Welcome to AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens, GA Now and Then. I'm Marlene Sokol Stewart, and this is my Podcast.

I've been M.I.A. in Athens lately due to my very big remodeling project at my house. Whew, it's kind of sucked the life out of me. My husband and I are freaking exhausted. But we got a lot done the last few days and the light is getting brighter. There will be a lot of good things that come out of this project. If we live through it! I'll be talking about it every now and then on the show as it will eventually be fun to talk bout it rather than bitch about it all of the time!

But speaking of talking, my guests today are. Aaron White and Bennett Evans of SUPERSTAR, formerly the band A.D. Blanco.

These guys started playing together when they were still in middle school, hitting iconic Athens spots like the Caledonia and 40 Watt before they were even old enough to drive. They’ve built their sound from the huge support of the Athens Community of mentors, role models, and other young musicians all learning from each other. Along with places like NUCI SPACE, where musicians could get together to jam, write, record, practice as so much more.

Aaron White and Bennett Evans are now turning the page with the name change SUPERSTAR, and the new song " All Mine," I spoke with Aaron and Evan about these changes as well as some of the things that led up to this rebirth of their band.. We also talked about how they are creating and exploring new ways to express their musical personality.

This is me talking to Aaron and Bennett

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 43

LENGTH: 40:30

PUBLISHED: November 13, 2025

DEDICATED TO PUBLISH BI-MONTHLY ON THURSDAY’S EXCEPT DURING HOLIDAYS AND UNFORESEEABLE SITUATIONS.

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com

Produced by: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

Contact for ATHCASTMUSIC:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Contact for SUPERSTAR:

IG @SUPERSTARLOVESYOU

FB MUSIC BY SUPERSTAR

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! PLEASE CONSIDER DOWNLOADING. REVIEWING, FOLLOWING US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC AND SHARING WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Welcome back to AthCastMusic — the music of Athens Ga Now and Then

Today, we’re talking with Ishues — rapper, mentor,Athens Walk of Fame recipient and community leader — whose story runs deeper than beats and rhymes. Born Ishmael Cuthbertson, Ishues has been a powerful voice in the Athens hip-hop scene, proving that this city’s sound is just as rich and diverse as its people.

• In the 2000s, Ishues toured extensively, including in South Africa, but he chose to take a hiatus from music in 2009 to focus on his family and faith.
• During his time away from music, he became a social worker and mentor to youth.
• In 2019, he returned to the hip-hop scene and has since released several new projects.

I had Ish on my initial list of guests I would like to have on AthCastMusic. I am not really sure how come it never happened. Then I met him at the 2025 Indie Con. I was a panelist, and he was a performer at the event. I got to sit down with him briefly but in those few minutes, I felt like I had been shot with an arrow in my heart, that released kindness, gentleness and warmth. I even asked him, what’s happening here? I felt such a strong spiritual connection with him. I asked him with no hesitance; will you be on my podcast. He answered with no hesitance as well and said, I’d love to be on your Podcast.

Ishues and I talked real life trials and tribulations. heartbreak and higher powers that lifted him through is life. This podcast is one for the books. Here's my conversation with Ishues.

SEASON: 5 EPISODE:

LENGTH: 54:09

PUBLISHED: 10/30/2025

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Photos by Raya Ackleh

Producer: Marlene Sokol Stewart

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Ishues information:

IG: ishuesda_artist

Facebook: Ishues Cuthbertson

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world. REMEMBER,

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Elijah Nolasco is a 21 year old Honduran American musician and student of Finance and Music Business at the University of Georgia. Elijah’s love for music began at a young age, and it wasn’t too long before his mom put him in piano lessons. Music was always important to him, and in college he figured out exactly what he wanted to do with it. Elijah began releasing original music in both English and Spanish with the mindset of wanting to help others through his songs. This year he went viral for translating Spanish songs to English and amassed over 21,000 followers on Instagram and over 97,000 on TikTok, and this past summer he performed at Jalo Fest in Sacramento.

I discussed his viral videos, the Athens impact, how his upbringing plays into his music, and more!

Take a listen to my fun and sweet conversation with Elijah Nolasco. It was my pleasure.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE:

LENGTH: 50.34

PUBLISHED: 10/16/2025

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Photos by Raya Ackleh

Producer: Marlene Sokol Stewart

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Elijah Nolasco info:

IG: Elijah.lolascoo

TikTok: elijahnolasco

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world. REMEMBER,

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Jim Wilson is a Mexican American drummer, singer, guitarist and visual artist. He began his music career as drummer for rock band Mother Jackson out of Athens, Ga in 2001 and has never looked back. Wilson currently fronts three bands: TaxiCab Verses, James Aurelio, and Los Cantares as well as drumming for the band Pilgrim and drums for troubadour Joe Cat. In addition to these established groups, Jim Wilson is also a freelance percussionist and drummer, often seen on stage with some of Athens Georgia’s finest luminaries such as Thayer Serrano, Don Chambers, T Hardy Morris, to name just a few. When not on Stage, Jim Wilson can be found managing the fabulous 40 Watt Club.

Perpetually surrounded and inspired by music and live productions, Jim Wilson lives a life filled with artistic voicing and endless entertainment.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 44

LENGTH: 56.00

PUBLISHED: 10/02/2025

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Photos by Raya Ackleh

Producer: Marlene Sokol Stewart

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

mailto:[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Email: [email protected]

Thank you so much for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site. Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Andrea DeMarcus, a classically trained bassist and Juilliard grad. She returned to Georgia to do some self- help searching, being unsure and questioning her songwriting. So she left NY to head back to the place she felt would be best to take this reflection.

Dave Kirslis, a self-taught guitarist riding freight trains in search of inspiration, met Andrea by chance. Though their first impression was awkward, they discovered not only a shared vision for music, but life together and soon married.

They formed Cicada Rhythm, blending folk, rock, and Americana with harmonies and instrumentation that reflected their unique partnership.

In 2011, they put out their first 4 song CD, “Fate in a Jar,” that was basically used for demo purposes. It began a procession of recording. In 2015, Drew Vandenberg (Drive-By Truckers, Of Montreal and Kishi Bashi) recorded two tracks “Do Not Destroy” and “Wait Til Morning.” Titled Two Wings - Live from Mt Zion Church, an historical 200 – year church in Sparta, Georgia.

They released a self -titled album In October of 2015 that brought us a great collaboration with many musicians and songs that could fill your heart and soul.

With “Everywhere I go,” released in April of 2018 Andrea and Dave brought us the unique menu of songs recorded in different studios, houses and any other place they laid down their instruments down as they toured and traveled.

Their latest album, “Magic State” released in May of 2025, brought us a bit more mysticism with lyrics that might let you in to some of their struggles and some of their victories. It is yet another beautiful light of music from Andrea and Dave.

Here is me with Andrea DeMarcus and Dave Kirslis.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 4. EPISODE: 43

LENGTH: 1:20

PUBLISHED: 07/08/2025

DEDICATED TO PUBLISH WEEKLY ON THURSDAY’S WHEN POSSIBLE.

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Produced by The Lightroom-Ath

Photos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza and Lucca Fagundes

Executive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muñiz

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! PLEASE CONSIDER REVIEWING, FOLLOWING US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC AND SHARING WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Today, we’re talking with Rick Fowler and Mike Doke, members of Athens’ finest — the Rick Fowler Band. This powerhouse blues-rock group is led by Rick Fowler, whose guitar work and songwriting are a blend of blues, rock and music that will reach into the depths of your soul, you almost fall over listening to them. Alongside him are local legends in their own right: Michael Doke on guitar, Greg Veale on bass, Tim White on Hammond organ, and Deane Quinter on drums.

These guys don’t just play music — they live it. They’ve backed icons like Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, played with members of R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, Tinsley Ellis, T Graham Brown.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 41

LENGTH:

PUBLISHED: June 26, 2025

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/) (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Produced by The Lightroom-Ath

Photos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza & Lucca Fagundes

Executive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muñiz

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

mailto:[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

THE RICK FOWLER BAND INFO:

Website: Therickfowlerband.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=TheRickFowlerBand

IG: rickfowlerband

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! KINDLY SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, GIVE A REVIEW, FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Rick Fowler and Mike Doke talk about their past projects to their latest instrumental project The Deadwood Sessions — built around guitars made from fallen Georgia trees.

Whether you’ve followed them for years or are just discovering their sound, listen in to this episode of AthCastMusic for a deep dive into the music and stories of Rick Fowler and Mike Doke of the Rick Fowler Band.

Today’s episode dives into the dreamy, defiant, and deeply emotional world of Hotel Fiction — a band born from a college friendship and a fearless approach to making music that hits you right in the heart.

From writing together almost immediately to dropping a debut album before most bands even book their first tour, Jade and Jess built something special — a space where genre doesn’t matter as much as the creation of honest and sometimes brutal lyrics that makes one look into their own self. You might know them from songs like Astronaut Kids, Daydrifter, or the hauntingly beautiful Margo, a song that manages to say everything you didn’t know you needed to hear.

We talked about what it’s like to grow up — not just as artists, but as people — while chasing your dreams on the road, missing home, writing in vans, (and sometimes even naming those vans), and leaning on each other through it all. We'll also get into the power of independence, how Athens shaped their spirit, and yes — what it's like to film a music video in Bill Berry’s backyard.

This episode is for anyone who ever loved too hard, felt too much, or wondered what might happen if you said you could, so you did!

This is my conversation with Hotel Fiction’s Jade Long and Jessica Thompson

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 41

LENGTH:

PUBLISHED: July 10, 2025

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/) (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Produced by The Lightroom-Ath

Photos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza & Lucca Fagundes

Executive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muñiz

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

mailto:[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

Hotel Fiction:

IG: hotelfiction

Can message them on their Instagram account.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! KINDLY SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, GIVE A REVIEW, FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

If you haven’t heard of my next guest, like me, you are in for a wonderful treat, like me!

Toni Hunlo came into my life just a short few weeks ago, when my team suggested I have him on. Who is him, I asked?? Well, once I started listening and reading about Toni, I certainly found out. Toni Hunlo is like no other Athens singer I’ve heard. You can’t say a specific genre, but you can say everything that comes out of his mouth when he sings, performs in spoken word and the lyrics that are some the most thoughtful, genuine, and authentic lovely and sophisticated. In my opinion of course.

I just met him, but I fell in love with him at first listen with his own band or with Lighthearted. Athens has already begun to do the same. I beg you to go listen to him at a venue that will allow you to capture and take in the essence of Toni Hunlo. This is me talking to Toni Hunlo.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 4 EPISODE: 40

LENGTH: 46:58

PUBLISHED: June 26, 2025

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Produced by The Lightroom-Ath

Photos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza & Lucca Fagundes

Executive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muñiz

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

mailto:[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

TONI HUNLO INFO

Email: [email protected] (the o is a 0 (zero)

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! KINDLY SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, GIVE A REVIEW, FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Welcome to AthCastMusic: The Music of Athens Ga Now and Then. I'm your host Marlene Sokol Stewart.

Today’s episode is about one man, one mic, and one very questionable leap from the 40 Watt stage. We’re talking about Cole Taylor, former tour manager for the Drive-By Truckers, lifelong wrestling fanatic, and the mastermind behind Classic City Wrestling — the wildest mashup of rock and wrestling the South has ever seen.

Cole took his love of suplexes and soundchecks and created a full-blown spectacle where you can catch live bands between body slams. It’s like if Monday Night Raw and a dive bar had a beautiful, chaotic baby — and yes, it all happens right here in Athens.

He’ll tell us how it started, how it’s going, and how he somehow turned a blown-out knee into a rallying cry for an entire community. Hint: it involves duct tape, a lot of heart, and probably some ibuprofen.

We also had a surprise guest on zoom from the WWF, WWE, and WCW days. Watch on my YouTube channel!

So, if you’ve ever wanted to see a luchador salsa-shuffle across a stage while a band rips a twangy solo overhead — yeah, this one’s for you. Let’s get into it.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 4 EPISODE 38

LENGTH: 1:16

PUBLISHED: June 19, 2025

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Produced by The Lightroom-Ath

Photos and Camera: Ellison Suhoza & Lucca Fagundes

Executive Producers: Guillermo Zouain and Wendy Muñiz

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

mailto:[email protected]

Instagram: AthCastMusic

YouTube: AthCastMusic (@MarleneSokolStewart-12)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

CONTACT FOR COLE TAYLOR:

email: [email protected]

IG @tcoletaylor

FB: bit.ly/3FX2QE6

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING TO AND WATCHING ATHCASTMUSIC! KINDLY SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, GIVE A REVIEW, FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY, APPLE PODCASTS AND AMAZON MUSIC.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR"

My next guests are Dana Downs and Michelle Roche. Yep, we get 2 mints in one on this next episode. Dana hails from Louisiana but was pretty much an Army Brat and came to Athens from Columbus, GA .

Michelle is from the Atlanta Area. They both have been here in Athens since the “Big Bang!” Dana as a musician and beautiful singer, while Michelle was always taking care of business. Some of the bands Michelle worked with were, Five-Eight, Of Montreal, Vigilantes of Love, Pylon Reenactment, The Glands, Randall Bramblett, and Widespread Panic. She has also been part of AthFest for about 6 years now. You can still see Dana playing around town with anyone who asks her! As two major entities of the Athens music scene, they both showed how well they fit into the Music of Athens GA then and now! It made me so happy to talk with them both. I think you’ll concur.