The Sideman Chronicles

Evan Hutchings is one of Nashville’s most in demand musicians. He is known for his authority and amazing ability on the drums, but he is also known for being an all around great dude.   Evan has played for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Nate Smith, Dolly Parton, Scotty McReary, Steven Tyler, Reba McEntire, The Barbie Movie, Noah Cyrus, Brett Eldridge, Kris Allen, Maverick City Music, Lauren Alaina and so many more.   Episode 2 dives into the nuances of being a full time sideman.

Evan Hutchings is one of Nashville's most in demand musicians. He is known for his authority and amazing ability on the drums, but he is also known for being an all around great dude.   Evan has played for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Nate Smith, Dolly Parton, Scotty McReary, Steven Tyler, Reba McEntire, The Barbie Movie, Noah Cyrus, Brett Eldridge, Kris Allen, Maverick City Music, Lauren Alaina and so many more.   Episode 1 will focus in on his early life and the things that influenced him on his road to being one of Nashville’s greats.

Scott Williamson is a first call session drummer, mix engineer, producer and arranger here in Nashville. He has played live or in the studio for Blake Shelton, Reba, Brooks And Dunn, Alice Cooper, DC Talk, Dave Barnes, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Michael W. Smith and so many more. Scott was the first person that we interviewed for this podcast series so we wanted to circle back to him and ask some questions that he missed out on. Go back and listen to our first interview in Season 1. Jacob and Scott talk about musical personality, if you can make music with someone that you don’t like, and how to deal with the comparison game on social media. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

This Episode is part of our “Artist” Series. Dave Barnes is one of Nashville’s finest musical ambassadors. Not only is he a monster solo artist and musician, but he is also one of the most sought after songwriters in town. He also does stand up comedy, and hosts two podcasts. (Dadville, Dave’s 5 Hot Takes) In Part 2 Jacob and Dave talk about his love and respect for musicians, what he learned from Ed Cash, how sidemen and women can support an artist, and why the 70’s were the best musical decade. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

This Episode is part of our “Artist” Series. Dave Barnes is one of Nashville’s finest musical ambassadors. Not only is he a monster solo artist and musician, but he is also one of the most sought after songwriters in town. He also does stand up comedy, and hosts two podcasts. (Dadville, Dave’s 5 Hot Takes) In Part 1 Jacob and Dave talk about the music that he heard growing up, his band Fishers Of Men, how he transitioned from drummer to artist, and how he found his voice. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

Joel Key is a first call session guitarist in Nashville. He is known as a musical craftsman that always strives for excellence and creativity.  He has played live or in the studio for Colin Raye, Alabama, Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Cody Johnson, Gaither Vocal Band, The Shires and many more. Jacob and Joel talk about his dad’s traveling music ministry, how he learned guitar, learning life lessons on tour, and how awesome it was when Opie stood up to the bully.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Matt Nelson has been a highly sought after sideman as a cellist and guitarist in the Nashville music scene for over a decade.  Creativity, talent and heart best describe the gifts that he always brings to the table.  He has played live or in the studio for Jars Of Clay, Nichole Nordeman, RaeLynn, Michael W. Smith, Sleeping At Last, J.D. Souther, Steven Curtis Chapman, Cheap Trick and many more. He is also one of the main composers for “The Chosen” series. Jacob and Matt talk about his musical parents, how he ended up playing cello, his love for 90’s rock, and how to best serve an artist.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Kelly Back is one of the top session guitarists in Nashville, TN. He has such a kind spirit, but can also BLAZE a killer guitar part. Kelly has played live or in the studio for Alan Jackson, Point Of Grace, Tanya Tucker, Ricky Skaggs, T. Graham Brown, Aaron Tippin, Ray Stevens, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mathew West, Michael W. Smith, Russ Taff, The Gatlin Brothers, James Burton, Gaither Vocal Band, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Clint Black, Randy Travis and so many more. He is also currently in the house band for The Huckabee Show. Jacob and Kelly talk about his early years learning music at church, life lessons from the road, making the transition into being a full time studio musician, and how to help an artist feel comfortable.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Jacob asks Tony Lucido who would win if we had a Nashville Musician's Fight Tournament. Enjoy.   Don't forget to rate, review and subscribe

Tyrone Jackson is a highly sought after session and touring guitarist. He is known for his tasteful guitar parts, and is also known for being an all around great guy. Tyrone has played live or in the studio for CeCe Winans, Andrae Crouch, Carrie Underwood, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Winans, After 7, Lalah Hathaway, Yolanda Adams, Freddie Jackson, Jonathan Butler and so many more. Jacob and Tyrone talk about growing up in a musical family, how his dad taught him guitar, when Spanky Alford took him under his wing, and how to “know your role” as a sideman. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Alison Prestwood is one of the top session bassists in Nashville, TN.  She is known for her creative bass parts, amazing musicality and joyful spirit.  She has played live or in the studio with Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, Blake Shelton, Shawn Colvin, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Bonamassa, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna and many more. Jacob and Alison talk about her early love for Paul McCartney, how she moved to Nashville, and why she took a break to become a lawyer. Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.  

John Hammond has been a musical force on drums here in Nashville since the 80’s. He is known for his musicality, pocket and proper song treatment. John has played live or in the studio for Whitney Houston, Faith Hill, Vince Gill, Jewel, Olivia Newton-John, Barry Manilow, Peter Cetera, Amy Grant, Idina Menzel, Larry Carlton, Wynonna, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Reba McEntire, Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, and Colbie Caillat to name a few. He is also a member of Tim Akers and The Smoking Section, Dogs of Peace, musical director for Amy Grant, and the house drummer for The Huckabee Show. Jacob and John talk about growing up with a big brother that is also a drummer, his move to Nashville, how to best serve an artist, and who would win in a fight between him and his brother.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

This is part two of Jacob’s interview with the reigning ACM bassist of the year— Tony Lucido. Jacob and Tony get into how to best serve an artist, is it possible to play with someone that you don’t like, and if people play like their personality.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Tony Lucido is the reigning ACM bassist of the year— and for good reason. He puts all of his heart, soul and creativity into every bass part that he plays. Tony has played live or in the studio for Darius Rucker, Kenny Chesney, Lady A, Mat Kearney, Lauren Daigle, Dierks Bentley, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Doobie Brothers, Francesca Batistelli, Cam, Kelly Clarkson, Amy Grant, Dave Barnes, Marc Broussard, Chris Tomlin, TobyMac and so many more. This is part one of Jacob’s interview with Tony. They get into his early childhood, his dreams of playing in the NBA, and how a try out turned into an amazing gig.   Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

This is part two of our interview with Tim.  We covered so much territory that we had to make two episodes! In this episode we chat about how to best support an artist, playing the comparison game, reading the room, some things he has learned from other producers, and bad session behavior. Tim Lauer is Nashville based musician, producer, songwriter and composer.  As a multiple time ACM nominated musician, he’s played on hundreds of major label records for a wide range of artists including Taylor Swift, The Civil Wars, Cheap Trick, Kaleo, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Shawn Mendes, Keb Mo, Kid Rock, R. Kelly,  Lady A, Foy Vance, Luke Bryan,  Martina McBride, Lionel Richie, Mathew West, Francesca Battistelli, Rick Astley, Amy Grant, Newsboys, Alice Cooper, Megadeth, Rodney Crowell, Sidewalk Prophets, Sheryl Crow, Dolly Parton and Insane Clown Posse. You can also hear him on Guitar Hero and wii games. Tim is also an Emmy-nominated writer whose songs have been featured in many advertisements including BMW, Target, L'Oreal, Coke, Sephora and the NBA as well as tv shows Carnival Row, One Tree Hill, Drop Dead Diva, Hung, The White Queen, Homeland, Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars and Cougar Town and he wrote and produced the main title song  “The Root” for Greenleaf -performed by Mavis Staples. He followed T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller as executive music producer for the tv show Nashville seasons five and six.  He’s produced over two hundred cast recordings for shows including Nashville, Tell Me A Story, Greenleaf , Carnival Row, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist , The Stranger and Big Sky.   He was also Executive Music Producer and composer on the movie Patsy and Loretta.  In this episode we chat about how to best support an artist, playing the comparison game, reading the room, some things he has learned from other producers, and bad session behavior. Check out all of Tim’s album credits at AllMusic.com Follow Tim on instagram @pantslauer Check out Tim’s music website www.timlauermusic.com Follow us on Instagram @thesidemanchronicles Follow Jacob on Instagram @jacoblowerymusic Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe