In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I catch up with my former student and friend, Noah Young. Noah’s a versatile musician: drum set player, former Baylor University snare drummer, and a committed bagpiper with the Atlanta Pipe Band (where he also serves as VP). We trace his path from a Cajun-rooted musical home and an elite youth piping program, through Wesleyan School drumline and chapel band, to the intensity of a Big 12 college drumline—and how all of it shaped his musicianship, character, and career.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I catch up with the powerhouse duo Striking Matches (Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis). Our conversation weaves together their incredible journey, from garage jams in Georgia and formative years at Belmont University to charting their own artistic path on international stages.

We talk about the early sparks: how a chance pairing at Belmont led to instant musical chemistry, their first gig at the Bluebird Café, and how harmonies, slide guitar, and raw energy shaped their sound.

They share stories from their European tours, traveling light with only two acoustic guitars, and the magic of making a full band’s worth of sound as a duo. We also delve into the impact of having nine original songs placed on ABC’s hit show Nashville, a career-launching moment that opened doors to the Grand Ole Opry, the UK, and even collaborations with T-Bone Burnett and the late, great Michael Rhodes.

We reflect on the craft of songwriting: from following Nashville’s “rules” early on to breaking them with honesty and authenticity. Sarah and Justin discuss chasing their best song yet, recording and producing on their own terms, and creating studio records that capture the energy of their live shows.

There’s nostalgia too, remembering jam sessions with the Rosson family, watching musical heroes like Tommy Emmanuel, and feeling the support of mentors who helped shape their artistry. And, of course, we share plenty of laughs about gear disasters, sushi metaphors, and why less is often more when it comes to making music.

Whether you know them from Nashville, their stirring live performances, or their new releases, this is a deep, heartfelt conversation about growth, partnership, and what it means to create music that connects.

To learn more about the duo, visit their website.

Music from the Episode:
Six-String Baby (Striking Matches)
Insincerely (Striking Matches)

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with drummer Matt Starr, the acclaimed Canadian-born, Los Angeles–based musician currently touring with Sarah McLachlan.

We talk about Matt’s unique musical journey, from starting violin lessons at age five through the Suzuki method to eventually discovering his lifelong calling behind the drum kit. Matt shares how his early orchestral training shaped his listening skills, ensemble awareness, and approach to sound, lessons that continue to inform his playing today.

Our conversation explores the real-world practicalities of drumming, teaching, and recording. Matt reflects on the vision behind his YouTube channel, where he offers transparent, practical insights for working drummers navigating everything from gigging and recording to building a career in today’s music world.

Matt also discusses his experiences touring internationally with Sarah McLachlan, including the upcoming Canadian tour and U.S. dates, as well as the freedom and trust she gives her band on stage. We explore the balance between leading and supporting in musical settings, the concept of playing to the song, and the importance of knowing when to “drive the bus” versus when to defer.

Listeners will also hear stories of Matt’s studies with legendary drumming figures Joe Morello, Jim Chapin, and Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, the lasting influence of the Moller technique on his sound and stamina, and how those lessons continue to shape his teaching and performance today.

Whether you’re a drummer or love hearing about the craft of making music, this conversation is packed with insight, humility, and inspiration.

To learn more about Matt, visit his website.

Music from the Episode:
Wait (Sarah McLachlan)
Cold Heavy (Sabine and the Red Lotus)
Throw My Head Out the Window (Niia)
Voices Carry (Kate Hudson)

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I reconnect with my old Belmont University neighbor and longtime friend, Jeremy Casella. Jeremy and I first met on the third floor of Pembroke Hall, and after nearly 30 years, it was a joy to sit down and trace the threads of music, friendship, and life that still connect us today.

Jeremy shares stories from his early days at Belmont, discovering artists like Béla Fleck and Brooks Williams, and crossing paths with classmates like Brad Paisley, while reflecting on how those formative years in Nashville shaped his career as a songwriter and performer. We talk about the folk scene of the early ’90s, the influence of Phil Keaggy (who has since become a close friend and collaborator), and the ways great music can inspire new creativity rather than imitation.

Our conversation also dives deep into the balance of being both a musician and a family man, and how perspective shifts as you approach 50. Jeremy opens up about what it means to leave a legacy through music, including his upcoming Christmas project, and how producing other artists has become an equally rewarding part of his creative journey.

Along the way, we touch on coffee rituals, songwriting discipline, the craft of production, and the inspiration of producers like Daniel Lanois. This is a rich, heartfelt conversation with a friend who embodies both authenticity and artistry.

Music from the Episode:
Autumn in Kingston Springs (Jeremy Casella)
Beauty Leads the Way (Jeremy Casella)
Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Jeremy Casella featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama)
On the Evening Train (Jeremy Casella)

To learn more about Jeremy, visit his website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I get to reconnect with my good friend and former colleague, Brock Derringer. Brock and I shared a lot of time on stage, in the pit, and the music department at Wesleyan School, and it was a blast to sit down and dig into his story.

We start with Brock’s roots in small-town Thomasville, Georgia, a place with an unexpectedly rich arts scene, and trace his journey from a 10-year-old piano student to becoming a versatile musician and educator. He shares about his musical family, the influential teachers who shaped him, and how early church gigs prepared him for a lifetime of accompanying, leading, and creating music.

Brock talks about his love of teaching, the decision to move from performance into music education, and his current work at Stillwell School of the Arts in Atlanta, where he teaches AP Music Theory and piano. We get into the challenges and changes in music education over the last two decades, the role (and limits) of technology in the classroom, and how he keeps evolving his teaching methods to meet students where they are today.

Of course, we reminisce about our time collaborating on musicals, choir projects, and the legendary “Sing-Off” events, including unforgettable Beatles and Billy Joel performances that brought students and faculty to their feet. Along the way, we swap thoughts on musical influences, Billy Joel, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, and the importance of process over product in mastering any craft.

This conversation is part reunion, part masterclass, and part trip down memory lane. Brock’s passion for music and dedication to his students are contagious, and I left this talk reminded of why making and teaching music matter so much.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I am thrilled to have a conversation with my friend, Steve Cunningham. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Steve Cunningham draws inspiration from a wide range of artists—Led Zeppelin, Pat Metheny, Yes, and the Brecker Brothers—blending their influence with his deep appreciation for all genres of music. After relocating to Atlanta, he picked up the lap steel guitar, diving into the styles of David Lindley, western-swing legend Tom Morrell, and Sacred Steel master Aubrey Ghent.

A Studio Pro with a Killer Resume. As a sought-after session musician, Steve’s guitar work has shaped hundreds of albums, TV and radio commercials, and movie soundtracks. His credits include Coca-Cola, Ford, Chevrolet, MLB, NFL, IBM, Cartoon Network, PBS, Microsoft, CNN, NASCAR, and even a recording session with the London Symphony Orchestra.

One of Atlanta’s most in-demand guitarists, Steve brings his signature sound to 150+ performances a year, effortlessly weaving through jazz, R&B, rock, funk, gospel, country, blues, pop, and western-swing in various venues around the globe.

To learn more about Steve, visit his website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Rita Bliss, a fantastic musician, songwriter, and banjo player whose work blends old-time, Americana, and folk traditions with a fresh, personal twist. We discuss her musical journey, the deep roots of music in her family, and how growing up surrounded by instruments and storytelling influenced her voice and perspective. Rita opens up about her move to Austin, the vibrant music scene there, and how it’s influenced her as both a performer and a writer.

We dive into her songwriting process, the role of the banjo in her music, and the joy (and challenge) of recording and releasing new work. Rita shares some behind-the-scenes stories from recent singles and what it’s like to bring those songs to life in the studio. There’s also a lot of warmth in how she talks about live performances, that real-time connection with an audience that keeps the music breathing and evolving.

Originally from New York, Rita has carved out a unique voice in the Americana world with a sound that’s both grounded in tradition and deeply personal. Her thoughtful lyrics, intricate banjo work, and easygoing presence make her a compelling artist to watch. Toward the end of our conversation, we talk about what’s next, from upcoming shows to future releases, and it’s clear that Rita Bliss is just getting started.

To learn more about Rita, please visit her website.

Music from the episode:
Peaches & Apple Pie (Rita Bliss)
Drive You to Kentucky (Rita Bliss)
Best Bar in Texas (Rita Bliss)
We Will Sing (Rita Bliss)

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with the incredible Maeve Gilchrist, a Scottish harpist, composer, and innovator whose work bridges folk traditions and contemporary sounds. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Maeve was immersed in Celtic music from a young age and later studied at Berklee College of Music, where she expanded her approach to the harp through jazz, improvisation, and world music influences.

Maeve and I talk about her journey as an artist—from her early exposure to traditional Scottish and Irish music to her boundary-pushing projects in the worlds of contemporary classical, jazz, and film scoring. She shares how motherhood has deepened her relationship to her craft, and how she continues to evolve her voice while remaining rooted in tradition.

We explore her role as Artistic Director of the Rockport Celtic Festival, and dig into her album The Harp Weaver, a deeply personal work inspired by poetry and memory. Maeve reflects on the creative process, the power of collaboration, and the delicate balance between honoring tradition and forging new musical paths.

This is a rich and thoughtful conversation with one of today’s most original voices on the harp.

To learn more about Maeve, please visit her website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.