Michael Cleveland and Gabe Lee

07/09/19 • 83 min

Humanity and America, new music, and a movie with multi-award winning fiddle player Michael Cleveland and folk artist Gabe Lee. Gabe shares some insight into his latest release, Farmland. Then Michael shares his thoughts on music, his life, and bluegrass. Songwriter and picker Gabe Lee is a Nashville native and first-generation American. Drawing inspirations from John Prine, Wilco, Old Crow Medicine Show, Americana, and Bluegrass it was only a matter of time this classical pianist changed his musical destiny. Farmland is a look into America in its current state and makes you evaluate your thoughts its current state. Follow Gabe @gabeleetn for everything and updates. Michael Cleveland is one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation. A major player in the world of bluegrass, Michael has won the IBMA fiddle player of the year 11 times. His list of guest apperances over the years is a who’s who of bluegrass legends including Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, and J.D. Crowe. Today Mike is a sought-after guest and has performed with Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, The Mark Newton Band, J.D. Crowe and the New South, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Melvin Goins and Windy Mountain and The Wildwood Valley Boys. Mike walks me through his life as we talk about his movie, Truly living an inspiring life with the challenges of alcoholism, blindness, and deafness. Michael is a powerful musical artist and an inspiring human being. Be on the lookout for his newest record set to release in August, Tall Fiddler and visit for tour dates, the movie, and music. Also follow Mike and the band @mcflamekeeper.

Previous Episode

Kassi Ashton and Ivory Layne

New music, a preview, and getting to know Ivory Layne and Kassi Ashton. Ivory Layne, one of Justin Timberlake's artist's under Villa 40 just released "Cookie Cutter" and Kassi Ashton takes us back to California...Missouri. Look out for the full episode of Ivory Layne in a couple of weeks and stream all their music where ever it's the coolest. Layne started songwriting at age six but didn't take serious interest until turning fourteen. She taught herself music production, working from her bedroom and posting demos online. In 2011, her work caught the attention of Grammy award-winning producer, Ed Cash. The two wrote, produced, and released her first EP, Volume One, in 2013. Shortly after, Layne moved from her hometown of Denver, NC, to Nashville, TN, to further her artist career. "Cookie Cutter" is Ivory's latest release but in the conversation, we get a spoon full of her quick whit and personality. Download "Cookie Cutter" and all her past releases anywhere and visit for everything including tour dates. Follow her @ivorylayne. Swagger and vibe all day with Kassi Ashton. I've known and listened to her music but we get to know Kassi and her music in this conversation. Growing up "unconventionally" in a Missouri town left Ashton to her art. From fashion to music, creating is more than just a hobby or a job. Then working at Hooters to going to school in a conservative school for music, Kassi wins her showcase to eventually become the artist we know today. From Keith Urban's "Drop Top" to her own music with writers like Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and others creating with her. It's a breath of Nashville bubble fresh air. New music is out now and she continues to release new music just about every couple of months. Her latest release, "Field Party" is out now and you can visit for her merch, news, and everything else. Follow her @kassiashton.

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Justin Osborne of Susto and Casey Brown

Weird highway moments, rescheduling, and producing with Justin Osborne of Susto and writer/producer Casey Brown. Justin popped in after releasing Ever Since I Lost My Mind to talk about the record and current life. Then writer/producer Casey Brown talks life after school producing for Russel Dickerson, Laura Story, Megan & Liz, Secret Nation, and more. Justin Osborne is the frontman of Susto. The name Susto describes an intense fear understood as a condition of the soul––an ongoing, spiritual panic attack. As Justin and I dive into his latest project, Ever Since I Lost I Mind, it's apparent susto is not just a name but an identity to the music. We talk highway finds, songwriting and his uniqueness in songwriting, and talk through some of our favorite tracks. Follow everything about Susto at and follow him @sustoisreal. Casey Brown is one of the newest signees to Nashville based publishing company Creative Nation. Rightly so especially after the massive success of Russell Dickerson's no. 1 "Yours" that Casey co-wrote and produced. Casey co-wrote seven additional tracks on Russell's record. Then, Brown flexed different muscles and produced the entire record. His wins aren’t limited to his career-launching work with Dickerson: Megan+Liz, Building 429, Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli, Finding Favour, Tauren Wells, and many more artists spanning multiple genres have recorded Brown’s thoughtfully crafted songs. Casey takes us from life from Connecticut and Texas to finding his flavor of musical tastes in college in Nashville, TN. Making friends and long-lasting connections in school. He admits that you get what you put into school, but it's outside of class that really matters. We talk producing records, working with artists, and finding your steps in life. Follow Casey Brown @thecaseybrown.