434: Loud, Proud, and Unapologetic

434: Loud, Proud, and Unapologetic

Send Johni & Jess a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/fan_mail/new] This week on The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Virginia hard rock band Four Thirty Four (434) for a conversation that's equal parts music, mayhem, and brotherhood. Born from the Charlottesville music scene and named after Central Virginia's iconic area code, 434 shares the story behind the band's evolution, their unexpected reunion after a 20-year hiatus, and the personal losses that helped shape their music and perspective on life. From playing major festivals like Blue Ridge Rock Festival to climbing independent radio charts, these guys prove that authentic rock and roll is alive and well.  The conversation dives into songwriting, life on the road, the meaning behind their music, and why audiences connect so deeply with their live shows. Along the way, you'll hear stories involving gummy mishaps, mysterious suitcase thefts, hard nipples, Waffle House adventures, and a whole lot of laughter. Because with 434, the music is serious—but they definitely don't take themselves too seriously.  If you love powerful riffs, meaningful lyrics, and bands that truly live what they preach, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Follow 434: 🌐 Website: https://www.434music.com [https://www.434music.com] 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/434Music [https://www.facebook.com/434Music] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/434music [https://www.instagram.com/434music] 🎵 Spotify: Search 434 Listen now and discover why 434 is making noise far beyond the 434 area code.  Thank you to our Official Episode Sponsors:  River City Consulting  [https://www.rivercityconsulting.com/] Award Winning Website Design, Logo Design, Brad Strategy & Digital Marketing since 2001. Use code "The Hook" for 15% off all services.  Youthful Beginnings Med Spa  [https://youthfulbeginnings.com/] Offering a wide range of therapeutic services designed to relax, pamper and  improve your well-being.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/support] Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess. This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed. Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:  https://www.johniandjess.com [ https://www.johniandjess.com] Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook. The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Josh Pavlock: How "Checked Out" Became Reality

Send Johni & Jess a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/fan_mail/new] What does it take to turn a lifelong dream into a feature film? This week on The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Josh Pavlock, founder of Osprey Media Studios and the writer, producer, and director behind the independent thriller Checked Out. Josh shares the incredible six-year journey from mowing his lawn and deciding to make a movie, to filming a feature-length thriller, building a cast and crew, navigating the challenges of editing, and preparing for film festival submissions.  Along the way, we talk about: *  Why he traded his dream sports car for a movie budget  *  The surprising challenges of casting, directing, and editing  *  How a sinking boat nearly derailed production  *  The reality of making an independent film from the ground up  *  Why collaboration matters more than control  *  The future of Checked Out and the trilogy already in the works  *  Advice for aspiring filmmakers who don't know where to start  Plus, Josh shares his favorite films, directors, soundtracks, and the philosophy that helped him bring his vision to life: "Don't wait. Go make a movie." Whether you're a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, storyteller, or someone sitting on a dream you've been putting off, this episode is packed with inspiration, behind-the-scenes insight, and proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself. 🎬 Learn more about Checked Out  [https://checkedoutmovie.com/]and Osprey Media Studios [https://ospreymediastudios.godaddysites.com/], and hear how one idea grew into a full-fledged filmmaking journey.  Monsters performed by TJ Peterson  [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HCbooDA9xCd1UJCcZq45Y] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/support] Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess. This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed. Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:  https://www.johniandjess.com [ https://www.johniandjess.com] Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook. The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Healing Through Sound, Learning Through Music | Stanley Jordan

Send Johni & Jess a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/fan_mail/new] In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with legendary guitarist Stanley Jordan [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Jordan] for a conversation that goes far beyond music. Known around the world for his groundbreaking two-handed touch technique and his ability to completely reimagine the guitar, Stanley opens up about creativity, consciousness, healing, collaboration, and the deeper purpose of art in today’s world. From working with icons like Quincy Jones [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quincy_Jones], George Martin [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Martin], Kenny Rogers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Rogers], and Dave Matthews [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Matthews], to performing live music during surgeries and exploring music therapy, Stanley shares stories and perspectives that are as profound as they are inspiring. We talk about: • The emotional power of music and why art matters more than ever • His experiences with Quincy Jones, George Martin, and Kenny Rogers • Playing live in operating rooms to help patients and medical teams • Music, meditation, math, science, and the connection between sound and healing • His upcoming project Stanley Jordan’s Big Party Super Band at CrossMill Arts • The philosophy behind his long-awaited new album Feather in the Wind • Why musicians need to “get back into the real world” and create together again This episode is heartfelt, thought-provoking, funny, emotional, and deeply human — the kind of conversation that stays with you long after it ends. And yes… Stanley even talks about the iconic scene from Blind Date with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger, where he performed live on set as their chemistry unfolded in real time. Once you’re hooked, there’s no going back. Learn more about Stanley Jordan [https://www.stanleyjordan.com/en/]  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/support] Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess. This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed. Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:  https://www.johniandjess.com [ https://www.johniandjess.com] Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook. The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Front Porch Soul & Backstage Stories with Steve Bassett

Send Johni & Jess a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/fan_mail/new] From front porch soul to backstage stories with music legends, this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess takes listeners deep into the extraordinary life and career of Virginia music icon Steve Bassett. Steve joins Johni and Jess for a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about the moments that shaped his journey—from Richmond clubs and The Hazards to the legendary rooms of New York, Muscle Shoals, and beyond. Along the way, he shares unforgettable stories about crossing paths with names like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Dr. John, Paul Shaffer, Doc Pomus, Jerry Wexler, and Delbert McClinton—and what it was really like being there while music history was unfolding around him. The episode dives into Steve’s memoir Sing Loud, the life-changing moment John Hammond Sr. told him, “I’ve never heard a white man sing like that,” and the winding road that eventually led to co-writing Sweet Virginia Breeze—the official state song of Virginia. But more than anything, this episode is about soul. About music as identity. About the unexpected pivots, wild stories, love, longevity, and learning how to build a life inside an industry that rarely slows down. Raw, reflective, hilarious, and packed with incredible behind-the-scenes stories, this is one of those conversations that reminds you why longform interviews matter. Once you’re hooked… there’s no going back. To learn more about Steve, visit Steve Bassett Music [https://www.stevebassettmusic.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] and follow him on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/steve.bassett.31?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/support] Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess. This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed. Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:  https://www.johniandjess.com [ https://www.johniandjess.com] Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook. The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.

Dead Armadillos & Cosmic Energy with Mary McNeill & Fluffy

Send Johni & Jess a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/fan_mail/new] On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with visual artist Mary McNeill and music industry veteran Fluffy for a conversation that refuses to stay in one lane—in the best way. Behind the scenes, they serve as Band Manager (Mary) and Tour Manager (Fluffy) for Tim Reynolds and TR3 [https://www.timreynolds.com/tr3/], bringing the music to life far beyond the stage. From the raw and unexpected to the deeply spiritual, this episode dives into how creativity actually shows up in real life… not polished, not perfect, but built through experience, loss, reinvention, and everything in between. Mary pulls us into her imaginative, almost otherworldly artistic space—where emotion, energy, and meaning live just beneath the surface. At the same time, Fluffy brings the stories most people never hear—the long nights, the road, the chaos, and the reality of what it takes to keep the music going. Because every song you hear has a story—and a crew behind it grinding to make it happen. In this episode, you hear from two of those people—the ones in the vans, backstage, and behind the curtain. The ones carrying the weight, solving the problems, and keeping the show alive when no one’s watching. Together, we get into the energy that connects it all—the seen, the unseen, and the moments that shape who we become as creators and as people. To explore more of Mary’s work, visit: https://marymcneillart.com/ [https://marymcneillart.com/]  You can follow Mary on social media at: FB at www.facebook.com/mary.mcneill.737 [https://www.facebook.com/mary.mcneill.737]  IG at https://www.instagram.com/marymcneillart/ [https://www.instagram.com/marymcneillart/] Follow Fluffy on IG at www.instagram.com/fluffysucks [https://www.instagram.com/fluffysucks/] This one’s a little gritty, a little cosmic… and exactly what The Hook is all about. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2596593/support] Thank you for listening to The Hook with Johni & Jess. This is where we talk to musicians, artists, creators, and visionaries about the moment they got hooked—and the journey that followed. Learn more about our guests, watch episode highlights, and explore more stories at:  https://www.johniandjess.com [ https://www.johniandjess.com] Follow The Hook on Facebook for new episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and upcoming guest announcements:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252 [ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588050877252] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, share it with someone who inspires you, and leave a review. Your support helps us continue telling the stories behind the hook. The Hook with Johni & Jess — where passion begins with a moment.