Ten Year Town

Ten Year Town

Author: Troy Cartwright Language: English Episodes: 100
There’s a saying in Nashville that it takes a decade to become an overnight success, a notion that gives Ten Year Town its name and its soul. Hosted by artist and songwriter Troy Cartwright, this isn't just another interview series; it's a series of honest, sometimes gritty, conversations held in the spaces where music is made and careers are built. Troy brings listeners directly into the room with hit songwriters, working musicians, and the executives who navigate Music Row's complex landscape. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a late-night writing session or a candid coffee talk, where the gloss of the industry fades away to reveal the real stories. You’ll hear about the early struggles, the unexpected breaks, and the relentless hustle required not just to reach the top, but to maintain a life and a career there. The podcast thrives on specificity-the details of a failed pitch, the anxiety before a big show, the collaboration behind a familiar lyric. It’s about the craft, the business, and the fragile balance between art and ambition. For anyone curious about the human beings behind the songs and the sheer perseverance it takes to build something lasting in music, Ten Year Town offers a genuine, unfiltered perspective you won't find in a press release.
Episodes
Episode 93: Paul Cauthen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:17
Paul Cauthen is a singer-songwriter from East Texas, known for blending country, rock, gospel, and soul. He began his career as one half of the Americana duo Sons of Fathers before launching his solo career in 2016 with…
Nine Years of CMA Fest: What It Taught Me About the Industry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:36
This week on Ten Year Town, something new: Troy Cartwright reads his latest Substack post—a reflection on nine years of CMA Fest, how it’s changed, and what it says about industry right now. If you’re into country music,…
Episode 92: Anderson East [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:08
Anderson East is a GRAMMY-nominated artist and songwriter originally from Athens, Alabama. Known for songs like “This Too Shall Last,” he blends R&B, soul, and roots rock into a sound all his own. In 2019, he received a…
Episode 91: Ben Rector [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:36
Ben Rector is a singer songwriter originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the past decade, he has built a dedicated fanbase through consistent touring and a catalog of self-written, self-released albums. His 2015 album Bra…
Episode 90: Jon Decious [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:42
Jon Decious is a Nashville-based songwriter originally from Monticello, Kentucky. His recent credits include three songs on Lainey Wilson’s 2024 album Whirlwind (“4x4xU,” “Counting Chickens,” and “Ring Finger”), “Armadil…
Episode 89: Walker Hayes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:55
Walker Hayes is a GRAMMY-nominated country artist and songwriter originally from Mobile, Alabama. He gained national attention in 2021 with “Fancy Like,” which topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, became his fir…
Episode 88: Ryan Hurd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:38
Ryan Hurd is a Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan. He began his career as a songwriter in Nashville, penning No. 1 hits like “Lonely Tonight” for Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe, a…
Episode 87: Kameron Marlowe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:59
Kameron Marlowe is a country artist and songwriter originally from Kannapolis, North Carolina. He has earned multiple RIAA certifications, including a platinum certification for his song “Giving You Up.” He is currently…
Episode 86: Ryan Whelpley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:47
Ryan Whelpley is a touring director at Red Light Management. Originally from Eerie, Pennsylvania - he has built a career working behind the scenes with artists like Kip Moore, Tim McGraw, Jordan Davis, and many, many oth…
Creating Art in a World That Won’t Stop Scrolling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:05
How do we stay creative and inspired in a digital world filled with constant noise, distractions, and context collapse? In this reflective exploration, we dive into the challenges artists and creators face in today's ove…