Count It Off!

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Ep 42 - Ryan Story: "The artists that thrive can still play live." Today we’re talking with Ryan Story — LA-based pop artist, songwriter, and all-around good vibe generator. Ryan’s got a great story. He grew up on the east coast of Florida, sharpened his craft in Nashville and finally made the big leap to the bright lights of Hollywood. In this episode, we check out some of his great pop songs and get into his path, what surprised him, what pushed him, and what kept him going. And of course, the big question every creative asks at some point: how do you actually make it in LA? Grab a coffee, settle in and let’s dive into "the story behind the Story."

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EP 41: "Why isn't this guy a major star already?" This week we’re hanging out with Rusty Van Sickle and his 19-year-old son, Whitley—two generations of songwriters cut from classic country cloth. We'll hear a few great songs and explore everything from the legends that shaped Rusty’s sound to the Nashville scene today, with a special nod to Keith Whitley, young Whitley’s namesake. Expect plenty of laughs, a couple of “dang, that hit me right in the feels” moments, and a whole lot of heart. And when Rusty lets that rich baritone loose… yeah, you’ll hear why we call it ready-for-stardom. Tune in and enjoy the ride.

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Count It Off Ep 40 : Russ Pahl - steel guitar master If you’ve listened to country radio anytime in the last 25 years, odds are you’ve heard the unmistakable shimmer of Russ Pahl’s steel guitar—whether you knew it or not. Nashville may be full of pickers, but Russ is the guy other players point to when they talk about tone, taste, and pure musical magic. Raised on the warm hum of the folk era, hooked by the British Invasion’s spark, and ultimately reeled in by the twangy, string-bending heroes of classic country, Russ followed a sonic trail that led straight to the steel guitar. And once he picked it up, the instrument—and the industry—were never quite the same. How influential is he? In one recent year, of the ten country songs that hit #1 and featured steel guitar, Russ played on eight of them. Eight! That’s not a résumé—that’s gravitational pull. He's played on records for everyone from Carrie Underwood to CeLo Green and with producers like Dan Auerbach and T-Bone Burnette. We talk about his approach to each project and you'll hear his respect for the pioneers of this truly quirky invention. So settle in and let’s talk with the man who made the steel guitar modern again: Nashville’s go-to string magician, Russ Pahl.

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Ep. 39 - Chris talks Garth In this episode, Count It Off sits down with legendary guitarist Chris Leuzinger—the man whose playing you’ve heard on every Garth Brooks album and across countless miles of tour dates. Chris takes us back to those early days in the studio, sharing how the very first Garth tracks came together, the sparks of creativity that shaped them, and the moments none of them realized they were making history. He opens up about Garth’s genuine kindness and generosity behind the scenes—the quiet gestures, the encouragement, the way he made every musician feel valued. We also shine a light on the incredible players, producers, and studio wizards who helped build Garth’s unmistakable sound. From spontaneous late-night sessions to the chemistry that only happens when the right people end up in the same room, Chris brings us stories that are funny, heartfelt, and downright iconic. If you love music, behind-the-scenes magic, or just a great story well told, this one’s a must-listen.

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Count It Off — Episode 38: Jake Shimabukuro - ambassador of Hawai'i's signature stringed instrument In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Jake Shimabukuro, widely celebrated as the world’s #1 ukulele virtuoso. We'' hear some of his music and follow Jake's shares stories from his upbringing in Hawai‘i, the deep love for practice that shaped his musicianship, and the early YouTube moments that launched him onto the global stage. We dive into his unforgettable tours with legends like Jimmy Buffett and Tommy Emmanuel, as well as his recent travels across China, Japan, Europe, and beyond. His young fans overseas look up to him like their Shohei Ohtani superhero and you'll hear his modesty and gratitude for those future players. Join us for an uplifting, music-filled conversation as Count It Off welcomes Jake Shimabukuro to Episode 39.

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Episode 37: On the Road with Lee Greenwood In this week's show, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to play in Lee Greenwood’s band. From long bus rides and late-night diners to the goosebumps moment when “God Bless the U.S.A.” kicks in, we’ve seen it all. We’re sharing stories from the stage, memories from the road, and what it’s like working with a true American legend who still gives it everything, every night. Lee is a consummate artist and is generous to his band - we'll even hear a song of mine he sang for my demo. Take a Morning Ride with us :)

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🎙️ Ep 36 - Key West, Jimmy Buffett, Trop Rock music and the musical side of the southernmost point Join us as we meet the founders of Trop RockN Duval, a week-long festival of beach music. We join artists, songwriters and even a local 5th generation Bahamian Conch. One of the fastest growing genres of music, Trop Rock comes to Key West the last week of October every year and artists from all over the world come to perform for their fans and the lucky tourists who happen in to hear live original music in dozens of venues. This is a fun one... so join us!

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🎧 Episode 35: Me, Myself & AI — One Musician’s First Steps into the Hot/Bold/Scary New Technology In this episode, we dive into my first experiences using artificial intelligence as a musician — the tools that sparked new ideas, the challenges that test our industry and the questions that keep me curious. It’s a look at creativity in the age of algorithms: where inspiration meets automation, and where humans still make the magic happen. We'll include listener feedback and do some impromptu testing. Hope you'll enjoy the new hot topic!