Cali Tucker: From Mom Lacosta To Aunt Tanya To The Voice To Vegas To Nashville

"I never really felt at home in Sweden. Some people are born in the wrong body, I was born in the wrong country". Sandra North may have been born in Sweden, but her heart is in America. She has a deep passion for country music across the pond so she stays in California to pursue her dream in music. American Country Music and American films were prevelant in her home growing up. We talk about her cover of the song "Cry Pretty" which gives off Carrie Underwood vibes. We also dig into her song "Southern Man". We also cover her duet with fellow Swede Jimmy Marcus on the song "Shore Thing".

Charlotte Morris grew up just outside of Philadelphia and loves country music. At 4 years old she took up violin and this was her journey into music. We ask Charlotte talk about the first song she ever wrote and recorded as a young girl called "Stay Strong". Charlotte plays the song "Tennesssee" from her album "Wild Child" live on acoustic for us. She brings back the great female singer songwriters of the 70s with her style. We even talk about Philly cheesesteaks. We also get into the song "Time Will Tell" and Charlotte tells the story of the song and plays it live.

Alex Miller returns to the show once again for a good time. We feature his performance with Tracy Byrd on Tracy's tour bus. We get into Alex's new songs including "Everytime I Reach For You (I Grab A Bottle)" off his last EP "Country" and Alex does a live performance for us! So much happens in this interview!

Nashville, TN (August 21, 2023) - - Alex Miller is making a stand – and like everything else the young Kentuckian does – it’s Country. Miller’s new, five-track EP, COUNTRY, drops October 6, marking his second outing with award-winning producer Jerry Salley for Billy Jam Records. The project offers a wide mix of Country styles – and Alex says, “There’s something here for everyone, from Western Swing to cutting edge stuff. It’s every kind of Country I love.”

The latest streaming track from the EP, “Every Time I Reach For You,” written by Miller and Salley, opens with a searing steel guitar that recalls the whistle of a midnight train, while a wistful fiddle fans the flames of despair. Miller’s vocal offers a gut-punch of emotion, and the result is his most impressive performance to date. The track premiered last week on WKRC-TV’s Good Morning Cincinnati show. “Girl, I Know A Guy” is Alex’s current charting single, and the upbeat love song strikes a hopeful note with traditional instrumentation and a timely theme. Written by NSAI Hall of Famer Walt Aldridge, Tim Rushlow (lead vocalist, Little Texas) and Danny Orton (Tim McGraw, Dan + Shay, Reba), the straightforward lyric spotlights a guy offering the girl who has everything a chance for something more … love. Miller’s rowdy and successful single, “When God Made The South,” is an anthemic, guitar-driven ode to the glories of Southern living. Gritty as a gravel road and as raw as moonshine, the straight-ahead Country lyric is driven by a Southern Rock beat – and Miller clearly enjoys the ride. From the fiddle down to the wah-wah guitar “Puttin’ Up Hay” is pure Alex. No surprise as he co-wrote this with Larry Cordle (Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, Trisha Yearwood) and Salley (Reba, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley). “It’s all about an ole boy putting up hay and getting him a little honey, too,” says Miller. “Gettin’ Lucky In Kentucky” is a mix of Western Swing and Kentucky guitar picking. Written by Miller and Salley, the upbeat song tells the story of a man who goes to a horse race, wins his bet - and the girl as well.

Producer Jerry Salley notes, “Alex was born with real Country music in his bones and now he’s exploring new sounds - while staying true to himself. I think his fans will love it.”

"When I was a kid I wanted to be a Prog-Metal guy" kicks off this interview with Chris Bricks who is now fully focused on country music. Plaid Brixx was an alternative rock band Chris had and we played some songs from those records. There is a resemblence to Richard Patrick of FILTER. Then his cover of "Sunflower" by Post Malone is absolutely amazing. Then we play some Sheryl Crow with "Light In Your Eyes". Then we play his debut country single "Rock & Roll".

Noelle Toland returns to the Deans Of Nashville to discuss her latest music. We start the interview talking about how The Don believe she has a doppleganger in the alternative rock world. We talk about her latest single "Limbo". Noelle takes a powerful approach to a universal experience in the music video for her single, LIMBO. She is telling the story of someone who feels like they’re being strung along in a relationship, and while grappling with the fear of the unknown, and decides to take a stand and lay their cards out on the table. She is taking back her power and not wasting time on someone who won’t give her any of theirs.

Filmed in Nashville, Tenn, this video was produced by Lindsey Patkos, who produced her previous music videos. “This video was so fun to do,” says Noelle. “I loved bringing a little sass to this one and showing fans that if a situation in your life has you in a holding pattern, walk away. You don’t want to be in a state of limbo. There’s no way around it. Get your boots on and hit the road.”
This tune delves into a more classic country sound with pedal steel guitar elements melding with Noelle’s soaring falsetto vocals. This single sets the tone of her upcoming EP, slated to be released this Spring. LIMBO has already been placed on multiple Spotify playlists and currently receiving rave reviews.

“Her newly released single LIMBO brings a wild western showdown feel.” – Radio SoBro
“Once you listen to her music including her latest release LIMBO, you will agree that this Nashville based singer-songwriter has star-quality written all over her.” - Nashville Country Music Magazine
“Noelle’s latest single LIMBO is about as good as it gets and proves that her feet are firmly-planted in music…LIMBO sounds like a song that should be part of a soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino film…” – Southern Fellow

Orlando's unique journey from a childhood dreamer to becoming the "Cuban Cowboy" is a testament to his unwavering determination and a love for storytelling through music. Hailing from Miami, Orlando's roots are steeped in his Cuban heritage, infusing his music with a distinctive blend of cultural richness and contemporary country sound.

"Heart On The Line" delves into the universal themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery. Orlando's soulful vocals and lyrical prowess converge to craft an emotional masterpiece that resonates on a deeply personal level. The track paints an intricate portrait of a heart in turmoil, caught between the shades of love and loss, showcasing Orlando's ability to channel raw emotions into a powerful musical experience.
Orlando Mendez's journey is a remarkable one, stemming from his Cuban heritage and a childhood passion for music. His evolution from a dreamer to the "Cuban Cowboy" is a testament to his unyielding dedication to storytelling through his art. With a background in acting and a standout performance on "The Voice," where he secured a spot in the Top 20 during Season 22, Orlando has honed his ability to command the stage and connect deeply with his audience.
"Heart On The Line" is a precursor to Orlando's forthcoming EP, titled "Where I Am Right Now," set for release later this year. This EP promises a collection of songs that offer an intimate glimpse into Orlando's personal journey, inviting listeners to connect with his experiences and emotions. His music is steeped in authenticity, seeking to forge a profound connection with listeners as they navigate life's intricate tapestry of emotions.

Neal McCoy has released fifteen studio albums on various labels and has released 34 singles to country radio.In 1993, Neal McCoy broke through with the back-to-back number 1 singles “No Doubt About It” and “Wink” from his platinum-certified album No Doubt About It. His commercial success continued into the late 1990s with two more platinum albums, a gold album, and six more Top Ten hits. A seventh Top Ten hit, the number 10 “Billy’s Got His Beer Goggles On,” came in 2005 from his self-released That’s Life. Neal joined us to talk about his version of "First Time For Everything" written and performed originally by Little Texas. We also get into Neal being discovered by Charlie Pride and working Charlie's merch before making it big on his own. So many great stories in this interview!

Andy Pursell joins the show for a second time and we deep dive into his incredible song "The Right Amount of Wrong" and the new music video. We also get into how a downed power line led to his country music career. The men and women that work on the powerlines are truly unsung heroes and we get into this and more.

The music journey for Jennifer Adan began in San Mateo, California, when she was ten years old. During a fifth-grade history class, Jennifer secretly wrote her first song unaware that it could lead to a career. At age fifteen, she revealed her talent by playing her parents a song she had written for their 25th wedding anniversary. In addition, she let them know she had 100 more songs. After doing some research, Jennifer joined the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and West Coast Songwriters Association (WCS). Both organizations provided contacts and educated her on the art of songwriting as well as the music business. She submitted to VH1 Song of the Year songwriting contests and won first place in multiple genres over several years. Through a family friend, she found a songwriting contest by hit songwriter Jeffrey Steele (What Hurts the Most, My Wish, "Raise 'Em Up."When the Lights Go Down) and won. She went to Nashville to work with him and meet other talented songwriters, where Steele convinced Jennifer to make the cross-country move to Nashville, away from her family, in order to follow her dreams. Jennifer now celebrates the success of a two-week number-one hit song "She Wouldn’t Be Gone" for Blake Shelton, which has recently gone platinum. https://youtu.be/ki-n6DsDG4. Her song "Don't Come Home" is featured on MTV's The Real World: San Diego Finale episode. She collaborated with the illustrious Asian singer/songwriter/advocate MILCK "Can’t Keep Quiet", as well as Dan Wilson's "Someone Like You," Adele and Ben Antelis (writer/producer/performer) to create the song "Metamorphosis." The full three-minute song was featured on Grey’s Anatomy on March 23, 2023. https://youtu.be/UKwCBkiz7oI. "Race You to the Bottom" is the single and title track from rock band New Medicine and charted at #2 on the Billboard heat-seekers rock chart. https://youtu.be/VjxE2RTevMQ In early 2020 she signed with New Rivals Entertainment and works closely with manager Doug Green. www.newrivalsent.com

Adam Hood joined us and we had an incredible music discussion. Dean Baldwin and I really got into some great conversation with Adam about music. Writing songs performed by Kid Roc, Andy Frasco and many other. . Dean brings up how Adam's vibe channels John Hiatt . This took us on a magical music journey. The tapestry of Southern music in America is rich, vivid and diverse. Adam Hood is an artist who exudes that substantial musical lineage each time he straps on his Telecaster for a show or picks up his pen to write a song. The roots of his Opelika, AL upbringing inform his musicality and guide his soul-stirring lyrics. He paints the characters of his songs with the wisdom that can only be derived by thousands of miles spent behind the steering wheel chasing the next musical adventure from one coast to the next. He delivers the words he writes with verve, passion and a smooth, confident voice that only comes from an artist who truly believes in each word springing forth to the microphone. Hood has carved out a career that has taken him from playing for tips acoustically in his hometown as a teenager to fronting a band on the biggest stages of roots music. Adam Hood has a yearning deep inside, a calling, to share his take on what country music should sound like. It is a soulful and profound version of the genre that mixes in elements of assorted styles to create something uniquely Adam Hood. A sound he describes as “southern songs. “It’s southern music,’ Hood relates, “The soulful side of southern music, the country side of southern music, the genuineness of southern culture, and how I grew up. It’s what I’ve always done.” While initially making waves as a performer of his own songs, it has been other folks singing those songs over the past decade that have added a new layer to Adam Hood’s formidable career. Always a capable and relatable songwriter, Hood has found his way by adeptly crafting songs that created stirring scenes and powerful emotions. An impressive roster of artists have recorded songs from Adam Hood’s pen, including Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Whiskey Myers, Cody Jinks and Travis Tritt. While Hood’s songwriting profile has continued to shine over the years, his own recorded and touring output has remained a vital part of the broader country music landscape. Hood’s latest album is titled Bad Days Better. An effort that was recorded in the famed Capricorn Studios in Macon, GA with Brent Cobb at the helm. The vibes and feel of the historic studio helped Cobb and Hood guide this project alongside the energy of past studio inhabitants such as Otis Redding. The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels Band among others. To be released on Hood’s own independent label, fittingly called Southern Songs. Hood is weaving his present day among the echoes of his heroes and biggest influences; creating a sound, style and moment that is all his own. Honing in on Adam Hood’s bedrock musical qualities pushed the Bad Days Better project forward with a true sense of purpose. The ghosts of consoles and melodies past imbued each song laid down over four days. In some ways, this experience culminated the myriad of experiences that led Adam Hood to this place in his life. The freshly sober family man recording inside the same walls as the musical icons of his youth, the go-to songwriter of the moment when an artist wants something with grit and groove, acclaimed live performer that’s packed out thousands of venues…all of it is found in the music Hood wrote for this record. An exceptional cast of collaborators that included Brit Turner, Richard Turner and Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke helped lay down the musical tracks. And the background vocals are singularly provided by Miranda Lambert. The songs Hood wrote for this most recent collection demanded such a serious lineup of session help. Bad Days Better is a deeply personal album. Adam Hood has lived a life full of hills and valleys and spent years living in the valleys while trying to appear to the outward world that he permanently resided on the hills. His countenance and resignation to be honest with himself in all facets of life led to the most raw lyrics of his career. “I speak more than I want to sometimes,” he says,” It makes me nervous to play it because I know it’s a vulnerable moment.” That vulnerability and honesty in his music is just another layer to the Southern musical story for which Adam Hood continues to write new chapters. Adam Hood will always be found where there’s a stage, sharing his version of country music. The essence, the emotion, the spirit and the institution of Southern music reside in Hood’s soul. He will continue to write, perform and share that mastery with his audience for years to come. “Music should get under your skin and make you think and make you feel,” he exclaims, ”Some people get what I’m saying; some don’t. I want to say what I feel and hope others feel the same Way.”