Ep. 09: The Art of Loosening Up with Jay Knowles
Ep. 09: The Art of Loosening Up with Jay Knowles
In the same way that a great melody is as much about space as it is about notes, Grammy nominated hit songwriter, Jay Knowles, has mastered emphasizing the things about songwriting that have nothing to do with the actual writing part.
He makes sense in nonsensical ways. He says more by saying less. He achieves by not trying to achieve.
I consider Jay Knowles a mentor of mine. He has taught me so much about creativity and lyric writing just by being in the room with him. No doubt, he is one of my favorite songwriters on the planet. Alan Jackson, George Strait, Harry Connick, Jr., Jack Ingram, Lainey Wilson and others agree because they’ve all cut songs written by Jay and made them hits that you probably sing along to in your car.
In Episode 9 of Happiest Hour, Jay dig in about his what it’s like to have hits by giant artists like George Strait, and I ask him some detailed questions about his writing process. If you are a songwriter, aspiring to be, or want to tap deeper into your creativity, this is absolutely a conversation you don’t want to miss.
We also cover:
His favorite song he’s written that others might not like
Why his Jack Ingram hit, “Love You,” almost never got recorded
What he feels like is his best asset as a songwriter and how he approaches new ideas
His hilarious and poignant Substack newsletter, Song Friends
How being at the GRAMMY Awards is an ego booster and an ego buster at the same time
Advice to aspiring songwriters
… and much more. In fact, our conversation got so deep that we will be rolling out a bonus episode with Jay about the particulars of songwriting. Click here to make sure you are receiving emails from me so that you can get alerted to when that episode rolls out!
As always, we pair this episode with 2 delicious recipes — because it’s not the Happiest Hour without great food to go with our great conversation, right?!
In true Jay Knowles fashion, he put his own quirky spin on how to make the best cup of black coffee… ever. And a nostalgic childhood favorite only the way his mom could make it: peanut butter and brown sugar sandwich. Keep reading to learn how to make these yummy recipes while you enjoy our conversation!
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Connect with Jay here!
Join Jay’s Song Friends community on Substack (seriously, if you are a creative — and everybody is whether you realize it or not — you don’t want to miss this)!
Listen to Jay’s discography of hits.
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The Happiest Hour theme song was written and performed by... me! If you'd like to hear more of my music, click here!
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Keep scrolling to get your recipes! They’re just below. ↓
Don’t Forget the Recipes!
We paired two delicious recipes with this episode. Get them below.
Cheers!
Clever Coffee
Becky Knowles’ Peanut Butter & Brown Sugar Sandwich
More Happiest Hour…
Ep. 08: Living with Purpose with Risa Binder
The synchronicities abound with Risa. That’s not surprising once you meet her in our upbeat conversation and feel her good energy.
Risa Binder has opened for legends, such as James Taylor and Ronnie Milsap. She hosts her own YouTube series and podcast. She is a recording and touring artist, a songwriter and she is releasing brand new music this spring! Oh… and did I mention she is also a mom??
In Episode 08 of Happiest Hour, Risa shares with us what it means to live her purpose, how she balances being a creative entrepreneur and a mom, and so much more.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch the live interview on YouTube!
Ep. 08: Living with Purpose with Risa Binder
I’ll never forget getting the call from my music publishers that a song I wrote called “Burning Down the Dark” was being cut by an artist named, Risa Binder. That song always felt special to me, so I was thrilled it found a home!
Fast forward, my publishers set Risa and I up to write. But before that date came around, I bumped into Risa in a church pew one Sunday morning. Then, we realized one of my co-writers of “Burning Down the Dark,” by complete coincidence, was from her hometown and they had mutual friends.
The synchronicities abound with Risa. That’s not surprising once you meet her in our upbeat conversation and feel her good energy.
Risa has opened for legends, such as James Taylor and Ronnie Milsap. She hosts her own YouTube series and podcast. She is a recording and touring artist, a songwriter and she is releasing brand new music this spring! Oh… and did I mention she is also a mom??
In the episode we talk about:
✨Her first experience at The Bluebird Cafe and falling in love with the songwriter’s heart
✨How her grandmothers and mom influenced her life philosophy
✨ How a broken heart lead her to a Mariachi band in a subway (that was a funny story! Around minute 11:03)
✨Why it’s important to “tell the story” as a creative
✨How she fulfills here heart’s desire while being a busy mom
✨Her favorite beauty products when she’s hitting the road on tour
✨ What she hopes to leave behind
That’s not all! My guests and I always pair each episode with 2 delicious recipes. You do NOT want to miss the incredible “French Toast Latte” Risa brought to this episode. Seriously, this latte is life-changing. I threw in my favorite S’mores hack you can make in any weather, sans campfire. I swear, it will be a go-to treat all year round in your home.
Scroll down to get them below!
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Connect with Risa here.
Listen to Risa’s music!
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The Happiest Hour theme song was written and performed by... me! If you'd like to hear more of my music, click here!
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Keep scrolling to get your recipes! They’re just below. ↓
Don’t Forget the Recipes!
We paired two delicious recipes with this episode. Get them below.
Cheers!
Iced French Toast Latte
S’mores Dip
More Happiest Hour…
Ep. 07: From Guts to the GRAMMYs with Victoria Banks
How did a Canadian zoologist who, initially, didn't have the guts to pursue music become a Grammy nominated hit songwriter and CCMA-winning artist in her own right?
Victoria Banks' story takes lots of twists and turns. In Episode 07 of Happiest Hour, Victoria shares with us how it took losing her job in Canada to finally begin chasing her dream of being a songwriter, and so much more.
Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch the live interview on YouTube!
Ep. 07: From Guts to the GRAMMYs with Victoria Banks
How did a Canadian zoologist who, initially, didn't have the guts to pursue music, become a Grammy nominated hit songwriter and CCMA-winning artist?
Victoria Banks' story takes a lot of twists and turns. In Episode 07 of Happiest Hour, Victoria shares with us how it took losing her job in Canada to finally begin chasing her dream of being a songwriter in Nashville.
We also cover:
• How she went from writing songs for other artists to becoming a Canadian Country Music Award (CCMA)-winning Artist of the Year
• What it was like juggling her hit songwriting career in the U.S. and a hit recording career in Canada
• The benefit of pivoting in life
• How her favorite cut as a songwriter almost didn't happen -- and then led to a GRAMMY nomination
• Her family life organization strategies
🍵 Don't forget, we pair each episode with a delicious beverage and easy weekend recipe! This week, Victoria introduced me to homemade matcha latte. I paired the latte with a fan-submitted recipe for classic pimento cheese. Scroll down to get them below!
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Connect with Victoria here.
Listen to Victoria's music
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The Happiest Hour theme song was written and performed by... me! If you'd like to hear more of my music, click here!
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Keep scrolling to get your recipes! They’re just below. ↓
Don’t Forget the Recipes!
We paired two delicious recipes with this episode. Get them below.
Cheers!
Homemade Matcha Latte
Sharon’s Classic Pimento Cheese
More Happiest Hour…
Ep. 06: When Walking Away Means Walking Towards Something Bigger with Cyndi Thomson
Today, you see Cyndi Thomson's luxury jewelry dripping off superstars like Lizzo, Lauren Alaina, Natalie Hemby (of the Highwomen) and Kimberly Paisley. Did you know that Cyndi was on the verge of superstardom herself with a hit radio single and gold album, My World?
Cyndi made the difficult decision to walk away from the music business as her star was on the rise. In this episode, we talk about how walking away from one thing means walking towards something else. And what a beautiful, big life she walked into!
Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch the live interview on YouTube!
Ep. 06: When Walking Away Means Walking Towards Something Bigger with Cyndi Thomson
Today, you see Cyndi Thomson's luxury jewelry dripping off superstars like Lizzo, Lauren Alaina, Natalie Hemby (of the Highwomen) and Kimberly Paisley. Did you know that Cyndi was on the verge of superstardom herself with a hit radio single and gold album, My World?
Cyndi made the difficult decision to walk away from the music business as her star was on the rise. In this episode, we talk about how walking away from one thing means walking towards something else. And what a beautiful, big life she walked into!
In this episode, we cover:
How the songs from her iconic gold record, My World, continue to make an impact
Where music fits in her life now -- and if we can expect more music from her in the future
What life has looked like between walking away from a hit music career and starting her hit luxury jewelry business, Haybelle Co.
Finding balance as a wife, mom, musician, small business owner
Her marriage secrets (married 20 years after only dating a few months!)
What she hopes to leave as her legacy
🍹 We paired this episode with a delicious grapefruit vodka cocktail that Cyndi loves and I share a super simple dessert that my grandma used to make. Scroll down for the recipes!
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Join Cyndi on Instagram
Shop her every day jewelry and luxury pieces at Haybelle Co.
Listen to her iconic hit country album, My World.
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The Happiest Hour theme song was written and performed by... me! If you'd like to hear more of my music, click here!
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Keep scrolling to get your recipes! They’re just below. ↓
Don’t Forget the Recipes!
We paired two delicious recipes with this episode. Get them below.
Cheers!
The Sparkling Jewel
Louise’s Baked Apples
More Happiest Hour…
Ep. 05: Choose Your Attitude, Choose Your Life - with Legendary Fitness Instructor, Mary Helen Yarbrough
A teacher of mine once told me, “To the extent you experience darkness, you will have the capacity to experience that same degree of light.”
Have you ever heard something like that?
Well, let me tell ya, Mary Helen Yarbrough is no stranger to darkness. She experienced profound losses in her teen and young adult years that sent her life into a spiral.
So, maybe that explains why she is one of the most authentically positive and inspirational people in my life (and in many others’ lives, as well).
In Episode 5 of Happiest Hour, we don’t hold back. Mary Helen tells her story of loss and pain, as well as sharing her life philosophy that makes her life tick, and so much more.
Listen on your favorite podcast app or watch on YouTube!
Ep. 05: Choose Your Attitude, Choose Your Life - with Legendary Fitness Instructor, Mary Helen Yarbrough
A teacher of mine once told me, “To the extent you experience darkness, you will have the capacity to experience that same degree of light.”
Have you ever heard something like that?
Well, let me tell ya, Mary Helen Yarbrough is no stranger to darkness. She experienced profound losses in her teen and young adult years that sent her life into a spiral.
So, maybe that explains why she is one of the most authentically positive and inspirational people in my life (and in many others’ lives, as well).
If you have followed me for a while, you know that I am not shy about sharing how much I love taking Jazzercise from Mary Helen. She was recently featured on our largest news station where our star news anchor, Tracy Kornet (who also attends our Jazzercise class) called her a, “legend.” I will second that!
We don’t hold back in this episode. Mary Helen tells her story of loss and pain, as well as sharing her life philosophy that makes her life tick.
In this conversation, we also cover:
Her story of loss that made her who she is today
Where she got her work ethic
How weekly Happy Hours led her to discover Jazzercise
How she built her legendary (yes, legendary!) Nashville fitness business over 40 years ago as a busy wife and mom
Debunking the 80’s stereotype of Jazzercise (no, we don’t wear leg warmers)
Why her classes feel fun, inclusive and safe
Her secret to success for maintaining relationships and a strong business
The choice she makes daily that makes her so impactful to others
Spoiler alert: we get into some heavy conversation, including mental health and mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that 24 hour support is available to you by simply dialing 988 from your phone.
Something else you’re going to want to know about Mary Helen: she is a fabulous cook! And her husband is retired from the liquor industry, so this woman knows how to mix a dang good cocktail.
Make sure you check out the 2 recipes Mary Helen brought to pair with this episode!
Get your recipes and show notes right here:
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Want to try a Jazzercise class with Mary Helen and me? If you are local to Nashville, then click here!
If you are not local to Nashville, but would like to try Jazzercise in your area (or On Demand), visit https://www.jazzercise.com/
You can also find Mary Helen on Instagram.
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The Happiest Hour theme song was written and performed by... me! If you'd like to hear more of my music, click here!
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Keep scrolling to get your recipes! They’re just below. ↓
Don’t Forget the Recipes!
We paired two delicious recipes with this episode. Get them below.
Cheers!
French 75 Cocktail
Mary Helen’s Shrimp Dip