1 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: Hi, guys, welcome back to Post Run High. Today's guest 2 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,920 Speaker 1: is a country music legend, Dirk Spentley. He's been a 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:13,040 Speaker 1: dream guest of mine for a while, and I had 4 00:00:13,039 --> 00:00:15,280 Speaker 1: a feeling you'd be just as excited to hear from 5 00:00:15,360 --> 00:00:17,400 Speaker 1: him as I was to sit down with him. The 6 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 1: moment we found out that Dirks would be in LA 7 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,080 Speaker 1: for his Broken Branches tour and that he was open 8 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:24,759 Speaker 1: to being on the show, we jumped into action. We 9 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:28,560 Speaker 1: booked last minute flights, we sourced podcast equipment rentals in LA, 10 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 1: and we figured out every detail needed to pull this 11 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:33,839 Speaker 1: off on the road across the country. It took some 12 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:36,880 Speaker 1: serious behind the scenes hustle, but guys, we made it happen, 13 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,760 Speaker 1: because when he get the chance to sit down with 14 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:41,000 Speaker 1: someone like Dirk s Bentley, you take it. Now, this 15 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: episode is a little different. We didn't start with a run. Instead, 16 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:46,519 Speaker 1: Dirk's invited me to play pickleball backstage with him and 17 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 1: his bandmates, So this is a shorter episode. We had 18 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: a quick thirty minute window right before Dirks went on stage, 19 00:00:52,120 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: but I think you'll feel how raw and grounded this 20 00:00:54,840 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: chat was. He's someone who has stayed at the top 21 00:00:57,280 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 1: of his industry for over two decades, and hearing his 22 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: take on longevity, balance and enjoying life was a real gift. 23 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: We've got so many more amazing guests on the way, 24 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: so please be sure to rate and review the show, 25 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,320 Speaker 1: follow along on socials, and DM me with any guest requests. 26 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:14,760 Speaker 1: I always love hearing from you as we grow the 27 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:17,520 Speaker 1: show together. And with that, let's get into my conversation 28 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: with Derek's Derek Spentley, Welcome to Poster on High. 29 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. I'm really happy to be here. 30 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 2: This is awesome. Yeah, excited to be on the set. 31 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:36,800 Speaker 2: It's nice you guys to get that. 32 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:39,199 Speaker 1: We are currently at the Into It Dome. 33 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that's like the New Year coming. They really 34 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:42,960 Speaker 2: got it all spice stuff. This is not my dressing room, 35 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 2: but I'd be half if it was. I'd be so 36 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:46,080 Speaker 2: happy to sitting at all these hearts. It'd be like 37 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:49,840 Speaker 2: very positive vibes walk out on stage, way too relaxed 38 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: and just like happy. Yeah, that's not good. 39 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:54,560 Speaker 1: For everybody listening. Just to set the scene a little bit, 40 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:56,880 Speaker 1: we are currently sitting in a room. This room really 41 00:01:56,960 --> 00:01:59,000 Speaker 1: stands out yet compared to the rest of the backstage 42 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 1: the rest of the backstage area, like all equipment to. 43 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 2: Hear line around them. Our rooms set up with people 44 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:05,080 Speaker 2: work really hard on the tour to like make different 45 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 2: vibe rooms. So like our dress rooms pretty great. There's 46 00:02:07,240 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 2: like really, oh yeah, we'll good by, take look at 47 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 2: before we leave. But it's it's very homey and there's 48 00:02:11,480 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 2: lots of banners and flags up from previous tours and stuff, 49 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,359 Speaker 2: so it feels very It's very similar. So no matter 50 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 2: where we are, there's that one room that always feels 51 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:20,519 Speaker 2: like a home space. 52 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 1: I mean, this is adorable. I feel like crazy, I 53 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: feel like I mean like Hannah Montana's dressing room. 54 00:02:24,800 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 2: This. I wonder why they did this. It must be 55 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 2: like the player's kids are something that come in here 56 00:02:28,400 --> 00:02:30,280 Speaker 2: and I have like a probably a play room drink. 57 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 2: While the Clippers are playing basketball, they come in here, 58 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:33,600 Speaker 2: and like maybe the wives hang out here. I don't know. 59 00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:36,639 Speaker 2: It's very different from our usual goad vibe. 60 00:02:36,960 --> 00:02:39,079 Speaker 1: Well, I'm loving it. For everybody listening that wants to 61 00:02:39,120 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: know what we're talking about. There's basically hearts hanging dripping 62 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 1: down the walls. It's beautiful. We're sitting in these really 63 00:02:44,400 --> 00:02:47,360 Speaker 1: cool velvet chairs. So we're in a great podcasting that. 64 00:02:47,320 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 2: I feel like this room a little meditation. 65 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, this room was made for us. We just got 66 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: back from playing a little bit of Yeah you're quite 67 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: the pickleball player. 68 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 2: Well, what I lack in skill, I try to make 69 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 2: up with a lot of antics. Basically, you know, whatever 70 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 2: it takes to get the win. Pretty much, that's pretty 71 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 2: much my life philosophy when I you know, just do 72 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: whatever it takes to get the job done. So I 73 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,960 Speaker 2: was playing against Ben up there Ore, a guitar player 74 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 2: who's really great. He loves pickleball, but almost to get 75 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,160 Speaker 2: the mouth chirping a little bit, I can kind of 76 00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: get some points off. I'm just just off that. But 77 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 2: it is funny something we do before every show. We'll 78 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:19,080 Speaker 2: try to find a way to do something. And years 79 00:03:19,120 --> 00:03:20,920 Speaker 2: past I've done a lot of biking. I actually have 80 00:03:20,919 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 2: a trailer that has like ten bikes in the back 81 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:26,520 Speaker 2: of it. You still like just gravel and road and biking. 82 00:03:26,760 --> 00:03:28,600 Speaker 2: We're out here and played golf a lot, and I 83 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 2: used to be out of here. I've been doing this 84 00:03:29,639 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 2: for twenty years, but in the last couple of years 85 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:33,959 Speaker 2: it's been doing pick a ball. It's so easy because 86 00:03:34,000 --> 00:03:35,680 Speaker 2: you can kind of just do it on site, like 87 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 2: today we tape that court up on the on the 88 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 2: basketball court upstairs. A lot of times, a majority of 89 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 2: this time this tour is outside, so we'll just do 90 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:43,520 Speaker 2: it in the parking lot. We'll just tape some lines 91 00:03:43,600 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 2: up in the parking lot and kind of call it 92 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,480 Speaker 2: prison ball because you never noticed where the pickle ball 93 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 2: is going to go. It's like you're playing in the 94 00:03:49,440 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 2: in the prison lot or something. Or we'll go find 95 00:03:51,960 --> 00:03:53,480 Speaker 2: court somewhere. But it's just a good way to kind 96 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 2: of like you know, get off the bus and get 97 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 2: some sort of like exercise in before getting off her day. 98 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 2: And it's just so important. What I love about your 99 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:03,960 Speaker 2: podcast and the whole approach to doing something active before 100 00:04:04,000 --> 00:04:06,200 Speaker 2: you talk is it's so true. There's a buddy Mine 101 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 2: guy named John Raimi wrote a book called Spark and 102 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:12,560 Speaker 2: it was all about like this thesis idea that kids 103 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 2: will performed better at school that it you know, some 104 00:04:15,560 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 2: exercise for they walked into the classroom. And so he 105 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:19,440 Speaker 2: did this study of Missouri and you had the kids 106 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: on like a mile every day before school started, and 107 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 2: like there's test scores are like way better so that's 108 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:28,479 Speaker 2: a very terrible summary of the book, but it's so true. 109 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,040 Speaker 2: It just gives you such a you know, it's so 110 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 2: important for your. 111 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: Brain, it does. It makes you feel good, makes you 112 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: more productive. Travis Barker, drummer, not the artist. I'm pretty 113 00:04:36,960 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: sure before a lot of his concerts he does like 114 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: a run with some of his fans, and that's how 115 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 1: he gets ready for before he gets on stage. So 116 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 1: I like knowing that it's a common thing for you 117 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:48,719 Speaker 1: guys as artists that you get a little bit of 118 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,479 Speaker 1: activity in before you perform. Yeah, I mean, it makes 119 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:53,120 Speaker 1: you feel better right before you get on stage. 120 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 2: A lot of years, it wasn't like that. In the 121 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: early years, it was not getting off the bus until 122 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 2: the sun had gone down and then staying up until 123 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 2: it came up. You know, it's been the rest of 124 00:05:02,520 --> 00:05:04,400 Speaker 2: the day forty much sleeping or playing video games. So 125 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 2: trying to learn as they get older, you know, trying 126 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:07,720 Speaker 2: to grow. 127 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 1: What does movement look like for you in your life 128 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 1: and how do you feel like it translates into your 129 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: work and into your music. 130 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean my favorite thing is to be outside 131 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:20,000 Speaker 2: doing something active. I mean, my team back home knows 132 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:22,280 Speaker 2: if it's a sunny day outside, it's I'm not gonna 133 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: want to be in the studio. I'm not gonna we 134 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 2: want to be writing songs. We want to go do 135 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 2: something that day off to go. I take advantage of ease. 136 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:29,239 Speaker 2: It's hard for me being side when it's nice outside, 137 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:32,800 Speaker 2: but yeah, it's always been really uh important to me. 138 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 2: I mean, I just I love just anything outdoors. It's biking. 139 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,760 Speaker 2: I love mountain biking, you know, throwing a rucksack on 140 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 2: and doing that whole thing, and hiking nearby trails. Uh, 141 00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 2: just pickleball obviously, tennis, I love skiing from my favorite sport. 142 00:05:51,760 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 2: Especially as you get older too, it's like he's like, 143 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 2: you know, you got a finite amount of like use 144 00:05:55,440 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 2: left in your body, so it's like you want to 145 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 2: take advantage of every chance you get. On the road. 146 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 2: It's just hard. I mean, you'd really have to be 147 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 2: a good sleeper to be like a good road person. 148 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,039 Speaker 2: And uh, you know, these guys know because my last 149 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:09,080 Speaker 2: week was so bad. I had like literally two nights 150 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:11,120 Speaker 2: in a row no sleep at all, like zero hours, 151 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:12,880 Speaker 2: just because either the hotel room had no air conditioning 152 00:06:12,960 --> 00:06:15,600 Speaker 2: or the bus had a transmission issue was like jerking 153 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:17,880 Speaker 2: around and then I got like one hour sleep the 154 00:06:17,920 --> 00:06:20,559 Speaker 2: third night, and then you know, maybe five and then zero, 155 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 2: and it's just like it's so a lot of times 156 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: you're riding here on the road, it's just like survival. 157 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:25,880 Speaker 2: I mean, all your you have these plans, come out 158 00:06:25,880 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 2: here and we're gonna be so healthy, we're gonna just 159 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 2: just do all this stuff, and then you get out here, 160 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 2: it's like, oh my god, I'm just like holding on 161 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:35,240 Speaker 2: to my next you know, drink before I walk on stage, 162 00:06:35,279 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 2: and like just you have just enough energy sometimes just 163 00:06:37,279 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 2: like go cross that show and then it's like the 164 00:06:38,880 --> 00:06:40,720 Speaker 2: rest of the time out it's just like survival getting 165 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 2: ready for the next one. That's some days now. Some 166 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 2: days it's great, like today it's pretty god last night 167 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 2: and we gon'll play a little pickball and it's you 168 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,359 Speaker 2: know better. But really you're just in when you're on 169 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 2: the road, you're just kind of in service of the 170 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 2: show and whatever it takes, like make sure that two 171 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,680 Speaker 2: hour period on stage is like not only a great 172 00:06:57,680 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 2: experience for the fans obviously, but also for you and 173 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 2: you in your your band, everyone, your your family, everyone. 174 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:04,880 Speaker 2: You're making a sacrifice from to be away from. You 175 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:06,719 Speaker 2: have to make sure that time on stage is just 176 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 2: like the most epic awesome thing. So whatever it takes 177 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 2: to get like just two hours of like crazy energy. 178 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 2: You know, some days that is just like not doing 179 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 2: a whole lot, just sitting in your bunk. And then 180 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 2: some days it's like getting out there and trying to 181 00:07:20,280 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 2: be super you know, do something active. But it's just 182 00:07:22,200 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 2: kind of a day by. 183 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: Day basis, you know, and it really is like a marathon. 184 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:27,680 Speaker 1: You gotta pace yourself crazy. 185 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean there's like our guy's Dan who was 186 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 2: playing pickaball are footle player. You talk to him, he's like, 187 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:35,760 Speaker 2: he just pisses me off because we could just be 188 00:07:35,800 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 2: sitting somewhere and all a sudden he just falls asleep. 189 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 2: That is. 190 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: Sitting up in a really uncom I'll. 191 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 2: Be lying next to my wife like just thinking about 192 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 2: those steps I need to take to like begin the 193 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 2: process of maybe falling asleep, you know, which is where 194 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,160 Speaker 2: the pills need to be positioned. And also I like 195 00:07:51,160 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 2: that jerk, and I'm like, you're kidding me, Like we've 196 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: been in bed for like five seconds, you're already out. 197 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 2: So but as that is helpful to have that that quality, 198 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 2: but you just find whatever you need to do to 199 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: get done. And my wife was always the first one. 200 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: She's like, if you don't feel good, if you're tired, 201 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 2: go do something, Go run and go bike, Like it's 202 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 2: it's how you like manufacture energy energy? 203 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 1: And how often are you on tour? Like, I know 204 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 1: you kind of joked around during the pickleball portion where you. 205 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 2: Were it started in two thousand and two, but like. 206 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 1: How often, Yeah, how often are you on Yeah? 207 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 2: No, Now it's like it's pretty much just the summer. 208 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:25,960 Speaker 2: You three kids and a pretty busy like schedule back home, 209 00:08:26,040 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 2: so it's pretty much just like what makes. 210 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:29,960 Speaker 1: The summer your time to go on tour? Like why 211 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:30,640 Speaker 1: is because. 212 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:32,960 Speaker 2: They're all scattered too, Like my son's at a camp 213 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:35,560 Speaker 2: in North Carolina, my daughter's up in New York, my 214 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,959 Speaker 2: other daughters and another sleep away camp, so some are 215 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,360 Speaker 2: just like we're all just going so many different directions. 216 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:42,880 Speaker 2: It's kind of like it's a good time to be 217 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:44,599 Speaker 2: out there in the road in the winter and in 218 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 2: the school year. There's just like a lot going on 219 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,280 Speaker 2: with these little kids and their their hopes and dreams 220 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,440 Speaker 2: and a lot of car driving for me a lot 221 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 2: ubering around for the driving these guys around places. But 222 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 2: summer's just a good time to be out here, just 223 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:00,040 Speaker 2: it and it's fun. It's scared time to be on 224 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 2: the road. You know, everyone's excited to be outside and 225 00:09:02,160 --> 00:09:02,800 Speaker 2: go to concerts. 226 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: So your kids must think it's so cool what their 227 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: dad does for a living. 228 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:08,640 Speaker 2: My family loves music. I mean, they're crazy uber fans. 229 00:09:08,679 --> 00:09:10,840 Speaker 2: When I'm home, if there's a concert playing in town, 230 00:09:10,840 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 2: we're probably like see you know, But they just think 231 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: of like, they know what. I love music, and they 232 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 2: love it on the road. But they used to come 233 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 2: out a lot back when they're younger, and we did 234 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 2: all the kiddie pools and putt golf courses across the country. 235 00:09:24,760 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 2: And now they're off doing their. 236 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: Own things, chasing their own dreams. 237 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:28,640 Speaker 2: That's right. 238 00:09:38,720 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: Let's back it up a little bit. How does a 239 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 1: boy from Phoenix, Arizona fall in love with grassroots country music. 240 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 2: My dad was a big part of it, you know. 241 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 2: My dad loved country music so and my sister was 242 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 2: three years older than me, and she loved music in general, 243 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:55,920 Speaker 2: not so much country. She loved like you two and 244 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,480 Speaker 2: just all that great like eighties music. You know, We're 245 00:09:59,520 --> 00:10:02,040 Speaker 2: just then was so great? Is that there wasn't a phone, 246 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 2: you know, so like there wasn't a lot of like 247 00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 2: other distractions. It's like music was it, you know in movies. 248 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 2: I guess too, But music was like the cultural currency, 249 00:10:12,160 --> 00:10:13,320 Speaker 2: you know, who do you like? What do you like? 250 00:10:13,360 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 2: What have you heard about? What posters you have hanging 251 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:16,680 Speaker 2: in your room? Who are you gonna go see? It 252 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: was just that's all that really was. 253 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:18,079 Speaker 1: It was. 254 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 2: It was so she loved. My sister loved music. My 255 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:22,319 Speaker 2: dad loved country music. We listened to a lot in 256 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:24,240 Speaker 2: the car, and I always enjoyed listening to it. It 257 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,959 Speaker 2: wasn't really my thing, but I liked it. And then thirteen, 258 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:31,560 Speaker 2: I discovered the electric guitar. Friend of mine, a new 259 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 2: kid in school, had electric guitar to his house, and 260 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,800 Speaker 2: I just remember going over there and like hearing it 261 00:10:36,840 --> 00:10:41,640 Speaker 2: for the first time and like it. Just I remember thinking, Wow, 262 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 2: it's so cool. You can really change whatever mood you're 263 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 2: in just by picking this thing up and playing it, 264 00:10:46,120 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 2: you know. So I fell in love with electric guitar. 265 00:10:48,960 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 2: He was a really great guitar player, and he was 266 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 2: like steadily progressing a lot faster than me, even though 267 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 2: we were both playing a lot. Story of my life, 268 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 2: I don't think I was meant to be a guitar player, 269 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 2: though I do love all kinds of guitar, bluegrass guitar 270 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 2: and great flat picking and and then I was a 271 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 2: huge Van Halen fan growing up with because of him, 272 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:06,080 Speaker 2: so really getting all that kind of music. And I 273 00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:09,959 Speaker 2: was just going down different roads musically. But I really 274 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,840 Speaker 2: fell in love with country music in high school. A 275 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:15,080 Speaker 2: friend of mine was he saw me, you know, I 276 00:11:15,120 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 2: electric guitar in my room and I was always trying to, 277 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:18,880 Speaker 2: you know, play these power chords and stuff and just 278 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 2: hadn't really found what I was looking for. And he 279 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:22,920 Speaker 2: like sat me down and said, you have to listen 280 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,319 Speaker 2: to these songs. And he played me like three songs 281 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 2: and it was just like one of those crazy moments 282 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 2: in life you just know, without knowing what you're meant 283 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:34,199 Speaker 2: to do. Uh, and there's a very crazy idea to 284 00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: chase that. But I was right there. I was like, 285 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 2: that's what I want to do, this guy, this is 286 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:39,640 Speaker 2: the music I was looking for my whole life really 287 00:11:39,640 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 2: in some way. So yeah, So from about seventeen on, 288 00:11:44,000 --> 00:11:45,920 Speaker 2: I mean it was just like obsessed with country music. 289 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:48,080 Speaker 1: And what were those songs that he played for you? 290 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 2: It was a Hank Junior song called Manda Man and 291 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:56,520 Speaker 2: just this loud. You know, a lot of electric guitar. Hank. 292 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 2: You know, if you think Junior at all, he's just 293 00:11:58,440 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 2: like a very crazy the personality, great songwriter, great can 294 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,200 Speaker 2: play all the instruments, very loud, sing songs about like 295 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 2: naked women and beer stuff when you're seventeen, really sounds cool. 296 00:12:08,280 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 2: He actually has a song called Naked Women and beer. 297 00:12:10,520 --> 00:12:12,880 Speaker 2: Sorry handle, it's appropriately not, but when you're seventeen years older, 298 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,679 Speaker 2: you're like, that's a pretty cool song. He's just crazy guy. 299 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: Classic country, classic country. 300 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:21,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, there is one of a kind, and Hank Junior, 301 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:22,600 Speaker 2: he's one of a kind. And then you know, Alan 302 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,360 Speaker 2: Jackson was a big part of that Midnight Montgomery their 303 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:28,320 Speaker 2: song by Marty Stewart, and I just fell in love 304 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:31,120 Speaker 2: with it, and I got to Nashville, in to Vanderbilt 305 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:35,000 Speaker 2: for college, went there. I went to UVM for a year, 306 00:12:35,480 --> 00:12:37,840 Speaker 2: but I was up there watching CMT country music television 307 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 2: and just obsessed with country, and I knew I needed 308 00:12:39,880 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 2: to get to Nashville somehow. So I was able to 309 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 2: to get in and to transfer. 310 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: But let's let's dive into UVM for a second. So 311 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 1: you get to UVM, you're a freshman on campus. 312 00:12:48,640 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, yeah, So I was in a fraternity and 313 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 2: great guys. I mean really I love that school. I 314 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:54,600 Speaker 2: tried to go to Boulder, where my wife actually gone, 315 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,599 Speaker 2: but I didn't. I didn't get in, but this is 316 00:12:56,679 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 2: great guys that I was in the essay house and 317 00:13:00,920 --> 00:13:04,160 Speaker 2: just really nice people there. You know, there's a little 318 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 2: country bar in town called JP's, and I was always 319 00:13:06,280 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 2: down at JP's hanging out, and I was always back 320 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 2: watching CMT and I was working on songs and I 321 00:13:10,960 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 2: got really great grades that semester. And because I knew 322 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 2: Vanderbilt would be a hard school to get into, but yeah, 323 00:13:15,960 --> 00:13:17,640 Speaker 2: I remember during on the chapter meetings, I's just like, 324 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 2: as I'm I'm leaving, I got into this school and 325 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:23,160 Speaker 2: I know what I want to do, and they're all 326 00:13:23,200 --> 00:13:25,800 Speaker 2: supportive but kind of bummed out, and as I was too, 327 00:13:25,800 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 2: because it was really great. That was kind of like, 328 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:29,720 Speaker 2: in some ways, my whole college experience was like that 329 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:32,240 Speaker 2: one year. Because I got to Vanderbilt. The first day 330 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:34,320 Speaker 2: I got there, I got an internship with the Country 331 00:13:34,360 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 2: Music Association and have my own study syllabus. It was 332 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: all downtown listening to the bands playing. You know, I 333 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:46,960 Speaker 2: was just obsessed with like songwriter Nights and Lower Broadway 334 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 2: and all the people playing on Lower Broadway and all 335 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 2: of it. There's great bands playing all over Nashville. And 336 00:13:50,520 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 2: I was just constantly going to watch bands, to listen 337 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 2: to songwriter rounds and to see how people do it, 338 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:59,640 Speaker 2: working on my own songs, learning cover songs, trying to 339 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 2: get better on the guitar, trying to learn how the 340 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 2: business works. And I finished school, but I I mean, 341 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 2: I didn't go to the graduation. I'm not kind of 342 00:14:10,000 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 2: it's an expensive three year, you know program of I 343 00:14:14,840 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 2: had my own like side education going on. But I 344 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 2: needed that time to like work on my craft. 345 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 1: And learn the craft of country music in the place 346 00:14:23,240 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: where it all came. 347 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've learned Big city and how does it I 348 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:28,720 Speaker 2: didn't have any connections there and know anybody in the business, 349 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 2: And how do you even get started on getting a 350 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 2: record deal or a publishing deal or you know, playing 351 00:14:34,440 --> 00:14:37,360 Speaker 2: gigs downtown and getting see you know, just and but 352 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:39,280 Speaker 2: through it all, it was just a love of like music, 353 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:41,240 Speaker 2: just love of like country music and being in a 354 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:44,120 Speaker 2: band beyond stage. So that's kind of It wasn't so much. 355 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:45,800 Speaker 2: I mean, it's work, but it's more just like when 356 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 2: you're really passionate about something, it kind of pulls you 357 00:14:49,360 --> 00:14:51,360 Speaker 2: forward as opposed to you hav to like push yourself. 358 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: No, you figure out how to make it happen, especially 359 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: when you're that age and you're like, I'm going to 360 00:14:55,240 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: do this thing. 361 00:14:55,880 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 2: There's a will, there's a way, right, You'll find a 362 00:14:57,160 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 2: way to make it work. And then you look back 363 00:14:58,280 --> 00:14:59,600 Speaker 2: and be like, oh my gosh, I can't believe I 364 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 2: did all that. I used to like load my car 365 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 2: up with like the PA system. I had these two 366 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 2: fifteen inch speakers. We would go on these racks, this 367 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:08,360 Speaker 2: big heavy board that had the EQ and all this 368 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 2: crap that I didn't even have to work. I know, 369 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:11,040 Speaker 2: if I just plug these things in and made a 370 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:14,000 Speaker 2: little smiley face with the EQ, it probably sound like 371 00:15:14,040 --> 00:15:15,320 Speaker 2: where it needs to sound. But I would like park 372 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 2: my truck in front of the gig and unload all 373 00:15:18,240 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 2: this stuff with the lights on, hopefully not get a ticket, 374 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 2: and settle this crap up and then go park my 375 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,240 Speaker 2: car come back for a four hour gig, have a 376 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,280 Speaker 2: few drinks, and then you know, HOPEU those drinks will 377 00:15:28,280 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 2: wind down a little bit and then all that ship 378 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,280 Speaker 2: all that stuff back up again and go back home. 379 00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 2: And I mean it was like it was so much crazy, 380 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:36,880 Speaker 2: like physical work, right, and. 381 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: To now think about where you are and the production 382 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:41,680 Speaker 1: that goes into it and all the team members that 383 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:42,000 Speaker 1: you had. 384 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,240 Speaker 2: Now stually even looking on all your stuff, I'm curious 385 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:47,280 Speaker 2: once you kind of do a little of that stuff. 386 00:15:47,080 --> 00:15:49,000 Speaker 1: Well, but when you first started out, it was just you, 387 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: no band, just you your guitar and going for it. 388 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:54,880 Speaker 2: Me and I had a little piece of paper that 389 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 2: I still have somewhere. I've lost so much stuff along 390 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:58,600 Speaker 2: the way, but it was like all these phone numbers 391 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 2: for like steal guitar players. I had, like, you know, 392 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 2: five guys, and I had to keep writing new names 393 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:04,840 Speaker 2: in or fiddle players and drummers and guitar players. Had 394 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,120 Speaker 2: a sheet of paper so if someone canceled on me, 395 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:09,360 Speaker 2: I could call ask me like, hey, you know you available. 396 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 2: I gotta I gotta ten to two tonight, you know it. 397 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,840 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's a pretty good sheet of paper to have you. Yeah, 398 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: gotta have that when you got to Nashville, did you 399 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:19,080 Speaker 1: feel like I don't fit in here? 400 00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 2: I'm sure a lot of people feel that way. I 401 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,200 Speaker 2: certainly felt that way for sure too, Like just coming 402 00:16:23,240 --> 00:16:26,400 Speaker 2: to town. Even though like having a college like college 403 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: degree wasn't that kind of like that's something you would 404 00:16:29,080 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 2: talk about, you know, back things, it was kind of like, yeah, 405 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 2: it was kind of frowned upon to have like a 406 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 2: college to come from college. It was just not cool. 407 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 2: I don't know, it's like changed a lot since then, 408 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 2: but uh, yeah, for that being from Arizona, everyone was 409 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:43,280 Speaker 2: dressed like super Garth Brooks, you know, whe at the 410 00:16:43,280 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 2: starts jeans and a big belt buckle and what was. 411 00:16:45,920 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 1: Your look at the time, Like paint the picture of 412 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: Derreks Bentley at nineteen gosh, I mean I. 413 00:16:49,640 --> 00:16:51,760 Speaker 2: Really got turned onto bluegrass music. There's a little bar 414 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 2: that was playing where I walked in. It was nineteen 415 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 2: and those guys knew more about the people on music 416 00:16:57,120 --> 00:16:59,360 Speaker 2: Row as far as like they knew Johnny Cash and 417 00:16:59,360 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 2: they could do all do all Johnny Cash songs and 418 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,920 Speaker 2: George Jones and but also like Bill Monroe and Stanley 419 00:17:03,960 --> 00:17:06,200 Speaker 2: Brothers all the bluegrass stuff too. But they were just 420 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:09,639 Speaker 2: dressing like white sneakers and baggy jeans and some T 421 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: shirt that was like two sizes too big. You know, 422 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 2: there's no like there's and I really gravitate towards those guys. 423 00:17:14,680 --> 00:17:17,080 Speaker 2: There's all about the music first and like and then 424 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 2: you go up on music row and everyone's dressed a 425 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:21,600 Speaker 2: certain way, but they're not even writing their own songs, 426 00:17:21,920 --> 00:17:24,879 Speaker 2: you know, the record labels kind of telling them how 427 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:28,280 Speaker 2: to dress, what to what songs to cut, what producer 428 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 2: to work with. And I was like, well, that's definitely 429 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: not gonna work for me. So somewhere in between, you 430 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 2: I always had my boots and jeans and just you know, nowadays, 431 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 2: anybody will just pop a cowboy hat on. You know, 432 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:39,399 Speaker 2: it's like one day, now I'm a hat act all 433 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 2: of a sudden. Back then, it was like a thing, 434 00:17:40,800 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 2: aed are you Are you a hat act or not? 435 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:46,080 Speaker 2: Are you? I'm not? No? Okay, so but but no, 436 00:17:46,119 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 2: So that wasn't one of those guys. But I just 437 00:17:47,880 --> 00:17:50,119 Speaker 2: I'm just some of they just loved like in the 438 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:52,199 Speaker 2: country music, the history of it, and probably knew more 439 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,240 Speaker 2: about it, you know, than any of my contemporaries at 440 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:55,879 Speaker 2: that time. Where by a lot of people music are. 441 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,040 Speaker 2: I was just obsessed with like old school country music 442 00:17:58,119 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 2: and old school like going back to like you know, 443 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:03,440 Speaker 2: just early Whalen and Willie and all the all the 444 00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 2: way back to you know, Hank Junior and Hank Hank 445 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 2: Senior rather and let you for Zell and just love 446 00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: the history of the music and the whole the whole thing. 447 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:14,399 Speaker 1: When I think about country music, I think a lot about, 448 00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 1: like I feel like, through the songs and the stories 449 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: that you hear in them, it's all about the journey 450 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,159 Speaker 1: and the experiences that people have, right, Like, there's a 451 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,480 Speaker 1: lot of soul in all the songs that you hear 452 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:28,640 Speaker 1: people singing. Were there any formative experiences that you had 453 00:18:28,680 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 1: in those early days that really shaved who you are 454 00:18:31,160 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: and your voice? 455 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:33,679 Speaker 2: I was playing downtown for a lot of years, and 456 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:35,479 Speaker 2: I had friends that would get like record deals, you know, 457 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 2: while I was just kind of still down their plane 458 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:41,240 Speaker 2: and you know, you're hearing stories about who's getting signed 459 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:43,840 Speaker 2: or what's going on. But luckily for me, I just 460 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 2: love playing so much. It wasn't like my primary focus 461 00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 2: wasn't like getting like a record deal. It's just like 462 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 2: just playing that gig and just having fun and seeing 463 00:18:51,240 --> 00:18:52,760 Speaker 2: those songs, and of course I was working on a 464 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:54,439 Speaker 2: bunch of stuff when I wasn't down there as far 465 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:58,119 Speaker 2: as songwriting and meetings and whatnot. But you know, one 466 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:00,520 Speaker 2: night Vince Gill came down and joined us on stage 467 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 2: for like an hour, and that was like a really 468 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:04,360 Speaker 2: big deal that someone like if his statue would come 469 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,879 Speaker 2: singh sitting with us this little tiny stage had a 470 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 2: TV above us. You know, we'd be we're until the 471 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:12,639 Speaker 2: story many times before, but also in the crowd with 472 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:15,120 Speaker 2: the crowd, like all five people if they're even there, 473 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 2: would start cheering about something. It's and you'd look down, 474 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:19,520 Speaker 2: thinking something you did in your guitar. It's because someone 475 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:22,200 Speaker 2: hit a home run on the TV above your stage, 476 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 2: which is actually there's nights I wish there's a TV 477 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 2: above the stage. It's actually pretty great. You know, people just. 478 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,760 Speaker 1: Cane diction and just watch that. 479 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 2: I guess we kind of have that here. We've had 480 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:33,639 Speaker 2: a really big TV out here, our video our video 481 00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:35,879 Speaker 2: wall on at the show tonight. But yeah, you know, 482 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 2: I just kept plugging along, and oddly enough, my drummer 483 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 2: who's still with us today, he was working in the 484 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 2: in one of the publishing companies, and he took me 485 00:19:44,480 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 2: over to take a meeting, and that meeting led to 486 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 2: just more doors opening up. And I've had some great 487 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:53,120 Speaker 2: mentors along the way, songwriters, Guys that I grew up admiring, 488 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:56,240 Speaker 2: just working writing songs together with in the studio, learning 489 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:58,040 Speaker 2: how to like you know, talk to a band and 490 00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:00,960 Speaker 2: make records. So there's been a lot of people on 491 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 2: the way, but I think that's probably one of my 492 00:20:03,280 --> 00:20:05,440 Speaker 2: main strengths is just like surrounding myself with great people, 493 00:20:05,720 --> 00:20:09,240 Speaker 2: you know, people that know more about everything than I do, 494 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 2: like with my band on stage, incredible musicians, you know, 495 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 2: So surrounding yourself with musicians that are better than you. 496 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:17,960 Speaker 2: Pretty smart people, mostly women, A lot of smart women 497 00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:21,680 Speaker 2: in my life. And yeah, oh yeah and out here 498 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 2: as well. 499 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:35,320 Speaker 1: So yeah, when you think about country music, and you 500 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:38,760 Speaker 1: said it earlier, the term like learning the craft, what 501 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: goes into learning the craft of becoming a great country singer, 502 00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 1: a great country artist. 503 00:20:44,119 --> 00:20:45,879 Speaker 2: There's so many That's such a great question because I 504 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:48,399 Speaker 2: used to think about that a lot, Like there's all 505 00:20:48,400 --> 00:20:51,280 Speaker 2: these cups that you have to like kind of fill, right, 506 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,439 Speaker 2: like how to be talk to people on stage. You know, 507 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:55,919 Speaker 2: you've got a bunch of drunk people in there and 508 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 2: you got to somehow like connect with them, or you're 509 00:20:57,640 --> 00:20:59,119 Speaker 2: trying to make tips to pay the band. How do 510 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,159 Speaker 2: you like get some money out of people? How do 511 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:03,239 Speaker 2: you learn? You got to learn every cover song, you know, 512 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 2: back then, there wasn't an iPad to like kind of cheat. 513 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:07,360 Speaker 2: You had to like just know the song. Someone asked 514 00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:08,640 Speaker 2: for a song, and you're trying to put some money 515 00:21:08,640 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 2: on the tip jar, you kind of have to know it. 516 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 2: And I had these books back home where it's just 517 00:21:14,400 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 2: like so many lyrics, I just write all these every 518 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:19,240 Speaker 2: page BI like a country song and you just write 519 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:20,880 Speaker 2: all the lyrics out and then the back of that 520 00:21:21,320 --> 00:21:23,520 Speaker 2: on the backside would be like bluegrass songs. And I 521 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 2: had like four of those these books. Each one's probably 522 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 2: got one hundred pages so of songs I just needed 523 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:30,600 Speaker 2: to know to play down there. Then you know the 524 00:21:30,960 --> 00:21:33,760 Speaker 2: writing cup, like just getting better as a songwriter. You know, well, 525 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:36,120 Speaker 2: that's first you gotta work on your own as a writer, 526 00:21:36,320 --> 00:21:37,480 Speaker 2: and then you want to write with some people that 527 00:21:37,480 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 2: are better than you to try to level up, and 528 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 2: then you want to go back to writing on your own. 529 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:43,399 Speaker 2: Then some contemporaries, and so there's just all these like 530 00:21:43,480 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 2: little things I felt like you had to constantly be 531 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 2: working on to get better at. There's just you know, 532 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 2: there's just a lot that goes into it. It's not 533 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 2: just just one thing. So yeah, I was just looking 534 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 2: at what I could do to get better at being 535 00:21:55,640 --> 00:21:57,240 Speaker 2: who I wanted to be. There's always something to work 536 00:21:57,240 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 2: on even now. And certainly the craft of songwriting. You know, 537 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:01,480 Speaker 2: these songs that you listen to the radio, that like 538 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 2: you're saying, is tell a story and take you on 539 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:05,400 Speaker 2: a journey. It's really hard to do that. It sounds 540 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 2: like just rolls off the tongue, and it's really hard 541 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:08,199 Speaker 2: to make it sound like you just rolled off the 542 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,439 Speaker 2: writer's tongue. I mean, it's just like the craft of writing, 543 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:12,000 Speaker 2: over and over and over again. When I first moved 544 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 2: to Nashville, I had like thirteen songs all typed up 545 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 2: in a folder, and they're very precious to me. These 546 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:19,639 Speaker 2: are my songs. Oh my gosh. I was shown them 547 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 2: to people when I was, you know, working for a 548 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:25,280 Speaker 2: staffing organization around town. I remember I was playing songs 549 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:29,560 Speaker 2: one day for somebody and he said to me, I 550 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 2: played for a bunch of people and like five people, 551 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 2: and they all had like really real criticism, you know, 552 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 2: like helpful criticism. Up to that point, I'd only been 553 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 2: like gotten positive feedback from friends and family. One of 554 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 2: the guys said, you need to write five hundred songs 555 00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:43,640 Speaker 2: and put them all in a drawer and then come 556 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:45,639 Speaker 2: find me and a'll write with you. And I remember 557 00:22:45,640 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 2: thinking like, wow, this guy, what did jark? I mean? 558 00:22:49,320 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 2: Nobody can Nobod's gonna write five hundred songs and put 559 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:53,439 Speaker 2: him in a drawer. You know, you're gonna write one song, 560 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:56,600 Speaker 2: go show it to everybody. But he was actually really right, 561 00:22:56,640 --> 00:22:58,399 Speaker 2: and that's really what goes into the craft. It is 562 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:00,800 Speaker 2: just like doing it every day, not being precious about it. 563 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:03,680 Speaker 2: One of the best songwriters I know, Tony Martin, he 564 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 2: writes on post it notes, you know, and then he 565 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:08,760 Speaker 2: just the verse fits on one posted a note and 566 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 2: the chorus is allowed to have two post it notes, 567 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:12,679 Speaker 2: and he gets some of the song. He just slaps 568 00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:14,080 Speaker 2: all the post it notes on top of each other 569 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:15,800 Speaker 2: and he would stick them on top of the tape 570 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 2: like a cassette tape. That's how old I am, and 571 00:23:17,880 --> 00:23:19,159 Speaker 2: put a rubber band around it and throw in a 572 00:23:19,240 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: drawer and be like, all right, let's write another one. 573 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:22,919 Speaker 2: I'm like, but that was so good. Should we do 574 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:25,600 Speaker 2: something with that, like print that up. We'll get to 575 00:23:25,600 --> 00:23:27,680 Speaker 2: it later. Let's let's write another one. So I think 576 00:23:27,720 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 2: just learning not to be too precious with it. But 577 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:32,359 Speaker 2: I mean, these guys and girls are right back in Nashville. 578 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:34,760 Speaker 2: It's unbelievable the songs they write. And not to be 579 00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,120 Speaker 2: biased about country music, but I listened to pop radio 580 00:23:37,119 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 2: and there's super great hooks and catchy choruses, but like 581 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:43,440 Speaker 2: to actually write a song from A to B, you know, 582 00:23:43,640 --> 00:23:45,360 Speaker 2: from the very beginning or to the very end, where 583 00:23:45,359 --> 00:23:47,720 Speaker 2: every word is connected to the next word, and every 584 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:49,600 Speaker 2: line is connected to the next line. The story is 585 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:52,760 Speaker 2: building and developing and edited down to you know, three 586 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 2: and a half minutes to pack all that emotional story 587 00:23:55,320 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 2: in there. Like that is such a skill. 588 00:23:56,800 --> 00:23:59,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's like every word counts in a country music 589 00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: when you're putting a bunch of songs in a drawer, 590 00:24:02,920 --> 00:24:04,920 Speaker 1: right that you're writing, what happens to all. 591 00:24:04,800 --> 00:24:06,479 Speaker 2: Those sad a lot of songs out? 592 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:08,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, Like when do you decide, Okay, this is one 593 00:24:08,600 --> 00:24:08,880 Speaker 1: that I'm. 594 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 2: Actually there's so many songs in Nashville. You know right 595 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:13,439 Speaker 2: now today how many songs you think we're written in Nashville. 596 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 2: I mean probably a thousand, like by the big the 597 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 2: great writers, maybe maybe may five hundred. And you know 598 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:19,919 Speaker 2: how many those songs are going to make it to 599 00:24:20,320 --> 00:24:22,119 Speaker 2: on an album? You know, even though it might be 600 00:24:22,119 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 2: a great song, Like people hear them, they get passed 601 00:24:24,280 --> 00:24:26,959 Speaker 2: around town people and then like what do you give 602 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:29,680 Speaker 2: me something new? What about that song I wrote last week? Yeah, 603 00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:31,399 Speaker 2: give us a new one? You know. So there's a 604 00:24:31,440 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 2: lot of songs that just like never go anywhere. That 605 00:24:33,800 --> 00:24:35,359 Speaker 2: there's great songs, and then a lot of songs that 606 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:37,720 Speaker 2: make it to somebody's album. But then those songs don't 607 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:39,400 Speaker 2: make it to be on the radio, and then they 608 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:40,960 Speaker 2: just kind of live on the album and never get 609 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:42,920 Speaker 2: heard again. So it's kind of a someone needs to 610 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 2: write a song about where do all the songs go? 611 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:49,040 Speaker 1: Seriously don't get cut? Well, what is the formula to 612 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:50,680 Speaker 1: a great country song? 613 00:24:50,840 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 2: Like? 614 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:53,159 Speaker 1: What are you looking for in a song? Because I 615 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,840 Speaker 1: know you get a ton of songs pitched to you, right, yeah, yeah. 616 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:57,560 Speaker 2: We listened to a lot of songs and thousands of 617 00:24:57,600 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 2: songs for every record, and it just has to hit 618 00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,440 Speaker 2: you within the the first like ten seconds. Right, You're 619 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:04,160 Speaker 2: going through a bunch of songs on a car ride 620 00:25:04,200 --> 00:25:07,640 Speaker 2: somewhere and you're listening and it could be a good song. 621 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 2: You might go, this is kind of interesting. I want 622 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 2: to see where it goes. But then you have to 623 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:12,080 Speaker 2: remind yourself, like, I don't have time to go through 624 00:25:12,080 --> 00:25:14,359 Speaker 2: the whole song. So if it's not going to just 625 00:25:14,359 --> 00:25:16,040 Speaker 2: you don't feel it right away, just kind of go 626 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:17,800 Speaker 2: to the next one. And it seems kind of like 627 00:25:17,800 --> 00:25:19,240 Speaker 2: a sad thing to do, like you're not giving that 628 00:25:19,280 --> 00:25:21,520 Speaker 2: songwriter a really a great chance to have their song heard. 629 00:25:21,560 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 2: But they understand everyone knows what works in Nashville. I mean, 630 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:27,159 Speaker 2: but the people that are successful aren't overly precious, right 631 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 2: They know that the song will hopefully find the right home, 632 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:31,560 Speaker 2: and so appreciative of you listening to it. I'm so 633 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:33,520 Speaker 2: appreciate that they send me songs. I mean, it's it's 634 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 2: an incredible place to be in where people send you 635 00:25:35,359 --> 00:25:39,520 Speaker 2: songs that sound like something you would have maybe possibly written, 636 00:25:39,600 --> 00:25:43,480 Speaker 2: like on the best songwriting day of your life with 637 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 2: the help like a couple of friends and you get 638 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:48,720 Speaker 2: these songs pitched you, and it's like you're super obviously 639 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:50,439 Speaker 2: so grateful for that. But yeah, just a song that 640 00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:52,120 Speaker 2: really moves you in some way. I think country music 641 00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,760 Speaker 2: just has the ability to, you know, change your life. 642 00:25:55,800 --> 00:25:58,439 Speaker 2: One song can just like change your whole life. It 643 00:25:58,480 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 2: becomes such a big part of your life. Become like 644 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 2: you're you're you're mantra in away some of these songs. 645 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 2: So it's just writing stuff that moves you. Could be 646 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:08,639 Speaker 2: a party song, could be a sad song, could be 647 00:26:08,680 --> 00:26:10,200 Speaker 2: a you know, life song that just there's so many 648 00:26:10,840 --> 00:26:12,800 Speaker 2: different angles out there, but just you know it when 649 00:26:12,840 --> 00:26:13,199 Speaker 2: you hear it. 650 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:14,879 Speaker 1: And there's a lot of songs over the years that 651 00:26:14,920 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 1: have become hit songs that I know you've even said 652 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: no to write. Like a story of a really popular 653 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:22,160 Speaker 1: John Party song. 654 00:26:22,359 --> 00:26:23,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean he and I you know, he might 655 00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:25,360 Speaker 2: have got to pitch the song the same time I got. 656 00:26:25,359 --> 00:26:27,320 Speaker 2: I don't know I got it first, but they throw 657 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:29,680 Speaker 2: a lot of songs out of people. And I thought 658 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:31,640 Speaker 2: it was a great song song called Dird of My Boots, 659 00:26:31,680 --> 00:26:34,480 Speaker 2: and I knew it was a big hit, but I 660 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 2: just knew it wasn't maybe the right song for me. 661 00:26:36,840 --> 00:26:39,120 Speaker 2: You know. And uh, I'm so glad I found John 662 00:26:39,119 --> 00:26:40,720 Speaker 2: because he's an incredible artist, and I'm sure he's a 663 00:26:40,760 --> 00:26:42,359 Speaker 2: story just like that. He probably got to pitched something 664 00:26:42,359 --> 00:26:44,679 Speaker 2: that he passed on that uh that I that I 665 00:26:44,720 --> 00:26:46,439 Speaker 2: picked up. I mean I hear songs that I've passed 666 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:48,920 Speaker 2: on on the radio, you know, two years later or something. 667 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:50,400 Speaker 2: And I'm sure people have done the same with songs 668 00:26:50,400 --> 00:26:52,680 Speaker 2: that I've end up recording. So it's a small I 669 00:26:52,680 --> 00:26:54,400 Speaker 2: mean it's it's a big city, but still pretty small 670 00:26:54,400 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 2: in that way where that community, the music community is 671 00:26:56,960 --> 00:26:58,240 Speaker 2: still pretty pretty tight knit. 672 00:26:58,320 --> 00:26:59,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's probably fun for you to hear the song 673 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:01,159 Speaker 1: and finally yeah finds it. 674 00:27:01,520 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 2: Oh absolutely, it's like, oh there's there's its home. Yeah, 675 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:05,800 Speaker 2: I found I found the right spot. 676 00:27:06,480 --> 00:27:08,600 Speaker 1: Do you remember the first time that you got recognized. 677 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,800 Speaker 2: Oh, that's a great question. The first time I got recognized. 678 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,159 Speaker 2: I remember the first time playing a show in It 679 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:17,320 Speaker 2: was in Augusta, Georgia, and I had a song called 680 00:27:17,359 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 2: what Was I Thinking? And it talks about this girl 681 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 2: wearing a little white tank top, and I remember these 682 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:23,960 Speaker 2: girls came out to show with like wearing little white 683 00:27:23,960 --> 00:27:26,760 Speaker 2: tank tops. I remember, I think that's so so crazy 684 00:27:26,800 --> 00:27:28,639 Speaker 2: and so cool and like, I mean, they literally are 685 00:27:28,720 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 2: dressing because of the song. I mean, I was like, 686 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 2: that's like my first memory of like any sort of 687 00:27:32,600 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 2: like fame or success or anything. I was like, Wow, 688 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,359 Speaker 2: they literally are wearing that. I think they're like writing 689 00:27:37,359 --> 00:27:39,800 Speaker 2: on or two or something because of like this song. 690 00:27:39,920 --> 00:27:43,560 Speaker 2: I was like, that is like something I never even 691 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:45,920 Speaker 2: thought was a dreamed about, you know, that was even 692 00:27:45,960 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 2: a thing. So so I of being recognized. I don't 693 00:27:49,640 --> 00:27:52,399 Speaker 2: get overly recognized in a good way. You know. I 694 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:54,080 Speaker 2: don't do a lot of podcasts. I don't do a 695 00:27:54,119 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 2: lot of uh. I mean, I've done some. I do 696 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:57,960 Speaker 2: TV stuff when it helps, like when I think it 697 00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:00,399 Speaker 2: directly helps, Like the tours. That's all I'm pretty much 698 00:28:00,400 --> 00:28:02,800 Speaker 2: focused on. Is the tour. I hate. I don't. I 699 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 2: don't dislike. I love being recognized, love signing autographs. I 700 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:07,680 Speaker 2: think it's amazing, but certainly not looking to be any 701 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:11,120 Speaker 2: more famous than I am. I don't. That's the last 702 00:28:11,119 --> 00:28:12,640 Speaker 2: thing I want. I mean, the fame part, and ask 703 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:14,360 Speaker 2: anyone in this town, that's about of the worst part 704 00:28:14,359 --> 00:28:16,399 Speaker 2: of the their deal. I really enjoy being to go 705 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:19,400 Speaker 2: to home depot and just be an normal person and 706 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:21,600 Speaker 2: go to Walmart and not be you know, not have 707 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 2: that level of fame. I love playing amazing. We're playing 708 00:28:24,080 --> 00:28:26,439 Speaker 2: today at the Into It Dome, you know, for IW 709 00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:29,160 Speaker 2: many thousand people this place holds and but I think 710 00:28:29,160 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 2: the greatest things about my gig is that I get 711 00:28:30,960 --> 00:28:33,000 Speaker 2: a chance to do all that and then the second 712 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:34,880 Speaker 2: the show's over, I get to be whoever I want 713 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:37,080 Speaker 2: to be, you know. Uh, And that's a lot of 714 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:40,800 Speaker 2: that's being a dad, husband, pickleball player. 715 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:42,520 Speaker 1: That's a pretty special situation. 716 00:28:43,520 --> 00:28:45,560 Speaker 2: No, it's it's really it's hard to find. It's like 717 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 2: it's I hate to mess with what our formula. I 718 00:28:47,880 --> 00:28:51,000 Speaker 2: hate to like overly. I mean, every decision I make 719 00:28:51,080 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 2: is kind of based on that, like this is this 720 00:28:53,800 --> 00:28:57,400 Speaker 2: going to bring me anymore like fame? Because I really 721 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 2: don't even posting stuff on Instagram and stuff like you know, 722 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 2: it's like just some stuff you got to post and 723 00:29:02,200 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: know how it works. You got to got to keep 724 00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:07,080 Speaker 2: keep the algorithm happy. So you've got to put stuff 725 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,760 Speaker 2: out there. But I try to only put stuff that's funny. 726 00:29:10,040 --> 00:29:11,200 Speaker 2: You know. It has a lot of we love a 727 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 2: lot of humor in our banding crew, and so but 728 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:15,240 Speaker 2: I really don't want to add anything that's going to 729 00:29:15,280 --> 00:29:17,719 Speaker 2: make it. It would inhibit me from like being able 730 00:29:17,760 --> 00:29:19,480 Speaker 2: to move around as freely as I as I get 731 00:29:19,520 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 2: to move around. 732 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:22,200 Speaker 1: I think that's what's cool about country music. 733 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's that's why they're all coming to Nashville. Yeah 734 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:27,640 Speaker 2: that's well La is moving there. 735 00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:29,560 Speaker 1: Well, it must be so cool though, Like I love 736 00:29:29,560 --> 00:29:31,239 Speaker 1: the journey that you just took a song because it's 737 00:29:31,280 --> 00:29:34,640 Speaker 1: amazing to hear about your life as a young kid 738 00:29:34,680 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: and then to see you now and you're playing at 739 00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:39,200 Speaker 1: the intu a Dome, you're playing at MSG. 740 00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:42,400 Speaker 2: It's all incredible. It's all been basic for me, just 741 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:45,160 Speaker 2: like persistence and determination, you know, That's what it's like 742 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,120 Speaker 2: my whole that's my key to success is just being 743 00:29:48,200 --> 00:29:53,000 Speaker 2: like just I remember I was listening to your Doll. Yeah, 744 00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:54,480 Speaker 2: maybe he was talking about one of his. 745 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:56,480 Speaker 1: Quotes, and I was like, yeah, Jarman's going to love 746 00:29:56,520 --> 00:29:58,840 Speaker 1: knowing that Derek S. Bentley was a fan of his 747 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:00,920 Speaker 1: lia Yeah, all he was great. 748 00:30:01,040 --> 00:30:02,480 Speaker 2: A lot of stuff he's sayings like yep, yep, you 749 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:04,880 Speaker 2: haven't resonated with so much of that, but certainly having 750 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:08,120 Speaker 2: like a quote or you know, just something that he 751 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:10,440 Speaker 2: was talking about, you know, persistence. I was like, that 752 00:30:10,520 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 2: is that was mine? For sure? 753 00:30:13,320 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, you're on tour right now. We're here for the 754 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:18,520 Speaker 1: Broken Branches tour. Your new album just came out. I 755 00:30:18,560 --> 00:30:20,000 Speaker 1: know we touched on this a little bit during the 756 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 1: pickleball session, but can you explain to everybody quickly what 757 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:26,040 Speaker 1: the term broken branches means to you in life and 758 00:30:26,080 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 1: in your music. 759 00:30:26,600 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's great. I mean when I heard the song 760 00:30:27,960 --> 00:30:29,560 Speaker 2: for the first time, I did not write this song, 761 00:30:29,840 --> 00:30:31,600 Speaker 2: got pitched to me and I just love the hook. 762 00:30:31,640 --> 00:30:34,920 Speaker 2: So it's the hook is broken branches off the family tree. 763 00:30:35,000 --> 00:30:36,920 Speaker 2: You know, we're all broken branches off the family tree. 764 00:30:36,960 --> 00:30:39,640 Speaker 2: And it's a story about pretty much everyone I know 765 00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 2: in Nashville, a lot of delinquents who you know, who 766 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:46,880 Speaker 2: moved there and love country music and they're you know, 767 00:30:46,920 --> 00:30:49,120 Speaker 2: we all wind up in these hockey talks and bars 768 00:30:49,160 --> 00:30:51,760 Speaker 2: playing music. You know, it's something that our parents didn't do, 769 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,120 Speaker 2: and for a lot of us, something nobody in our 770 00:30:54,120 --> 00:30:55,960 Speaker 2: family did. So we're all these we're always these little 771 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:59,320 Speaker 2: broken branches off the family tree. We've somehow wandered into 772 00:31:00,080 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 2: found ourselves in Nashville, Tennessee. Together and you know everyone 773 00:31:03,280 --> 00:31:05,520 Speaker 2: the whole town. It's just nobody's really from there, you know. 774 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:07,440 Speaker 2: It's just a bunch of people that had this dream 775 00:31:07,440 --> 00:31:10,360 Speaker 2: of just doing something in the in the music business. 776 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:12,800 Speaker 2: And so I love that title of the song. Got 777 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:15,680 Speaker 2: my buddy John Anderson, who's a Country Music Hall of 778 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:17,000 Speaker 2: Fame member, to be part of it, as well as 779 00:31:17,040 --> 00:31:18,760 Speaker 2: a new guy named Riley Green. So it's just the 780 00:31:18,800 --> 00:31:21,680 Speaker 2: three of us kind of just telling this funny story 781 00:31:21,720 --> 00:31:23,640 Speaker 2: about the broken branches that we are. 782 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:25,800 Speaker 1: Well, I am so excited to hear you perform tonight 783 00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:28,120 Speaker 1: and this is going to be my first country concert. 784 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:30,360 Speaker 2: Cool, so wow, very excited. 785 00:31:30,680 --> 00:31:33,040 Speaker 1: Let's end with the final piece of advice. Sure, what's 786 00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:35,440 Speaker 1: one thing that you would tell your younger self. 787 00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:38,560 Speaker 2: Just do something that you're really passionate about. I know 788 00:31:38,600 --> 00:31:40,479 Speaker 2: it's a cliche, but like the passion, if you're really 789 00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:43,440 Speaker 2: passionate about it, no matter how crazy it is, it'll 790 00:31:43,480 --> 00:31:46,239 Speaker 2: make the You know, it won't feel like work when 791 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:48,280 Speaker 2: you're chasing after the dream of doing it, because you'll 792 00:31:48,280 --> 00:31:50,680 Speaker 2: just be getting getting pulled along, so you can push 793 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:53,840 Speaker 2: having to push yourself. So live short, like, go for it, 794 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:56,440 Speaker 2: chase it, and no matter how crazy, It is just 795 00:31:57,240 --> 00:31:59,520 Speaker 2: always choose the thing that gives you the most joy. 796 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:01,240 Speaker 1: It's great advice. 797 00:32:01,360 --> 00:32:03,320 Speaker 2: Thanks. My mom would say follow your bliss. That'd be 798 00:32:03,320 --> 00:32:06,560 Speaker 2: the short version of that. Follow Joseph Conrad, follow your bliss. 799 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:10,360 Speaker 2: Joseph Campbell, not Joseph Conrad. It's not a Joseph Campbell, all. 800 00:32:10,360 --> 00:32:18,000 Speaker 1: Right, Thanks so much. Thanks'll, thank you guys so much 801 00:32:18,040 --> 00:32:20,960 Speaker 1: for tuning into today's episode. Your support means the world 802 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:24,880 Speaker 1: to me and helps us continue bringing you inspiring conversations. 803 00:32:25,040 --> 00:32:27,640 Speaker 1: If you've been enjoying Post run High, please be sure 804 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:29,800 Speaker 1: to follow the show so you never miss an episode. 805 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:32,360 Speaker 1: Leave us a quick rating, and share this episode with 806 00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:35,440 Speaker 1: a friend. We've got great conversations coming your way and 807 00:32:35,480 --> 00:32:37,440 Speaker 1: you won't want to miss them. I'll see you guys 808 00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:39,720 Speaker 1: next week. I hope you got your post run High 809 00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:40,000 Speaker 1: going