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Todays guest is Jacob Lowery! Jacob is member of the legendary Michael McDonalds touring band and has held down the low end in the studio and on stage with an all start list of diverse artists like CeCe Winans, Sara Barellis and Reba McEntire to name a few.  Jacob started his musical journey in his hometown church in Louisiana at the age of 5. Starting on drums, then transitioning to bass. He quickly recognized that music was his clear calling and eventually landed a position as a church music director in Austin, Texas.

 After having the opportunity to work in the church’s studio, Jacob dove as deep as his pocket into record production, and followed the road to Nashville, TN. Since then Jacob has solidified his reputation as a first call bass player and a guaranteed great hang! Jacob has mastered the essential instinct of how to navigate the artist/producer vision and collaboratively serve the song. He truly and authentically makes everyone in the room feel heard and appreciated. 

Jacob is also the host of an epic podcast called The Sideman Chronicles, which you should definitely add to your playlist. But first, lets dive in to the show and find out how Jacob has plucked, picked, and slapped his way through his illustrious career!

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This week's guest is Justin Ostrander. Justin's career is a little engine that could, Goliath- slaying, summit of Everest mountain of inspiration. After leaving his career as a college math professor, Justin followed his lifelong passion for guitar playing to Nashville. 

Without a back up plan and armed with years of performing, studying records, and "practicing for his job," Justin blazed his own trail to becoming one of the marquee session players in the industry. His playing has been featured on record by Chris Janson, Jimmie Allen, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, and countless others. Justin's path is a shining example of what happens when talent, purpose, perseverance, and patience collide into a slow burn of massive success.

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Today's guest is Lucas Sader. Lucas is a musical director, show programmer, session guitar player, and producer. His masterful execution of his instrument to help serve the artist's creative vision, has earned him a Grammy nomination, and collaborations with artists such as John Legend, Will Smith, and Jennifer Lopez. 

Lucas's emphasize on pre-production, and learning to translate the artist's inspiration into the sonic equivalent, is a rare talent that has helped him excel in sessions, recording remotely, and on the stage. If there's a blueprint for thriving as a multi-faceted musician, it's Lucas's story. Let's dive in!

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Todays guest is Justin Schipper. Justin started his musical journey as a guitar player, and after moving to Nashville, found his path to becoming a leading session player through his unique approach to sounds and parts on the pedal steel. His multi-instrumentalist talents have landed him on the stage and in the studio with artists like Shania Twain, Florida Georgia Line, Billy Gibbons, Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and countless others. 

His dedication to his craft has landed him 5 nominations for ACM multi-instrumentalist. He has also found great success in sync licensing with many placements in film scores and commercials as well. 

Justin has a relentless passion for capturing the vision of the artist and the producer in the studio. He’s always eager to take the time to find the perfect sound and part to serve the song. Justin’s story is a powerful example of how preparation, intention, and action become the perfect recipe for fulfilling one’s passion. 

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Dave Cohen is an undisputed triple threat in the studio. As a keyboard player, songwriter, and producer, Dave has earned three ACM awards, two Music Row awards and has participated in over 100, #1 records. As a songwriter, his songs have been recorded by artists like Lady A, Joe Nichols, and Mckenzie Porter. 

Dave earned his seat at the tiny table of studio giants, through is ability to serve up fresh sounds, undeniable hooks, and a welcoming smile that makes every artist and producer feel like they're just jamming with their friend. His career has been guided by the mantra of, "What's next?" A questioned that Dave has discovered an answer to several times during his illustrious career. 

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This week's guest is Evan Hutchings. Evan is an A list studio drummer, songwriter, and producer. He is a 3 time ACM award nominee, two time Arkansas Drummer of the year winner, and has 10, #1 songs to his credit. As a producer and songwriter, he has had placements in shows like Grey's Anatomy, Impulse and Catfish. 

In addition to his work on sessions, Evan has also mastered the craft of remote overdubs from his home studio. His experience in discovering the spirit of songs through playing in church, combined with his obsession with studying rhythm, and his motivation to seek out mentor ship, helped him find a path that has led to calls from a marquee list of artists and producers. Evan is a master who remains a student of his craft. 

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Jerry McPherson is a guitar strapped chameleon. He has spent decades lending his licks to a catalog of recording that have amassed more than 10 billion streams. 

Jerry has mastered navigating between Pop, Country, Rock, Christian, and we've yet to find a genre he can't bring some magic to. 

As a musician that found his voice by first studying the greats that came before him, he is passionate about paying that knowledge forward to accelerate the career path of the next generation!

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Todays guest is Danny Rader. Danny is prominent, multi-instrumentalist studio musician, songwriter, and producer. He is three time ACM award winner, the 2021 music director for the CMA awards, and his pickin' has been featured on over sixty, number 1 records! With a unique ability to straddle the line between side man and studio musician through his career, Danny has toured with artists like Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, and Kenny Chesney. 

Danny has mastered an insane range of instruments, developed deep skillsets in the technical aspects of the recording process, all while having the ability to step out of the studio and onto the stage to deliver a compelling live performance. Danny is a jack of many trades that really has mastered them all. His journey is a masterclass on developing a diverse tool set to be prepared for any job. 

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Welcome to the studio musician academy podcast. Todays guest is Rob McNelley. If a six string and a Swiss army knife had a baby, they’d call him Rob. While so many musicians have had to make a clear career choice between touring and studio work, Rob has managed to break the mold, and follow the opportunities that are most inspiring to him, regardless of category. 

Rob has toured with artists like Delbert McClinton and Bob Seger, while remaining one of the most in demand session guitar players in the recording industry. Appearing on records ranging from Alan Jackson to Lady Antebellum and Joe Bonamassa to Buddy Guy, Rob has truly mastered the essential skill of developing stylistic versatility, while still maintaining his own artistic identity. 

A mastery which has led to his playing being heard on recordings that have been streamed over 10 billion times, and earning him 3 awards for the ACM guitar player of the year. With a career that would led the best of us to feel comfortable riding on cruise control, Rob continues to seek growth through making time for daily practice and creating his own music as a solo artist. 

Rob’s story is filled with a valuable lessons on finding a path for your passion, and blazing that Trail on your own terms. 

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This weeks guest is David Dorn. David is a first call session keyboard player, producer, songwriter, and studio owner. He is a four time ACM award nominee and has played on countless Grammy award winning records. The songs that have been blessed with his gift have amassed over 4 billion streams. As a producer, he has landed many songs in film and TV as well. 

In our experience working together, Dave has always brought a positive energy and relentless commitment to chasing down the perfect sound and part to serve the vision of the song. His deep classical training, combined with an obsession of modern sounds, technology, and mainstream sensibilities has put him on the very short list of first call, keyboard session players in the recording industry.

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