Tag Archives: Music

Season 2, Ep 6 – AB Eastwood



AB Eastwood, Music Producer

Does a “no” mean you should stop pursuing your goals? Kevin and Lauren chat with AB Eastwood about his path in music production from meeting music legends after being invited to the White House to being an in demand producer. AB shares what it was like producing for well known artists before he owned his own laptop, the importance of learning one’s craft, and the reality of the music industry. He also discusses some of the lessons he learned along the way and how he felt when the national attention started coming his way.

Learn more about AB: Instagram, Twitter


Bonus Episode – Debrief & Analysis: Tyler Lee Frush



BONUS: Hosts Drs. Kevin Harris and Lauren S. Tashman discuss their conversation with musician Tyler Lee Frush. Highlights include their discussion of  external and internal sources of motivational resources, the need for a dialogue on the best use of goal setting, and how much of what determines a musician’s success is beyond their control. They also discuss whether experiencing failure is more advantageous when it  occurs before or after experiencing some success.


Season 2, Ep 4 – Tyler Lee Frush



Tyler Lee Frush, Musician 

Do you define your success then go for it? In this episode, Kevin and Lauren chat with musician Tyler Lee Frush about his path navigating the music industry from idolizing Johnny Cash and Eddie Van Halen to releasing his own music. He shares the impact that feeling emotion from a song had on his songwriting, the difference between the goals of wanting to be a musician versus wanting to be famous, and giving the listener the opportunity to have their own meaning of a song. Tyler also discusses the importance of taking the gigs that no one else will do when getting started and the freedom that gives you to get over the early performance mistakes. 

Learn more about Tyler: Instagram


Bonus Episode – Debrief & Analysis: Mike Squires



BONUS: Hosts Drs. Kevin Harris and Lauren S. Tashman discuss their conversation with Mike Squires, Musician and Host, Couch Riffs Podcast. Highlights include their discussion of Mike’s approach of looking  through the cracked door to see opportunity, the different definitions of success, and making a living off your passion. They also ponder musicians’ early inspiration in the post album digital age, and the addictive nature of being in a “flow” state with the inevitable experience of coming down after performing


Season 2, Ep 3 – Mike Squires



Mike Squires, Musician and Host, Couch Riffs Podcast

If you care a lot about something, do you prove it? In this episode, Kevin and Lauren chat with Mike Squires, veteran rock guitarist, about his path from humble beginnings to touring the world with music legends. He shares what it was like feeling like a fish out of water after arriving in Seattle, the importance of practicing with musicians better than you, and getting a call from Duff McKagan about auditioning. He also discusses his drive to make music, the pitfall of having goals but not putting in the work, and his habit of inviting himself into bands. 

Learn more about Mike: Instagram, Twitter

Learn more about Couch Riffs: Website, Instagram, Twitter


Bonus Episode – Debrief & Analysis: The BlackSon



BONUS: Hosts Drs. Kevin Harris and Lauren S. Tashman discuss their conversation with The BlackSon, Hip Hop Artist and Director. Highlights include their discussion about the benefit of healthy conflict, being happy with the self we are, and the benefits of The BlackSon’s mantra of treating every day as day 1. They also discuss the power of framing techniques such as seeing what you have to gain versus what you have to lose.


Season 2, Ep 1 – The BlackSon



The BlackSon, Hip Hop Recording Artist, Artist, and Director

Do you treat every day as Day 1? In this episode,The BlackSon shares his path from poet to being a rising star in the national hip hop scene. He shares what the transition was like moving from poetry slams to the hip hop stage, his goal of activating all of our senses with his art, and working with legendary producers. He also shares the importance of constantly creating, channeling nervous energy for a great performance, and specifying where you want to be in 30 days. This episode is full of great advice for anyone looking to better themselves or break their goals into manageable parts.

Learn more about The BlackSon: LinkTree  Instagram  Twitter  Facebook 


Ep. 036 – Sean Kelly



Sean Kelly, Recording Artist and Past Member, Sixpence None the Richer

Could you handle the demands of your dreams coming true? In this episode, Sean Kelly shares his path from jamming with his high school friends to being a member of the Grammy-nominated band Sixpence None the Richer. Sean discusses the grind of making it in the music industry, the excitement of touring on a tour bus for the first time, and the roller coaster ride of humbling versus rock star moments along the way. He also discusses the myth of overnight success and his advice for up-and-coming musicians.

Learn more about Sean’s production company: Stereophonic Films


Ep. 032 – Lockwood Barr



Lockwood Barr, Country Music Recording Artist

Is pushing yourself outside your comfort zone a theme in your life? In this episode Lockwood Barr shares her path from her first writing sessions after arriving in Nashville to becoming a successful artist. She discusses consistently pushing out of her comfort zone, fighting impostor syndrome, her first CMA festival as a performer, and touring for a living. Lockwood also shares the importance of addressing mental health needs and her efforts to bring awareness to, and advocate  for,  suicide prevention. Her story is inspiring and reminds us not to be deterred by rejections along our path.

Learn more about Lockwood: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook 


Bonus Episode – Debrief & Analysis: Brandon Barnett



BONUS: Hosts Drs. Kevin Harris and Lauren S. Tashman discuss their conversation with Brandon Barnett, Songwriter and Founder of the Left of Nashville Podcast Network. Highlights include their discussion of how burnout can happen even when you love what you do, and that being extremely passionate about something possibly can lead to an even greater chance of it. Kevin and Lauren also discuss how draining the true-crime genre can be, how an idea without an investment goes nowhere, and the alliteration of Kevin’s self-designated nickname – bald Brad Pitt.


Ep. 031 – Brandon Barnett



Brandon Barnett, Songwriter and Founder of the Left of Nashville Podcast Network

Would you walk away from a good living to take a shot at your dreams? In this episode, Kevin and Lauren speak with Brandon Barnett, whose path includes collaborating with one of Nashville’s best known songwriters to his true crime podcast that led to an arrest in a decades old missing person cold-case. Brandon shares his experience of not giving up, the joy and stress of podcasting about cold cases, and the importance of having fun no matter what you pursue. He also talks about the realization that he had hundreds of thousands of listeners, and his mantra of not putting out garbage just to release something.

Learn more about Brandon: Instagram, Facebook

Learn more about Left of Nashville: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook


Bonus Episode – Debrief & Analysis: Justin Causey



BONUS: Hosts Drs. Kevin Harris and Lauren S. Tashman discuss their conversation with Nashville entrepreneur and artist manager, Justin Causey. The highlight is a conversation about the give and take of saying “yes” versus “no,” from the risk of taking on too much to the risk of missing an opportunity. Kevin and Lauren also touch on the power of a like-minded collective and ponder the relationship between participation in high-risk sports and the willingness to take chances in the artistic space.


Ep. 026 – Justin Causey



Justin Causey, Entrepreneur and Music Artist Manager 

Are you willing to take the Ls in order to get to the Ws? In this episode we speak with Justin Causey about his experiences as an entrepreneur and artist manager in Nashville’s rising hip-hop music scene. Justin discusses his path in the music business, designing a shoe for Nike, and being named one of Tennessee State University’s 40 under 40. Listen to hear him share how a serious injury solidified his entrepreneurial approach, the rarity of finding a collective of artists moving forward together, and the importance of learning from failure. This episode is packed with motivational advice for anyone striving to live their dreams.

Learn more about Justin: Instagram, Twitter


Ep. 021 – Jeremy Tubbs



Jeremy Tubbs, Director of Music Entertainment, University of Memphis – Lambuth Campus, Music Recording and Touring Artist

How would your friends and family react to learning that you decided to pursue music as a career instead of continuing the 3rd year of your pre-med track? In this episode of The Path Distilled, Jeremy Tubbs shares his path, from hating his first guitar lessons to touring the world. Listen to hear him discuss the encouragement he received to make music his profession, his ultimate decision to become a full-time musician, learning to play multiple instruments, and touring nonstop for almost a decade. You will also want to hear what Carl Perkins shared with Jeremy about Elvis Presley’s pre-performance jitters.

Learn more about Jeremy: Instagram, Twitter

Learn more about Lambuth’s Music Entertainment Program


Ep. 018 – Stephanie Quayle



Stephanie Quayle, Country Music Recording Artist 

When you think about giving up, do you stay focused on yourself or get slowed down by focusing on the people passing you? In this episode, Stephanie shares her path from growing up on a ranch in Montana to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. She shares what Nashville has taught her about the craft of songwriting, what helped her persevere through difficult times, and her refusal to change who she is to fit the mold. This episode is full of great advice and you will never look at mile 19 of a marathon the same way again.

Learn more about Stephanie: Instagram Facebook Twitter


Ep. 016 – Gordon Domnick



Gordon Domnick, Lead Singer of Ripe & Ruin.

Would you feel a sense of freedom if you thought things could not get any worse? In this episode, Gordon discusses his path in music from a self-described group of teens making noise to a very successful global band. He shares with us the range of emotions he experienced hearing Jimi Hendrix for the first time, his take on the perpetual struggle between creating art and making a living from it, and his perspective on the drive necessary to continue in the competitive world of music. Gordon has excellent advice for everyone, including aspiring musicians, artists, and performers alike.

Learn more about Ripe & Ruin : Twitter, Website


Ep. 011 – Garrett Jacobs



Garrett Jacobs, Country Recording Artist

If a door opened would you walk through it? In this episode we speak with Garrett Jacobs, who ended up writing his first single the first time he visited Nashville. Garrett’s approach to his songs is to create a connection with the listener, allowing the song to be whatever is needed in their own life.  Listen to Garrett’s story to discover how hearing Chris Stapleton for the first time changed his life, how he has matured as a songwriter since arriving in Nashville, and to hear him share his father’s four keys to success that has guided him along his own path.

Learn more about Garrett: Instagram Ep. 


Ep. 010 – Desiree Page



Desiree Page, Founder of 318 Management, Actress, and Model

Do you recognize opportunity when it presents itself? In this episode we speak to Desiree, Founder of 318 Management. Desiree’s story takes us on her journey of founding her management company armed with over a decade of experience as an actress, setting goals with her drive to always be moving forward, and her advice for anyone wondering if they should make a change in their own life. You will also want to listen to find out what happens when she is antiquing as a child and happens upon the actress Sandra Bullock.

Learn more about Desiree:  Instagram, 318 Management Instagram


Ep. 008 – Logan Mize



Logan Mize, Country Music Recording Artist

If you had been rejected five times by everyone in the music industry, would you reach out for a sixth time? In this episode we talk with Logan Mize, a successful recording and touring artist. Logan’s story takes us from his arrival in Nashville with his truck and $60 in his pocket, to facing rejection before landing a deal with a major label, and finally finding success on his own terms. Logan’s episode is packed full of life advice for everyone pursuing their own goals. 

Learn more about Logan:  Instagram


The Path Distilled Podcast, Ep 001 – Kevin Rapillo



Kevin Rapillo, Musical Director and Drummer for Rodney Atkins; Cohost of “Trey & Kevin Change the World” Podcast

How would you react if you were just about to make it in the music industry at 25, but the door suddenly slammed shut? Kevin is musical director and drummer for country music star Rodney Atkins. In Kevin’s episode he highlights some fascinating aspects of the path towards becoming a musician, but that provide useful insight for anyone pursuing success. Listen to his episode to hear him talk about the rude awakening he experienced when he got to the Berklee College of Music, his fork in the road moment, and how he’s learned to ride the waves throughout his career, including their first #1 hit.

Learn more about Kevin or listen to his podcast on Apple Podcasts: Instagram