Hops & Spirits Bar Conversations

Grammy-nominated and multi-instrumentalist artist Hunter Hayes joins us (12:32 mark) to talk about his favorite drinks, his love of Scotch whisky, learning new instruments, how he's changed musically (or not) over the past decade, his road trip to California, latest singles from Red Sky, sharing this part of his musical journey, what's next and more. Plus, Chaunci King, founder of Royalty Spirits, joins us (1:34 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about launching Royalty Spirits.

For more on Hunter Hayes, visit https://www.hunterhayes.com/ or find him on social media. 

For more from our interview with Chaunci, check out the Extra Tasting Notes on Facebook and YouTube.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Dennijo Sitze of the country trio the Flat River Band joins us to talk (9:30 mark) about playing together as brothers, growing up in a family band, having kids not into music, how the trio came to be, playing with the Gatlin Brothers, their latest album, making music for the front porch, what 2023 has in store and more. Plus, cicerone Kevin Patterson joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about pastry stouts and what to expect on tap this winter.

For more on the Flat River Band, visit https://www.flatriverband.com/ or find them on social media. 

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist Austin Snell joins us (9:00 mark) to talk about his debut single Excuse the Mess, how his parents had to change his name, buying a guitar with his last $400, his adventurous journey to Nashville, ignoring the signs of that journey, finding his voice, writing music and more. Plus, chef Alison Settle joins us (1:30 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk Friendsgiving and Holiday Parties.

For more on Austin, visithttps://www.austinsnell.com/ or find him on social media. 

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist Grant Gilbert joins us (13-minute mark) to talk about growing up on a farm in Texas, getting into music, his first gig, the impact Texas Tech had on his career, meeting Josh Abbott, potential collaborations dropping soon, his latest single What's Stopping Us, being in the studio and more. Plus, Drunkwood creator John King joins us (1:45 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk bourbon barrels and woodworking.

For more on Grant, visit https://www.grantgilbertmusic.com/ or find him on social media. 

For the full interview with John King, check out https://hopsspirits.com/2022/07/25/qa-with-drunkwood-creator-john-king/.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Chart topping and award winning country artist Brett Kissel joins us (11:30 mark) to talk about the role family has played in his life, getting to travel with his kids, having his own vodka, his favorite drinks, growing up in Canada, his latest single Watch It, the collaboration with 98 Degrees, where his inspiration for a song comes from, being on stage, his next album (or is it albums?), getting back to Nashville and more. Plus, Leah Jean Shafer joins us (1:45 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about creating UNspilt, the unspillable drink holder and being in nature.

For more on Brett, visit https://www.brettkissel.com/ or find him on social media.

To enjoy our full chat with Leah and how UNspilt came to be, visit https://hopsspirits.com/2022/07/24/chat-with-unspilt-creator-leah-jean-shafer/.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist and songwriter Jordan Rowe joins us (10:30 mark) to talk about his latest single 5:00 in the Country, growing up in Georgia, the move to Nashville, being a songwriter, song ideas that come in the shower, working with some legends on his album Bad Case of the Good Ole Boy, doing tailgate shows for Luke Combs, being on stage and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us (1:45 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk bourbon barrel aged beers and what to expect.

For more on Jordan, visit https://www.jordanroweofficial.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Neat & Mixed Reviews and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist and Claim to Fame runner up Logan Crosby joins us (4:30 mark) to talk about being on the TV show Claim to Fame, keeping his identity a secret, eating a scorpion, going viral on TikTok for a non-music video, his love of music, when he realized this was the path for him, his "Suits and Boots" attire, his first singles, what's next for him and more. Plus, we give you a preview (30 second mark) of our latest Hops & Spirits shows, including Neat & Mixed Reviews.

For more on Logan, find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos, Neat & Mixed Reviews, and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist and songwriter Dallas Remington joins us (9:45 mark) to talk about her new single Steal Your Dad, being in the studio, the response to Uncommon Man, playing in a metal band, how she got into music, moving from Kentucky to Nashville, her biggest goals, her family, her love of Sun Drop and more. Plus, Alison Settle joins us (1:45 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk tailgate food and drink pairings.

For more on Dallas, visit https://www.dallasremington.com/ or find her on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos, Neat & Mixed Reviews, and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, all available at hopsspirits.com.

Country duo Southerland joins us (12-minute mark) as we wrap up Whiskey Weeks 2022 with a few good pours. Chris Rogers and Matt Chase talk about how they became a duo, trying to come up with a name (Palmetto Peaches anyone??), how they come up with songs, writing a song about their significant others, their latest singles, coming together as a duo, their favorite bourbons & craft beers, what's next and more. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us (1:40 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about Going Beyond Kentucky as part of our Whiskey 101 series.

For more on Southerland, visit https://southerlandmusic.com/ or find them on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country punk artist Manny Blu joins for week three of Whiskey Weeks 2022. He talks (13-minute mark) about what country punk is, how he got into country music, always being a rule bender, overcoming challenges along the way, growing up in Canada, the move to Nashville, his latest single, making new music and what's next. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us (1:45 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about Trying Craft Distillers as part of our Whiskey 101 series.

For more on Manny, visit https://mannyblumusic.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist Ian Munsick joins for week two of Whiskey Weeks 2022. He talks (10-minute mark) about being a dad, having his wife as his manager, the role she played in his duet with Cody Johnson (Long Live Cowgirls), growing up in a musical family, giving back to Montana following the floods, his latest single More Than Me, being out on tour, his love of snack foods, what's next for him and more. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us (1:30 mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about Trying Rye Whiskey as part of our Whiskey 101 series.

For more on Ian, visit https://www.ianmunsick.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country duo Smith & Wesley, brothers Todd and Scott Smith, joins us (11-minute mark) to kick off Whiskey Weeks 2022 and they take over hosting duties as we experienced some technical difficulties midway through. They also talk about how they came to play together professionally, how they came up with their name, the impact their parents had on them, how they write a song and pick songs for an album, why they had other writers on their latest album, giving back, what's next and they share some stories with us. Plus, Chad Watson (aka MyDailyBourbon) joins us (1 plus-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk about Bottled In Bond as part of our Whiskey 101 series.

For more on Smith & Wesley, visit https://www.smithandwesley.com/ or find them on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist/songwriter Emily Miller joins us (9-minute mark) to talk about her debut EP They Say, her hobby of gardening, growing up with classical music training, switching to country music, her love of classic country, learning from amazing teachers, and what's next. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk the Daisy/Margarita as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

For more on Emily, visit https://www.emilymillerofficial.com/ or find her on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Fergal Scahill of the Ireland-based quartet We Banjo 3 joins us (9-minute mark) to talk about the group's new album Open the Road, how the sets of brothers get along, blending Irish and Americana styles, playing at Irish American festivals, how he plays the fiddle, being on social media and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk the Manhattan as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

For more on We Banjo 3, visit https://www.webanjo3.com/ or find them on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist Dustin Herring joins us (8-minute mark) to talk about working on the farm, winning the County Showdown Songwriting Competition, moving to Nashville, growing up in south Alabama, getting back to his roots, his latest album Acquired Taste, playing with his friend Brandon Wright at the Blazer 88 Benefit and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk the Old Fashioned as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

For more on Dustin Herring, visit https://www.dustinherring.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Stephen Castillo and Phill Brush, of country band The Western Express, join us (9-minute mark) to talk about their debut album, meeting on Craigslist, their name, growing up in Texas, how they're a team, building out the band, working with rockabilly star John Evans, playing gigs and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (2-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk The Sour recipe as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

For more on The Western Express, visit https://www.thewesternexpress.band/ or find them on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Cocktail:30 videos and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Artist and entrepreneur KINGSLEY joins us (11-minute mark) to talk about her latest album, having a love for music at an early age, being part of a big family, becoming an entrepreneur, crafting lipstick to match her album's singles, making a cocktail book and more. Plus, Jake Sulek joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk cocktail basics as part of our Cocktail 101 series.

For more on KINGSLEY, visit https://www.iamkingsley.com/ or find her on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Give It A Try Taste Tests and the Hops & Spirits Kentucky podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist Johnny Day joins us (10-minute mark) to talk about working in the oilfields, growing up in Colorado, moving to Nashville fulltime, saying no to his wife's proposal, his favorite beers, working on new music, being on TikTok and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk lagers as part of our Craft Beer 101 series.

For more on Johnny, visit https://www.johnnydayofficial.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Give It A Try Taste Tests and the Hops & Spirits podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Singer/songwriter Lauren Balthrop joins us (10-minute mark) to talk about having fun on social media, learning the fiddle, pursing theater in New York City before turning to music, growing up in Alabama, going solo, her upcoming album, the single Piece of Shit and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk sour/gose beers as part of our Craft Beer 101 series.

For more on Lauren, visit https://www.laurenbalthrop.com/ or find her on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Give It A Try Taste Tests and the Questions & Alcohol podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.

Country artist and professional baseball player Bryan Ruby joins us (13-minute mark) to talk about playing baseball, balancing music and baseball, when he got into country music, his new single Left Field, upcoming EP, his organization Proud to Be in Baseball and more. Plus, Kevin Patterson joins us (1-minute mark) for Tasting Notes to talk newer style IPAs as part of our Craft Beer 101 series.

For more on Bryan, visit https://www.bryanrubymusic.com/ or find him on social media.

Don't forget to check out the video on YouTube and our Facebook page. Plus, enjoy our Give It A Try Taste Tests and the Questions & Alcohol podcast, both available at hopsspirits.com.