CJ Solar joins Bilby & Ella for an honest conversation about navigating independence, creativity, and longevity in today’s music industry.

After years of success as a songwriter with cuts by Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, and Jerrod Niemann, including the multi week number one hit “Up Down,” CJ opens up about life after stepping away from a major publishing deal and what it means to fully bet on himself as an artist.

In this episode, CJ breaks down the tension between writing for others and building a personal catalog, how AI and modern demo tools are reshaping songwriting, and why authenticity and imperfection matter more than ever. He shares hard earned perspective on touring economics, door deals, building sustainable live markets, and the realities of promoting music in an algorithm driven world.

CJ also gives an inside look at his upcoming full length album, from choosing live tracking over polish to assembling a lineup of legendary players to capture a more human, timeless sound.

Whether you are a songwriter navigating multiple lanes, an independent artist building from the ground up, or a listener curious about what it really takes to sustain a creative life, this episode offers rare clarity, honesty, and long game perspective from someone still very much in the fight.

00:00 Snowpocalypse setup, travel, and catching up

06:59 Screens, meditation, and protecting creativity

09:02 Content pressure and the modern artist’s reality online

17:26 AI demos, pitching culture, and what wins now

24:10 Authenticity vs perfection (Zach Bryan, mistakes, and “human” records)

30:05 CJ’s story: Baton Rouge to Nashville

31:58 Early cuts, first wins, and writing “Up Down”

32:56 The shift to social-first labels and why CJ stepped away

34:54 Touring weekends, building fans, and balancing writer vs artist

36:42 The new full-length album: why now and what it represents

42:11 Recruiting the band and capturing a more human sounding record

47:36 Going fully independent: life after the publishing deal

53:49 Touring economics, door deals, and making new markets work

01:05:27 Building a touring plan with data, strategy, and songwriter rounds

01:11:18 The content creator era, earning “mystery,” and letting fans in

01:22:54 Closing thoughts and wrap

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Mark Hill is one of Nashville’s most trusted session bass players and producers, a quiet force behind countless records that have shaped modern country, Americana, and Christian music. Raised in a small farming town in southern Illinois and introduced to music through gospel, Mark found his calling early and built a career around preparation, adaptability, and serving the song above all else.

A five-time ACM nominee and two-time ACM Bass Player of the Year, Mark Hill has logged hundreds of sessions a year, earning his place as a first-call musician by mastering far more than just the instrument. From his first Nashville recording session at just 11 years old to touring and recording with artists like Keith Urban, Mark’s journey reveals what it really takes to survive in the session world: musical fluency, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering work ethic.

In this conversation, Mark breaks down the realities of becoming a professional session musician. Digging the well. Reading the room. Knowing when to lead and when to disappear. He shares stories of mentorship, lessons learned in high-pressure rooms, and how producing later in his career has deepened his understanding of what artists truly need to feel supported.

Whether you’re an aspiring session player, a producer shaping records, or a listener curious about the musicians behind the music, this episode offers rare, hard-earned insight into building a sustainable creative life, one session at a time.

01:07 Meet Mark Hill

02:51 Gospel roots and getting started young

05:08 First songs, learning by ear, and early musical instincts

12:22 Watching the pros and realizing what “professional” looks like

13:45 The Nashville Number System explained

19:26 Leadership on sessions and charting for the room

22:18 Jimmie Lee Sloas, mentorship, and learning by observing

29:41 Taking the producer seat and learning to serve the artist

31:17 Rental properties, Nashville chaos, and meeting Sinclair

38:27 Producing an 80s leaning project with Dann Huff and friends

39:25 How many sessions per year and what the workload is really like

40:26 Insomnia, Ambien, and life on the road

44:58 What it takes to survive in Nashville long term

49:56 Advice for aspiring session musicians and getting in the pool

54:48 Touring, the modern music economy, and making it work

57:31 The Keith Urban call and the pressure of saying yes

1:00:05 Building a “clean tour” and leading at a high level

1:01:05 Band leader responsibilities, calendars, and setlist decisions

1:02:27 The bus moment, belief, and the Field of Dreams analogy

1:08:15 Pay structure, hospitality, and taking care of the band

1:11:45 Recording stories with Michael Bublé and Eric Stonestreet

1:17:59 Final thoughts on approachability, longevity, and legacy

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Hey y’all, this episode is part two of our first solo round episode.

Following up on Episode 8, where we unpacked the foundation of the Bilby + Ella Show, today we start with a quick call to our friend Eric Hangartner from the band Walden before diving into what this season of creating has been teaching us. From songwriting and collaboration to lessons learned in the studio, we talk through how our creative processes have changed and what it looks like to keep showing up and finishing the work.

This conversation is about momentum, trust, and building something with intention. We talk honestly about learning as we go, staying rooted in the process, and finding confidence not in having all the answers, but in knowing why we’re doing this in the first place.

If you’re a creative navigating your own next chapter, we hope this episode reminds you you’re not alone and meets you right where you are.

00:00 Intro and jumping into part two

01:10 Calling Eric Hangartner (Walden)

03:20 Making a full-length record in a singles world

05:05 Learning piano and keeping the process fun

07:45 Why making records the old way still matters

09:55 How our songwriting processes have evolved

12:10 Finding your voice as a creative

14:35 Lyrics first vs melody first

17:05 Writing from journals and real life

19:45 Finishing songs and trusting the feeling

22:30 Lessons learned from recent studio sessions

25:10 What we would do differently next time

28:00 The importance of the right collaborators

31:15 Process over outcomes

34:10 What finishing music has taught us

36:40 Creating without obsessing over release strategy

39:30 Writing for yourself vs the listener

42:15 Originality, influence, and finding your voice

45:00 What we wish we could unlearn creatively

48:20 Changing the music industry for songwriters

51:30 Looking ahead and what’s next for the show

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This episode is a first for The Bilby + Ella Show. It’s just us, Hill and Willie, sitting down to reflect on the year behind us and talk about what we’re building moving forward.

We look back on our creative journeys, from college and football to Nashville, music, and collaboration, and share what we’ve learned about identity, ambition, failure, and letting go of perfection in pursuit of peace. We talk honestly about the tension between loving the work and chasing outcomes, and what it means to feel grounded in the process even when the future is still unfolding.

We also take time to lay out the heart behind this show. Why collaboration matters. Why human connection matters. And why pulling back the curtain on the real creative process is something we care deeply about.

Consider this episode a foundation. If you’re a songwriter, musician, creative, or someone curious about what life in the music world actually looks like, this conversation sets the tone for everything ahead.

Thanks for being here. We’re excited about what’s coming next.

00:00 Intro and end-of-year reflection

01:20 Looking back on 2025 and creative alignment

02:45 Feeling “at home” in your creative journey

04:20 Peace over perfection

06:05 Ambition, work ethic, and enjoying the plateau

07:15 Moving to Nashville and setting roots

09:00 Our creative backgrounds and how this friendship formed

11:10 Why this podcast started

12:40 The intention behind the Bilby + Ella Show

14:55 Creativity, purpose, and collaboration

16:20 Perfectionism and where it comes from

18:10 Football, failure, and identity

22:00 Losing the role and learning to let go

27:45 How perfectionism shaped our creative process

30:30 Paying bills while pursuing music

33:20 Releasing work without fear

36:00 Who this show is really for

38:15 Pulling back the curtain on the music industry

40:10 Being a bridge between insiders and listeners

42:00 The future of the show and creative collaboration

46:30 What we hope listeners take away

48:00 Audience question and Spotify Wrapped

52:25 Closing thoughts and what’s next

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Jeff Roach is one of Nashville’s most quietly influential musicians—a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and session player whose fingerprints are on far more records than most people realize. Over his 36-year career, he’s played keys and organ for artists like Darius Rucker, Jon Pardi, Parmalee, Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, and Michael McDonald, while also producing, programming, arranging, and writing across country, pop, Christian, and even EDM.

In this conversation, Jeff sits down with Willie & Hill for an honest and deeply human look at the creative life. He shares the story of moving to Nashville in the late ’80s, falling into session work, ghost-producing for major names, and navigating an industry now wrestling with AI-generated music and homogenized sound.

But the heart of this episode is Jeff’s recent spiritual awakening—a two-year journey marked by fasting, unexpected clarity, and personal experiences that have reshaped how he sees identity, calling, and purpose. He talks candidly about learning to hear God’s voice, letting go of old definitions of success, and sitting in the uncomfortable but sacred in-between when you know a new chapter is coming but don’t yet know what it is.

Whether you’re a songwriter, a producer, or someone wrestling with what’s next, Jeff’s transparency is a reminder that the creative life is about more than talent—it’s about listening, surrender, and being willing to step forward when you feel the nudge.

A grounded, vulnerable conversation with one of Nashville’s most gifted and soulful collaborators.

01:05 How AI is reshaping music

04:10 The tension between creativity and technology

07:50 Will AI change songwriting credits?

10:55 Rewinding the tape — literally

11:15 Jeff’s multi-instrumental path

13:20 Moving to Nashville in the late ’80s

15:40 Touring, early studio years, and finding his lane

18:05 Becoming a session player (and staying adaptable)

21:45 Production, programming, and sound-building

24:58 Lessons from decades inside the studio

28:10 Working across genres — country, pop, Christian, EDM

32:20 The moment Jeff felt something shift

34:55 Hearing God’s voice for the first time

38:30 Fasting, obedience, and unexpected breakthroughs

42:45 “Why am I still here?” — wrestling with calling

46:05 Stories that confirmed something bigger was happening

50:10 Learning to surrender his plans

54:20 The unsettled season between chapters

58:40 Trusting that a new direction is forming

1:02:25 What obedience looks like for him today

1:05:18 Advice for creatives in transition

1:08:30 Final thoughts and closing

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Songwriter Matt McKinney may be one of the newer voices on Music Row, but his impact is already undeniable. Raised in Augusta and shaped by the songwriting culture of Nashville, Matt has built a reputation for sharp lyricism, emotional honesty, and the kind of room awareness that makes great songs possible. Since making his way to town and most recently signing with Position Music, his work has been recorded by Jordan Davis, Tim McGraw, Elle King, Jon Pardi, ERNEST, Lukas Nelson, and more—including Trey Lewis' Double-Platinum, Billboard #1 viral hit “Dicked Down in Dallas.”In this conversation, Matt opens up about navigating egos in the writing room, learning when to lead and when to listen, and why community is Nashville’s real secret weapon. He shares candid insight into the rise of outside cuts, the financial realities songwriters face in the streaming era, and the importance of staying original in a trend-chasing world. And of course, he tells the unbelievable true story behind “Dicked Down in Dallas”—from a college melody to a viral moment that changed everything.Whether you’re a songwriter, an artist building your voice, or someone who loves the stories behind the songs, this episode is packed with perspective, craft, and heart from one of Nashville’s rising talents.

00:00 Growing Up in Georgia & Finding Music

02:00 Moving to Nashville and Early Expectations

03:15 Learning His Role in the Writing Room

05:25 Nashville’s Unexpected Community

07:27 Understanding the Business Behind the Songs

09:05 Writers vs. Artists — Two Different Mindsets

12:31 Why Songwriting Often Feels Like Therapy

15:00 Ego, Honesty & Trust in Co-Writing

18:01 The “Speed Dating” Reality of Writing Sessions

20:07 The Hard Truth About Streaming Money

23:28 Labels, Splits & Why Writers Struggle

30:25 Why Listeners Still Crave Real Stories

32:16 Originality vs. Trend Chasing

34:07 The Return of Storytelling Songs

39:25 How AI Is Changing Music Creation

41:19 Inside Cuts vs. Outside Cuts Explained

49:00 The Wild Story Behind “Dick Down in Dallas”

56:15 Hitting #1 & the Viral Aftermath

59:39 Songs That Live On (Even If They Aren’t Released)

01:05:36 AI Demos, Budgets & the Future of Songwriting

01:15:16 The UGA Crew That Took Over Nashville

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Two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter and pianist James Slater joins us for a conversation full of wisdom, gratitude, and creative heart.

Born in Durham, raised in the tropics, and now based in Nashville, James has written songs for some of the biggest names in country and beyond — from Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, and Reba McEntire to Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney, and Chris Isaak. But as he shares in this episode, his story is just as much about why he writes as who he writes for.

From his powerful work with Songwriting With Soldiers, to lessons learned from living overseas, to the importance of humility and follow-through, James opens up about what it really takes to sustain a creative life. He reminds us that the best songs come from vulnerability, service, and being present long enough to let the stories unfold.

Whether you’re a songwriter, producer, or creative chasing longevity — this episode is a reminder that you’re not behind… you’re right on time.

00:00 Intro & James’ Story

03:12 Growing Up Between Cultures

05:18 Vulnerability in Songwriting

06:38 Songwriting With Soldiers

11:21 Moving to Nashville

15:08 Writing for Legends

21:56 Humility & Collaboration

25:40 Faith and Gratitude

30:26 The Power of a Great Song

41:38 You’re Right On Time

55:24 Protecting Creative Space

01:09:26 Staying Inspired

01:46:47 Follow-Through & Longevity

02:07:13 Closing Reflections

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Rob Dennis is a Grammy Award–winning audio engineer, producer, and entrepreneur whose golden ear and servant-hearted approach have quietly shaped the sound of modern music. From Carrie Underwood and Jelly Roll to Kings of Leon and The Black Keys, his fingerprints are on records that define genres and generations.

In this episode, Rob sits down with Bilby & Ella to share his journey from the oil fields of West Texas to the heart of Nashville’s recording scene — a story marked by grit, grace, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

He opens up about building a career rooted in service rather than spotlight, the psychology behind helping artists perform their best, and what recording legends like Ringo Starr and Keith Richards taught him about presence, purpose, and longevity.

It’s a conversation about music, humility, and the art of staying in the game long enough to see your work echo through time.

00:00 Introducing Rob Dennis

03:23 The Studio Rule That Built His Career (“Would I Have You Over for Dinner?”)

05:41 Moving to Nashville with a VHS Tape & a Dream

09:15 From West Texas Drummer to Aspiring Engineer

14:08 The Human Side of Audio — Serving Artists, Not Just Sound

20:15 Sam Hunt, Jelly Roll & Learning to Be a Swiss Army Knife

26:20 Leaving the Road to Build Rock and Roll Audio

38:09 The Moment He Realized Gear Doesn’t Make the Record — People Do

49:14 What He’d Tell the Next Generation of Engineers

57:15 Staying in the Game & Building a Life That Lasts

01:09:06 Recording Ringo Starr & Other Full-Circle Moments

01:23:08 Dream Bigger, Stay Humble

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Rivers Rutherford is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum songwriter whose work has helped define modern country music for more than two decades. From Memphis roots to Nashville stardom, he’s penned a dozen #1 hits for icons like Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2019, Rivers has become known not only for his chart-toppers, but also for his ability to tell the stories behind them with humor, honesty, and heart.

In this conversation, Rivers opens up about the burnout that nearly pulled him away from music — and how faith and family brought him back with fresh fire. He shares the unforgettable story of playing a song for the Highwaymen at just 21 years old, what it’s been like producing his son’s record, and the lessons he’s learned about ego, legacy, and living for an audience of One.

Whether you’re a songwriter, a creative chasing your calling, or simply a fan of country music, this episode is full of wisdom, stories, and laughter from one of Nashville’s greats.

00:00 Welcome Rivers Rutherford & correcting his ChatGPT bio03:05 Becoming “Boots” — stories of grandfatherhood and family legacy06:49 Producing his son’s record and why it reignited his love for music09:57 Burnout, bulldozers, and rediscovering gratitude for songwriting14:44 The grocery store story — surrendering music for faith and calling20:21 Playing a song for the Highwaymen at 21 years old26:05 Learning to live for an audience of One30:42 Writing with his son, co-writing lessons, and daring to suck in the room45:00 From TV shows to Toby Keith — lessons on knowing when you’ve got a hit52:54 Dolly Parton’s surprise on When I Get Where I’m Going1:02:00 Songs that change lives and why great songs are “discovered” not written1:18:19 Closing reflections — faith, family, and the legacy he hopes to leave

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Richie Sessions is a singer-songwriter, minister, and storyteller whose life and work bridge the worlds of music, faith, and the deep places of the human heart. Over the years, he’s shared stages with some of Nashville’s most celebrated songwriters, preached in churches across the country, and created art that speaks to the wounded and the searching.

In this conversation, Richie sits down with Hill and William to unpack a lifetime of chasing “the carrot” in the music industry, the ego deaths that shaped him, and the beauty of discovering that the fruit you grow is never for you—it’s for others. With honesty and humor, he opens up about jealousy, the inner critic, unconditional love, and the healing that comes when you stop running from your story and start owning it.

From the Gollum-like grip of needing affirmation to the gold dust moments of connection with God and people, Richie reminds us that art at its best is an act of service. Whether you’re a songwriter, a seeker, or someone wrestling with identity, this episode is an invitation to grow down deep—so you can grow up and out.

00:00 Introductions & navigating conflicting creative advice

01:01 Surrendering ambition to God

02:15 Chasing the dream in Nashville & the “carrot” that

keeps moving

08:10 When art becomes identity

10:24 Rooting identity in God’s love

14:45 Ego death & creative freedom

16:00 Ego death as a daily practice

26:11 Facing the inner critic

28:57 Turning your story into strategy

40:29 Love, just because you’re alive

43:08 The beginning of coming home to yourself

47:39 What do you want to be remembered for?

51:27 Growing down to grow up

52:42 The fruit is never for you

58:01 Art as service, not self

1:00:13 Spiritual growth & creativity

1:01:18 Current projects with Tom Douglas

1:04:41 Closing thoughts & gratitude

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