The Hook with Johni & Jess
Hosted by Jess and Johni, The Hook features candid conversations with musicians, artists, entertainers, and creatives of all kinds. We go beyond the surface to explore the real stories behind the art — the first spark, the turning point, the doubt, the obsession, and the moments that changed everything.
Just like a hook in a song stays with you, every creative has something that grabbed hold and shaped who they became.
This isn’t just about what artists create.
It’s about why they couldn’t stop.
🎙 Interviews
🎸 Live performances
🎣 Real stories behind the craft
Once you’re in, you’re in.
Episodes
24 episodes
Grayson Walsh: From Virginia Roots to the Nashville Dream
Virginia roots. Nashville dreams. And a bass-baritone voice made for country music.At just 26, Grayson Walsh is building his place in Nashville with a sound that blends traditional country storytelling, neon-bar energy and a littl...
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Mark Damon of The Pretty Reckless: Behind the Bass
From dive bars to stadiums packed with 100,000 fans, Mark Damon has lived just about every version of the musician's life.This week on The Hook with Johni & Jess, we're joined by Mark Damon of The Pretty Reckless for an unforgettable...
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Coming to Richmond: RIFF 2026 + The Launch of Lightmakers with Heather Waters
What happens when film, music and storytelling become more than entertainment — and start bringing people together?This week on The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Heat...
Christos DC: Roots, Rebellion & Reggae
What happens when a kid raised by opera singers finds his voice in reggae?For Christos DC, the answer became a life that has crossed genres, cultures and continents. From his Greek-American roots in Washington, D.C., to years on the road...
Plunky Branch: Smooth Groove with Richmond Music Legend
Richmond music legend James “Plunky” Branch joins The Hook with Johni & Jess for a wide-ranging conversation about more than five decades of music, creativity and cultural impact.From his early years in Richmond and time at ...
Jordan Rein: Building the Sound of REIN
What happens when three incredibly talented musicians share a studio, trust each other completely, and set out to make the best music they possibly can? You get JORDAN REIN.In this episode of The Hook with Johni & Je...
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The Gary Green Story: Roads, Reeds & Rhythm
From hitchhiking the East Coast with a harmonica in his pocket to performing on some of the most iconic stages in America, Gary Green has lived a life that sounds more like a movie script than a résumé.In this episode of The Hook wit...
Tyson Leamon: Rewriting the Story
In this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Tennessee singer-songwriter Tyson Leamon for a conversation that spans faith, family, redemption, and a lifelong passion for music.Tyson shares stories from his earliest days sing...
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The Lonely Teardrops: A Coruscating Conversation
The Lonely Teardrops bring their signature blend of mod garage, surf rock, soul, punk attitude, and country heart to The Hook with Johni & Jess for a conversation that’s as colorful and energetic as their music.Joining us in...
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434: Loud, Proud, and Unapologetic
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 ...
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Josh Pavlock: How "Checked Out" Became Reality
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 indepen...
Stanley Jordan: Healing Through Sound, Learning Through Music
In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with legendary guitarist Stanley Jordan for a conversation that goes far beyond music.Known around the world for his groundbreak...
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Steve Bassett: Front Porch Soul & Backstage Stories
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...
Mary McNeill & Fluffy: Dead Armadillos & Cosmic Energy
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...
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Will Kimbrough: Part 2 From Buffett to Backroads: A Life in Song
In Part 2 of our conversation with Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist, and producer Will Kimbrough, we go even deeper—into the stories, the songs, and the legacy.We dive into Will’s decades-long relationship with Jimmy Buffett, inclu...
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Will Kimbrough: Part 1 From Buffett to Backroads: A Life in Song
On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and guitarist Will Kimbrough—an artist whose influence runs deep through the fabric of American music.From touring the wo...
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Scott Orchard: From the Sunset Strip to the Sea: The Piano Bar Life
From the Sunset Strip to the middle of the ocean, Scott Orchard has built a life fueled by music, risk, and saying yes to the moment.In this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, Scott takes us back to growing up in Los Ang...
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Mighty Joshua: Roots, Rhythm & Revolution
On this episode of The Hook, Johni & Jess sit down with reggae artist Mighty Joshua—joined by his guitarist Ian Hartman (aka Ian I)—for a conversation that goes far beyond the music.From his early connection to...
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Chef K: From Italian Grandmas to Route 66: A Culinary Journey
On this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Chef K—a chef, cookbook author, TV host, and culinary tour guide whose passion for food began in a small village in Northern Italy. What started as learning recipes from local g...
Willie Williams: Southern Soul & Six Strings
On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with guitarist and songwriter Willie Williams, whose sound blends country, blues, and Southern jam rock into something both rooted and fresh.We talk about his leap fro...
VEXINE-The Art of a Creative Life
On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Richmond artist, designer, and musician Sarah Frances Santamaria, the frontwoman of the band VEXINE, joined by VEXINE guitarist Paul Pearce. Sarah shares the story ...
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Joey Davis & TJ Peterson -From First Gig to Finding Freedom
Every musician has a moment when everything changes—when music stops being something they enjoy and becomes something they need. In this episode of The Hook, Jess and Johni sit down with musicians Joey Davis and TJ Peterson, joined by ...
More Than a Tribute: When Music Becomes a Mission
In this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Matt Smith of Permanent Vacation, Dave McKinny of Dreamsicle, and Will Migern from Children’s Home Services of Virginia to talk about the music, meaning, and mission behind the ...
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