Meet Miles McPherson, one of Nashville’s most sought-after studio drummers, a two-time ACM Award winner, Modern Drummer Award nominee, audio engineer by necessity, macro enthusiast, and an all-around crazy wonderful motherf$#%er.

Miles has played drums on 19 #1 records, contributed to music that has been streamed more than 4 BILLION times, and toured with artists including Kelly Clarkson and Paramore. But the résumé only scratches the surface.

In this episode of Road Dog Royalty, we get into the mind of one of the most unique humans in the recording industry. Miles has built a one-of-a-kind home recording studio around an insanely efficient workflow and a philosophy that puts intention, experimentation, and execution ahead of expensive gear.

He somehow manages to be the class clown, team captain, and honor-roll student all at once, reading the room, adapting to the moment, and always serving the music.

We talk drums, recording, touring, studio life, creativity, workflow, gear, staying healthy on the road, and what it takes to become the kind of musician people want to call again and again.

There’s only one Miles McPherson.

And that’s exactly why he’s Road Dog Royalty.

#MilesMcPherson #RoadDogRoyalty #NashvilleMusicians #StudioDrummer

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In this episode of Road Dog Royalty, host Caitlin Evanson sits down with drummer and producer Nick Buda to trace a remarkable journey from Cape Town, South Africa, to becoming one of Nashville’s most respected players behind the kit. After moving to Nashville as a teenager, Nick spent countless hours practicing before eventually studying at Berklee College of Music and building a career that would take him from life on the road to some of the biggest recording sessions in Music City.

Nick's playing can be heard across an incredible range of records and artists, including Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Jewel, Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, and many more. His work with producer Nathan Chapman helped put him behind the kit on Taylor Swift's early records, including Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, and Red. Fearless would go on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, with Nick's playing becoming part of songs and recordings heard around the world.

But Nick's career has never been about simply playing the biggest or loudest part. His philosophy has always centered around playing for the song listening to the artist, understanding the emotion of the lyric, and knowing when the best musical choice is sometimes the simplest one. That approach has carried him from Nashville studios and the Grand Ole Opry to television stages and, more recently, stadiums behind Kenny Chesney.

In this conversation, Nick opens up about the realities of becoming a professional musician, making the transition from touring drummer to sought-after session player, recording Taylor Swift's early albums, finding your own sound, and what decades in the music business have taught him about taste, preparation, relationships, and longevity.

Whether you're a drummer, songwriter, producer, touring musician, or simply fascinated by the people behind the records you love, this episode offers a rare look at what it actually takes to build a lasting career in music.

Welcome to Road Dog Royalty, where artists share the stories you don't hear in the music.


#NickBuda #RoadDogRoyalty #TaylorSwift #NashvilleMusic

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In this episode of Road Dog Royalty, host Caitlin Evanson sits down with singer-songwriter Emily West to trace the journey from small-town Iowa to the national stage. Emily made her home demos at a local studio as a teenager before moving to Nashville, where she landed a publishing deal with Warner-Chappell and eventually signed with Capitol Records Nashville. Her debut single "Rocks in Your Shoes" broke into the Top 40, and she went on to release the Keith Urban duet "Blue Sky," a fan favorite that spent thirteen weeks on the charts.

Emily's path has taken her well beyond country radio, from an acting turn on ABC's Body of Proof to a run on Celebrity Apprentice, and ultimately to America's Got Talent, where she captivated audiences all season long and finished as the runner-up in Season 9. That performance opened the door to a new record deal with Sony Masterworks and her album All for You.

In this conversation, Emily opens up about reinventing herself across genres and formats, the vulnerability of performing live on national television, and what it's taken to build a career on her own terms in an industry that's always changing. Whether you're an artist chasing your own breakthrough moment or just love hearing what happens behind the music, this episode is full of honesty, resilience, and hard-won perspective from a true road dog.

Welcome to Road Dog Royalty, where artists share the stories you don't hear in the music.

Support the show