Ward Guenther is the founder of Whiskey Jam and the host of the Ward Guenther Show on Apple Music Country. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Ward started his journey in Nashville as a writer and musician. In 2011, Ward founded Whiskey Jam as a full band alternative to the traditional acoustic rounds in town. Whiskey Jam has since logged over 1,000 shows, with over 3,500 artists.

On this episode, Ward shares his journey, from moving to Nashville and playing open-mics to hitting the road with touring artists, the origin story of Whiskey Jam, his plans for the future and so much more. 

New Episodes every Tuesday.

Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.

Social Channels for Ten Year Town:

Youtube

Facebook

Instagram

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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.

Katie Fagan is a music publisher originally from Indiana. Katie got her start in publishing as an intern at Warner/Chappell Music Publishing in LA, and soon began working as an assistant to Dr. Luke, founder of Prescription Songs. Katie later moved to Nashville to open Prescription’s first office outside of LA, and has since signed a number of hit songwriters including Lauren LaRue and Malibu Babie. She is the head of A&R for Prescription Songs Nashville. 

In this episode, Katie shares her journey, having spent time in both the LA and Nashville publishing worlds, her philosophy on finding and collaborating with talent, tips for landing that first job, and what makes Music Row so special. 

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.

Drew Baldridge is a county music singer and songwriter originally from Patoka, Illinois. He has toured with some of country’s biggest acts including Cole Swindell, Lee Brice, and more. This week, Drew became the first ever independent artist to achieve their first Number 1 song at country radio with “She’s Somebody’s Daughter”.

On this episode, Drew shares his journey, from playing the label game to building his own radio team independently, how to take ownership of one’s artist career, and advice for those just moving to town.

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.

Ryan Beaver is a country music artist and songwriter originally from Emory, Texas. Ryan has written songs for HARDY, Midland, Maddie & Tae, Parker McCollum, and many more. In addition to his songwriting success, he’s released several records including critically acclaimed “RX” in 2016. This year, Ryan celebrated his first #1 song “Pretty Little Poison” recorded by Warren Zeiders.

In this episode, Ryan shares his journey, from playing country bars in Austin to writing hits in Nashville, how he fights against complacency, and what advice he’d give to his younger self.

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.

Matt Paskert is a photographer and creative director currently based in Nashville. He has photographed Country Music’s biggest acts including Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Florida Georgia Line and was nominated for the 2019 CMA Tour Photographer of the Year Award. Matt is currently the tour photographer for the Morgan Wallen “One Night At A Time Tour.”

On this episode, Matt shares his journey, from cold emails to sold-out stadium tours, how he prepares for shoots, and tips for other creatives just getting started.

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 second episode of the Ten Year Town Book Club, we bring back Nashville songwriter Aaron Raitiere to talk about Charlie Mackesy's The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse

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 Aaron Raitiere, a grammy award-winning songwriter, performer, and visual artist. He has written songs for Anderson East, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, Montgomery Gentry, and Lady Gaga. His song “I’ll Never Love Again” was a part of the movie A Star Is Born and earned Aaron a Grammy in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category. 

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 Danville, Kentucky, Aaron Raitiere is a grammy award-winning songwriter, performer, and visual artist. He has written songs for Anderson East, The Oak Ridge Boys, Whiskey Myers, Montgomery Gentry, and Lady Gaga. His song “I’ll Never Love Again” was a part of the movie A Star Is Born and earned Aaron a Grammy in the Best Song Written for Visual Media category. 

*Programming Note: this is a rebroadcast of Ten Year Town Episode 19*

Aaron is a one-of-one creative, a raconteur and true Nashville original. You will leave this episode with an understanding of the Ninja Turtle Water Ballon Theory, a desire to stream “Coffee Cups on Top of a Dryer,” and why songwriters like Aaron make Nashville such a fun and amazing community to be a part of.

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.

Rocky Block is a songwriter born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. He has written songs for some of the biggest names in country music, including Morgan Wallen, Thomas Rhett, Jake Owen, Cody Johnson, and more. In addition to his success in the country genre, he has cuts with artists like Teddy Swims, Flo Rida, Nelly, Lil Dirk and Post Malone. He is currently signed as a writer to Big Loud Publishing.

In this episode, we discuss the stories behind some of Rocky’s biggest songs including, “Man Made A Bar” and “Broadway Girls”, his advice for new songwriters, 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.

“Trapper” John Morris is the SiriusXM Programmer for Y2K Country and The Highway.

After starting in college radio at the University of North Texas, Trapper has spent the last 38 years working in radio with stops in Waco, Tyler, Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, and now Nashville.

Trapper shares insight into the relationship between radio and country music, the type of data stations used to test new songs, and how big programs like The Highway find new and upcoming talent.

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.

Jillian Jacqueline is a country singer and songwriter originally from Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. Over her career, she has collaborated with Vince Gill, Kieth Urban, Charlie Worsham, and in 2022, released her debut album “Honestly.”

In this episode, Jillian shares her journey, from touring in a family band as a kid, moving to Nashville after college to write songs, her tips for staying inspired, how she values her time after becoming a mother, 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.