The Bilby + Ella Show

BilbynElla
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Music
  • Updated Biweekly

The Bilby + Ella show is for music creatives, by music creatives. Broadcasting from the heart of Nashville, we dive deep with artists, producers, songwriters, and visionaries who've found their purpose through the creative process. Each conversation reveals the real stories behind the music: the breakthroughs, the setbacks, and the moments of clarity that shape both artistry and life. We chip away at new creative ideas and strategies that push boundaries and spark innovation. This is where creativity meets purpose, and where every story has something to teach.

  1. Jun 18

    Eli + Jonathan Hutcherson on Writing 1,500+ Songs, Faith & Anxiety in Nashville | Ep. 17

    Our guests this week are brothers, songwriters, and artists Jonathan and Eli Hutcherson, who grew up eight years apart in a small Kentucky town with almost no music in the family and somehow, serendipitously, they both ended up chasing the dream in Nashville and are each actively crushing it. Since making it to town, Jonathan spent seven years as an artist and writer with Creative Nation (where he's still signed as a songwriter), while Eli is actively stepping into the independent world himself as an artist. In this conversation, the Hutchersons get honest about what it takes to survive a writer's room: managing ego (and the insecurity hiding underneath it), letting a co-writer ride the wave instead of stepping on it, and why being yourself matters more than being impressive. They break down the real difference between publishing and masters, why streaming has changed who gets paid and how, and what pushed them both toward independence over a label deal. They also open up about faith, anxiety, and a brotherhood that turns competition into collaboration. Whether you're a songwriter finding your voice, an indie artist weighing your options, or just someone who loves a good sibling story, this one's full of heart, hustle, and hard-won wisdom from two brothers building their own lane in Music City. Enjoy! 00:00 – Welcome & Intro: Eli + Jonathan Hutcherson 01:19 – Growing Up in Kentucky & a Family With Almost No Music 04:02 – Moving to Nashville at 18 & Signing With Creative Nation 05:44 – Finding (and Hiding) a Love for Music Growing Up 09:04 – Skipping College & Learning the Industry by Doing It 12:18 – Writing 1,500+ Songs & the "Water Spigot" Theory of Craft 15:13 – Learning From Luke Laird, Matt Jenkins & Nashville's Best Writers 17:45 – How Ego (and Insecurity) Kills a Writing Room 21:52 – Writing Together as Brothers Without Competing 27:45 – Letting a Co-Writer "Ride the Wave" 29:25 – Writing for an Artist's Voice, Not Your Own 33:21 – Believing in Your Songs Before Anyone Else Does 38:55 – Faith, David & the Psalms as Songwriting Therapy 44:55 – Finding Your Identity & Your Own Creative Stamp 47:00 – Loving Yourself, Loving Others & Where That Comes From 50:11 – Letting Emotions Roll In Instead of Fighting Them 56:03 – Publishing vs. Masters, Explained Simply 59:33 – How Streaming Changed Who Actually Gets Paid 1:00:48 – Why They Chose Independence Over a Label Deal 1:08:24 – Building a Fanbase From Nothing (and Sleeping in a Minivan) 1:09:44 – "Go Fail": The Case for Just Putting Music Out 1:14:12 – Anchors, Storms & Finding What Holds You Steady 1:17:34 – Brotherhood Over Competition Follow Jonathan Hutcherson: Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Follow Eli Hutcherson: Instagram TikTok YouTube Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 19m

  2. May 21

    Alex Tamashunas on Why Songwriters Deserve More Credit & How Spotify Is Changing That | Ep. 16

    Our guest this week has spent her career in the spaces most people don't see: the publishing offices, the writing rooms, and now the streaming platforms quietly shaping what gets heard and who gets credit. As Spotify's Songwriting & Publisher Partnerships Lead, Alex Tamashunas is one of the few people we've met working at the highest levels of this industry with a songwriter's heart still fully intact. In this conversation, Alex opens up about the uphill battle of building real fandom around the people who write the songs, what Spotify's new Song DNA feature means for songwriter visibility, and why AI in the writing room is less a creative tool and more a shortcut that costs you something. She also gets into the advice she wishes more emerging writers heard: the power of first impressions, finding your tribe, and knowing when to shoot your shot. Whether you're trying to navigate publishing, figure out your next move as a songwriter, or just curious about what's really happening inside one of the world's biggest music platforms, we think this one has something for you. We're so grateful Alex made the time to sit with us. Hope you enjoy! 00:00 – Welcome & Intro: Alex Tamashunas 01:00 – How Alex & Willie Met + the Hunter Hayes Connection 03:18 – Growing Up in New Jersey & Falling in Love with Country Music 07:00 – Why Nashville Over LA? Following the Lyric 09:00 – What Does a Music Publisher Actually Do? 11:27 – From Bartending to Publishing to Spotify 13:37 – Spotify's Song DNA Feature & Giving Songwriters Visibility 19:07 – The Gap Between How Much Songwriters Matter & How Little They're Celebrated 23:00 – Building Fandom Around Songwriters: Is the Appetite There? 26:40 – The Double-Edged Sword of Music Personalization & the Loss of a Shared Heartbeat 33:58 – Algorithmic vs. Editor-Curated Playlists: Why Both Matter 35:30 – Advice for Independent Artists & Songwriters Finding Their Footing 43:50 – The Importance of Mentors & Finding a Great Publisher 45:00 – When Songwriters Become Artists: Why Alex Loves Seeing That Transition 48:50 – AI in the Writing Room: Where It Helps & Where It Costs You 56:35 – Authenticity, Connection & What Listeners Are Really Starving For 59:00 – Falling Back in Love with Music & Artist Rec: Annika Bennett 01:03:35 – The Importance of Writing Alone Once a Week Follow Alex Tamashunas: Instagram Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 5m

  3. Apr 23

    Karl Michael on Finding His Sound, Writing with Bruno Mars, and Building Confidence | Ep. 15

    London-born artist and songwriter Karl Michael joins the Bilby & Ella Show for a conversation rooted in resilience, identity, and staying power. Raised on rap, soul, and R&B, Karl spent years honing his craft and building momentum as an artist, from competing on The Voice UK to stepping into his own as a solo act. His journey reflects a deep commitment to growth and a willingness to evolve along the way. Now based in Nashville, Karl has written with names like Bruno Mars, Teddy Swims, and Yungblud, while continuing to develop his own sound as an artist. In this episode, he opens up about navigating the highs and lows of the industry, growing in confidence as a vocalist, and learning to trust who he is in the room. It’s a conversation about perseverance, self-belief, and what it takes to keep going when the path doesn’t look how you expected. Be sure to check out Karl’s latest single “Way Less Lonely” available now ahead of his upcoming EP. 00:00 Intro + Welcoming Karl Michael 02:10 Growing Up in London + Early Musical Influences 07:20 Falling in Love with R&B, Soul & Pop 11:40 Chasing Music Full-Time + Early Career Moments 17:20 Early Breaks + Writing Opportunities 23:30 Writing with Bruno Mars + Major Collaborations 28:50 Finding His Sound as an Artist 34:30 Moving to Nashville + Finding His Place 40:10 Overcoming Personal Setbacks + Resilience 45:20 The Highs and Lows of the Music Industry 50:30 Building Confidence as an Artist 54:30 Final Thoughts + What’s Next Follow Karl Michael: Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Community⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    58 min

  4. Apr 2

    David Dennis on The Belonging Co., Leading Worship & Creative Calling | Ep. 14

    Worship leader and artist David Dennis joins us for a conversation rooted in faith, creativity, and calling. Currently serving at The Belonging Co. in Nashville, David has become known for his powerful voice and presence, with many recognizing him from songs like “The Joy” and “I Know That I Know.” But as he shares in this episode, his journey is about far more than the stage. In this conversation, David opens up about his path to Nashville, the challenges and uncertainties he faced along the way, and how his understanding of worship has evolved over time. He gives an honest look at what it means to lead from a place of humility, how to maintain the right posture while performing, and the tension of balancing artistry with a life centered on honoring God. We also dive into the creative process behind worship music, the shifting landscape of Christian music, and what it looks like to pursue both excellence and authenticity in the room and on stage. Whether you’re an artist, worship leader, or creative trying to stay grounded in your purpose, this episode is a real, raw, and encouraging look at building a life and career that’s rooted in something deeper. 00:00 Intro + Meet David 03:10 Georgia to Nashville: David’s Roots 05:35 Growing Up in Church + The Start of His Story 09:34 Belmont, College Years + A Really Hard Season 16:53 How David Got Connected with The Belonging Co. 23:25 Practicing Humility with Your Gifts 30:03 Stepping Back Into Songwriting + Their Creative Process 40:00 Technical vs. Authentic Songwriting 43:00 How David Prepares for Writing Sessions 47:30 Songwriting as a Worship Leader 51:45 Connecting Theology to Songwriting 55:30 Creating Content as a Worship Artist 59:00 Frannie Cash, Forrest Frank, Josiah Queen + More 01:02:45 Entering Your 30s: Life + Perspective Shift 01:07:10 Music That Shaped David + Early Influences 01:15:00 Dream Collaborators for David’s Solo Project 01:18:00 Closing Thoughts + Encouragement Follow David Dennis: Instagram Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Join Our Community⁠⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 28m

  5. Mar 19

    Brett Sheroky on Nashville Songwriting, Surviving Open Heart Surgery & His Debut Album | Ep. 13

    Songwriter Brett Sheroky has spent years behind the scenes writing songs for artists like Blake Shelton, Jake Owen, Matt Stell, Cody Jinks, Randall King, and Tucker Wetmore. His songs have climbed the charts, hit #1 on Texas radio, and appeared on shows like The Voice and American Idol. Now, with the release of his debut album Rock Paper Scissors, Brett is stepping out from behind the songs and into the spotlight as an artist. In this episode, Brett joins Bilby & Ella to talk about the craft of songwriting, the realities of navigating today’s music industry, and the long road it takes to build a creative life. He also opens up about a life-changing season that reshaped his perspective on music, career, and the time we’re given to pursue what matters most. Blending the spirit of 90s country with the grit of 70s rock, Brett Sheroky’s music feels both timeless and fresh. This is a conversation about songwriting, resilience, and staying true to the art. Listen now and check out Brett’s debut album Rock Paper Scissors, available everywhere. 00:00 Brett Sheroky’s Open Heart Surgery Story 05:10 Living With a Heart Condition & Perspective on Life 11:20 Brett’s Path Into Songwriting 17:40 Moving to Nashville & Learning the Writing Room 24:05 Live Shows in Nashville + The Dawes Story 31:10 Brett’s Debut Album “Rock Paper Scissors” 38:15 Social Media’s Impact on Discovering Artists 45:45 Brett, Bilby & Ella’s Definition of Success 52:30 The Demand for Authentic Artists Today 59:20 Brett Reflects on 17 Years in Nashville 01:05:40 Breaking Down Other Artists’ Rise 01:12:30 Will AI Be the Next Napster? 01:19:50 Inviting God Into the Songwriting Process 01:26:40 What’s Next for Brett’s Music 01:31:50 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up Follow Brett Sheroky: Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Website Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Join Our Community⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 35m

  6. Mar 5

    Jeffrey Steele on Being the “Dumbest Guy in the Band,” Honky Tonk Education, & Nashville | Ep. 12

    7x Grammy Award–nominated songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Jeffrey Steele joins us for an honest conversation about the craft, calling, and emotional core of songwriting. With more than 60 charting songs including “What Hurts the Most,” “My Wish,” and “The Cowboy in Me,” Jeffrey reflects on the life experiences, observations, and faith that have shaped his voice as a writer. We talk with Jeffrey about his journey from playing rock clubs in Los Angeles to finding his way into Nashville’s writing rooms, and how losing his voice at a pivotal moment forced him to rediscover songwriting from the inside out. Along the way, he shares what it looks like to trust instinct, lean into collaboration, and chase honesty over perfection. Throughout our conversation, Jeffrey offers perspective on creative longevity, the power of being fully present in the room, and why the best songs often come from real conversations and lived experience rather than chasing trends or clever rhymes. This one felt special to us. It’s a masterclass in intuition, humility, and the long game of creativity from one of Nashville’s most influential songwriters, and we hope it encourages you wherever you are in your own creative journey. 00:00 – Introduction & Jeffrey Steele’s Songwriting Journey 02:05 – Do You Write What Was Never Said? 12:16 – From Rock Bands to Nashville Writing Rooms 20:59 – Losing His Voice & Reinventing Himself as a Writer 23:40 – How to Read the Room as a Songwriter 34:20 – “Never Do It for the Money” (Kris Kristofferson Story) 36:56 – Overthinking vs. Letting the Song Happen 46:07 – The Arrangement Behind “The Cowboy in Me” 48:09 – Grief, His Father & “What Hurts the Most” 1:01:38 – Why 90s & 00s Songs Still Hit Today 1:19:13 – Jeffrey Steele’s New Song “A Voice” (Not Being the Second Best Merle Haggard) 1:43:35 – Writing to Help the World, Not Hurt It Follow Jeffrey Steele: Instagram YouTube Facebook Website Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Join Our Community⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 46m

  7. Jan 29

    CJ Solar on Life After the Publishing Deal and Staying True as an Artist | Ep. 11

    CJ Solar joins Bilby & Ella for an honest conversation about navigating independence, creativity, and longevity in today’s music industry. After years of success as a songwriter with cuts by Jason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Justin Moore, Joe Nichols, and Jerrod Niemann, including the multi week number one hit “Up Down,” CJ opens up about life after stepping away from a major publishing deal and what it means to fully bet on himself as an artist. In this episode, CJ breaks down the tension between writing for others and building a personal catalog, how AI and modern demo tools are reshaping songwriting, and why authenticity and imperfection matter more than ever. He shares hard earned perspective on touring economics, door deals, building sustainable live markets, and the realities of promoting music in an algorithm driven world. CJ also gives an inside look at his upcoming full length album, from choosing live tracking over polish to assembling a lineup of legendary players to capture a more human, timeless sound. Whether you are a songwriter navigating multiple lanes, an independent artist building from the ground up, or a listener curious about what it really takes to sustain a creative life, this episode offers rare clarity, honesty, and long game perspective from someone still very much in the fight. 00:00 Snowpocalypse setup, travel, and catching up 06:59 Screens, meditation, and protecting creativity 09:02 Content pressure and the modern artist’s reality online 17:26 AI demos, pitching culture, and what wins now 24:10 Authenticity vs perfection (Zach Bryan, mistakes, and “human” records) 30:05 CJ’s story: Baton Rouge to Nashville 31:58 Early cuts, first wins, and writing “Up Down” 32:56 The shift to social-first labels and why CJ stepped away 34:54 Touring weekends, building fans, and balancing writer vs artist 36:42 The new full-length album: why now and what it represents 42:11 Recruiting the band and capturing a more human sounding record 47:36 Going fully independent: life after the publishing deal 53:49 Touring economics, door deals, and making new markets work 01:05:27 Building a touring plan with data, strategy, and songwriter rounds 01:11:18 The content creator era, earning “mystery,” and letting fans in 01:22:54 Closing thoughts and wrap Follow CJ Solar: Instagram TikTok YouTube Facebook Website Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠ Join Our Community Follow Hill: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 24m

  8. Jan 13

    Ep. 10: Mark Hill | What It Really Takes to Be a First Call Session Player

    Mark Hill is one of Nashville’s most trusted session bass players and producers, a quiet force behind countless records that have shaped modern country, Americana, and Christian music. Raised in a small farming town in southern Illinois and introduced to music through gospel, Mark found his calling early and built a career around preparation, adaptability, and serving the song above all else. A five-time ACM nominee and two-time ACM Bass Player of the Year, Mark Hill has logged hundreds of sessions a year, earning his place as a first-call musician by mastering far more than just the instrument. From his first Nashville recording session at just 11 years old to touring and recording with artists like Keith Urban, Mark’s journey reveals what it really takes to survive in the session world: musical fluency, emotional intelligence, and an unwavering work ethic. In this conversation, Mark breaks down the realities of becoming a professional session musician. Digging the well. Reading the room. Knowing when to lead and when to disappear. He shares stories of mentorship, lessons learned in high-pressure rooms, and how producing later in his career has deepened his understanding of what artists truly need to feel supported. Whether you’re an aspiring session player, a producer shaping records, or a listener curious about the musicians behind the music, this episode offers rare, hard-earned insight into building a sustainable creative life, one session at a time. 01:07 Meet Mark Hill 02:51 Gospel roots and getting started young 05:08 First songs, learning by ear, and early musical instincts 12:22 Watching the pros and realizing what “professional” looks like 13:45 The Nashville Number System explained 19:26 Leadership on sessions and charting for the room 22:18 Jimmie Lee Sloas, mentorship, and learning by observing 29:41 Taking the producer seat and learning to serve the artist 31:17 Rental properties, Nashville chaos, and meeting Sinclair 38:27 Producing an 80s leaning project with Dann Huff and friends 39:25 How many sessions per year and what the workload is really like 40:26 Insomnia, Ambien, and life on the road 44:58 What it takes to survive in Nashville long term 49:56 Advice for aspiring session musicians and getting in the pool 54:48 Touring, the modern music economy, and making it work 57:31 The Keith Urban call and the pressure of saying yes 1:00:05 Building a “clean tour” and leading at a high level 1:01:05 Band leader responsibilities, calendars, and setlist decisions 1:02:27 The bus moment, belief, and the Field of Dreams analogy 1:08:15 Pay structure, hospitality, and taking care of the band 1:11:45 Recording stories with Michael Bublé and Eric Stonestreet 1:17:59 Final thoughts on approachability, longevity, and legacy Follow Mark Hill: Website Follow The Bilby + Ella Show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ Follow Hill: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow Willie: ⁠⁠Instagram

    1h 20m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Bilby + Ella show is for music creatives, by music creatives. Broadcasting from the heart of Nashville, we dive deep with artists, producers, songwriters, and visionaries who've found their purpose through the creative process. Each conversation reveals the real stories behind the music: the breakthroughs, the setbacks, and the moments of clarity that shape both artistry and life. We chip away at new creative ideas and strategies that push boundaries and spark innovation. This is where creativity meets purpose, and where every story has something to teach.

Information

  • Creator
    BilbynElla
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © BilbynElla
  • Show Website
    The Bilby + Ella Show