Music Row

In this heartfelt and high-energy episode, Jeff Leake sits down with the Hunter Brothers for a deep dive into their uniquely Canadian journey from hockey rinks and harvest fields to country music stardom.

Recorded in November, the brothers reflect on their sold-out Homegrown Nights Tour, share behind-the-scenes stories from life on the road, and open up about the family dynamics that fuel their harmonies and hustle.

Expect laughs, grit, and gratitude as they talk songwriting, sibling synergy, and what’s next for their evolving sound heading into 2026.

www.hunterbrothers.com

Homegrown Nights Tour

Nov 23, 2025 – Yorkton, SK – Anne Portnuff Theatre

Nov 24, 2025 – Red Deer, AB – Memorial Centre

Nov 25, 2025 – Calgary, AB – Bella Concert Hall

Nov 27, 2025 – Regina, SK – Conexus Arts Centre

Nov 28, 2025 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre

Nov 29, 2025 – Lloydminster, AB – Vic Juba Community Theatre

Nov 30, 2025 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place

Jun 25, 2026 – Dauphin, MB – Dauphin’s Countryfest

A year without releasing music is almost unheard of for today’s artists, especially one with a resume as impressive as Robyn Ottolini’s. But for the platinum-selling trucker’s daughter from Uxbridge, Ontario, stepping back was essential to moving forward. Now fully and blissfully independent, with new management, a fresh perspective, and a collection of electrifying songs on the way, Ottolini is not just ready for her proverbial closeup – she’s writing, directing, producing and starring in it herself.

“I love a good country song about a cowboy, but I’ve never been able to write one because quite frankly, I’ve never met one,” Ottolini laughs. “I found a way to still sing about them in a sense, while paying homage to the guys that I do know a thing or two about: the blue-collar, steadfast fellas that give unconditional love and work their butts off,” she says, neatly summarizing the song’s goosebump-raising coda: “I don’t think I’m missing out/’Cause I sure like my view/Everybody’s singin’ about cowboys/But I’m just singin’ bout you.”

On this episode of Music Row, we sit down with Kashus Culpepper—an artist whose debut album Act I drops this January and promises to shake up the scene. Kashus brings raw honesty, cinematic ambition, and a voice that’s ready to be heard. We talk about the making of Act I, the mindset behind the music, and the people he dreams of meeting—from icons to collaborators. This is more than an album—it’s the opening act of a career built on purpose, passion, and possibility.

Act I Tracklist

1. Intro (Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)
2. Southern Man (feat. Marcus King) (Kashus Culpepper, Bear Rinehart)
3. Alabama Beauty Queen (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston, Diego Urias)
4. Woman (Kashus Culpepper, Anderson East)
5. Break Me Like (Kashus Culpepper, Grady Block, Hank Compton)
6. Believe(Kashus Culpepper, Foy Vance)
7. Stay(Kashus Culpepper, Jordan Dozzi, Jacob Durrett)
8. Mean To Me (Kashus Culpepper, Oscar Charles, Diego Urias, Matt Warren)
9. Broken Wing Bird (feat. Sierra Ferrell) (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
10. Better Weather (Kashus Culpepper, Luke Preston)
11. That's The Feeling (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
12. Man Of His Word (Kashus Culpepper, Natalie Hemby)
13. In Her Eyes (Kashus Culpepper, Brent Cobb, Oscar Charles)
14. Is It True (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Rocky Block)
15. After Me? (Kashus Culpepper, Mark Addison Chandler)
16. Out Of My Mind (Kashus Culpepper, Brian Elmquist)
17. House On A Hill (Kashus Culpepper, Rhett Akins, Jimi Bell)
18. Cherry Rose (Kashus Culpepper, Mikky Ekko, Brian Elmquist)

In this episode, Leake welcomes 24-year-old Cole Goodwin, the gravel-voiced country artist recently signed to Big Machine Records. Cole opens up about growing up in Pooler, Georgia, crafting his self-produced EP Soon Enough, living in GA and working in Nashville.

Website: colegoodwinmusic.com

Instagram: @colegoodwinmusic

Facebook: facebook.com/colegoodwinmusic

YouTube: youtube.com/@colegoodwinmusic

TikTok: @colegoodwinmusic

Nov 4–5, 2025 – Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN

Nov 22, 2025 – St. Pete Country Fest, United Central, FL

Dec 3, 2025 – Winnsboro Music Hall, Winnsboro, TX

Apr 11, 2026 – Tortuga Music Festival, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Jul 10, 2026 – Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON (with Luke Bryan)

Jul 11, 2026 – Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Sarah Vanderzon opens up about growing up south of Montreal and how her introverted nature shaped her early musical experiences. Despite her shyness, she found confidence through songwriting and performance,

republiclive.com/sarah-vanderzon

paquinentertainment.com/artist/sarah

youtube.com/sarahvdzon

In this episode of Music Row Podcast, host Leake sits down with rising country artist Preston Cooper, one of Big Machine’s freshest signings out of Nashville. The conversation dives deep into Preston’s gritty songwriting roots, being the singing mailman and about finally taking the giant leap into country music. 

In this episode, host Leake sits down with acclaimed music journalist Geoffrey Himes to unpack Willie Nelson: All the Albums, Himes’ sweeping new book that chronicles every solo and collaborative album Willie Nelson has released—from his earliest recordings in the 1950s to his latest work in 2025.

Together, Leake and Himes explore the evolution of Nelson’s sound and spirit, Their conversation dives into the cultural and emotional context behind Nelson’s music, revealing how personal struggles—divorce, death, IRS battles—shaped some of his most powerful work.

In this episode of The Music Row Podcast with Leake, Teigen Gayse opens up about her journey from small town B.C. to Nashville’s neon-lit stages. With charm and honesty, she shares the stories behind her breakout singles, the emotional weight of writing from lived experience, and the hustle it takes to stand out in Canada’s evolving country scene. Leake and Teigen riff on radio play, TikTok traction, and the power of staying true to your roots—even when the industry tries to shape you. It’s a heartfelt, high-energy ride through the making of a modern country artist.

Country artist Josh Ross joins the Music Row Podcast to reflect on his journey from football fields to festival stages, fresh off winning Entertainer and Single of the Year at the 2025 CCMAs. Ross talks about the importance of authenticity, buying a new house so he can cut the grass, and how he co-wrote over half of later tonight and listened to over one thousand tracks that were pitched to him for the remain cuts on the release.

Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering Josh Ross, this episode is a heartfelt ride through the making of a modern country storyteller. 

In this episode, James Barker sits down with Jeff Leake to unpack the band’s new album One of Us—a bold, hook-filled tribute to small-town roots, heartbreak, and the kind of nights that end with a chorus and a cold beer. But it’s not all studio talk. James recounts a now-legendary moment from their European tour—a heated argument over a burrito in Germany.