The Hook with Johni & Jess

Mark Damon of The Pretty Reckless: Behind the Bass

Send Johni & Jess a text From dive bars to stadiums packed with 100,000 fans, Mark Damon has lived just about every version of the musician's life. This week on Th

Coming to Richmond: RIFF 2026 + The Launch of Lightmakers with Heather Waters

Send Johni & Jess a text What happens when film, music and storytelling become more than entertainment — and start bringing people together? This week on The Hook, John

Christos DC: Roots, Rebellion & Reggae

Send Johni & Jess a text What happens when a kid raised by opera singers finds his voice in reggae? For Christos DC, the answer became a life that has crossed genres, c

Plunky Branch: Smooth Groove with Richmond Music Legend

Send Johni & Jess a text Richmond music legend James “Plunky” Branch joins The Hook with Johni & Jess for a wide-ranging conversation about more than five decades of mus

Jordan Rein: Building the Sound of REIN

Send Johni & Jess a text What happens when three incredibly talented musicians share a studio, trust each other completely, and set out to make the best music they possi

The Gary Green Story: Roads, Reeds & Rhythm

Send Johni & Jess a text From hitchhiking the East Coast with a harmonica in his pocket to performing on some of the most iconic stages in America, Gary Green has lived

Tyson Leamon: Rewriting the Story

Send Johni & Jess a text In this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Tennessee singer-songwriter Tyson Leamon for a conversation that spans faith, family,

The Lonely Teardrops: A Coruscating Conversation

Send Johni & Jess a text The Lonely Teardrops bring their signature blend of mod garage, surf rock, soul, punk attitude, and country heart to The Hook with Johni & Jess

434: Loud, Proud, and Unapologetic

Send Johni & Jess a text This week on The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Virginia hard rock band Four Thirty Four (434) for a conversation that's equal parts mu

Josh Pavlock: How "Checked Out" Became Reality

Send Johni & Jess a text What does it take to turn a lifelong dream into a feature film? This week on The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Josh Pavlock, founder

Stanley Jordan: Healing Through Sound, Learning Through Music

Send Johni & Jess a text In this unforgettable episode, we sit down with legendary guitarist Stanley Jordan for a conversation that goes far beyond music. Known around

Steve Bassett: Front Porch Soul & Backstage Stories

Send Johni & Jess a text From front porch soul to backstage stories with music legends, this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess takes listeners deep into the extraord

Mary McNeill & Fluffy: Dead Armadillos & Cosmic Energy

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with visual artist Mary McNeill and music industry veteran Fluffy for a conversation

Will Kimbrough: Part 1 From Buffett to Backroads: A Life in Song

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and guitarist Will Kimbrough—an artist wh

Will Kimbrough: Part 2 From Buffett to Backroads: A Life in Song

Send Johni & Jess a text In Part 2 of our conversation with Grammy-nominated songwriter, guitarist, and producer Will Kimbrough, we go even deeper—into the stories, the

Scott Orchard: From the Sunset Strip to the Sea: The Piano Bar Life

Send Johni & Jess a text From the Sunset Strip to the middle of the ocean, Scott Orchard has built a life fueled by music, risk, and saying yes to the moment. In this e

Mighty Joshua: Roots, Rhythm & Revolution

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook, Johni & Jess sit down with reggae artist Mighty Joshua—joined by his guitarist Ian Hartman (aka Ian I)—for a conver

Chef K: From Italian Grandmas to Route 66: A Culinary Journey

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook, Johni and Jess sit down with Chef K—a chef, cookbook author, TV host, and culinary tour guide whose passion for foo

Willie Williams: Southern Soul & Six Strings

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with guitarist and songwriter Willie Williams, whose sound blends country, blues, and

VEXINE-The Art of a Creative Life

Send Johni & Jess a text On this episode of The Hook with Johni & Jess, we sit down with Richmond artist, designer, and musician Sarah Frances Santamaria, the frontwoman