Nsai Coffee Break

About this episode: Steve Seskin is one of the most successful writers in Nashville today, with a boatload of songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Collin Raye, Peter Frampton, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Mark Wills, and Peter Paul and Mary. On today’s podcast, he talks about his journey as a songwriter and why life is something "you learn as you go." About this podcast: Welcome to NSAI Coffee Break podcast, a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!

About this episode: After teaching privately in Tallahassee, Fl. for eight years, songwriter and educator, Steve Leslie moved to Nashville in 1992. He was signed to a staff songwriting position at EMI Music Publishing shortly thereafter, where he had songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Darryl Worley, Rhonda Vincent, and Neal McCoy, to name a few. Steve earned a Grammy Certificate for the title cut to Ricky Skaggs' 2004 "Brand New Strings" which won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year. From 2007-2014 he maintained a career as an independent songwriter and music publisher, with songs recorded by Darryl Worley and Darius Rucker. From 2011-2014 Steve was Adjunct Professor of Songwriting at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2014 Steve started SNG Music, LLP. In this episode Steve highlights how to gain inspiration for your songwriting craft and the experience he has gained in both the songwriting and publishing sectors of the industry. About this podcast: Wel

About this episode: There's no shortage of guitar teachers in Music City USA...they don't call Nashville "Guitar Town" for nothing. But Dave Isaacs has earned a reputation as one of the best: not simply a guitar and piano teacher but as a musical mentor to performing artists, songwriters, and performers as well as beginners, weekend warriors, and perpetual beginners. Dave's approach to teaching develops not only guitar playing but the whole musician, building real skills, confidence, and musical knowledge. In this episode Dave will be sharing techniques for writing melody and more. About this podcast: Welcome to NSAI Coffee Break podcast, a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!

About this episode: In 2011, Luke and Beth Laird decided it was time to take a fresh business approach to publishing and artist management. In this episode of Coffee Break, I chat with the couple about their careers in both the business and songwriting sectors of the industry and advice they’d give to individuals seeking growth in their craft. Creative Nation is home to a variety of songwriters and artists including: Barry Dean, Kassi Ashton, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird, Mags Duval, Muscadine Bloodline, Natalie Hemby, Steve Moakler and Tyler Johnson. In just five years the team has generated 15 #1 hits and songs recorded by Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Ingrid Michaelson, Ne-Yo, Carrie Underwood and several others. This is an audio recording of a video interview we filmed last week. You can find Parts 1 and 2 on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/nsaiofficial About this podcast: Welcome to NSAI Coffee Break podcast, a series featuring legendary and modern-

About this episode: THiS Music publisher Rusty Gaston shares why hard work prevails over talent when it comes to writing great songs. In the early beginnings of his career, he discovered his knack for recognizing the next radio hit was in a fact a job. This realization led him to put his song sensibility to the test in music publishing. Rusty has an extensive background in working both label and publishing sides in the industry and our conversation is sure to motivate the songwriter, artist and music business professional alike. About Rusty Gaston: Rusty knew when he moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University that publishing was where he belonged and his track record has proven him right. He hit the ground runnihng with his first job at SmithHaven Music where he secured artist deals for writer/artists Jeff Bates and Will Hoge. From there he was hired by top producer Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jodee Messina) to run his publishing company, Song Garden, which thrived under Rusty’s guidance

About this episode: To Tim Hunze, dedication to your songwriting craft and building your network are two very important factors in pursuing a career in the music industry. In 2011, Tim opened the doors of Parallel Music Nashville in partnership with JP Williams. Tim’s day to day includes managing a roster of songwriters and artists including Jon Mabe, Jesse Lee, Lance Carpenter, Zella Day, Alex Hall, Blake Chaffin, Ryan Beaver, Jenn Schott and more. In our conversation we touch on Tim’s early beginnings in artist management his favorite podcasts, media outlets and how he scouts those future radio hits. About Tim Hunze: Upon graduation from Middle Tennessee State University and armed with a degree in Recording Industry Management, Tim started his own record label, Rhythm and Grooves Records. The label had strong initial success with a hit video on BET and a charted single on Billboard charts. Ultimately, Hunze sold his interest in the company. In 1993 Tim then took at job as archive manger at Great Cumber

About this episode: From performing to working in artist development and now publishing, Katie Jelen has experienced it all. At a young age, she played music at coffeehouses in her hometown of Philadelphia, including an Open Mic that was frequented by the likes of Amos Lee and Norah Jones. In this episode we discuss why work ethic in any area of the industry is essential to career growth, the artist branding strategies she learned while working for Ingrid Michaelson’s team and some of the best concerts she’s seen at the Hotel Café. Katie is the head of artist relations and publishing at Secret Road Music Services and she offers valuable advice in this interview that you don’t wanna miss. About Katie Jelen: A "recovering singer-songwriter," she is a classically trained vocalist with a degree in Music Industry as well as a law degree from Drexel University with a concentration in intellectual property. Her responsibilities at Secret Road include setting up co-writes, coordinating the fulfillment of creative b

About John Tumminello: Entrepreneur and music industry leader John Tumminello shares how his passion for supporting emerging artists led him to leave his banking job in New York, move to Nashville and start up one of the leading free music events in town. In 2007 he co-founded Music City Unsigned, a program dedicated to helping up&coming artists grow their following. This initiative then led to Musicians Corner, an outdoor “gathering space for music-lovers and creators alike.” It has grown to 65,000 attendees since it’s early days in 2010 and takes place in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Past performers include Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, St Paul & the Broken Bones, Chris Stapleton, Family of the Year and several others. And what sets this event apart is it’s incorporation of local artisans, food trucks and other small businesses in the city for people to enjoy. About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episod

About Jimmy & Sarah Robbins: Jimmy is a songwriter/producer at Roundhill Music. His catalog of #1 hits include, Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did”, “It Goes Like This” for Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s duet “We Were Us,” “Whatever She’s Got” by David Nail and “Beachin’” by Jake Owen. Jimmy latest project involved producing RaeLynn’s debut album, Wildhorse, alongside songwriter Nicolle Galyon. Sarah is a music publisher who's worked with both Big Machine and Big Yellow Dog. Jimmy and Sarah founded their own publishing company in 2016, Jimmy Robbins Music. About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!

About Cliff Goldmacher: In his years of songwriting, Cliff has built a catalog of over a thousand songs. He’s worked as a staff songwriter for a Nashville publisher and his songs have been cut by major label artists across genres from country, pop and jazz to classical crossover. Cliff’s songwriting collaborators include GRAMMY-winning artist, Keb’ Mo’, multi-platinum selling artists Ke$ha, Lisa Loeb, Chris Barron (Lead singer of the Spin Doctors) and Grateful Dead drummer, Mickey Hart. His music has been used on NPR’s “This American Life” and in national advertising campaigns. Cliff’s co-write with artist, Spencer Day, “Till You Come To Me” went to #1 on the jazz charts. An experienced educator, Cliff has taught songwriting and music business workshops for BMI, ASCAP, NARAS, The Stanford Jazz Workshop, The Songwriter’s Guild of America, the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International, and The Durango Songwriter’s Expo. Cliff is also a contributing author at Lynda.com and has spoken on songwriting for T

About Jennifer Schott: Jennifer Schott is a songwriter at Parallel Music Publishing Nashville. Jenn was born and raised in Pittsburg, Kansas. She does have a family background in music, specifically her grandfather who was the concert master violinist for the CBS orchestra including the Ed Sullivan show. Her father was a university professor of woodwinds, and her mother is a flutist. She is an alumna of Leadership Music and proudly sits on the Board of Directors for NSAI and Girls on the Run Nashville, which is how I met her. Jenn’s discography includes songs cut by The Eli Young Band, Gloriana, Jana Kramer, Lucy Hale, Billy Ray Cyrus, Pam Tillis, Lonestar, Kelleigh Bannen, and Restless Heart. She also penned the title track of Tim McGraw's Grammy nominated album, "Two Lanes of Freedom," which was the namesake of McGraw's 2013 summer tour. Jenn co-wrote Mickey Guyton's debut single, "Better Than You Left Me," which was named one of Billboard's 10 Best Country Songs of 2015. And you can hear a special in-stud

Today’s episode features the ladies of NSAI’s Membership Team. Katie, Dana and Erin will be sharing their expertise and perspective on music business etiquette, publishing do’s and don’ts and projects they’re working on within the organization. If you are a member and need some guidance on how to utilize your membership, this is the episode for you. And if you are thinking about becoming a member, this episode will give you insight on what benefits you have as a member. If you’re neither the above and just love music and want to know more about the industry side of things, this is still a great listen. All three membership representatives are extremely well-versed in their publishing and personal branding tips. About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!

Boy Named Banjo, described by Sonicbids as, "Tennessee's Americana apostles," is creating a lot of buzz in the southeastern music scene. The Nashville natives founded the group in 2011 and released their debut album, The Tanglewood Sessions, before graduating high school. Boy Named Banjo has since released its sophomore album, Long Story Short, performed at Bonnaroo, and received a nomination for "Best local Band (Nashville)" By The Tennesseean for the year 2015. Boy Named Banjo is currently touring behind its new EP - Lost on Main. To hear an extended version of this podcast with performances by Boy Named Banjo, visit nashvillesongwriters.com/nsaicoffeebreak! About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next!

Gordon Kennedy and Karla Davis share why they chose music to be their ultimate career path, the beginnings of working together and why being nice to everyone you meet just might "Change The World." To hear an extended version of this podcast with performances by Gordon and Karla, visit nashvillesongwriters.com/nsaicoffeebreak! About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next! Gordon Kennedy is a multi Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer, guitarist. Kennedy became nationally recognized when he won Song of the Year at the 1997 Grammys for Eric Clapton's No. 1 hit "Change the World,” co-written with Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims. Kennedy won a 2007 Best Pop Instrumental Album Grammy for co-producing Peter Frampton's Fingerprints album. Karla Davis is a soulful singer/songwriter f

In this second podcast edition of NSAI Presents: Coffee Break, Grammy nominated music icon, Kathy Sledge talks about the global impact of "We Are Family" her latest Dance/EDM projects and more! About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next! About Kathy Sledge: Grammy nominated artist Kathy Sledge -- the legendary voice (on lead) of the iconic "We Are Family," and formerly of Sister Sledge – just released her new EDM single with The Aristofreeks (Max Martire & Shanti Matkin), titled “Keep It Movin” which she wrote. Kathy's solo career and legacy as an original vocalist in the group Sister Sledge, includes stand-out lead vocals on some of pop music’s greatest moments on global anthems such as "We Are Family,” "He's the Greatest Dancer,” “Frankie,” and many more. Kathy’s accolades include char

In this first podcast edition of NSAI Presents: Coffee Break, Contemporary Christian artist/songwriter Lauren Daigle discusses what led her to the realization that music was her ultimate calling. About this podcast: NSAI Coffee Break is a series featuring legendary and modern-day songwriters, artists and music industry executives. Each episode highlights their creative journeys, including the successes and the in-betweens, and where they are headed to next! About Lauren Daigle: Daigle is the fastest selling new artist in Contemporary Christian music in the past decade. In addition to this year’s Billboard Music Awards and GRAMMY® nominations, Lauren has won three Dove Awards (nominated for four) -- “New Artist of the Year,” “Song of the Year” (“How Can It Be”) and “Contemporary Song of the Year (“How Can It Be”),and won the 2015 K-LOVE Fan Award for “Worship Song of the Year.” Her debut album reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Gospel Top Albums Chart with more than 270,000 album sales and 730,000 track s