According to ListenNotes, Journey to the Stage ranks in the top 5% of podcasts globally. Thank you for listening!
Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier
Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier
Every artist has a story. Every story has a beginning. Journey to the Stage explores the winding pathways traveled by musicians, artists and songwriters, to gain insight into the music that has shaped who they are and the music they make. We highlight current projects by artists across genres, but always start our journey at the beginning.
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Journey to the Stage with Bryan Frazier

-Conversations with musical Icons and Indies-

Across genres. Across styles. Across eras.
Journey to the Stage explores the winding pathways traveled by musicians, artists, composers, and songwriters. We highlight current projects by our guests, but always start our journey at the beginning.

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Recent Episodes

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Ep 94: Peter Case- Singer, Songwriter
94
June 22, 2026

Ep 94: Peter Case- Singer, Songwriter

When the Plimsouls song “Million Miles Away” was featured on the Valley Girl movie soundtrack, it brought the band national attention with a song that helps define a generation. Peter Case, one of the founding members of the Plimsouls, continued to write great songs and developed a solo career marked with great story telling, honesty, and a no-frills approach to music. Peter has a BRAND NEW live album out "Live at McCabe's" and it is incredible! We spennd much our talking about the album but ven
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Ep. 93: Grant Batson- Pipe maker, carpenter, farmer
93
May 26, 2026

Ep. 93: Grant Batson- Pipe maker, carpenter, farmer

Grant Batson is a true artist. He is a musician, songwriter, carpenter, farmer and gifted pipe maker. In a deviation from my typical purely musical guest, Grant and I sat down on a recent afternoon to talk about the art and process of making a smoking pipe by hand. Over our respective favorite tobaccos, Grant and I discussed the ins and out of pipe making, and ventured into other topics like fatherhood, slowing down, pipe culture, and a couple of mutual friends in Phil Keaggy and Malcolm Guite.
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Ep. 92: Andrew Peterson- Singer, songwriter, author
92
April 20, 2026

Ep. 92: Andrew Peterson- Singer, songwriter, author

On a beautiful Spring afternoon, Andrew Peterson hopped of his riding mower, took a break from tending to his homestead in Nashville, and sat down with me for a wonderful conversation about life and songs, Christ and gardening, novels and Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Rabbit Room and Wendell Berry, clarity and mystery in music, and many other topics. Andrew is a multi-faceted artist who is a singer-songwriter, author, and founder of The Rabbit Room, a ministry that fosters the creative arts within
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Ep. 91: The End of America
91
March 3, 2026

Ep. 91: The End of America

The End of America is an incredibly talented trio who No Depression Magazine says is making the best 3-part harmony since Crosby, Still & Nash. These three artists make music individually under their own names, but something magical happens when they weave their voices together in rich and mesmerizing harmony. With a name derived from a Jack Kerouak poem which means going to the edge, to the end of something, Brendon, James and Trevor are proving that indie bands are making some of the best and
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Ep. 90: Hunter James and the Titanic
90
Feb. 16, 2026

Ep. 90: Hunter James and the Titanic

Hunter James of Hunter James and the Titanic and I had a wonderful conversation of his musical journey, along with his band that is creating some of the best indie music today. The band has captured the sound and soul of Laural Canyon where arguably the richest music in American music history was created. Not only do we dig into song discussion and writing, we listen to some of the great music Hunter and his band is making. A big thank you to Hunter for granting permission to include some music!
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Ep. 89: Petra Vocalist John Schlitt
89
Feb. 2, 2026

Ep. 89: Petra Vocalist John Schlitt

Petra is BACK and so is John Schlitt! John sits down with Journey to the Stage to chat about Petra's BRAND NEW album "Hope," their first in over 20 years. John shares about how the idea of the album came about and how it was shaped in the studio. We discuss specific songs and John shares which is his favorite. The reception and Billboard charting, along with the bands plans were among the many other topics we dug into. This is a great chat that end with a game that challenges John's memory of Pe
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Ep. 88: The Afters vocalist, Josh Havens
88
Jan. 19, 2026

Ep. 88: The Afters vocalist, Josh Havens

And we're BACK! After a bit of a break I am extatic to be back hosting the podcast that I love! I cannot imagine a better interview to kick things off with again than with this really great chat that I had with Josh Havens, vocalist and songwriter for The Afters. Two friends met while working as baristas in a Starbucks. They soon discovered some great commonalities- faith, a love for music, and a desire to make music. Soon thereafter, The Afters were born. Since that time, the band has written s
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Ep. 87: Sean McConnell- Singer, songwriter, producer
87
May 12, 2025

Ep. 87: Sean McConnell- Singer, songwriter, producer

Sean McConnell is a wonderfully gifted artist. His songs have been sung by artists like Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Christina Aguilera, Buddy Miller, Rascal Flatts, Plain White T's, Brad Paisley, and others. Behind the songs recorded by these artists, is an songcrafter who is deeply thoughtful and introspective. Combined with his talents, these traits create songs that resonate to the heart and soul, and bring about great interviews. Sean and I discuss his brilliant new album, "Skin," and so mu
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Ep. 86: The Rick Florian Interview. Part 2
86
April 28, 2025

Ep. 86: The Rick Florian Interview. Part 2

In this second and final segment of my interview with White Heart vocalist, Rick, Ric, Rikk, Riq, Ricke, Rhic, Rikcq, Ricque Florian we dig into how the band would painstakingly polish their songs before heading to the studio, and the time Rick didn't want to sing a line from a huge White Heart song. Rick and I talked about how he went from driving a truck for a Michael W. Smith tour to trying out for the band, aided by his friendship with his college buddy, Geoff Moore. We covered other topics
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Ep. 85: White Heart singer Rick Florian (Mark Gersmehl surprise appearance!) Part 1
85
April 14, 2025

Ep. 85: White Heart singer Rick Florian (Mark Gersmehl surprise appearance!) Part 1

I began listening to White Heart in about 1986, nearly 40 years ago. There is much to love about them. As a fan of well written songs, White Heart has always been in the upper echelon for me. Add top notch musicianship, arranging and production, lyrics that truly touched my soul—add the voice of my guest today, and it’s easy to see why this band meant and means so much to me and so many others. Rick Florian was the lead vocalist for White Heart for 12 years, 8 albums, helped the band reach their
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Ep. 84: The Fernando Ortega Interview
84
March 17, 2025

Ep. 84: The Fernando Ortega Interview

For decades Fernando Ortega has written and recorded songs and hymns that are filled with profound spiritual truths, great doctrine, that are arranged in beauty and sung with authenticity. I had the pleasure of chatting with Fernando on a Spring afternoon to talk about his latest EP, "For All the Saints," which is a collection of wonderful songs that are congregational in composition and arrangement. What I most loved about my time in conversation with Fernando, was getting to know him. I found
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Ep. 83: Pure Prairie League's Mike Reilly
83
March 3, 2025

Ep. 83: Pure Prairie League's Mike Reilly

Pure Prairie League, along with bands like The Eagles, helped create the Country/Rock blend that launched in the early 1970s. Along with the genre defining hit, "Aimee," Pure Prairie League has cemented its legacy by creating a catalogue of music that has stood the test of time and has built an immensely loyal fan base. PPL is back with its first new album in 20 years with "Back on Track," and it is one heck of an album. It was a real pleasure to sit down with Pure Prairie League's, Mike Reilly,
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Ep. 82: Jesse Terry- singer/songwriter
82
Feb. 17, 2025

Ep. 82: Jesse Terry- singer/songwriter

Jesse Terry is one of those artists that stopped me in my tracks. From the first time I played his new album, "Arcadia," I knew I had stumbled upon a very special artist. Jesse's songwriting is simply incredible- both melodically and lyrically. Add to those things a voice that is beautiful, and you have truly found something special. It was a pleasure to chat one lovely afternoon with Jesse as we talked about his journey as an artist and family man. During our chat we play a wonderful song from
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Ep. 81: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 2
81
Feb. 3, 2025

Ep. 81: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 2

There are interviews, and there are interviews. This is a conversation that I will never forget. In this concluding portion of my chat with Russ Taff, we pick up where we left off in part one, where I asked Russ if his 1987 self-titled album was a cry for help. These two episodes with Russ will go down as one of the most impactful interviews I've ever done. I am thankful for Russ' authenticity and fearlessness. It is a brave man who can open himself up to the world, but Russ' desire to help othe
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Ep. 80: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 1
80
Jan. 27, 2025

Ep. 80: Interview with Russ Taff pt. 1

No one in the world has a voice like Russ Taff. With 6 Grammys to his name and more Dove Awards than one could count, Russ has nothing left to prove in the world of music. With all of that success to stand on, Russ has recorded an album that is as real as it gets. "Cover Story" is raw, beautiful and powerful. Russ and I chatted for almost two hours late Fall 2024 as he began the final stages of producing his new album. What transpired was a conversation that was brutally honest, filled with stor
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Ep. 79: Burn the Jukebox
79
Dec. 30, 2024

Ep. 79: Burn the Jukebox

Burn the Jukebox have been burning up the internet for the last few years and have made a name for themselves by playing some of the best Rock and Pop songs of the past few decades. This group of highschoolers caught the attention of music lovers by rocking songs from everyone from Hendrix, to Journey to Lady Gaga. As now-seasoned musicians and artists, Burn the Jukebox is writing their own powerhouse and catchy songs that prove they are much more than a "cover band." In this fun interview, I sa
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Ep. 78: Phil Keaggy & Malcolm Guite discuss their new album!
78
Dec. 23, 2024

Ep. 78: Phil Keaggy & Malcolm Guite discuss their new album!

I had the pleasure of sitting with Phil Keaggy and Malcolm Guite and discuss their brand new collaborative album, Songs and Sonnets . This special album is filled with the masterful poetry of Malcolm Guite, whose recitations add life to the the words he penned. The beautiful music Phil Keaggy created for each poem doesn't act as a mere backdrop for the poem, but it helps to create the atmosphere for the spoken words and enhances the listener's experience. Songs and Sonnets is precisely the album
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Ep. 77: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 2
77
Dec. 9, 2024

Ep. 77: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 2

Bob Hartman is one of my heroes and it was a tremendous honor to conduct such an extensive interview with him. We begin part two of this interview talking about how Bob tracked down John Schlitt, which would lead to John joining the band. Bob and I discuss a wide variety of topics including songwriting, the very precarious early Schlitt years, the impact of Petra's ministry and so much more. The apex of the 90 minute interview comes near the end, where there is some breaking news in the Petra Wo
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Ep. 76: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 1
76
Nov. 25, 2024

Ep. 76: Interview with Petra legend, Bob Hartman pt. 1

In part one of this in-depth conversation with Petra founder, Bob Hartman, we talk about Bob's early influences and the guitarists that captured his attention as a young musician. Bob talks about his faith journey and the bands he played in before founding Petra. As we work our way through Petra's style adaptation, we dig into the challenges of writing for a new audience. Bob share some of the major struggles Petra endured over the years and how the band almost hung up their instruments at the e
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Ep. 75: The dB's (Peter Holsapple & Will Rigby)
75
Oct. 14, 2024

Ep. 75: The dB's (Peter Holsapple & Will Rigby)

The dB's may not be a household name in the mainstream of Rock, but for those that enjoy the alleyways and cul-de-sacs of popular music, The dB's stand with a handful of other bands that unintentionally helped start a new genre of music. In this conversation, I speak with Peter Holsapple and Will Rigby about their music journey, the re-release of their album 'Repercussion', and their experiences in the music industry over the decades. We discuss their unique sound, influences, connections with o
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Ep 74: Debby Campbell on the Life & Legacy of Glen Campbell
74
Sept. 30, 2024

Ep 74: Debby Campbell on the Life & Legacy of Glen Campbell

As the oldest daughter of Country superstar Glen Campbell, Debbie Campbell had a special insight into her father's life and journey in a way that no one else did. In this insightful conversation, Debbie talks about her life with her dad that included many days on tour. She helps us to see Glen when he was off stage, away from fans and away from the spotlight. We spend time chatting about how her dad would unwind, what he liked to do for fun, and how many of her favorite memories with Glen are th
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Ep. 73: Sara Horner on the Life & Legacy of James Horner
73
Sept. 16, 2024

Ep. 73: Sara Horner on the Life & Legacy of James Horner

James Horner composed music for over 160 films during the course of his remarkable career. Among his many works are music scores for some of the biggest films in Hollywood history, like Avatar and Titanic, and epic films such as Braveheart and Glory. But beyond all of the big movies; beyond the multiple Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes and countless other awards, was a quiet and private man who was quirky and complex. No one knew James better than his wife, Sara Horner. In this exclusive interview
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Ep. 72: The Bryan Duncan Interview pt. 2 (with Phil Keaggy surprise visit!)
72
Sept. 2, 2024

Ep. 72: The Bryan Duncan Interview pt. 2 (with Phil Keaggy surprise visit!)

In this final segment of my extensive interview with Grammy Award winning vocalist and songwriter, we wade into some deep waters. Bryan shares his thoughts as he looks back at the time when he was in the upper echelon of the CCM world. We discuss how Bryan felt like an outsider amongst most of his pears; there is a surprise guest appearance by the legendary Phil Keaggy that made both of us Bryans laugh, and much more. Thank you so much for tuning in. If you enjoyed this chat with Bryan, please s
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Ep. 71: The Bryan Duncan Interview part 1
71
Aug. 19, 2024

Ep. 71: The Bryan Duncan Interview part 1

Grammy Award winning songwriter and vocalist Bryan Duncan has had a 50+ year career that began in the Jesus Movement. His seminole group, The Sweet Comfort Band, helped launch modern CCM. After going solo in the mid 1980s, Bryan's soulful vocals, songwriting skills and fun personality, helped him to reach the upper echelon in the CCM world. In this in-depth two-part conversation, Bryan and I cover the earliest of days inside the Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa tent, all the way through to what he's do
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Ep. 70: Jenn Franklin- Singer/Songwriter
70
Aug. 5, 2024

Ep. 70: Jenn Franklin- Singer/Songwriter

Jenn Franklin is an indie artist that everyone needs to hear. Simply put, Jenn is one of the best indie songwriters and vocalists I have come across since I have been hosting Journey to the Stage. With a powerful voice trained in Rock bands, Jenn can bring a great sense of strength to a song. Along with that potency, Jenn has spent considerable time behind the piano crafting songs that are filled with vulnerability and contemplation, sung with a quiet passion. With her vocal ability paired with
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Recent Blog Posts

Why we all should support indie artists.
Jan. 4, 2023

Why we all should support indie artists.

Indie artists are independent musicians who produce and distribute their own music without being signed to a major record label. These artists often face a number of challenges in getting their music heard and appreciated by a wider audience. In tod…
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Journey to the Stage ranks in the TOP 10% of podcasts!!!
May 24, 2022

Journey to the Stage ranks in the TOP 10% of podcasts!!!

THANK YOU to everyone who has tuned in and told their friends about Journey to the Stage. We are fortunate enough to rank in the top 10% of all podcasts around the world in terms of popularity. That's pretty incredible and humbling. 
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Be my guest?
March 30, 2022

Be my guest?

Booking guests for a fairly new podcast is something that takes a great deal of persistence, hutzpah, and thick skin. I am not afraid to ask ANYONE on to my podcast. In fact, most people would laugh if they were to read the list of crossed out names…
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Reviews

Fabulous

"What a wonderful contribution to the music world. Love the spotlights, conversations & genuine love for music portrayed within each podcast. Brilliantly put together. Thank you !"

ChampionElite | Sept. 6, 2021

For all who love music

"Bryan Frazier gives music lovers a gift by zooming in on the lives, inspirations and and passions of todays artists. In listening to the conversations, one comes away with a better understanding that…"

Sean M. Cox | March 30, 2022

Off to a GREAT start

"I came across Journey to the Stage as I was searching in the Apple Podcast app and the name and logo caught my attention. I listened to the first episode and new I had found a really great podcast. B…"

Michelle Stevens-Miller | April 3, 2022

One of my favorites

"I really enjoy Journey to the Stage. I've listened to every episode and it's become one of my favorite podcasts. Great interviews and I've discovered lost of new music."

Marcel Garcia | April 7, 2022

For Music Lovers

"This is a really good podcast for people who love music. Good pace and I've learned a lot about songwriting, which has been helpful to me as a young writer. It's actually been really encouraging."

GP Linden | April 9, 2022

Great Interviewer

"I've seen many interviewers who interject too much of themselves in the interview and make it more about them. Bryan asks good questions and gives his guests room to answer. That's kinda refreshing."

Rene Bautista | April 10, 2022

Let’s the music speak

"One of my favorite music podcasts: I can’t express how many times I’ve listened to a podcast or watched a documentary that was more about the interviewer than about the artist/music. Bryan not only l…"

Eric | April 11, 2022

Thumbs up

"I'm a big fan of Wesley Stace/John Wesley Harding and have heard several interviews with him over the years. I just finished listening to the episode with Wesley on it and I think it's my favorite in…"

Bill Severson | April 11, 2022

Great new podcast

"This is one of my favorite new podcasts. Good interviews. Host seems real."

Wassabi Bobby | April 17, 2022

Five Star Podcast

"I'm a huge fan of the Foo Fighters and found Journey to the Stage when I was searching for an old interview with Jessey Greene and came across this podcast. Very well done. Good interviews and I like…"

Geri K. | April 28, 2022

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"Lots of 🌟🌟 for Bryan and his podcast. I don’t know what he was doing before he started Journey but he musta been doing some kind of interviews or something. He’s got a knack for conversation and bala…"

Lisa Kurshman | May 2, 2022

Very enjoyable

"I like this podcast a lot and enjoy getting to “know” the artists a little. A lot of the artists have given some sage advice and I’m glad Bryan asks them to do that. The host has a way to make his gu…"

Kellie W. | May 11, 2022

Awesome

"Awesome music podcast. Some podcasts, even music podcasts are WAY too long. This is the perfect length. I haven't heard all the episodes yet, but every one that I've listened to, even the ones where …"

Mike Kitsmiller | Dec. 23, 2022

Insightful, engaging and entertaining!

"I was pulled in by Bryan’s episodes with Glen Phillips, and boy am I glad I gave it a try! Perhaps the best interview I’ve heard with GP. Bryan comes at the interview in an engaging and informed w…"

starsgoblue | April 18, 2023

Review

"Awesome interview with John Schlitt!!Loved the way that you as an interviewer engaged with him and allowed hike to speak❤️Keep up the Good work brother!!"

Zuri Alvarez | July 21, 2023

Intentional questions, easy to listen to

"Bryan always asks the best questions and then lets his guests take the conversation from there. Love listening to each new episode."

lupequeen | Aug. 15, 2023

Great convos with cool creatives

"I love the vibe of this show and the way that Bryan gets artists to open up about so many aspects of the process."

AJKohlMusic | March 11, 2024

So good!

"The various topics and guests keeps me engaged and continuing to listen. The sound quality is also appreciated and helps those of us with listening challenges. Thank you to the host, the guests, and …"

littlegale | Sept. 2, 2024
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