Explore every episode of the podcast Music Makers San Diego

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

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

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

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

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd

https://www.instagram.com/brooksmusic.official

https://brooksmusic.org

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

In this episode, Gary talks with Josue Vazquez about who he credits with influencing his songwriting the most, what it's like to be a musician for hire, the best compliment he's received about his songwriting & his songs & much more. Josue also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

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

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Aaron Bowen about what it was like going to the Guitar Institute of Technology, what it was like transitioning from writing instrumentals to songs with lyrics, what it was about songwriting that attracted him to it & much more. Aaron also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

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

In this episode, Gary talks with Shhhhh band members, Rheanna Downey & Molly Jenson, about how they came up with their band name, how they came to play together & why, what songwriting together is like for them & much more. Rheanna & Molly also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Salinas Road members, Bill Jones & Paul Cruz, about their musical influences, Bill's classical guitar training & how it factors into their current sound, their take on writing songs with a similar theme & much more. They also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/salinasroadmusic

In this episode, Gary talks with Pacific Records recording artist, Kela Sako, about who influenced her sound the most, what the most rewarding part of songwriting is for her, what she does to get in the zone for writing & much more. Kela also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/kela.sako 

https://pacificrecords.com/artist/kela-sako

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Marie Haddad about learning to play the piano at a very young age, how her songwriting has evolved since she started writing, how she deals with writer's block & much more. Marie also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/mrihaddad 

https://mariehaddad.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Gaby Aparicio about setting songwriting goals, how attending songwriting conferences is helping her to be a better songwriter, bringing joy to her listeners & much more. Gaby also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/gabyamusic 

https://www.gabyaparicio.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Cali Taylor about one of the first songs she learned to play on the guitar, what she likes more about performing solo compared to being in a band, why it's important for her songs to resonate with her listeners & much more. Cali also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/calitaylormusic 

https://www.reverbnation.com/calitaylormusic

In this episode, Gary talks with Tom Jeffrey about opening up for Public Enemy, how his songwriting has evolved since he started his songwriting journey, expressing his feelings & emotions through his songwriting & much more. Tom also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/tomjeffreymusic

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Marlo Smith & Joshua McCleskey of the band, Please Ask for Paul, about the meaning behind the band's name, how journaling has helped them & continues to help them with their songwriting, what they consider to be the most important element of a song & much more. Marlo & Joshua also perform three of their original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/please_askforpaul 

https://www.pleaseaskforpaul.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Jarod Reyes, aka Thredwood, about his musical family & household, how he came up with the name Thredwood, why he waited 20 years to release his songs & much more. Jarod also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/thredwood 

https://thredwood.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Lissa Dee about the music she listened to growing up, what attracted her to songwriting, writing songs with a message & much more. Lissa also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd

https://www.instagram.com/musicbylissa

https://www.musicbylissa.com

In this episode, Gary talks with Brianna Grace about her introduction to music, how journaling has helped her songwriting, how she is more spontaneous than disciplined with her songwriting & much more. Brianna also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/briannagrace444

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Madison Nocon about what she considers to be the best part of songwriting & why she likes it so much, how poetry has helped her with her songwriting & what it was like to audition for American Idol. Madison also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/madisonnocon

In this episode, Gary talks with Will Stucky about his degree in music composition, where he draws his inspiration from for his songs, what the most difficult part of the songwriting process is for him & much more. Will also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/wstucky 

https://www.willstucky.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Gary Flick about when & where he wrote his first song, what he studied in college, what motivates him, or inspires him to write & much more. Gary also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/garyflickmusic 

https://www.instagram.com/suederadiogram

In this episode, Gary talks with Amanda Munro about the difference between the music scene in the various cities she's lived in compared to San Diego, her greatest musical inspiration as a child, what the most important element of a song is for her & much more. Amanda also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/musicbyoutlaws 

https://www.musicbyoutlaws.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Lady July about her early performances as a teen, when she writes her best songs, who she credits with influencing her songwriting the most, & much more. Lady July also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/ladyjulymusic

In this episode, Gary talks with Tamar Berk about who inspired her to start her songwriting journey, the meaning of the title to her latest album, what she hopes people take away from her songs & much more. Tamar also performs three of her original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/tamarberkmusic 

https://tamarberkmusic.com

In this latest episode, Gary talks with Tony Ford about when the music bug first hit him, his love for The Beach Boys as well as his love for original music & much more. Tony also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://www.instagram.com/tonyfordmusic

In this episode, Gary talks with Michael Dean Goodrich about when he first fell in love with music, when he began his songwriting journey, a serious injury that almost ended his guitar playing days & much more. Michael also performs three of his original songs during the conversation.

https://www.instagram.com/musicmakerssd 

https://michaeldeangoodrich.com 

https://www.instagram.com/michaeldeangoodrich