SONGLAND’s Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean, and Shane McAnally on the ‘Excitement’ Around Season 2

When SONGLAND’s first season launched, it boasted a star-studded lineup (including John Legend, The Jonas Brothers, and Kelsea Ballerini), but filmed in a relative bubble—the series was new and songwriting hadn’t been showcased that way before.

But after a successful season 1—which included multiple #1s on iTunes charts, an NBC campaign, a car ad, plus one specifically designed for a FAST & THE FURIOUS film—the show returns Monday, April 13 with a new group of artists looking for their next hit, as panelists/songwriters/producers Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder, and Ester Dean work with the competing songwriters to craft a potential hit. (Boyz II Men, Florida Georgia Line, Luis Fonsi, H.E.R., Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Julia Michaels, Ben Platt, Bebe Rexha, and Usher are on tap for the sophomore season.)

This go-round, “there was a real excitement about people being on the show, artists and songwriters, because they had seen the show and wanted to be a part of it,” McAnally told reporters in the video below. “Before, it was such a litmus test…people didn’t know what they were doing…Everyone knew going into this season that they are going to be shown in the absolute best light, that we are going to do everything we can so them and their songs are represented [well].”

“The format didn’t exist until 2019,” Tedder added. “You try to explain it to people…I’d make a billion food show examples, because we’ve watched people make food for the last 15 years. Music is consumed more than food. Now we’re showing you how to cook music.”

And like the first season, the show will continue to highlight songs that aren’t quite ready, and need tweaks to fit the artist they’re competing to impress. “There are collaborators out there who are willing to listen to your song and work with you,” Dean pointed out. “I don’t think people know how deep the songwriting process goes and how far it has to go before you listen to it on the radio.”

Check out the video for more from the SONGLAND trio…

SONGLAND, Season Premiere, Monday, April 13, 10/9c, NBC

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