In this latest episode, Gary talks with five time San Diego Music Award winner, Whitney Shay, about her background in theater, writing songs with a message, what it takes to find the time to be creative & so much more. Whitney also performs three of her original songs during the conversation, accompanied on guitar by Aaron Lind.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/whitneyshaysings
https://www.whitneyshay.com
https://www.instagram.com/aaronlindmusic
https://www.aaronlindmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/justinjohnrodriguez

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Keilani Mai about when the music bug first hit her, the challenges she's faced as an independent artist, where she draws inspiration from for her songs & much more. Keilani also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/keilanimai

Gary talks with Marelle about her musical influences, what it's like being a street musician and what she hopes people take away from her music. Marelle also performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/marellemusic

Gary talks with James about what it was like playing roadie for his grandfather as a kid, what his first guitar was like and who some of his favorite artists are today. James also plays a couple original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/imsingincountry

Gary talks with Cam about how his 3 1/2 year-old daughter loves to play music with him, the types of songs he likes to write and what's next for him. Cam also plays three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/cammichaelhersh

Gary Talks with Lisa about singing and playing music as a kid in the projects, how the music of Crosby Stills & Nash affected her and her take on music labeling. Lisa performs three original songs during the conversation as well.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://lisasanders.com

Gary talks with Ash about her music beginnings, how the pandemic affected her and what her songwriting process is like. Ash also performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/missashfoster

Gary talks with George about how and why he came up with the name he uses on social media, the first song he ever wrote and advice he once got from Steve Goodman. George also performs three original songs.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/pug_mahone 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSKAsS6PYht5tKLiEbWlohA

Gary talks with Valentine about the significance behind the title of her current EP, adding various sounds to the tracks that are personal to her, her commitment to social justice and much more. Valentine performs three original songs during the conversation as well.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.valentinebyrne.com

Listen as Gary talks to Alyssa about a variety of things, including when she got her first guitar, when she wrote her first song and what drives her and motivates her to write new music. Alyssa performs three original songs during the conversation as well.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://alyssawalkermusic.com/

Gary talks with Anna about growing up in a musical household, how being in choir and an acapella group helped her get to where she is as a singer today and her future as a songwriter. Anna performs three original songs during the conversation too.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.annaballew.com/

Listen as Gary talks to Ethan Van Thillo & Camille Sallave, of Whiskey & Burlap, about how Whiskey & Burlap came to be, songwriting as a team, what it was like to be nominated for the first time and to then win a 2022 San Diego Music Award and much more. They also perform three original songs during the conversation.

https://instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.facebook.com/whiskeyburlap

In this episode, Gary talks with Danielle Angeloni about her early musical influences, her music therapy & songwriting classes at Berklee College of Music, how her songwriting has evolved over the years & much more. Danielle also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/danielleangelonimusic
https://www.danielleangelonimakesmusic.com

Gary talks with Sandé about her recent trip overseas with her band Enter The Blue Sky, the making of her first solo album, her songwriting process and more. Also, Sandé performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.sandelollismusic.com/

Gary talks with Evan about her introduction to music, her music awards and what she hopes people take away from her songs. Evan also performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd/ 

https://www.evandiamondmusic.com/bio

Listen as Gary talks with Todd about why he chose the guitar for his instrument of choice, his children's album and drawing from personal experiences when writing. Todd also performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd/ 

https://toddweesmusic.com/

Gary chats with Noah about growing up in a small town & his move to San Diego, his musical influences and what it was like to be nominated for a San Diego Music Award this year. Noah also performs three original songs.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.noahallenmusic.com/

Listen as Gary talks with Jay about growing up in a musical household, his style of songwriting and what it means to be nominated for a San Diego Music Award. Jay also performs three original songs.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd/ 

https://jaylhenry.com/

Gary talks with Sara about her early introduction to music, her love of poetry & Garth Brooks coming to her in a dream. Sara also performs three original songs.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd/ 

https://sarajademusic.com/

Molly Jenson - Compared to Many, But Has A Sound All Her Own

Listen as Gary talks to Molly about her early beginnings in music, her songwriting, collaborations & more. Molly also performs three original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd/ 

https://www.mollyjenson.com/

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Kieler Avery about the music she loved as a kid & how it impacted her, how she learned to play guitar, how her mood affects her songwriting & much more. Kieler also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/kieleravery
https://kielermusic.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Bryan Miles about when it first hit him that he wanted to play music, why Bob Marley is his musical hero, where he draws his inspiration from for his songs & much more. Bryan also performs three of his original songs, accompanied on guitar by his son, Trey, during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/rockwatcher

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Julia Sage about life growing up in Chile, who she credits with influencing her sound the most, what her main goal is with her music & songs & much more. Julia also performs two of her original songs & an on the spot, improvised song on the Native American flute.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/thejuliasage

In this episode, Gary talks with Kelp band members, Michael & Fred Barden, about how they came up with their band's name, what the songwriting process looks like for them, the best advice they received as songwriters & much more. Michael & Fred also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/kelp_sd

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Justin Froese about who he feels influenced his sound the most, how being into poetry has helped him with his songwriting, his Soulful Songwriters Collective & much more. Justin also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/justinfroese 

http://justinfroese.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Kenna Rose about her first introduction to music, how her piano lessons when she was younger & her music class in elementary school helped her get to where she is today musically, what the most challenging part of the songwriting process is for her & much more. Kenna also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/kennarosemusic 

https://www.kennarosemusic.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Vanouhi about the first concert she attended & the effect it had on her, her songwriting process, the most rewarding part of the songwriting process & much more. Vanouhi also performs three of her original songs during the conversation, accompanied on guitar by her bandmate, Michael Ruiz.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/vanouhi 

https://vanouhi.bandzoogle.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Amalgamation band members, Robin Lovejoy & Ivo Mijac, about the birth of the band, their name & logo; where Robin draws her inspiration from for the band's songs, how they describe their music & much more. Robin & Ivo also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/amalgamationrocks 

https://www.amalgamationmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/caracormiermusic
https://www.caracormier.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Adana about how valuable it was for her to be in an acapella group in college, how music is a form of emotional relief for her, how she feels about co-writing & much more. Adana also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/adanasaray

In this episode, Gary talks with Jason Estu, of Big Sky Moon, about his first introduction to music, what sets Big Sky Moon apart from other bands like them, what he considers to be the most important job as a songwriter & much more. Jason also performs three of his original songs during the conversation, accompanied by band members David Farrell on pedal steel & Steven B on harmonies.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/bigskymoonband 

https://www.bigskymoonband.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Ash Easton about when the music bug first hit her, striving for a connection with her audience, what she considers to be the most gratifying part of the songwriting process & much more. Ash also performs two of her original songs as well as her spin & arrangement on a classic song, accompanied on electric guitar by her band member, Steven.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/asheaston.music 

https://asheaston.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Brenda Gail about her passion for surfing, why she wanted to be a songwriter, her songwriting goals for the year & much more. Brenda also performs three of her original songs during the conversation, accompanied on guitar by her band member, Mojo.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/brendagailmusic 

https://www.brendagailmusic.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Miranda Ramos about when she realized she could actually be a songwriter, how making music is a team effort, how songwriting is a collaboration between her & her music partner, Bryan Willson, & much more. Miranda also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/mirandaramosmusic 

https://www.mirandaramosmusic.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Kaylee Daugherty about her introduction to jazz & the San Diego jazz music scene, her favorite type of venue to play, how songwriting is a vulnerable process for her & much more. Kaylee also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/kayleedaughertymusic 

https://www.kayleedaughertymusic.com

In this latest episode, as we wrap up our month on the Ramona music scene, Gary talks with Dana Duplan about his involvement with the International Western Music Association, how he keeps songwriting fresh, his favorite type of venue to play & much more. Dana also performs three of his original songs during the conversation, including the one he recorded for the "Our Ramona" compilation album.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/danaduplanmusic 

https://danaduplanmusic.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Tyler Stamets about playing in his family band, setting goals with his songwriting, his new trio & much more. Tyler also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://tylerstametsmusic.com 

https://www.instagram.com/tylerstametsofficial

This month we shine the light on Ramona artists. In this episode, Gary talks with Desert Crossing members, Michael J. Dwyer & Rose Darrough, about their musical families, what it's like to be a part of the Ramona music scene & how it's changed over the years, the most challenging part of the songwriting process & much more. Michael & Rose also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd

https://www.instagram.com/desert_crossing_music

In this episode, Gary talks with ChickenHawk members, Robert & Zachary Stickney, about how they came up with their name, what their songwriting process is like, how they resolve issues or disagreements during the songwriting process & much more. Robert & Zachary also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/chickenhawk_band 

https://www.chickenhawkmusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd
https://www.instagram.com/bonesandwich

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Dave Booda about how his parents always left the door open for music when he was a kid, the first song he wrote & how it came about, his Songwriter Lock-in experiment & much more. Dave also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://davebooda.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Samer Bakri about how being in choir in school helped him with his singing today, his early days of sound engineering, what it was about songwriting that drew him in & much more. Samer also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/samerbakri