Private Chef Josh Champion of Take It Personal Chef Service grew up in rural Western Kentucky hunting and fishing. After completing his culinary education at Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, FL, Chef Josh began his career as an Executive Sous Chef, working at several venues in Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN. He catered for multiple private events for music, sports, and film industry professionals. In 2016 Chef Josh, his wife Natasia, and their three children moved to Florida's Emerald Coast along t...
Mar 16, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 5
When Anthony Smith moved from East Tennessee to Nashville in the mid-1990s, he didn't realize a golden era of country music ended. However, Anthony is leaving his mark on a new era in Nashville because of his songwriting chops. Anthony's songwriting credits include "Run" and "Cowboy's Like Us," by George Strait, "Chrome" and "I'm Tryin," by Trace Adkins, "I'm Already There" by Lonestar, as well as cuts by Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Reba McIntyre, and Chris Stapleton. Listen as Anthony, and I discus...
Feb 23, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Canadian Cory Marks grew up listening to everything from heavy metal to outlaw country music. Both genres can be heard in his own brand of Americana. Growing up, Cory excelled playing hockey and won a spot on the Royal Military College team. If he wasn't going to make it as a pro hockey player, his backup plan was to fly fighter jets. Cory played music during his college years, but only for himself. While hanging out at a local bar with his teammates, Cory sang a few songs with the band, includi...
Feb 16, 2021•47 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Fifteen-year-old Macy Fowler is used to overcoming odds . After all, she's a starting linebacker for the freshman football team at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, TN. In late fall Macy's world was rocked when she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma cancer. Macy's dad, former Tennessee Titan and New York Jets linebacker, Ryan Fowler, is also accustomed to overcoming the odds compete on the gridiron. But when Ryan has to watch his little girl battle a disease within her body, this tough guy's t...
Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Jason Charles Miller has come full circle. Formerly the lead singer and front man for the metal band, Godhead, Miller finally returned to Southern Rock and Americana roots. When the Virginia native was expanding his songwriting chops, he hooked up with great Nashville-based writers such as the late Randall Clay. One of their songs, "Uncountry," describes Miller's individual outlaw heritage. Miller's latest project, "From The Wreckage - Part One," releases on March 5, featuring the single, "Bette...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Hank Williams is one of country music's most iconic names. Yet the award-winning Hank Williams who master engineered hits by top artists such as Glen Campbell, Etta James, George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Lee Ann Womack, Hank Williams, Jr., Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker, and Michael W. Smith among others, is relatively unknown outside of Nashville's inner sanctum. I caught up with this engineering genius in Florida. Hank discusses how...
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Rendy Lovelady has spent decades managing artists and producing music events. His latest endeavor is the Gulf Coast Jam , held annually in Panama City Beach, Florida. This year's event featuring Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley, and the legendary Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd is rescheduled for March 25-26, 2021. Listen as Rendy discusses the complexity of managing large concerts and artists.
Dec 15, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 25
John Berry recorded 20 songs that hit the country music charts in the 1990s and early 2000s, including three that captured the top spot on both Billboard and Radio & Records. During his successful climb, John endured the first of two major health scares in the mid-90s. The second came in January of 2019 when he was diagnosed with throat cancer. After 35 successful treatments, John returned to making music and memories for his many fans, and he's busier than ever. In this episode, we discuss ...
Dec 02, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 24
If an artist can weave a new and much-needed sound into country music, it might be Curt Chambers . The Philidelphia native developed his unique guitar and vocal sound growing up in the city's urban churches. In fact, Chambers wasn't permitted to listen to secular music until his teens. I literally stumbled upon Curt while researching new artists. A couple of weeks later, we sat down behind Moo Country boutique in Leiper's Fork, TN, to chat about his life and listen to him play acoustic versions ...
Oct 27, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Deb Van Pelt , a certified wine sommelier at Belle Meade Winery in Nashville, TN, joined me for a wine tasting excursion in Leiper's Fork, TN. We tasted four wines paired with three dishes from 1892 Restaurant and one from Historic Puckett's restaurant and music venue . "Delicious" and "yum" are the first two words that come to mind. Most everyone loves wine, especially me. And because there are so many varieties and types of vino, even the most experienced wine drinker can feel intimidated when...
Oct 07, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 22
John Cowan is one of bluegrass, country, and rock's finest tenor vocalist. Fortunately for New Grass Revival , The Doobie Brothers , and many others, he's a damn fine bass guitarist too! Cowan, along with other New Grass members, will be officially inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame on October 1 in a previously taped ceremony from the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium. It's an honor he holds dear to his heart. Born in Ohio, Cowan first developed his musical talent in Louisville, Kentu...
Oct 01, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Robert St. John is indeed a renaissance man, especially when restaurants and food are involved. When I mentioned food during a recent visit to Southern Mississippi, two close friends immediately said I should interview Robert St. John. I felt terrible that I never heard of the man who has been named Mississippi Magainze 's Best Chef, not once, but three times! I finally caught up with him during his Florida vacation and scheduled a meeting in his office the following week. I came away convinced ...
Sep 24, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Derrek Phillips grew up in the bay area of San Francisco, CA, in a home filled with music of all genres. Some of his earliest memories are playing percussion on whatever pot or pan he found in the kitchen to the records of Sly and the Family Stone, Metallica, and Digital Underground. Derrek met his wife at a local bay-area high school band competition while she was playing trombone. His interest in playing all types of percussion allowed him to play in community orchestras, drum and bugle corps,...
Sep 15, 2020•42 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In the second of this two-part episode, I continue my discussion with country music singer-songwriter, Darryl Worley . Darryl explains why he and his wife Kimberly decided to relocate from the Nashville area back to Hardin County, TN. Family, as well as the opportunity for his daughter Savannah to grow up in an area where friends and neighbors support each other, was an essential factor. Darryl believes that allowing his wife and daughter to develop their own identity is important. Plus, being c...
Sep 08, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Darryl Worley topped the charts with three #1 hits, "Have You Forgotten, "I Miss My Friend," and "Awful, Beautiful Life," and recorded a string of top 20 country music hits. It all began in Hardin County, TN, where his musical talent was forged on his family's front porch. Worley's blue-collar roots ring true in his songs and stories. His dad worked at the area paper mill before being ordained as a United Methodist minister. His mom, who Worley describes as a "prayer warrior," always sang in the...
Aug 31, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Music lovers who favor Pop, Rock, Country, or Americana have undoubtedly heard songs produced, written, or performed by Jim Messina . Over the past six decades, this multi-talented artist has hundreds of songs to his credit. Messina was born in California and spent his formative music years in Texas. He recorded his first album in the early 1960s. His foray into the mainstream music scene came a few years later when he was the recording engineer on Buffalo Springfield 's "Last Time Around" album...
Aug 25, 2020•52 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Lee Roy Parnell grew up in Texas, surrounded by Country Music royalty. His father was great friends with the legendary Texas Swing fiddle player and bandleader, Bob Wills. Parnell is also cousins with Americana singer/songwriter, Robert Earl Keen . As a teenager, Parnell began his music career as a drummer before picking up the guitar. The young musician spent a decade playing in the bars, dance halls, and honkytonks of Texas before making the move to Music City in 1987 as a songwriter. He quick...
Aug 19, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 15
As a child growing up in North Carolina, Emily Scott Robinson didn't necessarily envision herself as an Americana recording artist. One thing she knew is she wanted to help others. The Furman University alum graduated with degrees in Spanish and History. Emily spent time as a social worker - a noble calling indeed - before embarking on a musical journey that has taken her down roads unimagined. The journey continues. When she decided to switch gears and become a full-time artist, this singer-son...
Jul 17, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 14
If you sat next to Mark Narmore on an airplane, chances are you wouldn't think he is an award-winning songwriter. He also hails from Muscle Shoals royalty. That's the way this humble wordsmith prefers it. In the late 1980s, Mark was a student at the University of North Alabama. For pocket change, he spun records at WLX in Lexington, AL. An aspiring songwriter, Mark honed his skills by working at the feet of Fame Recording Studios founder and producer, Rick Hall. It was at this famous studio wher...
Jul 07, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Dino Villanueva grew up in Texas, playing music with his guitarist father and other musical influences. At the age of 13, Dino was the second lead guitarist in his dad's band. In 2001, while attending Texas Christian University, a group of friends needed a bass player and asked Dino to fill in. He immediately fell in love with the bass, and as they say, the rest is history. Today Dino is a session bass player in Nashville and also plays in the touring band for Country Music superstar and legend,...
Jun 30, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Sandy Gennaro grew up on the outskirts of New York City and today lives in Nashville, TN. In 1965 he purchased his first drum set for $383. As the saying goes, the rest is history. In a career that has spanned over 50 years, Sandy has toured with some of the biggest names in music such as Cyndi Lauper, Joan Jett, Bo Diddley, The Monkees, Michael Bolton, and others. But it was a random act of kindness and taking a few moments to speak with a fan that opened a huge door in Sandy's life. Today Sand...
Jun 18, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 11
As the past president of the Americana Music Association , Mark Moffatt has an incredible musical background. This Australian born producer and guitarist moved to London in the early 1970s and worked with many of Britan's hottest acts. In 1996 Mark moved to Nashville, where he was director of A&R at Ten Ten until 2001. Mark has worked with such greats as Keith Urban, Tony Joe White, Deana Carter, and a host of other Country and Americana artists. Mark discusses how the music industry is chan...
Jun 08, 2020•51 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Carey Bringle owns and operates Peg Leg Porker , a highly successful barbecue restaurant in Nashville's Gulch area. When Nashville, Tennessee Mayor John Cooper proposed raising property taxes by 32% to keep all government employees on the payroll, Carey protested in an open letter that went viral. I sat down with Carey in the Gulch on May 13, 2020, soon after restaurants were allowed to reopen in Nashville. We discussed the challenges restaurants would face in a post-coronavirus world, Memphis b...
May 26, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Jim Hagy is a third-generation restaurant owner. His grandfather started Hagy's Catfish Hotel on the banks of the Tennessee River near Shiloh Battlefield after hosting a fundraiser for Tennessee Governor Gordon Browning in the 1930s. After 80 years, Hagy's Catfish Hotel is still thriving. Some say they serve the finest fried catfish and hushpuppies on the planet. Jim and his wife Cheryl, also own and operate Chef's Market , a restaurant and catering operation in Goodlettsville, TN, just outside ...
May 14, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Bob Dyan is an icon in Americana music. Now he's hoping to place his stamp on the craft whiskey industry by opening a distillery in Nashville. Heaven's Door was created when Dylan and spirts entrepreneur Marc Bushala (Angel's Envy Bourbon co-founder) connected after Bushala learned that Dylan registered a trademark application for "Bootleg Whiskey" in 2015. “We both wanted to create a collection of American whiskeys that, in their own way, tell a story, “says Dylan in a statement. “I’ve been tra...
May 06, 2020•14 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Dakota Shayne, aka Urban Cowboy USA , is a multi-dimensional artist. He writes and creates his unique brand of music he calls Ultramericana. It's also the name of a new collection of songs he produced and recorded in Nashville. A Rich Heritage Born and raised in Michigan, Dakota's musical roots run deep. He's a descendant of Motown's Ruffin family (The Temptations), and his mom is Native American. Dakota is also a tribal member of Michigan's Bay Mills Indian Community. This Americana recording a...
Apr 22, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Layla Tucker's musical roots run deep. The daughter of one of Country Music's leading ladies, Tanya Tucker , and songwriter Jerry Laseter, this 20-year old firebrand, is creating her own musical path. You might think Layla would form her career by singing her mother’s songs. It’s not that she doesn’t love the songs her mom produces and sings, rather she has her own style and wants the world to see her individual creativity. Growing Up With Music's Royalty Layla grew up and has been around Countr...
Apr 10, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Bruce Bouton is one of Nashville's top session and touring pedal steel guitarist. He has played on all of Garth Brooks's studio albums and with many of Country Music's elite artists. RELATED: Welcome to the Southern Americana Podcast After moving to Nashville from his home state of Virginia in 1978, Bruce joined Dottie West's band as pedal steel guitarist and has toured and recorded with such legends as Keith Whitley, Lacy J. Dalton, Ricky Skaggs, Tracy Lawrence, Brooks & Dunn, Kathy Mattea,...
Mar 31, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Recorded at Puckett's Grocery in Leiper's Fork, TN , welcome to the Southern Americana Podcast: Where we will Connect the South's music, people, and places. Our first episode with singer/songwriter Emily Elgin is up on Apple Podcast (formerly iTunes). The South is an amazing place. It's given birth to a multitude of remarkable music and amazing personalities. And as I've heard all of my life, the entire Southeastern United States is the "garden spot of the universe." I'm Paul Stanley, and I'll b...
Mar 26, 2020•6 min
In our first episode of Southern Americana podcast, we visit with singer/songwriter and Oklahoma native, Emily Elgin . Southern Americana podcast is recorded on stage at the historic Puckett's Grocery in the heart of Leiper's Fork , TN. Listen to this episode on Apple Podcast . This working cowgirl ventured toward Nashville a few years ago, after a disappointing performance on American Idol. Next came a heartbreak. Yet that minor setback only fueled the motivation she needed to work tirelessly o...
Mar 26, 2020•53 min
