Mack the Knife featuring Mackenzie Ryan

About this episode

Mackenzie Ryan discusses her journey from hospitality marketing to co-owning a bar and overcoming vocal challenges.

Arlington‑based musician and restaurateur Mackenzie Ryan returns to PodcastNV to share how she went from hospitality marketing to co‑owning Brass Rabbit in Clarendon and building a bar known for live music, a packed patio, and its viral fries‑and‑Caesar “girl dinner.” She gets candid about losing her voice to severe vocal nodules, months of speech therapy, canceling a dream gig at The Hamilton in DC, and the long road back to finally playing that legendary underground room. Mackenzie and the crew trade stories about unexpected bar‑ownership headaches (equipment failures, big repair bills), a surreal Hot 99.5 shoutout from Intern John, the infamous power‑drill broken nose while assembling IKEA furniture for the bathrooms, and her next chapter as a songwriter finishing a long‑hidden Shania‑style country anthem.s PLUS: Listener Feedback Same Name This or That Find Mackenzie - Website: mackryanmusic.com Instagram: @themackenzieryan Bar: Brass Rabbit – Clarendon, VA Check out PodcastNV - Website: podcastnv.com Instagram: @podcastrnv TikTok: @podcast.nv

People in this episode

Guest: Mackenzie Ryan

Topics covered

• music
• bar ownership
• vocal health
• restaurant industry
• personal journey
• songwriting

Keywords

• Mackenzie Ryan
• Brass Rabbit
• vocal nodules
• live music
• restaurant
• songwriter
• bar ownership
• hospitality marketing

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Brass Rabbit, Hot 99.5, PodcastNV, BaconWave Productions, LLC

Books & works: Hamilton, Shania-style country anthem

Places: Clarendon, Arlington, DC

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