The Trout Show

Marcus Hummon is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer, playwright, and author whose illustrious career has left an indelible mark on country music and beyond. Born on December 28, 1960, as the son of a career diplomat, Hummon's early years were a global odyssey, taking him from Italy and Africa to the Philippines—experiences that infused his work with a worldly perspective and emotional depth. Af...

Ever wonder why the kings of hard rock called themselves Deep Purple? Spoiler: It's not the color—it's a sassy 1963 chart-topper by sax-wielding Nino Tempo & whisper-queen April Stevens! This podcast spills the tea on the song's wild ride: from big band roots to a flubbed demo that became a Grammy goldmine. 

Relive Nino's Hank Williams wail, April's "cute" narration trick, and Ritchie Blackmore...

In the electric haze of New York City, where dreams clash like subway cars at rush hour, Nikita Lev emerged—a force of indie-rock grace wrapped in folk's raw whisper. Born and raised amid the skyscrapers, she was weaned on chamber strings and '90s band riffs, picking up flute and piano as a kid before trading them for a guitar at ten, scribbling her first songs under bedroom posters of icons who dared to bare their souls....

Get ready for an unforgettable sit-down with country music’s soul-stirring storyteller, Jason Michael Carroll, on The Trout Show! From his days as a U.S. Marine to crafting the heart-wrenching No. 5 hit “Alyssa Lies,” Jason’s journey is as raw as his baritone voice. In this exclusive interview, he spills the gut-punching truth behind the song that changed country music, shares untold stories of his comeback with fresh tracks like “...

Rhys John Stygal is a remarkably talented young guitarist from London, UK, widely hailed as a blues sensation and often dubbed "the next Stevie Ray Vaughan" for his uncanny emulation of SRV's searing tone, phrasing, and fretboard command. At just 17 years old (born February 27, 2008), Rhys has rapidly risen in the guitar world since picking up the instrument in March 2020—less than five years ago—transforming from a ...

The Trout was honored to an exclusive interview with Frank Hannon, legendary former lead guitarist and co-founder of Tesla, known for iconic rock anthems like 'Love Song.' Frank’s just released his solo instrumental album, Reflections, on September 12, 2025. After a year of personal loss, he rediscovered his passion for the guitar, crafting soulful tracks like 'Our Father's Love,' 'Sunrise,' and &...

Join us for a gripping episode diving into the life and legacy of Merry Clayton, the soul and gospel powerhouse behind the unforgettable vocals on the Rolling Stones' 1969 classic, "Gimme Shelter." Born on Christmas Day 1948 in New Orleans, Clayton's journey began in her father’s church, singing gospel under the influence of legends like Mahalia Jackson. From her early days as a Raelette for Ray Charles to becom...

Ray Dolby (January 18, 1933 – September 12, 2013) was an American engineer and inventor whose name became synonymous with pristine sound. Born in Portland, Oregon, Dolby’s fascination with audio began early, playing piano and clarinet while tinkering with sound technology as a teenager. At just 16, he joined Ampex Corporation, where he played a key role in developing the first practical videotape recorder in 1956. After earning a B...

Hailing from Valdosta, Georgia, and raised in Boseyour City, Louisiana, Garrett Jacobs stole hearts on American Idol Season 16 with soulful renditions like “It’s a Man’s  World,” reaching the Top 14. Now 25 and based in Nashville, he’s signed with Sony Music Publishing and CAA, cementing his rising star status in country music. With hits like “The Healing,” “Just Like You” (#5 on CMT’s 12-pack), “Already Ready,” “Downhill,” and “Yo...

Join us for a heartfelt interview with the spirited musicians who ignite the historic Texas County Courthouse square every Saturday with the soul-stirring sounds of Americana music. These proud artists weave the red, white, and blue into every note, blending folk, country, blues, and rock to celebrate the heart of America’s musical heritage. From seasoned storytellers to rising patriots of song, they honor the land of the free with...

Saxon Weiss is a 13-year-old guitar prodigy, singer, and songwriter captivating audiences with his extraordinary talent and genre-defying style. Starting his musical journey at age 2 with a drum kit, Saxon taught himself ukulele at 3 and mastered Hawaiian slack key guitar by 7. Now proficient in classical, jazz, blues, rock, bluegrass, and country, he’s a versatile musician who blends technical skill with heartfelt emotion. Saxon h...

Rick Troutman aka The Trout is thrilled to introduce the imaginaries and American folk rock duo from Oklahoma for today's YouTube and podcast interview. Featuring husband and wife Shane Henry on guitar and vocals and Maggie McClure on keys and vocals, their soulful pop Americana evokes Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac, blending gritty blues rock with heartfelt ballads. With 75-plus sync placements in film and TV, including Netflix&...

On this episode of The Trout Show, The Trout dives into AI’s grip on music! Labels pocket $25 billion while artists earn pennies—$0.003 per stream—forcing indie musicians to tour endlessly or use AI tools like Suno to cut costs. As a guitarist and Aurora Dreams creator, The Trout shares stories from dozens of indie artist interviews and X posts revealing the struggle. Artists on X cry foul as labels and streaming platforms push A e...

Chart-Toppers '75: The Soundtrack of a Generation is a one-episode podcast diving into the stories behind the top five selling songs of 1975. Hosted with passion for music history, it blends narrative, interviews, and rare audio to bring the era’s chart-toppers—like Captain & Tennille’s “Love Will Keep Us Together” and Glen Campbell’s “Rhinestone Cowboy”—to life, exploring their cultural and musical impact. It’s a vibrant ...

"Larry McCray, a rustbelt blues legend, was born in 1960 in Magnolia, Arkansas, and raised on a farm as the second youngest of nine siblings. Introduced to the guitar by his sister Clara and inspired by the three Kings—B.B., Freddie, and Albert—McCray moved to Saginaw, Michigan, in 1972, where he honed his searing guitar style and soulful vocals. Signed as the first artist to Virgin’s Point Blank Records, his 1990 debut, Ambit...

Behind the Hits lifts the curtain on pop music’s biggest secrets: who really writes the songs that dominate the charts? From Max Martin’s chart-topping anthems to the sprawling teams behind Beyoncé and Drake, we dive into why many pop stars don’t write their own tracks—and whether it matters to fans. Hosted by The Trout, this podcast blends industry insights, artist stories, and a passion for authentic music to explore the creative...

Silver Rockers: Gray Hair and Enduring Stardom is a powerful one-episode podcast exploring the lives of aging rock ‘n’ roll legends. Focusing on icons like Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen, The Trout dives into how these musicians confront the physical and creative challenges of growing older in the spotlight. Through a single iconic song and intimate storytelling, we unpack their vocal shifts, health struggles, and unwavering pas...

Terra Renae is a soul-pop sensation hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, whose magnetic voice and heartfelt lyrics are captivating audiences worldwide. With a sound that blends soulful melodies and modern pop, Terra’s music is as authentic as her story. Initially pursuing modeling and earning a doctoral degree, she nearly left music behind until a serendipitous 2022 encounter with GRAMMY-winning artist Macy Gray in Los Angeles change...

At 10 years old, I bought my first record—Earl Grant’s soulful Yessiree—and it sparked a love for music that’s never faded. Join me as I share that magical moment and dive into the incredible legacy of Earl Grant, the organ maestro who brought jazz, soul, and pop to life. Whether it’s your first vinyl or your thousandth, this podcast celebrates the thrill of music discovery that every music lover knows. Let’s spin some stories and ...