On this episode of Too Late to Quit, I sit down with Austin singer-songwriter Claudia Gibson, whose music blends folk at its core with elements of rock, bluegrass and Celtic, creating a sound that feels both expansive and deeply personal.

In our conversation, Claudia reflects on her early years making rock music in her twenties, and her current musical era where she has returned to songwriting with a new sense of purpose, creating work rooted in real experience, family history, and emotional truth.

A 1st place winner of the Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest and a Kerrville New Folk finalist, Claudia approaches songwriting with a methodical, almost historian-like discipline. In the tradition of storytellers like Bruce Springsteen and Joni Mitchell, her songs are grounded in lived experience, carefully observed details, and a deep respect for craft, never rushed, never accidental.

Her most recent album, The Fields of Chazy, reflects that philosophy. We talk about Claudia's songwriting process, her razor sharp sense of humor and her ability to turn a song prompt into a song that will stop you in your tracks.

Facebook.com/claudiagibsonmusic

On today's episode of Too Late To Quit, Jeannine Higgins drops by the studio to share what she calls her "new musical journey."

Although Jeannine has been singing all her life, she didn't release her first album, the self-titled Jeannine Higgins, until she was in her forties. And when she finally stepped into the studio, she went all in, pure DIY style. Jeannine even designed the striking album cover herself.

Her second album, Shadow, followed soon after, and her third is already taking shape in a creative mind that finds inspiration in places you wouldn't typically expect. Once you hear how and where she crafts her lyrics and melodies, I think you'll be inspired to try her process yourself. I'll give you a hint; it's where we went before Amazon existed.

When I asked Jeannine how she found the courage to begin and to push past the negative voices telling her she was "too old" she told me something that hit me straight in the heart:

"I was so scared… but I wanted it so much."

I feel that Jeannine's honesty and vulnerability are the core of her songs that will bring you along on her journey. In this episode, we dig into the stories behind several tracks from her debut and her second record, Shadow.

I'm confident that hearing Jeannine's journey will help awaken that voice inside you that says, "It's the perfect time to start."

https://www.jeanninehiggins.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/63KP1rnnmecxxlDYjWKoI8?si=c4eZpv84QuumV31XWH5rwA

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jeannine-higgins/1020847509

In this episode of Too Late to Quit, I sit down with Jack Pinto — a former engineer turned songwriter who started writing at the age of 60, proving it's always the right time to start creating your art. What started as a simple writing prompt from his son turned into a full-on musical journey, fueled by his retirement gift to himself: a Gibson J-200 guitar that's now his main songwriting companion.

Jack shares stories of growing up in New Jersey and buying his first guitar and teaching himself to play along to Mel Bay guitar books. Jack also shares how his journey brought him to Austin just four years ago — where I met him at the New World Deli open mic. We talk about the power of reinvention, the courage it takes to begin something new later in life, and his personal motto: "What are you waiting for?" Jack is a total vibe and played two songs for us all, "Ridin' on the wind" and "Turtles all the way down." I can't wait for you to hear this episode of Too Late To Quit and hear Jack's tunes.

Whether you're in your twenties or your seventies, this episode is a reminder that it's never too late to start writing your next chapter.

Special shout out to the band: Hazy Smile (who Jack collaborates with from time to time)

Hazy Smiles

instagram: @hazysmilesband