With a low, lived-in alto that carries heartbreak, anger, restraint, and bite, Elaina brings an honest edge to every song. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Omaha, she found her voice through BluesEd, an audition-only youth program created by the Blues Society of Omaha. She performed dozens of shows each year, won the program’s 2019 competition, and traveled to Memphis to perform at B.B. King’s during the International Blues Challenge. That early blues influence continues to shape her sound, giving her country and Americana a distinctive grit and emotional weight. Since moving to Nashville, Elaina has built an impressive live presence, averaging more than 70 shows a year and performing at venues and events including The Bluebird Café, 3rd & Lindsley, Whiskey Jam, The Local, and stages across Texas. Her songwriting has earned recognition from the International Songwriting Competition, American Songwriter, the USA Songwriting Competition, and Tin Pan South. Her single “Swing and a Miss” was featured on Nashville’s Kickin’ Kountry 101 and appears on her debut EP, Leaver, which follows the slow process of seeing a relationship clearly—from trying to hold it together to realizing you can’t fix someone who isn’t willing to change. In this conversation, we talk about Elaina’s journey, her Nashville experience, the stories behind her songs, the influence of the blues on her sound, and how she turns heartbreak, hard truths, and complicated relationships into music that hits home.
On this special episode of Songwriter Connection, host Dave Lenahan takes the show out from around the dining room table and onto the stage at one of Nashville’s hottest music hangouts, The Local, for an unforgettable night of songs, stories, and songwriting with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Don Henry. In front of a live audience, Don Henry shares the stories behind the songs, the experiences that shaped his remarkable career, and the craft of turning life into lyrics. Known for his wit, wisdom, and unmistakable storytelling, Don brings the kind of insight that only a songwriter with decades of experience can deliver. And, of course, there are songs—performed live and surrounded by an audience of songwriters, musicians, friends, and fans who understand what makes a great song special. It’s Songwriter Connection like you’ve never heard it before: live, unscripted, intimate, and right in the heart of Nashville. Welcome to Songwriter Connection Live at The Local with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Don Henry.
On this episode of Songwriter Connection, host Dave Lenahan welcomes singer-songwriter and actress Noelle Toland for a warm and engaging conversation about her music, creative journey, and career in entertainment. Noelle shares the inspiration behind her songs, the stories that shaped them, and the experiences that continue to influence her artistry. Known for expressing herself through both music and acting, Noelle discusses how her work in front of the camera and behind the microphone inspires her creativity. She offers an intimate look at her songwriting process, the emotions behind her music, and the passion that continues to fuel both her musical and acting careers. Whether you're a songwriter, a music lover, or a fan of film and television, this episode is filled with inspiring stories, creative insight, and authentic conversation. Don't miss this opportunity to get to know Noelle Toland on Songwriter Connection.
On this week's episode of Songwriter Connection, host Dave Lenahan welcomes Nashville songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer Bake Hall. A familiar face on stages all over Lower Broadway, Bake shares the stories behind his musical journey and debuts his brand-new song, "Dear Amy," a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Amy Winehouse. Bake also talks about performing with the acclaimed Eagles tribute band 7 Bridges, his experiences playing alongside Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, and what it's really like making a living as a musician in Music City. From original songwriting to unforgettable live performances, this episode offers an inside look at the life of one of Nashville's hardest-working musicians. Don't miss this engaging conversation and an exclusive performance of "Dear Amy."
This week on Songwriter Connection, I’m honored to sit down with country music singer, songwriter, and storyteller Ty Herndon for a very special conversation. Ty opens up about his remarkable journey in music and shares stories from his powerful memoir, What Mattered Most. We talk about the highs and lows of his career, the challenges he’s faced, the lessons he’s learned, and the people and moments that have shaped his life and music. And, of course, we spend plenty of time with the songs. Around the dining room table, Ty shares the stories behind some of his greatest songs while his longtime guitar player, Erik Halbig, brings the music to life. Erik is no stranger to Songwriter Connection — he’s a past guest of the podcast — making this reunion around the table even more special. This is an intimate and honest conversation about music, life, resilience, and discovering what truly mattered most. Pull up a chair and join us for this special episode of Songwriter Connection with Ty Herndon, featuring Erik Halbig.