Groove Lab

Her songs are crafted with rich imagery and a hint of nostalgia. Her voice is moving and intense. Often standing alone on a large stage with just a baby blue telecaster and some nervous banter, Leah Lawson’s presence captivates.

Growing up in Florida, Lawson was homeschooled throughout her formative years and raised in a sheltered, evangelical Christian home. Music became Lawson’s conduit to reckon with her religious trauma and faith deconstruction, in addition to the universal feelings of longing, loss, and love we all share.

The raw, intimate, and candid way Lawson writes makes you feel like you’re overhearing an intimate conversation between close friends. With her delicate vocals accompanied by her folky guitar stylings Lawson transports the listener to a place of comfort; like a trusted confidant simply responding, “Me, too.”

“I think when you grow up the way I did, immersed in the evangelical church, and then you decide to leave that life behind, it can feel really isolating and people may not understand,” says Lawson. “I want others to feel validated in that it’s okay to explore life beyond what you were taught and what you used to believe. I want people to know they aren’t alone and it’s okay to be honest with yourself.”

After spending several years living in Nashville, TN, Lawson is currently residing in Asheville, NC, and preparing to release her debut album, Flood House. The album was recorded at Way Out Studios in Seattle, WA, and produced by Trevor Spencer. Flood House will be released on September 16, 2022, and available for streaming/download on all major music platforms. Follow @lllawson on social media for all of the most up-to-date info and latest releases!

Pop/Soul Singer-Songwriter, Rachel Burns, is a multi-talented Washington DC-based artist who is inspired by iconic singers and entertainers such as Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, and the like. Writing songs that combine life’s humor and heartbreak, Burns infuses the influences of blues, country, and jazz with a theatrical twist in her original music. 

Based out of South Florida, Attorney and Educator, Roger Notario, represents independent artists and brands globally through his firm, Music’s Favorite Law Firm, and provides content to artists though his production and educational company, Apollo’s Counsel. https://apolloscounsel.com

Thank you to our sponsors, Kyser Musical Products!

Bryard (bree-yard) Huggins is a composer, record producer, and contemporary jazz piano

recording artist from Nashville, TN. He is also founder/CEO of Muse Entertainment, a music

production company and indie record label. In addition, he tours with the Empress of Soul

Gladys Knight as her featured guest artist. Bryard stumbled upon his God-given musical gift at

the age of 4 and composed his first song at the age of 6. A former child prodigy with a gifted ear

for music, now 27, he has released 5 studio jazz albums, 1 instrumental gospel album, and

various singles. Through his company Muse Entertainment, Bryard composes and produces

musical content for diverse clientele nationwide, in the styles of film/TV, commercials, music for

podcasts, stage plays, and more. He also develops and mentors aspiring musical artists, helping

them gain knowledge, the portfolio, and the experience of the recorded music industry. Bryard

holds a bachelor’s degree in commercial music production from College-Conservatory of Music,

University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree in music business from Frost School of Music,

University of Miami. He is a member of Nashville’s National Museum of African American

Music’s (NMAAM) emerging artists series and has performed as a featured artist at the Ryman

Auditorium, the Walt Disney Theatre, London’s Royal Albert Hall, and more. Bryard is

currently based in Los Angeles, CA.

Website: www.bryardhuggins.com

IG @bryardofficial 

With charisma to match the images she produces, Kaylee Steffel is on the rise as  one of the most in-demand photographers on the Nashville music scene. For Steffel, creativity has always been the outlet. However, she vividly remembers  the first show that sparked her interest in live photography. “Carrie Underwood.  The Play On Tour. She was circling the crowd in a blue truck, swinging on a swing.  It was magical,” the 27-year-old says. Cutting her teeth photographing intimate country shows as well as high-energy  festivals and artists in Ohio and surrounding states, she wanted more of those  moments. After university, she headed into the corporate world working for a Fortune 500  company, but didn’t see a lifetime career. “I knew I wouldn’t be happy without  giving it a shot at touring and creating in the music space full-time.” In November  2019, Steffel took the leap after years of waiting and relocated to Nashville, TN. By January 2020, she had a published photo of award-winning artist, Rhonda  Funk, in the Nugget Newspaper (Sisters, OR.) — a career first. Unfortunately as  her career was hitting a stride, the world shut down. Navigating this proved  difficult; however, she pivoted into portraiture and content creating for influence  marketers. Originally capturing Country artists exclusively, Steffel has expanded into a wide  array of genres including Rap and Pop-Rock. This proved fruitful for her as she  found her work getting placements in publications far and wide with Pop-Rock’s  Eddie and The Getaway and Pop singer-songwriter, Cassandra. Currently, the Nashville-based creative works as the live photographer for country  artist, Ashley Barron, as well as rapper, Hew G., along with creating for a variety of  artists across the music spectrum. Thank you to our Sponsor Kyser Musical Products

Lauren & Jeff welcome Minnie Murphy into the Groove Lab to discuss her new single, "Get Over It". 

Minnie Murphy was born with music in her DNA. Raised in a musical family, father Jimmy Murphy, a guitarist, mother Patricia Murphy, a piano player,
and she’s a half-sister to early-2000s country staple, Jamie O’Neal. Murphy voyaged across the country with her father to Nashville, where she had the opportunity to write songs with some of the industry’s finest and record a handful of them at the mere age of 16. She has also performed on stages like the Grand Ole Opry and The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, to weekly jobs playing piano and singing cover songs with some of her originals mixed in at Maggiano’s and Sambuca in Nashville. For over a decade, she has been in Nashville, working as a writer and recording demos. Minnie’s new single, “Get Over It,” is reflective and delivers a potent mix of classic traditional country along with her unique musical ability to bring passion and real deal emotion to life, both vocally or instrumentally. Her new LP, Evergreen, is due out later in 2021.

Lauren & Jeff welcome country duo Carolina Pine into the Groove Lab to talk about their new music, and what it was like touring with Alan Jackson. 

Lauren & Jeff welcome Bridget Rian into the Groove Lab to talk all about her new EP and her love of sad songs.

The debut EP from Bridget Rian, Talking to Ghosts, is a delicate, dark and intricate collection of stories rooted in the bittersweet honesty about the fragile human condition. Exploring themes of mortality, loss, and nostalgia, the New York-raised singer-songwriter brings profound comfort to the listener with her ethereal vocals and contemplative storytelling.

“I wanted to name the EP Talking to Ghosts because in every song I am either talking to someone who has died, my past self, or talking about ghosts,” says Rian. “There are also some old, interesting family stories about me as a baby talking to ghosts… so it’s a topic close to my heart.”

​Sign up for her newsletter at https://www.bridgetrian.com

Lauren & Jeff welcome East Texas singer/songwriter Jenn Ford into the Groove Lab. Jenn has been singing her entire life.  Born and raised in East Texas, Jenn first started performing in church, school choir and marching band. She attended college as a vocal music major and was a member of several select groups and ensembles, before joining the US Army. During her time with the Military Police, Jenn was selected to tour with The United States Army Soldier Show, the 62nd Army Band; and eventually assigned to The United States Army Europe Band and Chorus.

​Jenn's experience includes radio, television, and stage production, all while pursuing her career as a singer-songwriter. A vast range of musical influences from Patsy Cline to Credence Clearwater Revival to ZZ Top, gives Jenn the diversity to entertain a wide range of audiences.

​Listen to her music at @ www.JennFord.com

Today we welcomed Lee Mathis into the Groove Lab. Lee is the lead singer of Lee Mathis & The Brutally Handsome, an outlaw country band from East Texas. We talked all about how he got his start in music, his incredible band, and asked the very important question... *Who is Otis?* www.leemathis.com

Welcome friends! Season 2 of Groove Lab has officially begun! 

Today, Lauren and Jeff welcome Kelly Barber into the Groove Lab. Kelly is the owner and operator of Action Sound - one of the coolest music stores in all of Texas. Kelly tells us all about how he got his start, his relationship with guitars, and his philosophy on running a music store where everyone feels welcome. Check out the store in person in Hawkins, TX, or online at www.actionsoundmusic.com

We are so excited to be teaming up with Kyser Musical Products for Season 2! Kyser is a family owned and operated guitar accessories company, proudly made right here in East Texas, and globally recognized for their world famous quick change capos. Guaranteed with a lifetime warranty, Kyser capos are ready for whatever the road throws at them! They've got a variety of colors, patterns, and styles to suit every player and every personality. No matter where you are in your musical journey, there's a Kyser capo for you. Go to www.KyserMusical.com and use our code GROOVE at checkout for 15% off your purchase!

Lauren talks with Nancy Giammarco about quarantine life, what to do if you’re ever locked inside of a night club in Finland (Use the margarita machine, duh), and why you should never ever mess with your sound woman. Check out Nancy’s new book Under The Purple Sea: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G18C6V2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rYNoFbA4CC2B2