Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Christian Hayes grew up surrounded by southern storytelling. We chat with Christian about his debut EP Last I Love You, how he got the nickname Lullaby Kid, growing up in a musical family, writing 900 songs before heading to Nashville, hitting the stage at Americanfest and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Hard Truth High Road Rye

10/10/24 • 42:08

We love our conversations, but sometimes you've got to go "Beyond The Bar" for a little more insight into a song and artist. We kick it all off with Allie Colleen as she shares on of her favorite songs "The Otherside", how the co-write with Carter Winter came to be and how excitied she is to go on tour with Jelly Roll.

10/7/24 • 10:19

Noah West, is a name familiar in Nashville’s publishing houses and writing rooms. Hailing from Beckley, WV, Noah has carved his path in the industry with a distinctive voice, clever lyrics, and an undeniable passion for storytelling throughout his music. We chat with Noah about his latest single "If It Was Easy", what led him to songwriting, growing up in West Virginia, getting his first song cut by an artist, what's next and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Yellowstone 2024 Limited Edition Bourbon

10/2/24 • 53:29

The Talbott Brothers, hailing from the heartland of Imperial, Nebraska, embody the heart and soul of country and Americana with their blue-collar grit and unapologetic authenticity. We chat with brothers Nick and Ty Talbott about their new single Kerosene, their upcoming album Borderlands, going back to Nebraska, buying a Craiglist van, making their Americanafest debut and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: Buzzard's Roost American Whiskey

9/25/24 • 57:13

Born into a military family, country artist Matt Oakley spent the first few years of his life moving up and down the East Coast, before heading to college in South Carolina where he started making music. He credits his passion for country music to his military upbringing and mother’s slow and simple way of living. We chat with Matt about his latest single "Soldier's Son", growing up in a musical family, how he got started playing country music, his approach to writing songs, performing at military benefits, his single "Can't Take the Dogs", what's next and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: 15 STARS First West Bourbon

9/18/24 • 40:06

Since his debut as a solo artist, Nate Haller has firmly established himself as one of  Canadian country’s premier talents, bringing his unmatched vocals and energetic live show to some of the biggest stages. We chat with Nate about his latest singles "Race to the Bottom" and "Drive", how he got into performing, playing guitar in bands first, what pushed hime to go out on his own, building a mobile bar for the "Somewhere to Drink" video, if more music is coming and what's next.Jonathan's Drinking: Woodinville 8YR Whiskey

9/11/24 • 39:55

Owen Riegling is the kind of artist so down to earth his boots are always dirty. He’s a small-town kid with his roots firmly planted in the songs he sings. There’s something organic about the way Owen does what he does. We chat with Owen about his latest single "Church", being nominated for four CCMA awards, including Male Artist and Entertainer of the Year, writing his first song at age 10, where he got his first guitar and so much more!Jonathan's Drinking: Blue Note Crossroads

9/4/24 • 30:15

Chart-topping, tour de force JJ Wilde has been on an incredible journey since the release of her debut album Ruthless in 2020. With over 36 million global streams and prominent playlist placement on digital platforms, Wilde continues to captivate a diverse global audience, consistently establishing herself as a dominant voice in the rock music scene. We chat with JJ about her upcoming album Vices, travelling across the country, moving to Nashville how she got into music, how things changed when she released The Rush, winning Rock Album of the Year, and so much more.Jonathan's Drinking: George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond 12YR Spring 2011

8/28/24 • 36:39

Country-soul troubadour Drake White has a new album, Low Country High Road, out September 20. The new project finds White digging deep into his creative bag. We chat with Drake about the album, what music he grew up on, what it's like to be a dad, how he met his wife, sharing those family moments with the world, his road back from a stroke, and so much more. Plus, Drake talks about being able to blend his own whiskey.Jonathan's Drinking: Lawrenceburg Bourbon Co Breakfast Bourbon Batch 1

8/21/24 • 48:16

We have a short convo with Holly Doscher of Danny Wimmer Presents, who is behind Bourbon & Beyond and Louder than Life in Louisville. Holly talks about how Bourbon & Beyond added two more stages and 50 more artists,  their culinary and spirits lineup, several fun giveaways happening on their socials, and how they expect this to be the biggest event yet.

8/16/24 • 13:19

Having grown up in Mannford, Oklahoma, Jake Banfield is intimately familiar with country music. Along the way, he discovered a love for basketball, with every intention of pursuing the sport as a career. However, life took an unexpected turn, and with the help of social media and a guitar bought from a pawn shop, Jake found his way into music. We chat with Jake about his latest song "Cadillac Coupe", be so open about mental health, how he got into music, his songwriting style, being on stage, what's next and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Penelope Rio

8/14/24 • 43:04

Raised in Northern Virginia, Connor Daly grew up playing sports and music. Now at 25, with more than 100 songs in his catalog, he continues to develop his craft with the release of his album "Colors Fade." We chat with Connor about the new album, what folks can expect, making the music video for "Ain't Got A Cape," moving to Nashville full-time, how he learned he could sing, how he got into songwriting, what's next for him and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Daviess County Medium Toasted Barrel Bourbon

7/31/24 • 38:16

Hailing from Nashville and living in Las Vegas, rising country artist Cali Tucker has been hitting full throttle throughout her career. Cali represents the best of both Nashville and Vegas, which has earned her the title of “Miss NashVegas.” We chat with her about her new single Country Couture, growing up in a musical family, finding her own sound, heading to Las Vegas, her time on The Voice,  what's next for her and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon

7/24/24 • 45:22

These two Bullitt County, KY, natives have been busy racing from one stage to another via planes, trains, vans, and tour buses…rolling through all four corners of the US, singing through jet lag touring Europe, and playing the Grand Ole Opry 11 times. We chat with Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia, better known as Everette, about their new EP Keys to Kentucky which is out now, how they approached this EP differently, the fun they had making the music video for Picnic Table, writing songs with their friends and more.Jonathan's Drinking: High N' Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

7/17/24 • 56:22

Since 2007, Yacht Rock Revue has steered audiences through a melodic voyage of classic hits, founded in Atlanta, GA. The 10-piece ensemble, including Nicholas Niespodziani, Peter Olson, Greg Lee, Mark Dannells, Mark Bencuya, David B. Freeman, Keisha Jackson, Kourtney Jackson, Jason Nackers, and Ganesh Giri Jaya, infuse their unique styles with the iconic yacht rock vibe. We chat with Nick about how the ensemble got started, where their name came from, how many songs they know, how they've helped other groups get back together, creating their own original songs and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Penelope RioBrandon's Drinking: Red Wine

7/10/24 • 47:15

A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Josh Merritt is an artist steeped in Heartland culture. We chat with Josh about his latest album '206', where the album title came from, growing up in a musical family, balancing family life, growing up in Kentucky, sharing personal experiences in his songwriting, what else folks can expect from him this year and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Bradshaw Bourbon

7/2/24 • 51:04

The Nashville-based alternative country band The Midnight Revival recently released their debut self-titled album. The band is led by duo guitarist Chris Bragg and vocalist Adam Sizemore and we chat with them about the album, how the group came to be, why the name, how they got into music, what folks can expect from them this year and more.Jonathan’s Drinking: 15 STARS First West Rye Batch 2

6/18/24 • 40:27

Americana artist Judd Warrick recently releaseed his debut album Brokenland — a project filled with stories of trials, tribulations, and triumphs that have molded the singer-songwriter like clay. We chat with Judd on the album, growing up in a musical family, playing the drums first, living in Utah, push music to the backseat for a while, what pushed him to the studio finally and more.Jonathan's Drinking: Never Say Die Rye Whiskey

6/12/24 • 40:41

A native of Warner Robins, Georgia, singer/songwriter and Mercury Nashville recording artist Travis Denning recently released his debut album Roads That Go Nowhere. We chat with Travis about the album, releasing several EPs first, his journey to Nashville, having fun on social media, being on stage, going on tour with Hardy and more.Jonathan's 🥃: Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Rum Cask

6/5/24 • 42:22

Originally from Minneapolis, Alannah McCready's journey to music took her through various paths, including a successful career in athletics and a stint in publicity in New York. However, her undeniable passion for music ultimately led her to Nashville. We chat with Alannah about her latest single Easy, growing up playing hockey and singing, what pushed her to Nashville, her journey in the industry, and much more.Jonathan's Drink: Ten Day High Rye Bourbon

5/29/24 • 37:11

The six-piece group Southall brings together the talents of Read Southall, Reid Barber, Jeremee Knipp, Braxton Curliss, John Tyler Perry and Ryan Wellman. We chat with Read and Reid about how the band came together, their name change to Southall, their latest album Southall, their journey, bucket list places to play, what's next and more.Jonathan's Drink: Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish

5/22/24 • 55:33

Gangstagrass harmonizes the unwavering array of skills from Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), and Dolio the Sleuth (MC, Vocals), in addition to featuring Dan “Danjo” Whitener (Banjo, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Vocals), among other brilliant instrumentalists. With roots across the country, the ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats. We chat with Rench, Dolio, R-SON and Sleevs about how Gangstagrass came to be, how everyone joined the group, their new album Blackest Thing on the Menu dropping June 14, what folks can expect on the album, seeing a live show and so much more. 

5/16/24 • 53:19

Country artist and songwriter George Ducas is set to release a new album, Long Way From Home, on June 21. We chat with George about his favorite drink, writing a song "Women and Whiskey" at age 12, growing up in Texas and California, getting to Nashville, co-writing "Just Call Me Lonesome", taking a different career path, his songwriting process, getting back in the studio, going on tour and more.

5/8/24 • 58:23

Bryce Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of country music and continue the legacy of legends prior. Bryce was born and raised in Woodstock, GA, and his passion for music began at an early age. He competed on the NBC hit television show The Voice and was crowned the Season 22 winner in December of 2022. Bryce talks about growing up working on his grandpa's farm, how he got into country music, forming a band while at George Southern, going on The Voice, his single "The One My Daddy Found," writting more than 80 songs for his next project, his Neon Does tour, what's next and more. 

5/1/24 • 35:56

We chat with American folk legend Jim Kweskin about his latest album Never Too Late: Duets With My Friends, which features a collection of 18 recordings and storied collaborations with some of his favorite female musicians. The new album stands as a testament to the generation and genre-spanning brilliance that has defined Kweskin's illustrious career for the past six decades.

4/20/24 • 15:27

Nice Horse is a wild, fresh, and fierce pair that has established themselves as one of the most buzzed-about acts in the Canadian music industry. The duo, made up of Katie Rox (vocals/banjo/acoustic guitar) and Brandi Sidoryk (vocals/bass), has garnered significant accolades, including two Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA) wins, eight CCMA nominations, and ten Country Music Alberta Awards. They talk about their new album dropping April 19, how they were friends before the group, how Nice Horse came to be, their name, growing up in Alberta, learning to play instruments and so much more!

4/17/24 • 40:47

Discover the captivating sound of Nashville recording artist Jake Bush, a true purveyor of traditional, rug-cutting country music. Tailor-made for the dedicated honky-tonk crowd, Jake Bush has emerged as an authentic craftsman of country music, with crowd-pleasing melodies seamlessly blending the nostalgic essence of ‘90s country with the vibrant spirit of modern country. Jake talks about how he got into music, his journey in the business, how things changed when "Gravity & You" hit the top of the Texas charts, his lastest single "God and Good News", what else is happening in 2024 and more.

4/10/24 • 33:04

Koe Wetzel might just be the last real rebel out there. The Platinum-selling East Texas-born singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer shakes up the status quo, shatters expectations and sticks to his guns with a sound steeped in country storytelling, yet spiked with grunge grit. He’s unapologetic, undeniable and unlike anyone else you’ve ever heard.

4/3/24 • 31:11

Southern-Rock influenced country may seem contradictory in the Great White North, but that's where Devin Cooper hangs his wide-brimmed hat. Kicking off 2024, Cooper was nominated for 5x Country Music Alberta Awards, released his country-rock love anthem “She’s My Religion”, with a highly anticipated album coming later in 2024.

3/28/24 • 36:56

By the age of 16, Dalton Dover had picked up a guitar and started teaching himself to play, yet it was his grandfather who turned him on to country music and artists such as Keith Whitley, Rhett Akins, Joe Diffie and Steve Wariner. We chat with Dalton about his grandfather, growing up in small town Georgia, going on The Voice, getting to play the Opry, travelling, releasing Take Me Home: The Covers, what else is coming in 2024 and so much more.

3/21/24 • 37:09