OUR FEATURED ARTISTS
We at the Desert Vibe Podcast have had the privilege of interviewing many local artists. Check them out below, and listen to their interviews!
Featured Artists
Maria Montagnini
April 23, 2026
Maria Montagnini is a singer, songwriter, business owner, and mother. Originally from the Appalachian foothills in south eastern Ohio, she began singing and playing guitar to folk, bluegrass, and celtic music. She developed her own style of Americana folk, inspired by today's Americana music greats - Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Wesley Goodwin, Colter Wall, and many more. Her band, Uncommon Crossroads, has toured throughout the Southwest. She's currently based in Arizona, where the country western music of the area influence her writing.
John Dixon
April 16, 2026
Johnny Dixon is an Arizona music historian and vinyl archivist who has spent years preserving the stories, sounds, and legacy of the state’s music scene. Through his work with the Arizona Music Archive, he highlights Arizona singers, bands, records, and studios from the 1950s through the 1980s, helping ensure this rich musical history is not forgotten.
Clarke Rigsby
April 9, 2026
Music is first at Tempest Recording. For over 40 years, musicians from all genres have relied on Clarke to produce successful, quality recordings. From jazz to country, classical to blues and everything in between, Clarke retains his reputation for being “musically militant.” Tech savvy engineering and production experience are invaluable assets in the recording process, but in the end, the music is first.
Sean Cooney
April 2, 2026
Sean Cooney is an award-winning music producer, recording engineer, and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans more than 100 studio albums. As owner of 3 Leaf Recording in Phoenix, Arizona, he is known for his technical precision, musician-first approach, and commitment to sonic authenticity. Drawing from his experience as both an engineer and recording musician, Sean helps artists shape records that feel polished, creative, and timeless. Through 3 Leaf Recording, he has built a trusted creative space for projects from tracking to final master.
Richard McDonald
March 26, 2026
Rich McDonald is the retired Executive Vice President and Chief Product Strategist of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, a member of the NAMM Board of Directors, and a recipient of the Music & Sound Retailer Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also the author of Rock Your Gig and Get Promoted, a book focused on career growth, personal differentiation, and building momentum in the music industry.
Nancy Elliott
March 20, 2026
Nancy Elliott is an Arizona singer-songwriter and author whose work blends music and storytelling through what she describes as “Southwestern Americana.” Her debut novel, Autumn’s On Its Way, grew from her song of the same name and brings the Arizona high country to life in a story shaped by resilience, landscape, and western heritage.
Bobbo Byrnes
March 12, 2026
Bobbo Byrnes is a California-born troubadour, author, and independent artist who has built his career the old-fashioned way — one mile, one song, and one story at a time. Blending folk, rock, and Americana, he’s toured relentlessly across the U.S. and Europe, earning a reputation as a sharp-witted storyteller with lived-in honesty, humor, and heart. For podcasts centered on creativity, resilience, independent artistry, or the real life behind the romance of the road, Bobbo brings hard-earned insight and unforgettable stories.
Ryan Eland
February 19, 2026
Ryan is a Tempe-based producer and scene-builder focused on creating live music experiences that feel effortless, warm, and community-first—where sound supports the song and anxiety goes quiet. Through Mill Music Sessions (and the broader Song Rush vision), he’s helped reignite post-lockdown energy by treating venues as “containers” for connection, bridging siloed sub-scenes with intentional lineups, hospitality, and dialed-in audio. With a practical, empathetic approach to dynamics, monitoring, and family-friendly volume, Ryan champions public-use spaces and flexible models that make live music more accessible, sustainable, and rooted in place.
Michael Swain
February 12, 2026
Michael Swain is an Arizona open mic host and community-builder who runs The Monastery, a sprawling 3.5-acre outdoor venue in Mesa featuring a monthly band showcase and a Wednesday night open mic. Known for a welcoming, “read-the-room” approach, he balances inclusivity with smart curation—keeping the vibe strong while making space for everything from beginners to seasoned veterans (and even the occasional pop-up wedding between sets). With a dialed-in backline and fast, respectful changeovers, Swain turns a simple open mic into a living blueprint for how local music scenes are actually built.
Old Town Love
February 5, 2026
OLD TOWN LOVE is an Arizona-based husband-and-wife songwriting duo crafting soulful, acoustic-driven music rooted in authenticity and emotional storytelling. Led by Julianne’s expressive vocals and multi-instrumental depth alongside Dennis’ signature cajón rhythms, the pair creates warm, cinematic songs that resonate with depth and intention. Their single “Get This Groove” earned 1st place in the R&B category of the 2025 USA Songwriting Competition, marking their rise as award-winning writers. Focused on catalog building, publishing, sync, and select live performances, OLD TOWN LOVE continues to create music designed for meaningful moments in film, TV, and real life.
Jamirae
January 29, 2026
With a commanding Southern-rock presence, Jamirae leads The Blindsiders and has shared stages with icons including George Jones, Steve Martin, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, ZZ Top, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, and many more. A driving force in Arizona’s music community, she produces events, collaborates with venues, and uplifts local talent. On The Desert Vibe Podcast, she delivers a powerful blend of artist insight, industry experience, and an unwavering commitment to celebrating the creative spirit of the Valley.
Annie Moscow
January 15, 2026
Annie Moscow is a Phoenix, Arizona-based singer-songwriter known for her diverse, narrative-driven music, often compared to artists like Carole King and Billy Joel, with a strong connection to Arizona through her music (like the Arizona Humane Society theme) and her work with the Arizona Commission on the Arts. She's released several CDs, including her recent "Land of Dreams," blending pop, folk, and rock, and has written songs for Disney and films, showcasing her significant local and broader music presence.
Shawn Royer
January 8, 2026
Shawn Royer is a Phoenix, Arizona-based singer-songwriter, known for performing with his duo, Rhonda Jo & Shawn Royer, blending Pop, Country, Rock, Bluegrass, and Americana with powerful storytelling, often appearing on local platforms like AZ On The Rise and showcasing original music. He and Rhonda Jo Hitchcock-Mast focus on original songs, sharing stories with audiences and connecting through their unique musical blend.
Ed Heisler
December 19, 2025
Ever wondered how a guitar store becomes the heartbeat of a city block? We sit down with Ed Heisler of Black Mountain Guitar Company to trace the unlikely path from a COVID-era electronics business to a thriving Cave Creek destination where players gather, bands form, and music spills into the streets. What begins as a need for hands-on, real-wood shopping turns into a scene powered by weekly jams, mentorship, and a showroom that treats tone like a craft rather than a checkout button.
The Matthew Allen Project
December 4, 2025
On this episode of The Desert Vibe Podcast, we sit down with Matthew Allen of The Matthew Allen Project, one of the hardest-working independent artists in the Arizona music scene. If you care about musicians in Arizona, local community, and the power of songs to literally change a life, this one’s for you. Listen to the full episode to hear the whole story.
William Eaton
November 13, 2025
If you are a guitar fan, you must watch this! Master luthier William Eaton joins The Desert Vibe Podcast for a deep dive into the Arizona music scene, the origins of Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, and the desert-inspired craftsmanship that shaped thousands of musicians in Arizona and beyond. If you love handmade instruments, local Arizona bands, or the history behind great guitars, this episode is a must-listen.
Carrie Schnepf
October 30, 2025
We sit down with Carrie Schnepf to trace how a working farm became a music landmark, from early peach festivals to hosting Country Thunder and building stages on the fly. Expect hard truths about promoter economics, sweet backstage moments, and a clear case for why live music is the glue that holds great events together.
Walt Richardson
October 23, 2025
Walt Richardson (Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame) joins The Desert Vibe Podcast for a special co-host “guest” interview rooted in the Arizona music scene. Glenn Gardner and Jamirae (Jamie Ray) put Walt in the hot seat to talk about where his calm leadership style really comes from—growing up as the oldest of eight kids, moving around in a military family, and learning how to connect with people so they feel safe and heard.
Sal Cartagine
October 10, 2025
We sit down with Sal from The Chill Room to unpack how a no-alcohol, kava-forward venue is reshaping Arizona’s live music community. From Brooklyn roots and tribute-band craft to open mics that launch careers, we trace the systems, stories, and spirit behind a growing scene.
George & Georgia
October 2, 2025
Singer–songwriter duo George and Georgia join The Desert Vibe Podcast to talk about their journey through the Arizona music scene, life as musicians in Arizona, and how a spontaneous harmony at a Denver bourbon bar sparked a partnership that carried them all the way to Phoenix, AZ. This episode dives into the creative chemistry, influences, and community that shape their acoustic folk/Americana sound.
Bea Graves
September 11, 2025
We sit down with organizer and multi-instrumentalist B Graves to explore how a volunteer-powered folk festival grew from a few stages into a free, family-friendly cornerstone at a working dairy farm. Along the way we share booking tips, hidden Valley venues, and why community keeps this scene alive.
Rhonda Hitchcock-Mast (Rhonda Joe)
September 4, 2025
A legendary room, a fresh start, and a reminder that local stages can change a life. We shine a light on Phoenix’s Rebel Lounge—once the Mason Jar—and its Summer Heat Series while welcoming Hall of Fame honoree Rhonda Joe to share how grit, community, and collaboration carried her from cover sets to a decade of originals ready to see daylight. From hauling gear for weekly showcases to championing women songwriters valley-wide, her story is a blueprint for how scenes grow when we build them together.
Cowboy Wrecks
August 29, 2025
The desert has a way of stripping a song down to what’s honest, and that’s exactly where we go with our guest, Cowboy Wrecks. We dive into the difference between Western and country, the power of listening rooms that champion original music, and how a melody can pull images into focus until the lyric finally tells the truth. Along the way, Wrecks performs two standouts—Heat of the Road and Raggedy Ann—offering a lived-in portrait of persistence, longing, and the landscapes that shape both.