Jay Franze joins me to talk about how AI is showing up in real songwriting workflows, not just as a toy, but as a tool people are actually using. We unpack how we built the new Home Gadget Geeks theme, what’s happening in Nashville studios, and whether AI makes music more creative or more predictable. Along the way, we hit crypto regret, bourbon country, and the bigger question: what happens when anyone can make a full song in minutes? Thanks for listening!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Home Gadget Geeks #673 – AI, Songwriting & the Music Industry

What is Home Gadget Geeks Episode 673 about?

Episode 673 features a conversation between Jim Collison and musician/podcaster Jay Franze about how artificial intelligence is changing songwriting and music production. They discuss AI-generated music tools like Suno, Nashville recording workflows, crypto investing psychology, and real-world AI use cases in healthcare and daily life.

How is AI changing songwriting?

AI tools can now generate full musical tracks from written lyrics in minutes. Songwriters can:

• Write lyrics first
• Use AI to generate melody and instrumentation
• Refine results inside a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
• Iterate quickly without booking studio time

This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for music creation and speeds up demo production.

Are professional songwriters using AI?

Yes. In Nashville and other music hubs, some songwriters are already bringing AI-generated “work tapes” into writing sessions instead of simple guitar-and-vocal demos. These AI tracks can include drums, fiddle, bass, and full arrangements.

This changes the dynamic of studio collaboration because musicians may replicate AI-generated parts instead of inventing them organically in the room.

What AI tool was discussed in this episode?

Jay Franze references using Suno, an AI music generation platform. He writes lyrics himself, then uses Suno to generate the musical arrangement. For more refined projects, he edits and restructures the output in a DAW before finalizing.

Does AI music all sound the same?

It can — especially when default prompts are used. Many AI models reuse familiar vocal tones and instrument textures.

However, experienced users can push AI tools by:

• Blending genres
• Giving specific structural instructions
• Directing vocal styles
• Rewriting lyrics to fit better phrasing

Human direction is what determines whether AI output feels generic or unique.

Can AI replace musicians?

AI can assist with composition and demo production, but it does not replace human emotion, lived experience, or taste. In professional settings, human musicians still play a critical role in interpretation, storytelling, and performance nuance.

The episode argues that AI is more likely to reshape workflows than fully replace creative professionals.

What is the “AI will create smarter people and dumber people” idea?

Jay Franze suggests that AI will amplify user behavior:

• Some people will use AI to eliminate repetitive work and focus on higher-level thinking and creativity.
• Others may rely on AI too heavily and outsource their thinking.

The tool itself is neutral — outcomes depend on how it’s used.

How does AI affect the music industry economically?

AI lowers production costs and increases output volume. This may lead to:

• A flood of AI-generated songs on platforms like Spotify
• Increased competition for attention
• Pressure on traditional studio workflows
• Faster content cycles

At the same time, it democratizes music creation for independent artists.

Was cryptocurrency discussed in this episode?

Yes. Jim shares reflections on early Bitcoin prices and the psychology of investment regret. The discussion connects emotional decision-making in crypto to broader technology adoption patterns.

How is AI used outside of music?

The episode also explores everyday AI use cases, including:

• Travel planning
• Solar and technical research
• Organizing ideas
• Analyzing medical records

Jay shares a real example of using AI to review his daughter’s medical history, which helped surface alternative diagnostic possibilities.

Links:

https://jayfranze.com/

Chapters

[00:00] – Welcome to Home Gadget Geeks
[00:29] – False Spring Weather & Kentucky Snow
[01:52] – Whiskey Industry Shifts & Bourbon Culture
[04:01] – Bitcoin, Crypto Regret & Dollar-Cost Averaging
[11:19] – Writing the HGG Theme Song with AI
[14:30] – Jay’s Songwriting Process (Driving → Lyrics → AI)
[18:02] – AI Music, Copyright Flags & Platform Issues
[20:19] – AI “Work Tapes” in Nashville Studios
[24:30] – Pushing AI Beyond Default Sounds
[27:23] – The Nashville Number System Explained
[30:20] – Storytelling & Writing Lyrics That Stick
[35:39] – AI Saturation & Music Homogenization
[39:16] – The Cost of AI Music Tools
[43:20] – Creativity vs Commercial Output
[50:49] – The Future of AI in Music
[57:03] – AI in Everyday Life (Travel, Solar, Planning)
[1:03:12] – AI & Medical Diagnosis Story
[1:08:23] – Jay’s Podcast & Where to Find It
[1:09:10] – Discord, Hosting & Upcoming Guests
[1:11:30] – Closing Remarks

Summary

• Weather and Whiskey in Texas[0:00]
  • Jim Collison and Jay Franze discuss the weather in Texas and Kentucky, noting the fluctuating temperatures and false springs.
  • Jay mentions driving by distilleries in Kentucky, including a massive one.
  • Jim talks about the whiskey industry, mentioning Jim Beam’s closure of a manufacturing plant and the impact of tariffs.
  • Jay shares a story about a bourbon raffle at his church, highlighting the local interest in whiskey.
• Crypto Investments and Regrets[4:01]
  • Jim Collison discusses the current state of the crypto market, mentioning Bitcoin’s price fluctuations and the potential benefits of investing in crypto.
  • Jay admits he doesn’t know much about crypto but shares a conversation with a musician who is heavily invested.
  • Jim suggests using Coinbase to start investing in crypto, emphasizing the importance of dollar-cost averaging.
  • They discuss the potential regrets of not investing in crypto earlier, with Jim sharing a personal anecdote about missing out on significant gains.
• Musical Collaboration with AI[11:19]
  • Jim and Jay reflect on their previous musical collaboration, where Jay wrote lyrics and AI created the music.
  • Jay explains his creative process, including driving and dictating lyrics, and using AI to create music.
  • They discuss the challenges and benefits of using AI in music creation, including the ability to push boundaries and create unique sounds.
  • Jim shares his experience of using AI to create a podcast title, highlighting the potential for AI to assist in creative tasks.
• Impact of AI on Music Industry[59:20]
  • Jay talks about the widespread use of AI in the music industry, including the creation of work tapes and full-blown productions.
  • They discuss the potential for AI to replace human musicians and the impact on the music industry.
  • Jim expresses concerns about the homogenization of music due to AI, while Jay argues that pushing boundaries can lead to unique creations.
  • They explore the potential for AI to enhance creativity and the role of human musicians in the future.
• AI in Everyday Life[1:01:53]
  • Jim and Jay discuss the everyday use of AI, including for tasks like organizing calendars and providing recommendations.
  • Jay shares an example of using AI to diagnose his daughter’s medical condition, highlighting the potential for AI to provide accurate and timely information.
  • They reflect on the broader implications of AI in various industries, including healthcare and education.
  • Jim concludes by expressing his thoughts on the future of AI and its impact on creativity and human skills.
• Jay Franze’s Music-Based Podcast[1:08:23]
  • Jim Collison asks Jay Franze to introduce his podcast, which is music-based, focusing primarily on country music.
  • Jay explains that the podcast includes news, reviews, and interviews, with a mix of country and rock music.
  • Jay mentions that he co-hosts the podcast with Tiffany Mason, and they have guests from the music industry on opposite shows.
  • Jay emphasizes that the podcast is fun and informative, and listeners can find it at jfranze.com.
• Podcast Details and Links[1:09:10]
  • Jim Collison provides the correct spelling of Jay’s website: jfranze.com.
  • Jim mentions that he will include the link to the new theme song written by Jay in the show notes.
  • Jim reminds listeners that the podcast is live every Thursday at 8 PM Central, 9 PM Eastern, and shares the schedule for upcoming guests: Paul Beren on the 12th and Gavin Campbell on the 19th.
  • Jim invites listeners to join the live show and the Discord group for more interaction.
• Discord Group and Hosting Services[1:10:23]
  • Jim encourages listeners to join the Discord group, which is not very busy and has occasional deals and conversations.
  • Jim thanks Christian from Maple Grove Partners for providing secure, reliable, high-speed hosting services.
  • Jim mentions that Christian still has hosting plans starting at $10, which is a great deal.
  • Jim expresses gratitude to listeners for their continued support and mentions that he appreciates both new and long-time listeners.
• Closing Remarks and Welcome[1:11:30]
  • Jim thanks Jay for joining the show and says goodbye to him.
  • An unknown speaker introduces the “Home Gadget Geeks” podcast, emphasizing the focus on tech talk and a welcoming environment for listeners.
  • The unknown speaker mentions that the podcast is a place to settle in for tech discussions.
  • The unknown speaker welcomes listeners to the “Home Gadget Geeks” community.

About Jay Franze

Jay Franze is a musician, songwriter, and podcaster with deep roots in both country and rock. Based in Kentucky and closely connected to the Nashville scene, Jay brings a working creator’s perspective to every conversation. He understands the realities of writing, recording, and producing music in today’s industry — not just from theory, but from hands-on experience in studios and songwriting rooms.

In addition to his music work, Jay hosts a music-focused podcast that covers news, reviews, and interviews across country and rock. He blends industry insight with practical production knowledge, offering listeners a grounded look at how songs are built and how artists navigate an increasingly competitive landscape. His perspective bridges the creative and technical sides of music, making him equally comfortable talking about storytelling, structure, and studio workflows.

More recently, Jay has been experimenting with AI-assisted songwriting and production tools, integrating platforms like Suno into his creative process. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, he approaches it as a collaborator — writing his own lyrics, refining arrangements in a DAW, and pushing the tools beyond default outputs. That balance of tradition and innovation makes his voice especially relevant in conversations about where music — and creativity more broadly — are headed next.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg673

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #673 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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