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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.
127 Episodes
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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...
Blake Pendergrass is a songwriter originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of Belmont University, Blake landed his first major label cut with “865” on Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous. Since then, he has written several more songs for Wallen, including “Dying Man,” “Ain’t That Some,” and “Just In Case” — which became his first #1 as a songwriter. He also has had cuts on albums by Chase Rice, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Chris Lane, Nate Smith and more. He is currently published by Back Bloc...
Chris DuBois is a hit songwriter and award-winning publisher from Nashville. He has written numerous #1 songs, including “You Should Probably Leave” by Chris Stapleton, “Mud on The Tires” by Brad Paisley, and is a two-time recipient of the CMA Triple Play Award (three #1 songs in one year). In 1999, Chris co-founded Sea Gayle Music which went on to win the ASCAP Country Publisher of the Year award in 2010 and 2011. Additionally, Chris is adjunct instructor at Belmont University where he...
Dave Barnes is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. He’s written songs for artists including Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Thomas Rhett, but is equally known for his own work as a recording artist. His song “God Gave Me You” became a massive hit for Blake Shelton, earning Barnes a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Song. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to balance being a successful songwriter and artist, the making of his latest r...
Neil Medley is a songwriter originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He’s written songs for some of the biggest names in country music, including Jake Owen, Cody Johnson, Luke Bryan, Hudson Westbrook, and many others. His song "Country Song Came On" is the current single for Luke Bryan. He is signed to Riser House. In this episode, we discuss his journey from Kentucky to Nashville, his first #1 song with Jake Owen, the ups and downs of being a working songwriter on Music Row, and many other stop...
This week on Ten Year Town: Troy Cartwright shares a few thoughts on the creative loop and the story of a Red-Bellied Wood Pecker. If you’re into country music, songwriting, or just like hearing how artists see the world—there’s more like this at https://troycartwright.substack.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. ...
Rob Williford is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter originally from Gastonia, North Carolina. He’s written songs for artists including Luke Combs—penning several #1 hits like “Doin’ This,” “One Number Away,” and the RIAA-Certified Diamond single “Beautiful Crazy”—as well as Tim McGraw and others. His new record, Johnny & Jenny, was released on June 27th, 2025. In this episode, we talk about Rob’s journey from small-town North Carolina to writing arena anthems, making records in Musc...
Tammy Rogers is a GRAMMY-winning musician, vocalist, and founding member of The SteelDrivers. Originally from Tennessee and raised in Irving, Texas, she got her start touring with Patty Loveless before becoming an in-demand session player, recording with artists like Bill Anderson, Eric Church, Neil Diamond, Chris Knight, and Reba McEntire. She’s also an accomplished songwriter, with cuts by artists including Terri Clark and Thomm Jutz. The SteelDrivers earned a GRAMMY in 2015 for Best Bluegr...
Paul Cauthen is a singer-songwriter from East Texas, known for blending country, rock, gospel, and soul. He began his career as one half of the Americana duo Sons of Fathers before launching his solo career in 2016 with the album My Gospel. His 2019 release Room 41 marked a breakthrough, featuring songs like “Cocaine Country Dancing” and earning critical acclaim for its bold sound and storytelling. In this episode, we talk about Paul’s start in the music business, the making of his breakout r...
This week on Ten Year Town, something new: Troy Cartwright reads his latest Substack post—a reflection on nine years of CMA Fest, how it’s changed, and what it says about industry right now. If you’re into country music, songwriting, or just like hearing how artists see the world—there’s more like this at https://troycartwright.substack.com. New Episodes every Tuesday. Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram. Social Channels for Ten Year Town: Youtube Facebook Instagram Tw...
Anderson East is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter originally from Athens, Alabama. Known for songs like “This Too Shall Last,” he blends R&B, soul, and roots rock into a sound all his own. In 2019, he received a GRAMMY nomination for Best American Roots Performance for “All On My Mind.” His new album, Worthy, was released on May 30, 2025, via Rounder Records. In this episode, we talk about Anderson’s musical roots, working with Dave Cobb, the making of Worthy, how he approaches ge...
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 The World. In this episode, we talk about Ben’s journey from indie beginnings to chart success, the business of being a...
Jon Decious is a Nashville-based songwriter originally from Monticello, Kentucky. His recent credits include three songs on Lainey Wilson’s 2024 album Whirlwind (“4x4xU,” “Counting Chickens,” and “Ring Finger”), “Armadillo” from Miranda Lambert’s Postcards from Texas, and cuts with Anderson East, Ashley McBryde, Tyler Halverson, and Carter Faith. In 2024, he signed a joint publishing deal with Reservoir Media and One Riot. In this episode, we talk about Jon’s journey from playing bass in The...
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