The Jay Franze Show: Country Music - News | Reviews | Interviews
Jay Franze
170 episodes
2 days ago
A trunk ride with Billy Gibbons, a pair of “blessed” boots, and the moment a lyric became a band name—this one has stories. We sit down with American Mile’s Eugene Rice for a fast, funny, and unfiltered tour through the making of a modern Southern rock band built on grit, harmony, and a never-quit work ethic. From a Vermont town of 1,500 to SoCal stages, Eugene traces the path: sleeping in rehearsal spaces, selling a bike to buy an RV, and logging 200+ dates a year—often in four-hour marathon...
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A trunk ride with Billy Gibbons, a pair of “blessed” boots, and the moment a lyric became a band name—this one has stories. We sit down with American Mile’s Eugene Rice for a fast, funny, and unfiltered tour through the making of a modern Southern rock band built on grit, harmony, and a never-quit work ethic. From a Vermont town of 1,500 to SoCal stages, Eugene traces the path: sleeping in rehearsal spaces, selling a bike to buy an RV, and logging 200+ dates a year—often in four-hour marathon...
A trunk ride with Billy Gibbons, a pair of “blessed” boots, and the moment a lyric became a band name—this one has stories. We sit down with American Mile’s Eugene Rice for a fast, funny, and unfiltered tour through the making of a modern Southern rock band built on grit, harmony, and a never-quit work ethic. From a Vermont town of 1,500 to SoCal stages, Eugene traces the path: sleeping in rehearsal spaces, selling a bike to buy an RV, and logging 200+ dates a year—often in four-hour marathon...
Nashville's songwriting community suffered a devastating loss with the passing of Brett James, a prolific songwriter who gave up medical school to pursue his passion for music. With 27 number one hits among his 500+ released songs, Brett's legacy includes classics like "Jesus Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood and "When the Sun Goes Down" by Kenny Chesney. His story reminds us how the unexpected paths we choose can lead to extraordinary impact. We dive into the ongoing story of Farm Aid, Wi...
What happens when a childhood nickname becomes a musical identity? Josh Gale and Sean from the band Gale Byrd join us to share how football fields in Texas, marsh sunsets in Charleston, and the everyday struggles of marriage have shaped their distinctive sound. The conversation dives deep into the creative heartbeat of this Charleston-based band. Josh reveals how his football nickname "Gale Bird" eventually became their band name, while Sean explains the meticulous production process that tr...
When does a country star get "canceled," and does it even work? In this eye-opening episode, Jay and Tiffany dive into eight notorious country music controversies—from Morgan Wallen's racial slur captured on a doorbell camera to Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13-year-old cousin (which rock music rejected but country music... accepted?). Their candid exploration reveals the strange double standards that exist within different music communities. Beyond cancel culture, we uncover a startling radi...
The lines between success and snubs blur in our deep dive into the 2025 CMA Award nominations. Morgan Wallen simultaneously celebrates three wins while feeling overlooked in other categories, perfectly capturing the industry's complex relationship with commercial success. Miranda Lambert makes a triumphant return with her first album in five years, while Jelly Roll and Post Malone find themselves surprisingly excluded from major categories despite their massive impact on the genre. We explor...
Send us a text Taylor Swift's wedding planning takes center stage as we unveil the potential 13-artist lineup rumored to perform at her upcoming nuptials. From long-time collaborators like Colby Caillat to surprising connections with Kenny Chesney, we explore why each artist made the speculative list—and who's conspicuously missing. The real story might be Von Ray, who gave a young pre-fame Swift her first stage opportunity, creating the kind of authentic connection that wedding playlists are...
Send us a text What happens when a buried pop gem finally gets its moment to shine? Stella Soleil joins us to share the fascinating 14-year journey of her song "Hello" – from its unexpected birth in a hard rock band to its powerful 2025 revival. Stella takes us behind the curtain of her remarkable career, revealing how she championed Slipknot before they became global metal icons. "I always insisted we play on the same show," she explains, describing her early conviction that the masked musi...
Send us a text What happens when Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement announcement collides with a passionate debate about the greatest party song of all time? Pure entertainment gold on The Jay Franze Show. Hosts Jay Franze and Tiffany Mason kick things off by diving into the swirling conspiracy theories surrounding Taylor Swift's engagement. From the podcast proposal cover-up (did Travis plan it all along?) to the significance of the number 13 in the announcement timing, they examine...
Send us a text Ever wondered what it would be like to completely reinvent yourself after a successful career? Christopher Wyze's remarkable journey from advertising executive to blues musician proves it's never too late to follow your passion. Growing up in Indiana, Christopher's introduction to blues came when his college-aged brother brought home BB King and Bobby Blue Bland records. Though the music resonated with him, life took him in a different direction – building a career in marketin...
Send us a text What makes a song lyric truly unforgettable? Is it the clever wordplay, the raw emotion, or the way it perfectly captures a universal feeling? Jay Franze and Tiffany Mason dive headfirst into this question, sparking a fascinating conversation with their listeners about the lines that have stuck with them through the years. From Garth Brooks' bittersweet reflection that "I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance" to Johnny Cash's chilling confession "I sh...
Send us a text Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation with rising country star Billie Jo Jones as she joins Jay Franze and co-host Tiffany Mason for a candid discussion about her musical journey and exciting upcoming projects. The Texas-born artist shares breaking news about her sophomore album "Turquoise and Silver," set to release this October. "I really think this album beats the last album, and I didn't think I was going to be able to say that," Jones confesses with ge...
Send us a text Few artists bring a perspective to country music as unique as Chris Erasmus. Growing up in a game reserve in Zimbabwe before relocating to South Africa, Erasmus developed an authentic connection to rural life that most country singers can only romanticize. On this captivating episode, he shares stories of herding buffalo on horseback, working as a genuine cowboy in Montana, and how these experiences naturally translated into a country music career based in London. "I didn't se...
Send us a text Step into the recording studio with country artist Robbie Johnson as he reveals the creative journey behind his new single "You Pick the Flowers." In this candid conversation, Robbie shares how the song reimagines his own love story, admitting he never properly proposed to his wife and is now "rewriting my story to make it beautiful." This vulnerability sets the tone for a fascinating exploration of modern country music production. The episode offers rare technical insights as...
Send us a text What does it really take to chase country music dreams while keeping your life in balance? In this heartfelt conversation with rising country artist Trey Calloway, we pull back the curtain on the realities of the Nashville music scene and the personal sacrifices that come with pursuing passion. Trey opens up about his latest single "She Don't Break It," co-written with legendary songwriter Terry McBride (known for hits with Brooks & Dunn and George Strait) and produced by ...
Send us a text What happens when a talented songwriter develops their craft far from the industry spotlight? Dani Bacon brings us the answer from rural Washington, where she's forged a musical identity that transcends easy categorization. Dani's story begins with family singing in church and early fascination with the Dixie Chicks, but quickly develops into something uniquely her own. Despite living eight hours from the nearest major music scene in Seattle, she's crafted a sound that blends ...
Send us a text Ever wonder why certain country songs defy all odds and become massive hits? Jay and Tiffany take you behind the scenes of 14 unlikely country smashes that broke all the conventional rules - from The Band Perry's morbid masterpiece "If I Die Young" to the surprising revelation that a disco song about a man transforming into a duck once topped country radio charts! The conversation flows naturally through breaking country music news, where Thomas Rhett celebrates selling out Bo...
Send us a text Jason Chapin takes us behind the curtain of his father's most enduring musical legacy. As the 50th anniversary of "Cats in the Cradle" approaches, Jason reveals the surprising true origins of the iconic song – a poem written by his mother Sandy about the distant relationship she observed between her first husband and his father. What began as an observation of family dysfunction would eventually become Harry Chapin's signature hit, though not without skepticism. "My mother tol...
Send us a text Meet MacKenzie Lee, a Boston-based singer-songwriter who's crafting a unique musical identity she calls "dark pop." Stepping into our studio with the confidence of someone who's found her authentic voice, Mackenzie shares the winding path that led her from childhood singing to college acapella performances and finally to her current work with Red 13 Records. What makes MacKenzie's approach fascinating is her refusal to be boxed into conventional genres. Drawing inspiration fro...
Send us a text What makes a country music legend truly important? Is it chart success, cultural impact, or lasting influence? Jay Franze and Tiffany Mason tackle these questions head-on while reviewing a controversial list of "The 25 Most Important Women in Country Music" that has them both fired up from the start. The hosts share their predictions before diving into the rankings, confidently naming Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire as the obvious choices for the top spots. What follows is a pa...
Send us a text Uncovering the musical evolution of Gradients, this episode takes listeners behind the curtain with a Minnesota rock band crafting their sound somewhere in the gradient between hard rock, alternative, and metal. The conversation reveals how a college talent show in 2019 sparked what would become a serious musical endeavor, bringing together musicians with surprisingly diverse influences. What makes Gradients fascinating is their authentic approach to creating music. Three of t...
The Jay Franze Show: Country Music - News | Reviews | Interviews
A trunk ride with Billy Gibbons, a pair of “blessed” boots, and the moment a lyric became a band name—this one has stories. We sit down with American Mile’s Eugene Rice for a fast, funny, and unfiltered tour through the making of a modern Southern rock band built on grit, harmony, and a never-quit work ethic. From a Vermont town of 1,500 to SoCal stages, Eugene traces the path: sleeping in rehearsal spaces, selling a bike to buy an RV, and logging 200+ dates a year—often in four-hour marathon...
