Kelsie Watts: Her journey from Texas to Nashville to the Big Apple
Kelsie Watts shares her extraordinary journey from Texas to Broadway, balancing her role as Jane Seymour in "Six: The Musical" with releasing music and mental health advocacy.
• Unexpected path to Broadway began when a musical supervisor approached her during a showboat performance
• Transitioned from Nashville to New York City in January after eight years in Music City
• Improved acting and dance skills after initial rejection from Six, demonstrating commitment to growth outside her comfort zone
• Navigates performing eight Broadway shows weekly while simultaneously releasing music as an independent artist
• Uses her platform to reduce mental health stigma following her brother's loss to depression in 2013
• Partners with organizations like Not Alone 988 to promote mental health awareness through her music
• Worked as a Nashville bartender until October 2022 to fund her artistic career
• Future aspirations include originating a Broadway role and headlining her own music tour
• Credits her husband Brandon as her biggest supporter during career challenges
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Kyle Coroneos: Savingcounrymusic.com to Crafting The Hook: A Songwriter's Showcase
Trigger, editor and creator of SavingCountryMusic.com, shares how his website grew from a grassroots effort to champion independent country music artists into an influential platform that has helped launch careers and change the industry.
• Started SavingCountryMusic.com in 2008 out of frustration with mainstream country music
• Built his reputation by being the first to discover artists like Sturgill Simpson and Zach Bryan
• Takes pride in helping artists reach a level where they no longer need his platform
• Successfully advocated for the Grammy Awards to add a Best Traditional Country Album category
• Has built a passionate grassroots fan community similar to the Grateful Dead model
• Deliberately chose to remain a stepping stone for artists rather than expanding into other business areas
• Launching "The Hook" - a new songwriter showcase featuring both established and undiscovered talent
• The Hook will provide professional video content, industry connections, and honest feedback to participants
• First official taping will be September 29th at Eastside Bowl in Nashville
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Barry Mazor: Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Legacy
Barry Mazor unveils the untold story behind his comprehensive biography "Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story," offering unprecedented insights into the lives and legacy of rock and roll pioneers Don and Phil Everly. This meticulously researched 400-page book represents the first serious, depth-sourced biography of the iconic duo whose harmonies and groundbreaking fusion of country and rock shaped generations of music.
• Writing process took three and a half years of deep research and document analysis
• Many key figures from the Everlys' early career have passed away, requiring extensive archival research
• International fan club provided rare newspaper clippings and materials from around the world
• Interviewed previously unheard voices including producers, road managers, wives and girlfriends
• Explores the complex relationship between two brothers "practically stapled together for 60 years"
• Reveals personal struggles including Don Everly's two suicide attempts
• Examines their musical innovation combining sweet country harmonies with R&B rhythms
• Highlights their massive influence on The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beach Boys and countless others
• First sentence of book: "The difference between the famed and the rest of us is that so many people think they know them"
Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story is available now wherever books are sold.
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Transforming Lives: How Doors of Change Rescues Homeless Youth
Jeffrey Sitkov and Justine Yildiz share the powerful story of Doors of Change, a nonprofit that has helped over 2,900 homeless youth find housing and essential services since 2001.
Through their innovative Homeless Youth Advocacy Program, they're transforming lives by building trust with vulnerable young people and connecting them with the resources needed to leave street life behind.
• Approximately 4.2 million youth between 17-24 are homeless in America today
• 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ+ individuals typically kicked out after coming out to their families
• 60% come from severely dysfunctional families with parents suffering from mental illness or substance abuse
• Justine ran away at 12 and spent years on the streets before finding help through Doors of Change
• Building trust is crucial—the organization provides 24/7 support and meets youth exactly where they are
• Their music and art program helped Justine develop jewelry-making skills that supported her through school
• Justine's journey from suicide watch to law school graduate demonstrates the power of consistent support
• The organization has helped 966 youth find housing in just the last four years
• Music industry support from artists like Elton John, Billy Joel, and Willie Nelson has helped raise nearly $900,000
• Even small donations of $18/month can make a profound difference in a young person's life
Visit doorsofchange.org to learn more about their work and how you can help transform the lives of homeless youth through your support.
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Susie Singer Carter: From Hollywood to Healthcare Advocacy
Multi-award winning filmmaker Susie Singer-Carter shares her journey from entertainment industry professional to healthcare advocate after her mother's battle with Alzheimer's and experience with nursing home neglect.
• Born and raised in Los Angeles to parents in the music industry, storytelling was always part of her DNA
• Started in journalism at UCLA before transitioning to radio, acting, and forming a music group with Chuck Lorre
• Moved into children's programming and film, working on Saturday morning CBS shows and co-writing movies like "Bratz" and "Soul Surfer"
• Created the Oscar-qualified short film "My Mom and the Girl," starring Valerie Harper, based on her mother's Alzheimer's journey
• Her documentary "No Country for Old People" exposes systemic nursing home neglect after witnessing her mother's mistreatment
• Worked with former federal prosecutor Rick Montcastle to create a comprehensive look at long-term care failures
• Launched the ROAR movement (Respect, Outreach, Advocacy, Reform) to mobilize families for long-term care reform
• Uses her platform to destigmatize Alzheimer's and advocate for better care for vulnerable populations
For more information or to join the movement, visit nocountryforoldpeople.com and learn how to be part of creating change in our long-term care system.
Nashville based veteran music producer Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville podcast takes its listener on a journey through the business of music and entertainment. Following the success and popularity of his top-rated podcast on Autism & Mental Health awareness - Why Not Me? - Mantor hosts thought-provoking conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from various celebrity guests from the world of music, television and entertainment. With more than 30 years as an accomplished music producer based in Nashville, Mantor welcomes a worldly guest list of musicians, actors and entertainers who share their unique stories about the roles they’ve played in creating and sustaining what we know as popular American culture. Conversations and stories that also give a deeper understanding on what it takes to achieve success in the entertainment industry for aspiring entertainers who are currently pursuing their own dreams of being a star someday. Whether listening for the entertainment or storytelling factor alone, or for tips on how his guests faced their life’s challenges, Almost Live… Nashville will have a story for anyone who has been a fan of popular culture in music, movies and television over the last few decades.
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