Life, Lyrics, and the Long Road: Turning Setbacks into Songs
In today’s episode of the Jukebox Podcast, hosts Jesse and Jordan sit down with independent artist Cort Carpenter for an honest conversation about the grind behind a music career, life in Nashville, and the mindset it takes to keep moving forward.Cort shares his journey from growing up in the Pacific Northwest and competing as a multi-sport athlete, to relocating to Nashville and playing thousands of shows on Broadway and across the country. The conversation dives into the realities of the music industry, the competitiveness of the Nashville scene, and how discipline from sports translated into perseverance as an artist.This episode also explores the highs and lows of independent music, creative motivation during difficult seasons, and how songwriting becomes a way to process life, family, and hometown roots.Whether you’re an artist, creative, or someone chasing a long-term goal, this conversation offers real insight into staying grounded while continuing to push for the next level.🎧 Tune in to hear the full story and discover why consistency and grit matter more than overnight success.👉 Subscribe to the Jukebox Podcast, share this episode, and support independent music.🎶 Check out Cort Carpenter’s latest tracks and let us know which song hits you the hardest.
26 Nov 2025
Climbing Trees, Chasing Dreams: Country Music, Hustle & Heart
In this episode of the Jukebox Podcast, Jesse and Jordan sit down with Nashville country artist Nick Smith, who joins them remotely while getting ready for tour life. From climbing trees professionally to climbing the music charts, Nick’s story is nothing short of wild.
He opens up about the hustle behind the scenes — paying for tours out of pocket, dealing with industry burnout, surviving a tough childhood, never touching alcohol, and trying to make a name for himself in a world where fame comes with a price. Nick also breaks down his new “New South” sound and why he's determined to stay real, no matter what the industry expects.
If you love honest conversations about music, dreams, grit, and everything in between… this one’s for you.
Follow Nick Smith:
Instagram: @nicksmithcountry
Music on all platforms
Huge thanks to Just Us Girls Coffee & Wine for hosting this episode.
Like, subscribe, and drop a comment if you want more unfiltered artist talks.
More podcasts here: https://salembusinessjournal.org/podcast/ (https://salembusinessjournal.org/podcast/)
3 Jul 2025
WILDEST Gig Stories with the Talbotts 🎸 | Hosted by Jordan & Jesse
🎙️ It’s the very first episode of the Jukebox Podcast! Jesse and Jordan kick things off with a bang, sitting down with none other than country duo Nick & Ty Talbott—and trust us, these guys have stories.From finding their dad’s dusty old guitar in the basement to chasing down gigs in small towns, coffee shops, and even dodging bouncers in Chicago (yep, that happened), Nick & Ty open up about what it really takes to build a music career from the ground up.They talk:The real-life moments behind their first original song 🎶What songwriting means to themHow their new record “Borderlands” brings them back to their rootsAnd how they balanced day jobs and dream-chasing with pure grit.Thanks to our awesome sponsors: SMI Real Estate & Collier Law 🤠
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