Lee and Scott catch up with Lane Shuler, Townsend native turned Maryville resident who's been crafting his own brand of alternative hip-hop right here in Blount County. Lane breaks down how he went from a kid in Townsend with no music shops or guitar teachers to creating what he calls "liquid running through a dark alleyway" – and honestly, once you hear it, that description makes perfect sense.

We dive into the making of his upcoming album "Candlelight Vigilante" (dropping Q1), which features some mind-blowing production with up to 75 tracks on certain songs. Lane's working with Will Johnson, whose dad did sound for Whitney Houston and Aerosmith, and they're recording in studios from Knoxville to Rockford to Minneapolis.

Lane performs a couple tracks live with just piano – including a tribute to Alonzo Rogers, a Good Guy Collective member lost to violence in Knoxville. The acoustic versions hit different, and watching him rap at lightning speed while playing keys? That's something you don't see every day.

We also talk about the Townsend Hot Air Balloon Festival, upcoming shows, and how Lane's building a whole circular economy with local artists and producers. Plus, stick around for the rapid-fire lyrics that had Lee trying to talk his way out of a speeding ticket.

Real music, real stories, real Blount County.