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Here it is the, the long promised Q and A episode.

Chapter Markers: 

Q1 (2:15): If you lost all of your connections and identity, what would you do in the first month to start your career?

Q2 (6:50): what are the main differences between LA and Nashville?

Q3 (8:45): What does it take to be an artist? 

Q4 (14:00): how do I get in “THE ZONE”?

Q5 (17:50): How do I get a meeting with a publisher?

 Q6 (21:00): Where to intern?

Q7 (25:00): how do I reach out to somebody you want to work with?

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.

Alysa Vanderheym is a songwriter and producer originally from the San Fransico Bay Area, and is currently signed to Rhythm House Music. She has been a part of several massive hits including “Lose Somebody” by Kygo and One Republic, “Cold Beer Calling My Name” recorded by Jameson Rodgers and Luke Combs, and “Heartfirst” by Kelsea Ballerina. In addition to her songwriting success, she was nominated for the 2024 GRAMMY awards for her work on Keslea’s record “Rolling Up The Welcome Mat”. 

In this episode, Alysa shares her journey, from transferring to Belmont University to major in songwriting to attending the Grammys as a nominated producer. Alysa shares how she’s found great mentors, her best advice for young writers, and what her plans are for the future.

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.

David Nail is a country singer and songwriter originally from Kennett, Missouri. David has had multiple chart-topping singles including “Let It Rain,” “Whatever She’s Got,” and “Turning Home” which was nominated for the 2011 GRAMMY Awards. 

In this episode we discuss David’s path, from baseball player to country singer, getting dropped and signed again at the very same label, his chart success and his best advice for new songwriters and artists.  

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 Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, Steve Moakler is an artist and songwriter signed to Creative Nation. He has written songs for Dierks Bentley, Ben Rector, Jake Owen, Reba McEntire, and many more. His song “Riser,” recorded by Dierks Bentley, was the title track and a single on Dierks’ 7th studio album and is RIAA Certified Gold. In addition to his songwriting success, Steve releases his music independently and has opened shows for some of country music’s biggest acts including Dan + Shay, Old Dominion, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw and more. 

On this episode, Steve shares his journey, from getting offered a record deal right out of high school, to moving to Nashville and signing a publishing deal, traveling the country to play his own music, and what he loves most about the creative process.

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.

Lily Rose is a singer and songwriter originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She caught her big break when her song “Villain” went viral in late 2020 and led to her signing a record deal with Big Loud, Back Blocks Music, and Republic Records. Since then, Lily has toured with Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, and more and is slated to release her EP Runnin Out Of Time on May 10th.

In this episode, we discuss Lily’s journey, from cutting her teeth in the Athens, Georgia music scene, to finding her crew and writer collaborators in Nashville, to her new music and what’s ahead.

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 Birmingham, Alabama, Tiera Kennedy is an artist and songwriter currently signed to Songs & Daughters, the publishing company of Nicolle Galyon. Additionally, she is the host of the Tiera Show on Apple Music Country. Recently, Tiera was featured on Beyoncé’s #1 Album ‘Cowboy Carter’.

On this episode, Tiera shares her journey, from moving to Nashville and signing a publishing deal to leaving a record label and releasing music independently, the struggle to be honest and real in the music industry, and how opportunity comes when you least expect it.

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.

Corey Kent is a songwriter and artist originally from Bixby, Oklahoma. He is currently signed as an artist at Sony Music Nashville and is published by Combustion Music. His first #1 song “Wild As Her” went certified platinum and has amassed nearly 450 million on-demand streams.

In this episode, we discuss Corey’s journey as he’s moved back and forth from Texas to Tennessee over the years, the influences both states have had on his music, how the pandemic recharged his artists career and reset his priorities, and why optimism is the key to opportunity.

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.

Haley Montgomery is the Director of Industry Relations and Awards at the Academy of Country Music (ACM). Haley got her start in the music business doing merchandise on the road for Danielle Bradbery, and has had stops at the CMA, The Grand Ole Opry, is now at the ACM. Outside of work, Haley is a mother and one of the founders of Family Alliance in Music (FAM) which works to encourage a welcoming environment for those with families in the music industry.

In this episode, Haley shares her journey through Nashville, an insider’s look at the ACM nomination and voting process, her work with FAM and goals for its future, 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.

RaeLynn is a songwriter and country music artist originally from Baytown, Texas. Twice nominated for ACM Female Vocalist of the year, RaeLynn has amassed over one billion career streams. Her single “God Made Girls” is certified Platinum and her songs “Love Triangle” and “Lonely Call” are both certified Gold. In addition to her success as an artist, she is the author of a children’s book titled “Raisin’ Me A Country Girl”. 

This episode RaeLynn shares how she pursued acting in LA before being discovered for songwriting, her experiences being signed to major record labels, an indie label and now being an independent artist, how she prioritizes family, stays open to opportunity, 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.

Dave Cohen is an award-winning session musician and producer currently signed as a songwriter to Spirit Music Nashville. Originally from Calgary, Canada, Dave has played on over 50 #1 records and has co-produced songs for Morgan Wallen, Hardy, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, and many more. In addition to his producer and session musician credits, he is a 3x ACM Award Winner for Keyboard Player of the Year. 

In this episode, Dave shares his experience moving from Canada to the US, how he filled his calendar as a session musician, what it’s like working with Joey Moi, his plans for the future 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.