The Working Songwriter
Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters. The podcast is part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network. Over 300 catalog episodes are available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault.
Episodes
Classic Episode - Robert Finley
This episode was originally published on March 5th, 2021.The renowned troubadour from Louisiana found his commercial success in music later in life; he reflects on the journey that brought him to that peak.Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods
Novelist, Stephen Markley
This week on The Working Songwriter, we're thrilled to step out of our normal comfort zone by welcoming one of the country's most acclaimed young novelists. Originally from Mount Vernon, Ohio, author Stephen Markley now makes his home in Los Angeles. He attended Miami University (of Ohio) for his undergraduate degree before being accepted into the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop. Simon &
Classic Episode - Dashboard Confessional
This episode originally aired on June 25th, 2021.Chris Carrabba, the auteur behind this legendary emo band, discusses the twists and turns of a career that has included Gold records, MTV music awards, and truly devoted fanbase.
Dale Watson
Our guest this week was born in Birmingham, Alabama, but, just like Davey Crockett, got to Texas as soon as he could. Dale Watson began his musical career playing the clubs of Houston before decamping to Austin and becoming a fixture in the live music capital of the world. The music machine in Nashville never fully embraced Watson’s traditionalist combination of Western swing, rockabilly, and coun
Classic Episode - Marcus King
This Greenville, South Carolina native is a Grammy-nominated troubadour known for his tireless touring schedule. Originally aired on December 18th, 2020.
Joe Pernice
Our guest on the Working Songwriter this week hails originally from Boston, Massachusetts and now makes his home in Toronto. Joe Pernice got his musical start, though, in Northampton, MA. At the time, it was a hot bed of indie music creativity. His band the Scud Mountain Boys built a loyal following in the 1990s with a string of critically acclaimed releases. He’s recorded for Sub Pop, One Little
Classic Episode - Joan Osborne
This episode was originally aired on September 18th, 2020.The celebrated singer and songwriter describes her initial ascent to the top of the charts with her debut album and how she has been able to string together many interesting chapters of her career.
Eddie Schwartz
Our 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
Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
The 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.
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Our 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 Awar
Classic Episode - John Craigie
This 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.
Charles Kelley of Lady A
Our 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
Classic Episode - Courtney Marie Andrews
This 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.
Ricky Montgomery
Our 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.Mont
Classic Episode: Lee Ann Womack
This 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.
Fruition
Our 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 ico
Classic Episode: Lydia Loveless
This 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.
Jason Boland
Our guest today on the Working Songwriter hails from Oklahoma and is a foundational contributor to the uniquely American genre of Red Dirt music. Jason Boland released his first album, 'Pearl Snaps,' in 1998 and has been on the road ever since. Nightclub by nightclub, fan by fan, he's built a devoted national audience. He's toured with Turnpike Troubadours, Cross Canadian Ragweed,
Classic Episode: Heartless Bastards
This episode originally aired on April 28th, 2017. Erika Wennerstrom, the creative force behind Heartless Bastards, discusses growing up in Dayton Ohio, signing to Fat Possum Records, and her techniques for bringing a song to life.
Yung Lan
Our guest this week on the Working Songwriter originally hails from Virginia, but made his bones in the bustling hip-hop scene of Atlanta. Yung Lan began producing tracks on his laptop as a novice with no ties to the formal music business. Signing a modest publishing deal got him in the room with some hip hop luminaries, and he seized the opportunity. His first success came when one of his songs m
Classic Episode: Elizabeth Cook
This episode originally aired November 29, 2019. This native of Wildwood Florida is known for her critically acclaimed albums, her XM radio show, and her frequent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. She breaks down the early years of her career and persevering through difficult times to make art.
Ray Fulcher
Our guest this week hails from Harlem, Georgia. Ray Fulcher is one of Nashville's most sought-after modern country songwriters. He first broke through co-writing a string of chart-topping hits for Luke Combs – including the multi-platinum "When It Rains It Pours" – before stepping into the spotlight with his own recordings on his 2022 debut album, 'Spray Painted Line.' Fulcher
Classic Episode: John Moreland
This episode originally aired on August 31, 2018. The Tulsa troubadour describes his transition from hardcore music to folk, how to put on a compelling live show solo, and staying inspired even when the creative process is painful.
Hayes Carll returns again
Our guest this week on The Working Songwriter hails from The Woodlands, Texas. Hayes Carll is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose sharp wit and plainspoken poetry first broke through with his 2002 debut, 'Flowers & Liquor.' That was followed by 2008's 'Trouble in Mind,' which delivered the hit "She Left Me for Jesus" and cemented his place among the genre
Classic Episode: Nicole Atkins
This episode originally aired on September 27, 2019. The Nashville via New Jersey vocalist and songwriter discusses the turn of the century anti-folk scene in NYC, her major label debut being derailed by legendary producer Rick Rubin, and sobriety.
Evan Bartels
Our guest this week hails from Tobias, Nebraska, a town of about 100 people. Evan Bartels is a singer-songwriter who with his 2017 debut, 'The Devil, God & Me,' burst onto the national scene. More recently, Bartels has expanded his audience with the release of his EP, 'To Make You Cry,' recorded after relocating to Nashville and reflecting on a period of personal upheaval and r
Remembering Joe Ely
The Texas music icon passed away this week. Ten years ago he was the inaugural guest of this podcast. It was so gracious of him to sit down for a show that was just starting. He was always generous with his time and attention to younger artists. Another devastating loss for American music. This episode originally aired on February 26, 2016.
Dave Stewart
This legendary British songwriter and producer went multi-platinum with his band Eurythmics before embarking on a career that has included collaborations with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, and many others.
Remembering Todd Snider
The Bard of East Nashville passed away last week at the age of 59. We are re-airing his episode of the podcast which was originally published in March of 2020.
Tami Neilson
This singer songwriter grew up playing in a family band in Canada before moving to New Zealand and beginning a career of her own. She has since shared the stage with Willie Nelson and Emmy Lou Harris, and built an audience all over the globe.
Ron Pope
This songwriter rose to prominence with the viral success of his single, "A Drop in the Ocean", and has navigated a flourishing career for the past two decades.
The Swell Season
The musical partnership of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova has captivated worldwide audiences, even earning them an Academy Award in 2007 for the song "Falling Slowly".
Howard Jones
This English musician was one of the defining voices of synth-pop throughout the 1980s and has built a remarkable career as a songwriter spanning four decades.
Greta Morgan
This prolific songwriter has fronted projects such as The Hush Sound, Gold Motel, and Springtime Carnivore. She has just written a memoir entitled "The Lost Voice" published by Harper Collins, that explores her struggle after losing her singing voice to a health condition.
Dillon Warnek
Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records. He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.
Dillon Warnek
Originally hailing from the Pacific Northwest, this promising young songwriter played as a sideman in many other bands before stepping into the spotlight with his own records. He's toured with Courtney Marie Andrews, Erin Rae, and many others.
Mayday Parade
Derek Sanders is the creative force behind this highly influential emo band that has been blazing a trail in American music for the last two decades.
Carlie Hansen
This up and coming songwriter has toured with Troye Sivan and Yungblud, along with recording for Warner Brothers and Fearless Records.
Murder by Death
Adam Turla is the creative force behind this beloved band from Bloomington, IN who have been touring their distinctive blend of gothic Americana for over two decades.
Tim Kasher
This songwriter has been at the vanguard of indie rock for three decades, best known for his projects Cursive and The Good Life.
Jerry Douglas
This Grammy award winning instrumentalist is considered the contemporary master of the dobro. He's played with everyone from Ray Charles to Billy Strings over the course of his decades long career.
Phillip Lammonds
This journeyman songwriter has written for Hoottie & the Blowfish, Lee Brice, Josh Turner, Craig Morgan and many others. He has stepped into the spotlight with an album of his own entitled "Cowboy Things".
Magic Nothing
Zack Fischmann is a musician who makes outsider folk music under the name Marmalade Mountain, but he has also built a music marketing consulting company that is supremely useful to independent artists.
Leslie Mendelson
This Grammy nominated singer-songwriter has worked with luminaries such as Jackson Browne, The Who and The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, all the while maintaining her fruitful solo career.
Charlie Peacock
This Grammy award winning producer, songwriter, and author joins the show to discuss his lengthy career that has included collaborations with The Civil Wars, Chris Cornell, and the Lone Bellow.
Peter Holsapple
This artist has spent a lifetime helming influential bands like The dB's and contributing to major bands such as REM.
Announcing The Working Songwriter Forum!
A weekend of intensive songwriting workshops, podcasts, and concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL May 23-25, 2025. Tickets available now. Visit joepugmusic.com/tour for more details!
Mondo Cozmo
Josh Ostrander is the creative force behind this beloved indie rock band. They've toured with Spoon, Muse, and Vance Joy. And their tunes have racked up tens of millions of downloads on Spotify.
Adam Doleac
This native of Mississippi has written for Darius Rucker and Kane Brown, and toured with Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion and many others. His songs have amassed nearly 300 million streams on Spotify and his latest single features country heavyweight Thomas Rhett.
Steve Louw
This award winning South African songwriter has crafted an indelible career over decades with his bands All Night Radio and Big Sky, along with his acclaimed solo work.
My Brightest Diamond
Shara Nova is the creative force behind this hugely influential indie pop solo project. She as worked with Sufjan Stevens, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson.
Stephen Kellogg
This journeyman roots music artist has toured with Steve Earle, Adam Duritz and many others. He's recorded for Universal Music and Vanguard Records. And he's become one of the torch bearers for American songwriting over the last 25 years.
Fruition
This group from Portland, Oregon tours the country with a novel blend of American roots music that features show-stopping vocal harmonies.
Chuck Prophet
This legendary songwriter has toured with Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo, and collaborated with Warren Zevon.
Mindy Smith
This celebrated songwriter stops by the show to discuss her years touring with Dolly Parton, singing with Kenny Chesney, and releasing albums that were mainstays on country radio.
Fastball
One of the founders of this legendary Austin band, Miles Zuniga, stops by the show to talk about their chart-topping hit songs, and the musical legacy that continues with their new album "Sonic Ranch".
Silverada
Mike Harmeier is the leader of this beloved Texas country music band that's been traveling the country and releasing records for nearly 18 years. They've appeared at ACL, Stagecoach, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate
The founder of this profoundly influential group talks about their early days in Los Angeles, touring with REM and U2, and his recently published memoir.
Twanguero
Diego Garcia is the guitar virtuoso and creative force behind this project that has toured the world, garnering acclaim and awards.
Michelle Malone
This artist is on the third decade of a career that his included collaborations with Indigo Girls, John Mayer, Gregg Allman, KT Tunstall, and many others.
Kishi Bashi
This songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has toured with Regina Spektor, of Montreal, and many others. He's recorded for Joyful Noise records and has built a largely grassroots following all over the globe.
Medium Build
Nicholas Carpenter is the creative force behind this band that hails from Alaska, which has toured with FINNEAS and Tyler Chiders, and recorded for Island Records.
Iain Matthews
This troubadour was a founding member of the legendary British folk group, Fairport Convention, and has gone on to have solo recording career that has spanned six decades.
Andrea Von Kampen
This songwriter from Nebraska has toured with Ron Pope and Tallest Man on Earth, in addition to recording for Fantasy Records.
Yarn
Blake Christiana is the creative force behind this relentlessly touring band that has shared the stage with Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, and Allison Krauss.
"Crescent Bridge" - Live at the Old Town School of Folk Music
Listen to the first single from my forthcoming album "Joe Pug - Live at the Old Town School of Folk Music". Thanks for supporting the podcast and my tunes as well!
Sadler Vaden
During a career that has featured stints with Drivn' and Cryin' and Jason Isbell's 400 Unit, this guitar hero has lately been spreading his wings with a critically acclaimed solo project.
Ben Sollee
This native of Kentucky is an accomplished songwriter, cellist, and film scorer who has collaborated with Abigail Washburn, Bela Fleck and Jim James of My Morning Jacket.
Kim Richey
This native of Ohio has carved out a 30 year career in Nashville with songs cut by Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Radney Foster. And her sought-after voice has appeared on albums by Jason Isbell and Ryan Adams.
The Red Pears
This young rock group out of Los Angeles has played Coachella twice and toured with Interpol, Chicano Batman, and many others.
Annie Bosko
This native Californian moved to Nashville and went on to write songs recorded by Willie Nelson and Jessica Simpson. She's collaborated with Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, and many more.
Cody Dickinson
This drummer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker got his start by founding the North Mississippi All Stars with his brother Luther. He has since gone onto a career that has encompassed Grammies, supergroups, and film scores.
Blitzen Trapper
Eric Earley is the songwriter behind this PNW roots music mainstay that has toured with Pavement, Drive By Truckers, Dawes and many others.
Blind Pilot
Israel Nebecker is the the creative force behind this influential acoustic band from Astoria, OR. He stops by the show to discuss living in a tree house in their early years, recording with Tucker Martine, and finding inspiration after a significant hiatus between albums.
Bonnie Light Horseman returns!
The folk supergroup composed of Anais Mitchell (Hadestown), Eric D. Johnson (Fruit Bats), and Josh Kauffman (Josh Ritter, Bob Weir), returns to the show to discuss their latest album which was recorded in a century-old pub in Cork County Ireland.
Ashe
This Berklee College of Music grad discusses her years writing songs for other artists such as Demi Lovato, and her meteoric rise as an artist in her own right over the last five years.
Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon
This luminary of American roots music discusses his years on the road with Leftover Salmon, Great American Taxi, and The High Hawks.
Steve Cropper
This legendary musician and songwriter was integral to the Staxx Records sound, and has writing credits on "Green Onions" and "Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay".
Mat Kearney
This Oregon native has toured with John Mayer, Sheryl Crowe and Train. He's also recorded for Columbia and Universal Republic records over the course of his remarkable career over two decades.
Guster
This legendary band from New England has toured with everyone from Phish to John Mayer to Dave Matthews Band. They've experience underground success and Gold singles. Their creative leader Ryan Miller stops by the show to discuss their long journey in music.
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