Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

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...

Country duo Everette, Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia, joins us to talk about their favorite drinks, how they became a duo, getting the name Everette, their new album Kings of the Dairy Queen Parking Lot Side B, how they ended up with the single Gonna Be A Problem, making their Grand Ole Opry debut, the reaction to their cover Man of Constant Sorrow, the impact of their wives and family, and more...

Grammy-nominated and multi-instrumentalist artist Hunter Hayes joins us to talk about his favorite drinks, his love of Scotch whisky, learning new instruments, how he's changed musically (or not) over the past decade, his road trip to California, latest singles from Red Sky, sharing this part of his musical journey, what's next and more. Plus, Chaunci King, founder of Royalty Spirits, joins us for...

Dennijo Sitze of the country trio the Flat River Band joins us to talk about playing together as brothers, growing up in a family band, having kids not into music, how the trio came to be, playing with the Gatlin Brothers, their latest album, making music for the front porch, what 2023 has in store and more. Plus, cicerone Kevin Patterson joins us for Tasting Notes to talk about pastry stouts and...

Country artist Austin Snell joins us to talk about his debut single Excuse the Mess, how his parents had to change his name, buying a guitar with his last $400, his adventurous journey to Nashville, ignoring the signs of that journey, finding his voice, writing music and more. Plus, chef Alison Settle joins us for Tasting Notes to talk Friendsgiving and Holiday Parties.

Country artist Grant Gilbert joins us to talk about growing up on a farm in Texas, getting into music, his first gig, the impact Texas Tech had on his career, meeting Josh Abbott, potential collaborations dropping soon, his latest single What's Stopping Us, being in the studio and more. Plus, Drunkwood creator John King joins us for Tasting Notes to talk bourbon barrels and woodworking.

Chart topping and award winning country artist Brett Kissel joins us to talk about the role family has played in his life, getting to travel with his kids, having his own vodka, his favorite drinks, growing up in Canada, his latest single Watch It, the collaboration with 98 Degrees, where his inspiration for a song comes from, being on stage, his next album (or is it albums?), getting back to Nash...

Country artist and songwriter Jordan Rowe joins us to talk about his latest single 5:00 in the Country, growing up in Georgia, the move to Nashville, being a songwriter, song ideas that come in the shower, working with some legends on his album Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy, doing tailgate shows for Luke Combs, being on stage and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us for Tasting Notes to talk bourbo...

Country artist and Claim to Fame runner up Logan Crosby joins us to talk about being on the TV show Claim to Fame, keeping his identity a secret, eating a scorpion, going viral on TikTok for a non-music video, his love of music, when he realized this was the path for him, his "Suits and Boots" attire, his first singles, what's next for him and more. Plus, we give you a preview of our latest Hops &...

Country artist and songwriter Dallas Remington joins us to talk about her new single Steal Your Dad, being in the studio, the response to Uncommon Man, playing in a metal band, how she got into music, moving from Kentucky to Nashville, her biggest goals, her family, her love of Sun Drop and more. Plus, Alison Settle joins us for Tasting Notes to talk tailgate food and drink pairings.

Country duo Southerland joins us as we wrap up Whiskey Weeks 2022 with a few good pours. Chris Rogers and Matt Chase talk about how they became a duo, trying to come up with a name (Palmetto Peaches anyone??), how they come up with songs, writing a song about their significant others, their latest singles, coming together as a duo, their favorite bourbons & craft beers, what's next and more. P...

Country punk artist Manny Blu joins for week three of Whiskey Weeks 2022. He talks about what country punk is, how he got into country music, always being a rule bender, overcoming challenges along the way, growing up in Canada, the move to Nashville, his latest single, making new music and what's next. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us for Tasting Notes to talk about Trying Craft Di...

Country artist Ian Munsick joins for week two of Whiskey Weeks 2022. He talks about being a dad, having his wife as his manager, the role she played in his duet with Cody Johnson (Long Live Cowgirls), growing up in a musical family, giving back to Montana following the floods, his latest single More Than Me, being out on tour, his love of snack foods, what's next for him and more. Plus, Chad Watso...

Country duo Smith & Wesley, brothers Todd and Scott Smith, joins us to kick off Whiskey Weeks 2022 and they take over hosting duties as we experienced some technical difficulties midway through. They also talk about how they came to play together professionally, how they came up with their name, the impact their parents had on them, how they write a song and pick songs for an album, why they h...

Country artist/songwriter Emily Miller joins us to talk about her debut EP They Say, her hobby of gardening, growing up with classical music training, switching to country music, her love of classic country, learning from amazing teachers, and what's next. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us for Tasting Notes to talk the Daisy/Margarita as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

Fergal Scahill of the Ireland-based quartet We Banjo 3 joins us to talk about the group's new album Open the Road, how the sets of brothers get along, blending Irish and Americana styles, playing at Irish American festivals, how he plays the fiddle, being on social media and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us for Tasting Notes to talk the Manhattan as part of our Cocktail 101 series.