AIMP: Nashville Pubcast

01:00 – How did working with Jimmy Bowen shape Scott's early studio approach?08:32 – What was it like producing Gwen Stefani's latest album?12:39 – What are the biggest changes Scott has seen in the music industry over the years?17:22 – What qualities does Scott look for before committing to an artist? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

02:23 – What made Scott Hendricks want to get into the music business?13:35 – What makes a great producer? Is it ears, feel, or technical skill?17:39 – Why is it important for new producers to try—even if they feel unprepared?19:13 – What does it take to lead professional musicians effectively in the studio? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

01:05 – Dale's early days in West Virginia and how he discovered country music03:24 – Moving to Nashville and landing his first job in the industry05:02 – Creating a role by digging into classic song catalogs08:26 – Early success with George Strait and others09:09 – What makes a great record executive and song plugger11:19 – How face-to-face relationships built Music Row's foundation14:20 – Reinventing yourself through industry changes15:54 – Dale's best advice: consistency, passion, and remembering your mentors The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

01:08 – Katie's journey from small-town violinist to SVP at BMG03:46 – How her experience as an artist shapes her A&R approach05:22 – What A&R really looks like day-to-day—bridging the artist and the label08:36 – How Katie helps an artist build a project from scratch11:16 – What draws her to an artist and how she discovers new talent15:04 – The “secret sauce” behind BMG's current artist success stories18:10 – How Jelly Roll's team pulled off a massive Bridgestone Arena play in under a year20:15 – Final advice: Never forget the people who lift you up The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

Introduction to Kelly Bolton, VP of A&R at Warner RecordsTim kicks off by introducing Kelly and asking her to share her journey to Warner Records.Kelly's Start in the Music IndustryKelly discusses her internship at TKO Management, working with Toby Keith, and how she found her passion for A&R.Advice from Cliff Audretch on Publishing and A&RKelly explains the advice she received from Cliff Audretch, encouraging her to start in publishing to better understand the A&R process.Key Skills for A&R ProfessionalsTim asks Kelly to reflect on the key skills she developed during her time in publishing and how they shaped her A&R career.The Importance of Songwriters in NashvilleKelly discusses how songwriters are the heart of Nashville's music scene and how learning from them has been crucial in her development as an A&R.Confident and Teachable: A Key Balance for CreativesThe conversation turns to the qualities necessary for creatives and executives in the music industry, and Kelly shares her views on confidence vs. teachability.The Changing Role of A&R and the Influence of Coastal LabelsTim and Kelly dive into the shift of power toward LA and New York-based labels and how the Nashville sound is expanding.What Kelly Looks for in ArtistsKelly outlines what she looks for when scouting new talent—strong songwriting, authenticity, work ethic, and belief in oneself.Artist Development and Fan InvolvementThe discussion covers the long road of artist development and how fans are more involved than ever in shaping an artist's journey.The Future of A&R and Creativity in the IndustryKelly reflects on the changing dynamics of the music industry, the importance of shaking things up, and staying true to creative instincts.  The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

Tim emphasizes the need for artists and industry professionals to prioritize self-care, highlighting resources like MusicCares, Music Health Alliance, and Porter's Call that provide support for creatives. He also reflects on the strength of the Nashville music community and the importance of giving back.MusicCares: https://www.musicares.org/Music Health Alliance: https://www.musichealthalliance.com/Porter's Call: https://www.porterscall.com/ The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

Karen Kosowski is a multi-genre writer and producer based in Nashville, TN, with roots in Winnipeg, Canada. Known for her expertise across pop, country, and rock, she combines formal music training with over 20 years of experience in songwriting, production, and engineering. Her versatility shines as she takes on roles as a writer, producer, and mixer, bringing a Swiss-army-knife approach to every project.0:50 - Were you an artist first or were you always a producer? Tell us your journey.3:12 - How did you get your technical prowess to where it's at?4:44 - As a producer, what draws you to an artist that you want to work with?8:31 - How do you recharge/keep yourself fresh as a writer and producer?10:57 - What are some of the current challenges you're facing?11:58 - What are some artists that you're currently working with?15:38 - As a producer, what is it like for you to lay the “sonic foundation” on a new song you're working on? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

0:50 - What are the first few things you discuss with a new songwriter when you decide to work with them?8:18 - Advances - what are the current ranges for new deals?17:42 - Surrounding yourself with the right people in order to grow The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

0:50 - What does a typical influencer campaign look like? How does it begin?3:35 - What are some basic things artists can do to build out their social media?7:38 - Eyes vs. Engagement: Is one more important than the other?14:10 - What are some key components of a successful campaign? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

1:02 - What is your daily routine generally like?5:08 - How do you deal with promoting a song that you're not necessarily in love with? Are you able to pitch something that you don't connect with at a deeper level?11:18 - Is the radio promotion space collaborative or is it mostly competition? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

0:40 - Give us a quick summary of the indie label landscape? What do they offer that may be different from the traditional models?04:28 - If I'm an independent artist, what do you as an indie label need/expect from me?07:21 - At what level of artist are you and your team looking for? Is there a metric?12:57 - Can you identify the key benefits of artists who choose indie models over some of the major models? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

0:50 - Discuss how the writing room and the process of rewriting songs has changed over the years and how do you approach it?6:17 - How do you find your role within a writing room? How do you deal with conflict?12:00 - What are some of the challenges you face within the writing room?16:49 - How have you been adjusting to this era where the standards of working with newer songwriters lessened? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

4:13 - What was your plan/strategy to build Position Music?7:00 - If I'm an artist, how can I get my foot in the door with sync?10:30 - What is it about the company that has made it so successful? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

4:36 - Explain the skillset that's needed to start in the sync business8:37 - Any advice on what a newcomer could do to be ahead of the game?16:20 - Music supervisors are generally looking for music that's “easily cleared,” can you explain what that means?18:36 - Talk to us about Version LLC and The Sync Room. How can people sign up? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

7:00 - What are the pillars of the Music Row Build?9:09 - What motivated you to take on this leadership role? The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production

Hey there Pubcast listeners! Say it ain't so, but this is the final episode of the season! Something that's become sort of a tradition around here is Tim closing out the season with some thoughts…and he surely didn't disappoint. With Artificial Intelligence looming over the music industry, Tim provides an interesting and encouraging perspective on the future of music-making. We'll see you next season! Happy Holidays!

0:44 - Hannah Babitt2:06 - Katie Fagan5:13 - Martha Earls6:11 - Patch Culbertson

0:44 - Hannah Babitt1:40 - Katie Jelen2:51 - Paul DiGiovanni4:42 - Ward Guenther

0:44 - Brandon Perdue2:02 - Hannah Babitt3:13 - Katie Jelen4:33 - Martha Earls5:17 - Rachel Guttmann

0:44 - Hannah Babitt1:52 - Katie Fagan2:43 - Katie Jelen3:40 - Patch Culbertson

2:45 - What makes a good song publisher in your eyes?8:11 - What are the key challenges in working such a personal-relationship business?12:53 - Do you have a vision for an employee that strictly fulfills their job title vs. one that goes above and beyond18:59 - Let's say you've “made it.” You want to start a company. Walk me through the steps…

2:46 - What was it like when you first got into town?4:52 - Do you have any advice for young & rising songwriters?7:04 - What was your experience as you put together your first major project?9:28 - How did you keep your “”true north” as you hear the opinions of others?13:55 - How was the transition to an independent artist?20:32 - You have also become a producer. Was this something that you imagined in your career?

2:19 - What inspired you to start MHA?4:32 - What does MHA do exactly for their clients?6:53 - How can the music industry help motivate its young employees to get health insurance?9:21 - What are some of the challenges that you commonly see creatives struggle with?13:53 - Can you share a success story?

1:12 - What led you to the transition from performing in pop to writing in country music?4:49 - What was it like for you studying the “Nashville system?”6:26 - How did you end up with working such a diverse list of artists, from Justin Moore to Jordan Davis?10:16 - What are some of the steps you took to be a successful producer?13:51 - Do you have a certain style/approach to your music production? How do you help bring an artist's vision to life?16:50 - How do you balance your production time with your songwriting?18:44 - What is some advice you'd give to newcomers looking to build community?

1:11 - How did you become interested in entertainment law and publishing?5:42 - What are the most basic points you walk through with an inexperienced writer?12:59 - Have you seen a lot of recoupment-based deals in town?15:40 - How do you approach explaining royalty rates to writers?

3:39 - What goes on in your daily routine as a manager? 8:03 - Can you share how you built out Kane Brown's career? 10:30 - How did you handle the challenges of getting Kane Brown  ready for performing live? 15:39 - What's a skill that's invaluable as a manager? 17:43 - How do you identify and pursue new opportunities for new artists? 20:50 - How do you build your team?

02:41 - What is your philosophy with A&R?04:55 - Do you feel the pressure when it comes to the increasing pace of A&R?07:14 - When you're looking for an artist, what do you use to find the right talent?08:43 - Describe the journey you had with HARDY putting together The Mockingbird & the Crow.11:16 - Let's talk about Morgan Wallen; how did you feel about putting out a 36-song album?21:20 - Do you think there will be a time when a country artist can become a megastar without a major label?

Chris joins Tim to discuss partnerships, communicating, and how to cultivate success: 1:39 - When did you jump on board with Combustion?3:04 - We've seen a significant change in music publishing, what made you guys decide to pivot to a more artist-development approach?6:04 - What was one of the first artists that was successful with this new business approach?09:14 - What was the challenge for you as you grew more into this A&R role?15:00 - What was it about Corey Kent that made you think he can make it as an artist?16:11 - What is some advice you'd give to any aspiring music publishers or artists?

1:20 - Tell us how you got to Nashville?5:24 - How did Whiskey Jam grow into what it is today?7:42 - When was the moment that you knew Whiskey Jam was going to be something special?10:41 - How did you handle the pivot from musician to promoter?13:07 - What were some challenges you faced growing Whiskey Jam and what did you learn from it?

3:24 - How do you have your writers immerse themselves in the scene? Especially if they are in a city that isn't necessarily catered to their writing style? 7:55 - Describe the evolution of the writing process for songwriters in this day and age 11:03 - Let's talk about the evolution of deal-structure for these songwriters 13:00 - How did you grow/manage your songwriting roster? 15:20 - You are the Founder of The Other Nashville Society (TONS). Can you talk about what this community is all about?

4:50 - What do you look for in a good sync songwriter?7:48 - What do you consider a hit in the sync world?11:35 - Are there some trends in sync licensing?14:08 - Have you seen changes in commercials/advertising that have affected music sync?16:36 - How should you prepare yourself if you wanted to start pitching for sync?

2:42 - The Music Modernization Act is approaching five years of existence. How is this legislation looking in retrospect?6:15 - AI: How do you see this playing out in relation to copyright?9:30 - Is there anything in the forefront of your agenda that we should be aware of/support?13:57 - Infringement Cases: Do you see anything that we can do on bogus claims?16:58 - What are some of the top things you'd suggest to young/aspiring music professionals so that they can help out in the causes you're involved in?

2:15 - What made you want to become an agent?3:45 - What exactly is your day-to-day?6:54 - What is some advice you'd give if I were to start a touring career?08:50 - What attracts you to an artist that makes you want to add them to your roster?10:44 - Where in my journey is it time to start looking for an agent?14:23 - Explain how the live world works18:53 - Who are you working with directly these days?

1:08 - How did you get to this point in your career?5:06 - How do you manage to find time to get into your creative space?6:47 - What is some advice you would share to aspiring A&R/music publishers?10:56 - What is it that you're looking for when you see an act?15:50 - What shifts have you seen? How have you pivoted?17:02 - What keeps you inspired?

Hannah joins Tim to discuss her journey and how she approaches the management of songwriters and producers:1:17 - How did you get your start into writer/producer management?5:04 - Did you ever consider publishing or was management something you always desired?06:00 - How would you define your role?7:48 - If I'm a writer, what are the things I should be paying attention to in order to get all of my income?12:40 - How involved are you with your client on the creative side of things?14:25 - How do you handle your client's emotional side?15:55 - What draws you personally to the talent you work with?20:35 - What is your drive/passion for this business?

01:05 - Are you self motivated?03:27 - Are you passionate about this?06:42 - Do you have a work ethic?10:06 - Do you have an open mind?14:03 - Are you teachable or coachable?16:06 - Are you a team player?19:21 - Are you willing to get out there and meet people?23:10 - Are you confident in yourself? Are you able to keep it in check? 

00:37 - Alex Heiche01:59 - Brad Kennard03:34 - Randall Foster05:31 - Travis Myatt07:29 - Walker Hayes

In this next mashup episode, Tim asks some of our previous guests what was the best advice that they had ever received.00:44 - Alex Heiche01:42 - Brad Kennard02:23 - Marc Rucker04:05 - Olly Shepard05:58 - Randall Foster06:58 - Shelby Yoder08:44 - Walker Hayes

00:50 - Alex Heiche01:52 - Brad Kennard04:32 - Marc Rucker06:15 - Marissa Turk07:03 - Alex Heddle08:35 - Olly Shepard10:22 - Shelby Yoder13:53 - Al Andrews

How do successful people in the industry handle this balancing act? In this first mash-up episode, Tim is joined by past guests this season to see how they handle this balance:00:27 - Brad Kennard's answer02:33 - Marissa Turk's answer04:01 - Mike Mollinar's answer06:05 - Shelby Yoder's answer

01:02 - What are you some things you see that have changed in the publishing business or things that could be done in a better way?02:48 - What was a challenge you saw as a general manager and how did you overcome it?04:04 - What are you looking for in a person that's going to be a part of your staff?08:08 - What are some of the stressors that have come along with being a general manager?10:50 - While you worked with Tim, was there anything you learned or found helpful as you became a general manager?15:40 - Do you notice any generational differences between how the role of general manager is carried out?

00:28 - Marissa discusses her job responsibilities01:48 - How do you start the process with a new artist?04:26 - How do you help artists engage in social media and find that authenticity?06:52 - Is there a platform that you think is preferred?08:59 - Do you have any suggestions on how to have fans engage cross-platform?11:12 - Is there such thing as too much content?13:02 - How do you work with your artists to pace themselves?

00:34 - What was the moment you wanted to pursue music as a career?04:59 - Walker discusses the importance of maintaining your confidence through think or thin09:30 - How did you find your voice as an artist?23:13 - As you look back at these tough times, how did you get through that stuff?

Arturo Buenahora is the current president of the publishing company Little Louder Music. A Nashville native, Arturo Buenahora Jr. has signed and developed artists such as Taylor Swift, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Brett Beavers, Deric Ruttan, Ryan Tyndell, and Stan Lynch. In 2013, Buenahora partnered with Eric Church to launch Little Louder Music.Arturo joins Tim to discuss his journey, how he met Dierks Bentley and Eric Church, as well as the future of Little Louder Music:01:20 - Arturo discusses the beginnings of his journey in the music business04:36 - Arturo shares how he was introduced to Dierks Bentley and how it almost cost him his job09:05 - Arturo recalls a story about Joe Gallante and Dierks Bentley. He may have been known to “stir the pot”13:04 - Arturo talks about discovering Eric Church and how their relationship grew15:33 - Arturo gets into Little Louder Music and the future of the company

00:28 - What are some of the important things that we typically need to look at in a “freshman” deal?03:04 - What's the standard term (length of time) for these types of deals?06:08 - What do you see the averages being for advances in deals?10:45 - At some point in every deal, there is an admin reversion. Most publishers ask for 8-10%, is that still the typical ask?12:52 - Have you seen more talks regarding full copyright reversions?15:33 - Legal Fees: Are they still integrated into advances?

Brad Kennard is the Sr. VP, A&R at Concord. Brad has over 25 years of experience in the music publishing industry, having worked at organizations such as Razor & Tie Music, Big Yellow Dog Music, Song Garden Music, Carnival Music and Curb Music PublishingBrad joins Tim to discuss his journey as a music publisher and shares his advice to newcomers in the industry.00:27 - Brad shares his background06:00 - What is it that you see in a writer that makes you want to sign them?09:58 - How do you recognize the potential in the people you choose to employ?14:10 - What advice would you give to somebody that may face a company transition?16:33 - What do you see for your future at Concord?

Al Andrews is the Founder and Executive Directive of Porter's Call, a refuge where artists can seek counsel and support that is specifically catered to their profession.Al started Porter's Call after noticing that most of his clients at his private practice were involved in the music business and that their careers weren't structured in a way that could work with typical therapy sessions (couldn't come in regularly, couldn't afford the hourly fee, etc.). Therefore, Al was able to create this non-profit organization which provides no cost therapy for artists.Al joins Tim to discuss mental health, specifically how it affects people in the music industry, and shares some sage advice on how to navigate life in general.00:41 - How did you come up with the name Porter's Call?02:40 - What lead you to start Porter's Call?06:49 - What are some of the consistent challenges you see from new artists?12:53 - What are some red flags that you see from people that are going through something? How do we as an observer give them the help they need without coming off aggressive?You can learn more about Porter's Call here: https://www.porterscall.com/  

1:51 - David discusses why he'd rather keep his accolades hidden when working with talent. 9:59 - David talks about working with Carrie Underwood 16:45 - David and Nate share some advice about being a successful writer/producer

00:28 - How was BMM formed?08:47 - Is there something that has separated you from the major and other indie labels out there?14:00 - As BMM has undergone some transitions over the years, how have you seen this become an advantage for BMM?

Before her role with Milk & Honey, Shelby Yoder was Director of Professional Membership and Events at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), where she was involved with the production of the NSAI/CMT Song Contest, Tin Pan South songwriters' festival and the annual NSAI Awards with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.Shelby joins Tim to discuss her journey, how Milk & Honey helps their clients and any advice that she may have for a young aspiring writer: 00:28 - “Give us a brief background of yourself.”02:00 - “Were you immediately attracted to publishing?”03:49 - “Tell us about Milk & Honey and what your role is within the company.”06:35 - “Managing vs. Publishing: How do you differentiate the two and can you explain some of the differences for each of those roles?”10:52 - “How do you Shelby separate managing and publishing? How do you keep those two things separate and how do you stay inspired for each role?13:03 - If I'm a young writer in town, what's any advice you can give them on how they prepare themselves to get to someone like you?”

Alex is a strong and outspoken music advocate, supporting the growth of songwriters, producers and artists, as well as highlighting the importance of musicians being compensated for their work while retaining their music rights and royalties. Alex possesses decades of experience in providing funds and finance raising strategies to music creatives, large annuity recipients, and professional athletes. He has worked with leading music industry professionals, including GRAMMY-Award winners, platinum recording artists and notable music industry executives in every genre, always with the utmost discretion and privacy.A respected thought leader in the music business, Alex has shared his knowledge and insights at many industry events with organizations including the Recording Academy, BESLA, Sync Summit, the Los Angeles Digital Content Marketplace, as well as with music students at universities including Vanderbilt and Belmont. Additionally, Alex's expert opinions have been featured in top publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Music Business Worldwide, The Tennessean, Music Connection and Digital Music News.Alex joins Tim to discuss the creation of Sound Royalties, as well as share advice on catalogue sales and the other financial streams of income for creatives:02:32 - “What led you to start Sound Royalties?”05:35 - “When you give the money, do you consider it a loan? An advance?” 06:57 - “What royalty streams are you involved in?10:15 - “What's your advice for somebody that's contemplating a catalogue sale?”15:05 - How can we support the creative community regarding their multiple financial streams of income?Website: https://bit.ly/3xZtsh4IG: Sound Royalties