Morse Code Podcast with Korby Lenker

A great listen for anyone interested in the publishing game in its current iteration. I speak with the Editorial Director of Lake Union, an imprint of Amazon that publishes more than 80 titles a year, generating more than $40 million in yearly revenue. In her influential capacity, Danielle as been responsible for some of the biggest success stories at her firm. We discuss the evolution of book pub...

I talk with three-time grammy winner, multi-instrumental singer songwriter, winner of numerous Native American Music Awards, and acclaimed painter, Bill Miller. Born on the Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation in northern Wisconsin, his big break came when Tori Amos discovered his music and invited him to open her tour for the Under the Pink album. They toured together for over a year. After that it was...

I talk with Grammy award-winning guitarist and singer Chris “Critter” Eldridge. A regular collaborator of Julian Lage’s, Critter has lent his talents to Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, T-Bone Burnett, Fiona Apple, The War and Treaty and more. We discuss the necessity of discomfort as a prerequisite for growth, and how raising a daughter has opened up new insights about failure and its role in perso...

I talk with grammy and Emmy-award winning songwriter Drew Ramsey about the challenges and rewards of co-writing songs, which occasionally become hit songs. In this, Drew has decades of experience — his countless collaborations include India. Arie, John Legend, Jonny Lang, and Marc Broussard  — and in his capacity as a songwriting professor at Belmont University in Nashville he’s championed and inc...

I speak with singer songwriter Robby Hecht about all things indie-folksinger. He's been making and releasing music since before Spotify was a thing, and in addition to being a multi-award-winning songwriter, his songs have been recorded by more than 60 artists. Robby is currently in the process of releasing his latest album “Not a Number” and he just showcased at SXSW. He's got some hard-earned pe...

I speak with hit songwriter and producer Barry Dean, who, with four #1 hits, many singles, and countless cuts, somehow manages to act like an earnest kid grateful for the chance to take his shot. His songs have been recorded by Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Maren Morris, Alison Krauss, Jon Pardi, Ingrid Michaelson, Brothers Osbourne, and many, many others. In one of the podcast’s most illuminating gu...

I speak with Alex Berger, Founder and Creative Director of Nashville-based creative agency Weird Candy. He's shepherded the visual translation of artists like The Critical and Yot Club as well as tastemaker labels like War Buddha and 3 Sirens. We kick off this conversation with Alex offering a impromptu brand appraisal of... me. And with that we jump into a discussion of why artists have such a ha...

Korby speaks with producer, songwriter and artist Lamont Coleman about his evolution from being an in-demand beatmaker and producer in the NYC hip hop scene to writing with country artists on music row. Lamont was an instrumental collaborator on the hit “Sweetest Girl Dollar Bill” feat Wyclef Jean, Akon, Lil Wayne, but traded the hip hop lifestyle to be “more intentional” with his musical gifts. L...

Korby speaks with artist, songwriter and guitar player Boo Ray about the realities of maintaining a heavy tour schedule in a post-covid landscape, and how ‘the polaroid of the thing is sometimes more interesting than the thing itself.” A much-loved figure of the East Nashville Scene, Boo’s band gets out and plays often. We talk about the spiritual analogue of the artist’s life, how Boo sees it mor...

Korby speaks with Todd Sherwood, owner and talent booker of The 5 Spot, about the glory and heartache of running a Nashville institution for nearly twenty years. Since taking over in 2007 in his mid twenties, Sherwood has hosted more than 50,000 shows. In this insightful and often hilarious conversation, he talks about the history of the 5 Spot, some highlight moments (with photos), the picturesqu...

It’s a Valentines Day special y’all. Korby speaks with Nashville actor, producer, casting director and life partner Randa Newman. In addition to her appearances on TV shows like NBC’s 'Young Rock' and The CW’s 'Walker', Randa also produced our Morse Code TV pilot, for which this podcast is named. We talk about the weird joy it is to work and live together, as well as our evolving effort to be both...

Korby speaks with East Nashville based singer-songwriter Lauren Morrow about the roller coaster reality of making a life in music, one song at a time. Lauren is the former lead singer of Atlanta’s Whiskey Gentry and now the solo artist of 2023’s EP People Talk. They talk about the fraught waters of self-promotion in a landscape dominated by social media, her formative experience as a young singer...

Korby met singer songwriter Abigayle Kompst when they both competed at a song contest at the Wildflower Music Festival in Texas in Spring 2023. A compelling performer and collaboratively-minded writer, Abigayle provides a valuable glimpse into the world of a young singer songwriter negotiating life and creativity in a landscape crowded with content. Plus she plays three originals live in studio, K...

Korby speaks with actor and spoken word artist James Kyson. Best known for his role in  NBC’s Heroes, James has more than 100 appearances in TV and film. Here he shares the many aspects of maintaining a successful acting career across decades, including auditioning for new roles, playing to camera in various situations, the value of a positive attitude, and loads more! Get full access to Morse Cod...

Korby speaks with bassist and friend Anton Nesbitt about his evolving path through music and life, how, in spite of demand, he chose against a career outside that of a full time session player, how marriage and starting a family changed relationship to his career, and how he is instilling in his kids the values he holds most dear. “As a man thinketh, so he is.” Finally, he joins Korby on a special...

Korby speaks with writer and actor Julian Vaca, author of YA novel The Memory Index (nominated for an It List Book Award in 2023), about the surviving and thriving in the modern marketplace. As a father of four, Julian also talks about maintaining a productive writing schedule in real life, and how he uses social media without betraying himself. Korby and Julian also get into some favorite reads o...

Special episode! Korby met twin brothers Nathan and Jud Epting when they randomly showed up in front of his house in East Nashville, set up their easels and started painting the truck parked out front. They’ve since become good friends. Here they discuss the parallels between plein air painting and musical performance, the challenge of knowing what to leave in and leave out, the value of painting...

Korby speaks with author and Porch Writer’s Collective Co-Founder Katie McDougall about her journey in creative writing and education. They talk about the challenge of knowing when to publish, how reading makes you more empathetic, what’s going on with the Porch these days, and more. Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe

Korby speaks with John Strohm, a musician, songwriter, attorney and former label head who has been involved in music for more than 4 decades, from playing guitar for the Lemonheads to serving as president of Rounder Records. Along the way he's worked with a hit list of influential artists: Bon Iver, The Civil Wars, Phoebe Bridger, The Alabama Shakes, and more. Get full access to Morse Code with Ko...

Korby speaks with director, writer, actor and producer Travis Nicholson about his journey through film and storytelling, from starting his career by crashing the cast party of Oh Brother Where Art Thou through his work on Still the King, a TV show he co-created starring Billy Ray Cyrus (and himself), that ran for 2 seasons on network TV. Travis also directed and co-wrote Morse Code, an award-winni...

Korby speaks with singer-songwriter Jill Andrews about her musical evolution — from fronting the Everybodyfields through her successful run writing songs for TV to touring as a mom on the release of her new album Modern Age. Plus she plays three songs live in our studio! Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe

Korby speaks with composer, producer, songwriter and musician Tim Lauer, one of the most prolific - and adaptive- creatives working in Nashville today. As a keyboardist he's played on hundreds of studio albums, from Taylor Swift to Insane Clown Posse. Ten years ago he pivoted to television, where he has since  produced more than 200 cast recording for shows like Nashville, Tell Me a Story and Big...

Korby speaks with writer, editor, publishing consultant and WriterFest creator Ami McConnell about her long experience in acquisitions at a traditional publisher and creating opportunities for writers in a crowded market. Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe

Korby speaks with guitarist, songwriter, and band leader Adam Levy about his ‘joy on fire’ approach to improvisation, collaborations with Norah Jones and Tracy Chapman, and growing up as the grandson of a TV composer in LA. Plus he plays a couple songs live in our studio! Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe

Korby speaks with acclaimed singer-songwriter Liz Longley about her uniquely dedicated fan base and how it led to an extraordinary kickstarter journey. Plus she plays 3 songs live in our studio! Get full access to Morse Code with Korby Lenker at korby.substack.com/subscribe