💡✍️ADN #157: What a local legend & folk-star taught me about Artist Development
Nov 16, 2025It was 1994 when Todd Snider’s “Songs from the Daily Planet” came into my life.
My Dad had picked up the CD from Tower Records on West End here in Nashville.
One day at the house he played a few songs, “My Generation (Part 2)”, “This Land Is Our Land”, and at the end he showed me the secret song, “Talkin’ Seattle Blues”.
It blew my mind.
I was 13 at the time.
Somewhere between childhood and rebellion.
Somewhere between superheroes and superstars.
Todd felt like the rebellious kid that had lyrical superpowers handed down by the folk-star gods that came before him.
Todd’s ability to tell a story, truth or tale, long or short, serious or silly, stoned or strung out, reminded me of the music I was beginning to discover, but he had his own edge.
A vagabond, troubadour, hippy, liberal with a dazed and delicate disposition.
Smart as the sun is bright, self deprecating, self aware and self sufficient.
Curious, charming, cynical, charismatic, and so damn creative.
There is a quote that says, “humor is when we’re told the truth quicker and more directly than we’re used to.”
I’m pretty sure that quote was written about Todd.
His humor came with a bite and opinion that the world needs more of and that I’ll truly miss.
He was our east nashville treasure.
Hidden in plain clothes and in plain sight, he was a hero for the turn of phrase dreamers scattered across Davidson county.
A perfect counterculture character in a city full of cowboy hats and commercial country consumerism.
More than anything, in a time where it can feel hard to find one, he was an alright guy.
Sure, he signed the big record deal with Geffen in the 90’s like so many of us did, but once he learned he didn’t like the taste of the corporate soup he quickly spun up his own label and proceeded to release his albums independently for the next 20+ years.
Todd was proof that there is no one way to write a song, tell a story, release a record, or exist as an artist.
His artist development looked a lot like all my favorite artists:
- He tried
- He failed
- He learned
- He distilled
- He tried again
He always seemed to put one foot in front of the next toward a more honest path.
When he needed to he put his foot down.
A couple of years ago we launched Fit Out Media, an independent sync licensing company here in Nashville, Tn. In our first music meetings I remember playing my partner, Justin, “Talkin’ Seattle Blues”, and speaking passionately about Todd’s spirit and character.
If anyone ever fit out, it was Todd.
So we sent an email to his team and a couple weeks later we had our first catalog of songs to represent, 20+ years of Todd Snider records.
His trust in an indie company like ours is exactly the type of instinct I’d observed as a fan since that first time hearing his music.
He was a champion of the rough and tumbled, a fighter willing to get in an unknown ring.
It has been a full circle honor to represent his Aimless Records catalog here at Fit Out Media and we will continue to share the songs every chance we get.
For anyone reading this, the time we get isn’t promised, so if you have something to say, say it.
Today, I just want to say — rest easy, Todd.
See you next Sunday,
Neil