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Building a Music Catalog: Jonathan Steele on Songwriting, Ownership & Discipline (Ep. 276)
About this Episode
In tonight’s episode, I sit down with songwriter and music catalog creator Jonathan Steele—an Air Force veteran who’s written more than 100 compositions and released over 90 tracks across rock, pop, country, inspirational, and Christian genres. We dig into the craft behind building a long-term songwriting catalog: how ideas spark, when lyrics lead versus when rhythm drives, working with professional demo companies, and why he’s chosen to focus on publishing and ownership over touring.
Jonathan shares candidly about perseverance through health challenges, the discipline he carried from the military into music, and how his Christian faith fuels both his life and his art. We also talk drummers, classic rock influences, and the practical steps indie creators can take to protect and release their work without getting lost in the industry noise.
Jonathan highlights standout songs like In a Soldier’s Stance, Crossing Paths, Lost in the Rain, Hope, and Good Life Elsewhere, plus some of his comedic tracks—and he opens up about his goal to pursue publishing deals, placements, and eventually live performance.
If you’re building something real—song catalog, business, or brand—this conversation is a masterclass in consistency, ownership, and sticking with it until the world catches up.
Guest: Jonathan Steele
https://jonsteelemusic.com
https://JonathanSteelemusic.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4n8ouVy7Mjbf5OEDG9yS6o (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4n8ouVy7Mjbf5OEDG9yS6o)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLgLHwyDkRvE2j76SQd142A
https://soundcloud.com/jonsteelemusic
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Special thanks to:
Executive Producer Wayne Rankin
Executive Producer Rosanna Rankin
Executive Producer Carolina Jimenez
Executive Producer Marisa Lee
Executive Producer Angela Wetuski
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(00:44) Opening: Live from Asylum Studios
(01:05) Host intro, date, time, and tech hiccups
(02:13) A rough week and insomnia talk
(02:56) Recap of last episode with Dr. Trevor Harris
(03:53) Tonight’s guest: Jonathan Steele, songwriter and veteran
(04:08) Housekeeping: site, contact, shows, and email
(05:53) Guest bio: catalog, genres, and Air Force service
(07:16) Icebreakers: time frozen and coffee habits
(09:52) Who is Jonathan Steele? Day job and demos
(11:12) Drummers as backbone: Nick Mason, Rush, influences
(12:39) Roots in Pennsylvania and early music tastes
(15:30) Discovering drums and wishing to learn
(15:39) Songwriting origins and Weird Al influence
(17:15) Air Force years: logistics and classified work
(18:41) Writing during service and first demos
(19:27) Military-themed songs and hoped placements
(20:45) From hobby to career and first releases
(21:50) A songwriter’s day-to-day and creative flow
(23:39) Process: lyrics first or drums first, pro demos
(26:54) Why focus on catalog and publishing
(27:47) Live performance history and future interest
(28:32) What gets licensed vs. what sits
(29:19) What’s next: comical, Christian, and personal songs
(30:35) Choosing genre and comfort zones
(31:45) Signature tracks and key influences
(33:06) Goals: releases, publishing, and performing
(33:40) Perseverance, service, and faith in songwriting
(36:42) Discipline, routine, and independent radio work
(36:42) Navigating the music business and PROs
(37:55) Connecting with Liam through Modern Beats
(39:38) Where to find Jonathan’s music and sites
(40:52) Testimony: coming to faith and church support
(44:09) People who inspire Jonathan
(45:59) Wrap-up and takeaways from the conversation
- Wayne Rankin
- Rosanna Rankin
- Carolina Jimenez
No transcript available for this episode.
