Podcast
The Working Songwriter
Hosted by Joe Pug · EN
Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters.
The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault. Visit joepugmusic.com/vault
33episodes
Episodes
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Eddie Schwartz
1w ago00:57:46Tap to summarizeOur guest this week on the Working Songwriter hails from Canada and has spent over four decades writing hit songs. Eddie Schwartz got his start as a solo artist, but has found great success writing for and with other artists. His song "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was recorded by Pat Benatar and became a certified platinum crossover hit. He went on to pen songs for Donna Summer, the Doobie Brothers, the Pointer Sisters, and many others. As a former president of the Songwriters Association of Canada and North American and a president of the International Council of Music Creators, Schwartz has been a tireless advocate for songwriters. He's received multiple BMI, SOCAN, and JUNO Awards. In 2012, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. I got a chance to catch up with Mr. Schwartz a few months ago to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
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Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
2w ago01:00:38Tap to summarizeThe Kansas City bred songwriter tells the story of his journey toward his distinctive brand of indie rock.This episode originally aired on October 9, 2020.
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Mary Chapin Carpenter
3w ago00:39:50Tap to summarizeOur guest this week on the Working Songwriter hails from my neck of the woods, Washington, D.C. Mary Chapin Carpenter got her start in the proto-Americana music scene of 1970s and '80s D.C. She broke out of that local circuit with her signing to Columbia Records; her debut album went quadruple platinum.She’s toured with Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, and Rosanne Cash, she’s won five GRAMMY Awards, two CMA Awards, and two Academy of Country Music Awards. Her song, “Shut Up and Kiss Me,” went to the top of the country radio charts. Chapin Carpenter has appeared on the Late Night with David Letterman and Rolling Stone calls her "one of the most grounded, sentient songwriters of her generation." NPR has said that she’s “a singular voice in country and folk” and the New York Times praises her “intelligent, literate songwriting with emotional depth.”Simply put, she’s an all-timer. I got a chance to catch up with her earlier this year and hear about her musical journey so far.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
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Classic Episode - John Craigie
4w ago00:54:17Tap to summarizeThis episode was originally aired on August 14th, 2020.This troubadour based in Portland OR has carved out a national audience for his heartfelt, wry folk songs. He speaks about crafting his shows, keeping them fresh night to night, and recording albums in an unconventional way.
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Charles Kelley of Lady A
Apr 1700:37:42Tap to summarizeOur guest on the Working Songwriter this week hails from Augusta, Georgia, but has made his professional bones in Music City, USA. Charles Kelley was one of the founding members of Lady Antebellum – now known as Lady A – and is one of the group’s principal songwriters. Their crossover hit, “Need You Now,” became one of the defining songs of the 2010s.Lady A have sold over 18 million albums, won 7 GRAMMY awards, and their songs have been streamed over 5 billion times. Along the way Charles has also released a pair of solo albums, including last year’s Songs for a New Moon. He’s recorded for Capitol Records Nashville and Big Machine and he’s toured with Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and many others. He’s also appeared on The Tonight Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.Rolling Stone has said that Lady A’s “vocal harmonies helped redefine country radio in the 2010s” and Billboard calls them “one of Nashville’s most successful songwriting teams.” I got a chance to catch up with Charles a few months ago to hear about his musical journey so far.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
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Classic Episode - Courtney Marie Andrews
Apr 1001:01:13Tap to summarizeThis episode originally aired on November 30th, 2018.The acclaimed songwriter from Phoenix talks about touring as a backup musician, producing her own breakout album, and her love of the road.
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Ricky Montgomery
Apr 300:46:38Tap to summarizeOur guest this week on the Working Songwriter resides in Los Angeles, but spent many of his formative years in St. Louis, Missouri. Ricky Montgomery first built an audience on Vine in his early twenties before releasing his self-titled debut album in 2016. That bedroom pop album was a cult favorite until 2020, when several of its songs exploded on TikTok, leading to a deal with Warner Records.Montgomery's singles, “Line Without a Hook” and “Mr. Loverman,” are RIAA-certified platinum and, all told, his catalog has collected more than a billion streams worldwide. That grassroots support has led to headlining tours with stops at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, Iriving Plaza in New York City, and the Pageant in St. Louis, to name just a few.This interview was recorded nearly 18 months ago and has been delayed due to a snafu on my end, but I’m so glad we get to hear it now. I think you’ll very much enjoy hearing about Ricky’s musical journey through his own words. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
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Classic Episode: Lee Ann Womack
Mar 2700:31:55Tap to summarizeThis episode was originally aired on June 29th, 2018 One of Nashville's favorite daughters, by way of Jacksonville Texas, discusses arriving for writing appointments with children in tow, finding song inspiration in everyday conversation, and dealing with the success of an international crossover hit.
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Fruition
Mar 2000:54:24Tap to summarizeOur guests this week got their start busking on the streets of Portland, Oregon, but it wasn't long before their popularity pulled them onto the open road. Jay Cobb Anderson and Kellen Asebroek are pivotal and founding members of roots music band Fruition. They have toured with Greensky Bluegrass, the Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, and many others and have appeared at iconic festivals such as Telluride Bluegrass Festival, WinterWonderGrass, and the Northwest String Summit. Fruition's 2018 release, 'Watching It All Fall Apart,' debuted at #3 on the 'Billboard' Bluegrass Albums Chart. 'Billboard' said, "Fruition have matured into one of America's most compelling roots acts" while 'Rolling Stone Country' noted that, "The trio's harmonies are as tight as anything coming out of Nashville." 'No Depression' declared that they're "a band whose chemistry feels lived-in and wholly authentic." I got a chance to catch up with them a while back to hear about their musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
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Classic Episode: Lydia Loveless
Mar 1300:54:02Tap to summarizeThis episode originally aired on December 29th, 2017. The Ohio native discusses her passion for classic country, capturing the vitality of live performance on a record, and her habit of constantly collecting material for writing.
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