Greenwood High School student Justin Littleton embarks on a musical journey with Grammy Award-winning percussionist Nate Werth on a 50-minute podcast episode, “Blank Note — Beating Burnout with Nate Werth.”
“Blank Note” is a podcast series launched by The Lewis Prize for Music and Save The Music Foundation to support young aspiring musicians who are looking to learn from professionals in the music industry.
Littleton always had an affinity for music, but he truly fell in love with it when he joined his sixth grade band. From there, he went on to play a myriad of instruments, including woodwinds, brass and percussion.
The 17-year-old was scouted by the Save The Music Foundation after having done photography of the foundation’s instruments at Amanda Elzy High School.
From there, he was referred to the Lewis Prize for Music, where he created his first podcast under the guidance of an instructor.
Littleton said that after expressing interest in the bands Ghost-Note and Snarky Puppy, he was surprised to meet Werth, the percussionist of both bands.
The episode was recorded in the fall of 2023. Littleton is the host, and he interviews Werth. Together, they discuss stress and schedule management as well as ways to amp up creativity during times of burnout.
“Your ears are your greatest tools, whether it be listening to music, someone talk or both,” said Littleton. “You will always learn something as long as you listen. It may even be in the most unexpected places.”
Littleton said what stood out most to him during his conversation with Werth was “when he said that he didn’t have anything planned out. As he progressed, everything just sort of fell into place.”
“Blank Note — Beating Burnout with Nate Werth” is now available on YouTube, Apple Music, SoundCloud and Spotify.
- Contact Marissa Wiley at 662-581-7239 or mwiley@gwcommonwealth.com.
