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Turning points often arrive when we least expect them. As I celebrate my 36th birthday this week, I found myself at a crossroads with this podcast - something I've poured my heart into creating for nearly 200 episodes.

The realization hit me like a lightning bolt: I've never given any single creative pursuit 100% of my focus and energy. My music, my performances, my writing – all have been competing for attention while I juggle multiple commitments. This podcast, as much as I love it, has sometimes pushed other dreams to the background. The interviews, writing, editing, marketing, and financial investment have consumed energy that could be directed toward completing my album and discovering my true purpose.

This isn't a full goodbye, but rather a necessary pause. I'm stepping back to create space for deeper focus, to see what happens when I finally give my music the undivided attention it deserves. The song "Special" I've written reflects this journey – the lifelong desire to create something unique and meaningful, while battling the self-doubt and imagined criticism that lives in my head.

What I've learned through this podcast is priceless. The genuine connections, the vulnerable moments, the creative surprises that emerge during conversation – these experiences have shown me what's possible when you commit to creating something authentic. Now I'm taking that knowledge and applying it to the next chapter.

If you've been part of this journey – whether as a listener, guest, or supporter – thank you from the bottom of my heart. The podcast will remain available, and I may occasionally return with updates. But for now, I'm clearing away distractions and giving myself permission to pursue one dream with everything I have.

Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys

and

from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team

Featured song: "This Little Light Of Love" DEMO by Dom L'Amour

Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99

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What happens when two performers step back from the relentless grind of the entertainment industry to ask: "Why am I doing this?" This conversation with Abby Vatterot traces our parallel journeys from theater school through Chicago, LA, and back to our Midwest roots, revealing how our creative purposes have evolved along the way.

Remember when success meant constant performing, networking every night, and pushing yourself to exhaustion? We certainly do. Abby and I candidly discuss how we've shifted from that mentality to something more sustainable and authentic. "My why has definitely evolved," Abby shares. "Lately, my why is literally have fun." This refreshing perspective comes after years of pursuing entertainment careers across multiple cities, only to discover unexpected opportunities back home.

We dive deep into the misleading narratives we received in theater school that left us unprepared for industry realities. The idealized notion that success requires abandoning the Midwest for coastal cities gets thoroughly debunked as we share our experiences finding meaningful work in St. Louis and beyond. One particularly humorous revelation: being taught to wear formal attire to auditions only to discover professionals showing up in jeans!

Perhaps the most powerful thread running through our conversation is the journey toward self-compassion. "I don't talk about myself like that anymore," I admit when discussing how I've stopped being harshly self-critical about my career pace. Similarly, Abby describes finding joy in activities completely unrelated to performance – a balance neither of us prioritized in our younger years.

Whether you're a creative professional questioning your path or simply interested in how priorities evolve with age and experience, this episode offers honest insights about finding purpose beyond achievement. As we conclude, Abby perfectly captures our shared realization: "You're going up in the right direction." Sometimes, that acknowledgment is exactly what we need to hear.

Opening quote: Bob Moawad

Opening and Closing Theme song: Produced by Dom L'Amour

Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys

and

from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team

Featured song: "You Belong to Me" Covered by Dom L'Amour and Abby Vatterott at Davenports Piano Bar in Chicago IL.

Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99

Please subscribe to the podcast, and give us a good rating. 5 stars please and thank you. Follow me on @dom_lamour on Instagram. Or at

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Everyone's talking about the little things you say

How I could be the one and where we're gonna stay

Funny how we could be on the same damn page

When All of these things I heard was never said to me

Linked, By nature and Spirit

Body and mind

Unexplainable chemistry

How did we dream that our love would never bloom

Why would we curse ourselves into unnecessary gloom

Maybe the universe was supposed to intervene

Give us visions of this love we would eventually need

Show us the way and say the right things

Speak through our friends and drown out the chao that life brings

Thrilled on my end, lets connect these dots Baby

Stop with the plots and fill up my timeslots

will the universe help me speak the right words

Will my chance be limitless

say what I want

dumb foolishness

hard to miss

finish with a kiss

cheers to a couple of beautiful years in bliss

Maybe it's just like this

Hi, wanna get a coffee

Poem by. Dom L'Amour

Produced by Dom L'Amour

Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99

Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys

and

from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team

You can support the show by clicking the link at the bottom of the episode description. Please subscribe to the podcast, and give us a good rating. 5 stars please and thank you. Follow me on @dom_lamour on Instagram. Or at domlamour.com.

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Send us a text

Ever wondered what musicians do when they're freed from the constraints of playing songs exactly as recorded? Step into the electric atmosphere of Atl's JB Jazz Jam with host Dom L’Amour as he pulls back the curtain on this monthly musical playground.

The wedding band singer who must perform "Fly Me to the Moon" exactly like Sinatra night after night finally gets to break the mold, experiment, and create something uniquely his own. This episode captures the raw energy, spontaneity, and pure joy that erupts when talented musicians gather to play without boundaries or expectations.

Through a series of live recordings from the jam sessions, listeners experience stunning reinterpretations of classics like "Killing Me Softly," "Summertime," and "I've Got You Under My Skin." Each performance showcases not just technical skill but the conversational nature of jazz—musicians responding to each other in real-time, creating something that could only happen in that specific moment with those specific players.

Beyond the music itself, JB (the namesake of the jam) delivers a powerful mini-lecture on the African American origins of virtually all American musical forms—illustrating how spirituals born in slavery evolved into blues, jazz, gospel, and eventually rock and roll. This historical context reminds us that these jam sessions aren't merely entertainment but part of a profound cultural tradition with deep historical significance.

The episode concludes with something special—a preview of Dom's upcoming album featuring an original composition called "I Will Keep My Smile," a song about self-empowerment and choosing positivity even during life's challenges. It's a fitting conclusion that shows how artists honor tradition while creating new works that speak to contemporary experiences.

Join us for this musical journey and discover why these creative spaces are so vital for artists. Subscribe now, share with friends who appreciate good music, and visit domlamour.com to learn more about Dom's diverse musical projects.

Featuring:Dom L’Amour on vocals, Bovell on vocals, Johnathan Blanchard aka JB on vocals, Leslie Jones on sax, Scott Box on Sax, Madiac Max on Keys, Zach Smith on Drums, Britton Wright on bass, Born Foster on trumpet , Jerry on Guitar

Opening and Closing Theme song: Produced by Dom L'Amour

Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys and from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team

Killing Me Softly by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel and covered by Dom L’Amour with Leslie Jones on Sax.

Wade in The Water A spiritual covered by Johnathan (JB) Blanchard.

Summertime from the musical “Porgy and Bess” music by George Gershwin and The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward. Covered by Dom L’Amour with Jerry on guitar.

So What by Miles Davis Covered by Born Foster.

Nature Boy written by eden ahbez as a tribute to Bill Pester. Covered by Bovell.

Girl From Impanema by music by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Portuguese lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, with English lyrics written later by Norman Gimbel. covered by

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Garden wisdom, friendship, and life's little surprises bloom in this delightful conversation between Dom L'Amour and his dear friend Mattie Jo "MJ" Graham. What begins with a quirky gardening tip about lime pellets for award-winning eggplants quickly blossoms into a wide-ranging exploration of how we connect to our food, our heritage, and each other.

MJ, once known as "Big Booty Judy" during her Buffalo Wild Wings days, has transformed into "Gardening Judy" with an elaborate front yard garden that's become the talk of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Her raised beds, archways, and chicken coop represent more than just a hobby—they're a reclamation of heritage and a statement about sustainable living. Meanwhile, Dom shares how continuing his grandmother's garden after her passing became both a tribute and a personal revolution in how he thinks about food.

The pair trade gardening hacks and mishaps with equal enthusiasm—from MJ's ingenious in-garden vermicomposting system to hilariously failed attempts at deterring wildlife with various types of urine (yes, really). Their conversation reveals how gardening creates unexpected connections: between chickens and Japanese beetles, between seasonal growing and superior flavor, between past generations and present moments. When MJ confesses to crocheting a special gift inspired by Dom's wedding song, we witness how the seeds of friendship continue to flourish even as their lives take different paths.

Beyond the soil and seeds, this episode digs into deeper questions about modern convenience versus meaningful effort. Why does a sun-warmed tomato taste so much better than store-bought? What happens when we slow down to mill our own flour or make pasta by hand? Why are we so quick to accept convenience over quality? As Dom and MJ riff on everything from whale vomit in cologne to yoga benefits, their genuine affection and comfortable banter remind us that the best relationships, like the best gardens, thrive with a mixture of care, laughter, and occasional surprises.

Ready to plant some new ideas in your life? Hit subscribe and join the conversation about how reconnecting with our food might just help us reconnect with ourselves and each other.

Opening quote: Alice Morse Earle, 1851-1911, American historian and author of Old Time Gardens, Newly Set Forth

Opening and Closing Theme song: Produced by Dom L'Amour

Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys

and

from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team

Featured song: "This Guys in Love With You" Covered by Dom L'Amour and The Andrews at Lemon in Chicago.

Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99

Please subscribe to the podcast, and give us a good rating. 5 stars please and thank you. Follow me on @dom_lamour on Instagram. Or at

domlamour.com

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What happens when a professional musician suddenly can't play? In this deeply reflective conversation, saxophonist Scott Box joins Dom Lamore to explore the unexpected journey of his recent hand injury and the profound questions it's raised about identity, purpose, and faith.

Scott shares his raw emotional response to being sidelined from performing – the initial depression, the frustration of everyday tasks taking twice as long, and the struggle to find meaning in forced stillness. Yet within this challenge, new perspectives emerge: "Praise God, it gave me an appreciation for having two working limbs... Maybe I need to sit down for a minute and just relax. I've spent more time with my wife already. That's a beautiful thing."

The conversation flows naturally into exploring the demanding lifestyle of professional musicians – late nights, weekend work, and the physical toll of performance. Both men discuss how they prepare their bodies and minds for shows, revealing the athletic discipline required behind the scenes of creative work. Their candid exchange about wedding band dynamics highlights the crucial importance of camaraderie: "That's one of the best hangs in a band that I've ever had. Ever."

Perhaps most compelling is Scott's reflection on his conversion to Islam and the tension it created with his musical career. He thoughtfully questions whether music truly serves a spiritual purpose or merely provides entertainment and dopamine rushes. "We talk about how music brings people together," Scott observes, "but how does it bring people together? Because people coming together is still not a concrete concept." This leads to a fascinating examination of what makes something genuinely spiritual – the practical application rather than just the feeling it provides.

As the discussion deepens, both men share their evolving sense of purpose. For Scott, it's increasingly centered around family relationships rather than career achievements. For Dom, it's about creating opportunities that showcase other artists' talents. Their honest exploration of life's big questions offers listeners a rare window into the inner landscape of working artists wrestling with meaning, authenticity, and intentionality.

Ready to think more deeply about your own purpose and how you engage with the world? Subscribe now, share with friends, and join the conversation about what really matters beyond the noise of everyday life.

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"Song bird singing in the night. Hoping that the lyrics will make everything right. People are cheering, people are moving. Everyone is surrounded by the song birds light.

Song bird does this three times a week. Always excited but ends the night weak. Tired body, tired voice, tire of the normal life outside. Outside is the truth, but the stage is just a phase. No one could make that a living, god willing you meet the right person.

Song bird talks about this all the time, and thinks about the stage.

Afraid that their dream is a joke.

Song bird continues to sing in the night,

Never sure if this career is right

sad but happy, down but up. Trying to keep faith in this constant battle.

Songbird yearns for folks who understands, and jumps from bar to bar for Mics.

tears on their cheek, usually after doing something that makes them feel like the best person in the world

Why is this the way songbird is? How are you This way? What drove you to this cliff?

Songbird lives a different life, Has to stop comparing what other people like. Works at Night, 30 no kids, gig after gig, retiring just means you Quit. Poor Thing, Lost and confused, Innocent like Bella Baxter.

Songbird sings, Songbird crys, Songbird loves, songbird flys, Songbird Stops, Songbird goes again.

When Will Song bird become a star, Maybe Now, Maybe never. Its possible they are a Star, but we just cant see it. Another state of mind could lift us all away. Bliss is achievable.

songbird I believe in you. The things you do are beautiful. Never live by another peoples rule. You are the Star, A unique, Talented, Confident, Inspiring, Marvelous Jewel."

Have you ever felt like you're pouring your heart into something beautiful that the world just isn't seeing? This raw, emotional exploration follows Songbird, a performer caught between the magic of creative expression and the harsh realities of making art in a world that demands practicality.

Songbird takes the stage three times weekly, transforming venues with their voice while privately battling exhaustion and doubt. "Outside is the truth, but the stage is just a phase. No one can make that a living," echoes the refrain they've heard countless times. We witness the emotional whiplash of being simultaneously elevated by performance and deflated by society's dismissal of artistic pursuits as merely a stepping stone to something more "legitimate."

At 30, Songbird exists outside conventional timelines—working nights, moving from gig to gig, and navigating a path that friends and family struggle to understand. The tears that follow performances reveal the complex emotional landscape artists inhabit: feeling simultaneously like "the best person in the world" while questioning if they're merely chasing an impossible dream. Yet through this uncertainty comes a profound realization that transcends traditional measures of success: "They are a star, we just can't see it." Perhaps true artistry isn't about external validation but recognizing the unique light you already bring to the world. If you've ever felt misunderstood in your passion or questioned your creative path, this episode will remind you that your worth isn't defined by recognition but by the courage to share your gifts authentically.

Poem by. Dom L'Amour. Produced by Dom L'Amour. Cover art by Studio Mania: Custom Art @studiomania99. Transition Music from Mad Chops Vol. 1 and Mad Chops Vol. 2 by Mad Keys and from Piano Soul Vol.1(Loop Pack) by The Modern Producers Team.

You can support the show by clicking the link at the bottom of the episode description. Please subscribe to the podcast, and give us a good rating. 5 stars please and thank you. Follow me

Support the show