This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with one of his oldest friends, Dallas musician Jeff Gruber, for a conversation that feels a little more like two old friends swapping stories than a traditional interview.

Jeff has been a familiar face in the North Texas music world for decades, playing guitar, singing, writing and making music with a long list of bands and projects including Local 63, Sherman, Sunday Drive, The Slow Burners, Hess/Doosu, Bar Band, Squirrel + the Girl, Descender, and Bandolero.

Grady and Jeff go back to the early days and retrace how it all came together — the bands, the people, the friendships and the twists and turns that have kept Jeff making music through the years. They talk about his history in the Dallas scene, the different projects that have shaped him as a musician, and what he's up to today.

The conversation also turns to Bandolero, Jeff's current Grateful Dead-inspired project, who will be part of the lineup at the Dallas Dead Summit this Saturday, August 15, at the Longhorn Ballroom.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with legendary drummer Bob Bert, whose remarkable career has taken him through some of the most influential bands in underground rock.

Best known for his time with Sonic Youth, Pussy Galore, Chrome Cranks, and Knoxville Girls, Bob shares firsthand stories from New York City's explosive art and music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He talks about how he unexpectedly landed the drummer's chair in Sonic Youth, the creative energy that defined the era, and the friendships and connections that shaped his career.

The conversation also explores Bob's acclaimed new solo album, Beach Bongo Bloodbath, his approach to making music today, and the unique perspective he's gained after decades in one of rock's most adventurous corners.

This week on I Was in That Band!, I sit down with my drummer buddy Kris Killingsworth—better known to his friends and bandmates as "Tugboat."

Kris shares the story of his musical journey, from being the standout drummer in his hometown school band to getting a humbling reality check at the University of North Texas. We talk about finding your place among incredible musicians, the lessons that come with starting over, and how those experiences helped shape his career.

From there, Kris takes us through his years with the influential Texas Americana band Thrift Store Cowboys, his longtime musical relationship with Amanda Shires, his move to Tennessee, and his parallel passion for recording engineering. We also discuss life as a freelance musician, working with artists like Kyle Nix & The 38's, and what it's like to build a career behind the scenes while helping others bring their music to life.

Most recently, Kris made the decision to relocate back to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, striking out on his own as a freelance drummer and recording engineer. After years of supporting other artists' journeys, he's charting his own path—one built on the relationships, experience, and reputation he's earned along the way.

Whether you're a drummer, a recording enthusiast, or simply love hearing honest stories from working musicians, this conversation offers an inside look at the twists, turns, and unexpected opportunities that come with a life in music.

This week on I Was in That Band!, I'm joined by Chris Stamey. Chris has had an incredible career, from co-founding The dB's to performing with Big Star, as well as building an impressive body of solo work.

We spend some time talking about his new album, Modernism, a fascinating collection that reimagines classic songs alongside new takes on some of his own material. We also discuss his work as a producer and studio owner, and what it's like helping other artists bring their music to life.

I've admired Chris's music for years, so it was a real treat to finally get the chance to visit with him. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, touching on songwriting, recording, collaboration, and the creative process that has kept him making great music for decades.

This week on I WAS IN THAT BAND!, I sit down with my old friend, Danny Balis.

You may know Danny from his years in Dallas radio, but at heart he's always been a musician and songwriter. We talk about his current projects, Sir Daniel Esquire and Silver Skylarks, his love for the Denton music scene, and the community that helped shape him.

Danny shares stories about growing up in West Texas, finding his way to Dallas, and how music became a lifelong pursuit. We also discuss the creative drive that keeps him writing and recording after all these years.

As always, there are plenty of laughs, stories, and reflections from a life spent making music with friends.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with guitarist, producer, songwriter, and longtime friend Don Cento. Don has spent decades following his own creative path, whether that meant jazz, rock, Americana, instrumental music, or whatever else happened to catch his imagination.

The two share stories from years in the DFW music scene, memories of gigs and mutual experiences, and talk about Don's refusal to chase expectations in favor of following his muse wherever it leads. It's a fun and wide-ranging conversation between old friends about creativity, curiosity, and making the music you want to make.

Don Cento is a musician, producer, songwriter, and recording engineer whose work has included the bands Shibboleth and Chomsky, along with collaborations with Sarah Jaffe, Bonnie Whitmore, Jerry David DeCicca, and many others. His newest project, Cento Threeo, features Phil Spencer on bass and Norm Bergeron on drums. Their debut album, Halfway to Mellowtown, is out June 19, 2026.

Jimmy McDonough joins Grady Sandlin on this episode of I WAS IN THAT BAND! for a sprawling conversation about music obsession, biography writing, bootlegs, producers, record collectors, and the emotional toll of telling someone else's story honestly.

Best known for acclaimed books on Gary Stewart, Neil Young, Tammy Wynette, Al Green, and Russ Meyer, Jimmy reflects on the overwhelming response to I Am From The Honky Tonks and the nearly 40-year journey that brought the Gary Stewart story to life. The two dive deep into Gary's unreleased recordings, the mystery and romance of bootleg culture, and the idea that unofficial tapes often reveal the real heart of an artist's story.

Jimmy also shares stories about Neil Young, David Briggs, Willie Mitchell, the Hi Records rhythm section, and the producers and sidemen who quietly shaped some of the greatest records ever made. Along the way, the conversation explores the disappearing art of long-form biography, the struggle to preserve music history in a disposable digital culture, and why Jimmy still feels compelled to chase unfinished stories — including a long-discussed Jack Nitzsche project.

A funny, emotional, and deeply insightful conversation between two lifelong music obsessives about records, memory, mythology, and the people behind the music.

This week Grady visits remotely with longtime friend Nathan Brown — better known to many as Browningham — originally from Fort Worth, Texas.

Nathan talks about his musical beginnings, the creation and evolution of Browningham, and the years he spent taking his unique DIY project on the road before eventually settling back down in Fort Worth. Along the way, the conversation dives into music culture, touring life, and Nathan's famously passionate — and occasionally unpopular — opinions about music.

More than anything, this episode feels like an honest catch-up between old friends who've spent decades around the North Texas music scene.

This also marks the first remote interview ever featured on I WAS IN THAT BAND!

This week on I Was In That Band, I sit down with North Texas mainstay Reggie Rueffer — a true musician's musician whose career runs deeper and more varied than most folks realize.

Reggie first made his mark with the band Spot, whose hit song broke nationally. From there, he stepped onto even bigger stages, including a standout run playing fiddle for country legend Charley Pride.

Reggie shares stories from the road, lessons learned from playing with a Hall of Famer, and how he's navigated a career as a multi-instrumentalist across genres.

These days, you'll still find him in the mix around DFW — playing bass, fiddle, and singing in a variety of projects.

This week on I Was In That Band, we sit down with Texas bassist Aden Bubeck — a player whose resume stretches from North Texas dancehalls all the way to the biggest stages in the world.

Aden is a standout member of Raised Right Men and a University of North Texas jazz studies graduate whose career has taken him to the highest levels of the business. He's toured, recorded, and appeared on major broadcasts with Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban, with credits spanning award shows, late-night TV, and international stages. A music director, producer, and Fort Worth Music Hall of Fame inductee, Aden is known for his deep pocket, great instincts, and serious tone.

In this episode, we talk about the road from UNT to arena stages, what it takes to be a first-call bass player in Nashville and beyond, and how to balance high-level touring gigs with staying rooted in the Texas music community. We also get into mentorship, musical discipline, and the art of supporting a song without ever getting in the way.