Episode 16 of Worship Bass Coffee features session and touring bassist Samuel Rady, a longtime “Insta-friend” of Jay’s whose playing you’ve probably heard even if you didn’t realize it. Sam shares his story of getting started on bass, landing early opportunities with Housefires, and how that path led into the rise of Maverick City Music—including what it was really like going from church gigs to arenas and huge stages. They talk about the reality of touring (the good, the hard, and the unexpected), the importance of the people you’re surrounded by, and what it takes to stay grounded as opportunities grow. Of course, they also go deep on the gear: Sam walks through his bass lineup (including a PJ Custom Shop, a ‘92 Thunderbird with Lollar pickups, a G3, a Mustang, a Coronado, and more), his live setup with the Quad Cortex, and his “absolute unit” studio board—plus why the Noble DI is still the one piece he can’t live without. The episode wraps with rapid fire favorites, coffee talk, and practical advice for worship bassists and aspiring touring musicians who want to grow the right way. Grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen.

Episode 15 features the first non-bassist guest of 2026, and one of my best friends — drummer Jeremy Williams from The Bridge Church. In this episode, Jay and Jeremy talk about serving on worship teams from a drummer’s perspective and how real friendships off-stage directly impact chemistry, feel, and tightness on-stage.

Jeremy shares his story of growing up in church with a worship-pastor dad, starting drums at a young age, and how those early experiences shaped his heart for worship. He also opens up about his current season of life as a husband and father balancing ministry with a demanding career that requires constant travel, and what intentional preparation looks like when time is limited.

The conversation dives into practical worship topics including how drummers prepare without a kit at home, what drummers listen for from bass players, locking in with the kick, serving the song, building dynamics, tone in in-ears, and handling mistakes on Sunday mornings. They also talk about humility, patience, and why relationships within a worship team matter just as much as musical skill.

Grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen.

Episode 14 kicks off 2026 with Nashville session bassist Jacob Lowery, whose résumé spans everyone from Reba McEntire and Michael McDonald to Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, and more. Jacob and Jay talk about what a “normal” week in the studio really looks like, how inspiration (and learning songs) often beats practicing scales, and how relationships + being a great hang can open doors just as much as playing the right notes. Along the way, Jacob shares early influences from church and radio (a true Louisiana gumbo of styles), surreal career moments on massive stages, and the discipline of serving the song—knowing when to add a little “spice” and when to stay out of the way. They also dive into gear: Bluesman basses, strings, and Jacob’s signal chain (including his always-on approach to tasteful drive), plus his upcoming Bass Summit where he mentors players on sessions, charts, tone, and real-world etiquette (sometimes with a Bluesman bass giveaway!). Jay closes the episode with an invite to join the Worship Bass Coffee Bible reading plan, a Psalm reading and encouragement for anyone feeling under attack, and a reminder that this community is better together—so grab your favorite cup of coffee and listen in.