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Inside the Musician's Brain

Christopher Pandolfi / Osiris Media

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Inside the Musician’s Brain is a deep dive into everything that’s underneath the music and the artists that inspire us. Join Grammy Award winning artist and producer Chris Pandolfi of the Infamous Stringdusters, as he explores life as a musician, and sits down with other influential artists to discuss inspiration, creativity, and the many facets of bringing a musical vision to life.
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My Backstage Pass

With Hosts Lee Zimmerman and Billy Hubbard

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Join hosts Lee Zimmerman & Billy Hubbard as they take you backstage for conversations with singer songwriters, musicians, and music industry professionals! Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers ...
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The GRAMMY® Award-winning Americana quintet—Andy Falco [guitar], Chris Pandolfi [banjo], Andy Hall [dobro], Jeremy Garrett [fiddle], and Travis Book [double bass]—have musical influences that truly run the gamut, but their common denominator is certainly bluegrass -- the sound that has in essence defined the course of their career. The Infamous Str…
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Episode 44 of Inside the Musician's Brain features an interview with the amazing Cris Jacobs. Cris is an outstanding singer/songwriter from Baltimore, MD, whose new album, 'One of These Days,' is already making waves. This talk goes deep into the creation of the album, including Cris' personal journey of reframing his relationship with music to red…
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Jon Langford was originally the drummer for the punk band The Mekons when it formed at the University of Leeds in 1977, but he later took up the guitar as other band members left. Since the mid-1980s he has been one of the leaders in incorporating folk and country music into punk rock. He has released a number of solo recordings as well as recordin…
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Passion and persistence are key traits when it comes to finding success in today’s music realms. The band that goes by the name Uncle Lucius took that fact to heart after going on hiatus in 2018 and regrouping five years later. “We started getting this thing rolling in late 2005,” lead singer and songwriter Kevin Galloway tells Lee and Billy . “We …
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Today's episode features an interview with Amigo the Devil, a truly unique artist who straddles the line between folk and heavy metal with his banjo, his powerful voice, and his incredible original songs. Amigo (AKA Danny Kiranos) has built a fiercely loyal following with his brutally honest and sometimes dark perspectives that give a voice to what…
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There are some who still think of multi-instrumentalist John McEuen as the lively multi-instrumentalist who helped found the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in the mid ‘60s and then remained at the band’s helm for some 50 years. Nevertheless, after parting ways with the group in 2017 due to various personal and professional disagreements, he’s managed to ca…
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Three time Blues Foundation Traditional Female Artist award winner, Sue Foley’s new album 'One Guitar Woman' is a heartfelt tribute to the female pioneers of the guitar - including Memphis Minnie, Lydia Mendoza, Maybelle Carter, Ida Presti, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The album showcases the dexterity of Foley’s acoustic nylon string guitar skills a…
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Few artists have achieved the kind of acclaim and achievement garnered by Lucinda Williams over the course of her career. Having composed the oft-covered song “Passionate Kisses,” often described as “an Americana classic,” she went on to release any number of landmark albums, among them, Sweet Old World and Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, all of which…
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On today's episode, Chris is joined by Grammy winner and two-time IBMA fiddle player of the year, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. Known mainly for her work as a member of Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Bronwyn is one of the best fiddle players on the acoustic scene. She does an amazing job of taking us inside her learning process, and her strategies for impro…
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Although both Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp claim notable credits as both singers and songwriters — with combined credits that include Willie Nelson, Barbara Mandrell, Jimmy Buffett and Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Anne Murray, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Garth Bro…
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Inside the Musician's Brain is back for Season 5, and joining Chris to kick things off is one of the titans of acoustic/roots music, Mr. Jerry Douglas. Now well established as the greatest dobro player ever, Jerry fought prejudices against the instrument in the early part of his career, ultimately establishing its place in bluegrass forever more. H…
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With three decades of experience playing and touring with Outlaw Country and SoCal Rock luminaries like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, Social Distortion, and X, Jesse Dayton takes a sonic synergy between Texas and Chicago Blues, courtesy of his new album, The Hard Way Blues. In Jesse Dayton’s reckoning, the Blues are anything that…
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Born and bred in Buffalo New York and a later transplant that calls Manhattan home, Willie Nile is the epitome of an urban warrior, a no-nonsense rock and roll loyalist whose urban sensibility evokes the fierce spirit of the city’s punk scene and its insurgent sensibility. Over the course of 14 studio albums and a near brush with widespread fame an…
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Irene Kelley’s love of music has been imbued in her memory practically from the very beginning. She became wholly entranced by it while hearing it for the first time in her dad’s basement TV repair workshop as a young girl. After hearing it around the house, the music became so imbued in her that she began writing music early on and joined her firs…
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The Young Fables (TYF) create music with storytelling weaved into Americana roots music with pop sensibilities. East Tennessee (Maryville) natives, Laurel Wright and Wes Lunsford are influenced by timeless treasures like Patsy Cline, Bonnie Raitt, Glen Campbell and Chet Atkins. The duo’s unique sound has resonated with audiences around the globe as…
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Lee and Billy welcome Danny McCloskey, Co-owner of The Alternate Root music magazine, Desert Roots Music and a thirty-year-plus veteran of the music industry. From 1979 to 1985 he wrote and developed radio shows, developed programming and organized the yearly local music event ‘The Rock and Roll Rumble’ for legendary radio station WBCN in Boston, M…
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Amelia White’s reputation as one of Nashville’s most captivating singer songwriters has increased substantially with each and every new release. And for good reason. Assured and emotive, White’s songs come across with an authority and determination that gets straight to the heart of her sentiment and intents. Her new album, Love I Swore, offers a d…
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Despite a storied career that found him firmly at the helm of the highly acclaimed East Tennessee-based band The Black Lillies, and prior to that, the primary back-up for singer Robinella, Cruz Contreras, in effect starting anew. His debut solo album Cosmico, finds him stepping out on his own and taking his music into a decidedly new direction. Bor…
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Within a year after getting his first guitar donated by his sister’s boyfriend, Jimmy Gilmer of Sugar Shack fame, Jim Parker was playing in a band and later became a founding member of The Illusions that landed a record deal with Dot Records. In 1966 he and his buddies decided to leave their hometown of Amarillo, Texas, and head to Los Angeles. Dur…
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Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs; he’s a guitar-carrying reporter who covers the human condition and details the hopes, loves, losses of those he observes, turning their stories into luminous pieces of music that get under your skin and into your bloodstream. And much like the artists who have influenced him, everyone from Joni Mitchell, Bob Dyl…
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This episode we have a conversation with songwriter, storyteller, multi-instrumentalist Rees Shad. Shad has been described as a master of alluring melodies and short story songs whose characters interact and reoccur in eloquent musical vignettes. An accomplished musician, composer, and creative, Shad has an impressive catalog of thirteen solo album…
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On this week's episode, Chris chats with Nashville based guitar master Daniel Donato. After cutting his teeth at the honkytonks on lower Broadway, Donato is now out on his own and taking the world by storm with his new sound, 'Cosmic Country.' He takes us inside his world with an in depth look at his songwriting, his life and his vision for what's …
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In a recording career spanning some fifty years, bridging a range in time and style that reaches from the early days at Memphis’s Stax Records to Carlos Santana’s eight-Grammy year in 2000 and beyond, producer Jim Gaines has operated the mixing board for some of the greatest artists in American music. Journey, Huey Lewis and the News, Steve Miller,…
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Be sure to also hear parts 1 and 2 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartne…
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On today's episode, Chris is joined by The Milk Carton Kids - a successful duo with a sound and energy that's all their own. Much of the conversation revolves around the making of their brilliant new album, I Only See the Moon. After completing an initial version of the album, the band made the decision to scrap much of what they had and dig deeper…
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Today Chris is joined by the one and only Mike Gordon - bassist, singer & songwriter for the legendary rock band Phish. Mike goes deep into his musical journey, his peak experiences on and off stage and the making of his excellent new solo album, Flying Games. He also gives us an inside look at how Phish stays synchronous and continues to evolve af…
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Be sure to also hear parts 1 and 3 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartne…
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Alison Brown is a world-class banjoist, record label owner, and all around trailblazer in the music industry. Her performing/recording career has produced numerous amazing albums, collaborations, appearances and accolades. She's also created a successful record label (Compass Records) and become a leader in the music industry. Alison's excellent ne…
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Sam Bush is one of the all-time legends of acoustic music. From his work with New Grass Revival, to Strength in Numbers and his prolific solo career, Sam has set the standard for mandolin in modern day roots music. He's also a gifted singer and writer as well, with a long and storied career that intersects with so many titans of music. Chris talks …
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Lindsay Lou is one of the hottest up-and-comers on the roots music scene. She's a powerhouse singer who covers a wide range of styles and has performed with countless artists as a special guest in recent years. Her new album, Queen of Time, puts her in the spotlight as a singer and as a songwriter as well. The record has a beautiful concept, incorp…
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Be sure to also hear parts 2 and 3 of Steve Meyer! Steve was more than just a record executive whose stint as National Promotion Director for Capitol Records and Universal/MCA made him one of the biggest power brokers in the music industry during '70s, '80s and '90s. He worked with the biggest names in the business -- The Beatles (and Paul McCartne…
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In their more than 20 years as a band, The Decemberists have established themselves as an influential indie-rock band with an expansive and eclectic catalog of excellent music. Chris Funk's multi-instrumental talents are at the center of their sound. Chris also works as a producer and has been a fixture on the Portland, OR music scene for years. He…
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A conversation with the Ireland based band Seafoam Green as they bring their Americana Roots Roadshow across the Atlantic for their 2023 US tour. Learn more about Seafoam Green at http://www.seafoamgreenband.com/ What others are saying about Seafoam Green: - Classic Rock Magazine “Stunning...9/10”, - Country Music Magazine ★★★★★ - Mojo Magazine - “…
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Chris Wood is a musical hero. In this talk he gets deep into his experience with music and all he's learned over his long, successful career playing everything from cutting edge jazz with MMW to some of today's best roots rock with The Wood Brothers. He unpacks the challenge of staying present, in music and life in general, and speaks very articula…
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Episode 32 features an interview with the amazing Rachael Price, who is already making her mark as one of the best singers of her generation. Known mainly for her work with Lake Street Dive, she takes us inside her retro side project, Rachael and Vilray, as well as discussing LSD's rise to success and their evolving process of writing and recording…
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Inside the Musician’s Brain is back for season 4! In this episode, Chris talks with MC Taylor, the man behind Hiss Golden Messenger. MC is a transcendent singer/songwriter, and Hiss has been gaining major notoriety in recent years for their blend of beautiful, timeless songs with vintage rock sounds. The conversation ranges from the process behind …
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American singer, songwriter and pianist Linda Gail Lewis, often referred to as "The True Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," is the little sister to legendary musical genius, Jerry Lee Lewis. Raised on rock'n'roll pumping piano and country, Linda Gail grew up with a passion for music. She has recorded with Stephen Ackles, Van Morrison, her brother Jerry Lee L…
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You don't want to miss this conversation with Charlie Overbey, an accomplished LA born and raised singer songwriter and maker of high quality hats! Charlie's soulful songs are steeped in the timeless traditions of the American South. He has toured the world supporting acts ranging from David Allan Coe and Blackberry Smoke to Social Distortion and M…
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Some careers can be described with a couple of words, but Shawn Camp's isn't one of them. A bold and distinctive singer, a songwriter who's provided material for artists ranging from Ralph Stanley, Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn and Brooks & Dunn, with hits such as “Two Pina Coladas” (Garth …
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Lee Zimmerman's Songs & Stories Series is a new musical experience (think Actor's Studio for artists) with live music, conversations, and audience Q&A's all while live taping "My Backstage Pass" podcast. This episode features singer songwriter Trisha Gene Brady! Knoxville, Tennessee native Trisha Gene Brady’s seven-year run as vocalist and instrume…
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Verlon Thompson îs the real deal, not only as far as the stories behind his songs, but also the sincerity he invests in his emotions. Born and raised on the Oklahoma plains, the breeding ground for such revered American songwriters as Woody Guthrie, Roger Miller, Leon Russell, J.J. Cale and Jimmy Webb, he incorporates the rich fabric of emotional a…
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This week on Inside the Musician's Brain, Chris is joined by guitar master Bryan Sutton. For years, Bryan has been one of the most sought after session musicians in Nashville, appearing on albums by Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Béla Fleck and many more. Eventually he stepped out as a solo artist, putting out a number of e…
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Episode 29 of Inside the Musician's Brain features rising musical star Madison Cunningham. Madison has quickly been making a name for herself as an exceptional singer, songwriter and guitar player. She takes us through her unique introduction to music at an early age, her influences, her process, and how she dealt with the untimely shut down of 202…
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On this episode of Inside the Musician's Brain, Chris' guest is rock and soul powerhouse Maggie Rose. Maggie is an inspiration in so many ways, with an amazing story of perseverance and evolution through the different phases of her career. She discusses the obstacles that country music presented early on, and her transformation as an artist in the …
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Chris' guest for Episode 27 is the talented and prolific Cory Wong. Some of you may know Cory as a member of the trendsetting funk/soul collective Vulfpeck. But in recent years he has also struck out on his own, releasing a staggering amount of music (11 albums in 2 years!) as well as some of the highest quality music video content out there. The m…
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One this episode of Inside the Musician's Brain, Chris talks to up-and-coming bass badass Karina Rykman. Karina has been playing bass with Marco Benevento's band in recent years, but is poised to strike out under her own name, with a highly anticipated debut album on the way. She breaks down the vision and process behind her new music, as well as t…
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In many ways, The HawtThorns — a thoroughly dynamic duo consisting of husband and wife Johnny and KP Hawthorn — find a perfect blend of melody and magic, one that incorporates the sunny sounds of classic California rock blended with the rich resonant sounds of today’s Americana musical environs. Now, with their stirring second album Tarot Cards and…
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Recorded Live at The Station - Greg Garing has gained notoriety for his mastery of every stringed instrument, and for having a stage presence second to none. The Man in Black himself, Johnny Cash, called Greg "The best country singer I heard in 30 years." A Nashville music critic described Greg as "a veritable hurricane on stage" with his natural a…
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On this episode of 'Inside the Musician's Brain,' Chris sits down with Greensky Bluegrass to take an in depth look at their new album, 'Stress Dreams.' Learn what these songs are about and how they came to life as each member of the band breaks down one of the songs on their album. It's a fascinating look inside the creative process and the experie…
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On this week's episode, Chris is joined by Nate Hilts, a member of The Dead South, a four-piece acoustic band from Saskatchewan. The band's unique take on bluegrass has made them a live act not to be missed. Nate and Chris talk about the band's 4th album, "Easy Listening for Jerks, Parts I & II," which has been described as "Carter Family meets Add…
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