True Conversation

True Conversation

Conversations with artists, musicians, and others that added flavor to the music scene of Athens, GA and beyond. Getting to know the people they are and their personal stories.

Episodes

October 18, 2025 94 mins


Hailing from Rockville, Maryland and calling Denver, Colorado home, Eric Martinez is a guitarist in the rock/jam band world and a fixture of the local Denver Music Scene.

​Having been a member of multiple touring acts over the years, Eric has earned a reputation as a hired gun and polished music professional. Whether he’s onstage or in the studio, Eric’s precision and laser focus elevates most any act or project. His musical ac...

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New friends of the show - Addie Tonic - is an alterna-rock band formed in Denver, CO featuring dynamic front woman Meghann5k (Vocals, Guitar), Matt Youngblood (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Dylan Tilton (Bass), and Dennis Valencia (Drums). Addie Tonic’s catchy songs are driven by Meghann5k’s pop-fueled lyrics and Matt’s rock-inspired guitar licks, building garage rock/shoegaze like walls of sound with a punk rock edge. is an alterna-rock b...

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August 19, 2025 59 mins

Every now and again I get to sit down with an artist that helped define a genre, and this conversation with Matthew McDonald from Perpetual Groove was one of those opportunities. I consider P-Groove to be Athens, GA royalty, with their reach spanning the entire globe. His energy as a person and musician is palpable, and I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed partaking in it. 

We discuss Matt's life journey, how Pe...

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Hey Podcast Peeps! Been waiting to see Bears Gone Phishin' for quite some time now. Finally had the opportunity, coupled with a pre-show sit down with Andy Greenberg and Sean Mills before their show at Terminal West (Atlanta) on 7/21/25.

BGP is an incredible lineup features the lead guitars of The Reckoning, Runaway Gin and Machine Funk, three of the most prominent and longest-running tributes in the United States. They fuse to...

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Howdy podcast peeps and Panic Freaks! Happy to share a conversation I had with Russ Loyd and Jeremy Brown from Home Team FM. We discuss the history of Home Team FM, and what's coming down the pike with the recent dissolution of PS. 

Really enjoyed meeting and speaking with these guys! Super excited about the work that they are doing, and really appreciate all of the hard work of the people involved in this great new project. 

Ho...

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Raleigh, NC - coming in hot to the Lincoln Theatre tonight, 6/20/25

Charlotte, NC - tomorrow night, 6/21/25 at The Rabbit Hole

Thanks for stopping by the show - I had a great time seeing these guys for the first time at Smith's Olde Bar last night in Atlanta. The room was packed - and the crowd was reverent! 

Thanks to the band and crew for letting me shoot some video, and for sitting down to talk for a bit after the show! Until ...

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month - but the team at Backline helps the Musician community 365 days a year. On this episode of the show, I sit down with Terra Lopez, musician, podcast host, and Community Manager/Head of Marketing for Backline.

We discuss the amazing work that Backline does in their mission to serve Musicians, road crews, venue personnel, and the family of all of the above, in the ever-so-important world of mental ...

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I've really enjoyed John's playing for many, many years. John started his music path on guitar while living in Savannah, GA. John then picked up his first pedal steel and moved to Athens in 1994, where he joined the cast of Redneck Greece Delux, before becoming a founding member of Drive-By Truckers. He subsequently joined The Star Room Boys, and later joined Japancakes, before returning to work with the Truckers. Some of...

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May 26, 2025 69 mins

You can't talk about the history of music that bubbles out of Athens, GA without speaking to David Barbe. He's played with such acts as the Bar-B-Q Killers, Mercyland, Buzz Hungry, The Tom Collins, Sugar, Drive-By Truckers, Bloodkin, and many....many more. He's produced music for some of the biggest acts on the scene, from his studio in Athens, Chase Park Transduction, and it was my honor to get some of his time to t...

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Took a trip down memory lane with Sam Holt and Turner May from The Sandbox Channel. We visited, watched, and discussed a handful of songs from the Panic show from 11/21/2001 at UTC-McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN.


Spent some time talking about the music, Sam recounted some memories from the road with Mike and Todd, and shared some upcoming tour dates for Sam Holt Band's annual 'Remembering Mikey' shows coming u...

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May 10, 2025 37 mins

Sat down with everyone's favorite ASL interpreter - Edie Jackson. Had a great conversation about Life and Music - and I am excited to share this episode with you. 


Thank you to Jeff Fernandez (photo), Andy Tennille & Brett Orrison (opening video), and Annemarie Jacar of JamCam Productions (Col. Bruce Hampton footage). And of course a special thank you to Widespread Panic. And last but certainly not lease....t...

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That's a wrap on Season 2! Episode 1 of Season 3 coming this week - and we are introducing video to the show for some - maybe all - guest interviews.

Thanks for your continued support - talk soon!

Song credit:

'Chrome Koran (Live)' - Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons - off the Album 'Mouthful of Copper' - ℗ 2003 Terminus Records

Send us a text

https://youtube.com/@trueconversationpodcast?si=VdO2X40A6rsn1HAv

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Joined by friends of the show Ashley Lieb (Honey Creek Pottery) and Lorrie Dixson Griggs (Drifter Merch) - listen in for a preview of the Moontime Market set for 4/26/25 at New Heights Brewing in Nashville from 12-5pm. Get out and support over 30 vendors, enjoy craft beers and good food, and get your body loose with some great music!

Interested in vending at Moontime Market? Check out the link below:

http://bit.ly/wspmoontimemarket

Ch...

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Happy to introduce - or get us all reacquainted with a founding member and lead singer of Pylon and Pylon Reenactment Society - Vanessa Briscoe Hay. 

Formed in the late 1970’s, Pylon took the Athens, New York, and global music scenes by storm, and I was happy to sit down with Vanessa to discuss the history of Pylon, and the subsequent formation of Pylon Reenactment Society. A very eloquently written NPR article (and interview within...

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Looking for Panic video that you thought didn't exist? Well look no further than The Sandbox Channel. Sat down with Turner May to talk all things Panic - past to present - and about his mission to bring quality and clarity to old video recordings. He has a great YouTube channel where he posts before and after videos, and has spent a tremendous amount of time bringing life to old Mikey-era videos. 

Please go check him out on You...

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I present to you - Cam Herdt - comedian extraordinaire, and certified Live music Governor. Had a great time chatting about all things Life, Music, and Comedy.

Go check him out on social media - he’s hilarious! One of the best podcasts out right now - find it below. Thanks for coming on the show, Cam!

https://linktr.ee/bestshowever?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=d47ffc7d-2832-4c7e-ae50-ec30ad05374f

https://www.instagram.co...

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February 28, 2025 80 mins

Had a great time chatting with Eric Carter of Bloodkin - one of Athens' rock & roll legends. He and Danny Hutchens took Athens by storm in 1986, and proceeded to write and perform arguably the best Rock the town had seen to that point - and since. We talk about growing up with Danny in West Virginia, their time away together in college, and what took them to The Classic City. 

Thank you Eric for the conversation! It was tru...

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Podcast World! Thanks for checking out the show. Had a great time hanging out with Kodi Nottingham today, while he and his crew were in town to see Billy Strings in Atlanta.

It was a great time getting to know Kodi, learning about his life journey, his musical journey, and what took him to the world of podcasting. He’s a staple of a personality in our community, and brings a fresh new energy to our shared Live music world. 

Check out...

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January 29, 2025 64 mins

Hey! Thanks for stopping by the show! Today I sat down with Ashley Lieb of Honey Creek Pottery. We have several of her pieces here at True Conversation, and love the great work she does with clay!

We talk a bit about her Life, Music, and a good bit about her pottery business. We spend some time discussing the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene and the rebuilding that the resilient people of Asheville, NC have underway....

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January 26, 2025 58 mins

Hey! Thanks for stopping by the show. Sat down for a conversation with Ali Stone - Director of Marketing and Digital Partnerships at Conscious Alliance. We spoke about the incredible work that organization does, and I learn more about the other charitable organizations out here taking care of people!

We visit some String Cheese Incident - early supporters of Conscious Alliance - and take a trip back to Ali's first Gr...

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