Stories Behind the Songs

In Episode 159 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Grammy-nominated songwriter Parker Welling. Parker is a writer behind billions of streams and multiple No. 1 hits, and her story is a lesson in patience. A song can feel like magic in the room and still take years to become a “sure thing.” Parker unpacks what actually happens between the first idea and the moment a crowd sings every word back to you. We go deep on the story behind Russell Dickerson’s “Yours,” including the lyrical doorway that made everything click (“Thank God I’m yours”), the decision to take extra days to get the chorus right, and the wild release journey: viral momentum, industry limbo, and a radio climb that took about 56 weeks to reach the top. Parker shares how she learned to recognize the “spark” some songs carry, why patience beats panic, and how celebrating small milestones keeps you going when the finish line is far away. Then we shift into “Blue Tacoma,” a song that started as a breakup memory on an old laptop and became a vivid West Coast love story once the perspective changed. Along the way, Parker opens up about a devastating vocal injury that forced long stretches of silence and unexpectedly sharpened her listening, her lyric instincts, and her relationship with music. We also talk parenthood, creative community, and her new podcast Women’s Writes with Lydia Vaughan, built to spotlight powerful songwriting collaborations, especially among women in country music. Songs discussed Yours (Russell Dickerson) Blue Tacoma (Russell Dickerson) Follow Parker Welling Instagram Also mentioned Russell Dickerson | Lydia Vaughan | Women's Writes on YouTube Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 158 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Summer Overstreet. The daughter of legendary writer Paul Overstreet, Summer has songs recorded by Lainey Wilson, Tucker Wetmore, Hudson Westbrook, Max McNown, Jake Owen, and more, and she calls The Listening Room her all-time favorite place to play. A hit song can feel inevitable when you hear it on the radio, but the path to that moment is usually messy, slow, and full of near misses. Summer unpacks what it really takes to build a lasting career in Nashville songwriting, from the early days of trying to earn your seat in the room to the surreal calm that hits after your first No 1. Summer grew up around legendary writers through her dad, Paul Overstreet, and she shares what “music osmosis” looks like when demos are playing in the house before they become classics. We talk about how her relationship with country music changed over time, how she started writing (including hiding in a closet for privacy), and what it feels like to watch a song you believed in finally move through the pipeline. She also tells the story behind “Phone Keys Wallet,” including how the track got tailored for the artist and how a dream collaboration became real. Then we go deep on “3,2,1,” her first number one, co-written with Jordan Reynolds and Josh Miller and later cut by Tucker Wetmore. You’ll hear how the title sparked the write, why the session felt effortless, and why the song still had to sit for months before the right moment arrived. We also get honest about the modern music industry: streaming and DSP economics, TikTok and social media pressure, follower based gatekeeping, and the resilience it takes to keep making great work when the rules keep changing. Songs discussed 3,2,1 (Tucker Wetmore) Phone, Keys, Wallet (Lainey Wilson & John Mayer) Follow Summer Overstreet Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 157 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Billy Montana for part two of their conversation. This time the focus is "More Than a Memory," which Billy wrote with Kyle Jacobs and Lee Brice, and which Garth Brooks took into the history books. A country song debuts at number one and the writer’s first reaction is, “How is that possible?” That’s where Chris and Billy start as they unpack the story behind “More Than a Memory,” the Garth Brooks comeback single that became the first-ever #1 debut in Billboard country chart history. We talk through what the rollout looked like from the inside: the built-up anticipation at country radio, major market stations hammering the record, and the strange feeling of celebrating a chart moment that Billy still wants to know is “legit.” Billy shares what Garth said at the number one party, why the song then had to “prove” itself with real listeners, and how it dropped and climbed in a way that still kept it in the top ten. Along the way, Chris and Billy talk about why a hit still has to prove itself with real listeners after the headlines fade, and Billy reflects on what it means to keep coming back to The Listening Room stage. Follow Billy Montana Website Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 156 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with legendary songwriter Billy Montana. Billy has written for Garth Brooks, Sara Evans, Lee Brice, Jo Dee Messina, Tim McGraw, and Jon Pardi, and this is part one of a two-part conversation. A hit song can be obvious to listeners and still be one decision away from disappearing. We trace the unlikely chain of moments that turned “Suds in the Bucket” into Sara Evans’ chart-topping country anthem. Billy shares his road from upstate New York to a Warner Bros deal, the choice to protect his family from the risk of moving too soon, and the way that early “artist” chapter became a hands-on education in co-writing rooms, publishing, and how songs actually get made. Then we go line-by-line on the songwriting process behind “Suds in the Bucket” and why it worked: starting with a concept instead of a title, letting the hook “fall out of the sky,” leaning into authentic language like “growed up,” and getting a crucial publisher note that reshaped the choruses. You’ll also hear the behind-the-scenes pitching path, the label pushback that nearly buried the track, and the artist advocacy that saved it, plus Billy’s live performance of the song. Songs discussed Suds In the Bucket (Sara Evans) Follow Billy Montana Website Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 155 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with CMA, ACM, and Grammy-nominated songwriter Bobby Tomberlin. A staff writer with Curb for more than 30 years, Bobby has songs recorded by Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Faith Hill, Josh Turner, and Kenny Rogers. Today he takes us inside Diamond Rio's No. 1 "One More Day," 25 years after its release. We get into the nuts and bolts of the songwriting process and the business realities behind a hit. Bobby also shares what it feels like when a song flips your career overnight, from struggling for appointments to Grammy nominations, and how listeners’ letters and emails can hit harder than any award. Then the story turns heavier and more human. Bobby talks about the song’s second life after 9/11, why keeping the lyric universal was a blessing, and how “One More Day” became a tool for healing at memorial services and in private grief. We also talk about his memoir I’ve Lived Country Music and the advice he’d give his younger self: don’t let chart positions become your god, and measure success by the life you get to live. Songs discussed One More Day (Diamond Rio) Follow Bobby Tomberlin Website | I've Lived Country Music (memoir) | Spotify Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 154 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Liz Rose Music songwriter and producer Joe Fox. His songs have been recorded by Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Mitchell Tenpenny, and more, and today he takes us inside his first No. 1 as a songwriter. Joe unpacks the story behind Jon Pardi’s hit “Last Night Lonely.” He walks us through the song’s origin, the initial idea, the co-writing session dynamics, and the moments in the room that turned a simple phrase into a radio-ready chorus. We dive into songwriting craft: melody choices, lyrical turns, and how the arrangement and production decisions shaped the song’s emotional core. The song started on a low-pressure day with friends, including Dylan Marlowe, when Joe picked up a baritone electric guitar and built a four-bar loop. They sang melodies over it until the words found them, an "LA-style" write that Joe says is not how they usually work. From there, Joe tells how a text from a bar got the song to Jon Pardi's camp, how the news of the cut landed while the writers were headed to a Colorado writing retreat, and what it felt like to finally have a single eight years after moving to town. It became the first number one for all of them, and it went platinum. Joe also plays the song and leaves aspiring writers with simple advice: don't give up, and know it will be slower than you think. Songs discussed Last Night Lonely (Jon Pardi) Follow Joe Fox Bio at Liz Rose Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 153 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter and producer Dallas Wilson. Dallas grew up in a true Music City household with a studio in the house, and it shows in every song he writes. A hit song can start as a title scribbled in your notes app, a half-sung voice memo, or a joke on a tour bus that somehow turns into John Mayer actually playing on the record. We talk about Dallas Wilson's rare upbringing in a true Music City household, with a home studio, touring stories, and an early education from watching elite session musicians create parts in real time. That foundation leads into how he finds his lane as a songwriter, why co-writing becomes the most fun and productive version of the process, and how learning Pro Tools and production skills can help a song move faster from idea to demo to cut. Dallas then takes us behind two defining songs: Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” and Dylan Scott’s “Nobody”. You’ll hear how “Heart Like a Truck” shifted from a rockier start into something more honest during the pandemic, how one extra bridge line got rewritten while vocals were being cut, and why chord choices can lift a song to another level. And on “Nobody”, Dallas shares the moment the hook arrived, why Dylan knew it was “the one”, and how long it can take for a great song to finally reach No. 1. Songs discussed Heart Like a Truck (Lainey Wilson) Nobody (Dylan Scott) Phone, Keys, Wallet (Lainey Wilson & John Mayer) Follow Dallas Wilson Bio at Songwriters in Concert Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 152 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Seth Ennis. Seth has written for Shaboozey, Jelly Roll, Dylan Scott, Little Big Town, Jordan Davis, and The Band CAMINO, and he is raising two daughters under five while doing it. Join us for an intimate conversation with singer-songwriter Seth Ennis as he recounts his transition from touring artist to full-time songwriter. Seth discusses how he made the shift, how writing for other voices changed his creative process, and the range of artists and genres he’s collaborated with. He shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes about songs that took unexpected turns, how he tailors material for different performers, and the techniques he uses to stay inspired. Seth will also play a portion of “Boys Back Home,” which recently went platinum. On the personal side, we dig into how he balances a demanding writing schedule with family life, the routines and boundaries that keep him grounded, and what continues to fuel his creativity. Seth tells how a buddy introduced him to The Band CAMINO back when they were still in Memphis, which led to "Daphne Blue." He explains how "Boys Back Home" came together in about two hours with Dylan Marlowe, two South Georgia boys writing about home, before a viral post helped push it to platinum. And he shares how the write behind "Amen" for Shaboozey and Jelly Roll almost fell apart before his publisher brought in another writer, and why the lesson is to always show up and bring your best. He is also honest about the slumps every writer hits and the advice that gets him through them: keep showing up. Songs discussed Boys Back Home (Dylan Marlowe & Dylan Scott) Amen (Shaboozey & Jelly Roll) Daphne Blue (The Band CAMINO) Follow Seth Ennis Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 151 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down on-the-road at CMA Fest 2026 with nine artists, and each one shares a first memory of playing The Listening Room . Join us for a special episode recapping CMA Fest 2026 with incredible interviews from Emmet Stevens Jr., Drew Baldridge, Taylor Austin Dye, Cassidy Daniels, Payton Smith, Brooke Lee, Erin Kinsey, Craig Campbell, and Melanie Dyer. We break down the standout festival moments, share backstage stories, and hear what each artist has been up to during CMA Fest. Plus, every guest reflects on their first memory of playing The Listening Room, from nerve-wracking debuts to career-defining nights. Honest, nostalgic, and full of insider moments for fans of country music and the artists you love. Cassidy Daniels calls it her "big girl CMA Fest," her first with a full band on stage, complete with an early-morning TV spot and her first meet and greet. The rest of the lineup brings the same mix of road stories, new music, and gratitude. Follow the artists on YouTube Craig Campbell | Drew Baldridge | Cassidy Daniels | Emmet Stevens Jr. | Melanie Dyer | Taylor Austin Dye | Erin Kinsey | Payton Smith | Brooke Lee Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 150 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down during The Listening Room ‘on-the-road’ show during their annual Boots On The Water cruise with Phil Vassar. The piano man who was told a piano player does not belong in country music, Phil kept writing until the town had to listen. A hit song can start with a flooded kitchen, a late co-writer, and a line tossed off as a joke. We follow the real road behind the radio: moving from Virginia to Nashville, getting told a piano player does not belong, and pushing through anyway until the first cuts finally land and the town starts listening. If you love songwriter stories, country music history, and the craft behind a chorus that sticks, this one goes deep and stays honest. We talk about building a career the hard way by owning a bar just to have a stage, playing every weekend, testing new songs on real people, and watching labels and artists start to show up. Phil shares what it felt like to jump from that club world to massive tours with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, then to life on the road with Kenny Rogers, plus the pranks, personalities, and weird little moments you only get when you live inside the music business. Then the conversation turns to longevity: why timeless songs outlive trends, why some of his favorite tracks were never singles, and how “Just Another Day in Paradise” went from chaos to a No. 1. Phil also opens up about his 2023 heart attack, the shock of “bad genes,” and how a second chance changes your perspective on life and songwriting. Songs discussed Just Another Day In Paradise (Phil Vassar) Follow Phil Vassar Website | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 149 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down during The Listening Room ‘on-the-road’ show during their annual Boots On The Water cruise with Terri Clark. Recorded on the cruise, this one is honest, funny, and full of hard-won career lessons from one of country music's great Canadian exports. A single “loss” can either break you or reroute you, and Terri Clark proves it can do both. Terri tells the wild true story of a Canadian talent contest that left her and her mom crying on the drive home, only for her to learn ten years later that she actually won and was disqualified because she was underage at a Budweiser sponsored event. That one hidden detail helped push her toward the boldest move of her life: leaving Medicine Hat, Alberta for Nashville at 18 with no green card, no car, and no idea what the next week would look like. We get honest about the Nashville grind behind country music success: years of waiting tables, writing late on Music Row, carrying rejection from label to label, and hanging on to every small sign that the dream is still alive. Terri shares where she was when she first heard “Better Things To Do” on the radio, why she never really says “I’ve made it,” and how momentum in a career can vanish and return with the next brave creative choice. Because this is Stories Behind the Songs, we go deep on craft. Terri explains how she picks songs she did not write, why strong character and a strong female perspective matter, and how “No Fear,” co-written with Mary Chapin Carpenter, came together from a conversation about Johnny Cash. We also talk Terri Clark Take Two, reimagining hits with collaborators like Cody Johnson, Carly Pearce, and Kelly Clarkson, plus her blunt take on today’s music business: art over commerce, play live, and do not let the content treadmill replace the work. Songs discussed Better Things to Do (Terri Clark) No Fear (Terri Clark) Follow Terri Clark Website | Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 148 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down during The Listening Room ‘on-the-road’ show during their annual Boots On The Water cruise with Marty Roe and Dan Truman of Diamond Rio. Recorded at sea off Mexico, this is 40-plus years of harmony, brotherhood, and grit, told by two of the men who built it. A country band doesn’t last 40 plus years by accident, and Diamond Rio doesn’t sound like Diamond Rio by accident either. We’re recording from a ship off Mexico, and Marty Roe and Dan Truman join Chris to tell the real stories behind the harmony stack, the brotherhood, and the grit it took to go from starving musicians to a band people can identify in seconds. We talk through the stepping stones that mattered: leaving the Tennessee River Boys era, surviving years of setbacks and lineup changes, and finally landing a record deal through relationships with Tim DuBois and Monty Powell. Marty explains how their instrumental identity showed up before radio ever validated them, and why bonding before success helped them stay together when other “industry-built” bands fell apart. If you care about Nashville, country music history, and how careers are actually built, this is the unfiltered version. Then we go deep on “One More Day” and the choices that reshaped it: pulling back the mandolin, adding strings, and adjusting vocals for a broader format. We also face the hard truth of how 9-11 changed the way the world heard that song, turning it into comfort for people who needed more than entertainment. We wrap with new music on the horizon, family and creativity, audience questions about the Diamond Rio name, and the advice they’d give their eight-year-old selves. Songs discussed One More Day (Diamond Rio) Follow Diamond Rio Website | Instagram | Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 147 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair looks back on a huge 2025 at The Listening Room and ahead to 2026. Time to close the books on a huge year and open the door to an even bigger one. We step back to celebrate what your support made possible at the Listening Room: 862 shows, 150,000 guests, and a stack of songs that went from our stage to number one, while setting the stage for what’s next in 2026. We share why the Listening Room remains a passion project at its core and how community keeps pushing the music forward. Then we unveil plans for our 20th anniversary at the historic Ryman Auditorium on March 3, 2026, with a heavyweight lineup: Hardy, Jo Dee Messina, Mitchell Tenpenny, Blessing Offor, Jordan Feliz, plus a powerhouse bench of hitmakers like JT Harding, Rob Williford, Phil Barton, James Slater, Matt Jenkins, Brian Davis, Wendell Mobley, and Lee Thomas Miller. Expect stories behind the songs, surprise guests, and the kind of moments that turn a great night into a landmark memory. We also tease a major project two years in the making that’s almost ready to announce, built to connect artists, writers, venues, and fans in smarter, more meaningful ways. Programming will flex a bit early next year as we lock the final pieces, but the conversations won’t stop. February brings our second annual Boots on the Water cruise to Cozumel with Clint Black, Rodney Atkins, Terri Clark, Diamond Rio, BlackHawk, Chris Cagle, Phil Vassar, Deana Carter, David Lee Murphy, and more, plus TLR songwriting favorites including Liz Rose, Adam Craig, Emmet Stevens Jr., Bridgette Tatum, and Rachel Thibodeau. We’ll record at sea and bring you deck-side stories, fresh performances, and the kind of candid moments only a cruise can spark. If you love country music, songwriting, live shows, and the stories that turn a hook into a hit, you’ll feel right at home here. Grab your seats for the Ryman at ryman.com , book your cabin at bootsonthewatercruise.com , and come ride with us into 2026. Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 146 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Tyler Rich. A farm-town kid from Northern California, Tyler turned down a safe salaried job to chase music, and his double album "Poppy & Iris" is the payoff. A farm town kid with a tiny amp, a bandana from Stagecoach, and a promise to take one more swing at the dream: Tyler Rich sits down with us to unpack the road from Northern California to Nashville and what it costs to make something that truly feels like you. We trace the early wins and wipeouts: a record deal at nineteen, years of touring with homework due on a bus, an economics degree finished at warp speed, and the moment he turned down a safe, salaried future to chase a riskier one that wouldn’t let him sleep. We go inside the writing rooms and the edges where craft gets sharpened. Mentors like Daryl Brown pushed his melodies and choices with sharp, priceless notes, while a DIY marketing blitz, thousands of cards handed out at shows and a brave DM hustle, built real fans one by one. That grit fueled a fast move to Nashville, where a culture of friendly competition and structured writing turned instinct into volume and voice. From there, the double album took shape: "Poppy & Iris", a project anchored to state flowers and a life split between two homes. Cowboy Tears lifts like an anthem but breaks like a diary, a tribute to distance, devotion, and a bandana that never left his pocket. Redwood grows from wildfire science into a resilience song, proof that some things only get stronger after the burn. Independence was the next leap. Tyler walks through leaving a label, rebuilding his team with fresh eyes, and releasing twenty-plus songs that aim for the gut instead of the middle. The connection shows up in rooms, fans crying, him crying, especially when Dogs Don’t Die helps people carry the love that remains. That song sparked a new lane: children’s books that translate courage, grief, and selfhood for young readers. We preview Leave The Wolf Wild and Fred Under The Bed, and look ahead to a co-headline tour with a rock powerhouse designed to bridge country heart and rock muscle. If you love stories about craft, risk, and the long route to your real voice, this one’s for you. Songs discussed Cowboy Tears (Tyler Rich) Redwood (Tyler Rich) Follow Tyler Rich Website | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 145 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Ava Suppelsa. A last-minute writing invite turned into a multi-format hit with Max McNown, and Ava brings the same heart to Hope on the Row, her nonprofit serving unhoused neighbors. A last-minute writing invite, a young artist with star power, and a chorus that had to carry the whole story: Ava Suppelsa walks us through how a room with Jamie Kenny, Trent Dabbs, and Max McNown turned into a multi-format hit climbing hot AC, pop, and country radio while living on the Billboard charts for months. We trace the journey from poetic verses to a clear “brown eyes” hook, why the melody stretches across male and female ranges, and how a strong chorus can translate from TikTok buzz to radio momentum without losing its heart. From there, we rewind to Evanston and Montana, where cover sets and country storytelling shaped Ava’s instincts, then fast-forward to Nashville writers’ rounds as a crash course in modern songcraft. Ava shares the strategies behind “Salt, Lime & Tequila,” a Zoom-era co-write with Ryan Griffin and Jason Massey that snowballed from a rough title to SiriusXM The Highway’s most-played song, and how TikTok, smart pitching, and timing opened the door to radio. We also break down her outside cut with Carly Pearce on "hummingbird", proving how a clean concept and an honest lyric can move from demo to record in a week when everything aligns. Beyond charts and cuts, Ava brings purpose to Music City through Hope on the Row, a nonprofit serving unhoused neighbors with food, supplies, and pathways to stability, powered by volunteers from across the music industry. It’s a reminder that enduring careers are built on craft, community, and consistency. If you’re chasing better choruses, clearer concepts, or a stronger network, you’ll find practical takeaways and candid stories you can use on your next write. Songs discussed Better Me For You (Brown Eyes) (Max McNown) Salt, Lime & Tequila (Ryan Griffin) hummingbird (Carly Pearce) Follow Ava Suppelsa Website | Instagram Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 144 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter, producer, and longtime touring musician Jerry Flowers. Decades on the road with Keith Urban and hits for Sam Hunt, Old Dominion, and Morgan Wallen give Jerry a rare view of both sides of the stage. A riff can change a room. That’s the spark Jerry Flowers chases as he walks us through the real stories behind hits for Sam Hunt, Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, Old Dominion, Morgan Wallen, Keith Urban, and more, plus the hard turns only a long road can deliver. From the first glint of House Party’s pre-chorus to the soul-steeped simplicity of Chasing After You, Jerry shows how tempo, tone, and lived experience shape songs that last. We dig into the writing retreat that birthed Kinfolks, the late verse rewrite that made radio, and the rare week-long sprint that got Last Drive Down Main to Morgan Wallen. Jerry opens up about being fired mid-session after decades with Keith Urban, then choosing to finish Water My Flowers, and how Old Dominion’s cut turned a gut-punch day into a keeper. He shares the unexpected lineage between old-school country and R&B, why he’s often the “energy guy” in the room, and how a great demo can sit for years before the right voice brings it to life. There’s touring wisdom here too: from playing on an airport baggage carousel in Tamworth to facing 800,000 people in Philly, the takeaway is clear, be the best hang, use your downtime, and build a second lane with writing or production. Jerry’s closing advice to new writers and artists lands like a compass: figure out who you are, defend it, and let time reward the work. If you love songwriter stories, Nashville craft, and the moments where resilience becomes melody, this one hits home. Songs discussed House Party (Sam Hunt) Chasing After You (Ryan Hurd & Maren Morris) Kinfolks (Sam Hunt) Last Drive Down Main (Morgan Wallen) Water My Flowers (Old Dominion) Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 143 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with singer-songwriter Annie Bosko. A farmer's daughter with Bakersfield roots and Nashville mileage, Annie made a 19-song debut with help from Vince Gill, Raul Malo, Dwight Yoakam, and Amy Grant. A hummingbird at a window. Santa Ana winds rattling the night. A promise to Vince Gill that forced the album to finally exist. Our conversation with Annie Bosko traces the real road behind California Cowgirl, a 19-song debut forged from writer’s rooms, wildfire skies, and the stubborn belief that the right song shows up when you keep showing up. We talk about the Malibu retreat that sparked a creative streak: Tequila Time, Country Girls Who Runs The World, Bright And Blue Sky, Maliblue, written with bags packed in case the hillside burned. Annie explains how collaborations took shape through brave asks and long-built relationships: Vince Gill, Raul Malo, Dwight Yoakam, and Amy Grant. God Winks becomes the emotional anchor, born from family language for life’s quiet green lights and strengthened by stories that make small miracles feel close. Hearing Annie share lines and context connects the dots between hook craft and heart craft, between a clever turn and a lyric that lingers. California Cowgirl isn’t a coastal caricature; it’s a farmer’s daughter with Bakersfield roots and Nashville mileage, embracing authenticity after years of trying to fit a mold. We dig into the changing city, fewer chance meetings on Music Row, more digital noise, and pull out practical advice: treat rejection like weather, keep writing, and let identity lead strategy. Annie opens up about recent milestones, festival stages, a top 40 moment, a national brand campaign, even an upcoming date opening for Dolly Parton, and the winter plan to turn the faucet on full for new songs. If you care about the story behind the song, the resilience behind the voice, and the craft behind a debut that actually has miles on it, you’ll feel at home here. Songs discussed California Cowgirl (Annie Bosko) God Winks (Annie Bosko) Follow Annie Bosko Website | Instagram | Apple Music Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 142 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jeff Cohen. Jeff started at the bottom at BMI and built a 25-year career in Nashville and New York on chemistry, preparation, and great songs. A porch write that wouldn’t quit, a chorus saved by one repeated word, and a ballad that made Madison Square Garden feel like home, this conversation with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jeff Cohen is a rare look at how hits actually happen. We go deep into the moments that shaped Postcard From Paris, Crazy For This Girl, Holy Water, and In Her Eyes, and trace how small creative choices turn into big career turns. Jeff opens up about starting from the bottom at BMI, spotting talent early, and betting on chemistry over credentials in every room. The Holy Water story shows how three writers locked onto the same truth and built a chorus that breathes; the Crazy For This Girl chapter proves that live reaction often knows before radio does; and the In Her Eyes journey, from a demo crafted for a classical crossover cut to a listener’s life-changing email, reveals how songs keep evolving long after they leave the studio. Along the way, we talk practical songwriting craft, verse-to-chorus lift, and the discipline of showing up prepared while staying open to the line that wasn’t on the page when you walked in. For creators aiming at sync licensing, Jeff shares a current, tactical playbook: build real relationships with music supervisors, send one or two great tracks at a time, keep rights clean, and accept that trusted catalogs now gatekeep many placements. We also cover why solo writing can reset your voice, how to protect focus in co-writes, and what it means to treat music like a business without losing the spark that started it. The thread through all of this is longevity, balancing Nashville and New York, chasing global opportunities, and choosing collaborators who respect time, craft, and people. If you care about songwriting, sync licensing, A&R instincts, and the mindset that sustains a 25-year career, you’ll find tools you can use today and stories you’ll remember tomorrow. Songs discussed Postcard from Paris (The Band Perry) Crazy for This Girl (Evan & Jaron) Holy Water (Big & Rich) In Her Eyes (Josh Groban) Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 141 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with hit songwriter Phillip White. A modulation mistake that worked, a DJ who played a ballad eight times in a row, and a TV theme that went viral years later: Phillip has stories for days. A modulation mistake that worked. A morning DJ who spun a ballad eight times in a row. A first-time co-write that became a TV theme and then went viral years later. Phillip White joins us to share how a handful of honest songs leapt from small rooms to massive stages, and why some lines land like they were meant for the moment you hear them. We start with the whirlwind behind Rascal Flatts’ I’m Movin’ On, written in about fifteen minutes as grief turned into melody. You’ll hear how a simple word tape cut through a no-ballads policy, how audience demand forced a single, and how that momentum carried the song to ACM Song of the Year. From there we trace the unexpected path of Reba’s I’m A Survivor, born from a casual Friday write, lifted onto a Greatest Hits album, and reborn when millions on TikTok turned chores into an anthem of grit. Phillip opens up about the craft choices and luck breaks that let a chorus travel across radio, TV, and social feeds. We dig into Nobody But Me, the Blake Shelton No. 1 that proves a strong hook and clean riff can carry a cut even without a pitch sheet. Then we unpack Scotty McCreery’s The Trouble With Girls, where a stubborn hook earned its final turn after multiple rewrites. Through it all, Phillip’s Muscle Shoals roots shape a Nashville approach: let the magic fall out, then step away and tighten it cold. He shares a clear-eyed look at the modern landscape, streaming signals, writer camps, and politics of the room, without losing sight of the constant: it still begins with a song that feels true. If you care about country songwriting, artist development, and the moments where craft meets lightning, this story-rich conversation is for you. Songs discussed I'm Movin' On (Rascal Flatts) I'm a Survivor (Reba McEntire) Nobody But Me (Blake Shelton) The Trouble With Girls (Scotty McCreery) Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.

In Episode 140 of Stories Behind the Songs, host Chris Blair sits down at The Listening Room in Nashville with songwriter and producer Justin Morgan of Pearl Snap Studios. From Texas punk vans to producing for Billy Ray Cyrus on the Grand Ole Opry stage, Justin has a front-row view of where music and technology are colliding. Warning: that AI demo might be quietly licensing your lyric and melody to the world. We sat down with songwriter and producer Justin Morgan to pull back the curtain on how AI music tools like Suno really work, why their terms matter, and when using them can put you at odds with your co-writers and publishers. It’s a candid, practical guide to creating faster without giving away the store. Justin walks us through his path from Texas punk vans to Nashville, the pivot into sync licensing, and the real mechanics of landing trailers and ads, why titles determine opens, how waveforms get skimmed before anyone listens, and how ad briefs shape a song’s fate. He also shares the Pearl Snap Studios origin story, scaling from a Craigslist post to hundreds of demos a year, and the thinking behind Inside Pitch Club, a boutique pitching model with major-level standards that doesn’t take your publishing. We relive a surreal run with Billy Ray Cyrus: producing tracks, stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage, and even taking the Achy Breaky chorus live. Then we lean into craft with Different Empty Bottles, a fatherhood anthem built on a simple, perfect contrast that proves why human songs still cut deepest. From there, we dig into AI music generation: perpetual licenses hidden in the fine print, co-writer consent traps, voice cloning risk, non-copyrightable masters, and a safer workflow for using AI as a private prototyping tool before investing in human demos. If you care about song pitching, sync strategy, AI music legality, and protecting the soul of your work, this conversation gives you the playbook, and the caution tape. Follow Justin Morgan Pearl Snap Studios | Inside Pitch Club | Pearl Snap Studios Instagram | Inside Pitch Club Instagram Watch and listen Watch on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | chrisblair.com/podcast | All links Follow Stories Behind the Songs Instagram @sbtsongs | TikTok @sbtsongs | YouTube @SBTSongs Chris Blair: Instagram @chrisblairmusic | chrisblair.com The Listening Room listeningroomcafe.com | Instagram @listeningroomcafe | TikTok @thelisteningroomcafe Sail with us on Boots on the Water , Feb. 7-11, 2027.