In this episode, I sit down with the founder of Nashville Tour Stop, @Aaron Schilb!

After moving to Nashville in 2017, he played his own shows before realizing his true passion was behind the scenes—curating and supporting artists rather than being on stage himself.

We explore how @Nashville Tour Stop evolved from a small bar gig into a vibrant songwriter community, how losing his hearing at a young age influenced his path, and the challenges of managing a growing music platform.

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @AaronSchilb & @NashvilleTourStop

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with longtime radio personality and artist manager ⁠@Kris⁠Rochester!

Kris shares how he landed a job in the radio industry—eventually scoring a gig in San Diego, where he worked alongside some of the biggest names in country music. We talk about his all-time favorite interviews (including a president or two) and what it was like sitting down with legends like @Kenny Rogers.

We dive into how streaming music has changed, Kris also opens up about his transition from radio to artist management, and the challenges of breaking an artist in today’s music landscape.

This episode is packed with stories, insights, and a real look at what it takes to make it in the industry. Let’s get into it!

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @KrisRochester

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning songwriter and publisher @Liz Rose!

Liz Rose didn’t start writing songs until later in her life, but once she did, she never looked back. After working with songwriters through her own publishing company, she eventually started writing alongside them. This led to a publishing deal and a career filled with some of country music’s biggest hits.

We dive into her partnership with Taylor Swift, and how their chemistry lead to her co-writing 16 of her biggest hits, like "Fearless." Liz also opens up about co-writing the Grammy and CMA Song of the Year, “Girl Crush,” released by Little Big Town, as well as recent hits like Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down.”

We also discuss the biggest challenges in the industry today, and the importance of songwriter education.

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @Liz Rose⁠

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this special episode, I sit down with the legendary @PamTillis

We talk about her incredible career and the 25th anniversary of her Grand Ole Opry membership.

Music has surrounded Pam since day one—literally. Her father moved her to Nashville as a baby, and from that moment on, she was immersed in every kind of sound imaginable. Growing up, she explored all genres, experimenting with different styles in high school before finding her own voice in country music.

We talk about the songs that shaped her journey, from “Don’t Tell Me What to Do”—which hit No. 1 on Cashbox—to “Maybe It Was Memphis,” the song that earned her a Grammy nomination and solidified her as one of country’s most distinctive voices. Pam also shares how she knows when a song is meant for her and when it's meant for someone else, plus why “write what you know” is advice she still stands by today.

With a career spanning decades, Pam Tillis has proved that authenticity and storytelling never go out of style.

Keep up with Guest- @PamTillis

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this special episode from the Boots on the Water cruise, I sit down with Lonestar to talk about their legendary hits and decades in country music.

I couldn’t think of a better fit to help us celebrate our 2-year Stories Behind The Songs Anniversary!

We dive into “Amazed”—a song that says what men struggle to put into words, spending nine weeks at No. 1—and “I’m Already There,” which became an anthem for military families after 9/11.

They share career highlights, from playing the Ryman to performing overseas for the troops, and offer advice on making it in the industry.

With ten No. 1 hits and 30+ years together, Lonestar proves that brotherhood and great songs stand the test of time.

Don’t miss this episode!

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @Lonestar

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow -⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram -⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser -⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors -⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Emily Falvey!

Emily’s journey from Colorado to Nashville was fueled by a love for songwriting and a deep passion for music. After moving to Texas in high school, she set her sights on Belmont, where she quickly realized she was surrounded by incredible talent.

An internship at SMACK changed everything—when a mentor asked where she really wanted to go, she knew songwriting was the answer. Since then, she’s written for artists like Cody Johnson, Walker Hayes, MacKenzie Porter, and more. And recently, she’s even stepped into a teaching role at Belmont University. 

We talk about the future of songwriting, why Nashville is worth taking a chance on, and the pivotal moments that have shaped her career. 

This one’s packed with insight and inspiration—don’t miss it!

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @Emily Falvey⁠

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow -⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram -⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser -⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors -⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with @Johnny Clawson!

Johnny’s journey from Northern Virginia to Nashville is anything but typical. After playing in rock and metal bands, he knew he had to leave Virginia to chase music, eventually leading him to quit his corporate job and make the move to Music City.

From substitute teaching to bartending, Johnny did whatever it took to stay in Nashville. His big break came in 2022—he took a life-changing call from SMACK while bartending and found out he was getting signed. We dive into the full-circle moment of landing Chris Young’s “Getting Older”, the unexpected journey behind Blake Shelton’s “Texas”, and writing “weren’t for the wind” with Ella Langley on a bus in Wyoming.

Johnny shares the highs, the grind, and the friendships that have shaped his career. This is one you won’t want to miss!

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @JohnnyClawson

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Stepakoff!

From fronting his own jam band Turtle Grove to becoming a Nashville songwriter, his journey has been full of twists. After working in TV production, he took a shot at music, leading to a longtime writing partnership with Josh Osborne. Over the years, he’s landed cuts with Kip Moore, Kelsey Hart, and Blake Shelton—but he’s still chasing that first No. 1.

We talk about the ups and downs of the industry, the stories behind his biggest songs, and the one he released himself that hits closest to home.

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @ScottStepakoff

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow - ⁠HERE⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs Instagram - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠@sbtsongs⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠HERE⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠HERE⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser - ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors - ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠

In this episode, I sit down with ⁠@Sarah Buxton⁠!

From Kansas to Nashville, Sarah’s journey is a testament to her talent and resilience. After moving to Music City in 1998 and attending Belmont University, she quickly found her way into Nashville’s songwriting circles, collaborating with some of the industry’s best.

Sarah co-wrote the Grammy-winning hit ⁠“Stupid Boy,”⁠ recorded by Keith Urban, and Chris Lane’s first No. 1 single, ⁠“Fix.”⁠ She shares how these songs came to life, the collaborative magic of the writing room, and what it feels like to hear her work resonate with millions.

Now thriving at ⁠SMACK⁠ publishing, Sarah reflects on her journey from aspiring artist to celebrated songwriter, balancing creativity with community, and finding joy in the process. This is a conversation full of inspiration and behind-the-scenes stories you won’t want to miss!

Keep up with Guest- ⁠@Sarahbuxton⁠

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow -⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

SBTSongs Instagram -⁠ ⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser -⁠ ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors -⁠ ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠⁠

In this episode, I sit down with @Kassi Ashton!

From performing on stage at just four years old to signing her first publishing deal with @Creative Nation, her journey is nothing short of extraordinary. We talk about her debut album, where every song is a piece of her story, from the empowering “Made From the Dirt” to the heartfelt “Juanita,” written in honor of her grandmother.

She shares the highs of touring with artists like @Maren Morris and @Jamey Johnson, the challenges of starting over during the pandemic, and the advice that’s shaped her artistry: to trust yourself and be real. 

With new music on the horizon and a packed tour schedule, Kassi is just getting started. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! 

SHOW NOTES:

Keep up with Guest- @KassiAshton

Stay up to date with fresh podcast episodes and Listening Room show dates:

Listen/Subscribe/Follow -⁠ ⁠HERE⁠⁠

SBTSongs TikTok - ⁠⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

SBTSongs Instagram -⁠ ⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

SBTSongs YouTube - ⁠⁠@sbtsongs⁠⁠

Chris Blair's Instagram - ⁠⁠@chrisblairmusic⁠⁠

Chris Blair's Website -   ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

The Listening Room's Website - ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

TLR's Instagram - ⁠⁠@listeningroomcafe⁠⁠

TLR’s TikTok - ⁠⁠@thelisteningroomcafe⁠⁠

A special shout out to our sponsors

Sennheiser -⁠ ⁠https://www.sennheiser.com/en-us⁠⁠

Alclair In-Ear Monitors -⁠ ⁠https://alclair.com/⁠⁠