Before The Voice, before three chairs turned, before Team Kelly — we sat down with Abigayle Oakley on the gulf coast at the 30A Songwriters Festival and talked about what it actually feels like to build a life in music when you're still figuring out who you are.Abigayle calls her sound "existential indie folk," and it fits. She writes about not having answers — about being her own worst gaslighter, about the gap between ambition and presence, about writing 100 songs in a year just to stop being precious about the process. We talked co-writing, Julia Cameron, the pressure of social media on her generation, and why a love song about a thrifted Patagonia fleece might be the most honest thing she's written.From Las Vegas, Nevada. Based in Nashville. Currently on NBC's The Voice, Team Kelly Clarkson. This is Abigayle Oakley before the world caught on.00:00 Cold Open

00:38 Podcast Intro

01:11 Guest Introduction

03:33 Interview Begins

04:58 Touring & Venues

07:00 New Music & EP Release

07:35 100 Songs a Year

08:41 Existential Indie Folk

09:37 Worst Gaslighter

11:36 Social Media & Anxiety

12:28 Music as Therapy

14:03 Co-Writing & The Creative Process

16:04 The Artist's Way & Showing Up

17:09 Making the Leap

18:01 Career Goals & Creative Freedom

20:16 Hazel Eyed Lover in Patagonia (Story)

21:53 What Are You Most Curious About?

24:25 Closing & Goodbye

24:44 Song: Hazel Eyed Lover in Patagonia

28:29 Song: Press Three

Jimmy Fortune on Reinventing After the Statler Brothers, Faith, and Virginia Dreams | Curious GoldfishIn this Curious Goldfish episode, host Jason English interviews Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune, reflecting on his early years playing Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn lounge circuits, including a defining moment when an older man urged him not to quit his dream. Fortune recounts joining the Statler Brothers in 1982, the life-changing opportunities that followed, and the challenge of starting over when the group retired in 2002. He discusses nerves and humility in his solo career, mentorship and advice about moving to Nashville, and his latest “American Dreamer” project—a book, CD, and live, no-overdub DVD created with writer Dave Clark to share a raw, chronological story of faith, forgiveness, and resilience through dark seasons and personal loss. The conversation also highlights Fortune’s enduring connection to Virginia and the inspiration behind “Earl’s Song, Virginia Dreams,” which he performs at the end.00:00 Holiday Inn Dream Advice

01:13 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro

03:42 Meeting Jimmy Fortune

04:46 Statler Brothers Breakthrough

05:22 Retirement and Starting Over

06:24 A Dream From Dad

08:30 Three Career Eras

12:12 Going Solo Reality Check

14:03 Oak Ridge Boys Nerves

16:15 Ramada Inn Circuit Lessons

17:48 Never Quit Your Dream

21:20 American Dreamer Project

22:25 Writing the Book

25:29 Live DVD Rough Edges

27:38 Virginia Roots and Songs

29:26 Virginia Longing

30:04 Earl Song Origins

30:46 Home Memories Everywhere

31:49 Nashville Family

33:10 Go To Nashville Advice

33:38 Phil Vassar Story

35:21 Mentoring The Next

36:43 Purpose Over Money

37:59 Family And Regrets

39:17 God Things And Roots

42:50 Forgiveness And Grace

44:59 Grief And Hope

49:03 Curious About The World

53:13 Faith And Free Will

54:52 Closing Thanks

55:12 Virginia Dreams Performance🎙️ Welcome to Curious Goldfish!Curious Goldfish is a podcast community where music and curiosity come together through meaningful conversations with the music makers of our world. It’s a music podcast about more than music, inspired by Ted Lasso. Hosted by Jason English, each episode dives into the stories, struggles, and inspirations behind some of the most captivating voices in Americana, rock, folk, country, and bluegrass.Whether it’s Grammy winners, rising stars, or undiscovered gems, we explore the creative journey, personal transformation, and the impact of place and purpose on art.📌 Subscribe & Join the Conversation!Hit the subscribe button and don't forget to tap the bell so you never miss an episode.🌐 Website: https://curiousgoldfish.com🪕Redstoolsessions Backyard Listening Room🎧 Listen on Spotify/Apple/All Platforms:📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/curiousgoldfishpodcast📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/thecuriousgoldfish🐦 Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Curiosity_Fish📹 TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@curiousgoldfishpodcast🌌 Bluesky: https://curiousgoldfishpod.bsky.social💬 Drop a comment below – who would you love to see featured next?📬 Stay curious – subscribe to our newsletter!Don’t miss exclusive artist insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and curated playlists. Sign up for Chords of Curiosity at https://curiousgoldfish.com!💼 Support the Show with Our Favorite Tools🎙️ Podcast Hosting via Captivate: https://fas.st/t/JtdpvPX6🌐 Website Powered by PodcastPage.IO: https://podcastpage.io?via=jason38📱 Social Media Made Simple with OnlySocial: https://onlysocial.io/?ref=curiousgoldfish#CuriousGoldfish #AmericanaMusic #SongwriterStories #Podcast #ChordsOfCuriosity #AffiliateLinks

Host Jason English welcomes Stella Prince, hailed as the face of Gen Z folk, for a conversation recorded at AmericanaFest after her first official showcase at Nashville’s female-owned venue, Anzie Blue. Prince reflects on growing up in Woodstock, New York, singing as a child with artists like Pete Seeger, and her early drive to work in music, including being a 12-year-old radio DJ spinning 1930s–40s big band and writing music reviews. She discusses making folk mainstream again, the generational appeal of the genre, and inspirations like Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and Judy Collins, plus contemporaries like Laufey. Prince describes building an all-women team, recording her debut EP in Laurel Canyon, and releasing her first sync—a Hallmark film featuring her reimagined “(They Long to Be) Close to You.” She also shares songwriting shaped by Gen Z anxiety, inflation, and newfound independence, and performs “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and her original “Good Luck Is Hard to Find.”00:00 Folk Across Generations

00:28 Podcast Intro and Guest Setup

02:42 AmericanaFest Milestone

04:38 Why Folk Feels Real Now

05:34 Making Folk Mainstream Again

06:13 Gen Z Jazz Inspiration

08:21 Woodstock Roots and Early Magic

09:27 Radio DJ and Big Band Years

11:00 DIY Hustle to Building a Team

13:04 All Women Team and Industry Gaps

13:45 Women on the Road

14:42 Laurel Canyon Recording Dream

15:23 Career First at 21

16:26 EP Plans and Hallmark Sync

17:57 Songwriting From Independence

18:35 Gen Z Pressure and Anxiety

20:55 Curiosity and Defining Success

23:14 Live Performance Session

26:04 Original Song Closing