The Jay Franze Show: Country Music - News | Reviews | Interviews

Top 10 Albums of 2025, Best Vocal Collaborations, and Country Music News

• Jay Franze / Tiffany Mason • Episode 185

Share episode

Country took some wild turns this year, and we sift through every twist with one big question: what actually deserves the spotlight? We kick off by ranking the top country albums of 2025, weighing the case for Tyler Childers at the summit, poking holes in Morgan Wallen’s lower-than-expected slot, and making room for Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, and a few traditional voices that feel older than retro yet strangely fresh. Expect strong opinions, sharper jokes, and a running thread about why some records stick while others burn out fast.

The conversation opens up when we tackle the greatest male-female collaboration. Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers ultimately take the crown for chemistry and timeless storytelling, but not without a fight from Conway and Loretta, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks, and even rock-forward duos like Lizzy Hale and Corey Taylor. That debate draws a line between technique and feeling: perfect vocals are nice, but songs that live in your bones win the replay war. We also break down how live-in-studio recording changes everything—from headphone mixes to “more me” monitor boxes—and why capturing a band in motion often beats the sterile shine of overproduction.

Episode Links

Send us a text

Support the show

Links

Contact

Socials

Services

Books

Merchandise

Support

Jay Franze:

And we are coming at you live. I am Jay Franzi, and uh with me tonight the jewels to my Vincent, my beautiful co-host, Miss Tiffany Mason.

Tiffany Mason:

Hey, crews tuned in. Let's not keep them waiting.

Jay Franze:

Nice pulp fiction, by the way, just so you know. If you are new to the show, this is George Torres for the latest news, reviews, and interviews. And if you would like to chime in, comment, or fire off any questions, please head over to jfrancie.com. All right, my friend. Before we get started, it is that time. It is the time that I tell you about the question of the day. The question of the day, best male and female vocal collaboration. Best male female vocal collaboration. This comes to us by Sue. Thank you, Sue. That's one of my favorite names. It's my grandmother's name.

SPEAKER_03:

Interesting.

Jay Franze:

So if you would like to submit a question of the day, please head over to jfranzie.com. Send us your feedback. Make a comment. Do any one of the hundreds of ways you can get the question?

Tiffany Mason:

Can I go to the drop-down menu?

Jay Franze:

You can go to the drop-down menu. Or just send an email, feedback at jfranzie.com. Whatever you choose to do, but go ahead and send us a question. We would love to read yours. That way we don't have to come up with them. All right. Tonight, top ten country albums of 2025.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

Top ten country albums of 2025.

Tiffany Mason:

Should we speculate who should be on it?

Jay Franze:

Go ahead and speculate, my friend.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I am going to speculate that there should be a Mr. Morgan Wallen on there.

Jay Franze:

Really?

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah.

Jay Franze:

If Morgan Wallen's not on that list, I'll be surprised.

Tiffany Mason:

I love his music.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, if he doesn't make this list, I will be surprised.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Okay. Who would you speculate?

Jay Franze:

We're gonna go deeper. I mean, I'd like to, you know, go deeper. Thomas Rhett.

Tiffany Mason:

Why?

Jay Franze:

What what what what he had some he had some good songs out this year.

Tiffany Mason:

He did. He did.

Jay Franze:

I thought his album was pretty decent.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah.

Jay Franze:

I get you're gonna have the big ones on there.

Tiffany Mason:

Right. What about a little Cody Johnson?

Jay Franze:

Oh, that's a good choice.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. See? Yeah, yeah. And I'm trying to think we need like one female for every five males.

Jay Franze:

For every five. So there's gonna be two on this list. Fair enough.

Tiffany Mason:

Something like that, right?

Jay Franze:

That's the way it typically works.

Tiffany Mason:

Right? I mean, we talked about that, how the general public generally appreciates a male voice. Yes. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Jay Franze:

No, I would like to say that me personally prefer the female fronted rock bands.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, we know, Jay.

Jay Franze:

I'm just throwing that out there.

Tiffany Mason:

Yes.

Jay Franze:

I'm a rare case. But when it comes to country music, hmm. I don't know. I like Carrie Underwood. I like Miranda Lambert.

SPEAKER_02:

George Wilson.

Jay Franze:

So yeah, probably equal when it comes to country.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. Start the list.

Jay Franze:

Start the list. Alright. Let's go to the list.

Tiffany Mason:

Start the list. Let's do this.

Jay Franze:

Let's go with number 10. This is in order.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh okay.

Jay Franze:

Number 10. Zach Top. Ain't in it for my health.

Tiffany Mason:

I don't think any of them are in it for their health.

Jay Franze:

I think it's fair to say Zach Top should be on the top list. Yep. So top 10.

Tiffany Mason:

Do we think number 10 of the top 10, though?

Jay Franze:

Depends on who else is on this list.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. Yeah.

Jay Franze:

I don't know. Shall we find out? Shall we go to number nine?

unknown:

Please.

Jay Franze:

Number nine? Number nine? Beatles. Sorry. Moving on to number nine. Jake Owen. Dream to dream.

Tiffany Mason:

I do not like him.

Jay Franze:

That's what I said. Who likes Jake Owen?

Tiffany Mason:

Get him off that list.

Jay Franze:

Moving on to numero 8. That's number eight.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, thank you for translating.

Jay Franze:

Morgan Wallen. I'm the problem.

Tiffany Mason:

Sound the alarms.

Jay Franze:

The parental advisory version.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh. I don't know if he's eight though. Like three.

Jay Franze:

Ooh. Now, theoretically, he should probably be number one if he's outselling every other artist.

Tiffany Mason:

Yes.

Jay Franze:

That's okay. Number seven.

Tiffany Mason:

I will be the judge when I hear all ten.

Jay Franze:

Okay. Number seven, Margot Price. Hard-headed woman.

Tiffany Mason:

I mean, I don't I don't I want I want to know them more. I want it to be all radio people, which is not fair because there's plenty of talent that does not make it on the radio.

Jay Franze:

That's true, but this is a woman on your list.

Tiffany Mason:

I know, I know. Thank you.

Jay Franze:

And immediately you're gonna shoot her down.

Tiffany Mason:

I just said I just wish I knew more of her.

Jay Franze:

Very traditional sounding.

Tiffany Mason:

Yes.

Jay Franze:

Very traditional sounding.

Tiffany Mason:

Although I think we've talked too about that traditional sound coming around more often as of late.

Jay Franze:

I think she's even more traditional sounding than that.

SPEAKER_03:

She's oldies sounding.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, yeah. Let's let's go with that. She's very talented, very talented woman. She should have been out in the 40s. That's okay. Number six, another woman.

SPEAKER_02:

Praise Jesus.

Jay Franze:

Carter Faith.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

Cherry Valley.

Tiffany Mason:

Probably just because she's smoking hot.

Jay Franze:

I wanted to point out she is smoking hot.

SPEAKER_05:

I mean, they don't come much hotter.

Jay Franze:

She is a very good-looking woman.

Tiffany Mason:

Smoke show, okay? If you want your eyes to pop out of your head, put on a little Faith Carter and enjoy.

Jay Franze:

What did you call her?

SPEAKER_05:

The Smoke Show.

Jay Franze:

No, you said her name.

SPEAKER_05:

Faith Carter?

Jay Franze:

No, Carter Faith.

Tiffany Mason:

Carter Faith. Wrong order. Whatever. Close enough. It's just her name.

Jay Franze:

It helps to be friends with Billy Bob Thornton, too. Alright. Let's move on. Oh. What was it? Ding ding-ding. Number five. Thomas Rhett.

SPEAKER_03:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

About a woman.

SPEAKER_03:

Oh, dang. Way to go, Jay.

Jay Franze:

Yes. He was a nice guy. I attended a wedding that he was at.

SPEAKER_06:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

That's my connection to him. Nothing musically. No musical connection to him. I was just at a wedding with him. It was a very nice wedding venue. I love it. It's a very nice wedding venue. But yes, nice guy, nonetheless. Number four, hmm. One of my favorites.

Tiffany Mason:

Am I supposed to guess?

Jay Franze:

I thought you would give it a little bit of a guess. A little bit of a rock edge to it.

Tiffany Mason:

Bailey Zimmerman? Not Nate Smith.

Jay Franze:

I pressed the button I shouldn't have.

SPEAKER_01:

Take it easy with the controls over there, Jay.

Jay Franze:

Too quick, too quick. That's what my wife told me last night, too. I don't understand it. Number four, Eric Church.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh yes. Can't believe I missed that one.

Jay Franze:

I don't know how to pronounce the name of his album.

Tiffany Mason:

Sound it out.

Jay Franze:

Evan G line. All one word. Evangeline.

Tiffany Mason:

Evangeline.

Jay Franze:

Evangeline. Evangeline versus machine.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. Okay. Evangelistic.

Jay Franze:

Yep. Sure. He's no longer my favorite. He made it hard on me. Number three. Alright. You got two women.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh wow. Maddie and Tay?

Jay Franze:

Golf clap. Number three, Maddie and Tay. Love and light.

Tiffany Mason:

Which we've learned recently.

Jay Franze:

Are now no longer one and the same. There is no love and light any longer.

Tiffany Mason:

No. One is going towards the light and one is going towards love.

Jay Franze:

Whoa, let's not say going towards the light. That sounds so wrong.

SPEAKER_01:

I meant like the stage light, like solo spotlight.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, okay. Let's be a little bit more specific then. I was gonna tell you my daughter's name means light in Italian, but I don't know if I want to tell you that now. Luciana, Lucy, light.

Tiffany Mason:

Luciana. I was thinking, like, no, Bella means beautiful.

Jay Franze:

Sarabella means beautiful princess.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, I should have named Hannah Sarabella.

Jay Franze:

Oh. And Valentina means, well, Valentine. Number two, Parker McCullum. Parker McCullum.

Tiffany Mason:

I saw him.

Jay Franze:

He's number two.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. For number two.

Tiffany Mason:

If they're in order, definitely misnumbered.

Jay Franze:

Okay.

Tiffany Mason:

That was number 10. He's gonna be uh not Jason Aldeen. Um, you know.

Jay Franze:

Go ahead. We get all the time on the road. Go ahead.

Tiffany Mason:

Morgan Wallen.

Jay Franze:

Yes, I agree with you. He does not beat Morgan Wallen.

Tiffany Mason:

No, that is shocking. I don't know. And Zach Topp, he's gonna beat Zach Top. He's been around longer than Zach Top, but he's gonna beat Zach Top. I don't think so.

Jay Franze:

Maybe the list goes in reverse.

Tiffany Mason:

That would make more sense.

Jay Franze:

But it doesn't. So number one.

Tiffany Mason:

I like that theory better. So Morgan Wallen was number seven.

Jay Franze:

Yes. Now I also have another complaint after this. So number one, Tyler Childers, Snipe Hunter.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. I mean, again.

Jay Franze:

He's a he's a very weird dude.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. I've never met him, so I can't say that.

Jay Franze:

I have not met him, so I will not say by first hand experience, but the pictures and stuff, even his album cover and all the stuff is just very weird.

SPEAKER_05:

Off.

Jay Franze:

Off. But why is there no Laney Wilson on here?

Tiffany Mason:

I was waiting for it. I don't know.

Jay Franze:

Did she release her album in 2025?

Tiffany Mason:

Some more of a Laredo because it won't be a little bit more.

Jay Franze:

That's a single.

Tiffany Mason:

And she won Entertainer of the Year.

Jay Franze:

The question was album. Alright, well, come on. You're going too slow.

Tiffany Mason:

My fingers can only go so fast. Whirlwind, August 2024.

Jay Franze:

There you go. That's why Laney Wilson is not on the list. I think Morgan Wallen should have been number one.

SPEAKER_02:

Me too.

Jay Franze:

If we're gonna look back at this list. I like Eric Church, but I don't necessarily think his album deserved to be any higher than it was. It was number four. I think it's a suiting position for him. Thomas Rhett, number five. I think that was good. I don't know how Margot Price got on here. And I don't know how Carter Faith got on here.

Tiffany Mason:

Because she's smoking hot.

Jay Franze:

She's smoking hot.

Tiffany Mason:

When you're a blonde bombshell, you get to make the charts.

Jay Franze:

You get to be the top of everybody's list. Oh now, Zach Top.

SPEAKER_01:

I know I got extra jokes too. Don't do it.

Jay Franze:

Zach Top should have um been a little bit further up on this list as well.

SPEAKER_05:

I agree, yeah.

Jay Franze:

He probably should have been number two.

SPEAKER_05:

Right.

Jay Franze:

No, if this were my list, let's just go ahead and reflect. Morgan Wallen would have been number one. Zach Top would have been number two. Let's see if we could pull out a number three. Number three.

Tiffany Mason:

I was gonna say Thomas of that list.

Jay Franze:

Thomas or Eric. Eric came in ahead of Thomas on the list.

Tiffany Mason:

I would put Thomas and then I would put Eric.

Jay Franze:

Ooh.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Sorry.

SPEAKER_06:

Okay.

Tiffany Mason:

We can flip off and then we throw the girls in there, I think.

Jay Franze:

Only the bombshell. Alright, enough of that before I get in any more trouble than I'm already in. Babe, if you're listening, just a joke. Let's move on to the news, my friend.

Tiffany Mason:

Let's move on to the news. Well, Mr. Jelly Roll was officially pardoned by the Tennessee governor. Tennessee governor Bill Lee granted a formal pardon to country star Jelly Roll for the past robbery and drug convictions. A symbolic bow to his journey from troubled past to Grammy nominated artist. The pardon does not erase his record, but it could ease his travel and expand opportunities as he continues to advocate for second chances and share his personal story through his music. Well, the next thing I want to tell you about is Christmas country music flooding the holidays. Dan and Shay, Gabby Barrett, Mickey Guyton, Hunter Hayes, Raylan, Chris Young, and many more. Drop Christmas music, originals and classics to light up the festive season. Okay. Laney Wilson and Jason Aldean are going to be at Nashville's Big Bash New Year's Eve, and they've added a name to it, which is Dirk Spentley. Nice. So look forward to him performing as well. And while we're on the topic of Laney Wilson, I was very excited to find out that on Christmas Day, when I am cheering on the Vikings, even though they don't have a fighting chance to get to playoffs, when I'm cheering them on to beat the Lions, at the halftime show, there will be Miss Laney Wilson, which I'm very excited about, and Snoop Dogg. So should be a good halftime performance. The game, streaming on Netflix, 4 30 p.m. Eastern time zone.

Jay Franze:

Jason Aldine.

Tiffany Mason:

Love Jason Aldine.

Jay Franze:

When he goes in the studio to record, he is recording his songs as quickly as possible in order to retain that grittiness and freshness in his voice. So he is not one of those as a lot of people say overproduced. Yeah. And it seems to be working because he's on his way to catch up to George Strait. He's got 30 number one hits already.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. I love Jason Aldean. I think Morgan Wallen took Jason Aldean's spot in my world. I mean.

Jay Franze:

I don't know if that's a uh fair take.

Tiffany Mason:

It may not be, but it was more like Morgan Wallen had all this new music and Jason Aldean did not. But Jason Aldean was the concert I went to with Preston before the world shut down for COVID. We went to see him, and I think five days later, everything shut down. But I do love Jason Aldean. I really love She's All Country.

unknown:

Yeah.

Jay Franze:

I just confirmed it is 30 number one hits.

Tiffany Mason:

Thank God. Now the crew members can sleep tonight.

Jay Franze:

We are supposed to be factual, my friend. I know you deliver the news and you question it from time to time. Yes, he's got 30 number one hits.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I appreciate the clarification.

Jay Franze:

There you go.

Tiffany Mason:

More country stars leaning into holiday music, country artists, big and small, are embracing the season with original holiday music and festive collaborations. And the one that I've thought was kind of fun was Luke Bryan and Ella Langley with Winter Wonderland. But yeah, fans can expect unique holiday takes and collaborations that go beyond the traditional classics. And I'm sure if you have had the radio on, you have come across some of those. You guys will have to let us know if you uh have heard one of them and really liked it and thought they spruced things up. Well, last thing I'm gonna tell you, Robert Bacon's festive country heartland album is out now. So I reported just a couple stories ago that he had new music, and this is a blend of classic country warmth and seasonal joy. It's available now. Go check it out. Robert Bacon.

Jay Franze:

He's another one that records heavy in the studio. Like he goes in with a full band and records all at once just to capture that kind of live feel to it.

SPEAKER_05:

Mm-hmm. Cool.

Jay Franze:

I like it. I like when people do that. A lot of times what happens is the band will go in, the eight players who are gonna record, the singer might be there to give them like a guide track. They might sit in this in the studio and hum the track or sing it very softly. I like when Jason Aldean or Robert here, they go in and they perform it live. Like that's gonna be the take.

Tiffany Mason:

When they do that, how does it benefit the musicians and how do they hear what the artist is humming or singing?

Jay Franze:

Well, they're all wearing headphones. In the studio, they're all wearing headphones, just like the ones we're wearing today. And each musician typically has what they call a momie box, which is a box with eight faders on it, and they call it mommy because people say I want to hear more of me. So they push up their fader to hear m more of themselves. But then they can also have maybe drums or vocals or guitar, whatever instruments they feel like they need to perform. So a lot of guitar players will want to hear melodic instruments to make sure they're in tune and playing together. The bass player might want to hear more of the drums. So they can adjust a mix of their own when they're in the studio versus the engineer mixing it and sending everybody the same mix. Now they'll get that too. When I'm an engineer in the studio, I'll mix the tracks for everybody. It'll be what they call a stereo track, and everybody will hear what I mixed, but then they'll also have a fader for lead vocal, a fader for lead guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums.

Tiffany Mason:

And I think it's important to tell people what a fader is. I really only learned about it in the last five years.

Jay Franze:

Think of it as a volume control, but that is not necessarily what a fader is.

Tiffany Mason:

Mm-hmm. Okay. Well, bidi bidi bidi bidi, that's it, Jay.

Jay Franze:

Oh, thank God. I fell asleep. I'm sorry. All right. Wake your butt up. Question of the day is best male and female vocal collaboration. Best male and female vocal collaboration. Brought to us by Sue. And if you Would like to give us a recommendation for a question of the day, please head over to jfranzie.com or just send it feedback at jfranzie.com. All right. Moving on.

Tiffany Mason:

Or they could use the drop-down menu.

Jay Franze:

Tiffany. You're fired. Keep throwing in that drop-down menu. I heard it.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I'm a big fan. I'm a big fan, I think, of the animation. From a user experience, I just like, boom. I got options.

Jay Franze:

I just like it to drop. Nice. All right. Miss Tiffany.

Tiffany Mason:

Mr. J.

Jay Franze:

Would you like to go now? Or would you like to hold off?

Tiffany Mason:

I'm going to hold off. I want to see what the crew members have to say.

Jay Franze:

That's fine if you're doing it to see what the crew members have to say, not so you can steal one of their ideas.

Tiffany Mason:

Nope. That's not why I have four different ideas I need to debate, which I Fair enough.

Jay Franze:

Okay, this does say best. Get your notepad ready. All right. Right out of the gate, the number one that I would expect to be on this list, Amanda says Dolly and Kenny.

SPEAKER_01:

Yep.

Jay Franze:

Followed by Marcus, who says Johnny and June.

SPEAKER_01:

Well, there you go.

Jay Franze:

I don't think we're gonna get any better than those.

SPEAKER_01:

I know.

Jay Franze:

Just when I say that.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

Michelle says, if they didn't fall in love, break up, or get married afterwards, then does it really count?

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah. It's a male voice and a female voice singing together.

Jay Franze:

I appreciate it. I appreciate your your wit, your humor. I found it very humorous. Can't help it if Miss Tiffany didn't. What? I did. What? Wait. You want me to fire her? No. We'll give her one more chance.

SPEAKER_01:

Come on.

Jay Franze:

I would also like to say Michelle's last name is D, or starts with a D.

SPEAKER_03:

Michelle D.

Jay Franze:

Which was also Michael D and Mark D. With the father of Francis D. We got the D dogs in curious if they're all those people. If they are, it's great to see. If not, what a hell of a coincidence.

Tiffany Mason:

There's a lot of people with last names that start with D's.

Jay Franze:

Yes, but it's very coincidental that they're all here on the show and they all say Mark, Michael, and Michelle. Or shall I say Michael, Michelle, and Mark? Do you have to go in age order? I mean, I do that with my kids, but do I have to do that with other people?

Tiffany Mason:

Do you know their ages?

Jay Franze:

I do. Well, not technically, but I know who's the oldest and middle and youngest.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, okay. Then yes, you have to say them in order.

Jay Franze:

Michael, Michelle, Mark.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay.

SPEAKER_03:

Thank you.

Jay Franze:

Michael's a year older than me. Michelle's the same age as me, and Mark is a year older than you. So you know them. I know them if that's these people. Oh. I don't know that these are those people.

Tiffany Mason:

You're assuming.

Jay Franze:

Um ask you me. I'm doing my best. Lindsay from Cincinnati. Lindsay from Cincinnati says Lady A.

unknown:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

That's all she says. Why does she just say Lady A?

Tiffany Mason:

Lady A is a group.

Jay Franze:

Ooh, here's a good one. Chris. Chris says Brad Paisley, Allison Krause.

Tiffany Mason:

Just because it's Allison Krause?

Jay Franze:

I like Brad Paisley. Alison Krause is cool. I mean, she was nice. She was very nice. I got no complaints. Rockaluoch. Thank you, my friend. I always appreciate you being here, says Shania Twain, Brian White. Kara? Kara says the real answer is whoever didn't try to outsing the other. Derek says Tim and Faith. I don't know if I agree with that.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah, I just got my head going back and forth. Sorry. Josh.

Jay Franze:

Josh says Don Henley and Stevie Nicks.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

Anthony. Anthony, I appreciate you being here every week. He says Hailstorm and Cory Taylor.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, brother.

Jay Franze:

That is a good one. Now to be fair, it's Lizzie Hale. I guess it's Hailstorm if Corey Taylor's sitting in with them, but nonetheless. Lizzie Hale and Cory Taylor.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. I put it on there because I know you're a big fan.

Jay Franze:

I'm a big fan of both of those.

Tiffany Mason:

I don't know, Cory Taylor.

Jay Franze:

You probably do. June. June says Kid Rock and Cheryl Crow.

Tiffany Mason:

Ooh, that is a good one.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, if Kid Rock could sing.

Tiffany Mason:

Is it best of all time, though?

Jay Franze:

So it simply says best.

Tiffany Mason:

Best. Simply the best.

Jay Franze:

Now Sheryl Crow deserves to be on a list like that. Alright, here's Michael D. I've said this one on other of your episodes, but Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. They are truly stunning. Well, thank you, Michael. And thank you for being here every week.

Tiffany Mason:

Yeah. Um, was Michael our youngest? He was our youngest.

Jay Franze:

Michael is the oldest.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, the oldest. Okay. Old man of the group, Michael.

Jay Franze:

Assuming it's that Michael, but yes.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, we already admitted we're being presumptuous.

Jay Franze:

We we do that. Scott. Scott has three pairings.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. I like it.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, because he falls after you. He says.

Tiffany Mason:

I'm a big fan of variety. I don't know what to tell you.

Jay Franze:

Two of which have been mentioned: Johnny and June, Tim and Faith.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

And then he says an Ozzy and Lita.

Tiffany Mason:

I don't know Lita.

Jay Franze:

Lita Ford. I'm willing to bet you know Lita Ford. And if you know Ozzy, you know Lita Ford because she sang with him on one of his songs. Um if close my eyes forever.

Tiffany Mason:

Do you want me to put it on the list?

Jay Franze:

They are an iconic duo for that genre of music for sure.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

Ooh, Penn out of the box with Roberta Flack and Don Hathaway. Donnie Hathaway. He says, back when music was real. James. The James.

SPEAKER_02:

The James?

Jay Franze:

The James.

SPEAKER_02:

The question of the day, James.

Jay Franze:

The question of the day, James. Not today, but typically. Not today. He says, Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks. Tom. Tom Harding. I will use his full name because he's a previous guest of the show. Engineer, producer out of Nashville. Did a lot of work with Z Top. He has an amazing, an amazing suggestion or option or choice, or however we're going to say it. Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Meatloaf in Ellen Foley. You know that song. Don't do it. If you you Tiffany. You're fine. You have to know that one. I guarantee you'll know it as soon as you hear it.

SPEAKER_05:

What's it called?

Jay Franze:

Paradise by the Dashboard Light. Go check it out. Alright, Ginger. Ginger, I don't recall seeing you here before. I appreciate you being here. She says, Barry Gibb and Barbara Streisand. Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

SPEAKER_01:

I got to go to the body. You can pause. Tiffany, you're fine.

Jay Franze:

Goodbye. Stop that.

SPEAKER_05:

I turned my mic off so you couldn't hear it. And then you got me nervous because you were putting the spotlight on me.

SPEAKER_01:

And then I couldn't get him to stop playing.

Jay Franze:

Oh, mercy me. Do you know who Barry Barbara Streisand are?

SPEAKER_01:

I know who Barbara Streisand is. I'm a big fan.

Jay Franze:

But not Barry?

Tiffany Mason:

Nope.

Jay Franze:

Alright.

SPEAKER_05:

Sorry.

Jay Franze:

Tristan. Tristan Marie. I'm gonna say her full name because, well, I want her on the show. She's an artist, so it's okay. She says Don Henley and Stevie Nix.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, yeah. Two votes.

Jay Franze:

She has two other options on here.

Tiffany Mason:

Let me hear.

Jay Franze:

Allison Krause and Robert Plant. Glenn Hansard. Oh dear God. And Marquetta Ingrlova. Sorry.

SPEAKER_03:

I think you guys should just mess with Jay and you guys should put obnoxious names on things.

Jay Franze:

I think they do that anyway. I don't think they need your encouragement.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh, I'm gonna encourage them.

Jay Franze:

Giuseppe, thank you for coming back. I do appreciate it. Giuseppe says Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel.

SPEAKER_06:

Ooh.

Jay Franze:

Don't give up. Miss Kathy.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

Ella Langley and Riley Green. Now I will say, Miss Kathy, we are on the same page. That is definitely one of my favorites. Epic Roxy. She just says, Merry Christmas.

Tiffany Mason:

Aww. Merry Christmas, Epic Roxy.

Jay Franze:

There you go. I get two more. Okay, do two more. May as well get them out. Yeah. Natalie says Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert. That's a rough one now. Ben.

SPEAKER_05:

Why?

Jay Franze:

Maybe it's better rough.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh it's oh no. No.

Jay Franze:

We already know you.

SPEAKER_05:

Don't open that door, Jay. Close the door. Quick.

Jay Franze:

Ben from Frankfurt, Kentucky. That's where my office is. Capital of Kentucky. Says Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. It's also a good one.

Tiffany Mason:

Do you want me to put the last one on there?

Jay Franze:

Yes, of course.

Tiffany Mason:

Um, what was the game?

Jay Franze:

Conway Twitt. Conway Twitty. And Loretta Lynn. Conway Titty.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

Jay, you're fired.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah. Thank you.

Tiffany Mason:

I'm going to do a signal. So you can do this. That's when you fire yourself, okay?

Jay Franze:

I think I can handle it. Alright, come on. Let's go.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Conway Tweedy and Loretta Lynn versus Ella Langley and Riley Green.

Jay Franze:

Really?

Tiffany Mason:

I mean, we've got good ones, so I don't know how you're going to choose.

Jay Franze:

I like Ella and Riley. I'm going to go with Conway and Loretta.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Conway and Loretta or Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks.

Jay Franze:

Again, I'm going to go with Conway and Loretta.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Conway and Loretta or Ozzy and Lita.

Jay Franze:

Conway and Leta.

Tiffany Mason:

It's a six-way tie. Okay, Conway, Twitty and Loretta, or Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.

Jay Franze:

Conway and Loretta.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Conway and Loretta, or Lizzie Hale and Corey Taylor.

Jay Franze:

Well, whoa, whoa, whoa. Before we continue on, that just reminded me that you haven't given your suggestion, and I haven't given mine.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I you know, in my head, for some reason I was thinking after we do this, but you're right, we should do it before.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, let's do it real quick.

Tiffany Mason:

I had the carpenters.

Jay Franze:

Okay.

Tiffany Mason:

That was my pick.

Jay Franze:

Alright, fair enough.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. And what is yours?

Jay Franze:

Oh, I like Lizzie Hale and Eric Church.

SPEAKER_02:

Okay.

Jay Franze:

I don't know. I think that's what I'm gonna go with tonight. Okay. I have others, but that's who I'll go with tonight.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Well, Lizzie Hale and Corey Taylor, or Conway and Loretta.

Jay Franze:

Conway Loretta. Oh, wait, wait, wait. If we're talking about vocal talent, see I like Conway and Loretta because they're classic and they were they did it for for a long time. I mean it was like like a partnership.

SPEAKER_02:

Right.

Jay Franze:

But Lizzie and Corey are both amazing singers. And musically, I think they are more talented.

Tiffany Mason:

I think the tough part too is it's two different genres.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. I'm gonna go with Conway and Loretta.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. Conway and Loretta or Don Henley and Stevie Next?

Jay Franze:

CNL.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. C and L or Johnny and June.

unknown:

Oh.

Tiffany Mason:

Same genre.

Jay Franze:

I'm still going with CNL.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. CNL or Lizzie Hale and Eric Church.

Jay Franze:

That was a one-time thing. Like the Corey Taylor thing. I'm gonna have to go with CNL, even though I prefer Lizzie Hale.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay. CNL or the Carpenters.

Jay Franze:

C and L.

SPEAKER_05:

Jerk.

Jay Franze:

It's not even a question. Not even a question. Although the Carpenters had great voices.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, or Dolly Parton and Kenny.

Jay Franze:

Dolly and Kenny.

Tiffany Mason:

Ma'am. Okay. Dolly Parton, Kenny Roger, they win. I'm stuck.

Jay Franze:

What happened to Brad and Allison or I didn't put them on. Dolly and Kenny are gonna win anyways. All right. Yeah.

Tiffany Mason:

I didn't put them on. Alright, come on.

Jay Franze:

Let's move on to the countdown.

Tiffany Mason:

The top 25 of 2025. Are you ready? Starting at number 25. Miss Ella Langley weren't for the wind.

Jay Franze:

I always go to the wrong end of the list.

Tiffany Mason:

We're trying to build up the tension, Jay. What could number one be?

Jay Franze:

I'm okay with it. I just always forget. It's a countdown. I should know, but you caught me off guard. I was like, huh.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh yeah. Well, following Miss Ella Langley is Megan Moroni with Am I OK?

Jay Franze:

I just want to point out there's a couple girls on the list.

Tiffany Mason:

I know. I was thinking about myself.

Jay Franze:

Granted, they're at the back end of the list.

Tiffany Mason:

They're on there.

Jay Franze:

But they're on there.

Tiffany Mason:

Then we follow up with I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll. Megan wants to know if she's okay. I am not okay.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. All right.

Tiffany Mason:

Spot 22, Josh Ross with Single Again.

Jay Franze:

No, see, I like that song.

Tiffany Mason:

I like that song a lot.

Jay Franze:

You're going so fast we can't even establish whether or not we agree with the list.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, you gotta speak up faster. Oh, fast talker.

Jay Franze:

I gotta pay attention to you. All right, go ahead.

Tiffany Mason:

21.

Jay Franze:

21.

Tiffany Mason:

Dylan Scott. This town's been too good to us.

Jay Franze:

You're starting to read like me. Oh no.

SPEAKER_03:

Just giving you time to process, think, and respond.

Jay Franze:

It's not the slow reading, it's the space in between, wise ass. Go ahead.

Tiffany Mason:

21, Dylan Scott. This town's been too good to us. Number 20, Kane Brown, back seat driver. I love this song.

Jay Franze:

See, he went too fast. There was no space. I didn't get a chance to tell you that Dylan Scott's on Curb Records with Lee Bryce.

Tiffany Mason:

Dylan Scott is coming to our area. He's going to be part of a rodeo. And I asked Hannah, I was like, you want to go? Sounds like a rowdy time, and I'm here for it.

Jay Franze:

Sounds like you want a bowl.

Tiffany Mason:

I want a bowl. Maybe they'll have a mechanical bowl there and I can make another video for us.

Jay Franze:

There you go.

Tiffany Mason:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. K-20, Keane Brown, backseat driver. Uh I did not realize he went to school with Laney. Uh no.

Jay Franze:

Laura and Elena.

Tiffany Mason:

Thank you, Laura and Elena. Uh, I did not realize they went to school together. They were the same age and they both just had babies.

Jay Franze:

They went to the prom together.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh my goodness.

Jay Franze:

They were together for all four years of high school.

SPEAKER_05:

What?

Jay Franze:

None of that is true.

Tiffany Mason:

Jay Bird.

Jay Franze:

You wouldn't be willing to believe it.

Tiffany Mason:

Jay, I trust you. I would believe a lot that you say.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. Here's Lauren Elena. That's about as far as the truth goes on.

Tiffany Mason:

I thought it was scandalous. Okay.

Jay Franze:

No.

Tiffany Mason:

You're going to have their PR firms after us.

Jay Franze:

Probably.

Tiffany Mason:

Behave.

Jay Franze:

The producer says knock it off.

Tiffany Mason:

Number 19 is Zach Top. I never lie. Now next. 18. Wow. Neat Smith.

Jay Franze:

Miss Kathy.

Tiffany Mason:

Fix what you didn't break.

Jay Franze:

That's Miss Kathy.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, snap.

Jay Franze:

She's done that for me.

Tiffany Mason:

Healed your broken heart.

Jay Franze:

She's fixed me.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, good lord. I don't even want to say it. 17? Jackson Dean? Oh. That bothers me so much. I don't know why. Probably because I uh saved it in my memory that way. Annoying.

Jay Franze:

When I was in college back when teachers still had books for writing down attendance and stuff. And I was up at his desk one day and I saw the book. And next to my name, it said, glasses and wise ass.

Tiffany Mason:

Bless your heart. Number 16 is Dylan Marlowe and Dylan Scott with Boys Back Home. Spot 15. Good old Russ with Happen to Me.

Jay Franze:

What's Russ's last name?

Tiffany Mason:

Russell Dickerson. You gotta say it out the side of your mouth.

Jay Franze:

Please don't. We're gonna get more hate mail.

Tiffany Mason:

It's okay. That's why people love us. Is it though? Alright, yeah. Spot number 14 is John Morgan and Jason Aldean with friends like that.

Jay Franze:

If you have friends like this, why do you need friends like that?

Tiffany Mason:

Ooh, number 13, Sam Hunt with Country House. I like that song. No spot number 12 is Morgan Wallen, just in case. I will never forget Preston calling me and saying, Mom, you want to get smacked in the face with some lyrics? Spot eleven is Jordan Davis with I Ain't Saying.

Jay Franze:

No. You gotta tell us. It's part of the show.

Tiffany Mason:

I ain't saying, Jay. I ain't saying.

Jay Franze:

Alright, fine, then just move on.

Tiffany Mason:

Spot ten, Tyler Hubbard with Park.

Jay Franze:

You don't like that song.

Tiffany Mason:

I mean, it grew on me a little bit when I figured out the story.

Jay Franze:

But go figure. Well you took a moment to listen to it.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I listened to it like casually in the car, but when I paid attention to Critically listened. Critically listened. Thank you. Spot number nine, Mr. Thomas Red, after all the bars are closed. Now spot number eight, Numero Ojo, Mr. Corey Kent, this heart. Spot seven, Shabosey. Oh no, that's good news. Good news. Why you gotta steal my thunder like that?

SPEAKER_05:

Spot number six.

Tiffany Mason:

The Jason Al Dean with whiskey drink.

SPEAKER_05:

Yeah.

Tiffany Mason:

Come on, whiskey drink. I'll get a song. I don't wanna think, think, think. Spot number five, Morgan is back.

Jay Franze:

It does help me when you sing melodic. Even if I okay, go ahead.

Tiffany Mason:

Spot number five, Mr. Morgan Wall on his back with I'm the problem. That's so cute.

Jay Franze:

I thought you were gonna sing.

Tiffany Mason:

No. Okay. I just like if I'm the problem, you're probably the reason.

SPEAKER_06:

Yeah.

Tiffany Mason:

I gotta tell people that a lot about our show. Spot number four goes to Low Cash with Hometown Home. We can make this Hometown Home. I like that song.

SPEAKER_06:

Yeah.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh I I like it. It's not my favorite. It's kind of a it took me a minute to be like, what? Hometown Home? That does like at first I was annoyed. I was like, that's stupid.

Jay Franze:

That is not my favorite country song.

Tiffany Mason:

Spot three is going to again, Mr. Morgan Wallen, with Love Somebody.

Jay Franze:

Oh, you're looking at me like that? Am I that somebody?

Tiffany Mason:

I was just giving you a moment to respond.

Jay Franze:

Oh, thank you for that.

Tiffany Mason:

And spot number two. Jelly roll with a liar. I like that song.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. It's not my favorite of his.

Tiffany Mason:

I would agree.

Jay Franze:

I like it. I didn't say it was my favorite of his.

Tiffany Mason:

It's not my favorite of his. Yeah, I do like it. And number one, are y'all ready? Hold on to your seats. Kowetzel and Jesse Murph with High Road.

Jay Franze:

Get all the applause.

Tiffany Mason:

Only because it's for the sound. The whole sound bite. I was gonna say it's because it's for the whole year. So come on.

Jay Franze:

Nice. I like it.

SPEAKER_03:

Nice.

Jay Franze:

Can we move on? How are we moving on? I mean, that was an impressive list. I would have preferred it to go a little differently. Where's Laney Wilson?

Tiffany Mason:

Again, it didn't come out in 25.

Jay Franze:

She didn't have any songs in 2025? She's got a song on the radio right now.

SPEAKER_03:

She did.

Jay Franze:

This is a top 25 list. Songs.

SPEAKER_03:

Yep. Yep. No, you're right.

Jay Franze:

Producer clip that, please. Mailbag.

SPEAKER_05:

Mailbag.

Jay Franze:

There we go.

SPEAKER_05:

It's so sad. It's from Blues Clues.

Tiffany Mason:

Six million years ago when my kids were little.

Jay Franze:

All right.

Tiffany Mason:

You know, I look at my face in the mirror and I don't feel like I have kids that old.

Jay Franze:

Oh, but you do.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh, I do.

Jay Franze:

It's alright. I'm old, I'm older than you, and I have kids younger than yours.

SPEAKER_05:

I know. Sucker.

Jay Franze:

Am I a sucker? Are you a little bit? Bastard. Which one is it?

SPEAKER_05:

Oh, you're a sucker.

Jay Franze:

I am a sucker for sure. Oh, Miss Kathy, you want another one? I have super sperm.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh God. Stop.

Jay Franze:

Mom, Miss Kathy. Then Tiffany can call me Daddy.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh God.

Jay Franze:

Let's move on before that goes too far. Sorry, babe. It's just a joke. Oh my God. I'm waiting for her to come through the ceiling. Anyway, mailback. Mike. Not Mike D, but it is a Mike.

SPEAKER_03:

Dang it.

Jay Franze:

He says, I love artists, but do you think that branding matters more these days?

Tiffany Mason:

We've talked about it. It does. You wrote a whole book about it.

Jay Franze:

I don't know if it matters more, but it definitely matters. I think it does matter more. It matters a lot.

Tiffany Mason:

Mm-hmm. Because we've even talked about people who don't have talent that make it the big phase. Mm-hmm.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. I mean, I would say equal or better for sure. It's unfortunate.

Tiffany Mason:

Get your marketing right.

Jay Franze:

Yep. Chris says, with so many artists releasing singles nonstop, is the album officially dead?

Tiffany Mason:

I don't know. I've kind of been having the same feeling.

Jay Franze:

It feels rough that there's nothing but singles these days. However, I don't think it's officially dead yet because there are artists releasing wax LPs. There are artists putting out other, you know, recordings, even CDs. People are releasing CDs again. I don't quite understand it, but they're doing it. That was my favorite medium. The CD and digital, the way it is now, are probably my two favorites. Chris. Chris says, When an artist blames an algorithm, it's like when they used to blame radio. At some point, you just have to realize you can't F and sing. He spelt it out.

SPEAKER_05:

Okay. Thank you for letting us know that.

Jay Franze:

Thank you, Chris. Mike? Different mic? It's three mics tonight.

Tiffany Mason:

That's a lot of mics. Are they all Mike D?

Jay Franze:

We have yet to have an Ike. Do you think labels still develop artists?

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah.

Jay Franze:

No.

SPEAKER_02:

No?

Jay Franze:

I don't. I don't think so. I mean, I'm sure they'll say they do. But it used to be a label would identify somebody that they thought had talent but just wasn't ready yet. And they would put them on the label, sign them, and then develop them and pair them with, say, a big brother, a mentor of sorts, and develop that artist. I don't see that happening anymore.

Tiffany Mason:

What makes you say that?

Jay Franze:

I think they want somebody who's already developed, somebody they can already put on. I think it's a lot easier to identify somebody who's ready these days with social media and whether it be TikTok or any of the other platforms. I think it's easy for them to recognize somebody and say, yep, this person's good and ready, or they're playing shows or they're already doing well. You don't even have to send an AR person to their hometown anymore to see them play live. You can go watch live streams, you can see YouTube videos. So you can get the full package from your desk at the office and make your decision within five minutes. And I don't see people investing the time and money that they used to invest into young artists to develop them in hopes that someday they'll be good. Yeah. There's a lot of variables in that that time period. If you get a new artist, a lot can happen. The artist could just change their mind and not want to do it anymore. Or have a family and decide, nope, this isn't for me, or whatever, whatever the case may be. So for a record label financially to do it doesn't make sense either. So I would I would say no. But I do think that there are artist development companies out there that will gladly take your dollar to develop you. Amanda says, Jay, the way you explain behind the scene industry decisions makes me keep listening. I guess that was a timely comment.

SPEAKER_03:

Me too.

Jay Franze:

Well, thank you, Amanda. Tiffany?

SPEAKER_06:

Huh.

SPEAKER_03:

That's why I keep coming back.

Jay Franze:

Is that is that what it is?

SPEAKER_01:

That's what it is.

Jay Franze:

Rob says labels need to realize that viral hits don't mean ticket sales. True statement. Sarah. With an H. Says, Jay, your background stories, security transportation studio, it all adds to credibility. You actually have been there and it shows.

Tiffany Mason:

I agree with Sarah with an H.

Jay Franze:

Thank you, Sarah, with the H. Melissa. This is one of the few shows that I feel smarter after listening to it, not just entertained.

SPEAKER_05:

Cool.

Jay Franze:

Long haul, Dan. I I don't know why I like see him when he's here.

SPEAKER_05:

He got so excited. I did.

Jay Franze:

I saw Long Haul Dan. I got all tickled. He says, Dan tickles me.

SPEAKER_03:

Whenever he comes through town, he tickles me.

Jay Franze:

Oh, long haul Dan. Stop overproducing records. Imperfection beats polished anytime. Okay. I agree.

Tiffany Mason:

Hey, don't mess with a trucker. I don't know if I agree.

Jay Franze:

I like polished records. But I do like the ones.

SPEAKER_03:

You always kind of battled these two personas on your shoulder.

Tiffany Mason:

I do. This corporate person and this rock, heavy-hitting meets.

Jay Franze:

Yes, I agree with you 100%. I have corporate and metal on my shoulders at all times, and they're constantly making me battle within. But I think that middle ground is good. So, Dan, I agree with you. Yep, Miss Kathy says, Jay, I appreciate all of your information and Merry Christmas to you and your family. Miss Kathy, you are my family. We don't care about you.

SPEAKER_05:

Cool.

Jay Franze:

Tom says, What's more important for a new artist right now, touring or building an online audience? I think it depends on what your goal is.

SPEAKER_03:

Yeah.

Jay Franze:

I would say absolutely hands-down touring. For one, you're making money. For two, you're developing your craft. And for three, if you do those first two, you'll attract a label or funding in some way. Your mother says, Yes, of course, you too, honey. She's talking to me.

Tiffany Mason:

I kissed her.

Jay Franze:

She's talking to me, not you. Emily. Tiffany's reactions are the best part for me. You can always tell when something genuinely surprises her. That's a tough word for me. Tiffany's reactions are the best part for me. You can always tell when something genuinely surprises her. Tough genuinely.

SPEAKER_05:

I'm one of those people, if my mouth doesn't say it, my face will.

Jay Franze:

La la la la la la la. Carlos. Carlos says, how much does playlist placement actually move the needle? I don't think it does. It might get you more of a quick hit of a following or a quick hit of some recognition. Depending on what playlist you're on. Artists right now are chasing the playlist just like they used to chase radio. It would have to be a an extremely highly valued playlist to really make a difference. And even if it does make a difference, it's going to be a short short-lived. Yeah.

Tiffany Mason:

But I do think that like if like we point out the charts that if you're a person who seeks out the charts and someone's on there and you go, hmm, I don't know who that person is, and you go find out about them. I mean, I think it does increase your discoverability, but I think that you're right that it has to be a highly sought-after playlist.

Jay Franze:

I agree. Ben, at what point should an indie artist consider hiring a manager? You want to take it or should I?

Tiffany Mason:

I think somebody who has been there done that would probably be best at advising.

Jay Franze:

Okay, go ahead then. I think you should not hire a manager until you truly need a manager. For one, you need to be making money because a manager is not going to work for free. So a lot of people will get their family members or a friend of theirs to do it. But you can't do it till you truly need it. Otherwise, you're just shooting yourself in the foot.

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I think probably it takes a little bit of the joy of doing it as well. If you aren't making money and then you're paying this person to manage you, it feels like there's not the return on the investment, and then it takes the joy out of the passion of performing, singing, sharing music. So I think that there's value in saying not until you need it.

Jay Franze:

Yeah. And also, too, I think a friend of yours is going to be willing to do it at the beginning just to be part of, you know, your band and part of the environment and stuff. Yeah. And they're not going to expect to get paid right away and they're going to think, well, if you break, then I get to break with you, and then we all go together.

Tiffany Mason:

In watching Laney Wilson's documentary, that is exactly what happened with her manager.

Jay Franze:

Yeah, a lot of people will do that. That's that has been something that's happened on a number of occasions where a manager will be a friend of that person. And they just hang out together and they just do everything together, and eventually when that artist breaks, that's the manager's big break as well.

SPEAKER_03:

Yep.

Jay Franze:

But that's rare. Chris says, you guys are so tough on artists, but in a way, it feels like tough love.

SPEAKER_01:

Aw, it is tough love.

Jay Franze:

There you go. Let's end on that note.

Tiffany Mason:

What note was that?

Jay Franze:

That was a B flat.

Tiffany Mason:

Okay, good. Perfect. I prefer people to be flat instead of sharp.

SPEAKER_06:

No comment.

SPEAKER_01:

That sucks. I was thinking in tonality, not in brains.

Jay Franze:

I was thinking in chest, not in anything else. You just said you prefer for people to be flat.

SPEAKER_05:

Oh my gosh. Wow. Okay.

Jay Franze:

Rockalooch says, I love that you highlight artists who aren't household names. It feels like I'm discovering new music early.

SPEAKER_01:

Heck yeah. That's why we're here.

Jay Franze:

If you don't let me stop now, I'm gonna read another one. Let's move on.

Tiffany Mason:

Time to move on.

Jay Franze:

Well, it's the end of the year. There's only a few shows left that you can catch.

Tiffany Mason:

Womp womp.

Jay Franze:

It is kind of sad, isn't it?

Tiffany Mason:

So one of my clients calls this anticipatory energy. So yes, it's sad that 2025 is winding down, but 2026. It's a fresh year. There's no dents in it yet. It's up for all the possibilities.

Jay Franze:

I want to buy a used year that already has a couple dents and scratches. So that way I don't have to baby it.

SPEAKER_05:

Right.

Jay Franze:

Alright, Presley Tennant's playing. She's playing in Las Vegas. December. Yeah, she was Las Vegas, then to Anaheim. Now she's going back to Las Vegas.

Tiffany Mason:

Good for her.

Jay Franze:

Yep. She's doing very well. I've seen some of the clips that she's got going on. It's just amazing to me. She's one of my favorites. She's family here.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh wow.

Jay Franze:

All right.

SPEAKER_02:

Oh heaven's a Betsy.

Jay Franze:

Trey Callaway. One show left in the year. December 27th. Any guess where it'll be?

Tiffany Mason:

I want to say Nashville, but I'm wondering if he's going to go home to North Carolina.

Jay Franze:

I would say yes. But the show is in South Carolina.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, South Carolina. Yes. That would make sense why it's in South Carolina, because he's going home. He's going to see his bride.

Jay Franze:

Going home. Trey Callaway. Will Wesley. Any guesses on where he might be?

SPEAKER_02:

Nope. Louisiana. Oh.

Jay Franze:

Louisiana. He's going to be there 26th, 27th, and 31st.

Tiffany Mason:

Wow. Day after Christmas.

Jay Franze:

Yes. That would be the 26th.

Tiffany Mason:

He's not going to be at home playing with his new toys.

Jay Franze:

I swear I thought you were going someplace else with that. I'm going to move on. Chad Bushdon. Oh, Chad is also playing December 31st. He is playing at Rafferty 3C Arena in Fallon.

SPEAKER_06:

Wow.

Jay Franze:

Doesn't tell me where Fallon is. Let me click on details. Yeah. See if I can figure this out for you. Fallon. It is Nevada.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh.

Jay Franze:

I don't like that. I want to say Nevada. Man, you're killing me, my friend. It looks like it's at the top of Nevada. Yes, because it's near Lake Tahoe. Okay. Mr. Solved. There you go. No, not next to Las Vegas.

SPEAKER_02:

No.

Jay Franze:

All right. Terry McBride, December 29th. He will be in Texas. Where everything is bigger.

Tiffany Mason:

It's all bigger in Texas. Is Carter Faith from Texas?

Jay Franze:

She she may be.

SPEAKER_03:

She might be.

Jay Franze:

I like Carter.

SPEAKER_03:

Big smile like that.

Jay Franze:

I have faith in her. Oh, and last but not least, Mackenzie Phipps.

SPEAKER_03:

And where is Mackenzie going to be?

Jay Franze:

She is going to be in Nashville, Tennessee.

SPEAKER_03:

I should have guessed.

Jay Franze:

The 21st, the 23rd, the 26th, and the 27th.

Tiffany Mason:

Wow, girlfriend's going to be busy.

Jay Franze:

She is.

Tiffany Mason:

Good for her.

Jay Franze:

Four dates, two venues. Two dates each. venue.

Tiffany Mason:

Wow.

Jay Franze:

But it's one, one, one, one.

Tiffany Mason:

Oh, that's obnoxious.

Jay Franze:

Yes, it's old red, Margaritaville, old red, Margaritaville. Nashville, down on Broadway.

Tiffany Mason:

On Broadway.

unknown:

There you go.

Jay Franze:

What is it that you have going on? Now that you've made fun of everybody else, what do you have going on?

Tiffany Mason:

Well, I got to go see a very merry Christmas ball, which was at the same venue, uh the Glass Factory, downtown Jacksonville, Florida, that Boot Scoot and Bourbon was at. I do like this venue. They have like a catwalk. And for this particular company, the way that they set up the space is like a catwalk and the main performance happens and then there's chairs all around it. So there's really not a bad seat in the place because they only go like I don't know five or maybe eight rows deep. It's not there's just not a ton of seats and every seat is good. And it's the same cast that was there for Boot Scoot and Bourbon minus Mr. Stephen Quinn. But it was so really good. And um what date was that the 18th Thursday why because I swear you told us about this already. I told you I was gonna go to it. Oh now I'm telling you I went to it that was very good. I didn't know what to expect because it was the second time seeing a production from this production company and I was delighted to see the same cast and since just I don't know I had a lot more appreciation for the band. So like the drummer there were two guitarists and a saxophonist and he actually had two saxophones did he have saxophone I no saxophones yes saxophones he had saxophones so I'm biting my tongue I'm proud of you hey do you have a birthday coming up I was just gonna say no is you gotta stop doing that. You aren't supposed to say oh I'm supposed to bring it up I'm glad you asked Jay yes my birthday is coming up on December 24th now does that bother you that your birthday's all on Christmas Eve? Well I used to be a prima donna about it. I am a little bit more relaxed but I just want to tell everybody in the audience if you know anybody who has a birthday close to Christmas when they gifted you a birthday present did it have Christmas wrapping paper on it or did it have birthday wrapping paper on it? Just think it through and if it was your birthday would you want Christmas wrapping paper on it? And people will be like oh this is for your birthday and for Christmas that's weird because I didn't give you a birthday present for Christmas and your birthday I don't care what paper is on the present as long as I get the present.

Jay Franze:

No I'm I'm pretty particular because my birthday is also a Christmas birthday it's just not quite as Christmas as yours. It's like almost two weeks after yeah my parents used to do the same thing this is for both oh that sucks I used to hear that every year sucky parents this big present is for both no no I don't want it for both there are a few times it has worked in my favor to get like a nice you know juicy present but for the most part I knew as it came out of my mouth I know oh my god I can't stop oh my god okay I haven't said a word I know I know um I would advise people to celebrate half birthdays that would be my suggestion you know what I thought of that earlier today but then when you go places and do things for your birthday it's so far off from your birthday it doesn't qualify anymore like if you go to Denny's for a free breakfast you're not in your birthday they're like okay yeah okay bye I mean there's there but if you're nine years old who cares? That's true. Does Denny still exist?

Tiffany Mason:

Yes it does still exist and if you're nine years old do you really want to celebrate it at Denny's nope or at the half year because then you get to your birthday and you're like Yeah crickets it was very soft for me I never got to have a a pool birthday party I still haven't got to have a pool birthday party my whole life I want a pool birthday party don't you have a pool at your yard?

Jay Franze:

Not in my yard in my neighborhood yes but not in my yard yeah I'd love one in my yard but no between the golf carts and the yacht you can't afford a pool?

Tiffany Mason:

No correct it's not in the budget. Gosh makes sense no and then like when I turned 21 we went to this dive bar because it's the only thing that was open nothing else was open right Christmas Eve night only only some dive bars open in a teeny tiny town in Iowa what's wrong with that well it was pretty okay and then like birthday parties never got to have my friends over I don't know I feel like half birthday is the way to go yeah all right Jay what do you have going on? What what kind of fun festivities are you going to be partaking in?

Jay Franze:

Thank you for asking I would like to get out of my house and go see a show past couple weeks have been tough around my house between my whole family being sick or whatever else has been happening that I don't get to go anywhere. Oh snow get snow dance recitals it's been a rough couple weeks but if I can get to go out Chris Linton will be playing I've never seen him perform before but I would like to go check him out at Lori's at Lori's Roadhouse making fun of me for that I don't understand.

Tiffany Mason:

Jay I have told you many times I find your accent very endearing no you're making fun of me for going to Lori's no I'm not I want to go to Lori's Lori's Lori's Lori's Lori's Lori's I want to go to Lori's telling you come visit you can bring your husband that way it's not awkward might be more awkward if he comes whoa make things awkward no because when I hear music I'm like you know riled up jumping around okay perfect you go to the stage and me and your husband will sit over it and slide on you know we'll chill out and have a beer or something. Actually you might be like like Mr. Mason Mr. Mason stands calmly and takes in what is going on and he's probably you know taking in more than me I'm just there to shout the words at the person taking in the bartender and taking in the waitress I don't think he's like that. If he is he hides it from you can think all you want I like it the way it is I am ignorant to it and I want to stay that way.

Jay Franze:

Really? Would that bother you?

Tiffany Mason:

Yes yes I'm I'm yes if anybody looks at my husband sideways I will go punch him in the face wow tell him to back off he's mine yeah don't don't look at my husband I'll keep that in mind next time I'm around I'm very territorial.

Jay Franze:

Hi sir nice to meet you all right well on that note I think we should try to land crash whatever we're doing collide collide get the heck out of here let's do one of those things all right folks we have done it we have reached the top of the hour which does mean we have reached the end of the show if you've enjoyed the show please tell a friend if you have not miss Tiffany tell two tell two you can reach out to both of us over at jfranzy.com we will keep this or any other conversation going for that matter you can also find our socials you can find it all over at jfranzie.com Miss Tiffany my friend don't hit me do you have any final words for us?

Tiffany Mason:

You didn't get close to my man you're good crew members we are signing off for now but before we go we want to say a quick thank you for riding along with us this season we are wishing you a very merry Christmas may it be peaceful playful and full of music you love the most on that note folks have a good night thanks for listening to the J Franzi show make sure you visit us at jfranzi

Head Shot

Jay Franze

Host
Head Shot

Tiffany Mason

Co-host