AIMP: Nashville Pubcast

00:49 – "How does a Marine end up in the music business?"Blake tells the story of joining the Marine Corps, originally planning to return to Nashville and pursue songwriting, and how that experience ultimately pushed him toward the business side of music.07:07 – "What inspired you to jump out on your own and partner with Scott Hendricks?"A fascinating look at the personal and professional considerations behind starting a company, including Blake's desire to build something of his own and create a better future for his growing family.13:13 – "What's been challenging about actually starting your own company?"Blake gets candid about the administrative side of entrepreneurship, learning what to delegate, building royalty infrastructure, and recognizing where he needed outside expertise.18:24 – "What do you see changing in the music business that young publishers should be paying attention to?"A great discussion about the importance of relationships over clout, understanding music history, and embracing Nashville's increasingly diverse creative community. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

04:04 – "Do you think your time in the military helped prepare you to be a leader, and what skills are important for someone in your position?"Lee explains how the Army shaped his work ethic while also teaching him an important lesson about the music business: every writer and creative works differently.05:25 – "What do you see in a writer that makes you want to sign them?"A great breakdown of what separates writers worth betting on—including work ethic, willingness to take risks, and how they fit within a creative community.07:02 – "What's the difference between a writer who's talented and a writer who's ready?"Probably the strongest question of the episode. Lee explains that a "ready" writer knows how to contribute in different rooms, comes prepared, shows up early, and understands that talent alone isn't enough.17:00 – "What's a common mistake young creatives make in their relationships with writers?"Lee discusses the importance of establishing expectations early, communicating standards clearly, and making sure both the creative and publisher understand what success looks like. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

01:06 - Introduction 05:27 – "What are the main points you look at in a sync contract that writers should pay attention to?"
A practical breakdown of fees, territories, media, usage, and the difference between all-in and master/publishing fees. 09:27 – "If you're a writer interested in film and TV, what's different about writing for sync?"
Kourtney explains why emotion and mood often matter more than genre, and why broader lyrical concepts tend to work better against picture. 12:20 – "What is a sync brief, and how do you keep up with all the different music you're looking for?"
A great behind-the-scenes look at how music supervisors communicate their needs and how sync teams interpret reference tracks to find songs that capture the same feeling without simply copying them. 18:10 – "What should a songwriter or publisher have in hand before pitching a song for sync?"
Extremely useful for independent writers: final mixes, instrumentals, acapellas, stems when appropriate, and lyric sheets can make the difference when a supervisor needs something quickly. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

00:00 – Introduction 01:35 – Melissa Spillman's career journey 02:35 – What a publisher actually does 04:10 – What publishers look for in songwriters 05:40 – Finding your unique voice 08:10 – AI and Suno demos 11:30 – Nashville vs. LA publishing 13:00 – Understanding publishing contracts 15:10 – Admin deals vs. full publishing deals 16:10 – Why Nashville champions songwriters 18:00 – Protecting the middle-class songwriter The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

01:12 – "What got you here, and what was your path into the music business?" Mike shares how a football career ended, a walk through Belmont changed everything, and how internships became the foundation of his career. 03:40 – "What makes a great publisher, and what does that role really look like today?" A thoughtful discussion on developing songwriters, identifying talent, and serving as a strategic partner throughout a writer's career. 16:29 – "How do you approach building out a songwriter's career in today's publishing world?" Mike explains why there is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach and how publishers must adapt to each writer's goals, workflow, and creative style. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

[00:01:16] – "How did a guy from an agriculture and tobacco background end up building a career in Music Row?" A fascinating origin story about taking a leap of faith, moving to Nashville without a plan, and creating opportunities from scratch. [00:08:30] – "What exactly is River House, and how has it evolved from publishing into management and label services?" A great behind-the-scenes look at how one of Nashville's most successful independent companies has grown over the last decade. [00:13:08] – "What does artist development actually mean to you?" The centerpiece of the episode. Zebb breaks down the modern artist-development process—from songs and branding to aesthetics, social media, and fan engagement. [00:18:16] – "What advice would you give an up-and-coming artist trying to stand out in such a crowded industry?" Packed with practical takeaways on consistency, expectations, content creation, and building momentum over time. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

00:49 – “You spent 15 years doing festivals on cruise ships—how did that lead you into management?” A wild and unconventional origin story that sets up the entire episode. 04:00 – “When you saw Luke Combs for the first time… what was the moment you knew?” One of the best “I knew right then” stories—raw instinct, voice, and undeniable presence. 07:14 – “You quit everything to manage him—what did that actually look like early on?” This is the gut-punch moment: no money, couch surfing, doing every job imaginable to survive. 09:48 – “When did things finally start to turn for you guys?” A powerful look at the tipping point—small wins, momentum, and building a fanbase from the ground up. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

00:49 – “Your career path is a little different—can you walk us through how you got here?” Sets up one of the most compelling origin stories - non-traditional path, first-mover roles, and betting on emerging tech. 03:10 – “What does digital marketing actually look like day-to-day in music?” A super valuable breakdown of how the role has evolved - from email and websites to streaming and TikTok. 07:34 – “What’s it been like pushing streaming in a radio-first industry?” Leads to a great discussion on resistance to change, data vs instinct, and how the industry has (slowly) adapted. 19:20 – “What’s it like witnessing a breakout moment like Russell or Ella—and do you know it when you see it?” Arguably the most compelling part of the episode - real insight into identifying and creating those “rocket ship” moments. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

01:47 – The Power of Networking (Done Right) Both emphasize that relationships are everything, but networking works best when you’re adding value, not just “working the room.” 03:36 – The Entrepreneurial Pull Jessi talks about always wanting her own company, and how becoming a parent accelerated that decision. 05:25 – How to Develop a Songwriter Jessi breaks down her process: Look for writers who can write alone Identify their natural style Pair them strategically in sessions Refine based on chemistry + results 08:41 – Work Ethic Over Talent Jessi emphasizes this hard truth: No amount of talent makes up for a lack of work ethic. She’d rather sign someone “almost there” who works relentlessly than someone gifted but lazy. 11:16 – Balancing Patience vs Momentum The long game is real—but writers need encouragement along the way. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

01:18 – The Core Message: Don’t Forget Your Why A gentle but clear reminder: the music industry can be exhausting, and it’s easy to lose sight of why you started. Tim shares how drums were once his identity; the place where he felt most alive and creative. 03:57 – The Perspective Shift The breakthrough: stop trying to pick up where you left off, and instead allow yourself to learn again. 06:59 – Reconnecting to the Why Don’t forget your “Why.” What would you still do if no one paid you, noticed you, or applauded? 09:06 – Protect Your Creative Time Start your day with your craft before emails, scrolling, or distractions. 09:35 – Reconnect with Your Influences Go back to the music, mentors, and moments that inspired you in the first place. The AIMP Nashville Pubcast is a DiMe Collective Production Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.