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Join Troy Cartwright as he sits down with hit songwriters, musicians and music city execs to discuss their journey through Music Row, the uncertainties of getting started and what it takes to stay at the top.
138 Episodes
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The music industry is panicking about AI in 2025, and I get it. But before we spiral, let's look at history. In this episode, I break down the "Quartz Crisis" of the 1970s—when Swiss watchmakers faced extinction from cheaper, more accurate Japanese technology—and how they not only survived but thrived by doubling down on craft and human artistry. The parallels to Nashville's songwriting community are striking. AI can churn out background music and sync tracks, but it can't replicate the huma...
Tom Douglas is an ACM Award-Winning and Grammy nominated songwriter signed to Sony Music Publishing. Tom has had his songs cut by many legendary artists including Tim McGraw, Lady A, Keith Urban, Eric Church, and more. His song “The House That Built Me,” recorded by Miranda Lambert, went on to win the Song of the Decade Award at the Academy of Country Music Awards. On this episode, Tom shares his journey, from moving to Nashville two different times, to having his first Number 1 b...
Hayes Carll is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter originally from The Woodlands, Texas. He has written and recorded multiple albums, including KMAG YOYO, Lovers and Leavers, and Trouble In Mind. The 2010 film Country Strong featured his song “Hard Out Here,” and artists like Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, and Brothers Osborne have recorded his work. His song “Chances Are” was nominated for Best Country Song at the 2016 Grammy Awards. In this episode, we discuss Hayes’ upbringing, how his t...
J.T. Harding is a songwriter originally from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. He has written multiple No. 1 hits, including “Smile” recorded by Uncle Kracker, “Somewhere With You” recorded by Kenny Chesney, and “Sangria” recorded by Blake Shelton. His catalog also includes cuts by artists such as Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Jake Owen, and others. In addition to his songwriting career, Harding released a memoir in 2022 titled Party Like a Rockstar, chronicling his path into the music business. He is c...
We’ll be back with a new episode next week. In the meantime… here is a replay of one our favorite Ten Year Town stories. Stephen Wilson Jr. is a country singer and songwriter originally from Southern Indiana. He is signed to Big Loud Records and has toured with HARDY, Brothers Osborne and more. Stephen’s debut album “Son of Dad” was released in September 2023 to critical acclaim. In addition to his success as an artist, Stephen has had cuts as a writer with Old Dominion, Brothers Osborn...
Happy thanksgiving everyone! We’re off this week. This is a re-airing one of our favorite episodes from this year. Ben Rector is a singer songwriter originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past decade, he has built a dedicated fanbase through consistent touring and a catalog of self-written, self-released albums. His 2015 album Brand New debuted in the Billboard Top 10, with the title track going RIAA Platinum. He is currently on tour and just released his new album The Richest Man In...
Katie Dean is a music executive originally from Augusta, Georgia, with over two decades of experience in country radio promotion. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Promotion at Universal Music Group Nashville, where she helped lead radio campaigns for artists including Parker McCollum, Jordan Davis, Jon Pardi, and many others. In 2023, she became the label head of Leo33, where she has played a key role in developing CMA Award nominee Zach Top. In this episode, we discuss Katie...
Ward Davis is a singer, songwriter, and musician originally from Monticello, Arkansas. As a songwriter, his work has been recorded by Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Cody Jinks, Trace Adkins, and many others. He has several critically acclaimed records in his own right, including Black Cats and Crows and songs like "Get To Work Whiskey" and "Another Bad Apple." In this episode of Ten Year Town, we talk about Ward’s path from Arkansas to Nashville, his evolution as an artist, and the stories be...
Lee Brice is a GRAMMY-nominated country artist, songwriter, and producer originally from Sumter, South Carolina. Over the course of his career, he has earned multiple No. 1 singles as both a performer and songwriter, including “A Woman Like You,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “Hard to Love,” “Rumor,” and “Memory I Don’t Mess With.” As a writer, his songs have also been recorded by Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, and the Eli Young Band — whose version of “Crazy Girl” became a multi-week No. 1 ...
Laura Veltz is a four-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and artist originally from New York City. Her credits include hit songs for Maren Morris (“The Bones,” “I Could Use a Love Song”), Dan + Shay (“Speechless”), Lady A (“What If I Never Get Over You”), and Demi Lovato (“29”). In 2023, she was nominated for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical at the GRAMMY Awards. She is currently published by Big Machine Music. In this episode of Ten Year Town, we talk about Laura’s journey through Nashvil...
Adam Wright is a two-time GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, artist, and musician originally from Newnan, Georgia. His songwriting and musicianship have led to collaborations with some of Nashville’s most respected artists, including Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, John Legend, Brandy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, and many others. In this episode of Ten Year Town, we dive into the stories behind his songs “Billy Get Your Bicycle” and “Yellow Bird” from his new record Nature ...
Ben Johnson is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, producer, and artist originally from Meridian, Mississippi. He has earned 11 No. 1 songs, including “Truck Bed” recorded by HARDY and “One of Them Girls” recorded by Lee Brice. His songs have also been recorded by Morgan Wallen, Justin Timberlake, Charlie Puth, Jelly Roll, John Legend, Thomas Rhett, Kane Brown, and many others. In this episode, we discuss Ben’s journey from Mississippi to Nashville, his approach to writing across genres, the...
Brent Cobb is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and musician originally from Ellaville, Georgia. He’s released several critically acclaimed albums, including Shine On A Rainy Day, Keep ‘Em on They Toes, and his most recent endeavor, Ain’t Rocked In A While. In addition to his success as an artist, Cobb is also an accomplished songwriter, with songs recorded by Luke Combs, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, and many more. His song “Snakebite” was recently featured i...
Matthew Ramsey is an artist and songwriter originally from Buchanan, Virginia. As a founding member and lead vocalist of Old Dominion, Ramsey has contributed to the band’s string of chart-topping hits including “Break Up With Him,” “Written in the Sand,” “Hotel Key,” “One Man Band,” and “I Was On A Boat That Day.” The band has won the Academy of Country Music Award for Group of the Year a record breaking eight consecutive times. In addition to his success in Old Dominion, Ramsey has co-writte...
In today’s episode of Ten Year Town, Troy takes a step back from the noise of marketing hacks and algorithm tricks to talk about something deeper: the art itself. Making music can feel like pulling the lever on a slot machine: the lights flash, it feels like progress, but often it leaves you right where you started. This episode, A Field Guide for Going Slow, explores what it means to create work that lasts and why slowing down might be the key to fulfillment in a fast-paced industry. Drawing...
John Strohm is a musician, songwriter, lawyer, and music industry executive originally from Bloomington, Indiana. He began his career as a drummer in Indiana’s punk scene before co-founding the indie rock band Blake Babies. He also played guitar and drums in The Lemonheads and has released several solo records, including his most recent in 2023. Strohm became a prominent entertainment attorney in Nashville, representing artists like Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, and Alabama Shakes. He later serv...
Bear Rinehart is a GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist originally from Seneca, South Carolina. He is the frontman and co-founder of the band NEEDTOBREATHE, and in 2019, he launched a solo project under the name Wilder Woods. Over the course of his career, he has released multiple charting albums and toured extensively across the U.S. and beyond. In this episode, we talk about Bear’s journey through the music industry, how he balances solo work with band life, his be...
Ruston Kelly is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter originally from Georgetown, South Carolina. His catalog includes songs like “Mockingbird,” “The Weakness,” and “Rubber,” as well as his cover projects Dirt Emo Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. His fourth studio album, Pale Through The Window, is set to release on September 12, 2025. In this episode, we talk about Ruston’s journey through Nashville, his creative process, his upbringing, and many other stops along the way. ----------------------------...
Liz Rose is a GRAMMY-winning songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas, and raised in nearby Irving. Her songs have been recorded by artists including Carrie Underwood, Gary Allan, Eli Young Band, Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, and many others. She is the co-writer behind some of Taylor Swift's biggest hits, including “You Belong With Me,” “Teardrops on My Guitar,” and “All Too Well.” Her song “Girl Crush,” recorded by Little Big Town, won both the CMA and GRAMMY Award for Best Country Song. I...
Jordyn Shellhart is a singer and songwriter originally from Wheatland, Wyoming, and was raised in Santa Rosa, California. She signed her first publishing deal at just 14 years old with Sea Gayle Music and has since earned cuts by Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Cody Johnson, and Don Williams. She released her debut album Primrose in 2023. In this episode, we discuss Jordyn’s journey through Nashville, her new song “Strange Thought,” finding her voice as a songwriter, and many other stops a...
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