Look who it is!

Southern Indiana country artist Hank Ruff joins Look Who It Is to talk about growing up around music, starting out with his dad’s band, and building his own path as an artist.Hank grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, playing mandolin, listening to bluegrass and old-school country, and eventually finding his own sound through 90s country, live shows, and original songs. In this episode, we talk about his early days playing with his dad’s band, writing songs with his dad, his first middle school love song, cutting outside songs like “Whiskey Always Wins,” and what it takes to keep traditional country sounds alive while still moving forward.We also get into his band The Hellbenders, playing across the Midwest, opening on bigger stages, social media, songwriting, and why live performance still drives him. Hank’s story is a good look at what it means to grow up in country music, step out on your own, and build a career without losing where you came from.

Kendall Eugene joins Look Who It Is for a conversation about how he got started in music, the long road through rock bands and worship music, losing everything in 2023, getting discovered by The Voice, and writing songs from real life. We also talk about Nashville writers rounds, building a music career while working a full-time job, and the stories behind songs like “Already Gone” and “Dust Bowl Blues.”

Brooke Lee joins Look Who It Is to talk about the years behind the big moments. From grinding late-night Broadway shifts in Nashville to landing a Chevy campaign that aired during the Olympic opening ceremony, Brooke shares what the outside world doesn’t always see.We also talk about her upcoming EP Desert Darling (out April 17), how the six-song project tells the story of her life from 19 to 25, and what she learned opening for artists like Needtobreathe and Willie Nelson. Brooke breaks down why she refuses to skip steps in this career and how the grind behind the scenes prepares artists for the opportunities that finally come.New listeners should check out:• So Beautiful• Burn to Black• Kill Me With Tequila (feat. Ryan Beaver)Listen to Brooke Lee’s music and follow her on social media to keep up with new releases and tour dates.

In this episode of Look Who It Is, I sit down with Jesse DeGroot, co-founder and guitarist of Beneath The Hollow.We talk about what it really takes to keep a heavy band moving while balancing a full-time job, marriage, kids, touring, and constant writing.Jesse breaks down:• Why he went back and relearned guitar after nearly 20 years of playing• Studying music theory and how it changed his approach• Working with producer Machine and refining their sound• Navigating singer changes and long inactive stretches• Recording, reamping, tone chasing, and why “it’s gotta have some ugly on it”• The reality of being a regional band and loving it anyway• The moment someone sings your lyrics back to youThis is a grounded conversation about discipline, longevity, and making music for the band first with no hype, no shortcuts.Follow Beneath The Hollow:Website: https://www.beneaththehollow.comInstagram: @beneaththehollow

Classical and jazz-trained guitarist Michael Rye shares how he went from Suzuki violin lessons at age five to a lifetime of guitar. We talk about his all-instrumental album If These Hands Could Talk and why he wanted it to be 100% guitar with no vocals, overdubs, or studio tricks. Michael breaks down how he thinks about fingerstyle, session work in a remote-file world, and why reputation and referrals are everything when people need you to deliver fast.He also walks through his upcoming teaching platform, Intuitive Guitar Academy, built like a structured curriculum with beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, plus printable practice materials. We get into practice habits, choosing a first song, how he maintains a large collection of purpose-built guitars, and the real-world gear routines that keep him consistent on stage.

Nashville guitarist and producer Derek Wells breaks down how modern records are really made. We talk demoitis, the creative freedom behind Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion sessions, how Nashville studio work actually functions, and how Derek balances being a guitarist, producer, and A&R executive.This episode dives into session workflows, creative burnout, saying no to the wrong projects, and the small behind-the-scenes moments that end up living forever in a song.

Nashville singer songwriter Camryn Gardner talks going full time in music, the Broadway grind, writer rounds, co writing, and the story behind her song “Stages.” We also cover the reality of promoting and releasing music as an independent artist and what she is working on next.

Max from the Nashville indie rock band Felix Tandem talks about the gravestone origin of the band name, his “Max vs Felix” creative split, and the story behind their new 90s-inspired single “Hey Now” (out Dec 4).We get into his songwriting process, DIY touring, Nashville’s house-show scene, their first single “Shoplifter,” and his thoughts on AI music, Spotify, and making art without chasing the algorithm.If you’re into indie rock, Nashville music, or behind-the-scenes stories from working bands, this episode is loaded.https://felixtandem.com/https://www.instagram.com/felixtandemmusic/

Pop artist and actress Izabela Rose joins the Look Who It Is podcast to talk about her new single Tipsy Truth, how she wrote it with her family, why she calls it a medicine song, and what it means for this new era of her music.We get into growing up with Disney Channel, stepping into life as an independent artist, the pressure of doing it without a label, finding her sound in indie pop, writing for the sad girls and the pop girls, and learning how to promote her own music on social media without being afraid of posting too much.Izabela also shares stories about recording with her dad, working on Wine For Me with Kushion Music and Jase from Soul For Real, her writers camp experience in LA and New York, why she calls her fans friends, representation and curly hair on Disney, and her dream collab with Megan Moroney.Tipsy Truth is out now on all streaming platforms.Follow Izabela Rose:Instagram and TikTok: @iamizabelarose

Echo Pilot joins me to talk about how the band came together in Nashville, how each member found their way into the lineup, and what goes into the collaborative way they write songs. We get into home-studio demos, avoiding demoitis, and what changes when they take the music to a producer for the actual record.They talk favorite songs to play live, the biggest shows they’ve played so far, the chaos of touring, their influences, harmonies, and how the third album is already shaping up. A genuine look at a hard-working rock band doing it the right way.Find them everywhere @EchoPilotMusic

Travis Neal from Fraxures sits down to talk about chasing the dragon, what it took to stay alive in the music industry, and how his approach to writing and recording has changed over the years. He breaks down the new record, the Depeche Mode cover, his vocal style, the band’s in-house video work, and the long fight back from cancer that reshaped everything. This one goes deep into the mindset, the craft, and the grind behind Fraxures.

In this episode I'm talking with legendary songwriter Roger Springer, whose career spans more than three decades in country music. Roger shares his journey from Oklahoma honky-tonks to Nashville hitmaker, writing for artists like Mark Chesnutt, Jake Worthington, and Will Banister.He talks about loyalty, mentorship, and why real country music never truly goes away. From capturing melodies “that come from somewhere else” to helping young artists find their voice, Roger’s insights show exactly what keeps traditional country alive.

Mississippi country artist Dusty Crawford joins Look Who It Is to talk about how an injury ended his chance to play sports and led him to discover music. He shares how his first gig packed out a restaurant, what life’s like raising a son and six-month-old triplets, and his plan to release a new song every month leading up to a summer tour. Real stories, hard work, and a lot of heart from one of Mississippi’s rising voices in country music.

Father Figures is made up of Daniel Martin, George Mhondera, and Jensen Reed. They talk about how their mini label approach gives artists full creative freedom, equal royalties, and a safe space to make authentic music. From studio laughs to serious insight about the industry, this episode shows why Father Figures might be the most genuine team in Nashville right now.

Lawrence Coleman III, better known as LC3, has lived the full spectrum of the musician’s life. From touring the country with bands like Greyscale, Eve to Adam, and Oogee Wawa, to battling addiction, to pivoting into livestreaming during COVID, his story is raw, real, and inspiring.

Ebony Nicole shares her journey from teaching kindergarten to chasing music full-time. We talk about how journaling turned into songwriting, losing songs in a studio fire, recording a live vinyl EP, and her dream of becoming a songwriter for other artists.

Devin Trout has built a career as both a touring and session guitarist based in Nashville. From his first gospel tours at fifteen to playing with artists like John Legend, Sam Smith, Gabby Barrett, Drake White, Breland, and now Chase Matthew, Devin has seen every side of the music world. In this conversation he shares how a Keith Urban DVD first inspired him, what life on the road is really like, the friendships that keep him going, and why Red Rocks is still on his list of dream stages.

In this episode of Look Who It Is, I sit down with Isaac and Ty of Radio Flower, an alt-rock band out of Indianapolis. We talk about how they met in high school, the evolution of their band names, finding their unique sound, the story behind their flower masks, and the balance between writing music and playing live shows. They also share fan stories, their goals for the future, and what’s next for Radio Flower.

In this episode of Look Who It Is, I sit down with Caleb from the North Carolina folk Americanagrass band His & Hers. We talk about the journey he and his wife Sara have taken since starting the band in 2013, their latest live album Primavera Roadhouse, Volume 1, and what it’s like playing stages from Merlefest to the Ramkat. Caleb shares stories from the road, what makes certain venues feel like home, and how music and family fit together in their lives.

Texas country artist Matt Castillo joins me to talk about his journey in music. From picking up his first guitar and printing out Garth Brooks tabs, to building his band and chasing songs in Nashville, Matt shares the highs and lows of life in country music. We get into performing, songwriting, the grind of the road, and what success really means. This one’s full of grit, honesty, and inspiration from an artist who refuses to give up.

Bluegrass artist Amanda Cook joins me to talk about her journey from playing with her dad’s band to leading her own powerhouse group. We get into what it was like making her Grand Ole Opry debut, how an obscure cover became her first #1 hit, the wild energy of festivals from Wisconsin to Australia, and the challenges of being a female artist in a male-dominated genre. Amanda also shares the moment on stage that reminded her why she does it all.

Lyal Strickland joins me from his farm in the Ozarks where he balances raising cattle, family life, and a music career that’s gearing up for a 42–state tour. We talk about his years on the road, the personal loss that pulled him away from music, and what brought him back with a powerful new live album. Lyal shares why honesty drives his songwriting, how he sees the state of country and Americana today, and what it takes to cut through the noise in a world flooded with new music.

Texas country singer-songwriter Charlie McCabe joins me to talk about his journey from picking up a guitar during the pandemic to performing at iconic venues like Floore’s. We dive into his storytelling approach to songwriting, the value of co-writing, and the highs and lows of being an independent artist. Charlie shares favorite songs like Hard to Quit, his goals for the future, and why the recording process is one of his favorite parts of the job.

Country artist Jake Binegar joins me to talk about his journey from learning guitar on his grandpa’s instrument to building a music career rooted in his small-town life. We cover his songwriting process, the story behind his heartfelt new single “Grass,” crazy road gig tales, balancing music with family, and his push to hit 10,000 monthly Spotify listeners.

Country artist Mikele Buck doesn’t fake a thing, no tracks, no autotune, no chasing trends. In this laid-back and unfiltered conversation, he shares his story, songwriting process, and why he’s chosen the hard road over the Nashville game. HrMFyCnOKcibhoRlTt8z

Join Dane as he chats with Coty Whitt from Small Steps about their unexpected rise in the punk scene, balancing full-time jobs with band life, and the thrill of playing iconic venues. Discover how this Kentucky-based band is reviving punk rock, their creative songwriting process, and the camaraderie that fuels their music. Whether you're a music enthusiast or just curious about the indie band journey, this episode offers a candid look into the life of passionate musicians. Tune in for stories of tours, inspirations, and the joy of making music for the love of it.

Independent country artist Jason McPhail joins us to share his journey from Oklahoma to Nashville. We talk about navigating the competitive music scene, landing sponsorships, collaborating on songwriting, and the challenges of balancing life as a performer and songwriter. Jason opens up about the realities of Broadway gigs, using social media to grow as an artist, and his plans for new music and touring.

In this engaging episode, join Dane as he sits down with the talented band Dear Iris. Discover their journey from playing spontaneous gigs at local dive bars to dreaming of headlining iconic venues like Billy Bob's. The band shares insights into their creative process, the inspiration behind their music, and the stories that shaped their debut album. Tune in for a candid conversation about the challenges and triumphs of making music in East Texas, and how they plan to keep their momentum going with new singles on the horizon.

Join Kyle as he takes you on a journey through the world of rock and roll, sharing stories from the stage, insights into the music industry, and his passion for 3D printing. Whether you're a music enthusiast or just curious about the creative process, tune in for engaging conversations and behind-the-scenes tales.

In this episode, podcaster Dane sits down with Jake from the band Chinese Jailbreak to explore the band's 15-year journey in the music scene. Jake shares stories of their early gigs, the evolution of their sound, and the camaraderie that has kept the band together. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with laughter, insights, and a behind-the-scenes look at life in a rock band.HrMFyCnOKcibhoRlTt8z

Join us on the Look Who It Is podcast as we dive into the musical journey of John, a passionate guitarist who started his love for music on a front porch with his dad. From learning his first chords to playing in bands, John shares his experiences, influences, and the evolution of his musical taste. Discover how classic rock, thrash metal, and even country have shaped his unique style. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, John's story is sure to inspire. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation filled with personal anecdotes and musical insights.