The Zak Kuhn Show

Nashville guitar ace Guthrie Trapp returns to the podcast this week. We discuss his new record with Tom Bukovac and so much more. Guthrie is one of a kind. You're going to love his musical knowledge and insight.  

If you don't know, my company Nashville Briefing is releasing our debut print issue today! This conversation with Bobby Bones was for a Q&A that appears in the print issue. The audio here was never meant to be listened to but I decided we should put it out anyway. Have fun!

Sony/Monument recording duo Tigirlily Gold is on the podcast this week! We talk about them being on the cover for Nashville Briefing's debut print issue, their current radio single "I Tried A Ring On", and so much more. I even harmonize with them live on the air. These girls are blowing up! Listen to our convo now

Grace Bowers has emerged as a guitar phenomenon out of Nashville. She's been sought after by everyone from Lainey Wilson, Devon Allman, Margo Price, Tyler Childers, Kingfish, Susan Tedeshi, and others. Grace mastered her abilities via YouTube tutorials and lessons. In the midst of the COVID lockdown, she built an audience by regularly livestreaming solo jam sessions on Reddit, while her Instagram reels often achieved viral impact. Along the way, she landed a coveted Gibson endorsement at the age of 14. At the current age of 17, Grace is one of the most interesting guitarists in the scene right now. We talk about her rise, her approach on the instrument and so much more. 

Rising country star Alexandra Kay joins The Zak Kuhn Show this week to open up about her debut album, divorce and live on the road. The independent artist sold over 50,00 tickets last year on her headlining tour and has already earned millions of streams.

Colbie Caillat burst onto the music scene with Coco in 2007. She has since sold millions of albums and has earned over 15 billion streams and two Grammys. You know the hits. Her debut country album Along The Way is out now.

This week, the podcast is back at Berklee College of Music. In front of a live audience of students, Zak sat down with Double Elvis co-founder and CEO Brady Sadler to talk about what it takes to build the most successful music podcasts in the world. Brady has helped create and produce shows like Disgraceland, Badlands and 27 Club, all hosted by his partner and co-founder Jake Brennan. He also recently produced Shred With Shifty, which is hosted by Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett.  Bradys podcasts have received hundreds of millions of downloads around the world. You'll love his insight.

In this special bonus episode, Zak is live on the red carpet during St. Jude's Country Cares weekend. This episode features interview snippets with Brothers Osborne, Chase Matthew, Catie Offerman, Tigirlily Gold, Alex Hall and several others. 

Matthew Ramsey is the lead singer of country band Old Dominion. You know all about the band, but you’ll learn a lot about Matthew from this conversation. Don’t miss it! Old Dominion’s new album Memory Lane is out this Friday.

Best selling author Seth Godin returns to the podcast this week to talk about his new book The Song of Significance. A conversation with Seth never disappoints. He covers so much ground in this episode. You can't miss it.

Elliot Greer delivers unfiltered truth with grizzled, yet warm intonation accompanied by acoustic guitar. Growing up in Scotland, he attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York city. Armed with a basic $100 microphone purchased by his girlfriend, he wrote, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered his independent debut,Handcrafted, in the bathroom of his apartment. Simultaneously, he gigged as often as he could, joined Ashley McBryde and John Osborne for a performance onThe Tonight Show at Jimmy Fallon, and even supported himself by busking in Central Park. In 2022, he launched a TikTok account and broke through with the single "Bleed." A video of Elliot with an acoustic guitar singing his soul out caught fire, reeling in 8 million views on Instagram and 5 million on TikTok. Now, the Scotland-born and New York-based artist forges a lasting connection on a series of 2023 singles for Arista Records and much more to come. Elliot is a modern troubadour. You're going to love his story! 

Arista recording artist Rosie just wrapped her first ever headline tour the same week she released her new EP "5 Songs For Healing". You need to listen. She first blew up on TikTok, but she is so much more than just a "TikTok artist". You're going to love how real and honest Rosie is in this conversation. Find out what it's like to be an artist who is on the rise today!

Columbia Records and Sony Music Nashville artist Ella Langley is on the rise. The singer just released her debut EP Excuse The Mess, which is a must listen. In this conversation, Ella dishes the real info on what it's like to make it Nashville but we also talk about hunting, playing the college bar scene and so much. This episode will make you a fan.

This week I caught up with Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett. We talk about his solo career, recording with Nashville's A-Team and so much more. You're going to love his stories from the road, his knowledge of music and of course guitars. Of course we talk about the Foos as well. Chris is an actual real life rock star! Don't sleep on this conversation! Listen to his new song "Dead And Gone" out now. 

John Oates needs very little introduction. As one half of the iconic group Daryl Hall and John Oates, he has sold more records then any other duo in history. You know the hits. We dive into the stores behind them and so much more. You'll be blown away by how down to earth and normal Oates comes across in this conversation. You're going to love it.

Jonnie Forster emerged as a music entrepreneur after graduating with a Bachelor of Sciences in Marketing from San Diego State University. He joined A&M/Tuff Break Records implementing marketing plans for their hip-hop roster before moving to Capitol Records. As a marketing executive, he was instrumental in campaigns for the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, Tina Turner, Pink Floyd, and a host of others. In 2020, Forster’s entertainment company rebranded to The PENTHOUSE, inspired by its one-of-a-kind creative hub. The Penthouse includes recording studios, offices for film & TV, management companies, plus a legendary 2,500 sq. foot patio overlooking the Hollywood Hills where all are invited to collaborate & celebrate. Today, Forster manages country acts Willie Jones and RVSHVD. He is also perhaps the most connected man in Nashville, who doesn't live in Nashville. You need to know about him.

On the final stop of the podcast tour, Zak is live in Chicago at the Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music. His guests are legendary punk rocker Martin Atkins, co-founder/owner of Chicago based vinyl pressing plant Smashed Plastic John Lombardo and Dark Matter Coffee founder Jesse Diaz. These three entrepreneurs are impacting culture in the Windy City. Don’t miss these conversations.

For the third stop of the podcast tour, Zak sits down with country music journalist, critic and educator Grady Smith. Perhaps best known for his incredibly popular YouTube channel, that has over two hundred thousand subscribers, Smith is an important voice in the world of Nashville. You’ll be blown away by his story and knowledge of the genre. This honest conversation will make you a fan and give you a whole new perspective on what it takes to make it as a professional YouTuber. Don’t miss it!

The podcast tour continues! This live episode was recorded during a panel last week at SXSW. Zak is joined by Spotify Nashville Head of Editorial Rachel Whitney, Universal Nashville Director of Streaming Vipin Reddy and Riveter Management Founder Charlene Bryant. We cover it all. Don't miss this conversation!

We are live from Berklee College of Music. This week's guest, and season 3 opener, is Jim Lucchese, the CEO of Sofar Sounds. Prior, Jim was the CEO of The Echo Nest, which was acquired by Spotify in 2014. That technology and team went on to develop tools like Spotify's algorithmic playlists. Jim was also very involved in creating Spotify for Artists. Today, Jim is focused on continuing to grow Sofar  around the world. You’re going to be inspired by this conversation and love Jim’s passion for what he does. Don't miss the student questions at the end of the episode!