Southern Americana

Shelly Fairchild has solidified herself in the Nashville songwriting community, yet the Jackson, Mississippi native has endured her share of ups and downs.

Her debut album, Ride, containing the song "You Don't Lie Here Anymore," introduced fans to her vocal acumen. Outside of her own songwriting and recording, Shelly has sung background vocals for superstars such as Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Eric Church, and Crystal Gayle.

Having proven she's not afraid to confront and conquer challenging issues, Shelly is a champion for many issues that are near and dear to her heart. You can catch Shelly at the Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida, on Friday, June 4.

Recorded outside on Lake Powell and near 30A's Emerald Coastline, listen to this episode as Shelly describes her musical and personal successes.

CJ Solar pushes the boundaries of music by combining Southern rock with country, mixed with a bit of the Delta blues.

A Cajun at heart, this Louisana native has caught the attention of industry insiders and fans after arriving in Nashville. CJ's songwriting credits include cuts by Morgan Wallen, Jerrod Niemann, and others. CJ opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd on select dates during their "Last of the Street Survivors Tour" and will be playing the 2021 Gulf Coast Jam along Flordia's Emerald Coast in early June.

CJ joined us from his Nashville-area home to discuss influences on his songwriting and playing style. His latest single, "Get Away With It," is out, and other tunes like "Watered Down Whiskey" and "Airplane" showcase his vocal ability.

Nashville songwriters Aimee Mayo and Chris Lindsey are married, and both have penned chart-topping hits together and separately. Aimee's recently released memoir, Talking to the Sky, is a raw page-turner full of stories that will keep you crying and laughing. Listen to our conversation as they discuss songwriting and the challenges of writing a candid memoir.

Carol Chase is a backup vocalist for Lynyrd Skynrd and has been a band member since 1996. In addition to touring with this legendary group, Carol is a singer-songwriter and records her own material.

Her latest project, Back to the Well, is available on her website at carolchasemusic.com.

Trevor Finlay grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, and began playing guitar as a child. For the last 30 years, Trevor has made his living as a professional musician, writing such hit songs as "Send My Mail to Nashville." Until the COVID pandemic temporarily put the brakes on live music, Trevor played upwards of 300 dates a year.

With David Lee Roth's looks, Eddie Van Halen's playing style, highlighted with some soulful blues licks, Trevor is one of the most versatile and humble performers I've encountered.

We met in early March of 2020, and I caught up with my friend during a Florida panhandle tour in March of this year. You don't want to miss our conversation and what motivates this gifted singer-songwriter.

Alison Prestwood grew up in Alabama with music in her soul. The multi-instrumentalist has played and recorded with many of Country and Americana's most successful and influential artists.

A four-time nominee for Bass Player of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, Alison has toured and played with Rodney Crowell, Patty Loveless, and Olivia Newton-John. Besides playing on-stage with Trisha Yearwood, Wynona Judd, and Vince Gill, Alison played in the house band for the 2019 CMA Award Show.

Alison has studied under legendary session bassist Carol Kayne and is also a die-hard fan of the Beatles and jazz composition. Besides her studio work, Alison just released her second album, Resolution, which also highlights her vocal and guitar abilities. Hear her tales of recording with many of Nashville's finest musicians and artists.

Private Chef Josh Champion of Take It Personal Chef Service grew up in rural Western Kentucky hunting and fishing.

After completing his culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, FL, Chef Josh began his career as an Executive Sous Chef, working at several venues in Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN. He catered for multiple private events for music, sports, and film industry professionals.

In 2016 Chef Josh, his wife Natasia, and their three children moved to Florida's Emerald Coast along the 30a corridor and began working as a private chef.

Chef Josh and I recorded this episode in a gourmet kitchen in the Wild Heron community near Rosemary Beach, FL. In addition to our conversation about the culinary and music industries (Josh also pursued a career as a Nashville songwriter), he cooked three amazing appetizers for our group, all of which were amazing!

Stay tuned for our video version of this podcast which will appear on the OneSouthernMan YouTube channel soon.

When Anthony Smith moved from East Tennessee to Nashville in the mid-1990s, he didn't realize a golden era of country music ended. However, Anthony is leaving his mark on a new era in Nashville because of his songwriting chops.

Anthony's songwriting credits include "Run" and "Cowboy's Like Us," by George Strait, "Chrome" and "I'm Tryin," by Trace Adkins, "I'm Already There" by Lonestar, as well as cuts by Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Reba McIntyre, and Chris Stapleton.

Listen as Anthony, and I discuss his songwriting strategies and how the music business is continuously evolving.

Canadian Cory Marks grew up listening to everything from heavy metal to outlaw country music. Both genres can be heard in his own brand of Americana.

Growing up, Cory excelled playing hockey and won a spot on the Royal Military College team. If he wasn't going to make it as a pro hockey player, his backup plan was to fly fighter jets.

Cory played music during his college years, but only for himself. While hanging out at a local bar with his teammates, Cory sang a few songs with the band, including two originals. He's been writing and singing ever since. Who I Am, his debut album, is available now on streaming services. Listen to our conversation as Cory discusses everything from his influences to his love for flying and touring.

Fifteen-year-old Macy Fowler is used to overcoming odds. After all, she's a starting linebacker for the freshman football team at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, TN. In late fall Macy's world was rocked when she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma cancer.

Macy's dad, former Tennessee Titan and New York Jets linebacker, Ryan Fowler, is also accustomed to overcoming the odds compete on the gridiron. But when Ryan has to watch his little girl battle a disease within her body, this tough guy's tender emotions are exposed.

Listen to our conversation as I talk to Macy and Ryan about how work ethic, hustle and intensity can help in the classroom, on the football field, or fighting cancer.