We Were Young

Rhoda Weaver is a 48 year old woman who is an ever evolving. She is a mother, a wife, a friend, a singer, a lover of hiking and waterfalls, a food delivery driver, a writer, a storyteller, and an advocate for social justice. Rhoda is well known in the Asheville area for her powerful, soulful voice. But she suffered a vocal injury and has been slowly recovering for almost three years now. Music is still her passion. So although she was told by her doctors to try to take vocal rest, she still sings but not regularly. She is the lead singer of Rhoda and the Risers and they have been doing some livestream shows during the pandemic to stay active. They were playing every Tuesday night at Pillar rooftop bar inside the Hilton garden inn downtown before the COVID-19 lockdowns. They expect to be continuing to play on Tuesdays when restrictions are lifted. These days Rhoda devotes more time her children and to being a voice against racial Injustice while her singing voice is healing.

Davaion Bristol, also known as Spaceman Jones is an MC, beat maker, event promoter, co-owner of Urban Combat Wrestling, co-owner of OTG Unlimited, 1/2 of Spaceman Jones And The Motherships, and creator of the #smokebreak podcast and Instagram video series. His childhood and background was a quite unique from every guest so far on We Were Young. Spaceman shares his story with host Rob Gray about his experiences as a young black man growing up in the South, his love for WWE wrestling and being incarcerated in prison. His views on life and the world are deep, thought-provoking and full of hard truths. Big love for Spaceman coming though on this one!

Leah Wong Ashburn (President and CEO of Highland Brewing) runs the largest 5th largest female-led craft brewery in the US and the largest NC native brewery. Although she's not a stranger to the podcast world, host Rob Gray steers clear about the usual talk around business operations and brewing craft beer to focus on all the experiences and memories that led her to her to stepping into her dad's position as the boss of Highland. Leah tells heart warming stories of early home life, being raised by a 1st generation father who was born in Jamaica and how she was a true defender for her sister. 

Michelle Moog-Koussa (Executive director of the Bob Moog Foundation, creator of the Moogseum and Bob Moog's third daughter) is carrying her father's legacy forward through education and archive preservation. Michelle continues to innovate and give back to the community through unique educational programs and experiences. Rob Gray sits down with Michelle to hear her perspective as being a daughter of the one of the most important instrument makers in music history. She shares heartwarming stories about sweet connections with her father, funny exchanges with famous musicians on her home telephone, her and Bob's love for Sesame Street and other sweet gems you never knew about Robert Moog. Fans of the synth legend will truly enjoy this episode and have an appreciation for Michelle and her work!

Marley Carroll (Producer, DJ & Instrumentalist, Loci Records) is an accomplished electronic music producer who was raised in Charlotte NC and now calls Asheville his home. His world class skills and taste has brought him comparisons to Four Tet and his latest album was released on Emancipator's label, Loci Records. He chats with host Rob Gray and Ali McGhee about his introduction to the drums, his first memories with turntables and vinyl records and how his grandmother was a huge influence in helping him realize his musical potential. Along with learning about Marley's early life, host Rob Gray shares his hilarious epic fail prom story from 2005 which includes a drunk date throwing up into her purse while in a limo, gross! What to be a guest or have an idea for us? Send us an email to: wewereyoungpodcast@gmail.comIG: @wewereyoungpodcast & FB: We Were YoungIntro: Thaw Thru (Produced by Cpt. HyperDrive and Koresma)Outro: Play it Right (Produced by Cpt. HyperDrive)FOLLOW on Spotify: Cpt.HyperDrive 

Katie Button (2x James Beard nominated Chef, Restaurateur) is the founder and chef of world-renowned restaurant Cúrate and President of the Chow Chow Food festival. She sits down with hosts Rob Gray and Ali McGhee to chat about her early days; travels around the world with her family, college years living in France and more! This was recorded back in September 2019IG: @wewereyoungpodcast FB: We Were Young