s veterans through a non-profit called FreedomsingsUSA.org. where service men and women take their stories, poems, and memories to create songs that heal with help from hit songwriters like Steve. His writing room may be lined with plaques that signify his success, but in this interview, we learn that Steve values the kind of success that can’t be measured in dollars and cents. It comes straight from the heart.
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SEASON 3, EP: 10 / LORRIE MORGAN: AWARD-WINNING ARTIST
It’s not us that makes music. Music makes us. My love for music is what inspires me and that is the secret to my success. It’s the song. - Lorrie Morgan
This episode may be one of the most personal interviews we’ve ever recorded. Born Loretta Lynn Morgan, Lorrie is the daughter of the legendary George Morgan and his beloved wife, Anna. Recorded at Lorrie’s home in a quiet little town outside of Nashville, she welcomed us into her favorite room which overlooks a backyard that was created by her husband Randy and includes a pool, BBQ, birdhouses perched in trees, and a koi pond. You’ll hear Lorrie’s dog Puddin Marie Antoinette bark, and you’ll also hear her cry as she sits in her favorite chair recalling the ups and downs of her incredible career. Mentored by the great Jeannie Seeley, Lorrie shares what it was like to make her debut at only 13 on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. She reflects on life at home with a superstar father, the stories behind her biggest hits, and what she wishes she knew when she first got started. Recorded on the day after her late husband Keith Whitley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame by Garth Brooks, this interview is a rare look into country music royalty and the heart of a hugely talented woman who was born to sing.
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SEASON 3, EP: 7 / PAM TILLIS: GRAMMY & CMA AWARD-WINNING ARTIST PART 2
You can’t record a good song. You have to record a great song. I don’t want a song, I want an event. I knew that’s what it would take to get me off the ground. - Pam Tillis
This week, we’re sitting down with Pam Tillis who is not only the daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis but an icon in her own right. Pam is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and a 2-time Grammy winner with 6 number-1 hits and 14 top 10 singles. With more than 30 singles charting on Billboard, Pam has sold more than 7 million copies of her studio albums. A 15-time CMA nominee and a 9-time ACM nominee, Pam’s music dominated country radio in the ’90sand she remains one of the very best singer/songwriters in Nashville. In this interview, you will get to know the very personal side of Pam who shares details about her “country chaos” childhood, making her way in country music as a demo singer, the art of songwriting, finding the best songs to record, and sage advice about what it takes to succeed in Nashville. Recorded at the Glen Campbell Museum in Nashville, this interview includes a very special reunion for Jacy and Pam who worked together for years. This interview is so packed with Pam’s stories, we’re splitting it in two, so don’t miss our next installment which includes the stories behind her biggest hits and what Pam considers the secret ingredient to her success in country music.
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SEASON 3, EP: 8 / CANDY & JACY: LOOKING BACK ON 2022
Our goal has always been to take you with us as we go inside the homes and onto the back porches of country music icons as we discover what makes these talented people tick!
- Candy O’Terry & Jacy Dawn Valeras
Welcome to a recap of some of Candy and Jacy’s favorite 2022 interviews. Chockfull of behind-the-scenes stories that didn’t make the final cut, this episode includes Jacy’s terrifying flight from Nashville to Palm Springs, California to visit Candy, what it was like to be served espresso in a room full of guitars at Anthony Resta’s 1920’s hunting lodge/studio in Laurel Canyon and the thrill of interviewing industry heavyweights TK Kimbrell, Mike Borchetta, Julian Raymond and Kim Campbell LIVE from the Rhinestone Stage at the Glen Campbell Museum. Plus, there’s the trip to the craftsman-style home of songwriter/producer and former American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi, the green room meeting during CMA week with actress and singer Rita Wilson (which ended in tears), and the revealing 2-part interview with multi-Grammy winner Pam Tillis who Jacy met in an elevator ten years ago. Download this fun episode for your next car ride. You’re welcome!
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SEASON 3, EP: 9 / SYLVIA: AWARD-WINNING ARTIST
The first time I sang was at Pilgrim Holiness Church. I was 3 years old and there were only 20 people in the pews. I got a lot of pats on the head but the most memorable thing was I heard this voice inside of me say: “this is what you do.” - Sylvia
Recorded in Nashville at the home studio of producer John Mock, this interview with Sylvia is full of stories. Born and raised in Kokomo, Indiana, she grew up in a place called Tall Timbers Trailer Park, just 30 feet from the railroad tracks. Sylvia recalls spending lots of time perched high in a tree, inspired by Patsy Cline, dreaming about becoming a singer someday. She was only 19 when she left for Nashville on the day after Christmas and would spend that first week walking up and down Music Rowe, looking for a job. Sylvia got her start as a receptionist learning all about the music business, but it wouldn’t be long before executives discovered she could really sing. Signed to RCA records, she came on strong with 3 top ten songs including her multi-format hit “Nobody” which climbed to number 1 on the country chart, #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, and top 5 at AC radio. “Nobody” became her signature song and was the most played record of 1982, winning Sylvia the Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year award and a Grammy Nomination for “Best Female Vocalist.” In this interview, you’ll hear about her next chapter which includes a rewarding career as a life coach and a new album long in the making called Nature Child: A Dreamer’s Journey. Says Sylvia says: “I truly love to sing. It doesn’t matter if anybody is listening. I just love to sing and that has never changed. I’m carving my own way in life with music and I hope people love it. “ www.sylviamusic.com. Amen, sister. We do love it.
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SEASON 3, EP: 6 / PAM TILLIS: GRAMMY & CMA AWARD-WINNING ARTIST
You can’t record a good song. You have to record a great song. I don’t want a song, I want an event. I knew that’s what it would take to get me off the ground. - Pam Tillis
This week, we’re sitting down with Pam Tillis who is not only the daughter of country music legend Mel Tillis but an icon in her own right. Pam is a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and a 2-time Grammy winner with 6 number-1 hits and 14 top 10 singles. With more than 30 singles charting on Billboard, Pam has sold more than 7 million copies of her studio albums. A 15-time CMA nominee and a 9-time ACM nominee, Pam’s music dominated country radio in the ’90sand she remains one of the very best singer/songwriters in Nashville. In this interview, you will get to know the very personal side of Pam who shares details about her “country chaos” childhood, making her way in country music as a demo singer, the art of songwriting, finding the best songs to record, and sage advice about what it takes to succeed in Nashville. Recorded at the Glen Campbell Museum in Nashville, this interview includes a very special reunion for Jacy and Pam who worked together for years. This interview is so packed with Pam’s stories, we’re splitting it in two, so don’t miss our next installment which includes the stories behind her biggest hits and what Pam considers the secret ingredient to her success in country music.
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SEASON 3, EP: 5 / JULIE ROBERTS: PLATINUM SELLING SINGER & SONGWRITER
If something fills your soul like music fills mine when I’m singing on stage, the feeling that I feel driving back home is I don’t wanna go back home, I wanna go to the next town and that’s how I’ve always been.
- Julie Roberts
Welcome to the story you probably never knew about platinum-selling singer/songwriter Julie Roberts. We jumped in the car for a ride to her home just outside of Nashville expecting to get the scoop on her comeback record: Ain’t In No Hurry and ended up hearing a story steeped in incredible highs and the lowest of lows. From a childhood marked by an abusive alcoholic father to the strength she learned by watching her beloved mother, Julie Robert’s story is all about resilience. Once the receptionist at Mercury Records, Julie burst on the scene as a brand new country artist in 2004 with her smash single: Break Down Here. Despite more than 2 million records sold, Julie’s hopes and dreams were crushed six years later when she lost her Nashville home in the hundred-year flood, was diagnosed with MS, and dropped by Mercury records. In this interview, she shares all these stories and more, including her MS recovery, her happy marriage, and the singular joy she experienced with the birth of her son Jackson through IVF. Recorded in her living room, just a few feet away from a stunning grand piano and vocal microphones ready for rehearsal, Julie Roberts is re-energized by her collaboration with legendary producers, Shooter Jennings and Erin Enderlin. Her album Ain’t In No Hurry is loaded with songs that bring out the best in her soulful, powerhouse voice which has a special way of breathing life into any story song. Joined by Jamey Johnson on Music City’s Killin’ Me and Randy Houser on A Little Crazy’s Kinda Nice, Julie Roberts is playing big at the top of her game. Take a listen as we reveal the heart of a kind woman who sings because she loves it and is just plain happy to be back.
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SEASON 3, EP: 4 / EMERGING ARTISTS BRENNLEY BROWN
I believe that when you have a dream and a calling is put on your life, no matter what you have to endure to pursue it, God will give you the strength to do it. - Brennley Brown
We’re back at the Glen Campbell Museum for CMA Fan Fest to interview emerging artists from the Rhinestone Stage. When Brennley Brown arrived for soundcheck with her guitar and a smile as big as the room, we knew we were in for a great interview. Raised on a ranch in Apple Valley, California, Brennley’s first performance was at a kindergarten talent show where she sang Faith Hill’s Mississippi Girl, complete with a pink cowboy hat and a pink guitar. She’s been focused on a career as a singer/songwriter in country music ever since. In this interview, she talks about her experience on season 12 of The Voice, her successful voice-over career with Dreamworks, Disney, and Nickelodeon, her mother’s unwavering support, her recent move to Nashville, and the power of her faith. Brennley wows the crowd with her vocals from the Rhinestone Stage including her original song One More Halleleuja and stunning takes on Dolly Parton’s Jolene and Waylon Jennings Good Hearted Woman.
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SEASON 3, EP: 3 / EMERGING ARTISTS - DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE AND DUSTIN COLLINS
Welcome to a very special episode of our podcast, taped on the Rhinestone Stage at the Glen Campbell Museum…the jewel of Broadway. There is so much talent in Nashville and we wanted to introduce you to some uber-talented emerging artists who are this close to making it big. First up, our interview with Darin and Brooke Aldridge, a married couple who were born to sing together. Darin’s superb musicianship as a guitarist, along with his rock-solid baritone are the perfect combination for Brooke’s angelic voice. Their harmonies and phrasing have set them apart from the rest and fueled the couple’s rise to the top in the world of bluegrass music. In fact, Brooke is a 4-time winner of vocalist of the year from the International Bluegrass Music Association and together they were nominated as vocal group of the year in 2021. Darin and Brooke dreamed of performing at the Grand Ole Opry as children and that wish has come true 35 times and counting! Their song Grand Ole Circle is featured on their latest album This Life We’re Livin’ and you’ll here it in this interview, along with Brooke’s description of what it feels like to step out onto that iconic stage for the very first time.
The Glen Campbell Museum’s Rhinestone Stage was also the perfect place for our interview with Dustin Collins, a rising star from a little town in Kentucky. He’s been honing his craft and getting a ton of experience touring with superstars like Tanya Tucker, Colt Ford and Kane Brown. In this interview, Dustin shares his love of Kentucky bourbon and the fact that at one time, he wanted to work for the department of fish and wildlife, but was told that it was harder to do that than become a country singer! Dustin’s honest, humble style combined with his rock star voice are on full display in his song Workin’ Man. For a look inside the heart and soul of emerging artists on the verge, hit that download button!
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SEASON 3, EP: 2 / RITA WILSON: ACTRESS, SINGER, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER
Music was always my first love. I had an aching, a longing to get on a stage as a very young age. - Rita Wilson
Get ready for an up-close and very personal interview with Rita Wilson. Recorded in the green room at CMA Fest 2022, this is a rare look at one of the entertainment industries’ most versatile artists. From her early career on legendary TV shows like The Brady Bunch, Happy Days, MASH, Bosom Buddies and Three’s Company to leading roles in film and on stage, Rita’s inner-glow shines through in any genre. In this interview, she admits that there is no greater joy than pouring your heart into a song. Her latest album is a labor of love, co-produced by Grammy winner Matt Rowlings. Packed with timeless duets from the 70’s, Now & Forever features Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, Vince Gill, Elvis Costello, Jimmie Allen and Leslie Odom, Jr. The lead single features Josh Groban intertwined with Rita’s flawless vocal on the Fleetwood Mac classic, Songbird. In this interview, Rita opens up about a success story very few women in show business experience. This episode includes stories about her parent’s immigration to the United States, performing at the Grand Ole Opry, her breast cancer diagnosis, her devotion to her family and how songwriting came late, encouraged by Kara DioGuardi. But it is Rita’s answer to our final question about the key to her success that left us speechless. There were tears in Rita’s answer and we left knowing that we had just interviewed a person of great character. For a deep dive into the trajectory of a superstar, just hit that download button.
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SEASON 3, EP: 1 / KARA DIOGUARDI: GRAMMY NOMINATED SONGWRITER (Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Britney Spears) & FORMER AMERICAN IDOL JUDGE
I really want to help artists who want to help themselves. If you give me 100%, I’m gonna give you 100%. If you’re only in at 20, that’s all I can meet you at. - Kara DioGuardi
When you’ve got record sales of 160 million worldwide, the chances are pretty high that you know the words to the mega-hits Kara DioGuardi has written. Superstars like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Pink, Christina Aquilera, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Katharine McPhee and so many more know that collaborating with Kara DioGuardi is like discovering buried treasure. In this up-close and personal interview, you will learn exactly what makes Kara tick. Recorded in the living room of her craftsman-style home in Nashville, lovingly restored by she and her husband, Kara talks openly about everything from a childhood where she hated being asked to sing on the spot for family and friends, to her days fronting a garage band called “Grandma Trips” to her first job at Billboard Magazine, and her realization that songwriting and producing hit records might be the strongest of her many talents. Her climb to the top was steady, but it has not been without roadblocks. In this interview, Kara shares some #metoo stories saying: “I don’t know if its about bravery or stupidity. There were times when I was so determined, I may have ended up in situations that were not the best for me.” Happily married and the mother of one son, Kara takes parenting seriously and speaks openly about the heartbreaking loss of her mother to cancer years ago. These days, the former American Idol judge is using her wisdom as a music industry pro to help aspiring songwriters with BRIIDGE, the first music platform that matches music creators based on their skillset, location and personality. The app is exploding worldwide, forming a community of support, all under Kara’s watchful eye. Be sure to listen all the way through this podcast to hear Jacy’s chat with one of Kara’s BRIIDGE singer/songwriters, Christiana Alaire who makes her debut as this week’s emerging artist.
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SEASON 2, EP: 17 / H. JACK WILLIAMS: HIGHLY ACCLAIMED SINGER / SONGWRITER.
When I set my mind out to do something, I do it. - H. Jack Williams
For this episode, we’re at Anthem Entertainment in Nashville with singer/songwriter H. Jack Williams. Anthem is one of the world’s leading independent music and entertainment content and services companies with publishing, production, the iconic Anthem Records, Film & Television, Music Licensing. As we prepped for this interview, we couldn’t help but be amazing at his career: nearly 50 years of writing songs and making music with icons like Richie Havens, The Who, Uriah Heep, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Greg Allman, Peter Gabriel, Montgomery Gentry and most recently, Kevin Costner for his band Modern West and for his hit series Yellowstone. But what is even more amazing is that Jack is still alive to tell his story, because he was so badly abused as a child. Adopted at birth through an illegal adoption operation run by the infamous Dr. Catherine Cole in Miami, Florida, Jack was raised in Eureka, Florida. His mother was a swimming teacher at the local YMCA. His father worked at the post office and was a card carrying member of the Ku Klux Klan. In this podcast, Jack explains that his early childhood was idyllic, but as he approached his early teens, his skin darkened and his father began to beat him with a garden hose, especially after he was passed up for a promotion by a black man. Jack ran away at 16 and at 17, joined the Marine Corp and became part of elite Force Recon. Now 70, this wise renaissance man is experiencing an incredible 2nd act as a recording artist with the release of his latest album Halfway to Hell which includes 10 songs he co-wrote, including two with Kevin Costner. In this episode, we learn that H. Jack Williams’ middle name should have been persistence, because he never, ever gave up on his dream to create music and relationships that pass the test of time.
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SEASON 2, EP: 16 / GLEN CAMPBELL TRIBUTE: PART TWO - AND EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GLEN'S WIFE, KIM CAMPBELL.
Dear God, please send me a southern, good looking Christian millionaire who I can be in love with and he can be in love with me…and there I was, having dinner with Glen Campbell. — Kim Campbell
Welcome to part two of our interview series on the life and music of Glen Campbell, recorded before a live studio audience at the Glen Campbell Museum in Nashville, Tennessee on April 21, 2022. This episode is your chance to experience what life was like behind the scenes, including the kinds of details only his wife Kim Campbell can share. Married to Glen for 34 years, the couple had three children together, and all of them are accomplished artists in their own right. In this interview, Kim shares her life as a dancer in New York City and how she met Glen on a blind date and married him 6 months later. Kim is very honest about Glen’s addiction to drugs and alcohol, sharing that it was their deep Christian faith that pulled them through, making it possible for Glen to be sober and the best husband and father she could have asked for. In 2011, despite a diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease, Glen set out on an unprecedented tour across America. He thought it would last five weeks but would go on to sell out 151 shows over 18 months. With his children Cal, Shannon and Ashley performing on stage with him, and Kim in the wings, the family was able to make Glen’s Good Bye Tour a glowing chapter in his success story, garnering an Academy Award nomination and the Grammy in 2015 for Best Country Song for I’m Not Gonna Miss You. From that first blind date to Glen’s death in 2017, this interview is a deep dive into the life of a country music icon, told as only a loving wife can tell it.
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SEASON 2, EP: 15 / GLEN CAMPBELL TRIBUTE: PART ONE - TK KIMBRELL, MIKE BORCHETTA & JULIAN RAYMOND.
There was never a more wonderful human being on the planet than Glen Campbell. - Mike Borchetta
Generations of artists count Glen Campbell as one of the greatest artists who ever lived. He was gifted with the kind of voice that connected to the lyric and the listener in a memorable way. Experts say that Glen Campbell was the greatest guitarist to ever play. In fact, he was a member of the famous Wrecking Crew, an outstanding session guitarist who played on some of the greatest records ever made like Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra, Viva Las Vegas by Elvis Presley, and You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling by The Righteous Brothers, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon & Garfunkel. Willie Nelson once said: “When the good Lord was passin’ out talent, Glen Campbell got on the line twice.”
This episode was recorded LIVE at the Glen Campbell Museum on April 21, 2022 as part of a week long tribute to the man and his music. Glen died of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2017 and the museum is a place where you can experience his talent and his legacy firsthand. It’s a Nashville treasure where you’ll see his guitars, his awards, his costumes you can even sing along to Rhinestone Cowboy with Glen Campbell in a soundproof booth.
As our audience took their seats, the goal was to uncover details about Glen Campbell from three of his lifelong friends: manager TK Kimbrell, Grammy winning songwriter and producer Julian Raymond and recording industry giant, Mike Borchetta. From humble beginnings as the son of sharecropper in Delight, Arkansas, Glen Campbell made the kind of music that will never die.
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SEASON 2, EP: 12 / ANTHONY RESTA - PLATINUM SELLING PRODUCER, COMPOSER & MUSICIAN
Being a producer is a lot like directing a film. You want to have a look at the bigger picture. You need to be able to zoom out and help the artist get a picture of where they’ve always wanted to go. - Anthony Resta
We’re back from our west coast swing where we were searching for interviews with iconic music industry pros. One day in California we ended up high in the Hollywood Hills for an interview with Anthony Resta, award-winning producer, sound engineer, multi-talented musician, songwriter, and collector of vintage instruments. Anthony has worked with just about every A-lister you can think of including Duran Duran, Collective Soul, Blondie, Sara Evans, Shaun Mullins and Sir Elton John. And if you are a fan of the Twilight series, Scream 2, Scream 3, or Varsity Blues, it was Anthony Resta who did the programming and production work on these soundtracks. Originally from Canada, Anthony spent a few years living in Australia as a child and then moved to Chelmsford, Massachusetts where he met Jacy and then me a few years later. A prolific artist who performed beat poetry with the stage name Ajax Ray-o-Vac, Anthony plays drums, guitar, bass, piano, flute, clarinet and harmonica. His success story is filled with rich experiences, where he experimented with sounds, stayed ahead of the curve, learned how to guide artists to their greatest studio performances, and earned a name for himself as THE guy you want to work with in the studio. As we wound our way into Laurel Canyon, Anthony was waiting for us at the gate to his recording compound. Built in the 1920’s, it was once a hunting lodge and it is in this environment where Anthony feels most at home. As we pressed record, he poured us an espresso, sat back, and told us how he made his way in the music industry.
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SEASON 2, EP: 13 / LINDY ROBBINS - MULTI-PLATINUM SELLING & AWARD-WINNING SONGWRITER
Did I change somebody’s life, or change somebody’s day or help somebody to survive cancer because of this song that was a joy to write? That’s everything. - Lindy Robbins
Our trip to Los Angeles was a blast. We had lunch in Beverly Hills, walked up and down Rodeo Drive like we were Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and then hopped in the car for this interview with Lindy Robbins. She’s a multi-platinum selling and award-winning songwriter who has written hits for for the Backstreet Boys, Demi Lovato, and Jason Derulo, and you’ll hear hear the stories behind mega-hit songs in this interview. But Lindy is no stranger to Nashville and country music, having written great big hits like Day Drunk, Morgan Evan’s top 20 smash that went platinum in his native Australia. Turns out, Lindy has been a mentor to many young songwriters from every genre and Jacy couldn’t wait to get her advice for her Music City Mentor segment, so don’t miss Lindy’s answers at the end of this interview. Lindy LOVES the creative process and her energy is like a billion watt nuclear reactor! By the time this interview is over, you’ll feel like you know her, she’s that open and friendly with lots of cool stories to tell. Aspiring songwriters, take notes!
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SEASON 2, EP: 14 / CANDY & JACY - MANIFESTING & WISH BOARDS
Manifesting your dreams and visualizing your success works. We’re proof of that. -Candy & Jacy
This episode is a little bit different from the others. While together in Palm Springs, California for a west coast swing of interviews, we decided to sit down with cozy blankets and glasses of vodka and soda to talk about our career paths in music. Trust us, the road has been filled with potholes and disappointments, loss and heartache and we talk about all of it openly in this episode, including when Jacy lost her voice, and Candy almost lost her daughter. What we have discovered is that just like the artists we’ve interviewed on this series, when doors were closed and the answer was “no”, we didn’t give up, we just adjusted our sails and kept on going. We were not only determined to be successful, we envisioned our success from a very early age. Yes, manifestation is real and wish boards work and we are proof of that! The key is: you’ve got to believe you can do it, and you will. Like Naomi Judd told us in our very first episode: “You’ve got to be like the Little Engine That Could. Say to yourself: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”
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SEASON 2, EP: 9 / JIM MESSINA of LOGGINS AND MESSINA
I appreciate the moment. I learned many years ago that happiness is the appreciation of what is happening. - Jim Messina
Jacy and I were beside ourselves as we headed to the home of Jim Messina. There we were
in her silver Toyota Corolla, winding our way down country roads just outside of Nashville, singing Your Mama Don’t Dance and your Daddy Don’t Rock n Roll at the top of our lungs. We may be interviewing country music icons on this series, but we’re FANS of the artists and music first. When you think about the career of Jim Messina, there is a lot to talk about and we couldn’t wait. His legacy of musical genius spans 5 decades and includes groundbreaking work with Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Loggins & Messina and a stellar solo career that is thriving to this day. Jim is also the creator and facilitator of The Songwriter’s Performance Workshop where he mentors songwriters and singers. www.songwritersperformanceworkshop.com. While most fans know him as a gifted guitarist, singer and songwriter, Jim Messina is a stellar producer and highly skilled sound engineer with an ear for talent. In fact he got his start in the music business at only 18 as a producer and audio engineer. Born and raised in California, Jim is now living in Tennessee where he has a recording studio in his home. As we made our way through the gates of the farm he shares with his wife, we saw Jim waving us in from his wrap around porch. We settled into big leather couches on giant wooded frames in his living room and pressed record on an interview filled with the stories of his life, the music he loves, the behaviors he regrets, and the wisdom he has learned along the way. Our time with this generous icon is here for you to enjoy and we think it just might be one of our most authentic interviews to date. Let us know what you think!
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SEASON 2, EP: 10 / PAM LEWIS - NASHVILLE PUBLICIST & PRESERVATIONIST
There are a lot of parallels between the French wine industry and the country music industry. The vintners will cut back the vines to make them suffer in order to produce the best grapes. There is a part of this town that wants you to suffer a little bit. You’ve got to pay your dues. - Pam Lewis
Have you ever wondered about the role PR and marketing play in the development of a country music artist? Easy answer: it’s huge. That’s why we sat down with Pam Lewis, one of the PR queens of Nashville with offices right on Music Row. Born and raised in upstate New York, she attended Wells College and studied abroad to attend a program associated with The Sorbonne University. One of her very first jobs out of college took her to New York City where she was part of the original publicity and marketing team for MTV and sister channels Nickelodeon, the Movie Channel and A&E. In this interview, she tells the story of her move to Nashville in 1984 where she made the transition to country music at RCA Records and helped to shape the careers of stars like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, The Judds & Alabama. Her partnership with Bob Doyle in 1987 formed Doyle/Lewis Management and their first client was an unknown artist named Garth Brooks. In addition to her work with Garth, Pam helped Trisha Yearwood land her first record deal which yielded the artist her first record-breaking single, “She’s In Love With The Boy.” The dissolution of her business relationship with Garth Brooks is well documented, and so is her determination and tenacity to get back on her feet through PLAMedia, Pam’s thriving PR and marketing agency. In this interview, we learn a lot about the business of country music and what it takes to succeed. For a birds-eye view into the life of a trailblazing powerhouse, hit that download button.
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SEASON 2, EP: 11 / JIM VEST - AWARD-WINNING STEEL GUITARIST, PRODUCER & AUTHOR
Somebody from an 11 dollar house in Alabama has cut some of the biggest records in the world and if that can happen for me, it can happen for you. - Jim Vest
We can hardly wait for you to hear this interview with Jim Vest: musician, producer, songwriter, and leader of the legendary Nashville Cats. Recorded in an easy chair from his cozy home just outside of Nashville, this is a first-hand story about a career that thrives to this day.
The author of the new book Jim Vest & the Magic of a Steel Guitar, he is one of the greatest steel guitarists in the world. Jim has also been a teacher and mentor too many musicians along the way who have experienced a sideways glance and a dose of “Jim Vest schoolin.” He is also the recipient of the Super Picker Award, given only to musicians who have played on million selling records. In fact, Jim is so good, Paul McCartney showed up in a Nashville club wearing a fur coat, just to hear him play and an unknown artist named Kenny Chesney called him “Jimbo” and used to sing demos for him. It’s safe to say that everyone in Nashville knows and respects the great Jim Vest, but in this interview, we get to know the genius and the heart of a legend.
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SEASON 2, EP: 8/ BOBBY TOMBERLIN - GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM nominated songwriter: Blake Shelton, Diamond Rio, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton
Be a good hang. Don’t bring dark energy into the room and be kind to people. Love the music so much, it loves you back. - Bobby Tomberlin
We’re kicking off 2022 with a trip to Curb WORD on Nashville’s famous Music Row. This iconic songwriter’s think-tank is owned by music industry giant Mike Curb and we’re here for a rare conversation with Bobby Tomberlin, one of the most successful songwriters in country music today. Curb WORD is a place where the energy is always flowing and as a songwriter on staff there, Bobby is expected to bring his A-game every single day, to stay connected and inspired, so that he can write songs on demand for superstars. And that’s just what he does. A lifelong singer and guitarist, this Grammy, CMA & ACM nominee got his start in the music business when he was only 11 years old as a DJ for WLVN, his little hometown radio station in Luverne, Alabama. Bobby’s interview is full of entertaining stories about his move to Nashville in 1990, how he taught himself to play guitar like a pro, the stories behind hits like “One More Day”and heartfelt wisdom about what really matters when it comes to success in country music, and in life.
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SEASON 2, EP: 5 / JAMIE O'NEAL
When I had the chicken pox, I went on stage. When I had a cracked rib, I went on stage. And that is the old Vaudeville saying “the show must go on.” -Jamie O’Neal
Music Row is pretty magical. The streets that make up this iconic area of Nashville are lined with old craftsman style houses that are now record labels, publishing houses, recording studios, music licensing companies, video productions houses, radio networks, and PR firms. It is safe to say that you can hear the heartbeat of country music on Music Row. This is where we sat down with 3 time Grammy nominee, ACM & Billboard award-winning artist Jamie O’Neal. In this exclusive interview, Jamie describes what it was like to grow up singing with the Murphy Family Band, landing the gig of back-up singer for Kiley Minogue’s worldwide tour, how motherhood blew her away, and the stories behind her smash hits There Is No Arizona, When I Think About Angels, and Somebody’s Hero. There are some cool stories about Jamie’s love of dogs, her daughter’s musical talents, her friendships with Reba, Dolly, Martina and Sara, and the work ethic she learned as a child performer. Music City Mentor Jacy Dawn Valeras gets some great advice from Jamie about how to make it in the new Nashville, and as you listen, you’ll get a pretty clear picture of what it takes to make it in country music. This is Jamie O’Neal, unfiltered.
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SEASON 2, EP: 6 / FRANK MYERS
“You and I” just stuck out to me as a title, so I just wrote it down on a piece of paper with some other titles because I was really just learning how to write songs. - Frank Myers
From a career that began as a singer with a guitar on stages large and small at only 11, opening for Porter Wagner and Dolly Parton, to touring with Eddie Raven, to songwriting superstardom, Frank Myers has lots of stories to tell. In this interview, the Grammy winner invites us into his home on a golf course, just outside of Nashville where light shines through giant windows and a cozy deck is the perfect place to watch the sunset. There’s even a man -cave downstairs, where the walls are lined with recording industry citations and #1 plaques. Make no mistake about it, this is a music man who has worked hard for 40 years to get to where he is today, and right now, he is soaking up that joy with a new Christmas single called If Everyday Could Be Christmas. You’ll hear how The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Elvis influenced his life and the stories behind mega hits like You And I, I Swear, I’m Already There and My Front Porch Lookin’ In, along with some wisdom about counting your blessings when you make it big. For a tutorial on how to approach success in country music with faith, humility and gratitude, hit that download button.
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SEASON 2, EP: 7/ THEIR FIRST TIME ON THE RADIO: SARA EVANS, JOHN SCHNEIDER, CRYSTAL GAYLE, JAMIE O'NEAL & MORE.
For this episode, Jacy and I got to thinking about our favorite answers to the questions we always ask during our interviews with country music icons. We decided to put together a “best of” episode that featured singers and songwriters answering the question: tell me about the first time you ever heard yourself on the radio? It’s a big deal when you hear yourself coming out of the car speakers…or even an old-school kitchen radio. This very special episode is our gift to you for the holidays, featuring Sara Evans, John Schneider (aka Beau Duke), TG Sheppard, Aimee Mayo, Sonny LeMaire of Exile, Jamie O’Neal and more as they share the excitement of the thrill of hearing their song on the radio and realizing that their dreams of success in country music just might come true. Leave a review and let us know your favorite “firsttime on the radio” story!
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SEASON 2, EP: 4 / LILY ISAACS OF THE ISAACS
We love it so much. We love our fans, we love what we do, and it is exhausting, but I think it’s a calling on our lives where, we have to do this. This is part of our blood. It’s our calling.
-Lily Isaacs
In this interview, we settle into the living room of Lily Isaacs, co-founder & matriarch of The Isaacs, a multi-award-winning family group whose music is described as Southern Gospel, bluegrass and Americana. But no matter how you describe their music, the magic is in the harmonies which are so tight, so ethereal, they are a religious experience. Born in Germany after World War II, Lily is the child of holocaust survivors. Her parents were Polish Jews who were forced out of their homes by the Nazis at gunpoint and sent to concentration camps where they nearly starved to death. A proud immigrant to the United States, Lily grew up in the Bronx, New York where she loved to sing and was by her own admission, a bit of a hippy. She and her singing partner landed a recording contract with Columbia Records at only 19! Soon after, Lily married musician Joe Isaac, she converted to Christianity. The couple had 3 children: Ben, Sonya & Becky and it wasn’t long before they realized that their children had incredible musical gifts. The Isaacs family band was formed 35 years ago and continues to pack audiences worldwide with their own brand of deeply moving, faith-based music. For an inspiring story of faith, perseverance and success in the music business, just hit that download button!
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SEASON 2, EP: 3 / SONNY LEMAIRE OF EXILE
The appeal of music for me was playing the music. When you start playing, and that music is blowing by you, around you. It is the most amazing, glorious feeling. -Sonny LeMaire
In this episode, we sit down with Sonny LeMaire, bass player, singer/songwriter for the iconic group Exile. Taped in Sonny’s cozy living room outside of Nashville, we learn all about what it takes to succeed in rock, pop and country music because this is a man who has experienced it all. With one of his rescue dogs napping in his lap, Sonny led us through the incredible ladder of his career, including the story of his first bass guitar, purchased at a pawn shop, which he played (youguessed it) “til his fingers bled”. Like so many teenagers growing up in the 60’s, Sonny was forever changed when he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. At that moment, Sonny knew he was wired to play music and Paul McCartney on bass became his first role model. From playing high school dances to touring the country with major acts, to a bowling alley lounge in Lexington, Kentucky, Sonny had seen it all very quickly. With a wife and 6 year old child to care for, Sonny decided it would be okay if he didn’t hit the big time. Enter an offer in 1977 from Exile keyboard player Marlon Hargis who recruited Sonny after founding member J.P. Pennington sat in with him at the bowling alley lounge! To find out how much the band was going to pay him, and what happened next, just hit that download button. This is one of those interviews you just can’t stop listening to.
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SEASON 2, EP:2 / CHRIS LINDSEY
I think I am known as a nice guy. It’s more important to be a great person than it is to be a hit songwriter. - Chris Lindsey
In this episode, we’re heading back to Aimeeland, a famous recording studio just outside of Nashville for an interview with Grammy nominated hit songwriter, Chris Lindsey. In this magical studio nestled beside the home he shares with wife Aimee Mayo and their three children, Chris has worked with just about every major country artist including Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Mark Wills, Martina McBride and many more. Known as Nashville’s premiere husband and wife songwriting team, Chris and Aimee co-wrote Lonstar’s 1999 multi-format smash “Amazed” which spent 21 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country charts, winning Song of the Year at the ACM Awards. And there have been dozens of top 10 songs to follow for Chris who has over 250 commercial recordings of his songs which have sold 90 million records and counting. In this interview, Chris sat with us at an old, hand-painted writing table to talk about his early childhood in Las Vegas just outside of Area 51, what Nashville was like when he arrived nearly 25 year ago, how he and Aimee write together, and what it takes to be a truly great songwriter.
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16 / JOHN SCHNEIDER PODCAST INTERVIEW
I’ve always expected great things and I’ve asked people to do the same. It’s a mindset. If you expect bad things to happen, they will. I don’t think anybody would disagree with that. Therefore, if you expect great things to happen they will. - John Schneider
Music Row is just a road in Nashville, but it is paved with the hopes and dreams of just about every man or woman who ever walked it…hoping that someday, somehow, they’ll make it in Music City.
John Schneider is one of those people who always knew he would make it, and he did. As Bo Duke on the Dukes of Hazard, he decided to use his talents as a singer and was able to have a number one TV show and number one songs, back to back. In total, John released 9 studio albums, 18 singles, 11 top 10 songs and 4 number one smash hits. An actor throughout his childhood and teenage years, John wrote and directed the final episode of The Dukes of Hazzard and then jumped back into acting with leading roles on Smallville, the Haves & Have Nots, Dr Quinn Medicine Women…and more. Valuing his ability as a storyteller above all his many talents, John is a gifted filmmaker, too. In this episode, John Schneider proves that having your face on a lunchbox is pretty cool, but that was 40 years ago, and he’s still got plenty of films to make and stories to tell.
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17 / BILL ANDERSON PODCAST INTERVIEW
Find something you like doin’ so much, you’d do it for nothin’ and then learn to do it so well that they’ll pay you and then you’ve got it made. That’s how I feel about performing.
- Bill Anderson
If you want to get someone’s attention, just whisper! Whispering Bill Anderson has been getting people’s attention for decades through his distinctive voice, his songwriting genius, and his incredible ability to entertain an audience. Having just celebrated 60 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, Bill was full of stories and plenty of wisdom when he invited us into his dining room in Old Hickory to talk about a career that started as a teenager and continues to this day. When we asked him about songwriting, Bill said: “One of the greatest things a songwriter can have is empathy. And that is to put yourself in somebody else’s place.” And about singers, he said: “Anybody can trace a picture. It takes a real artist to paint one. “ This episode is chock full of expert advice for anyone who wants to make a living in country music. With too many industry awards to mention, Bill Anderson was named BMI’s first country music songwriting icon, placing him alongside R&B legends James Brown, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Download this episode for your next car ride to your favorite destination. Whispering Bill Anderson has so many great stories to tell and so many #1 songs for you to hear, you just might want to listen to it twice!
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SEASON 2, EP. 1 / MEET THE HOSTS! CANDY O'TERRY & JACY DAWN VALERAS
Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves because the creation of Country Music Success Stories combines both of our talents and checks all of our boxes!
- Candy O'Terry & Jacy Dawn Valeras
We’ve been getting lots of messages from listeners (and please keep ‘em coming @countrymusicsuccessstories). They tell us that they love hearing about the country music icons we interview, but they wish they knew more about the hosts! So, as we kick off season two, this episode is called “Meet the Hosts” and it’s our story. From an email Jacy sent to Candy in 2019, to to the decision to create this unique, award-winning series, this episode is chock full of cool stories like Candy’s first shot on the air in Boston, to Jacy’s brave move to Nashville in a U-Haul with 600 bucks in her pocket. But most of all, this episode is about the power of an unlikely friendship and the joy of joining forces to make your dreams and goals come true.
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15 / SARA EVANS PODCAST INTERVIEW
I grew up on a farm with the clothes line in the backyard and I knew that millions of Americans would relate to that. As much as I love New York and L.A, I am really a spokesperson for middle America and the girl next door. - Sara Evans
Every trip to Nashville is filled with non-stop adventure. Jacy and I spend weeks planning our interviews and when we got word that Sara Evans had agreed to share her story with us, we did have a bit of a fan moment.
With 5 number 1 songs, the ACM Award for Top Female Vocalist, a CMA for Video of the Year, Grammy, Billboard, BMI, R&R, CMA & ACM nominations, and 10 studio albums, Sara Evans is a success story by any standard, but it is her personal story, shared with Jacy and me, as we sat together on cozy couches, tucked away on the third floor of the colonial style home she shares with her 3 children, that really blew us away. Turns out, the girl next door who sang Suds in the Bucket really did grow up on a farm in Missouri, with the clothes hanging out on the line and she
has been planning her success story since she was 5 years old.
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13 / AIMEE MAYO PODCAST INTERVIEW
When I saw my name on that first record, it just lit something up inside of me. - Aimee Mayo
Meet Aimee Mayo, award-winning songwriter and survivor. In this interview, we drive down a country lane just outside of Nashville and find our way to AimeeLand, the studio where Aimee and her husband Chris write and record. Located a stone’s throw from their home originally owned by Mel Tillis, this is the place where superstars record mega hits we all know by heart. Although her life as a wife, mother of three and Grammy-nominated songwriter looks pretty idyllic from here, Aimee’s childhood was a nightmare and the story of how she survived it is chronicled in her book: Talking to the Sky. As we sat around a table Aimee built herself, in a studio where ideas and music come to life everyday, we learned how deeply gifted this woman really is. With hits that have spent 26 weeks in the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Charts, selling 155 million units worldwide, this Alabama girl is grateful for how far she has come. Says Aimee: “All my greatest gifts have come wrapped in ribbons of pain.” And to that we say: Amen, Sister-friend. For the stories behind songs like Amazed, This One’s For The Girls, Every Time I Hear That Song and more, go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine and hit that download button.
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14 / COLLIN RAYE PODCAST INTERVIEW
Your identity is not about how well you’re doing on the charts, that’s your job, you have to treat that as your career and keep it separate. Your identity has to be bigger than, “I’m a star” because that star can fade fast. - Collin Raye
Words of wisdom from multi-platinum selling artist, Collin Raye. With 12 studio albums, 39 singles, 24 top 10 songs and 16 number 1 hits, he is a solid recording artist and live performer who is hardwired for a career in country music. Born Floyd Elliot Wray and known throughout his early life as “Bubba Wray”, Collin was always surrounded by music. His mother, Lois Wray was the opening act for the Sun Records Tour, featuring Elvis, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Collin’s dad played bass and loved bringing playing the songs of his favorite country artists over and over on the family stereo. In this interview, Collin takes you into his rise from singing harmonies and playing the tambourine on stage as a child for his mother, to chalking up number 1 songs throughout the 90’s and you’ll hear plenty of his songs in this episode. But it is Collin’s love of performance that really shines through. Says Collin: “I don’t know what to do with myself if I can’t sing songs for people and make them happy. That’s all I know how to do.” His final answer about success might surprise you. Go ahead and take a listen.
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13 / AIMEE MAYO PODCAST INTERVIEW
When I saw my name on that first record, it just lit something up inside of me. - Aimee Mayo
Meet Aimee Mayo, award-winning songwriter and survivor. In this interview, we drive down a country lane just outside of Nashville and find our way to AimeeLand, the studio where Aimee and her husband Chris write and record. Located a stone’s throw from their home originally owned by Mel Tillis, this is the place where superstars record mega hits we all know by heart. Although her life as a wife, mother of three and Grammy-nominated songwriter looks pretty idyllic from here, Aimee’s childhood was a nightmare and the story of how she survived it is chronicled in her book: Talking to the Sky. As we sat around a table Aimee built herself, in a studio where ideas and music come to life everyday, we learned how deeply gifted this woman really is. With hits that have spent 26 weeks in the #1 spot on the Billboard Country Charts, selling 155 million units worldwide, this Alabama girl is grateful for how far she has come. Says Aimee: “All my greatest gifts have come wrapped in ribbons of pain.” And to that we say: Amen, Sister-friend. For the stories behind songs like Amazed, This One’s For The Girls, Every Time I Hear That Song and more, go ahead and pour yourself a glass of wine and hit that download button.
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12 / TONY BROWN PODCAST INTERVIEW
Pay attention to trends, but never be a follower. Be a leader, not a follower. Push the envelop, but don’t let it break. I like to stay in front of the curve, but I never like to be too cool for the room. -Tony Brown
Just when Jacy and I think we’ve experienced the best interview EVER, another country music icon comes along and blows us away. Meet Grammy, ACM & CMA award-winning producer Tony Brown. A pillar of the country music scene for 40 years, Tony came to Nashville with a dream to be a session player. The son of an evangelist minister, Tony started playing piano in church by ear and knew that music would be his life. In this interview, he shares stories about what it was like to play piano for Elvis Presley both on tour and in the famous jungle room at Graceland. He recounts his first #1 song with George Strait, the experience of producing Lionel Richie’s live duets album and the surprise invitation to fly to Los Angeles to produce a track to be sung by Barbra Streisand. As an A&R guy with a feel for musicianship AND hit-making, Tony rose to become president of MCA records and co-founded Universal South. His work with Reba, Vince Gill, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Patty Loveless, Sara Evans and so many more artists has yielded 100 #1 singles and record levels of sales over 100 million dollars. For a tutorial on how to make it in Nashville, this episode is required listening!
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11 / JOHN BERRY & ROBIN BERRY PODCAST INTERVIEW
Fame is not a decision you make. It’s a lot more work, and it’s a lot of fairy dust. -John Berry
Let’s turn back time to 1979 when singer/songwriter/guitarist John Berry had big dreams and the patience to see them through. A brilliant singer with a gift for storytelling and the ability to connect with an audience, John got a band together and recorded his own songs in a 4-track studio he built himself. He distributed his songs on his own label and sang in bars after University of Georgia football games, never saying “no” to the chance to perform. More than 10 years passed before John was signed to Liberty Records. When his career took off, his wife Robin continued at his side as his backup singer. Married for 33 years, John and Robin Berry welcomed us into their cozy home and into a music room where John’s guitars are always close at hand. Together, they share their stories of life on the road with their children, and what success really means. With 30 albums and 19 appearances on the Billboard Country Music charts including his #1 smash“Your Love Amazes Me” John Berry’s life is a testament to family, faith and perseverance.
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10 / STEVE DORFF PODCAST INTERVIEW
I’m like this anonymous Oz behind the curtain guy nobody ever knows. The face of the songs are the artists who record them. -Steve Dorff
If you are a songwriter or a composer, this episode is for you! Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, Steve Dorff was born to do what he does. Recorded in his music room at his home just outside of Nashville, Steve says he“heard an orchestra in his head” before he could walk or talk and recalls climbing up onto the piano bench at 3 or 4 to play better than his older sister. Raised in Queens, New York, Steve first heard the Beatles on the car radio at 12 and said to himself “that’s what I want to do.” The list of singers who have breathed life into his songs is massive. From Willie to Whitney, from Celine to Ray Charles, Ringo Star to Kenny Rogers and George Strait to Cher and Dusty Springfield, Steve says he is most proud of being a diverse songwriter, composer and producer who can rise and shine in any musical genre. The author of the book I Wrote That One ,Too, Steve Dorff has the kind of musical talent that doesn’t come along very often. His sage advice for young songwriters and his entertaining stories behind hits like Every Which Way But Loose, I Cross My Heart and Through The Years will keep you glued to this rare interview with a true musical genius.
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09 / TG SHEPPARD PODCAST INTERVIEW
I was only 15 when I climbed out my window and ran away to Memphis with 60 cents in my pocket. I look around at my life now and I realize that it all started with just 60 cents.
- TG Sheppard
Incredible as it seems, TG Sheppard was a runaway teen with a lifelong dream of making it in country music. In this interview, TG and his wife Kelly Lang welcome us into their hime for a chat around the kitchen table and a rare look at his climb up the ladder to success. The stars aligned one night at midnight outside the Rainbow Terrace Roller Rink in Memphis when TG (his real name is William Browder) met his idol: Elvis Presley. On that night, Elvis took the boy under his wing, and the two remained friends until the day Elvis died. With 21 #1 songs to his credit, ranked #87 on Billboard’s list of the top 100 artists in country music, an Elvis tribute show on Sirius, a new album called Midnight In Memphis, and possession of his masters plus a distribution deal with Time Life, TG Sheppard is living his dream. And every day, TG continues to follow the advice of Elvis Presley who said: If you ever forget where you came from, you’ll never get where you want to go.”
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08 / LARRY STRICKLAND PODCAST INTERVIEW
You’ve gotta find what is different or unique about yourself and then put that out in front, even if it scares you to death. - Larry Strickland
Relationships are everything and in Nashville they are made of gold. When Jacy introduced me to Naomi Judd and we interviewed her at their compound in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, her husband Larry Strickland was sitting on a couch in the recording studio, just listening quietly. But when he spoke, his rich, deep voice filled the room. I knew I had to interview him because his long career as a bass singer is like a page out of country music history. From humble beginnings singing with gospel quartets on weekends in high school, Larry Strickland made his way in country music and reached the pinnacle of success singing bass and touring with Elvis Presley. His latest album is called Legacy, a labor of love that includes the gospel songs that inspired Larry to become a bass singer nearly 50 years ago.
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07 / KAREN STALEY PODCAST INTERVIEW
I didn’t come to Nashville having played bars for 10 years. I was a total green horn. So I learned a lot. It’s a blast, it’s like perpetual adolescence. - Karen Staley
Welcome to the success story of a woman whose songs have been played on radio more than 12 million times (and counting) with downloads at about 20 million! Karen Staley is in a league of her own as a Nashville quadruple threat who sings, plays, writes and produces. Her love of music started in high school when she hurt her back and had to give up playing varsity sports. Karen’s music teacher noticed she was floundering, handed her a guitar and taught her the chords to Annie’s Song by John Denver. Karen Staley never put that guitar down and her 30 year success story has included writing number one songs like Take Me As I Am, Hey, Baby Let’s Go To Vegas and Keeper of the Stars. She knows what it is like to tour and play to gigantic crowds with Reba, Faith Hill, Terri Clark, Patty Loveless and more. Born in Weirton, West Virginia and raised near Hookstown, PA, Karen is an iconic, hit songwriter with a tireless work ethic and a heart of gold. This interview was recorded in Karen’s home where her music room is lined with gold records and guitars just waiting to be played. With honesty and plenty of humor, Karen says: “In 30 years of writing, I’ve never had writer’s block. God gives me something every time.” Press that download button now for priceless stories about being a part of the early days of the Bluebird Cafe and a treasure box full of songwriting advice.
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06 / KENT BLAZY PODCAST INTERVIEW
I first wrote poetry and got it published in the high school year book and it gave me a little bit of positive feedback that somebody must like what I do. The minute I got a guitar, I just started trying to put the two together and started writing songs instead of poetry.
- Kent Blazy
As Jacy and I made our way up the hill to Kent Blazy’s house, I couldn’t help but wonder how his climb, his success story as a singer/songwriter and guitarist had unfolded in Nashville. In this interview, Kent explains how he traded cigarettes for the chance to learn guitar licks from a kid who lived a few blocks away from his home in Lexington, Kentucky. With a guitar in his lap, Kent turned his poems into songs and decided to make music his life. By the time he arrived in Nashville, Kent already had lots of experience as a singer, guitarist and songwriter and began creating opportunities for himself to succeed, including building a recording studio in his home. His life changed the day Garth Brooks walked into his studio. You see, Garth was hoping he could earn some money as a demo singer. It wasn’t long before they decided to take a shot at co-writing and on February 1, 1988 they wrote the song that changed the trajectory of their careers. Inspired by their wives, If Tomorrow Never Comes would get Garth a record deal and become their first of 7 number one songs. Kent would go on to write many more number ones for other artists, too. Now the newest member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Kent Blazy is a platinum-selling hitmaker who takes the art of songwriting very seriously with a sharp focus on always being prepared.
#countrymusic #songwriting #garthbrooks #nashville #kentblazy
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05 / LORI MCKENNA PODCAST INTERVIEW
There’s always growth, there’s always somewhere to go to in music, a place you have not reached. Every time I’ve stuck my neck out musically, I’ve been rewarded. - Lori McKenna
In this episode, we sit down with two-time Grammy winning singer/songwriter Lori McKenna for a conversation about humble beginnings, persistence, and the importance of developing and maintaining relationships with local radio in order to fuel your country music success story. The mother of five from Stoughton, Massachusetts, whose career began in the mid-90’s in small clubs outside of Boston, Lori has used her incredible storytelling ability to write songs about real-life experiences. In this interview, she shares the songwriting stories behind her biggest hits including Girl Crush with Little Big Town, Humble and Kind for Tim McGraw, I’ll Always Remember You This Way for the soundtrack to A Star Is Born with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and It All Comes Out In the Wash with Miranda Lambert. Music City Mentor Jacy Dawn Valeras gets great advice from Lori about being confident and able to sing your own songs when you pitch them to an artist or a publisher. If you are an aspiring singer/songwriter, consider this episode required listening! #countrymusic #songwriting #humbleandkind #lorimckenna
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04 / CRYSTAL GAYLE PODCAST INTERVIEW
I’m proud that I’m still here in this business. It’s what I’ve loved to do. Success is in your mind. It’s only in your mind. -Crystal Gayle
This episode brings us to Music Row in Nashville and the offices of Gayle Enterprises for an interview with Crystal Gayle. Jacy has known the Grammy-winner since she was only 14 and you’ll hear that story in her Music City Mentor segment. As for me, I’ve played Crystal’s songs on the radio for decades and couldn’t wait to meet the woman whose long hair touches the floor. The little sister of Loretta Lynn, Crystal was advised to “go her own way” and create her own unique musical style. Signed to Decca Records at only 19, she was “very, very, very shy” and it took her a while to feel comfortable on stage. Her signature song: Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue was recorded live in the studio on the first take and would receive airplay on Country, Top 40 and AC radio stations everywhere, skyrocketing Crystal’s career and earning her a Grammy. With 28 top 10 songs, 12 number 1 hits and a slew of awards, this is a singer whose music has stood the test of time. This episode includes Crystal’s very wise advice for up and coming singers: “be true to yourself and to remember to have fun because you are doing what you love.” #countrymusic #crystalgayle #countrycrossover #dontitmakemybrowneyesblue #countrymusicicon #countrymusicroyalty
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03 / JEANNIE SEELY PODCAST INTERVIEW
Until you’re ready to get out of the race, you’ve just gotta keep on runnin’. - Jeannie Seely
There’s something very special about sitting on the back porch, overlooking the Cumberland River, listening to the cicadas and talking about country music! In this interview, we are at the home of Jeannie Seely, Grammy winner and 53- year member of the Grand Ole Opry. Make no mistake about it, this 80 year old trailblazer is going strong with a new album and a career that continues to unfold. Raised on a farm in Townsville, Pennsylvania, Jeannie remembers turning a chicken coop into a stage where she and her brother would perform. By the time she was 16, Jeannie knew that if she was going to succeed in country music, she had to move to Nashville. With 50 dollars to her name, she put the key in the ignition of her Ford Falcon and never looked back. Known throughout her career as an individualist, Jeannie opened doors that had been closed to women, including the very first hosting job on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Whether she was writing or singing #1 songs, Jeannie was and still is a powerhouse with a heart of gold. Her incredible longevity is a reflection of her work ethic. #grandoleopry #countrymusicsuccessstories #countrymusic
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02 / KELLY LANG PODCAST INTERVIEW
Barry Gibb called me and says “Hey, Kell, I'm gonna be singing Islands in the Stream at Kenny Rogers Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Are you available to sing that song with me? And you know what I said? Hold on a second and let me check my schedule! - Kelly Lang
The stars really lined up for this interview with Kelly Lang. A prolific songwriter, vocalist, producer and visual artist, Kelly grew up surrounded by country music. Her father was Velton Lang, Conway Twitty’s trusted road manager for 25 years. As we sat around Kelly’s kitchen table in Hendersonville, Tennessee, she shared the many stories of her career in country music. At only 15, she charted on Billboard with a hit called Lady, Lady and that song was quickly followed by a stellar performance in the finals on Star Search. The mother of two, Kelly is a breast cancer survivor who was mentored by her friend and fellow survivor, Olivia Newton-John. In this interview, Kelly shares her songwriting process saying “it’s a God thing” along with her belief that cover songs shouldn’t be altered too much. Now blissfully married to country music icon TG Sheppard, Kelly shares career highlights including what it was like to sing Islands In the Stream with Sir Barry Gibb. Time and experience have not aged this beautiful country music star, but they have made her stronger. Over the next 30 minutes, you’ll come to know a woman who values family and friends above all else: “The music industry is fleeting. Success for me is lifting other people up and elevating them.” For a tutorial on what success really means, hit that download button.
#countrymusic #kellylang #womeninmusic #nashville #musiccitymentor #countrymusicsuccessstories
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01 / NAOMI JUDD PODCAST INTERVIEW
I’ve been through an alphabet of tragedies and trials and I’m still here. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it at all. But I just kept going like the little engine that could. I said to myself: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. - Naomi Judd
What does it take to become a country music success story? For Naomi Judd, it took the strength of a mother’s love and the determination of a champion to build a better life for her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd. Recorded in September 2020 on Naomi’s 500 acre farm in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, this interview takes you through Naomi’s life, including the birth of Wynonna on her high school graduation night, a job as a receptionist for The Fifth Dimension in Los Angeles, and a mountaintop home in Kentucky where there was no heat, no phone and no TV. While she studied to be a nurse, the family lived on welfare and Naomi traded her prized buck knife to buy Wynonna her first guitar. It was on the porch of their rustic home that Naomi and Wynonna learned their first song together: The Sweetest Gift: A Mother’s Love. After receiving her nursing degree, Naomi moved the family to Nashville where she was an ICU nurse. Brent Mayer, the father of one of her patients accepted a homemade cassette tape of Naomi and Wynonna singing together. He was blown away by what he heard an arranged for a LIVE audition at RCA records. The Judds were signed to a record deal that would catapult them into country music history as the most commercially successful duo of the 1980’s with 25 singles, 14 number 1 songs, 8 CMA’s, 5 Grammy Awards, and 20 million + records sold. From Naomi’s songwriting technique to her determination to beat Hepatitis C, this interview is an essay in perseverance. Music City Mentor Jacy Dawn Valeras tops off this first episode with helpful tips on songwriting. For a deep dive into the soul of a country music icon, just hit that download button.
#countrymusic #naomijudd #womeninmusic #thejudds #nashville #musiccitymentor #countrymusicsuccessstories
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COUNTRY MUSIC SUCCESS STORIES TRAILER
What does it take to become a country music success story? In this Nashville-based podcast, radio legend & master interviewer Candy O’Terry goes straight to the pros to hear their stories. From singers to producers, songwriters to record label executives, radio programmers and DJ’s to PR and marketing pros, every episode is a deep dive in to what it takes to succeed in the country music industry. If you want to make it in Nashville, you need a roadmap. Music City Mentor, Jacy Dawn Valeras provides valuable advice about everything from writer's rounds to online marketing and building a network that will go the distance.
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