Ryan O'Reilly and Kelly James bring Mac N Cheeze to SuperFan Diaries

By AI, Created 6:45 PM UTC, May 21, 2026, /AGP/ – SuperFan Diaries released a new episode Thursday featuring Nashville Predators veteran Ryan O’Reilly and longtime friend Kelly James, the children’s music duo behind Mac N Cheeze. The episode covers their hockey roots, the origin of their kids’ project, and the growing reach of a brand that now spans music, video, merch and philanthropy.

Why it matters: - The episode shows how a pro hockey career and a family music project can overlap into one cross-audience brand. - Mac N Cheeze is moving beyond songs into video, live events, merchandise and charitable work, which gives the project broader commercial and cultural reach. - SuperFan Diaries is using the guest pairing to reinforce its niche around sports fandom, celebrity stories and unexpected side projects.

What happened: - SuperFan Diaries released its newest episode on Thursday, May 21, featuring Ryan O’Reilly and Kelly James. - O’Reilly is a 17-year NHL veteran who has played the last three seasons with the Nashville Predators. - James is O’Reilly’s former Erie Otters junior hockey teammate and longtime friend. - O’Reilly appears on the children’s music project as Mac, while James performs as Cheeze. - The episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube and other major podcast platforms.

The details: - O’Reilly and James discuss their hockey paths from junior hockey with the Erie Otters to the NHL. - The conversation also covers the sports fandom that shaped both men. - The pair describe how a Raffi concert two summers ago sparked the idea for Mac N Cheeze. - They also talk about studio sessions in Nashville that turned informal living-room songs into a finished record. - The Nashville Predators locker room adopted “Pizza Party” as a post-win anthem. - Mac N Cheeze’s debut album, Pizza Party, was released April 10, 2026 on Dine Alone Records. - The album includes collaborations with Dallas Green of City and Colour, Thumpasaurus, Alle Bernardi and Jig Jam. - Chris Kimmerer produced the album and also drums for Thomas Rhett. - The project has expanded into animated music videos, live mini-shows, behind-the-scenes content, toys, merch, a TV show, musicals and a boxed macaroni and cheese product in the works. - The project also includes a philanthropic component supporting foster care initiatives, music-focused charities and youth sports programs.

Between the lines: - The guest mix fits SuperFan Diaries’ broader formula of blending sports culture with personal passion projects. - The Mac N Cheeze rollout suggests the duo is building a children’s entertainment brand, not just releasing a novelty album. - J.R. Greene framed the pairing as part of the show’s appeal, saying, “It’s not every day you get to see a future Hall of Fame hockey player wearing a giant macaroni noodle on his head.” - Greene also said Ryan and Kelly were “super-fun” on the show and that Mac N Cheeze will make children smile. - SuperFan Diaries says it has more than 200,000 total downloads, with per-episode numbers reaching 35,000 and continuing to climb. - The show says some TikTok and YouTube videos have topped 1.5 million views. - The podcast has produced more than 40 episodes and has featured guests including Ben Zobrist, Steve Arhancet, Del Reid, Mr. Freeze, Frozen Tundra Man, Amy Errett, Gary Spicer and Brent Maher.

What’s next: - SuperFan Diaries will continue distributing new episodes across major podcast platforms. - Mac N Cheeze will keep expanding its reach through new content and product ideas, including the planned boxed macaroni and cheese. - The project is also expected to keep supporting foster care, music and youth sports causes through its philanthropic arm.

The bottom line: - The episode turns a hockey friendship into a family entertainment story with real momentum behind it. - SuperFan Diaries is betting that sports fans will follow the personalities, not just the stats.