Jam Chats

CJ and Reimy welcome Nashville-based singer-songwriter Aurora Sage to the Jam Chats Studio, where she shares her background growing up in California, living in Italy, and pursuing the arts through an Orange County art school before studying songwriting at Belmont. Aurora discusses her musical influences (from soul, jazz, and R&B to singer-songwriter icons), her brother’s role in shaping her musicianship, and how she balances sound and branding while promoting herself through social media, including her grandparents’ piano series and posted hymns. The episode features performances of “Bad Taste In Good Men,” “Pearl,” “Kid,” “Blue Moon,” “Pieces,” and “Taking His Time,” with stories behind the songs—ghosting, long-term heartbreak, vulnerability, and faith. Aurora reflects on music as a healing language, explains why faith matters to her even in secular artistry, and previews plans to finish a new project from recent LA writing sessions and release it next year, alongside playing live in Nashville venues like the Bluebird Cafe.

00:00 Meet Aurora Sage

00:35 Nashville Accent Skit

01:32 California Roots Story

02:43 Musical Family Beginnings

05:04 Influences And Sound

07:14 Theater And Phone Bits

08:35 Bad Taste In Good Men

13:10 Behind The Bossa Nova

17:42 Pearl Live Performance

24:53 Kid

30:57 Song Fallout Confession

31:35 Music as Healing

33:33 Grandparents Piano Series

35:09 Branding and Artist Goals

36:52 Blue Moon Live Performance

43:03 Pieces Story and Performance

49:59 Faith and Making Beauty

52:14 Taking His Time Live

58:36 What's Next

On Jam Chats on BYUradio, hosts CJ and Reimy welcome singer-songwriter Jordan Moyes to discuss how music began for him with guitar at age five or six in a family of guitar players, his early classic rock influences, and how he shifted from wanting to “shred” to focusing on storytelling as a songwriter. They listen to his track “Driveway,” which he wrote about the feeling of sitting in a car to finish a song and the goal of creating that experience for listeners, and talk about his emotional sensitivity and the challenge of finishing songs after the initial burst of inspiration. Jordan performs “Hangin' Around,” a song written for his wife Brinley, and shares how marriage changed his songwriting. He discusses his mother’s unexpected death in 2018, how faith and music helped him grieve, and performs “12:34,” inspired by repeatedly seeing 12:34 and wishing his wife could have known his mom. They also feature “Flowers” and “When I Get Used to You,” talk touring and American Idol, and close with a live performance of “Still Feel Alone.”

00:00 Meet Jordan Moyes

00:26 Early Guitar Roots

02:15 Classic Rock Sparks

05:25 Band Dreams and Singing Fears

13:28 Track Breakdown Driveway

14:26 Chasing the Feeling

20:20 Songwriting Process Struggles

24:40 Live Hangin' Around

30:49 Marriage and Music Shift

37:02 Flowers and Family Nostalgia

42:15 Opening Up About Loss

42:31 Grieving Childhood Loss

45:20 Songwriting Through Grief

48:35 Why Music Heals

49:45 Angel Numbers Song Story

56:09 After The Performance

59:34 Faith After Sudden Death

01:06:23 Music In The Afterlife

01:11:12 Serene Sound Origins

01:14:59 Touring And Defining Success

01:20:14 Final Song "Still Feel Alone" And Farewell

Hosts CJ and Reimy interview singer-songwriter Maddie Wilson, who shares how her non-musical parents supported her through lessons and performances, her small-town Utah upbringing surrounded by country music, and her path to Nashville for songwriting, recording, and writer’s rounds like the Bluebird Cafe. Maddie performs and discusses several songs: “Richest Man,” inspired by her late grandpa’s saying about being rich in family; “RIP,” a fun breakup song written in Nashville; and deeply personal songs “Your Room” and “Wounded,” reflecting infertility, IVF, miscarriages, and vulnerability through music. She also shares “Baby Blue,” about motherhood bringing light, and “Black Sheep,” about embracing being different.

00:00 Meet Maddie Wilson

00:37 Early Songwriting Roots

02:11 Choosing Music Over Sports

04:03 Country Upbringing

05:51 Richest Man Story

10:52 Recording Nashville Connections

11:57 Writers Rounds Bluebird

14:48 Live Song RIP

19:22 Infertility Miscarriage Journey

21:09 Song Your Room

29:11 Vulnerability Through Music

32:43 What Not To Say To Someone Battling Infertility

33:12 Fixing Versus Listening

35:02 Live Song Wounded

39:13 Why Sad Songs Heal

39:57 IVF And Newborn Life

42:39 Live Song Baby Blue

49:28 Faith Through Infertility

51:37 Motherhood And Music

54:43 Black Sheep Origins

59:09 Live Song Black Sheep

01:03:48 Success And Farewell

Hosts CJ and Reimy welcome Logan James Hope to the studio. We discuss his “grandpa style,” upbringing in Holladay, Utah, and early musical influences. Logan recounts forming his first band in junior high, his frontman role, ego, and how music connected to spirituality, plus later pressures around career, and adulthood. He traces the band’s breakup, a near Atlantic Records moment, experimental projects, and the formation of Silvercup with his sister Hadley, including moving to New York and getting signed. Logan shares how The Hammer and the Nail centers on grief—marriage, music dreams, and faith, performs and plays “Hear Me,” “Fake Rolex”, “Another Bite,” “Water Breaks,” “Cardboard Boxes,” and “Death Do Us Part,” and introduces producer Carl, describing a desert recording process focused on honesty. Christian Lucy on piano accompanies Logan in the Jam Chats studio.

Album Art Photography: Luke Barton @lukeb_see

CJ and Reimy welcome singer-songwriter Ashley Hess to Jam Chats on BYUradio. Ashley recounts her journey from Fremont, California, sports ambitions, and a bus accident that derailed volleyball plans to exploring music through YouTube covers, songwriting, and a move to Nashville at 27. She describes auditioning for American Idol, reaching the Top 14, and wanting artistic freedom. Ashley performs and discusses songs including “Love Like You,” “Fresh,” “Breathe,” “Quiet,” and “The Girl I Used to Be,” connecting themes of learning God’s love, heartbreak, anxiety, and not staying silent. She reflects on 2020’s upheaval, a breakup, identity shifts, and writing “Yet”, which she says changed her life and has reached millions.

Every song has a story. Through live performances and candid interviews with singer-songwriters from different genres, BYUradio’s Jam Chats explores the many ways music can energize us, heal us, and bring us together.

CJ and Reimy recap Season 1 with fun and inspirational moments. If you're new to the show, this is a great episode to start with. You'll hear clips from almost every episode, giving you an inside scoop on the artist's episode. CJ and Reimy also dive into the themes of the season, and what they felt were the most inspirational and impactful moments.

Join hosts CJ and Reimy as they sit down with soulful singer-songwriter Ryan Innes. Known for his powerful voice that turned all four chairs on The Voice, Ryan delves into his journey from a childhood in Arizona to becoming a full-time musician. He shares stories of family, the struggles of the music industry, and the healing power of songwriting. Featuring his songs 'You Are Gold,' 'Lightning,' 'Restless,' 'Holding,' 'Brother,' and 'Solid Ground,' this episode offers an intimate look into the life and music of an artist constantly evolving through hardship and self-discovery.

Join hosts CJ and Reimy as they sit down with singer-songwriter Cherie Call from Mesa, Arizona. The episode delves into Cherie's journey as both an artist and a mom, exploring the power of music in navigating life's struggles. Cherie shares touching insights about her upbringing, influences like the Indigo Girls, and her initial experience into playing the guitar. Live performances on the show include 'Walk You Through the Night,' inspired by her experience as a new mother, and 'Guessing Game,' written for her children. Additionally, Cherie performs 'The Astronaut and the Mermaid,' a winning song from the John Lennon songwriting contest, and you'll hear other heartfelt songs like 'I Am a Homeless Song' and 'The Long Way Home,' dedicated to her late sister. The episode closes on a cheerful note with 'Big Yellow Moon.' Throughout, Cherie emphasizes finding joy and success in embracing life's simple moments and challenges.

In this episode, hosts CJ and Reimy dive into a rich conversation with guest Dominic Moore, a genre-blending artist and palliative pediatric doctor. Dominic shares insights from his dual life, balancing soulful melodies with a deep sense of empathy drawn from his medical work. He discusses his musical journey from childhood, his influences, and how his day job informs his songwriting. Performances include tracks like 'Any Point in Time,' 'Who's Gonna Love You,' and 'Cadillac Diamond.' Discover how Dominic's unique experiences shape his music and connect with his heartfelt stories.