Episode 013 - Corey James Grubb

Time now for lucky episode number 13! This go round, I spend a little time with Mountain Home singer-songwriter Corey James Grubb, whose solo sound can almost take you into the heart of Appalachia.

During our time together, Corey and I talk about his musical style and influence, how he got his start, and what he looks for in a song. From there, we talk about the differences in music style for him when he's playing solo versus when he's playing with his band, the Fall Creek String Band, whose sound he describes as "honkygrass."

Corey then shares an early songwriting effort, "Come Back Home." That leads into a discussion of some of his songwriting heroes, near and far.

From there, we discuss his songwriting process, and the Mountain Home music scene, which Corey has high hopes for. Corey talks about the differences in performing solo versus performing with his band, and about the challenges of gaining a following. Then, Corey shares another tune, "Gold Diggin' Woman."

Corey and talk a bit about where his music seems to fit best when it comes to venues, booking gigs (at the time we sat down to talk, Corey's fall schedule was fairly open, so now is the time to contact him), and where he'd like to see himself and his music in a year or two. Corey also shares a story about his first band venture before playing a third tune, "One For The Road."

We conclude our conversation by discussing Corey's playing style, the time he puts into working on his music, and about making a living as an Idaho musician.

Episode 14 features music and conversation with longtime Nashville songwriter Bruce Michael Miller, who recently relocated from Nashville to Idaho Falls.

Corey James Grubb on Facebook
Fall Creek String Band on Facebook

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Layout Change, No Cost Financial Support

You may have noticed a change to the layout at the top of the blog. I now have a player embedded at the top of the page that will always feature the current episode. The RSS feed listing the three most recent episodes will remain, but I will probably no longer embed a player in posts announcing new episodes.

This change allows me to post more often, even if a new episode is not being posted, while ensuring blog visitors have quick and easy access to the podcast. Now, it will be much easier for me to post updates when I have interviews scheduled and the like.

The other thing this change does is make it possible for you to financially support this podcast without actually having to pay anything out of your pocket. How cool is that?

The embedded player is provided by Radio Public, which offers a program called Paid Listens. For every 1,000 listens through Radio Public (or through the embedded player above), podcasters (in this case, me) receive $20. Granted, it won't guarantee an early retirement, but it will help offset the cost of equipment and perhaps web hosting.

Another good thing about Radio Public is that the app is available for both Android,
 and iOS. You can also listen on your desktop computers. To find Measured Voices on Radio Public (and get the Radio Public app), simply click the link below.

Measured Voices on Radio Public

Episode 012 - Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers, Podcast News

Episode 12 is here for your dining and listening pleasure. It's a one-hour fun-filled episode featuring Dusty Leigh, Wade Huston, and Joel Rodely from the band Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers.

From L-R: Yours truly, Joel Rodely, Dusty Leigh, and
Wade Huston from Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers

Our conversation begins with a look at how the band got its name and at how the whole thing got started. From there, we talk about their country influences and the "jitterbug effect."

We spend a good portion of the episode talking about songwriting, as you might imagine, starting at a look at how the collaboration process works between Joel and Wade, the group's main songwriters.

We also talk about the challenge for them, as men, writing songs for a woman to sing, then we hear from the woman herself about her role in the whole process.

As I said, songwriting talk fills a good portion of this episode. The band talks about the fluid nature of their songwriting and how they occasionally have songs written or mostly written in one tempo or mood only to have it change by the time it is performance-ready.

Dusty, Wade, and Joel talk about their efforts to stay versatile as a band in terms of their performance and music choices. They also share a memory of the first time a fan sang along with one of their original tunes.

From there, we talk band chemistry and work ethic. Dusty and Wade talk about what it's like to be married to one another and in a band together, then we talk about upcoming plans and long-term aspirations.

In between the talk and the laughs (and there are plenty of those), the band shares some of its music with us. You'll hear one of the early songs, "Behind The Whiskey," along with "Lonely All The Time," and "Where We Began."

Episode 13, coming in two weeks (as we move back to our regular schedule), features music and conversation with Mountain Home singer-songwriter Corey James Grubb.

In podcast news, my host provider, Anchor, has now made it possible for fans of the podcast to show some love financially if they are so inclined. Simply go to the podcast page at https://anchor.fm/measured-voices and click on the "Support this podcast" button. You'll be given three possible levels of support to choose from. That's all there is to it. Thanks for listening!

Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers website
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Hear the band's music on ReverbNation

A Little Cleanup

After reading a couple of articles by James Cridland, who runs Podnews.net, I've decided to clean up some of the clutter on the blog home page.

As the podcast became listed and available through several different web sites and podcast applications, I've added buttons for each one to reflect their addition. I've now removed those buttons.

Those of you who consume podcasts through Spotify, Stitcher, and the like will still be able to do so. Cridland, though, makes the compelling argument that people who use such applications are likely power users who know how to install those apps and then search for podcasts.

Cridland goes on to say that the Google Podcasts app is now pre-installed on all Android phones (with the possible exception of Samsung) and the Apple Podcasts app is already installed on every iPhone. Of course, every time a new episode is posted, you'll also be able to listen right here.

Let me know what you think about the layout changes. Is simplifying the way to go? Thanks for listening!


Podnews - Your daily briefing for podcasting and on-demand
James Cridland - How to link to your podcast most effectively
James Cridland - Why you only need two buttons to promote your podcast

Episode 011 - Dan Costello, Part Two

Because the conversation was too good, and because I'm too lazy to cut out anything, I decided to make my conversation with long-time Boise singer-songwriter Dan Costello a two-parter.

Part one was posted last Friday, and today, part two is launched into the electronic vapor. In part two, Dan talks about his latest band project, Sono Fuego, telling us how it came about and what Sono Fuego is all about.

Since Dan also still performs solo gigs, we talk about the dynamics of performing solo versus in a band. then Dan discussed how this experience differs from his past band experiences.

We spend some time talking about Dan's decision to perform mainly with a nylon-string guitar and about why Dan's fingernails are so important. That segues into some conversation about Dan's approach to finger-style playing, complete with examples.

Dan talks about what he enjoys most about performing live. He also shares some great thoughts on developing one's stagecraft and talks about the advice he received for overcoming stage fright.

We talk about Dan's increased presence and involvement with the Idaho Songwriters Association, and Dan shares his thoughts about finding success in music. Dan then closes out the episode with a performance of his song "Home Is Where The Heart Is."

Another new episode drops next Friday, August 10. (Then we resume our bi-weekly schedule.) In it, Joel Rodely, Wade Huston, and Dusty Leigh from Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers sit down with me to talk about their name, how the band got started, their approach to songwriting, and more. They also share several of their songs.

Follow Dan Costello on Facebook
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See Dan Costello on YouTube
Hear Dan Costello on ReverbNation
Visit Dan Costello's website
Follow Sono Fuego on Facebook


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Platform Update, In Other News

If you come to the podcast through the blog page, that's great! It's probably the best way to do so if you want show information.

On the right side of the page, there are links to various platforms through which you can listen and subscribe to Measured Voices. But those aren't your only options.

In addition to the nine listening/subscription options offered there, you can also get the podcast through the new Google Podcasts app, Breaker, Castbox, Acast, Radio Public, and Podchaser.

Okay, now that we have that bit of housekeeping out of the way, time for the news. I have two great songwriters lined up for interviews this week.

Longtime Nashville songwriter Bruce Michael Miller recently relocated to Idaho. I plan to talk to him about the move and about a collaboration he's beginning with Idaho songwriting legend Steve Eaton.

Next, I'll sit down with local singer-songwriter Tom Taylor. Word is he has a new CD in the works, so we'll chat about that. As always, each episode will also feature music from my guest.

Don't forget: Part two of my amazing conversation with Dan Costello drops this Friday! (No two-week wait on this one. I follow that up with a great session with several members from the band Dusty Leigh & The Claim Jumpers.

Thanks for listening! Remember, you can follow the podcast on Facebook and Twitter. Send any questions, comments, or suggestions to measuredvoices@gmail.com.