It’s little wonder why Grammy Award winning guitarist, vocalist, producer, and band leader Warren Haynes has been hailed by every major publication worldwide. As a solo artist, member of the Allman Brothers Band and leader of the group Gov’t Mule, his accomplishments have been stirring the senses of audiences for better than 40 years.

His new solo album, Million Voices Whisper, is already ranked as one of the best efforts of his career, and it's little wonder why. His passionate performances on each and every track offer a call for unity and optimism that’s sorely needed in this divided world. It expresses the positivity of change and looking forward to the future through a new lens – one that starts within.

At the same time, Haynes hasn’t forgotten the victims of Hurricane Helene, the storm that ravished parts of his native North Carolina. An upcoming fundraiser on 11/24/2024 at Madison Square Garden with Dave Matthews and a list of special guests will raise funds to help those distressed communities in order to find a way forward. Learn more about the Soulshine benefit concert at https://www.soulshinemsg.com

Mr. Haynes spoke with Lee and Billy for this special episode of My Backstage Pass and took the time to answer our fan questions, discuss his new album, the upcoming benefit and his backstory. It’s an exceptional episode that listeners won’t want to miss. Learn more about Warren Haynes at https://warrenhaynes.net

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records in Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

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If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

Grayson Capps is an intuitive songwriter, but on his latest album — his seventh to date — he backtracks to his earliest influences with an affecting set of covers that he became enamored with early on. Titled Heartbreak, Misery & Death, the album finds the Alabama based artist culling classic tracks from the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doc Watson, and Randy Newman while apply his own Southern Gothic verve and vitality that’s become a keynote touchstone of his music over the course of his career. While the title may seem somewhat intimidating, it aptly describes the themes shared in these songs and the inherent emotions that stirred Grayson even in his youth.

Grayson discusses the origin of his inspiration in his chat with Lee and Billy on this current edition of My Backstage Pass. It’s an insightful conversation and one that offers a full explanation of the track Grayson took in formulating his career. In other words, it’s a discussion that’s well worth witnessing. Learn more about Grayson at https://graysoncapps.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records n Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

Reckless Kelly boasts an indomitable career all their own. Led by brothers Willy (vocals/guitar) and Cody Braun (vocals/fiddle/mandolin/harmonica), they’re often referred to as an “alternative country-rock” outfit, but in truth they’re much more than that broad description otherwise implies. The group first formed in Stanley, Idaho in February 1996 and then moved to
Austin, Texas, where they quickly became one of the leading lights of that fabled music scene. The Brauns, who got their start by touring with their dad in his Western swing band, Muzzie Braun and the Boys, also include lead guitarist Casey Pollock, bass guitarist Chris Schelske and drummer Jay Nazz. Of course, anytime a label is put on a particular artist or ensemble, it tends to confine them to a particular genre. Braun offers his own perspective on the ramifications of being typecast in any one particular way. “It’s been interesting to watch the terminology evolve over the course of the last 30 years,” he once told an interviewer. “It seems like the terms have changed to fit the artists, and not so much the other way around. The term ‘country music’ got hijacked to the point that actual country artists are now called ‘Americana,’ as well as bluegrass, folk, and most things that don’t really have a home on commercial radio these days.
The folks at Americana radio have done a great job of keeping the genre rooted in real honest music, and for the most part, they’ve managed to keep the truck - nuts country crowd out of it. We’re psyched to be associated with the Americana title, but if someone asks I usually say we’re a ‘county-rock’ band.” He provides further explanation when he shares his thoughts with Lee and Billy on the new episode of My Backstage Pass. Learn more about Willy and Reckless Kelly at https://recklesskelly.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

Cody Braun is one of the guiding lights in Reckless Kelly, a band long known as one of the beacons of Austin’s much fabled music scene. Along with his brother Willy, he’s played an essential role in the 17 studio albums the band’s released over the course of the past 30 years, all in addition to being an astute producer and multi-instrumentalist as well. It’s little surprise then that the band’s new album, The Last Frontier shows off his skills to the fullest. As always, it’s fueled by earnest intent in the form of fiery rockers and the occasional sobering sentiment. Those attributes came quite naturally considering that he and his brother inherited their genes from musical forebears — specifically their father and grandfather. That family factor seems well in keeping with Reckless Kelly’s musical mantra, which, despite its lengthy history, has always maintained clear consistency.

Lee and Billy have the pleasure of speaking with Cody on this new episode of My Backstage Pass as he shares his personal investment in making music, finding his creative potential and simply doing the things he loves in a family way. Learn more about Cody and Reckless Kelly at https://recklesskelly.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Send us a text

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

Join hosts Billy and Sarah Hubbard for a fun late night hangout with Billy Droze and his manager Donna Sue Roberts for a conversation filled with laughter!

Born in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1986, the 10th of 12 children, Billy Droze grew up in Alabama knowing that music was his life as far back as he can remember. “It’s as if I was inserted with a computer chip that made my life revolve around music.” But the reason is just as likely the influence of his late father, Bob Droze, a dedicated country, gospel, and bluegrass musician who performed into his late 80s. Billy was on stage with his dad by the time he was 4 years old, and spent his childhood singing with him everywhere from churches to bluegrass festivals to honky-tonks, developing a passion for traditional country, gospel, and roots music that has influenced him ever since.

He learned to play guitar when he was 12, and by the time he was 16, Billy’s dad had moved to Texas and he followed him there, spending a year or so playing with his band. Then after rambling around Texas for a while, Billy decided it was time to move to Nashville, where he has lived ever since. Billy steadily expanded his ever-growing fan base. Singing lead for Grammy-winning Shenandoah (using the name Billy Ryan) for several tours.

Though signed by RCA/Sony BMG as an artist shortly after arriving in Nashville, that never developed into what he’d hoped for, Billy then focused on his songwriting while pursuing a solo career. He has also been a staff writer, with publishing deals that resulted in several significant cuts that include “You Never Know” – Darryl Worley, “Free Again” – Shenandoah, “That’s Why I Run” – Billy Yates (#1 in Europe), “Sunday Clothes” – Randy Kohrs,”Big Pain” -Marty Raybon, “Bottle Was a Bible” – Junior Sisk, “Her Memory Again” (#5 Bluegrass Today Chart) – Flatt Lonesome, “Like I Do” – Jamie O’neil, “I Know Better” (#1 Bluegrass Today Chart) – The Grascals, among others.

At only 35 years of age, Billy Droze has acquired the title of “hit songwriter” and has been touring and making music non-stop for more than a decade. Droze was considered for the prestigious 2018 Grammy Awards along with the IBMA and ICMA Awards. Together with bluegrass superstar Rhonda Vincent, he hosted the 2018 ICMA Awards at the historic Grand Ole Opry House. His name is becoming synonymous among Folk, Americana, Country, and Bluegrass listeners alike. Added to his many musical accomplishments, he is now President of RBR Entertainment. Learn more about Billy Droze at https://billydroze.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023 on all major outlets! Learn more abou

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Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

There’s an old saying, “Like father, like son.” Nevertheless, being the child of a famous parent can be a double edged sword. Certain doors may be opened but the expectations can run very high.

That would especially seem the case when it comes to Ralph Stanley II and his famous father, a bluegrass pioneer. Nevertheless, the younger Stanley has proven that he’s well capable of carrying on his dad’s legacy. The elder Stanley groomed his son to carry on from an early age, and now, nearly 30 years after Ralph 2 first began working professionally with his father, he’s not only ascended to the helm of his signature band, The Clinch Mountain Boys, but also assembled a current incarnation of The Clinch Mountain Boys following his father’s passing. Ralph 2 can now claim a host of accolades all on his own, including a Grammy, six solo albums and nine number one singles.

Ralph shared his thoughts about carrying on a tradition while also establishing his own identity when he spoke to Lee and Billy during this episode of My Backstage Pass. The conversation proved both interesting and enlightening. Learn more about Ralph Stanley II and his live show dates at https://ralph2.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Send us a text

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

By any description, Randall Bramblett can claim a varied career. Aside from the fact that he’s released no fewer than 15 solo albums, as a solo artist, he’s also been a much in-demand session player, having worked with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Robbie Robertson, Elvin Bishop, Steve Winwood, Widespread Panic, and any number of others. That’s hardly surprising considering the fact that he’s a multi-instrumentalist who’s adept on keyboards, saxophones, flute, guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.

Bramblett’s career dates back to the early ‘70s when he played a major role in the band Sea Level, a jazzy spin-off from the Allman Brothers Band. In the years since, he’s continued to pursue a decidedly varied array of genres, including rock, jazz, blues and R&B. With his new album, Paradise Breakdown, he shares a similar set of sounds, making it an ideal showcase for his verve and versatility. Learn more about Randall at https://randallbramblett.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's new album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Send us a text

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com

The milestone tenth studio album from folk-blues luminary Ruthie Foster, Mileage finds the singer-songwriter reflecting on a life that’s been full of professional triumphs, courtesy of a musical journey that took a self-described “little Black girl with a guitar” from singing at churches in rural Texas to chalking up multiple Grammy nominations.

With this album in particular, Ruthie shares a collection of songs that was inspired by heartfelt conversations with producer Tyler Bryant and Rebecca Lovell, Bryant’s wife and one-half of the duo Larkin Poe. In that regard, Mileage was borne from a unique and very personal experience, one that found the music emerging organically and in ways that were both real and illuminating. The result is an album flush with creative synergy and symmetry, a snapshot of a career well spent.

Consequently, Mileage also marks for a profound collaboration with the legendary Sun Records, one that allows Ruthie’s narrative to intertwine with the legendary label's rich tapestry of musical history courtesy of a soul-stirring journey through America’s musical heartland. In that regard, it’s more than merely an album — rather, it’s an invitation to take part in a conversation about memories, emotions, and shared humanity. Speaking with Lee and Billy, Ruthie describes the ways in which she was able to dig deep into her own life story and bring to life her dreams, desires and aspirations. With both verve and vulnerability, she shares her story. No matter whether she’s singing blues, gospel, R&B, or rock and roll, on records or in conversation, Ruthie Foster makes it an honor to simply be in her presence. Learn more about Ruthie Foster at http://www.ruthiefoster.com

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a Grammy winning company. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue The Station in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records Oct 2023! Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
Outro credit: Billy Hubbard "Lonesome When I'm With You"
Intro credit: Billy Hubbard "Waitin' On The Wind"

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gains.

Send us a text

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com