Do bigger venues create bigger experiences—or do they take us further away from the music?

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz debate whether arenas have changed the live music experience for the worse and share the intimate venues that have left the biggest impression on them.

From Charleston's beloved Pour House and Nashville's legendary Robert's Western World to First Avenue in Minneapolis, Red Rocks, the Ryman Auditorium, and hidden gems you've probably never heard of, they explore why some venues create unforgettable nights while others simply host concerts.

Along the way, they share stories about seeing artists like John Prine, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Crockett, American Aquarium, Mount Joy, Hiss Golden Messenger, Mason Jennings, and many more—and explain why discovering music in small venues may be one of the best investments any music fan can make.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why small venues often create deeper connections between artists and audiences
• The independent venues every Americana fan should visit
• How outdoor venues transform the live music experience
• Bucket-list music destinations across America
• Why supporting local venues helps keep live music alive for future generations

Whether you're planning your next concert road trip or simply looking for your next favorite venue, this episode will inspire you to get closer to the music—and stay curious.

Also follow us and join the conversation on Instagram and YouTube.

How does an artist find a voice that feels unmistakably their own—and write songs that hold both hope and heartbreak at the same time?

In this episode of Americana Curious, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with MC Taylor, singer, songwriter, producer, and bandleader of Hiss Golden Messenger.

Across more than a dozen studio albums and a Grammy-nominated career, MC has become one of the defining voices in modern Americana. But finding that voice took years of searching, experimenting, and learning to trust his own instincts.

MC shares the story behind Hiss Golden Messenger, explains how fatherhood transformed both his songwriting and his leadership as an artist, and reflects on why his music explores spirit without offering easy answers. He also discusses the power of intimate live music, the importance of community, and why songs can communicate emotions that conversations often cannot.

Chapters:

00:00 - Why it took years to find his voice

02:05 - The turning point that led to Hiss Golden Messenger

03:34 - Finally creating the sound he'd been chasing

04:44 - The meaning behind the name Hiss Golden Messenger

06:56 - Why his music is about spirit—not religion

09:29 - Faith, hope, and rejecting beliefs used as weapons

10:41 - How he writes hopeful songs during difficult times

15:01 - The meaning behind I'm People

17:25 - Why music can say what conversations can't

19:48 - The punk shows that changed his life forever

22:43 - Why collaboration matters in Americana music

27:47 - How becoming a father helped him find his voice

32:23 - The questions driving his songwriting today

35:00 - The future of independent live music and house shows

39:23 - What legacy he hopes Hiss Golden Messenger leaves behind

Hiss Golden Messenger is the musical project of MC Taylor, whose blend of folk, rock, country, soul, and spiritual storytelling has earned a Grammy nomination and made him one of the most respected voices in Americana. Through more than a dozen acclaimed albums, he has built a career defined by authenticity, emotional depth, and a relentless commitment to creating timeless music.

Check out Hiss Golden Messenger's latest album, I'm People, and catch them on tour.

🔔 Support the Podcast

If you love conversations with the artists shaping Americana music, be sure to like this video, leave a comment, and subscribe to the channel.

Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Follow Americana Curious on Instagram: @AmericanaCurious

#HissGoldenMessenger #MCTaylor #AmericanaMusic #SingerSongwriter #FolkMusic #RootsMusic #MusicPodcast #AmericanaCurious

How does an independent band stay true to its roots, resist industry pressure, and survive for over three decades?

In this episode of Americana Curious, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with Willy Braun, frontman and lead singer of the legendary country-rock band Reckless Kelly.

Long before sold-out shows and a devoted following, the band survived by pooling "Band Bucks," sleeping on bar floors, and driving a banged-up $1,500 Suburban.

Willie opens up about their early days playing seven nights a week in Austin, getting a stamp of approval from icons like Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen, and why they famously walked away from major Nashville labels who wanted them to "smooth out" their sound.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The "Band Bucks" Days: Surviving poverty and keeping a band together when you have no money to fight over.
• The TikTok Trap: Willie’s brutally honest advice to young musicians on why mastering your craft matters more than chasing viral moments.
• Alternate Roots: The story behind their new album and why they decided to re-record their classic crowd-pleasers.
• On Stage with Heroes: What it's really like to transition from a childhood fan to becoming the official backing band for Steve Earle and Joe Ely.

Grab a cold one and get ready to get Americana curious!

Connect with Reckless Kelly:

• Check out the new album Alternate Roots
• Grab tickets to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please take 30 seconds to follow the show on Spotify, rate us, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more music lovers discover the power of Americana!

What happens when a musician completely rejects the corporate machine?

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with singer-songwriter Mason Jennings to discuss his incredible 30-year independent career.

Mason opens up about why he walked away from major label record deals, what it was really like working with (and turning down) Rick Rubin, his fun connection to Prince, and his internal battle with crippling agoraphobia and panic attacks on tour.

Whether you are an independent musician navigating the modern landscape of Soundcloud and AI or a fan of real, raw, road-worn music, this conversation explores what it truly means to protect your creative spirit at all costs.

💡 STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE:

• Turning down a million-dollar major label deal

• The truth about working with Rick Rubin (and the pitch-black Warner Bros meeting)

• How EMDR therapy helped Mason overcome agoraphobia

• The night Prince played air guitar to his songs at First Avenue

• How AI, Soundcloud, and streaming are shifting the value of music

• The stories behind "Rebecca Deville" and his new album Dark Wings

Chapters:

00:00 – Why Mason Jennings turned down Rick Rubin

02:15 – The wild night Rick Rubin turned off the lights at Warner Bros

04:30 – Surviving crippling agoraphobia and panic attacks on tour

07:10 – The secret story behind "Rebecca Deville"

09:45 – When Prince watched Mason from the box seats

11:50 – How AI and Soundcloud are shifting the future of the music industry

-----

As a gift to listeners, Zach has curated 7 MUST LISTEN Mason Jennings songs here.

-----

Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz host Americana Curious, a podcast spotlighting the unsung heroes of Americana music. This show features deep-dive music interviews with legendary independent artists, uncovering the hard-earned lessons, songwriting secrets, and real-world struggles behind your favorite acoustic, folk, and rock-infused songs

👉 SUPPORT THE SHOW: Follow the show and rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a review on Apple to help more people discover the power of Americana #AmericanaMusic

#MasonJennings #RickRubin #Songwriting #IndependentArtist #MusicPodcast #AmericanaCurious #Prince

What can leaders learn from Bruce Springsteen?

A lot more than you might think.

In this special crossover episode from the Lead the Team podcast, Ben sits down with Andy Freed—CEO, author, and a devoted Springsteen fan who has attended nearly 100 Bruce Springsteen concerts.

Over the years, Andy noticed something remarkable: many of the leadership lessons taught in boardrooms are being demonstrated night after night on stage by Bruce and the E Street Band.

From how he acknowledges his band members to how he commands attention for three hours, Springsteen has built one of the most enduring cultures in music.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

1. Why Bruce makes every band member feel like the most important person in the room
2. The leadership lesson hidden in his end-of-show ritual
3. How great communicators think about their audience first
4. Why repetition is essential for leading change
5. What leaders can learn from Bruce's setlists, storytelling, and stage presence
6. How collective experiences create stronger teams and communities
7. Why intentionality may be the most underrated leadership skill

Whether you're a lifelong Springsteen fan, a music lover, or someone trying to lead people more effectively, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what it means to inspire others.

Some artists sound polished. Some artists sound real. The rare ones give you both.

I caught up with backstage at the Charleston Pour House right before she took the stage — you can hear the traffic outside, the crowd starting to buzz, and the energy building before the show.

At just 25 years old, Bella is writing songs with an emotional honesty and depth that feels timeless.

We talked about emotional restlessness, life between places, quietly commanding a room, and how heartbreak and searching have shaped her songwriting.

She also opened up about evolving beyond her bluegrass roots while staying true to the music that raised her.

Bella’s upcoming album A Sign in the Weather is going to connect with a lot of people.

This conversation made it obvious why her shows are selling out across the country right now.

Winyah had 3 songs.

Then they got the call to play Bonnaroo.

No album.

Just a deadline.

So they did what most people won’t:

They locked in.

Slept on couches.

Finished an entire record in weeks.

Fast forward—

They’re opening High Water Festival in Charleston…

stepping on stage in front of 15,000..

And here’s what surprised me most:

They’re playing the long game.

→ Eating clean on tour

→ Running between shows

→ Thinking about how they’ll still perform at 50

Because they’ve seen how this story ends for bands that don’t.

And then this moment hit:

One of them even walked away from big corporate finance job...

to do this.

“This is a lot more fun.”

That’s the tradeoff.

Security vs. story.

Comfort vs. calling.

So—

If the call came for you…

would you be ready?

What does Taj Mahal understand about music… that most artists still miss today?

How did his approach to sound end up influencing Bob Marley?

What does it actually mean to feel music instead of just hearing it?

And what have we lost… now that music has become something we just consume?

In this episode, Taj Mahal—five-time Grammy winner and one of the architects of modern Americana—shares a radically different way of thinking about music, connection, and culture.

From growing up surrounded by gospel, jazz, and radio… to shaping a sound that would ripple across generations…

This is a conversation about music.

AND why that matters more than ever.

Ben and Zach have been talking about this interview ever since!

Taj doesn’t just talk about music...he lives it.

And somewhere along the way, it made us rethink how we listen… not just to songs, but to everything around us.

We hope it does the same for you.

If it does—share it with someone who needs to hear it!