Music Row

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Jeff Leake sits down with the Hunter Brothers for a deep dive into their uniquely Canadian journey from hockey rinks and harvest fields to country music stardom. Recorded in November, the brothers reflect on their sold-out Homegrown Nights Tour, share behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road, and open up about the family dynamics that fuel their harmonies and hustle. Expect laughs, grit, and gratitude as they talk songwriting, sibling synergy, and what’s next for their evolving sound heading into 2026.www.hunterbrothers.comHomegrown Nights TourNov 23, 2025 – Yorkton, SK – Anne Portnuff TheatreNov 24, 2025 – Red Deer, AB – Memorial CentreNov 25, 2025 – Calgary, AB – Bella Concert HallNov 27, 2025 – Regina, SK – Conexus Arts CentreNov 28, 2025 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear CentreNov 29, 2025 – Lloydminster, AB – Vic Juba Community TheatreNov 30, 2025 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU PlaceJun 25, 2026 – Dauphin, MB – Dauphin’s Countryfest

A year without releasing music is almost unheard of for today’s artists, especially one with a resume as impressive as Robyn Ottolini’s. But for the platinum-selling trucker’s daughter from Uxbridge, Ontario, stepping back was essential to moving forward. Now fully and blissfully independent, with new management, a fresh perspective, and a collection of electrifying songs on the way, Ottolini is not just ready for her proverbial closeup – she’s writing, directing, producing and starring in it herself.“I love a good country song about a cowboy, but I’ve never been able to write one because quite frankly, I’ve never met one,” Ottolini laughs. “I found a way to still sing about them in a sense, while paying homage to the guys that I do know a thing or two about: the blue-collar, steadfast fellas that give unconditional love and work their butts off,” she says, neatly summarizing the song’s goosebump-raising coda: “I don’t think I’m missing out/’Cause I sure like my view/Everybody’s singin’ about cowboys/But I’m just singin’ bout you.”

On this episode of Music Row, we sit down with Kashus Culpepper—an artist whose debut album Act I drops this January and promises to shake up the scene. Kashus brings raw honesty, cinematic ambition, and a voice that’s ready to be heard. We talk about the making of Act I, the mindset behind the music, and the people he dreams of meeting—from icons to collaborators. This is more than an album—it’s the opening act of a career built on purpose, passion, and possibility. Act I TracklistIntro (Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)Southern Man (feat. Marcus King) (Kashus Culpepper, Bear Rinehart)Alabama Beauty Queen (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston, Diego Urias)Woman (Kashus Culpepper, Anderson East)Break Me Like (Kashus Culpepper, Grady Block, Hank Compton)Believe(Kashus Culpepper, Foy Vance)Stay(Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)Mean To Me (Kashus Culpepper, Oscar Charles, Diego Urias, Matt Warren)Broken Wing Bird (feat. Sierra Ferrell) (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)Better Weather (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston)That's The Feeling (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)Man Of His Word (Kashus Culpepper, Natalie Hemby)In Her Eyes (Kashus Culpepper, Brent Cobb, Oscar Charles)Is It True (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Rocky Block)After Me? (Kashus Culpepper, Mark Addison Chandler)Out Of My Mind (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)House On A Hill (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Jimi Bell)Cherry Rose (Kashus Culpepper, Mikky Ekko, Brian Elmquist)

In this episode, Leake welcomes 24-year-old Cole Goodwin, the gravel-voiced country artist recently signed to Big Machine Records. Cole opens up about growing up in Pooler, Georgia, crafting his self-produced EP Soon Enough, living in GA and working in Nashville.📱 Cole Goodwin – Social MediaWebsite: colegoodwinmusic.comInstagram: @colegoodwinmusicFacebook: facebook.com/colegoodwinmusicYouTube: youtube.com/@colegoodwinmusicTikTok: @colegoodwinmusic🎸 Upcoming Tour Dates (Late 2025)Nov 4–5, 2025 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TNNov 22, 2025 – St. Pete Country Fest, United Central, FLDec 3, 2025 – Winnsboro Music Hall, Winnsboro, TXApr 11, 2026 – Tortuga Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FLJul 10, 2026 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON (with Luke Bryan)Jul 11, 2026 – Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Sarah Vanderzon opens up about growing up south of Montreal and how her introverted nature shaped her early musical experiences. Despite her shyness, she found confidence through songwriting and performance, republiclive.com/sarah-vanderzonpaquinentertainment.com/artist/sarahyoutube.com/sarahvdzon

In this episode of Music Row Podcast, host Leake sits down with rising country artist Preston Cooper, one of Big Machine’s freshest signings out of Nashville. The conversation dives deep into Preston’s gritty songwriting roots, being the singing mailman and about finally taking the giant leap into country music.  

In this episode, host Leake sits down with acclaimed music journalist Geoffrey Himes to unpack Willie Nelson: All the Albums, Himes’ sweeping new book that chronicles every solo and collaborative album Willie Nelson has released—from his earliest recordings in the 1950s to his latest work in 2025.Together, Leake and Himes explore the evolution of Nelson’s sound and spirit, Their conversation dives into the cultural and emotional context behind Nelson’s music, revealing how personal struggles—divorce, death, IRS battles—shaped some of his most powerful work.

In this episode of The Music Row Podcast with Leake, Teigen Gayse opens up about her journey from small town B.C. to Nashville’s neon-lit stages. With charm and honesty, she shares the stories behind her breakout singles, the emotional weight of writing from lived experience, and the hustle it takes to stand out in Canada’s evolving country scene. Leake and Teigen riff on radio play, TikTok traction, and the power of staying true to your roots—even when the industry tries to shape you. It’s a heartfelt, high-energy ride through the making of a modern country artist.

Country artist Josh Ross joins the Music Row Podcast to reflect on his journey from football fields to festival stages, fresh off winning Entertainer and Single of the Year at the 2025 CCMAs. Ross talks about the importance of authenticity, buying a new house so he can cut the grass, and how he co-wrote over half of later tonight and listened to over one thousand tracks that were pitched to him for the remain cuts on the release.Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering Josh Ross, this episode is a heartfelt ride through the making of a modern country storyteller. 

In this episode, James Barker sits down with Jeff Leake to unpack the band’s new album One of Us—a bold, hook-filled tribute to small-town roots, heartbreak, and the kind of nights that end with a chorus and a cold beer. But it’s not all studio talk. James recounts a now-legendary moment from their European tour—a heated argument over a burrito in Germany.

In this episode, we sit down with the Jack Wharff Band - Big Machine’s newest breakout act - to talk about their rise from viral TikTok moments to headlining stages across the country. The band opens up about meeting each other at an open mic, tour life, their fusion of country, rock, and bluegrass, and the stories behind the songs that are turning heads in Nashville and beyond.

In this heartfelt and gritty episode, Johnny Van Zant joins host Jeff Leake to reflect on his decades-long journey with Lynyrd Skynyrd, the legacy of Southern rock, and the personal weight of carrying his late brother Ronnie’s torch. The conversation dives into the band’s resilience through tragedy, reinvention, and cultural shifts, with Johnny sharing stories from the road, the studio, and the soul of Skynyrd’s music.

This week on The Music Row Podcast, host Jeff Leake sits down with rising country star Carter Faith for an intimate conversation ahead of her debut album, Cherry Valley, dropping October 2025. Carter opens up about her journey into country music, and what it's like travelling with her band.

In this special episode of Countdown to Lasso, host Jeff Leake gears up for the 2025 LASSO Montréal Festival, Canada’s premier country music celebration. We sit down with Patrick Guay from evenko, the promoter behind the festival, to get the inside scoop on what fans can expect this year—from the headliners to the hidden gems.You’ll also hear exclusive interview clips from some of the rising stars hitting the stage, including:Kashus Kulpepper, who discovered his love for guitar while stationed in Spain during COVIDTucker Wetmore, Wyatt Flores, and Cameron Whitcomb, each bringing their own unique sound and story to MontrealWhether you're a die-hard country fan or just curious about the festival vibe, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable weekend of music, community, and cowboy boots.LASSO Festival runs August 15–16, 2025, with LASSO in the City kicking things off on August 14.

In this episode of the Music Row Podcast, we’re gearing up for Canada’s biggest country music celebration—Boots and Hearts Festival! From what to expect to what to pack, we’ve got your festival survival guide ready. Plus, we hear from some of the standout artists lighting up the stage this year, including Dallas Smith, Cameron Whitcomb, Stephen Wilson Jr., Mackenzie Carpenter, Owen Riegling, and Andrew Hyatt. Whether you're camping under the stars or just coming for the music, this episode sets the tone for an unforgettable weekend.

In this episode of Music Row Podcast, host Leake sits down with rising country artist Callum Kerr for a candid conversation about songwriting, storytelling, and the road ahead. Callum opens up about moving from Scotland to Texas, acting, Dustin Lynch, the Grand Ole Opry and his new EP Roots Under Me.They dive into the highs and lows of life on tour, the creative process behind curating emotionally honest music, and how Callum balances artistry with authenticity. Plus, Leake breaks down the week’s biggest country headlines—from Miranda Lambert’s flood relief efforts to HARDY’s return to his country roots, Riley Green’s ’90s revival, and Elle King’s journey toward redemption.

On this episode of the Music Row Podcast, Jeff Leake sits down with rising country star Tucker Wetmore to talk about his debut album What Not To and the journey that shaped it. From heartbreak ballads to party anthems like “Brunette” and “Drinkin’ Boots,” Tucker opens up about the lessons learned through loss, ambition, and football. It’s an honest, high-energy conversation with one of country’s boldest new voices, blending raw emotion with a rock-solid sense of identity.

On this episode of the Music Row Podcast with Leake, Mallory Johnson dives deep into the making of her latest album Over the Party. She opens up about the emotional weight behind the songs, talks about a family of touring musicians and bridesmaid dresses. 

This week on the Music Row Podcast with Leake, country artist Kalsey Kulyk joins the show to share her journey of resilience and creativity. She recounts life on the road during COVID, touring in a retrofitted van while keeping her music alive, and opens up about the lessons she learned from working with Niko Moon. From songwriting insights to the stories behind her sound, it’s an episode packed with heart, hustle, and harmony.

On this week’s Music Row, Dierks Bentley sits down for an honest, roots-deep conversation about his latest journey—The Broken Branches Tour and the album that inspired it. Dierks opens up about the album's collaborators and his ongoing feud with the band Hot Country Knights.