In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I reconnect with my old Belmont University neighbor and longtime friend, Jeremy Casella. Jeremy and I first met on the third floor of Pembroke Hall, and after nearly 30 years, it was a joy to sit down and trace the threads of music, friendship, and life that still connect us today.

Jeremy shares stories from his early days at Belmont, discovering artists like Béla Fleck and Brooks Williams, and crossing paths with classmates like Brad Paisley, while reflecting on how those formative years in Nashville shaped his career as a songwriter and performer. We talk about the folk scene of the early ’90s, the influence of Phil Keaggy (who has since become a close friend and collaborator), and the ways great music can inspire new creativity rather than imitation.

Our conversation also dives deep into the balance of being both a musician and a family man, and how perspective shifts as you approach 50. Jeremy opens up about what it means to leave a legacy through music, including his upcoming Christmas project, and how producing other artists has become an equally rewarding part of his creative journey.

Along the way, we touch on coffee rituals, songwriting discipline, the craft of production, and the inspiration of producers like Daniel Lanois. This is a rich, heartfelt conversation with a friend who embodies both authenticity and artistry.

Music from the Episode:
Autumn in Kingston Springs (Jeremy Casella)
Beauty Leads the Way (Jeremy Casella)
Love That Will Not Let Me Go (Jeremy Casella featuring The Blind Boys of Alabama)
On the Evening Train (Jeremy Casella)

To learn more about Jeremy, visit his website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

In this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I get to reconnect with my good friend and former colleague, Brock Derringer. Brock and I shared a lot of time on stage, in the pit, and the music department at Wesleyan School, and it was a blast to sit down and dig into his story.

We start with Brock’s roots in small-town Thomasville, Georgia, a place with an unexpectedly rich arts scene, and trace his journey from a 10-year-old piano student to becoming a versatile musician and educator. He shares about his musical family, the influential teachers who shaped him, and how early church gigs prepared him for a lifetime of accompanying, leading, and creating music.

Brock talks about his love of teaching, the decision to move from performance into music education, and his current work at Stillwell School of the Arts in Atlanta, where he teaches AP Music Theory and piano. We get into the challenges and changes in music education over the last two decades, the role (and limits) of technology in the classroom, and how he keeps evolving his teaching methods to meet students where they are today.

Of course, we reminisce about our time collaborating on musicals, choir projects, and the legendary “Sing-Off” events, including unforgettable Beatles and Billy Joel performances that brought students and faculty to their feet. Along the way, we swap thoughts on musical influences, Billy Joel, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, and the importance of process over product in mastering any craft.

This conversation is part reunion, part masterclass, and part trip down memory lane. Brock’s passion for music and dedication to his students are contagious, and I left this talk reminded of why making and teaching music matter so much.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I am thrilled to have a conversation with my friend, Steve Cunningham. Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Steve Cunningham draws inspiration from a wide range of artists—Led Zeppelin, Pat Metheny, Yes, and the Brecker Brothers—blending their influence with his deep appreciation for all genres of music. After relocating to Atlanta, he picked up the lap steel guitar, diving into the styles of David Lindley, western-swing legend Tom Morrell, and Sacred Steel master Aubrey Ghent.

A Studio Pro with a Killer Resume. As a sought-after session musician, Steve’s guitar work has shaped hundreds of albums, TV and radio commercials, and movie soundtracks. His credits include Coca-Cola, Ford, Chevrolet, MLB, NFL, IBM, Cartoon Network, PBS, Microsoft, CNN, NASCAR, and even a recording session with the London Symphony Orchestra.

One of Atlanta’s most in-demand guitarists, Steve brings his signature sound to 150+ performances a year, effortlessly weaving through jazz, R&B, rock, funk, gospel, country, blues, pop, and western-swing in various venues around the globe.

To learn more about Steve, visit his website.

Thank you for listening! If you have any questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please contact me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.

The theme song, Playcation, was written by Mark Mundy.