Count It Off – Episode 30: Joe Soucheray of Garage LogicOn this episode of Count It Off, we’re joined by none other than Joe Soucheray, the voice behind Garage Logic, the Mayor of Gumption County and Flashlight King himself. If you’ve ever tuned into GL, you know Joe’s got a knack for mixing common sense, humor, and a little bit of curmudgeonly wisdom into conversations that just stick with you. The show pulls hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners from around the globe and ranks in the top 25% of all podcasts.We talk about how Garage Logic came to be, how good podcasts succeed and what keeps Joe fired up to hit the mic after all this time. Whether you’re a long-time citizen of Garage Logic or just curious what it’s all about, this one feels like hanging out in the mayor’s office—coffee, chatter, and plenty of laughs included. Don't miss this one.
🎙️ Count It Off – Episode 29 : Erica Sunshine LeeIn this episode of Count It Off, we sit down with the unstoppable Erica Sunshine Lee — a powerhouse singer-songwriter known as the Georgia Gypsy. From her small-town Southern roots to touring across the globe, Erica’s journey is fueled by grit, passion, and a love for telling stories through song.She’s earned #1 chart-topping songs, penned heartfelt ballads, rowdy anthems, and everything in between, earning fans worldwide with her fearless honesty and undeniable stage presence. In this conversation, Erica opens up about life on the road, the inspirations behind her songs, and what it really takes to carve out an independent career in today’s music industry.Whether you’re chasing your own creative dreams or just love a good story wrapped in melody, this episode will leave you inspired to count it off and dive in.✨ Listen now and join the ride with Erica Sunshine Lee.
🎹 Count It Off Ep 28: Funk, Faith & Purple Keys with Tommy BarbarellaThis week we’re hanging out with the one and only Tommy Barbarella — keyboardist, composer, and longtime member of Prince’s legendary New Power Generation. We dig into what it was like holding down the keys for one of the greatest artists of all time, the magic (and madness) of life on tour, and how Tommy found his own sound outside the Purple universe.We’ll hear how Tommy has expanded to composing and scoring everything from orchestral works, commercial videos and even an epic Super Bowl ad.From Twin Cities beginnings to the biggest stages in the world, Tommy shares stories that are equal parts funny, wild, and inspiring. We talk about the pressure of keeping up with Prince’s genius, what it takes to survive in the music industry, and how collaboration fuels his creativity to this day.If you love Prince, music history, or just want to hear some behind-the-scenes stories from the guy who helped shape the soundtrack of a generation, this one’s for you.
Welcome to Count It Off, the podcast where we shine a light on the stories behind the music that moves us. Today, we're counting it off with none other than Kensie Coppin — a powerhouse singer-songwriter who made her Grand Ole Opry debut at just 11 years old. With a voice that cuts deep and a rich alto tone that commands every lyric, Kensie has earned three #1 singles on the Texas charts and built a name rooted in heart, grit, and undeniable talent. From center stage to the writing room, she’s blazing her own trail in country music — and we’re here for the ride.
In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Friedman, President of the Trop Rock Music Association (TRMA) — a nationwide network uniting artists, venues, fans, and radio stations passionate about tropical rock. Mark shares his insights into the vibrant world of Trop Rock, its grassroots growth, the passionate fan base, and how the TRMA fosters connection and recognition within the genre.We dive into the evolution of Trop Rock music, its cultural roots, and the role of the association in supporting emerging talent, organizing events, and amplifying the genre across the U.S. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just discovering the sound of saltwater-soaked tunes and island vibes, this episode offers a front-row seat to the movement keeping the music alive and the mission of the ParrotHeads to “Keep the Party Going” in remembrance of Jimmy Buffett.🌴 Tune in for stories, rhythms, and community straight from the heart of Trop Rock.
In this episode, we meet with Billy Alcorn, owner of the Nashville road case company supplying gear for some of the biggest names in music like Metallica, Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton and Eric Church. We learn about his roots in Walnut Grove, MN (birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder and home of Little House On the Prairie), explore his years behind the wheel of Phil Vassar’s tours and we get to hear some of the songs they wrote. It’s a fascinating dive into how custom gear and production like Alcorn Custom Cases builds plays a key role in making the big shows all happen.🎧 Tune in for stories, music talk, some country humor and a look at what it takes to bring legends to the stage.
This week, we’re diving deep into the purple legacy with a true pioneer of the Minneapolis Sound: Matt "Dr. Fink" Prince. As the longtime keyboardist for Prince and an original member of The Revolution, Dr. Fink was a key architect of the sonic landscapes behind some of Prince’s most groundbreaking work — from *Dirty Mind* and *1999* to *Purple Rain* and beyond.In this candid conversation, Matt shares firsthand stories from the studio and the stage: what it was like to collaborate with Prince at the peak of his creative powers, how The Revolution came together, and the moments that defined an era. We talk about the iconic look (yes, the scrubs), cool tales of the live shows (including opening for the Rolling Stones), the evolution of Prince’s sound, and what it meant to be part of a musical movement that broke boundaries across genre, race, and style.Whether you're a die-hard Prince fan or just curious about one of the most influential bands in pop music history, this episode is packed with insight, stories, and behind-the-scenes details you won’t hear anywhere else.
Scottish-born Callum Kerr has a great double-fisted career going... he's starred in seasons 2-6 of the Netflix series Virgin River and acted in 12 other shows and now, he's making his Grand Ole Opry debut with his soulful, gritty voice and A-list production. We talk about his life in Edinburgh Scotland, his acting career but mostly about his enthusiasm for a debut album, produced by Dann and David Huff. They just don't come any better and I know you'll love his relaxed personality and Scottish brogue. Don't miss this one!
Country station BOB-FM is a rare example of independent playlists and down-home personalities. Neil Freeman joins us to talk about his rise from small market radio to one of the top-rated stations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul market. They also are one of the few country stations that love to play homegrown artists. Learn what they look for in submissions and how they give back to the community as well.
Join us as we chat with Andy Peake and hear about his long history as the timekeeper for some of the best artists we've known, from Delbert McClinton to Nicolette Larson, Lee Roy Parnell to Don Williams and more. We cover some of the challenges as an independent recording artist as well. He's got history in Boulder, Gainesville and the past 35 years in Nashville. Hang out with us!
From Music City comes a slayin' hard rocker who's seen it all, from the hair band heyday of LA in the early 80s to his current gig at possibly the #1 recording studio in Nashville. Mike has a great love for his heroes - Richie Blackmore, Eddie Van Halen and more. We'll also talk about his new book "Tennessee Metal" and more. Grab a coffee and join us for some cool guitar instrumentals and tales of the Roxy and the Rainbow Room. Recommended!
Colorado recording artist Chris Daniels talks about releasing his 20th album "Blues With Horns II," working with Sonny Landreth and Billy Payne, touring Europe and the US and so much more. We also get a very personal inside view of tackling his acute myeloid leukemia and pulmonary fibrosis and being a 10 year survivor, plus playing 40 shows a year, teaching at the University of Colorado, producing records, staying positive and most of all, keeping it real. This is without a doubt one of most "close to the bone" shows we've had yet, and it's one of my favorites. Join us and enjoy!
Join us as we get to know this prolific hit writer and trace his journey from St. Louis to Nashville. Over 100 songs recorded by Blake Shelton to George Jones and more, including five #1 chart hits. We talk about being new in Nashville and 'making it.' He's as positive and fun a guest as his ever-present smile would indicate. Twice nominated for a Grammy Award, he's also huge on the Parrothead circuit with the Trop Rock crowd. You'll like him for sure!
Join us as we learn about Kevin's star-crossed journey from railroad brakeman to Tangled Up In Blue guitarist and beyond. We have some fun hearing about being in the studio with the legendary Bob Dylan and his connections to the early crew that helped Prince launch his enormous career. He turned a west coast group into the international National Academy of Songwriters, lining up superstar members like Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie, and fighting for songwriters' rights in Washington DC. Dylan fans especially, don't miss this!
50 year radio legend Jim West and I chat about his career in country music and what makes a great station great. He shares stories that includes Dick Clark, Garth Brooks, George Strait and more. How do local bands get their songs on radio? We'll cover that too. Enjoy!
In the late 60s and early 70s, David worked side-by-side with the late great Brian Wilson. You'll hear the first-person stories and we'll play some music to show the influence Brian had on his young understudy and collaborator. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind interview.
Christie and I discuss her burgeoning career in music as a young songwriter, artist and influencer. We'll hear some of her music and learn about the differences between LA and Nashville, talk about streaming and the new hot topic, AI.All that, plus we learn about her years around the world as a medical volunteer with her doctor parents in places like India,Africa and the Far East.She's upbeat, clean and a lot of fun. Hope you'll listen in!
Alabama native Jerry Foster is a real storyteller and he's had a huge career around the greats. From Elvis to Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Charlie Pride and Johnny Paycheck, he's penned their chart records for decades. Don't miss this one! Jerry is a beloved force in Nashville still today, with plans for a new TV series.. We'll learn his secrets of staying young too. I love this guy and you will too.
Case Hardin is a chart-topping cowboy singer, raised on hard work, ranching and rodeo in west Texas. His young career is taking off and he's got some of the Lone Star State's biggest names giving him a hand up. We talk about how rodeo runs generations deep in his family, we'll check out some of his #1 songs and his dreams for the future. If you love George Strait and Cody Johnson, don't miss this one!
If you're a Jimmy Buffett fan, you will probably love the music and conversation with steel drum player John Patti. One of a very few specialists on the official instrument of Trinidad & Tobago, he tours the US, the tropics and all over the globe. Trop Rock music is what the beach music of the Parrotheads is sometimes called and our guest has played with all the Coral Reefers and many more. Don't miss his cool original music either!