The Bandwich Tapes

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with pedal steel guitarist Travis Toy for a wide-ranging conversation about craft, longevity, and what it really takes to build a career on the road. Travis has spent decades shaping the sound of modern country music—from his long run with Rascal Flatts to his current role touring with Luke Bryan—and his perspective comes from thousands of nights onstage.

We start by tracing his musical roots in Kentucky, where Travis grew up surrounded by music and developed an early obsession with the pedal steel guitar. Those early years of practice and curiosity laid the foundation for the disciplined approach he still brings to every gig today.

From there, we talk about the realities of the Nashville scene: arriving in town, finding opportunities, and slowly building a reputation that leads to bigger stages and long-term touring gigs. Travis shares stories from his early days in Nashville and reflects on what it meant to spend years touring with Rascal Flatts before stepping into a new chapter with Luke Bryan.

We also dig into his solo instrumental record and why writing original music was important to him. Along the way, Travis talks about how his background as a drummer and his love of fusion music still influence his phrasing and groove on pedal steel. It’s a thoughtful look at touring culture, social media, and the mindset required to stay grounded in a career that lives on the road.

Key Takeaways
Mastery starts early — Travis’s obsessive practice as a young musician shaped the discipline he brings to every gig.
Pedal steel continues to evolve — modern players are expanding the instrument beyond traditional roles.
Reputation matters in Nashville — professionalism and reliability open doors to long-term touring work.
Touring is a long game — sustaining a career on the road requires balance, perspective, and resilience.
Musical influences cross genres — Travis’s background as a drummer and fusion fan shapes his approach to steel guitar.
Writing original music can deepen your voice — his solo record gave him space to explore the instrument in new ways.
Longevity comes from staying grounded — focusing on the music and the people around it keeps the career moving forward.

Music from the Episode
Entry Point (Travis Toy)
JDT (Travis Toy)
Wingman (Travis Toy)
Alabama Jubilee (Travis Toy)
Hot Button (Travis Toy)
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams, featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the stories, influences, and experiences that shape a life in music.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with bassist Chris Tordini for a thoughtful conversation about what it really looks like to build a sustainable life in music. Chris has quietly become one of the most respected bassists on the scene, known for his deep musicality, versatility, and the kind of collaborative spirit that keeps musicians coming back to work with him.

We talk about his current role holding down a full-time Broadway chair with Hadestown, and how that kind of musical stability fits into a career that has largely been built around creative projects and collaboration. Chris shares what it’s like stepping into that world—where consistency, preparation, and reliability are everything—and how it contrasts with the improvisational spaces he often inhabits as a jazz and creative musician.

Along the way, we trace Chris’s musical path—from early choir singing and piano lessons to discovering both electric and upright bass. His story is a great reminder that a meaningful career in music isn’t always about chasing the spotlight. Often it’s about serving the music, supporting the composer’s vision, and learning to leave ego at the door.

We also spend time talking about Chris’s long-standing musical partnership with Becca Stevens. Their collaboration spans many years and projects, and hearing Chris reflect on how that band identity developed—through trust, chemistry, discipline, and shared musical values—is one of the most rewarding parts of this conversation.

Key Takeaways
A sustainable music career often balances art and stability — work like Broadway can provide a foundation for creative projects.
Serving the music matters more than serving the ego — great collaborators listen first.
Versatility is essential — Chris’s path from choir and piano to electric and upright bass shaped a wide-ranging career.
Preparation and reliability keep musicians working — professionalism is as important as talent.
Long-term collaborations deepen the music — partnerships like Chris’s work with Becca Stevens grow stronger over time.
Consistency builds reputation — careers are often built quietly through trust and dependability.
Listening is the bassist’s superpower — great bass playing starts with supporting the musical moment.
Music from the Episode
Imperfect Animals (Becca Stevens)
The Surge (Angelika Niescier)
Transient Beings (Sebastiane Noelle)
Attention Flaws (Chris Speed Trio)
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the influences, decisions, and experiences that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with guitarist and composer Mark Lettieri for a conversation that lives right at the intersection of groove, discipline, and musical curiosity. Mark has spent years carving out a distinctive voice on the guitar—whether through his solo work, his baritone guitar explorations, or his playing with Snarky Puppy and Fearless Flyers—and this conversation is a window into how that voice developed.

We talk about what has been a particularly full year for Mark: touring internationally, playing iconic rooms like the Blue Note, and balancing the demands of the road with the rare gift of time at home. For Mark, staying active isn’t just part of the job—it’s a creative engine. The more he plays, the more ideas emerge.

One of my favorite parts of our conversation centers on restraint—the idea that what you don’t play can matter just as much as what you do. Mark reflects on the records he grew up listening to, where the entire band worked together to shape a moment, and how those lessons show up when he’s on stage or in the studio with world-class musicians.

We also get into the nuts and bolts of being a working musician today: communication in the studio, professionalism on the gig, showing up prepared, and reading the room. Along the way, Mark shares stories about his early career in advertising and PR, a surprising David Crosby connection that introduced him to open tunings straight from the source, and what’s ahead—including a fascinating upcoming project with sitarist Purbhayan Chatterjee, new baritone-driven material, and the continuing musical adventures that connect his solo work, Snarky Puppy, and Fearless Flyers.

Key Takeaways
Restraint is musical power — sometimes the most impactful choice is knowing when not to play.
Groove starts with listening — the pocket comes from how musicians respond to one another in real time.
Professionalism matters — showing up early, prepared, and ready to collaborate keeps you in demand.
Baritone guitar as a voice — Mark has helped expand the instrument’s role beyond heavy music into funk and groove-based contexts.
Creative momentum comes from staying active — touring, writing, and performing feed the creative cycle.
Musical identity evolves — Mark’s journey reflects influences from rock, funk, jazz, and beyond.
Collaboration drives discovery — projects like his upcoming work with sitarist Purbhayan Chatterjee push his sound into new territory.
Music from the Episode
Magnetar (Mark Lettieri - feat. Adam Deitch & Shaun Martin)
Gigantactis (Mark Lettieri Group with the WDR Big Band)
Voyager One (Mark Lettieri - feat. Nate Smith & Bobby Sparks II)
Blue Straggler (Mark Lettieri - feat. Travis Toy) 
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a podcast hosted by Brad Williams featuring conversations with musicians, composers, producers, and creative thinkers about their musical journeys. Each episode explores the stories, influences, and moments that shape a life in music—one conversation at a time.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with singer-songwriter Grace Humphries, and we talk about what it feels like to be at the very beginning of an artist’s journey—while already carrying real life, real grief, and a clear sense of purpose into the music.

Grace shares what it’s been like arriving at Belmont University as a spring admit, stepping into music school life for the first time and suddenly being surrounded by people who truly understand the creative path she’s on. For the first time, she’s in an environment where songwriting, performing, and artistic ambition feel normal—and that shift has been energizing.

We also trace her musical origin story. Grace has been singing since childhood, gradually teaching herself piano and guitar while learning how to shape songs with intention. Along the way, we talk honestly about the profound impact of losing her brother Liam, and how that experience reshaped her worldview, her faith, and ultimately the emotional center of her songwriting.

There have also been some remarkable moments along the way. At just 16 years old, Grace recorded at Abbey Road Studios, an experience that helped solidify her commitment to pursuing music seriously. Since then, she’s spent time searching for the right creative collaborators and has now begun recording new material at Soundstage Studios in Nashville alongside top-tier session musicians.

We also talk about the craft of songwriting itself—learning to balance authenticity with the realities of the modern music industry. Grace reflects on how her faith influences her work without forcing it into a single genre category, and why she’s focused on staying grounded in the music even as the industry continues to evolve. By the end of our conversation, it’s clear she’s an artist with both talent and a strong sense of identity about the path she wants to follow.

Key Takeaways
What it’s like entering Belmont University as a spring admit and finding a creative community.
Grace Humphries’s early musical beginnings—teaching herself piano and guitar while learning to write songs.
How the loss of her brother Liam shaped her perspective, faith, and songwriting voice.
The surreal experience of recording at Abbey Road Studios at age 16.
Finding the right producer and beginning new recordings at Soundstage Studios in Nashville.
How Grace balances authentic songwriting with commercial awareness.
Why she remains focused on the work despite the rapidly shifting music industry.
Music from the Episode
Why’d You Give Up — Grace Humphries
For Years — Grace Humphries
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a long-form conversation podcast where host Brad Williams sits down with some of the most thoughtful musicians, composers, and artists working today. The show explores the stories behind the music—creative process, collaboration, career paths, and the human experiences that shape the sounds we love.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with Larry Goldings—keyboardist, organist, composer, and one of the most respected musical collaborators working today. Larry has built a career that stretches across jazz, pop, film, television, and session work, but what really stands out in our conversation is his deep commitment to serving the music first.

We start by talking about some of the projects currently on his plate. From a new recording with his organ trio featuring Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart, to an unexpected and joyful children’s album with tap-dance legend Melinda Sullivan, Larry’s creative world is constantly expanding. Whether it’s instrumental jazz, singer collaborations, or more experimental projects, his curiosity keeps pushing him into new musical spaces.

A major part of the conversation centers on his long-running role in James Taylor’s band. Larry shares how he first connected with James in the early 2000s and what it takes to serve those songs night after night at the highest level. Playing alongside musicians like Steve Gadd, he reflects on what he’s learned about feel, restraint, and the kind of deep musical trust that makes a rhythm section truly work.

From there we head down the rabbit hole into Scary Goldings and Scary Pockets, the groove-driven projects that have introduced Larry to a whole new generation of listeners online. He talks about how those sessions began, why the format encourages spontaneity, and how collaboration and curiosity remain the driving forces behind the music.

For the gearheads and music nerds—myself included—we also revisit a memorable moment from the Michael Brecker “Time Is of the Essence” sessions. Larry recalls the experience of playing alongside Elvin Jones, navigating the nerves of the session, and the unforgettable moment when the music suddenly locked into place.

Along the way, we also get into the craft of organ playing itself—especially Larry’s approach to left-hand bass, and why bass players have influenced his musical language just as much as other organists. At the end of the day, everything comes back to the same principle: serve the feel, serve the song.

Key Takeaways
Larry Goldings’s current creative projects, including a new organ trio record with Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart.
The unexpected collaboration with tap-dance legend Melinda Sullivan on a children’s album.
How Larry joined James Taylor’s band and what he’s learned from years on that stage.
The musical philosophy of rhythm sections built on feel, restraint, and trust, especially alongside Steve Gadd.
The origins of Scary Goldings and Scary Pockets and how those sessions reached a global audience online.
A behind-the-scenes story from the Michael Brecker “Time Is of the Essence” recording sessions with Elvin Jones.
Why Larry’s organ language is shaped as much by bass players as by other keyboardists.
Music from the Episode
The Shakes — Scary Pockets
Timeline — Michael Brecker
Solid Jack — The Larry Goldings Trio
Disco Pills — Scary Pockets
Arc of the Pendulum — Michael Brecker
About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a long-form conversation podcast where host Brad Williams sits down with some of the most thoughtful musicians, composers, and artists working today. The show explores the stories behind the music—creative process, collaboration, career paths, and the human experiences that shape the sounds we love.

Connect with the Show

Email: [email protected]