Stay ConnectedWhether you write music, record music, play music…….or just LOVE music, this podcast is for you!
Note: Mix equal parts Top Hill Recording Podcast and bourbon.
Visit “One Shot One Mic One Song” on YouTube to hear artists from this podcast recorded live with a minimalist one mic approach from the past.
Copyright: © Brad Weston/Neil Johnstone
With the launch of the new podcast, “McMahon on Keys,” Jeff McMahon brings his casual experience as a music professional and award-nominated keyboardist to the table for live performances and lively discussions with both established artists and those beginning to wind their way through the music industry. McMahon combines a career of concert touring (Tim McGraw, Chris Cagle), numerous hits as a studio keyboardist, (“Live Like You Were Dying,” “Real Good Man”), an Academy of Country Music award nomination, media training and a background in label operations together for what is a relaxed and authentic willingness to, as he puts it, “send the elevator back down” to those looking to travel some of the roads he knows so well. Recently, McMahon has also added “songwriter” to his resume, having penned the recent release titled “Long Gone John” with and for up-and-coming recording artist Maddye Trew, along with co-writer Troy Castellano. An accompanying music video that he is helping to produce is in the works, and more dates are being added to the calendar for his summer tour as keyboardist for country hitmaker Chris Cagle.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Lennon Stella, Gracie Abrams, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift, Lexi brings a refreshing and contemporary edge to the pop music scene. Her music seamlessly blends infectious hooks, pulsating beats, and thought-provoking lyrics, that lingers in the minds of her fans long after the music ends.
Her distinctive voice possesses a rare combination of vulnerability and versatility with lyrics that often delve into introspective themes of personal growth, love, and the complexities of the human experience. Lexi’s ability to connect with her listeners on a deeply emotional level is solidifying her reputation as an emerging pop artist who fearlessly wears her heart on her sleeve.
Anand has always had a passion for singing and songwriting. When she was just six years old, she wrote her first song entitled, “When I Wake Up.” “When I Wake Up was a song about waking up in different locations, like on the sun or on the moon,” says Lexi.
She is a student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee where she recently finished her first year of college and spent the first few weeks of summer traveling the world exploring Denmark, Italy, Geneva and Amsterdam. In 2019, Lexi was selected to attend Grammy Camp by The Recording Academy. There she studied under notable writers such as Echosmith, Andy Grammer and Jordin Sparks. As Lexi Anand continues to carve her path in the pop music realm with a desire to pursue sync for TV & Film, her star power shines brighter with each endeavor.
With an unmatched work ethic and a genuine connection with her fans, Lexi is poised to become a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
With a name that hints at color and nature, Lylak makes a point to play with heart and leave the stage a bit more beautiful than they found it. The indie rock quartet, based in Lexington, Kentucky, started in 2015 as a solo project of Gideon Maki (vocals/guitar), gradually gaining members and honing their sound. The unique musical backgrounds of the members mix up an eclectic blend of influences, which is a boon for the listener. Interweaving vocals, from Maki and Elizabeth Varnado (vocals/violin/guitar), present approachable lyrics that explore the lighter and darker aspects of life and love, memory and friendship. Dynamic guitar licks catch the ear while swelling synths, moody violin, and intricate rhythms (Paul Varnado, bass/synth; Jesse Hornbeak, Drums) color the background.
Born to a British expat in Kentucky, Nick Teale combines heartfelt Americana authenticity with the eclectic musicianship of British art rockers like Peter Gabriel. He has shared the stage with Louisville's Mama Said String Band and Austin's Scott Collins, and songs from his album "Still in Limbo" have played on airwaves across Kentucky and the U.S. His new single "Angel Wings", releasing to all major outlets on August 2, 2023, draws from vintage blues, folk, country, and classic rock traditions to tell a story of isolation, generational cycles of addiction, and the bleak realities of American poverty. Fans of Sean Rowe, Rag'n'Bone Man, and Fred Eaglesmith will love this bold new single--and fans of any style of music will find something to love in Teale's back catalog!
The son of educators, grandson of laborers, Luke Trimble is a story teller capturing the life of Appalachia. A mix of bluegrass, folk, and country, Trimble’s music is made of memory - his own memory of growing up in Paintsville, Kentucky; the memory of rich cultural Appalachian history; and an instinctive Eastern Kentucky memory, passed down through family lore or, maybe, in the water that rolls in between the hills. Today, Luke resides in Lexington, Kentucky where he continues to create melodies, and write songs that describe the narrative of his roots.
Alicia New, a singer/songwriter from Frankfort, Kentucky, writes songs ranging from the soulful strains of sad love songs to light hearted playful tunes and lots of colorful tales evoking visions of magical places. An avid music lover who plays multiple instruments and percussion she loves traveling and playing music festivals! Her free spirit comes through in her captivating music. She has played with several bands and many years in a duo with Josh Alcorn, but is now performing as a solo act. She is currently making an album with Jason Simpson, bassist for Colter Wall..... her songs, his arrangements.
Drew Crawley is a songwriter/singer based in Louisville, Kentucky. His roots run back to the red soil of Oklahoma, where growing up he fell in love with the sounds of country and Americana music - the likes of John Prine and many others. Drew plays a blend of what some call Dirt-Emo (sad music on acoustic guitars) and Country Disco. Drew describes himself as a wild boy at heart who loves to party on stage, but the thing he's most passionate about in the world is writing good songs and playing them with his best friends. Drew considers the greatest gifts he's been given through music to be that of hope, recovery, and redemption. He hopes that his songs will do the same for the listener.
Earl Bowman is a 30 year old singer/songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky. He got his start at open mics around town and just began gigging in 2022. Earl's goal over that year was to do as much as he could to be taken seriously by the other great artists in the Louisville music scene. Earl recently released the final song off of his debut EP, and he is currently working in the studio on new music. Earl aims to be honest in his songwriting and open about his mental health. Music is something he's always wanted to pursue and he's had a lot fun and success following this dream over the last year.
Runaway Souls is a rock and roll band from Louisville, Kentucky comprised of long time local musicians who share a passion for vintage vibes, though the music clearly speaks of today's times. Most of the members played together in different groups over the years before gelling in the lineup of: David Thomas-vocals Darren Barker-guitar Brian Segal-guitar Donnie Bott-bass Ashley Vega-vocals Toni Carroll-vocals Woody Woodmansee-keys Jim Becker-drums Before the pandemic, they performed as a cover band. However, given the time, circumstances, and inspiration a new original sound emerged. A sound that blended their love for big guitars, soaring harmonies, some jammy outros, with tinges of tones from their influences. What started as one song for local radio, "Shelter with You" opened the door for more. One song led to another and eventually the Karma Delivery album was born. Resilience is a recurring theme on the album, with many songs dealing with the times that were and the additional challenges that presented themselves. Runaway Souls is performing live and continuing to write new material for a follow up record.
Sofia Lynch is on a mission to put her most vulnerable feelings into words, and share it with anyone who will listen.
At age 21, armed with her intimate lyrics and penchant for pop excellence, she has worked with two Grammy award-winning producers (Thomas Scott Hoffman and Femke Weidema-Reynolds), recorded at the internationally renowned Blackbird Studios, and inked a sync licensing deal with UK-based publishing group, Cream Collective.
Lynch, born to two manufacturing engineers, began her career in music at just five years old when she sang the National Anthem at a regional teacher’s conference. After performing in community theater for several years, she learned how to play guitar when she was nine years old, writing over fifty songs before she turned ten. At 12, Sofia played her first paid show at a bar in her hometown, which got her started performing at many other local venues.
She released her first EP, In My Mind, at 14 years old, and dropped her first album, Lately, in 2020. It quickly amassed over 50,000 streams on digital platforms, with one of her songs amassing millions of plays on the popular social app, TikTok.
Lynch credits her unique melancholy pop sound as being influenced by other “sad girls,” gushing about her favorite songwriters like Phoebe Bridgers, Maisie Peters, and Taylor Swift:
“There are so many wonderful female artists today that are pushing boundaries. I think it’s important to listen to great music in order to create great music.”
After graduating from MTSU, Sofia will continue to play shows, co-write, record music, and make videos for her TikTok fans. During her free time, Sofia enjoys spending quality time with her parents and two sisters, watching live performances, reading, and digging into some Chinese take-out.
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