The Jay Franze Show: Music - News | Reviews | Interviews

Jay Franze
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  • Music Commentary
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The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest music – news, reviews, and interviews, providing valuable insights and entertaining stories, stories you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted by industry veteran and master dry humorist Jay Franze, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of music. Jay brings you behind the scenes with insider insights, untold stories, and candid conversations with seasoned artists, industry pros, and rising stars each week. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the information, or to be part of The Crew (his family), he’s got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised, because nothing is off the table here.

  1. 1h ago

    James Woods

    A street sign becomes a chorus. A waltz meter turns a sad scene into something haunting. A concept album clicks into place because one image won’t let go. That’s the kind of creative thinking we chase with actor and musician James Woods, and it’s why this conversation stays with you after the final note.  We talk through what James learned from decades in film that directly applies to music: interpreting great writing, using improvisation without disrespecting the work, and showing up with discipline even when inspiration feels effortless. Then we flip the lens to his lyric-first process, where every word and story concept starts on the page before trusted collaborators shape the sound. James shares how working with Shooter Jennings and Bob Wayne changed his output, helped him protect the spark, and kept the collaboration productive instead of precious.  From there, we go deeper into the nuts and bolts that music fans love: why 3/4 and 6/8 time can tug harder at emotion than standard 4/4, how subtle rhythmic shifts can hide in plain sight, and why concept albums still matter when most listening happens one track at a time. We also walk through his studio workflow, from printing lyric sheets for the band to watching elite players build charts on the spot and deliver a full performance after one listen. The episode closes with our “Unsung Heroes” moment, where James honors his mother’s support and the promise that shaped his entire career.  If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about songwriting, concept albums, studio recording, and creative discipline, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Episode Links James Woods: https://www.jameswoods.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    James Woods

  2. 2d ago

    Christopher Wyze - 10/6/26

    A forgotten Indianapolis sound helped shape the blues, and Christopher Wise is determined to prove it with receipts. We sit down with the Indiana blues recording artist to talk about Knaptown Blues, his deep dive into the music of Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell, and why recording close to home can feel just as alive as cutting tracks in Memphis or Mississippi. If you’ve ever wondered how much a room, a neighborhood, or a local history can change a performance, this conversation keeps it real. We also get nerdy about recording without turning it into a format fight: the warmth and ritual of tracking on tape, the convenience of Pro Tools, and the practical way modern sessions happen, including Zoom-produced work for TV and film. Christopher shares what it was like recording at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis, working with the High Rhythm Section, and pulling off a time-crunched session that included a duet with UK blues singer Emma Wilson. Then we go straight into blues history and storytelling. Christopher breaks down why Carr and Blackwell’s city blues carries a different swagger than Delta blues, how Kokomo Blues connects to the DNA of Sweet Home Chicago, and why he still presses CDs with detailed liner notes to reach blues radio and build real momentum on charts like Roots Music Report. Subscribe, share this with a blues fan, and leave a review with your favorite blues origin story. Episode Links Christopher Wyze: https://christopherwyzeandthetellers.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Christopher Wyze - 10/6/26

  3. Oct 19

    Coyle Girelli

    Sun Studio has a reputation that borders on myth, but Coyle Girelli breaks down what the “magic” actually feels like when you’re alone in the room with a guitar, a vocal mic, and the original RCA microphones. We talk about recording in Memphis through Sun Records, why a room mic can tell the whole story, and how hearing the space itself can change the way you understand sound, performance, and even songwriting. We also zoom out to the real day-to-day of being a touring singer-songwriter. Coyle compares crowd culture across cities and countries, shares how he deals with people talking through quiet shows, and explains why touring the United States still feels special after years on the road. From there, we trace the path that led him to Sun Records through songs written with Mac Davis, plus the deeper influences that shaped his ear: Americana, opera at home, Britpop, and grunge records that permanently rewired his sense of what’s possible. Then we get practical. Coyle walks us through his workflow from home demos to finishing records in a Brooklyn studio, why he prefers Logic for writing, and how he keeps himself from overthinking a song to death. He’s a melody-first writer, often fast, and he explains how lyrics keep evolving right up until final vocals. We also hit musical theater, big career moments like David Letterman, and the “unsung heroes” who’ve been there since the early days. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, share it with a friend who loves songwriting and music history, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Coyle Girelli

  4. Oct 5

    Ezra Vancil

    A “made it overnight” story can still take decades to understand. We talk with Texas folk rock and Americana artist Ezra Vancil about the twists that shaped his career: early bands with a drummer-driven groove, a development deal that arrived fast and fell apart even faster, and years of chasing the next break without ever getting the album release he thought would change everything. Ezra doesn’t dodge the hard parts. He walks us through the dark decade of addiction, the legal fallout, and what probation life really looks like when a device is literally beeping for you to prove you’re sober. Then the tone shifts to the moment that finally sticks: a decision on a kitchen floor, a recovery group, and 13 years without a drink. From there, we dig into what changed most, not just his habits, but his reason for making music. We also get practical for songwriters and home recordists. Ezra breaks down how he writes (chords plus syllables until real words appear), how his iPhone voice memos become an “idea scrapyard,” and how he curates songs when he’s ready to tell a full album story. He describes tracking in a cabin studio, building records from drum and bass feel instead of a rigid click, upgrading from a Universal Audio workflow into donated analog outboard gear and Neve-style channels, and sending mixes and vinyl masters through trusted Nashville collaborators. Along the way, you’ll hear unforgettable road stories from Japan to Germany, plus a simple piece of encouragement from an unsung hero: “keep going.” If you connect with honest artist interviews, songwriting craft, and real-world music industry lessons, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. Episode Links Ezra Vancil: https://ezravancil.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Ezra Vancil

  5. Sep 7

    Asayda (Mark Frye)

    Cincinnati is full of rooms where a band can level up fast, but only if you know where to look. We talk with hard rock artist Mark Frye from Asayda about the Cincinnati live music scene as a real map of neighborhoods, venues, and crowds, and why the city feels like a “big small town” for musicians. From Bogarts to Annie’s Music Center to Ludlow Garage and Riverbend, we compare what each space rewards, what it costs to be close to the stage, and what makes a show feel electric when the band is still on the rise.  We also get into the less glamorous truth behind every solid band: people. Mark breaks down how Aseda came together after multiple projects, why “good hang” matters as much as chops, and how lineup changes happen when life, family, careers, and health collide with rehearsal schedules. If you’ve ever wondered why some groups sound great but still fall apart, this part hits home with practical, real-world honesty.  Then we go deep on the craft and the gear. Mark shares how Asayda is building a new album with a DIY studio approach, how drum tracking can work with an e-kit and triggered sounds, and why flexibility can be a blessing and a curse when you can always tweak “one more” part. We talk guitars, stage visibility, and the modern debate over modelers and “real” instruments, plus what’s next including the Swine City Brewing show on September 4 and the band’s release strategy for Spotify and beyond. If you like Cincinnati rock stories, recording process talk, and behind-the-scenes band building, hit follow, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Asayda (Mark Frye)

  6. Aug 31

    Ivey Leighton

    A debut single is never just a song. It’s ten years of drafts, late-night voice memos, and learning how to trust your own taste long enough to hit release. We sit down with Tennessee pop rock recording artist Ivy Leighton to unpack the real work behind her first official drop, “Good Girl,” out September 1st, 2026. Ivy shares the moment she got serious about songwriting at 14, the mix of influences that shaped her sound (Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Paramore, Wet Leg, Radiohead), and why she keeps coming back to angry, dramatic lyrics even when she tries to write something happy. She also gets specific about craft: starting with guitar or piano chords, finding lyrics through “gibberish” melodies, pulling one-liners from her Notes app, and turning a root feeling into a fictional story that still hits hard. Then we go deep on music production and recording. Ivy walks us through capturing ideas on iPhone Voice Memos, tracking with a full band at a studio in Dunlap, Tennessee, and building vocal harmonies by experimenting in GarageBand on her phone before stepping up to the mic. We also talk mixing with nine-time Grammy winner Bob Bullock and what it feels like to hear your music come back with real punch for the first time. After the livestream, we share a major update: Jay Franze officially steps in to manage Ivy, setting the stage for bigger shows, smarter career moves, and a long release runway. Listen, follow Ivy’s journey, and if “Good Girl” hits you, share it, subscribe, and leave a review so more people can find the music. Episode Links Ivey Leighton: https://iveyleighton.com/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Ivey Leighton

  7. Aug 24

    Tom Rentz, Concert Photographer

    Three songs. That’s the window most concert photographers get to capture an entire night of energy, emotion, and chaos and somehow deliver photos that look like they belong on a tour poster. We sit down with Ohio concert photographer Tom Rentz to talk about what really creates a signature look in live music photography, from tight portrait framing to the decisions you make before you ever lift the camera. Tom breaks down the craft behind the “lucky” shots: studying performances ahead of time, reading choreography, using burst shooting to catch micro-expressions, and choosing where to stand so the moment lands in your frame. We also dig into the unglamorous problems that every live music photographer faces, like harsh red lighting, microphones covering faces, underlit drummers, and the constant pressure of the three-song sprint. Then we go nerdy in the best way: focus points, cropping choices, why he loves wide glass like a 14-24, and what changes when you’re stuck at front of house with a long lens, a monopod, and an ISO ceiling you may or may not want to cross. We also talk credentials, band restrictions, and the etiquette that keeps you getting invited back. If you shoot concerts, want to shoot concerts, or just love the behind-the-scenes reality of live music, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a photographer friend. After you listen, what’s the hardest part of concert photography for you right now? Episode Links Tom Rentz: https://rentzphotography.com/Jeff King: https://jayfranze.com/episode6/Chris Leuzinger: https://jayfranze.com/episode17/Bruce Reiter: https://jayfranze.com/episode67/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Tom Rentz, Concert Photographer

  8. Aug 17

    Archers Gate

    A heavy song doesn’t start as a finished riff and a perfect hook. It starts as a feeling, a voice memo, a half-built demo, and a band willing to tear it down and rebuild it until it finally hits. We sit down with Ohio rock band Archer’s Gate for a deep, practical talk about collaboration, vocal harmonies, and the real behind-the-scenes work that turns an idea into a release you can blast in the car. We get specific about their songwriting process, from who brings the first spark to how they pressure-test arrangements in pre-production with scratch tracks, pads, and evolving structures. The band also breaks down their studio workflow with Sonic Lounge Studios and engineer-producer Joe Viers, including why producer coaching changes vocal performances, how Pro Tools sessions move back and forth, and why recording clean stems for re-amping keeps tones flexible without losing personality. If you love gear talk, you’ll hear how they think about guitar roles, drum impact, and bass tone shaping with clean plus dirt blending. Then we go straight into the heart of the music. Emily shares the story behind “Metamorphosis,” using the butterfly lifecycle as a metaphor for life transformation and the hard seasons that come before growth. The band also unpacks “Suffocate,” weaving anxiety, pressure, and breathwork-inspired vocal textures into a track that feels as tense as the message. We wrap with what’s next: album plans, marketing support, building the right team, and what they actually want from management. Subscribe for more artist interviews, share this with a musician friend, and leave a review if you want more deep dives like this. What part of the band’s process do you want to hear more about next? Episode Links Archers Gate: https://www.archersgateband.com/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/JFS Countdowns/Playlists: https://jayfranze.com/playlists/Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranzeYouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranzeEverywhere: @jayfranzeServices Services: https://jayfranze.com/services/Books Books: https://jayfranze.com/books/Merchandise Merchandise: https://jayfranze.com/merchandise/Support Support: https://jayfranze.com/support/Sponsor the Show: https://jayfranze.com/sponsor/Shout Outs High Mountain Breezes Music: https://highmountainbreezesmusic.com/VR Knives: https://www.facebook.com/VRKnives

    Archers Gate
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest music – news, reviews, and interviews, providing valuable insights and entertaining stories, stories you won’t find anywhere else. Hosted by industry veteran and master dry humorist Jay Franze, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of music. Jay brings you behind the scenes with insider insights, untold stories, and candid conversations with seasoned artists, industry pros, and rising stars each week. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the information, or to be part of The Crew (his family), he’s got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised, because nothing is off the table here.

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