Write on Track: A Songwriting Podcast

Let the games begin! I’m so beyond excited to kick off Up the Scale: A Write on Track Game Show. Please give a warm welcome to Allison Leah, Matteson Gregory, and Niki Kennedy. They’re the shining star contestants of Forte Face Off 1. Who will come out on top and move on to the semi-finals? Listen to find out. Allison, Matteson, and Niki have fabulous episodes of Write on Track, so be sure to give...

Happy one year since sharing the Write on Track trailer! I can’t believe it’s already been a year. Thank you so much to everyone who made the first year of this show so special. To celebrate, I’m so beyond excited to announce Up the Scale: A Write on Track Game Show. Listen to the announcement to learn what Up the Scale is all about, and get ready to hear many familiar voices. It’s going to be suc...

Music and business are so closely related. In order to be successful in the music business, musicians have to develop their musicianship while also diving into the world of entrepreneurship. I’m so honored to welcome Dr. Fabiana Claure onto the show to talk all about music entrepreneurship and succeeding as a musician. Fabiana is a pianist, business strategist for musicians, educator, and the foun...

I’m so honored to welcome Jason Davis onto the show to give a glimpse into the music industry. He has been in the business for over two decades and is part of some outstanding companies, including One One 7, Noble Management, and Higher Level Agency. Jason has worn many hats and played different roles over the years, and he has so much knowledge to share from what he’s learned along his journey so...

The music business is always changing, and despite moments of success, there will always be obstacles we have to face as songwriters. I’m honored to welcome Lisa McEwen onto the show to chat all about jumping songwriting hurdles in a mindful way. The quote for this episode is by Wendy Starland: “The people who come out on top in music business have persistence. It is key! Fall down seven times; st...

It’s May 1, which means it’s the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. Music has the ability to bring us comfort and empower us when we need it most. I’m delighted to welcome Matteson Gregory back to the show for a very special and important conversation about finding comfort and empowerment through music. The quote for this episode is by Taylor Swift: “People haven’t always been there for m...

Being a solo artist requires so much love for the craft of songwriting, dedication to learning how to navigate the music business, and commitment to growing as a person and musician. I’m honored to share an outstanding conversation with Peter McDermott all about the life of a solo artist. The quote for this episode is by Aretha Franklin: “Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re...

Many songwriters dream of having their songs recorded by artists, and some dream of getting a publishing deal. The world of pitching songs and getting signed by a publisher is a complex one. It takes a lot of dedication, knowledge, and skill to be a professional songwriter, and it’s key to continue to grow as a songwriter and build connections in the music industry. I’m so honored to bring you a f...

Music with positive messages brings so much light and hope into the world. I’m delighted to welcome Greg Pierson and Stephan Young from the Christian music duo, the Pierson-Young Project, onto the show to chat all about writing music with positive messages. The quote for this episode is by Pablo Casals: “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” I truly had such an up...

Recording vocals is such a fun and complex process. After we finish writing our songs and get them ready for the studio, we have so much to think about when it comes to vocals, from portraying emotion to crafting background vocals and so much more. I’m beyond excited to welcome back Allison Leah to talk all about recording vocals. The quote for this episode is by Grimes: “I feel like vocals are to...

As songwriters and artists, we always have to find ways of staying creative and keeping momentum. Especially because of the reality of the world these past few years, we’ve had to adapt and find new ways to continue doing what we love and moving our careers forward. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Avery Raquel onto the show for such a fun and honest conversation about staying creative and ke...

There is so much that goes into touring, and artists have a lot to know and consider before booking a tour. I’m delighted to welcome Connor Christian from the Southern Gothic onto the show to chat all about life on the road. The quote for this episode is by Elle King: “Touring is my favorite part of being a musician. All the places I’ve traveled and lived affect me in many different ways. Good and...

The fear of failure is something many songwriters face. Sometimes, this fear holds writers back from pursuing songwriting. Also, moments of failure can lead to discouragement and self-doubt. There are several ways of overcoming the fear of failure and seeing each setback as a stepping stone to success. I’m honored to welcome Eyvindur Karlsson onto the show for such an inspiring conversation. and T...

Songwriting retreats are life changing for songwriters. They are incredible for improving the craft of songwriting, networking, collaborating, opening doors, and so much more. I’m beyond excited to welcome Allen Jones and Shanik Hughes onto the show to chat all about songwriting retreats. The quote for this episode is by Andrea Stolpe: “This is where you can begin to create your tribe, your suppor...

Songwriting is such a magical and intricate art that gives songwriters an infinite amount of opportunities to grow. When it comes to songwriting, there’s always something more to learn, and songwriting education comes in a variety of forms. I’m delighted to welcome Celine Ellis onto the show to chat all about the ways we can continue to educate ourselves about the craft of songwriting. The quote f...

For songwriters, our craft is a way for us to find beauty in the darkness. Writing songs allows us to process our emotions and what’s going on in our lives. Being able to turn our experiences into songs to share with the world is such a gift. I’m beyond excited to welcome Teri Bracken from Bronté Fall onto the show for such an honest conversation. The quote for this episode is by Maya Angelou: “We...

One of the biggest challenges we face as songwriters is knowing when our songs are finished. There are different stages of the writing and recording processes that our songs move through. It’s important for us to remember that the goal is never perfection. Rather, we shoot for completion. Nothing is perfect, and especially because of how creative and subjective music is, we have to keep in mind th...

Releasing a debut album is a surreal experience for every artist. It’s quite the journey, and so much goes into a debut album, from writing the songs to recording them and much more. I’m so excited to welcome Yana onto the show to chat all about making a debut album. The quote for this episode is by Hector Bellerin: “It is just the start of your professional career and you have to handle it proper...

Building a loyal audience is a rocky road that every artist has to walk. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Creed Fisher onto the show for such an honest conversation. Creed has been on his journey for a while now, and he shares so much genuine truth and wisdom about what it takes to be an artist and build an audience. The quote for this episode is by Bruce Springsteen: “Getting an audience is...

Podcasting has become extremely popular, especially over the past few years, and it’s definitely found a place in the music industry. Podcasts have opened the door to music and artist discovery, networking opportunities, new and creative ways for those in the industry to share their stories, and much more. I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome Sydney and Alex from the Little Known Tracks Podcast...

I’m delighted to bring you a fun and inspiring conversation with the superstars of the outstanding outlaw country band, Nashvillains. I had the absolute honor of chatting with Brett Boyett, Troy Johnson, and Scott Lindsey all about their songwriting success with commercial country music and their transition into writing music for their band ahead of the release of their incredible album, Tumbling...

It’s time to put on your boots and grab your cowboy hat! I’m beyond excited to bring you a very special conversation all about country music with my good friend, Cody Murphy from Weekdays with Murph. The country music community is a beautiful family. The songwriters and artists always write and sing about the truth and continue to prove that storytelling is at the heart of the genre. Both Cody and...

Being honest is at the heart of songwriting. When we write and release music that is true and meaningful to us, that shines through and leads to an authentic connection with our listeners. It’s not always easy to be honest. In fact, it can be quite scary at times, but our songs sparkle when we’re honest. I couldn’t be more excited to bring you a fantastic conversation with Sarah Louise about songw...

One of the most fun things about being an artist is the recording process. It’s so magical to hear our songs come to life in the studio and blossom into what we’ve envisioned them to become. A lot goes into taking songs to the studio, and I’m very excited to welcome Emmy Law onto the show to chat all about this with me. The quote for this episode is by Bono: “If you pour your life into songs, you...

I’m so beyond excited to bring you a very special conversation with Glee star, Noah Guthrie, ahead of the release of his album, Blue Wall. As any artist who created an album knows, it’s a roller coaster ride, and yet, such a rewarding journey. Noah and I chat all about the emotional journey of making an album. The quote for this episode is by Neil Peart: “What I’ve learned over the years is that t...