# GHOST WRITERS PART TWO - TENNESSEE - SEASON 3

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/music-of-america-podcast-6383665/ghost-writers-part-two-tennessee-season-3
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/music-of-america-podcast-6383665/ghost-writers-part-two-tennessee-season-3.md
Podcast: [Music of America Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/music-of-america-podcast-6383665)
Published: 2026-05-01T05:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://musicofamericapod.com/ghost-writers-part-two-tennessee-season-3
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7c1da843-3ba9-499a-b68c-0ae63df8f5bb.mp3
Processing state: processed
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/music-of-america-podcast-6383665/episodes/ghost-writers-part-two-tennessee-season-3
Duration seconds: 3277

## Resource

Songwriters Ed Hill and Dak Allier discuss the transition from the South Dakota music scene to Nashville's industry inner workings. The conversation explores the emotional weight of songwriting and the legacy of the Grand Ole Opry.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The profound connection between songwriters and the enduring legacy of country music standards
- Practical takeaway: Navigating the Nashville industry requires both creative output and an understanding of the business side
- Failure mode: The difficulty of getting major artists to hear new material amidst busy recording schedules
- Industry insight: The shift from traditional publishing to modern streaming and the need for transparent artist-first platforms
- Cultural note: The symbolic importance of the 'Circle of Wood' at the Grand Ole Opry for new legends

## Topics

Nashville, Songwriting, Country Music, Grand Ole Opry, Music Industry, Ghostwriters, Music Publishing, Tennessee

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Future of Music Streaming: An introduction to Campfire, a nonprofit streaming platform designed to ensure transparent and direct payments to independent artists.
- 4:50 — Writing Number One Hits: The duo reflects on the unexpected success of writing major hits for artists like John Michael Montgomery.
- 9:00 — Song Pitching and Artist Decisions: A look at the behind-the-scenes process of pitching songs to major country stars like Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert.
- 13:00 — Understanding the Music Business: A discussion on why aspiring artists must understand the 'sausage making' of the industry side of music.
- 17:10 — Walking Music Row: Memories of the historic atmosphere of Nashville's Music Row and the era of major labels like Warner Brothers.
- 22:00 — Promoting Independent Music: Exploring the challenges of sharing new music with the world and the role of publicity services.
- 26:00 — The Legacy of the Opry: The significance of the 'Circle of Wood' and the emotional impact of performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

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## Transcript

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