songwriter

Apr 29

Trey Calloway

By Chrissy Bernal Music, Podcast No Comments

There’s an idea we all want to believe. If you’re talented enough, you’ll make it.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with singer-songwriter Trey Calloway, a rising country artist navigating the reality of building a career in today’s music industry. And what we uncover is something a lot of people don’t want to admit: Timing matters more than talent.

We talk about country stars like Jason Aldean and Eric Church, artists who feel inevitable now but weren’t always. There were years where nobody knew who they were, years where it could have gone the other way.

Because when you really look at success in the music industry, you start to realize something. It doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen just because someone is talented.

It happens when everything lines up. Talent. Timing. Opportunity. And readiness.

Miss one of those, and the outcome can look completely different.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to make it in country music, why some artists break through and others don’t, or how timing shapes success in the music industry, give this episode a listen!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

In this episode:

Why some incredibly talented artists never break through
How timing, readiness, and life experience all collide
The reality of making money in music today
Why success often comes later than expected
And what keeps someone going when it would be easier to quit

Quotations:

“Once I had lost my ego, once I had lost all of the negative emotions that come with this business, and once I had more maturity about it, I was ready and seasoned to come to Nashville. And I think that’s part of the reason why I’m doing okay is because I feel like I was ready.” – Trey Calloway

“I think if I had moved to Nashville when I was 19, like I originally planned to. I don’t think I would have made it; I was too hot-headed and too headstrong and too conceited and just not in the right headspace.” – Trey Calloway

Bio:

Trey Calloway is a singer/songwriter born and raised in North Carolina. The son of a preacher man, Trey grew up singing in church and was a seasoned performer by the age of 10. Although southern and contemporary gospel were his first musical loves, he was instantly mesmerized by the sounds of country music after hearing a Garth Brooks Greatest Hits album his parents bought for him. A deep understanding and passion for the rocking, boot stomping, country music of artists such as Clint Black, Alan Jackson, and Travis Tritt began to grow within him. Trey began writing songs, playing guitar, and performing in clubs at age 15. He knew early on without a shadow of a doubt that he would make music his career. Trey recorded and released his debut Nashville album entitled “Carolina Man” and was able to work with some of his musical heroes including Brent Mason, Lonnie Wilson and Buddy Hyatt on the album.

Trey penned all twelve songs on the album, including “Daddy from Day One” inspired by the birth of his son Cash, and teamed up with musician and producer Mike Rogers to bring the songs to life. In 2020, Trey released several original singles, working with Nashville producer Kevin Key, including his most recent song entitled “Heal This Family.” Trey created his first ever music video for this new single, which is a timely message of love and unity that he wants to share with the world. In addition to songwriting, Trey is passionate about inspiring and energizing live audiences and currently travels between Nashville and the Carolinas performing at clubs, festivals and private and charitable events such as Vet Fest Carolinas which he headlined in 2020.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://treycallowaymusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treycallowaymusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treycallowaymusic/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TreyCalloway1

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@treycallowaymusic

Apr 15

Love26

Jerry Flowers

By Chrissy Bernal Music, Podcast No Comments

There’s what people see on stage, and then there’s everything else.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome back Jerry Flowers, a seasoned bassist, an accomplished songwriter, and music industry veteran, best known for his longtime role as Keith Urban’s bass player and bandleader.

We’ll talk about what life on tour is really like, from playing in front of 80,000 people at major concerts to walking into a room of 50 where no one knows who you are. It’s a side of the music industry most people never see.

Jerry shares what it takes to connect with a live audience, why some artists succeed while others struggle, and how the best performers learn to win over any crowd, whether it’s a stadium or a small private event.

We also get into the realities of touring as a musician, the highs and lows of the road, and the difference between the spotlight and the moments that happen behind the scenes.

This is a conversation about stories. The ones you remember, the ones that shape you, and the ones that don’t seem important at the time… until years later, when you realize they meant everything.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

In This Episode:

What Life on Tour Is Really Like
Jerry Flowers on Touring with Keith Urban
The Best Concert Experience: 80,000 Fans in Quebec City
The Reality of Life After a Big Show
From Stadiums to Small Rooms: The Truth About Touring
How Great Artists Win Over Any Crowd
Early Days on Tour: Bars, Vans, and the Grind
Learning Storytelling as a Songwriter and Performer
Music Industry Stories: Jack Black, Hugh Jackman, and More
Why Storytelling Matters in Music and Life
Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, and Artist Development
American Idol vs Real-World Experience in Music
Why Some Artists Make It and Others Don’t
Great Songs That Never Became Hits
The Stories You Carry With You

Bio:

Jerry Flowers is a seasoned bassist, songwriter, and music industry veteran, best known for his longtime role as Keith Urban’s bass player and band leader. With a career spanning decades, Jerry has toured the world, shared the stage with music legends, and played a pivotal role in crafting chart-topping hits both on and off the road.

Originally from Pinch, West Virginia, Jerry’s musical journey began at just 12 years old, fueled by a passion for bass guitar. His talent and dedication took him from small-town gigs to global stages, touring with The Chicks, Counting Crows, and more.

Beyond performing, Jerry is an accomplished songwriter, earning #1 hits with Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt, and Ryan Hurd. His musicality and creativity continue to inspire every session he’s in, making him a sought-after collaborator in Nashville’s thriving music scene.

Guest Contact Info:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerryflowersmusic/

Feb 18

Love21

Phil Vassar

By Chrissy Bernal Music, Podcast No Comments

For 25 years, Phil Vassar has written and performed songs that defined an era of country music. But behind the hits like Just Another Day in Paradise, Carlene, and The Sound of a Million Dreams is a story of rejection, resilience, health scares, and hard-earned perspective.

This week on Here’s What We Know, Phil reflects on the roadblocks that nearly stopped him, the heart attack that changed his outlook, and why he believes songwriters are more like therapists than hitmakers. From owning his own bar in Nashville to outlasting the gatekeepers who said piano players would never work in country music, Phil opens up about what it really takes to build a lasting career.

This is a conversation about instinct, grit, healing, and the power of a song to carry you through the hardest seasons of life.

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

Writing Songs Is Therapy
“They Said Piano Players Don’t Work in Nashville”
Building a Following Before a Record Deal
The Hits They Hated
Knowing When You’ve Got Something
Surviving a Heart Attack and Stroke
Just Another Day in Paradise
The Story Behind Carlene
The Sound of a Million Dreams
Bands, Egos, and Going Solo
Toby Keith, Vince Gill, and Songwriting Brotherhood
Slowing Down After 25 Years
Ending with Piano Man

Quotations:

“Now I’m just going to play when I want to play and write when I want to write, you know, it’s just good.” ~ Phil Vassar

“Everybody in Nashville really respects songwriters. I mean, I think it’s because most artists don’t write their own songs.” ~ Phil Vassar

“I don’t want to be in a band because I’ll kill somebody, you know, and it’s just the way it is. And I realized that I’d rather sit on a stage with a piano and play my songs.” ~ Phil Vassar

“You can’t hide anything from a writer.” ~ Phil Vassar

“That’s the thing about your writers; they’re almost like therapists. It’s a therapy to write a song.” ~ Phil Vassar

Bio:

Phil Vassar is a chart-topping country artist and acclaimed Nashville songwriter whose piano-driven sound helped redefine modern country music. Raised in a home filled with Motown, gospel, bluegrass, and classic rock, Vassar developed an eclectic musical foundation that blends heartfelt storytelling with unforgettable hooks. Influenced by artists like Billy Joel and Elton John, he found his true voice behind the piano, crafting songs that resonate across generations.

Over a 25-year career, Vassar has earned two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year awards, ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist honors, and scored 10 No. 1 hits including “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Carlene,” and “Six-Pack Summer.” As a songwriter, he’s penned major hits for Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Jo Dee Messina, and others, cementing his reputation as one of Nashville’s most versatile hitmakers.

Now celebrating the 25th anniversary of his breakout success, Vassar continues to tour nationally, blending his classic hits with fresh interpretations and new music. After surviving a life-altering heart attack in 2023, he brings renewed gratitude and perspective to both his life and career. At his core, Phil Vassar remains a passionate storyteller dedicated to creating songs that move people and stand the test of time.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.philvassar.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPhilVassar/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philvassar/

Dec 31

Love24

Will Jones

By Chrissy Bernal Music, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re ending the year with a bang in this episode of Once Around the Country as we welcome singer-songwriter Will Jones! Join us for a relaxed, honest conversation that wanders through bluegrass roots, songwriting, fatherhood, and the beauty of keeping things simple.

Will shares stories from growing up in Cana, Virginia, playing in a family bluegrass band tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, learning music before most kids learn multiplication tables, and waking his dad up singing gospel songs at six years old. Those early porch-front, small-town moments still shape how he writes and performs today.

We also explore the grind of the road, lessons learned from nearly empty rooms, moments with artists like Josh Turner, Laney Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, and Zach Brown, and how faith, family, and years of persistence have shaped his perspective.

This episode is funny, reflective, and deeply human. It is about staying rooted, showing up honestly, and finding joy in the journey, even when it is messy.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

In This Episode:

Bluegrass roots and Appalachian beginnings
Learning music before learning math
Writing songs from real conversations
Fatherhood, family, and finding balance
Fixing old trucks between shows
Playing live with no tracks, no safety net
Lessons from empty rooms and long roads
Why honesty still wins in country music

Quotations:

“Part of entertaining for me is getting to know the people that I’m singing for and letting them get to know me.” ~ Will Jones

“If you want people to get to know who you are, you have to be yourself, and you have to be unapologetic about being who you are and being yourself. And once you realize that you have the complete freedom to do that and sing exactly how you sing and write the songs you want to write and be exactly who you are, then that lifts all the weight off the shoulders for me. I mean, that gives you the ultimate freedom as a creative person to really start to have fun with your music and your content and everything you’re doing.” ~ Will Jones

“Every bit of the inspiration that I pull from for writing songs and doing what I do, I guess you would say, my why, you know, in this life, it goes to my family, my wife and my two-year-old and my soon-to-be newborn baby, you know, my faith in Jesus.” ~ Will Jones

Bio:

Will Jones is a country artist raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and based in Nashville. A seasoned performer and songwriter, he blends mountain grit, soul, and timeless storytelling into a sound all his own.

His sound is a love letter to the past and a firm handshake to the future—carving his own lane in country music.