The Sideman Chronicles

This is episode 2 with my friend Phil Towns.

Phil has played live or in the studio for Reba McEntire, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Anderson East, Barry Gibb, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Zayn, Ben Platt, Sheryl Crow, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lauren Daigle and many more.

If you haven’t listened to part 1 go back and check it out. 

In this episode we will dive into all of the day to day sideman things.

This episode I’ll be chatting with one of Nashville’s finest—Phil Towns.

Phil is incredibly talented on all things keyboard related, but he is also an amazing producer, engineer, writer, and multi instrumentalist.

Phil has played live or in the studio for Reba McEntire, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Anderson East, Barry Gibb, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Zayn, Ben Platt, Sheryl Crow, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Lauren Daigle and many more.

In this episode we chat about his formative years and how the church scene helped form his musical instincts.

This episode features the one and only Tim Galloway.

Tim is one of Nashville’s top guitarists, and also someone that everyone loves to have on their team.

Tim has played live or in the studio for Bailey Zimmerman, Bryan Martin, Nate Smith, Kameron Marlowe, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Gary Allan, Josh Turner, Jake Owen, Luke Bryan, Nickelback, Ashley McBryde, Anne Wilson, Matthew West and many, many more.

His talent level and work ethic are second to none, but he is also such a kind and gentle soul.

We dive into his early years, the road leading to Nashville, and we also chat about all of the sideman related topics.

Evan Hutchings is one of Nashville’s most in demand musicians. He is known for his authority and amazing ability on the drums, but he is also known for being an all around great dude.

Evan has played for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Nate Smith, Dolly Parton, Scotty McReary, Steven Tyler, Reba McEntire, The Barbie Movie, Noah Cyrus, Brett Eldridge, Kris Allen, Maverick City Music, Lauren Alaina and so many more.

Episode 2 dives into the nuances of being a full time sideman.

Evan Hutchings is one of Nashville's most in demand musicians. He is known for his authority and amazing ability on the drums, but he is also known for being an all around great dude.

Evan has played for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Nate Smith, Dolly Parton, Scotty McReary, Steven Tyler, Reba McEntire, The Barbie Movie, Noah Cyrus, Brett Eldridge, Kris Allen, Maverick City Music, Lauren Alaina and so many more.

Episode 1 will focus in on his early life and the things that influenced him on his road to being one of Nashville’s greats.

Scott Williamson is a first call session drummer, mix engineer, producer and arranger here in Nashville. He has played live or in the studio for Blake Shelton, Reba, Brooks And Dunn, Alice Cooper, DC Talk, Dave Barnes, Casting Crowns, Natalie Grant, Michael W. Smith and so many more. Scott was the first person that we interviewed for this podcast series so we wanted to circle back to him and ask some questions that he missed out on. Go back and listen to our first interview in Season 1.

Jacob and Scott talk about musical personality, if you can make music with someone that you don’t like, and how to deal with the comparison game on social media.

Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

This Episode is part of our “Artist” Series.

Dave Barnes is one of Nashville’s finest musical ambassadors. Not only is he a monster solo artist and musician, but he is also one of the most sought after songwriters in town. He also does stand up comedy, and hosts two podcasts. (Dadville, Dave’s 5 Hot Takes)

In Part 2 Jacob and Dave talk about his love and respect for musicians, what he learned from Ed Cash, how sidemen and women can support an artist, and why the 70’s were the best musical decade.

Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

This Episode is part of our “Artist” Series.

Dave Barnes is one of Nashville’s finest musical ambassadors. Not only is he a monster solo artist and musician, but he is also one of the most sought after songwriters in town. He also does stand up comedy, and hosts two podcasts. (Dadville, Dave’s 5 Hot Takes)

In Part 1 Jacob and Dave talk about the music that he heard growing up, his band Fishers Of Men, how he transitioned from drummer to artist, and how he found his voice.

Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe.

Joel Key is a first call session guitarist in Nashville. He is known as a musical craftsman that always strives for excellence and creativity.  He has played live or in the studio for Colin Raye, Alabama, Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett, Cody Johnson, Gaither Vocal Band, The Shires and many more. Jacob and Joel talk about his dad’s traveling music ministry, how he learned guitar, learning life lessons on tour, and how awesome it was when Opie stood up to the bully.

Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe

Matt Nelson has been a highly sought after sideman as a cellist and guitarist in the Nashville music scene for over a decade.  Creativity, talent and heart best describe the gifts that he always brings to the table.  He has played live or in the studio for Jars Of Clay, Nichole Nordeman, RaeLynn, Michael W. Smith, Sleeping At Last, J.D. Souther, Steven Curtis Chapman, Cheap Trick and many more. He is also one of the main composers for “The Chosen” series. Jacob and Matt talk about his musical parents, how he ended up playing cello, his love for 90’s rock, and how to best serve an artist.

Don’t forget to rate, review and subscribe