Thomas Toner is a Nashville-based producer and songwriter best known for his decade-long collaboration with Jelly Roll. In this conversation, Thomas gets honest about the business side of producing, how AI is reshaping his workflow, and why he walked away from a thriving career to return to Christian music.

• The artist-producer relationship: chemistry, trust, and knowing your role
• What producers are actually worth — and how to negotiate for it
• Master splits, recoupment, and catalog organization
• Where AI fits (and where it doesn't) in modern music production
• Faith, fulfillment, and the decision to start over
• His new producer presets via STL Tones Control Hub

[00:00] Intro

[01:43] Early influences: Travis Barker, Blink-182, and stealing his sisters' CDs

[07:00] First job in Christian music at 19

[09:50] Meeting Jelly Roll

[12:10] Can you make Christian music without believing it?

[22:38] What a decade with Jelly Roll taught him about the artist-producer relationship

[31:00] The "Walmart Rick Rubin" production philosophy

[35:35] What separates good producers from great ones

[38:05] What artists most misunderstand about producers

[43:23] Master splits, recoupment, and why the old model is broken

[55:18] Catalog admin and the revenue streams most producers are missing

[59:44] AI: tool, threat, or noise?

[01:23:00] What AI can never replicate in production

[01:35:42] What integrity looks like in this industry

[01:39:31] The hardest lessons from 15 years in the business

[01:44:56] Why he returned to Christian music

[01:51:28] His new STL Tones / Control Hub plugin presets

[01:59:37] "If your kids described your career one day, what would you hope they say?"

🎛️ Thomas Toner's Producer Presets — STL Tones Control Hub 👉 https://www.stltones.com/products/controlhub-plugin

📱 Follow Thomas Toner on IG: https://www.instagram.com/stonebabysounds

🎙️ Follow Christian Music Maker on IG: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

🎙️ Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

Christian Music Maker is a podcast about the people, process, and purpose behind music made for something bigger. Subscribe wherever you listen.

Many artists grow up believing their dream is their calling. But what if those two things aren’t the same?

In this conversation with Aaron Shust, we talk about the difference between dreams, calling, and assignment—and how confusing them can lead to frustration, burnout, or chasing the wrong thing.

Aaron shares openly about his journey as a songwriter and artist, including imposter syndrome after 20+ years, learning to develop his craft, and what it looks like to stay grounded spiritually in the middle of a music career.

We also get into songwriting, journaling, Sabbath, and the importance of being faithful with the people and opportunities right in front of you.

If you’re a Christian artist, worship leader, songwriter, or producer trying to figure out your path, this conversation will help you think more clearly about where you are—and what actually matters.----more----

• The difference between a dream, a calling, and an assignment

• Why confusing them can lead to frustration or burnout

• Aaron’s journey from church musician to recording artist

• Dealing with imposter syndrome even after 20+ years

• Why developing your craft still matters

• The role of journaling and prayer in songwriting

• How Aaron wrote My Savior My God

• The importance of faithfulness in your current “sphere of influence”

• Touring, family life, and setting boundaries

• Discovering and practicing Sabbath

• Trusting God with provision instead of striving----more----

“Just because you have a dream… it would be dangerous to call that dream your calling.”

🎧 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-music-maker/id1872883204 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RFCA9IjFwfezxSgCt3gKO

💻 Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

📱 Connect on Instagram: Christian Music Maker: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker Sam Hart: https://www.instagram.com/samhartmusic

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another artist or songwriter who needs to hear it.

What does success actually feel like after 30+ #1 songs in Christian music?

In this episode of the Christian Music Maker Podcast, legendary Nashville songwriter Tony Wood opens up about the hidden struggles behind a decades-long songwriting career.

Tony shares honestly about feeling like an imposter even after massive success, the devastating moment he realized how good Nashville songwriters really are, and why comparison can quietly destroy a songwriter’s soul.

This is a rare, vulnerable conversation about faith, identity, and the long road of songwriting in the Christian music industry.

If you’re a Christian artist, songwriter, producer, or worship leader, this episode will resonate deeply.

• Feeling like an imposter—even after writing 30+ #1 songs • The moment Tony realized how high the bar is in Nashville • Why comparison can destroy a songwriter’s soul • Faithfulness vs. chasing success in the music industry • The tension between calling, creativity, and providing for your family • What Tony would tell his younger self starting out in songwriting

Tony Wood is one of the most respected lyricists in Christian music, with 30+ #1 songs recorded by artists such as Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Matt Redman, Danny Gokey, and many others.

🌐 Website https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

🎙 Hosted by Sam Hart https://www.instagram.com/samhartmusic