Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray is a hangout for anyone who accidentally built a life outside the traditional 9-to-5. After 15 years on the road as a working musician, Travis sits down with fellow artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs to swap stories about the highs, lows, chaos, triumphs, and questionable decisions that come with chasing a life on your own terms.
Some episodes are hilarious. Some get real. Most are both.
If you’ve ever slept in a van, quit a “real job,” followed a wild idea, or wondered how the hell anyone makes a creative life work… this is your place.
Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray
“Real stories from people who should’ve gotten real jobs.”
Ten episodes in, and I’m starting to realize this whole “just make great music and everything will work out” idea… isn’t exactly how it goes anymore. In this solo episode, I’m riffing on what it actually feels like to be an independent musician right now — writing songs, playing gigs, trying to grow an audience, and learning the social media/content game whether you like it or not. I talk about the stuff artists don’t always say out loud: the pressure to post, the weird relationship between a...
29 Jan 2026
Episode 10: Kay Goutos
This week on the podcast, Travis talks with Kay Goutos, a stand-up comic from Glens Falls, about getting started in comedy, what it really feels like to bomb on stage, and the mindset it takes to keep going when things don’t land. They dig into confidence, self-doubt, and the uncomfortable moments that come with trying something new in front of people. A candid conversation about creative risk, learning in public, and figuring it out as you go. https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D...
22 Jan 2026
Episode 9: Rich Derbyshire
In this episode, I sit down with Rich Derbyshire, bass player for Wild Adriatic/ Andy Frasco and the UN, for a grounded, honest conversation about musicianship, taste, and what it actually means to jam. We talk about why real jamming isn’t about showing off chops, but about listening, understanding the room, and knowing when less is more. Rich breaks down how knowing your instrument — and knowing your role — shapes better musicians and better bands. We also get into: The difference betw...
15 Jan 2026
Episode 8: Andi Gray
This episode is a little different. Travis sits down with his wife for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to build a creative life together. They talk about anxiety, uncertainty, and the quieter forms of support that don’t always get recognized — the emotional labor, the patience, and the work that happens offstage. It’s a real discussion about partnership, communication, and navigating a life that doesn’t follow a traditional path. No advice, no platitudes — just two peop...
8 Jan 2026
Episode 7: Hannah Williams
In this episode of Rough Pumpkins, Travis sits down with Hannah Williams, a mural artist based in Glens Falls, to talk about the deeper realities of living a creative life. Hannah shares what it’s like to paint murals in public spaces, where the work doesn’t happen in isolation and the community becomes part of the process. The conversation explores creative identity, purpose, and what happens when art isn’t just something you do — it’s part of how you survive, connect, and make sense of the ...
1 Jan 2026
Episode 6: Frankie Cavone
Travis sits down with Photographer/Videographer Frankie Cavone of Mirth Films. They talk about the passion and motivation it takes to keep going in your chosen creative field, and share some old stories. You might even get to hear about when Frankie had to go to court on 'Judge Judy'. https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI
17 Dec 2025
Episode 5: Joe Mansman
Travis sits down with Joe Mansman of Joe Mansman and The Midnight Revival Band for a laid-back conversation full of old memories, chaotic band stories, and the funny moments you only appreciate in hindsight. They talk about the unglamorous side of band life — roommates, road mishaps, and the kind of situations that sound insane once you say them out loud. It’s a hangout episode that focuses less on achievements and more on what it’s actually like trying to make something creative work. https...
11 Dec 2025
Episode 4: Mikey Baish- Schenectady Surf Rock
This week on Rough Pumpkins, Travis hangs with Mikey Baish from The Sugar Hold — one of the wildest, most entertaining bands in the Capital Region. We get into everything: how the band came together, Mikey’s role at The Jive Hive, and why Upstate NY might secretly have more raw talent per square mile than anywhere else. Lots of laughs, lots of local music love, and plenty of stories that prove Schenectady/Albany musicians are built different. https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwy...
4 Dec 2025
Episode 3: Josh Morris- Music City Moves
Travis sits down with drummer/singer/guitarist Josh Morris, who moved to Nashville just two years ago and already found himself playing for country artist Caylee Hammack—including a surreal moment opening for Stevie Nicks. Josh shares what it’s really like breaking into the Nashville scene so quickly, the grind behind the gigs, and the unexpected moments that make it all worth it. Real stories. https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI
26 Nov 2025
Episode 2: Dustin Deluke - Behind The Keys
In this episode, Travis sits down with longtime friend and keys wizard Dustin DeLuke to talk about the journey from small-town beginnings to professional stages. They break down the realities of being a modern working musician, shaping your sound, finding your voice in a band, and the creative life that happens offstage. Whether you’re a musician, a music fan, or just someone who loves hearing artists get honest, this is a killer conversation packed with insight, laughs, and stories from the...
20 Nov 2025
Episode 1: Joe Defelice - The Truth About Being a Working Musician
Episode 1 of Rough Pumpkins is here. Travis sits down with longtime friend and fellow musician Joe Defelice to break down what life really looks like when you choose music as a career instead of a “real job.” They talk about: • starting music for the love of it • why being “too loud” actually hurts your performance • the pressure creatives feel to justify their careers • how to survive without a traditional 9–5 • chasing art while balancing real life • the moments that make it all worth it ...
10 Nov 2025
Trailer- Welcome to Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray
The official trailer for Rough Pumpkins with Travis Gray. Real stories from people who should've gotten real jobs. Music By Travis Gray Full episodes coming soon. follow to stay tuned in! https://youtube.com/@roughpumpkinspodcast?si=D0hwyyaWNi2mrCwI
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