Jimmy Sullivan on Punk Roots, Jazz Culture, Rudy’s Jazz Room & 14 Years Sober | Just Keep Talking Podcast

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Brother Love introduces the Just Keep Talking podcast’s focus on artists’ stories, creativity, connection, and mental health, then interviews Nashville bassist and bandleader Jimmy Sullivan of Jimmy Sullivan’s Swingin’ Scene. Sullivan traces his path from Reston, Virginia—early piano and clarinet, quitting music at 13, then discovering bass through punk and hardcore, winning a battle of the bands, and developing strong ear training—to studying jazz at Northern Virginia Community College under influential teacher Herb Smith, switching to upright, and earning a jazz performance degree at VCU. He moved to New York in 2004, shifted into folk/Americana while bartending, then relocated to Nashville and helped grow the underground jazz community into a thriving scene anchored by Rudy’s Jazz Room, where he became a frequent performer and won the 2018 Nashville Industry Music Award for Best Jazz Instrumentalist. Sullivan discusses loving hard bop and playing behind singers, shares Dolly Parton/Reba video stories filmed at Rudy’s, and speaks candidly about depression, recovery from alcoholism (14 years sober), therapy, and how music can be both escape and presence.#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicjournalism #bassplayer #rudysjazzroom #nashvillejazz #sober #beseen #beheard #belong #brotherlove

00:00 Why Stories Matter

01:24 Meet Brother Love

01:34 Introducing Jimmy Sullivan

02:23 Growing Up in Virginia

02:52 Early Music and Quitting Clarinet

06:38 Punk Rock Bass Awakening

09:47 First Bands and Ear Training

12:07 Practicing in Your Head

14:19 Herb Smith and Jazz Roots

19:44 Rhythm and Swing Lessons

22:27 From Richmond to New York

26:39 New York Detour and Nashville Reset2

8:10 Nashville Jazz Scene Comes Alive

28:47 Brother Love Nashville Origin Story

29:49 Nashville Jazz Scene

30:10 Jam Sessions Spark

31:51 Rudy’s Jazz Room

32:48 Playing Every Night

34:18 Bebop Roots

36:07 Backing Singers Right

37:52 Country Stars Crossover

38:49 Dolly Video Story

41:27 Depression and Sobriety

47:10 Music as Escape

51:00 Work Ethic and Life

53:02 Speed Round Finale

56:02 Where to Find Jimmy

56:20 Closing and Support

Kristen Rogers on Somatic Singing, Touring with Post Malone, and Setting Boundaries in Nashville | Just Keep Talking

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Brother Love welcomes Nashville vocalist, session singer, touring performer, and teacher Kristen Rogers, who has worked with artists including Zach Bryan, Eric Church, Hozier, The Killers, and is currently touring with Post Malone. They discuss the role of a vocal producer, Kristen’s classical upbringing and early harmony training, and how deep listening shapes doubling, background vocals, and onstage adaptability. Kristen explains somatic singing, how adrenaline and inconsistent monitoring affect performance, and how vocal work can calm the nervous system via vagus nerve stimulation, connecting technique to mental health. She shares how she prepares professionally, embraces the duality of personal hardship and performing, prefers restorative structure at home, and defines “quitting” as a proactive, values-based choice. They also address sexism and harassment in the industry, protecting younger women, and Kristen’s leadership assembling Eric Church’s “Johnny” choir, ending with a playful speed round.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicjournalism #singer #backgroundvocalist #postmalone #ericchurch #jakewesleyrogers #hozier #vagusnerve #beseen #beheard #belong

00:00 Podcast Mission

01:02 Meet Kristen Rogers

01:50 Nashville Vocal Matriarch

03:38 Vocal Producer Explained

05:54 Skipping Onstage Story

07:27 Musical Roots and Training

08:05 Hearing Harmony Young

11:09 Cassette Overdub Obsession

13:12 Somatic Singing Method

16:15 Adrenaline and Stage Nerves

18:33 Experience Builds Confidence

21:04 Industry Pressure and Identity

22:25 Vagus Nerve and Anxiety

26:00 Holding Dual Realities

28:50 Home Time and Structure

30:58 Tour Life Versus Friends

32:21 Queen of Quitting

32:48 Quitting Versus Running

33:15 Leaving Gigs Professionally

34:39 Artist Personas And Optics

36:30 Women In The Industry

39:44 Boundaries And Safety

44:35 Eric Church Choir Gig

50:19 Listening Skills For BGVs

53:55 Speed Round Questions

57:50 Where To Find Kristen

58:59 Final Thanks And Sign Off

Katie Cook on Country Music, CMT, Motherhood, the Paranormal & Staying Grounded | Just Keep Talking

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Brother Love interviews TV/radio host, author, musician, and painter Katie Cook about her path from a Curb Records deal with her band Reno to a 23-year run at CMT, where she became known for artist interviews and live TV, including a town hall with President Obama. Katie shares how she builds connection with artists, reflects on memorable encounters with Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, George Clooney, and Robert Plant, and describes one difficult interview contrasted with a surprising bond with Charlie Daniels. She discusses co-parenting after divorce, the realities of being a working mother in entertainment, and her approach to aging and self-image. Katie also talks about writing her book series Little Big Benny, her MUFON podcast and lifelong paranormal experiences, her “Alienated” paintings, and how she protects her mental health through grounding, baths, meditation, naps, and managing empathic sensitivity.

#mentalhealthpodcast #yourstorymatters #musicjournalism #cmt #tvhost #radiohost #picklejarradioshow #countrymusic #katiecook #presidentobama #mufon #author #mom #womanofsubstance #dollyparton #motherhood #aliens #paranormal

00:00 Why Stories Matter

01:01 Red Carpet Highlights

01:32 Meet Katie Cook

02:43 Marriage and Band Life

04:34 Growing Up Musical

06:26 Reno and Record Deal

08:33 Accidental TV Break

11:23 Interviewing with Heart

12:58 Obama Town Hall Story

14:33 Taylor Swift Up Close

16:43 Choosing Empathy

18:15 Divorce and Co Parenting

22:47 Motherhood in Entertainment

27:38 Dolly and Dream Guests

30:27 Rockstar In Kroger

31:42 Tough Interviews Lesson

33:38 Charlie Daniels Cover

35:26 Little Big Benny

37:45 Mufon And Paranormal

39:32 Alienated Paintings

40:28 Fame Money And Purpose

42:27 Grounding And Energy

46:06 Aging Botox And Honesty

48:46 Pickle Jar Radio Show

50:40 Speed Round Wisdom

56:33 Final Wrap And Support