Sophia Bonasso might be new to the scene but she’s definitely hitting all of the right notes. As a high school student at Briarcrest she’s doing it all. We chat with Sophia about her climb and what she’s doing to keep her feet on the ground, even when flying an airplane! Plus how the love of culinary can not only keep her celiac disease in check but also help fuel the musical creativity.  We also dive into her first single Candy Crush and her freshly released song Ignite, which is sure to turn some heads, and you might be surprised at her Top5! Sophia Bonasso Top 5 5 Olivia Rodrigo - Brutal 4 Taylor Swift - New Romantics 3 Mariana & the Diamonds - State of Dreaming 2 The Mamas & The Papas - Dedicated to the One I Love 1 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band - Promised Land Check out the latest from Sophia HERE Listen to CANDY CRUSH here Get IGNITE here See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rodd Bland, the son of legendary blues icon Bobby “Blue” Bland, is poised to propel the Bland legacy to new heights. Rodd sits down to discuss his legacy, passing his musical knowledge on as a School of Rock Memphis instructor, and where the genre of blues is headed in the future. Rodd also dives into the new EP that pays homage to his late father, Live on Beale Street - A Tribute to Bobby “Blue” Bland and how this isn’t just any tribute album. He also dishes what it takes to earn a membership in the prestigious Members Only Band.   Rodd Bland Top5:  5. Pearl Jam- Immortality  4. Soundgarden- Blow Up The Outside World 3. Gary Clark Jr.- I Walk Alone 2. B.B. King- Chains & Things 1. Bobby “Blue” Bland- Yolanda   Get the new album Rodd Bland and the Members Only Band Live on Beale Street - A Tribute to Bobby "Blue" Bland HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brothers David and Joseph Higgins are no strangers to the Memphis music scene and they have a knack for making a HUGE impact. They turned heads and ears with Negro Terror and are at it again with Chinese Connection Dub Embassy. CCDE has been busy since forming in 2013, recording a whopping 15 albums and performing countless times.  Their latest project Crew Vibez is out now and they give us a taste of Dem A Callin' (Flodgin) and Back Bitah Sound and discusses the collaborations on the album plus what “new reggae” means and how the genre is very much apart of the current state of the world.    Chinese Connection Dub Embassy Top5 5. Majid Jordan- Been Through That  4. Protoje ft Lila Ike- In Bloom  3. Gary Clark Jr- This Land 2. Morray- Quicksand 1. Bodycount- Carnivore   Get their new project Crew Vibez HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ra’id Omar is no stranger to the world of music. A drummer by nature, his early influences shaped his philosophy on music and it’s impact on the world. No matter the genre Ra’id is into it. Just wait for his Top5 list! Ra’id and the Audionautz partner are hitting the ground running with their new album Elsewhere. Ra’id gives us a preview of What You Came For, With You, and Brodee’s favorite Older.  His journey with Negro Terror is documented in the award winning film by the same name and is available now on Amazon Prime Video. It’s definitely worth the watch!   Ra’id Omar Top5 5. Someone To Call My Lover- Janet Jackson 4. Main Line- Ashford & Simpson 3. How Much Can A Heart Take- Lucky Daye Ft. Yebba 2. Get The Party Started- P!nk 1. Don't Say You Love Me- M2M   Bonus: The Game Of Love- Santana Feat. Michelle Branch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The front man behind The Icarus Plan was mentioned at length in our discussion w/ Ed Harris and now, Brian Link, is stopping in to chime in and bring some new music himself! Brian chats about the new song The Crownand how The Icarus Plan process is truly unique and how it's working so well. Brian also shares how his love of the Greek tragedies and how being a father has changed and shaped him into the front man he is today. Brian has also changed us! Well, sort of… by giving us a BONUS track in our Top5!  Brian Link Top5 5) Animals - Architects  4) The Royal We- Silversun Pickups 3) Hurricane- Thrice 2) 23- Jimmy Eat World 1) Another Space Song- Failure BONUS a-ha - Take On Me (Acoustic)   Get the latest on The Icarus Plan HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She was responsible for multiple people’s success on talent shows then took her own shot and found herself on Team Kelly on Season 18 of NBC’s The Voice.  Mandi Thomas, now Mandi Moore, shared about her experience on the show and what has happened since which has been new music and projects, an incredible weight loss transformation, and getting married thanks to Tinder!  Mandi talks Queen’s Bluff and their song Hey World as well as her solo song Punchline being released VERY soon!  Mandi is still teaching and is gearing up for more gigs especially with the world opening back up. For the latest on Mandi CLICK HERE.  Mandi Thomas Top5 5) We're Good- Dua Lipa 4) Leave The Door Open- Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic 3) Hold On To Me- Lauren Daigle 2) bury a friend- Billie Eilish 1) deja vu- Olivia Rodrigo   Get the latest from Mandi HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’re unapologetically positive and in an overly negative world and a breath of fresh air. With Bravado has set out to bring not just great music, but spread their knowledge and joy for anyone and everyone that just wants to have fun and cut lose.  Julian and Kayla sit down and discuss their musical journey which includes being instructors for the School of Rock in Memphis as well as Julian’s teaching career PLUS the duality of the pandemic and how that has helped rekindle a desire and passion to bring the joy of live music back to venues.  They talked about the success of their release of Let’s Start A Fire even during a lockdown and their latest release of Catacomb which just dropped. Plus they chat about the band’s individual projects, namely CJ’s solo project Don’t Feel a Thing and the release of his upcoming project Vulnerable. Julian and Kayla also take a crack at their own Top5! with Bravado Top5 (x2) Julian 5. January 1979 - MeWithoutYou 4. Down - Fuel 3. Pioneer To The Falls - Interpol 2. Scorpion Breath - Mastodon 1. For Martha - The Smashing Pumpkins Kayla 5. Followed The Waves - Auf Der Maur 4. Silencer - Mewithoutyou 3. On With Disease - Hrvrd 2. The Scale - Interpol 1. Thru The Eyes Of Ruby - The Smashing Pumpkins   Get the latest from With Bravado HERE and get the latest on CJ’s solo project HERE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the days playing backyard basketball and Sega after school to him going off and producing, writing, and collaborating for and with Grammy nominees and winners. Brodee chats with his childhood friend childhood friend, Rykeyz, about his music upbringing, journey, new music, working with countless greats in the industry and so much more in a historic fashion for the show… via Zoom. We chat w/ RYKEYZ about his newest songs with Sam Fischer and Demi Lovato What Other People Say,  PLUS the success of Skip Marley and H.E.R. Slow Downwhich was nominated for 2 Grammy awards, being added to Michelle Obama’s playlist, and being the executive producer for his new album dropping this fall.   Rykeyz has also written and produced for John Legend, Chris Brown, Little Mix, Wiz Khalifa, and countless other major artists.  PLUS the recurring question on the show has been “do you really need a label" and has the 2020 world changed the way writers and producers, let alone the artists, make and create? Rykeyz has an answer.    RYKEYZ Top5 5) Higher Power- Coldplay 4)Treat People With Kindness- Harry Styles 3) Till Forever Falls Apart- Ashe & FINNEAS 2)All Your Exes- Julia Michaels 1)Good Days- SZA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kazha has made a HUGE impact on and for the Memphis music scene. Headed by lead singer and bassist, Kazuha Oda, and lead guitarist Hideki Matsushige. They chat about those now iconic wings, creating their own signature ESP Guitars and being ESP guitar ambassadors, being the official ambassador of Music Export Memphis, what the pandemic did to them mentally and emotionally, and what’s next as they return to the touring life.  We also get a preview of their new songs Stay and Wake Up II (Wake Me Up) and Hideki’s incredible writing ability.   Kazha Top5 5. Whatever It Takes 4. Singing to the Same Stars 3. Stay 2. Fight No More 1. Wonderland   Get the latest info and their newest album HERE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

R.I.C.O. Tha Akronym definitely has is opinions on things. From Rico’s Rants to the differences between a “Beat maker” and a producer to the world of music. He lays it all out there, unapologetically, and gives us a taste of what it truly means to be R.I.C.O. He also unpacks his new music talking his collaboration with producer and fellow musician, Ryan Peel, and their song Appreciate Ya as well as the new thought process behind Brighter Side of Things which is “too perfect” for a 2021 outlook.  Get ALL of R.I.C.O.’s music HERE R.I.C.O. Top5: 5) ILL NIÑO - All Or Nothing ft. Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. 4) Adore You- Harry Styles 3) Time Today- Moneybagg Yo 2) Famous Last Words- My Chemical Romance 1) Heartless- The Weeknd See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.