Another episode of “Load-In Through the Back” and ANOTHER return guest… Well, sort of. We’re chatting to ANOTHER iconic member from one of the most successful rock outfits of the 1990s and early-2000s: Will Turpin, bassist and founding member of Collective Soul on Season 03, Episode 17. 

BONUS FUN: spot the error / omission in the Cold Open and leave it in the comments.

Collective Soul is the platinum-selling band behind hits like “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know.” The group’s signature groove and rumbling sound has racked up nearly 10 million albums sold and scored multiple No. 1 songs on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.

Will joins us to discuss Woodstock ‘99, recording in the Beverly Hills mansion of Elvis Presley, legacy, the family business, avoiding burnout, new music, Smiths Olde Bar, and more!

Collective Soul released their latest album “Here to Eternity” in 2024, as well as the brand-new Give Me a Word: The Collective Soul Story documentary. In early 2026 they head to Las Vegas for a three-night residency Feb 4, 6 & 7, 2026 at The Venetian. Stay informed by following @CollectiveSoulOfficial on social media and by visiting CollectiveSoul.com.

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Some of you asked for it, some of you didn’t, but either way… we’re back with the second half of “Load-In Through the Back” Season 03!

We’re kicking it off with an emotionally dense and wildly entertaining conversation with singer/songwriter Morgxn!

A Nashville native by way of New York and Los Angeles, Morgxn got their start in the original production of Spring Awakening on Broadway. Chiseling their way into the popular music landscape featuring on tracks with Tiesto, Morgxn broke as a solo artist with his hit “Home” featuring Walk the Moon, earning a loyal fanbase drawn to his honesty and fearless self-expression.

Morgxn joins us to discuss individuality and self-love, the writing process, evolution, unconscious biases, redaction, and how being a role model in the LGBTQ+ community has shaped their life and creativity beyond it.

Be sure to visit Morgxn.com and follow @MorgxnOfficial on social media to stay up-to-date on live performances and upcoming releases.

The “Heartland: Part II” EP is now streaming everywhere.

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As if being members of renowned Americana group Wilco wasn’t enough, Pat Sansone and John Stirratt create hauntingly beautiful and intellectually engaging throwback pop-rock a la Big Star under the moniker the Autumn Defense.

They recently released a new record entitled “Here and Nowhere,” following an eleven year break. They are also our guests on Season 3, Episode 15 of “Load-In Through the Back.” 

Pat and John join us via Zoom to discuss touring through winter weather, record shopping in Brazil, the pros and cons of social media during an album release campaign, and much more. 

The Autumn Defense’s Fall Tour kicks off October 24th in Vienna, VA. Find tickets and more information by following @TheAutumnDefense on social media. 

“Here and Nowhere” is available wherever you stream or purchase music via Yep Roc Records. 

Support our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to show some love. 

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FRIENDLY REMINDER! The podcast will be on a two week hiatus while Troy travels on his headlining solo-acoustic tour. Visit TroyMilletteMusic.com for dates and more information.

Today’s guest is hell on heels and then some. She is an artist. A singer. A mother. A survivor. She is Ashley Monroe, and she is our guest on Season 3, Episode 14 of “Load-In Through the Back”!

A native of Knoxville, TN, Ashley and her family moved to Nashville to pursue music following the death of her father in her early teens. Ashley found success on country radio and beyond as a solo artist, a member of the female-fronted supergroup Pistol Annies with Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley, and a featured vocalist on Train’s 2012 summer hit “Bruises.”

Our conversation chronicles her return to music following a bout with cancer, the birth of a band in an Airstream, seven year towns, carpooling with Vince Gill, and much more.

Ashley’s latest record, “Tennessee Lightning” was released in August of 2025, with a Deluxe Version pending. 

She is currently on the road with country megastars Little Big Town supporting that release.

Find physical copies, additional merchandise, and tour dates at AshleyMonroe.com or by following @AshleyMonroeMusic on Instagram.

Support our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to show some love. 

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Is it so bad to want a good life? 

We’re not sure, but it’s not so bad to want a new episode of Load-In Through the Back with New York songster and Top 4 member of the band Fantastic Cat: Brian Dunne!

Brian recently released a brand-new solo album entitled “Clams Casino” which is arguably Troy’s favorite record of 2025.

In this conversation we dive into the obstacles of releasing music independently, avoiding van theft, chronic creating, Bruce Springsteen, the forthcoming Clams Casino Tour, and much more. 

You can purchase physical copies of the new record and find a tour date near you by visiting BrianDunneMusic.net and following @BrianDunneMusic across social media.

Support our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to show some love. 

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Don't worry, I won't hurt you, I only want you to have some fun–

And fun we had during this conversation with author, podcaster, and all-around nice-guy James Campion!

James recently released his brand-new book “Revolution: Prince, the Band, the Era” chronicling the chaotic rise and strange lore surrounding Prince and his iconic group.

Don’t let his job description fool you, this is one of the most engaging musical conversations we have ever had on this podcast.

We talk about Prince a lot. We also talk about writing a lot. We delve into Counting Crows, Warren Zevon, the Beatles and more!

We discuss the Underwater Sunshine Podcast featuring Adam Duritz, and the independent music festival (aptly titled Underwater Sunshine Fest) that it spawned.

We talk about humanity. 

You don’t want to miss this episode.

When you inevitably fall in love with James, you can follow him on Instagram at @JamesCampion, and pick up a copy of the new book (or any of his past work) at JamesCampion.com.

As always, you can find more from our show at our official website: LoadInPodcast.com.

Support our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to show some love. 

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SunDown47’s Steve Drymalski is more than just a singer, songwriter, front man, tour manager, lighting technician, and music fiend… he’s also our guest on Season 03, Episode 11 of “Load-In Through the Back!” 

A life-long lover of music turned band member, Steve’s first life in the business came as a lighting technician and production manager for esteemed artists such as Soundgarden, Aerosmith, and Pearl Jam.

When COVID-19 shuttered the music industry, Steve took a decades-old collection of songs into the studio and completed his debut album under the moniker SunDown47. Shortly thereafter, that passion-project of a record fell into the lap of country music megastar Zach Bryan and was accompanied by a contract to open his forthcoming stadium tour. 

Steve joins us to discuss the new album’s inception, siloing his skills and creativity across nine lives in the music business, John Denver, a pivotal phone call from Neil Young, those pesky blue spot lights, and much more. 

SunDown47’s debut album “Along for the Ride” was released on September 12th, 2025 and is now streaming across the web. 

Visit SunDown47.com for links and upcoming tour dates, and be sure to follow @SunDown47Official on Instagram. 

Show support for our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to support our show. 

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Visit LoadInPodcast.com for more.

Are you really a Vermont-based music podcast until you’ve chatted with this Waitsfield native?

That’s right, it’s a milestone episode featuring songstress Grace Potter and the Special Projects Conductor of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) Matt LaRocca!

Following the successful maiden run of their orchestral and rock n’ roll mod podge, Grace is once again sliding into her sousaphone for a reimagined journey through her iconic catalogue along the VSO at this year’s Grand Point North Festival!

Grace has been releasing music for the better part of three decades both as the front-woman of rockers Grace Potter & the Nocturnals and as a solo artist. She has shared stages with the likes of Heart, Mavis Staples, Kenny Chesney, and Mick freakin’ Jagger. And don’t even get us started on when she performed for Barack Obama. Iconic. 

Her music has been featured in films such as Disney’s Tangled, and television shows like One Tree Hill, ER, Grey’s Anatomy, All My Children, and Grace & Frankie.

The 2019 album “Daylight” was nominated for “Best Rock Album” at the GRAMMY’s. 

In addition to his role as Special Projects Conductor, Matt LaRocca is the Music Director and Conductor of the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra​, a University of Vermont professor, and a member of psych-rock group Freeway Clyde. He has performed alongside the likes of Guster, Myra Flynn, Francesca Blanchard, and Kat Wright.

Grace and Matt joined us remotely between rehearsals for the event to discuss what constitutes a loading ramp, set list structure, the impact of weather on a performance of this scale, mini-skirts, the Rolling Stones, spontaneous songwriting, turn-off’s, and everything in between. 

Grand Point North returns to Burlington, VT on September 12th - 14th, 2025 and features two nights of Grace Potter, Goose, Brittney Spencer, Melt, and many more. 

Tickets can be purchased by visiting HigherGroundMusic.com or GrandPointNorth.com.

Follow @GraciePotter, @VT_Symphony, and @GrandPointNorth on Instagram to stay up-to-date with the run of events, updates, added dates, and more. 

Support our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to show some love. 

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Very special thank-you to Nate Payne of Pitdweller Media and Nate Payne Photography for our thumbnail image. 

Whether you know it or not, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the timeless licks and tones of today’s guest: Zak Loy.

A native of Dinero, Texas, Zak made a name for himself as a guitarist in the Austin music scene as early as twelve years old. He has since formed and fronted well-known nationally touring groups such as Alpha Rev, Damesviolet, and Mother’s Anthem. 

In 2012, he became a permanent member of iconic ‘90s rockers +LIVE+ and right-hand-man to frontman Ed Kowalcyzk. 

Last year, Zak released his debut solo LP entitled “Dinero”, and is currently touring the record between amphitheater dates with +LIVE+.

For merchandise, tour dates, and more, visit ZakLoy.com and follow @ZakLoy26 on Instagram.

Show support for our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to support our show. 

We are @LoadInPodcast on Instagram and Threads, and “Load-In Through the Back Podcast” on Facebook. 

Visit LoadInPodcast.com for more. 

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION!

My band, Troy Millette & the Fire Below, is opening for Zak at Higher Ground in S. Burlington, VT tonight, September 3, 2025. 

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at HigherGroundMusic.com.

Our guest today is a country troubadour in the tradition of Waylon and Wille by way of pop-sensible country rockers ala Brantley Gilbert and Kip Moore. 

He is Kolton Moore, and if you’re not already privy to his Texas country balladeering, you’re in for a treat.

Kolton joins us to discuss the recording process of his upcoming record, embracing the co-write, playing to one and a half fans, the effects eating Subway tuna fish can have on a touring band, maintaining a strong family dynamic while on the road, and much more.

His brand-new album, “A Place I Call Home” is out September 26th, and the subsequent tour begins October 9th in Birmingham, Alabama. 

Be sure to follow @KoltonMoore on social media and visit KoltonMoore.com for pre-order / pre-save options, tour dates, merchandise, and more. 

You can show support for our show by clicking “follow” or “subscribe” wherever you’re listening. Leaving comments or a review is a great, free way to support our show. 

We are @LoadInPodcast on Instagram and Threads, and “Load-In Through the Back Podcast” on Facebook. 

Visit LoadInPodcast.com for more.