Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

With equal ease and finesse, No. 1 Billboard-charting artist Lucas Hoge can craft a song, cast a line or call in a turkey in front of a film crew. The chart topping country artist and host of TV series Hoge Wild joined us for the second time. He talks (4:05 mark) about his favorite drinks, visiting Belize, new adventures on Hoge Wild, how ended up hosting a TV show, fun travel stories, growing up...

Country artist and songwriter Del Barber recently released his latest album Almanac. He talks (13:25 mark) about meeting his wife at one of his shows, recording the reverb in a grain silo and using audio from farm machinery on an album, living on the farm, getting into music, his father's impact on Del's music, writing from experiences, what folks can expect on his latest album, how it differs fro...

Award-winning chef Noah Hester is staying busy these days as he can be seen on “The Bradshaw Bunch”, he's a brand manager for Bradshaw Bourbon and he helped craft the Bradshaw Ranch Thick N Juicy Burgers. Noah joins us (11:10 mark) as he talks about Bradshaw Bourbon, his favorite drinks, how he got involved with Bradshaw Bourbon, being persistent, hating being called a celebrity chef, how it's dif...

Country artist Jay Allen joins us (8:45 mark) to talk about finding his sound, his mother's battle with Alzheimer's, sharing that story, getting to Nashville, being on The Voice, marrying Kylie Morgan, and more. Plus, Chad Watson joins us (1:25 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about grilling and whiskey. For more on Jay, visit https://www.jayallenofficial.com/ or find him on social media. Don't for...

Country artist/songwriter Madeline Edwards joins us (11:10 mark) to talk about good tequila, her album Crashlanded, nearly using a different artist than Dolly in her hit "Mama, Dolly, Jesus," finding her sound, her biggest musical influences, growing up in California and Texas, a few special performances and more. Plus, chef Alison Settle joins us (1:25 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about grilli...

Country artist/songwriter Rodney Rice joins us (9:15 mark) to talk about his bourbon collection, favorite pours, how he got into music, growing up in West Virginia, ending up in Colorado, cutting his first albums, sharing his experiences through songs, his latest album Rodney Rice, heading on tour and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us (1:25 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about grilling and cra...

Country entertainer Austin Tolliver join us (9:10 mark) to talk about growing up in a football family, leaving sports behind, getting into music, growing up in Louisiana, how a bet in the music studio paid off, being an entertainer, his latest singles, finding his sound and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1:25 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about grilling and pairing it with the right cocktails....

Country artist Cowboy Troy join us (10:30 mark) to talk about good whiskey, working with John Rich’s Redneck Riviera Whiskey, his Hick Hop Kitchen, creating a seasoning, how he got into cooking, getting back into the studio, showing off his creative sides, balancing it all, and more. Plus, cicerone Kevin Patterson joins us (1:30 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about what's going on in the craft be...

Country artist/songwriter Jonathan Hutcherson join us (8:35 mark) to talk about about growing up in Kentucky, his mother's journal entry on his musical talents, going on The Voice, his moderate to severe hearing loss, how that impacts him on stage, his latest singles, getting to Nashville, being able to tour and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1:30 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about warmer wea...

Chris Davisson, of the Davisson Brothers Band, join us (17:35 mark) to talk about their new album Home Is Where the Heart Is (out April 28), what was it like growing up in West Virginia, how they got into music, how their new album came together with songwriting retreats, why the album has a different feel to it than others, where their inspiration comes when writing songs, being on the Opry stage...

Country artist Matt Koziol joins us (9:55 mark) to talk about always wanting to play music since he was young, how his music teachers made a big impact on him, receiving feedback from students, pre-show rituals, having no back-up plans, his journey so far, getting to tour with Whiskey Myers, his latest album and more. Plus, chef Alison Settle joins us (1:30 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about De...

Country singer/entrepreneur Tommy Townsend joins us (9:00 mark) to talk about getting into the (legal) moonshine business, how he found his family's recipe, his family's history with moonshine, meeting Waylon Jennings, getting to work with Waylon, what delayed his Southern Man album, how it finally was released, his career, getting back in the studio and more. Plus, cicerone Kevin Patterson joins...

Country singer/entrepreneur Craig Campbell joins us (13:00 mark) to talk about having fun on social media, what it's like to raise daughters, meeting his wife, how he got to Nashville and ran out of gas, being part of Luke Bryan's band, his early hits, having the record label go under, releasing his new album The Lost Files: Exhibit A, being a business owner, running for city council, what's next...

Country singer/songwriter Frank Ray joins us (7:55 mark) to talk about his drink of choice, when he got into music, growing up in New Mexico & Texas, taking a different career path, music being an outlet, what pushed him to Nashville, looking back on his journey, finding his sound, his latest EP, what's next and more. Plus, Alison Settle joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about far...

Country singer/songwriter Reid Haughton joins us (14:15 mark) to talk about his viral video, wanting to play guitar, getting into singing, how he landed his first gig in Auburn, growing up in a small town, being on tour now, his latest singles Day You Don't & She Is, finding his sound, what's next and more. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to ask th...

The band Illiterate Light, Jeff Gorman & Jake Cochran, joins us (9:00 mark) to talk about their new album Sunburned, being a duo, how they got into music, working on the farm in college, having fun on social media, their writing process, going on tour and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about spring cocktails. For more on the band, visit https://www.illite...

Country artist Chad Bushnell joins us (8:05 mark) to talk about his love of music from an early age, learning to play the guitar at age 3, growing up on a ranch, being part of the rodeo, his latest music, upcoming album Whiskey to Work and more. Plus, chef Alison Settle joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about how to pair soups with booze. For more on Chad, visit https://www.chadbushne...

Country artist Chase Mitchell joins us (10:00 mark) to talk about his wild journey in music,  the importance of his family, his upcoming debut country album, his latest singles, working with Danny Radar, being on tour and more. Plus, Erik Tennyson joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to share some tips on making low ABV cocktails. For more on Chase, visit https://chasemusik.com/ or find him on s...

Country singer and songwriter Colton James join us (11:45 mark) to talk about his new EP America, writing personal songs like Ring on Her Finger, working with Jimmy Nichols and the late Kim Tribble, the Land 4 Heroes Lodge, RedSunset Entertainment, where his love of music came from and more. Plus, Becca Gardner, founder of NKD LDY, joins us (1:45 mark) for tasting notes to talk about non-alcoholic...

Award-winning bluegrass group The Gibson Brothers, Eric and Leigh, join us to talk about their new album The Darkest Hour, how the group formed, what it's like playing with family, how they got into music, winning two IBMA Entertainer of the Year awards, being pranked by Steve Martin, their career and more. Plus, Erik Tennyson joins us for tasting notes to share some tips to making cocktails a lit...

Comedian Billy Wayne Davis joins us to talk about his new comedy special Testify, the best places he's traveled to, the toughest part of being on the road, opening for musicians, being on Conan, how his special came about, filming at the International Church of Cannabis, how true his stories he shares are, his accent and what's in store for 2023. Plus, Mark McLaughlin, co-founder of Old Line Spiri...

Bruce Buffer, entrepreneur, announcer & entertainer, and Umberto Luchini of Wolf Spirit join us to talk about Puncher's Chance Bourbon, how Bruce got involved, Umberto's past success, launching Wolf Spirit Distillery, how Bruce came up with "It's Time" and got into announcing, the name behind the brand, their latest releases and so much more. Plus, Michael Barkin and James Cosma, co-founders o...

Country singer/songwriter Dariann Leigh joins us to talk about her latest single Jackson, growing up in Minnesota, moving to Nashville, whether she still gets to hunt, her Jackson Mini Doc series, her writing style, how she found her voice, picking up the guitar, her guitar collection, whether more new music is coming and what she's hopeful for in 2023. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins...

Americana artist Jarrod Dickenson joins us to talk about his new album Big Talk coming Feb. 3, his favorite whiskies, their home bar, the proper time to wear a hat, being able to travel with his wife, getting her to join him on stage, being able to make new music, how this album compares to his first albums, what else he's hoping for in 2023 and more. Plus, cicerone Kevin Patterson joins us to tal...

Adam Tobin and Zach Gilliam of the American/Jam/Roots Rock band The Runaway Grooms join us to talk about their favorite beers, their cold river plunge, how they all ended up in Colorado, what Jamericana is, their band name, how things have changed since their first album in 2020, being on the road constantly, their upcoming album This Road, their single Jenny, what's next and more. Plus, Cardenxe...