The Working Songwriter

A weekend of intensive songwriting workshops, podcasts, and concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, IL May 23-25, 2025.  Tickets available now.  Visit joepugmusic.com/tour for more details!

Josh Ostrander is the creative force behind this beloved indie rock band.  They've toured with Spoon, Muse, and Vance Joy.  And their tunes have racked up tens of millions of downloads on Spotify.

This native of Mississippi has written for Darius Rucker and Kane Brown, and toured with Carrie Underwood, Old Dominion and many others.  His songs have amassed nearly 300 million streams on Spotify and his latest single features country heavyweight Thomas Rhett.

This award winning South African songwriter has crafted an indelible career over decades with his bands All Night Radio and Big Sky, along with his acclaimed solo work.

Shara Nova is the creative force behind this hugely influential indie pop solo project.  She as worked with Sufjan Stevens, David Byrne, and Laurie Anderson.

This journeyman roots music artist has toured with Steve Earle, Adam Duritz and many others.  He's recorded for Universal Music and Vanguard Records.  And he's become one of the torch bearers for American songwriting over the last 25 years.

This group from Portland, Oregon tours the country with a novel blend of American roots music that features show-stopping vocal harmonies.

This legendary songwriter has toured with Lucinda Williams and Alejandro Escovedo, and collaborated with Warren Zevon.

This celebrated songwriter stops by the show to discuss her years touring with Dolly Parton, singing with Kenny Chesney, and releasing albums that were mainstays on country radio.

One of the founders of this legendary Austin band, Miles Zuniga, stops by the show to talk about their chart-topping hit songs, and the musical legacy that continues with their new album "Sonic Ranch".

Mike Harmeier is the leader of this beloved Texas country music band that's been traveling the country and releasing records for nearly 18 years.  They've appeared at ACL, Stagecoach, and the Grand Ole Opry.

The founder of this profoundly influential group talks about their early days in Los Angeles, touring with REM and U2, and his recently published memoir.

Diego Garcia is the guitar virtuoso and creative force behind this project that has toured the world, garnering acclaim and awards.

This artist is on the third decade of a career that his included collaborations with Indigo Girls, John Mayer, Gregg Allman, KT Tunstall, and many others.

This songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has toured with Regina Spektor, of Montreal, and many others.  He's recorded for Joyful Noise records and has built a largely grassroots following all over the globe.

Nicholas Carpenter is the creative force behind this band that hails from Alaska, which has toured with FINNEAS and Tyler Chiders, and recorded for Island Records.

This troubadour was a founding member of the legendary British folk group, Fairport Convention, and has gone on to have solo recording career that has spanned six decades.

This songwriter from Nebraska has toured with Ron Pope and Tallest Man on Earth, in addition to recording for Fantasy Records.