In Episode 57, Levi Hummon talks about what it was like growing up in Nashville and what made him want to pursue music! Levi Hummon is a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. He has toured with Tim McGraw, LadyA, KeithUrban, Kelsea Ballerini, SamHunt, and others. He is a Nashville Native and has been around music his entire life. He has taken advantage of the social media aspect of growing his fan base. We talk about what it was like growing up with a dad who is a very successful songwriter and ...
Apr 17, 2023•54 min
In Episode 56, Rodney Smith shares how his life has consisted of going against the norms. He talks about following your passion in spite of what others might say and so much more! After graduating from college with a BA in Broadcast Communications Rodney had dreams of being an on-air personality and had his eyes set on a future gig as a morning show host for country music radio. He first completed two radio institute programs in Boston and Kentucky, run by the nation’s top radio professionals. H...
Aug 16, 2022•59 min
In Episode 55, Kailey Cornett shares her story and how she felt a calling to serve women facing an unplanned pregnancy at the age of 16. Kailey has served women facing an unplanned pregnancy and with women’s clinics since she was 16 years old. Throughout her childhood, she moved from Colorado to Illinois to Arizona where she started volunteering at her first pregnancy center. God’s vision for her career started that year and she knew this is where His calling met her passion. She attended Pepper...
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 8 min
In Episode 54, Mark Oglesby talks about how he got his start in the music industry, the years managing One Republic, why he started running, what the music scene looks like and so much more. Mark describes himself as pale skin tone, medium to large forehead, pointed nose, average jaw line, off tan teeth, decent calf game, receding hairline. Kansas City native, Tennessee is home. Husband, Papa, runner, sports enthusiast. 6.5 years sober. Tour manager for musicians since 2001. Mark Oglesby has bee...
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 41 min
In Episode 53, Butch Spyridon talks about how Nashville has changed over the years and shares some stories behind some of the big events. You will hear about his younger years and how he never liked following the crowd. Butch Spyridon is the president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC). He has service the NCVC since 1991. Under his leadership, the NCVC has led the strategic development of Nashville’s hospitality industry, and Music City has evolved into a top global d...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 49 min
In Episode 52, Mike Seal, an awesome guitarist, shares his story and what it is like playing with different musicians, such as Jerry Douglas and many others. Mike Seal is a grammy-nominated guitarist and composer based in Nashville, TN. Originally from Bridgewater, Virginia, he’s played out of Tennessee and Georgia for the past ten years, touring and recording with a wide variety of bands including The Jerry Douglas Band, Sierra Hull, Bob Lanzetti, Jeff Sipe Trio, Sarah Siskind, and many more. M...
Aug 23, 2021•1 hr 10 min
In Episode 51, Bailey Spaulding shares her journey to Harvard then Vanderbilt Law School and eventually starting Jackalope Brewing Company. Bailey Spaulding is the Co-Founder & CEO of Jackalope Brewing Company, in Nashville, Tennessee. Bailey was born and raised in Montpelier, Vermont, and graduated from Harvard University in 2004 with a degree in Biological Anthropology, before moving to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt Law School in 2006. It was in law school that Bailey discovered the world...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 15 min
In Episode 50, Henry Particelli talks about his journey from Canada to Nashville. He shares why he has a passion for serving his community and why he has never given up on music. Henry Particelli knew he wanted to be a police officer ever since he took an aptitude test in school that suggested he pursue a career in law enforcement. However, this Sault Ste. Ontario, Canada native quickly had those dreams squashed when, at the time, Canada required that all officers have uncorrected 20/20 vision. ...
Aug 09, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In Episode 49, Ryan Lampa chats shares his journey to Nashville, how God guided him to serving the homeless, and much more! Ryan is a husband, father. Thinker and seeker. Humbled by the path God has chosen for him. Grew up in Colorado, moved to Nashville in 2001. Almost went to college, ended up living the touring life for 18 years. In the middle of touring, while church hopping and trying to figure out how to change the world, God put me in a headlock and showed me a place that is in need. My b...
May 19, 2021•1 hr 48 min
In Episode 48, Jason Davis shares about his music journey and how it has impacted his life throughout the years. Jason Davis has spent his entire two decade career in the music industry and worked with many worldwide stars, including Boyz ll Men, Sugar Ray, P. Diddy, Alabama, Lonestar, Dolly Parton, among many others. Davis is an entertainment industry executive with a broad range of titles including award winning songwriter, award winning author, independent record label president, executive TV...
Dec 22, 2020
In Episode 47, Staci Flood-Popp shares some of her story and why she chose a career in dance. A move to Paris for a few years changed her life forever! After receiving her degree in Visual Arts from Wittenberg University, Stacie moved to Paris, France to study as an apprentice under visual artist and professor at Parsons School of Design, David Loeb. During her stay in Paris, Stacie found herself falling in love with another form of visual art, dance. She started classes at Cite’ Veron and Studi...
Oct 02, 2020
In Episode 46, Amanda shares her story and what it was like growing up around the music industry. She is full of fun stories and loves helping other musicians. Amanda Colleen Williams is an awarded songwriter and music publisher with songs on albums certified at 17 million sales by the Recording Industry Association of America®, including “She’s Tired of Boys” written with Garth Brooks. As an educator and entrepreneur, Amanda is a successful business owner, and is regularly called on to speak as...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 25 min
In Episode 45, Alexis shares her story and what an impact working at five different non-profit internships in five different countries over a year had on her life and how she co-founded Unlocked. Alexis Cook is a passionate individual with a drive to create a more equitable world through increased opportunity and empowerment. The Co-Founder and Co-President of Unlocked, Alexis was an Ingram Scholar at Vanderbilt University, where she graduated in 2018 with a bachelor’s in Human and Organizationa...
Oct 07, 2019•1 hr 11 min
In Episode 44, Devin shares some stories from his earlier years and why he chose a career in professional photography and the joy he gets out of it. Devin Williams lives in Nashville, where he hangs out of helicopters and rides speedboats usually with a camera in his hands. He’s been a professional photographer for more than a decade after graduating from Cumberland College where he played baseball and earned a business degree. His mother, a single parent, was super involved in his life and he t...
Oct 01, 2019•1 hr 8 min
In Episode 43, Rahaf and I chat about when cooking became a passion, what it is like being a women in this industry and her experience on Chopped and much more! Rahaf learned early on how to cook and why cooking brought her so much joy. She was raised in a pretty big family and at the age of 13 started experimenting in the kitchen. Her hobby was cooking and her family benefited from that! When it was time for college, she wanted to attend culinary school, but she was pulled in a different direct...
Aug 27, 2019•1 hr 11 min
In Episode 42, Jeff and I chat about his early years and how he was prepared when he was laid off and the impact of Reading! Jeff is an award-winning radio producer and personality, and former nationally-syndicated morning show host. Following a 26-year career in radio, Jeff went boss-free in 2013 and soon after launched the Read to Lead Podcast. It’s gone on to become a four-time Best Business Podcast nominee, and has featured Jeff’s interviews with today’s best business and non-fiction authors...
Aug 19, 2019•1 hr 25 min
In Episode 41, Joe Schneider shares some of his story and what it took to fight off an illness that sidelined him for a year! Mote (The working moniker for Joe Schneider) is a singer / songwriter based in Nashville. Over the last two years, he has recorded “Get the Door”. This EP marks a departure for Mote, towards a more direct and refined rock driven sound. Intertwined with a full spectrum of eclectic influences ranging from Hip-Hop and Dance to Folk. Originally planned to be created over the ...
Aug 05, 2019•1 hr
In Episode 40, Kyonzte Toombs talks about her educational journey as well as why she is running for Nashville Metro Council. When I first read about Kyonzte, I was blown away by her degrees and all that she has been involved in around Nashville. She is a Vanderbilt University Law School graduate. She is a practicing attorney for 15 years with over 10 years of government practice experience including writing and analyzing over 100 pieces of legislation. She is also the founding board member of th...
Jul 09, 2019•1 hr 4 min
In Episode 39, Ivory Layne share her music journey and why she chose to move to Nashville. I had a great time chatting with Ivory Layne. She talked about how she got a jump start when she moved to Nashville because of some connections she made. She shares about some of the ups and downs of the music industry and how releasing music has changed as well. She also sings a few songs in the Rambler. Shout out from Ivory: Favorite Local Restaurants: Liberty Common You can connect with Ivory Layne: Ivo...
Jul 01, 2019•1 hr 24 min
In Episode 38, Derek Evans, co-founder and president of Project 615, joins me in the Rambler and we chat about his story. Derek shares some of his story and why he chose to leave a job and make a move to Nashville with $1,000 in his pocket. At the time, he really had no clue what he would do except he wanted to star an apparel company. He felt a calling from God and he chose to follow. After a mission trip to LA serving some of the homeless community, he came back with more purchase for his busi...
Apr 08, 2019•51 min
In Episode 37, I pull the Rambler down to Franklin to hang out with Ashley Gorley for a bit. A few days before I interviewed Gorley, he landed his 39th #1! It was fun to hear a bit of what all it takes to be a very successful song writer as well as keep a balanced family life. Ashley Gorley is an American songwriter, publisher, and producer from Danville, Kentucky , who is based in Nashville, Tennessee . Gorley is an undeniable force. 6-Time ASCAP Songwriter Of The Year winner (’09,’14,’15,’16,’...
Mar 26, 2019•55 min
In Episode 36, Ken Wood is a Nashville native that decided to open a new BBQ restaurant. He talks about leaving a nice desk job to pursue his dream. He has been cooking BBQ for years in competitions. This conversation shows just how much he cares for his customers. Ken talks about growing up in Nashville and how he has seen the resturant scene change. He has always enjoyed cooking since he was a little kid and has some fond memories of his grandparents. He shares about stepping away from a compu...
Mar 20, 2019•1 hr 15 min
In Episode 35, Jarrod Houston talks about overcoming adversity as a child. The trauma he experienced in those early years impacted him greatly in college. He speaks today about how he was able to overcome addictions, finding joy and his journey to becoming a strength and conditioning coach. Jarrod Houston is a multifaceted strength and conditioning coach with a very diverse background in sports. He is often called “The Go To Guy” because of his innovative and one of kind approach to training. Ja...
Mar 05, 2019•1 hr 13 min
In Episode 34, Hailey joins me in the Rambler to share her journey back to Nashville and why the non profit Y.E.A.H, Youth Empowerment through Arts& Humanities, is so important to her. Hailey Rowe-Mabee is a Nashville area native working for Y.E.A.H, Youth Empowerment through Arts& Humanities, a local non profit that provides radical music and arts education for youth ages 10-17. Hailey is an animal lover and frequent shelter volunteer, horse rider and drummer. We had a great time talkin...
Feb 20, 2019•1 hr 20 min
In Episode 33, Mike LeMieux shared so much great content about social media and the journey he has taken to get there! I began to follow Mike on social media and after reading a few of his post, I thought he would be a great individual to interview. Mike and his wife are very open and transparent about their life and in return, they have made a huge impact on countless people. Mike shares his story from growing up in the Phoenix area to college and eventually landing in the social media influenc...
Feb 11, 2019•1 hr 27 min
In Episode 32, Beth Inglish joins me in the Rambler and we talk her journey which eventually lead to Nashville and starting Nashville Creative Group! Beth and I hung out at the Titans stadium and had a great conversation! She shared so much knowledge and insight. She was super active in high school and college and then finally realized, I need to make some changes. She share her journey from teaching scuba diving in the Virgin Islands to eventually landing in Nashville and so much in between! Be...
Jan 28, 2019•1 hr 21 min
In Episode 31, Korby Lenker dives into all he has going on from music to being a creator and star of a new scripted web series. Korby and I enjoyed hanging out in the West End area and talking about his story. Korby continues to take the definition of ‘independent creative’ and push it forward. He’s long been a heavy-touring, award-winning singer-songwriter; two years ago he added ‘published author’ to his resume, and now, as creator and star of a new scripted web series called MORSE CODE, Korby...
Jan 22, 2019•56 min
In Episode 30, Christian Spears, a founder and owner of Tennessee Brew Works, joins me in the Rambler. We talk about his journey and the stories behind a few of their beers! Christian and I had a great time talking about craft beers and all that goes into Tennessee Brew Works. I have often heard the stories behind songs, but never the stories behind craft beers! Tennessee Brew Works is all about supporting TN and the local businesses. Christian talks about his journey and how his parents had a b...
Jan 15, 2019•1 hr 23 min
In Episode 29, Granville Automatic’s duo Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins join me in the Rambler and share some of their stories as well as some Nashville history! Led by a modern-day Linda Ronstadt, Granville Automatic writes songs the Associated Press calls “haunting tales of sorrow and perseverance.” they have created a one-of-a-kind sound that revolves around their passion for storytelling. The duo, comprised of Nashville songwriters Vanessa Olivarez and Elizabeth Elkins, is named after...
Jan 08, 2019•1 hr 7 min
In Episode 28, Stephen Rose shares his story and GA Peaches are a big part of that journey! He talks about the freedom of being self employed. Stephen Rose and I had a great time hanging out at Shelby Bottoms park in East Nashville. I was excited to get to hear more of Stephen Rose’s story. I first heard of Stephen when I was taking a tour of Pearson Farms in Fort Valley GA. Stephen shares about his journey to Nashville and the first time he realized Nashville was lacking some fresh GA Peaches! ...
Dec 31, 2018•1 hr 3 min
