In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I sit down with Derek Clay of Gravistar Booking to explore a different side of the music industry. While the show normally focuses on the bands themselves, we shift gears to discuss the creation of indie music and the logistics required to actually get artists on stage. Derek is a key player in the Nashville scene, specializing in booking shoegaze, emo, and alternative rock bands.

We kick things off by discussing the "Golden Rule" of craft beer: always pouring into a glass to capture the full flavor profile and aroma. Derek enjoys a Holiday Bark from Nashville Brewing Company—a 6.2% ABV, holiday-inspired brew born and bred in Nashville. Throughout the conversation, Derek opens up about his "higher purpose" in the industry: taking over the business side of things so musicians can stay focused on their art. From the adrenaline of his first booked show to the creative process behind his unique, hand-crafted promotional posters, Derek provides a masterclass on what it takes to build a DIY booking brand from the ground up.

On this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Les Kerr, a prolific songwriter, musician, and journalist with twelve albums under his belt. We kept things classic with the drinks—Les went with a Corona, a "pedestrian" favorite that reminds him of playing beach bars along the Gulf Coast and the marketing influence of Jimmy Buffett. I tried out the Southern Crisp, a 4.4% ABV pilsner-style lager from Nashville’s own Southern Grist Brewing Company.

Les takes us on a journey from his youth in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to his long-standing music career in Nashville. He describes his unique sound as "Hillbilly Blues, Caribbean Rock n Roll," a blend inspired by New Orleans funk, Delta blues, and the singer-songwriter movement of the 70s. We discuss his latest album, Child of Highway 90, his process of writing lyrics before melody, and the resilience he found during the pandemic by performing 67 consecutive live shows from his home. Les also shares hilarious stories from his college days at Ole Miss and explains why he has intentionally never learned to play "Freebird" or "Sweet Home Alabama".

In this episode of Two Beers With The Band, I’m joined by Brittany Elise, a Nashville-based country artist originally from Australia. We crack open some serious drinks for this one—I shared a 2025 Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, a massive 14.8% ABV Imperial stout with notes of bourbon, vanilla, and even a hint of Australian Vegemite. Brittany kept it refreshing with a grape-flavored White Claw, a nod to her "cool vibes" upbringing near the Great Barrier Reef.

Brittany shares her incredible journey from singing at age seven and representing Australia in national sports to overcoming a rare injury that forced her to learn to walk again. We discuss her transition from being a high school teacher in Australia to moving permanently to Nashville in 2025 to pursue her music career full-time. From ticking off bucket list items like playing the Bluebird Cafe to setting her sights on the Grand Ole Opry, Brittany’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authentic storytelling.