Stories Behind the Songs

A guitar from his uncle’s country band, open mics before he could legally walk into the bar, and a stubborn ear that learned by listening—Roman Alexander’s road to Nashville wasn’t polished, it was practiced. We sit down to unpack the exact moves that turned a Missouri kid into a touring artist and a credible songwriter: washing cars at an Audi dealership to meet gatekeepers, selling merch on a mi...

Some losses leave us searching for words where there are none. The sudden passing of Brett James Cornelius, along with his wife and her daughter, in a plane crash on September 18, 2025, has left Nashville's music community reeling in grief. This special episode stands as a raw, heartfelt tribute to a songwriter whose pen crafted some of country music's most enduring hits, and whose heart...

Grammy-winning artist Colbie Caillat sits down for an intimate conversation about the winding road from MySpace sensation to seasoned songwriter. With her trademark warmth and authenticity, she reveals how music was always coursing through her veins—singing at the top of her lungs every morning as a child and eventually being guided toward songwriting by her father's wisdom that it would &quo...

The first time Abbie Callahan heard Dolly Parton perform live, something clicked. At just 14 years old, watching from the audience with her mother and grandmother, Abbie experienced what she describes as an epiphany: "I saw that and I was like, 'oh, that's what I want to do.'" That moment set her on a path from Iowa City to Nashville, where she's now carving out a dis...

What does it take to go from waiting tables to writing chart-topping hits for country music's biggest stars? In this compelling conversation, songwriter Blake Pendergrass opens up about his remarkable year since his last appearance on the podcast – a year that's seen him secure 15 cuts on Morgan Wallen's latest album (including his first #1 hit), pen songs for Jelly Roll, Tucker Wet...

From the rolling hills of Scotland to the hallowed circle of the Grand Ole Opry, Callum Kerr's musical journey defies conventional paths. Our conversation reveals the beautiful synchronicity of events that led this actor-turned-country artist to find his true calling. Callum shares how his musical awakening happened at 17 when a Texas sports camp job unexpectedly introduced him to country mus...

Cole Taylor's journey from small-town Georgia to Nashville success story perfectly captures the dreams that bring so many songwriters to Music City. Within just nine months of arriving in Nashville, Taylor landed a publishing deal that would launch a career filled with chart-topping hits for country music's biggest stars. Growing up immersed in a rich musical tapestry—from Alan Jackson&a...

Braden Jamison's voice hits you immediately – authentic, rooted in tradition, yet distinctly his own. The Oklahoma native's path to Nashville wasn't straight, having grown up playing four sports simultaneously before making the pivotal decision to quit basketball his junior year to pursue music. That choice led to an unforgettable opportunity: opening for Toby Keith after just one b...

What does it take to go from a small Louisiana town to writing chart-topping hits for country music's biggest stars in just a few years? Beau Bailey's songwriting journey is as unexpected as it is inspiring. In this captivating conversation, Beau reveals how a dislocated shoulder from an impromptu boxing match at age 15 led him to pick up guitar and accidentally discover his songwriting...

This week I sit down with @ashlandcraft ! From growing up in small-town South Carolina to sharing stages with country icons, Ashland Craft’s journey is as raw and real as her voice. We talk about her time on The Voice , what it taught her about trusting her gut, and how it led her to pack up everything and take a leap of faith in Nashville. Ashland opens up about the early grind—bar gigs, long nig...

In this episode, I sit down with @TheSwonBrothers! From their Oklahoma roots to writing songs with @BlakeShelton and touring with @CarrieUnderwood, Zach and Colton share the highs, lows, and full-circle moments of their journey in country music. We dive into the story behind their latest cut with Blake, the emotional writing of “Mamas,” and the crowd reaction that made them believe in their new so...

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary @StephonySmith ! From singing harmonies with her brother in Memphis to writing award-winning hits like “It’s Your Love,” “Johnny and June,” and “Big Star,” Stephony's journey is nothing short of iconic. We talk about how she got her start writing jingles, what it was like moving to Nashville in the late ‘80s, and the magic behind some of country...

In this week's episode, Stories Behind The Songs takes on CMA Fest (part two) ! We had the opportunity to interview numerous artists this past weekend, and can't wait to share their Stories Behind The Songs with you! In this episode you will hear stories from - Maddox Batson - @maddoxbatson Bryan Ruby - @BryanRuby Greylan James - @greylanjames The Crowe Boys - @thecroweboys Bigg Vinny -...

In this week's episode, Stories Behind The Songs takes on CMA Fest! We had the opportunity to interview numerous artists this past weekend, and can't wait to share their Stories Behind The Songs with you! In this episode you will hear stories from - Alana Springsteen -  @alanaspringsteen  Callum Kerr -  @Callum_Kerr_1  Smithfield -  @SmithFieldMusic  Walker Montgomery -  @WalkerMontgomer...

In this episode, I sit down with @ZachJohnKing!  Whose breakout hit took the world by storm with its raw honesty and unforgettable first line. Growing up surrounded by cowboy culture, he’s navigated the challenges of staying true to himself while breaking into Nashville’s music scene.  We dive deep into the making of his new EP Slowed Down , a heartfelt collection of songs that reflect his journey...

In this episode, I sit down with @McCoyMoore ! From growing up in small-town Florida to signing with @SonyMusic and hitting the road with @Lauren_Alaina and @HardyMusic , McCoy’s rise has been nothing short of wild. We talk about the moment he found out he was opening for Hardy, how it felt to go from parking lot parties to playing amphitheaters and arenas, and what it means to stay grounded throu...

In this episode, I sit down with @DylanGuthro ! From his early days touring with Port Cities to landing a major cut with @DanAndShay , Dylan shares the journey behind his standout track “Missing Someone”—a song that sat quietly until the stars aligned and changed everything. He opens up about playing the demo for his dad before he passed, making the moment even more meaningful. We dive into Dylan’...

In this episode, I sit down with @RobynOtollini ! From writing songs at 13 to landing a deal with Warner Music Nashville over Zoom, Robyn’s journey is as heartfelt as her lyrics. We talk about the viral success of her breakout hit “ F-150, ” a raw and emotional breakup song that struck a chord with millions—and hear the powerful live version right here on the show. Robyn opens up about growing up...

This week I sit down with singer-songwriter and artist, @Carson Wallace ! Originally from California, Carson moved to Nashville at just 17, inspired by his uncle—and hit songwriter, and driven by a deep love for the craft. Growing up surrounded by top-tier writers gave him a front-row seat to what it takes to succeed in Music City, and he’s been chasing it ever since. We talk about his early days...

This week I sit down with songwriter and artist, @Brinley Addington ! From growing up on bluegrass and church music in Kingsport, Tennessee, to knowing he wanted to chase music after a childhood trip to Nashville, Brinley’s been all-in from the start. We dive into the journey behind his first No. 1 hit, “Chasing After You” —a song that sat on the shelf for years before finding its perfect moment w...

This week I sit down with actress and singer, @Jenna Davis ! From growing up around music in Texas to jumping into professional theater by fifth grade, Jenna’s journey took her from LA’s acting scene to Nashville’s songwriting rooms. Now the first artist signed to SMACK, she’s blending sharp songwriting, country roots, and a whole lot of heart into her original music. We talk about her path from v...

In this episode, I sit down with the legendary duo @BigandRich — and their story is just as wild as their songs. From touring with @Lonestar right out of high school to accidentally becoming a duo after nonstop writing sessions, Big & Rich carved their own lane in country music. What started as a running joke — being called “Big & Rich” everywhere they went — became a name that would defin...

This week I got to sit down with legendary songwriter, @AndyAlbert ! From a small-town Georgia kid in an alt-rock band to writing country hits in Nashville, Andy’s journey is full of heart, hustle, and some wild stories—like the time he and Marc Beeson emailed Blake Shelton a demo after a Christmas party (it worked). We talk about “She’s Got a Way With Words,” “Thinking ‘Bout You,” and “Bigger Hou...

In this episode, I sit down with @Matt Warren ! From frat parties in a Chevy van to selling T-shirts for @Gary Allan , Matt’s Nashville come-up is anything but boring. He was waiting tables at Chili’s when a chance encounter with George Strait’s guitar techs kickstarted his songwriting journey—and he’s been chasing it ever since. We talk about writing hits like “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)” and...

In this week's episode I sit down with, @WalkerHaye s! Walker takes us on his journey from growing up in Alabama to chasing his dreams in Nashville, where a bold moment with @Shane McAnally changed everything. He opens up about the struggles of getting his songs cut, the moment he realized people truly connected with his music, and how “ You Broke Up With Me” started right here at TLR before...