Why Nashville Can’t Find Great Songs Anymore

Why do so many great songs disappear inside Nashville publishing catalogs?

Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Kelley Lovelace and Neil Thrasher explain how traditional song pitching has changed—and why fewer music-driven people are digging through old catalogs to uncover forgotten gems. They compare today’s emails and writing-room connections with the days when passionate song pluggers personally delivered demos and knew every song in a writer’s catalog.

The guys also introduce a new game: What jobs would country stars have if they weren’t famous? Tim McGraw becomes a realtor, Chris Young gets several surprising career options, and Ella Langley lands everywhere from Boot Barn to Bass Pro Shops.

Plus: listener reactions to the Sam Smith and Grand Ole Opry debate, Keith Urban’s yacht-rock project, Taylor Swift’s tribute to Dolly Parton, Jason Aldean’s remarkable radio career, an alarming 50-milligram gummy experience, overpriced movie popcorn, In-N-Out Burger and another round of DipShidiot.

Who should the guys put through the “If They Weren’t Famous” game next?

Subscribe for more unfiltered stories from Nashville, the road and the writers’ room.

01:43 Golfing with Chad Prather
03:37 Could the guys beat Mahomes and Kelce at pickleball?
09:03 Brett Saberhagen and the Saves Wings event
10:32 Viewers react to the Opry controversy
11:36 Should country artists wear shorts onstage?
12:41 Keith Urban’s yacht-rock project
13:37 The paternity-leave debate
15:39 Has the podcast become too negative?
19:38 Madonna, Taylor Swift and Dolly Parton
23:27 The danger of mystery supplements
26:42 A disastrous 50-milligram gummy
28:34 If country stars weren’t famous
29:38 Chris Young’s alternate careers
32:46 Tim McGraw the realtor?
35:43 Where would Ella Langley work?
39:03 Jason Aldean’s historic radio run
40:26 Why Nashville no longer finds old songs
45:17 How song pitching became impersonal
49:02 The price of going to the movies
51:29 The worst movie for eating popcorn
53:26 Is In-N-Out Burger overrated?
57:32 This week’s DipShidiot
61:35 The invisible speed bump
63:28 Kelley left the oven on all day
64:14 Neil nearly created a backyard explosion
67:00 Name the new segment
68:42 Coffee and sponsors
_____________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS: 

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business
Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!
Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT
Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

10Stone is an all-new apparel brand inspired by country music superstar Jason Aldean. Built around the same hardworking mindset Jason has carried throughout his career, 10Stone delivers rugged, everyday style made to keep up. 10Stone. Premium Quality. American Grit. 

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone...

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.
https://www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee...

_____________________________________________________________________
Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co