Dealing The Mobile Sound

On this episode of Dealing the Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with singer-songwriter Ryan Balthrop, whose music blends island rhythms with ’70s acoustic and Gulf Coast Soul. Ryan tells about his first gig at the Sundowner in 1994, the early days of his band Slow Moses, and coming up in the early years of the Mobile music scene. He shares stories of chasing music to St. John in the Virgin Islands, the unexpected turns that kept him there, and how those years shaped his sound today.  He also opens up about songwriting–leaving open space for interpretation and making a song universal. A moment in Mexico sparks the story behind his new song “Sell Out,” and there’s a live performance of “Blow This Dust Away.”

On this episode of Dealing the Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with singer-songwriter Johnny Hayes.  Johnny traces the moment he first “anted up” in music—from nervously asking to play a few songs during a bar break in Tuscaloosa to landing his first gig (it paid $50). Johnny shares stories from Nashville, writer’s rounds, and a moment when a song didn’t land the way he expected. He also plays “The Rain in Mobile” and reflects on his relationship with the community that has stayed with him through the highs and lows. In a city where the rain comes often, he says, you learn to appreciate the sunshine—and to trust that the hard seasons pass. That balance is what makes Mobile beautiful, and what inspired him to finally write a song about home.

On this episode of Dealing the Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Molly Thomas. Molly talks about gigging in high school in a jazz quartet—learning to improvise and get paid—then moving through orchestra work, folk bands, and rock and roll. She played in one of Mobile’s favorite bands, Slow Moses, before heading to Nashville in search of bigger opportunities. She reflects on how the Mobile music scene has evolved and how her new album, Tumble Home, came together—writing songs with Ken Rose on a porch overlooking Mobile Bay, recording at home, and building lush string arrangements by ear, one instrument at a time. Molly also shares stories of touring with her close friend Todd Snider, who passed away shortly after this conversation was recorded. She performs “Sorry,” and talks about following each song wherever it leads.

On this episode of Dealing the Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with Phil Proctor and Stan Foster — a duo whose music is at the heart of Callaghan’s Irish Social Club. Phil was the first musician to ever play Callaghan’s, starting out solo before years with Dog River Boys, Deluxe Trio, and ultimately Phil and Foster. Stan moved to Mobile in 2005 from Birmingham, where he played in regional favorites Telluride and Rolling in the Hay. Introduced by local musician Ben Jernigan, the two teamed up and have anchored Wednesday nights at Callaghan’s for more than eleven years. Blending bluegrass roots with improvisation and jam-band freedom, Phil and Stan push toward original songs. Phil shares how they built a crowd that came expecting something new, and Stan talks about how being forced into bass solos made him a better musician–he once joined a band before he even owned a bass. In this episode, Phil and Foster debut their new song, “Lounging,” and reflect on how they’ve helped shape the Mobile sound — one Wednesday night at a time.

On this episode of Dealing the Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with singer Emily Stuckey, whose path to the stage took time and courage. Emily shares how she didn’t begin performing until her mid-to-late twenties, held back for years by shyness and a fear of vulnerability. At the time, she was working as a dental hygienist, spending her days cleaning teeth while soulful music played overhead—Etta James and other powerful voices on repeat—lighting something deep inside her. All Emily wanted to do was sing. Music became a refuge during her parents’ divorce, but it took years for her to feel secure in her talent. Emily discusses her new album, If You Only Knew, recorded with her trio The Krickets at SunDrop Sound, and performs “Rain.” She also shares a memorable story about meeting Aerosmith at the Grand Hotel.    

On this episode of Dealing the Sound of Mobile, host Eric Erdman sits down with songwriter Garrett Howell, who first picked up a guitar at 19 after returning home from seminary—a run that lasted about one gig. Years later, Garrett found his way back to music. Raised in Lucedale, Mississippi, Mobile always felt like the natural next step. Garrett recently took a leap of faith, leaving his construction job to pursue touring opportunities that have already taken him to California, opening for The Record Company and on the road with Blues Traveler, including a show at the Ryman Auditorium. Garrett performs “Very Best Friend” on the podcast and talks about writing songs that make listeners feel like they’re right there with him.

On this episode of Dealing  The Mobile Sound, host Eric Erdman sits down with singer Symone French, whose musical story begins early and comes back around in its own time. She won a fourth-grade talent show singing a Destiny’s Child song with her best friend, formed a tiny band called Charmed, and played one birthday party before stepping away from music for nearly 15 years. While working at Mellow Mushroom, she was encouraged by Phil and Foster, who had regular gigs there, to step back onstage. Raised on Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Santana, Lauryn Hill, Tina Marie, Prince — along with country, jazz, gospel, and rap — all of it shaped her sound. In her early 30s, Symone went through major life changes and began writing songs to reflect them, finally finding a place where she could go with the flow.  She also shares the unforgettable moment she opened for Macy Gray and was invited backstage to play her hero’s biggest hit. In the episode, Symone performs “Flow” and “Love’s Still a Losing Game.”    

In the first episode of “Dealing The Mobile Sound,” Abe Partridge talks about starting songwriting in his mid-twenties while pastoring a church, creating music for himself as a way through hard seasons. He shares why mystery matters in art and how painting and songwriting helped him navigate loss of faith and community. Abe performs “I aint sacred no more” and reflects on recording with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth.

Dealing The Mobile Sound is a podcast about the songs and stories behind Mobile music. Hosted by Eric Erdman and recorded around a poker table in the back room at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club, the show brings together local musicians to talk about the music that shaped them — and the city that shaped the music. New episodes drop starting January 19.