Welcome to part 2 of our Music Biz Series! This week, Chris chats with Kris Ahrend, the CEO of the new MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective). A result of the Music Modernization Act that passed in 2018, this non-profit is paying out mechanical streaming royalties to songwriters and publishers that have gone unmatched for years, as well as committing to getting writers paid correctly from now on. In this episode, you’ll learn how to sign up for the MLC (hint: it’s super easy and free), why transparency is a key feature of their organization, and most importantly, all the ways you should be getting paid for the music you create! Don’t forget to head to our website for our listening guide and resource list that goes along with this episode, and stay tuned for our final part of this series coming soon!Listening Guide: https://www.pitchlistpodcast.com/music-biz-resourcesFollow us on Spotify for weekly playlists:  https://open.spotify.com/user/7ixo57nxzlk7qzg6k2k4bi0aj?si=13330a1af7614254Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchlistpodcast/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitchlistpodcastFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pitchlistpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive performances and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwtG60ltMoaebE6HnP3B4wSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter for behind the scenes content, sneak peeks + more: https://www.pitchlistpodcast.com/contactSubscribe to the American Songwriter Suncast: https://americansongwriter.com/suncast/

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Ep 76: Music Biz Special Part 2 / Kris Ahrend (The MLC)

In a brand new episode, Chris sits down with queer singer/songwriter Leland, who’s written some of pop music’s most influential and catchiest releases of the past few years (“Rare” / Selena Gomez, “Bloom” / Troye Sivan, “Hide Away” / Daya, + more). He’s also making waves in the TV/film industry, music producing for Rupaul’s Drag Race and Hulu series “Love, Victor”, as well as picking up a Golden Globe nomination for writing a song in the “Boy Erased” film. Listen on to hear their chat about full circle moments, the positive ways his sexuality has impacted his music career, and how the hustle continues even AFTER getting a publishing deal. Plus: don’t forget to check out Leland’s single “Mattress” (which has racked up over 25 million streams) and more!More exclusive content: https://www.pitchlistpodcast.com/Hear this week's Spotify's playlist featuring the best of LP:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RM7GkZeekVCoh0VrFEalD?si=e2574a3682244eaaFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchlistpodcast/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitchlistpodcastFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pitchlistpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive performances and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwtG60ltMoaebE6HnP3B4w

Ep 75: Leland

This week, Chris sits down for a chat with singer/songwriter LP! With 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, giant cuts like “Cheers (Drink to That)” / Rhianna, and her own songs placed in TV/film over 40 times, LP has become something of a global phenomenon over the past several years. She’ll draw you in with her ethereal vocals; you’ll stay for gorgeous storytelling and an endearing personality. Listen on to hear how different flavors from around the world bleed into her music, her advice to young artists in a brutally subjective business (you ultimately can’t give a sh*t), and the story of  “Lost on You”; the track that clocked over a billion streams just a year after she lost her third major label deal. Plus: don’t forget to stream LP’s current single “Goodbye”, off her upcoming new album “Churches” - out December 3rd! More exclusive content: https://www.pitchlistpodcast.com/Hear this week's Spotify's playlist featuring the best of LP:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6RM7GkZeekVCoh0VrFEalD?si=e2574a3682244eaaFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pitchlistpodcast/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pitchlistpodcastFollow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pitchlistpodSubscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive performances and more! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEwtG60ltMoaebE6HnP3B4w

Ep 74: LP

Get your notebooks and thinking caps ready for Part 1 of our highly requested Music Biz Special! Today, every listener is a student of our guest Linda Edell Howard, a fantastic entertainment lawyer here in town. Buckle in for a masterclass on what YOU need to know to navigate the music business as a songwriter and/or artist. You’ll learn: what a typical first publishing deal looks like and how to make sure it benefits you, common terminology in record + pub deals, the difference between personal managers and agents, + more. But most importantly, Linda talks about how to advocate for yourself in this industry, and why it’s absolutely crucial. Plus: be sure to visit our website at https://www.pitchlistpodcast.com/music-biz-resources for a list of resources and show notes to refer back to after the episode.

Ep 73: Music Biz Special Part 1 / Linda Edell Howard (Entertainment Lawyer)

Today, Chris sits down with writer/artist/musician Charlie Worsham! Since the release of his 2013 debut, “Rubberband”, Charlie has established himself as one of Nashville’s most beloved and well-respected artists. In addition to his own music, he’s a frequent collaborator, with playing and writing credits on records from Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Vince Gill, Kacey Musgraves, and many more. Get ready for a super honest chat about leaning into what matters most in life - and letting that bleed into and become what his art is all about. (And, as Charlie puts it, “the scenic route to stardom”). Plus: don’t forget to stream his brand new EP, “Sugarcane”, out NOW!

Ep 72: Charlie Worsham

This week, Chris talks with rising star Kalie Shorr, the pop/rock/country songstress that’s blurring genre lines and paving her way in the music industry as both a writer and an artist. Her career so far runs the gamut from voice acting to viral TikTok songs to playing the Grand Ole Opry over 20 times. Dive into their chat about finding your voice as an artist, favorite conspiracy theories, and how the truth is almost always more interesting than anything you could make up. Plus: don’t forget to check out her new EP, “I Got Here By Accident”, produced by Butch Walker - out August 13th!

Ep 71: Kalie Shorr

We’re back with a brand new episode of Pitch List, and this week, Chris got to sit down with the incredible Daniel Tashian. This genius mind has won multiple Grammys (including Album of the Year) for his writing and production work on Kacey Musgraves’ “Golden Hour”, made magic with his songwriting idol Burt Bacharach, and has had songs recorded by everyone from Little Big Town to NeedtoBreathe. Get ready to dig in and hear about his younger self’s relentless positivity towards songwriting, how to not let your ego and insecurities hold you back, and how creativity seems to follow him around, whether that be writing hit songs or taking up watercolor painting. Daniel even treats us to an exclusive performance of his unreleased song "We Can Ride". Plus: don’t forget to check out Daniel’s newest record and collaboration with Burt, “Blue Umbrella”.

Ep 70: Daniel Tashian

This week on Pitch List, Chris chats with Grammy-nominated, Music Row icon Ross Copperman! A truly humble, hardworking, and absolutely deserving talent, you’ll get a peek behind the curtain of this writer/producer/artist who’s penned 30 number one radio hits and produced for countless country acts. In this episode, Ross talks us through his musical journey that began with an abandoned record deal in the UK, a trip to Nashville that changed his life, and how he’s now finding his voice once again as an artist (not to mention, stories about writing with Ed Sheeran and some good old fashioned reminiscing about early days on Music Row). Plus, don’t forget to stream Ross’ brand new EP, “Somewhere There’s A Light On”, out now!

Ep 69: Ross Copperman

This week, we’re hanging with HARDY, the CMA and ACM-nominated writer/artist that is dominating the scene with his rowdy redneck chart-toppers! After bursting onto Music Row in 2018 after signing to Big Loud Records, HARDY quickly earned platinum cuts by Chris Lane, Blake Shelton, FGL and many more - not to mention launching his own artist project just a year later. In this episode, we dive into his writing room creative process, talk about the power of confident thinking, and hear how a phone call from his favorite producer changed his life. Plus, don’t forget to stream HARDY’s cover of “Blurry”: out now!

Ep 68: HARDY

This week, Chris chats with the super talented yet humble Nashville singer/songwriter Ben Rector! After gaining traction on his music in local scenes before moving to town, Ben has now written hits for the likes of Lady A + Devin Dawson, not to mention amassing millions of streams on his own seven studio records and headlining tours with Dave Barnes, NeedtoBreathe, and many more. Listen on to learn how Ben brings an unwavering optimism and positive take on life to his music, and how to find peace in the creative process and the art you make. Plus: don’t forget to stream Ben’s new single “Range Rover” featuring Steve Winwood, out now!

Ep 67: Ben Rector

Pitch List fans, buckle in! Chris sat down this week with the fabulous, multi-talented Fred Mollin. Fred is an award-winning Nashville songwriter/producer whose career runs the gamut - from TV/film scores for horror series like Friday the 13th, to Disney’s best-selling children’s lullaby albums and projects for Finding Nemo, Cars + more. (Not to mention his production credits on the Grammy award-winning “Sometimes When We Touch”, and hits for Jimmy Webb, Billy Ray Cyrus and other icons). Dive into our chat to hear Fred spill industry secrets about his time working at Walt Disney Records, the often lonely business of scoring for film/tv, how to lose your ego, and his passion for making fun and engaging music for children. Plus, don’t forget to stream Fred’s brand new record, “It’s Great To Be a Kid”, a collection of new, original and interactive kids’ songs about life and living.

Ep 66: Fred Mollin

This week, Chris sits down for a chat with 2x Grammy Nominated, 2x ACM Song of the Year winner, Nicolle Galyon! Nicolle has not only written 6 No. 1 songs and helped craft hits like “Tequila” (Dan + Shay) and “Automatic” (Miranda Lambert), but also heads her female-focused record label / publishing company, Songs + Daughters. In classic Pitch List form, this episode dives into the intricacies of being a working Nashville songwriter (the good, bad and ugly), with nuggets of inspirational wisdom from Nicolle on being an architect in the writing room, shifting your metric of success to create a more enriching everyday process, + more. Dig in!Use code "PITCHLIST" to get 20% off your official Pitch List shirt: https://americansongwriter.com/merch

Ep 65: Nicolle Galyon

This week, Chris talks with the incredibly cool and talented, #1 hit writer Jaren Johnston! The perfect blend of country music and rock and roll, with songwriter roots, Jaren is an absolute triple threat. He’s written chart-toppers like “Raise ‘Em Up” (Keith Urban) and “American Spirit” (Thomas Rhett), not to mention countless production credits and a Grammy nomination to boot. So sit back, crack a cold beer, and listen on for some crazy stories from his time touring in Europe, making 2 full-length records in one year, and playing softball with Jack White. Plus, how he balances being a full time Nashville songwriter, husband and dad, alongside his wildly successful band The Cadillac Three. Don’t forget to listen to their new album, “Tabasco & Sweet Tea”, out now!

Ep 64: Jaren Johnston

Buckle in for this week’s chat with Grammy-award winning, multi-platinum songwriter Emily Warren! This pop hitmaker has had countless cuts with artists like Shawn Mendes, Kahlid, Lennon Stella, Jessie J + more - not to mention #1 chart-toppers like “Don’t Stop Now” (Dua Lipa) and “Don’t Let Me Down” (The Chainsmokers). In this episode, she and Chris dive deep into how she was inspired by Van Gogh to intentionally frame emotions in her songs, her advice on signing a publishing deal, her favorite parts of collaboration + lots more. Thanks for listening! This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. To get 10% off your first month, visit betterhelp.com/songwriter.

Ep 63: Emily Warren

In a special minisode of Pitch List, Chris catches up with Grammy-nominated songwriter and fellow American Songwriter Podcast Network-er, Clay Mills! Clay has not only been a part of hit songs like “Beautiful Mess” / Diamond Rio and “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” / Darius Rucker, but he is also the co-creator of Songtown, a creative community of potential co-writers and world-class mentors. Listen on for his concrete advice on how to write better songs, finding balance in your life while juggling multiple projects, + more. Plus, don’t forget to hop over to Clay’s podcast, “Songtown on Songwriting”, to hear the rest of he and Chris’ conversation.Learn more about Songtown: https://songtown.com/

Ep 62: Clay Mills / Songtown

Based in Nashville, TN, songwriter Chris Lindsey ("Every Time I Hear That Song" / Blake Shelton, "Poison and Wine" / The Civil Wars) has set out to discover what makes creative people tick. Starting with what he knows - writing - and branching out to various aspects of the music industry, Pitch List explores what it means to be a songwriter, and ultimately, a person. Join us as we talk with some of music's hit writers at the top of our Pitch List.

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