Pitch List

This week, Chris sits down for a chat with 2x Grammy Nominated, 2x ACM Song of the Year winner, Nicolle Galyon! Nicolle has not only written 6 No. 1 songs and helped craft hits like “Tequila” (Dan + Shay) and “Automatic” (Miranda Lambert), but also heads her female-focused record label / publishing company, Songs + Daughters. In classic Pitch List form, this episode dives into the intricacies of being a working Nashville songwriter (the good, bad and ugly), with nuggets of inspirational wisdom from Nicolle on being an architect in the writing room, shifting your metric of success to create a more enriching everyday process, + more. Dig in!

Use code "PITCHLIST" to get 20% off your official Pitch List shirt: https://americansongwriter.com/merch

This week, Chris talks with the incredibly cool and talented, #1 hit writer Jaren Johnston! The perfect blend of country music and rock and roll, with songwriter roots, Jaren is an absolute triple threat. He’s written chart-toppers like “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban) and “American Spirit” (Thomas Rhett), not to mention countless production credits and a Grammy nomination to boot. So sit back, crack a cold beer, and listen on for some crazy stories from his time touring in Europe, making 2 full-length records in one year, and playing softball with Jack White. Plus, how he balances being a full time Nashville songwriter, husband and dad, alongside his wildly successful band The Cadillac Three. Don’t forget to listen to their new album, “Tabasco & Sweet Tea”, out now!

Buckle in for this week’s chat with Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum songwriter Emily Warren! This pop hitmaker has had countless cuts with artists like Shawn Mendes, Kahlid, Lennon Stella, Jessie J + more - not to mention #1 chart-toppers like “Don’t Stop Now” (Dua Lipa) and “Don’t Let Me Down” (The Chainsmokers). In this episode, she and Chris dive deep into how she was inspired by Van Gogh to intentionally frame emotions in her songs, her advice on signing a publishing deal, her favorite parts of collaboration + lots more. Thanks for listening!

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. To get 10% off your first month, visit betterhelp.com/songwriter.

In a special minisode of Pitch List, Chris catches up with Grammy-nominated songwriter and fellow American Songwriter Podcast Network-er, Clay Mills! Clay has not only been a part of hit songs like “Beautiful Mess” / Diamond Rio and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” / Darius Rucker, but he is also the co-creator of Songtown, a creative community of potential co-writers and world-class mentors. Listen on for his concrete advice on how to write better songs, finding balance in your life while juggling multiple projects, + more. Plus, don’t forget to hop over to Clay’s podcast, “Songtown on Songwriting”, to hear the rest of he and Chris’ conversation.

Learn more about Songtown: https://songtown.com/

This week, Chris sits down with the legendary John Oates to talk inside songwriting tips, stories from the vault, and his incredible music career, including his record-breaking work with Darryl Hall and collaborations with countless other industry icons. John lets us in on the one thing he’s most proud of, what his first year ever of not touring has been like, and how commercial success came from the marriage of polar opposite musical influences and writing what he loved. Plus: don’t forget to tune in this Saturday, March 20th, for Oates Song Fest, a free online charity concert benefiting FeedingAmerica and featuring artists like Dan + Shay, Darius Rucker, Sara Bareilles, Dave Grohl, Gavin DeGraw, Shawn Colvin, Michael Franti and many more.

Show Link: https://nugs.tv/free/?showID=472

Donation Link: www.feedingamerica.org/oatesfest

This week, Chris sits down with songwriter and country music star Cam, whose hit song, “Burning House”, is still the best-selling country song by a female solo artist over the past 5 years. After crowdfunding her first record and getting cuts with artists like Miley Cyrus and Maggie Rose, Cam moved to Nashville to pursue a publishing deal, and has since worked with an impressive list of collaborators, including Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker, Sam Smith, Harry Styles, Jack Antanoff and the late Avicii.

This episode is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th. Cam has been a vocal advocate for equality for women, especially in country music (she was even named a member of the Recording Academy Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in 2018). Settle in for an illuminating chat not only about her incredible journey in the music business, songwriting process and new album “The Otherside”, but her thoughts on closing the gender gap in the entertainment industry and building a music community that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone.

This week, Chris sits down with hit songwriter and music-maker Sarah Buxton. Sarah is a Grammy award-winning writer (“Stupid Boy” / Keith Urban, “Pictures” / Lady A, “Fix” / Chris Lane), as well as an incredible artist in her own right, collaborating on projects with Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk and more. In this episode, she and Chris discuss the intersection between music, life, and the magical moments that make it all worth it. Listen on for a long, honest chat between two friends that will truly inspire you - and don’t forget to check out Sarah’s new EP, “Signs of Life”, out now!

Buckle in, because this episode was a bucket list one for sure! Chris got to sit down for an in-depth discussion on all things songwriting with the man, the myth, the legend - Ashley Gorley. This hitmaker is currently the only writer in any genre to earn 50 No. 1 singles in the history of the Billboard charts - and in our interview, he gives us an inside look at just what makes his brain tick. Jump in as we discuss what makes a song someone’s favorite song, the invaluable advice he gives his writers at Tape Room Music, and more - but be ready to take notes. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to check out our bi-weekly Spotify playlists to hear our favorite cuts from every guest.

This week, Chris sits down for a chat with Grammy award-winning songwriter and artist Emily Weisband (“Consequences” / Camila Cabello, “Thy Will” / Hillary Scott and Family, “Same Heart” / Keith Urban). This episode might as well be a masterclass on songwriting, so get ready to take notes. In true Emily Weisband fashion, we get deep about finding your definition of success, searching the locked rooms of your heart for nuggets of truth and honesty that will help you write your best songs, and lots more. Plus, don’t forget to stream Emily’s new EP, “Not Afraid To Say Goodbye - Stripped”.

To kick off Season 4 of Pitch List, we are absolutely honored to have songwriting and country music legend Bill Anderson on the show! Considered one of country music’s most significant songwriters, “Whisperin’ Bill” has released an impressive 45 studio albums and is an esteemed member of the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. He’s not only written award winning songs like “Whiskey Lullaby” (Brad Paisley, Allison Kraus) and “Give It Away” (George Strait), but has recorded seven #1 hits himself and juggled a successful television career to boot. Join us as Bill tells some hilarious and humbling “before-they-were-famous” stories about him and his friend Roger Miller, talks about how writing songs he loves has carried his career through over 8 decades of a changing genre (including through the country disco trend), and more. Plus, don’t forget to listen to Bill’s newest single, “It’s a Good Day to Have a Good Day”.