Ep. 15 - JAREN JOHNSTON ("Raise 'Em Up")

Nashville native Jaren Johnston co-founded the rock band American Bang which released one album for Warner Bros. He went on to form the Cadillac Three, a Southern rock-infused trio that was named one of the “10 New Artists You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone Country in 2014. While finding success with his own self-described “country fuzz” sound, Johnston forged a second career as a behind-the-scenes songwriter for top country artists. Since 2012, he has seen more than a half dozen of his songs hit the country Top 10, four of which have climbed to the #1 position. He has co-written the songs “You Gonna Fly” and “Raise ‘Em Up” for Keith Urban, “Southern Girl” and “Meanwhile Back at "Mama’s” for Tim McGraw, “Days of Gold” and “Beachin’” for Jake Owen, “Sunshine and Whiskey” for Frankie Ballard, “Don’t It” for Billy Currington, and “The South,” a Top 40 hit for his own band, which featured guest appearances by Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, and Mike Eli. Additionally, his songs have been recorded by Sara Evans, Lonestar, Danielle Bradbery, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Terri Clark, Meatloaf, Loverboy, Lynyrd Skynrd, and more. His music has been nominated for two Grammy awards and two Academy of Country Music awards, and it seems he’s just getting started.