If the name Johnny Bulford sounds vaguely familiar, then maybe you used to watch the Colgate Country showdown, a country music talent show sponsored by the toothpaste company. In 2008, he won it and was given a $100,000 check by the evening’s host, Leanne Rimes. 

But here's the thing: The Showdown was a singing competition...and as much as Johnny loves to sing- and is good at it – his real passion is in songwriting. A passion he got from listening to the songs of his country music idol, Garth Brooks. And his songs do have a certain “Garthiness” that he’ll explain. So, rather than pursue a singing career, Johnny went to Nashville and started his journey as a songwriter - thanks in no small part to the security a check for $100,000 will give a guy. The result? Radio smashes like Lonely Eyes for Chris Young and Woman Like You for Lee Brice, and keen insight into the creative process that he shares on this month's episode