The Working Songwriter
Music
About
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/sponsorBGSpodsOver 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault. Visit joepugmusic.com/vault
Episodes
- Eddie Schwartz
Eddie Schwartz, a Canadian songwriter with decades of experience, discusses his career. He has written hit songs for artists such as Pat Benatar and Donna Summer, and has been an advocate for songwriters, receiving multiple awards and the…
- Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
Kevin Morby, originally from Kansas City, recounts his development as a songwriter and his distinctive indie rock style. This episode first aired on October 9, 2020.
- Mary Chapin Carpenter
This episode of The Working Songwriter features an interview with Mary Chapin Carpenter, discussing her career beginnings in the D.C. music scene, her successful debut with Columbia Records, and her achievements including multiple awards a…
- Classic Episode - John Craigie
John Craigie, a Portland-based folk singer-songwriter, shares insights on creating his live performances and recording albums unconventionally. The episode originally aired on August 14th, 2020.
- Charles Kelley of Lady A
Charles Kelley, founding member of Lady A, discusses his musical journey. Lady A is known for the hit "Need You Now" and has achieved significant commercial success, including multiple Grammy awards.
- 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 deb…
- 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,…
- 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 mus…
- 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 s…
- 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.…
- 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 ca…
- 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…
- 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.' Tha…
- 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…
- 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 aud…
- 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 ar…
- 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 glo…
- 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 si…
- 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 oth…
- 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 oth…
- 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 he…
- 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.