Ten Year Town

Troy Cartwright

Join Troy Cartwright as he sits down with hit songwriters, musicians and music city execs to discuss their journey through Music Row, the uncertainties of getting started and what it takes to stay at the top.

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 Ten Year Town Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Ten Year Town episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Ten Year Town for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Ten Year Town episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Episode 72: Ryan Tyndell

Ten Year Town

01/07/25 • 54 min

Ryan Tyndell is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer originally from East Texas. He has written songs for some of the biggest names in country music, including Eric Church, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Little Big Town, Hailey Whitters, and more. His song “Springsteen,” recorded by Eric Church, was nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards in 2013.
In addition to his success as a songwriter, he has produced critically acclaimed records for Ryan Beaver, Tucker Beathard, and Charlie Worsham. He is currently signed to the independent publisher Little Louder Music.
In this episode, we discuss Ryan’s journey to Nashville, his work with legendary publisher Arturo Buenahora, writing with Eric Church, and many other stops along the way.

New Episodes every Tuesday.
Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.
Social Channels for Ten Year Town:
Youtube
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok
This podcast was produced by Ben VanMaarth.
Intro and Outro music for this episode was composed by Troy Cartwright, Monty Criswell, and Derek George. It is called "Same" and you can listen to it in it's entirety here.
Additional music for this episode was composed by Thomas Ventura.
Artwork design by Brad Vetter.
Creative Direction by Mary Lucille Noah.

Episode 81: Simon Tikhman & Chief Zaruk (The Core Entertainment)

Ten Year Town

03/18/25 • 51 min

Simon Tikhman and Chief Zaruk are the co-founders of The Core Entertainment, a music company specializing in artist management, records, and brand partnerships. Since launching in 2019, The Core has built a roster that includes Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, Josh Ross, and Nickelback. In 2024, their artists had multiple chart-topping singles, sold out international tours, and were named CCMA Management Company of the Year. Additionally, The Core recently announced a partnership with Universal Music Group to launch The Core Records.
In this episode, we discuss Simon and Chief’s careers, the growth of The Core, and how they work with artists like Bailey Zimmerman, Nate Smith, and Nickelback. We also cover their approach to management, artist development, and the evolving landscape of the music business.

Episode 02: Marc Beeson

Ten Year Town

07/04/23 • 49 min

Marc Beeson has had a 30+ year career as a hit songwriter in Nashville. Along the way he has written multiple #1 radio singles and songs for legendary country artists such as Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood and more. Marc's massive crossover hit “When She Cries” by Restless Heart won the ASCAP Best Country Song and Best Pop Song of the Year Award.

Marc's seen Music Row through many changes over the years and on this episode shares his wealth of experience and insight on what it takes to build a lasting career as a songwriter in Nashville.
Want more Ten Year Town? Subscribe to the TYT YouTube channel here.
Submit questions for the Q & A episode here.

MARKERS:
1:32 (SO, HOW LONG YOU BEEN IN TOWN?)
5:00 (MOVING TO LA)

7:17 (LA COWRITING SCENE IN THE 80’S)

8:50 (WHY HE MOVED TO NASHVILLE)

11:20 (HOW YOU USED TO SHOW PEOPLE SONGS)

12:30 (HANGIN AROUND KENNY ROGERS' STUDIO)

14:20 (MAKING THE FIRST DIGITAL RECORDING IN LA)

15:15 (GETTING THE CALL TO COME TO NASHVILLE)

17:05 (A SIGN OF WHERE HE SHOULD BE)

17:55 (MAKING RECORD WITH MARK BRIGHT, TOM SKYLER)

18:35 (ON GETTING TOLD NO)

20:00 (GETTING HIS FIRST PUBLISHING DEAL)

21:55 (WORKING WITH PROS)

22:20 (ON BOOKING YOUR OWN RIGHTS; USING A DAYBOOK)

23:50 (ON TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOU CAREER)

26:05 (GETTING HIS FIRST HIT)

28:30 (WE HAVE NO CONTROL)

29:20 (ON HEARING WHEN SHE CRIES FOR THE 1ST TIME)

31:50 (ON WHEN SHE CRIES CROSSING OVER)

33:10 (on the peace he felt getting his first hit)

35:50 (reminders for young writers)

37:20 (music industry inflection point)

39:10 (ON GETTING A CUT WITH CHICAGO)

43:20 (BE THE BEST AT WHATEVER YOU’RE DOING)

45:42 (HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED)

46:30 (ON FINDING OUT WHERE THE BAR IS SET)

49:05 (FISHING FOR MARLIN)

Episode 11: Emily Landis

Ten Year Town

09/05/23 • 48 min

Originally from St. Louis and a graduate of Belmont University, Emily Landis is a Nashville hit songwriter currently signed to BMG Music. She's written songs for many major country music artists including Larry Fleet, Seaforth, Tiera Kennedy, Kassi Ashton and more. Emily's first big success was with Gabby Barrett's "The Good Ones" which spent three straight weeks at Number One and is now 3x certified platinum.

On this episode, Emily shares how songwriting became her free therapy, what it was like quitting social media for an entire year, how the journey of her first number one felt like "dominoes of dreams coming true," and how it taught her to focus on family and life first, and let the career take care of itself.

Episode 82: Scott Friedeck

Ten Year Town

03/25/25 • 52 min

Scott Friedeck is the founder of The Graphic Guitar Guys, a company based in Dripping Springs, Texas that creates custom graphic-wrapped guitars for artists, festivals, and major music brands. Originally from southeast Texas, he founded his company 13 years ago. What started as an idea while touring with Texas artists like Robert Earl Keen and Ryan Beaver has grown into a full-scale business producing thousands of guitars each year. His work has been used by artists including George Strait, Gary Allan, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Reba, and Brooks & Dunn.

In this episode, we discuss how a road gig turned into the starting of The Graphic Guitar Guys, working with Robert Earl Keen, what he loves about Nashville, the growing music infrastructure of Texas, and many other stops along the way.

This episode's "stat of the week" is brought to you by https://chartmetric.com/.

This episode is also sponsored by The Graphic Guitar Guys. They create eye-catching custom guitar wraps for some of the biggest artists and festivals in the music industry. Their work is perfect for adding a unique touch to album pre-sale bundles or VIP package items—check them out and discover how they can transform a guitar into a show-stopping work of art.

Get tickets to Troy's Tin Pan South show here: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/troy-cartwright-paul-jenkins-special-analog-at-hutton-hotel-tickets/13733224?pl=NSAI

Episode 79: Craig Wiseman (Part 2)

Ten Year Town

03/04/25 • 36 min

Craig Wiseman is a Grammy-winning songwriter and one of the most successful hitmakers in country music history. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, he has written over 30 No. 1 songs for artists like Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, and Florida Georgia Line. His catalog includes career-defining hits such as “Live Like You Were Dying,” “The Good Stuff,” and “Summertime.” In addition to his songwriting success, he is the founder of Big Loud Publishing, which has grown into one of Nashville’s most influential music companies. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

In part two of this episode, we discuss the story behind the creation of big loud, his best advice, and what's next.

This episode's "stat of the week" is brought to you by https://chartmetric.com/.

On Writing, Creativity, and Finding a Honey Tree

Ten Year Town

03/27/25 • 17 min

This is a special bonus episode featuring some thoughts on The Writing Life by Annie Dillard.

If you'd like to dig a little deeper you can read more here: https://troycartwright.substack.com/p/finding-a-honey-tree.

Episode 01: Jimi Bell

Ten Year Town

06/27/23 • 55 min

This episode features Jimi Bell, a singer songwriter from Hawkinsville, Georgia. Jimi's written songs for some of the biggest artists in town including Bailey Zimmerman, Kip Moore, and Brantley Gilbert to name a few. Last year one of Jimi's songs "Last Night Lonely" recorded by Jon Pardi reached #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Jimi's built a career in Nashville by being both thoughtful and hard working. Hear him discuss where he sources inspiration for songs, his methods for getting great writes, and his tips for building a songwriting brand.
Want more Ten Year Town? Subscribe to the TYT YouTube channel here.
Submit questions for the Q & A episode here.
----------
SHOW NOTES:
1:32 (SO, HOW LONG YOU BEEN IN TOWN?)
8:03 (WALKING AMONGST YOUR HEROS)
12:25 (MEETING EVERYBODY AT WHISKEY JAM)
13:40 (EVERYBODY’S TIMELINE IS DIFFERENT)
16:10 (GETTING A PUBLISHING DEAL)
19:00 (A TICKET TO THE SHOW)
20:50 (CONNECTING THE DOTS)
21:30 (FIRST BIG CUT)
25:45 (EMBRACING THE GRIND)
28:00 (IT TAKES TIME)
30:50 (BRANDING YOURSELF AS A SONGWRITER)
34:05 (HOW IMPORTANT YOUR BRAND IS)
36:35 (GETTING A CUT WITH JON PARDI
42:35 (HEARING YOU GOT THE SINGLE)
45:40 (WHAT GETTING YOUR FIRST #1 FEELS LIKE)
51:30 (FINDING GOOD IDEAS TO WRITE ABOUT)

Episode 54: “Trapper” John Morris

Ten Year Town

07/23/24 • 32 min

“Trapper” John Morris is the SiriusXM Programmer for Y2K Country and The Highway.
After starting in college radio at the University of North Texas, Trapper has spent the last 38 years working in radio with stops in Waco, Tyler, Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, and now Nashville.
Trapper shares insight into the relationship between radio and country music, the type of data stations used to test new songs, and how big programs like The Highway find new and upcoming talent.

Episode 83: Monty Criswell

Ten Year Town

04/01/25 • 59 min

Monty Criswell is a Grammy-nominated songwriter originally from Satsuma, Alabama. Over his 30-year career, he has over 300 cuts and his songs have been recorded by some of the most recognizable names in the format including George Strait, Eric Church, Trace Adkins, Parker McCollum, and Scotty McCreery. Criswell has received multiple award nominations, including two Grammy nominations for Country Song of the Year ("I Saw God Today" and "Just Fishin'") and a CMA Single of the Year award for "I Saw God Today." He is currently published by Spirit Music Nashville and Fluid Music Revolution.

In this episode, we discuss Monty's journey from Alabama to Nashville, his cancer diagnosis and how that changed the trajectory of his life, the stories behind some of his most iconic songs, and many other stops along the way.

This episode's "stat of the week" is brought to you by https://chartmetric.com/.

Show more best episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Ten Year Town have?

Ten Year Town currently has 100 episodes available.

What topics does Ten Year Town cover?

The podcast is about Music, Nashville, Music Industry, Podcasts, Music Interviews, Music Commentary and Country Music.

What is the most popular episode on Ten Year Town?

The episode title 'Episode 53: Jillian Jacqueline' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Ten Year Town?

The average episode length on Ten Year Town is 48 minutes.

How often are episodes of Ten Year Town released?

Episodes of Ten Year Town are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Ten Year Town?

The first episode of Ten Year Town was released on Jun 14, 2023.

Show more FAQ

Ten Year Town

Troy Cartwright

Top 10 Ten Year Town Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Ten Year Town have?

What topics does Ten Year Town cover?

What is the most popular episode on Ten Year Town?

What is the average episode length on Ten Year Town?

How often are episodes of Ten Year Town released?

When was the first episode of Ten Year Town?

Comments