Songwriters Across Texas

Colin Brooks sits down to talk with us about growing up in Mio, Michigan, losing his father at a very early age, inheriting his guitar, studying the teachings of Christ and Yogananda, dealing with depression, and his days with The Band of Heathens. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Theta Church minister, Larry Lands, talks about growing up in Louisiana in the 50's and 60's with a family full of religious demands, slowly finding his way to meeting those demands, after years of singing in clubs and living the night life, and how he came to find God and His Calling. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Potsdam, New York native, Phil Hurley, talks about growing up on a Canadian border town, joining his older brother's band at 8 which would become The Gigilo Aunts, David Gilmour coming to see them backstage, the Boston scene, Mark Sandman, Seattle scene, Polly Parsons, Jimmy LaFave, The South Austin Moonlighters and more. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Russian born, Griffin Holtby, talks about being adopted by loving parents in Texas, developing anxiety at an early age, getting sent to a Wilderness rehab, Parish School, getting himself together and giving back. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Nnedi Agbaroji and Andy Leonard from Trouble in The Streets talk about the Nigerian Community in Houston she grew up in, the Phoenix community he grew up in, how it formed their tastes, and how their individual paths led to finding each other in Austin and building their band. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Will Sexton takes the interview seat to talk about growing up with his brother Charlie in the 1970s Austin music scene, playing in the high school jazz band while still in middle school, Speedy Sparks, Roky Erickson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and producing music in Memphis. Will is also joined by his talented wife Amy LeVere, and they treat us to three fantastic songs. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

In-it-for-life singer/songwriter, Kendall Beard, talks about singing as a kid, early gigs at rodeos, coming close to a major label deal with her girl band, attending The University of Texas, competing on American Idol, and forming Love & Chaos with AJ Vallejo. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

San Marcos native, HalleyAnna, talks about growing up on the river in the Finlay family, starting her first band at 8, the importance of practice & community, the Cheatham Street Warehouse yesterday and today, and her husband, Dustin Welch. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Songwriting bloodliner, Dustin Welch, talks about his poetic upbringing with father Kevin Welch, Oklahoma / Osage Tribe / Tennessee Mythology, his Nashville education, Justin Townes Earle's The Swindlers, The Scotch Greens, Austin magic and Soldier Songs and Voices. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

The fierce combo of guitar playing brothers Rick and Mark Del Castillo, grace us with songs and stories of their Brownsville upbringing, learning music from their siblings, early bands, being on the road in the 80's, forming Del Castillo with Alex Ruiz, and joining forces with maverick filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez to work on soundtracks. Filmed at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

San Antonio native, Deann Rene, talks about music from day one in her home, The Latin culture Influence she treasures, balancing a music and graphic arts career, wanting a gig at the Saxon Pub so bad, playing with John Garrand a tribute to Alan Stewart. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

llustrious drummer, Brannen Temple, talks about growing up on the East Side of Austin, the church and the music in the streets, moving from the church to the bars, all the gigs and early influences from Clifford Antone and Stephen Bruton, and the spectacular professional career he's known. Brannen is joined by Dwayne Jackson aka D-Madness on Bass, Daniel Robinson on Sax, and Dayne Reliford on the keys. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

The Las Cruces born, Eric Hisaw, talks about growing up there, finding music, being romanced by Jack Kerouac books, getting his chops, studio vs live, and recording on both Saustex Records and Flak Records. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Sixth-generation musician, Ginger Leighh, talks about growing up in a musical family, The Cone Sisters, solving puzzles, The CIA, playing Maureen in “Rent” at the Zach Scott Theater, and more. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

Songwriter, Producer, and Guitar-Shredder, AJ Vallejo talks about growing up in El Campo, TX with his two brothers, forming their band, moving to Austin, getting record deals, starting his own label, and progressing as a songwriter over the years. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Piano playing/Songwriting Legend, Marcia Ball, talks about getting into the music business in the late 60's, Austin's early days, Arlyn Studios when it was a honky-tonk, Freeda and the Firedogs. The world class stages she's been on, and Clifford Antone. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Katy, TX native, John ‘Swat' Swantner, talks about growing up in football country, music as a gift from God, acquiring discipline, the military life, Nashville, and working the charts. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Austin's beloved, Johnny Goudie, talks about growing up in the scene, getting into bars with Will Sexton, being a bandleader, his relationship with Mark Hallman, George Reiff, and Ian Moore, and recording on Lars Ullrich's label.  Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Songwriter/Musician/Activist, Sara Hickman, talks about learning to manifest from an early age, the Ozark Smile Sisters, HSPVA, being Pen Pals with George Burns and later singing with him, Elektra Records, recording with members of King Crimson, and her own coloring book! Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

Multi-genre music legend, Rosie Flores, talks about her youth in San Antonio in the 1950's, garage bands, an early 2-track tape recorder, San Diego and San Francisco in the 1960's, songwriting with John Prine, and playing with Chuck Berry onstage at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson.

Multi-faceted songwriter and artist, Jeska Forsyth, talks about growing up in a Pentecostal Church, singing for audiences since she was 3, her Mimi, shedding light on True Crime fascination, hearing colors, her husband Guy Forsyth, and a weekly residency at El Mercado. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Multi-Instrumentalist, Dave Scher, talks about growing up in Austin, attending Booker T. Washington in Dallas & Berklee College of Music in Boston, gunslinging at the The Lizard Lounge, his songwriting approach, and playing with Billy Joe Shaver, Eric Johnson, and Andrea Magee. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Rock-n-Roll legend, Don Leady, talks about being born during the golden era of music recording, being slapped by nuns in school, basement dance parties, getting drafted, early road days, The LeRoi Brothers, a Grammy nomination and more. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Gunslinging guitarist extraordinaire, David Grissom, talks about his Louisville origins, learning guitar one song at a time, music school days leading to playing with Kenny Aronoff and John Mellancamp, and a legendary night in Los Angeles with Billy Gibbons which inspired his song, ‘Sake and Venom'.  Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Texas border-town rocker, Billy King, talks about playing music since he could walk, self taught methods, Roky Erickson's influence, getting pulled over for no reason, support from Black Fret and Space Flight Records, and how he and Connor Wren came up with Billy King and The Bad Bad Bad. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. #texas #songwriter #music #podcast 

The timeless Jenifer Jackson, talks about River Road, her East Coast upbringing in the 1970's, a year in Italy, living in NYC, her time on NPR's ‘All Things Considered', and shoulder surgery by Dr. Alton Barron at the Musician Treatment Foundation. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Young guitar phenomenon, Kane Alvarado, talks about playing guitar since he can remember, performing in front of large crowds at just five years old, his relationships with rock bands Del Castillo and Los Lonely Boys, and sponsorship deals with Ernie Ball and PRS.  Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

From Houston to Austin at an early age, blues guitarist extraordinaire, Eve Monsees, talks about growing up with Gary Clark Jr, meeting Clifford Antone and the importance of lineage, Antone's Records and her marriage to legendary drummer, Mike Buck. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

This week's guest, Guy Forsyth, is an Austin stalwart who talks about growing up in the suburbs of Kansas City, discovering Robert Johnson and late night radio, sneaking into clubs, moving to Austin where he fell in at the Chicago House and formed the Asylum Street Spankers. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Band of Heathens co-founder, Gordy Quist, talks about his early days in Houston, football at Dartmouth, meeting his bandmates at Momo's in Austin, growing a new band, and recording with the late-great George Reiff and Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Native Texan and world-class trumpet player Ephraim Owens talks about playing the cornet at age 8 after some convincing from classmates, coming of age in the Dallas music scene, the great Roy Hargrove, switching to trumpet, attending music school at Southwest Texas State, playing in arenas with the likes of Sheryl Crow and Mumford and Sons, and his longtime Austin residencies. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Madam Radar's, Jace of Spades, talks about ‘Preparedness', picking up guitar while deployed during The Iraq War, music healing, thriving during the pandemic, and opening for Bon Jovi. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Paige DeChausse talks about growing up outside of Chicago, dreaming of being there, getting there and meeting Nick James, creating The Reverant Few, moving to Austin, and the importance of open mics. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

A great Austin stalwart, keyboardist and songwriter Bukka Allen talks about growing up in an incredible artist environment in Fresno, Minneapolis theater, Will Sexton, Joe Walsh and Ringo, and the significance of Arlyn Studios. Hosted by Karl Anderson at Arlyn Studios. 

With Faith, Music, Movies forever steering her inspiration, San Antonio native Patricia Vonne talks about the great bilingual and musical upbringing she had, Joe Ely, Johnny Reno, ‘Cousin Jimmy', and giving back during quarantine. Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Newcomer, Calder Allen, talks about having a cool older brother, basketball, fly fishing, writing his first song for his friend who moved away, playing ACL Fest and more. Recorded at Arlyn Studios, hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Old School Country from a young man with drive and vision, Ellis Bullard talks about musical parents, healthy sibling rivalry, steak house gigs, chopping the wood and carrying the water, and his brand of "Piss-Hot Freightlining Country Music". Recorded at Arlyn Studios and hosted by Karl Anderson 

Veteran guitarist and songwriter Jon Dee Graham talks about growing up on the Texas/Mexican border, a library over his bedroom, UT Honors School, and the early Punk days with The Skunks and The True Believers. Hosted by Karl Anderson at Arlyn Studios in Austin.

Sarah Sharp was born into a very large musical family. Her mother, the oldest of eight, and her grandmother both held degrees in classical piano. Growing up, many nights ended in the living room with dozens of family members playing pianos, guitars, and singing four part harmonies. It wasn't until she started choir and in high school that she realized not everyone could sing!After focusing on ballet during high school, Sarah returned to her songwriting life and pursued a career in Austin where she is one of the very few to have a residency at The Elephant Room. Her songs have been used in hundreds of commercials and films, and she was the late, great Slim Richey's lead singer in his final years of the Jitterbug Vipers, including the critically acclaimed 2013 release “Phoebe's Dream”Sarah is joined by Mitch Watkins today and we're thrilled to have them both on the show. 

Born and raised on the Mexican border in Brownsville Texas, Alex Ruiz grew up speaking both Spanish and English on a daily basis. At the age of 10, he moved to Austin with his grandmother, where he connected with a group of kids who were into Van Halen and MTV… and Alex saw his future. When he was a little older, Alex met Rick and Marc Del Castillo, who brought him into their fiery Latin/Texan band as their front man. In the early 2000s while playing at a club called Momo's, Del Castillo attracted the attention of film director, Robert Rodriguez. They've been collaborating ever since - both on stage and for film scores. www.songwritersacrosstexas.com

Rockabilly, punk, mariachi, car repair and dog fostering, host Karl Anderson covers ground and more with Smokin' Burnouts frontman, Steve Lumm. See more episodes on www.songwritersacrosstexas.com

Kelly Green tells us about growing up in the Georgia mountains with a musician for a father, her lifelong love of guitar, Madam Radar, The Paack, and plays us some music. Hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Shane Cooley talks about a notorious Austin welcome, attending William and Mary, Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin, playing studio vs live, and plays some songs.  Hosted by Karl Anderson. 

Andrea Magee talks about growing up in Belfast, the music in her blood, moving to Texas, Beat Root Revival, PAACK, and plays some music. Hosted by Karl Anderson. 

One of Austin's favorite's, Bob Schneider, talks ‘Caring too much', The Matrix, playing songs thousands of times, works a Liam Neeson impersonation in and plays music. Hosted by Karl Anderson.

Singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Violet Lea, talks about childhood in Texas, her old band Poco Lambro, the music scene in Korea, and being in a band with Madam Radar and The Paack. Hosted by Karl Anderson. 

The inimitable Beaver Nelson takes us back to the early 90's Austin and the vibrant open mic scene at the Chicago House and talks “file” systems for songwriting. Hosted by Karl AndersonSee more episodes on www.songwritersacrosstexas.com

Born in Austin, Cari Hutson was a theater major that's always had music in her bones. She's spent that last 20+ years playing stages around Central Texas and is joined on this episode by her husband and fellow songwriter, Hunter St. Marie. You can see Cari play with her band Good Company and with the Saxon Pub Supergroup, PAACK, featuring the likes of Andrea Magee, Kelly Green, Violet Lea, and Paige DeChausse. See more episodes on www.songwritersacrosstexas.com 

Albany, Texas native, Jeremy Nail plays songs and talks with Karl about generations, legacy, moving to Austin, Los Angeles, and his cinematic approach to writing songs. You can see Jeremy perform with William Harries Graham at the Continental Club on Wednesday nights, catch him in New Braunfels at The Listening Room on March 11th, and visit www.jeremynail.com to hear more music, buy merch and see more tour dates. Support this Texan musician. Jeremy's documentary episode of Songwriters Across Texas can be watched on www.SongwritersAcrossTexas.com