Show Notes
Texas country singer-songwriter Charlie McCabe joins me to talk about his journey from picking up a guitar during the pandemic to performing at iconic venues like Floore’s. We dive into his storytelling approach to songwriting, the value of co-writing, and the highs and lows of being an independent artist. Charlie shares favorite songs like Hard to Quit, his goals for the future, and why the recording process is one of his favorite parts of the job.
More from Look who it is!
Devin Trout is back on Look Who It Is! for the first time since his appearance last year. We catch up on everything that’s changed since then, including touring with Chase Matthew, playing shows around the world, opening for Jason Aldean, and taking on a bigger role behind the scenes. Devin talks about preparing tracks for TV performances, doing more session work, and getting ready to head into the studio as Chase uses his touring band to record new music. We also get into life on the road, what goes into putting together a live show, learning his role as a rhythm guitarist, some unforgettable tour stories, and what he’s looking forward to next. A relaxed conversation about touring, recording, growing as a musician, and everything that happens in between.
Stephen Ridley is a British pianist who left investment banking behind and went on to perform in 77 countries around the world. In this episode, Stephen shares stories about performing for 28,000 people in Uzbekistan, playing piano for 24 hours straight, improvising an entire concert after only seven minutes of rehearsal, and meeting artists including Sting and Robbie Williams. He also explains why more than 160 professionally recorded songs remain unreleased and how some of the best moments in his life have come from plans going completely off course.
Jackson Hymel joins Dane to talk about going from recording pop-rap songs on an iPhone at 10 years old to writing country music and recording professionally in Nashville. Jackson shares how he accidentally became a left-handed guitarist despite being right-handed, found Young Outlaw Music through ReverbNation, and worked with producer Brent McCollough on “Love Again” and the upcoming “Ups and Downs.” He also opens up about turning his first heartbreak into music, overcoming nerves onstage, and balancing his senior year of high school with building a music career. Follow Jackson at @jacksonhymelmusic and listen to “Love Again” wherever you stream music.
Cody Ikerd joins Dane on Look Who It Is! to talk about starting the Sidewinders and bringing rock energy to outlaw country. From playing drums in metal bands to fronting his own country band out of Bedford, Indiana, Cody shares the stories behind their first shows, finding their sound, and earning recognition at the Josie Music Awards. We also get into songwriting, the album The Nineteenth State, and the reality of keeping an independent band going while balancing full-time jobs, family, and social media. Learn more about Cody Ikerd and the Sidewinders: https://codyikerdmusic.com/
Kate Morris joins Dane to talk about finally taking a chance on music after years of writing songs privately and raising a family. Kate shares how she went from a terrifying first open mic in 2024 to performing at venues across Southern California, all while balancing motherhood, songwriting, booking shows, creating content, and handling the nonstop workload of an independent artist. They also discuss the story behind her first single, “Preach,” the self doubt that comes with putting personal music into the world, how her kids have influenced her journey, and why the best songs can feel deeply specific and completely universal at the same time. Kate also previews her new single, “Tumbleweeds,” a bluesy country rock cautionary tale about chasing someone who was never going to stay. Follow Kate Morris on Instagram and TikTok: @katemorrismusic