High Points and Cool Characters Appear on New Episode of ‘The Hook’
It’s tough to navigate social media these days and not run into artists and songwriters complaining about getting buried in algorithms, not selling enough tickets on tour, not being able to find the traction to keep sustainable careers going, not being able to get past gatekeepers and locked doors in the industry, and how the hustle to become “content creators” drains their creative energy for making actual music.
The Hook was built to help address these problems by providing a video platform for both established songwriters, and up-and-comers by allowing anyone to be able to sign up for the opportunity to perform a song. Though it’s still early and we’re only up to Episode 5 in Austin, the grassroots community and the kind of conversations that need to happen to build a more sustainable future in music are already taking shape.
The special guest performer and panelist for Episode 5 was Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist, and banjo picker Tony Kamel, who just released a new acoustic album called Live From The Bunker. The former member of the Austin-based bluegrass band Wood & Wire started the show off singing his song “John,” and then offered some great insight as a musician who spent nine years of his life in the business full-time, and now balances his musical life with other pursuits so he can be home with his family more.
The first performer selected randomly was Aden Rackley who made a big impression on Episode 4 with his song “Katydid.” He performed his new song “Wrong Side of Sober” to a favorable response once again. You get the sense that Rackly is one of the performers you’ll look back on and say, “Remember when we first saw him on that show ‘The Hook?'” as his career takes off.
Brian Tell came up and performed the song “Remembering You From The Future.” Perhaps one of the coolest moments of the entire episode is when he revealed that his performance was the first time he’d ever played guitar left handed. Naturally left handed, he’d been told to learn how to play with his right. But feeling like he’d hit a creative wall, and decided to make the switch. It’s this kind of experimentation and trying things out that The Hook was built for. Brian is also in the band The Loveshakers.
Boone Carter left a big, boomy impression with his engrossing dark country roots song “The Woods.” He also has a band called the Gilded Lows that specializes in a unique Gothic country sound. Both his performance, and the song itself received high praise from the panel. He also revealed that he’s been working on the new massive multi-part documentary They Called Us Outlaws.
Owen Stroud is another artist that you just know is on the brink of breaking out big time. He’s already playing gigs at places like Gruene Hall. Though his primary instrument is a piano, he showed up with a guitar and put a full band’s worth of energy out behind his song “I Want Her Near Me,” capturing the fervent desire of a pining heart. This guy feels like a big stage act just waiting to be discovered.
The only possible way to try and follow the impassioned performance from Owen Stroud was to go completely intimate. That is what Kat Costolo did with her song “Mother,” written for her son upon his graduation. It was a teary-eyed performance for Kat, and many others in the audience. Kat also talked about her really cool Austin-based music podcast/YouTube show Austin Downbeat. Some of her previous interview subjects include The Hook Gold Patch winners Katrina Cain and Tuskola, along with Boone Carter.
Reverend Leon Bush from Taylor, TX presented a very interesting character, and a riveting song about a shady preacher based off a real life individual who was in one of his father’s bands. The Rev is one of those kinds of guys that gets up on stage and you can’t wait to hear him sing a song. And then when he does, he doesn’t let you down.
Marsha Craft made her third appearance on the show, first showing up to the inaugural episode in Austin, and since then making bigger and bigger impressions each time. Her song “Jilted” is a perfect specimen of her propulsive, brutally honest, and vulnerable songwriting, while she set a new benchmark belting out the lines with both beauty and force.
The show was closed out by Gold Patch winner Tuskola singing a new song “Buffalo.” If he hadn’t already won the Gold Patch previous—which affords anyone the opportunity to perform on The Hook any time they choose—he would have earned it again for the new song.
The next taping of The Hook happens on Sunday, June 21st from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Sagebrush in Austin. If you want to sign up for a chance to perform, arrive by 2:30.
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The Hook is not just for songwriters. Fans of songwriting are also encouraged to stop by. For more information, visit savingcountrymusic.com/thehook. Please subscribe to The Hook’s YouTube Channel, and follow The Hook on Instagram and Facebook.
The Hook is sponsored by Ear Trumpet Labs, Keystone Artist Connect, The Willie Bus, Mule Kick Productions, JWA Media, and Sagebrush.
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June 18, 2026 @ 8:26 pm
I enjoyed showing up and watching the performers. I learned a lot just from listening to the feedback. If you’re in Austin this is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
June 18, 2026 @ 8:45 pm
Thanks for coming out Marc!
June 19, 2026 @ 1:01 am
I liked Reverend Leon Bush’s “Brother Love”!
I imagined a fiddle playing along in some way, especially around the lyrics “He’s another con man on the run, brimstone preacher with a busted rusted gun, modern day Judas living for none, he’s another con man on the run” (if I got those lyrics correct that is), which made it even better.
June 19, 2026 @ 8:25 am
I’ve been enjoying the show. Keep up the good work, Trig. One small point of feedback, I think if there was a little less discussion, it would allow more artists to squeeze in. Especially at the top of the show, but also throughout, sometimes it feels like talking to fill time, and I keep thinking “man, we could probably get an extra performance in the time it takes to give this monologue.”
Also it’s not clear to me how the gold patch thing works long term. If the gold patch people can return and play any time they want, after a while won’t the show just be 2 hours of returning gold patches parading thru and no time left for new people?
Again, great work so far. I’ll be tuning in for the next one.
June 19, 2026 @ 9:23 am
“Also it’s not clear to me how the gold patch thing works long term. If the gold patch people can return and play any time they want, after a while won’t the show just be 2 hours of returning gold patches parading thru and no time left for new people?”
I think it’s kind of assumed that people won’t actually want to, or attempt to, play any time they want. I reason the people who receive a gold patch will also likely kind of sense when it’s okay to come on and perform another song, and when it’s best to let others have a go.
June 19, 2026 @ 9:42 am
Hey Chris,
Thanks for the feedback.
I don’t think having too many Gold Patch performers showing up all the time is a concern. Right now in Austin we only have two Gold Patch performers. I think we have two more, maybe three in Nashville. Often these are artists on the ascent who are touring, playing other gigs, etc. And if need be, we can always coordinate that to make sure it’s not a problem.
There was too much discussion at the beginning of this last show and we felt that. At the same time, I felt it was really important discussion, especially how so many artists right now are struggling with social media, touring, etc. These are tough discussions to have, but they’re also super important. We try to get a minimum of 10 artists up each show, and will continue to try and find the right balance for discussion.
June 19, 2026 @ 10:47 am
Chris makes some good points, but I agree with Trigger that the discussion at the beginning was important.
June 19, 2026 @ 10:46 am
I was blown away by Tony! Can’t wait to spend time with his new album. His comments after his song were pure gold.
Once again, Trigger, I have to commend you on your stage presence and calm demeanour (very well spoken). Ms. Cannon seems so personable.
June 25, 2026 @ 4:06 pm
I have been LOVING The Hook. I’ve been working at a remote place away from internet and just downloading hours of youtube to listen to at work, and spending a lot of time working on songwriting in my down time. It’s been soooo interesting hearing the analys of these songs.
June 25, 2026 @ 4:18 pm
Thanks for listening Stellar.
FYI, it’s currently populating on all major podcast networks. Gonna have a post up about it soon.
June 25, 2026 @ 4:46 pm
btw for people like me (youtube premium people who download content for later listening) you should make playlists (season xyz for example)- it makes it possible to just save the playlist once and click ‘download’ and then every time you add another episode, it goes to my device. I think right now they’re just individual videos on your youtube channel if i’m not mistaken.