Count It Off – Ep. 47: Stories from the Road with some Great Artists

It’s story time this week on Count It Off. An ice storm in Nashville threw us a major curveball and pushed our next guests back a week, so we’re digging into the vault and sharing a few favorite road memories instead. From playing a black tie show on guitar with Willie Nelson, to lighting up a cigar with Michael Jackson’s legendary manager Frank DiLeo, to the high-wire act of trying to remember all 14 verses of Marty Robbins’ El Paso with the Gatlin Brothers—this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes moments, close calls, and musical mayhem.

Love Toby Keith? Beach Boys? Dionne Warwick? Bo Diddley? These are the stories of my time with them.

Got a story of your own or want to chime in? Email us at [email protected] or drop a post on the Count It Off Podcast page on Facebook. Pull up a chair—this one’s all about the tales you only hear when the mics are already rolling. 🎸🎶

Episode 46: Marcia Ramirez — Songs, Stories & Life on the Road

In this episode, we sit down with Marcia Ramirez, an accomplished songwriter and touring musician whose career has taken her across stages with some of music’s most respected artists, including Rodney Crowell, Pam Tillis, Christopher Cross, and Patty Loveless.

Marcia shares behind-the-scenes stories from the road, insights into the craft of songwriting, and the lessons she’s learned working alongside legends. From the creative process to the realities of touring, this conversation dives deep into what it truly means to build a lasting life in music.

Whether you’re a songwriter, a music fan, or someone who loves hearing real stories from the road, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and heart.

🎙️ Tune in to hear how Marcia Ramirez continues to shape songs, careers, and moments that matter.

Count It Off Ep 45 - Matt Stell

Country hitmaker Matt Stell joins the podcast to talk about the road from small-town beginnings to landing two #1 Billboard hits. He shares the stories behind his biggest songs, playing the Opry, the lessons learned chasing success in Nashville, and what’s next in his evolving music journey. A candid conversation about grit, growth, and staying true to your sound. 🎙️🎶

Count It Off – Episode 44 welcomes acclaimed musician and composer Tom Lieberman for an in-depth conversation spanning a remarkable career. Tom reflects on his ten-year tenure with A Prairie Home Companion, shares insights from his work on Disney’s Bear andthe Big Blue House, and discusses the evolution of his jazz trio Rio Nido. The episode explores the discipline, creativity, and collaboration behind long-running musical projects, offering thoughtful perspective and memorable stories from one of the industry’s most versatile artists. Don't miss it!

Count It Off Ep. 43 - Jeffro checks in

Hey everyone, welcome back to the show! With the holidays in full swing, I thought this was the perfect time to do a little check-in. Things are busy, a little chaotic, hopefully cozy—and I'm just taking a moment to slow down and catch up. Whether you’re wrapping gifts, traveling, or hiding out with a warm drink somewhere, we’re really glad you’re here. Let’s all relax and reflect a little bit.

Ep 42 - Ryan Story: "The artists that thrive can still play live."

Today we’re talking with Ryan Story — LA-based pop artist, songwriter, and all-around good vibe generator. Ryan’s got a great story. He grew up on the east coast of Florida, sharpened his craft in Nashville and finally made the big leap to the bright lights of Hollywood.

In this episode, we check out some of his great pop songs and get into his path, what surprised him, what pushed him, and what kept him going. And of course, the big question every creative asks at some point: how do you actually make it in LA?

Grab a coffee, settle in and let’s dive into "the story behind the Story."

EP 41: "Why isn't this guy a major star already?"

This week we’re hanging out with Rusty Van Sickle and his 19-year-old son, Whitley—two generations of songwriters cut from classic country cloth. We'll hear a few great songs and explore everything from the legends that shaped Rusty’s sound to the Nashville scene today, with a special nod to Keith Whitley, young Whitley’s namesake. Expect plenty of laughs, a couple of “dang, that hit me right in the feels” moments, and a whole lot of heart. And when Rusty lets that rich baritone loose… yeah, you’ll hear why we call it ready-for-stardom. Tune in and enjoy the ride.

Count It Off Ep 40 : Russ Pahl - steel guitar master

If you’ve listened to country radio anytime in the last 25 years, odds are you’ve heard the unmistakable shimmer of Russ Pahl’s steel guitar—whether you knew it or not. Nashville may be full of pickers, but Russ is the guy other players point to when they talk about tone, taste, and pure musical magic.

Raised on the warm hum of the folk era, hooked by the British Invasion’s spark, and ultimately reeled in by the twangy, string-bending heroes of classic country, Russ followed a sonic trail that led straight to the steel guitar. And once he picked it up, the instrument—and the industry—were never quite the same.

How influential is he? In one recent year, of the ten country songs that hit #1 and featured steel guitar, Russ played on eight of them. Eight! That’s not a résumé—that’s gravitational pull. He's played on records for everyone from Carrie Underwood to CeLo Green and with producers like Dan Auerbach and T-Bone Burnette. We talk about his approach to each project and you'll hear his respect for the pioneers of this truly quirky invention.

So settle in and let’s talk with the man who made the steel guitar modern again: Nashville’s go-to string magician, Russ Pahl.

Ep. 39 - Chris talks Garth

In this episode, Count It Off sits down with legendary guitarist Chris Leuzinger—the man whose playing you’ve heard on every Garth Brooks album and across countless miles of tour dates. Chris takes us back to those early days in the studio, sharing how the very first Garth tracks came together, the sparks of creativity that shaped them, and the moments none of them realized they were making history.

He opens up about Garth’s genuine kindness and generosity behind the scenes—the quiet gestures, the encouragement, the way he made every musician feel valued. We also shine a light on the incredible players, producers, and studio wizards who helped build Garth’s unmistakable sound. From spontaneous late-night sessions to the chemistry that only happens when the right people end up in the same room, Chris brings us stories that are funny, heartfelt, and downright iconic.

If you love music, behind-the-scenes magic, or just a great story well told, this one’s a must-listen.

Count It Off — Episode 38: Jake Shimabukuro - ambassador of Hawai'i's signature stringed instrument

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jake Shimabukuro, widely celebrated as the world’s #1 ukulele virtuoso. We'' hear some of his music and follow Jake's shares stories from his upbringing in Hawai‘i, the deep love for practice that shaped his musicianship, and the early YouTube moments that launched him onto the global stage. We dive into his unforgettable tours with legends like Jimmy Buffett and Tommy Emmanuel, as well as his recent travels across China, Japan, Europe, and beyond. His young fans overseas look up to him like their Shohei Ohtani superhero and you'll hear his modesty and gratitude for those future players.

Join us for an uplifting, music-filled conversation as Count It Off welcomes Jake Shimabukuro to Episode 39.