Count It Off!

Count It Off – Episode 44 welcomes acclaimed musician and composer Tom Lieberman for an in-depth conversation spanning a remarkable career. Tom reflects on his ten-year tenure with A Prairie Home Companion, shares insights from his work on Disney’s Bear andthe Big Blue House, and discusses the evolution of his jazz trio Rio Nido. The episode explores the discipline, creativity, and collaboration behind long-running musical projects, offering thoughtful perspective and memorable stories from one of the industry’s most versatile artists. Don't miss it!

Count It Off Ep. 43 - Jeffro checks inHey everyone, welcome back to the show! With the holidays in full swing, I thought this was the perfect time to do a little check-in. Things are busy, a little chaotic, hopefully cozy—and I'm just taking a moment to slow down and catch up. Whether you’re wrapping gifts, traveling, or hiding out with a warm drink somewhere, we’re really glad you’re here. Let’s all relax and reflect a little bit.

Ep 42 - Ryan Story: "The artists that thrive can still play live."Today we’re talking with Ryan Story — LA-based pop artist, songwriter, and all-around good vibe generator. Ryan’s got a great story. He grew up on the east coast of Florida, sharpened his craft in Nashville and finally made the big leap to the bright lights of Hollywood.In this episode, we check out some of his great pop songs and get into his path, what surprised him, what pushed him, and what kept him going. And of course, the big question every creative asks at some point: how do you actually make it in LA?Grab a coffee, settle in and let’s dive into "the story behind the Story."

EP 41: "Why isn't this guy a major star already?"This week we’re hanging out with Rusty Van Sickle and his 19-year-old son, Whitley—two generations of songwriters cut from classic country cloth. We'll hear a few great songs and explore everything from the legends that shaped Rusty’s sound to the Nashville scene today, with a special nod to Keith Whitley, young Whitley’s namesake. Expect plenty of laughs, a couple of “dang, that hit me right in the feels” moments, and a whole lot of heart. And when Rusty lets that rich baritone loose… yeah, you’ll hear why we call it ready-for-stardom. Tune in and enjoy the ride.

Count It Off Ep 40 : Russ Pahl - steel guitar master If you’ve listened to country radio anytime in the last 25 years, odds are you’ve heard the unmistakable shimmer of Russ Pahl’s steel guitar—whether you knew it or not. Nashville may be full of pickers, but Russ is the guy other players point to when they talk about tone, taste, and pure musical magic.Raised on the warm hum of the folk era, hooked by the British Invasion’s spark, and ultimately reeled in by the twangy, string-bending heroes of classic country, Russ followed a sonic trail that led straight to the steel guitar. And once he picked it up, the instrument—and the industry—were never quite the same.How influential is he? In one recent year, of the ten country songs that hit #1 and featured steel guitar, Russ played on eight of them. Eight! That’s not a résumé—that’s gravitational pull. He's played on records for everyone from Carrie Underwood to CeLo Green and with producers like Dan Auerbach and T-Bone Burnette. We talk about his approach to each project and you'll hear his respect for the pioneers of this truly quirky invention.So settle in and let’s talk with the man who made the steel guitar modern again: Nashville’s go-to string magician, Russ Pahl.