Episode 39 - One Last Look Back

Episode 39 of the podcast is now available for your aural enjoyment. It marks the end of our look back. In all, there have been 34 episodes of original and new content.

In this episode, we look back at episodes 29 through 34 and feature conversation and music from Dustin Morris, Brandon Thomas, Michael Brown, Cary William White, Connor Jay Liess, and Wayne White. You'll find links to the full episodes for each artist below.

Measured Voices has been a great deal of fun, and I have enjoyed sitting down and talking with all of the artists featured. I've also enjoyed having the opportunity to hear some of their music. I hope you have as well.

While putting together the podcast has been fun and is a labor of love, it is also a fair amount of work. Because of that, I've decided to take some time off from working on the podcast. That time away will hopefully give me time to work on my own music and also line up guests for new episodes.

The current plan is to try to resume posting new episodes with the start of the new year. Check in with the podcast's Facebook page from time to time for updates.

In the meantime, I hope you'll check out some of the local songwriters living and working around the Treasure Valley. There are some truly fine songwriters and musicians who deserve your support, and I hope you'll give them a chance to win that support.

Thanks for listening!


Episode 29 - Dustin Morris
Episode 30 - Brandon Thomas
Episode 31 - Michael Brown
Episode 32 - Cary William White
Episode 33 - Connor Jay Liess
Episode 34 - Wayne White

Episode 34 - Wayne White

June is here and with it Episode 34 of the podcast. This time out, a conversation with songwriter and guitar instrumentalist Wayne White.

Wayne White and his harp guitar

In this episode, Wayne talks about his influences, some of whom might seem surprising for an instrumentalist. We'll talk about how Wayne developed his playing style and about the musical journey that brought him to where he is today.

Wayne also talks about finding the right venues for his style of music, how he came to the harp guitar, misconceptions he's encountered about instrumental music, and some of the challenges of teaching guitar to today's teenagers.

Along the way, Wayne shares three of his compositions: "Justified," "The Second Solution," and "View From The Moon."

This marks the last Measured Voices conversation for the time being. Over the next few weeks, we'll take a listen back to some of the music the various artists have graciously shared. After that, who knows?

Regardless of what happens, this has been a great ride. I'm grateful to every artist who has shared his or her thoughts and music. I'm also grateful to everyone who has taken the time to listen to even one episode of the podcast.

There is an abundance of local and original music in the Treasure Valley. This summer, do yourself a favor and go out and discover some of it.

Follow Wayne White on Facebook.
Listen to Wayne White on ReverbNation.
Purchase Wayne White's music on CDBaby.
Visit Wayne White's website.
Wayne White on YouTube.

Episode 33 - Connor Jay Liess

It's Friday and that means a new episode of Measured Voices - a new episode featuring self described "old soul" Connor Jay Liess.

Connor Jay Liess

Episode 33 finds me sitting down with Connor, a child of California who found his true home in the mountains and mining towns of Idaho. Connor and I spend some time talking about how he sees and describes his music. As he talks about his songs and his sound, you get a sense of the influences of the outdoors and small towns on his music.

Connor talks about the types of stories and songs that appeal to him and what it is about Boise and the Treasure Valley that attracted him and now seems to have a hold on him. We'll also talk about Connor's influences and inspiration as well as get into his roundabout musical journey.

I'll talk songwriting with Connor, his process and the influence of older and more traditional tunes on his music. We'll also talk about music as an important outlet for Connor, along with his desire to capture aspects of Idaho in song.

Connor is also finishing up work on his debut album, and we'll talk about the timetable for that. We'll talk about how Connor goes about promoting himself and his music, a couple of band projects he is also involved with, hearing his voice recorded in a studio for the first time, and the Treasure Valley music scene.

Episode 33 also features three original songs from Connor: "Hobo Blues," "Will I Ever See My Son Again?" and "Idaho Mountain Song."


Follow Connor Jay Liess on Facebook.
Listen to Connor Jay Liess on Soundcloud.

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Episode 32 - Cary William White

Hi there! Glad you stopped by! You're just in time to give a listen to episode 32.

Cary William White

In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with songwriter Cary William White for a wide ranging conversation. We start off by talking about Cary's conscious decision to be somewhat eclectic in terms of his songwriting. (Hint: boredom plays a part in his reasoning.)

We'll talk influences and what Cary took from them when he began to write his own songs. We'll also talk about the idea of the songwriter as conduit.

Cary talks about his earlier life as what he terms a "machine" and about his ultimate decision to honor his musical gifts. Cary and I talk quite about spirituality and meditation and their roles in his music as well as his time living in an RV and later a car.

In addition to music, Cary is an artist, and we'll talk about the connections and similarities between the two. Cary also talks about the elephant in every musician's living room, money, and about the pleasure and fulfillment he gets from teaching music to others and, hopefully, inspiring them.

Along the way, Cary shares three of his original songs, "New Day One," "We Are One In Love," and "The Time Has Come."


Visit Cary William White's website

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Episode 31 - Michael J. Brown

May is here and with it is Episode 31. This time out, I sit down for a conversation with longtime songwriter Michael J. Brown. So sit down, buckle up, and settle in for some talk and tunes.

Michael J. Brown

Michael talks about his early musical experiences growing up around Strike Dam and about the man who helped set him on his musical journey. Of course, we'll talk about the music he listened to growing up and about how those classic melodies still influence Michael's music.

We'll talk about Michael's songwriting process, revision, and production, as well as talking about how independent artists are in a great place in terms of controlling their music. On the subject of music, Michael talks about the power of music to lift up and heal, as well as inspire.

When he's not writing songs, Michael works on his brainchild, the Treasure Valley Songwriting Showcase. He talks about the area's appetite for original music and about his desire to help mentor younger songwriters.

On the subject of songwriting, Michael spent some time in Nashville, and he talks about that experience, as well as a not so pleasant musical experience when he was trying to get started in the business.

Michael also shares three of his own songs with us. So come along for the ride.

Episode 32 will feature a conversation with another longtime Treasure Valley songwriter, Cary William White.


Follow Michael J. Brown on Facebook
Listen to Michael J. Brown on Spotify
Visit Michael J. Brown's webpage
Find out more about the Treasure Valley Songwriters Showcase
Watch Michael J. Brown on YouTube


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Episode 27 - Noble Holt

Happy Friday, boys and girls! It's time for another episode of the little podcast that could. That's right, episode 27 is here, and it's rockin'!

Noble Holt (L) during a performance

This time out, I sit down with 15-year old (that's right, 15!) guitarist and songwriter Noble Holt. At 15, he's already one of the better guitarists in the Treasure Valley.

I recently sat down with Noble at his house to talk a little music and about his band, Captain SNAFU. Along the way, we talk about the band's sound and about drawing inspiration from a Stephen King novel for the first song he ever wrote on his own. (You'll hear that song in the episode.)

We'll talk practicing routine, guitar and songwriting influences, his approach to songwriting, and his hopes for his and the band's future. We'll also find out how many guitars Noble has. (Hint: it's more than a couple.) We'll also hear three songs from Captain SNAFU.


Follow Noble Holt and Captain SNAFU on Facebook.

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