Yesterday was my first time to interview Nashville singer/songwriter Steven Lee Olsen. We met last September in Hamilton, Ont., for the Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) Canadian Country Music Week, but this would be our first interview and it would be live on Country 107.3 in Tillsonburg.

Originally from Newmarket, Ont., Steven came into the on-air studio (and I still don’t know if he was over-dressed or under-dressed) wearing a moose one-sie! I guess reindeer outfits are hard to get this time of year.

We talked about his current music, his success as a songwriter, having co-written two huge recent hits: Keith Urban’s Grammy nominated “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and Kip Moore’s “More Girls Like You,” and much more. We also acknowledged the success of his co-writers, David Garcia, who produced Carrie Underwood’s current album and co-wrote her last two hits, “Cry Pretty” and “Love Wins,” and Josh Miller. Both of them also co-wrote one of the biggest hits ever, “Meant to Be” by Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha. Steven Lee is in some pretty remarkable company! Several songs on his current album feature co-writes with David and Josh.

I always love hearing visiting artists perform live (and one reason is because I have the best seat in the house) and Olsen was stellar, doing live versions of “Timing is Everything,” the title track of his current album, and “Future Me,” another track off the album. A staff member who’s known Steven for awhile said it was the best she’s heard him sing. And I thought his performances were excellent. But don’t take my word for it. Steven Lee’s dog, Roscoe, gave him a standing ovation!

Thanks to Steven Lee Olsen for a great interview and performance! And thanks to Anthony Farrauto of Sony Music for bringing him in and for inviting professional photographer Bill Woodcock to capture the event with his remarkable eye for photographing special moments.

(Heads-up: when you make your music purchases of your favourite country music over the next few months or even the next year or two, check out the songwriter credits. Don’t be surprised when you find Steven Lee Olsen’s name among them.)