Thank A Songwriter

Sony Music Publishing Nashville
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MUSIC INTERVIEWS

Celebrating the songwriters who have written the soundtracks to our lives - one thank you note at a time. Because greatness deserves gratitude. Hosted by Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston.

Episodes

  1. 11/12/2025

    Thank A Songwriter - Trannie Anderson Episode 9

    Welcome to another episode of Thank A Songwriter, where we dive deep into the stories behind the songs and the legends who wrote them.  We are back with our guest, Trannie Anderson. This episode is special because we are discussing her songwriter project 'Heart Like A Songwriter' for the first time!  The first singles Heart Like A Truck (intro) & Heart Like A Truck (Songwriter Version) release on November 13, 2025.

    7 min

  2. 11/05/2025

    Thank A Songwriter - Trannie Anderson Episode 8

    Welcome to another episode of Thank A Songwriter, where we dive deep into the stories behind the songs and the legends who wrote them.  We are so excited about this episode's guest, Trannie Anderson. If you have turned on country radio in the last few years, you've absolutely heard one of her songs. She's one of those writers who can take the simplest idea, and make it feel like your life story. Every lyric feels lived in, the hooks hit you in the gut, it's the kind of writing that reminds you why you fell in love with country music in the first place. We talk about how she got here, how her faith and her friendships impact her writing, and what it's really like being part of this new wave of women shaping country music today.

    47 min
  3. Thank A Songwriter - Bill Anderson Episode 7

    10/01/2025

    Thank A Songwriter - Bill Anderson Episode 7

    Welcome to another episode of Thank A Songwriter, where we dive deep into the stories behind the songs and the legends who wrote them. Today’s guest needs no introduction in the world of country music, but I’m going to give him one anyway. Our guest is a true legend—a songwriter, an artist, and a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 64 years! He’s written six #1 radio singles, both as an artist and a songwriter, and has more than three dozen Top 10 hits to his name. His songs have shaped country music for decades, from the timeless “City Lights” with Ray Price, to Connie Smith’s iconic “Once A Day,” to George Strait’s Grammy-winning “Give It Away,” co-written with Jamey Johnson and Buddy Cannon. Bill Anderson is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. If there’s a prestigious accolade in country music, he’s earned it. In today’s episode, we’ll get into Bill’s incredible career, how he’s seen the genre evolve, and the stories behind some of his most unforgettable songs. Bill, we are so excited to have you on the show.

    1h 19m

  4. 09/03/2025

    Thank A Songwriter - Tom Douglas Episode 6

    Today, we have the honor of interviewing Tom Douglas who has multiple radio #1s and 16 BMI Awards with songs including ‘Little Rock’ for Collin Raye, ‘Grown Men Don’t Cry’ for Tim McGraw, ‘I Run To You’ for Lady A, and many more.   In this episode, we talk with Tom about the journey it took for the world to finally hear ‘The House That Built Me’.

    17 min

  5. 08/27/2025

    Thank A Songwriter - Tom Douglas Episode 5

    Today, we have the honor of interviewing Tom Douglas who has multiple radio #1s and 16 BMI Awards with songs including ‘Little Rock’ for Collin Raye, ‘Grown Men Don’t Cry’ for Tim McGraw, ‘I Run To You’ for Lady A, and many more. Every songwriter’s journey is unique. In Tom’s first trip to Nashville, he didn’t achieve his dreams of a hit song. He packed up and left Nashville to follow another dream, and just as important of one, a family. And in the process of stepping away from Music City into Texas real estate, he fell back in love with songwriting. A real life story of hope and redemption. In this episode, we discuss Tom’s journey from commercial real estate to songwriting, the stories behind his hit songs, and how he utilizes new dplatforms to bring his songs to life.

    49 min

  6. 08/06/2025

    Tim Nichols - Thank A Songwriter Episode 4

    “Thank a Songwriter” — a podcast straight from SMP Nashville, celebrates the songwriters who have written the soundtrack to our lives. We are honored to interview Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, Tim Nichols — who has written hits you know and love including 'Live Like You Were Dying' for Tim McGraw, 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' for Cole Swindell, and many more. Hosted by CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston, we dive into Tim and Rusty's shared history at TH!S Music.

    13 min

  7. 07/30/2025

    Tim Nichols - Thank A Songwriter Episode 3

    “Thank a Songwriter” — a podcast straight from SMP Nashville, celebrates the songwriters who have written the soundtrack to our lives. We are honored to interview Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee, Tim Nichols — who has written hits you know and love including 'Live Like You Were Dying' for Tim McGraw, 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' for Cole Swindell, and many more. Hosted by CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston, we dive into Tim’s legendary career, his creative process, and the stories behind the hits you know and love.   Podcast Credits: Videographer, Photographer & Director: Kamren Kennedy Podcast Theme & Music: Rob McNelley Audio Engineer & Editor: Zach Kuhlman, Jason Haag Podcast Producers & Editors: Chelsea Kent & Lexie Strauss

    44 min

  8. 06/23/2025

    Ashley Gorley - Thank A Songwriter Episode 2

    Welcome back to 'Thank A Songwriter' - a brand new podcast straight from SMP Nashville, celebrating the songwriters who write the soundtrack to our lives. We're back with Ashley Gorley - one of the most celebrated songwriters of our time and a recent Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee. Hosted by CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston, we dive into Ashley's work with Onsite Foundation: Creatives Support Network.

    9 min
  9. Ashley Gorley - Thank A Songwriter Episode 1

    06/12/2025

    Ashley Gorley - Thank A Songwriter Episode 1

    We’re thrilled to officially announce the launch of “Thank a Songwriter” — a brand new podcast straight from SMP Nashville, celebrating the songwriters who wrote the soundtrack to our lives. We couldn’t be more honored to kick things off with the one and only Ashley Gorley — one of the most celebrated songwriters of our time and a recent Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee. Hosted by CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, Rusty Gaston, we dive into Ashley’s legendary career, his creative process, what his Songwriter Hall of Fame induction means to him, and the stories behind the hits you know and love. Podcast Credits: Videographer, Photographer & Director: Kamren Kennedy Podcast Theme & Music: Rob McNelley Audio Engineer & Editor: Zach Kuhlman Podcast Producers & Editors: Chelsea Kent & Lexie Strauss

    25 min
  10. Meet The Host - Rusty Gaston

    TRAILER

    Meet The Host - Rusty Gaston

    Meet Rusty Gaston, CEO of Sony Music Publishing Nashville, and host of 'Thank A Songwriter'.

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Celebrating the songwriters who have written the soundtracks to our lives - one thank you note at a time. Because greatness deserves gratitude. Hosted by Sony Music Publishing Nashville CEO, Rusty Gaston.

Information

  • Creator
    Sony Music Publishing Nashville
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sony Music Publishing Nashville
  • Show Website
    Thank A Songwriter