This week, I’m joined by singer-songwriter Jono Manson to dig into Bootlegger Days!! — his brand-new duo album with John Popper of Blues Traveler — and the 30+ year musical relationship that finally brought this project to life.

Jono and I trace the story back to the early ’90s New York City roots-rock scene, where Blues Traveler cut their teeth opening for Jono’s band Joey Miserable & The Worms. From there, we connect the dots through High Plains Drifter — featuring Chan Kinchla and the late Bobby Sheehan — and how that lineup evolved into the Jono Manson Band.Along the way, we talk about what it meant to hear their music featured in major films like Kingpin and The Postman, revisit the 2011 collaboration John Popper & The Duskray Troubadours, and touch on Jono’s 2023 solo album Stars Enough To Guide Me.

The conversation culminates in a deep dive into the songs and stories behind Bootlegger Days!! — a record shaped by decades of friendship, shared history, and time spent on the road.

Purchase “Bootlegger Days!!” Here: https://experiencevinyl.com/collections/john-popper-jono-manson-bootlegger-days-pre-order

🎙️ Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a 5-star review to help more rock fans find the show!

Jono Manson Band – The First One’s Free *

Jono Manson Band – Talk to You (w/ Warren Haynes) *

Jono Manson Band – Sad State of Affairs *

Jono Manson Band – Miss Fabulous

Blues Traveler – Brother John

Blues Traveler – The Mountains Win Again (From “Cover Yourself”) *

John Popper & the Duskray Troubadours – Love Has Made It So

John Popper & the Duskray Troubadours – Something Sweet

John Popper & the Duskray Troubadours – Champipple

John Popper & the Duskray Troubadours – Don’t Tread On Me

John Popper & the Duskray Troubadours – Hurdy Gurdy Fandango (Frogwings Version Shown) *

Blues Traveler – Washed Away With Tears

Blues Traveler – I Don’t Wanna Go (w/ Crystal Bowersox)

Jono Manson – New Kind of Blue (w/ John Popper)

Jono Manson & John Popper – The Same Old Blues

Jono Manson & John Popper – New Cocaine Blues

Jono Manson & John Popper – Before The Heat Rolls In

Jono Manson & John Popper – Who’s Taking Care Of The Road

Jono Manson & John Popper – Your Crazy

Jono Manson & John Popper – Cabin Fever

Jono Manson & John Popper – Cover My Hands

The Worms – One Night Only *

Jono Manson – Light’s Go Out

* Not available on streaming or YouTube.

STREAM THE ENTIRE “BOOTLEGGER DAYS!!” ALBUM HERE!