I-65 to 30a

The musical connection between Nashville, Muscle Shoals, and Florida's Emerald Coast continues to grow. Tag along as we interview the artists and songwriters who find inspiration from 30a's white sandy beaches.

Krissa & Mark Gillespie 03/11/2025

Krissa & Mark Gillespie Professional musicians Krissa and Mark Gillespie currently call the Emerald Coast their home. They met in 2015 while Mark was living in N on a break from touring with Trace Adkins' band. After years of performing and touring, their vocal and musical talents are showcased weekly along Highway 30A. Krissa fronts the Pickled Pickers band with Mark on lead guitar, and together they also perform as a duo called The Kennedys, named after their daughter. Krissa and Mark are exceptional performers who have garnered a local following. They play a mix of cover songs and original material. We discussed their early years, how life on the road affects relationships and careers, as well as their upcoming new releases. You can follow Krissa and Mark on . This episode was recorded at in Rosemary Beach, FL. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/35617105

Dan Navarro 03/05/2025

Dan Navarro Dan Navarro has had a successful career, penning such hits as Pat Benatar's "We Belong." He is also a talented voice actor and discusses his many Hollywood TV and movie projects. I sat down with Dan at North Beach Social in Santa Rosa Beach, FL in between his performances at the 2025 30a Songwriters Festival. His talent extends in multiple directors in music and film. Follow Dan at Read his article along with other Southern Americana and I-65 to 30a podcast guests at /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/35475390

Wyatt Espalin 02/21/2025

Wyatt Espalin Wyatt Espalin, a native of Hiawassee, Georgia, began his musical career with the encouragement and influence of his grandfather. He released his debut album, Songwriter/Singer, in 2015, and his latest EP, Diamondback, is currently available. I had the opportunity to catch up with Wyatt during the 2025 30A Songwriters Festival, where he has performed for several years. In addition to discussing his upbringing on his grandfather's campground, we talked about the art of Appalachian fiddle styles, a genre in which Wyatt excels. He, along with other musicians, also teaches songwriting techniques to inmates at a Florida correctional institution. Special thanks to Shacks Art Gallery in Grayton Beach, FL for the use of thier podcast studio. Follow Wyatt's tour schedule at wyattespalinmusic.com. Thanks to Grant Walden at HearTell Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL for co-hosting this episode and editing. You can also find the story link to this episode at OneSouthernMan.com /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/35380495

Levi Lowrey 02/06/2025

Levi Lowrey is a singer-songwriter based in Dacula, Georgia. His hit song, "Colder Weather," was a chart-topping success for the Zac Brown Band. In collaboration with fellow songwriter Wyatt Durrette, Levi forms the duo "Yesterday's Wine," and together they continue to produce incredible music. I had the opportunity to catch up with Levi during the 16th annual 30A Songwriters Festival. Along with his wife, Stephanie, they discussed Levi's writing and production schedule. Levi has been open about his struggles with mental health issues and how they affect both his professional and family life. Joining us for this episode was Grant Walden, the owner of HearTell Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Grant also edits this podcast. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/35179700

30a Songwriters Festival Preview with Dion Jones 01/14/2025

30a Songwriters Festival Preview with Dion Jones This year marks the 17th anniversary of the . Over 125 singer-songwriters, from Devon Allman to Jeffrey Steele, Levi Lowrey, Wyatt Durrante, and Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) will perform in 32 venues from Rosemary Beach to Miramar Beach, Florida. Local 30a singer-songwriter is making his second festival appearance and joined me to preview this year's lineup. You can catch Dion and his band weekly at AJ's and Chringo in Grayton Beach, Cabana Cafe in Seascape, Papa Surf Burger Bar, and North Beach Social. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/34852810

Richard Orga On Artist Development 08/29/2024

Richard Orga On Artist Development Richard Orga helps development up-and-coming talent from his Nashville, Tennessee office. He also helped publish 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' and other chart-topping hits. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/32797012

Forrest and Pherrel Williams 04/19/2024

Forrest and Pherrel Williams The Forrest Williams Band, comprised of the husband-wife duo Pherrel and Forrest Williams, is one of 30A's most popular bands. Originally from Northwest Arkansas, they have spent most of their lives and marriage performing and writing music. Check out their fantastic love story and how their music impacts many adoring fans' lives. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/30898598

Abe Partridge 03/19/2024

Abe Partridge Known as the "Alabama Astronaut" and based in Mobile, AL, Abe Partridge writes and performs his unique style of Americana music. A staple at multiple songwriting festivals each year, Partridge tours and performs extensively. I sat down with Abe during the 2024 30A Songwriters Festival at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL to discuss his music, preaching background, and his own podcast. When he isn't touring and writing songs, Partridge spends time painting. His various paintings hang in the private collections of Tyler Childers and Tommy Prine. His latest album, "Love In the Dark," is available through all major streaming platforms and his . /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/30444933

Will Thompson 08/01/2023

Will Thompson A Panama City Beach, FL, area native, Will Thompson has played in local and regional music venues for years. When he was 18, he sold everything to raise enough money for a recording studio. Along with his wife and band, the Will Thompson Band is one of 30A's most popular acts. Listen to our conversation and learn the story behind his latest single, 'Checklist.' /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/27629712

Jeffrey Steele - A Songwriter's songwriter 04/26/2023

Jeffrey Steele - A Songwriter's songwriter Few of Music City's top record executives will argue that Jeffrey Steele is one of Nashville's all-time great songwriters. Yet what makes Steele so unique is that he devotes much of his time to mentoring the next generation of wordsmiths. I sat down with Jeffrey in the podcast studio at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, during the 30A Songwriters Festival to hear his story of personal trials and successes. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/26660916

Jessica Plowden Anderson - That Girl Media 02/28/2023

Jessica Plowden Anderson - That Girl Media A fixture of the creative scene along Florida's Emerald Coast, Jessica Plowden Anderson grew up in Los Angeles, CA. She relocated to Florida's 30a corridor in 2013 after graduating from California Lutheran University. Today Jessica pursues her creative endeavors for storytelling and videography daily through , working in video production, which includes producing, filming, editing, and commercial & lifestyle photography - all of which are Jess's true passions. Grab a beverage, pull up a chair, and listen to our conversation. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/25780575

Brynley & Lukas Joyner 01/31/2023

Brynley & Lukas Joyner SOWAL House is a creative studio and event space in Rosemary Beach, Florida. It's also where most I-65 to 30a and Southern Americana podcast episodes are recorded. Each month they host a happy hour for local creatives to socialize and interact. This episode features 30a area creatives, Brynley & Lukas Joyner, who run several e-commerce sites, including fitness, lifestyle, and spiritual products. You can find both on Instagram @brynandlu, @lukasjoyner, @brynley.joyner, and @hewouldlovefirst. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/25103328

Eddie 9V 12/09/2022

Eddie 9V Atlanta, Georgia native, Eddie 9-Volt, is creating a buzz within the Americana and Blues scene. This young artist realized his career path early and began performing on Southern stages while still in high school. In 2019, Eddie 9V released his debut album, Left My Soul In Memphis, followed by his latest project, Little Black Flies. We caught up with Eddie 9V and his band after a Cultural Arts Alliance fundraiser in Alys Beach, FL. We recorded this podcast episode at SOWAL House, a creative arts event space and podcast studio in Rosemary Beach, FL. Grab a beverage and listen as Eddie 9V describes his early Blues influences, life on the road, and new projects ahead. Follow him on Instagram @eddie9V. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/25245108

Sugarcane Jane 08/05/2022

Sugarcane Jane Sugarcane Jane, comprised of Anthony Crawford and Savana Lee, recently opened for Dwight Yoakum and tour extensively across the Southeast. Based in Loxley, Alabama, the couple first met at a recording studio in Nashville. Anthony began playing and touring with Neil Young when he was only 24. He also made his Grand Ole Opry debut at 18, performing with the legendary Roy Acuff. I sat down with Savana and Anthony at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, to chat about their careers and writing songs for Steve Winwood, Kenny Rogers, Sawyer Brown, Lorrie Morgan, and many others. Ruffled Feathers, Songs In the Key of Me, is the duos latest release. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/23974776

Few Miles South 07/14/2022

Few Miles South Musicians Tori Lund and Blake English met while performing and engineering music at a Los Angeles area church. Today, the musical duo, , lives in rural Georgia and performs throughout the southeast. They've opened for the Kentucky Headhunters, Nikki Lane, Junior Brown, Brent Cobb, and many others. Blake is an incredible musician, demonstrating "Roy Nichols-style electric guitar licks" along with an excellent command of the acoustic guitar when the duo performs one of their bluegrass-style originals. A classically trained vocalist, Tori showcases her amazing singing ability - that fall somewhere between Patsy Cline and Trisha Yearwood - on recent cuts such as "On Down the Road," Outlaw," and their recent release "Doggone." I sat down with Tori and Blake at Black Bear Bakery in Grayton Beach, Florida, during a tour of 30a ventures in late June of 2022 to chat about their careers, living in rural Georgia with their two dogs, and life on the road. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/23746379

Grant Walden 06/08/2022

Grant Walden Grant Walden is the owner and Chief Audio Engineer of in Muscle Shoals, AL. He cut his teeth learning from music's best-known sound masters and was recognized as one of Muscle Shoals' top recording engineers. He's also the creator and host of the Muscle Shoals Storytellers podcast. Grant sat down with me in the SOWAL House studio in Rosemary Beach, FL, to chat about the Muscle Shoals music and recording scene, podcasting, and how sound engineering is evolving. Interestingly, Grant wrote and recorded the theme to the I-65 to 30a podcast and reguarly plays in and with bands around Muscle Shoals. He also edits this podcast! /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/23366735

Songwriters Andi & Ken Johnson of "Huck & Lilly" 05/03/2022

Songwriters Andi & Ken Johnson of "Huck & Lilly" Songwriters Andi Zack-Johnson and Ken Johnson are the creators behind the children's series, "Huck and Lilly." I sat down with Andi and Ken at SOWAL House in the heart of Rosemary Beach, Florida to chat about their songwriting lives, careers, and guest starring on the I Love Kellie Pickler TV show. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22992890

Dave King - SOWAL House 03/29/2022

Dave King - SOWAL House An energetic, serial, and creative entrepreneur is only one way to describe Alabama native Dave King. Trained in the arts, Dave had a successful career as a cybersecurity expert in the financial services industry before relocating to Florida's Emerald Coast with his family. After a near-death experience, Dave turned his focus to developing a creative-inspired space in the heart of Rosemary Beach, FL, for events and artistic pursuits. The result is SOWAL House. Listen as Dave describes his vision for attracting regional, national, and international creatives to the 30a area and his vision for SOWAL House. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22614215

CJ Solar 03/15/2022

CJ Solar Louisiana native and singer-songwriter CJ Solar discusses how attending a Doobie Brothers concert as a young teenager motivated him to pursue a musical journey. CJ's first love is crafting songs, yet his incredible playing and singing talent takes him to new heights. During the 30A Songwriters Festival at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, I sat down with CJ to catch up on his latest projects and opening for the iconic rock band Molly Hatchet. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22454978

Joe Leathers, Kyle Jacobs & Matt Wynn 03/08/2022

Joe Leathers, Kyle Jacobs & Matt Wynn I sat down with this trio of Nashville hit-makers at in Rosemary Beach, FL during the 30a Songwriters Festival. Memphis, TN native Joe Leathers has written several hit songs during 30A visits for Tim McGraw, Lee Brice, Trace Atkins, and others. Kyle Jacobs is no stranger to top-10 Country charts, penning hits for Garth Brooks, George Strait, and his lovely bride, Kellie Pickler. Matt Wynn isn't just an accomplished songwriter, but an up and coming artist, opening for headliners Luke Combs and Brett Young. Matt even sings one of his songs during this episode. Listen as these songwriters detail the songwriting process and creating hits along Florida's Emerald Coast. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22379291

Paul McDonald 03/02/2022

Paul McDonald Huntsville, Alabama native brings a raw and rare talent to the stage. Paul considered a dental career as a teenager, but the desire to expand his musical talent prevailed. And thankfully so. Along with his raspy vocal talent, Paul's songwriting skills bring another dimension to his performances. After a stint in L.A. where he appeared on American Idol, he moved back to Nashville, where he resides with his singer-songwriter wife, Leah Blevins. Listen as Paul describes his musical journey and sings one of his songs, "New Lovers," during our episode. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22246730

Shanna Dickerson 02/23/2022

Shanna Dickerson Shanna Dickerson began her professional career promoting concerts in Nashville. After nine years of working with artists like the Rolling Stones, Kenny Chesney, Snoop Dog, and Steve Winwood, she switched careers and began managing a friend of Chesney's luxury property in St. Thomas. Today Shanna is the CEO and owner of and Blue Sky Global Logistics, offering luxury accommodations and private jet service to high net worth clients. Listen as she discusses her career and what elite travelers look for in coastal destinations. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22232726

Casey Kearney 02/13/2022

Casey Kearney Casey Kearney is a Florida-based singer, songwriter. She's also a wife and rodeo mom. Casey didn't start playing and singing until her late 20s, and she's definitely carving a niche for herself throughout the Southeast. Her single & video, "Waffle House," is winning critical acclaim and is available on all music streaming platforms. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22113230

Trailer 02/11/2022

Trailer I-65 to 30a showcases the musical and business connection between Nashville, Muscle Shoals, and Florida's Emerald Coast. Writer Paul Stanley interviews artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, recording engineers, and entrepreneurs who make great music and opportunities come to life. /episode/index/show/b274fb41-ed89-47af-b3af-6f7726ca2830/id/22097900

I-65 to 30a

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