Songwriter Connection

From anxiety, depression, obsession, and the struggles that can weigh us down—to learning how to give yourself a break. Episode 283 of Songwriter Connection is one of the most important and meaningful conversations we’ve ever had. I’m joined by Bill O’Hanlon and J-4 to talk about their powerful new project, Being of Sound Mind , coming very soon. We dive into the inspiration behind the album and e...

Join us on this episode of Songwriter Connection as we welcome the incredibly talented Briana Lyn —a singer, songwriter, performer, teacher, and mentor whose passion for music shines through everything she does. With studios in both Los Angeles and Minneapolis, Briana has helped countless artists discover and develop their unique voices. Her musical style is a delightful blend of Dolly Parton, Ste...

With a low, lived-in alto that carries heartbreak, anger, restraint, and bite, Elaina brings an honest edge to every song. Born in Cincinnati and raised in Omaha, she found her voice through BluesEd, an audition-only youth program created by the Blues Society of Omaha. She performed dozens of shows each year, won the program’s 2019 competition, and traveled to Memphis to perform at B.B. King’s dur...

On this special episode of Songwriter Connection , host Dave Lenahan takes the show out from around the dining room table and onto the stage at one of Nashville’s hottest music hangouts, The Local , for an unforgettable night of songs, stories, and songwriting with Grammy Award-winning songwriter Don Henry . In front of a live audience, Don Henry shares the stories behind the songs, the experience...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , host Dave Lenahan welcomes singer-songwriter and actress Noelle Toland for a warm and engaging conversation about her music, creative journey, and career in entertainment. Noelle shares the inspiration behind her songs, the stories that shaped them, and the experiences that continue to influence her artistry. Known for expressing herself through both musi...

On this week's episode of Songwriter Connection , host Dave Lenahan welcomes Nashville songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and performer Blake Hall . A familiar face on stages all over Lower Broadway, Blake shares the stories behind his musical journey and debuts his brand-new song, "Dear Amy," a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Amy Winehouse. Blake also talks about performing with th...

This week on Songwriter Connection, I’m honored to sit down with country music singer, songwriter, and storyteller Ty Herndon for a very special conversation. Ty opens up about his remarkable journey in music and shares stories from his powerful memoir, What Mattered Most . We talk about the highs and lows of his career, the challenges he’s faced, the lessons he’s learned, and the people and momen...

Award-winning country singer and songwriter Trey Calloway joins us around the dining room table for a conversation filled with great stories, hard-earned lessons, and plenty of music. Trey has built a respected career on the road and in the songwriting world, earning a loyal fan base with his authentic country sound and heartfelt lyrics. In this episode of Songwriter Connection, Trey talks about t...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we’re joined by Nashville hit songwriter and artist CJ Solar , whose impressive career includes some of the biggest songs and milestones in country music. CJ co-wrote “Up Down,” recorded by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line , which became Morgan Wallen’s first No. 1 hit . His songs have also been cut by artists including Jason Aldean, Jameson Rodgers, Jarr...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we're excited to welcome Nashville singer-songwriter Scott Clay to the show. Originally from Washington State, Scott shares the story of taking the leap to Music City, chasing his songwriting dreams, and building a career in one of the most competitive music towns in the world. We talk about the inspiration behind his songs, the lessons he's learned alo...

This week on Songwriter Connection , rising Nashville artist Gracie Calvaneso pulls up a chair at the dining room table, joined by her songwriting team, Scott Barrier and Shannyn Bessoni. Together, they share the stories behind their creative partnership, the songwriting process that brings their ideas to life, and the collaboration it takes to craft songs that connect with listeners. You'll h...

This week on Songwriter Connection , I'm joined by Nashville songwriter and guitarist Erik Halbig for a conversation filled with incredible stories, outstanding musicianship, and a lifetime of experiences in Music City. Erik has shared the stage and studio with some of the biggest names in country music, building a career as one of Nashville's most respected musicians and songwriters. In t...

This week on Songwriter Connection , I'm joined by singer-songwriter and The Voice Season 17 winner Jake Hoot . Jake's powerful voice and heartfelt songwriting have earned him a loyal fanbase and opened doors across the country music world. We talk about his journey from small-town beginnings to national television, what life has been like since winning The Voice , and the stories behind s...

This week on Songwriter Connection , award-winning songwriter Marc-Alan Barnette joins us around the dining room table for a conversation packed with practical advice for aspiring songwriters and performers. Marc-Alan shares valuable tips for songwriters making the move to Nashville, what it really takes to stand out in songwriter rounds, and how to become a more engaging and confident performer....

This week on Songwriter Connection, we're joined by country music hitmaker Michael Peterson. From chart-topping success and standing ovations at the Grand Ole Opry to overcoming personal and professional challenges along the way, Michael's journey is one of perseverance, faith, and determination. We'll talk about the road that took him from the Pacific Northwest to Nashville, the obsta...

This week on Songwriter Connection , Dave welcomes Charlie Mangus of the Okie Music Collective for a conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing songwriters today: getting great songs heard by the people who can make a difference. With thousands of songs being written every day, only a small percentage ever reach the decision-makers in the music industry. Charlie shares how the Okie Mu...

This week on Songwriter Connection, Dave Lenahan welcomes Nashville singer-songwriter and podcaster Sarah Harralson to the dining room table for a conversation filled with music, creativity, and compelling stories. Sarah discusses her new EP, Just The Beginning , and the accompanying short film that expands the project's message beyond the music. She shares the inspiration behind the songs, he...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we welcome Oklahoma native and Nashville rising star Emily Elgin. Emily's journey has been anything but ordinary—from working at Coyote Ugly and chasing her dreams on American Idol to becoming a full-time touring artist with a growing fan base across the country. Around the dining room table, Emily shares the stories behind her music, the twists and turns t...

Join us for a special episode of Songwriter Connection as rising artist Āelle gathers around the dining room table with some of her closest friends, collaborators, and fellow musicians for an unforgettable evening of music and conversation. With new music on the horizon, Āelle shares the stories behind her upcoming releases and gives listeners an inside look at her creative journey. The highlight...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , we welcome singer-songwriter Megan Barker to the dining room table for a conversation filled with music, stories, and a family legacy deeply rooted in songwriting. For Megan, songwriting is truly in her blood. Her father built an impressive career as a songwriter, penning songs recorded by artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, and Hank Williams...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , we welcome Australian country troubadour Angus Gill — an award-winning singer-songwriter known for his sharp storytelling, heartfelt lyrics, and unmistakable sense of humor. From his roots in rural Australia to the stages of Nashville, Angus has built a reputation as one of the most authentic voices in modern country music. In this conversation, Angus sha...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we sit down with Nashville-based alt-acoustic artist Nicole Alexis (N/A), a true one-woman force in modern DIY music. Fresh off the release of her debut EP Mirrors and Smoke , Nicole opens up about the journey from performing stripped-down covers online to finally turning the lens inward and telling her own stories—raw, honest, and unapologetically real. With s...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , we welcome rising country artist Adysen Malek —a fresh voice bringing heart, honesty, and a whole lot of soul to Nashville’s songwriting scene. With a style that blends modern country storytelling and emotional authenticity, Adysen is quickly making a name for herself as both a compelling artist and a gifted songwriter. In this episode, she shares the sto...

A true songwriter at heart, Allie has carved her own lane in country music with honest lyrics, emotional depth, and a fearless authenticity that connects with fans across the globe. Allie has stepped out from the spotlight of her roots to build a career entirely on her own terms—and she’s doing it her way. In this episode, Allie shares the stories behind her latest music, the inspiration that fuel...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we’re joined by Nashville singer-songwriter Lauren Lucas — a true Music City original with a story that hits just as hard as her songs. Growing up surrounded by music and sharpening her craft right here in Nashville, Lauren has built a reputation as a powerful vocalist and an honest, fearless writer. From her time studying at Belmont to performing on some of th...