The Spirit of Todd Snider Graces the Latest Episode of The Hook
The spirit of songwriting legend Todd Snider was in the room for sure when the latest installment of The Hook convened on October 4th at Sagebrush in Austin. The special guest and panelist for the episode was songwriter HalleyAnna Finlay, who Todd Snider once said is, “One of the most formidable songwriters of our time. She’s like Hayes Carll, but pretty.”
After that quote was read introducing her, HalleyAnna came out and performer her new, unreleased song called “Assault Lake City.” It’s about the moments leading up to Todd Snider’s death on November 14th, 2025 after his final tour—a situation we still all have many questions about.
Along with being an accomplished and respected songwriter herself, HalleyAnna’s father is Kent Finlay, known for being the “Godfather of Texas Songwriters.” More specifically, Kent was the owner of the Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos, TX where artists from George Strait to Todd Snider got their start. HalleyAnna would go on to tour with Todd Snider, and saw him as a songwriting mentor.
Later in the show, songwriter Keith Michael was selected to perform, and he also happened to be an understudy of Snider, and was working with him mere months before his passing. Michael’s song “Pineapple” was about a homeless man from his hometown and about how people perceived him. Similarly, part of the concern of how Todd Snider was treated in Salt Lake City is that he’d been profiled by police and medical workers as a homeless vagrant instead of a notable songwriter needing help.
Incidentally, what’s thought to be Todd Snider’s final album called My Second Rodeo was released on Friday, October 9th.
Along with a lot of memories of Todd Snider being shared, some great songs were also shared on Episode 17 of The Hook. Jason Kosmos started off the random pick performers with a song called “My Life in Gray” or “My My.” It’s in part about a man struggling with alcohol. In certain circles, Kosmos is known as a world-renown mixologist who operated famous premium cocktail bars in New York some years ago.
Barret Bostick performed his song “Burden,” and brought a ton of authentic passion to the performance of a very inspired song. He later posted a detailed story of his songwriting journey on Instagram that’s really compelling to read. It was Barret’s first time getting up on The Hook stage. Same goes for songwriter Chad Lloyd who sang his song “Falling Down,” impressing the audience.
Mark Berry was also a Hook first-timer, driving up from San Antonio, and performing his ’90s country-inspired song “The Cure.” And offering up some elemental roots, banjo player Bo Tyler capped off the show with a cool song called “I’m Travelin’ On.”
Songwriter Alison Tucker also made her very first Hook appearance, and left a huge impression. As she explained to the audience, she just got into songwriting over two years ago after having spend two decades in corporate America, raising two kids, and getting served divorce papers for Christmas. “Now I get to be what I think I was supposed to be. So that’s what I’m doing,” she said. Her song “Carousel of Colors” *SPOILER ALERT* ended up earning one of the two ‘Song of the Day’ patches that were handed out.
The other ‘Song of the Day’ patch went to Anthony Salerno, who has been a pretty regular character on The Hook recently. *SPOILER ALERT* Many of the lines from his song “Hallelujah Lie” were absolutely stunning. Now we know where his son, Gold Patch winner Owen Salerno who also performed once again gets his talent. Phillip Gibbs also was a returning performer, singing his song “Have It All,” which lent to a theme of gratefulness from many of the songs featured on the show. And Nick Teale all gave us an October chill with his song “Your Language.”
The Hook is trying to continue the songwriting legacy that people like Kent Finlay started by creating the space for songwriters to be seen, heard, and nurtured, and find the next great songwriter like Todd Snider that will rise up and continue on the legacy of meaningful songs. Sometimes episodes only hit on the edges of this endeavor. Episode 17 felt like it nailed it right in the bulls-eye.
The next taping of The Hook happens on Sunday, October 11th from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Sagebrush in Austin. If you want to sign up for a chance to perform, make sure to arrive by 2:30.
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The Hook is not just for songwriters. Fans of songwriting are also encouraged to attend. For more information, visit savingcountrymusic.com/thehook. Please subscribe to The Hook’s YouTube Channel, and follow The Hook on Instagram and Facebook.
You can now also stream the audio of The Hook via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, PocketCasts, as well as Deezer and other major podcast networks.
The Hook is sponsored by Big Hat Premium Cocktails and Mocktails, Ear Trumpet Labs, Keystone Artist Connect, and Sagebrush.
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