web01.fireside.fm Thu, 30 Apr 2026 03:37:49 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) https://forsongs.fireside.fm/tags/%23americana Sun, 23 May 2021 16:00:00 -0400 This podcast is for those who love music but can't write a tune to save their lives. We talk with singer/songwriters of all stripes, professional touring musicians to those who can't quite catch a break. Maybe you'll hear something you'll like. Maybe not. But you will come away with a greater appreciation for the gift of songwriting, and how hard it really is. Now sponsored by @thepugdc! en-us episodic A podcast for and about songs and songwriting Rob Thormeyer This podcast is for those who love music but can't write a tune to save their lives. We talk with singer/songwriters of all stripes, professional touring musicians to those who can't quite catch a break. Maybe you'll hear something you'll like. Maybe not. But you will come away with a greater appreciation for the gift of songwriting, and how hard it really is. Now sponsored by @thepugdc! yes songwriting, punk rock, guitar, music, folk, rock, singer/songwriter, podcast, songwriters Rob Thormeyer robthormeyer@yahoo.com https://forsongs.fireside.fm/27 d5da9719-b442-41d0-9ba7-c350ccfb5a72 Sun, 23 May 2021 16:00:00 -0400 Rob Thormeyer 27 A Conversation with Maia Sharp full 1 Rob Thormeyer If you’ve ever wondered the kind of pain and emotion that goes into writing a song, listen in as singer/songwriter Maia Sharp walks us through her newest album Mercy Rising. Written as her 20-plus year marriage was ending, Mercy Rising is an honest, brilliant look into the all the emotions that come from such a traumatic, lifechanging event. How do you start over? When can you start feeling good again? Maia gives us a tutorial into how these songs came together and how she made best-selling author Cheryl Strayed cry after writing a song influenced by one of her books. Take a journey with Maia Sharp on this episode of For Songs. 43:01 yes Most folks don’t have the kind of year singer/songwriter Maia Sharp (www.maiasharp.com) just did. In addition to ending a 20-plus year marriage, she uprooted her life, moved from LA to Nashville and wrapped up the recording of her newest album Mercy Rising in late 2019. But that’s not all. In between a tornado blew through her new neighborhood in March 2020 and during the subsequent recovery and rebuild, she caught the coronavirus before most of us knew how deadly it could be. So yeah, Maia’s been through more than most over the last few years. And thankfully she’s made it through with Mercy Rising. This episode of For Songs is a true writer’s workshop. Maia’s the quintessential songwriter, looking for inspiration wherever she can, and not waiting to get it out. We talk about the development of Mercy Rising and four songs in particular, including one driven by an interaction with best-selling author Cheryl Strayed. Maia walks us through the songwriting process from beginning to end in disarming detail, so to all those aspiring writers out there, get those pencils and listen in! Maia Sharp, Nashville, Mercy Rising, Cheryl Strayed, singer-songwriter, women in rock, Bonnie Raitt Most folks don’t have the kind of year singer/songwriter [Maia Sharp](www.maiasharp.com) just did. In addition to ending a 20-plus year marriage, she uprooted her life, moved from LA to Nashville and wrapped up the recording of her newest album Mercy Rising in late 2019. But that’s not all. In between a tornado blew through her new neighborhood in March 2020 and during the subsequent recovery and rebuild, she caught the coronavirus before most of us knew how deadly it could be. So yeah, Maia’s been through more than most over the last few years. And thankfully she’s made it through with Mercy Rising. This episode of For Songs is a true writer’s workshop. Maia’s the quintessential songwriter, looking for inspiration wherever she can, and not waiting to get it out. We talk about the development of Mercy Rising and four songs in particular, including one driven by an interaction with best-selling author Cheryl Strayed. Maia walks us through the songwriting process from beginning to end in disarming detail, so to all those aspiring writers out there, get those pencils and listen in!

]]> Most folks don’t have the kind of year singer/songwriter [Maia Sharp](www.maiasharp.com) just did. In addition to ending a 20-plus year marriage, she uprooted her life, moved from LA to Nashville and wrapped up the recording of her newest album Mercy Rising in late 2019. But that’s not all. In between a tornado blew through her new neighborhood in March 2020 and during the subsequent recovery and rebuild, she caught the coronavirus before most of us knew how deadly it could be. So yeah, Maia’s been through more than most over the last few years. And thankfully she’s made it through with Mercy Rising. This episode of For Songs is a true writer’s workshop. Maia’s the quintessential songwriter, looking for inspiration wherever she can, and not waiting to get it out. We talk about the development of Mercy Rising and four songs in particular, including one driven by an interaction with best-selling author Cheryl Strayed. Maia walks us through the songwriting process from beginning to end in disarming detail, so to all those aspiring writers out there, get those pencils and listen in!

]]> https://forsongs.fireside.fm/23 354ce582-6092-415d-a16c-0cec05e57c45 Fri, 19 Mar 2021 16:00:00 -0400 Rob Thormeyer 23 A Conversation with David Childers full 1 Rob Thormeyer It’s been said that late bloomers bloom best. Not sure where I heard that, but it certainly applies to David Childers, the singer/songwriter based outside of Charlotte, NC. David’s one of the sharpest songwriters around, mixing southern wit, imagery, and charm with an Americana feel. His latest album, Interstate Lullaby, covers a broad range of themes from climate change to white supremacy. The characters in his songs are rough around the edge, gritty, and far from perfect. You’d think he’s been at it for his entire life, but it wasn’t until his late 30s and early 40s that he got serious. So for all you aspiring songwriters out there, grab a beer and listen in. And keep at it! 41:00 yes It’s been said that late bloomers bloom best. Not sure where I heard that, but it certainly applies to David Childers, the singer/songwriter based outside of Charlotte, NC. David’s one of the sharpest songwriters around, mixing southern wit, imagery, and charm with an Americana feel. His latest album, Interstate Lullaby, covers a broad range of themes from climate change to white supremacy. The characters in his songs are rough around the edge, gritty, and far from perfect. He captures their humanity in so many ways that you'd think he’s been at it for his entire life, but it wasn’t until his late 30s and early 40s that he got serious. And it was just a few years ago that he retired from his career as a lawyer, and now focuses full time on music at an age when most folks would kick back and relax. Make no mistake, David is serious about his craft. You hear it throughout our discussion; he’s a student of classic writers like Chaucer, Kerouac, Dylan, Guthrie, and yeah, even Springsteen, it shows. So for all you aspiring songwriters out there, grab a beer and listen in. And keep at it! David Childers, Ramseur Records, Interstate Lullaby, South, Americana It’s been said that late bloomers bloom best. Not sure where I heard that, but it certainly applies to David Childers, the singer/songwriter based outside of Charlotte, NC. David’s one of the sharpest songwriters around, mixing southern wit, imagery, and charm with an Americana feel. His latest album, Interstate Lullaby, covers a broad range of themes from climate change to white supremacy. The characters in his songs are rough around the edge, gritty, and far from perfect. He captures their humanity in so many ways that you'd think he’s been at it for his entire life, but it wasn’t until his late 30s and early 40s that he got serious. And it was just a few years ago that he retired from his career as a lawyer, and now focuses full time on music at an age when most folks would kick back and relax. Make no mistake, David is serious about his craft. You hear it throughout our discussion; he’s a student of classic writers like Chaucer, Kerouac, Dylan, Guthrie, and yeah, even Springsteen, it shows. So for all you aspiring songwriters out there, grab a beer and listen in. And keep at it!

]]> It’s been said that late bloomers bloom best. Not sure where I heard that, but it certainly applies to David Childers, the singer/songwriter based outside of Charlotte, NC. David’s one of the sharpest songwriters around, mixing southern wit, imagery, and charm with an Americana feel. His latest album, Interstate Lullaby, covers a broad range of themes from climate change to white supremacy. The characters in his songs are rough around the edge, gritty, and far from perfect. He captures their humanity in so many ways that you'd think he’s been at it for his entire life, but it wasn’t until his late 30s and early 40s that he got serious. And it was just a few years ago that he retired from his career as a lawyer, and now focuses full time on music at an age when most folks would kick back and relax. Make no mistake, David is serious about his craft. You hear it throughout our discussion; he’s a student of classic writers like Chaucer, Kerouac, Dylan, Guthrie, and yeah, even Springsteen, it shows. So for all you aspiring songwriters out there, grab a beer and listen in. And keep at it!

]]> https://forsongs.fireside.fm/21 8f84fa1f-daea-456f-9d09-18936927a171 Fri, 19 Feb 2021 16:00:00 -0500 Rob Thormeyer 21 A Conversation with Mic Harrison full 1 Rob Thormeyer Some people are born to write songs and play in bands. Knoxville, Tenn.-based singer/songwriter Mic Harrison is one of those people. Music is in his blood, as his Dad gave him a guitar and taught him some early lessons. Since then, Mic and his band The High Score have been making music since the late 2000s. Mic joined me from Knoxville to discuss the band’s latest album Bright Spot, released in November 2020. We talk about four songs and how the pandemic has impacted not just the band’s trajectory but his artistic process. Grab a beer, take a seat, and enjoy! 40:59 yes Some people are born to write songs and play in bands. Knoxville, Tenn.-based singer/songwriter Mic Harrison is one of those people. Music is in his blood, as his Dad gave him a guitar and taught him some early lessons. Then as a member of the influential mid-90s alt.country band The V-Roys with For Songs veteran Scott Miller, Mic came as close as can becoming the Next Big Thing, only to see the band breakup a few years later. After playing with another star-crossed band Superdrag, Mic and his band The High Score have been making music since the late 2000s. Mic joined me from his home in Knoxville to discuss the band’s latest album Bright Spot, released in November 2020. We talk about four songs—Let the Motor Run, Used to be Somebody, Concrete & Stone, and Long Way to Go—and how the pandemic has impacted not just the band’s trajectory but his ability to write new material. Grab a beer, take a seat, and enjoy! mic harrison, vroys, v-roys, high score, americana, steve earle, bright spot Some people are born to write songs and play in bands. Knoxville, Tenn.-based singer/songwriter Mic Harrison is one of those people. Music is in his blood, as his Dad gave him a guitar and taught him some early lessons. Then as a member of the influential mid-90s alt.country band The V-Roys with For Songs veteran Scott Miller, Mic came as close as can becoming the Next Big Thing, only to see the band breakup a few years later. After playing with another star-crossed band Superdrag, Mic and his band The High Score have been making music since the late 2000s. Mic joined me from his home in Knoxville to discuss the band’s latest album Bright Spot, released in November 2020. We talk about four songs—Let the Motor Run, Used to be Somebody, Concrete & Stone, and Long Way to Go—and how the pandemic has impacted not just the band’s trajectory but his ability to write new material. Grab a beer, take a seat, and enjoy!

]]> Some people are born to write songs and play in bands. Knoxville, Tenn.-based singer/songwriter Mic Harrison is one of those people. Music is in his blood, as his Dad gave him a guitar and taught him some early lessons. Then as a member of the influential mid-90s alt.country band The V-Roys with For Songs veteran Scott Miller, Mic came as close as can becoming the Next Big Thing, only to see the band breakup a few years later. After playing with another star-crossed band Superdrag, Mic and his band The High Score have been making music since the late 2000s. Mic joined me from his home in Knoxville to discuss the band’s latest album Bright Spot, released in November 2020. We talk about four songs—Let the Motor Run, Used to be Somebody, Concrete & Stone, and Long Way to Go—and how the pandemic has impacted not just the band’s trajectory but his ability to write new material. Grab a beer, take a seat, and enjoy!

]]> https://forsongs.fireside.fm/19 6cdcd9c3-adf8-4b5c-83df-e53bbb3b3e56 Fri, 22 Jan 2021 16:00:00 -0500 Rob Thormeyer 19 A Conversation with 3 Pairs of Boots full 1 Rob Thormeyer How many of us have wanted to leave our day job for our dream job? Meet Andrew Stern and Laura Arias of the California-based Americana duo 3 Pairs of Boots. In this episode, Andrew and Laura talk about their California-tinged country music and their newest album Long Rider, coming out on Jan. 29. Just two years ago Andrew quit his day job to focus on music full time. Learn more about their journey together and how the adventures of another free spirit inspires their songwriting. Listen in! 38:38 yes I’m sure we all want to give up our day job for our dream job. As tempting as it sounds, it’s fraught with risk. On this episode of For Songs, California-based 3 Pairs of Boots, featuring the real-life married couple Laura Arias and Andrew Stern, talk about how they did just that. After years of balancing work and family life with the arts, Andrew and Laura reached a point where they needed to give music their undivided attention. And we’re all better off for it. As 3 Pairs of Boots, Laura and Andrew perform California-tinged Americana music—imagine if Stacey and Steve Earle grew up in LA instead of the Midwest. The duo’s newest album Long Rider comes out on Jan. 29. Learn more about their journey together and how the adventures of another free spirit inspires their songwriting. Listen in! 3POB, Americana, country rock, podcast, songwriting, Long Rider, Bernice Ende, I’m sure we all want to give up our day job for our dream job. As tempting as it sounds, it’s fraught with risk. On this episode of For Songs, California-based 3 Pairs of Boots, featuring the real-life married couple Laura Arias and Andrew Stern, talk about how they did just that. After years of balancing work and family life with the arts, Andrew and Laura reached a point where they needed to give music their undivided attention. And we’re all better off for it. As 3 Pairs of Boots, Laura and Andrew perform California-tinged Americana music—imagine if Stacey and Steve Earle grew up in LA instead of the Midwest. The duo’s newest album Long Rider comes out on Jan. 29. Learn more about their journey together and how the adventures of another free spirit inspires their songwriting. Listen in!

]]> I’m sure we all want to give up our day job for our dream job. As tempting as it sounds, it’s fraught with risk. On this episode of For Songs, California-based 3 Pairs of Boots, featuring the real-life married couple Laura Arias and Andrew Stern, talk about how they did just that. After years of balancing work and family life with the arts, Andrew and Laura reached a point where they needed to give music their undivided attention. And we’re all better off for it. As 3 Pairs of Boots, Laura and Andrew perform California-tinged Americana music—imagine if Stacey and Steve Earle grew up in LA instead of the Midwest. The duo’s newest album Long Rider comes out on Jan. 29. Learn more about their journey together and how the adventures of another free spirit inspires their songwriting. Listen in!

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