Stacey Willbur is a Nashville publishing veteran who has spent over 25 years championing artists and songwriters across both Christian and country music — with credits spanning Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, Mandisa, Chris Stapleton, John Paul White of the Civil Wars, and many more. Now serving as Head of Publishing at TIM Publishing alongside Chris Tomlin and Jason Ingram, she's still as passionate about a great song as the day she arrived in Nashville with no money and no connections.

In this conversation, Stacey opens up about what it really takes to stay unjaded in a creative industry — and why the secret has less to do with success and more to do with keeping your heart in the right place.

Follow Stacey Willbur on IG: https://www.instagram.com/staceywillbur

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🎙️ Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClpxaPIm0dcJ01Ma5VsHCqw

Thomas Toner is a Nashville-based producer and songwriter best known for his decade-long collaboration with Jelly Roll. In this conversation, Thomas gets honest about the business side of producing, how AI is reshaping his workflow, and why he walked away from a thriving career to return to Christian music.

[00:00] Intro

[01:43] Early influences: Travis Barker, Blink-182, and stealing his sisters' CDs

[07:00] First job in Christian music at 19

[09:50] Meeting Jelly Roll

[12:10] Can you make Christian music without believing it?

[22:38] What a decade with Jelly Roll taught him about the artist-producer relationship

[31:00] The "Walmart Rick Rubin" production philosophy

[35:35] What separates good producers from great ones

[38:05] What artists most misunderstand about producers

[43:23] Master splits, recoupment, and why the old model is broken

[55:18] Catalog admin and the revenue streams most producers are missing

[59:44] AI: tool, threat, or noise?

[01:23:00] What AI can never replicate in production

[01:35:42] What integrity looks like in this industry

[01:39:31] The hardest lessons from 15 years in the business

[01:44:56] Why he returned to Christian music

[01:51:28] His new STL Tones / Control Hub plugin presets

[01:59:37] "If your kids described your career one day, what would you hope they say?"

🎛️ Thomas Toner's Producer Presets — STL Tones Control Hub 👉 https://www.stltones.com/products/controlhub-plugin

📱 Follow Thomas Toner on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stonebabysounds 

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🎙️ Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClpxaPIm0dcJ01Ma5VsHCqw

Christian Music Maker is a podcast about the people, process, and purpose behind music made for something bigger. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Many artists grow up believing their dream is their calling.

In this conversation with Aaron Shust, we talk about the difference between dreams, calling, and assignment—and how confusing them can lead to frustration, burnout, or chasing the wrong thing.

Aaron shares openly about his journey as a songwriter and artist, including imposter syndrome after 20+ years, learning to develop his craft, and what it looks like to stay grounded spiritually in the middle of a music career.

We also get into songwriting, journaling, Sabbath, and the importance of being faithful with the people and opportunities right in front of you.

If you’re a Christian artist, worship leader, songwriter, or producer trying to figure out your path, this conversation will help you think more clearly about where you are—and what actually matters.----more----

The difference between a dream, a calling, and an assignment

Why confusing them can lead to frustration or burnout

Aaron’s journey from church musician to recording artist

Dealing with imposter syndrome even after 20+ years

Why developing your craft still matters

The role of journaling and prayer in songwriting

How Aaron wrote My Savior My God

The importance of faithfulness in your current “sphere of influence”

Touring, family life, and setting boundaries

Discovering and practicing Sabbath

Trusting God with provision instead of striving----more----

“Just because you have a dream… it would be dangerous to call that dream your calling.”

🎧 Follow the Podcast:

💻 Website:

📱 Connect on Instagram:

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another artist or songwriter who needs to hear it.

What does success actually feel like after 30+ #1 songs in Christian music?

In this episode of the Christian Music Maker Podcast, legendary Nashville songwriter Tony Wood opens up about the hidden struggles behind a decades-long songwriting career.

Tony shares honestly about feeling like an imposter even after massive success, the devastating moment he realized how good Nashville songwriters really are, and why comparison can quietly destroy a songwriter’s soul.

This is a rare, vulnerable conversation about faith, identity, and the long road of songwriting in the Christian music industry.

If you’re a Christian artist, songwriter, producer, or worship leader, this episode will resonate deeply.

• Feeling like an imposter—even after writing 30+ #1 songs

Tony Wood is one of the most respected lyricists in Christian music, with 30+ #1 songs recorded by artists such as Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman, Danny Gokey, and many others.

🌐 Website

📸 Instagram

🎙 Hosted by Sam Hart

In this conversation, worship leader Meredith Andrews shares her journey from a small-town church in North Carolina to becoming a prominent figure in the Christian music industry. She discusses her early influences, the importance of healing and personal growth, and the challenges of navigating the music industry while maintaining her identity in Christ. Meredith emphasizes the significance of mentoring younger worship leaders and the need for emotional health in ministry. The conversation culminates in her latest album, 'Heaven's Frequency,' which aims to capture the sound of heaven and create space for God's presence.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

Stay In Touch With Meredith: https://meredithandrews.com

Stay in the loop: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

In this conversation, Sam Hart and Matt Mundt explore the intricacies of digital marketing within the Christian music industry. They discuss the importance of balancing personal effort with divine guidance in content creation, the evolution of digital strategies, and the nostalgic shift in music consumption. Matt shares his journey in the music industry, emphasizing the significance of audience engagement through email and text messaging, as well as monetization opportunities for artists. They delve into the role of social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, and the impact of AI on music creation, advocating for authenticity and personal connection in content.

Matt's website:

https://www.mattmundt.com

GodMade Podcast on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@GodMadePod

The Salty Christians YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@TheSaltyChristians

In this engaging conversation, David Smallbone shares his journey in Christian music, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, faith, and family support. He discusses the challenges and decisions that shaped his career, the role of women in music, and the significance of cultivating creativity in children. The dialogue also touches on balancing fatherhood with a demanding career, the necessity of prayer and accountability, and the evolving landscape of Christian music. David offers valuable advice for aspiring artists, encouraging them to find their mission and stay true to their calling.

for KING + COUNTRY'S WEBSITE: https://www.forkingandcountry.com

for KING + COUNTRY on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/forkingandcountrytv

Unsung Hero Movie Official Website: https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/unsung-hero

Helen Smallbone's Book "Behind The Lights": https://a.co/d/gh0ktpR

Stay in the loop: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

✅ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

✅ Sam Hart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samhartmusic

✅ Sam Hart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samhartlife

John Waller waited 15 years for success in Christian music — and when it finally came, he almost quit.

In this episode of Christian Music Maker, John Waller shares the untold story behind “While I’m Waiting,” his journey through obscurity, signing a record deal, touring with Casting Crowns, battling panic attacks, and nearly walking away from it all.

This conversation dives into:

Staying faithful while waiting on God

The emotional cost of success

Ministry vs. the music industry

Identity, comparison, and performance pressure

Why legacy starts at home

How artists can prepare for independence

If you’re a Christian artist, songwriter, producer, or worship leader wrestling with timing, calling, or platform pressure — this episode is for you.

🎵 Listen to John’s new single “All You’ve Ever Done”: https://lnk.to/AllYouveEverDoneSong

In this engaging conversation, Mike Weaver, the lead singer of Big Daddy Weave, shares his journey through music, ministry, and personal loss. He reflects on the evolution of his band, the challenges of navigating grief after losing loved ones, and the importance of viewing music as a ministry rather than just entertainment. Mike emphasizes the significance of obedience to God in achieving true success and encourages the next generation to seek fulfillment in their relationship with Jesus. The discussion also touches on the changing landscape of Christian music and the hope it brings.

Big Daddy Weave's Website: https://www.bigdaddyweave.com

Big Daddy Weave on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigdaddyweave

Big Daddy Weave on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bdwmusic

Big Daddy Weave on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BDWmusic

https://www.christianmusicmaker.com/

In this FIRST episode of the Christian Music Maker podcast, host Sam Hart shares his vision for the show, emphasizing the importance of Christian music in today's world. He discusses the calling of artists, the balance between ministry and industry, and the significance of nurturing one's inner life as a creator. Sam aims to empower listeners to pursue their musical calling with confidence and integrity, while also addressing the challenges and realities of the music industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Christian Music Maker Podcast

https://www.christianmusicmaker.com/

Christian Music Maker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@christianmusicmakerpodcast