Hello everyone! Hope all is well with all who are listening.

I am accused many times of being too sentimental, but I can’t help it sometimes.

Right now, the Seniors at UGA are getting ready for Graduation! They are everywhere taking pictures under the famous “Arches” and many other landmarks on campus. I love watching this happening every year for several reasons.

1. It reminds me of my days at Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas.

2. They are about to embark of the rest of their lives. I have nothing but hope for each and every one of them, even with the times the way they are. I do believe it will get better.

3. As much as I like it, it is nicer without them for a while. Us townies as we are called get a short respite from the hustle and bustle during the school year.

All of this leads to a very special episode for AthCastMusic’s Podcast.

I had David Barbe on my last podcast and now I’m going to be talking to the students under David’s MBUS tutelage. These students including my intern Raya Ackleh, will each be talking about their project. They have performed them here in Athens in the last two days. The first time was at international day. And once again yesterday. I unfortunately couldn’t make either performance since I had some previous obligations.

I was so excited to speak with them and see if the future looks bright enough to wear shades!

This is my conversation with these great minded students from the Music Business Certificate Program at UGA. .

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON 5: EPISODE: 58

LENGTH: 1:05.56

PUBLISHED: April 30, 2026

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MBUS INTERN : RAYA ACKLEH

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS:

Tobey Barden

Zac Mihalko

Pluto (former Patriot) Mckee

Twiggy ( Daniel Majd)

Guy Mayer

Sky Ciela (Smith)

Raya Ackleh

Aslin Ward

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

PHOTOS BY:

PRODUCER: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

EMAIL: marlene@athcastmusic.com

INSTAGRAM: AthCastMusic

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. On many of the podcast platforms

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

David Barbe grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended Ridgeview High School and began playing in bands during the 1970s. Barbe’s parents were influential in his love as music as both his parents, John and Jane Barbe were big band musicians as well as creating Jingles.

David Barbe arrived in Athens, Georgia in 1981 to attend the University of Georgia, and stepped straight into a music scene that would help shape his entire life.

The move to Athens quickly found Barbe immersed in the creative energy of the music in Athens—playing with local punk bands like Bar-B-Que Killers, Mercyland and later Buzz Hungry . When Mercyland disbanded in 1991, Barbe didn’t slow down. While taking the lead in Buzz Hungry, he caught the attention of Bob Mould from the band Husker Du and joined his band Sugar, a band that was part of an explosion of indie alternative rock, helping to shape Sugar’s evolving sound before departing in 1995. Years later, that musical connection would come full circle with a reunion performance at the Treasure Island Music Festival in 2009.

But one of the most defining turns in Barbe’s story happened behind the scenes. A call from John Keane opened the door to studio work—and a whole new creative path. Under Keane’s mentorship, Barbe mastered the art of production and engineering, laying the foundation for what would become an extraordinary part of his life, losing count of up to 400 albums he has produced, mixed or engineered.

In 1997, he co-founded Chase Park Transduction in Athens, a studio that would become a cornerstone of the city’s music legacy. From there, Barbe went on to produce hundreds of records—working with artists like Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter, The Glands, Amy Ray, k.d. lang, and R.E.M.. Somewhere along the way, the number of albums he’s worked on climbed into the hundreds—so many, he’s stopped counting.

And as if that weren’t enough, Barbe continues to shape the next generation of artists as director of the Music Business Certificate Program at the University of Georgia—bringing his journey full circle, right back to where it all began.

Barbe, a firm believer of family first — and his wife, Amy, have three children — a daughter and 2 sons. . He is a past president of the Athens-Clarke County Little League baseball league and has managed his sons' all-star teams to several city championships.

Barbe’s name has been equated as one of the best producers in Athens, attracting bands from all over. He has been a stronghold for musicians here for a long time and I don’t see him stopping any time soon.

Barbe gave me the opportunity to ask him about things he doesn’t necessarily get a chance to answer often. Here is me, talking to David Barbe.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 57

LENGTH: :55

PUBLISHED: April 16, 2026

UPDATED WEEKLY ON THURSDAY’s or Fridays

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com

Produced by Marlene Sokol Stewart

Photos and Camera: Raya Ackleh

Contact for David Barbe:

dbarbe@uga.edu

Email: marlene@athcastmusic.com

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ATHCASTMUSIC WHERE YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS.

REMEMBER, “IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR.”

Welcome to AthCastMusic, the music of Athens,

Georgia now and then. My name is Marlene Sokol

Stewart, and this is my podcast. Hello, hello,

hello, everyone. I hope everyone's doing well.

It's been crazy flying around this country with

the TSA crap going on, but... We made it back

to Athens fine and I made it here to record this

episode and I'm very happy about that because

my guest today is Randall Bramblett and he is

a fine, fine musician and an Athenian still as

he moved here in 1970. And he's still here. My

conversation was great. It was just great. Randall

Bramblett is a singer, songwriter, and multi - instrumentalist,

born in Jesup, Georgia, but based in Athens,

Georgia. His music is rooted in south funk, blues,

R &B, psychedelic punk, jazz, and wherever the

hell else he wants to go. His music spans a career

of solo work, collaborations, and being the leader

of the band. He played with the Allman Brothers,

Steve Winwood, Bonnie Raitt, Sea Level, Widespread

Panic, Levon Helm, the Atlanta Rhythm section,

Delbert McClinton, Betty LeVette, you name it.

Because there's just too many people to list.

It really is phenomenal what this man has accomplished.

He went to UNC with the intent to major in psychology

and to join the seminary. But that was not to

be after hearing artists like James Taylor, Carole

King, and Bob Dylan and thinking, you know what,

I probably could do this. Once he abandoned that

pathway, he moved to Athens to write songs and

see how it would carry him. It led to much more

than songwriting. It led to a plethora of creativity

that couldn't be stopped. His music continues

to grow like grapes on a vine, always tasting

different and always depending on the weather.

He probably says yes, too many times and plays

wherever time will take him. We talked about

beginning his music, when he went to UNC, how

he got involved with Sea Level, Steve Winwood

and some of these other artists and just how

his life has been since he started this wonderful

journey. So here is my lovely conversation

with Randall Bramblett.

WELCOME TO ATHCASTMUSIC THE MUSIC OF ATHENS GEORGIA NOW AND THEN.

I’M MARLENE SOKOL STEWART AND THIS IS MY PODCAST

UGA’S SPRING BREAK IS THIS WEEK. IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE QUIETER, LESS TRAFFIC, EASIER TO GET INTO RESTAURANTS AND TIME FOR THE TOWNIES TO TAKE A BREATH.

BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU, ATHENS IS NOT TAKING A SPRING BREAK. THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO HERE THIS WEEK. MUSIC EVERYWHERE, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE EVENTS. IT TRULY A SPECTACULAR AND INTERESTING ARRAY OF THINGS TO DO IN OUR FINE CITY.

AND SPEAKING OF THIS FINE CITY, I HAVE A VERY FINE GUEST TODAY. HE WEARS MANY HATS AND IS A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR OF HISTORY, MUSIC AND A SOMEONE WHO GIVES TO THE COMMUNITY IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. HE’S A LIFELONG MUSICIAN, OWNER OF THE FORMER LABEL AND VINYL PRESSING PLANT KINDERCORE .AS THE UGA

MY GUEST TODAY IS RYAN LEWIS, CURRENTLY THE GEORGIA MUSIC CURATOR FOR THE UGA SPECIAL COLLECTION LIBRARY.

HE RECENTLY WED NOELLE SHUCK OF SHE HE HE IN A VERY UNIQUE AND TOTALLY ATHENS WEDDING. HE HAS CONTRIBUTED MANY ARTIFCATS FOR THE NEW AIKENS FORD ARENA. LEWIS IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING THE MUSIC HISTORY OF GEORGIA BY PRESSENTING HISTORICAL ARTIFCACTS ANY WAY HE CAN. WHETHER IT BE ARTIFACTS SUCH AS CLOTHING, ART OR SPECIAL MEMORABILLIA AND MUCH MORE.

RYAN STOPPED INTO TWEED RECORDING TODAY TO TALK ABOUT HIS LIFE HERE IN ATHENS, HOW MUCH HIS JOB MEANS TO HIM AND HOW EVERYTHING IS A FAMILY AFFAIR NOW.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 55

LENGTH: 58.48

PUBLISHED: 3/19/2026

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS ( and some Fridays!)

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

PHOTOS BY: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

PRODUCER: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

EMAIL: marlene@athcastmusic.com

INSTAGRAM: AthCastMusic

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

CONTACT FOR RYAN LEWIS: RyanLewis@uga.edu

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world.

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Seth Hendershot is simply one of the best Athenian's I know! He's funny. He's in love with Coffee. It is why his business is so wonderful.. All employees love to serve you coffee and they have really good beignets . They're freaking delicious. He had a lot to say about how he got here , growing up in a very religious family and how it turned out to teach him lots of things later in life, He also talked about why he opened Hendershot's and what he's doing to day and what are some of his visions in the future.

This is my conversation with Seth Hendershot which includes a very BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 54

LENGTH: 40:12

PUBLISHED: FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS (AND SOMETIMES FRIDAY'S)

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

SETH HENDERSHOT CONTACT:

IG: SEFFROHENDO

FACEBOOK: HENDERSHOT'S

PHOTOS BY: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

PRODUCER: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

EMAIL: marlene@athcastmusic.com

INSTAGRAM: AthCastMusic

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

Also, downloading my episodes give me more coverage in the Social Media world.

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Welcome back to AthCastMusic. I’m Marlene Sokol Stewart and this is my Podcast. Today’s episode is a really special one for me. My guest is someone I don’t just admire, but someone I genuinely call a friend.

Lisa Mende is one of those people in Athens you don’t forget the first time you see her. In fact, when I first spotted her around town, I remember thinking, Who the f— is that? The hair, the clothes, the creative presence that made me wish I were just a little braver in my own wardrobe choices.

But what really began our friendship wasn’t the fashion. It was a conversation we had at one of those classic, infamous Athens parties. We started talking about being Jewish in the South, about living in Athens, about the special community of Athens, GA.

Lisa is open arms to her community and friends. Not feeling well, I left another one of those parties. Lisa looked at me and said, very firmly, “You better call me if you’re in the hospital.” I did in fact end up in the hospital and within an hour, Lisa and her husband Michael were there, plant in hand, love in tow. I still have that plant. I’ll never forget that kindness.

Now, if you recognize Lisa beyond Athens, there’s probably a reason. She’s part of television history as the unforgettable Carol on Seinfeld. If you're a real Seinfeld fan you know the words, , “Jerry, you’ve got to see the bay-bee!” a line that die-hard fans still absolutely lose their minds over. But that’s just one chapter.

Lisa has worked in film, television, and comedy, appearing in movies like Hollywood Shuffle, Scrooged, Nothing to Lose, The Five Heartbeats, and Honey, I Blew Up the Kids. She started out in stand-up comedy, running in the same circles as Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David.

Eventually, Lisa made the bold decision to leave Hollywood behind to give her daughter a more grounded life—and Athens, Georgia became home. And true to form, she didn’t just move here… she took Athens by storm.

She founded the Circle Ensemble Theatre, emcees just about everything in town, and created the non-profit Artist2Artist, that supports underserved members of our community through fundraising and performance.

And at the heart of it all is her family.

This conversation is funny, heartfelt and nostalgic.

I’m so happy to finally have Lisa Mende on AthCastMusic.

Let’s get into it.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE:

LENGTH: 41.09

PUBLISHED: February 19, 2026

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS (some Fridays)

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

UGA MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

Photos by Marlene Sokol Stewart

Producer: Marlene Sokol Stewart

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

marlene@athcastmusic.com

Instagram: AthCastMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

IG: ATHCASTMUSIC

LISA MENDE INFO:

IG: lisa_mende_actor.

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

REMEMBER,

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Welcome to AthCastMusic. The Music of Athens, GA Now and Then.

My name is Marlene Sokol Stewart and this is my Podcast.

Today's guests are members of a fairly new band called Yumbo Tron.

We have accomplished Athens musicians with us today Phil Kohnen is a member of Bichos Vivos, Klezmer Local 42, The Donor Party and one L. Along with Phil, some of the members of Yumbo Tron are here to talk about this new project; how it came to fruition, what they hope to do after a year of being together, and what the future looks like.

YUMBO TRON MEMBERS ARE:

Gregory Sanders (Pylon Reenactment Society (PRS) Percussionist

Philip Kohnen (Bicho’s Vivos, Klezmer local 42) lead electric guitar.

Brent Hedrick: (Bongo’s and Percussion):

(Not present on Podcast)

DAVID SPIVEY (Bass Guitar)

(Not present on Podcast)

Sarah Zúñiga (vocals and Percussionist)

Adriana Thomas : (Percussion, Vocalist)

(Not present on Podcast)

Michael Merva: (Rhythm Guitar):

Oliver Domingo: (steps in on Keyboard)

Be sure to listen to this funny, loving and very passionate conversation with Philip, Gregory Sara and Brent to the end to hear their song "Carñitas."

Warning: Yumbo Tron May Cause Spontaneous Dancing” wherever you are!

Here is my conversation with some of the members of Yumbo Tron.

AthCastMusic (©): The Music of Athens Georgia, Now and Then

SEASON: 5 EPISODE: 52

LENGTH: 55:30

PUBLISHED: Friday. Feb 6, 2026

UPDATED BI - WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS (and some Fridays)

ENGINEER: KAYLA DOVER

MUSIC BUSINESS SCHOOL INTERN: RAYLA ACKLEH

RECORDED AT TWEED RECORDING AUDIO PRODUCTION SCHOOL

https://tweedrecording.com (https://tweedrecording.com/)

PHOTOS BY: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

PRODUCER: MARLENE SOKOL STEWART

CONTACT FOR ATHCASTMUSIC:

EMAIL: marlene@athcastmusic.com

INSTAGRAM: AthCastMusic

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550294283019

YOUTUBE CHANNEL: AthCastMusic. @MarleneSokolStewart-12

YUMBO TRON INFO:

IG: @yumbotrocumbia

FB: https://www.facebook.com/p/YumboTron-Cumbia-61570850451514/

Thank you for listening to AthCastMusic. Kindly give a review, follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite listening site.

PLEASE DOWNLOAD MY EPISODES TO SHARE OR FOLLOW OR GIVE A REVIEW OR COMMENT ON MY POSTS

“IF YOU DON’T LISTEN, YOU CAN’T HEAR!”

Welcome back to AthCastMusic. My name is Marlene Sokol Stewart, and this is my Podcast.

Today’s Episode is about one of those stories that feels like the ghost of Athens past. The people. The places, the timing, and the music that couldn’t have happened anywhere else.

Our guest Bob Hay grew up right in the middle of the musical explosion of the ‘60’s, learning guitar after the Beatles changed everything. Like so many of that generations, it started with Bob listening to bands and musicians like the Animals, Simon and Garfunkel, Donovan, Don McLean, Rick Derringer and then slowly realizing that writing your own songs was actually easier than trying to perfectly play someone else’s.

High school bands, college years, teaching for a bit, working whatever jobs paid the bills, even time spent at a lobster restaurant in Maine, started Bob down the long and winding road. By the late ‘70’s, Athens was funky, cheap and wide open. Empty buildings, a brand new mall pulling business away from downtown, and just enough creative chaos for something special to grow.

A conversation with Ken Starratt in the fall of ’77, and one January in Athens was all it took to know this was home. Bob worked at the Eldorado vegetarian restaurant among other odd jobs. Listening to bands on Athens WEOG, and concerts at the 40 Watt, created a perfect storm for Bon and what was rambling in his mind.

After hitchhiking across the country, stopping at the Grateful Dead’s 15thAnniversary, and coming back to Athens, the songs poured out; dozens of them written not just for one person, but for a band that didn’t exist yet.

After talking with his friend Ken Starratt and a few other musicians, The Squalls became the band those songs were waiting for. Over 60 shows at the 40 Watt, a music scene taking shape, Jim Hawkins (yes, the same Jim Hawkins who played with the Embers and backed Otis Redding) producing the first record cemented Bob Hay and the Squalls as a vital part of Athens’ music explosion in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Not to mention their songs being featured in the infamous film “Inside/Out which was a pretty big deal, too. .

This episode, like all of the other AthCastMusic’s 50 episodes isn’t just about one band or one songwriter. It’s about the people who were there before Athens was famous for being Athens and the ones who helped build the foundation that everything else stands on.

So, settle in! This is going to be a good one!

Here is my conversation with Bob Hay.