Tamara Holder is a nationally recognized women’s rights and multi-plaintiff attorney. She was a legal analyst on Fox News Channel for nearly a decade before devoting her entire practice to representing (mostly) women as a feminist lawyer. Tamara has testified before Congress, obtained clemency for the rehabilitated, and worked with the nation’s leading social justice and political figures on legislation that protects women and minority workers. Her work has been recognized in numerous publications.

I had such a great time talking to Tamara about her work, love for Live music, and philanthropy. Please use the below link to donate to the Divided Sky Foundation's Women's Scholarship Fund - which she formally established in 2023. The Holidays can be a tight financial time for all of us - but any donation we are able to make will help this tremendous cause. 

CAMPAIGN - Divided Sky Women's Scholarship Fund - Campaign

Tamara - we've only just met - but I sincerely appreciate all of the work that you have dedicated your life to. Thank you so much for coming on the show - and for the work you do on behalf of Women across the globe. 

To my daughters Emily and Laureli - this episode is for you. - Daddy

Tamara's Socials:

Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DdhnTeFHR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Women’s Rights Lawyer | The Law Firm of Tamara Holder

Song Credit:

'Joy' - Phish - off the album ‘Joy (Deluxe Version)’ - ℗ 2009 Phish

'Waste' - Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell - 10/30/20 - The Barn

https://youtu.be/LnjXTPJ2XKI?si=4yb7fjWzUm0VxoQh

'Bug' - Trey and Jovi - https://youtu.be/M_KHGeByNjI?si=N1p9nevH3TLw0XPL

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

Hailing from Rockville, Maryland and calling Denver, Colorado home, Eric Martinez is a guitarist in the rock/jam band world and a fixture of the local Denver Music Scene.

​Having been a member of multiple touring acts over the years, Eric has earned a reputation as a hired gun and polished music professional. Whether he’s onstage or in the studio, Eric’s precision and laser focus elevates most any act or project. His musical acumen and his demand for perfection keeps him high on people’s lists. In short, Eric is a musician’s musician; a player’s player; an artist’s artist.

​Eric’s diverse range of talents allows him to acclimate to most any musical setting. Whether engineering and producing a bluegrass track for Jojo Herrmann (Widespread Panic) in his studio or shredding solos on stage with Portland’s Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons, Eric is renowned for his ability to instantly add energy and prowess to the stage.

​However, it’s his songwriting on his newest solo effort You Know Why I'm Here out now plus his collaborations with other musicians like John "Jojo" Hermann, Jerry Joseph, Daniel Hutchens, Todd Nance, Eric Carter, Josh Stack, and Tori Pater that has set him apart from other guitar slingers. Eric sings, writes, produces, engineers and plays lead. His instincts for the instrument have been honed by his professionalism, work ethic, and standing alongside the best of the best, year after year. He’s not limited by tone or genre, scene or style. He's in for it all!. 

It was truly my pleasure to sit down with Eric to learn about his incredible life journey. I really dig his music - and he was very gracious to give me a lot of time to talk about the music that we all love. Thank you Eric!!

Go check out Eric at his website and Socials below:

HOME | Eric Martinez

You Know Why I'm Here | Eric Martinez

https://www.instagram.com/ericmartinezmusic?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Song Credit:

'Heartbreak Kid' - Eric Martinez (feat. Eric Carter) - off the album 'Caldera' - ℗ 2022 Eric Martinez

'King of Birds' - Eric Martinez - off the album 'Covered' - ℗ 2020 Eric Martinez

'Henry Parsons Died' - Bloodkin - Live from Cervantes' Other Side, Denver, CO 7/7/2012

'The Game' - Cubanstack - odd the EP 'Menagerie' - ℗ 2022 Cubanstack

'Pickin' Up the Pieces' - Widespread Panic - off the album 'Everyday' - ℗ 1993 Volcano Entertainment III, LLC

'Way Too Loud' - Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons - off the album 'Panther Tracks, Vol. 1' - @ 2025 World Will Turn

'Rooming House' - Eric Martinez - off the album 'Caldera' - ℗ 2022 Eric Martinez

" End of the Show" - Bloodkin - Live from The Georgia Theater 12-10-16

Eric's Music Recommendations:

- R.E.M - 'Document' - https://open.spotify.com/album/6gMv3MgFlieOM6Uz5GZBzy?si=DQyDwDRhQYuGknb--elrcw

- Blizzard of Oz - https://open.spotify.com/album/4qUMByJ3Pk94BFnCmGaUPS?si=v3urJIdfRTah4RGvDNTpDw

- The Clash - Sandinista! - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0rCbozekfWhxma7By68aPG?si=g0mkGHTETIK5fJ4OFeaFCQ

- The Hold Steady - Stay Positive - https://open.spotify.com/album/0HfqHcAyFa8mOJI1VLs5Sg?si=1pKE7OyHTJ69fSBJ-NqIJQ

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https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

New friends of the show - Addie Tonic - is an alterna-rock band formed in Denver, CO featuring dynamic front woman Meghann5k (Vocals, Guitar), Matt Youngblood (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Dylan Tilton (Bass), and Dennis Valencia (Drums). Addie Tonic’s catchy songs are driven by Meghann5k’s pop-fueled lyrics and Matt’s rock-inspired guitar licks, building garage rock/shoegaze like walls of sound with a punk rock edge. is an alterna-rock band formed in Denver, CO featuring dynamic front woman Meghann5k (Vocals, Guitar), Matt Youngblood (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Dylan Tilton (Bass), and Dennis Valencia (Drums). Addie Tonic’s catchy songs are driven by Meghann5k’s pop-fueled lyrics and Matt’s rock-inspired guitar licks, building garage rock/shoegaze like walls of sound with a punk rock edge. 

We spent some time discussing how Meghann and Matt met, subsequent formation of the band, and the music that they have put out to date. We discuss Matt's prior work with Jerry Joseph, Todd Nance & Friends, The Interstellar Boys, JoJo Hermann and how he and Meghann have collaborated with other amazing musicians and producers to put together their killer sound. We discuss many, many topics - give a listen!

I really enjoyed sitting down with these beautiful folks to talk about all things Rock & Roll - go check these guys out if you have the opportunity! Here's a few dates:

Saturday, September 6 @ 8:00PM | Addie Tonic / Bad Roommates / Hopefully Soon | Atrium Music Lounge, Fort Collins, CO

Saturday, September 27 @ 7:00PM | Ben Ottewell of Gomez / Addie Tonic Duo | Bar 404, Denver, Colorado

Connect with them on their Socials here:

https://www.facebook.com/addietonic

https://instagram.com/addietonic

https://youtube.com/channel/UCKaNtXFNmNcWxMbuZZdCHtQ

https://open.spotify.com/album/3k0KJ3gdfw1rmYdIErL5x7?si=upCxSPjJRJSgbJe5GVX22Q

https://www.reverbnation.com/addietonic

https://addietonic.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/addietonic

Meghann/Matt music recommendations from the show:

Teenage Bottlerocket

viagr aboys

The Brian Jonestown Massacre

wet leg

Song Credit:

'Crashing Cars and Fanning Flames' - Addie Tonic

'Brutal' - Addie Tonic

'Iodine' - Addie Tonic

'Seether' - performed by Addie Tonic (written by Veruca Salt)

Episode Photo Credit - Dave Ingraham

*A special thank you to Annemarie Jacar over at 'Almost Phamous' for use of her video/audio recording of 'Ride Me High' performed on 8/16/25 by JoJo Hermann, Daniel Donato, Duane Trucks, Kevin, Scott, Natalie Cressmen, Holly Bowling and more. (Conscious Alliance event)

Send us a text

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Every now and again I get to sit down with an artist that helped define a genre, and this conversation with Matthew McDonald from Perpetual Groove was one of those opportunities. I consider P-Groove to be Athens, GA royalty, with their reach spanning the entire globe. His energy as a person and musician is palpable, and I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed partaking in it. 

We discuss Matt's life journey, how Perpetual Groove was formed, and dig into a number of topics that were of immense interest to me. I learned a lot about audio engineering/recording - with this being my first introduction to 'The 5 T's'-  we discuss Matt's health journey that includes his dedication to yoga, breath work, and sound/vibrational healing. 

He also shares information about upcoming P-Groove shows this fall, a sneak peek into plans for a 25th anniversary show, and touch on his upcoming release of his new album. Stay tuned to their socials and website for an Atlanta NYE show at Terminal West.

Plenty of other interesting topics that I was lucky enough to get his perspective on - so please give a listen and let us know what you think about the episode!

Perpetual Groove

Instagram

https://www.facebook.com/share/19XHo26EzB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Matt's Music Recommendations:

- M83 - https://open.spotify.com/artist/63MQldklfxkjYDoUE4Tppz?si=mMv5bPluSP6f8KQTwUvsBw

- Boreta - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DZ06evO2zZcUW?si=bvI-Oc0_QVuxAOXUjeiMCA

- Lord Huron - https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ltzsmQQbmdoHHbLZ4ZN25?si=1u1qP4zsSQCmX7-bE-e1nA

- Ben Hackett - https://open.spotify.com/artist/050oABtOYcWMjuoWR7saCa?si=sdD67ICfRlyE4ENh3DKI4Q

- Loscil - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3GM5cpCBadq2PMHjFoEvhK?si=n3-kZVw7TsmfU4ms5GKflQ

Episode Song Credit:

- All This Everything, Part 2 - Perpetual Groove - off the album 'All This Everything'  ℗ 2005 Harmonized Records

- Walking In Place - Perpetual Groove - off the album 'Sweet Oblivious Antidote' - ℗ 2023 Harmonized Records

- Honey Cut - Perpetual Groove - off the album 'Heal' - ℗ 2009 Perpetual Groove

- Three Weeks - Perpetual Groove - off the album 'Sweet Oblivious Antidote' -       ℗ 2023 Harmonized Records

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

Hey Podcast Peeps! Been waiting to see Bears Gone Phishin' for quite some time now. Finally had the opportunity, coupled with a pre-show sit down with Andy Greenberg and Sean Mills before their show at Terminal West (Atlanta) on 7/21/25.

BGP is an incredible lineup features the lead guitars of The Reckoning, Runaway Gin and Machine Funk, three of the most prominent and longest-running tributes in the United States. They fuse together Phish, Widespread Panic, and The Grateful Dead.

MEMBERS: Andy Greenberg (Runaway Gin), Wallace Mullinax (The Reckoning), Sean Mills (Machine Funk), Bobby Hogg (The Reckoning), Jennifer Reiser (Runaway Gin), Stephen Sandifer (Dangermuffin), Wes Powers (The Reckoning.)

Go check these guys if you have the opportunity - you will not be disappointed. Hope you enjoy the episode!

Bears Gone Phishin' | Facebook

Live from Asheville Music Hall 3/8/25:

https://www.youtube.com/live/StmtmsamIkk?si=WIt2b5kvsHMLxvtS

Song Credit:

'Feel Like a Stranger' - Bears Gone Phishin' - https://open.spotify.com/track/1AoavyACsjE5evZ1hn9kcB?si=fef75cfcbfcf4fc3

'You Enjoy Myself' - Phish - Live from North Charleston Coliseum - 11/18/1995

'Chalkdust Torture>Chilly Water' - Bears Gone Phishin' - https://open.spotify.com/track/3IcqbDgvkcqj6FUX4lJL7f?si=9e43dca417854e4b

'Godzilla' - Bears Gone Phishin' - https://open.spotify.com/track/2SggBMlGkiNjhepSCjpyW4?si=6d15d466033645aa

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

Howdy podcast peeps and Panic Freaks! Happy to share a conversation I had with Russ Loyd and Jeremy Brown from Home Team FM. We discuss the history of Home Team FM, and what's coming down the pike with the recent dissolution of PS. 

Really enjoyed meeting and speaking with these guys! Super excited about the work that they are doing, and really appreciate all of the hard work of the people involved in this great new project. 

Hope you enjoy the conversation! Be sure to stay tuned to the Home Team FM website for updates.

HOME TEAM | Streaming the Dream - Home Team FM

Russ & Jeremy recommended music: (!)

Wildarado, Qway, LaMP, Billy Strings, Daniel Donato, and Sturgill Simpson 

Song Credit:

'Down on the Farm' - Widespread Panic - Live from Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL 7/28/01

'Stop-Go' - Widespread Panic - Live from The Armory, Valdosta, GA 4/08/89

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

Raleigh, NC - coming in hot to the Lincoln Theatre tonight, 6/20/25

Charlotte, NC - tomorrow night, 6/21/25 at The Rabbit Hole

Thanks for stopping by the show - I had a great time seeing these guys for the first time at Smith's Olde Bar last night in Atlanta. The room was packed - and the crowd was reverent! 

Thanks to the band and crew for letting me shoot some video, and for sitting down to talk for a bit after the show! Until next time...y'all get out and check these guys out.

Song Credit:

'Walkin' - Panic Stricken - Live from Antone's, Austin, TX 6/1/2024

https://youtu.be/cr_9jFKKepM?si=lzcmTsiNVO-2qvQ_

'Sky Beaming' - White Denim - off the album 'Performance' - ℗ 2018 City Slang

Send us a text

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month - but the team at Backline helps the Musician community 365 days a year. On this episode of the show, I sit down with Terra Lopez, musician, podcast host, and Community Manager/Head of Marketing for Backline.

We discuss the amazing work that Backline does in their mission to serve Musicians, road crews, venue personnel, and the family of all of the above, in the ever-so-important world of mental health. 

Please check out Terra's amazing Music, her excellent Podcast, and Backline's multiple channels of support. Backline offers resources through a number of channels, including weekly Live webinars with mental health professionals, Monthly video conversations with songwriters & mental health professionals, and monthly authentic stories told by music industry professionals via Instagram Live. 

Please take a moment to check out all of the resources they provide at Backline: Mental Health And Wellness Resources For The Music Industry. (https://backline.care)

Also, be sure to give Terra's podcast, 'THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE', on Spotify and Apple:

This Is What It Feels Like Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/1BzEXvLSORSYQW2WaMkPNa?si=db16162b6bbf4585

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-what-it-feels-like/id1704229967

Lastly, but certainly not least, give her musical projects a listen wherever you stream your music:

Rituals of Mine — ABOUT

The Sisterhood of Sister Crayon | East Bay Express | Oakland, Berkeley & Alameda

Song Credit:

'Devoted' - off the self-titled album 'Rituals of Mine' - ℗ 2016 Warner Records Inc.

'Revelation' - Flawed Mangoes - off the album 'Anomaly III' - ℗ 2025 Artist Partner Group, Inc.

Send us a text

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I've really enjoyed John's playing for many, many years. John started his music path on guitar while living in Savannah, GA. John then picked up his first pedal steel and moved to Athens in 1994, where he joined the cast of Redneck Greece Delux, before becoming a founding member of Drive-By Truckers. He subsequently joined The Star Room Boys, and later joined Japancakes, before returning to work with the Truckers. Some of the other acts he worked with were Barbara Cue, The Bad Ends, The Pink Stones, Bloodkin, Grammy nominated artist Booker T Jones, Interstellar Boys, Eye Candy and several others.

Thank you so much John for the time - it was truly a pleasure to meet up with you and take a walk through your musical journey. 

Swamp - this episode is for you....hope you are thriving!

Song Credits:

'Mama Was a Dancer' - Redneck Greece Delux - off the album 'Bubbapalooza Vol. 1: Chronicle of the Redneck Underground' -℗ 2006 Ichiban Records

'Foolish' - The Star Room Boys - off the album 'Why Do Lonely Men and Women Want to Break Each Other's Hearts?' - ℗ 1999 Checkered Past Records

'Linda Please' - Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy - off the album 'A Tell All' - ℗ 2013 Sweet Nectar Records

'Little Floater' - Barbara Cue - off the album 'Louisiana Truckstop' - ℗ 2000 Barbara Cue

'Untold Pretties' - Patterson Hood - off the album 'Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance' - ℗ 2012 ATO Records, LLC

'Warped Sister' - Booker T. Jones - off the album 'Potato Hole' - ℗ 2009 Anti Inc.

Send us a text

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You can't talk about the history of music that bubbles out of Athens, GA without speaking to David Barbe. He's played with such acts as the Bar-B-Q Killers, Mercyland, Buzz Hungry, The Tom Collins, Sugar, Drive-By Truckers, Bloodkin, and many....many more. He's produced music for some of the biggest acts on the scene, from his studio in Athens, Chase Park Transduction, and it was my honor to get some of his time to talk about it all.

Not only is David a magnificent producer who owns a recording studio in Athens, but he also serves as the Director of the University of Georgia Music Business Program. David sat on the Board of Directors for Nuci's Space for many years, and has years of experience with that excellent organization. 

Thank you David for allowing me to wrangle an hour out of your incredibly busy schedule. It was a pleasure to finally meet you and nerd out about all things Music.

Hope you all enjoy the conversation!

Song Credit:

Bar-B-Q - ‘Chester Drawers’ - off the album ‘Part 1: The Last Shit - Single’ - ℗ 2025 Chunklett Industries

Sugar - ‘Fortune Teller’ - off the album ‘Copper Blue (Deluxe Remaster) - ℗ 1992 Granary Music under exclusive license to BMG Rights Management (US) LLC

Bloodkin - ‘Never in Vain’ - off the album ‘Out Of State Plates (Remastered 2023)’ - ℗ 2023 World Will Turn

Drive-By Truckers - ‘Ronnie and Neil’ - off the album ‘Southern Rock Opera’ - ℗ 2002 UMG Recordings, Inc.

Minutemen - ‘Viet Nam’ - off the album ‘Double Nickels on the Dime’ - ℗ 1989 SST Records

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv