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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Today’s guest isn’t just a Grammy-winning producer — he’s the quiet force behind some of the most honest, unforgettable records of the last 30 years. From shaping the sound of Third Day to collaborating with U2 and shepherding careers before the world knew their names, Monroe Jones doesn’t chase trends — he builds legacies.

In this debut episode, Monroe drops decades of insight on the creative grind — from cold-calling Nashville publishers out of the Yellow Pages to getting pulled into a studio session with Bono. He opens up about the “disease” every real artist carries, why quirk is the key to greatness, and the moment pride cost him the biggest gig of his career.

This isn’t just a behind-the-scenes conversation — it’s a soul-check for every creative trying to stay true to the work, the craft, and the calling.

00:00 Welcome to the Den

03:05 The Grammy That Got Away (and the One That Didn’t)

07:21 The Origins of a Creative Life

13:06 The Nashville Pull

16:36 No Permission Needed & the Power of Persistence

24:46 Finding Your Lane as a Producer

30:01 Building Trust in the Studio

35:21 Moments That Made the Music

47:15 Introducing the Manjong Creative Cards

56:01 The U2 Story: Playing Keys with Bono

1:09:51 The One Regret He Still Thinks About

1:20:23 Nostalgia, Influence & Serving the Artist

1:31:37 Wrap-Up + Legacy Talk

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