This week on Songwriter Connection, I’m honored to sit down with country music singer, songwriter, and storyteller Ty Herndon for a very special conversation. Ty opens up about his remarkable journey in music and shares stories from his powerful memoir, What Mattered Most. We talk about the highs and lows of his career, the challenges he’s faced, the lessons he’s learned, and the people and moments that have shaped his life and music. And, of course, we spend plenty of time with the songs. Around the dining room table, Ty shares the stories behind some of his greatest songs while his longtime guitar player, Erik Halbig, brings the music to life. Erik is no stranger to Songwriter Connection — he’s a past guest of the podcast — making this reunion around the table even more special. This is an intimate and honest conversation about music, life, resilience, and discovering what truly mattered most. Pull up a chair and join us for this special episode of Songwriter Connection with Ty Herndon, featuring Erik Halbig.

Award-winning country singer and songwriter Trey Calloway joins us around the dining room table for a conversation filled with great stories, hard-earned lessons, and plenty of music. Trey has built a respected career on the road and in the songwriting world, earning a loyal fan base with his authentic country sound and heartfelt lyrics. In this episode of Songwriter Connection, Trey talks about the journey from small-town beginnings to the Nashville music scene, the inspiration behind his songs, and what it takes to stay true to yourself in today’s country music industry. He also shares the stories behind some of his favorite songs and performs them live in the intimate setting that makes this podcast so special. If you love real country music, honest songwriting, and hearing the creative process straight from the artist, you’ll want to pull up a chair for this one.

This week on Songwriter Connection, we’re joined by Nashville hit songwriter and artist CJ Solar, whose impressive career includes some of the biggest songs and milestones in country music. CJ co-wrote “Up Down,” recorded by Morgan Wallen and Florida Georgia Line, which became Morgan Wallen’s first No. 1 hit. His songs have also been cut by artists including Jason Aldean, Jameson Rodgers, Jarrod Niemann, Justin Moore, and many others, including a No. 1 with Jameson Rodgers. CJ’s talent and impact have earned him recognition well beyond the songwriting room. Rolling Stone named him a “New Artist You Need to Know,” while Stone Country and MusicRow Magazine have recognized him as Independent Artist of the Year. In this episode, CJ takes us behind the songs and shares the stories, experiences, relationships, and lessons that have shaped his journey as both a songwriter and artist. We talk about writing hits, finding your voice, navigating Nashville, and what it takes to build a lasting career in country music. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation about the connection between the songwriter, the song, and the listener.

This week on Songwriter Connection, we're excited to welcome Nashville singer-songwriter Scott Clay to the show. Originally from Washington State, Scott shares the story of taking the leap to Music City, chasing his songwriting dreams, and building a career in one of the most competitive music towns in the world. We talk about the inspiration behind his songs, the lessons he's learned along the way, and what keeps him motivated to create authentic country music. Scott also gives listeners an exclusive look at his brand-new single, "Colorado," sharing the story behind the song before performing live around the dining room table. From heartfelt conversation to incredible live performances, this episode is packed with great music and the stories that make the songs come alive.

This week on Songwriter Connection, rising Nashville artist Gracie Calvaneso pulls up a chair at the dining room table, joined by her songwriting team, Scott Barrier and Shannyn Bessoni. Together, they share the stories behind their creative partnership, the songwriting process that brings their ideas to life, and the collaboration it takes to craft songs that connect with listeners. You'll hear discussions about inspiration, co-writing, and the unique chemistry that makes a great songwriting team. Of course, it wouldn't be Songwriter Connection without music. Gracie, Scott, and Shannyn perform several songs live around the dining room table, giving listeners an intimate look at the songs and the stories behind them. If you love great songwriting, creative collaboration, and discovering talented artists on the rise, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Songwriter Connection, I'm joined by Nashville songwriter and guitarist Erik Halbig for a conversation filled with incredible stories, outstanding musicianship, and a lifetime of experiences in Music City. Erik has shared the stage and studio with some of the biggest names in country music, building a career as one of Nashville's most respected musicians and songwriters. In this episode, we talk about his journey, the lessons he's learned along the way, and what it takes to build a lasting career in the music business. Of course, it wouldn't be Songwriter Connection without the songs. Erik performs several of his original songs, sharing the inspiration and stories behind the music that have shaped his remarkable career. Whether you're a songwriter, musician, or simply love hearing the stories behind great songs, you won't want to miss this episode with Erik Halbig.

This week on Songwriter Connection, I'm joined by singer-songwriter and The Voice Season 17 winner Jake Hoot. Jake's powerful voice and heartfelt songwriting have earned him a loyal fanbase and opened doors across the country music world. We talk about his journey from small-town beginnings to national television, what life has been like since winning The Voice, and the stories behind some of the songs that have connected so deeply with audiences. Jake also shares insights into his songwriting process, the challenges of navigating the music industry, and what's next on his musical horizon. Of course, no episode of Songwriter Connection would be complete without music, as Jake performs a few songs live around the dining room table. Whether you're a songwriter, a music fan, or simply love hearing the stories behind great songs, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Songwriter Connection, award-winning songwriter Marc-Alan Barnette joins us around the dining room table for a conversation packed with practical advice for aspiring songwriters and performers. Marc-Alan shares valuable tips for songwriters making the move to Nashville, what it really takes to stand out in songwriter rounds, and how to become a more engaging and confident performer. From stage presence to connecting with an audience, his insights come from years of experience in Music City. Of course, it wouldn't be Songwriter Connection without the music. Marc-Alan also shares a few songs in the intimate dining room table setting that listeners have come to love. Whether you're a seasoned songwriter, just getting started, or simply a fan of great stories and great songs, this episode is filled with inspiration, wisdom, and music you won't want to miss. Stream

This week on Songwriter Connection, we're joined by country music hitmaker Michael Peterson. From chart-topping success and standing ovations at the Grand Ole Opry to overcoming personal and professional challenges along the way, Michael's journey is one of perseverance, faith, and determination. We'll talk about the road that took him from the Pacific Northwest to Nashville, the obstacles he faced while building his career, and what he's been up to these days from his home in Las Vegas. We also discuss his albums, which are now available for streaming everywhere thanks to StarVista Records, giving both longtime fans and new listeners the opportunity to rediscover his music. It's an inspiring conversation about music, life, resilience, and the power of never giving up on your dreams. Don't miss this special episode of Songwriter Connection.

This week on Songwriter Connection, Dave welcomes Charlie Mangus of the Okie Music Collective for a conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing songwriters today: getting great songs heard by the people who can make a difference. With thousands of songs being written every day, only a small percentage ever reach the decision-makers in the music industry. Charlie shares how the Okie Music Collective is working to change that by creating opportunities for songwriters to connect, collaborate, and get their music in front of the right ears. Dave and Charlie discuss the current state of the songwriting business, the obstacles independent writers face, and why building relationships and community has never been more important. They also explore how technology, networking, and organizations like the Okie Music Collective are helping talented writers break through the noise. You'll hear a couple of demos featured on the Okie Music Collective website and learn more about the mission behind this growing movement to help songwriters find new opportunities for their songs. If you've ever wondered what happens after a song is written—or how writers can improve their chances of getting their songs heard—this is an episode you won't want to miss.