Classical and jazz-trained guitarist Michael Rye shares how he went from Suzuki violin lessons at age five to a lifetime of guitar. We talk about his all-instrumental album If These Hands Could Talk and why he wanted it to be 100% guitar with no vocals, overdubs, or studio tricks. Michael breaks down how he thinks about fingerstyle, session work in a remote-file world, and why reputation and referrals are everything when people need you to deliver fast.

He also walks through his upcoming teaching platform, Intuitive Guitar Academy, built like a structured curriculum with beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, plus printable practice materials. We get into practice habits, choosing a first song, how he maintains a large collection of purpose-built guitars, and the real-world gear routines that keep him consistent on stage.

Nashville guitarist and producer Derek Wells breaks down how modern records are really made. We talk demoitis, the creative freedom behind Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion sessions, how Nashville studio work actually functions, and how Derek balances being a guitarist, producer, and A&R executive.

This episode dives into session workflows, creative burnout, saying no to the wrong projects, and the small behind-the-scenes moments that end up living forever in a song.

Nashville singer songwriter Camryn Gardner talks going full time in music, the Broadway grind, writer rounds, co writing, and the story behind her song “Stages.” We also cover the reality of promoting and releasing music as an independent artist and what she is working on next.