What Made You

30/07/2026

Creativity doesn’t flow endlessly. Sometimes you find yourself at a stopping point. And other times, life experiences force you to channel that creativity in a different way than you’re used to.
jesus found that songwriting with his wife was very different than songwriting on his own or with other projects.

Has there been someone in your life that has made the darkness seem not so heavy?

28/07/2026

Up next on What Made You with Deanna Marie :
Jesus Hernandez.

Jesus has spent years chasing songs in all their forms. From writing joke songs as a kid inspired by Tenacious D and The Vandals, to playing lead guitar in punk bands, to eventually finding his own voice through deeply personal songwriting, his career has been defined by constant evolution. His music has spanned hardcore punk, melodic punk, and intimate acoustic storytelling, with songwriting credits in projects including Fat Judge, Pink Frosty, and A Really Bad Idea. Whether he’s writing to process life’s hardest moments or simply because a passing phrase won’t leave his head, one thing has remained constant: he never really stops creating.

26/07/2026

I had the pleasure of seeing and meeting Adelitas Way about 6 years ago.

They were incredible then and are incredible now.
Lately, they’ve taken a stand against big streaming (primarily Spotify) for the lack of ethical financial practices they participate in regarding artists.

Their new album and merch is only available on their website at AdelitasWayMusic.com

Support artists- the way they ask you to. Because it makes a world of a difference for them.

Pre-save a song.
Buy the merch directly.
Download the album from the links they provide.

Artists are only “starving artists” when the corporate machines don’t fairly allocate royalties.

22/07/2026

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Music City?

In this latest episode of What Made You, Deanna Marie sits down with singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Graves for an honest conversation about the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected turns of life as a working musician. Ben shares stories from decades in the music industry, the lessons he’s learned from collaborating with incredible artists, and why staying true to yourself matters more than chasing the spotlight.

Whether you’re a songwriter, a music lover, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this conversation is full of insight, authenticity, and plenty of Nashville stories you won’t want to miss.

Ben Graves

20/07/2026

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Music City?
In this episode of What Made You, Deanna Marie sits down with singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Graves for an honest conversation about the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected turns of life as a working musician. Ben shares stories from decades in the music industry, the lessons he's learned from collaborating with incredible artists, and why staying true to yourself matters more than chasing the spotlight.
Whether you're a songwriter, a music lover, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this conversation is full of insight, authenticity, and plenty of Nashville stories you won't want to miss

20/07/2026

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Music City?
In this episode of What Made You, Deanna Marie sits down with singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Graves for an honest conversation about the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected turns of life as a working musician. Ben shares stories from decades in the music industry, the lessons he's learned from collaborating with incredible artists, and why staying true to yourself matters more than chasing the spotlight.
Whether you're a songwriter, a music lover, or someone pursuing a dream of your own, this conversation is full of insight, authenticity, and plenty of Nashville stories you won't want to miss.

What does it really take to build a lasting career in Music City? In this episode of What Made You, Deanna Marie sits down with singer-songwriter and guitarist Ben Graves for an honest conversation about the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected turns of life as a working musician. Ben shares st...

17/07/2026

Ben Graves has one word for everyone considering or planning a move to Nashville…

Diversify.

Put your hand in as many pots as possible. Say yes to projects. Get out there!

Full episode dropping Monday. Tune in! On all streaming platforms.

Ben Graves

14/07/2026

Doesn’t Every Hit Song Start With An Old Car And A Hitchhiker??

Listen to Ben Graves’ full journey when the next episode of What Made You with Deanna Marie drops Monday July 20th!

Ben Graves

12/07/2026

Ben Graves is a musician, a songwriter, a professor, a father, and all around talented guy.
We chatted about AI and how it’s used and overused.
How do you feel about AI in music production?

Ben Graves