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A guitar at 28. A notebook full of poems. Two losses that changed the shape of a life. We sit down with our friend and musician Justin Garber to trace how Family Tree came to life and why starting “late” can be the best kind of beginning. Justin opens up about writing through grief, turning a grandmother’s wisdom into a narrative ballad, and sequencing an album that actually takes you somewhere—upstream and back again—with bluegrass grit, Americana warmth, and the kind of lines that stay with you long after the song fades.

We dig into the craft: learning from books and weekly lessons, collecting metaphors in everyday conversation, and letting influence stretch wide—from Led Zeppelin and the Beatles to Pearl Jam, the Dead, and the outlaw edge of Willie and Waylon. Justin shares the studio story behind Family Tree, including contributions from Yonder Mountain String Band’s Dave Johnston and Adam Aijala, and a Grammy-nominated production team that shaped the record’s dynamics without sanding off its heart. He also walks us through a bucket-list surprise: singing the national anthem for the Colorado Rockies on short notice, right in the middle of family grief—and how saying yes to brave moments can reset what you thought possible.

If you’ve ever wondered how to balance a day job with honest art, how to write songs that people feel in their bones, or how to evolve your sound without losing yourself, this conversation is for you. We talk new inspirations (hello, Tyler Childers), the next album’s expanding palette (fiddle and pedal steel incoming), and the power of staying independent so the music can speak plainly. Stream Family Tree everywhere you listen, and if you want the full warmth, grab the vinyl directly from Justin at JustinGarbermusic at gmail.

If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a nudge to start, and leave a quick review—what song, artist, or lyric pulled you through a hard season?

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Intro and Outro music credit to Wooka Da Don