Growing up in a small town in Georgia, Jeremy Stover had no clue his life would turn to music. What he knew was that the emotion he felt when he heard good music was transformative and later realized he wanted to be a part of the industry. Listen as he and Andy chat about his formative years, what drew him to Nashville, and why he’s now been drawn to developing artists and producing music.

It wasn’t until Jeremy was in college that he realized how drawn to the music industry he truly was. He was there to learn more about the textile industry, so that he could take over his family’s business, and what he found was an undying love of the artistry of songwriting.

He left college with his sights set on Nashville and determined to make his mark. His first internship put him in the path of some of the greats in country music and he’s been writing for them ever since.

Jeremy is a delight to listen to. His passion for writing music is evident, not only in the songs he’s written and co-written, but also in the way he discusses the craft. But it’s his passion for up and coming artists that truly sets him apart from the crowd.

Listen as he shares the stories behind some of thel huge songs he’s written and why they are so impactful. He also talks about the difference between writing love songs and songs that are more reflective of life experience. This was an amazing conversation!

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The music industry is not for the faint of heart. Jaime Zeluck-Hindlin knows this from personal experience and continues to rock the world with her amazing talent for finding major hit songwriters and producers. She’s been in and out of all aspects of music and is now the founder and owner of Nonstop Management.

Jaime started her career in A&R and after having a true brush with death, she knew that she needed to build something of her own. She’d always equated success with building her own business and finding such success in the industry, and that experience was the impetus she needed to make it happen.

Listen as she and Andy chat about her roles in A&R, both for a record label and in music publishing, and how they prepared her to run her own career management company for songwriters and producers. She shares very candid stories from her past and how all of her experiences have made her the manager and business owner that she is today.

They also chat about the songwriters she’s signed and the #1 hit songs they’ve written. This includes JKash, Michael Pollack, Jake Torrey, Nick Long, Sam Farrar, Ryann, and more. And one of those songwriters also happens to be her significant other! Artists who have recorded their songs include Jason Derulo & Jawsh 685, Kygo and One Republic, Adam Levine and Maroon 5, Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Charlie Puth, Zedd, the Jonas Brothers, and Machine Gun Kelly, amongst others.

Jaime is refreshingly open and honest about her career and the choices that she’s made and this interview was truly spectacular. Listen in to learn more!

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If you missed Andy’s Part 1 interview of Peter Himmelman it was released just last week, as episode #27, and is well-worth checking out before tuning in to this Part 2 interview.

Andy and Peter are back to discuss the intricacies of songwriting, Peter’s process, and his experiences outside of writing songs. Writing songs is truly an art and every single artist does it differently. Peter’s take on songwriting is so simple yet allows him to craft extremely emotional songs that touch his listeners in all stages of life.

So how does he do it? Rather than stepping straight into a story or trying to craft a masterpiece off the top of his head, he thinks about the emotions that he’s feeling. Every song is a story that needs to be told and the story comes second to the overall emotion.

Listen as Peter shares the writing of some of his songs and then actually performs them live on the podcast. He’s a brilliant and prolific songwriter and his experience shows in the way that he crafts his lyrics.

Andy also asks Peter to delve into his work composing scores for TV and Film. Listen as Peter shares how the process of composing a score versus writing a song is still amazingly similar. They also discuss his highly engaging stage persona as well as the consulting company he founded Big Muse, which helps individuals and organizations realize their creative potential.

This artist’s career has been long and storied and above all he wants to keep touching the lives of people all over the world. He still has big dreams and he’s not letting anything stop him from reaching them.

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Some people’s decisions have led them to rather challenging places, but Andy’s friend and artist Peter Himmelman is truly living a dream. In this first part of a two-part interview, Andy and Peter dig deep into the past. Listen as they chat about their first meeting, the growth of Peter’s career, and why his faith became significantly more important.

Peter recounts the moment that he was first moved by music and how deeply it moved him. His older sister had a turntable with internal speakers and he heard all the classics. The music he heard was so impactful that it led him to make music of his own.

Fast-forward to his teen years and he found himself in a band creating music and eventually living in a band house financed by his ability to create therapeutic songs for children with autism and anxiety. Peter shares his story from the time that the band first came together and what it took for him to realize what was most important in his life. His faith has helped him to see the joy and beauty in a very complicated world.

Listen as they chat about his career and why his faith made such an important impact in both his life and his professional journey. They leave off on a bit of a cliffhanger as they discuss how Peter’s life and career have changed during the time of Covid, for both the good and the bad.

Tune in next week to hear the second part of this amazing conversation, which includes a deep dive into his songwriting.

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When you’ve spent almost all of your adult life in the music industry, and watching history being made, the stories you could tell are legion. Ed Stasium has that experience. He and Andy relive a good portion of the history of the music industry from the 1950s to today and how they both love and hate how it’s all changed.

Ed’s parents loved to listen to music but neither of them were musicians. They spared no expense in letting him explore his musical nature and dig into every facet of the process that he was moved by. Everything from providing him with guitar lessons to saving up and purchasing his very first tape recorder, they were willing to support him fully.

While he was in high school, he and some friends formed a garage band and that was his first step into the industry itself. He learned how to produce, mix, and engineer on the job and by working with some of the biggest names in music. He is now working on creating an anniversary box set for The Ramones, a band that he has been closely linked to for their entire career.

Listen as Ed shares stories about working with various production companies and bands, and why rock and roll has always had his heart. He has a refreshing way of discussing his role in creating some of the most iconic music through the decades and his humility whilst discussing his genius is fascinating to hear.

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Finding a spot in the limelight at a young age can either be a great thing… or a truly terrible thing. Ina Forsman has owned her limelight and aspires to continue to learn and grow with her craft. Listen as Andy and Ina spend time discussing her start in music, how she’s grown, and what she’s looking forward to most.

Ina has never known a time when music wasn’t supremely important. When she was younger, she would sing with her grandfather while he played guitar. She then spent the rest of her younger years performing at home and singing to a pretend audience.

It wasn’t until she performed at a school talent show that her mother realized Ina was not only talented but a force to be reckoned with. She performed on television for Idols, the Finnish version of American Idol, and later recorded tracks for a well-known recording artist.

All the while she knew that this life was the one she wanted. She continued to write and create music and before she knew it she had a record deal and was recording in the United States and touring around the world. Since then she has learned music theory, performance design, and the value of learning from and listening to the other musicians in her space.

This was a fantastic conversation that digs into the heart of a dedicated young musician, songwriter, and performance artist. One thing that Ina credits her success to is having found the right mentors at the right time who have helped her grow in all areas of musicianship. Listen in to learn all about what’s coming up next for this bright young artist.

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Chuck Johnson knew since he was a child that he wanted to be a musician. After persistently nagging his father (who played music in a band during rowdy parties) to teach him how to play, he learned his first 3 chords at 6 years old.

Chuck Johnson probably never imagined his early childhood fascination would turn into a successful career as a prominent member of 3 bands and internationally touring with a jazz legend.

From the ins and outs of forming bands over his career to the way he balanced a job with his musical commitments, Chuck spends this episode sharing stories and providing insight into his wide-ranging career– including playing some live music from his most recent album.

About Chuck Johnson:

Originally from Ferrum, a small rural town in southwest Virgina, Charles “Chuck” Johnson is a guitarist and vocalist for the band TK-421 and Najee. He got his first big break in a variety band called Bananas At Large. In addition to his experience with Bananas At Large and TK-421, Chuck performs occasionally with jazz artists Alex Bugnon, Jeff Lorber, Will Downing, Maysa, and others.

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The changes in the music industry have been storied and Dave Hampton is one of the people at the forefront and is dedicated to preserving its history. He’s been in the trenches designing and restoring the recording studios that have created the sounds of our past and present. Listen as Andy and Dave chat about his work with various big names, how music has changed, and where he sees the industry going.

Gary and Greg grew up with a music loving father who instilled the same love in them and their brothers. They both found their preferred instrument and continued to practice, play, and perfect their crafts. After high school, they went on to perform with a variety of top tier names adding their expertise to the industry.

Between the two of them they’ve worked with such names as Whitney Houston, John Scofield, Earth, Wind & Fire, and together they created the band Pockets. They have a unique ability to lock with the drums and bass so that they’re creating a harmonious beat for every song.

Their love of music gives them the freedom to study all its forms and create truly unique sounds. Between working with Latino artists, heavy metal artists, jazz artists, and more they’ve created a blend of music that is inspiring.

Listen and learn all about their history and why they think the industry needs a reboot. They’re doing their part by having created The MusicianShip program and hope that more do the same. Both Greg and Gary feel that if music hadn’t been in their schools, they would have been lost.

Gary and Greg were an extreme pleasure for Andy to interview. Hit play to learn more!

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Is the musician's life different when you get to experience it within your own family? Andy had an opportunity to sit down with Greg and Gary Grainger to chat about the industry, their family, their influences, and their career. Both are highly respected musicians in the industry with Greg being a drummer and Gary being a bass player. Listen as the brothers share stories about their tours, their collaborations, and their thoughts on how the industry has changed.

Gary and Greg grew up with a music loving father who instilled the same love in them and their brothers. They both found their preferred instrument and continued to practice, play, and perfect their crafts. After high school, they went on to perform with a variety of top tier names adding their expertise to the industry.

Between the two of them they’ve worked with such names as Whitney Houston, John Scofield, Earth, Wind & Fire, and together they created the band Pockets. They have a unique ability to lock with the drums and bass so that they’re creating a harmonious beat for every song.

Their love of music gives them the freedom to study all its forms and create truly unique sounds. Between working with Latino artists, heavy metal artists, jazz artists, and more they’ve created a blend of music that is inspiring.

Listen and learn all about their history and why they think the industry needs a reboot. They’re doing their part by having created The MusicianShip program and hope that more do the same. Both Greg and Gary feel that if music hadn’t been in their schools, they would have been lost.

Gary and Greg were an extreme pleasure for Andy to interview. Hit play to learn more!

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Music is the way to the soul and for many it is the balm needed to make it through rough times. For Katie Vinten, music helped her through the rough times and elevated the wonderful times. She has always been drawn to music and has since taken the music industry by storm.

Katie always knew she needed a creative outlet which drove her to seek out NYU’s Tisch as her school of choice for college. Not wanting to stay too comfortable, she decided on a change of scenery after college and moved out west to L.A. It was there that her career in music would flourish.

Katie became an assistant to EMI publishing legend, Jon Platt, and from there proved that she was meant to be in the industry. Through his belief in her, and following her own gut, she managed to find and sign several amazing artists. She quickly moved through the ranks but realized after the birth of her daughter that it was time to follow her own dreams.

It was then that she formed Black Diamond Artist Management and then co-founded Facet House with singer and mega hit songwriter, Justin Tranter. Under her watch, they’ve achieved literally billions of streams! Listen as we chat about everything including what drives her to make her way in an industry that historically has not been kind to women.

Her drive and determination have marked the music industry for the better and she shares that passion with everyone she works with!

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The power of a good lyric is truly amazing. Thankfully, there are people like Lori McKenna in the world who can craft deeply emotional lyrics that inspire and motivate. She joins Andy today to chat about how she got into music, what it is like to write music with and without co-writers, and to talk about her recently released album, The Balladeer.

Lori grew up with a love of music. She lost her mother at a young age and her four older brothers, older sister, and father found solace in the beauty of music. She credits her brothers with establishing her music education and instilling a love of music at an early age.

She didn’t immediately look for ways into the music industry. Instead, she got married and started a family, but she knew something was missing. Listen as she shares how she got her start and why she often feels overcome with gratitude for the life she leads.

There is no question that the changes in the music industry, over the last decade, have been immense. One thing that never changes is the ability of writers to evoke emotion from the listener. Lori gives a true insider’s look into the writing process and what it takes to keep going each and every day.

Her new album The Balladeer is available to order. Click here to find out more.

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“I’ve traveled the world, and found that live music is the heartbeat that keeps us all in sync.” - Scottie Baldwin

Running sound for a live show is unlike any other experience in the music industry. The sound at a live show has a feeling, a color and it can be the difference between giving the audience the experience of a lifetime or an utter failure.

Scottie Baldwin has been running front of house sound for huge artists for over three decades and he’s here to share more about his experience and the industry itself.

There are few sound engineers in the industry who take the time to learn the material of their artists as thoroughly as Scottie. He credits his time with Prince for his diligence, but it’s really his work ethic that shines through.

For him, music is not just words being sung to a tune or the amazing rise and fall of a symphony. Music is the string that ties us all together.

Scottie shares how he approaches stadium and arena shows versus smaller venues. For instance, when people attend a show at a stadium, oftentimes they are looking up at the huge jumbo trons.

He makes it a point to collaborate with the videographers and lights folks to be sure that the right people are highlighted at the right times during the show. If he is turning up one member of the band, then that person will be the one you see on the big screen.

This attention to detail is what really sets him apart in the industry and is why he has been called upon to work with the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Stevie Wonder, Tegan and Sara, The Fray, Lady Gaga, and Wang Leehom.

Listen as we chat about his time with Prince and what it was like behind the scenes. We also discuss various aspects of the industry itself and why he’s happy that he didn’t go to school for sound engineering.

He is truly a talent in the music industry and this conversation is filled with amazing insight into what it takes to make artists sound fantastic live.

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Toni Menage has a career most aspiring singers envy. She’s toured the world with Lisa-Lisa Cult Jam, sang with and was produced by the legendary Stevie Wonder, and performed on legendary television shows including Soul Train, The Grammy’s The Arsenio Hall Show, and many others. But her path to get there was not as full of rainbows as you might think.

Andy and Toni discuss what it’s like to grow up as an up and coming singer in the projects of Harlem, and how she first got noticed by a producer when she was in just 7th grade and had a hit song on the radio! For Toni, there were plenty of big star-struck moments, as well as a few regrettable ones too, as she recollects in this week’s podcast.

Listen to the full interview to hear about Toni’s upbringing in the music business, what she wishes she knew then that she knows now, how her consulting business gives other up and coming singers all the tools to succeed in the industry, and who her true inspirations are. Check it out now.

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Imagine getting the opportunity to work with Steely Dan, George Benson, and Willie Nelson. Sometimes, our goals and dreams are just fun words that sound nice rolling off the tongue, yet have nothing to back them up. This is not the case with Dave Russell. Dave went from sweeping floors at a music studio to becoming a multi-Grammy Award Winning Recording Engineer. Join us today as Dave shares his experience of working in the music industry and advice he has to offer.

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Not everyone in the music industry has known that’s where they wanted to be at an early age. In the case of Beth Laird, a forced internship with her childhood nanny, resulted in finding a life-long passion and drive for music and artists. Beth is the CEO and founder of Creative Nation Music and has been turning Nashville on its head for years.

Her perspective on mindset and courage is truly amazing. It was her courage to make shifts and try new things that pushed her to greater and greater heights in the music industry. That same courage helped her to step into her own publishing company when she realized that she was not meant to serve the masses.

The experiences she gained while working with country music legends helped her to start and grow her own publishing company. She now focuses more energy on fewer people and is dedicated to helping them build the life and careers that they love.

Creative Nation has had 17 #1 hit songs (so far!) and has had songs recorded by top artists such as Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, John Legend, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, and many others. Creative Nation’s roster includes Lori McKenna, Alec Bailey, Barry Dean, Bear Rinehart, Luke Laird, Casey Brown, Jonathan Hutcherson, Kassi Ashton, Steve Moakler, Travis Wood, and Tyler Johnson.

She credits her faith and her ongoing relationship with her therapist for helping her to put into place a super positive workplace culture. Her staff, and the artists and writers that she works with, are all like family and they have very specific guidelines for anyone new coming into their sphere.

Listen as she shares her story in the music industry. Everything that she has been through, all the good and the bad, have led her to an amazing place and she is so excited to share her dream with her family.

We even touch on women in the music industry and her thoughts and the disparity in success between genders. While she thinks we can do better, she also has a powerful way of dealing with that disparity. Listen in to learn more.

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From harmonica to trombone, Greg Boyer has played it all. His natural talent and passion for music has seen him through decades in the music business playing with everyone from P-Funk to Maceo to Prince. Listen in as we chat about his perfect pitch, natural ear, and progression through several instruments until he landed on trombone.

Greg started in music at a very early age. He recounts finding his father’s harmonica and being so jazzed to play it. The harmonica playing ended but his love for music persevered. It wasn’t until his time at St. Mary’s when he realized the trombone was his preferred instrument.

It wasn’t long until he was auditioning for and playing with Parliament Funkadelic. Their laid-back style and focus on amazing music influenced his personal style for years to come… until he started playing with Maceo.

His link with Maceo led him to working with Prince and the stories he has to tell about those years are amazing. Prince’s drive and vision are legendary, but to have actually rehearsed and performed with him was something else.

Listen in as Greg recounts years of history in the music industry, his style of arranging horn charts, and why he appreciates his wife every day for keeping him grounded. With amazing natural talent and a drive to work, he would drown in the mundane if it weren’t for his wife constantly bringing him back to the present.

This was an amazing conversation!

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The history of country music is long and storied and there are few alive today that can speak to it in the same way as iconic country music producer Tony Brown. From his beginnings in Southern Gospel music, through his time performing with Elvis, into producing hit records for huge country music stars, Tony has a lot to share.

Tony grew up with an evangelist for a father. He and his family traveled around playing at different kinds of churches and his love for music blossomed. He was only allowed to listen to Christian music as a young child but credits the variety and soul for his long-standing love of music.

When he left home, he started working as a pianist and was found by Elvis. Tony knew of Elvis and knew he was a big celebrity, but wasn’t aware of his background in the church. Elvis specifically picked him to join the band because of Tony’s history of performing in the gospel music scene.

From there, he spent a number of years performing with Elvis, Emmylou Harris, and a variety of other huge names. He later made his way into producing music and became the President of MCA, Nashville. He has worked with numerous superstars and had his hand in producing some of the biggest country music albums in the history of the genre.

Listen as he shares stories about the creation of specific songs and why he chose to write his book. Tony’s trek through his memory and all the amazing people he’s met and tales he’s been a part of are truly a delight to listen to. You’ll find no better recount of country music from the 60’s and 70’s to today.

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Get ready to listen to Greg share stories of working with the likes of John Lennon, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, and so many others.The art and science of crafting amazing sounding music has grown and evolved over the years. Greg Calbi has been a part of that evolution ever since the 60s and 70s. He started as a musician himself and after deciding against continuing post-graduate work, he found himself presented with the opportunity of a lifetime.

While he wasn’t given the keys to a top office, he was given the opportunity to learn from the best in the business at mastering and mixing. He’s since become a paragon of knowledge regarding the mastering process through the ages.

The breadth of his knowledge about the industry as a whole and what it takes to be an amazing mastering engineer is immense. He walks through the changes in how music is mastered from the late 60s to the present.

It is that history and his seasoned way of looking at and listening to music that makes him a master in his craft. Listen as Greg takes us down memory lane in the music business and shares the work he’s most proud of in recent years.

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Clive Davis has had a long and storied career in the music industry. He’s been the founder and head of several successful record labels and one of the key players in finding and promoting amazing talent as well as finding some of the greatest songs of all time. He is behind the likes of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Santana, Dionne Warwick, Maroon 5 and so many more.

He himself is an award-winning baritone, an operatic stage director, conductor, and writer. He has spent his life learning the language of music and how to help others speak it fluently. His music career started in Los Angeles where he met such greats as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Webb, and so many more. Eventually, he realized his true passion was helping singers who were experiencing vocal distress to heal their voices so that they could keep performing.

He went on to study vocal anatomy and has been a student of healing techniques for decades. Simply by helping vocalists change their habits, posture, and vocal routines, he has helped heal and correct years of damage.

Listen in as he shares stories from working with Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Bill Clinton. He also gives us a peek into what it takes to be a truly iconic vocalist and star. Professor Riley is an icon in the music industry and his advice and experience are invaluable.

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Learning the art of using your voice as an instrument is one that takes a lifetime of practice to master. Professor William Riley has been teaching vocal technique to hundreds of elite performers for decades. Professor Riley and I got to spend a bit of time together last year to chat about his background, his career, and what it has been like to work with so many household names over the years.

He himself is an award-winning baritone, an operatic stage director, conductor, and writer. He has spent his life learning the language of music and how to help others speak it fluently. His music career started in Los Angeles where he met such greats as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Webb, and so many more. Eventually, he realized his true passion was helping singers who were experiencing vocal distress to heal their voices so that they could keep performing.

He went on to study vocal anatomy and has been a student of healing techniques for decades. Simply by helping vocalists change their habits, posture, and vocal routines, he has helped heal and correct years of damage.

Listen in as he shares stories from working with Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Bill Clinton. He also gives us a peek into what it takes to be a truly iconic vocalist and star. Professor Riley is an icon in the music industry and his advice and experience are invaluable.

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