Ok, strap in guys, this will be the most entertaining episode of Songwriter Soup so far, and maybe forevermore. Laura’s prediction for future Songwriter Of The Year, Thomas Daniel, is on the podcast this week, representing (for now, and not for long) the middle class songwriter. By that we mean, Thomas is fully in the meat of ‘publishing deal land’ and hasn’t had that first big hit… YET (absolutely inevitable). His questions and perspectives help fill in some very crucial blanks in the Songwriter Soup ecosystem, and the trio is so grateful and happy to discuss them. This episode covers a ton about mentorship, particularly why hit songwriters sign up and coming songwriters, and how they maybe, kinda, sorta shouldn’t necessarily do that. It also addresses the future of the songwriting industry and the importance of financial literacy at all stages of the career. Enjoy this episode and prepare for sore abs, Thomas is one funny MFer.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Hurd (“Heartless” Diplo feat. Morgan Wallen, “What My World Spins Around” Jordan Davis, “What If I Never Get Over You” Lady A) sits with the Songwriter Soup trio to talk brass tacks music industry business. Ryan describes the justifiable lure of releasing your own music exactly the way you like it, but helps fill in some blanks about how complicated, time consuming, FREAKING expensive and not-at-all-casual it is to switch from songwriter to artist. This episode breaks down so much of the nitty-gritty ins and outs of record deals, merch & touring and pulls back the curtain on the fiscal balancing act that is “doing an artist thing.” A MUST LISTEN if those words are in your periphery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grammy-winning songwriter and artist Brandy Clark (“Mama’s Broken Heart” Miranda Lambert, “Follow Your Arrow” Kacey Musgraves, Shucked on Broadway) has carved out one of the most respected careers in modern music. Brandy joins the Soup crew for a heartfelt conversation about trusting your instincts, recognizing those life-changing moments, and choosing purpose over pressure. From the Music Row to Broadway, this conversation weaves through the highs, the pivots, and the magic that comes with creating songs that truly mean something. 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Brandy Clark's Songwriting Journey 09:27 Some Love for Lindyville  27:59 Writing 'Follow Your Arrow', Appreciating Kacey Musgrave's 35:54 The Value of Music: Personal Impact vs. Mass Appeal 36:55 Balancing Creativity and Commercial Success 37:46 Iconic Songs 43:29 The Impact of Overworking Arists 46:39 The Joys and Struggles of Touring 01:01:25 SHUCKED! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grammy winning hit songwriter, Shane McAnally (“Body Like A Back Road” Sam Hunt, “American Kids” Kenny Chesney, “Fancy Like” Walker Hayes) has achieved every imaginable accolade and is seen by the community (and most certainly, this Songwriter Soup crew) as one of the greatest songwriters of this era. The trio sits down with Shane for a candid conversation about how addicting the mountain top is, and how gratitude and service can hit like dopamine, if you allow yourself to pivot towards them. Enjoy this episode! Watch the full video & subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LSrAa7-AV9c Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carrie Karpenin (“High Road” Koe Wetzel & Jessie Murph, “The Man That Came Back” Jessie Murph, “People Vs. Maryanne Sue” Devon Again) sits down with the SS crew this week to discuss the journey for girls in boy spaces (behind drum thrones and producer seats), the thrill and exhaustion of being a touring musician, and letting your cowriters remind you who you are. This episode covers the risk tenured writers take when lobbing well-placed insults at a newbie and the pain that can cause, how softness is an asset, and how important “taste” is when it comes to making music. Enjoy our conversation with the delightful, Carrie K!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The songwriting community lost one of its finest. Hall of Fame Songwriter, Brett James (Jesus Take The Wheel” Carrie Underwood, “On My Way To You” Cody Johnson, “Mr. Know-It-All” Kelly Clarkson) was known by so many of us as a remarkably open and loving human. He was a fierce songwriter rights advocate, and one of the biggest contributors to the American Songbook in this era. His accomplishments as a songwriter span decades and reach heights we all dream of, but pale in comparison to his kindness. May we all be remembered this way. This episode originally aired on September 9th, 2024. We’re re-releasing this episode of Songwriter Soup this week to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Brett James. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grammy award winning songwriter and producer, Jordan Reynolds (“Tequila, “Speechless” Dan + Shay & “10,000 hours” Justin Bieber & Dan + Shay), joins the Songwriter Soup crew to discuss a songwriter’s search for a hero, A.I., studio aesthetics, and the subtle care that comes from making a slow cup of coffee for cowriters. Jordan, a music row staple and everyone’s favorite conversationalist, is a perfect way to start off season three-ever continued, now on YouTube!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two time BMI songwriter of the year, Jesse Frasure (“Halfway To Hell” Jelly Roll, “Dirt On My Boots” Jon Pardi, “Marry Me” Thomas Rhett) closes out the spring season, as always, joined by the Songwriter Soup trio. This episode includes a candid conversation about the highs, the lows, the ease, the difficulty, and the jealousy that come standard with all of our songwriter dreams. Jesse opens up a candid conversation on how to ‘dismantle the bomb’ of driving yourself insane, worrying about things you absolutely can’t control. The group discusses the importance of keeping your ego in check without suppressing it entirely, and how to stay humble without turning humility into an inferiority complex. Complicated stuff! Enjoy this episode and we will be back in the fall! Love y'all!  Listen to Jesse Frasure: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might recognize today’s Songwriter Soup guest’s name and voice—Rob Ragosta (“Need A Favor” & “Winning Streak” Jelly Roll) is the brother of previous SS guest, Joe Ragosta! On this episode the group talks about family, community and how important the maintenance of both can help keep your head on straight through the ups, downs, highs and lows of the songwriter grind. It also covers the delicate balance of ego and humility and the wisdom of not looking down at anyone, or looking too far up at anyone either. The road is long, friends you never can tell where everyone ends up! Best to be a kind person to everyone. Enjoy this episode of The Soup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Songwriter Soup, the trio is joined by Nashville producer and songwriter, Trent Willmon. This episode covers a wealth of information about production, vocals, and why Trent is open (and even excited!) to record outside songs with his frequent collaborator, Cody Johnson. For those of you who don’t know, an outside song is a song that an artist cuts without being on the copyright. There are a thousand reasons why that is going out of style and a thousand reasons why it shouldn’t. The discussion also meanders around studio etiquette, covering the subtle art of working with artists in the vocal booth and how incredible Nashville’s studio cats are. Enjoy!  Trent Willmon: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the Songwriter Soup trio is joined by the incredible Connie Harrington (“I Drive Your Truck” Lee Brice, “Mine Would Be You” Blake Shelton, “No Caller ID” & “Bless Your Heart” Megan Moroney). No shortage of wisdom, truth bombs and tears on this episode, y’all. Connie has seen it all and managed to stay, not just relevant, but bar-setting every damn time she gets one to stick to the wall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Songwriter Soup crew sits down with FBMM’s own, Erica Rosa, lovingly and accurately known as the “royalty guru", to explore how money flows through the music industry. While originally set to focus on publishing royalties (this is a songwriter podcast after all), things naturally veered right to the actual beginning. How does music make money from the tippy top down? Erica offers a clear breakdown, from streaming and physical sales to touring and bundling strategies. Y’all should get a clear picture of the financial pressures on both artists and labels, and perhaps an explanation of the ongoing tension between fair compensation and business sustainability in the music industry The episode also navigates the intricacies of artist-label relationships, producer deals, and the often-misunderstood world of points, net receipts, and profit splits.  Songwriters, this one is a must listen. If we are ever going to fix it, we have to understand it. Start here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth Ennis (“The Boys Back Home” Dylan Marlowe & Dylan Scott, “She Drives Away” Jon Pardi, “Hooked” Dylan Scott, “Tough To Tie Down” Jordan Davis) joins The Soup gang to discuss the challenges of going from an artist who writes great songs to a full time hit songwriter and the importance of friendship as you make your way up the ranks. Seth and Laura clear up an adorable ten year old work snafu, and coo over how amazing this songwriting community is. This episode is full of warm feelings and goodness while the four discuss work/life balance, reinventing yourself, and rising with the crew you came in with.  Seth Ennis: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate Kelly Archer’s recent two-week country number one, “I’m Gonna Love You” (Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood), we thought we’d re-release our interview with our girl, Kelly! Enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Songwriter Soup. Kelly Archer (“Sleep Without You” Brett Young, “Wild As Her” Corey Kent, “Somebody Else Will” Justin Moore) explains what it’s like to write songs in Nashville before and after becoming a U.S. Citizen. Tricky! Kelly's story is a wild one with high stakes and time limits, making her one of Nashville’s most steadfast and determined songwriters. This episode covers writing songs on work visas and how that intertwines with being signed to publishing deals. Kelly sets a shining example for songwriters to know their own worth, negotiate accordingly, while riding the ups and downs of this fickle career path. The Songwriters: Kelly Archer Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steph Jones (“Espresso” & “Nonsense” Sabrina Carpenter, “hole in the bottle” Kelsea Ballerini, “People You Know” Selena Gomez) might actually be the songwriting community’s most easiest to love songwriter. The Soup Crew learns all about Steph’s interest in scents and how it finds it’s way into her songwriting career, and the path she took through the praise and worship world that led her to a hits in pop and country. Steph definitely has wisdom to share. Her work ethic, combined with a “maybe yes maybe no” philosophy, establishes a buoyant energy in the writing room, and lets the universe take it from there. This episode also touches on songwriter rights and how we should ALL (gently) be asking for more. Enjoy this one! Listen to Steph Jones: The Songwriters playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Replay, baby! Nashville's on Spring Break this week, so enjoy this oldie-but-goodie. It's full of great nuggets. We'll see you next week with a new episode! Break-ups are never easy, especially when it comes to co-writing. This week, our hosts examine the reasons it may be necessary to say goodbye to a collaborator and how to do it with care. The trio also talks about the virtues of Nashville’s even split policy, writing non-exclusionary lyrics, and what to do when you feel like your songs are getting worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Devin Dawson (“God’s Country” Blake Shelton, “The Difference” Tyler Rich, “All On Me” Devin Dawson) is our second songwriter artist guest on Songwriter Soup. Devin walks the crew through how cockiness (hmmm... confidence) helped him boldly switch lifestyles throughout his music career, jumping from garage death metal band to Belmont University student to country artist and hit songwriter. He unpacks the challenge and beauty of his experience with a spasmodic dysphonia diagnosis that forced him to pivot once again, away from his artist career. The Soup also gets a little song nerdy discussing craft and form, and Tracy, Laura & Kevin learn a bit about artist deals and how it may affect the writing room. Lots to learn. There will be a part 2 for sure. Enjoy part 1! Devin Dawson's Artist Page on Apple Music Devin Dawson: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Insurance is about the most boring topic on the planet. But! It’s also crucial that small business owners understand how it works, and how to make it work for you as you barrel into the future. In this episode, Tracy finishes out his financial planning strategy by putting a solid floor under those buckets with various types of insurance. The crew also discusses Music Health Alliance, an incredible resource for music people, and some other juicy insurance life hacks, like how to save money and get better care when your health insurance sucks. Between the buckets episode and this one, you should sleep soundly at night knowing your future is as secure as it can be! Music Health Alliance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Driver Williams (“Smoke A Little Smoke” Eric Church, “Days That End In Why” Morgan Wallen, “Back 40 Back” Luke Combs), son of publisher & former head of BMI, Jody Williams, has always known exactly what a songwriter is. This week on Songwriter Soup, the trio talks to Driver about what it was like to grow up in the thick of the Nashville songwriter scene, leaving it to follow his love of heavy metal, how that love somehow led him to Eric Church and the breadcrumb trail that brought him back home. What a wild story! Enjoy. Driver Williams: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Laura Veltz: The Songwriters Playlist on Apple Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is undoubtedly one of the pillars of Songwriter Soup so, please do not miss it. Tracy takes the wheel this week as he explains the system through which he organizes, manages and grows other people’s wealth. The trio discusses Tracy’s famous buckets (short, mid and long term savings), as well as conventional wisdom most people use that, turns out, might be a less effective strategy for growing wealth. This episode also covers the sometimes inaccurate, and often damaging, use of the word “retirement”, particularly in creative jobs like songwriting. As heady and nerdy as this all sounds, it’s actually dripping in psychology so buckle up (bucket up?), this one might change the way you look at your money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices