In this episode of Jrodconcerts The Podcast, Jamie sits down with Nashville’s indie-pop sensations Jake & Shelby. From their shared roots in Hendersonville to gaining over a million followers and the attention of superstars like Michael Bublé, their journey feels like a "one in a million" miracle.

We go behind the viral moments to discuss the duo's debut album, Learning To Love, and the soul-baring story behind their single, "Morning Light." Shelby opens up for the first time about her personal history in the foster care system, the "uncomfortable" necessity of vulnerable songwriting, and how music has served as a gentle tool for healing her inner child.

The Long Odds: How two kids from the same hometown beat the statistics to build a global music career.

Songwriting as a Superpower: Why being "shy" is actually an advantage when looking within for lyrics.

The Viral Shift: Navigating the transition from social media snippets to being named one of NPR Music’s best new albums.

Backstage Moments: The story of singing with Michael Bublé at Bridgestone Arena.

The Ryman Dream: Their ultimate goal for the future of their live show and the message they want listeners to take away.

Support a Great Cause: A portion of the streaming proceeds from "Morning Light" is donated to the Cape Cod Foster Closet. Stream the track now to help support children in the foster care system.

What’s Coming in March:

Connect with the Artists:

Instagram/TikTok: @jakeandshelbyofficial

Website: https://jakeandshelby.com/

Follow Jrodconcerts:

Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia

Web: www.jrodconcertsmedia.com

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"Choosing love ain’t love, unless the choosing is free."

What happens when an artist stops caring about the "industry machine" and starts caring only about the truth? Today, we sit down with 2-time JUNO and 17-time CCMA Award winner Tenille Townes to discuss the most transformative chapter of her career yet.

Last time Tenille was on the show, we were navigating the beautiful chaos of Bonnaroo 2022. Four years later, the "Nashville production" has been stripped away, leaving a raw, empathetic songwriter who isn't afraid to let the "hero complex" shake.

In this episode, we dive deep into her 2026 evolution:

The Independence Declaration: Moving from the major label system to becoming the CEO of her own vision.

"Enabling": A breakdown of her devastating new single and the thin line between compassion and self-erasure.

The "Dolly Moment": Why Tenille’s current pivot mirrors the legendary independence of Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell.

Kintsukuroi: Learning from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery—and why we are more beautiful for our cracks.

The Living Room Tour: Why she’s trading "band walls" for the vulnerability of a girl and a guitar.

Tenille isn't just an observer of other people's pain anymore; she’s turning the lens inward. This is a conversation about boundaries, accountability, and the courage it takes to stop rescuing others so you can finally rescue yourself.

New Single: "Enabling" (Out Now)

Tour Dates: 2026 Canadian Tour & Texas dates with Muscadine Bloodline

Instagram: @tenilletownes

Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia

Web: jrodconcertsmedia.com

Support: If you love the show, please leave us a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

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It’s been five years since Aviva Mongillo (formerly known as CARYS) last sat down with Jamie. In that time, she’s gone from a viral pop explosion to a radical artistic rebirth. In this episode, we deconstruct the journey of an artist who chose to walk away from the major label machine to find her own voice.

Inside the episode:

The Name Shift: Why she’s stepping out from the "CARYS" moniker to embrace Aviva Mongillo.

Radical Independence: The scariest and most rewarding parts of leaving a major label.

The "Drama Queen" Era: Reclaiming labels and setting boundaries through her 2025 project.

Acting vs. Artistry: How her high-stakes role in Netflix's Bet fuels her songwriting.

The Joni Mitchell Influence: Comparing her current trajectory to the "confessional" legends of the 70s.

Connect with Jrodconcerts:

Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia

Web: jrodconcertsmedia.com

Support the show: Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts!

Connect with Aviva:

Instagram: @carysofficial

Listen: Drama Queen is available on all streaming platforms.

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This week, we are bringing you a very special reunion and our final broadcast from this year's festival coverage. We taped this conversation a few weeks ago on-site at the 30A Songwriters Festival, and it serves as the perfect conclusion to our 2026 series from the coast.

Five years ago, Judy Blank joined us for the milestone Episode #100. Today, she returns to the show as a global powerhouse with a brand-new perspective and a massive 2025 record.

Judy recently released her latest album, Big Mood—a project defined by bold "weird sounds" and a fearless commitment to her craft. In this deep dive, we explore her journey from a comfortable life in the Netherlands to the "strong pull" that brought her to her current home in Austin, Texas.

Jamie and Judy sit down to discuss the realities of the American Dream, the emotional cost of leaving family behind, and how she maintains her fierce artistic independence in an ever-changing industry.

The Price of Change: The emotional reality of leaving your roots in the Netherlands to chase an international calling.

Austin State of Mind: How moving to the "Live Music Capital of the World" has reshaped the way she hears her own music.

The Idea of America: An honest look at the last 2.5 years in the States—balancing the beauty of the "American Dream" with the heartbreaking realities of global events

Cultural Roots: Why Hispanic culture continues to inspire Judy’s art and creative spirit.

Staying Independent: How to navigate label life and rising popularity without losing your artistic soul.

Connect with Judy Blank:

Listen to 'Big Mood': Available on all streaming platforms.

Instagram: @judyblankmusic

Connect with Jrodconcerts Media:

Website: jrodconcertsmedia.com

Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia

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“Sometimes, playing for 70,000 people is easier than playing for 50.”

Live from the 2026 30A Songwriters Festival in South Walton, Florida, Jaime sits down with the husband-and-wife Americana powerhouse, Goldpine (Kassie and Ben Wilson).

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of their journey—from the massive scale of performing the National Anthem at Arrowhead Stadium to the intimate, high-stakes environment of Nashville’s listening rooms. Ben and Kassie open up about the evolution of their sound and the making of their latest album, Three, exploring how their individual voices have fused into a singular, unmistakable "blend."

Inside the episode:

The Big Stage vs. The Intimate Room: Why performing for a stadium (and Taylor Swift!) carries a different kind of pressure than a quiet room of 50.

The Power of Three: The numerology and creative shift that makes their third studio album their most authentic yet.

Marriage & Music: A raw look at how they resolve creative friction and manage the blueprint of a duo partnership without letting it spill over into their personal life.

The Artist’s Ego: Navigating the "dichotomy of the artist"—balancing necessary self-promotion with the desire to stay selfless and grounded.

Lightning Round: Getting to know the personalities behind the harmonies.

Featured Track: "Understand" by Goldpine

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Connect with Goldpine:

Web: goldpinemusic.com

IG: @goldpinemusic

Connect with Jrodconcerts Media:

Web: jrodconcertsmedia.com

IG: @jrodconcertsmedia

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this deep dive into the Americana scene, please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

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We are back home in Nashville! After a whirlwind week in Los Angeles, Jrod is back in the studio to deconstruct a 2026 Grammy Awards cycle that felt like a tectonic shift for the industry.

The Hardware & The History

Album of the Year: Why Bad Bunny’s historic win for Debí Tirar Más Fotos is the "final brick in the wall" for global Latin dominance.

Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s "luther"—analyzing Kendrick’s path to becoming the most-decorated rapper in Grammy history.

Song of the Year: Billie Eilish’s "Wildflower"—is she the new blueprint for the Academy?

Best New Artist: Why Olivia Dean was the "product of bravery" the industry needed.

The Genre Deep Dive

Stay loud, stay kind, and thanks for the support.

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Live from Downtown Los Angeles, in the heart of the Grammy orbit, Jrod breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

This year, the narrative isn't just about the chart-toppers—it’s about the "Vanguard" sound. We’re diving deep into the category breakdown and why the industry is seeing a necessary return to craft.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Nashville Vanguard: Why the Americana and Bluegrass scenes are the real signal in the noise this year.

The Big Four Deep Dive: Analyzing the frontrunners for Album of the Year and Best New Artist.

The 'Anonymous Voter' Effect: Breaking down the architecture of the year's biggest hits, from the pop precision of ROSÉ’s "APT." to the indie-folk shift.

Perspective from Ground Zero: What the energy is really like in LA as the ceremony approaches.

Perspective is the only true currency this weekend. Whether you’re a voter, a musician, or a fan, this is your ultimate pulse-check on the 68th Grammys.

Connect with Jrodconcerts Media:

Newsletter: https://www.jrodconcertsmedia.com

Instagram: @jrodconcertsmedia

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How does a band survive losing an entire album's worth of recordings to a smash-and-grab theft? In this high-fidelity session, Zach Williams, the powerhouse frontman of The Lone Bellow, joins Jamie to pull back the curtain on the most exhilarating—and testing—chapter of the band’s 15-year career.

In this episode, we explore:

The 15-Year Brotherhood: How a decade and a half of shared life has transformed the founding trio and their touring ensemble into a singular, ecstatic sonic force.

The Bono Encounter: A surreal breakfast with the U2 frontman and the creative spark it left behind.

Creating from Loss: The mental and emotional shift required to return to the studio after a devastating theft.

A New Era of Sound: The decision to record with the full touring band—including Julian Dorio and Tyler Geertsma—to capture the crackle and hum of their live energy.

Islands in the Stream: Why their beloved live staple finally needed the studio treatment for this record.

This is a conversation about more than just music; it’s an archive of what it means to be honest, brave, and present in a world of bittersweet beauty.

Follow Jrodconcerts The Podcast for more in-depth sessions with the architects of the Nashville sound.

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In this high-fidelity conversation recorded live at the 2026 30A Songwriters Festival in Walton County, Florida, Jrod sits down with one of the most revered voices in American music: Gretchen Peters.

Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the ACM Poet’s Award, Gretchen Peters has spent her career deconstructing the human condition. While she is the pen behind legendary hits like Martina McBride’s "Independence Day" and Faith Hill’s "The Secret of Life," her own discography is a masterclass in "Americanoir"—a blend of folk, country, and dark, literary grit.

In this episode, we explore the "Soul and Motion" of her craft, from the viral magic of a family cake recipe to the discipline required to create masterpieces in a culture with a shrinking attention span.

The Cultural Blueprint: We start with the lighthearted—the story behind her grandmother’s viral cake—before diving into the "dark side" of music.

The Art of the Uncomfortable: Gretchen discusses why she is drawn to the shadows of humanity and the necessity of "scratching the surface" of sadness.

The Independent Pioneer: Insights into her journey as a trailblazer for independent label status and the evolving music industry.

Focus in a Fast World: A deep dive into "quick attention span culture" and the struggle to maintain the ability to sit and focus on long-form art.

The Legacy: What Gretchen hopes her art leaves behind when all is said and done.

Live Performance: A stunning performance of her song, "Five Minutes."

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Instagram: @Jrodconcertsmedia

Website: jrodconcertsmedia.com

Learn more about Gretchen Peters:

gretchenpeters.com

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Today, we are joined by our dear friend, singer-songwriter Andrew Leahey, to preview a milestone event in Music City: The 5th Annual East Nashville Tribute to The Traveling Wilburys. Coming to The Basement East on Friday, January 23, 2026, this year’s lineup is the biggest and most ambitious yet.

From the "no-ego" philosophy of the original legends to the tight-knit community of East Nashville, Andrew takes us behind the curtain of how this "supergroup" comes together. We also share a poignant look back at the legacy of the late Raul Malo Jr. and the "A-ha" moment that turned this show into a permanent neighborhood staple.

The Milestone: Reflecting on five years of Wilburys magic at The Basement East.

The 2026 Lineup: Previewing sets from John Oates, Lzzy Hale, Joe Hottinger, Ketch Secor, Nicole Atkins, and more.

The "Jeff Lynne" Role: How Andrew balances producing, hosting, and performing.

Solo Cuts: Deciding which Tom Petty and George Harrison hits "fit" the Wilburys vibe.

Remembering Raul: Honoring the memory of Raul Malo Jr. and his impact on this musical family.

Music with a Mission: Why the partnership with East C.A.N. (Community Action Network) makes animal rescue the heart of this show.

WHEN: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM CST

WHERE: The Basement East | Nashville, TN

TICKETS: https://www.thebasementnashville.com/tm-event/an-east-nashville-tribute-to-the-traveling-wilburys/

BENEFICIARY: A portion of proceeds benefits East C.A.N.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST:

Andrew Leahey: https://andrewleaheymusic.com

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