Natalie Hemby secured her first publishing deal at the age of 19, laying the foundation for a stellar career as one of the most sought-after songwriters in the music industry. With her songs recorded by top artists like Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Miranda Lambert, Lady Gaga, Yola, Dierks Bentley, Rag'n'Bone Man, Lady A, Kelly Clarkson, Little Big Town, Labrinth, and many others, she has proven herself to be an undeniable talent. In 2021, she released her second solo album, Pins and Needles, produced by her husband and longtime collaborator, Mike Wrucke. As part of The Highwomen, alongside Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, and Amanda Shires, Hemby won a GRAMMY® Award for Country Song of the Year, “Crowded Table.” Billboard has recognized her as “one of Nashville’s strongest creative figures.” In this episode, we discuss a song she wrote with Miranda Lambert called “Carousel” and listen to the original worktape of that song.

Listen to Carousel by Miranda Lambert

Listen to Natalie Hemby

Listen to Highwomen

Nataliehemby.com

Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Brandon Carswell & Russ Loyd
Additional Production Assistance by Jonas Litton
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us"
Cover Art by Mid Century Western
Worktapes show logos designed by Harrison Hudson 
**All songs used by permission**

Anthony Smith is a versatile songwriter, producer and arranger who has achieved great success in many genres, including Country, Pop, R&B, and Jazz. His songs have been recorded by Bucky Covington, Lonestar, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, Chris Young, Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, Emerson Drive, Heartland, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers to name a few. In this episode we discuss a smash #1 hit song nominated at the 2012 ACM Awards for single of the year, “Tomorrow” by Chris Young and we will listen to the original worktape of that song.

Find Anthony

Listen to Tomorrow

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Gear up at Eastside Music Supply 


Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

With nearly 30 years of songwriting under his belt, Dave Barnes has carved his own path through rock, acoustic, country, soul, and contemporary Christian music. Over the years, he’s collaborated with a star-studded list of artists, including Amy Grant, Matt Wertz, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett, and Maren Morris. He also earned a Grammy nomination for his hit song "God Gave Me You," which was recorded by Blake Shelton making it a #1 hit. In this episode we discuss his early grunge music influences, moving from playing drums into songwriting, how comedy informs his songwriting , and we listen to the worktape of his song "Someday This Will All Make Sense" 

This episode is sponsored by Songtown 

We shop at Eastsidemusicsupply.com

Find Dave Barnes
Listen to "Someday This Will All Make Sense"
Dadville Podcast


Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

Known for his distinct blend of pop, folk, and hip-hop, Mat Kearney has created a unique sound that has led to hits like “Nothing Left to Lose” and “Trainwreck,” which contributed to his 2006 Dove Award win. He has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Train, Mutemath, Keane, and more. His collaborations include artists like Trent Dabbs, Kate York, Paul Moak, Matthew Perryman Jones, Brooke and The Bluff, and Micah Tawlks. In this episode, we discuss his early hip-hop influences, life-transforming grace that informed his writing, working with Brooke & The Bluff, and listen to early worktapes of the song “Headlights Home.”

Find Mat

Listen to Headlights Home


Episode Sponsored by Eastside Music Supply 

Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN 
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

Matt Wertz, is an indie singer-songwriter whose soulful pop tunes have struck a chord with audiences worldwide. With his signature feel good indie rock-pop, Matt crafts songs that combine catchy melodies with nostalgic undertones. Throughout his career, he’s shared the stage with icons like Dave Barnes, Thad Cockrell, Jason Mraz, Ben Rector, and Gavin DeGraw, solidifying his place as a standout in today’s singer-songwriter scene. In this episode we discuss  early influences, his newest record, “Recently”, spotify for artists and we listen to the worktape of a song he co-wrote with Jon Foreman called “Rosalee”

Find Matt Wertz 

Listen to "Rosalee"

Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
  
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

Nathan Barlowe is a talented multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, best known for his work as a member of the bands Luna Halo, Five Knives, Reality Check, Honeymoon Thrillers and Keith Urban’s band as a touring musician. His music has been recorded by high-profile artists like Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, and Newsboys. Nathan has also achieved significant success in the dance music scene, with three top 10 Billboard dance singles to his name. His song placements include The Voice, American Idol, in Apple commercials,  NHL Stanley Cup, the theme song for the final season of King of Queens. He is also the inventor of an innovative electronic instrument called “The Phantom,” which functions as a sampling machine played like a keyboard. We discuss how he began in music at an early age, imposter syndrome and listen to an original demo of the Luna Halo song “Feed Your Feelings”.

Find Nathan Barlowe

Find Luna Halo

Listen to Feed Your Feelings

Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN  
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

Clay Mills is a Grammy nominated songwriter with cuts by Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Lady A, Diamond Rio and more. When he’s not writing he is mentoring writers through Songtown, an organization he co-founded with hit writer Marty Dodson, offering a songwriting  masterclass, community building and mentorship. In this episode we talk about how he came writing jingles in NYC, not giving up and his huge number one song cut by Diamond Rio, “Beautiful Mess”

Find Clay Mills

Listen to Beautiful Mess

Songtown 

Worktapes is Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN 
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

Thad Cockrell has been writing music for over 20 years, both under his own name and with his band, Leagues. His musical resume is nothing short of impressive, with co-writes and collaborations with artists like Joy Williams, Devon Gilfillian, Brittany Howard, Sandra McCracken, and many more. He’s also contributed to Super Bowl ads, film placements, pub deals, and even made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In this first episode of Season 4, we discuss what it’s like to start a musical career later in life, his experience on The Tonight Show, forging a new path away from digital service providers like Spotify, and we listen to the original worktape of a song from his new record called “What If.”

Find Thad Cockrell

Listen to What If


Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
  
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

In episode 59 of Worktapes, we are joined by Muscle Shoals native, singer-songwriter, and rock-Americana artist Hannah Aldridge. Her writing explores themes of rebellion and the allure of spiritual darkness while grappling with deeply rooted Southern Christian values. In this episode, we discuss growing up as the daughter of hit songwriter Walt Aldridge, what draws her to darker themes, how to stay authentic in an industry that prioritizes hit songs, and we listen to the original worktape of her song “The Great Divide.”


Find Hannah Aldridge 

Listen to "The Great Divide" 

Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
This episode was filmed at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville, TN
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**

In episode 58 of Worktapes, we hear from indie folk singer-songwriter and Epidemic Sound artist Kylie Dailey! Kylie’s calming, laid-back vocals and relatable lyrics, paired with enchanting arrangements by producer and husband Kevin, invite the listener to relax and feel seen. We discuss the dynamics of writing with your spouse, unintentionally becoming an artist, writing authentically while balancing family, and we listen to the original worktape of a song called “Folded Hands.”

Find Kylie

Listen to Folded Hands

Produced by Brandon Carswell
Film & Editing by Shaun Carswell
  
Episode intro music written by Brandon Carswell & produced by Micah Tawlks - "Back To Us" Worktapes show cover art designed by Harrison Hudson
**All songs used by permission**