Gretchen Peters | Live from 30A Songwriters Festival

In this high-fidelity conversation recorded live at the 2026 30A Songwriters Festival in Walton County, Florida, Jrod sits down with one of the most revered voices in American music: Gretchen Peters. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the ACM Poet’s Award, Gretchen Peters has spent her career deconstructing the human condition. While she is the pen behind legendary hits like Martina McBride’s "Independence Day" and Faith Hill’s "The Secret of Life," her own discography is a masterclass in "Americanoir"—a blend of folk, country, and dark, literary grit. In this episode, we explore the "Soul and Motion" of her craft, from the viral magic of a family cake recipe to the discipline required to create masterpieces in a culture with a shrinking attention span. The Cultural Blueprint: We start with the lighthearted—the story behind her grandmother’s viral cake—before diving into the "dark side" of music. The Art of the Uncomfortable: Gretchen discusses why she is drawn to the shadows of humanity and the necessity of "scratching the surface" of sadness. The Independent Pioneer: Insights into her journey as a trailblazer for independent label status and the evolving music industry. Focus in a Fast World: A deep dive into "quick attention span culture" and the struggle to maintain the ability to sit and focus on long-form art. The Legacy: What Gretchen hopes her art leaves behind when all is said and done. Live Performance: A stunning performance of her song, "Five Minutes." __ Follow Jrodconcerts: Instagram: @Jrodconcertsmedia Website: jrodconcertsmedia.com Learn more about Gretchen Peters: gretchenpeters.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices