Our Favorite Music Documentaries with Amy Allmand

For this week's episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ were keeping the conversation at home. Bart and his lovely wife Amy talk about their favorite music documentaries. Music is at the root of life and it's interesting to hear why these documentaries are their favorites. Listen in to hear this great conversation between Bart and Amy. 

Here is a list of music documentaries that we love and where you can watch them:

It All Begins With A Song - a music doc that explores what it’s like to be a songwriter in Nashville - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

Musicle Shoals - explore the history of Fame Recording Studios and the Muscle Shoals Studio and how the music that came out of that part of Alabama made a huge impact on music starting in the 1960’s and created the Muscle Shoals sound with the musicians knows as the ‘Stompers’ - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime, watch for free with commercials with Tubi

Sound City - Dave Grohl produces this doc about the Sound City Studios in Los Angeles - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

The Wrecking Crew - All about the musicians in LA that helped make the West Coast Sound in the hey-day of pop music in the 1960’s & 1970’s - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

Hired Gun - Go into the world of the musicians who are hired to be in bands to go on tour with iconic artists and playing in sessions that created the sounds we’ve all heard on the radio - Watch for free on Amazon Prime

20 Feet From Stardom - See what it’s like to live a day in the life of a back up singer.  This doc explores the lives of some of the most heard voices on music going back to the 1950’s through the talented ladies who grace the stage behind top artists like Sting and Michael Jackson - Watch on Netflix

Oasis: Supersonic - See what it’s like to go behind one the biggest bands in the world in the late 1990’s - Watch on Netflix 

Liam Gallagher: As It Was  - Liam Gallagher gives a behind the scenes look at life after his blow up with his brother and bandmate, Noah Gallagher - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

ZZ Top: That Little Ol Band From Texas  - Learn about the beginning of the band that ruled the MTV airwaves in the early 1980’s and how they’ve sustained as one of the longest bands still together to this day - Watch on Netflix

Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage - The documentary that explores the band’s 40 year career and evolution - Watch on Netflix 

Quincy - Meet the extraordinary man behind the music.  You’ll see footage of his life today and hear artists he’s work with talk about the difference he made in the music industry and how he truly is an Icon - Watch on Netflix

Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool - A documentary that explores the long-lasting influence of jazz great, Miles Davis - Watch on Netflix

Lynyrd Skynyrd: If I Leave Here Tomorrow  - There are many documentaries about the Southern Rock band, but this one best covers their beginnings to the crash that killed the lead singer and other members of the band and crew and carries through today and how they’re currently on tour - Watch on Showtime or Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

Country Music by Ken Burns - In this TV series, Ken Burns explores the early beginnings of country music.  It covers several decades through the late 1990’s - Watch on Amazon Prime or PBS

Jazz by Ken Burns  - A TV series that explores the sound and soul of America, celebrating the beginnings of Jazz music and how it influenced blues, showtime, bebop, and fusion - Buy on Amazon Prime

The Rainbow - On one of the most historic streets in Rock & Roll, The Rainbow Bar & Grill sits on Sunset Boulevard and was the home away from home for many music artists.  Learn about the history of this iconic structure in Los Angeles - Watch on Amazon Prime

Sonic Highways, Foo Fighters - A TV series that follows the band Foo Fighters as they immerse themselves in some of music’s most influential towns - Buy on iTunes

Standing In The Shadows of Motown - A documentary about the big influence of Motown and how the music from there changes the world with Berry Gordy running the studio and label - Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime

Hitsville: The Making of Motown - Focusing on the birth of Motown in the late 1950’s out of Detriot, Michigan until its move to Los Angeles in the 1970’s - Watch on Showtime

What Bart has to say: It’s not too much of a stretch for us to watch documentaries about music.  There’s always something to be learned from these documentaries about our favorite bands or music.  This was a really fun one to record and we really had to limit ourselves as this could be a rabbit hole we could have gone down for days!  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Bart & Amy discuss their favorite music documentaries

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Amy Allmand

  • Instagram

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

The OTHER baby from Bethlehem with Thom Schuyler

On this week's episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Thom Schuyler. Thom shares his fascinating stories of all he's accomplished throughout the years. Tune in and enjoy this week's podcast! You will not be disappointed! 

Meet Thom Schuyler: Thom Schuyler is an American songwriter. Schuyler wrote songs recorded by more than 200 various artists including "16th Avenue" for Lacy J. Dalton, "Love Will Turn You Around" for Kenny Rogers, and "A Long Line of Love" for Michael Martin Murphey.

In 1983, Schuyler signed to Capitol Records and released the album Brave Heart. Its title track was a No. 43 single on the Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts.[1] Later, he founded the trio S-K-O (originally known as Schuyler, Knobloch & Overstreet) with J. Fred Knobloch and Paul Overstreet.[2] S-K-O charted seven singles in the mid-1980s, including the Number One hit "Baby's Got a New Baby". Overstreet later assumed a solo career and the trio was renamed S-K-B when Craig Bickhardt replaced him.

After S-K-B disbanded, Schuyler continued to write songs, and was eventually made chairman of the Country Music Association. He also headed RCA Records' Nashville division from 1992 to 1995.[2] In that role he signed singer Kenny Chesney, the band Lonestar and also had a significant role in launching the career of Martina McBride and Sara Evans. Schuyler continued to write songs for Almo-Irving Music, administered several music catalogs and recorded a few independent albums.

Schuyler is currently the Young Adult Minister at a church in Nashville and is an adjunct instructor at Belmont University.

What Bart has to say: I wanted to talk to Thom because he has moved to Jekyl Island and I miss him.  He can make me laugh like very few people and is one of the most, kind, gentle, God loving souls out there.  I'm very thankful to have him as a friend for almost 30 years now.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Thom along with Don Schlitz and a couple other guys invented in the round writers nights at the Famous Bluebird cafe in 1985. 

• He took over as head of RCA Records in '92 which is where I was introduced to him.

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Thom Schuyler

  • Website

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram

Matchbox 20 and then some… with Kyle Cook

This week's episode of Thinkin’ and Drinkin’ is with Kyle Cook. Kyle shares his insights and the beginning of his music business career. He also talks about what he was doing while Matchbox 20 was on a hold. Listen in and enjoy this delightful conversation with Bart and Kyle!

Meet Kyle Cook:  For two decades, Kyle Cook spent the bulk of his musical life as the lead guitarist of matchbox twenty. He co-wrote some of the songs and invented many of the instrumental riffs that have become distinguishing parts in such radio staples as “Real World,” “Unwell” and “Bent.” But plenty of his creative persona was held in check as he collaborated in a team effort.

With Wolves, his solo debut, Cook invests so much of himself in the project that a discerning listener can get a good idea of who the guitar player really is. He’s a studied musician with an all-American Midwestern background, a guy who has a penchant for classic rock with just enough classical training to make him dangerous, and an adult whose experiences with the cycle of love and loss are extraordinarily familiar.

What Bart has to say: Kyle is a legitimate big-time rock star and he has become such a sweet longtime friend.  I really enjoy his company so this interview was so much fun!

In this episode, you’ll hear

• How he got into the music business

• What Kyle has done while Matchbox 20 took a break

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Kyle

  • Website

  • Instagram

  • Twitter

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

The Songbird Up The Street with Leslie Satcher

This week on Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ we’re taking you back to our visit with Leslie Satcher. Leslie shares how her song writing became the beginning of an amazing career. She shares some amazing stories and she is just an overall nice gal to listen to. Tune in and grin from ear to ear! 

Meet Leslie Satcher: No other female Nashville singer-songwriter is more respected or more revered than the stunning talent that is Leslie Satcher.

At the age of 26, the native Texan made the move to Nashville in pursuit of a singing career and was quickly recognized for her gift with lyric and melody. After being mentored at a smaller publisher by many of the music industry’s most legendary songwriters, she made the move to Sony Music Publishing where she would stay for nearly 15 years. During this time, she was also signed as an artist at Warner Brothers. While recording her critically acclaimed debut album, “Love Letters”, her songs were growing in demand.

Though Leslie is primarily known as a country singer and songwriter, her talents cross all genres. She has written or co-written songs that have been recorded by everyone from Willie Nelson to Ariana Grande; Vince Gill to Sheila E.; George Strait to Sheryl Crow; Martina McBride to Keb’Mo; Blake Shelton to Bonnie Raitt and many, many more. She has received multiple BMI “Million-Air” awards recognizing a song’s one millionth airplay and her incomparable vocals contribute to an astounding number of Grammy, CMA & ACM award winning projects.

Aside from writing hit songs for some of music’s most iconic artists; Leslie is in high demand as a performer known for her angelic voice, funny stories, the unique playing style and sound of her guitar; but mostly, her uncanny ability to connect with audiences of any size or demographic. Her typical year will include more than 150 songwriting sessions and 65 live performances all over the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

In 2015, Leslie found her new creative home with Notting Hill Music Publishing (Nashville-London-Los Angeles) and she couldn't be happier! Thanks to the creative support of NHM's Andy McQueen & producer/writer Brad Crisler, Leslie has just recently completed her fourth (and favorite) LP; "Leslie Satcher & The Electric Honey Badgers - 2 Days In Muscle Shoals" featuring many of her favorite writers, musicians & vocalists.

 The debut single release "This Won't Take Long" featuring Vince Gill & Sheryl Crow is available now on all digital distributors and streaming media.

What Bart has to say: I have always been a fan of what she’s written with Big Al Anderson and Vince Gill.  We’re lucky to have her lead praise & worship down by the river at the sunrise service on Easter Sunday each year.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Leslie moving from Texas to Nashville

• How Leslie has had over 1000 cuts (aka songs on artist records)

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Leslie Satcher

  • Website

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

West Coast Guitar Master with Willie Carter of Carter Poulsen

This week on Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart catches up with Willie Carter. They talk of their recent endeavors as well as what has led Willie to where he is in his career today. Tune in to this episode, you definitely won't want to miss it!

Meet Willie Carter: Willie Carter guitars are designed and built in Santa Cruz, California.

With 20 plus years of experience as an audio engineer, Willie brings an exciting and fresh approach to his guitar making. His designs borrow from tradition but have a tasteful modern aesthetic.

Willie came to guitar making after researching the instrument hoping to gain a better understanding for both studio and stage use. After interviewing several builders he found that there was one bit of wisdom they all shared — “Build a guitar in order to understand it.”

In the summer of 1999, Willie ventured to Oshawa, Canada to study with Sergei de Jonge. A new passion was born. Unexpectedly, he fell in love with the process of building and never looked back.

Willie has had the honor of displaying his work at both the Healdsburg Guitar Festival and the Newport Guitar Festival.  In 2009 he formed Carter Poulson guitars.

What Bart has to say: I met Willie through my association with Santa Cruz Guitars and we’ve just stayed email buddies for a long time but have never actually met face to face.  This is as close as I can get to anyone these days, so this was pretty fun to finally talk to an old buddy “face to face.” Also, technology is great until it isn’t!  But we made the best of it!  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• How someone goes from Missouri, to Washingon, to Canada, to California...you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

• How Willie ended up being a guitar tech in Lybia 

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Willie Carter

  • Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

Big Radio & Record Adventure with Dale Turner

On this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with the amazing Dale Turner. Dale shares his career paths and talks about his huge experiences with music. Dale and Bart go way back so it's nice to hear these old friends reminisce and talk about everything before and what's to come. 

What Bart has to say: I literally would not be able to navigate the RCA Records waters without him and am so thankful he help to set me on the path.  Also, his book was the catalyst to the idea of me doing the podcast.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Dale had an entire career in radio and then an entire career in records

• Dale & Bart reminiscing on days gone by and how Dale helped shape Bart’s promo career

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Dale Turner

  • Website

  • To Purchase Book

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram

Black Stone Cherry Picker with Ben Wells

On this week's episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Ben Wells. When being on the road is what you love to do, it's hard having to adjust to staying home. Ben Wells shares his life of touring and the becoming of a very successful band. Kick back and listen to a wonderful conversation with Bart and Ben! 

Meet Ben Wells:  Ben Wells is a guitarist, singer and founding member of the southern blues rock outfit, Black Stone Cherry. In nearly two decades with the band, Wells and his bandmates have been channeling creative blues, blending traditional blues sensibilities with modern, hard rock.

What Bart has to say: Black Stone Cherry has been one of my favorite Southern Rock bands for a long time and Ben has always been such a nice guy.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• How they used to rehearse at the Kentucky Headhunter’s rehearsals every day

• How Black Stone Cherry has toured all over the world with some of the biggest bands

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Ben Wells

  • Website

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • All Over The Place Podcast

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

• Connect with Sponsors: Cathead Vodka

  • Website 

  • Instagram 

• Paul Reed Smith Guitars

  • Website

  • Instagram 

The Cold Stares with Chris Tapp

In this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Chris Tapp. Tapp shares some memorable moments that he’ll always remember, as well as shares what the behind the scenes life of his shows looks like. It's interesting to hear how everything falls into place. I wouldn't recommend missing this episode! 

Meet The Cold Stares: Authenticity. A word that is frequently used in describing The Cold Stares, and frequently missing from modern music discussions. “We’re not just a blues band, or just a rock band, or anything other than who we are”, front man Chris Tapp says. There is a power and a realness that is arrived at by just doing what you do best. The Cold Stares do that.

Formed in 2010 after the duo had spent a number of years in other bands, Chris Tapp and Brian Mullins got together for the sole reason to just jam. No preconceived notions on what the project should be. Just do what comes naturally. The result is a hard rocking, story based brand of rock and roll that is sung from the soul.

Chris’ unique guitar rig, along with Mullin’s giant bass drum provides a visual and sonic landscape for the two to travel on different paths than other acts. In fact, you may find yourself looking for another member behind the curtains but it’s just these two men.

What Bart has to say: I found out about The Cold Stares through Joe Bonamassa, so I checked them out and loved what they were doing.  I’m so glad we were able to connect through social media.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• How they’re a duo and they’re staying a duo.  

• What life is like not playing shows.  The day we talked they were supposed to be in LA playing the Viper Room

Links to Connect:

• Connect with The Cold Stares

  • Website

  • Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

Corona Catch-up with Jason Charles Miller

On this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart catches up with pal Jason Charles Miller. Both Jason and Bart share what his quarantine has been like and how much their life has changed since. All of our lives has changed since this pandemic came along and it's nice to hear how these two amazing people have been coping. So listen and enjoy this relaxing and laid back episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’

Meet Jason Charles Miller:  An accomplished performer with more than two decades of professional experience as a singer, songwriter, producer and voice actor, Jason Charles Miller has quietly established himself as a veteran presence in Americana, country and Southern rock.

 Released in 2018 by Sony Music, ‘In The Wasteland’ was Jason’’s third full-length solo release and featured guest appearances including Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Charlie Starr(Blackberry Smoke) and Dug Pinnick (King’s X). The album expanded on Jason’s roots in Americana and country, dynamically exposing his blues-inspired and Southern rock influences.

 As a solo artist, Jason Charles Miller has performed alongside and opened for country and rock greats including Billy Ray Cyrus, Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Ashley McBryde, Allman Betts Band, .38 Special, Night Ranger, Gary Allan, Justin Moore, Big Kenny of Big And Rich and Jerrod Niemann.

In 2019, Jason was lead vocalist on the Billboard chart-topping theme song for the ‘Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers’ video game. He has also contributed two songs to the critically acclaimed 'Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance’ soundtrack, and has even sang backup for Robert Smith of The Cure on the Reeves Gabrels/Robert Smith track “Yesterday’s Gone.”

Jason is the on-camera host of the Webby award-nominated show ‘Starter Kit’ on Geek & Sundry, teaching celebrities how to play tabletop role playing games. He also appears as a host and on-air personality on streaming channels including Dungeons & Dragons, Nerdist, Hyper

RPG, The Young Turks and College Humor.

 You can also see Miller on-screen in the SyFy original movie ‘Battle Planet,’ in ‘Chatroom of Solitude’ on Stan Lee’s World of Heroes network, playing himself in season 5 of ‘The Guild,’ and squabbling with Lewis Black and Andy Dick in various productions on Comedy Central. As a voice actor, Jason has hundreds of animated and video game credits (see highlights below) and has even narrated a film for NASA.

 Widely recognized as the frontman and founder of the rock band Godhead, he was the only artist ever signed to Marilyn Manson’s Posthuman Records, and sold more than 250,000 albums touring the world with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Rammstein, Disturbed, Linkin Park, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson and Korn frontman Jonathan Davis.

In 2004, Jason penned the all-star collaboration "Forever In Our Hearts," a song to benefit the victims of the 2004 tsunami in South Asia which included Brian McKnight, Mya, Jacoby Shaddix [Papa Roach], Nate Dogg and many more.

Originally from Clifton, VA, Jason now lives in Los Angeles, CA where he owns and runs the successful recording complex Central Command Studios.

In this episode, you’ll hear

• What it’s like to not be able to play live

• How he’s using his time to do more voice over work during shelter at home in his own studio

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

• Connect with Jason Charles Miller:

  • Website

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

150 Million Record Voice with Wes Hightower

On this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’, Bart Zoom calls with Wes Hightower. Wes shares his hometown in Texas and more on his upbringing. Wes also tells how he started singing and all about the beginning of his career. Join in and listen all about Wes Hightower, his past, present, and future. 

Meet Wes Hightower: Wes Hightower has been one of the top background vocalists on records and demos in Nashville since 1993.  To date, Wes has sung background vocals on several hundred million records and downloads.  He has sung on 150 #1 charted Country Singles, some of which have also charted #1 on the Pop charts.  Wes has won the Music Row Magazine All-Star Award 14 times throughout his career.  

In 1999, Wes began to sing harmonies on the road with the King of Country Music, George Strait as part of his Ace In The Hole band. 

As a songwriter, Wes has had cuts on Montgomery Gentry, Gary Allan, Josh Thompson, Gene Watson, Sammy Kershaw, and several independent Texas artists.  Wes has also produced music with fellow Texan artists Aaron Watson and Matt Caldwell.  He currently lives in Florida with his wife but still can record his work remotely, making him one of the most successful Nashville musicians working today. 

What Bart has to say: Wes is a perfect example of how in Nashville, the most successful people are the nicest people.  I’ve been wanting to have him as a guest but wanted to do it in person.  The self-quarantine and boom of Zoom calls helped to make this happen and I’m so glad it did!  I had a blast catching up with my buddy.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• How Wes is one of the most successful voices in Nashville that you’ve never known before.  You’ve heard him on the radio if you’ve heard any Country song since 1994.  

• Wes talks about why Lays potato chips are his secret to his pre-stage show routine.  

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Wes Hightower

  • Website

  • YouTube

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

Bunker Sessions: Covid & Nashville with Amy Allmand

On this quarantined episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart and Amy share their Covid-19 experience; as well as how it has an impact on the music industry. Stay tuned and listen, maybe you can relate to what Bart & Amy are sharing and experiencing. We’re all in this together!

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Bart & Amy talk about their Covid experience

• They also talk about how Covid has effected the music industry and Nashville’s tourism industry.

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram Website

  • Instagram 

A Legendary Son of a Legend with Gordon Kennedy

On this episode of Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with Grammy and Song of the Year winning Gordon Kennedy. Gordon talks of his success and all of the wonderful people he has worked with along the way. The stories he shares are intriguing to hear, and will definitely strike interest. Listen to the story of Gordon Kennedy, you will not be disappointed!

Meet Gordon Kennedy: Gordon Kennedy is a multi-Grammy Award winning songwriter and record producer, a virtuoso guitarist, and a music industry visionary in Nashville. With his love for storytelling, vintage guitars and his deep knowledge of music history, he has emerged as one of Music City’s most beloved Ambassadors. Kennedy’s live shows are a treasure trove of colorful backstories and outstanding performances that one only as talented and immersed in rich experiences can truly deliver. He came by it honestly as the son of legendary guitarist, Jerry Kennedy.

Kennedy sites his guitar pickin’, record producing dad and his singing mom, Linda Brannon, as his biggest musical influences. “While other families might gather around the TV to enjoy time together,” Kennedy recalls, “we gathered around a tape machine. My dad would come home every night and bring us new music that he had just recorded. My brothers Bryan, Shelby and I couldn’t wait to hear from Roger Miller, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, The Statler Brothers or Jerry Lee Lewis.” The Meet the Beatles album his dad gave him when he was five, and more records from his father’s days as an executive of the Mercury Records office of Nashville provided him with a diverse diet of music. This, along with a basement full of his father’s guitars, a jukebox, and a piano, nourished and inspired him as he became one of music’s finest songwriters, producers, and players.

Kennedy’s most successful composition is the international hit song "Change The World,” recorded by Eric Clapton for which Kennedy and his co-writers received a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1996. The song won Record of the Year for Eric Clapton and spent a record-breaking 81 weeks on the top of the charts. In 2007 Kennedy also received a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album, co-producing, composing, and performing on Peter Frampton’s Fingerprints album.  Bluegrass Legend Ricky Skaggs’s Grammy-nominated Mosaic, released in 2010, was produced and co-written mostly by Kennedy. It was a career bending recording that was a departure from Skaggs’s bluegrass records. Skaggs called in Kennedy to produce after hearing his song demos. He wanted to recreate the Beatle-esqe musicality that Kennedy captures on the record.

In his early career, Kennedy was a member of the Christian Rock band White Heart for six years in the 1980s. His substituting on a few shows for high school friend Dan Huff ultimately led to a permanent position as the band’s lead guitar player and songwriter. Huff became a successful record producer and would later hire Kennedy to play on many records that became gold and platinum recordings. Kennedy played on Reba McEntire’s first #1 hit, “Can’t Even Get the Blues” in 1975 while a young student at Belmont University.

Kennedy recalls that songwriting began to click for him in 1991 when he began co-writing with his friend, Wayne Kirkpatrick. "Dogs of Peace" formed in 1995. Their first album, Speak, was released in 1996. Twenty years later, in 2016, Kennedy, Jimmie Sloas, Blair Masters, John Hammond and Jeff Balding reunited for a second album called Heel. Kennedy, Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims would later join forces in co-writing one of the biggest chart-topping hits of their generation, “Change The World.” Kennedy not only received a Grammy for Song of the Year in 1996, but in 2002 a plaque on the Record Walk of Fame. In June 1997, the Southern Songwriters Guild inducted Gordon into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in a ceremony in Louisiana.

As a songwriter, Kennedy has written 15 songs recorded by Garth Brooks. Kennedy co-wrote "You Move Me" recorded by Garth Brooks which reached #2 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 1998. Brooks subsequently recorded ten more of Kennedy's songs on his alter-ego album, The Life of Chris Gaines, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. Kennedy will join Garth Brooks 2019 Stadium Tour on guitar. “Garth and I have been friends for many years. It’s a great honor to be asked to tour with him and the other fine musicians that will be a part of the band.” It’s a feather in the cap of a successful career for Kennedy to accompany his friend Garth on this legendary tour. “It’s not just anyone I’d leave my family, the comfort of my home and my studio to hit the road with, but Garth’s an exception.”

Bonnie Raitt has said that Gordon Kennedy is “one of her favorite songwriters.” It’s no surprise then, that four of her five recent singles have been Kennedy compositions. Kennedy's songs have also been recorded by artists including Alison Krauss, Stevie Nicks, Faith Hill, Don Henley, Tim McGraw, and Carrie Underwood. His compositions have been heard in the film soundtracks of Tin Cup, Phenomenon, For the Love of the Game, Where the Heart Is, Almost Famous, Summer Catch, Someone Like You, The Banger Sisters, Instant Family, and Disney’s The Fox & the Hound 2.

He has lent his talents as a player to Don Henley, Kenny Loggins, Reba McEntire, Michael McDonald, Leanne Rimes, Bruce Hornsby, Little Big Town and Shedaisy, among others.

Seals and Crofts 2, the Beatles cover band Mystery Trip, and Tom Petty cover band The Petty Junkies are current projects Kennedy enjoys. He recently produced Shifting Gears, the new solo project of his longtime friend Larry Stewart of Restless Heart.

As a Belmont University alumnus, Gordon has been recognized as a Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series, Curb College Distinguished Lecturer, and in 2014 received the Curb College’s Robert E. Mulloy Award of Excellence. Kennedy currently serves on the Belmont University Advisory Board, and has served on the Board of Governors for the Nashville’s National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Kennedy has continually given to Belmont and its students for years. He has spoken at seminars, hosted events (including Belmont’s Homecoming concert, Homecoming in the Round), is an adjunct professor, and a student mentor.  Gordon is the fifth and final recipient of the Distinguished Lecturer, an honor given to industry professionals who inspire others through their work in the entertainment and music industry. In addition, Gordon served on Brentwood Academy’s Board of Trustees from 2007-2010 where he and his two children are graduates and remain active alumni.

What Bart has to say: We met and became friends when we were both writing at Disney Music Nashville.  He has such an amazing story, plus he’s one of the kindest, most humble people in this town.  Also he’s one of the guys who wrote “Change The World” by Eric Clapton.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Growing up in the shadow of his dad, Jerry Kennedy.

• His amazing guitar collection, his Grammy awards and working with Garth Brooks & Peter Frampton among others

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Gordon Kennedy

  • Website

  • Facebook

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

• Connect with Sponsors: Cathead Vodka

  • Website 

  • Instagram 

Rattlesnake Rock-n-Roller with Rickey Medlocke

This week on Thinkin’ & Drinkin’ Bart talks with long-time friend Rickey Medlocke. They discuss the story of how they met, as well as the beginning of Blackfoot. You’ll definitely want to hear stories of the past with many others and how music was in the center of it all. So tune in and enjoy the tortuous life of Rickey Medlocke.

What Bart has to say: I used to go home every day in Junior High at lunch and listen to Rickey’s band Blackfoot’s rendition of ‘Train, Train.’ He was my first real guitar influence.  I met Rickey at a random event while I was working for RCA. If you could have only told my teen-self that Rickey would have been a friend for over 30 years, I wouldn’t have believed it! It was so much fun to have him on the podcast.  It was recorded in a closed hotel restaurant just before their most recent show in Nashville.  

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Bart & Rickey talk about how he got into playing guitar

• Rickey talks about touring and last tours

Links to Connect:

• Connect with Rickey Medlocke

  • Website (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

  • Website (Rickey Medlocke)

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram 

• Connect with Sponsors: Cathead Vodka

  • Website 

  • Instagram 

The Photo Roadie with John Zocco

This week on Thinkin’ & Drinkin’, Bart talks with John Zocco about all things guitars. John talks about making the move from New York to Nashville to pursue his musical dreams. He talks about his career and how he has gotten to where he is now. He talks about life on the road and how he brings his hobbies and passions on the road with him.

Meet John Zocco: My name is John Zocco and I’m a photographer and a roadie.

For those of you not familiar with what a “roadie” is, let me explain.

I travel the world with rock bands as part of the crew that sets up and tears down the show every day. My particular job is as a guitar tech, which means I set up and maintain the guitars and amps for the band’s guitarist. I’ve also worked as a bass and keyboard tech, depending on what band I’m working for. I also play guitar and I’ve toured as a guitarist with several country artists in the late ‘90’s and early 2000’s. It’s a great job and I get to travel the world and visit all sorts of interesting places.

I’m also a photographer, so my roadie job gives me the opportunity to shoot photos of interesting people and places all over the world.

I shoot a lot of live music of course, but I also love to shoot landscapes and architecture while I’m traveling. I also do portraits of some of the musicians that I tour with, and I’ve had shots published in magazines and used by companies in advertisements and catalogs. I’ve shot some CD/DVD covers and booklet images for some of these artists, too.

When I’m not touring, I do some product and real estate photography as well as portraits. I love to shoot, so it’s fun to take on projects in all of these genres.

This website covers both parts of my professional life – there are some photo tips, examples, and advice for those of you interested in photography, and there are some “Road Reports” that offer a look at what life is like out here on the road. It’s a (hopefully) fun little place I’ve carved out here on the internet, and I’m looking forward to hearing from everyone. Please feel free to contact me over on the contact page, sign up for the email list, and give my Facebook pages alike. I’ve got two – one for my photo business and one for The Photo Roadie. I may just go down to one at some point – I’m still trying to decide.

What Bart has to say: John has worked with some of my biggest heroes and we have common friends and interests like drone photography.

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Going from playing in bar bands to country bands to guitar tech-ing with rock bands

• How he has pulled in his love of photography & drones into his daily work life on the road

Links to Connect:

• Connect with John Zocco

  • Website

  • Instagram

• Connect with Bart Allmand

  • Instagram