Stephanie Rabus

When Stephanie Rabus sits behind a microphone, magic happens. The Nashville country artist brings a rare authenticity to her music that cuts through the noise of formulaic radio hits. On this episode, Stephanie takes us behind the curtain of her musical journey, revealing the bittersweet path that shaped both her sound and her soul.  Stephanie's story begins with family—specifically, joining her father's band "40 South" at age 21, where she injected contemporary hits into their oldies repertoire. This early experience planted seeds for her versatile musical approach that refuses to be boxed into just one sound. "I wanted to incorporate a little bit of all my influences," she explains, discussing her album "My Time Now" which seamlessly blends country, pop, blues, and rock elements while maintaining a cohesive heart.What makes Stephanie's music stand apart is its emotional depth. Her latest single "Pray You Down" emerged after profound personal losses—a close friend and band member, followed by her boyfriend's mother. The raw vulnerability in her performance transforms grief into something universally healing. "I know everyone can relate to just wishing they could talk to that person again," she shares, highlighting how music bridges our deepest human experiences.The conversation ventures into the realities of navigating music as an independent artist—the creative freedom balanced against financial challenges. Stephanie candidly discusses her collaborations with producers Justine Blazer and Brandon Heneger, opening for established artists like Lee Brice, and how childhood struggles with self-image and health issues ultimately strengthened her connection to music. "When I got to sing in school, people started complimenting me... it felt like there's something good here, something I can be confident in."Stephanie's father emerges as her unsung hero, championing her talent and handling behind-the-scenes work without compensation. His unwavering belief reflects what makes Stephanie's musical journey so compelling—authenticity always finds its audience. Whether you're a longtime country fan or just discovering her music, Stephanie Rabus delivers songs that feel like conversations with an old friend who truly understands your heart.Episode LinksStephanie Rabus: https://stephanierabus.net/Send us Fan MailSupport the showLinksJay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/ContactContact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/SocialsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServicesServices: https://jayfranze.com/services/BooksBooks: https://jayfranze.com/books/MerchandiseMerchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/SupportSupport: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout OutsHigh Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives