Kate Morris has been writing songs since childhood, and her path to the stage took shape after years as a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters. Once both girls were in school, she began performing her originals publicly and found a place in Southern California’s country scene.

In this episode of The SoCal Setlist, Kate talks about growing up in a musical family in small-town New Hampshire and getting her first shot at a Writers' Round Orange County when another performer offered her one of his slots. She shares how motherhood has shaped her writing, including “Little Hands,” an unreleased song about her daughters that has moved audience members to tears.

Kate also explains the family story behind “Preach” and how a Chris Stapleton chord helped spark “Tumbleweeds,” arriving August 14. She talks about performing at writers rounds in Nashville, building her full band and making room for gigs in the middle of family life.

“Performing in general fills my cup.”

Follow Kate on Instagram: @katemorrismusic

Listen to “Preach” on Spotify.

Support for this episode comes from Tsunami Cables. Their cables are built in Southern California and backed by a lifetime warranty. Visit TsunamiCables.com and use code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off.

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Southern California bassist Greg Boulet discovered the electric bass almost by accident after spotting it on a middle-school instrument list. Within a year, he was playing his first show at the Old Town Temecula Theater at just 13 years old—and headbanging through nearly the entire performance.

That early experience began a musical path through marching band, jazz band, Palomar College, original projects and regular trips to perform in San Francisco with Lunar Hand. Today, Greg holds down the low end for reggae-rock band Indica Roots and Eastlake Rhythm Section, a Temecula-based collective performing classic rock, funk, pop and yacht rock favorites.

Greg also teaches at Leading Note Studios in San Marcos, where he directs the Rock Band Program and helps young musicians become more confident performers.

Brian and Greg discuss what makes a rhythm section work, how bass and drums create the pocket, learning from live performances, recovering from mistakes and why the ultimate goal is always to make the audience feel the music.

In this episode

• How Greg discovered the electric bass in middle school
• Performing his first show at 13 at the Old Town Temecula Theater
• How marching band and jazz band shaped his musicianship
• The private lessons that changed how he approached the fretboard
• Finding a supportive original-music community in San Francisco with Lunar Hand
• Joining Indica Roots and helping expand the band’s sound
• Forming Eastlake Rhythm Section with longtime friends
• What makes a tight rhythm section—and Greg’s definition of “the pocket”
• Teaching students not to fear mistakes
• Learning from Marcus Miller, Jaime Preciado and Tony Kanal
• Recording social-media tracks for Ampeg and building his live bass rig

Connect with Greg

• Greg on Instagram
• Indica Roots on Instagram
• Eastlake Rhythm Section on Instagram
• Eastlake Rhythm Section website
• Greg at Leading Note Studios

Sponsor

The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. Proudly built in Southern California and backed by a lifetime warranty, Tsunami Cables are made for musicians who care about clean signal transfer, reliable tone and gear that can handle real wear and tear.

Visit TsunamiCables.com and use promo code SOCALSETLIST for 10% off. Offer valid through May 29, 2027.

Gary Stanionis has spent nearly four decades building a life in music—as a drummer, world percussionist, vocalist, touring musician, record label executive and artist manager.

His journey began at 17, when his mother discovered one of his graffiti pieces and asked what it would take to make him stop. His answer was simple: a drum set. Within months, Gary had started his first band and was performing professionally by 18.

From the Southern California funk and acid-jazz scene to smooth-jazz tours, megachurch stages, recording sessions and artist management, Gary has experienced almost every side of the music business. He also helped musicians working with artists such as Stevie Wonder secure endorsements and build their careers.

Today, Gary has returned to the stage with SoleMusiq - a deeply personal solo project shaped by his late mother, her song recommendations and his desire to bring people together.

With hundreds of songs, no setlist and no breaks, Gary reads the room and creates what he calls a “soundtrack of connection.”

In this episode

• How a graffiti piece led to Gary’s first drum set
• Discovering funk, jazz and the idea that “everything has a groove”
• Starting the original funk and acid-jazz band Middle Earth
• Devoting five years to learning world percussion
• Performing on the smooth-jazz circuit and major church stages
• What Gary learned from working as a professional sideman
• Why he left his record-label position to protect an artist’s music
• Launching GÁM Representation and helping touring musicians build their careers
• How his mother’s song recommendations inspired SoleMusiq
• Why Gary performs for three hours without a setlist or break
• Finding a second chance in Temecula’s live-music community
• Why Gary believes musicians are ultimately there to serve the audience

Connect with Gary

• Gary Stanionis: https://www.instagram.com/garystanionis/
• SoleMusiq: https://www.instagram.com/sole_concert/

The SoCal Setlist is sponsored by Tsunami Cables. 🌊

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