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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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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What happens when a classically trained cellist becomes an Americana soul-seeker and an award-winning director? In this episode, we sit down with Janie Price, the creative force known as BIRD, to explore a career that defies categorization.

From her early days picking up the cello at age six to her recent acclaim from legends like Johnny Marr and Roy Orbison Jr., BIRD’s journey is one of relentless creative curiosity. We go behind the scenes of her stunning new single, "The Film," a track that began in a rented room in Italy during the 2020 lockdown and traveled all the way to Nashville to be finished by Americana’s finest musicians.

The 5-Year Song: Why "The Film" needed half a decade to age like a fine wine before it was ready for the world.

Music as DNA: Growing up with the cello and how a classical foundation paved the way for pop hits and indie anthems.

The Director’s Chair: The transition from songwriting to filmmaking, including her award-winning short Wider Than The Sky and her upcoming Roy Orbison documentary.

The Nashville Connection: Collaborating with Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) and Ilya Toshinsky to find the perfect "Strange as Folk" sound.

Global Empathy: How living between London and Tuscany shapes her perspective as a storyteller.

Whether you're a fan of cinematic folk, a filmmaker in the making, or just love a deep dive into the creative process, this conversation with BIRD is a masterclass in staying true to your artistic vision.

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Fresh off the release of his June 2025 album, New Roses, Ben joins us for a raw and insightful conversation about the grit required to make it in the Nashville machine. From his early days of doubt to finding his unique sonic signature, Ben shares the stories that shaped his latest record—a project born from late-night DIY sessions, vintage synths, and a deep-seated need for creative honesty.

Inside the Episode:

Leaving New Orleans: What it was about Nashville that finally convinced Ben to call it home after leaving the Crescent City.

The "What Did I Sign Up For?" Moment: Ben recalls the early struggles in Music City and how meeting Becky Warren (The Great Unknowns) changed his trajectory and kept him from quitting.

The Todd Snider Spark: The impact of hearing Todd Snider for the first time and how it shifted Ben's approach to the craft.

The Foxhole Philosophy: A deep dive into Ben’s artistic mantra: why the real work starts when you stop looking for approval and start digging deeper into your own creative foxhole.

Inside New Roses (2025): The making of his new album and the evolution of his "Americanoir" sound.

Connect with Ben de la Cour:

Official Website: bendelacour.com

Instagram: @bendelacour

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Follow Jrodconcerts:

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Web: jrodconcertsmedia.com

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In this conversation, we discuss:

The Power of "Good": The making of her new single and its "soul-drenched grit."

The Industry "Crash Out": Dealing with the mental toll of the modern music business.

Social Media vs. Art: The tension between being a content creator and a serious songwriter.

The Nashville Transition: Moving from the Arizona desert to the Tennessee indie-pop scene.

Songwriting DNA: Why she prioritizes feeling and lyrics over formal music theory.

Stream "Good" by Izzy Mahoubi on all platforms now.

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Nashville-based indie singer/songwriter and acclaimed actress Katie Boeck returns to Jrodconcerts: The Podcast. Katie, who previously starred in the Tony-nominated Broadway revival of Spring Awakening, joins host Jamie to dive into the latest chapter of her creative life.

She's back with her deeply personal new single, "Dust" (out since August 15th, 2025), a track that explores themes of spiritual timing, vulnerability, and acceptance.

Listen in as Katie Boeck shares the tactics and tools she uses to balance life as a musician, actress, and mother, all while providing an insightful look into the modern creative process

The Creative Balance: The honest and raw discussion about the compatibility of motherhood and creativity, and how being a parent changes a musician’s parameters and workflow.

The Power of Connection: Katie explains why she believes she needs to be emotionally attuned to a song to effectively promote it, and how she avoids losing the "magic" of a song after countless performances.

Songwriting from Pain: How Katie turns pain into powerful lyrics—does she write in the moment, or wait for emotional distance?

"Dust" Uncovered: The story behind her new single and the moment of writer's block that led directly to its creation.

Plus, a special acoustic performance of her new single, "Dust"!

Listen in as Katie Boeck shares the tactics and tools she uses to balance life as a musician, actress, and mother, all while providing an insightful look into the modern creative process.

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The 30A Songwriters Festival is one of the most highly anticipated, absolute must-attend stops on our annual coverage calendar—and that’s why we’re bringing you an exclusive preview right now, as the final countdown begins!"

The largest gathering of nationally recognized songwriters is coming back to the beautiful Florida coast, January 16th through the 19th, 2026.

We sit down with the visionary leaders who make the magic happen: Festival Producer and Manager Extraordinaire, Russell Carter, and the Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Alliance, Jennifer Steele.

We find out the secret to the festival's unmatched stability, how they manage to make an event of this scale feel so incredibly intimate, and we celebrate the stars of the 2026 lineup!

We’re talking legends like Mavis Staples, I’m With Her, 10,000 Maniacs, and a celebratory main stage headline from our own friend, Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves!

If you've ever wanted to know why this festival feels like family, or what it takes to curate a world-class lineup, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in now for the inside story, then visit 30ASongwritersFestival.com to grab your tickets before they’re gone!

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Get ready for an insightful conversation with Tim Nordwind, the bass player for the endlessly inventive rock band, OK Go!

We dive deep into the world of one of music's most unique acts, from their groundbreaking visual art to their incredible new album, And The Adjacent Possible (released April 2025). Tim gives us the inside story on the band's latest achievements and what fans can expect from their upcoming show.

Double GRAMMY Nominations: OK Go is up for two 68th GRAMMY Awards for BEST MUSIC VIDEO ('Love') and BEST RECORDING PACKAGE ('And The Adjacent Possible'). We ask Tim about the moment he and the band heard the incredible news.

The Making of 'Love': Tim discusses the unique process behind the viral video for "Love" (shot in a Budapest train station) and the band's general approach to conceptualizing their mind-bending, practical-effects music videos.

The Gap Between Albums: Why the decade-plus wait for And The Adjacent Possible, and what projects were the band members involved in during that time?

A Legacy of Ingenuity: With their work in the permanent collection of MoMA and recognition from the Cannes Lions, CLIOs, VMAs, and The Smithsonian, we find out which of their many non-musical accolades Tim still marvels at.

The Audience Connection: We discuss the band's driving goal of connecting with their audience, a philosophy championed by frontman Damian Kulash.

Hollywood Industry Talk: Tim shares his insights into the current state of the industry as both an actor and composer.

The Tour Experience: What spectacular surprises can fans expect at the Brooklyn Bowl Nashville show on December 8th?

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The 59th Annual CMA Awards are over, and the dust is still settling in Nashville. Jrod breaks down the three-hour spectacle, from the biggest wins that shifted the genre to the snubs and controversies that social media can't stop talking about.

Inside this episode:

Lainey Wilson's Reign: She walked away with Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year, but did the triple win while hosting taint the victory? We analyze the reaction and whether she deserves the crown.

The Vocalist Upset: Why Cody Johnson's Male Vocalist win was the biggest correction in years, and what it signals for traditional country music.

The Snub: We dive deep into the artists who went home empty-handed—starting with a major nominee—and what their loss means for their current chart momentum.

Best on Stage: We break down the absolute standout performances, including Kelsea Ballerini’s cinematic moment, the genre-blending performance of Luke Combs & BigXthaPlug, and the emotional, career-defining tribute to Vince Gill.

The Controversy: The truth about the "rigged" claims, the performance we wish we could forget, and the continuous Morgan Wallen vs. Awards Show tension.

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