Shanna and I had much to catch up on during her second interview on Middle Class Rock Star. She and I first sat down over zoom and chatted back in June of 2020 (episode 44). At that time, Shanna was living in Boulder and was in the midst of winning nearly every notable songwriter competition, including the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition.

Now, she's living in Nashville (she moved almost 6 months ago) and is finding her stride and place in music city, while also touring all corners of the country, writing songs, and keeping up with her nearly 250 Patreon patrons.

During our conversation, we chat about her 60 date bike tour where she biked from Washington to Massachusetts and performed everywhere in between, her debut album (Robots - out May 27, 2022), and how much she values the Patreon platform. At the end, Shanna also gives us her honest take on Nashville and whether or not every aspiring musician needs to be there.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://shannainadress.com

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/shannainadress

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Nashville based tour manager, Joe Lentini. As of late, Joe has been touring the country working as the tour manager for Daniel Donato. Prior to joining Donato's team, he interned at Relix Magazine and the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville.

This podcast episode was truly unique in the way it all came together. I was in Nashville playing a couple gigs in early March. On my off day, I went out to discover a new brewery. What I found was Southern Grist in east Nashville (highly recommend!). As I sat drinking my beer and writing in my journal, I noticed Joe sitting a couple seats down submitting setlists to BMI. I asked him what he did and we got to talking. He was just a cool dude. The kind of guy that knows everyone just by going out and being himself. Before I left, I told Joe about my podcast and that I'd like to interview him because I've never had a tour manager on. He immediately agreed and we made it happen!

During our conversation, Joe and I chat about the culture of cosmic country, the ins and outs of tour managing, his tie dye business (Trippy Toes Dyes), and his love for plants.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Trippy Toes Dyes: https://instagram.com/trippytoesdyes?utm_medium=copy_link

Daniel Donato: And feel free to share my personal as well Daniels website danieldonato.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Colorado based singer-songwriter and performer, Sweet Virginia. Leading up to her debut record (out April 29 on Gitcha Records), Sweet Virginia has two singles out, "Blue Skies" (Feb 18, 2022) and "Hallelujah, Michael" (March 18, 2022).

During our conversation, we chat about the process of making a record, songwriting, promoting yourself, and hair.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.sweetvirginia-music.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is entertainment and copyright lawyer, Max Hass. After attending school at Tulane in New Orleans, Max did anything except for law to start his career in the music business. Instead, he worked in almost every other part of the industry as a performer, promoter, manager, and more. After settling in Colorado, Max joined Parlatore Law Group as a partner. His focus is intellectual property and entertainment law, as well as copyright & trademark law, business law, intellectual property litigation, and commercial litigation. In addition, he recently began working as a booking agent at Loose Leaf Talent Agency. On top of all that, he's still a gigging musician.

During our conversation, we chat about his upbringing, finding the music business, and answers to questions that all musicians wish they could ask a lawyer!

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Email: [email protected]

looseleaftalentagency.com

parlatorelawgroup.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

I first met Marcus at The Blues Can in Calgary. I was traveling through town with my band after playing a week long residency at Blues On Whyte in Edmonton, AB. The next time through town, Marcus sat in with my band and played guitar for a set. At the time he was only about 19 or so! Fast forward a couple of years, and Marcus is calling me saying that he's on a "right of passage" road trip through America and is coming through Denver. We got together for coffee, then he came back to my place and we recorded an episode!

(now copying from his website):

Marcus Trummer’s combination of bluesy guitar playing, soulful vocals, and down-to-earth songwriting is a modern yet familiar take on the sounds of past decades. Dubbed “a precocious guitarist whose vocals possess a wise-beyond-his-years weariness" by the Calgary Herald, the Calgary, AB native has earned a reputation as a busy local performer since bursting onto the scene with his band in 2018. Following their debut release, These Roads - EP (2020), the Marcus Trummer Band were invited to perform as part of the National Music Centre’s Gala alongside the likes of Jann Arden and Corb Lund. Trummer was the recipient of the Prophets of Music Emerging Artist Award at the 2019 YYC Music Awards. Supported by The Prophets of Music Foundation he recorded Running on My Own at OCL Studios in 2020. With his debut solo offering Trummer taps into a more reflective sound, while remaining true to his blues, soul, rock & roll, and Americana influences.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://marcustrummermusic.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest today is Nashville based singer-songwriter and performer, Erin Rae. She joins me on the show just days after releasing her latest album, "Lighten Up" (Feb 4, 2022). Produced by Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty, Billy Strings, Conor Oberst, Erin Rae) and distributed by Thirty Tigers, "Lighten Up" gives us a modern yet retro take on indie folk music.

Erin has been making a name for herself in the scene for several years now touring both solo and with a band, and opening for acts like Jason Isbell, Dawes, and Hiss Golden Messenger.

During our conversation, we chat about the new record, as well as her childhood, a one semester stint in college, and her first dive into the world of open mics and songwriting.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.erinraemusic.com

Listen to "Lighten Up": https://orcd.co/lightenup

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest this week is Nashville based singer-songwriter and performer, Sam Robbins. Sam and I first became acquainted through the 2021 Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition. We were both selected as finalists, and Sam was one of the six winners. We've had a steady back and forth conversation happening on Facebook for the past few months, so it was great to finally sit down and talk with him for a while.

During our conversation, Sam talks about auditioning for The Voice, attending Berklee College of Music, his transitional move to Nashville, house concerts/touring, and songwriting. We also chat about his debut album, "Finally Feeling Young" (May 14, 2021) as well as his plans to release a new album later this year.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.samrobbinsmusic.com

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

I've known Tony Mason for quite some time. He was one of, if not the first person to put me in a real venue as a college student at CU Denver. A lot of local musicians can say that about Tony. He started off by putting together shows under his promotion company name, Tone Dynamix, then moved on to be the talent buyer at Herman's Hideaway, and eventually became the senior talent buyer for Lost Lake, Larimer Lounge, and Globe Hall.

The last time Tony was on the podcast was the last episode I did in person before the pandemic. He came over and we chatted about how his time in Denver was coming to a close, as he'd be moving to Dallas in just a few short weeks to become the talent buyer for the Gas Monkey venues. Then the shutdown happened, and after waiting it out for months, Tony was told that Gas Monkey would no longer be able to offer him a position. Since that time, he's joined forces with Bandwagon Presents to book shows at lots of venues throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Bandwagon has so many venues off of i-25 between southern Colorado and northern Wyoming that they've put together their own circuit to take artists through the two states.

During our conversation, I chat with Tony about what's new in his life and the booking industry, and we also share a couple plates of sushi!

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Bandwagon Presents: https://bandwagonpresents.com/

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest today is Canadian based singer and songwriter Pura Fé. Pura Fé, whose name means "Pure Faith," was born in New York City and an heir to the Tuscarora Indian Nation. She is an artist, an activist, and much more. Her musical journey, running the gamut from folk to mainstream through an artful use of the blues, reflects the concerns of an artist who grew up in the Motown era, while citing Buffy Sainte-Marie, Charley Patton and Joni Mitchell as her true mentors. And, more widely, “traditional music from all over the world, wherever the spirit is connected to our roots.”

Pura Fé has studied and performed with The American Ballet Theatre Company, and has been in several Broadway musicals and TV commercials. She has sung for countless jazz, R&B, and rock bands, and has stamped her distinct vocals on many recordings, demos, jingles, music videos and movie sound tracks/trailers throughout her career. She is a founding member of the internationally renowned native woman’s a capella trio, Ulali, and is recognized for creating a new genre, bringing Native contemporary music to the forefront of the mainstream music industry.

Pura Fé won a Nammy (Native American Music Award) for Best Female Artist for ‘Follow Your Hearts Desire’. She also won an L’académie Charles Cros Award (French Grammy) for Best World Album for "Tuscarora Nation Blues".

(above bio copied from Pura Fé's website)

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to my YouTube Channel help me out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

Pura Fé Website: https://www.purafe.com

Ulali on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2e3DNErHr0z83LSzfhSRPx?si=UC0yFNkqTk2ex3z-g0cC3g

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com

My guest today is Asheville, NC based DJ, Bruce Swan. Bruce went to college after of high school and earned his degree just a few short years later. Or at least that's what he thought. Nearly 25 years later, he was informed that he didn't quite finish and would need to go back to fulfill his final requirements. Upon his return to Hunter College in New York, NY, he discovered the college radio station, WHCS. He filled out an application and went in for an interview, and at the age of 50, began his career as a radio DJ.

Since his time on air at Hunter College, he's been at several different stations including: 10 years at 89.5 WPKN independent radio in Bridgeport, CT, 7 years at 93.3 WRFR community radio in Rockland, ME, and now he's on air at 103.3 Asheville FM in Asheville, NC.

At the start of the pandemic, Bruce started a live remote show called, Music My Mother Would Not Like. The program should not be confused with the show he hosted on WPKN (Bridgeport, CT) bearing the same name. The pandemic version of Music My Mother Would Not Like features 3-4 artists playing in succession on Tuesday nights. Originally, the show was only supposed to be five weeks, but nearly two years later, it's still going strong and is popular among the singer-songwriter community.

If you enjoy the podcast, please let others know, subscribe or write a review. 5 star ratings and reviews on Apple Music as well as subscribing to our YouTube Channel help us out the most!!

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST IN A MONETARY WAY, I'M NOW ON PATREON! www.patreon.com/andysydow

You can support my artist career and this podcast for as little as $3 per month. The price of one cup of coffee helps keep this podcast on its feet. Any and every contribution is greatly appreciated!

Guest Links:

https://www.musicmymotherwouldnotlike.com/

https://www.ashevillefm.org/

https://www.bakerbooking.com/

Episode Music:

**All original music by Andy Sydow

Sponsors:

A huge thanks to our sponsors, PQ Mastering and Narrator RF.

For any sponsorship inquiries, shoot me an email at [email protected]

pqmastering.com

narratorrf.com