Joe Pug - Apple Podcasts

The Working Songwriter

The Working Songwriter

Joe Pug

13 FEB

Classic Episode: Elizabeth Cook

This episode originally aired November 29, 2019. This native of Wildwood Florida is known for her critically acclaimed albums, her XM radio show, and her frequent appearances at the Grand Ole Opry. She breaks down the early years of her career and persevering through difficult times to make art.

56 min
6 FEB

Ray Fulcher

Our guest this week hails from Harlem, Georgia. Ray Fulcher is one of Nashville's most sought-after modern country songwriters. He first broke through co-writing a string of chart-topping hits for Luke Combs – including the multi-platinum "When It Rains It Pours" – before stepping into the spotlight with his own recordings on his 2022 debut album, 'Spray Painted Line.' Fulcher has toured extensively, sharing stages with Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, and Matt Stell, and his songs have been streamed hundreds of millions of times across platforms. He has written for artists like Riley Green and Cody Johnson, including Johnson's recent hit "The Fall." 'Billboard' highlights his "unmistakable narrative grit," while Holler celebrates his "clean-cut melodies and lived-in honesty." Taste of Country notes his "ability to turn small-town details into widescreen emotion." I caught up with him recently on The Working Songwriter to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

56 min
23 ENE

Hayes Carll returns again

Our guest this week on The Working Songwriter hails from The Woodlands, Texas. Hayes Carll is a singer, songwriter, and storyteller whose sharp wit and plainspoken poetry first broke through with his 2002 debut, 'Flowers & Liquor.' That was followed by 2008's 'Trouble in Mind,' which delivered the hit "She Left Me for Jesus" and cemented his place among the genre's most distinctive voices. Carll has toured with artists like Old Crow Medicine Show, Todd Snider, and Alison Krauss and his songs have been covered by Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, and Kenny Chesney. He's recorded for Lost Highway, Dualtone, and Thirty Tigers and he's performed on stages from Newport Folk Festival to Austin City Limits and the Grand Ole Opry. 'Rolling Stone' praises his work for its "razor-sharp wit and lived-in warmth," while NPR notes his "keen eye for the human condition wrapped in disarming charm." 'American Songwriter' calls him "one of Americana's most reliable truth-tellers." Our show's most frequent guest pops by to discuss his latest album "We're Only Human" and finding a creative voice that's more true to himself. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

40 min
30 ENE

Classic Episode: John Moreland

This episode originally aired on August 31, 2018. The Tulsa troubadour describes his transition from hardcore music to folk, how to put on a compelling live show solo, and staying inspired even when the creative process is painful.

56 min
17/12/2025

Remembering Joe Ely

The Texas music icon passed away this week. Ten years ago he was the inaugural guest of this podcast. It was so gracious of him to sit down for a show that was just starting. He was always generous with his time and attention to younger artists. Another devastating loss for American music. This episode originally aired on February 26, 2016.

1 h y 2 min
21/11/2025

Remembering Todd Snider

The Bard of East Nashville passed away last week at the age of 59. We are re-airing his episode of the podcast which was originally published in March of 2020.

1 h y 1 min
9 ENE

Evan Bartels

Our guest this week hails from Tobias, Nebraska, a town of about 100 people. Evan Bartels is a singer-songwriter who with his 2017 debut, 'The Devil, God & Me,' burst onto the national scene. More recently, Bartels has expanded his audience with the release of his EP, 'To Make You Cry,' recorded after relocating to Nashville and reflecting on a period of personal upheaval and renewal. Bartels has toured with American Aquarium, The White Buffalo, and John Moreland; he records for MCA/Universal; and he's performed at Mile of Music, AmericanaFest, and the C2C Festival. 'No Depression' calls him "a haunting new presence in Americana," while Americana Highways praises his "unvarnished, soul-bearing songwriting." 'Glide Magazine' notes his "ability to turn bruised experience into stark, resonant beauty." I caught up with Evan Bartels a few months ago for The Working Songwriter to hear about his musical journey so far. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

1 h
10/10/2025

The Swell Season

The musical partnership of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova has captivated worldwide audiences, even earning them an Academy Award in 2007 for the song "Falling Slowly".

46 min
05/12/2025

Dave Stewart

This legendary British songwriter and producer went multi-platinum with his band Eurythmics before embarking on a career that has included collaborations with Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, and many others.

1 h y 12 min
16 ENE

Classic Episode: Nicole Atkins

This episode originally aired on September 27, 2019. The Nashville via New Jersey vocalist and songwriter discusses the turn of the century anti-folk scene in NYC, her major label debut being derailed by legendary producer Rick Rubin, and sobriety.

59 min
23/02/2025

Chuck Prophet

This legendary songwriter has toured with Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo, and collaborated with Warren Zevon.

1 h y 5 min
12/01/2024

Liz Longley

This native of Downingtown PA studied Berklee College of Music, moved to Nashville and promptly won the prestigious BMI John Lennon songwriting competition. ","resolvedBy":"manual","customThumbEnabled":false}" data-block-type="22">

41 min
14/12/2024

Medium Build

Nicholas Carpenter is the creative force behind this band that hails from Alaska, which has toured with FINNEAS and Tyler Chiders, and recorded for Island Records.

52 min
16/02/2024

Tyler Ramsey

This native of North Carolina was once an integral member of Band of Horses and is now back to releasing his own critically acclaimed solo albums.

58 min
27/10/2023

Darrell Scott

This legendary songsmith who has written for Brad Paisley, the Chicks, Guy Clark, Montgomery Gentry and many others joins the show.

59 min
11/12/2023

Dylan LeBlanc

This soulful singer from the American south has painstakingly built a worldwide following over the last decade.

1 h y 9 min
26/01/2024

St. Paul & The Broken Bones

We were joined by Paul Janeway at the Park City Song Summit to discuss his group's meteoric rise to prominence and his creative process.

1 h y 10 min
22/12/2023

Bob Schneider

This legendary Austin TX songwriter stops by the show to talk about three decades of prolific writing, touring, and recording.

1 h y 3 min
05/01/2024

HEALTH

Jake Duzsik is the founder and creative force behind this industrial rock band from Los Angeles that has toured with Nine Inch Nails and contributed scoring to video games such as Grand Theft Auto.

1 h y 2 min
16/12/2023

Classified

This Canadian hip hop star has found success for over three decades, including appearances with Snoop Dogg and platinum records of his own.

49 min

Joe Pug en Apple