NCD Writers Room

**Jim Casey talks with Trent Harmon about:** • winning "American Idol" in 2016 • his musical influences growing up in Amory, Mississippi, including Elvis and Marty Robbins • learning piano and guitar at a young age • losing his hats in Memphis • studying history in college • his label struggles after "American Idol" • focusing on songwriting • releasing his new single, "You Got ’Em All"  • his longtime girlfriend moving to Thailand and back • working on his upcoming debut album • touring and playing summer festivals • the possibility of appearing on the re-booted "American Idol" **Show Participants:** • Trent Harmon • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks with Scotty McCreery about:** • getting up early and staying up late • scoring his first No. 1 single, "Five More Minutes" • keeping a positive outlook despite some career setbacks • releasing his new album, Seasons Change, on March 16 • the apropos title of the new album • picking his new single, "This Is It, which he penned with Frank Rogers and David Lee Murphy about his fiancée, Gabi Dugal • planning his upcoming wedding • the personal aspect of co-writing all 11 songs on the new album • the most un-Scotty song on the new album, "Barefootin’” • growing up around "beach music" • hitting the road this spring and summer **Participants:** • Scotty McCreery • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks with Cole Swindell about:** • the release of his new single, "Break Up in the End," which was penned by Jon Nite, Chase McGill and Jessie Jo Dillon • the imagery in the new song • the first time he heard the song • the new single being indicative of what's to come from the new album • the healing power of music • shooting the new video for the single • working on his upcoming third studio album • kicking off his first headlining Reason to Drink Tour with openers Chris Janson and Lauren Alaina **Participants:** • Cole Swindell • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks with Randy Rogers about:** • his very successful 2017 • writing his first songs as an 11-year-old • the best song he's ever written, "In My Arms Instead" • the healing power of music • getting his start singing in the church choir • picking up the guitar for the first time as a 12-year-old • the path that Robert Earl Keen blazed for Texas singer/songwriters • today's up-and-coming crop of talented songwriters, including Parker McCollum, William Clark Green and Red Shahan • graduating from Texas State University in San Marcos in 2001 with a degree in Mass Communications • removing himself from social media • the family aspect of his band, including having the same crew and bus driver • using a number of producers over his career, including Radney Foster, Paul Worley, Jay Joyce, Lloyd Maines and Buddy Cannon • working on his upcoming album, which is being produced by Dave Cobb and tentatively slated to drop this fall • making "Hold My Beer: Vol. 2" with Wade Bowen and touring together in 2018 • his charitable work with Cheatham Street Live  **Participants:** • Randy Rogers of Randy Rogers Band • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks with Zac Brown, Niko Moon and Ben Simonetti of trio Sir Rosevelt about:** • the genesis of Sir Rosevelt • Zac, Niko and Ben working together on Zac Brown Band's 2015 album, "Jekyll + Hyde" • Mr. Hyde becoming Sir Rosevelt • co-writing together on the bus while on the road with ZBB • taking Sir Rosevelt to an international crowd • creating the self-titled album, which dropped in December 2017 • Sir Rosevelt not being a side project • the visual aspects of Sir Rosevelt, including using acrobats and dancers on tour • naming the trio after Teddy Roosevelt • the mysterious Robert Baker, who is the subject of Track 7 • the new single, "Something ’Bout You" **Quote Worthy:** • "Sir Rosevelt is not a side project, this isn’t a Chris Gaines. This is unapologetically exploration and creativity and art. And the way it’s presented, we can take it all over the world.”— Zac Brown **Participants:** • Zac Brown • Niko Moon • Ben Simonetti • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks to Jimmie Allen about:** • growing up in Delaware • his early musical influences, including country and gospel • the ripped nature of Aaron Tippin • singing in the church choir • his musical theater background • making his YouTube docu-series, "Jimmie Allen: All In" • living in his car for a few months after moving to Nashville • going to writers' rounds and making connections • being an African-American man in the country music industry • getting his first big break from publisher Ash Bowers • releasing his self-titled EP in October 2017 • the healthy chip on his shoulders • developing his onstage charisma • releasing his new single, "Best Shot," to country radio on Feb. 20 • his songwriting process • working on his debut album **Participants:** • Jimmie Allen • Jim Casey, NCD editor

**Jim Casey talks to Mike Ryan about:** • having a very successful 2017 • growing up in San Antonio, Texas • his musical family, including parents and grandfather • singing in the school and church choirs • his musical influences, including country and rock • catching Elton John in concert in Las Vegas • going to college at the University of North Texas • visiting Nashville to co-write with other artists • co-writing Brad Paisley’s Top 20 single, “Last Time for Everything” • releasing his new album, "Blink You’ll Miss It" • writing and recording one of his favorite songs, “New Hometown” • recording the Chris Stapleton-penned song, “One Way” • learning to play piano on “Sad Song” • playing an upcoming show at ACL’s Moody Theater **Mike performs:** • “Blink You’ll Miss It” **Participants:** • Mike Ryan • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks to Natalie Stovall about: • attending the Dwight Yoakam concert at the Ryman • being raised in Columbia, Tenn. (45 miles south of Nashville) • Columbia's claim to fame, Mule Day • getting her first violin as a 3-year-old • entering fiddle competitions as an 8-year-old • singing for the first time at Opryland Themepark  • moving to Boston after high school to attend Berklee College of Music • moving back to Nashville, putting a band together and hitting the road • auditioning for "The Voice" • joining Team Blake • the time commitment of being on "The Voice" • the new fans she has gained • what she learned about herself after being on "The Voice" • her new single, “Wine or Whiskey,” which was co-penned by Andrew Dorff, Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbook and Lori McKenna • making a new video for the single • working on a new album • going to Mexico for week in February for the Island Time Music Festival **Show participants:** • Natalie Stovall • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

**Jim Casey talks with Montgomery Gentry's Eddie Montgomery about:** • the death of his longtime friend and duo partner Troy Gentry • the little things that remind him of Troy • the good times he and Troy shared during their early days onstage • the first time he met Troy • putting the Montgomery Gentry duo together • MG's new album, "Here's to You," which drops on Feb. 2 • playing "Better Me" at Troy's celebration of life at the Grand Ole Opry • Troy's vocals on the new album • recording his first love song, "All Hell Broke Loose" • quintessential MG song, "Needling a Beer" • his working-class mentality • some of the great songwriters featured on the album • going through thousands of songs to pick the album's 12 songs • kicking off his Here's to You Tour in February • performing onstage without Troy • carrying on the Montgomery Gentry name **Participants:** • Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland about: • working on individual projects during their five-year hiatus from Sugarland •their surprise reunion at the CMA Awards in November • the changing sonic nature of country music over the last five years • writing and recording their new single, "Still the Same" • working on their upcoming album • letting the songs drive the album • performing together on Dec. 31 on "Dick Clark's New Years Rocking Eve With Ryan Seacrest" • playing Europe's C2C Festival in March • putting together a tour in 2018 Quote Worthy: • “Normally, it takes 100 songs to write three good ones, but it’s different if you’re working with Jennifer. It takes one song to write one good one. That’s cool. You can’t ever underestimate the power of that.” — Kristian Bush Participants: • Jennifer Nettles • Kristian Bush • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Wade Bowen about: • his 2002 debut album, "Try Not to Listen" • his musical upbringing as a kid in Waco, Texas • getting serious about music as an 18-year-old • discovering his soulful voice • starting his first band, West 84, while at Texas Tech • earning a Public Relations degree from Texas Tech • working at the family company, Bowen Electric, for two years • focusing on songwriting over the last 15 years • being influenced by artists like Guy Clark and Bruce Springsteen • making his new album, "Solid Ground," which will drop on Feb. 9 • the "Texas feel" of his new album • working with songwriters Andrew Combs, Keith Gattis, Charlie Worsham, Angaleena Presley and more on the new album • working with producer Keith Gattis on the new album • choosing to hone his craft in Texas instead of moving to Nashville • his new single, "Acuna," reaching the Top 5 on the Texas Radio chart • getting Jack Ingram and Miranda Lambert to contribute vocals on new song "So Long 6th Street" • writing "Couldn't Make You Love Me" with Audley Freed and Keith Gattis • the melting pot of talent on the new album • teaming with Randy Rogers and Kip Moore for the Tall Tales and the Truth Tour • playing MusicFest at Steamboat, Colorado, for the 16th year in 2018 • spending time with his two sons and wife over Christmas Participants: • Wade Bowen • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief Performance: • "Acuna" and "Day of the Dead" from upcoming album, "Solid Ground" • Wade Bowen: vocals, guitar, harmonica • Will Knaak: lead guitar, background vocals

Jim Casey talks with Danielle Bradbery about: • winning "The Voice" in 2013 as a 16-year-old • releasing her self-titled debut album five months after winning "The Voice" • moving to Nashville in 2015 • learning the songwriting craft • creating her new album, "I Don't Believe We've Met," which drops on Dec. 1 • coming up with the title for her new album • her early musical influences in country, pop and soul • growing vocally as a singer • getting "better" at being shy • writing "What Are We Doing" with Thomas Rhett, Emily Weisband and Sam Ellis • the possibility of "Worth It" being her next single • learning from other artists she's been on tour with, including Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley and more Participants: • Danielle Bradbery • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Justin Moore about: • having his first son, Thomas South Moore, in June • why Thomas prefers mom over dad right now • how Thomas' three older sisters like the new addition to the family • scoring his seventh No. 1 single, "Somebody Else Will," in August • releasing the title track from his 2016 album, "Kinda Don't Care" • getting outside his comfort zone when creating his album, "Kinda Don't Care" • working on his upcoming fifth studio album, which Justin says will be his most traditional sounding album yet • writing songs for his upcoming album • kicking off his Hell on a Highway Tour, with opener Dylan Scott • balancing family life with life on the road Quote Worthy: • "[My son] is good, but I don't think he likes me. I like him." Participants: • Justin Moore • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Cole Swindell about: • his current streak of seven consecutive No. 1 singles • releasing his new single, "Stay Downtown" • dropping his new EP, "Down Home Sessions IV," on Nov. 24, which features acoustic versions of songs he wrote for other artists • picking the five songs for the new EP • the concept behind his "Down Home Sessions" EPs • playing seven small venues on his Down Home Sessions Tour, which begins on Jan. 11 • hitting the road with opener Morgan Evans • getting amped-up before his shows • working on his upcoming third studio, which will be released in 2018 • going back home to Georgia for Thanksgiving Show Participants: • Cole Swindell • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Keith Urban about: • "Blue Ain't Your Color" winning the CMA Award for Single of the Year • debuting his new single, "Female," at the CMA Awards • hearing "Female" for the first time on Oct. 11, one day after it was written by Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally and Nicolle Galyon • recording "Female" on Oct. 31 • the importance of the song's message in 2017 • working on his upcoming 10th studio album, which will drop in 2018 • taking his time while making new albums • bringing albums to life the way he hears it in his head: "audio-lize" • turning 50 years old in October • touring hard in 2018 • celebrating Thanksgiving with wife, daughters & mom this year • relaxing over the upcoming holidays Quote Worthy: • "I had an immediate reaction to 'Female'—as a father of two daughters, as a husband, as a son, it just resonated with me. I went and grabbed my acoustic guitar and started playing it right away." Show Participants: • Keith Urban • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief