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

Jay Franze
  • 5.0 (18)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest Country 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, alongside his charismatic co-host, the effortlessly charming Tiffany Mason, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of country music. Jay and Tiffany bring 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 (their family), they’ve got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised—because nothing is off the table on The Jay Franze Show.

  1. Country Artists Who Fought Their Record Label, Best Music Documentary, and Country Music News

    JAN 12

    Country Artists Who Fought Their Record Label, Best Music Documentary, and Country Music News

    Power, ownership, and timing decide more careers than any single hook—and this episode shows why. We pull back the curtain on country music’s biggest label battles, from unpaid digital royalties to shelved albums and surprise re-releases. Kenny Rogers, Brad Paisley, and the Chicks wrestle with reporting and payouts; Tim McGraw challenges an “unfair” contract and wins; and Garth Brooks redefines royalties with a bold 50-percent deal. Then there’s Taylor Swift, turning re-recordings into a masterclass on leverage and fan alignment, and Morgan Wallen calling out reissued early work that tests the ethics of timing and brand control. We keep the pace quick with a news sweep that actually matters: Margo Price aiming for Grammy glory, Jelly Roll judging a Star Search reboot, Zach Bryan’s deeply personal wedding tribute, and Garth teasing a tour that will melt ticket sites. We talk duets that blur the line between home and studio, why CRS still sets the tone for country radio and industry strategy, and how authenticity cuts through the noise when new and legacy artists share the same stage. Listeners jump in with their favorite music documentaries and create a watchlist worth saving: Sound City, It Might Get Loud, History of the Eagles, and the ever-quotable Spinal Tap. We fold that into our country chart rundown and indie spotlight, highlighting songs on the rise and the artists betting on craft over hype. Episode Links Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Dave Jackson: https://jayfranze.com/episode53/William Lee Golden: https://jayfranze.com/episode72/John McEuen: https://jayfranze.com/episode85/McBride & The Ride: https://jayfranze.com/episode87/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Mark Badolato: https://jayfranze.com/episode1Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 11m
  2. 40 Most Played Songs of 2025, Best Lead Singer, and Country Music News

    JAN 5

    40 Most Played Songs of 2025, Best Lead Singer, and Country Music News

    The biggest country hits of 2025 tell a story the charts won’t say out loud: radio still gives men the mic. We dig into the top spins, trace the patterns behind programming decisions, and ask whether “audience demand” is real taste or a habit formed by gatekeepers. From Morgan Wallen’s multi-track dominance to a rare female breakout, we map how rotation rules, label strategies, and collaboration trends keep certain voices front and center while others fight uphill. We also widen the lens beyond airplay. Miranda Lambert’s new unscripted series brings her storytelling grit to TV, proving artists can grow cultural impact even when radio lanes narrow. Bailey Zimmerman’s viral generosity toward his mom, Jesse Keith Whitley’s hard restart, and the passing of Opry great Stu Phillips remind us why country resonates: real stakes, real lives, and communities that show up. Add in a spirited debate on performance and vocal power—a live bracket spanning Freddie Mercury, Steve Perry, Prince, and Geoff Tate—and we hit the sweet spot where craft and showmanship meet legacy and data. Spoiler: a theatrical rock titan takes the crown. You’ll also get a clear explainer on RIAA certifications, a peek into Cody Johnson’s authenticity test for outside cuts, quick-hit chart rundowns across country and indie lanes, and a stack of listener questions on A&R, artist development costs, and the manager roles that actually move careers. We keep it candid, practical, and human—equal parts industry intel and fan-heart fuel. If this conversation challenged your assumptions or gave you something worth sharing, tap follow, send it to a friend, and leave a quick review. Tell us: who deserves more spins, and who’s your all-time lead singer? Your take might kick off next week’s bracket. Episode Links Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Dave Jackson: https://jayfranze.com/episode53/William Lee Golden: https://jayfranze.com/episode72/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 25m
  3. Top 10 Albums of 2025, Best Vocal Collaborations, and Country Music News

    12/29/2025

    Top 10 Albums of 2025, Best Vocal Collaborations, and Country Music News

    Country took some wild turns this year, and we sift through every twist with one big question: what actually deserves the spotlight? We kick off by ranking the top country albums of 2025, weighing the case for Tyler Childers at the summit, poking holes in Morgan Wallen’s lower-than-expected slot, and making room for Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, and a few traditional voices that feel older than retro yet strangely fresh. Expect strong opinions, sharper jokes, and a running thread about why some records stick while others burn out fast. The conversation opens up when we tackle the greatest male-female collaboration. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers ultimately take the crown for chemistry and timeless storytelling, but not without a fight from Conway and Loretta, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, and even rock-forward duos like Lizzy Hale and Corey Taylor. That debate draws a line between technique and feeling: perfect vocals are nice, but songs that live in your bones win the replay war. We also break down how live-in-studio recording changes everything—from headphone mixes to “more me” monitor boxes—and why capturing a band in motion often beats the sterile shine of overproduction. Episode Links Tom Harding: https://jayfranze.com/episode30/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 10m
  4. Top 25 Songs of 2025, Best Album Cover, and Country Music News

    12/22/2025

    Top 25 Songs of 2025, Best Album Cover, and Country Music News

    A viral “Top 26 Songs of 2025” list is only the start—we put every pick under the microscope to see what truly earns replay value. From Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs to Morgan Wallen’s double presence and Laney Wilson’s anchor tracks, we dig into the hooks, arrangements, and performances that separate a fleeting hit from a keeper. Expect honest takes, a few friendly disagreements, and a closer look at the production moves—floor tom hits, 70s textures, harmony blends—that make a chorus land. The conversation widens as we ask what makes album art timeless. Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon becomes a benchmark for clarity and concept, while modern country sleeves split between glossy trends and striking, cinematic restraint. We swap community favorites—Genesis, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, King Crimson—and talk recognizability, narrative, and how a cover can hint at sound before the first note plays. You’ll hear why certain designs elevate the music’s myth, and where visual nostalgia actually works. News brings heart and history: Willie Nelson and Lukas Nelson competing for Best Traditional Country Album is a rare, moving moment of legacy in real time. Riley Green’s back-to-back solo-written No. 1s reset the conversation on authorship, Ella Langley’s UK airplay run shows country’s global reach, and Laney Wilson stepping into ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth underlines how presence travels across mediums. Episode Links Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Andy Hull: https://jayfranze.com/episode7/Jim Cristaldi: https://jayfranze.com/episode27/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Dave Jackson: https://jayfranze.com/episode53/William Lee Golden: https://jayfranze.com/episode72/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Mark Badolato: https://jayfranze.com/episode140Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 13m
  5. Country Scandals, Replacement Singers, and Country Music News

    12/16/2025

    Country Scandals, Replacement Singers, and Country Music News

    What happens when country headlines collide with hard radio data and a lightning-rod debate about replacement singers? We open strong with legacy-name scandals and the messy myths that follow artists, then pivot to why High Road became the most-played track and how Morgan Wallen still blankets the airwaves. From Garth Brooks saluting KISS to arena tours and heartfelt tributes, we trace the lines between genre, showmanship, and what actually moves listeners to hit replay. We get honest about a stat no one likes: only five songs by women cracked country radio’s top 50 this year, and most were features. Is that bias, taste, or risk-aversion? We unpack the label incentives, production choices, and fan habits that tilt playlists toward male voices—and where the breakthroughs really happen when women lean into sharper narratives and bolder arrangements. If you’re a programmer, artist, or fan who wants more balance, you’ll find practical takeaways to nudge the system forward. Then we light the fuse: name a replacement singer better than the original. The board fills with ACDC’s Brian Johnson, Journey’s Steve Perry, Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, and Queen with Adam Lambert. We separate technical upgrades from cultural fits and show how casting can redefine a band’s destiny—just as it can in country. Episode Links Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Jim Cristaldi: https://jayfranze.com/episode27/Bob Bullock: https://jayfranze.com/episode28/Dave Jackson: https://jayfranze.com/episode53/William Lee Golden: https://jayfranze.com/episode72/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Mark Badolato: https://jayfranze.com/episode140/Eugene Rice: https://jayfranze.com/episode170/Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 18m
  6. Southern Rock Songs That Shaped The Genre, Best Debut Album, and Country Music News

    12/08/2025

    Southern Rock Songs That Shaped The Genre, Best Debut Album, and Country Music News

    A list can be a time machine. We kick off by diving into 35 Southern rock songs that didn’t just top bar jukeboxes—they built a genre’s backbone. Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, 38 Special, and more set the rules on groove, grit, and guitar heroics, and we ask the hard question: who shaped the sound versus who reflected it back? That sparks a bigger conversation about authenticity and the future of music as an AI-generated act climbs a country chart. Are we celebrating craft or sidelining it? We draw clear lines—AI is a powerful tool for arrangements, virtual players, and sonic polish, but the human heart should stay at the center for lyrics and lead vocals. Think drum machines and MIDI as useful tools, not replacements. Maybe it’s time for new categories—Produced With AI or Best AI-Directed Track—so innovation and integrity can coexist. We also run a listener-fueled bracket to crown the best debut album. Expect fireworks as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Van Halen, Guns N’ Roses, Alanis Morissette, and Boston square off. The final verdict celebrates a debut that fused tone, engineering genius, and melody into a once-in-a-generation statement. Between segments, we spotlight CMA milestones, a nostalgic holiday collab with a modern twist, and a fresh wave of tours worth bookmarking. Your mailbag powers the craft deep dive: the loudness war and why streaming normalization brings back dynamics, how modern records get built across big studios and home rigs, and the most common rookie mistake (spoiler: it’s not a bad mic). We make space for strong takes, small details, and the stuff that actually helps artists grow. If you care about songs that breathe, vocals that risk something, and communities that talk back, you’ll feel right at home. Episode Links AI Experiment: https://jayfranze.com/experiment/Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Jim Cristaldi: https://jayfranze.com/episode27/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Mark Badolato: Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 26m
  7. Corey Hooker (Corey Hooker & The Cadillac Preachers)

    12/03/2025

    Corey Hooker (Corey Hooker & The Cadillac Preachers)

    A left-handed guitar from a beloved grandpa. A band with grit and groove. A songwriter who lets chords decide the weather of a verse. That’s the heart of our conversation with Corey Hooker, where Americana isn’t a label so much as a living room: folk honesty, rock momentum, and stories that start one way and end somewhere braver. We trace Corey’s path from Ohio stages to a decisive leap toward Colorado, a move designed to meet strangers and grow beyond a friends-and-family ceiling. He opens up about the craft behind his catalog—why a melody often leads the way, how a single “keyword” unlocks a chorus, and what happens when an angry draft flips into a sad truth, like in Perfect Family. We also get practical: Taylor versus Martin for stage and studio, the heirloom Austin that breaks writer’s block, and how live shows sharpen arrangements faster than any DAW. If you care about songwriting, there’s gold here: tight feedback loops with trusted critics, resisting the trap of perfectionism, and using crowd engagement to turn covers into gateways for original songs. The chemistry with the Cadillac Preachers powers much of this trajectory. Their partnership adds rock muscle to Corey’s folk roots, landing in a space fans have called fugitive folk rock. That dynamic opened doors at Laurie’s Roadhouse—first through a contest win, then with higher-profile slots—and now a direct support date for Mark Chesnutt. It’s a blueprint for independent artists: build community, test songs in the wild, and record when the performance lives in muscle memory. Through it all, Corey’s gratitude rings clear for the people who keep him grounded: a wife with blunt, loving notes, a mom who never misses a chance to show up, and bandmates who share the load. Hit play for an honest, energetic look at modern Americana, from writing rooms to big stages and the mountain roads in between. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what song moment stayed with you the most? Send us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    33 min
  8. CMA Night Recap, Ruin a Bands Name With One Letter, and Country Music News

    12/01/2025

    CMA Night Recap, Ruin a Bands Name With One Letter, and Country Music News

    A live-sung medley that actually left us breathless. That’s how Lainey Wilson opened a CMA night that felt tighter, braver, and more fun than it’s been in years—and yes, she backed it up with Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Female Vocalist. We talk about why her solo hosting worked, how she commanded the stage with eight outfit changes, and what her wins say about where country music is heading. We dig into performances that sparked debate, especially Chris Stapleton solo versus his duet with Miranda Lambert—great song, flawless execution, but does it fit either brand? The Red Clay Strays brought harmonies that surprised us with an Arctic Monkeys vibe, raising a bigger question about identity: when southern bands don’t claim “country,” yet chart on country formats, is that healthy expansion or a nudge to fit the market? Along the way, we celebrate pros who hold the scene together—Paul Franklin’s Musician of the Year nod and a heartfelt tribute to Vince Gill’s mentorship and humility. Then we zoom out. Are labels signing too many TikTok artists who can’t deliver live? How much do charts really matter now—less for artists, more for songwriters? We compare A-players in the studio to road bands on tour, why some artists are skipping the “Nashville session” model, and how remote recording and AI risk eroding that full-room magic where eight players breathe together. You’ll also hear a lively news round-up, a chart countdown, candid listener mailbag on genre blending and economics, and a hilarious community game: ruin a band name by changing one letter. Buns And Roses, anyone? Episode Links AI Experiment: https://jayfranze.com/experiment/Scotty Simpson: https://jayfranze.com/episode3/Jeff King: https://jayfranze.com/episode6/Jim Cristaldi: https://jayfranze.com/episode27/Dave Jackson: https://jayfranze.com/episode53/Billie Jo Jones: https://jayfranze.com/episode98/Dalila Mya: https://jayfranze.com/episode102/Mark BadolaSend us a text Support the show Links Jay Franze: https://jayfranze.com/ JFS Country Countdown: https://jayfranze.com/countdown/ Contact Contact: https://jayfranze.com/contact/ Socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayfranze TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jayfranze X: https://x.com/jayfranze YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jayfranze Services 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/

    1h 31m
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Jay Franze Show is your source for the latest Country 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, alongside his charismatic co-host, the effortlessly charming Tiffany Mason, this show delivers a fresh, non-traditional take on the world of country music. Jay and Tiffany bring 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 (their family), they’ve got you covered. You will be entertained, educated, and maybe even a little surprised—because nothing is off the table on The Jay Franze Show.

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