Episode 01: Jimi Bell

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.
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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)

New Episodes every Tuesday.
Find the host Troy Cartwright on Twitter, Instagram.
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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.

Previous Episode

INTRODUCING: Ten Year Town

It’s often said that Nashville Tennessee is a ten-year town. It takes 10 years to build your circle, land that job or big audition, 10 years to be discovered and get your shot, 10 years to write the song that’ll change your life forever. Join Troy Cartwright as he sits down with hit songwriters, musicians and music city execs to discuss their journey through Music Row, the struggles of getting started and what it takes to stay at the top. Subscribe to Ten Year Town to get new episodes sent direct to your phone and send your questions and thoughts to [email protected].
New episodes every Tuesday.
Want more Ten Year Town? Subscribe to the TYT YouTube channel here.

Next Episode

Episode 02: Marc Beeson

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)