Southern Ground Nashville Presents: Breaking Ground

"Are you open?", a common theme from Seth Walker's (@sethwalkermusic) latest album by the same title explores themes that can be uncomfortable for most. "No More Will I" doesn't stray from this concept. Mary Bragg (@marybragg) helps us discover what Seth communicates, feels, and how his song even challenges his own perspective.

Suzie Brown (@suziebrownsongs) with husband Scot Sax find common ground with Renee Wahl (@reneewahl) and David Strayer in humor, Nashville, and music. Renee was quick that her confessional song is a different kind of love song, but one that we should be more open to talking about.

It's only fitting we get close to the end of this season to catch back up with Jenny Tolman (@jennytolman) and Dillon Carmichael (@dilloncmusic) after both have released their latest projects. Dillon was quick to notice that Jenny's, "My Welcome Mat", took bravery to write, but Jenny reminded us that she has studied some of the bravest songwriters of the 20th century. One of the many lessons she's learned and even amplified in her song is one of happiness and confidence.

Songs can find you in hotel rooms, when you're on a journey of sobriety, and even thru the pain of life. Jason Eskridge (@jasoneskridge) guides us through the conversation on the overall theme of Mike's(@mikefarrismusic) homage to home.

Co-written by fellow collaborators Waylon Payne and William Clark Green, Ross Cooper's (@rossgcooper) song "I Can't Hate You" came what would be a memorable write. Erin O'Dowd(@erinejodowd) helps us understand about breaking the rules of songwriting for the sake of art, writing with an agenda in mind, and pulling lyrics from a close relationship that is potentially damaging, but at the same time. It feels so good.

Suzie Brown (@suziebrownsongs) with husband Scot Sax find common ground with Renee Wahl (@reneewahl) and David Strayer in humor, Nashville, and music. Renee takes us in the conversation of how relationships can intertwine an artists output. For the good and the bad, but most importantly. It's honest. Music is so personal to artists but what is it like when music parallels with your innermost relationships?

Dustin Ransom (@dustinransommusic) and singer/songwriter Molly Martin (@mollymartinsongs) takes us inside the mind of Molly in her autobiographical song, "Impulse Issues". Molly confirms that spaghetti is ok for breakfast, and also confirms that observations of loneliness and rawness are a theme within the conversation. Dustin also outlines that specifics bring us into the writers' world, but how not to muddy a song with the right details in the wrong places.

Szlachetka (@szlachetkamusic) takes us to a destination with his song "Lifeboat". The power of songs, and a tune like this one, has a special magic to transport us to a sense of nostalgia. Tangible and intangible. Austin Plaine (@austinplaine) taps into just that but also the headspace outside the obvious of the song.

Ben Jarrell (@benjarrellbama) really helps us understand Mando Saenz's (@mandosaenz) writing process. This is an important conversation especially coming from a seasoned writer like Mando. We're reminded that characters are still an important part of the development of songs. Direct or indirect life events really sculpt the music in our lives. The parallel we're reminded of is that we're all still searching for something and we're left with hope being what's hopefully discovered.

"Unlimited Love" was written by Maggie Rose, Bob DiPiero, and Paul (@thepaulmcdonald).  Lydia (@lydialuce) helps us realize the amount of trust in a co-write situation and how that trust has to go both ways even when an icon is in the room. Love is the theme of this conversation. A simple but complex theme. Meaning, the multiple directions an idea can go, but Lydia and Paul help us remember that there are still new ways to deliver a timeless message.