Sisters In Song

 So many exciting things happening for this episode’s guest Bailey Cole! She told us about her reimagining of the Gnarls Barkley hit “Crazy” (AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE) and her debut album that just dropped called “Chapter One.” Bailey talked about how she came out of her shell, thepower of YouTube and the message of light she wants to share with her music!     Bailey Cole doesn’t just sing—she exhales truth. With a voice that cuts through the noise and lyrics that feel more like confessions, she’s carved out her own lane in the pop-soul world: cinematic, unfiltered, and deeply human. Her music isn’t here to distract you from your feelings—it’s here to sit with you in them.  Raised an only child in the middle of chaos, Bailey turned confusion into creativity. Her earliest songs were born out of a need to process life—growing up surrounded by addiction, heartbreak, and the kind of questions kids shouldn’t have to ask. Now, she writes with the clarity ofsomeone who’s done the work—and the fire of someone who still has more to say.  Drawing inspiration from artists like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Banks, and Katy Perry, Bailey blends theatrical storytelling with raw soul, making music that’s as bold as it is intimate. Her songs explore themes of pain, healing, identity, and that stubborn kind of hope that keepsshowing up even when life doesn’t go easy on you.    Whether it’s on stage with a full band and fog machines or in a stripped-down acoustic set, Bailey commands attention without asking for it. Her live shows are emotional experiences, built around connection—not perfection. She’s not trying to be polished. She’s trying to be real.    Offstage, she’s equal parts old soul and goofball. Yes, the songs are heavy—but Bailey? She’s light. She laughs hard, feels deeply, and cares a lot about leaving the world better than she found it. Especially for the kids growing up in homes like hers.  Bailey Cole is here for the misfits, the feelers, the late-night overthinkers, and anyone else trying to make sense of a messy world. If you’ve ever needed proof that healing is possible—this is your sign, and she’s your soundtrack.    Be sure to check Bailey out here:  Website: baileycolemusic.com  Facebook: Bailey Cole  IG: Baileycoleofficial  YouTube: Bailey Cole  TikTok: Bailey Cole Official  

 We sat down with West Virginia/ Nashville/ New York-based Olivia Ellen Lloyd and had an amazing conversation. We chatted about Olivia’s most recent release “Do It Myself” which was released in 2025 and was very much a DIY project for her. We discussed how her music has evolved and how she trusts her mind and gut when songwriting.   Olivia Ellen Lloyd will try anything once. From flight attendant school in Dallas to producing theater in New York and teaching in Guatemala, Lloyd sought adventure but struggled to find a greater sense of purpose - until she found her way back to music. Channeling that restlessspirit, she writes songs that dig deep for hope in the face of hardship. Her debut album, Loose Cannon, has been streamed over 1 million times while she has been crossing the country playing shows, winning songwriting contests (like Kerrville New Folk in 2023) and generally eatinglife down to the rind. She also works as an in-demand side woman, singing backingvocals for the likes of Lizzie No, Emily Scott Robinson, and as part of the Resistance Revival Chorus, with Renee Rapp at the 2024 All Things Go festival.    Lloyd has spent the past three years doubling down on her efforts to build community within the Alt-Country and Americana scene while deepening her working partnership with Mike Robinson, an in-demand sideman known for touring and recording with the likes of SierraFerrell and Zach Bryan. Mike served as her producer and primary instrumentalist on Do It Myself.   Be sure to check out Olivia Here:  Website: olivialloydmusic.com  IG: oliviaellenlloyd  FB: Olivia Ellen Lloyd  YouTube: Olivia Ellen Lloyd  

 We had a very interesting and touching conversation with Courtney Hartman about her latest release, “With You,” which conveys the theme of giving and receiving care. Courtney talksabout balancing being a mom and a career musician and the fulfilling feeling of“I made something.” Courtney’s 3-year-old even makes a guest appearance.   Courtney Hartman, a Wisconsin-based, Colorado-born guitarist, singer, writer, and producer, hasspent 15 years deftly knitting together music communities across the bluegrass,folk, and indie scenes. She turned early acclaim (including a 2014 GRAMMY nomination for her work with folk quintet Della Mae) into true partnerships, writing and recording with an ever-growing family of fellow artists. PopMatters calls Courtney “a real-life folk troubadour and scholar, informed by her travels and the relationships that she’s built through them,” and Acoustic Guitar Magazine says she is “a songwriter that delights and disturbs.” Herfirst two albums, Ready Reckoner and Glade, featured collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, Anaïs Mitchell, Bill Frisell, and Sam Amidon. Over the past decade, Courtney has spent time in 28 different countries, seeking to bridge cultural divides through music diplomacy andcreative cooperation. Her upcoming release, With You, is a richly collaborative album centered around the themes of care and motherhood. It will be released independently on November 14 and includes performances by Watchhouse, Tift Merritt, Phil Cook, and more.   Be sure to check Courtney out here:  Website: Courtneyhartman.com  Patreon: /courtneyhartmanmusic IG: @courtneyhartman FB: @courtneyhartmanmusic Youtube: @courtneyhartman 

 In this episode we have the pleasure of talking with CannonPence, who performs under the name Twilark. We find out how the moniker Twilarkcame to be (through a dream!), and more about his debut release “The TamingTies Create.”  We get insider information about the nuances of working inthe studio as a new artist, and more about the importance of Bandcamp!    The Taming Ties Create, the debut album from Twilark, unfolds like a rediscovered memory:  precise, disorienting, and wide open. Imbued with a quiet force, these are songs for early mornings or late nights, when reflection becomes reckoning. The indie songwriting project of North Carolina–based artist Canon Pence, Twilark emerges from the crossroads of southern melancholy and gothic folk. A melodic collection of raw emotion, sonic sophistication, and aching beauty, The Taming Ties Create weaves introspective storytelling, emotional nuance, and atmospheric instrumentation into beautifully crafted indie rock.    Pence is a self-taught musician whose relationship with the art form has long been private. Raised in a household where music was ever present but learning to play was actively discouraged, he found his way into bands in high school and college, teaching himself guitar and learning how to write through instinct and repetition. What began as a quiet personal exercise turned into something more urgent, more focused—a way of unburdening. Twilark took shape gradually, without a clear starting point or defined plan. The songs were written over several years, most of them at home, often late at night. Some were long forgotten before being unearthed for the recording sessions.   Be sure to check Twilark out here:  Bandcamp: Twilark  IG: Twilarkband  TikTok: Twilarkmusic  FaceBook: Twilarkmusic  

 Talking with Lex Lashaun was such a pleasure! She's a go-getter who has taught herselfguitar—left handed and still holds down a fulltime teaching gig! We discussedher excellent idea for how to get out of writers block and the importance of therapy.  Lex LaShaun is a rising voice in modern country music whose songs blend heartfelt storytellingwith a soulful, down-to-earth style. Rooted in authentic experiences, her musicspeaks to life’s struggles and triumphs, capturing emotions that resonate with everydaypeople. With a natural gift for turning lived experiences into lyrics, Lex LaShaun has been carving out a space for herself in a genre that values honesty and connection.  Lex LaShaun has built a reputation as an artist unafraid to be vulnerable. Her performances aremarked by smooth, powerful vocals and lyrics that balance strength with sensitivity. Whether singing about love, loss, or hope, she creates a space where audiences feel understood. With each release, Lex LaShaun continues to expand her reach, gaining recognition for her ability to make listeners feel like they’re part of the story she’s telling.  As her career continues to grow, Lex LaShaun remains committed to creating music that upliftsand connects. Her vision extends beyond just performing—she aims to inspire others by showing that true artistry comes from embracing authenticity. With new projects on the horizon and a growing fan base, Lex LaShaun is poised to leave her mark on the country music world, one song at a time.  Be sure to check Lex out here:  Website: lexlashaun.com  IG: lexlashaun  FB: Alexis Ward  Youtube: Lex LaShaun 

 In this episode, we had the unique opportunity to chat with musician/ author Dennes Sims about his recently released novel, “Neckbeard the Awesome Pirate.” We also chat about how being a musician transitioned him into being an author, a voice artist, and a composer for audiobooks.    Both of Dennes’s parents were professional musicians; his mother Barbara was a singer, and his father was a bassist and a drummer.    From the age of 5, he started playing drums. His mother used to take him along to her band rehearsals, and she always told the story that one day Dennes just picked up a set of drumsticks and was keeping perfect time with the drummer.     At 19, he started writing songs and was frustrated that he had no way to express them, so he bought a keyboard and taught himself how to play by ear, listening to Prince, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and others. He also started performing live with bands as a singer.    Over the years, he taught himself both guitar and bass guitar. Dennes says he tried the saxophone “but it sounded like a hit a goose with a scooter.”    While I was teaching himself to play other instruments, he began writing short stories and then screenplays.   Unfortunately, he says he never made any real inroads to making a career out of either. In 1998, he cut his long hair and got a real job, joining the FBI, and put aside his musical and writing ambitions. But he quietly kept doing them as hobbies over the years, recording all of his ownmusic.    In 2021, he was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer and underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments for seven weeks. Amazingly, the doctors saved his life and his voice, but said he would probably not be a singer anymore.    God works in mysterious ways, they always say… because of the treatments, his voice timbre changed, and it gave him a wider range of expression. So, he started using it for a new purpose: narrating audiobooks.     Flash to 2025, now retired from the FBI, he has narrated three audiobooks for an author’s trilogy of stories, and is currently recording the audiobook for his own debut novel, Neckbeard the Awesome Pirate.    Be sure to check Dennes out here:    Website: dennessims.com    He wrote music under two names: Julian Christian and Dennes Sims. He played all instruments and did all of the vocals.    Julian Christian - Nocturne (I wrote it as part of the scorefor an indie film that never got off the ground.) https://youtu.be/WLvJt4BOTVQ?si=3EAhammWyCxOAJD2  Julian Christian music on Soundclick- some of my original songs. https://www.soundclick.com/julianchristian  Dennes Sims music on YouTube- Symphony of the Damned (was also written for an indie vampire film project… was supposed to be used for dance club music in the background. Also never materialized.) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l_gcBhXtw0AauQTB9UHVvktN7lzTJiZzU&si=_x5eCjtF9g3rdEgH  DMS Voice Services YouTube channel: I narrated and produced three audiobooks for another author and created the Musical Compositions for the title tracks. https://youtube.com/@dennessims?si=EddWUE0mc9CTcksd 

 We had such a good time catching up with Kevin Johnston aka Stan Lang! On this episode, learn why Kevin uses the stage name, how he earned a chocolate bar on his first-ever gig, and what inspired this “simple country” doctor to get back into making music and performing. He also gives us the best-yet answer to “describe your sound in 3 words!    Stan Lang is the alias under which Oregon native Kevin Johnston writes. He lives in Burns Oregon, a little town in the middle of the southeastern corner of the Oregon HighDesert. For 23 years he has been a generalist country doctor to approximately 7,000 people who live in a county roughly the size of Massachusetts.  In the late 80’s, he wrote music and played in a college hard rock band, but he says, “when we never got the magical call up to the big leagues,” he eventually decided he should spend moretime studying and less time playing.  He got married, sold his music gear, had 4 kids, worked as a social worker, went back to medical school, then ended up in the country as a doctor.   About 10 years ago his best friend had a cardiac arrest at the gym and he was the Emergency physician on-cal. Unfortunately, he was unable to resuscitate his friend. The grueling nature of taking care of friends and neighbors and losing his best friend and then having to tell his wife and children left him lost and in a very dark place.  He started playing music again, to work through his grief, and slowly started performing and writing again, this time from the perspective of pain lived and witnessed rather than therebellious superficial complaints of youth.  During COVID, he decided that he would finally record in a proper studio and created the album "Super Hero Blues." He continues to practice medicine, performs in a couple of coverbands, and performs his original music. He writes intermittently when the mood strikes, and continues to play to keep a modicum of sanity.  Check Stan out here:  Website: Stanlang.com  FB: Stan Lang  

 We really enjoyed talking with Natalie Del Carmen on this episode. And we’re really looking forward to her new album “Pastures,” which drops January 30, 2026. Natalie describes it as a ‘coming of age album,’ and Natalie seems wise beyond her years! We talk about how to deal with writer's block, writing from observation, and studying the music that you love.   Raised amongst the pavement and pop radio of Los Angeles, Natalie Del Carmen creates her own musical geography with Pastures. It's the sound of a modern-day folksinger narrowing her focus and expanding her reach, funneling the wide-ranging sounds that appeared on her debut album — 2023's critically-acclaimed Bloodline — into a sharp, singular version ofAmerican roots music.      With Pastures, Natalie Del Carmen joins the ranks of Kat Hasty, Maggie Antone, Noeline Hoffman, Ken Pomeroy, and other empowered artists bringing a female perspective — and a youthful outlook — to the Americana space.    Be sure to check Natalie out here:  Website: Nataliedelcarmen.com  IG: Nataliedelcarmen  Tik Tok: Nataliedelcarmen  FB: Nataliedelcarmen  You Tube: Natalie Del Carmen  

We chatted with Kate and Brendan about their debut album, "One Year Since," How they make the band work while living bi-coastally, and what's coming up next for them. This was a really interesting conversation and we learned so much! Kate (fiddle) and Brendan (cello) first started talking about making an album together during the bright, shimmery post-pandemic summer days of 2021. Despite living on opposite sides of the country (Kate is based in Portland, OR, and Brendan is based in Brooklyn, NY) they had built a musical connection through their shared appreciation of innovation and groove. Over the next several years, they performed at venues on both coasts of the US, playing tunes and singing songs from American Old-Time, Irish, and other traditional music styles. They also began writing and performing original material, much of which became the tracks for this album. Kate wrote the title track, One Year Since, in her basement during the pandemic. She recorded a voice memo of the tune and then forgot about it, only to discover it again one year later when many things about the world and her own life had changed. Fiddle in the Attic is for Kate’s fiddle, which was found in an attic in Scotland after anticipating its next tune for who knows how long. By December of 2024, Kate and Brendan were in the studio in rainy Portland with mostly original material written in the old-time fiddle style, one song Brendan composed from a poem, and one song by Emmylou Harris and the McGarrigle sisters. One Year Since is Kate and Brendan’s first EP as a duo. Be sure to check them out at: Website: kateandbrendanmusic.com Bandcamp: Kate & Brendan IG: Kateandbrendandmusic Youtube: Kate & Brendan 

 We had some great conversation and great laughs with Kashena Sampson, who started out how we did—singing with her sisters and putting on shows for her parents! She told us about her third studio record (released October 2025), “Ghost of Me,” and what went into making the album. We also talk about the elephant in the room—the hardest part about being a musician.    Already celebrated by Rolling Stone for “evoking the best of Seventies folk,” Kashena Sampson turns a new page with her third record, Ghost Of Me. It’s an album that pulls up herAmericana roots and digs deep beneath the surface, uncovering the darker indie sounds that once provided the soundtrack to Sampson’s childhood. Laced with electric guitar, reverb, and synthesizer, Ghost Of Me offers a new backdrop for the songwriting and otherworldly singing of an East Nashville luminary who’s never sounded more authentic.   Sampson grew up on the move, living abroad with her family before traveling the world by boat, a gig that found her paying her dues as a cruise ship singer as a young adult. Thatdiverse upbringing is mirrored on Ghost Of Me, an album that spans genres, emotional depths, and astrological tides. “This is an album about ignoring the bullshit and doing what’s authentic to me,” she explains. “Forget the rat race. Forget the bad relationships. Forget trying to please everybody. I’m tired of doing that. I wanted to do something for myself, and that’s what Ghost Of Me became," she continues. "It’s an album for me.”  Be sure to check Kashena outhere:  Website: Kashenasampson.com  Band camp: Kashena Sampson  Instagram: Kashenasampson  FB: Kashena Sampson  YouTube: Kashena Sampson 

 What an amazing conversation we had with Cole Quest of Cole Quest and the City Pickers.  We talked about their latest album “Home Grown,” how Cole serves as the band leader and band member, and their performance on the famous Mountain Stage!  Rooted in tradition yet driven by a restless New York energy, Cole Quest and The City Pickers are carrying bluegrass forward with wit, warmth, and originality. Led by dobro player, songwriter, and vocalist Cole Quest — grandson of folk icon Woody Guthrie —the band has carved out a singular place in today’s roots music landscape.    Their latest album, Homegrown (Jalopy Records, 2025), produced by Grammy Award–winning engineer Steve Rosenthal, brings the band’s journey into full focus. The record weaves four new originals with reimagined takes on songs by John Hartford, Peter Rowan, and Woody Guthriehimself, linking Cole’s own creative voice with his grandfather’s enduring legacy. No Depression hailed it as “an album that deftly moves the legacy of Woody Guthrie along in all the right ways.” Critics like Songlines (UK), Glide Magazine, and the Berkshire Eagle have noted how the bandhonors its lineage while commanding its own path. Their broad recognition includes a Bluegrass Standard cover (August 2025) and a feature in Bluegrass Unlimited.   Formed by friends with a shared love of bluegrass, Quest first pulled the Pickers together in 2017 to record their debut self-titled project at the legendary Magic Shop studio. They went on to release their acclaimed EP Self [En]Titled on Omnivore Records in 2021. Over the years, they’ve won the Podunk Bluegrass Festival band competition, toured Germany multiple times, and shared stages with artists like Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, and Tony Trischka.  Be sure to check Cole and the city pickers out here:   Website: colequest.com  Band Camp: Cole Quest and the City Pickers  FB: Cole Quest and the City Pickers  IG: citypickers  YouTube: Citypickers  

 We had a great time chatting with Hannah DeLynn about her album “Trust Fall” available everywhere! We learned how this record cam from learning from her own hardships andfacing the things that were keeping her stuck. Hannah also gave us great advice about learning guitar and slowing down.    Hannah Delynn, a Nashville-based vocalist/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, independently released her debut full-length album, Trust Fall, on September 5. Hannah’sability and openness to view life from many perspectives result in songs that are emotionally engaging and compelling. Finding freedom through vulnerability, this record is a testament to accepting self-responsibility and the myriad mixed emotions that entails.     Originally from Florida, Hannah found her way to Nashville in 2013 by way of New Zealand, British Columbia, and Australia, gathering stories (soon to be songs) along the way.    This collection of songs honors a potent sea of change in Delynn’s life as she reflects on a season of deep grief, loss, betrayal, and heartbreak, as well as beauty, love, generosity, and friendship.     Be sure to check Hannah out here:  Website: Hannahdelynn.com  Bandcamp: Hannah DeLynn  Facebook: hannahdelynnmusic  IG: Hannahdelynn     

 It was a great time talking with Jake about his transition from Political Science to music, how he puts a song together, and he had a really good take on when a song is truly finished.   He also told us about how doing improv comedy lends itselfto songwriting, and of course, his new album “Idling High” available everywhere!     Jake Cassman's music echoes the raw energy of indie rock, the artful melodicism of power pop, and the thoughtful and vulnerable songwriting of the best Americana. And since he began releasing music in 2013, Cassman has embarked on a musical odyssey that has taken him to intimate venues and major stages around the country, drawing in audiences with electric,eclectic performances, and songs that make the intimate seem epic and the political feel personal. This year will see the release of his debut LP, Idling High -- a staggeringly ambitious and disarmingly honest record that showcases Cassman's wry humor, acute observations, and deep compassion.    Jake began playing piano at age five, and started writing music soon after. He loved Elton John from an early age -- but when his teacher couldn't show him how to play Green Day songs, he began teaching himself; and when he realized he wanted music to be his career, he left an Ivy League school to pursue it. Since then he has worked as a dueling piano player, musicaltheater composer, improv and sketch comedian, and podcast producer (just to name a few gigs). He is also a published academic and a school music educator, while still finding time to play pickup basketball most weekends and try new beers based on the silliness of their names.    Cassman has contributed performances and songs to various political and social justice causes, and his inventive, award-winning music videos bring the stories and ideas from his songs to life in unforgettable ways. His previous project, Drunken Logic, contributed the song and video"What A Beautiful Morning!" to the 2016 anti-Trump compilation 30 Days, 30 Songs alongside R.E.M., Death Cab For Cutie, and more. Now using his own name, Cassman is poised to join acts like Counting Crows, Frank Turner, Sam Fender, and Lucy Dacus whose music is at once introspective and anthemic, and whose singing and writing voice is both timely and timeless.    Be sure to check Jake out here:  Website: Jakecassman.com  IG: Jakecassmanmusic  Youtube: jakecassmanmusic   

 What a delight talking with Rosy Nolan! We discussed her new album “Main Attraction” AVAILABLE NOW! We also talked about how music hasalways been consistent in her life, her favortie song on the album, and we happened to catch her the night before her move to Nashville!    Los Angeles country artist Rosy Nolan’s upcoming LP Main Attraction (out Oct. 17) is steeped in Americana roots, Western swing, honky tonk, and old-time country, paying homage to the great American records of the 1920s–1940s. The album is drenched in heartache and longing—core themes that have defined Nolan’s songwriting throughout her career.  Nolan is a California girl through and through. Born and raised in the East Bay—first in San Francisco, then Berkeley and Oakland for middle and high school. “I’ve lived in California most of my life. It’s in me, and it comes through in my music,” she says.Her songs draw richly from the state’s varied landscapes, weaving metaphors ofhighways, desert, ocean, and redwoods. Raised by Bay Area activists, with a poet mother and a father who fought injustice, Nolan’s upbringing shaped her fierce commitment to advocacy. “Activism remains a constant for me,” she says. “I use my voice to fight for women’s rights, have lobbied bills with the ACLU, and recently, I’ve been protesting the I.C.E. raids in Los Angeles.”  In the early 2000s, New York pulsed with the techno-infused retro synth-pop and cool-kid fury of electroclash. Nolan found herself swept up in this vibrant club scene, but the nonstop partying and drinking eventually took their toll. Hitting rock bottom, she embraced sobriety through atwelve-step program and began focusing inward.Seeking something more organic, Nolan honed her craft as a singer-songwriter, forging a sound rooted in traditional folk. She immersed herself in the records of Steve Earle and Lucinda Williams, as a new wave of alt-country artists helped spark a fresh scene.    Be sure to check Rosy out here:  Website: Rosynolan.com  Bandcamp: Rosy Nolan  Facebook: Rosy Nolan  IG: Rosynolanmusic  Youttube: rosynolan1202  

 We had such a great time catching up with Will Wesley! We talked about his busy tour life supporting Old Crow Medicine Show and Scotty McCreery, touring overseas, and his many nominations for the 2025 Josie awards!   Will Wesley is a Country Rock and Americana artist. A storyteller whose sound blends a soulful edge with country rock energy into heartfelt storytelling. Born in Baker, Louisiana, Wesley was raised with a rebellious spirit and a love for music inspired by his father’s guitar. By age 15, he was sneaking into bars to perform with a beat-up six-string and a fire that would soon define his music career.  He paved his path in the Baton Rouge blues scene, performing and touring alongside with legendary figures. He served as Grady Champion’s Music Director for five years. His talent earned him two International Blues Challenge regional victories and a reputation as one ofLouisiana’s fiercest young guitarists.   Today, Wesley tours across the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, performing everywhere from intimate listening rooms to international stages, including the Switzerland International Country Music Hall of Fame and the Jackson, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.    He shared stages with many including Alabama, RVSHVD, Jason Boland & the Stragglers, Redd Volkaert, When In Rome, Old Crow Medicine Show, Scotty McCreery, Hailey Whitters, and shared international stages with Swiss Rockabilly Star - Florian Fox, collaborating on Will's singles, “Wasted Again” and “Time's Catching Up To Me.”    In recognition of his accomplishments, he received seven nominations for his song, “Ready To Ride” at the 2024 Josie Music Awards. In addition, he received five nominations for his songs “12 O'Clock in Texas” and “The Search” at the 2025 Josie Music Awards. Both within Nashville, Tennessee.  Be sure to check Will out here:  Website: willwesleymusic.com  Facebook: Will Wesley  IG: willwesleymusic  Tiktok: willwesleymusic   

 We talked with Jesse Daniel Edwards on this episode about his current 2 EP now combined LP project titled Requiem Mass / Catechism En Masse.   Jesse shared with us his song“How Do You Keep Your Hands So Clean” and its important message, why he makes albums, and a song right on the spot!  Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jesse Daniel Edwards released Requiem Mass / Catechism En Masse, his boldest and most incendiary release yet, this past summer. Split into two digital EPs - Requiem Mass (June 27th) and Catechism En Masse (July 25th) - and combined as a physical LP to was released via Cavity Search Records. The project represents a searing, spiritual, and political reckoning. It is not an album meant to passively stream in the background. It is a work to be confronted - lived with, wrestled with, and ultimately answered.  Born in the mountain town of Cuyamaca, California, Edwards was raised in a strict religious household before busking his way through America and Europe. His early music, rooted inAmericana, evolved over time into something more theatrical and sonically adventurous.   For Edwards, music isn't about escape - it's about confrontation. "Was this made in freedom?" he asks. "Or was it just more noise?" In a media landscape dominated by trends and distractions, he dares to slow things down. To question. To mourn. To rage. To remember.    Be sure to check out Jesse here:  YouTube: Jesse Daniel Edwards  Band Camp: Jesse Daniel Edwards  

 We visited with Sean Griffin on this episode about his forthcoming album, how his process has changed over the years, his supportive wife, and his single “Rocks Off.”  Sean Griffin is a veteran singer-songwriter and the charismatic founding frontman of Celtic rock cult favorites The Ruffians. After years fronting rowdy pub stages and raising six kids while running a successful business, Griffin returns with his solo debut — a raucous, reflectivecollection of songs that blend punk energy, folk storytelling, and hook-filled rock melodies. Steeped in Irish tradition and punk rebellion, his music channels the spirit of The Pogues and Joe Strummer, with a voice full of grit, wit, and soul. His new single, “People Are Mad,” is a barroomanthem for chaotic times — rowdy, unfiltered, and ready to raise a glass.  Be sure to check Sean out here:  Website: Seangriffinofficial.com  IG: Griffin.sean  Facebook: Sean Griffin  And watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/NbBWhs7-Oi4 

 What a fun conversation we had with Robby Johnson on this episode! We were so happy to catch up with him since his last visit. Robby told us about his latest release, his countrified version of “You Shook Me All Night Long,” and his album OUT NOW titled “Hot Summer Nights.” He also gave us some insider information on the Nashville Numbering System, which we findfascinating!    Nashville-based singer-songwriter Robby Johnson has amassed over 10 million views on YouTube and is approaching 8 million streams. His debut single broke into the TOP 20 on country radio, with its music video winning CMT Pure's 12 Pack Countdown multiple times. Known for a live show combining Garth Brooks's energy with Keith Urban's swagger, Johnson’s music has been featured on Sirius XM’s The Highway, Crook & Chase Countdown, andCountry Top 40 with Fitz. He has also appeared on major media platforms such as FOX News Channel’s Huckabee, USA Today, Rolling Stone Country, and The Tennessean.    Robby’s journey from manufacturing plant worker to full-fledged artist began after a demo session, gifted one Christmas, revealed his musical talent. He moved to Nashville in 2012, connecting with industry veterans Jimmy Nichols and Frank Myers, who guided his career. His single "South Of Me" reached the Top 20 on the Music Row Breakout Chart and led to a performance on The LATE SHOW with David Letterman. This breakthrough was followed by his debut album, Don’t Look Back, produced by James Stroud and featuring contributions from top Nashville songwriters and Vince Gill. The album's success included a feature as a PEOPLE Pick in PEOPLE Magazine and over 2 million views for the video "Together," aired on CMT and GAC.    Be sure to check Robby out here:   Website: Robby-johnson.com  TikTok: Robbyjohnsonmusic  IG: Robbyjohnsonmusic  Facebook: Robby Johnson   AND check out Robby’s other episode of Sisters in Song – Season 4 Episode 186  The YouTube video interview can be found here: https://youtu.be/zaLOAGJ5N8o 

 On this episode, we enjoyed talking with Adam Czeisler of the band Sweet Water. We were fortunate to hear the story behind how their latest album, “Shine On,” came into the world! We talked about their very organic and collaborative process and the ever-pressing question: how do you know when a song is finished!  Formed in the early '90s and made up of frontman Adam Czeisler, guitarist Rich Credo, bassist Cole Peterson, and drummer Chris Friel, Sweet Water has spent decades making music together grounded in friendship and a shared love of rock and roll. "We love making music – and love thechallenge to make art that reflects who we are and where we are," says Rich. "I think the true strength of our band is our core friendship and its longevity," adds Adam. "Rich, Cole, and I went to the same schools in both elementary and high school. Chris and Cole have known eachother since they were kids."The band took a new approach to recording this time. "From the start, we had a very different mindset for making this record," says Adam. "We wanted to be way more ambitious, take way more risks to try and stretch the songs beyond what we had done before, because 'why not? If not now, then when?' So, we said to each other from the beginning we wouldn't settle; we would keep trying different approaches with each song and not stop until we felt it wasleaping off the track into our brains." Phil Ek, who mixed the album, offered a note that stuck with them: "sometimes more is more." Be sure to check them out here:  Website: sweetwaterrocks.com  IG: sweetwaterrocks  FB: SweetWater  

 We had a great time talking with Will Wesley from the road! He phoned in his interview on his return home from the Josie Awards, after performing at the CMA stage and receiving 4 nominations. We visited about his song “12:00 in Texas” which he wrote for his brother whopassed away from a drug overdose, putting the cellphone and going outside.   Grit has forever seeped from the pores of country rocker Will Wesley. He was born a rebellious one, sneaking into bars at 15 to play the blues that pumped through his veins. But today, Wesley follows in the footsteps of artists such as Eric Church and Jason Aldean, more than ready to show off his rock edge as much as his tender, lyrical heart. And despite a career that has already found him touring several countries in Europe and Southeast Asia, performing in venues such as the Switzerland International Country Music Hall of Fame and the Jackson, Mississippi Civil Rights Museum, playing alongside the likes of Alabama, Jason Boland & the Stragglers and Robert Cray, this is somewhat a new beginning for Will Wesley as he finds himself ready to conquer the world.  Check Will out here-- Website: https://www.willwesleymusic.com/ Facebook: Will Wesley Instagram: Willwesleymusic YouTube: @willwesleymusic