Tom Sykes on Cold-Calling John Hammond, Failing Forward in Entertainment, and Making Music in the Age of Algorithms

Host Becky Boyland interviews songwriter, writer, filmmaker, and former entertainment executive Tom Sykes, whose music journey began with a cold call to legendary A&R John Hammond, producer of Bob Dylan’s first album and the scout who discovered artists like Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin. Tom describes how low confidence complicated his early momentum, leading him to step back from performing and focus on songwriting—then pivot into entertainment work after taking a video store job in Atlanta that led to marketing roles and decades of “failing forward” through companies including Embassy Pictures, Turner Broadcasting, WEA, and Showtime, where he turned struggling divisions profitable. He discusses keeping music alive amid constant moves, critiques algorithms, streaming economics, and AI-generated music, and emphasizes audience support for indie artists. Tom shares updates on his book A Long Hard Road, documentaries, and ongoing music releases, and points listeners to tomsykesmusic.com.

https://youtu.be/_eS1vqbgxcM

Connect with Tom Sykes:

• Website:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com
• YouTube:https://youtube.com/@tomsykessongsstories
• Apple Artist:https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tom-sykes/1706510558
• Tom’s book, A Long Hard Road:https://www.tomsykesmusic.com/book/

Sponsors:

• She Produces Music:https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”I Don’t Know for Sure” by Tom Sykes, written by Tom Sykes (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Tom Sykes Interview
• 00:29 Introduction
• 01:38 Welcome, Tom
• 02:45 Records, Liner Notes and a Phone Call
• 06:47 Confidence and Atlanta Move
• 08:14 From Video Store to Studio Job
• 10:25 Entertainment Career Highlights
• 14:00 Living a Double Life
• 14:48 Creative Circles and Collaboration
• 19:23 Story Over Gear
• 22:09 Streaming and Algorithm Problems
• 26:31 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 27:05 AI and Authentic Art
• 32:52 Breaking Through as Indie
• 41:41 Dreams Success and Perception
• 49:05 Finding Your Unique Sound
• 52:06 New Releases and Where to Find Tom
• 55:54 Coda
• 57:31 Featured Song: "I Don't Know for Sure" by Tom Sykes

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

Chris Aarons on Building a Music Legacy: DIY Home Recording, Daily Consistency, and Independent Artist Survival

Host Becky Boyland interviews Orlando singer-songwriter and self-taught producer Chris Aarons on Second Verse about returning to music, building a legacy, and navigating independent artistry. Chris shares how childhood trumpet, a shift from business to voice and musical theater in college, and mentorship shaped his path, followed by a painful first marriage that pushed him to choose his own dreams and channel grief into songwriting, including “Rain.” He describes guidance from Derric Johnson and studio experiences with his friend Natasha and producer John LaRosa, then launching his first release in February 2020 as COVID hit. Chris explains learning production, recording with improvised DIY booths using blankets and moving supplies, and wearing every hat—marketing, distribution, copyright, and booking—while parenting. He advises starting with what you have, avoiding predatory promises, and showing up daily for music in small consistent sessions. He has released eight originals and three covers and highlights his single “Colors Pass By.”

https://youtu.be/gEFTknxdV1U

Connect with Chris Aarons:

• https://www.chrisaaronsofficial.com
• https://chrisaarons.bandcamp.com
• https://open.spotify.com/artist/3s5OjR8qUi2c0wjs05jcQi
• https://www.instagram.com/chrisaaronsofficial
• https://www.facebook.com/chrisaaronsofficial
• https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisaaronsofficial

Sponsors:

• She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”Colors Pass By” by Chris Aarons, written by Christopher Loyd (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Chris Aarons Interview
• 01:38 Welcome and Music Origin Story
• 06:00 Burnout and College Detour
• 11:55 Orlando Dreams and Heartbreak
• 14:02 Healing Through Songwriting
• 18:01 Dating Yourself and Mentorship
• 21:55 First Studio Sessions Magic
• 26:07 Texas Trip and New Love
• 29:31 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 30:08 Learning Music Production
• 32:20 No Excuses Recording
• 33:44 DIY Vocal Booth Hacks
• 37:33 Choose Yourself and Create
• 45:30 Start Small and Stay Consistent
• 49:55 Creative Habits Momentum
• 54:20 Living In Sound
• 57:06 Connecting with Chris Aarons
• 01:01:03 Featured Song: "Colors Pass By" by Chris Aarons, written by Christopher Loyd

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)

Nick Stefanacci on Saying Yes, Leaving Teaching, and Building Sweet Lion Music

Host Becky Boyland interviews saxophonist Nick Stefanacci on Second Verse about his one-word philosophy—“yes”—and how saying yes to gigs and opportunities shaped his career. Nick shares his origin story: growing up in a musical New Jersey family, choosing saxophone in fourth grade, early jazz performances, and mentorship from teacher J. Chuck Sastre, whose death led Nick to launch a memorial scholarship funded by a benefit concert that raised over $20,000. He discusses teaching music for 15 years, resigning mid-year in his 40s for mental health and to pursue music full-time, and reconnecting with faith during the transition. Nick explains his creative approach of continually changing sounds, starting to write his own music after being told he didn’t fit, founding Sweet Lion Music after labels rejected him, and details his album Right Here, Right Now, including a reimagined “Oye Como Va” featuring Santana vocalist Tony Lindsay.

https://youtu.be/KZTPMlMLKtQ

Connect with Nick Stefanacci:

• https://www.instagram.com/nickstefanaccimusic/
• https://www.facebook.com/musicofnickstefanacci
• https://open.spotify.com/artist/52iQrk2ojVRjvyQ5CTyoYn?si=tNiCuV28SJOb6j5VZZvl5w
• https://www.youtube.com/@nickstefanaccimusic
• https://www.nickstefanaccimusic.com/

Sponsors:

• Attitude Creativity: https://attitudecreativity.com
• She Produces Music: https://www.sheproducesmusic.com

Featured Song:

• ”Midnight Affair” by Nick Stefanacci, written by Nick Stefanacci (used with permission).

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Teaser: Nick Stefanacci Interview
• 00:35 Introduction
• 01:44 Welcome and Origins
• 03:48 Spotlight and Mentors
• 06:16 Teaching Career Starts
• 06:56 Mentor Loss and Giving Back
• 10:15 Leaving Teaching for Music
• 16:08 SPONSOR: Attitude Creativity
• 16:41 SPONSOR: She Produces Music
• 17:16 New Full Time Chapter
• 18:41 How He Writes Music
• 24:56 Breaking Rules and Labels
• 31:01 Arts Pipeline Like Sports
• 34:39 Advice to Just Say Yes
• 38:09 New Album and Singles
• 43:03 Where to Follow and Closing
• 46:17 Coda
• 47:36 Featured Song: "Midnight Affair" by Nick Stefanacci

Stream all the released music from Second Verse any time! Add the official Songs from the Second Verse Podcast playlist to your Spotify now! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5lPUAY9uBYVVg9fmy03Bj3?si=5211c2db80334285

Or to your Tidal now!

https://tidal.com/playlist/c84934ad-2723-4d1a-919e-2aebd4b4974d

Starting your own podcast? Sign up with Captivate to host your show today! https://fas.st/t/ZHbLxEpe (affiliate link)