In this episode, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a seasoned music producer, to explore how AI is transforming music creation. Jay shares his experiment using AI as a virtual studio—producing songs that rival human-recorded tracks and often sound indistinguishable from traditional productions. We compare AI and studio recordings, discuss songwriting, ethics, and ownership, and explore how these tools can empower musicians and podcasters alike. The episode closes with a look toward future collaborations and the potential for AI-crafted theme music. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of Home Gadget Geeks, I’m joined by Jay Franze, a music industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience as a songwriter, producer, and engineer. Our conversation explores the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and music creation, with a deep dive into how AI is fundamentally changing the way songs are written, produced, and refined.

Jay shares his professional journey from working in New York to spending two decades in Nashville producing and engineering country artists. From that foundation, we unpack a recent experiment where Jay approached AI music tools the same way he would a professional recording studio—directing the technology with detailed musical instructions instead of relying on generic prompts.

Using structured lyrics, genre cues, tempo, key, vocal characteristics, and emotional direction, Jay demonstrates how AI can generate complete compositions that evolve with each iteration. The results are striking: listeners—including myself—are unable to reliably distinguish between AI-generated tracks and songs recorded in world-class studios with elite session musicians.

Throughout the episode, Jay shares deeply personal examples of this process, including writing songs for his daughters—one during a difficult hospital stay—and how AI allowed him to explore multiple musical interpretations without the time, cost, or limitations of traditional studio work. These moments highlight AI’s potential not as a replacement for creativity, but as a powerful amplifier of it.

We listen to and compare multiple song samples live on the show, including original studio recordings, AI-generated versions, and reimagined genre variations. Along the way, we discuss songwriting fundamentals—lyrics, melody, structure, rhyming—and how AI accelerates experimentation while still requiring human judgment to decide when a song is truly finished.

We also address the broader implications of AI in music: ownership rights, ethical considerations, and how these tools are lowering barriers for independent musicians, podcasters, and creators. Jay explains how paid AI platforms allow creators to fully own their work, opening the door for original theme music, intros, and soundbeds without licensing concerns.

As the episode wraps up, we tease future collaborations and the possibility of debuting a brand-new Home Gadget Geeks theme song—crafted with AI but guided by human creativity. Episode 666 becomes both a technical demonstration and a philosophical discussion on where creativity is headed in an AI-driven world.

FAQ

What is the main focus of Home Gadget Geeks 666?
This episode focuses on AI-generated music and how it can be used in professional creative workflows, including songwriting, music production, and podcast branding.

Who is Jay Franze?
Jay Franze is a music industry veteran with over 35 years of experience as a songwriter, producer, and engineer, including extensive work in Nashville.

Is the music in this episode fully AI-generated?
Some examples are fully AI-generated, while others are comparisons between AI-produced tracks and songs recorded in professional studios with live musicians.

Can AI-generated music really sound professional?
Yes. In blind comparisons during the episode, AI-generated tracks were mistaken for studio recordings due to their realism and production quality.

How does AI change the songwriting process?
AI allows songwriters to rapidly experiment with structure, genre, vocals, and arrangements before committing to a final version or studio recording.

Can podcasters legally use AI-generated music?
With paid AI music platforms, creators typically own full rights to the music they generate, making it suitable for intros, outros, and background music.

Links:

https://jayfranze.com/

Chapters

[0:05] – Welcome to Home Gadget Geeks

[27:39] – The AI Music Experiment Begins

[37:54] – Unveiling AI Song Samples

[50:49] – Country Metal and Creative Journeys

[52:53] – Blending Screamo and Smooth Vocals

[54:16] – Exploring Vocal Techniques

[57:59] – Inside the Song Crafting Process

[59:27] – AI and Modern Music Creation

[1:02:45] – The Role of Music Genres

[1:08:04] – Creating Unique Musical Styles

[1:13:47] – Discussing Lyric Writing

[1:15:57] – Personal Experiences in Songwriting

[1:29:30] – Refining Lyrics for Impact

[1:30:46] – The Art of Rhyming

[1:33:10] – Live AI Music Experimentation

[1:39:05] – The Power of AI in Music

[1:44:23] – Reflecting on the Creative Process

[1:50:50] – Final Thoughts on Song Creation

[1:54:20] – Wrapping Up the Collaboration

Summary

• Winter Weather and Show Introduction[0:00]
  • Jim Collison introduces the show, mentioning the date and location, and welcomes Jay Franze from Northern Kentucky.
  • Jim talks about the weather in Bellevue, Nebraska, and mentions the cold weather returning.
  • Jim thanks the Patreon subscribers and mentions Bob Carpenter joining the team.
  • Jim apologizes to Christian for rescheduling due to his cold and mentions the episode number, 666, and its significance.
• Discussion on AI and Music Production[5:09]
  • Jay Franze shares his background in the music industry, working in New York and Nashville for over 35 years.
  • Jay explains his experiment with AI to produce a song using specific musical instructions.
  • Jay describes the process of creating a song with AI, including using multi-track versions and tweaking the music.
  • Jay shares the success of his AI-produced songs, including one for his daughter with functional neurologic disorder.
• AI Song Creation and Experimentation[5:38]
  • Jay discusses the technical aspects of using AI for music production, including the use of multi-track versions and specific musical instructions.
  • Jay shares his experience of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay mentions the industry’s use of AI for music production and the challenges of tweaking AI-generated music.
  • Jay describes the process of creating a song for his wife and daughter, including the use of AI to cover existing songs.
• Live Demonstration of AI-Generated Music[5:53]
  • Jay plays samples of AI-generated songs, including a song for his wife and a song for his daughter.
  • Jim and Jay discuss the quality of the AI-generated music, comparing it to professional studio recordings.
  • Jay explains the process of creating a song for Jim’s podcast, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay shares his thoughts on the potential of AI in music production and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Capabilities and Limitations[6:09]
  • Jay discusses the limitations of AI in music production, including the inability to change lyrics without affecting the music.
  • Jay explains the process of tweaking AI-generated music to improve its quality.
  • Jay shares his experience of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music production and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Role in Music Creation and Industry Impact[6:22]
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music creation and its impact on the industry.
  • Jay shares his thoughts on the future of AI in music production and its potential to revolutionize the industry.
  • Jay explains the process of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI in music production and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Impact on Songwriting and Music Production[6:39]
  • Jay discusses the impact of AI on songwriting and music production, including the ability to create multiple versions of a song.
  • Jay shares his experience of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay explains the process of tweaking AI-generated music to improve its quality.
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music production and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Role in Music Education and Learning[6:50]
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music education and learning, including the ability to create customized learning experiences.
  • Jay shares his thoughts on the future of AI in music education and its impact on the industry.
  • Jay explains the process of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI in music education and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Role in Music Therapy and Healing[7:07]
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music therapy and healing, including the ability to create personalized music for individuals.
  • Jay shares his experience of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay explains the process of tweaking AI-generated music to improve its quality.
  • Jay discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI in music therapy and its impact on the industry.
• AI’s Role in Music Performance and Live Shows[7:24]
  • Jay discusses the potential of AI in music performance and live shows, including the ability to create realistic live performances.
  • Jay shares his thoughts on the future of AI in music performance and its impact on the industry.
  • Jay explains the process of creating a song for his daughter, including the use of AI to mimic different musical styles.
  • Jay discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI in music performance and its impact on the industry.
• Home Gadget Geeks Theme Development[7:39]
  • Jim Collison and Jay Franze discuss the theme of the show, which includes news, reviews, products, updates, and conversation.
  • Jay introduces a new version of the theme, emphasizing the buzz in the room and the rotating crew.
  • Jim appreciates the guitar riff in the new version, describing it as a “hair band” sound.
  • Jay explains the process of breaking down the song into individual stems using AI technology.
• Lyric Adjustments and AI Capabilities[7:54]
  • Jim and Jay discuss the art of writing lyrics, noting the awkwardness of using a full name in music.
  • Jay demonstrates how AI can adjust lyrics, suggesting changes like “with Jim at the helm” instead of using his full name.
  • They experiment with different versions of the lyrics, including a glam metal version and a hard rock version.
  • Jim and Jay discuss the importance of rhyming and the potential cheesiness of overly rhymed lyrics.
• Genre and Style Experimentation[1:51:22]
  • Jim and Jay explore different musical styles, including glam metal, hard rock, and dubstep.
  • They discuss the dynamic of choosing different instruments and vocal styles to create a unique sound.
  • Jay explains the process of creating a cover of a song using AI, emphasizing the importance of similarity to the original melody.
  • Jim and Jay experiment with changing the lyrics to see how it affects the overall sound of the song.
• Finalizing the Song and AI Limitations[1:51:38]
  • Jim and Jay continue to refine the lyrics, discussing the importance of brand consistency and rhyming.
  • They experiment with different vocal styles, including a Jon Bon Jovi and a Sammy Hagar sound.
  • Jay explains the limitations of AI in creating music, noting that it can’t always perfectly replicate human creativity.
  • They discuss the potential for using AI to cover popular songs and the legal implications of using AI-generated music.
• Practical Applications and Future Plans[1:54:06]
  • Jim and Jay discuss the practical applications of AI-generated music for their podcast.
  • They consider using AI to create custom music for the show, including a slow riff for the beginning and a full version for the end.
  • Jay explains the potential for using AI to cover popular songs and the legal implications of using AI-generated music.
  • They plan to continue working on the song and potentially use it as the new theme music for the podcast.

About Jay Franze

Jay Franze is a veteran music producer, engineer, and songwriter with over 35 years of experience in the music industry. He began his career in New York, writing songs that landed in TV shows and movies (including placements via a publishing company that got his music onto Saturday Night Live and other programs), then spent roughly 20 years in Nashville working with country artists.

Jay’s background includes:

• Producing and engineering records in top Nashville studios with A-list session players
• Writing songs that have been cut by Nashville artists, including a song he originally wrote for his wife that was later recorded by artist Maddie McCree
• Extensive work as a studio engineer, using tools like Pro Tools and other multitrack DAWs

In recent years, Jay has been deeply exploring AI-assisted music production. Instead of just typing “write me a song,” he treats AI tools the way he would direct live musicians—specifying tempo, key, feel, vocal style, arrangement, and dynamics, then refining results with multi-track “stems” and detailed prompts. He’s used this approach to:

• Produce full songs from his own lyrics using AI vocals and instruments
• Create highly polished tracks for his family (including an anthem-style rock song for his daughter, inspired by bands like Avril Lavigne, Halestorm, and hard rock/metal styles)
• Reimagine older songs he wrote years ago into modern, radio-ready AI arrangements
• Demonstrate how AI can get close enough to studio quality that casual listeners often can’t tell the difference between AI and a full Nashville studio production

Jay also hosts his own show, where he interviews artists and industry pros and talks about how technology—especially AI in music—is changing songwriting, recording, and production workflows.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg666

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #666 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

WANT TO SUBSCRIBE? http://theAverageGuy.tv/subscribe

Join us for the show live each Thursday at 8pmC/9E at http://theAverageGuy.tv/live

Find Us!

Join us in the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/theaverageguy/

On Discord at https://theaverageguy.tv/discord

Get the Home Gadget Geeks subscribe links at http://homegadgetgeeks.com

http://theaverageguy.tv is powered by Maplegrove Partners web hosting. Get secure, reliable, high-speed hosting from people you know and trust.  For more information, visit http://maplegrovepartners.com

Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, Jay Franze, music producer, AI music, AI music creation, song production, artificial intelligence in music, AI-generated tracks, podcast theme music, creative technology, songwriting process, music industry technology, democratizing creativity