Ben Hayslip and me

Ben Hayslip found his way from Evans, Georgia to the top of the country music charts. And, we were lucky enough to hear his story at the most recent Nashville Berklee Jam at The Rutledge in…Read more

Amber Hayes and some of her newest fans!
"Hey you get down the fiddle and you get down the bow, Kick off your shoes and throw em on the floor,
Dance in the kitchen till morning light,…Read more

If you're in Nashville, chances are you've heard of Judy Rodman. Not only is she a top vocal coach, she's a hit songwriter, in-demand vocal session producer and avid artist with her most recent band 6Play.

Here’s a blast from the past…a story I did on Jason Mraz and his album “Mr. A-Z”, back in 2005.  Hope you enjoy it!

Jason Mraz: “I’m Back”
By Shantell Ogden (originally appeared in the Boston Herald and…Read more

Merrill Jenson
Merrill Jenson has been called the “John Williams” of Utah, but this sought-after composer is humble about his credentials, and candid about what makes him tick.

“I grew up in Richfield, Utah and there was…Read more

Dallas Davidson Playing His Hits at The Rutledge
This week hit songwriter Dallas Davidson gave a master class on songwriting at the Nashville Berklee Jam. And I just wasn’t gonna miss the chance to learn from someone…Read more

 

Jan and I backstage at the Grand Ole Opry
 

Nashville didn’t see Jan Buckingham coming…

Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Jan discovered her knack for writing when she wrote her first song, titled “Oh Sad Little Blue Bird”…

Read more

  Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing music supervisor Wendy Levy for Berklee College of Music's alumni blog. The following is a re-posting of the blog on Berklee Blogs.

  LAB: The Career That Found Me
Wendy… Read more

 

Hit Songwriter Tim Nichols and Me

 

In the spring of 2005, I visited Nashville during spring break as a student with Berklee College of Music. There were incredible workshops each day from the best artists, producers, labels, musicians and songwriters…

Read more

Rhett Akins Sharing his Wisdom
After twenty years in the music industry in Nashville, there isn’t much that Rhett Akins hasn’t seen. He stopped by our recent Berklee College of Music alumni event (hosted by Eric Normand) to… Read more

 

Hit Songwriter and Producer Michael Jay
in his studio in LA

If you’re in the pop, R&B and dance music world, chances are you know Michael Jay.  After all, the LA-based producer/songwriter has penned some well-loved hits for…

Read more

 
LA Women in Music Coordinator Phoebe Carter, host Harriet Schock and me at the
LAWiM Show at M Bar in Hollywood.

Now that was a trip!!! Here’s a brief look at what “went down” in… Read more

You’ve probably heard of Tuesdays with Morrie, but if you’re a songwriter in Nashville, you’ve probably attended one of Doak Turner’s “3rd Sundays at 3:00” potluck jam sessions.


Doak and me
Doak has been hosting the event…Read more

Billy Dean and Me
  There’s nothing like the 4th of July in my hometown of Richfield, Utah. Everybody comes out for the parade and gathers at the park just off Main Street for food, music and games.…Read more

 
Josh and Ricky Skaggs
When I was having a bite backstage at the Opry recently, I struck up a conversation with a guy about Allison Krauss and how shy she is over a piece of mandolin cake… Read more

Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss up close at the Opry
  Recently, Ricky Skaggs celebrated 30 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. I happened to be backstage that night (an experience that just makes…Read more

Grammy-winning Tom Hambridge and Me
Every once in awhile I have a reaction of 'that's just so cool' and that's exactly how I felt when I heard Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes at a recent house concert…Read more

 

Deric and me at The Listening Room in Nashville
 

One day about three years ago, I was sitting on my couch watching TV when I came across a 'Words and Music' interview Harry Chapman was doing with Canadian artist and…

Read more

Gary Nicholson and Me
Gary Nicholson has really done it all- and done it all well- in the music industry. He's a stellar player, writer and producer who has crossed genres with ease. And, if that's not…Read more

Beth Nielsen Chapman and me 
  When Beth Nielsen Chapman talks about creativity and 'flow', you can't stop yourself from opening up and letting her wisdom pour in. Today I had the rare opportunity to attend what I… Read more

Rich Fagan and Me at the Commodore
  From "Be My Baby Tonight" (a number one hit for John Michael Montgomery), "Overnight Male" (recorded by George Strait) and "Only On Days that End in Y" (number five hit…Read more

 
Anneke Scott, Dan Truman and Me
Thanks to friend Dan Truman of the country band Diamond Rio, I had the incredible opportunity to be backstage at the Grand Ole Opry- the home and heartbeat… Read more

 
  Everybody who comes to Nashville has one thing in common...we all have a dream of making it somewhere. But, as hall-of-fame songwriter Roger Murrah explained to me, "The dream only gets you so far, then the work begins." He… Read more

Nashville has made me a better songwriter.

 

Great songs and songwriters are everywhere and this town is good for me creatively. More than that, though, I came here to work at it and to learn from the…

Read more

Last Saturday at the Flea Market, I turned the corner and saw Jesse Goldberg (with me above) at one of the booths. He looked familiar and I was sure he was a songwriter I had met somewhere in…Read more