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PODCAST

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast

American Songwriter

American Songwriter is relaunching its acclaimed interview series "Off the Record," available as a podcast. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki, "Off the Record" features in-depth conversations with top music artists, exploring their musical journeys, the craft of songwriting, and personal stories behind the music. Episodes will be released every two weeks and will be available on all major podcast platforms.

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All Episodes

74:06

Wynonna: Family Secrets, Grief, and The Hard Truth

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/10/07

In this episode ofOff the Record,Lisa Konicki sits down with Wynonna for a raw, revealing conversation. After a heartfelt tribute to the late Dolly Parton, the talk turns toThe Hard Truth, the album Wynonna spent five years making with husband and producer Cactus Moser, and the first on which she wrote nine of the ten songs. She admits releasing something so personal is frightening, but explains why she had to: "We kept a secret and secrets keep you sick and there's no secret anymore."Wynonna walks

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52:42

Jessie Jo Dillon: Dad Dean Dillon, ACM Award...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/09/30

On this episode ofOff the Record, host Lisa Konicki talks with hit songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon, the first songwriter ever to win ACM Songwriter of the Year three years in a row. The episode opens with a game that pits her own hits against each other and includes a video tribute from actor-singer-songwriter Luke Grimes praising her work on his albumRed Bird.Dillon talks about growing up as the daughter of legendary songwriter Dean Dillon, why she avoided songwriting at first, and how she approaches

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66:08

Parker McCollum: Fatherhood, Album of the Year, and...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/09/23

This week onOff the Record, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki sits down with Parker McCollum fresh off the birth of his second son, Rocker, and an ACM Award for Album of the Year win. McCollum opens up about balancing tour life with two young boys and reflects on the win for his self-titled record: "a record that got the most of my heart and soul and effort and time and focus than any body of work ever has."In the episode, listeners will hear the story behind recording in New York City, where McCollum

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53:03

Riley Green: Fame Rumors, Toby Keith Tribute and...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/09/16

In the latest episode ofOff the Record, Riley Green sits down with host Lisa Konicki for a conversation that begins with the reality of fame, including AI-generated stories about his family, before turning to AI in songwriting. Green insists real country music has to come from lived experience, not a machine: "I feel like that's a really lazy way to try to create something."Throughout the show, Green gets to dig into his new album,That's Just Me, touching on the album’s name, its mix of

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54:03

Alex Warren: WILDCHILD, Grief and Fatherhood

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/09/09

This week onOff the Record, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki talks with Alex Warren, calling in from his tour in Australia, about his new albumWILDCHILD. Alex discusses his journey from homelessness and a viral internet moment to chart-topping success, and explains why he built this record as, in his words, "a tutorial on how to feel" —each track built around a different stage, from grief to falling in love.In this episode, you will hear the stories behind the album cuts, including "Cry Wolf," written

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59:52

Little Big Town: Authenticity, Staying Together and...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/09/02

On this episode ofOff the Record, host Lisa Konicki sits down with Little Big Town — Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook — for a wide-ranging conversation that includes personal catch-up and real talk about their music.Listeners get a glimpse into the band's off-stage life: Kimberly's skincare finds, updates on their now-teenage kids, and a fun game of "most likely to" that unveils members' quirks (Sweet, unsurprisingly, wins nearly every category).The heart of the

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50:33

Carter Faith: Billy Bob Thornton, Cherry Valley...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/08/26

In this episode ofOff the Record, host Lisa Konicki catches up with Carter Faith about her whirlwind year sinceCherry Valleydropped — from nonstop touring to her first ACM nomination for Album of the Year. Faith opens up about online criticism, and the contrast between her soft-spoken demeanor and sharp-edged songwriting, plus her experience opening for Post Malone on his stadium tour.The conversation then dives intoCherry Valley Forever, the deluxe edition's five new songs, as Faith shares the

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78:38

Dan + Shay: Songwriting, Family and Making Music That...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/08/19

On this episode ofOff the Record, Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki sits down with Dan + Shay to discuss their new album,Young, the creative journey that brought them there, and the decision to follow their instincts rather than rush the next chapter. Dan Smyers opens up about shelving an earlier project because it “just didn’t feel like the right natural step,” while the duo explains how that experience helped them find their way forward.The duo also shares stories behind some of the album’s most

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57:00

Pat Monahan: ‘Drops of Jupiter,’ Fatherhood & Train’s...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/08/12

On this episode ofOff the Record, Lisa Konicki sits down with Train frontman Pat Monahan to celebrate 25 years ofDrops of Jupiterand hear the personal story behind the hit song. Monahan reflects on loss, songwriting and the healing power of music, saying, “I thinkDrops of Jupiterwas the first time I realized how healing music can be.”He also opens up about Train’s new album,Mad Dog in the Fog, sharing the real-life stories behind songs including “Pennsylvania Turnpike,” “To Gloria” and “Blue

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37:50

The Stories & Inspirations Behind the Songs: Noah...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/08/05

Every great song has a story. In this compilation episode of Off the Record, host Lisa Konicki talks with songwriters Gabe Simon, Ashley Cooke, Niall Horan and Jo Dee Messina as they explore the inspiration behind some of their most meaningful songs. From unexpected songwriting breakthroughs to deeply personal moments, listeners will hear how their experiences became music.Simon shares how Noah Kahan's "The Great Divide" began with a riff that made them realize "we had something magical," while

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62:40

Gabe Simon: Noah Kahan, Stick Season & Great Songwriting

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/07/30

Go behind the scenes with hit songwriter and producer Gabe Simon as he joins host Lisa Konicki to share the stories behind his work with Noah Kahan, Lana Del Rey, Dermot Kennedy, James Bay, Koe Wetzel, Jessie Murph, and more. Simon offers an inside look at the making ofStick SeasonandThe Great Divide, sharing how he approaches every project with one goal: "I'm there to serve and to support and to uplift" the artist.Throughout the conversation, Simon discusses earning artists' trust, adapting to

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50:48

Ashley Cooke: Heartbreak, Baby Blues & Her Most...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/07/22

New country artist Ashley Cooke joinsOff the Recordwith American Songwriter Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki for a lively conversation about the making of her self-titled sophomore album, the stories behind her songs, and the experiences that shaped this new chapter of her career.Cooke opens up about writing through heartbreak, family loss, and personal growth, explaining why she decided to make this record her most vulnerable yet. “I want people to really feel like they know me as a person with this

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60:01

Steve Wariner - From Singing and Songwriting to...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/07/15

Host Lisa Konicki sits down with Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, and musician Steve Wariner on this episode ofOff the Recordto reflect on a career that spans more than five decades. Wariner shares stories from his days touring with Dottie West at just 17 years old, learning from legends like Chet Atkins, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, and Johnny Cash, and offers an inside look at the relationships and experiences that shaped him into one of country music's most respected artists. He also dives

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55:27

Jo Dee Messina - Faith, Strength and Building Bridges

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/07/08

Calling all Jo Dee Messina fans—and anyone who loves hearing the stories behind great country music—you won't want to miss this conversation. Messina sits down with Editor-in-Chief Lisa Konicki onOff the Recordto reflect on more than 30 years in country music. She opens up about how her perspective has changed, saying,"I have more wisdom now than I did then,"and shares why she believes artists don't have to "sacrifice your entire life and all your belief systems" to pursue success.The conversation

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54:35

Young the Giant - Radical Empathy, Musical Evolution...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/07/01

In this episode of Off the Record, Young the Giant shares stories about their sixth studio album, Victory Garden, and their creative writing journey. The band discusses how stepping away from distractions and writing together in nature helped shape what they call their most collaborative record in years. "We've kind of established and found our home... that home is just where we are all the time. It can be within you," frontman Sameer Gadhia explains.The conversation delves into the album’s theme of

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63:34

Grace Potter: Motherhood, Kenny Chesney and...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/06/24

In this episode of Off the Record, Grace Potter joins host Lisa Konicki for a wide-ranging conversation about her upcoming album Trespasser, songwriting, creativity, family life, and the experiences that shaped her latest music. Potter reflects on the 15th anniversary of “You and Tequila,” her friendship with Kenny Chesney, and the creative freedom she found while traveling across the country and writing songs inspired by the people and places she encountered.Listeners will hear Potter discuss the

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71:15

Shane McAnally: AI, Hit Songs and the Future of...

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/06/17

In this episode of Off the Record, hit songwriter Shane McAnally joins Editor in Chief Lisa Konicki to share the story behind his journey. McAnally reflects on the challenges he faced in his career, the moments that kept him going, and what it means to be recognized as one of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters.He shares how embracing his true self as a songwriter helped unlock a deeper level of creativity and connection with listeners. “When I realized it was a superpower... it really

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49:40

Ziggy Marley: Mental Health, Racism and Staying Positive

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/06/10

In this inspiring episode of Off the Record, host Lisa Konicki sits down with reggae legend Ziggy Marley to discuss his new album, Brightside, a project that he describes as a healing journey. Marley opens up about songwriting as therapy, mental health, embracing vulnerability, and creating music that reflects his own experiences. “I made this album for myself. It was never like, ‘Let me make this album for the world.’ This music was for me,” Marley shares.Listeners can look forward to an engaging

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53:51

Niall Horan: Love, Creativity and Nostalgia

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/06/03

Join host Lisa Konicki for the season two premiere of Off the Record as she welcomes the talented Niall Horan.In this engaging conversation, Niall shares insights about his highly anticipated solo album, Dinner Party, which explores themes of love, loss, and the journey of relationships. "It's an album of love and romance and doubts that you may have," Horan reveals, emphasizing the personal nature of his songwriting process.Listeners can expect a fun conversation, including Niall’s experiences

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43:19

Luke Grimes: Grief, Growth and Red Bird

Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast ·

2026/04/08

Off the Record its first season with a brand new episode. In the final episode of the season, Episode 11, available now, Host Lisa Konicki sits down with actor/singer/songwriter Luke Grimes.In this episode of Off The Record, Grimes reflects on his growth as both a musician and actor since his debut album, touching on fatherhood, loss, and the persistence of imposter syndrome.Discussing his role in The Marshals, Grimes explains the need to evolve his character beyond a “happy ending,” saying, “If

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