#2 - Gordan Mote
Earth to Aimee Mayo
Mar 10
#2 - Gordan Mote
#2 - Gordan Mote

Earth to Aimee Mayo
Mar 10
Shownote
Shownote
What are your dreams like if you're blind from birth? What's it like to play on
Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney,
Willie Nelson, and hundreds of other hit records?
Hit songwriter and bestselling author Aimee Mayo sits down with legendary piano
player Gordon Mote for a fascinating conversation. In this episode of Wait.
What?! Gordon reveals what it's actually like to experience the world without
sight, tells the unbelievable story of his seeing-eye dog, Atlas, who saved his
life more than once, and demonstrates live Meta glasses that instantly describe
the room around him in real time.
They also talk about why AI music can never replace real musicians, what
separates great singers from true communicators, and why Gordon tells every
young musician the same brutal truth — if you have a Plan B, go do that.
This conversation is funny, emotional, philosophical, and full of moments that
will make you see the world differently.
Subscribe for more wild stories, unforgettable guests, and the unbelievable
moments in life that make you stop and say... Wait. What?
Gordon Mote Bio
Most people have never heard of Gordon Mote. But they've heard him play piano.
Blind since birth, Alabama-born musician Gordon Mote has spent three decades
becoming Nashville's secret weapon. A pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer,
he has played on hundreds of hit records, released 15 albums, won three Academy
of Country Music Awards for Keyboard Player of the Year, and earned multiple
Grammy and Dove nominations. He holds an honorary Doctorate of Letters from
Jacksonville State University.
His story is just as extraordinary and inspiring as his music. He was one of the
first blind students in the country to mainstream into the public school system.
Mote received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University before
transferring to Belmont University in Nashville, where he graduated with honors.
Just two days after graduation, he was hired by Lee Greenwood, launching a
career that would take him into studios and onto stages around the world.
His social media info here
Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialgordonmote
Highlights
Highlights
In this episode, host Aimee Mayo interviews Gordon Mote, a blind pianist who has played on countless hit records for artists like Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. They explore his unique experiences, from the role of his seeing-eye dog Atlas to how technology like Meta glasses helps him navigate the world.
Chapters
Chapters
Introduction
00:00Meet Gordon Mote And His Credits
01:16Rick Springfield Nostalgia And Vocal Production
02:01Muscle Shoals Mentor: Jimmy Johnson’s Push
03:55Faith Hill Session Story And “One Take” Myth
07:09Tenacity, Plan A Only, And Industry Grit
09:28Producing Psychology: Burn the Boats
12:28Real Singers Who Communicate
18:34Self Taught
22:48Being Blind: Senses, Dreams, And Energy
27:10Blind Dreams
33:32Camp Stories
34:38Good Vibes at the Studio And Good Work Ethic
36:20Gordans favorite records
41:12Atlas The Seeing Eye Dog: Training And Heroics
44:20Seeing Eye Dog Stories
50:17Blind Tech That Levels The Field: Movies, iPhones And Glasses
57:01Meta Glasses Test
1:00:32Gordans Instagram Series
1:03:36Gordans Views for the World
1:04:29Can't see my Wife
1:06:37What a blind man hears during tennis
1:07:15Seeing Eye Dog Stories Part 2
1:08:46Love Battle: Dogs or Husbands?
1:11:50Final Thank You to Gordan
1:13:28Transcript
Transcript
Gordon Mote: I wish I could drive.
Aimee Mayo: When you dream at night, how are your dreams? You have smells in your dreams? Sure, He said, are you white or black?
Gordon Mote: Atlas was my seeing eye dog's name, and he would do so many things. He saved ...