Music Business Radio

In the Studio... Jason Reeves

Jason Reeves was in the Music Business Radio studios today. As a writer, he's a three-time ASCAP Pop Award winner, he had the #1 most synced song for Sony ATV in 2009, and he's written songs with Colbie Caillat, Dave Stewart, Kara DioGuardi, Pat Monahan (Train), Ingrid Michaelson, and more.

He is signed to Warner Brothers Records.

We talked about his start in the music business, quitting college after only three days, being discovered on CD Baby, meeting Colbie Caillat, getting signed to Warner Brothers (via American Idol judge and hit songwriter Kara DioGuardi), and more. Jason brought in an alternative and never-before-heard version of a duet he did with Colbie Caillat, "Droplets", a worktape of his song "Sticks and Stones", and played songs live in the studio, including his hits "Helium Hearts" and "Wishing Weed".

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon. Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...

Episode #136 - Big Kenny

Here's a special episode with Big Kenny. This one has Dan hosting and was done at Big Kenny's house and recording studio.

Big Kenny and John Rich comprise the duo Big & Rich, which has recorded three studio albums for Warner Bros. Records and has charted ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. He is a solo artist and songwriter.

This episode talks about his house and recording studio, spiritual journeys, playing clubs, MuzikMafia, Nashville, mixing different genres of music, getting released from a record contract, getting paid, the power of music, the future of music, creativity, and more.

For those not on the podcast...

In the Studio... Steve Hodges

Steve Hodges was in the Music Business Radio studios today. Steve is Senior Vice President of Capitol Records / EMI Nashville.  He's worked with hundreds of artists including Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, and Trace Atkins.

This episode is all about breaking acts via radio.  We talked about how Steve started in radio (on the programming side), how he got his first major label job, the importance of research, songs that are "too hot" for radio, how the importance of radio affects songwriting, riding around in a car with Keith Urban, how Lady Antebellum broke, the secret behind Darius Rucker's life after Hootie and the Blowfish, and more.

This episode is currently being edited and will air soon.  Until then, get on the podcast and check out the notes below...

Episode #135 - Dave Stewart

Here's the episode with Dave Stewart. Acts he's been part of include Eurythmics, Traveling Wilburys, The Tourists, and Longdancer.  As a songwriter and producer, he's worked with dozens of acts including No Doubt, Imogen Heap, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Katy Perry, Aretha Franklin, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

His new album, The Blackbird Diaries, was recorded in just four days and includes 14 new songs, including a co-write with Bob Dylan and duets with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, and Colbie Caillat.

This episode talks his new album and has the stories behind the songs and how they were recorded.  We talk Dave's first record deal, working with Elton John's record label, touring the world with Annie Lennox, his songwriting process, how Traveling Wilburys was formed, artist development, and what it's like to work with iconic artists like Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.

For those not on the podcast...