Drifting Cowboy

Most people know Dan Seals as a country music legend — but before the hits on country radio, he was England Dan, one half of the massively successful duo England Dan & John Ford Coley.
In this episode of the Drifting Cowboy Podcast, John Ford Coley sits down with me to tell the real story behind his partnership with Dan Seals, the rise of England Dan & John Ford Coley, and the honest, human reasons the duo ultimately broke up. John opens up about Dan’s transition into country music stardom, life after the split, and what it was really like navigating success at the height of the 1970s music industry.
John also shares incredible firsthand stories from touring with Elton John, opening for Led Zeppelin, sharing stages with Three Dog Night, and how his career unexpectedly shifted into acting after the duo came to an end.
This isn’t gossip or revisionist history — it’s reflection, perspective, and music history told by the man who lived it.
If you’ve ever wondered why Dan Seals walked away from England Dan, or how one of the biggest soft-rock duos of the 1970s came to an end, this conversation finally fills in the blanks.
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What really inspired “The Ride” — one of the most haunting songs in country music history?Songwriter Gary Gentry (“The Ride,” “The One I Loved Back Then,” and more) tells the unbelievable true story behind the song that has puzzled and fascinated fans for decades. After a night of heavy drinking, drugs, and reckless curiosity, Gary and a group of friends held a seance to provoke the spirit of Hank Williams.What happened next would stay with Gary forever.In this podcast, Gary recounts seeing what he believes was Hank Williams’ ghost — an encounter that later shaped the writing of “The Ride,” a song that feels less like fiction and more like a message passed down from country music’s past.This is not a rumor.This is not a legend told secondhand.This is the story straight from the songwriter himself.If you love:• Country music history• Nashville songwriting stories• Hank Williams folklore• Dark, strange, and unforgettable moments in music…this conversation is for you.Gary Gentry, The Ride song, Hank Williams ghost, Hank Williams seance, The Ride Gary Gentry, country music folklore, songwriting stories, Nashville songwriter, paranormal country music, haunted country music, Hank Williams legend, outlaw country history, The One I Loved Back Then, David Allan Coe songwriter, country music podcast, Drifting Cowboy podcast, strange country music stories, music history podcast, Hank Williams mystery, supernatural songwriting

In this powerful and intimate conversation, Georgette Jones opens up about what life was really like growing up as the daughter of two country music legends—George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Beyond the headlines, hit songs, and public struggles, Georgette shares personal stories, family memories, and behind-the-scenes moments that reveal who George and Tammy truly were when the lights were off and the world wasn’t watching.From childhood memories inside one of country music’s most famous families to honest reflections on love, fame, and legacy, this episode offers a rare, human look at two icons whose lives were as complicated as their music was timeless. This is not the tabloid version—it’s the truth, told by the person who lived it.If you care about country music history, real storytelling, and the people behind the legends, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Georgette Jones, George and Tammy, George Jones documentary, Tammy Wynette documentary, country music history, classic country music, outlaw country, country music legends, George Jones stories, Tammy Wynette stories, behind the music, country music podcast, Drifting Cowboy podcast, Nashville country music, real country stories, music legacy, country music family, country music interviews, classic country icons

Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel joins Drifting Cowboy for a deep-cut conversation about the people and moments that shaped country music history. Ray shares rare stories about his close friendships with Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard, including the time he watched Merle cuss out his label head Rick Blackburn. He talks about living in the same neighborhood as Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley, crossing paths with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan before superstardom, and how Naomi Judd got the name Wynonna from Asleep at the Wheel—then legally renamed her daughter at 14 years old. This episode dives into outlaw country, Texas music, Americana, the Austin scene, Nashville politics, songwriting culture, and the unfiltered truth behind the legends. If you care about real country music stories, this is one you don’t skip.Willie Nelson podcast, Merle Haggard stories, Ray Benson interview, Asleep at the Wheel podcast, Townes Van Zandt stories, Blaze Foley stories, Stevie Ray Vaughan interview, Jimmie Vaughan stories, Naomi Judd Wynonna name origin, outlaw country history, Texas country music, Americana podcast, country music storytelling

Country songwriter Ward Davis joins Drifting Cowboy for a raw, no-filter conversation about his path through modern outlaw country — including the unbelievable moment Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard both recorded his song “Unfair Weather Friend.”Ward tells the full story behind how that song came together, what it meant to have two all-time legends cut the same song, and how that moment reshaped his career. He also talks about his longtime friendship with Cody Jinks, recording with Clint Black, and navigating success outside the Nashville system.Along the way, Ward shares a powerful story about meeting Kris Kristofferson and performing a show with him, offering rare insight into one of country music’s most respected icons.This episode is about songwriting, grit, loyalty, and the quiet moments that define a career — the parts most people never hear.If you care about real country music, the writers behind the songs, and the stories that live off the radio dial, this episode is for you.🎙️ Drifting Cowboy PodcastHosted by Dillon WeldonNew episodes featuring legendary artists, songwriters, and untold stories from country music history.Ward Davis, Ward Davis podcast, Ward Davis interview, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson Merle Haggard song, Unfair Weather Friend, Kris Kristofferson, Ward Davis Kris Kristofferson, Cody Jinks, Ward Davis Cody Jinks, Clint Black, outlaw country, modern outlaw country, country songwriting, songwriter podcast, country music podcast, behind the songs country music, Texas country music, independent country artists, Drifting Cowboy podcast, Dillon Weldon, country music history, Nashville songwriting