Ten Year Town

Charles Wesley Godwin on Trusting the Tip Jar, The High of Songwriting, Making Seneca & his new album Christian Name | Ten Year Town Ep. 126

Charles Wesley Godwin is a country music artist and songwriter born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. He first discovered his passion for music in college, picking up a guitar after realizing his WVU football dreams weren't going to pan out and watching the Avett Brothers perform at the 2011 Grammys. He spent years developing his sound by playing small bars, cafes, and breweries across the country—often sleeping in his car—before breaking through with his independent 2019 debut album, Seneca. He is currently signed to Big Loud and Warner Chappell, and following the success of albums like How the Mighty Fall and Family Ties, he is preparing to release his newest record, Christian Name, on July 24th. In this episode, we discuss Charles’s journey from playing his very first paid gig at a lingerie show in Estonia to building a nationwide audience. We dig into his early years trusting the tip jar on the road, the freezing winter studio sessions that shaped Seneca, navigating the pressures of the music business, and the night he almost quit music entirely. We also talk about why he considers songwriting to be his true creative high, his five-year wait to co-write with Lori McKenna, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #CharlesWesleyGodwin #CountryMusic #TenYearTown #Songwriting #AltCountry #AmericanaMusic #CWG #ChristianName #Seneca #IndependentArtist #MusicPodcast 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

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Brad Tursi on Old Dominion, His new solo album Colorado & Trusting Your Gut | Ten Year Town Ep. 125

Brad Tursi is a songwriter, guitarist, and member of Old Dominion. As a songwriter, he has penned hits for artists including Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, and Luke Bryan, including Chesney's “Save It For A Rainy Day.” As a member of Old Dominion, he has helped create some of the band's biggest songs, including “Snapback,” “No Such Thing As A Broken Heart,” and “One Man Band.” He has a new solo album, Colorado, available everywhere June 12. In this episode, Brad shares his journey from finding his dad's guitar in the attic in Connecticut to landing in Nashville, the chance encounter that led to writing “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” and how he ended up joining Old Dominion almost by accident. We dig into the creative process behind his upcoming solo record Colorado, the difference between writing for yourself versus writing for other artists, and why following your gut is the most important skill you can develop in this business. --------------------------------------------------- This episode is sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys (https://thegraphicguitarguys.com) They create custom guitar wraps used by artists and festivals across the industry. A great option for pre-sale bundles, VIP packages, or one-of-a-kind gear. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright (troycartwright.com) is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #BradTursi #OldDominion #Colorado #CountryMusic #Songwriting #TenYearTown #Podcast #Nashville #KennyChesney #SaveItForARainyDay#SaveItForARainyDay 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

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Jake Worthington on Texas Country, Traditionalism & Touring with Luke Combs | Ten Year Town Ep. 124

Jake Worthington is a country music artist and songwriter raised in La Porte, Texas. He first gained national attention as the runner-up on Season 6 of NBC’s The Voice before spending years developing his sound playing dance halls and honky-tonks across Texas. His latest record, When I Write The Song, was released in 2025, and he is currently signed to Big Loud Texas. Worthington has shared stages with artists including Stoney LaRue and Post Malone, and is currently an opener on Luke Combs’ Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old stadium tour. In this episode, we discuss Jake’s journey from garage bands in Texas to national touring stages, growing up on George Strait and Keith Whitley records, his early years in Nashville, the call from Seth England that helped change the trajectory of his career, and many other stops along the way. --------------------------------------------------- This episode is sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys (https://thegraphicguitarguys.com) They create custom guitar wraps used by artists and festivals across the industry. A great option for pre-sale bundles, VIP packages, or one-of-a-kind gear. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright (troycartwright.com) is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #JakeWorthington #TexasCountry #TraditionalCountry #LukeCombs #CountryMusic #BigLoudTexas #GeorgeStrait #Nashville #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Lessons from Tom Petty on Songwriting, Simplicity, and Staying True | Ten Year Town Bonus Episode

In this bonus episode, we take a look at the songwriting and philosophy of Tom Petty—what made his songs work, why simplicity matters, and what artists can learn from the way he approached music and career. --------------------------------------------------- If you want to read the Mundanity of Excellence you can find the PDF here: https://academics.hamilton.edu/documents/themundanityofexcellence.pdf --------------------------------------------------- This episode is sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys (https://thegraphicguitarguys.com) They create custom guitar wraps used by artists and festivals across the industry. A great option for pre-sale bundles, VIP packages, or one-of-a-kind gear. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright (troycartwright.com) is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #TomPetty #Songwriting #Songwriter #RockAndRoll #MusicTheory #CreativeProcess #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright #AmericanMusic #WriteSongs 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Randy Montana on Writing No. 1 Hits for Luke Combs & Parker McCollum, his Songwriting Approach, and More | Ten Year Town Ep. 123

Randy Montana is a songwriter and artist raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He has written songs recorded by artists including Luke Combs, Parker McCollum, Justin Moore, Riley Green, and many others. His No. 1 hits include “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “I Hope You’re Happy,” “Pretty Heart,” and “Sleepless In A Hotel Room.” On March 16, 2026, Montana claimed the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. In this episode, we discuss Randy’s path growing up in Nashville, the stories behind some of his biggest songs, his approach to songwriting, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Zach Abend on “Hometown Home” + HARDY’s “Favorite Country Song” | Ten Year Town Ep. 122

Zach Abend is a songwriter and producer originally from Syracuse, New York. He has co-written songs for artists including Morgan Wallen, HARDY, LOCASH, Kenny Chesney, and Blake Shelton. His #1 songs include writing Kenny Chesney’s “Take Her Home,” LOCASH’s 2025 single “Hometown Home,” and most recently as a writer on HARDY’s “Favorite Country Song.” He is currently published by Relative Music Group. In this episode, Zach talks about his path from Syracuse to Nashville, his approach to songwriting and production, and his philosophy behind creating songs that connect with artists and audiences. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Mitchell Tenpenny on “Drunk Me,” Songwriting & Nashville | Ten Year Town Ep. 121

Mitchell Tenpenny is a singer-songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. He broke through with his multi-Platinum No. 1 hit “Drunk Me” and has since earned additional chart success with songs like “Truth About You,” “At The End Of A Bar” (with Chris Young), and “We Got History.” He has released multiple albums including Telling All My Secrets and This Is The Heavy, and has toured with artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, and Jordan Davis. He is currently on his Speed Of Light Tour. In this episode, Mitchell talks about growing up in Nashville, his path to his first No. 1, the reality of sustaining success in country music, and how he approaches songwriting in a town built on great songs. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #MitchellTenpenny #CountryMusic #Songwriting #Nashville #TenYearTown #Podcast #CountryArtist #MusicIndustry #DrunkMe 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Kip Moore on Craft, Live Shows, Breaking in South Africa, and Doing It His Way

This episode originally aired on January 20th, 2025. Kip Moore is an artist and songwriter originally from Tifton, Georgia. He has several multi-platinum records including songs like “Somethin’ ‘bout a Truck,” “More Girls Like You,” and “The Bull.” He is also known for his live show and a rabid touring audience that spans the US, the U.K., Australia, South Africa, and Europe. “Solitary Tracks” was February 28th, 2025; he is currently signed to Virgin Music Group. In this episode we discuss the level of songwriting craftsmanship in Nashville, why the live show is so important, making records, breaking in South Africa, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. Steam his new EP Etc. All The Rest here. 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Parker McCollum on Texas Country, Songwriting & Making His New Record | Ten Year Town Ep. 120

Parker McCollum is an artist and songwriter originally from Conroe, Texas. He has earned multiple No. 1 hits including “Pretty Heart,” “To Be Loved By You,” “Handle On You,” and “Burn It Down,” and was named ACM New Male Artist of the Year in 2022. His 2025 self-titled album PARKER MCCOLLUM marked his fifth studio release, and he just released a deluxe edition on March 20th, 2026. In this episode, we discuss Parker’s upbringing in Texas, the making of his latest record, the pressure and expectations that come with success, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by Sensa Pens. Sensa creates premium writing instruments designed for comfort and performance, featuring their patented Plasmium® gel grip that molds to your hand to reduce fatigue during extended writing sessions. Originally introduced in 1995 and developed with ergonomic specialists, Sensa pens are built for writers, creators, and anyone who still values putting pen to paper. Check them out at sensapensofficial.com and use code TENYEAR25 for 25% off your order. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Lee Brice, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #ParkerMcCollum #TexasCountry #CountryMusic #Songwriting #BurnItDown #HandleOnYou #Nashville #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Ben Chapman on Peach Jam, Nashville, New Fatherhood, and "How Everything's Different, but Ain't Nothin' Changed" | Ten Year Town Ep. 119

Today’s guest is songwriter and artist Ben Chapman. Originally from Lafayette, Georgia, Ben is now based in Nashville and has written songs for artists including Muscadine Bloodline, Brent Cobb, Hayes Carll, and Flatland Cavalry, among others. He is also the founder of Peach Jam, a quarterly live series at The Basement East that features his band and a rotating lineup of guest artists. He has a new record, Feet On Fire, set for release in May, with the title track dropping Tuesday, March 24th. In this episode, Ben talks about his path from Lafayette to Nashville, Peach Jam, his new-found fatherhood, and how “Everything’s Different”… but ain’t nothing changed. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #BenChapman #TenYearTown #Songwriting #Nashville #PeachJam #CountryMusic #Americana #Songwriter #MusicPodcast #BrentCobb #FlatlandCavalry #HayesCarll #MuscadineBloodline #IndependentArtist #NewMusic 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Chase McGill on writing "20 Cigarettes" for Morgan Wallen, CMA Triple Play Awards, and Loving the Process | Ten Year Town Ep. 118

Chase McGill is a songwriter originally from Columbus, Mississippi. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “Break Up in the End” recorded by Cole Swindell and “Lose It” recorded by Kane Brown. His songs have also been recorded by artists including Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, and Morgan Wallen. McGill is a multiple-time CMA Triple Play Award winner, including in 2026 for the songs “Happen To Me” (Russell Dickerson), “I Got Better” (Morgan Wallen), and “20 Cigarettes” (Morgan Wallen). He is currently published by Universal Music Publishing Group. In this episode, we discuss Chase’s journey from Mississippi to Nashville, the stories behind some of his biggest hits, his approach to writing in the room, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #ChaseMcGill #Songwriting #MorganWallen #RussellDickerson #KaneBrown #ColeSwindell #NashvilleSongwriters #CountryMusic #CMAawards #TriplePlay #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Lee Thomas Miller on “In Color,” No. 1 Hits & The Grammys | Ten Year Town Ep. 117

Lee Thomas Miller is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter born in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “The Impossible” (Joe Nichols), “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins), and “In Color” (Jamey Johnson). “In Color” earned both the CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards. Miller currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has cuts with artists including Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, George Strait, Randy Travis, and many others. In this episode, we discuss Lee’s path into songwriting, the stories behind some of his biggest hits, his role with NSAI, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #LeeThomasMiller #InColor #CountrySongwriter #NSAI #Nashville #Songwriting #CMAawards #ACMawards #JameyJohnson #TraceAdkins #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

How The Listening Room Became a Nashville Staple with Chris Blair | Ten Year Town Ep. 116

Chris Blair is the founder and owner of The Listening Room Cafe, one of Nashville’s premier songwriter venues. Since opening its doors in 2006, The Listening Room has become a cornerstone of the city’s songwriting community, hosting hit writers, rising artists, and industry showcases while giving audiences an up-close experience with the stories behind the songs. In this episode, we discuss Chris’s path to opening The Listening Room, the role songwriter venues play in Nashville’s ecosystem, building a sustainable live music business, and many other stops along the way. -------------------------------------------------- This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art. --------------------------------------------------- Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists. #ChrisBlair #TheListeningRoom #Nashville #Songwriters #LiveMusic #MusicBusiness #WritersRounds #CountryMusic #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Art, Aura, and The Algorithm & Why The Mountain Conquers You

Why I Listened to 2,000 Minutes of Tchaikovsky Last Year We are living in the age of "frictionless" music. The algorithms know what we want before we do, the dopamine is cheap, and the content is served to us on a silver platter. But as Charles Bukowski once said of classical music: "It washes the crap right out of me." Lately, it feels like there’s a lot of crap to wash out. In this episode, I’m stepping away from the "business" of music to talk about the Aura and the Sublime. I’m breaking down why I spent more time with a 19th-century Russian composer than anyone in the Top 40, and why I believe the "smoothness" of modern digital life is actually making us bored, exhausted, and artistically numb. In this episode, we explore: The "Loss of Aura": Why music feels less valuable when it stops being a "hunt" and starts hunting you. The Sublime vs. The User-Friendly: Lessons from Walter Benjamin and Theodore Adorno on why great art should be a little bit terrifying. The Tchaikovsky Antidote: How complex, uncomfortable, and "loud" art reminds us that we aren’t the center of the universe. Breaking the Algorithm: Why the most successful artists of the future will be the ones who refuse to be "mathematically certain." If you’ve been feeling a specific kind of creative exhaustion lately, this one is for you. It’s time to stop trying to conquer the mountain and let the mountain conquer us. RESOURCES & LINKS 📧 Get in touch: troycartwright.music@gmail.com 📝 Read the full essay on Substack: Letters to Myself 📸 Follow on Instagram: @troycartwright #Songwriting #MusicIndustry #Tchaikovsky #ClassicalMusic #MusicPhilosophy #Algorithm #CreativeProcess #NashvilleSongwriters #WalterBenjamin #TheSublime #ArtVsContent #MusicPodcast #TroyCartwright #LettersToMyself #Authenticity #IndieArtist 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. Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here. Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura. Artwork design by Brad Vetter. Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.