What do you really want to know about the music artists you love most? American Songwriter has the latest news on popular music’s most fascinating figures, of course. But let’s go deeper. Let’s pick through the inner-workings of a smash hit. Or learn about songs you may think you know well, but most certainly do not know the famous artists who wrote them.
Is a rising star you’ve only kinda-sorta heard about playing the Grammys? We’ll have interesting articles with backstory galore on what makes them tick as songwriters and musicians. Perhaps the singer you saw live the other night name-checked a legendary influence you’re not familiar with. American Songwriter will familiarize you with the source of your favorite artist’s inspiration.
The unique angles from which we approach music history are just about endless. Your path to music wisdom just got a whole lot shorter.
LONDON, ENGLAND – Roy Acuff (1903-1992), U.S. country music singer and fiddle player, during a live concert performance at the International Festival of Country Music, at Wembley Arena, London, England, Great Britain, in April 1980. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 01: Singer Margo Smith performs on stage at the Country Music Festival held at Wembley Arena, London in April 1986. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 19: Honoree, Kenny Chesney attends the Medallion Ceremony for the Class of 2025 at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on October 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
Outtake; Also ran in W 8/1/1996 p.69; Tom Petty performing at the AmFar's awards ceremony where Magic Johnson was honored with the Courage Award at the charity's Country Western night at the Beverly Hilton on May 17, 1996 in Los Angeles, California…Article title: "Eye: Hothouse Flowers" (Photo by Jan Jarecki/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images)
