#3 - Shane McAnally
Earth to Aimee Mayo
Mar 18
#3 - Shane McAnally
#3 - Shane McAnally
Earth to Aimee Mayo
Mar 18
Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Shane McAnally joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation that pulls back the curtain on the music industry, fame, and family. From producing Dolly Parton to creating the Broadway musical 'Shucked,' McAnally shares the stories behind his success, including the anxiety and imposter syndrome that persist even after 50 number one hits.
McAnally recounts his journey from a teenage appearance on Star Search to becoming a sought-after songwriter in Nashville, where his first cut was with Lee Ann Womack. He shares wild stories from writing sessions, including a smoke-filled room with Florida Georgia Line and co-writing with Jennifer Nettles and J.Lo. The conversation covers awkward celebrity encounters, including falling off a treadmill in front of Oprah and a rejected song pitch to Keith Urban in a Waffle House. McAnally discusses his sobriety, meeting his husband at a sober party, and parenting two-dad moments, including his son's fear of anti-gay laws while traveling. He reflects on the 11-year journey of bringing 'Shucked' to Broadway, the importance of trusting his instincts, and how his children keep him grounded by not caring about his achievements.
00:00
00:00
Shane McAnally discusses his career producing for Dolly Parton.
02:20
02:20
Fear of not having another hit persists.
03:59
03:59
Songwriting felt more natural than performing.
05:09
05:09
Lee Ann Womack is my all-time favorite singer.
09:35
09:35
I lost to a girl who sounded like Whitney Houston.
16:23
16:23
The room was so smoky I couldn't see across it.
17:53
17:53
Jennifer Nettles called him to co-write with J.Lo in Calabasas
23:36
23:36
She sang flawlessly on the first take.
29:12
29:12
I don't know you.
34:02
34:02
They make people feel instantly known.
34:30
34:30
Her authentic storytelling led to her success.
41:37
41:37
He credits his success to trusting his instincts.
43:55
43:55
His son told officials his mother had died.
53:36
53:36
A hit song will always win.
1:00:05
1:00:05
Miranda recorded it after hearing it at Kacey's wedding.
1:02:31
1:02:31
Being funny helped him fit in as a closeted kid.
1:24:47
1:24:47
Believe in your goals and act as if they will happen.
1:32:18
1:32:18
Kids keep you young yet make you old
