The Trout Show

If you’re a performer trying to get your music heard in a crowded industry, this interview is for you. We sit down with Claire Donzelli of Clarity Music Marketing, a Los Angeles-based agency founded by a working artist who gets what it’s really like to juggle creating and promoting. Claire shares practical, authentic strategies for growing your audience, running smart campaigns, and cutting throug...

From the cold streets of Cleveland comes Tropidelic, the high-energy force blending reggae rock, funk, hip-hop, and pure party vibes. Formed in the mid-2000s at Kent State University by frontman Matthew Roads and friends, the band has spent nearly two decades building a grassroots following through relentless touring, explosive live shows, and a string of independent releases. They’ve shared stage...

In this episode, I take you inside Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026 in Austin, Texas. Over two unforgettable nights at the Moody Center, generations of guitar greats—including Clapton, John Mayer, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Trey Anastasio, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Emmanuel, and many others—came together for rare collaborations and marathon sets, all in support of the Crossroads Cen...

From Goshen, Indiana, to the national stage, Ethan Setiawan has established himself as one of the most formidable and versatile mandolinists of his generation. A two-time champion—winning both the National Mandolin Championship and the Rockygrass Mandolin Championship—he honed his craft at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship. His playing moves fluidly from traditional bluegrass to Bach,...

Ruby Dice is an Austin-based Americana artist, bassist, and bandleader whose sound pulls from mountain grit and Texas soul — country, rock, and raw honesty. Originally from Gunnison, Colorado, she has shared the stage with Brian Wilson, recorded with members of Band of Heathens, and become a fixture in the Austin scene. Voted Best Bassist in Austin this year, she fronts her own band while collabor...

From New York comes Young Allies — a band built on collaboration, atmosphere, and songs that take their time. Led by singer, songwriter, and actor Fritz Michel, Young Allies grew out of his solo work into a full group sound, with guitarist Tosh Sheridan, bassist Gavin Price, drummer Isaac Gardner, keyboardist Phil Kadet, and vocalist Shelly Bhushan sharing the stage and the vocals. Their debut EP,...

They’re the British brothers who turned a gym-inspired joke into a worldwide phenomenon. Richard and Fred Fairbrass — better known as Right Said Fred — exploded onto the scene with “I’m Too Sexy,” a debut single that hit Number One in America and made them the first act to do that since The Beatles. Hits like “Deeply Dippy” followed, along with millions of records sold and a career that has now st...

From Swansea, UK, comes 18-year-old guitarist Shiveena Saw — a young player already using her talent to make a difference. She first picked up the guitar at age eight after seeing Slash, went on to become the prestigious Millfield Musician of the Year in 2025, and won gold medals at the UK Schools Music Festival two years running. Now heading to Berklee on a scholarship, she blends rock, blues, an...

From the heart of Monterrey, Nuevo León, comes a powerful voice blending the soul of American country with the rich sounds of Northern Mexico. Meet Lena Rome — a Mexican country-rock artist who pours her pure heart into every song. Proudly carrying her roots while forging her own path, she’s a mother, a storyteller, and one of the rising forces in Mexico’s growing country scene. With her album Cha...

Welcome to The Trout Show… where stories of passion, purpose, and possibility come alive. Today we spotlight concert pianist, composer, and visionary Kimball Gallagher — a true pianist without borders. From a groundbreaking 88-concert tour that spanned every continent to the founding of 88 International, Kimball has transformed music into a powerful force for change. Through 88 International, he e...

For years, Martin Luther McCoy has been one of those rare talents who moves seamlessly between worlds. A gifted musician with deep roots in soul, blues, and rock, he's also graced the screen in major films, bringing his presence to stories that reached millions. Now, he's stepping back into the spotlight with a brand-new album, a fresh chapter that promises to showcase the full range of...

Erin Alyssa is a rising talent making waves in the music scene. She just released new music and her highly anticipated album is on the way. Erin has had the incredible opportunity to work with Grammy-winning guitarist and producer Janet Robin. And get this — Pink once surprised everyone by jumping on stage to sing with her at a winery. With her powerful voice and authentic songwriting, Erin Alyssa...

The String Revolution is a Grammy-winning guitar trio blending rock, world, classical, and cinematic sounds into an all-guitar instrumental powerhouse. Formed in LA in 2015 by Janet Robin—Randy Rhoads’ only female student, along with Markus Illko and Robair Luis—they create rich, adventurous tracks with intricate melodies and virtuosic playing. Fresh off their Grammy for “Folsom Prison Blues” with...

Welcome national country artist Angie K. to the Trout show. Born in El Salvador and raised in Georgia, she’s shaking up Nashville with her fresh blend of modern country — raw storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and that signature Latin twist. You’ll hear bilingual lyrics, flamenco guitar, and even a little reggaeton groove mixed into her sound. We’re talking her journey, her latest album Whiskey and...

Hey there, welcome to the show. Today we're diving into the world of July Moon, the rising indie band that's been turning heads with their dreamy sound and raw emotion. From their early days playing small clubs to their latest tracks climbing the charts, July Moon brings a fresh vibe that's all their own. Stick around as we chat about their journey, music, and what's next. Let&...

Meet Magnolia Rising — the dynamic country duo featuring Devynn Hart and Trea Swindle, celebrated alumni of the beloved trio Chapel Hart. After captivating audiences worldwide with powerhouse harmonies and unforgettable performances on America’s Got Talent, these talented cousins are blazing a bold new trail. With deep Southern roots and a fresh, uplifting sound, Magnolia Rising delivers music tha...

Clark Hill is a talented singer-songwriter whose soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics have captured the attention of music lovers around the world. With a career spanning several decades, he has released numerous critically acclaimed albums blending elements of rock, folk, and blues into a sound all his own. Known for his raw emotion and authentic storytelling, Clark's music speaks to the human...

Today on the show, we welcome one of the UK's most exciting and hard-working independent acts in the blues-rock scene. Hailing from Essex, England, When Rivers Meet is the powerhouse husband-and-wife duo of Grace and Aaron Bond. Since forming in 2016, they've carved their own path without major label support — touring in a camper van, captivating audiences with raw, gritty blues, soaring...

In this heartfelt tribute episode, The Trout dives deep into the life and music of rock legend **Dave Mason**, the co-founder of Traffic who passed away on April 19, 2026 at age 79. From his early days writing classics like “Feelin’ Alright” and “Hole in My Shoe” to his massive solo hit “We Just Disagree,” Mason’s career spanned decades of unforgettable rock ‘n’ roll. The episode explores how Dave...

Today I'm sitting down with Alex Kilroy, the Romanian guitarist who's been turning heads across Europe and beyond. From Bucharest stages to international festivals, Alex blends bluesy rock riffs with Eastern European folk influences in a way nobody else is doing. One of his tracks even features legendary country guitarist and vocalist Vince Gill. His latest album just dropped, and he&apo...

Jay Hooks is a Texas blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter from Houston. With a career spanning since the late 1980s, he's known for his searing guitar tone, raw vocals, and high-energy performances that blend gritty Texas blues with rock swagger. Influenced by legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan, he’s released several albums, including the recent Tequila & Bullets, and has toured acro...

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival is a legendary guitar showcase he started back in nineteen ninety-nine—think epic jams with legends like Jeff Beck, John Mayer, and Santana—where all ticket sales and related proceeds go straight to funding the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. That's his own addiction recovery facility, a peaceful tropical spot offering therapy, yoga, and support fo...

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, founded in nineteen eighty-five by George Hinchliffe and Kitty Lux, is the world's original all-ukulele ensemble—think classical poise meets cheeky covers of pop, jazz, and movie themes. Dressed in tuxes, they strum everything from Bowie to Beethoven on soprano, tenor, concert, and bass ukes, with sharp wit and zero pretension. Today, members like Guy H...

Music and politics have always collided—think Bob Dylan in the '60s or protest songs against wars—but in recent years (especially 2024–2026), it's exploded with social media amplifying everything. Artists' views alienate half their audience, politicians steal songs without permission, and endorsements become headlines. In this podcast The Trout talks about what happens when musician...

Coming up, Wake the Nile a new band from Austin, Texas. Don, straight out of Uganda, and Dominic, Tampa Bay kid, two strangers who crashed into each other in Austin last August. Different coasts, different routes, same fire. They bonded over late-night jams, swapped stories from Halfway, Round the Globe, and bam, started building something raw and real. No hype, no big labels yet, just pure chemis...