Today’s guest is a musical architect whose fingerprints are on some of the most emotionally resonant and sonically rich records of the last decade. He’s not the loudest in the room—but when he’s in the studio, every note, every tone, every beat matters. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer with an unmatched intuition, he brings out the soul in every song, guiding artists to their most authentic performances. From Grammy-winning collaborations with Kacey Musgraves to shaping records across indie, country, rock, and beyond, he’s the quiet force behind the soundtracks to our lives. All the way from Nashville, Tennessee, this master of nuance proves that subtlety can be a superpower. And the writer is… Ian Fitchuk!

0:00 – Intro: Sobriety, Fear & Creativity 

0:55 – NMPA Sponsor Message 

3:25 – Growing Up in the Chicago Suburbs 

6:15 – Musical Upbringing: Classical Roots & Church Influence 

9:05 – Early Influences: CDs, Cassettes & Graceland 

12:05 – Bear Killer, Drums & Songwriting Beginnings 

17:30 – From Church Bands to Writing Real Songs 

20:50 – Leaving Home & Moving to Nashville 

27:30 – First Touring Gig & Life Lessons 

30:50 – Discovering Production via the Christian Music Scene 

35:50 – A Decade of Struggle Before the Breakthrough 

40:50 – Why Ian Never Quit (Even With Kids) 

45:00 – Golden Hour Era: Writing With Kacey 

50:50 – Making Golden Hour Using Logic Stock Sounds 

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