Josie Sal - 4/27/26

She’s 14, she’s already cutting records in Nashville, and she’s learning the music business in real time. We sit down with country recording artist Josie Sal to talk about the jump from “posting covers” to building a true career with a team, a release plan, and the kind of relationships that open doors fast.

We get into how she connected with producer Brandon Hood, what it’s like walking into a serious studio session with elite Nashville musicians, and why recording full-song takes helps her keep the emotion of a live performance. Josie also shares how she’s dialing in her sound, leaning into a classic country and classic rock blend while still staying aware of pop trends. If you’re searching for Nashville recording insights, artist development lessons, or how producers shape a young artist’s confidence, this conversation delivers practical detail without the fluff.

The most powerful thread is what happens offstage: her parents and siblings functioning like a small business team, the reality of online school under constant time pressure, and a vocal health scare with nodules that forced her to cancel shows and get serious about technique. We also talk about staying humble around big names, being present with fans, and how networking really works, including her dad’s bold approach to handing out business cards in the wild.

Josie closes with what’s next: new music, bigger touring goals, songwriter festivals, and plans around CMA Fest. If you like real behind-the-scenes country music stories with equal parts drive, nerves, and laughter, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.

Episode Links

• Josie Sal: https://josiesal.com/
• Charlie Judge: https://jayfranze.com/episode29/
• Presley Tenant: https://jayfranze.com/episode50/
• Josie Sal: https://jayfranze.com/episode100/

Transcript

Welcome To Friendship Show

Jay Franze 0:00

Welcome to Friendship Show. Doors door storage.

SPEAKER_05 0:21

So I do already have better ideas.

Jay Franze 0:23

Now, here's your host, Jay Franzi and Tiffany Mason. And we are coming at you live. I am Jay Franzi, and uh with me tonight the Diane to my Sam, my beautiful co-host, Miss Tiffany Mason.

SPEAKER_03 0:41

Good evening, Jay.

Introducing Country Artist Josie Sal

Jay Franze 0:43

If you are new to the show, this is your source for the latest news, reviews, and interviews. And if you would like to join in, comment, or fire off any questions, please head over to jafranzie.com. All right, my friend. Tonight we have a very special guest with us. I said it once, I will say it again. We have a very special guest. We have a country music recording artist hailing from the great state of FLA. We have Miss Josie Sell. Miss Josie. How are you?

SPEAKER_01 1:10

I'm good. Thank you for having me.

Landing Producer Brandon Hood

Jay Franze 1:12

It is our pleasure. We cannot thank you enough. You have been here before, so what have you been doing since the last visit?

SPEAKER_01 1:20

So much. I have a new producer, Brandon Hood, which I'm super excited because he produces Time Meyers and Rascal Flats. And I just was like scrolling randomly through his website, and it was like Luke Bryant. I was like, what are we doing here? Oh my god. I didn't even know. I was like, oh my. And it was like my favorite song. I was like, that would have been nice if someone would have told me.

Jay Franze 1:46

It's better that you don't know, trust me.

SPEAKER_01 1:48

Right. I probably would have been more nervous, but he's so sweet, and everyone we got to work with was like the best.

Jay Franze 1:55

How did you come across Brandon in the first place?

SPEAKER_01 1:57

We were working with CrowdSurf, who was helping me out with my social media, and I love Noah Henson so much. He's been my first producer ever, so I haven't really worked with anyone else. Well, I just wanna go out and like see what else we can make. And Cassie from CrowdSurf called it, and she was like, Hey, I got you a meeting with Brandon Hood. And we were like walking into the meeting, I was like, he's not gonna even like wanna, he's gonna be like, Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't work with small artists. And I was on my way out, and immediately he texted me and he was like, Hey, we'd love to work with you in February. I was like, Yes. I called everyone on my phone. You probably don't know who he is, but I do, and this is insane. And I was just so excited. I was I was telling like the most random people I've ever met in my life, and I was like, by the way, Brandon Hood. They were like, huh? I know they were just so confused, and I was like, You don't know, but I do. I just wanted to let you know.

Jay Franze 2:59

All right, you mentioned it a couple times, so before we pass over, tell us what CrowdSurf is all about.

SPEAKER_01 3:05

So CrowdSurf is a social media company, they also do some artist management stuff. The two like main owners are Jade and Cassie, and I love them so much. They helped me put out my last two originals, Redneck Weekend and Block Cancel Elite. Jade helped me with my music videos, and they're so helpful, they've done so much.

Jay Franze 3:28

Again, how do you come across something like that?

SPEAKER_01 3:31

We got introduced to them by Jeremy Westby, and he does PR. He works with Scott, and that's how we got introduced. We were like, we're kind of struggling with this social media. Someone help. And he was like, Oh, crowd surf, we could set up a meeting, and then that meeting led to Brandon Hood, and I don't even know. It's so crazy what how this is all happening.

Jay Franze 3:55

You mentioned again, you mentioned Scott, so I don't want to pass over that either. Scott's 29-11, the PR firm. Yeah. So going through all these steps and being connected to all of these companies, how does that come about for somebody that's so new in their career?

SPEAKER_01 4:12

I mean, this all started from getting into the business and getting serious with it. It all started through a really close family friend's cousin, and then he introduced me to Noah, and then Noah introduced me to um I think it was his old manager, Ryan McMahon, and then Ryan introduced me to all of these companies, and it's kind of just everyone knows someone, and then they trust the person, and that's how we started working with all these people, so it's super cool because my dad will talk to anyone, but I don't think he could have gotten all these connections on our own. So I think it's so cool, and I've kind of realized it's kind of how Nashville works, is like everyone knows someone, or if someone's dad is somebody, and I'm like, oh my gosh.

Jay Franze 4:56

Well, if we look back at the previous episode when you were on here, we know that your dad is the one who kickstarted everything for you. But your mother plays a big role in in your organization, we'll call it at this point. You have an organization. You are actually a corporation at this point. So, what role does your mother play?

SPEAKER_01 5:16

Um, mom also does pretty much everything. I think my dad does more of the front stuff, and he will talk to everybody. Yes, that's what dad is good at. Dad can talk to everyone, and mom is more big picture. Mom will do everything behind the scenes, and she always thinks of stuff like how it's gonna come out in the end. So that's obviously really helpful. Putting out my songs. Mom does a lot of that. She's makes sure everything is in order and what we do at certain times. And she tells dad, and she's like, We need this, this, and this. Then dad goes out and he does it, and I'm like, wow, it's so cool because they're like completely two different people, and so it's so perfect because wow, I feel like this would take four whole bigger teams, but both my parents can do it, so it's so perfect.

Jay Franze 6:06

So your mother has the long-term vision, that's good. Yes, so your dad's involved, your mother's involved, your your brother single-handedly grew your social media accounts, right?

SPEAKER_01 6:17

I mean, all of my siblings, they all help a lot, but I think my brother John, I definitely think hopefully as this grows, he could come along because he actually does more than I'd like to admit, he helps out a lot. He called me the other day and he's like, Hey Josie, I was just talking to this restaurant. I think I may have just gotten you a gig. Just waiting for him to be like, So, what do I get?

Jay Franze 6:43

That's what he is.

SPEAKER_01 6:44

Randall's like, we could figure something out. A hug. Maybe me not annoying you for a week. We could figure something out.

Jay Franze 6:52

We can't make that happen.

SPEAKER_01 6:54

Probably not.

SPEAKER_03 6:56

So I am super intrigued that the fact that you're 14, I just it really seriously blows my mind, and I don't know how you deal with all of it. So, as you're balancing, you know, being a teenager, building your career, what do you think is something that people your age don't understand about your life?

SPEAKER_01 7:14

I still have most of my best friends from school. A lot of my friends that I'm so close with are friends that I like went to preschool with, and we've just kind of been inseparable. Some of the kids, I will say they've stopped talking to me just because they don't really it's it's kind of funny. I was talking to um one of my friends, Maddie Pruitt, and we went to go get lunch, and she was like, it's just so weird because some of my friends are just so uninterested in because all I want to talk about is music and like what I'm doing, and it's like, but they see it as like me talking about work. But I feel like none of my friends understand that it is work. They're like, I wish I had your life. Girl, I'm going to meetings on Monday, like it's fine. I do school online, but I'm still doing as much as you guys are doing. I just have to cram it into five minutes. I was sending them pictures of the pool, and I was like, semester exams. At least I get to do with the view. That's good enough for me.

Online School And Time Pressure

Jay Franze 8:14

What's it like finishing school online?

SPEAKER_01 8:17

It's definitely harder than I thought it would be. I was did perfectly fine during COVID. That's why my parents knew I could do online. But I didn't realize that learning, like, I don't have teachers that I zoom with, so I'm learning everything from a book. My parents aren't my teachers, I'm my teacher. And so I'm learning everything from a book, and I also don't have that much time to do it because randomly it could just get a call and be like, hey, there's this event that we need you to go to. And then I'm like, that sounds way more fun than school. So obviously.

SPEAKER_03 8:55

But Josie, I'm really proud of you. I mean, that takes a lot of commitment to the fact that you do want to pursue this career, right? Like the music you have to eat, sleep, and breathe it to become successful, and you're clearly doing that. So I want to just say, good job. I'm proud of you, because you're showing your commitment. You're showing your commitment to the people that are backing you, you're showing your commitment to your mom and dad and your brother. You're doing a good job. So I just want to say, I'm proud of you.

SPEAKER_01 9:22

Thank you. Thank you so much.

SPEAKER_03 9:24

Yeah, it's it's not going unseen. Thank you.

Jay Franze 9:27

It's gotta be tough for anybody, but for somebody I don't want to keep mentioning your age because I don't think your age really plays into this. I think you're much more mature in your vocal talents, and you've got all this talent behind you that a lot of adults don't have. You have something special no matter your age. But it's a business, and you have a team of people behind you, and that's something that people much further along in their career still don't have. So, do you understand how special that is and how lucky you are, and how much faster your career is going just simply because of that?

SPEAKER_01 10:06

Yes, definitely. I think I think it's so crazy how all the stars aligned with everything. But I definitely realize that, like, don't take my parents for granted. All my friends, whenever they're mad at their parents, they call me and I'm like, trust me, my mom is my manager, my principal, my mom, my best friend, all in one. This isn't easy. So, I mean, I just can't take anyone for granted.

Jay Franze 10:32

So the fact that you're so ambitious and driven, where do you think that comes from?

Vocal Training And Beating Nodules

SPEAKER_01 10:40

I don't know. I mean, I've always been somewhat of a performer. My siblings, whenever I was really young, I used to hang out in the dugout. I would always be dancing with my sister. We both were ballerinas. So I was always trying to entertain them because I'm the youngest. So the little piece of the spotlight I was trying to get, I was just like, hey, while we're at this baseball game and nobody even knows where I am. Let me try to just dance or sing or something. So as soon as I started doing this, I got like a hundred texts from all of my brother's friends, and he was like, We're not shocked at all. And I was like, hey, what are you talking about? You could have said something. And they were like, Yeah, you used to sing all the time, and it never sounded bad. I was like, come on, vocal lessons, something, guys. And they were like, it makes sense now. It makes sense.

Jay Franze 11:28

Have you ever taken vocal lessons?

SPEAKER_01 11:30

I do now. I started taking them because I didn't want to develop any bad habits. That's definitely scary. And um, a year ago now I got nodules, which was even more terrifying because I would hear people say that word, and I would be like, that is something I never want to experience ever. And it happened to me, and I had three shows back to back. I had to cancel all of them. Biggest nightmare. Never want that to ever happen ever again. But I got over them, so I'm good now. But my vocal coach was like, see, I knew something was wrong. And I was like, No, no, no. So yeah, my vocal coach now is one of my best friends because anything goes wrong, any minor inconvenience, I'm like, someone help.

Jay Franze 12:16

Like, you need to let's go ahead and name the vocal coach.

SPEAKER_01 12:20

Hilary Klein Renzi, she has a Higher Voice Studios in Pittsburgh, and she has a TikTok, and it's so cool. She started the TikTok after I was there, and I was like, Yes, this hopefully is for me because we don't get to do in-person lessons anymore. So now I'll just be scrolling on TikTok and I'm like, hold on, guys, let me go stalk her whole page real quick, make sure I'm up to date, and then I can go back. I can go back to scrolling. But Hillary's the best. I had to cancel a show probably a month ago because my allergies are so bad. My voice was acting up, and I was like, I don't know what is wrong, but you could probably fix it. And my ENT also knows her. He was like, I trust Hillary almost as much as I trust myself. So if you can't get a hold of me, you're better off calling Hillary. And what's wrong? She was like, cancel it. You don't want to waste your voice. And I was like, Okay, okay.

Jay Franze 13:18

I'll do whatever you say.

SPEAKER_01 13:20

I was like, fine, fine, fine.

Jay Franze 13:22

You definitely want to listen to the experts when it comes to that thing, because this is your your future. You don't want to mess with your future.

SPEAKER_01 13:30

My child. My voice can't ever, nothing can ever go wrong.

Finding Her Own Sound

SPEAKER_03 13:36

Speaking of working with a vocal coach, do you think that you're kind of coming into your own? What do you think you're doing that is like, oh, this is Josie?

SPEAKER_01 13:45

I think even up to a year ago, I was more trying to be Laney Wilson than I really knew. Because also, like, no one in my family's a musician, so I didn't really, other than my vocal coach telling me, Josie, you're not Laney. Other than that, it was like me. I was like, I'm gonna do everything she does. I got the bell bottoms, I got, I got it all. Lady Wilson, I'm your twin. This is great. And I think probably like end of last year, beginning of this year, huh? Wow, this is not Laney Wilson, and I kind of love it. Josie Sal is starting to be Josie Sal. This is fun. And even she says it now, too, she's like, no, this is definitely Josie, it's not anyone else. So I think it just kind of took me realizing that there already is a Laney Wilson. And I was like, honestly though, am I really like Lainey Wilson? No, I was like, this is kind of more me.

Jay Franze 14:40

I put some rock, some well, go ahead and describe what you are to us now.

SPEAKER_01 14:45

I think now I'm more of a classic country rock and roll, classic rock kind of mix. I try to throw pop in there every once in a while because gotta keep up with the trends. So I'm like, I kind of like the way it sounds. I think right now I'm more of a classic country, classic rock, and my new songs coming out are definitely leaning more classic country. So I'm super excited for that.

SPEAKER_03 15:14

Do you think your mom and your dad and your siblings would agree with that?

Recording Live With Nashville Players

SPEAKER_01 15:17

Oh, definitely. And even my brother, like, he listens to all the music and he was like, This is sounding more of what fits you, and it's definitely classic country.

Jay Franze 15:28

Well, on that note, let's go ahead and start discussing that. So you start meeting with Brandon. What's the next step after the meetings and where are you in the process?

SPEAKER_01 15:38

Yep, so we recorded all of the instruments and all the music, and that was so cool. Again, didn't really know and look up any of the musicians. Thank you to myself for not doing that.

Jay Franze 15:53

Did you do it after?

SPEAKER_01 15:55

Yes, I did, in fact, do it after because let's discuss who they are. Yep, so they also all played for the union. So I thought, okay, I don't really know what that means. I was like a musician in Nashville, probably a very, very good musician. And my dad was talking to me after, and he was like, Hey, did you know this person played on Taylor's book's first album? Hey, did you know this person just currently played with? Oh my, oh my. And it was one of those things where I was just like, Hey, you know, I worked really hard to get here, but I was also like, Did I work hard enough? So like I was like, I was like, I know this is definitely where I want to be, but should I be here now? Is this real? And every once in a while I'd be like, Dad Pitney, like someone like make sure I'm awake right now.

Jay Franze 16:43

So throw some names at us.

SPEAKER_01 16:45

So cool. Oh, let me last names are gonna now play with me.

Jay Franze 16:51

Um see Oh, the pressure put you on the spot.

SPEAKER_03 16:58

You didn't memorize everybody's name?

SPEAKER_01 17:01

Call dad. Dad would be like so. Oh, Charlie.

Jay Franze 17:06

Um Charlie Judge.

SPEAKER_01 17:08

Yes, whoa.

Jay Franze 17:10

Taylor Swift's project.

SPEAKER_01 17:11

Okay, wait, how did you know this?

Jay Franze 17:15

It's Jay Franzi. He is awesome.

SPEAKER_01 17:19

Yes, and then he was the one who was talking to me the most. I could see this in a Barbie sequel, and I was like, oh my gosh.

Jay Franze 17:27

And Charlie was on the show now that I think about it.

SPEAKER_01 17:29

Oh my gosh! He's so sweet. He's so sweet. It was so funny because I knew they were all like they've played with big people, but it was so funny because my dad brought in like brownies from like I think he is an insurance agent, so his customer gave him like a big like bucket of like brownies. And we were in the studio and I was shaking because I was I can't say one wrong thing. If I say something and it sounds dumb, like, oh my gosh, my life is gonna be over. And Brandon walked in and was like, Have you guys tried those brownies? They're normal people. I'm good, I'm good, I'm fine, I'm okay. So crazy. And my dad was talking to him like he was just his normal best friend. And then after I started looking them up, I was like, Whoa.

SPEAKER_03 18:17

Now, how did that differ from working with your previous producer?

SPEAKER_01 18:21

So with Noah, he was on the road all the time. So I didn't get to actually play with a live band. So we'd go in and I would cut my vocals, and then the one time that I got to be part of it was him. I think it was just him, and whenever he would like play the drums and stuff like that, and so it was kind of just me and him the whole time. He'd be like, hey, Lester Stell played drums for you. And I was like, that's so cool. Like, I would still tell everyone about it, but I think this time it was just so cool being in the room. Like I was singing in a booth through a window, looking at them play, and I was like, Whoa, this is what I see in movies.

Jay Franze 19:06

This is definitely do you know what studio it was?

SPEAKER_01 19:11

Phoenix. Phoenix Studios.

Jay Franze 19:13

All right.

SPEAKER_01 19:14

That's where Brandon does most of his stuff.

Jay Franze 19:17

So it's a big commercial facility, and like you said, you're in your own vocal booth. Did they have the traditional eight musicians in the room?

SPEAKER_01 19:26

I I I'm pretty sure it was all eight of them in the room, and then I was in my booth, and then Brandon was also in his own uh little booth.

Jay Franze 19:34

I'm sure they separated some of the musicians, but I mean the simple fact that they all play live is my is what impresses me most about the national recording system. But they all play live at the same time, where in other states or other major music mechas, they layer instrumentation versus play it all at one time.

SPEAKER_01 19:54

Right. I think it was so cool too, because I feel like with Noah, I also I definitely had say in everything that went with the music. And he was like, How do you like this and how do you like that? But I think with this, it was so cool because we all got to feed off of each other, and that's how I like work best with writing, writing my music. Everything I'm just like, I feed off of ideas. So it was super cool because now, like, someone who probably helped design and like think of everything for Taylor Swift's album is like now doing it with me. So I think it's super cool how we could all just be like, I like this, and then he would try it, and then Brendan would be like that, I never would hear it ever again, and then I'd be like, wait, I kind of like this. So it was so cool. And my dad thought it was so funny how we would all banter and be like, That sucks, and no one would get their feelings hurt. Dad was like, If you would have said that with anyone else, they would be jaw-dropped. And I was like, No, no, that is just music.

Jay Franze 20:52

Like, we well, those musicians, they're the best of the best. They played on every record under the sun. Yeah, there's no denying that they are good.

SPEAKER_01 21:01

You can tell even the bad stuff sounded like anyone could have taken it and made top on all charts. It was just insane.

Jay Franze 21:13

When do you go in and actually record your your final vocal?

SPEAKER_01 21:17

Um, I just recorded my final vocals last two weeks ago, whenever I was in Nashville last. That was so cool. It was just me and Brandon. I was not expecting to be complimented at all, not even a little bit, and he was complimenting me, and I was just debating the whole time if he was like being nice or if it was real. And then he was like, by the way, I'm not just saying that to say that. And I was like, Yes.

Jay Franze 21:44

I was like, wow, no, no, no, that was his job, but no, absolutely not.

SPEAKER_01 21:48

Right. I was like, he was like, good, good, four more. I was like, okay. I can do it.

Jay Franze 21:57

That's a good point, too. Did you sing him through? Through the entirety of the song and then go back. Is that how you do it?

SPEAKER_01 22:04

Whenever I used to do it with Noah, we would do it verse, second verse, chorus, bridge. And then I kind of realized I was like, hmm, I work better doing it through the whole song. So then I started doing that with Noah. And that's what I did with Brandon. So we just did full song like a hundred times and then went on to the next one.

Jay Franze 22:25

That's my favorite way of doing it for sure, is because you get the full emotion and it's like you're performing it live. You get that feeling, and and it's not hard for you to go through and sing the whole song. You're not focusing on a mistake. And then if there is a mistake, one of the other hundred times, you probably didn't make this mistake in the same spot. So we can go ahead and comp them together.

SPEAKER_01 22:46

Yeah, that's definitely my favorite way of doing it. Yes.

Staying Humble Around Big Names

SPEAKER_03 22:51

Josie, with Brandon giving you all of the compliments and the other musicians, you know, also praising you. Uh first of all, how do you stay humble? But also, you've had a lot of interactions with like A-list artists. So have they given you any advice on just how to stay humble? Yeah, I think Laney and Jelly, they always Oh, you're on first name basis with them, Laney and Jelly.

SPEAKER_01 23:19

Laney Wilson and Jelly Roll. No, no, no, no, Laney and Jelly.

Jay Franze 23:25

Mr. Rolls.

SPEAKER_01 23:27

Right. I think it's so easy for someone to be like, oh, like stay humble. It's way easier said, all my siblings, they keep me grounded. I think more of what gets me is just that I'm like, huh, this is so weird because people actually want to come meet me and like know me. And Lainey Wilson. I think what I learned most from them was just how they were so like amazing with all their fans. It's so easy at shows to be like everywhere, but they just like locked eye contact with whoever they were talking to and just stayed focused on them like the whole conversation. I think that's most what I've kind of taken away from the situation is just to focus in on the person and not be everywhere.

SPEAKER_03 24:17

Just really be present with the person that you're with at the moment.

SPEAKER_01 24:20

That's and it's so easy to do, especially like in the studio. Four people are talking to you at once, but it's crazy. I don't even know anymore. I think I like blacked out mid session and just wasn't there for the rest of the time. People will be like, Do you remember? I was like, Not at all. Not even a little bit. Nope. I don't even know if I was there fully, but it looks like I was in the I mean, I hear the recording, but out of body experience. I was singing, but I don't know where I actually was.

Jay Franze 24:49

To follow up on what Miss Tiffany was just saying, have you caught yourself having a moment where you thought you might be getting a little bit too big for your britches?

SPEAKER_01 24:59

Definitely. Or if it's kind of just I'll be talking to someone, and I I obviously this is kind of crazy to say, but I hate talking about like myself and what I've done. Especially if it's to my friends or my family or someone that I just met, they'll be asking me questions. I'll be saying things. That's kind of where I'm be like, huh, that feels really crazy to say. Or it's like, who have you opened for? And I keep spitting out these names, and I'm like, whoa, calm down, Josie. Remember who you are for a second and run it back.

Jay Franze 25:33

Hey, a fact is a fact. You know, there's nothing wrong with stating facts, it's just those moments where you might be thinking, Oh, yeah, I might sometimes I'm like, calm down.

SPEAKER_01 25:44

Sometimes I just gotta remind myself live in it, take it all in and just enjoy it.

SPEAKER_03 25:49

In the same breath, though, how great does it feel to be with your peeps, Jelly and Laney?

Jay Franze 25:55

That's Mr. Roll to you.

SPEAKER_03 25:56

Yeah, Mr. Roll to me. To be kind of famous for a minute.

SPEAKER_01 26:01

Yeah, it's definitely so fun whenever I get in the room with a musician and we're just like spitting off like stories, and they're like, Have you met this person? And I'm like, wait, I have, but this and then I'm like, whoa, okay, this is normal for some people. And in Nashville, it's normal for like a whole lot of the people. And then it's like, oh, did you know my dad is so and so? And I'm like, pause. Can we talk about that for a second? They're because they're talking about like like anyone on the earth, and then I'm like, Yeah, yeah, no, I agree, and then they'll be like, So my dad. I'm like, who's your dad?

SPEAKER_03 26:36

Who your daddy?

SPEAKER_01 26:37

I'm like, your dad is who? And then and then I'm just so confused. But yeah, no, it's so cool to talk to other musicians, and it's so normal for them to like spit off random names. But like, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 26:49

So I'm just kind of curious. Junior artists, I would assume this means younger artists, or does it mean artists that are young in their career? You know, like they've maybe only been doing it a couple of years. Can you clarify that for me? And then what was that experience like?

SPEAKER_01 27:07

Yep, the category was 18 and under, so it was okay like all kids. And I think it is it was really cool because obviously there's not a lot of like young artists, especially in country music. It's kind of weird because at my age, I think some of us don't know if it should be competitive or not. I personally think that we all could make it at the same time, but I think it's kind of harder for me to make friends with musicians my age because they're like, Well, what if you make it before me?

Jay Franze 27:43

That's kind of and then you help each other.

SPEAKER_01 27:46

Yeah, but I've also made a lot of friends like Maddie Pruitt and um Haley Isabel were all like, okay, so who's taking each other to the top? Like, make it first, let me open for you. If I make it, like you guys are coming with me. So I think it's kind of just finding who's not scared of you beating them to the top, right?

SPEAKER_03 28:09

Collaboration over competition, right?

SPEAKER_01 28:11

That's what I think, but apparently not all people think that way.

SPEAKER_03 28:15

You're on the right track, Josie.

SPEAKER_01 28:17

Thank you.

Jay Franze 28:18

So, with all these meetings and all these people you're getting to hang around with and work with and talk to, what's the wildest thing you've seen so far?

SPEAKER_01 28:27

Yeah. Oh, uh here first, folks.

SPEAKER_02 28:32

I'm like, two cheers for me.

SPEAKER_01 28:36

Come on. I know, I'm trying to think. Well, okay, maybe it would have been crazy to me like two years ago, and now it's just like a couple weeks ago. I was walking in the gulch on my morning walk with my dog, and I was like, what is this line for? I was like, but it's Nashville, and there was like all of these guys in their cowboy hats, their cowboy boots and their jeans, and there were some girls. What's going on? And then I realized it was at a flower shop, and I was like, oh, Ella Langley must be here. Just casually. I was like, Ella Langley's probably in there, and people are just here to meet her. And then I like got upstairs, but I was like, huh. The fact that I just passed that and was just like, oh, Ella Langley's probably there and kept walking was probably crazy. And I just got I was like, I mean, it's Nashville, so you know, Megan Moroni's probably down the street, and Morgan Wallins probably is a block other way. So I was like, it's you know, it's normal. But my friends were like, that's not normal. So maybe that's like the craziest thing recently that I've gotten used to is just famous people being around.

Jay Franze 29:39

Yeah. You mentioned the gulch. Is that the area that you stay in when you're in Nashville?

SPEAKER_01 29:44

It is. Yep, the gulch is the gulch is the place, and I've met like so many artists down there. I was walking in and into the turnip truck in the gulch. And are you writing a country song, Josie? I know, right? And Danae Hayes was just with her little shopping cart talking to some random lady, and this lady was talking to her, had no idea who she was. And I was like, this lady has no idea that she's talking to someone who just played at the Grand Hope last week, and that's hilarious.

Jay Franze 30:16

That's the way it should be, right?

SPEAKER_01 30:18

And I was just like, huh. Isn't that something?

SPEAKER_03 30:22

I was just standing there with Well, speaking of crazy things happening, have you been spotted? Have people come up to you and been like, Are you Josie Sal?

SPEAKER_01 30:33

I am, and it's so it's so crazy to me. People will recognize me and I'll be with my friends, we'll be at the mall, and they'll be like, Oh my gosh, Josie Sal. And I got recognized with my guy best friend Ryan, and he's also like one of my biggest fans. And I got recognized with him, and they were like, Can you take our picture? And after he like called one of his friends, and he was like, You'll never believe it. We were at the mall, and I had to take her picture for someone else. But yeah, it's so it's super cool. It's also crazy because I'm like, I will just be out and about in I was in a Santa suit one time, just trying to embarrass my brother. And I was picking him up for the airport with my mom, and I was like, ha ha ha, I'm gonna wear this Santa suit. And then they made me run into public. Somebody was like, Oh my gosh, are you Josie Sow? Ha ha ha ha, or should I say Santa? And I was like, walk away, please. Please just turn around and walk away. I was like, I was like, oh, we got a picture. That picture's probably somewhere. I don't really ever want to see it, but it kind of blew up in your face, right?

SPEAKER_03 31:39

You were trying to somebody has it, right?

SPEAKER_01 31:42

I was like, so no to sell, don't do that in public anymore.

SPEAKER_03 31:47

No, you had a whole new level, girl. You can't be doing that.

SPEAKER_01 31:50

I know, right? Now that was my own fault. I was like, shouldn't have ever done that, but it's okay.

Jay Franze 31:57

So what's next, my friend? What are you hoping to accomplish next?

SPEAKER_01 32:01

Well, I'm releasing my song called Another Gun in like the next month or two. So releasing as much music as I can just trying to get it out in the world. I wanna hopefully go on like a bigger tour, whether it's opening for someone, or for some random reason if I blow up, hopefully, my own tour, like headlining.

Jay Franze 32:26

Would you want to headline before going on a major tour as an opener?

SPEAKER_01 32:31

I think I kind of wanna go on a tour opening first. I think that would be super cool.

Jay Franze 32:38

I would think you'd want to do that just to get the experience, right?

SPEAKER_01 32:41

To get the experience, and I also think just to meet more people. I feel like that's the best way to network than for my own tour. So I think I'd wanna open for someone before my headline.

Jay Franze 32:54

Absolutely. I think that's a smarter move.

SPEAKER_01 32:57

And I can get no fans in the states that hopefully one day I'll hit. So uh it's like perfect. I'm like, hey, if you like my music, I may be back here soon.

SPEAKER_03 33:08

You like me as an opener, watch out for me as a headliner. Right.

SPEAKER_01 33:12

I'm like, hey, might be back, buy the tickets, keep the ticket stuff. Right, that's my new thing. I'm like, gotta pay my dad back at some point. So if you guys can please.

Jay Franze 33:24

Well, as you mentioned, connecting with these people and developing your audience, you know, how do you do that? What's your strategy when it comes to gaining new followers?

SPEAKER_01 33:33

Right now, it's been social media and just shows, playing shows out, or my dad, to be honest. I get videos of my dad walking up to random groups of people he's never seen or met in his entire life, and he's just like, Hey, do you like country music? My daughter's a country singer, here's her business card. And then I'll get follows and DMs, and someone's like, Hey, I followed you on Instagram and your dad bought us a pizza. Like, thank you. And I was like, What an interesting way of getting your daughter out there, but works for me. Hey, it works.

SPEAKER_03 34:08

We'll do anything for our kids, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 34:11

Right? Dad, dad's just out there now.

SPEAKER_03 34:13

Dang, I followed you for free. Wait a minute. What's my pizza?

SPEAKER_01 34:17

Unfollow and just go around dad and be like, never heard of Josie's owl.

Jay Franze 34:21

Give me a pizza.

SPEAKER_03 34:22

Are you attending any of the songwriter festivals?

SPEAKER_01 34:25

I am. I'm doing QS Songwriters Festival, which Okay.

SPEAKER_03 34:29

When is that?

SPEAKER_01 34:30

It's April 29th.

Jay Franze 34:32

Okay, so it's coming up. That's the big one.

SPEAKER_01 34:35

Yes, I'm super excited for that one because I know it takes some people years to get in.

Jay Franze 34:41

Do you know Presley Tennant?

SPEAKER_01 34:43

I do, I love Presley. I'm going to watch her. I texted her and I was like, Hey, I'm gonna try to come to your show. I really want to see it. She's amazing. She wrote Country Gold with me. Oh, she's awesome. Very cool.

Jay Franze 34:55

She's been on the show, but I know she goes down to the festival all the time.

SPEAKER_01 34:59

Yeah, and her vocals are insane. I remember writing Country Gold, and she was like, Do you think you could hit this though? And I was like, Do I think I can? No, will I try, anyways? Of course. And I tried and I can do it, and I put it in the song. And now every time I go to play, I look at my guitar player, Chris, and he's like, Hi, I'm like, start praying, start praying for me now. Damn you, Presley. I know I'm like, at 2 a.m., that was such a bad decision of you. We were like getting done at two o'clock in the morning, and she was like, Oh, for a melody, I think this run would be really cool. And I was like, Yeah, very cool. I love that. And she, yeah, she's actually an icon. She's so good.

Jay Franze 35:46

She is awesome. Do you have plans on being down at CMA Fest?

SPEAKER_01 35:50

I do. I'm I think I have some shows booked around CMA Fest too.

Jay Franze 35:54

Nice. So your dad can catch up with us and get us a pizza.

Family Support And Safety In Music

SPEAKER_01 35:58

Of course, I'll be like, hey dad. I mean, we want to see you too. We want to see you too. Oh, yeah, that's fine. That's fine too. I'll I'll be there with dad probably probably. I mean, dad went to the CRS week and was just networking all by himself. I was at home trying to finish my semester out. Clearly, I got delayed because I'm still doing it. But he was, but he was he was out there all by himself and he was like, Hey, throw on a pair of jeans, put on a sweatshirt. I don't care, just come down here. I walked in, saw Warren Ziters, and I was like, What's going on? Kept walking, and dad was like, This is Frank Bell. I was like, Oh my gosh. How does this man do this? We're just casually walking up to people.

Jay Franze 36:47

Like I said before, you know, having parents like you do is a very special thing. Don't ever take that for granted because there's a lot of parents out there that first of all wouldn't even know how to do this stuff. But second of all, wouldn't do it even if they did know how.

SPEAKER_03 37:00

Or with the wrong intentions.

Jay Franze 37:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 37:02

Right. Definitely. I someone came up to me, they were probably my age, maybe like a little older, and they were like, How did you get your parents to do this? They were like, My parents won't let me do it at all. And I was like, Well, my parents, they will chase any dream that we possibly ever had. I know my brothers, they were in baseball and lacrosse, and my parents were like, We'll do this for as long as you want to do it for. If you ever want to quit, if it ever gets too much, we'll take you back and do you can figure out something else that you want to do. They were like, whatever you want to do, we'll do it as much as we can. And if you want to ever stop, you can. And then he was like, I just can't figure out why my parents don't want to do it. And I was like, Well, people think of the music business as a scary place to be, especially for someone young. I was like, with everything that people are, all the stories that people know too, I was like, That's just your parents are probably just trying to protect you. It's like mine, on the other hand, my dad has never left my side ever, and he's also not scared to take me into this business. So I was like, that's just how my parents are here. But I was like, they're not leaving me in a room with anybody alone. My dad's like, so smart man. Yes, very, and I was at first, I was like, come on, I'll be fine. But no, I actually love having them around everywhere. Don't tell them that don't tell them I said that.

SPEAKER_03 38:28

Um, I know at your age you don't want them knowing that.

Jay Franze 38:31

No, I actually tell them two pizzas.

SPEAKER_01 38:34

Crazy. Like, I'll keep your secret. No, mom definitely knows. Mom's always been my best friend. I've always loved keeping her places. I was at keeping your place with my friends. Keep her pocket. Right. I was out with my friend and I was I texted her and I was like, I miss you. And she's like, it's been 20 minutes. Like, you're fine. And I was like, but it's such a scary place out here without you.

SPEAKER_03 39:03

I'm sure she loves getting that text. That's all we're doing.

SPEAKER_01 39:05

She was like, I miss you at home too. So I was like, okay, you love me too. That's great.

Jay Franze 39:11

We'll be at C May Fest. We hope to see you there. It'll be fun. And we can't wait for you to come back with some more news in the future. But for right now.

SPEAKER_01 39:20

Try to whip up a crazy story about the time. Yeah. We come back.

Jay Franze 39:24

Let's make something happen.

SPEAKER_01 39:25

I'll make sure something crazy happens.

Jay Franze 39:27

Just fabricate something with you.

SPEAKER_01 39:28

I will. Next time I'll be like, guess what? I hopefully think Sacktop. Like something. Let me let me start thinking. I'll make it happen. I'll be like crazy story.

Jay Franze 39:38

I lit his tour bus on fire. It was a prank, but you should have seen it.

SPEAKER_01 39:43

Well, I'll think of something.

Jay Franze 39:47

Alright, folks, we have done it. We have reached top of the hour, which does mean we have reached the end of the show. If you've enjoyed the show, please tell a friend and Miss Tiffany if you have not.

SPEAKER_03 39:54

Tell too.

Jay Franze 39:55

You can also reach out to the two of us, and in this particular case, you can reach out to all three of us over at jfrenzy.com. We will keep this or any other conversation going for that matter. Miss Josie, my friend, we cannot thank you enough for being here tonight. We truly do appreciate it, and we would like to leave the final words to you.

SPEAKER_01 40:11

Thank you. Thank you guys so much for having me. Uh stream my music, please. Everything is Josie Sal, but thank you so much for having me.

Jay Franze 40:20

It is our pleasure. And on that note, folks, have a good night.