Ten Year Town

Colt Ford is a hit songwriter, country music artist, and former professional golfer. Originally from Athens, GA, Colt has written #1 songs for Jason Aldean, Brantley Gilbert, and George Birge. His song “Dirt Road Anthem” went on to become one of the biggest country songs of the 2010s. As an artist, Colt has collaborated with Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban and more. In addition to his success as an artist and songwriter, he is the co-founder of Average Joe’s Entertainment. 

On this episode, Colt shares how his sound blends his country upbringing with his musical influences, what it was like moving to Nashville to start an independent record label, and why it’s important to give your best at every single tour date.

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.

Trey Lewis is a singer and songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. Currently based in Nashville, he is signed as a writer to Sony Music Publishing and as an artist at River House Artists. His viral hit “D***ed Down In Dallas as released in 2020 and went on to become his first platinum single. As a writer, Trey had his songs cut by major country artists including Tracy Lawrence and Cole Swindell.  

In this episode, we discuss Trey’s journey from playing small town frat parties to having the #1 song on Billboard in sales. We also discuss his sobriety, entrepreneurship, making records, and how great it is to win with your friends.

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.

Jaren Johnston is a hit songwriter and a member of the country rock band The Cadillac Three. Originally from Nashville, Jaren has written #1 songs for artists like Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Billy Currington and more. He is currently signed as a writer at Sony Music Publishing and is signed as an artist at Big Machine Label Group. In addition to his songwriting, producing, and touring, Jaren is the co-founder of War Buddha Records. 

In this episode, we discuss Jaren’s introduction to the music industry at a very early age, how he balances writing radio hits for other artists with writing hits for The Cadillac Three, his advice for young songwriters and much more. 

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.

Allison Veltz Cruz is a singer and songwriter signed to Universal Music Publishing. Born in Alabama, Allison grew up in a musical family and toured in a family band before setting out on her own songwriter journey. In 2011, she took a leap of faith and moved from New York City to Nashville to sign  a publishing deal. Since then, Allison has gone on to write songs for some of Country’s biggest stars including Jason Aldean, Maddie and Tae, Matt Stell, Carly Pearce and more.

In this episode, we discuss Allison’s first #1 song “Prayed For You” recorded by Matt Stell and winner of the 2021 ASCAP Pop Music Award for Most Performed Song. Allison shares how her personal experiences and newfound faith inspired her while writing her first big hit. We also discuss Allison’s creative process, her brief stint at the famous Ellen’s Stardust Diner in NYC, her advice for new songwriters and more. 

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.

Jody Williams is a publisher and music executive born and raised in Nashville. Throughout his 40+ year career, Jody has been a champion for songwriters and awarded the 2023 CMA Songwriter Advocate Award. He is currently serving at the helm of his company, Jody Williams Songs, which is home to songwriters including Natalie Hemby, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, Driver Williams and more. 

With an extensive career as a publisher and as an executive at BMI, Jody has helped guide the careers of countless songwriters and artists. In this episode, we discuss what publishers are looking for, the future of songwriting, how to find your tribe and many other stops along the way. 

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.

This week’s guest @robbairdmusic is a songwriter and artist originally from Memphis, TN and currently located in Austin, TX. Rob has five studio records under his belt and has had songs featured in the TV show “Nashville” and “Yellowstone”. His music has been critically acclaimed in outlets such as Billboard, NPR, Rolling Stone and more.

In this episode, we discuss how Rob has carved his own path in the country music landscape. After a brief stint in Nashville with Carnival Music Publishing, Rob decamped to Austin Texas to where he has established a fan base and a sound all his own. 

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.

Originally from Fairfax, VA, Sam Sumser is a songwriter signed to Reservoir. He has had cuts with Lizzo, Jason Durelo, Chris Brown, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Plain White T’s, Breland and more. 

In this episode, we discuss his journey from LA to Nashville, the differences between the two, writing with Lizzo, being a good person, what success looks like, and many other stop along the way. 

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.

In this inaugural episode of the Ten Year Town Book Club, we bring back Nashville songwriter Jimi Bell to talk about Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way Of Being. 

The idea behind the Ten Year Town Book club is to provide a platform for previous guests to revisit and share with us a book that has made a profound impact on them and their careers as creatives. 

This episode features Jimi Bell, a singer songwriter  from Hawkinsville, Georgia. Jimi's written songs for some of the biggest artists in town including Bailey Zimmerman, Kip Moore,  and Brantley Gilbert to name a few. Last year one of Jimi's songs "Last Night Lonely" recorded by Jon Pardi reached #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart

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.

Originally from Lawrence, Kansas, Ashley Ray is a songwriter and artist currently signed to Lady Fairchild Publishing and Warner Chappell Music. She has had cuts with numerous artists including Lori McKenna, Charles Kelley, Little Big Town, Ruston Kelly, and more.

In addition to her songwriting success, she has recorded and released three studio albums, including her most recent titled “Animal” released in November of 2023. In this episode we discuss being on the road, imposter syndrome, making records with Jay Joyce, and many other stops along the way. 

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 Flowers is a musician and songwriter originally from Pinch, West Virginia. He is currently the bass player and musical director for Keith Urban, and has toured with the Chicks, Counting Crows, and many others. In addition to his success as a musician, he is an accomplished songwriter and has written #1 songs for Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt and Ryan Hurd. 

In this epiosde we talk about Jerry’s journey to Nashville, his time as a member of “The Ranch” (Keith Urban’s first band), what it’s like writing with Sam Hunt, and many other stops along the way. 

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.