Songcraft: Spotlight On Songwriters

In addition to his own albums and mixtapes, artist, songwriter, and entertainer Eric Bellinger has co-written hits such as Chris Brown’s “New Flame” and Usher’s “Lemme See,” as well as songs by Justin Bieber, Trey Songz, The Game, and others. Eric joins Paul to chat about his remarkable career that spans pop, hip-hop, and R&B. PART ONEScott and Paul talk about musicians who are also great athletes and theorize about the connections between sports and music, including Paul's tales of his days playing basketball with Brian McKnightPART TWOPaul's in-depth interview with Eric BellingerABOUT ERIC BELLINGERSinger, songwriter, and producer Eric Bellinger balances his career as a performer with a long list of behind-the-scenes writer credits on hits such as Chris Brown’s “New Flame,” which topped multiple Billboard charts, “Lemme See,” an ASCAP-award winning song by Usher that reached #2 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, the Top 40 “Right Here” by Justin Bieber featuring Drake, and the theme song of

Nine-time Grammy nominee Ani DiFranco joins Scott and Paul to talk about her career as a fiercely independent singer-songwriter and activist, and share some insights into the social, political, and personal challenges that inspired her honest but hope-filled new studio album, Revolutionary Love. PART ONEPaul and Scott discuss the complicated legacy of genius songwriter/producer and convicted murderer Phil Spector, before paying tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in honor of the MLK holiday. They each choose a favorite song to emerge from the Civil Rights era and consider how King's message informs the artistic world today. PART TWOOur in-depth interview with the great Ani DiFrancoABOUT ANI DIFRANCOSinger, songwriter, musician, producer, poet, author, spoken-word artist, activist and entrepreneur Ani DiFranco has released more than 20 independent studio albums on her own label, Righteous Babe Records. Though often classified as “alternative folk,” DiFranco’s musical influences span a range of

PART ONE:Paul and Scott geek out about the Bee Gees documentary, and the nature of being the kind of songwriter who MUST do it, no matter what.PART TWO:Dan Wilson chats about how Liam Gallagher of Oasis inspired the first new Semisonic music in years; why his relationship with songs has always been very practical; how his first massive hit was born from a need to mix up the set list; the theory he once had about lyrics that he doesn't have any more; the lesson he learned from writing with Carole King that he's carried through his entire career; why it was a good thing that Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks rejected his song idea; how Rick Rubin informed his approach to music; the gritty details on the two-day process of writing "Someone Like You" with Adele; why Nashville's songwriting ethic impacted his process; the time a song was finalized over pizza with John Legend and Chrissy Tiegen; and how fellow songwriter Teddy Geiger indirectly inspired a most unusual format for Dan's collection of wisdom for writ

Merry Christmas! What better way to wrap up our 12 Days of Christmas mini-episodes than with “Christmas Time is Here” from A Charlie Brown Christmas? Today we share an excerpt of our 2017 conversation with Lee Mendelson who produced the classic animated special and wrote the lyrics of the song that has since been covered by Diana Krall, John Legend, Shawn Colvin, R.E.M., Mariah Carey, Tony Bennett, Barry Manilow, Toni Braxon, Lauren Daigle, and many others. Mendelson died on Christmas day in 2019, so we are so grateful to have had the chance to speak with him a couple of years before his passing. We know his memories will warm your heart!

It's Day 11 of our "12 Days of Christmas" daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this Christmas Eve we reflect on "Breath of Heaven" with Chris Eaton, who co-wrote the song with Amy Grant. It has since been recorded by Vince Gill, Jessica Simpson, Donna Summer, Sara Groves, Melissa Manchester, and many more.

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this tenth day of Christmas, we explore "Merry Christmas from the Family" with the great Robert Earl Keen. The Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Famer tells Scott and guest host Randy Poe all about the song that set the standard for redneck Christmases everywhere, and has been covered by The Chicks, Jill Sobule, Montgomery Gentry, and others.

PART ONEScott and Paul chat about the holidays and Paul's latest Christmas cut by Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr.PART TWOThe guys catch up with Eagles songwriter and past Songcraft guest Jack Tempchin ("Already Gone," "Peaceful Easy Feeling") about his brand new holiday song and children's book. PART THREEOur in-depth conversation with thirteen-time Grammy nominee and two-time winner Walter Afanasieff who co-wrote and co-produced Mariah Carey hits such as the number one singles “Can’t Let Go,” “My All,” “Hero,” “One Sweet Day,” and the perennial holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas is You." Additionally, he produced some of the biggest movie soundtrack songs of all time, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Whole New World,” and “My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic. ABOUT WALTER AFANSIEFFThirteen-time Grammy nominee and two-time winner Walter Afanasieff is best known for his collaborative songwriting and production partnership with Mariah Carey that yielded hit singles such as “Can’t Let Go,” “Dreamlover,” “

Songcraft's 12 Days of Christmas continues with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. Today we hear from Walter Afanasieff, co-writer and co-producer (with Mariah Carey) of the modern-day holiday standard "All I Want for Christmas is You." Released in 1994, the song hit #1 on the Billboard pop chart for the first time in 2019. And it's back at #1 again this month! This bonus episode is a teaser of our full-length career-spanning interview with Walter that launches later today. Hear them both for the FULL experience.

It's the 8th day of our 12 Days of Christmas mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. Today we catch up with Chris Butler, writer of "Christmas Wrapping" by his group The Waitresses. Best known for their hit "I Know What Boys Like," Chris was the mastermind behind the group. He tell us all about his modern day holiday standard, including finishing the lyrics in the cab on the way to the studio!

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this seventh day of Christmas, we explore "Mary Did You Know?" with co-writer Mark Lowry. The gospel music legend tells us all about the holiday standard that's since been covered by Pentatonix, Natalie Cole, CeeLo Green, Mary J. Blige, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, and many others.

Our 12 Days of Christmas countdown continues with today's mini-episode, a conversation with the charming Randy Brooks. The writer of the equally loved and maligned "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" shares the wild story of the song's unexpected success, including an inspirational spark from Merle Haggard and some early encouragement from Dolly Parton.

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this fifth day of Christmas, we explore "That Spirit of Christmas" with co-writer Mable John. The first female artist signed to Motown, the sister of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Little Willie John, and a long-time Ray Charles associate, Mable tells us all about the creation of the song that's probably best known as from the attic scene of the hit holiday film Christmas Vacation.

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this fourth day of Christmas, we explore "Feliz Navidad" with writer and original performer Jose Feliciano. The Latin Songwriters Hall of Famer and 7-time Grammy winner tells us all about the creation of his holiday hit that's since been covered by Michael Buble, Celine Dion, Kacey Musgraves, and Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood.

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this third day of Christmas, we explore "Santa Baby" with co-writer Phil Springer. The former Brill Building writer (who was 91 at the time of our interview) tells us all about the creation of the holiday hit that's since been covered by Madonna, Michael Buble, Taylor Swift, Kylie Minogue, Ariana Grande, Trisha Yearwood, Gwen Stefani, and many more!

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this second day of Christmas, we explore Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas" with co-writer Bryan Wells. The former Motown staff writer, who also co-wrote Stevie's Top 10 hits "A Place in the Sun" and "Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday," tells us all about the writing of the holiday hit that's since been covered by The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Jack Johnson, Justin Bieber, and others.

We're counting down the 12 Days of Christmas with daily mini-episodes spotlighting a classic holiday song and featuring an interview with the writer. On this first day of Christmas, we explore Elvis Presley's "Santa Claus is Back in Town" with Songwriters Hall of Famer, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time, Mike Stoller.

Part One:Scott and Paul chat about recording a special song as a gift for your loved one, shout-out our most recent Patreon supporters, make wild speculations about Bob Dylan, and discuss why spite motivated Scott to get a second Grammy nomination.  Part Two:Our in-depth interview with Erika EnderAbout Erika Ender:Though best known as the co-writer of the international hit “Despacito,” Panamanian-born Erika Ender is an accomplished songwriter and singer who has written or co-written more than 40 chart topping singles. Working in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, Erika’s songs have been recorded by artists such as Justin Bieber, Akon, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Mark Anthony, Chayanne, Gloria Trevi, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Prince Royce, and Jenny Rivera. She’s one of only two women to write a Spanish language song that’s climbed to the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100; she’s the only Hispanic woman to be nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy; and she was the youngest person ever inducted into the Latin Song

Luke Laird is one of Nashville’s most successful songwriters. He has written two dozen #1 country hits, earning him six separate CMA Trip Play awards, each of which recognizes the achievement of penning three #1 country songs within a 12 month period. The two-time Grammy winner has been named both ACM and BMI Country Songwriter of the Year. Highlights of his catalog include Kasey Musgraves’ “Space Cowboy” which earned him a Grammy for Country Song of the Year, Rodney Atkins’ “Take a Back Road” which was named BMI Country Song of the Year, Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” which earned an ACM nomination for Song of the Year, and Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools,” which was nominated for a Country Song of the Year Grammy. Two of his most revered songs are Kenny Chesney’s “American Kids” and Eric Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” which were both nominated for CMA Song of the Year, ACM Song of the Year, and the Grammy for Country Song of the Year. Laird built his reputation as a country chart topper wit

PART ONEScott and Paul talk about their friends at Pearl Snap Studios and pinch themselves over having the opportunity to talk with Elvis Costello.PART TWOElvis Costello discusses his new album Hey Clockface and talks about the record that set him on his musical journey; why he still likes writing in a notebook; the reason he resists the urge to go to an instrument too soon when he gets a melodic idea; the songwriting question he asked Bob Dylan; why he thinks he’s missed out on some cover songs; how he knows when a song is finished; the track on his new album that represents a songwriting “first” for him; his experiences in the studio with a gun-toting producer; and what he learned about the marriage of lyrics and melody from his co-writing relationships with Paul McCartney and Burt Bacharach. ABOUT ELVIS COSTELLOReleased between 1977 and 1979, Elvis Costello’s first three albums—My Aim is True, This Year’s Model, and Armed Forces—were all included in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums

PART ONECo-hosts Scott and Paul pay tribute to the legacies of Eddie Van Halen and Johnny Bush, two songwriters from very different genres who recently passed. PART TWOOur in-depth interview with the amazing Ledisi where she reveals her wide-ranging influences; gives us the inside track on working with Rex Rideout, Raphael Saadiq, and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; talks about the hand Prince played in shaping her career, and explains why she geeked out when she saw Bruce Springsteen at the Grammy Awards. ABOUT LEDISILedisi is a singer, songwriter, and actress with a dozen Grammy nominations in categories including Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance, and Best R&B Song. After several years on her own independent label she signed with Verve Forecast Records for her album Lost & Found, which hit the Top 10 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. She went on to release a string of albums for the label, all of which hit the Top 5 on the US charts. In addition, she landed more than a d