The Real MP3s

If you’re married to a touring musician, I have a question for you:How do you do it?!Because based on one particular night while my husband was out on tour… I’m not entirely convinced I’m cut out for this lifestyle.I’m sharing the story of the night my alarm system started going off while I was home alone and I was absolutely convinced someone was breaking into the house.What I thought was happening and what was actually happening were two very different things.Let’s just say my cat played a very dramatic role in the chaos.

A Zoom interview with Amy Lee... but make it cozy.We’re talking a hiking injury in Nashville, a boot, stuffed animals, and a conversation that felt way more like FaceTime than a formal interview.It was soft. It was wholesome. It was not what I expected… and I loved every second of it.

Free stuff sounds great… until you’re offered a dragon tattoo, paid in chicken wings you didn’t ask for, and accidentally taken out by a THC cookie. In this episode, I talk about the weird, random, and sometimes questionable “perks” that come with my job... including things I’m very glad I said no to. Consider this a reminder that just because something’s free doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

This week’s guest: Alex WeedenAlex is one of those musicians who makes you realize just how small (and wild) the music world really is. We go way back decades, from his early days playing for Miranda Lambert to now touring massive arenas with Parker McCollum. We swap memories, embarrassing nicknames, and stories that casually include Dave Grohl being cool, an awkward moment in front of Reese Witherspoon, and an unreal Paul McCartney encounter. This episode is a full-circle moment.

In this episode, I talk about two artists I’d love to sit down with for very different reasons. What I didn’t know while recording was that one of those wishes was about to come true. This is your reminder to knock on wood before you say anything out loud.

This episode is a reminder that doing the work and being a good person still matters. I talk about my conversation with Lee Jennings from The Funeral Portrait... someone who truly embodies patience, hustle, and heart. We covered everything from music influences to Buc-ee’s, and it turned into one of those conversations that sticks with you.

Apparently “working in radio” means I personally control all concert tickets… again. In Part 2, I dive into the unhinged requests and awkward messages I get asking for free tickets. I didn’t plan on getting this fired up, but here we are. Consider this a public service announcement.

I’ve been thinking a lot about how many people say “I want to start a podcast”… and then never do. In this episode, I talk about why I finally started The Real MP3s, how it came together, and the insecurities I still battle every time I hit publish. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this might be it. Start the damn podcast.

If Part 1 was about nostalgia, Part 2 is about whiplash... in the best possible way. One of these shows made me feel everything at once, and the others made me question my hearing (worth it). New year, same obsession.

I wasn’t planning on releasing an episode this week, but once I started thinking about the concerts that defined my 2025, I couldn’t stop. In part one of my Top 5 concerts of the year, I’m talking about wildly different shows that all left a mark, from intimate, emotional moments to full-blown legendary performances. Merry Christmas!!

A solo night seeing Andrew McMahon turned unexpectedly magical. After signing every petition available (including the sea turtles... you’re welcome, ocean) and making a few donations, I somehow landed backstage with another passionate fan. The perfect follow-up to last week’s listener story.

This week, I’m sharing a listener’s powerful story about how Jack’s Mannequin helped pull her out of depression, and the full-circle moment she had when she finally met Andrew McMahon. She even sent in a poem she wrote. It’s raw, honest, and pretty freakin' beautiful.

This interview with Wes Scantlin lives rent-free in my brain… mostly because nothing went right. He spent ten minutes trying to remember a song, didn’t know what year Come Clean came out, and a dog barked the entire time. Let’s relive it, shall we?

Midwestern Thanksgiving vs. Southern Thanksgiving: who wins? I'm diving into the foods, the culture shocks, the family traditions, and the hotdish crash course… Fourteen years in Tennessee and the "you guys" streak continues.

Remember that one in-studio interview with Seether, masked up and fully sanitized? Here's a peek of what it was like in the world of radio during Covid. No, you can't win concert tickets, but... here's a free pizza?

In this episode, I share a story I never thought would see the light of day. Let’s just say professionalism took a backseat at a music festival when I mixed up Nothing More and Whitechapel. I was ready for poetic lyrics… and got guttural screams instead. Oops.

I’m not mad... I’m just burned. From awkward call-ins to questionable shoutout requests, I’m sharing the stories that prove radio is way weirder than it sounds. I'm keeping it real, and maybe a little petty.

Just in time for Halloween, I finally meet the king of shock rock himself, Alice Cooper. From his killer (literally) marriage advice to a surprise chokehold and my weird snake phobia, this one’s a graveyard smash.

I was just looking for an interview moment… instead, I got marriage advice from Alice freakin’ Cooper. This Halloween, hear how he dropped some shockingly good love lessons and proved that even rock’s wildest legends have a soft spot.

This isn’t a paranormal podcast...but it is October, and apparently, Nashville’s music scene has some unexpected “guests.” From historic venues to music offices with haunted reputations, these stories might make you leave the stage lights on.

The best concert I’ve ever seen wasn’t on the calendar. My Halloween plans tanked, and suddenly I found myself at The Hives instead. What happened next? Let’s just say no show has ever topped it.

Some artists leave you with a photo. Ashley McBryde left me with a hair-pulling incident, a “tattooed lady” moment, and proof she’s as badass offstage as on.

Witty, unpredictable, and just a little unhinged: Barns Courtney is the kind of interview you never forget. From calling my friend a “sultry man muffin” to sharing his life hack for dodging speeding tickets, even playing a concert on crutches couldn’t slow him down. Oh, and our photo? Let’s just say “limp fish handshake” energy.

What happens when you try to impress Nicole Kidman… and it backfires? In this listener story, a birthday mix-up, an awkward Tom Cruise comment, and one surprising cheek kiss make for the kind of encounter you never live down.

Part 2 of Opry Life pulls back the curtain on music legends, unexpected encounters, and stories that are too good to make up. Plus, a former coworker that you may even recognise. Backstage at the Opry isn’t always glamorous… but it’s always memorable.

A**hole tourists, unsolicited ghost stories, and what was there before Ole Red. Welcome to Opry Life, Part 1.

Mama Kaye joins me again for a trip back to the ’90s, when toddler-me might have insulted Billy Ray Cyrus right to his face… but luckily, my pacifier saved me. From Trace Adkins to Diamond Rio, we’re talking about the ’90s country artists who made a big impression in the best way.

This week, my very first guest joins me, and she’s the only person I know who might have more stories than I do. Mama Kaye is here, and she’s probably on Garth Brooks’ wall of fame at this point. We’re talking music, memories, and of course, the story behind those dozen yellow roses.

What do you get when you mix Tommy Lee, a mile-long list of banned questions, and my neck turning fire-engine red mid-interview? A damn near total meltdown I somehow powered through. But despite the chaos, Tommy and John 5 were kind, chill, and cool as hell. This one’s chaotic yet inspiring... and very, very red.

Living in Nashville and working in radio sounds cool… until everyone you’ve ever met starts asking for free tickets, backstage passes, and personal favors. In this episode, I’m setting the record straight, with love of course, (and maybe a little eye-roll).

I know I interviewed Brendon Urie… I just don’t remember much of it. But I do remember how he made me feel. This episode is about the chat that quietly changed everything...the one that shifted my mindset from “doing interviews” to actually having conversations. Plus, a quick story about a pre-show shot with Dave Grohl, because obviously.

I finally got my first listener story submission, and it did not disappoint. In this episode, I read a wild tale featuring some very 2005 fashion choices, a meet-and-greet with Ted Nugent, and a conversation that quickly escalates into bow hunting… and shooting arrows at cardboard cutouts of Islamic terrorists. Yep. We’re off to a strong (and slightly unhinged) start. Keep those stories coming!!

What’s it like being married to someone just as obsessed with music as I am? It’s loud, it’s expensive, and sometimes I accidentally become his roadie. In this episode, I’m talking about the chaos, the connection, and a couple horror stories of dating musicians in Nashville (spoiler: red flags can play guitar too).

I got to do Jelly Roll’s very first radio interview, and honestly, I totally underestimated him at first, but he’s one of the nicest, realest badasses in the game. In this episode, we talk about his journey, his wild sense of humor, and why he’s 100% earned every bit of his success.

This week: a great convo with Godsmack’s Sully Erna about his love for Aerosmith and why radio still matters, all while realizing I had a solid few inches on him. Who knew I’d need to look down during a rockstar interview?

We’ve all had those moments... the slip-ups, the awkward pauses, the stage fright. In this episode, I’m sharing my most cringe-worthy on-stage intro fails as a reminder that it’s totally okay to mess up. Even the pros do it. What matters is showing up, owning it, and learning to laugh along the way.

Watching Kacey Musgraves go from unknown opener to unstoppable force in music has been amazing to witness. In this episode, I talk about seeing her rise firsthand and one especially heartwarming moment involving her biggest fan: her grandma.

In this episode, I share the story of an unforgettable in-person interview with Billy Corgan. From walking that tightrope of nerves (and the inability to talk about the Smashing Pumpkins?!) to the surprising moment he went out of his way to keep the conversation going, this one took an unexpected turn in the best way.

It's finally here! In the very first episode of The Real MP3s, I’m giving you a taste of what this podcast is all about: real, positive, and memorable experiences I’ve had meeting bands and artists over the years. I also get into why I hate the word “interview." No stiff Q&A's here, just genuine, often hilarious, and sometimes awkward moments with the people who make the music we love. Let’s kick things off!

Think of this as your soundcheck: The Real MP3s is all about real convos with the artists and bands you love. Here's your sneak peek. Submit your stories at HayleyStJohn.net/podcast!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/drummr/1978