How does an independent band stay true to its roots, resist industry pressure, and survive for over three decades?

In this episode of Americana Curious, hosts Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with Willie Braun, frontman and lead singer of the legendary country-rock band Reckless Kelly.

Long before sold-out shows and a devoted following, the band survived by pooling "Band Bucks," sleeping on bar floors, and driving a banged-up $1,500 Suburban.

Willie opens up about their early days playing seven nights a week in Austin, getting a stamp of approval from icons like Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen, and why they famously walked away from major Nashville labels who wanted them to "smooth out" their sound.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The "Band Bucks" Days: Surviving poverty and keeping a band together when you have no money to fight over.
• The TikTok Trap: Willie’s brutally honest advice to young musicians on why mastering your craft matters more than chasing viral moments.
• Alternate Roots: The story behind their new album and why they decided to re-record their classic crowd-pleasers.
• On Stage with Heroes: What it's really like to transition from a childhood fan to becoming the official backing band for Steve Earle and Joe Ely.

Grab a cold one and get ready to get Americana curious!

Connect with Reckless Kelly:

• Check out the new album Alternate Roots
• Grab tickets to the Braun Brothers Reunion Festival

Support the Show: If you enjoyed this episode, please take 30 seconds to follow the show on Spotify, rate us, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help more music lovers discover the power of Americana!

What happens when a musician completely rejects the corporate machine?

In this episode of Americana Curious, Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz sit down with singer-songwriter Mason Jennings to discuss his incredible 30-year independent career.

Mason opens up about why he walked away from major label record deals, what it was really like working with (and turning down) Rick Rubin, his fun connection to Prince, and his internal battle with crippling agoraphobia and panic attacks on tour.

Whether you are an independent musician navigating the modern landscape of Soundcloud and AI or a fan of real, raw, road-worn music, this conversation explores what it truly means to protect your creative spirit at all costs.

💡 STUFF WE TALKED ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE:

• Turning down a million-dollar major label deal

• The truth about working with Rick Rubin (and the pitch-black Warner Bros meeting)

• How EMDR therapy helped Mason overcome agoraphobia

• The night Prince played air guitar to his songs at First Avenue

• How AI, Soundcloud, and streaming are shifting the value of music

• The stories behind "Rebecca Deville" and his new album Dark Wings

Chapters:

00:00 – Why Mason Jennings turned down Rick Rubin

02:15 – The wild night Rick Rubin turned off the lights at Warner Bros

04:30 – Surviving crippling agoraphobia and panic attacks on tour

07:10 – The secret story behind "Rebecca Deville"

09:45 – When Prince watched Mason from the box seats

11:50 – How AI and Soundcloud are shifting the future of the music industry

-----

As a gift to listeners, Zach has curated 7 MUST LISTEN Mason Jennings songs here.

-----

Ben Fanning and Zach Schultz host Americana Curious, a podcast spotlighting the unsung heroes of Americana music. This show features deep-dive music interviews with legendary independent artists, uncovering the hard-earned lessons, songwriting secrets, and real-world struggles behind your favorite acoustic, folk, and rock-infused songs

👉 SUPPORT THE SHOW: Follow the show and rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a review on Apple to help more people discover the power of Americana #AmericanaMusic

#MasonJennings #RickRubin #Songwriting #IndependentArtist #MusicPodcast #AmericanaCurious #Prince

What can leaders learn from Bruce Springsteen?

A lot more than you might think.

In this special crossover episode from the Lead the Team podcast, Ben sits down with Andy Freed—CEO, author, and a devoted Springsteen fan who has attended nearly 100 Bruce Springsteen concerts.

Over the years, Andy noticed something remarkable: many of the leadership lessons taught in boardrooms are being demonstrated night after night on stage by Bruce and the E Street Band.

From how he acknowledges his band members to how he commands attention for three hours, Springsteen has built one of the most enduring cultures in music.

In this conversation, you'll hear:

1. Why Bruce makes every band member feel like the most important person in the room
2. The leadership lesson hidden in his end-of-show ritual
3. How great communicators think about their audience first
4. Why repetition is essential for leading change
5. What leaders can learn from Bruce's setlists, storytelling, and stage presence
6. How collective experiences create stronger teams and communities
7. Why intentionality may be the most underrated leadership skill

Whether you're a lifelong Springsteen fan, a music lover, or someone trying to lead people more effectively, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what it means to inspire others.