Count It Off!

Episode 59 features a true guitar legend—Will McFarlane.

From touring the world with Bonnie Raitt to spending over 45 years as part of The Swampers (yes, those Swampers), Will brings a lifetime of stories, insights and soul to the show.

This is a relaxed, wide-ranging conversation that moves effortlessly through music history—touching on the Stones, Little Feat, Bob Seger, Springsteen and so many more. Along the way, Will shares about his years on the road and in one of the world's most iconic recording studios, all delivered with his warmth, humility, and generosity that have defined both his playing and his life.

You can hear it in every note—and every story. Count it off with us!

Welcome back to Count It Off, where every gig tells a story.

This is Episode 58, and today we’re sitting down with the unstoppable Teri Cote — a dynamic drummer who’s been lighting up stages her entire life. From her roots in Northern California in the company of Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers to the bright lights of Reno and Las Vegas casinos playing funk and jazz, and all the way to the rugged beauty of the Oregon mountains, Teri’s journey is anything but ordinary and we get to hear all about what it's like when you realize "drumming chose me."

For 15 years, she held down the groove behind legend David Cassidy and built a career defined by consistency, power, and passion. But her story goes beyond the stage.

In this episode, Teri opens up about breaking through the outdated “drums are for boys” stereotype, carving out her space in a male-dominated industry, and staying true to her voice behind the kit. Whether you’re just picking up sticks or you’ve been playing for decades, she shares hard-earned wisdom, road-tested insights, and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

So get ready to dig in, turn it up, and… count it off.

Welcome back to Count It Off, where the stories behind the music matter just as much as the songs themselves.

This is Episode 57 and today we’re diving deep into the rich, often surprising soundscape of the American Midwest told by a man who’s made it his life’s mission to document it all—Neal Bond.

Through his MN Music History Channel, Neal has incredible stories spanning generations—from early rock ’n’ roll icons to funk pioneers, folk legends to garage band heroes. We’re talking about the artists and moments that shaped the soundtrack of the region: from Bobby Vee’s 50s chart-topping hits to Prince’s genre-defying brilliance, from native son Bob Dylan’s poetic roots to the infectious groove of Funkytown. And that’s just the beginning.

Neal’s passion goes even deeper, shining a light on names you might not hear every day but absolutely should—like Texas Bill Strength, the wild energy behind Liar Liar, and the unforgettable sounds of Papa Oom Mau Mau. Country plays a major part as well, with Dave "Six Days On The Road" Dudley to John Volinkaty who penned "Satin Sheets." Together, these stories weave a vibrant tapestry of a region that helped give birth to The Suburbs, Suicide Commandos, Hüsker Dü, the Jayhawks, Kevin Bowe, new blues phenomenon Dylan Salter and so many more—all from right in the heartland.

We chat with Neal to talk about his journey, his love of preserving musical history, and his ongoing quest to make sure no artist or band is forgotten until every story is told.

If you love music history, this is especially for you. So turn it up and count it off—this is Episode 57 with Neal Bond.

Count It Off Ep. 56

This week on the podcast, Nashville drummer Brady Spencer takes us on a fun, informative ride—from cutting his teeth in horn bands, to grinding it out in rock groups, to hitting the road across the country with the iconic pop act Orleans. It’s a conversation packed with stories, lessons, laughs and real-life Nashville experience. He offers advice to young drummers just moving to town to "make it," how to be a team player and much more. Don't miss it!

Count It Off ep. 55

Imagine moving to NYC in the early 80s with $300 dollars in your pocket and within a week, having an apartment on the upper West Side, landing a full-time career in the best recording studios in the city and playing the nightclubs. Well, that’s the success story of this week's guest Gregg Mangiafico. We get to hear about his work with Michael Jackson, Elton John, Billy Joel, Phil Ramone, John Waite, Desmond Child, Cher and Michael Bolton among others in studios like the Hit Factory and Power Station. You won’t want to miss this one. He’s got a full raft of great stories and reflections of the great stars of the 80s and 90s. Enjoy!

Count It Off - Episode 54 - David Pomeranz shares The Wisdom

With more than 335 million streams on Spotify, 22 platinum records, and 18 gold records, legendary songwriter and touring artist David Pomeranz has spent five decades shaping the sound of popular music. His songs have been recorded by icons like Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, and Freddie Mercury—a testament to the emotional depth and timeless melodies that define his work.

In this episode, David sits down with us to talk about the craft behind the classics: where inspiration really comes from, the relentless search for the perfect lyric, and the creative discipline required to turn a spark of an idea into a song that resonates around the world.

Drawing from over 50 years creating pop, TV and Broadway hits, David shares stories from the road, behind-the-scenes moments with legendary artists, and the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of songwriting.

Whether you're a songwriter, a music lover, or simply curious about how great songs come to life, this conversation offers rare insight into the mind of one of the industry’s most enduring hitmakers—and the wisdom that only a half-century career can bring. 🎙️🎶

Welcome to Spring Break, Count It Off style!

We're taking a week off from our regular schedule of guests, thanks to a monster cold and in honor of spring break. I didn't want to pass the bug along to someone else in the studio, and I want you to know I love doing these shows - so here's an all-music episode! Hope you have a great time by the beach, by the lake or by the pool - and I hope you've got some great friends and loved ones around you. Have a cold bev and count it off with us!

Count It Off – Episode 52: Tommy Williams and the Art of finding and pitching a Hit Song

This week we sit down with Nashville song plugger Tommy Williams, whose career traces the evolution of Music Row from a tight-knit neighborhood of converted houses into the global hit-making machine it is today.

Tommy takes us back to his entry-level days at EMI Music Publishing, when paying dues meant long hours, couch surfing and house sitting, and learning the instincts that separate good songs from timeless ones. From those early publishing rooms, he rose to represent and champion major hits—including the era-defining smash I Swear, famously recorded by John Michael Montgomery and later crossing over by All-4-One.

Tommy reflects on working with emerging artists who would go on to become superstars, including Faith Hill and Trisha Yearwood in their early days, as well as icons like Emmylou Harris and Wynonna Judd.

But beyond the name-dropping and nostalgia, this episode dives deep into the craft. Tommy breaks down how he discerns a hit—what he listens for in a demo, how lyric and melody must lock together, and why emotional truth always outlasts trend. He shares the gut-check moments, the near-misses, and the songs that almost didn’t make it.

For anyone fascinated by songwriting, publishing, or the business behind the music, this is a masterclass in instinct, persistence, and the magic that happens when the right song finds the right voice. Highly recommended.

Episode 51 of Count It Off welcomes a true musical innovator: Scottie Miller.

Best known for his Grammy-winning collaborations with contemporary blues powerhouse Ruthie Foster, Scottie has quite literally toured the world, bringing soul, groove, and fearless musicianship to global stages. But his story goes far deeper than the spotlight.

In this episode, we trace Scottie’s evolution from a young sonic explorer fascinated by synthesized sounds to his accelerated jazz studies at Berklee College of Music. We dig into the unexpected influences that shaped his artistic voice—like the restless prose of Jack Kerouac paired with the sharp wit and musicality of Steve Allen—and how literature, improvisation, and curiosity intertwined in his creative DNA.

We'll hear some of his most fascinating pieces from his spoken word jazz works too. You'll be amazed like we were.

Scottie also shares the story behind his upcoming release, a sweeping collaboration with the Budapest Scoring Orchestra, blending cinematic scope with his signature harmonic depth.

From blues stages to symphonic sessions, from late-night philosophy to jazz discipline, Scottie Miller embodies the true Renaissance spirit. This is a conversation about craft, curiosity, collaboration and the human connection—and what it really means to count it off.

Count It Off hits a milestone with Episode 50!

Welcome... this week we're featuring a true heavyweight of the music world: Dave Pomeroy. With credits on more than 500 albums and decades of road stories, Dave brings a deep well of experience from touring and recording with icons like Steve Winwood, Emmylou Harris, Keith Whitley, Vince Gill, and Chet Atkins. From unforgettable sessions to life on the tour bus, Dave shares behind-the-scenes moments that shaped his career and helped define the Nashville sound for generations.

Beyond the stories, Dave reflects on the hard-earned wisdom he’s gathered from legendary artists—lessons about professionalism, feel, tone, listening, and longevity. As President of the Nashville Musicians Association, he also offers an inside look at the evolving landscape of live performance, union advocacy, and what the future holds for working musicians in a rapidly changing industry. It’s a masterclass in musicianship, resilience, and staying relevant—Episode 50 is one you don’t want to miss.