The Vocal Lab Collective

In this weeks episode of the Vocal Lab Podcast we talk... music... and feelings... When's the last time that music moved you so deeply you cried? Is it Shelby's "thumpers" playlist or Jason's love for Bad Bunny? Tune in to find out why waxing eloquent about music is both a noun and a verb!

This week co-host Shelby Rollins from Master Vocal Studios peels back the curtain and gives us an exclusive exposé at what it's like being a vocal coach for American Idol. Is it real? Fake? Tune in to hear what actually happened and how a rogue boom mic could've gotten her fired.

This week's episode features Bret Green, AKA Dad Got Bars. From his early days in his high school cafeteria making beats on a table, to being nominated for an Emmy for his work in "The Inspectors," Bret has found a way to connect his passion for storytelling and music as a rapper to be a an honest voice sharing the real experiences women face in their everyday lives.

In this episode of The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby dive into the storm surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s recent town hall with Matthew McConaughey. Did the Marty Supreme star cross the line when he claimed "no one cares" about opera and ballet anymore, or was he just voicing a harsh reality about the struggle for cultural relevance? We’re breaking down whether this was a case of Hollywood "punching down" on vulnerable art forms—currently battling funding cuts and the rise of AI—or if the backlash is just a symptom of an industry in denial. From Misty Copeland’s pointed response to the "14 cents in viewership" joke that might have cost him an Oscar, we’re asking: is it time to stop treating these legacy arts like museum pieces and start fighting for their future?

We’re bringing this fan-favorite back to the front of the feed! In this special RE-RELEASE of The Vocal Lab Podcast, hosts Shelby Rollins and Jason Catron sit down with hit songwriter Derrick Southerland to celebrate their milestone 50th episode. From his humble beginnings "scrubbing toilets" as a studio intern to opening the door for legends like John Legend and Ryan Tedder while working as a server, Derrick’s story is a masterclass in persistence. Tune in as he shares what it was like to pass on an idea from Vince Gill, the hilarious moment he tried to "take Nelly's strawberries," and how he learned to find true success in the creative process rather than just the chart-topping hits.

In this episode of The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby tackle the inevitable—the aging voice. They break down the science of how your instrument changes over time and share must-know longevity tips for young artists who think they’re invincible. But the real star of the show is a piece of "transcendent" wisdom from producer Carlos, who graced the booth with the accidental comedy gold: "When you are young... you have youth." Tune in for the vocal science, but stay for the relentless teasing as Jason and Shelby try to uncover the hidden depths of the most obvious statement ever made in a recording studio.

In this episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason and Shelby are joined by Nashville’s own Sooner Routhier, a visionary production and lighting designer whose work has defined the visual identity of modern live music. As the CEO of The Playground, Sooner has earned prestigious accolades including multiple Parnelli Awards and the Live Design Achievement Award. She is the creative force behind some of the highest-grossing tours in history, notably serving as the lighting designer for Coldplay’s record-breaking Music of the Spheres World Tour and the co-production designer for The Lumineers' 2025 Automatic World Tour. Her portfolio spans genres and generations, from the theatrical world of the Game of Thrones Live Concert Experience to stadium shows for The Weeknd, Rihanna, and Chris Stapleton. Beyond her technical mastery, Sooner is a champion for industry evolution as the co-founder of EVEN, an organization dedicated to fostering diversity and mentorship within the live events community.

Get ready for a masterclass in independent artistry! This week, Jason and Shelby are joined by the powerhouse herself, Jenny Teator.Known for her soulful, "St. Louis-meets-Nashville" sound, Jenny dives deep into the creative journey behind her latest album release. But the conversation doesn’t stop at the studio—we’re exploring how her viral hit, "Rhinestone Rock,"became a certified elite line dance sensation, taking over dance floors across the country.

From surviving the freeze to the fallout of "Music’s Biggest Night," this week on The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby are diving deep into a Nashville ice storm that changed everything. While Shelby took advantage of the power outage to crush six books in a single week, Jason was busy hunkering down at a friend’s house, watching the city turn into a literal ice rink.But the real storm? It was brewing at the 2026 Grammys. The duo breaks down:Billie Eilish’s polarizing "F*** ICE" acceptance speech that has the internet on fire.Trevor Noah’s final stint as host—was the comedy actually "funny" or just safe?Nicki Minaj’s digital "unleashing" as she took to social media to drop bombshell allegations and conspiracy theories while the show aired.From the nature of award shows in a hyper-political era to the resilience of the Nashville music scene, Jason and Shelby aren't holding anything back.

In this soul-stirring episode of The Vocal Lab, hosts Jason Catron and Shelby Rollins sit down with the legendary Rita Springer. A pioneer in Christian music, Rita opens up about her humble beginnings and the unwavering conviction to keep her craft "not for sale." She dives deep into the delicate tension between navigating a professional music career and the visceral longing to see God’s power manifest in the lives of her listeners. It’s an honest, powerful conversation for any artist seeking to balance technical excellence with a pure, uncompromised heart.

Is your vocal coach a mentor or just a fan? Choosing a vocal coach is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your career, yet most singers go in blind. This week on The Vocal Lab, Jason and Shelby pull back the curtain on the hiring process. They’re sharing the exact 5-question litmus test you should use to separate the world-class mentors from the weekend hobbyists.

Tera Lynne joins The Vocal Lab Podcast to share her raw and honest journey as an artist navigating the path to self-discovery. In this episode, she discusses the internal work required to break through personal barriers and how her creative process serves as a tool for authentic expression. By exploring the intersection of her artistry and her voice, Tera offers a powerful look at what it truly means to show up as yourself in your music, shedding the weight of expectation to find a sound that is uniquely her own.

Ring in the New Year with The Vocal Lab Podcast as Jason and Shelby recap their NYE adventures, set bold goals, and dream up what’s next. From big aspirations to unexpected hobbies, anything’s possible in 2026. But the real question is—will Shelby take up pickleball, and is Jason actually fencing?

The Vocal Lab Podcast pulls back the curtain on life as a vocal coach. Jason, Shelby, and Carlos get real about the intangibles, the instincts, psychology, and emotional work that never make it into a lesson plan, along with the quirks, habits, and surprises that come with coaching real clients. Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, it’s a candid look at the voices behind the voices.

This week on The Vocal Lab Podcast, Jason and Shelby trade vocal warm-ups for wild holiday facts as they dive into the strangest Christmas traditions around the world. 🎄From Austria’s horned nightmare Krampus, to Spain’s infamous poop log, and other festive customs that make caroling seem tame nothing is off-limits.It’s funny, slightly unhinged, and the perfect reminder that Christmas gets weird everywhere. Tune in and laugh along.