Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Alli Walker, country artist/songwriter, recently released her heartfelt single First Time Living featuring Gretchen Wilson. We chat with Alli about her latest music, playing the bagpipes, being on stage with Shania Twain, growing up in Canada, moving to Nashville, her journey in music, what's next and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Green River Rye Whiskey

The Kentucky Gentlemen, twin brothers Brandon and Derek Campbell from Versailles, KY, just released their latest single Country Hymn. We chat with Brandon and Derek about growing up in Kentucky, their favorite bourbons, what pushed them to Nashville, working together as twins, their new single Country Hymn, what their creative process is like, signing with River House Artists and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Woodford Reserve

Singer-songwriter Ana Cristina Cash recently released her latest single Last Call in English and Spanish "Tu Última Llamada." We chat with Ana about her new music, being a bilingual artist, her Cuban heritage, being part of the Opry's Valentines Day Duets Show, how she was signed at age 15, moving to Nashville and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Penelope Havana

Haley Mae Campbell, country artist/songwriter, is set to release her debut album Dear Life on March 7. We chat with Haley Mae about the new album, how she got into music, what it's been like to work on the album, how she approaches songwriting, sharing past experiences in her songs, getting to headline her own tour and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Green River Wheated Bourbon

Wilder Woods, the solo outfit of NEEDTOBREATHE co-founder and frontman Bear Rinehart, is releasing his new album Curioso on February 7. We chat with Bear about the new album, why he started releasing music as Wilder Woods, the success of NEEDTOBREATHE, his football days at Furman, how he balances Wilder Woods and the band, his approach to songwriting, being on stage and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: Eagle Rare

Garrett Bradford, country artist/songwriter from Texas, is releasing his two-part album Honkiest of Tonkers this February and April. We chat with Garrett about the album, how This Way of Life ended up on Yellowstone, how impactful Taylor Sheridan was on his career, growing up in Texas on a ranch, writing songs at a young age and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: Still Austin Rye Whiskey

Since launching their career in 2018, The Dryes (Derek and Katelyn) have caught the attention of USA Today, Rolling Stone, People, American Songwriter, and Country Living Magazine, among others, and have gained thousands of fans and followers along the way. We chat with Derek and Katelyn about their latest song Ain't God Good, how they met, what it's like to be married and perform together, being on The Voice, the best part of touring, their EP Dear Heart, and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: 15 STARS Timeless Reserve 13YR

At the crossroads of the blues and rock & roll, Liam St. John commands his truest form by combining lyrics that embody the blues with their piercing and painful truth and delivering a captivating performance with vibrancy true to the spirit of rock and roll. We chat with Liam about his latest EP Believer, being into sports when he was young, growing up in the Pacific Northwest, going on The Voice, being vulnerable when he writes, his journey, what's next and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: Makers Mark 46

We look ahead to five artists and groups we're ready to watch in 2025.

We look back at our five favorite artists and groups from 2024.

We look back at our five favorite songs from 2024.

Rising artist/songwritier Emily Brooke released her latest album "all of the pieces (unplugged)" in November. We chat with Emily about her album, why she went the acoustic route, how she got into music, being on American Idol, meeting Taylor Swift's family, going on tour in the Netherlands, what's next and so much more. onathan's Drinking: Filmland Spirits Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut

Partners in life and music, Sarah and Austin McCombie are better known as the Americana-folk duo Chatham Rabbits. We chat with Sarah and Austin about how they got into music, their upcoming album Be Real With Me (out in February), how the album differs from their previous releases, how they became the Chatham Rabbits, their songwriting process and more. Jonathan's Drinking: John AP Conoley Bourbon

The story of Waterville, OH indie-folk trio Oliver Hazard - Michael Belazis (vocals, guitar) and Devin East (vocals, guitar), joined by Nate Miner (keys, vocals) -- is set to release their new EP Raindrop River on Dec. 6. We chat with Mike about the new EP, how the band came to be, if they really won a Facebook raffle to record their first album, how their Oliver Hazard Day Festival started, why they played in fans' living rooms and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: Middle West Michelone Reserve Bourbon

Jet Jurgensmeyer performs his song Stayed from his album The Ride: phase 2 which he co-wrote with PJ North. We chat about why he likes to be part of the songwriting process and how Stayed came to be.

Growing up along Kentucky’s Country Music Highway U.S. 23, Adam Chaffins' sound owes as much to the lush mountains of his home state as it does to the paved canyons of the city he now calls home. We chat with Adam about his new music, growing up in eastern Kentucky, heading to Nashville, being a session musician and part of touring bands, being able to make his own music, being able to collaborate with his wife Brit Taylor on the songs and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: RD1 French Oak Finish

Country artist Allie Colleen performs her song While We're Still Friends, which features country superstar Lee Brice. The honest and sincere single, with lyrics full of raw emotion, was co-written by Allie Colleen, Sara Brice and Lee Brice. We also chat about how this collaboration came to be and how her collaborations typically happen.

Jet Jurgensmeyer shares his song Bones from his album The Ride: phase 2 which is the only song he wrote solo on the album. We chat about how Bones is a special song to him and how special it's been to give back to several organizations.

Nether Hour is a trio of unapologetic rebels fusing the swampy grooves of Louisiana with Texas-sized doses of funk, blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. We chat with Bobby, Bishop and Bercy about their new single Long As I Ain’t Alone, their upcoming new album Moonshine, how the group came to be, their process for creating music, what their live shows are like, what's next and so much more. Jonathan's Drinking: 15 STARS Three Kings

Rising country music artist Charly Reynolds released her debut album, Off The Record, in September. We chat with Charly about bringing that album to life, moving to Nashville at age 18, having vocal surgery, how she approaches songwriting, having fun on social media, her Off The Record tour, what's next and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Southern Star Paragon Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon