Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Wagner.
Hi Brad, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Canton, Georgia, and music was always part of my life. My dad is a huge music lover, so I spent a lot of my childhood going to concerts with him. Looking back, that’s probably where the spark started. My first instrument was actually my voice in chorus. I picked up drums when I was 12 and guitar at 14, and from there I was hooked.
In high school, I was lucky enough to find a group of guys I really connected with, and we started a band called Namesake. We ended up getting signed and touring right out of high school, which was an incredible experience. Like a lot of bands, though, we went through years of trying to adapt as the music industry changed. Between lineup changes, name changes, and constantly chasing the right sound, we eventually hit a wall.
Around that time, I started making friends outside of my normal circle of musicians, and that completely changed the direction of my career. I had been making trips to Nashville since 2012 before officially moving there in 2016. Through a mutual friend, Josh Manuel, I met Jon Langston, and that relationship opened a door I never expected. For the last decade I’ve served as Jon’s lead guitar player and musical director, playing arenas, amphitheaters, and festivals alongside artists like Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, and just about every major country festival along the way.
Even while I was touring, I’d always been fascinated with songwriting and production. I’d been producing ideas for my own bands for years, but in 2018 I decided to start producing for other artists. Like everyone starting out, I wasn’t where I wanted to be yet, but I believed I could get there. One of the best parts about Nashville is being surrounded by incredibly talented people. If you’re willing to listen, work hard, and build real relationships, you learn the craft over time.
Today I wear a lot of different hats. I’m a producer, songwriter, mix engineer, studio guitarist, and musical director. As a session guitarist I’ve had the opportunity to play on records for artists like Lakeview, Royale Lynn, and LoCash, in addition to many of the projects I produce myself. As a songwriter, I’ve been fortunate enough to have songs recorded by artists including Bailey Zimmerman. Across my work as a producer, writer, guitarist, and MD, I’ve been lucky to be part of music that’s accumulated more than 40 million streams, which is something I’m incredibly grateful for.
In 2024, I signed my first publishing deal with Bluetick Publishing and eventually became a partner. Today I help bring many of our artists’ songs to life from the ground up, often co-writing and producing them from the earliest idea to the finished record.
I’m a music fan before I’m anything else. I love that moment when the melody, lyric, and emotion all hit at once and give you goosebumps. Every artist has a different story to tell, and that’s what keeps the job exciting. Lately I’ve loved working with folk artist MØSS from Scotland while continuing to create with country artists like Jon Langston, Mary Kutter, Emily Brooke, and Kaleb Sanders. Producing nearly every song in Kaleb’s catalog and watching him sign with Red Street Records has been especially rewarding because I’ve had a front-row seat to his growth as both an artist and a friend. I also recently produced, played guitar on, and mixed Jon Langston’s Rewind Vol. 1, which was a full-circle project after spending so many years playing those songs on the road together.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: to bridge the gap between what an artist hears in their head and what comes out of the speakers. I want the studio to feel like a place where artists can be completely themselves and create something they’re genuinely proud of. Music has a way of connecting people from every walk of life, and getting to help create something that makes someone feel seen or understood is the part of this career I’ll never take for granted.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is patience. I spent nearly ten years in Nashville before getting my first major cut in 2022. Early on, it’s easy to think every song has to be the one that changes your life. Eventually you realize there’s always another level to reach if you keep learning. These days I’m much less focused on chasing the next cut and much more focused on making great music, enjoying the process, and being present. Ironically, that’s when the best opportunities seem to show up.
When I’m not making music, I’m thankful for the life I get to share with my wife, Payton. This career has taken a lot of hard work, long nights, and seasons of uncertainty, and having someone by my side who believes in me through all of it has been one of my biggest blessings. At the end of the day, music is what I do, but the people I get to share life with are what make it meaningful.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but I think that’s what makes the journey meaningful. The biggest challenge has been learning patience and trusting the process. In a creative career, there are a lot of seasons where you’re putting in the work without seeing immediate results.
Nashville is full of incredibly talented people, and being around that level of talent can be both inspiring and humbling. I’ve had to learn not to compare my timeline to anyone else’s and to focus on continuing to grow, create, and build relationships.
Every setback, slow season, and challenge has shaped the way I approach music today. It’s taught me resilience, humility, and that the best things usually come from staying consistent and continuing to show up.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work sits at the intersection of producer, songwriter, musician, and storyteller. I help artists take the idea they hear in their head and turn it into a finished record that feels authentic to who they are.
I specialize in developing artists, building songs from the ground up, and creating a space where the artist feels comfortable taking risks. Whether I’m producing, writing, mixing, playing guitar, or helping shape the overall musical direction, my goal is always the same: serve the song first.
I’m probably best known for being able to wear a lot of different hats. Being a touring musician for the last decade has given me a unique perspective because I understand both sides of the process — what happens on stage and what happens behind the scenes in the studio. I think that helps me connect with artists in a different way because I’m not just producing a song, I’m helping build something they’ll hopefully carry with them for years.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the trust artists have given me with their music. Seeing artists like Kaleb Sanders, Jon Langston, Mary Kutter, Emily Brooke, and others grow and knowing I’ve played a part in helping bring their vision to life is incredibly rewarding.
What sets me apart is that I’m still a student of music. I’m constantly chasing that feeling you get when a song gives you goosebumps.. when the melody, lyric, performance, and production all come together. At the end of the day, I’m not trying to make something that just sounds good; I want to make something that means something.
How do you define success?
I think success changes as you grow. Earlier in my career, I probably would have defined success by the big moments, getting signed, playing bigger shows, getting cuts, or seeing numbers grow. Those things are amazing and I’m grateful for them, but I’ve realized success is much deeper than that.
To me, success is being able to wake up and do what I love, create meaningful music with people I believe in, and build genuine relationships along the way. It’s about continuing to grow, staying curious, and being proud of the work I’m putting into the world.
The older I get, the less success feels like a destination and the more it feels like a mindset. If I’m surrounded by good people, making music that connects with someone, and enjoying the process, I feel like I’m doing something right.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heybradhey and https://www.instagram.com/soundcastleproductions
