EPISODE 12: Jeffrey Steele on Family Influence, Songwriting Hits and the Evolution of Country Music
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the extraordinary life and career of legendary songwriter Jeffrey Steele. This episode is a rich tapestry of stories that span decades, from the vibrant music scenes of Hollywood and Nashville to the deeply personal influences that have shaped Steele's songwriting journey. It's an episode that touches on the profound impact of family, the evolution of the music industry, and the enduring power of resilience and creativity.
One of the most compelling aspects of Steele's story is the profound influence of his late father. Growing up in 70s California, Steele was deeply affected by his father's life and work as a machinist. This emotional connection is vividly illustrated in Steele's song "What Hurts The Most," which received praise from industry legends and fans alike. Steele's reflections on his father's impact are a heartfelt tribute to the ways in which family can shape an artist's identity and career.
The episode also takes listeners on a nostalgic journey through the dynamic music scenes of Hollywood and Nashville. Steele recounts his early days performing at iconic venues like the Palomino, where he rubbed shoulders with bands like The Police and the Eagles. These experiences were instrumental in shaping Steele's musical style, blending rock, country, and alternative influences. A pivotal moment in Steele's career came when he met Tony Brown, a meeting that would significantly shape his trajectory in Nashville and offer a unique glimpse into the music industry's evolution.
Steele's journey is not without its challenges, particularly in the context of the modern music industry. The episode explores the impact of economic conditions and the challenges songwriters face in the streaming era. Steele reflects on the nostalgia for the era of physical sales and mechanical royalties, which provided more substantial earnings for songwriters compared to today's streaming revenue. This discussion highlights the difficulties of standing out in an industry overwhelmed by an influx of media and content.
A particularly memorable story from the episode is Steele's encounter with Kris Kristofferson in a North Hollywood alley. Kristofferson 's advice to "never do it for the money" resonated deeply with Steele and became a guiding principle in his career. This anecdote underscores the importance of passion and authenticity in the music industry, a theme that runs throughout Steele's stories and advice for aspiring musicians.
The episode also delves into Steele's personal struggles and triumphs. In the mid-90s, after his band broke up, Steele embarked on a solo career with Curb Records, performing 200 shows a year and dealing with severe vocal issues. A turning point came when he met Dr. Tom McDonald, who taught him a new way to use his voice, leading to an 18-month hiatus from singing. This period marked the beginning of Steele's successful songwriting career, with hits for artists like Rascal Flatts, illustrating how setbacks can lead to new opportunities.
One of the most poignant stories shared in the episode is the creation of the song "What Hurts the Most." Originally intended to honor Steele's father with the title "What Meant the Most," a serendipitous moment during a recording session led to the title change. This shift profoundly impacted the song's emotional depth, demonstrating the power of a single word in transforming a song. Steele's reflections on this experience offer valuable insights into the creative process and the lessons learned from songwriting legends.
A five time Grammy Nominee, Jeffrey Steele has been recognized by BMI for over 65 million airplays for hits he penned for a multitude of artists including Keith Urban, Eric Church, Zac Brown Band, Jimmy Buffett, Montgomery Gentry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cher, .38 Special, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts and Van Zant, Joe Cocker, Little Feat ft. Bob Seger, Joe Bonamassa, Cascada and more. Among his many accolades over the past few years, Jeffrey Steele has been named to the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame as a Poet and Prophet, twice awarded BMI Songwriter of the Year and thrice the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) Songwriter of the Year. CMA has twice awarded him the coveted “Triple Play Award” for three No. 1 songs in a year. Additionally, he has won over 35 BMI Country and Pop awards, was nominated for a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award for Best Original Song “I Thought I Lost You” for the Disney/Pixar animated feature BOLT, performed by Miley Cyrus and John Travolta, been named one of Billboard Magazine’s top 5 writer’s 8 years in a row, as well as Music Row Magazine’s Songwriter of the Year Award. Steele’s latest album features performances with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, John Rich and others.
Thanks for another great episode!
Your show is such a breath of fresh air. I feel better after every watch.
You guys are sooo amazing 🎉😂😂😂😂😂😂
Super episode, Jeff was so good...wish you did have 3 hours to talk to him, I'd keep listening! Great stuff guys, you are really making my day with these podcasts during such crazy times in this country!
This is bad ass Neil!
That was awesome. I’ve been a country music fan for a long time, but I’ve never gotten into the behind the scenes songwriting until this podcast came out. And it’s fun to learn about people like Jeffrey Steele because come to find out he’s behind some of my favorite songs by Rascal Flatts and Montgomery Gentry and Keith Anderson, etc. It’s the country music songwriters who really speak to the fans! Great episode!
Thanks for listening and for leaving us the feedback!
Epic! 🔥🥳🤙🏻
Superb! Very exciting and educational! I love your format, humor, and group of guys. Enjoyed learning about everyone! Thank you!❤
Thanks for the feedback!🇺🇸
Great 👏👏
❤Looked like Big Fun 🤠
love all the stories guys!! I go to lots of Eddie Montgomery shows.. and either before or after every show, they play "Am I the Only One" or "Try That in a Small Town" .. reminds me why I'm such a fan of country music and the songwriters :)
... and I've been going to Aldean shows since the days when he did Hicktown twice.. and they gave Kurt a microphone :)
I love Montgomery Gentry (RIP Troy and thank god Shaun Silva survived his helicopter crash) and see that Jeffrey Steele co-wrote almost all of their massive hits...looking forward to hearing about that, hopefully in this one
I'm barely into this episode and I'm on Cloud Nine...I am a massive Police fan so cool to hear Tully is into them (of course, being a bass player!)....I feel like you guys made these sessions just for me, they're so good.
Wiseman is amazing.
Now this is great stuff on the monetary aspects of song writing...
to Kelly's point, in the documentary Tennessee Whiskey George Strait talks about how he always wanted Dean Dillon to sing the track when he pitched his songs to him....
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18 minutes Hicktown 🤣🤣
Kris Kristofferson story is hilarious