Jim Reilly's Words and Music Podcast

Join me for a conversation with Peter Case on his new live album, the power of capturing a moment, and why authenticity matters more than ever. From punk clubs to solo stages, this is a deep dive into music, storytelling, and the long road of a true artist.

In this episode, bassist Tom Kennedy shares the story behind his new album The Summit, how it came together, what he was chasing, and why he’s leaning back into a more jazz-driven sound. It’s a laid-back conversation about writing, recording, touring, and the kind of musical chemistry where you just know where the other person is going, even when you’re not in the same room.

The story behind all the writing I've done and these podcasts is creativity and how that creativity lives in the world. No one embodies the creative impulse better than Ned Steinberger and Patrick Sankuer. Patrick and Ned have collaborated on the latest project from NS Design: the FIN guitars and basses. The FINs are the culmination of Ned's vision, which began nearly 50 years ago. His and...

What do you do after being one of the most important and influential bass guitar luthiers for over 40 years? You retire and start a new business building acoustic guitars, of course. Join me as I talk with the one and only Stuart Spector about inspiration, innovation, and the never-ending quest to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. If you’re looking for inspiration, you need look no further...

Inspirational, innovative, creative, bassist Mohini Dey Hartsuch is at the top of her game. She’s gone from being a child prodigy in India to one of the most in-demand players in the world. Her own music breaks down boundaries and barriers and mixes rock, prog, funk, jazz, and world music. With others, there really are no boundaries tohow she can serve the music. It didn’t come easy, though. Mohin...

Texas guitarist and bassist Nick Cañas has done everything right. He's got killer chops, and through thoughtfully produced and engaging online content creation, he has masterfully caught the eyes and ears of progressive music fans, gear enthusiasts, and the businesses whose gear he uses. It's the blueprint for staying creative in today's ever-changing musical landscape. Join us as we d...

Join me as I finally managed to nail down Joey Lauricella at the 2024 NAMM show for the rest of the Fodera Guitars story. Feel free to go back and listen to my episode with Vinny Fodera first, although that's not mandatory. Joey and Vinny have been making some of the world's most respected and influential instruments for over 40 years now. After talking with Vinny, I thought the secret to...

Jon Liebman is one of the bass world's foremost bass educators, authors, content creators, and an outstanding player in his own right. After publishing over 800 interviews with a who's who of the music elite, it was time to point the microphone and share his story. And what a story! From growing up with a backstage pass to the birth of rock and roll radio, to a very impressive education an...

New York musician and producer Jeremy Nesse is a true innovator. He has the rare ability to hear beyond the box and is drawn to making music that engages and challenges the listener to venture outside the box with him. He's currently involved in two projects that are gathering some pretty significant attention: Tilted Axes, a performance ensemble that has become a fixture on the streets of New...

For over forty years, Fodera basses have set the standard for hand-crafted custom instruments. Some of the finest musicians on the planet play Fodera instruments. Vinny Fodera's story goes back to the very beginning of the custom guitar builders' movement. It started by connecting a player's vision with that of an artist, and those relationships continue to form and inform Fodera as th...

Sometimes the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Talking with Devon was fun for all kinds of reasons. Not the least of which was that he was genuinely interested in me and my work and would often turn the questions back on me. This little extra bit is one of those times. The ideas that came out resonated throughout the full interview, though, and were too good not to share. (For the record, when...

Devon Smullen has been making beautiful basses for over 30 years. These days, he's pushing the boundaries of bass form and function even further. Join us as we talk about instrument design, inspiration, process, and the motivation that drives it all.

Join me for this debut episode as I talk music, writing, and inspiration with Chapman Stick player/author Michael Kollwitz. Mike has been there since The Stick's beginning. He's a natural storyteller and shares his incredible behind-the-scenes insights of learning from the master himself, Emmett Chapman, the birth of a community, and sheds light on what has kept him on his musical path for...

My name is Jim Reilly, and welcome to my podcast. Over the past 20-plus years, I’ve spent countless hours talking with musicians, craftsmen, luthiers, and artists, sharing their stories and trying to find out what makes them tick. All that has resulted in three major book projects, as well as numerous magazine articles, radio features, and promotional writing projects.   This podcast is a chance f...