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Artwork for The Working Songwriter

The Working Songwriter

Joe Pug
Songwriting
Music Industry
Nashville
Banzoogle
Country Music
Touring
Music Production
Music
Los Angeles
Bluegrass Music
K Flay
Steve Louw
Indie Rock
Save Ferris
Creative Process
Michigander
Austin City Limits
Old Town School Of Folk Music
Joe Ely
Chicago

Joe Pug hosts a weekly conversation with one of today's best songwriters. The Working Songwriter is a part of the Bluegrass Situation Podcast Network. Interested in sponsoring us? Contact: bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods Over 300 catalog episodes available to stream in the Nation of Heat Vault. Visit joepugmusic.com/vault

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes343Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicPerforming ArtsMusic InterviewsArts

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Artwork for The Working Songwriter

Latest Episodes

This Greenville, South Carolina native is a Grammy-nominated troubadour known for his tireless touring schedule. Originally aired on December 18th, 2020.

Our guest on the Working Songwriter this week hails originally from Boston, Massachusetts and now makes his home in Toronto. Joe Pernice got his musical start, though, in Northampton, MA. At the time, it was a hot bed of indie music creativity. His b... more

This episode was originally aired on September 18th, 2020.

The celebrated singer and songwriter describes her initial ascent to the top of the charts with her debut album and how she has been able to string together many interesting chapters of her ... more

Our guest this week on the Working Songwriter hails from Canada and has spent over four decades writing hit songs. Eddie Schwartz got his start as a solo artist, but has found great success writing for and with other artists. His song "Hit Me With Yo... more

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Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Joan Osborne
Singer-songwriter featured on Relish and Trouble and Strife
Mercury Records (breakthrough label)
Episode: Classic Episode - Joan Osborne
Eddie Schwartz
Canadian songwriter and artist known for Hit Me With Your Best Shot; former president of the Songwriters Association of Canada
Songwriters Association of Canada; BMI/SOCAN/JUNO awards recipient
Episode: Eddie Schwartz
Kevin Morby
Singer-songwriter, musician, and founder of Mare Records
Woodsist/Mare Records
Episode: Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Singer-songwriter
Columbia Records (historical)
Episode: Mary Chapin Carpenter
John Craigie
Singer-songwriter from Southern California, based in Portland
Episode: Classic Episode - John Craigie
Charles Kelley
Member of Lady A; solo artist
Lady A / Capitol Nashville
Episode: Charles Kelley of Lady A
Courtney Marie Andrews
Arizona native singer-songwriter, known for Honest Life and May Your Kindness Remain
Independent artist
Episode: Classic Episode - Courtney Marie Andrews
Ricky Montgomery
Singer-songwriter and musician
Los Angeles-based artist formerly with Warner Records
Episode: Ricky Montgomery
Lee Ann Womack
Grammy-nominated country singer and songwriter
Episode: Classic Episode: Lee Ann Womack

Host

Joe Pug
Host of the show, known for exploratory, conversational interviews with contemporary songwriters.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • If you write songs…

    This is the podcast for you. Joe is funny, intelligent and insightful. My favorite podcast about music and the reality of being an independent singer songwriter. The best!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MD Boat Guy
    United States3 months ago
  • Insightful, intelligent, and essential!

    This is one of the best songwriting podcast out there. As a professional songwriter, who’s been on a lot of interviews, I’ll say that Joe is a fantastic host and brings on amazing guests who reveal deep and unique aspects about themselves and the creative industry they are part of. I’m always enthralled and enlightened and I’m so grateful that this forum exists so we can get to know the artists we love and admire. Definitely give a listen. Ps he’s also funny which helps.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robin Jacksophone
    United Statesa year ago
  • No

    First thing I hear is “Some guy named Tucker would drive an fj cruiser and would make you a website for $1000?” Absolutely not. What a moronic statement.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ashexxx
    United Statesa year ago
  • Always a great listen!

    Joe has a great conversational approach that is easy to listen to and his production is top notch. Easily one of the best podcasts out there today.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Russell Christian
    United States2 years ago
  • Love it!

    Such a good podcast. Discoveries and insights from artists I love it. Thank you for this gem ✨

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmmaCCB
    France2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Production quality and conversational tone are repeatedly highlighted as top-notch.
Guests are varied yet consistently relevant to songwriting and the music industry.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, engaging interview style and deep dive into craft.
Show is seen as essential and inspirational for songwriters and music creators.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
Q: How did you decide when to bring in a producer and how does that relationship shape your work?
Producers are essential partners who unlock aspects of the process I can't reach alone; Brad Cook, Sam Cohen, and Rob Barbato all offered different kinds of guidance, and trust is central to making that collaboration work.
Classic Episode - Kevin Morby
Q: Was your decision to go out on your own and move to LA around the same time as leaving Woods?
Yes, the move was part of a broader shift toward independence; I started The Babies with Cassie, which led to broader exploration, and then I ultimately stepped out to pursue my own path under my name.
Classic Episode - John Craigie
Q: How did you move from open mics to making a record and touring more broadly?
He explains taking it slowly, booking gigs himself, prioritizing storytelling, moving from casual bar gigs to intimate living room and club settings, and eventually building a nationwide presence by delivering a consistent show that audiences could rely on.
Classic Episode - John Craigie
Q: Can you describe your start in music?
Craigie describes growing up in a Los Angeles area with few early musicians, starting guitar around 16, moving to Santa Cruz for college where he joined jam bands, and gradually shifting toward a storytelling, songwriter-focused path as a way to connect with audiences.
Charles Kelley of Lady A
Q: When did you decide to go for it and pursue the solo project?
He explains that after initial work with other artists, he realized the solo direction offered more sonic freedom and the chance to timestamp a specific period in his life, which led to assembling a focused team and ultimately committing to an 80s-inspired sound.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Working Songwriter

What is The Working Songwriter about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on in-depth conversations with contemporary songwriters across genres, exploring craft, career evolution, and the realities of making a living from music. Conversations often trace early influences, DIY beginnings, and the balance between artistic integrity and industry demands, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, collaboration, touring, and the evolving ways artists release and sustain their work. A notable through-line is the host's approachable, curiosity-driven interviewing style that helps guests unpack creative processes, personal routines, and resilience in a changing music landscape. Expect a mix of intimate career retrospectives, practical craft tips, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes that are useful for aspiring... more

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How many listeners does The Working Songwriter get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Working Songwriter have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Working Songwriter?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Working Songwriter:

1. The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
2. Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
3. One by Willie
4. Wong Notes
5. Kreative Kontrol

How many episodes of The Working Songwriter are there?

The Working Songwriter launched 10 years ago and published 343 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Working Songwriter?

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What guests have appeared on The Working Songwriter?

Recent guests on The Working Songwriter include:

1. Joan Osborne
2. Eddie Schwartz
3. Kevin Morby
4. Mary Chapin Carpenter
5. John Craigie
6. Charles Kelley
7. Courtney Marie Andrews
8. Ricky Montgomery

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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