The Judge and JD Show

It is officially Oktoberfest weekend in Fredericksburg, and Episode 73 of The Judge & JD Show is dropping right on time.First, Judge and JD sit down with Matthew Pipkin, owner of The Albert Hotel in Fredericksburg, Texas. The Albert is one of the most talked-about new hospitality projects in the Hill Country right now, and Matthew sits down to tell the full story behind it. From the vision and the build to what makes The Albert a different kind of hotel experience in downtown Fredericksburg, this is a conversation about what it means to invest in this community and what...

This is one of those episodes where you clear your schedule and sit down properly.

Judge and JD welcome two of the most decorated figures in Texas music and literature, Bob Livingston, pioneering Texas singer-songwriter and founding member of the legendary Lost Gonzo Band, a group that helped shape the sound of progressive country in the 1970s alongside artists like Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey, and Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Mike Blakely, singer-songwriter and novelist who has released 14 solo albums and published 19 books with major New York City publishers, with songs recorded by Alan Jackson, Gary...

On Episode 71 of The Judge & JD Show, Judge Edwards and JD Rose sit down to talk about what is happening right now in Fredericksburg and the Texas Hill Country. From local events and community news to everything going on around town, this is your weekly pulse on the place we all love.And the Cheers Fun Bus Giveaway is still running — which means there is a secret code hidden somewhere in this episode worth bonus entries into our $1,500 party bus giveaway. Watch carefully.If you live here, love it here, or just want to know what is going on in...

If you think you've heard an interesting life story before, wait until you hear Drew McHolm's.Born in Glasgow, Scotland and adopted as a baby, Drew has lived more lives than most people could dream of, railwayman, steelworker, youth minister, musician, entrepreneur, and now pastor at the historic Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. And somewhere in between all of that, he wrote his debut thriller novel.Minister of Justice is a gripping story of moral courage, faith under pressure, and what it truly costs to choose justice, set against the backdrop of the IRA conflict...

Fair season is here, and we brought the whole court to the studio. On Episode 65 of The Judge & JD Show, Judge and JD sit down with the 2026 Gillespie County Fair Court, Queen Lainey Beyer, 1st Duchess Annie Eilers, 2nd Duchess Bailee Triebs, 3rd Duchess Allie Benitez, and 4th Duchess Layna Ottmers, for a conversation about the fair, their community, and what it means to represent Gillespie County.If you love Fredericksburg, the Hill Country, and everything that makes this community special, this episode is for you. These five young women are the heart of one of the most beloved...

Episode 64 is packed, and we're not holding anything back.First, Judge and JD sit down with Texas music artist Timothy Howls to talk about his musical journey and the story behind his song "I Don't Drink Anymore", one of the most honest, real pieces of songwriting you'll hear from the Texas music scene right now. Timothy has been opening for Easton Corbin, building his fanbase one honest song at a time, and this conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to make it as an independent artist in Texas country music.And then, the big news.Our own...

If you love real country music, this episode was made for you.

David Lewis grew up in Bellville, Texas, where country roots run deep. He started performing in the church worship band, worked his way through the opry circuit across Texas, and by the time he was a senior in high school he had already written and co-produced his debut album Country Music Therapy. Since then, he's shared stages with country legends Mark Chesnutt, Diamond Rio, and Johnny Lee, and he just dropped his new album, Barstool Sermons.

On Episode 63, David sits down with Judge...

You know JD from The Judge & JD Show. But did you know he runs one of the most fun businesses in the Texas Hill Country?

On Episode 62, Judge and JD flip the script, JD is in the hot seat, and we're taking you inside Wine-Heimer Tours, Fredericksburg's premier party bus and wine tasting room tour experience.

We got on the bus, saw the full setup, and got the real story behind how JD built one of the most unique businesses in the Hill Country.

Whether you're planning a bachelorette party in Fredericksburg...

Denise Usener | The Golden Hub & 50 Years of Serving Fredericksburg’s SeniorsMost people in Fredericksburg have driven past the Golden Hub without knowing what’s happening inside.Every single day, the Golden Hub delivers over 100 meals to homebound seniors across Gillespie County, Fredericksburg, Stonewall, Harper, and beyond. They run fitness programs, arts and social clubs, congregate dining, and one of the most important Meals on Wheels operations in the Texas Hill Country. And they’ve been doing it since 1975.Denise Usener is the Executive Director of the Golden Hub, officially known as the Gillespie County Committee on Aging, and she joins...

He's got a 917 area code and a ProtonMail address, and he's running pedicabs in the middle of the Texas Hill Country.

Alexander Strenger didn't take the conventional road to entrepreneurship. No website. No marketing playbook. No public footprint. Just a real, ground-level operation built on routes, permits, festival weekends, and the kind of work ethic that doesn't need an Instagram feed to back it up.

Judge and JD sit down with the man behind one of Fredericksburg's most unique small businesses and get into the full story, how a transplant from the East Coast ended...

Judge and JD sit down with Chef Richard and Austin Orwasher, the team behind Smokin Dough Pizza, to talk about bringing wood-fired pizza to the Hill Country. Chef Richard breaks down how the concept came together, what makes his dough stand out from the rest, and what it really takes to run a food operation in a town that doesn't take its food lightly. Then, singer-songwriter Maddox Ross stops by to share his musical journey and performs live on the show.

Summer in the Hill Country starts with one thing, and this year it's been 65 years in the making. The 65th Annual Stonewall Peach JAMboree & Rodeo kicks off June 18-20, 2026, and The Judge & JD Show is giving you the full preview nine days early so you have zero excuses not to go.

In this episode, Judge and JD sit down with Peach JAMboree Queen, court member Maggie Dietel, and Alexandra Jones to talk about what this milestone year means for one of Texas' most beloved summer traditions. Landon Miller from Rockbox Theater joins to connect the dots between...

Episode 56 of The Judge & JD Show welcomes back one of the biggest names in Texas wine.

William Chris Vineyards returns to the show fresh off another incredible year, including recognition as the #31 Best Vineyard in the World (2025) and multiple award wins at the 2026 TEXSOM Awards.

In this episode, we discuss:

What it takes to compete on a global stage as a Texas winery

The recent TEXSOM wins and what they mean for Texas wine

The brand-new William Chris Vineyards tasting room opening in Fredericksburg in August 2026

The...

Episode 55 of The Judge & JD Show brings together live Texas music, Fredericksburg community conversation, and a special giveaway for our viewers.This week, we sit down with Ronnie Bowen as he shares:His musical journeyHis experiences as an artistA live song performancePlus:A special giveaway for one of our viewersWhat’s happening soon around Fredericksburg, TexasLocal events, community talk, and moreIf you love Texas music and keeping up with what’s going on in Fredericksburg, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Watch now and join the conversation.#FredericksburgTX #TexasMusic #RonnieBowen #JudgeAndJD #FredericksburgTexas

A veteran co-founder. A Hill Country distillery named after its elevation. And an agave spirit that has no business being this good. Justin Braune built 1693 Whisky from the ground up in Fredericksburg, Texas, and this week he's at Pioneer Bar telling the whole story.

He covers the full origin: how a military veteran decides to start a craft distillery, the 2024 rebrand from Luckenbach Road Whiskey to 1693 (the name is the elevation, 1,693 feet above the surrounding Texas cities), and the lineup: a 4-year aged Texas bourbon, cask strength, rye, and Elevación, an agave spirit made from 100% Mexican a...

This week, we’re celebrating ONE YEAR of The Judge & JD Show!

In this special anniversary episode, we’re looking back at our favorite moments, funniest stories, unforgettable guests, and everything that made Year One so special. We’re also sharing behind-the-scenes memories, talking about how the show started, and giving listeners a sneak peek at what’s ahead in Year Two.

Thank you to everyone who has listened, supported, shared, and been part of this journey. This episode is for YOU.

Episode 52 of The Judge & JD Show is all about food, music, and community in Fredericksburg.

This week, we’re joined by:
Sherryl & Baylie to talk about the upcoming Fredericksburg Crawfish Festival

Plus, Chris Lirette joins us with live music and conversation about his journey and music.

If you love Fredericksburg events, Texas music, and community vibes, this episode is for you.

Watch now and get ready for a fun weekend in Fredericksburg.

#FredericksburgTX #CrawfishFestival #TexasMusic #FredericksburgTexas #ChrisLirette

Episode 51 of The Judge & JD Show brings together community conversation and local music in one episode.

We continue the discussion around the Fredericksburg FISD Bond Election with:

Matt SeidenbergerKay Stech (FISD Education Foundation)

Breaking down:

The proposed new high schoolDistrict improvementsWhy community support matters

And we’re joined by local singer Aaron Boultinghouse, adding a Fredericksburg music spotlight to the show.

This episode blends:
Local voices
Important community conversation
Fredericksburg music

As always, no noise, just real discussion about what’s happening in F...

Episode 50 of The Judge & JD Show highlights one of the most exciting things happening in Fredericksburg right now, the INCubatorEDU entrepreneurship program at Fredericksburg High School.Led by Jason Roemer, this program gives students the opportunity to:Build real business ideasWork with local mentors and business leadersPitch their companies in a Shark Tank-style competitionAnd it all leads up to Pitch Night, where:$20,000 will be awarded to top student teamsWinning ideas can turn into real businesses (LLCs)Or funding for college, university, or trade schoolIn this episode, students share:Their business ideasWhat they’re learningWhat it’s like to pitch in f...

Episode 49 of The Judge & JD Show dives into one of the biggest decisions facing Fredericksburg right now, the FISD $160 million bond election.

Before you vote, hear directly from Fredericksburg High School Principal Chris Weirich and Fredericksburg Middle School Principal Dalen Kirchner as they break down:

What’s actually included in the bond

Why a new high school is being proposed

Campus upgrades across Fredericksburg ISD

What it means for taxpayers

What happens if the bond passes… or fails

No politics. No noise. Just real information from...

Welcome back to The Judge & JD Show, coming to you from Fredericksburg, Texas, where sports, stories, and community come together.In this episode, we’re joined by legendary broadcaster Bill Schoening, best known as the longtime voice of the San Antonio Spurs and a familiar voice for University of Texas athletics.From courtside calls to unforgettable moments in Texas sports, Bill shares behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else, plus his journey beyond broadcasting.But that’s not all…Bill is also a musician, and we feature his song “Cathedral” right here in the episode.He also talks about his ne...

Welcome back to The Judge & JD Show, coming to you from Fredericksburg, Texas.In this episode, we highlight young talent, community voices, and what’s happening around town right now.First, we sit down with rising young musician Aiden Berlioz, who shares his journey into music, his influences, and what it’s like pursuing music at a young age. It’s a great look at the next generation of Texas talent.We’re also joined by Charlie Kiehne, talking about community, connection, and what makes Fredericksburg, Texas such a special place to live and visit.In Mari’s Minute, we cover t...

Welcome back to The Judge & JD Show, coming to you from Fredericksburg, Texas.In this episode, we cover everything from Texas music to big local developments shaping the future of Fredericksburg.Judge and JD recap their experience at the Texas Regional Music Awards in Arlington, Texas, sharing highlights from the night, standout moments, and some of the winners making waves in the Texas music scene.We’re also joined by Ann Dixon, who breaks down the FISD Bond Election, a major proposal that could bring a new high school to Fredericksburg, Texas and shape the community for years to co...

Welcome back to The Judge & JD Show, coming to you from Fredericksburg, Texas.Judge is joining us remotely from Ruidoso, New Mexico for spring break, but the conversation stays right here in Fredericksburg, and there’s a lot happening.In this episode, we break down what’s going on around town as Spring Break brings more visitors, more energy, and a noticeable shift in the local scene.In Mari’s Minute, we cover:• Spring Break activities at the National Museum of the Pacific War• Updates on Hotel Occupancy Tax funding and what it means for the community• Early details around the u...

Welcome back to The Judge & JD Show, coming to you from Fredericksburg, Texas.People think they come to Fredericksburg just for the wine… but the truth is they come for the experiences.In this episode we explore one of the most unique experiences in town, the Fischer & Wieser Cooking School at Das Peach Haus, where visitors don’t just watch a chef cook… they actually learn to prepare full meals themselves, enjoy wine, and share the meal together.Later in the show we’re joined by Texas singer-songwriter Kayla Janet, whose blend of country, Americana, and blues has been building...

In Episode 38 of The Judge & JD Show, we sit down with John Rivenburgh of Rivenburgh Wine and Kerrville Hills for a deep, honest conversation about Texas wine and Hill Country grapes.Texas wine is often misunderstood, where the grapes come from, what “Texas wine” really means, and whether it can compete beyond the state. John helps break down the myths, explain why 100% Texas-grown grapes matter, and share where the Texas wine industry is headed next.This episode focuses on agriculture, land, and authenticity, not hype, and gives real insight into the people shaping the future of Texas wine.We also...

Episode 37 of The Judge & JD Show marks a big milestone, we’re officially in our brand new studio in Fredericksburg, built specifically for this show.In this episode, we welcome Witcher Brewing, a newer brewery located along Highway 290 in the heart of wine country, to talk about building a business on one of the busiest corridors in the Hill Country.We’re also joined by Cameron Allbright, who helps us break in the new studio with two live performances.Plus, we kick things off with the Mari News Minute, covering what’s happening around Fredericksburg this week, from community events...

In Episode 36 of The Judge & JD Show, we break down why local partnerships and sponsorships still work in a world dominated by ads, algorithms, and noise.

We talk about how businesses and nonprofits can partner with the show, what sponsors actually get, and why trust, built face to face, matters more than ever.

This episode also features a local giveaway, updates from around Fredericksburg, and what’s happening this weekend at Pioneer.

If you’re a local business, nonprofit, or regional brand looking for real community connection, not just impressions, this episode is for...

Season 2 of The Judge and JD Show starts now.In this episode, we kick off the first episode of Season 2 by looking back at what made Season 1 special, and what we’re building next.We talk honestly about the conversations that surprised us, what we learned from the community, and why real, unfiltered discussions still matter. From the music scene to local voices, Season 1 showed us that people are still willing to slow down and listen when the conversation is real.Judge joins us from Ruidoso, New Mexico, where recent flooding has given him a new perspective on community, pa...

2025 was the year everything began.What started as an idea turned into 33 episodes filled with powerful conversations, unforgettable guests, real laughs, meaningful moments, and a growing community that believed in what we were building.In this special New Year recap, we look back at our very first year of The Judge and JD Show. We want to thank every guest who shared their voice, every crew member who worked behind the scenes, and most importantly, every viewer who watched, commented, shared, and supported us along the way.This video is not just a recap, it’s a thank you.As...

This Christmas, we wanted to do something different. Instead of uploading a regular episode, we created this special video to look back at everything we built together this year.

Over the course of 32 episodes, we shared conversations, moments, lessons, and stories, and none of it would have been possible without you.

This video is a thank-you to our community. A celebration of the journey, the laughs, the growth, and the connection we’ve built throughout the year.

Every view, every comment, and every message has been part of this story.Thank you for be...

Episode 32 is a special one as we close out the year with our final recorded show. This episode brings together music, community, celebration, and gratitude as we reflect on an incredible year with our viewers.

We’re joined by Adysen Malek, who shares her music and talks about the Texas music charts, her journey as an artist, and what it means to be part of the Texas music scene. We also welcome Lester Meier, who joins us to discuss ways the Fredericksburg community can support one another, along with details about an upcoming local event fo...

Episode 31 is packed with big personalities, big updates, and even bigger surprises. This week we’re joined by Travis Clem and Sherry Knutson from Fat Ass Ranch & Brewery, who sit down with us to talk about their wines, their crowd-favorite products, and a few exciting announcements they’ve been keeping under wraps.We’re also celebrating a huge win with Trevor Underwood, who just landed the #1 song on the Texas radio chart. He joins us to talk about the moment, the story behind the song, and what’s next for him.Plus… we’re only a couple of days away from cl...

This Week on The Judge & JD Show, Santa Claus Joins Us! 🎅Get ready for a festive episode! This week we welcome Santa Claus himself to the show as we dive into all things Christmas, from the best holiday plans and activities to enjoy in Fredericksburg, to everything you need to know about the Fredericksburg Christmas Parade happening this Friday night. And one of our viewers already won a prize, watch the episode to check if it was you!We’re also hosting a BIG holiday giveaway! One lucky viewer will win a weekend getaway in our condo in Ruidoso, New M...

This Thanksgiving, we’re doing something different. No new episode, just a special collection of the best musical moments from the amazing guests who have joined us over the past 28 episodes.Sit back, relax, and enjoy the talent that has made this show unforgettable.Happy Thanksgiving from The Judge & JD Show! #TheJudgeAndJDShow #ThanksgivingReel #TurkeyDay #PodcastHumor #PodcastLife

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Dan and Nancy Garrison, the powerhouse duo behind the iconic Garrison Brothers Whiskey. They share their story, the heart behind their brand, and what it takes to build one of Texas’ most beloved whiskey businesses.We also welcome Roland Whitt and Len Snow, who open up about their music journey, creative evolution, and what’s next for them in the world of songwriting and performance.But that’s not all…SPECIAL GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT!Thanks to our amazing supporters at Reece Plumbing and HVAC Supply in Kerrville, Texas, we’re launching a fantastic...

We sit down with Leslie Meier to talk about the importance of community in Fredericksburg, upcoming local initiatives, and her invitation to the Wild Game Dinner happening on November 22nd at 5:30 PM.PLUS we’re giving away TWO TICKETS to the Wild Game Dinner!Be the first YouTube comment on this episode and they’re yours!We’re joined by country artist Cynthia Rausch and her son Ethan, who share Cynthia’s musical journey, inspiration, and the story behind her newest songs — and yes, she performs two brand-new tracks LIVE on the show!🎁 THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT — Our Season Giveaway Is LIVE!We are...

Welcome to Episode 26 of The Judge and JD Show!This week, we’re blending flavor, creativity, and local talent in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas.

First up, we sit down with Fischer & Wieser, the legendary Texas brand behind award-winning jams, sauces, and gourmet products. Discover how their passion for local ingredients, innovation in food, and Texas hospitality turned a small-town idea into a household name.

Then, we meet Greg Langehenning, a beloved Texas musician whose sound captures the soul of the Hill Country. Greg shares his musical journey, inspiration, and what it means to create au...

It’s Halloween in Fredericksburg! 🎃

On today’s episode, we’re flying solo, no guests, just us talking about what’s happening around town for Halloween night. We also dive into what makes our community and local economy tick. Whether you’re a Fredericksburg local or just love small-town vibes, this episode is for you.

Couldn’t make it to the studio this week, but that doesn’t mean the show stops! We’re bringing you four of our best stories so far, the ones that had us cracking up, tearing up, and talking long after the mics turned off. Grab a drink, kick back, and relive the best of The Judge & JD Show.Watch last week's episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ssNSbnexZo#TheJudgeAndJDShow #PodcastHighlights #PodcastRewind #BestOfPodcast #PodcastMoments #FredericksburgTX