Why hello! It’s been a minute :) We (Sarah and Vic) have been busy bees this Summer, but we wanted to share our conversation with the incredible Jeanette Porcello! It was recorded a bit ago and was intended for the next season, but as life does, things got crazy. We didn’t want to wait to share her wisdom with you, so here she is! Jeanette is Director of A&R at Downtown Artist and Label Services, so you know she has some great things to share with us. In this episode, we chat all about: Breakdown: - How Jeanette ended up in the music industry, and Nashville! - Internships that make you who you are and set you up for success - The importance of having diversity in who you learn from and lean on - Peers, growth, competition, and finding your people - Championing women & building intentional relationships within the industry - Knowing and trusting who you are is your biggest green flag! - A&R, Producer Management, and what the day-to-day looks like - Learning to trust your gut - Knowing there’s room for everyone at the table - You don’t need a job title to start doing the job - How do you build your own producer management business? - Hopes for the future, being independent, and long careers - And more

Sarah and Vic sit down with multi-instrumentalist tour musician and artist Mia Morris to talk about: How Mia began playing music and got her start in the industry as a young teen Her evolution as a musician and artist How being unconventional can help you succeed What is tour like?! Growing pains and having to “fly free” to find yourself  How Mia handles her own artistry when she plays for so many others Musicality, passion, and why having peers who understand you is so important What’s next as she evolves Winging it and trusting the process And more! Notes: Mia Morris - https://www.miamorris.com/? Smith Curry - https://www.smithcurry.com/ Beth Nielsen Chapman - https://bethnielsenchapman.com/ Tenille Arts - https://www.tenillearts.com/

Sarah and Vic chat with Nashville-based artist and songwriter and TONS (The Other Nashville Society) 2024 Next Artist Abigail Rose about her life so far, including: Growing up on Music Row, discovering her passion for music and chasing it Coming up in the industry “sweet spot” Taylor Swift created for young women  Evolving sound and artistry while not being Country Abigail’s influences and her foundation in strength and femininity How the way the industry looks at women is all wrong, and how it’s changing How living in LA helped solidify who she was and the music she makes Collaborating with your significant other, finding your community, and making a record! Coming home to Nashville and building a fan base and reputation Being a 2024 TONS Next artist! Tour, new music, and how the industry is moving forward  And more! Notes: Abigail Rose - https://www.abigailrosemusic.com/ Silver Springs (Live at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA 5/23/97) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RYRoQO15ZI

Sarah and Vic sit down with tour photographer Maggie London to discuss: How Maggie discovered her passion for photography and forged her own path  Taking charge and learning as you go How studying other topics can help you as a creative How she turned her passion into a business and learned the industry ropes Being the only woman in the pit, diversity, and progress What does tour look like for a photographer? How gender, race, identity, etc. play a big role in working with artists The benefit of having peers who support and connect you Evolving into artist development and creative direction Where the industry is going now that artists, and fans, are more educated and aware of the good, the bad, and the ugly of the entertainment industry And more! Notes: Maggie: https://maggielndnphoto.com/about Bonnaroo - https://www.bonnaroo.com/ Photographer Mentioned - https://www.instagram.com/baeth/ Almost Famous - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/ Roadies - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4270458/ Cage the Elephant - https://www.cagetheelephant.com/ Morrison Hotel Gallery NY - https://morrisonhotelgallery.com/ Zoe Clark - https://www.instagram.com/zoeclarkofficial/

Music Journalist and Author of ”Her Country” Marissa Moss sits down with Sarah and Vic to chat all about her career, including: How Marissa got her start and where her passion came from Coming up in politics and finding her beat in Country Music Learning the business of journalism as much as the craft How do you actually get paid?! Building a catalog of work and a reputation Discovering where Country Music Journalism was dropping the ball, and picking it up What it looks like to be one of the only women in your field What it’s like to get to the heart of an artist and an issue Dealing with the eccentricities of the subjects and topics you cover Speaking out about difficult and taboo topics Hitting roadblocks and pushback The story of writing “Her Country” and becoming a published author Being a music geek at heart! Fighting for diversity and inclusion in journalism and music Finding ways to keep going when it feels hopeless How the next generation is claiming their place and using their voices NOTES: Marissa Moss Website: https://www.marissarmoss.com/ Marissa Publisher Bio: https://us.macmillan.com/author/marissarmoss Marissa IG: https://www.instagram.com/marissarmoss/ David Unilao “The Filipino Cowboy”: https://www.instagram.com/davidunlayao/ Caitlin Butts: https://www.instagram.com/kaitlinbutts/

Pop Artist and Enneagram Coach Savanna Leigh joins Sarah and Vic to chat about how her creativity is influenced by her specialty in the Enneagram and her passion for mental health. Topics include: Savanna’s journey from starting in a sister duo to finding her creative voice and identity in pop music Moving to Nashville and building a life without her security blanket  Finding the right team, which happens to be full of women! How 1 college class led her to find a different type of passion in the Enneagram COVID and the space to dive in to the Enneagram and mental health  Savannah’s journey of creating her own space in the Enneagram world and learning herself Emotional growth - going from closed off to self-aware and open What is the Enneagram and how does it work? What does the Enneagram show you about yourself and how can you use that to your advantage? What it looks like to create from a more self-aware space Creating with people who are different “types” than you and how it can be a hidden blessing Incorporating your passions and not hiding parts of yourself to make others comfortable Dealing with pushback, aligning with the right people, and helping others thrive And more! NOTES: Savanna’s Enneagram Site: https://www.leadwithenneagram.com/  Listen to the EP: https://ffm.to/savannaleigh-remindersofyou-ep  Connect with Savanna and her music: https://www.instagram.com/savannaleigh/ https://www.tiktok.com/@savannaleighofficial https://www.youtube.com/savannaleighofficial  https://www.savannaleigh.com/

Dr. Jada Watson returns to The Table Women to chat all about women in radio, including: How Jada found her passion for women in radio and later turned that into a career The evolution of her path and the history of radio charts How radio charts even work! Beyoncé, Country Music Radio, and backlash (or not?) The power of having data to back up what we experience The cost of having access to the facts We’re still going backwards for female representation in radio, what’s up? Tomato-gate and it’s impact History of Country Music and how we ended up here There are only ever 3 women “succeeding” at a time - wtf?! Barbie, women in pop music, politics, country music - weird connections! So how do we fix it? Jada’s own experiences with being targeted in retaliation for her work Seeing how being armed with information uplifts the next generations And more! Jada’s website and other links: www.SongData.ca Jada Watson, “‘Diversi’tea’: Spilling the Data on Inclusive Programming.” Presented at Country Radio Seminar, 1 March 2024. Jan Diehm and Jada Watson, “They Won’t Play a Lady-O on Country Radio: Examining Back-to-Back Plays by Gender, Race, and Sexual Orientation.” The Pudding, 22 May 2023. Jada Watson, “Redlining in Country Music 2.0: Representation in the Country Music Industry in 2021 and 2022.” SongData Reports; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 17 March 2023. NOTES: Corb Lund: https://www.corblund.com/ Sarah Harmer: https://sarahharmer.com/ Loretta Lynn: https://lorettalynn.com/ Kitty Wells: https://www.kittywells.com/ Mickey Guyton: https://www.mickeyguyton.com/ Maren Morris: https://www.marenmorris.com/ Beyoncé: https://www.beyonce.com/ Beverly Keel chapter in A Boy Named Sue: Gender and Country Music: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/A/A-Boy-Named-Sue Lainey Wilson: https://www.laineywilson.com/home?page=1 Women In Music: https://www.womeninmusic.org/get-involved Tomato-Gate (Keith Hill): https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/06/18/tomato-gate-galvanizes-women-country/28936501/ Jingoism: https://www.britannica.com/topic/jingoism The Chicks: https://thechicks.com/ Robyn Ottolini: https://www.robynottolini.com/ Priscilla Block: https://www.priscillablock.com/ Jada’s Toronto Star Article: https://www.thestar.com/opinion/jason-aldean-s-try-that-is-now-no-1-on-the-charts-that-s-a/article_d88b19c8-5cd3-51b9-af43-fc75f98a5fab.html Emily Yahr: “Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs and the Complicated Response to ‘Fast Car’.” Sara Ahmed “Living a Feminist Life”: https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv11g9836 We Belmont: https://www.instagram.com/webelmont/ Rissi Palmer: https://rissipalmermusic.com/ Black Opry: https://www.blackopry.com/ Sasha: https://www.iamsacha.com/ Julie Williams: https://www.thisisjuliewilliams.com/about Roberta Lea: https://www.iamrobertalea.com/ Joy Oladokun: https://www.joyoladokun.com/ Emma White: https://emmawhite.com/ Kelsea Ballerini: https://www.kelseaballerini.com/Cowboys-Cry-Too Carly Pearce: https://www.carlypearce.com/#/ Allison Russell: https://allisonrussellmusic.com/ Carter Faith: https://www.carterfaith.com/ P.S. We discuss the initial reaction to Beyoncé releasing ”Cowboy Carter” including the backlash, or what seemed to be backlash, from Country Music Radio. Sarah and Jada discussed videos online regarding radio stations claiming they won’t play the record. We went back and were able to find content on the initial incident discussed, but we’re still looking for videos describing other incidents. If you know of any information regarding people/stations being against playing ”Cowboy Carter” please reach out and send them our way, we’d love to have them and share them with Jada!

Artist Manager at Red Light Management Nicolette McCann joins us to chat about her journey with fellow The Table Women guest, artist BIZZY, and: How Nicolette found her niche and tried out different paths Small world connections and invisible strings that became the perfect launching pad for success The magic of being new and independent as a manager and an artist The growing pains of developing your career and navigating a relationship with your artists What it looks like trying to take an artist from viral to sustainable Navigating taking a career to the next level, personal vs. professional relationships, and more Knowing when to jump on board or leave an opportunity behind Getting started managing - where and how to begin  Advice for artists, wannabe managers, and personal philosophies And more! Red Light Management: https://www.redlightmanagement.com/  Nicolette: https://www.instagram.com/nicolettemccann/  BIZZY: https://www.srryimbizzy.com/about  Cousin Simple: https://www.cousinsimple.com/

Viral artist and songwriter joins us to chat about: BIZZY’s journey from wanting to be behind the song to on the stage Going to school and taking a chance that launched her career Going viral and turning it into a sustainable career Finding the right career and team  What is tour like?! The growing pains of being a young woman in music Writing your authentic truth How she deals with social media, having an audience, and haters  Staying grounded and sane Dealing with fair-weather friends, success, and trusting your gut Very important views on pickles  Notes: Website: https://www.srryimbizzy.com/  Newest Release ”When It Ends”: https://open.spotify.com/track/1SOtN3lFMTNKrZQXDB1Ee8  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@srryimbizzy

We’re back with season 4! Country Artist and Songwriter Brooke Eden sits down at the table to discuss her journey from playing hometown honkytonks to major stages, getting signed, the struggle of finding her voice, her love story with wife Hilary, coming out, and more! Notes: Brooke Eden: https://www.brookeeden.com/welcome/ BMG: https://www.bmg.com/us Outlaw Love Album: https://brookeeden.lnk.to/OutlawLoveWE “Outlaw Love” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzskBIMVKT8 “All My Love” Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2QMboZ_Lc Ty Herndon: https://www.tyherndon.com/ Chely Wright: https://www.chely.com/ The Worst Witch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092239/

We’re back! After time away Sarah and Vic discuss where they’ve been, what’s been going on, and what’s coming up, as well as sharing and answering the new rapid-fire questions! Notes: Asleep At Last - Atlas Enneagram for Enneagram 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HM5Hqq2P2Y Soul contract book, ”Journey of Souls”: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Souls-Studies-Between-Lives/dp/1567184855

Sarah and Vic sit down with Management and A&R at Born & Raised Entertainment and TwentySeven Music Publishing Sarah Stickle to discuss: Finding your niche and using varied experience to your advantage The satisfaction of seeing things through start to finish, and celebrating your wins! Diversity in the industry and how it varies from location, genre, and area of the industry How underpaying songwriters is a feminist issue How gender roles and capitalism make it harder to create change Performative allyship - Are the changes we’re seeing long-term? Being a queer woman in the music industry  The intersection of gender, race, and sexuality  Advocating for your peers and creators, and helping others do the same The difference in community and creativity between Nashville and LA The importance of having peers and a team that fights for you Notes: Jason Bernard - https://variety.com/2018/music/news/pulse-music-group-jason-bernard-1203021768/  Kobalt - https://www.kobaltmusic.com/  Some of Sarah’s recent wins and artists/songs discussed: Signing Brian Brundage for management (Tai Verdes’ ”A-O-K”, Rhys Lewis, Maddie Zahm) Cuts she helped to secure: 44Phantom ft. Machine Gun Kelly single ”don’t sleep, repeat” Hayley Kiyoko’s ”for the girls” - which was also featured in the new Netflix film Do Revenge  Sofia Carson’s ”Loud” Procured the mix for Kane Brown’s single ”Grand” (mixed by Adam Hawkins) Ryan Daly - The new John Legend single ”Wonder Woman”, the forthcoming Fitz & The Tantrums album, and the current DNCE single

Sarah and Vic discuss the gap in understanding between older generations and Gen Z, and Social media, via first-person concerns gathered anonymously from college students, listeners, and viral artists.   Topics include: What happens when the gatekeepers try to jump on the bandwagon Trusting your creative “gut” over trends and views What happens if you hit it big and fall off? Do views and aesthetic decide the quality of the content? Speed VS. Quality  Gen Z doesn’t give a fuck about your status quo - the standard was never for us How old structures like labels can hold you back in the age of viral content Overexposure and how the industry corrects Authenticity is king - and Gen Z can spot it better than anybody  Scandals, cancel culture, and post Me Too accountability The pressure to be famous and always have a take Is the next phase of the tech age no tech? Viral content, evolving trends, and societal “correctness” The importance of mental health and having to face our faults How seemingly small social trends influence world events Mentioned creators: Idiocracy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/  Loveless “Unholy” Cover: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TdKWSlEXyaI  Katie Gregson-MacLeod - complex (demo): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvbKTeuxHVI  Sam Smith “Unholy”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq9gPaIzbe8  Try Guys: https://www.youtube.com/c/tryguys

Hit country songwriter Liz Hengber sits down with Vic and Sarah to discuss her incredible career, including: Lessons learned over 30+ years in Nashville Why it’s important to show up Mentorship and how it changes the game Lessons from waiting tables and waiting your turn  How to stay sharp and relevant in changing times The career-keeping perspectives of 7 #1’s and 70+ cuts  Why ego has no place in the writing room Gender, age, and new generations!

Sarah and Victoria sit down with Senior Director of Creative at Creative Nation, Emily Furman to discuss: What it looks like to work your way up in publishing  The internal vs. external experience as a woman in music Longterm jobs in a short-term industry and when to switch it up What it takes to build an artist career that lasts How farmers and assertive family prepares you to connect with people Advocating for yourself and creatives One person’s success doesn’t take away from yours Burnout, establishing balance in your life, and less is more Check your ego at the door And so much more! Notes: Carnival Music: https://www.carnivalmusic.net/  Carnival’s Roster: https://www.carnivalmusic.net/music-makers  Hailey Whitters: https://haileywhitters.com/  Brent Cobb: https://www.brentcobbmusic.com/  Creative Nation: https://www.creativenationmusic.com/  Beth Laird & the team: https://www.creativenationmusic.com/team  CN’s Roster: https://www.creativenationmusic.com/clients  Lainey Wilson: https://laineywilson.com/homepage

Sarah and Victoria sit down with hit producer-writer Alex Kline to discuss: Alex’s journey to being one of the top producers in Nashville What actually goes into being a professional producer? Having (and losing) a record deal and doing the “artist thing” The differences in experience when you’re a female producer/writer Writing with dream teams… that just happen to be all women Label and Publishing deals - what’s the tea? How your priorities and standards evolve with you Seeing raw talent hidden under a rough exterior Hit songs in the world of Covid Advice for up-and-coming creatives   Alex’s website: https://www.alexklinemusic.com/ Alex’s discography: https://www.alexklinemusic.com/music Tenille Arts: https://www.tenillearts.com/

In this special episode, WeBelmont (Women in Entertainment Belmont) President Jamie Emerick interviews hosts Sarah DeFors and Victoria Banks in front of a (zoom) live student audience about their careers, personal and creative philosophies, podcasting, current gender-based social issues, and student questions!

Hit Country Songwriter Kelly Archer sits down to discuss her wild journey and career, including: From re-writing songs for fun to taking a leap of faith and becoming a hit songwriter The loneliness of chasing your dreams and importance of community What does networking, finding your friends & champions, and betting on yourself look like? Follow the free snacks (and booze)! The flip from being in-demand to having to prove you deserve to be in the room Writing songs for men that feel authentic (and don’t belittle women) The difference between working with men and women Back to basics - writing what and with whom brings you joy after trying to fit in You can choose to not work with assholes (and you should) Teams that have your back and what it looks like to know your worth The difference between established creatives and the new generation - good and bad The story behind “Sleep Without You” by Brett Young and other hits Eric Church is Basically Taylor Swift - Get over it! Male champions for women in music - we love to see it! The sacrifices and rewards of betting on yourself Re-writing the same idea and why it’s important to always change your POV Being one of (if not the only) woman in your “class” of peers Caring too much is a blessing and a curse - know when to lean in & when to let go Kelly’s Bio: Kelly Archer hails from the beautiful Pacific Northwest of Canada and has been a signed writer in Nashville for the past 20 years. Kelly’s songs have been recorded by Jason Aldean, Brett Young, Justin Moore, Travis Denning, Reba, Tricia Yearwood, Eli Young Band, Dustin Lynch, Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry, Cassadee Pope, Lindsay Ell, Natalie Hemby (Puxico), Chris Lane in the U.S. and Meghan Patrick, Tyler Joe Miller, Tebey, Jess Moskaluke, Shawn Austen, Matt Lang, The Washboard Union and many more in Canada.  Kelly has had several songs placed in the series “Nashville” and she received the AIMP ”Rising Songwriter of the year” award for 2017. Kelly celebrated her first number one song with Brett Young’s  ”Sleep without you”, her second number one with Justin Moore’s ”Somebody Else Will”,  and recently her 3rd #1 with Travis Denning’s ”After a few”. Notes:  Kelly Archer: http://www.redcreativegroup.com/kellyarcher  Kelly’s Cuts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Songs_written_by_Kelly_Archer  Praying for Daylight - I’m Moving On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8SnPcwjgU  NSAI: https://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/  Cole Wright - https://www.wrightnownashville.com/about/  Brett Young “Sleep Without You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H06Ep1MTRW0  Eric Church: https://www.ericchurch.com/

Vic and Sarah finish answering your questions and answer the S3 rapid-fire questions for themselves! Trigger Warning for mention and non-graphic discussion of suicide. Links: Kimberly DeFors: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly.defors/?hl=en  Anna Mae: http://www.annamaemusic.com/  Miss Americana Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RsbcFRwNA  Taylor Swift & Damon Albarn Writing Scandal: https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-slams-artist-who-says-she-doesnt-write-her-own-songs/amp  Gayle: https://www.gayleofficial.com/  ABCDEFU By GAYLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaFd8ucHLuo  Mickey Guyton: https://www.mickeyguyton.com/  Get On The Train By Victoria Banks: https://victoriabanks.bandcamp.com/track/get-on-the-train  Firefly By Victoria Banks: https://victoriabanks.bandcamp.com/track/firefly  Karen Kosowski: https://www.karenkosowski.com/  Washboard Union: https://www.thewashboardunion.com/

In Ep. 27 Sarah and Vic answer your questions to kick off 2022! You, our lovely audience, asked so many wonderful questions we had to split this episode into 2! Part 1 focuses on answering audience questions, from the practical to deep and personal we get into everything you want to know.  Next time on part 2, Vic and Sarah will focus on answering more audience questions and the new S3 ”rapid fire” questions for themselves! Notes:  Kimberly DeFors: https://www.instagram.com/kimberly.defors/?hl=en  Anna Mae: http://www.annamaemusic.com/  Miss Americana Taylor Swift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40RsbcFRwNA  Taylor Swift & Damon Albarn Writing Scandal: https://www.glamour.com/story/taylor-swift-slams-artist-who-says-she-doesnt-write-her-own-songs/amp  Gayle: https://www.gayleofficial.com/  ABCDEFU By GAYLE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaFd8ucHLuo  Mickey Guyton: https://www.mickeyguyton.com/  Get On The Train By Victoria Banks: https://victoriabanks.bandcamp.com/track/get-on-the-train  Firefly By Victoria Banks: https://victoriabanks.bandcamp.com/track/firefly  Karen Kosowski: https://www.karenkosowski.com/  Washboard Union: https://www.thewashboardunion.com/