NCD Writers Room

Jim Casey talks with Lee Brice about: • early mornings with his three kids, Takoda, Ryker and Trulee • his five-month-old daughter, Trulee • releasing his self-titled studio album on Nov. 3 • why he decided to self-title the album (the Metallica effect) • building the album on an organic level via the instrumentation • putting every bit of himself into the new album • co-producing the new album • co-writing 11 songs on the album with the likes of Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and more • co-writing "Story to Tell" with Edwin McCain, a song that features Warren Haynes on guitar • current single, "Boy," and what his two sons think about it • making the video for "Boy" • recording "The Best Part of Me" for his daughter • spending family time in South Carolina this winter • hitting the road in January Quote Worthy: • Lee Brice: "Edwin McCain was my hero growing up. He's from South Carolina. Growing up it was him and Garth . . . they were two of my biggest influences. I was able to get in touch with [Edwin]. I called him up . . . and he came to Nashville. We wrote two songs that night. It was like I'd known him my whole life. And then I decided that one of the songs ["Story to Tell"] was for sure going on the record, so I asked him if he would come sing on it . . . he's so talented and so smart and so funny. It was crazy to be able to go make music with one of my heroes." Show Participants: • Lee Brice • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Blake Shelton about: • the excitement of releasing his 11th studio album, "Texoma Shore" • having a career that spans 17 years • recording the new album in his studio on the shore of Lake Texoma on the Texas/Oklahoma border • his earliest memory of Lake Texoma, which involves his mother screaming • the catalyst for creating the album, which was the single "I'll Name the Dogs" • the new chapter of his life • the balance of the new album, including songs "The Wave," "Got the T-shirt" and "Hangover Due" • co-writing "Turnin' Me On" • the two or three words that pop into his mind when he thinks of various tracks on the album • hitting the road in 2018 with Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce and Trace Adkins on the Country Music Freak Tour Quote Worthy: • Blake: "Man, I’m in a new chapter of my life and I’m ready to express that. And I’m very proud of the "If I’m Honest" record, but it had some dark tones to it. No question, that was a tough time I was coming out of and I’m just not there anymore. I don’t want to wallow in it by promoting that album anymore. I want to promote this new chapter of my life." Show Participants • Blake Shelton • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Radio Romance about: • winning Nash Next 2017 • celebrating their win with family and friends • forming the band • naming the band after an Eddie Rabbitt album • being inspired by 1990s country and rock • writing songs • earning their stripes by playing Nashville's Lower Broadway • managing their overly excited manager • and more Show Participants • Radio Romance: Sam Hayes (lead singer), Josh Gramling (lead guitar), Moises Padilla (drums), Adam Smithwick (bass) • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Kelsea Ballerini about: • her very busy schedule • titling her new album, "Unapologetically" • picking songs for the new album • leading with her heart • writing or co-writing every track on the album • her upcoming The Unapologetically Tour • building the album with her darkest song, "Graveyard" • her favorite song on the record, "In Between" • writing "End of the World" • earning her fifth career CMA Awards nomination • performing with Reba McEntire at the CMA Awards • learning from tours with Thomas Rhett and Lady Antebellum Show Participants • Kelsea Ballerini • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Granger Smith about: • opening for Garth Brooks in Indianapolis • hosting his own podcast, "The Granger Smith Podcast" • making his new album, "When the Good Guys Win" (Oct. 27) • writing eight of the 13 songs on the new record • learning from his eight previous albums • making music that impacts other artists • watching new single, "Happens Like That," go up the charts • touring with Luke Bryan • headlining his own tour • running around onstage • developing his own clothing line and energy drink Show Participants • Granger Smith • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Chris Young about: • the Las Vegas shooting • induction into the Grand Ole Orpy • his hurricane relief efforts • current Top 20 single, "Losing Sleep" • new album, Losing Sleep • new tour with Kane Brown and LANCO • being a mentor to young artists like Kane Brown • and more Show Participants • Chris Young • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Darius Rucker about: • teaming with Brad Paisley, Demi Lovato and CeCe Winans for Hurricane Benefit • making country music for 10 years • scoring his 8th No. 1 single as a country singer, "If I Told You" • making his new album, When Was the Last Time • working with producer Ross Copperman for the first time • writing two songs with Dean Dillon • drinking two-dollar wine in his college days • teaming with Charles Kelley, Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan on "Straight to Hell" • starring in more acting roles • seminal moments in his country music career • his philanthropic work with St. Jude Show Participants • Darius Rucker • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jim Casey talks with Russell Dickerson about: • the extraordinary streaming success of his single, “Yours” • getting serious about songwriting • musical influences growing up in Tennessee • touring with Thomas Rhett and Billy Currington • new album, Yours (available Oct. 13) • and more Show Participants • Russell Dickerson • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/10/12/russell-dickerson-talks-musical-influences-singing-sexy-jams-debut-album-yours-more/

Jim Casey talks with Carly Pearce about: • the success of her Top 10 debut single, “Every Little Thing” • showing a different side of herself on her next single • working with producer busbee • working with Josh Abbott Band in 2016 on the song, “Wasn’t That Drunk” • hitting the road with Brett Young on his Caliville Tour • new album, Every Little Thing (available Oct. 13) • and more Show Participants • Carly Pearce • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/10/09/carly-pearce-talks-whirlwind-year-the-success-of-top-10-single-every-little-thing-releasing-her-new-album-more

Jim Casey talks with Jerrod Niemann about: • making his new album, The Ride • working with Diamond Rio on new song, "I Ain't All There" • fundraising for important organizations like the USO • releasing a new whiskey with a local Nashville distillery • leaving his "mark" on country music over his 17-year career • visiting Marfa, Texas • making a "country milkshake" • his favorite Tracy Lawrence song and more Show Participants • Jerrod Niemann • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/10/04/fun-loving-jerrod-niemann-talks-making-new-album-this-ride-collaborating-with-diamond-rio-leaving-his-mark-more

Jim Casey talks with Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny about growing up in Music City, how he got started in the music business, finding success as a songwriter on Granger Smith’s Top 10 single, “If the Boot Fits,” the mix of styles on his new EP, Linden Ave, and more. Show Participants • Mitchell Tenpenny • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/09/29/nashville-native-mitchell-tenpenny-talks-about-developing-his-unique-sound-finding-songwriting-success-releasing-his-new-ep-linden-ave

Jim Casey talks with Chris Janson about being a Mountain Dew aficionado, his Shel Silverstein tribute performance at the ACM Honors ceremony, his Top 10 single, "Fix a Drink," touring with Sam Hunt, his new album, Everybody, and more. Show Participants • Chris Janson • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/09/26/wild-man-chris-janson-talks-mountain-dew-shel-silverstein-touring-with-sam-hunt-top-10-single-new-album-more

Jim Casey talks with Midland about celebrating their No. 1 debut single, “Drinkin’ Problem,” how Dwight Yoakam contributed to the origin of their band name, the best Dwight Yoakam songs, the importance of a good Al Pacino impression, the joy of making timeless songs with talented songwriters, the Sept. 22 release of their debut album, On the Rocks, and more. Show Participants • Midland: Cameron Duddy, Mark Wystrach & Jess Carson • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/09/20/our-very-magical-podcast-with-midland-includes-al-pacino-impressions-dwight-yoakam-tributes-in-depth-thoughts-about-sandwiches-more

Jim Casey talks with Craig Morgan about his family’s new business (Gallery at Morgan Farms in Dickson, Tenn.), his upcoming American Stories Tour sponsored by Operation Finally Home, performing for the troops, hunting bears on the eighth season of Craig Morgan All Access Outdoors, and more. Show Participants • Craig Morgan • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/09/15/craig-morgan-talks-hunting-bears-performing-for-the-troops-opening-his-new-gallery-upcoming-tour-more

Jim Casey talks with Thomas Rhett about how surprised he was to win the 2017 ACM Male Vocalist of the Year award, the challenges of recording a new album as his family doubled in size, the success of his No. 1 single with Maren Morris, the full-circle moment of making music with his dad, the diverse and nostalgic sound of his new album, Life Changes, and more. Show Participants • Thomas Rhett • Jim Casey, NCD director of editorial Show Notes & Links: http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2017/09/07/thomas-rhett-talks-having-babies-winning-awards-making-his-new-album-life-changes-more