The Zak Kuhn Show

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Zak Kuhn is an artist manager and founder of The Nashville Briefing, the must-read email newsletter that covers country music and Nashville news. In his new podcast, Zak talks with leaders in music and entertainment to gain their insights on the shifts in the music industry, what executives need to know to keep up on the latest trends and how to stay ahead of the curve in the biz.

American Songwriter


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 55m AVG DURATION
    • 182 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Zak Kuhn Show

    Laundry Day guitarist Henry Weingartner

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 53:24


    Laundry Day guitarist Henry Weingartner on the podcast this week discussing the formation of the band, new music, crafting the perfect guitar parts and much more. 

    Broadway Guitar Secrets: How to Sub Shows & Break Into the Scene

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2025 57:46


    I sit down with three leading guitarists in the New York Broadway scene to discuss how to sub on shows, how to make a living as a guitarist and what to be aware of as you enter the scene. John Benthal (The Lion King,) Ben Butler (Mean Girls + Sting,) & Peter Douskalis (Water for Elephants, Hamilton,) have done it all!

    Punk Drummer to Fashion Mogul: Scott Lipps on playing drums, model mgmt and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 62:43


    Scott Lipps founded ONE Management and has managed some of the biggest models in the world. He also plays drums for Courtney Love. Check out Scott's podcast Lipps Service, where we interviews the biggest names in entertainment. You're going to love listening to Scott!

    Tim Fagan: Triads, Cage System, Getting Help From John Mayer

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 56:47


    Guitar friend Tim Fagan is on the podcast this week. This one is a must listen for all you beginner guitar players out there. We break it all down!

    Andy Timmons: Jeff Beck, Approach & the The Perfect Delay

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 28:36


    Guitar hero Andy Timmons on the podcast this week. If you want to learn how to play like Andy, start by listening to this podcast.

    Ariel Posen: Building a Team, Solo Technique, The Altered Scale

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 57:34


    Slide guitar master Ariel Posen on the podcast this week. 

    Oz Noy: Nashville's favorite New York guitar player

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 53:19


    New York based jazz guitar player Oz Noy talks growing up in Israel, finding jazz, moving to New York and the inspiration of Jimi Hendrix. Sign up for my Patreon for guitar licks from this lesson and others. https://www.patreon.com/TheZakKuhnShow

    ACM Electric Guitarist of the Year Rob McNelley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 68:52


    Rob McNelley is a first call Nashville session musician who has recorded for Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson , Lady A, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and many others. He also spent a decade on the road playing guitar for Bob Seger.

    Guthrie Trapp

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 50:39


    East Nashville guitar hero Guthrie Trapp returns to the podcast

    Music producer King Henry talks Major Lazer, Beyonce, and More | The Zak Kuhn Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 74:38


    Pop must producer King Henry on the podcast this week. You'll want to hear his story.

    Legendary session guitarist Tim Pierce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 51:10


    Legendary session guitarist Tim Pierce is on the podcast this week.

    Brandon Lancaster of LANCO

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 53:55


    Brandon Lancaster is the lead singer and founder of the country band LANCO.

    lanco brandon lancaster
    How to run 58 Marathons in 58 days with Lachlan Stuart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2025 55:06


    Lachlan Stuart is running 58 marathons in 58 consecutive days. As the first episode of 2025, this will inspire you. Check out Lachlan's Man That can project. 

    Wicked's music producer Greg Wells talks film adaptation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 84:23


    Greg Wells is the music producer behind the Wicked movie. He also played all the drums, bass, keys and guitar across the entire soundtrack. This interviews discuss how he did all of it.

    Cale Dodds

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 60:22


    Singer-songwriter Cale Dodds is on the podcast this week. We talk about releasing music independently as well as in the major label system, writing "Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen, " and why he turned down his first publishing deal in Nashville.

    Fender CEO Andy Mooney

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 50:21


    Andy Mooney has been the CEO of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation since 2015. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Disney and Nike. We cover it all. This episode was recorded in person at the Fender headquarters in Los Angeles.

    A phone call with Gene Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 58:04


    Twinnie

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 47:32


    Country pop singer-songwriter Twinnie is trying to be the first English country artist to have a No. 1 on American country radio. We talk about her massive rise and new album 'Something We Used to Say"

    Andy Wood

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 55:11


    Possibly the best guitarist you haven't heard yet. 

    Bob Lefsetz

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 83:44


    Bob Lefsetz is a music industry analyst and critic. He is the author of The Lefsetz Letter. Bob holds nothing back in this conversation. Get to know the man behind the newsletter.

    Cory Wong

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 47:52


    Funk guitar player Cory Wong on the podcast this week.

    Drake Milligan

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 58:24


    Drake Milligan is a country artist and former contestant on America's Got Talent.

    Dadville podcast hosts Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin talk songwriting tips, history of the podcast and fave Billy Joel songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 68:46


    Zak catches up this week with Nashville music leaders and co-hosts of the popular Dadville podcast, Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin

    Musical duo ni/co wrote their own wedding song

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 27:49


    LA based musical duo and couple ni/co (Dani + Colton) couldn't find the perfect song for the first dance at their wedding, so they decided to write it themselves. Now the song has gone viral on TikTok. We talk about how they met, writing the song and growing their massive following across social media.

    Erin Kinsey

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 61:21


    Rising country artist Erin Kinsey is on the podcast this week. We discuss past relationships, her new album and how to go viral on social media. 

    ZZ Ward

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 51:11


    ZZ Ward began singing at the age of 8, inspired by her father's extensive blues collection. By 12, she was already performing blues music, and it helped steer every aspect of her early career, from her musical sound to her signature Fedora. But as a professional female musician, she often felt pressured to compromise her blues roots to meet industry demands. She quickly became a buzzed-about artist, earning a major label deal and breaking into Billboard's Top 40 with her debut release. Her sophomore album hit #1 on the Billboard Blues chart, highlighted by singles featuring GRAMMY-Award winners Fantastic Negrito and Gary Clark Jr. We talk about her new album, life as a mom, touring with Slash and so much more. 

    Andy Grammer

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 54:50


    Multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer continues to energize, empower, and bring together audiences around the world with his uplifting and honest pop anthems. His observations and affirmations pick people back up when they need it, affirm their potential, and encourage them to keep going. Grammer was even named the #1 "Happy" Streaming artist globally. Inspiring fans around the world, he has over 3B global streams under his belt and a social media footprint of over 4M followers.

    Joe Bonamassa

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 27:58


    On this episode of the Zak Kuhn Show, legendary blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa talks gear, how to market your own shows and why he sold his Dumble amps + why you need to learn a 31 band EQ. We cover it all!

    I interviewed legendary guitarist and hit producer Dann Huff

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 69:44


    This week, I interviewed the truly legendary producer and studio guitar player Dann Huff. His credits include Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts and more. We cover it all. He even shares a shred guitar lick at the end. A must learn for all you guitar players out there! 

    I interviewed the internet's leading guitar historian

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 63:12


    This week, I interviewed guitar connoisseur and YouTuber Keith Williams. He created and hosts the famed YouTube channel Five Watt World. We discuss launching the channel, his relationship with Rick Beato, his affinity to Strandberg guitars and why people send him vintage instruments in the mail.

    Brad Tursi talks Old Dominion, solo career and guitar playing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 50:24


    Brad Tursi is the lead guitarist in Old Dominion. He just released his debut solo project Parallel Love. We break down what it's like to play guitar in one of country music's biggest acts and what finally pushed him to release music under his own name.

    Catie Offerman talk opening for George Strait and adopting dogs out of The Home Depot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 75:41


    Catie Offerman is fresh off of playing the largest US ticketed concert ever, opening up for George Strait. The Universal Nashville recording artist has also been on the road with Parker McCollum, Elle King and Ashley McBryde. She has new music on the way.

    Sheppard talks writing Geronimo, plans to conquer the US and early life in the band

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 56:37


    38x platinum group Sheppard is on the podcast this week. After spending the majority of their career in Australia, they are now taking over the US. You'll love their story. Go listen!

    Cowboy to country star: Chancey Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 61:37


    Former saddle bronc rider Chancey Williams is on the podcast this week. Now he is more known for being a country artist.  He and fellow Wyoming artist and rodeo cowboy Chris LeDoux are the only two individuals to compete in the rodeo and perform on the main stage of Cheyenne Frontier. You're going to love this conversation! 

    Zac Childs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 61:13


    Host of popular YouTube channel Ask Zak, Zac Childs is who the guitar legends call when they need something. He's a wealth on information. Learn the secrets to buying a vintage guitar in this episode and much more.

    Brad Paisley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 99:14


    Brad Paisley needs to introduction. This was recorded live in Brad's home studio. Watch the video` interview on YouTube

    Shawn Askinosie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 61:52


    Shawn Askinosie is the Indiana Jones of making chocolate. His company Askinosie Chocolate makes some of the best, highest quality chocolate today. We talk all about the chocolate making process. But it's not about the chocolate. Shawn uses his business to help his local community, as well as the farmers around the world that he sources his beans from. You'll be inspired by Shawn's story. 

    Jerry Flowers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 62:45


    Jerry Flowers is the bass player and musical director for Keith Urban. He's been playing with him for over 30 years. Flowers is also a No. 1 Songwriter and has written hits for Sam Hunt, Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, Jason Aldean and Billy Currington, among others. Jerry is a Nashville lifer! It's in his blood. And he spills it all in this conversation. You're going to love it! - Zak

    Guthrie Trapp

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 65:26


    Nashville guitar ace Guthrie Trapp returns to the podcast this week. We discuss his new record with Tom Bukovac and so much more. Guthrie is one of a kind. You're going to love his musical knowledge and insight.  

    Bobby Bones

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 30:57


    If you don't know, my company Nashville Briefing is releasing our debut print issue today! This conversation with Bobby Bones was for a Q&A that appears in the print issue. The audio here was never meant to be listened to but I decided we should put it out anyway. Have fun!

    bobby bones nashville briefing
    Tigirlily Gold

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 52:46


    Sony/Monument recording duo Tigirlily Gold is on the podcast this week! We talk about them being on the cover for Nashville Briefing's debut print issue, their current radio single "I Tried A Ring On", and so much more. I even harmonize with them live on the air. These girls are blowing up! Listen to our convo now

    gold nashville briefing
    Grace Bowers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 54:48


    Grace Bowers has emerged as a guitar phenomenon out of Nashville. She's been sought after by everyone from Lainey Wilson, Devon Allman, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, Kingfish, Susan Tedeshi, and others. Grace mastered her abilities via YouTube tutorials and lessons. In the midst of the COVID lockdown, she built an audience by regularly livestreaming solo jam sessions on Reddit, while her Instagram reels often achieved viral impact. Along the way, she landed a coveted Gibson endorsement at the age of 14. At the current age of 17, Grace is one of the most interesting guitarists in the scene right now. We talk about her rise, her approach on the instrument and so much more. 

    Alexandra Kay

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 57:39


    Rising country star Alexandra Kay joins The Zak Kuhn Show this week to open up about her debut album, divorce and live on the road. The independent artist sold over 50,00 tickets last year on her headlining tour and has already earned millions of streams.

    rising alexandra kay
    Colbie Caillat

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 53:49


    Colbie Caillat burst onto the music scene with Coco in 2007. She has since sold millions of albums and has earned over 15 billion streams and two Grammys. You know the hits. Her debut country album Along The Way is out now.

    Live from Berklee College of Music with podcast expert Brady Sadler

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 55:55


    This week, the podcast is back at Berklee College of Music. In front of a live audience of students, Zak sat down with Double Elvis co-founder and CEO Brady Sadler to talk about what it takes to build the most successful music podcasts in the world. Brady has helped create and produce shows like Disgraceland, Badlands and 27 Club, all hosted by his partner and co-founder Jake Brennan. He also recently produced Shred With Shifty, which is hosted by Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett.  Bradys podcasts have received hundreds of millions of downloads around the world. You'll love his insight.

    Live from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 36:29


    In this special bonus episode, Zak is live on the red carpet during St. Jude's Country Cares weekend. This episode features interview snippets with Brothers Osborne, Chase Matthew, Catie Offerman, Tigirlily Gold, Alex Hall and several others. 

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