Songwriter Connection

This week on the podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome Emily Burdette—an incredibly talented singer-songwriter and Belmont University grad, now based in Wilmington, North Carolina. We dive into her journey, the craft behind her songwriting, and what inspires her as a rising artist. Plus, Emily treats us to a special live performance around the dining room table. Don’t miss this inspiring episode.

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , we welcome “The Coastal Cowgirl,” Kimberly Dawn. Originally from Canada and now splitting time between Nashville and the West Coast, Kimberly brings a refreshing blend of classic country storytelling and modern country spirit to her music. Known for songs like “Deere John,” “Leave Her Better,” and “In Love With Tennessee,” Kimberly’s writing is rooted in...

On this episode of Songwriter Connection , Dave welcomes rising country artist Jadynce Jean to the table for a conversation about music, determination, and chasing a dream at a young age. With powerhouse vocals and a natural connection to her audience, Jadynce has been performing since she was just six years old and hasn’t slowed down since. Now splitting time between Kansas and Nashville, she’s b...

🚨 APRIL FOOLS… but not really. 🚨 I got so fired up about Episode #260 of Songwriter Connection that I jumped the gun and moved it up to April 1st … and yeah, we’re having a little fun with it 😄 Join us as we welcome one of Nashville’s New Faces of Country Music — Kelsey Hart . Kelsey built his foundation the real Nashville way — as a songwriter first — landing cuts with artists like Dylan Scott...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we’re joined by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Chandler Marie — a small-town Georgia native who took a leap of faith to the “little big town” of Nashville and hasn’t looked back. With several million streams across platforms, eight nominations at the Josie Music Awards, and recognition as a Spotlight Artist at CMA Fest, Chandler is quickly becoming one of co...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we’re joined by one of Nashville’s rising stars — Mark Taylor — a songwriter and performer you definitely want on your radar. Mark has shared the stage with some of country music’s greats, earned awards for his songwriting, and built a reputation in Music City as both a powerful writer and a captivating live performer. Now, he’s adding “entrepreneur” to the mix...

This week on Songwriter Connection, we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with my special guest, Sean Turk McNamara! Sean and his wife own McNamara’s Irish Pub right here in Nashville. He’s an Irish singer-songwriter, a pub owner, and a storyteller who’s performed over 6,000 shows in Music City. He’s kept the Irish tradition alive, and today he’s sharing live songs and the stories behind them, aroun...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we sit down with Elliott Booe, an artist who’s putting his career in the fast lane. From booking nonstop shows to playing the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival and recording at the legendary FAME Studios, Elliott is checking off milestones most artists only dream about. Along with his band, The Impromptu’s, he’s opened for Brantley Gilbert, Alabama, and BlackH...

We’re thrilled to welcome Jericho — an award-winning songwriter with an incredible voice and a gift for unforgettable storytelling. Jericho has been singing since the age of two , writing songs and performing since childhood. As the daughter of a Green Beret soldier , her journey is marked by resilience, heart, and determination. By just 21 , she had already landed her first publishing deal — and...

We wrap up our two-part conversation with Trey Ackerman —songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, producer, IT expert, and creative thinker. In Part 2 , we continue and conclude our deep discussion on AI in music , sharing final thoughts, real-world takeaways, and where Trey believes the balance between technology and creativity ultimately lands. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at how art...

Songwriter Connection – Part 1 of 2 with Trey Ackerman In this two-part conversation, we sit down with Trey Ackerman —songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, producer, IT expert, and all-around creative force. In Part 1 , we take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about topics in today’s music industry: AI and its growing role in songwriting and music production . Trey shares real-...

This week on Songwriter Connection , Dave sits down with the incredible Bandana Cheyenna , the powerhouse songwriter who co-wrote Dasha’s smash hit “Austin (Boots Stop Working).” With major honors from both the People’s Choice Awards and ASCAP , Bandana has quickly become one of Nashville’s most compelling voices in the writing community. Bandana takes us straight into the writer’s room to break d...

This Week on Songwriter Connection: Join us as we welcome Olivia Harms, fresh off her captivating performance on the TV show "The Road," produced by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton, and featuring Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson. Olivia is western music royalty, having traveled the world at a young age with her mother, Joni, who is in the Western Music Hall of Fame. Remarkably, Olivia&#39...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we’re pulling up a chair at the dining room table with Jeff Dayton —a true songwriter’s songwriter and one of the most respected musical voices around. Jeff is a songwriter, producer, podcaster, and beloved Trop Rock favorite whose career spans some of the biggest stages in music. He served as bandleader for Glen Campbell , and his legendary resume also inc...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we welcome award-winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter Jeff Batson to the dining room table. Jeff’s songs have traveled far and wide, but the road he took to get here is even more remarkable. In this episode, he opens up about his journey through Nashville’s music scene — the highs, the hurdles, the unexpected turns, and the moments that shaped his craft...

This week on The Songwriter Connection, we welcome the powerhouse voice and heartfelt storyteller, Cheyne Stilwell . Four years ago, Cheyne packed up and made the leap to Nashville to chase a dream that’s been burning inside him for as long as he can remember. Since then, he’s been carving out his place in Music City with a big voice, tremendous talent, and a passion that deserves to be heard. In...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , my guest is filmmaker and songwriter Martin Buchanan . We dive into the hot topic of AI in the music business — is it a helpful tool or just plain cheating? Martin shares his insights from both the creative and production sides, along with valuable tips on promoting your songs through video . Plus, you’ll hear new music from his latest project, Revolving Do...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we’re thrilled to welcome the soulful and dynamic Leanne Binder! Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Leanne has carved her own unmistakable place in the blues world with a voice that smolders, a presence that commands the stage, and songs that come straight from the heart. With decades of touring, recording, and performing under her belt, Leanne shares stories f...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we welcome Mister Moon — the incredible duo Leah and Savs from Season 26 of The Voice ! Their harmonies are pure magic and their songwriting shines with honesty, heart, and a little bit of that Nashville soul. Join us around the dining room table as we laugh, swap stories, and share some unforgettable songs with these two rising stars. It’s an intimate, joy...

🎄 Songwriter Connection – Holiday Season Special 🎶 This week on Songwriter Connection , we’re celebrating the holidays and a huge milestone — 3 million streams worldwide — with a very special live episode from The Local in Nashville ! We gathered in front of a packed house for an unforgettable night of music and storytelling with two incredible guests. Randy Brooks , the songwriter behind the ho...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we’re joined by award-winning songwriter, artist, and filmmaker Shantell Ogden — the creative force behind the brand-new holiday movie Music City Mistletoe ! Shantell shares the inside story of writing and executive producing the film, how music plays a starring role, and what it takes to bring a Nashville Christmas story to life on screen. We also dive int...

This week on Songwriter Connection , we welcome Bobby Chitwood — a Texas-born singer-songwriter now calling Wyoming home. Bobby has been lighting up stages across the country with his high-energy shows and authentic storytelling. His long-awaited new album, Redneckery and That’s Just Me , is streaming everywhere and packed with songs that capture his humor, heart, and hard-earned wisdom. In this e...

🎙 This Week on The Songwriter Connection Podcast We welcome back the incredibly talented Lacie Carpenter — violinist, songwriter, and all-around musical powerhouse! Lacie is currently on tour across the U.S. with The Wizards of Winter , a holiday-themed rock opera featuring former members of Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Def Leppard, Trixter, Rainbow, Ted Nugent Band, Alice Cooper , and more. In this...

This week on The Songwriter Connection Podcast , my guest is the incredibly talented Michelle Canning — singer, songwriter, and producer of a truly unique Christmas project titled “Hey, Have You Heard?” This isn’t your typical Christmas album. Michelle has created what she calls a Christmas opera — a beautifully woven collection of songs inspired by the people and stories surrounding the birth of...

This week on The Songwriter Connection , we welcome The Heels — three amazing, talented, and beautiful ladies whose songs, stories, and harmonies are lighting up Nashville! 🌟 Hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada , The Heels have brought their infectious energy and signature blend of voices to Music City, where they’re quickly making a name for themselves. In this episode, they s...