Today’s guest is songwriter and artist Ben Chapman. Originally from Lafayette, Georgia, Ben is now based in Nashville and has written songs for artists including Muscadine Bloodline, Brent Cobb, Hayes Carll, and Flatland Cavalry, among others. He is also the founder of Peach Jam, a quarterly live series at The Basement East that features his band and a rotating lineup of guest artists.

He has a new record, Feet On Fire, set for release in May, with the title track dropping Tuesday, March 24th.

In this episode, Ben talks about his path from Lafayette to Nashville, Peach Jam, his new-found fatherhood, and how “Everything’s Different”… but ain’t nothing changed.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

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Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#BenChapman #TenYearTown #Songwriting #Nashville #PeachJam #CountryMusic #Americana #Songwriter #MusicPodcast #BrentCobb #FlatlandCavalry #HayesCarll #MuscadineBloodline #IndependentArtist #NewMusic

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Chase McGill is a songwriter originally from Columbus, Mississippi. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “Break Up in the End” recorded by Cole Swindell and “Lose It” recorded by Kane Brown. His songs have also been recorded by artists including Luke Combs, Sam Hunt, and Morgan Wallen. McGill is a multiple-time CMA Triple Play Award winner, including in 2026 for the songs “Happen To Me” (Russell Dickerson), “I Got Better” (Morgan Wallen), and “20 Cigarettes” (Morgan Wallen). He is currently published by Universal Music Publishing Group.

In this episode, we discuss Chase’s journey from Mississippi to Nashville, the stories behind some of his biggest hits, his approach to writing in the room, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

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Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#ChaseMcGill
 #Songwriting
 #MorganWallen
 #RussellDickerson
 #KaneBrown
 #ColeSwindell
 #NashvilleSongwriters
 #CountryMusic
 #CMAawards
 #TriplePlay
 #TenYearTown
 #TroyCartwright

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Lee Thomas Miller is a GRAMMY-nominated songwriter born in Nicholasville, Kentucky. He has written multiple No. 1 songs, including “The Impossible” (Joe Nichols), “You’re Gonna Miss This” (Trace Adkins), and “In Color” (Jamey Johnson). “In Color” earned both the CMA and ACM Song of the Year awards. Miller currently serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). He has cuts with artists including Brad Paisley, Terri Clark, George Strait, Randy Travis, and many others.

In this episode, we discuss Lee’s path into songwriting, the stories behind some of his biggest hits, his role with NSAI, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#LeeThomasMiller
 #InColor
 #CountrySongwriter
 #NSAI
 #Nashville
 #Songwriting
 #CMAawards
 #ACMawards
 #JameyJohnson
 #TraceAdkins
 #TenYearTown
 #TroyCartwright

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Chris Blair is the founder and owner of The Listening Room Cafe, one of Nashville’s premier songwriter venues. Since opening its doors in 2006, The Listening Room has become a cornerstone of the city’s songwriting community, hosting hit writers, rising artists, and industry showcases while giving audiences an up-close experience with the stories behind the songs.

In this episode, we discuss Chris’s path to opening The Listening Room, the role songwriter venues play in Nashville’s ecosystem, building a sustainable live music business, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#ChrisBlair
 #TheListeningRoom
 #Nashville
 #Songwriters
 #LiveMusic
 #MusicBusiness
 #WritersRounds
 #CountryMusic
 #TenYearTown
 #TroyCartwright

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Why I Listened to 2,000 Minutes of Tchaikovsky Last Year

We are living in the age of "frictionless" music. The algorithms know what we want before we do, the dopamine is cheap, and the content is served to us on a silver platter. But as Charles Bukowski once said of classical music: "It washes the crap right out of me."

Lately, it feels like there’s a lot of crap to wash out.

In this episode, I’m stepping away from the "business" of music to talk about the Aura and the Sublime. I’m breaking down why I spent more time with a 19th-century Russian composer than anyone in the Top 40, and why I believe the "smoothness" of modern digital life is actually making us bored, exhausted, and artistically numb.

In this episode, we explore:

The "Loss of Aura": Why music feels less valuable when it stops being a "hunt" and starts hunting you.

The Sublime vs. The User-Friendly: Lessons from Walter Benjamin and Theodore Adorno on why great art should be a little bit terrifying.

The Tchaikovsky Antidote: How complex, uncomfortable, and "loud" art reminds us that we aren’t the center of the universe.

Breaking the Algorithm: Why the most successful artists of the future will be the ones who refuse to be "mathematically certain."

If you’ve been feeling a specific kind of creative exhaustion lately, this one is for you. It’s time to stop trying to conquer the mountain and let the mountain conquer us.

RESOURCES & LINKS

📧 Get in touch: [email protected]
📝 Read the full essay on Substack: Letters to Myself 
📸 Follow on Instagram: @troycartwright

#Songwriting #MusicIndustry #Tchaikovsky #ClassicalMusic #MusicPhilosophy #Algorithm #CreativeProcess #NashvilleSongwriters #WalterBenjamin #TheSublime #ArtVsContent #MusicPodcast #TroyCartwright #LettersToMyself #Authenticity #IndieArtist

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Isaac Gibson is a songwriter, vocalist,and guitarist originally from Castlewood, Virginia, and the frontman of 49 Winchester. Formed in Appalachia, the band has released five studio albums while building a devoted fanbase through constant touring. In 2025, 49 Winchester signed with MCA and Lucille Records, where they are currently working with Dave Cobb on a new full-length album scheduled for release in 2026. The band recently released a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes” as their first new music under the partnership.

In this episode, we talk about Isaac’s upbringing in Appalachia, the evolution of 49 Winchester, building a career on the road, signing with MCA, working with Dave Cobb, and what this next chapter looks like for the band—along with many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#IsaacGibson
 #49Winchester
 #CountryMusic
 #Americana
 #SouthernRock
 #Songwriting
 #Nashville
 #DaveCobb
 #MusicPodcast
 #TenYearTown

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Kelly Archer is a songwriter originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, and is currently signed as a writer with RED Creative and Sony Music. Kelly has written hits for many country artists, including number 1 songs with Brett Young, Justin Moore, Corey Kent, Travis Denning. Her song “I’m Gonna Love You”, recorded by Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood, is Cody's current radio single. 

In the episode, Kelly shares how she moved to Nashville from Canada to pursue songwriting, advice she’d give her younger self, her journey to her first #1, how her last two singles were over 5 years old and many other stops along the way. 

New Episodes every Tuesday

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Jerry Roe is a Nashville-based session and touring drummer. He has played on records for artists including Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, HARDY, and many others, and is also a member of the heavy duo Frendship Commanders. Roe is regarded as an A-list session drummer and has built a career recording and touring at the highest level of the music industry.

In this episode, we discuss Jerry’s approach to recording sessions, how he prepares (or doesn’t prepare) for studio work, his advocacy for musicians’ rights and union membership, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#JerryRoe #SessionDrummer #NashvilleMusicians #StudioDrummer #MorganWallen #LukeCombs #HARDY #FrendshipCommanders #MusicIndustry #UnionStrong #MusiciansRights #Drumming #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Josh Osborne is a songwriter originally from Virgie, Kentucky. He has written numerous No. 1 songs, including “Body Like a Back Road” (Sam Hunt), “Drunk Last Night” (Eli Young Band), “Merry Go ’Round” (Kacey Musgraves), “Come Over” (Kenny Chesney), and “Get Along” (Kenny Chesney). Osborne has been nominated five times for Songwriter of the Year by the ACM and has received multiple CMA Triple Play Awards. In 2020, he won the ACM Song Of The Year for "One Man Band." 

In this episode, we discuss Josh’s journey into songwriting, how he approaches the craft, staying inspired over a long career, the evolution of the music business, and many other stops along the way.

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This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy Cartwright is a Nashville-based artist and songwriter originally from Dallas, Texas. His songs have collectively garnered hundreds of millions of streams, and he is currently signed to Big Machine Music for publishing. Cartwright has written songs recorded by Cody Johnson, Nickelback, Ryan Hurd, Josh Abbott Band, and has upcoming cuts with several A-list artists.

#JoshOsborne #Songwriter #CountryMusic #BodyLikeABackRoad #MerryGoRound #KennyChesney #SamHunt #EliYoungBand #KaceyMusgraves #Songwriting #MusicBusiness #Nashville #TenYearTown #TroyCartwright

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

The music industry is panicking about AI in 2025, and I get it. But before we spiral, let's look at history. In this episode, I break down the "Quartz Crisis" of the 1970s—when Swiss watchmakers faced extinction from cheaper, more accurate Japanese technology—and how they not only survived but thrived by doubling down on craft and human artistry.

The parallels to Nashville's songwriting community are striking. AI can churn out background music and sync tracks, but it can't replicate the human stories, the cultural legacy, or the one-of-one artistry that makes music matter.

In this episode:
• The Swiss watch industry's comeback strategy and what songwriters can learn from it
• Why derivative music is most at risk (and how to avoid making it)
• The case for treating music like treasure, not content
• 3 things new artists should focus on to AI-proof their careers

If you're a songwriter, artist, or just someone who cares about the future of music, this one's for you.

📧 Email me: [email protected]
📝 Read more on my Substack: Letters to Myself 

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.

Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.

Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.

Artwork design by Brad Vetter.

Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.