In this bonus episode of I Was In That Band, I sit down solo for the first time to share some personal reflections on Bob Weir and what his music has meant to me.

I talk about how I first found my way into the Grateful Dead, what drew me in, and how that music became part of my life. I also reflect on the times I was lucky enough to see Bob Weir live, and how those experiences shaped my relationship with the band and the community around it.

This week on I Was In That Band, I'm joined by Denton native Claire Morales.

Claire has been performing since childhood, and her journey has taken her through songwriting, recording, touring, and learning how to stay creatively engaged when those cycles start to feel routine. We talk about the work behind the work—how to keep things fresh, how to recognize when something needs to change, and how to avoid the trap of creative or performance monotony.

Along the way, the conversation takes some turns you might not expect: trips, cults, reality, space, and the desert all make appearances as we explore the ways experience, environment, and curiosity shape an artist's perspective. It's a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation about making music, staying present, and following ideas wherever they lead.

This week on I Was In That Band, Grady Sandlin sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Daniel Markham, a prolific West Texas singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose sound moves easily between many genres and influences. Daniel shares stories about his musical origins growing up in West Texas, the creative energy that keeps him constantly writing and recording, and his instinct for knowing when to edit, refine, or simply move on to the next idea. The conversation also looks back on more than a decade of working together, highlighting Daniel's thoughtful approach to music and his commitment to always moving forward. It's an open, engaging episode with one of the most driven musicians around.

This week on I Was In That Band!, Grady sits down with songwriter Daniel Rush Folmer. They talk about Daniel's music, their shared history in the North Texas scene, and the web of mutual friends and collaborators that shaped their journeys. The conversation also touches on addiction, recovery, and the healing power of creativity.

This week, Grady sits down with G.I. Sanders — musician, label owner, and lifelong advocate for North Texas music. From his early days playing in local bands to running a record store and a DFW-centric reissue record label, G.I. shares his story with candid humor and honesty.

They talk about the evolution of the DFW music scene, lessons learned from life on both sides of the stage, and the passion that keeps him creating new opportunities for Texas artists.

This week on I Was In That Band, Grady sits down with instrumentalist, singer, composer, and creative force Poppy Xander. Known for her wide-ranging projects across genres, Poppy opens up about what it means to live as an artist with many interests and identities.

We talk about feminism in the music world, the creative challenges of juggling multiple projects, and the balancing act between authenticity and self-promotion. Poppy shares her thoughts on developing a strong work ethic, carving out space for creative freedom, and staying true to her artistic instincts in an industry that often pushes artists to pick a lane.

This week on I Was In That Band!, my guest is Steve Carter—better known as Little Jack Melody. We dig into questions of identity, chasing success, band life, and the unforgettable disasters of the stage. Steve's singular perspective on music and living shines through in this candid and entertaining conversation.

This week we welcome our friend and longtime collaborator Ryan Thomas Becker to the podcast. Ryan has a deep history with both Grady and producer Brian Hutson, and together they revisit years of shared experiences—musical projects formed, bands dissolved, and everything that came in between.

Ryan opens up about his creative path, the lessons learned along the way, and the excitement around his upcoming solo album, #1 Honey Puppy Momma.

It's a candid, funny, and heartfelt conversation with one of North Texas's most original voices in music.