Studio Musician Academy

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Dann Huff. In the recording industry, Dann is an absolute giant. (pun intended) His work as a session guitar player, artist, and Producer has shaped the sound of popular music from LA to Nashville, across a range of genres, for over 40 years.  I wouldn’t know where to start with listing the legendary artists and timeless hits that he has masterfully crafted. How D...

Send us Fan Mail In todays episode we are discussing the craft of writing Nashville number charts.  Our guests are David Dorn and Leland Grant. David is a first call Nashville session player, producer, and studio owner. He’s also a Studio Musician academy co founder and mentor who created an incredible training program on chart writing which is available at studiomuscianacademy.com Leland Grant is...

Send us Fan Mail Todays guest is Jerry Roe. Jerry is an ACM award winning, first call Nashville session drummer/bassist, and one half of the heavy duo, Friendship Commanders. Jerry’s career is a shining example of how to remain unapologetically authentic to one’s creative and personal identity while crafting a top tier career in the music business.  Jerry has held down the pocket for artists like...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Jimmy Wallace! Hailing from Shreveport Louisiana, Jimmy is a Nashville based Keyboardist who has checked all the boxes of a fulfilled career in serving the song. Jimmy has toured with artists like The Wallflowers, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Joe Walsh, and Jewel. He’s served in the studio alongside acts such as Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, and Bonnie...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Terence F. Clark. Terence is a Grammy Nominated drummer, producer, composer and artist. Following the motto of “There’s not a right way, but there is a wrong way,” Terence has combined his technical skill with an artist-first mindset that has helped him master the art of serving the song.  Terence has held down the pocket in the studio for artists like Robert Cray...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is B James Lowry! B James is a Nashville based guitarist, composer, and producer. He’s sat in the coveted guitar chair on recordings for artists like Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Pretty Lights, Jewel, and even the Chipmunks!  After getting his start as a touring side-man with some of the industry’s biggest acts, B. James made a risky leap in burning his ships and transiti...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Kent Wells. A guitar player, producer, studio owner, and songwriter, Kent’s road case bumper sticker is “Enjoy the climb.” Over a 30+ year, he has summited the peaks of every aspect of the recording industry.  Kent began his ascent after his available notice on the musicians union bulletin board caught the eye of Keith Whitley’s bandleader. After standing behind t...

Send us Fan Mail Todays guest is Mike Brignardello. Mike has been holding down the groove as a first call session Bass player for over 40 years. Mike’s career journey started in his soulful hometown of Memphis. He then hit the road with Christian acts, DeGarmo & Key and Amy Grant, before becoming a founding member of the rock band Giant, and eventually planting his bass in Nashville’s country...

Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever seen or heard a guitar picking unicorn, you were probably witnessing the work of Bryan Sutton. While our brief introduction could barely scratch the surface of covering the immense accomplishments of one of the most sought after acoustic guitar players in the recording industry, we’ll do our best. Bryan is a Grammy award winner and nine-time international Bluegrass...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Kris Donegan. If there’s a model example for developing your own preverbal box to fit into, Kris’ career is the blueprint. His unique approach to the session guitar chair has landed him on records with artists ranging from Darius Rucker, Shania Twain, and Kane Brown to Colbie Caillat, Third Eye Blind, and Michael W. Smith. He is an ACM guitar player of the year no...

Send us Fan Mail Todays guest is first call, Nashville session drummer, Steve Brewster. Over the past 30+ years, Steve has lended his eclectic approach on the drum set to records for a vast array of artists such as Richard Marx, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Michael W. Smith, Chicago, and Jewel.  Steve has mastered the art of session playing, with an approach that puts the artistic vision of the son...

Send us Fan Mail Todays guest is Mike Waldron. Mike has been picking through major tours and studio sessions for over 30 years. As a first call guitar player, he’s supported artists like Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Luke Combs, and Hillary Scott.  Starting his career in LA club scene, Mike followed the “say yes to every gig” mentality which helped him polish his craft and connect with countles...

Send us Fan Mail Greg Morrow has dominated the drum chair in Nashville record sessions for nearly 3 decades. He’s laid the groove for artists spanning from Deana Carter and Steve Earl to Garth Brooks and Dixie Chicks to Luke Combs and Jon Pardi. Greg is a two time, ACM Drummer of the Year award winner, and can be heard on countless number one records. Greg found his passion for drums early. He sta...

Send us Fan Mail Todays Guest is Todd Lombardo! Todd’s career has been a masterful balancing act of execution as a first call studio musician, songwriter and producer.  His catalog of recording credits have amassed over 3 billion streams. He’s earned 2 nominations for ACM acoustic guitar player of the year, and has collaborated with artists ranging from Niall Horan and James Bay, to Morgan Wallen...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Jeff Roach! Jeff is a phenomenal keyboardist, and arguably one of the best sound design/synth programmers out there.  The man doesn’t even own Omnisphere.  That’s how much of a badass he is.  Always a great energy in the room, and an incredible ear for music.  If you’re looking for clues on how to maintain a consistent career on an instrument that has buried many...

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Tom Bukovac. If you're unaware of this man, strap in. Yes, he's played on everything. Yes, he's toured with Joe Walsh, Faith Hill, Ann Wilson, and more. And yes, he's handsome.  Most importantly however, he cares for the craft on a level that is truly awe-inspiring. Prepare for some wisdom, laughs, and tales from one the self proclaimed &q...

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Dylan Wissing! Dylan is an in demand session drummer, studio owner, and educator. The New York Times applauded Dylan as “a musicians white whale.” We definitely agree and are honored to have been able to catch him for this incredible interview. Dylan’s work can be heard on records for artists including John Legend, Alicia Keys, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z, and E...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Caroline Jones. Caroline is a multi-instrumentalist and multi-genre singer songwriter. Her latest solo project reached #4 on the iTunes country charts. She’s been featured on the Grand Ole Opry, The Tonight Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and The Today Show. Caroline is also the first female member of the iconic Zac Brown Band. Caroline brings an amazing perspectiv...

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Jenee Fleenor! Jenee is a first call fiddle player, songwriter, vocalist, and recording artist. She is a 4 time CMA musician of the year award winner, and the first woman to be nominated for the award. In 2019, Jenee was the first fiddle player to win the award in over 20 years. In an era when her primary instrument was largely considered out of vogue in the...

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Eli Beaird! Eli is a first call session bass player and runs Beaird Music Group, one of Nashville’s most in demand demo studios. Eli is an ACM Bass Player of the Year Nominee and his bass laying can be heard on records for artists ranging from Shania Twain and Willie Nelson to James Bay and Shawn Mendez. Eli’s perspective as a bass player, band leader and stu...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Steve Mackey! Steve has been holding down the low end as a mainstay session player for over two decades. He comfortably floats between genres having supported artists like Luke Combs, Indie Aria, Lucinda Williams, The Wallflowers, Delbert McClinton, and Dolly Parton. Mackey is an ACM Bass Player of the year nominee, and has been featured in the house bands for Bon...

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest is Adam Shoenfeld! Adam’s double decade, career journey has had stops in every landmark of the industry. As a first call session guitar player, touring sideman, hit songwriter, and producer, Adam has been tapped by artists like Big & Rich, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Luke Combs, Jimmie Allen, and countless others. Adam is a 7 time ACM guitar player of the year...

Send us Fan Mail Nir has circled the globe in his journey to becoming one of the industry's most in demand session drummers. Beginning his career in his home country of Israel, continuing on to New York City, and then finally landing in his current home base of Nashville.  Throughout his musical expedition, he has collaborated with countless iconic artists including Genesis, John Mayer, Chris...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is Derek Wells! We’d typically start this episode intro with a description of our guests occupation, but there isn’t a box big enough to fit Derek’s career into. He’s literally checked all of them. As a first call session guitar player, bandleader, record producer, publishing executive, and board member of pretty much every industry organization, Derek has masterfull...

Send us Fan Mail John is a first call guitarist, songwriter, and producer based in Nashville, Tennessee.  Raised in Louisiana, John found his calling for guitar picking at an early age, and after discovering the roll of studio musicians, he traveled to LA to train at the Guitar institute of technology.  After making fast friends with his instructors, John earned opportunities to see first hand how...