Strangers

1998

RED Creative Group singer/songwriter LJ Music Official delivers her own brand of pop and R&B influenced Country. Upon moving to she's built a community of songwriters and producers that contribute to her smooth and soulful approach to music. Jeremy Stover, Paul Giovanni, Monty Criswell, Kelly Archer, Sarah Buxton, Jennifer Schott, and the Warren Brothers are all a part of her upcoming debut release. In a new episode of NSAI Coffee Break, she shares stories behind originals like, “Scarecrow,” “Preachin’ To The Choir,” and “Suit Yourself.” Her latest single, "Vegas," is out now. ☕️

Season 3, Episode 17: LJ

Blanco White started as the solo project of Londoner Josh Edwards in 2014. After studying guitar in Cádiz (Spain), and later the Andean instrument the charango in Sucre (Bolivia), Edwards’ aim was to begin bringing together elements of Andalusian and Latin American music alongside influences closer to home. In early 2016 Blanco White released 'The Wind Rose' via Yucatan Records, a self-produced debut EP. A second EP 'Colder Heavens' was later recorded in the Autumn, this time with producer Ian Grimble (Bear's Den, Matt Corby, Daughter). The third EP ‘Nocturne’ was then released in 2018. Blanco White embarks on a worldwide tour with plans for a debut album ’On the Other Side’ for release on April 3rd 2020. His latest release 'Papillon' is out now.

Season 3, Episode 16: Blanco White

Tolan Shaw is an award-winning recording artist, a prolific songwriter, and an avid traveler. Based in Nashville but originally from southern California, Shaw is an acoustic troubadour with songs that are catchy and soulful, bluesy and melodic, poppy and sincere. In 2019, Shaw achieved his first major label songwriting credit with “Could I Love You Any More,” a duet by Filipino star Reneé Dominique and international superstar Jason Mraz, which quickly went to viral charts on Spotify and racked up millions of views on YouTube. Shaw has shared the stage with international acts such as Gavin DeGraw, Nate Ruess, Jason Mraz, and the BoDeans, toured nationally and internationally, and achieved success writing and licensing songs with various TV networks and music libraries. He continues to write prolifically, releasing monthly “Living Room Sessions” live videos of new songs, penning songs for other artists and for film/tv, and preparing for his new release: “Let’s Go,” a travel anthem encouraging us all to get out and explore and push beyond our comfort zones.

Season 3, Episode 15: Tolan Shaw

Big Machine Music/ 50 Egg Music 's Jonathan Singleton joins us this Friday for a Coffee Break to share career stories, how he discovered Luke Combs, and more about his new publishing venture! ☕️
Jonathan's extensive catalog includes Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Ol’ Bar Stools,” Rascal Flatt's, “Yours If You Want It”, (a NSAI 2018 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written), Tyler Farr’s “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Gary Allan’s “Watching Airplanes,” Luke Combs’ breakout debut “Hurricane,” “When It Rains It Pours,” and most recently “Beer Never Broke My Heart."

Season 3, Episode 14: Jonathan Singleton

Griffin House has recorded over 12 studio albums and performed for over 15 years touring with John Mellencamp, The Cranberries, Josh Ritter, Mat Kearney and Brett Dennen, among several others. In this episode he shares the inspiration behind his latest album, “Rising Star," featuring songs like "Natural Man," "Change featuring Joy Williams", "Cup of Fulfillment" and more. In addition to the album, Griffin is releasing his first full length feature film, a documentary also called “Rising Star”, set for release later this year. We talk about the making of the film, the album, some of his earlier music releases and what he’s learned about himself and his creativity up until now.

Season 3, Episode 13: Griffin House

Originally from Denver, NC, Ivory Layne grew up performing, songwriting, and producing. Her music caught the attention of Grammy award-winning producer, Ed Cash and she then moved to Nashville shortly after to continue crafting new music. Ivory is signed to Justin Timberlake’s label Villa 40 and we talk a bit about how that came about. A few of the writers she has collaborated with include Chris DeStefano, Jimmy Robbins, Lori McKenna, and Shane McAnally. She’s received 2 major ad placements with her song “Something’s Gonna Happen.” One for Swarovski crystals and the other for White House Black Market. 

Ivory’s music is a blend of orchestral and pop synth sounds taking like to her influences Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox, Coldplay, and Imogen Heap. She traveled to London last year to record new music with the help of producer Liam Howe (who’s worked with acts like Lana Del Ray and Ellie Goulding). At the time this interview was recorded she had just released a few new songs including “Boy Loves Me,” “Heaven” and “Me.” She has a brand new single out called “Cookie Cutter.” Visit ivorylayne.com for all new music and show updates.

Season 3, Episode 12: Ivory Layne

Songwriter and publisher Dallas Davidson has written 25 No.1 hits, more than 30 Top 10 songs and contributed more than 300 cuts to many of today’s top country music stars including Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and others. We talk about how The Peach Pickers were formed, Dallas’ perspective on writing for the country music fan, his experience managing Play It Again Music, and what it was like writing outside the country genre with pop superstar, Lady Gaga!

Season 3, Episode 11: Dallas Davidson

This is a two-part 'sync' themed episode featuring Phillip LaRue and Meghan Kabir. 

Part 1 we’re featuring Nashville-based writer/artist and producer Phillip LaRue about his latest record Analog Digital Heart released earlier this year.  Phillip LaRue has produced and collaborated with artists like Tyler Farr, Jon Pardi, Phil Wickham, and Dave Barnes and others. You’ve heard his music in ads for Verizon, Volkswagen, Apple, Wayfair, and shows like Vampire Diaries, Nashville and Pretty Little Liars. We chat about his creative process for the album and his experience writing for TV/Film. Phillip is currently working on a new EP titled “Summer” and you can follow him on social media to know when it is available for listening.

Part 2 features LA-based songwriter/artist Meghan Kabir. Meghan has written songs for Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Cassadee Pope, and several others. We talked about her experience at ASCAP Expo this year and her transition moving back to the West Coast from Nashville. Meghan is celebrating a lot lately including a placement in 'The Dirt,' a Motley Crue biopic streaming now on Netflix.

Season 3, Episode 10: Phillip LaRue/Meghan Kabir

Billy Ray Cyrus is a prolific songwriter, artist, and actor. He started his career recording his first album, “Some Gave All” at The Music Mill, aka NSAI’s headquarters. He visited NSAI in the last month to film promo pieces for his 16th studio album out today titled "The Snake Doctor Circus." He shared his journey collaborating with long-time friend and co-writer Don Von Tress on the long-anticipated project. We talk success, writing with honesty, and the value he has found in the NSAI songwriter community. And of course we talk the global viral phenomenon, “Old Town Road” - Billy Ray shares the advice he Lil Nas X in the creative process of bringing this song to the #1 spot in the world. The viral lifeline of OTR is the most entertaining thing to watch. He and Lil Nas X premiered the official music video last week so if you haven’t seen that you should go watch it. You can watch this Coffee Break episode by visiting our Facebook page. We have it posted there and you can see the SnakeDoctor promo set that Billy Ray’s team had set up in our studio. Doesn’t even look like our offices, looks like a really cool circus tent. Thanks for tuning into this episode of NSAI Coffee Break. Find out where to download and stream The SnakeDoctor Circus at billyraycyrus.com.

Season 3, Episode 9: Billy Ray Cyrus

Black River recording artist Abby Anderson is a rising female in country music – she is listed in The Bobby Bones Show’s “Class of 2019,” MusicRow’s “Next Big Thing for 2019,” and Sounds Like Nashville’s “19 New Country Artists to Watch in 2019." She heads out on the road with Rob Thomas starting May 28th for his Chip Tooth Smile Tour after already playing some of the biggest festivals in the country including Tortuga and Stagecoach! We talk about many of her recent releases including a cover of GRAMMY and Oscar-winning song “Shallow” from "A Star Is Born," a collaboration with recording artist Jimmie Allen. Her latest single, “Good Lord,” is a preview to new music she has coming out soon. She shares her process of crafting a song and why Tom Douglas has been one of her greatest influences!

Season 3, Episode 8: Abby Anderson

In this episode we chat with session musician and producer, Derek Wells! From the lens of a producer, he shares his own perspective on why a well-crafted song is so important to the creative process. We also talk about his work with Maren Morris, Dolly Parton, Steven Tyler, Josh Turner and more!

Season 3, Episode 7: Derek Wells

This episode features ACM, Billboard, and Grammy nominated songwriter/producer Corey Crowder. We visited Tree Vibez Musicto talk with him about his songwriting craft and advice he’s received from his mentors like Rivers Rutherford and Liz Rose. He’s worked with longtime friend and artist Chris Young of whom he celebrated his first #1 in 2015 for, “I’m Comin’ Over." Corey shares his experience producing LoCash’s sophomore album, “Brothers” as well as his projects with RaeLynn, Cale Dodds, Morgan Wallen, A Thousand Horses, Cassadee Pope and Florida Georgia Line.

Season 3, Episode 6: Corey Crowder

Singer-Songwriter Leah Nobel spent three years on what she calls a 'hybrid creative endeavor' one that combines journalism, empathy, advocacy, and music. Her latest album, “Running In Borrowed Shoes” features 10 tracks thread together from over 100 interviews with passer-byers at the YMCA. Each song features a recurring theme of what it means to be human – joy, praise, concern, vulnerability, fear, and countless other emotions and experiences are a part of the story. The album was produced by Grammy- winning engineer/producer Pete Stewart who’s collaborated Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, TobyMac and several others. You’ve heard Nobel’s songs on Apple iPhone X, Toyota, Valspar Paint and DSW commercials, as well as Grey’s Anatomy, ABC’s Nashville and more. You’ll get to hear about those sync cuts, the creative process behind "Running In Borrowed Shoes" and other creative interests that have fueled her songwriting career. Visit leahnobel.com for videos on stories behind a few of those songs and more.

Season 3, Episode 5: Leah Nobel

Our latest Coffee Break episode features Jeremy and A. Jay Popoff from the American rock band Lit ("My Own Worst Enemy," "Zip-Lock" and "Miserable")! In this episode we talk about their latest record "These Are The Days," a fourteen-song project produced by Lit and Corey Crowder. This is their first full-length album since "A View From The Bottom." Jeremy and A. Jay talk about collaborating with Michael Hobby (A Thousand Horses), the late Andrew Dorff, Jeffrey Steele and others for "These Are The Days."

Season 3, Episode 4: Lit

Songwriter/Artist Andrew Ripp is joining us for NSAI Coffee Break to chat about his latest collaboration project with Chris Rice, "Songs We Wrote On Tuesdays"! The new album is the outcome of the inevitable creativity when two artist (friends) put music to discussions of life, struggle, faith, and love - written over an 8 year period. Andrew has opened for Sara Bareilles, Andy Grammer, Needtobreathe, Jon Foreman, and the Plain White T’s. He has performed on high-profile TV shows including ABC’s "Bachelor in Paradise" and "Entertainment Tonight" and his songs have been featured on "American Idol," "House of Lies," "One Tree Hill," and "Vampire Diaries." Andrew shares stories behind songs on his two-part album, "The Heart & Soul," his personal connection to music, co-writing advice and more!

Season 3, Episode 3: Andrew Ripp

David Hodges is currently celebrating a Grammy nomination for “Dear Hate,” written with Tom Douglas and Maren Morris! In this episode you’ll hear about the inspiration behind balled recorded by Maren and featuring Vince Gill. David has written of some the biggest singles in pop music including “Because of You” for Kelly Clarkson, “Brand New” for Ben Rector, “A 1,000 Years” for Christina Perri featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and many more. David was a band member of Evanescance –debut album Fallen has sold over 15 million copies worldwide and includes the hit, “Bring Me To Life”. We discuss almost everything he’s learned in his career thus far, advice for writers knowing the room when they collaborate with peers and more.

Season 3, Episode 2: David Hodges

To kick off the new year, we are featuring an interview with Grammy nominated songwriter, producer, publisher, author and entrepreneur Kara DioGuardi! You know Kara from songs like “Sober”  for P!nk, "UnDo It" for Carrie Underwood, "Heartbeat Song" for Kelly Clarkson, "Rich Girl" for Gwen Stefani and more. She was a judge on seasons 8 and 9 of "American Idol" and has mentored artists like Charlie Puth, Jason Derulo and Jon Bellion who is a phenomenal writer at her publishing company Arthouse Entertainment. She is the co-founder of Inspired Nation, a non-profit organization that aims to build a bridge between the talent and dreams of our youth and their hope for a better, more inspired world. And she even co-owns a restaurant in the northeast called, Walkers Maine. What you’ll pick up on quickly in this episode is that Kara loves collaboration, mentoring and giving young talent the resources grow and continue learning. She shares why feedback and advice is meant to create habit in work ethic and why we should always look for other opportunities to become versatile in our craft. Kara and I talk about it all in her new space in the Wedgehood Houston neighborhood in Nashville called Trimble House. NSAI has hosted a few events there and it is stunning – the interior design was all brought to life by Kara herself and it was fun getting the chance to visit her while she was in town. Before we get to our coffee break with Kara, be sure to check out her website karadioguardi.com for information on her discography, Inspired Nation, Arthouse Entertainment, Trimble House and Walkers Maine.

Season 3, Episode 1: Kara DioGuardi

Singer/Songwriter Adam Hood knows the dual life of living in small town America while traveling as a singer/songwriter. “Somewhere In Between” is an ode to the people, the pace and what it means to leave a small town for a different life than what you know.

The Alabama native’s album was recorded at Nashville's Sound Emporium Studios and was produced by Oran Thornton who also produced Miranda Lambert 'Revolution,' Eric Church 'Caught In The Act: Live,' and Angaleena Presley 'Wrangled’. Hood is most known for co-writing songs like Brent Cobb’s “King of Alabama,” Anderson East’'s “”Surrender"” and album cuts recorded by Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town and Lee Ann Womack.

The album’s latest track “Easy Way,” is co-written with Pat McLaughlin and premiered on Billboard. The video for the “loose country rocker” (Rolling Stone Country) “She Don’t Love Me” is also on CMT and features fellow songwriter Brent Cobb. We chat about the song “The Heart of A Queen,” “Alabama Moon” and others. Adam does spend his time somewhere in between his home state of Alabama and Nashville and chat about how that works for him and his career.

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