Try That in a Small Town Podcast

The Try That In A Small Town crew dives into the 2024 ACM Awards – the politics, the snubs, and the few moments that actually delivered. From Morgan Wallen being shut out, to Ella Langley’s historic run, to Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Zach Top, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and more, the guys break down who deserved what and where country music is really headed.

They also talk about TikTok-ready story songs like “Choosing Texas,” the future of traditional-leaning artists, how award shows are losing legitimacy with fans, and why the industry keeps cloning the same “country boy” image. Plus: a small-town hero who saved a family from a fire, drive-thru rim damage, broken-English call centers, and a McDonald’s “fresh” muffin story.

Perfect for country fans, songwriters, and anyone who’s over the BS of modern award shows.

Timed Highlights:
2:16 – Studio chaos, heat, and golf talk in the eSpaces room
3:18 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and the truth about roast caffeine levels
4:32 – Shoulder MRI results: torn bicep, torn rotator cuff, and surgery date
16:05 – Instagram subscriptions and bonus content tease
16:44 – Confession: who actually watched the ACM Awards (and who didn’t)
18:20 – Lainey Wilson’s opener: high energy vs memorable songs debate
22:36 – Laney’s lack of a clear “signature” song and expectations for her writing
23:22 – Miranda Lambert’s “Crisco” performance reaction
24:44 – Riley Green and Ella Langley: onstage “pajamas” tension
33:31 – Why fans are losing faith in award shows and ratings
36:29 – Megan Moroney’s many nominations and zero wins
42:48 – Group of the Year: Red Clay Strays and the new darlings of country
45:18 – “Best they/them duo?” Pushing back on where categories might go
47:05 – Why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts are selling more tickets now
48:01 – Disposable songs vs timeless 90s/2000s country
48:20 – Red Clay Strays sell out Bridgestone: how fans find music now
48:54 – Encouraging signs: more traditional-leaning performances at the ACMs
49:44 – Parker McCollum wins Album of the Year over Morgan Wallen
50:37 – “Choosing Texas” wins Song/Single of the Year and just how massive it is
52:51 – Somewhere Over Laredo vs Somewhere Over The Rainbow and copyright splits
55:09 – Tucker Wetmore: Morgan/Riley clone, performance debate, and industry blame
59:12 – Zach Top’s 90s throwback lane: can it really last?
1:02:27 – Why traditional acts must have truly great songs to survive
1:03:21 – Kane Brown’s “Woman” and trying to stay country
1:08:20 – Why Ella Langley feels so believable and why her stool performance worked
1:09:34 – Dancers in country: necessary or cheesy?
1:11:09 – Grading the ACMs: starting at a 5 because of the Morgan snubs
1:12:34 – What the ACMs are signaling to fans by ignoring Morgan Wallen
1:13:58 – How the snubs actually pour jet fuel on Morgan’s career
1:14:55 – The legitimacy problem when the biggest artists don’t show up
1:16:46 – Speculating on why the industry still hasn’t moved on from Morgan’s incident
1:16:54 – New Male Artist: Tucker Wetmore; New Female Artist: Avery Anna
1:21:01 – “No cause for alarm” text actually is cause for alarm: contract story teaser
1:21:39 – Contract options and income surprises: more to come
1:22:29 – Small town hero: Officer Eli Rogers saves a family from an apartment fire
1:23:18 – Why stories like Eli’s embody “Try That In A Small Town”
1:23:59 – Dipshit of the Week: broken-English call centers and customer service
1:31:32 – Why the ACMs feel like BS but we still care about songs, fans, and country music
__________________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS:
The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
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From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!
Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT
Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.
Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!
Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.
Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com
Peacemaker Coffee Company
Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.
https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/
_________________________________________________________________________
Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -
For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]
Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Toradol shots and “rock docs” on the road, to AI tools like Suno reshaping Nashville, to cruise-ship horror stories and fans yelling requests at charity shows… this episode of Drive That in a Small Town goes all over the map in the best way.

The guys swap stories about playing hurt on tour, getting hooked up by “rock docs,” demolishing Luke Bryan’s band in flag football, near-disastrous 100-yard dashes, and getting smoked by a college women’s softball team. They also take a hard look at AI in songwriting, the death of old-school demo sessions, and how quality songs still rise above the noise.

You’ll also hear heartfelt praise for John Morgan’s heart for kids, a hilarious breakdown of Zach Bryan’s infamous fast-break clip, cruise stories including the notorious “Poop Cruise,” a peek into publishing contracts and quotas, and a “Dip Shit” segment calling out bad audience etiquette, shady neighbors, and 5-minute voice texts.

If you love small-town stories, country music, road-life chaos, and real talk about where the music business is headed, this one’s for you.

02:00 Shoulder sling, cortisone shots and playing hurt on the road
05:03 High-ankle sprain, Toradol, and “rock doc roulette” on tour
09:12 Behind the scenes: how rock docs keep shows from getting canceled
11:19 Golf postponed, one-armed putting, and Def Leppard drummer jokes
13:02 John Morgan at Bethel Bible Village: connecting with kids and staying late
14:25 John Morgan’s small-town roots and Chattanooga ties
14:42 Zach Bryan’s legendary fast break: live reaction to the clip
18:05 Is he a team player or just a chaotic fast break? Hoops talk and last-shot mentality
20:16 Who played what sport? Shortstop, field goal specialist, soccer and skateboarding handstands
22:15 Sponsor: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile
23:00 Neil’s college field goal career and the illness that changed his path to music
25:00 Spotting athletes on stage by how they move with their instruments
25:48 Flag football vs Luke Bryan’s band and a very lopsided score
27:00 Hungover 100-yard dash: who’s really the fastest?
29:24 Thomas Rhett vs Jay: 50-yard dash, gravel, and a brutal face-plant
30:30 Road games: Wiffle ball, basketball, softball and unhealthy competitiveness
32:41 Getting humbled by a college women’s softball team
33:04 Tennis, pickleball and even getting hurt playing video hockey
34:34 Women’s hockey, drunk women’s hockey and a TV-league tangent
34:55 Publishing meeting anxiety: “no cause for alarm” text and overthinking contracts
37:44 Song quotas vs quality: why the biggest years came from fewer songs
39:21 Suno AI demos, ChatGPT lyrics and “shining up a turd”
42:20 Why AI is scary for real creatives and how it masks bad songwriting
43:42 Who owns AI-generated masters and what happens when tools get better?
46:02 The death of Nashville demo sessions and what’s been lost for musicians and engineers
49:21 Why a real band in a room can’t be replaced, and how ears have changed
50:54 Hearing untuned vocals again and why imperfection feels so good
52:04 Cruise people vs non-cruise people and the infamous “Poop Cruise”
53:20 Disney Cruise and Castaway Cay: the one cruise they actually loved
55:16 The Venice/Disney Magic gig almost everyone in the band was offered
56:10 Hantavirus on cruise ships and mysterious “wives overboard” stories
58:09 Dip Shit segment: drunk fans yelling at benefits and show etiquette
01:01:09 Neighbor overcharging on landscaping: calling out the rip-off
01:02:55 Voice-text etiquette: why anything over 30 seconds is a problem
______________________________________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS:
The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business
Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!
Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company
Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com
For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]
Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Try That In A Small Town Podcast crew is back with a wild mix of gear talk, surgery updates, politics, and one unforgettable trip to the White House.
Kurt and Tully break down their VIP visit to Washington, DC for Jason Aldean’s birthday, including standing in the Oval Office with President Trump, checking out the “Lewinsky room,” seeing historic artifacts up close, and reacting to Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame in the colonnade.
The guys also dive into Trump’s impact on safety, the economy, the border, and Iran, and whether hardcore haters will ever admit anything positive by the end of his term.
On the lighter side, there’s shoulder surgery pain, a new Try That In A Small Town coffee line, a full-on rant about grown men wearing sandals on the golf course, and a sketchy doctor’s office still asking for Social Security numbers right after being hacked.

00:14 Swing-arm mic envy and Rascal Flatts headset jokes
02:53 The real “elephant in the room”: Kurt’s arm sling and shoulder pain
04:39 MRI coming up and why rehab isn’t enough this time
07:40 Setting up Jason Aldean’s DC birthday trip and sightseeing plans
08:46 Smithsonian, National Archives, and seeing Lincoln’s hat
10:36 How the VIP White House tour and Oval Office visit came together
11:27 First steps into the Oval Office and the weight of history
13:03 The “Lewinsky room” and Trump’s private swag shop
15:12 Trump-signed Bibles and presidential challenge coins everywhere
17:16 Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame in the colonnade and the Biden plaque
19:12 Would anyone ever admit “maybe Trump wasn’t that bad”?
23:37 Safety, border, DC being clean again, and media spin
28:29 Economy, gas prices, inflation, and how people will judge this presidency
32:37 “Do you feel safer?” and what hardcore Trump haters will never say out loud
37:51 Democratic process, midterms, and Trump’s strategic timing
38:30 Ad read: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile
38:59 Social media backlash to the White House photos
40:13 New “Try That In A Small Town” coffee line and flavor names
41:39 Coffee review from Mom: bold but not bitter
39:40 (segment flows) Introducing “dip sh*tty” targets of the week
40:39 Sandals on the golf course and a full anti-man-feet rant
43:28 The yacht story: when nasty feet ruin a radio event
46:22 Doctor’s office gets hacked… then still asks for Social Security numbers
48:01 Replacing debit cards, data everywhere, and security frustration
48:40 Augusta story, golf etiquette, and strict dress-code culture

______________________________________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS:
The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business
Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!
Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company
Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The boys are back in the Patriot Mobile Studios powered by E|Spaces, recapping a wild run on the road with Jason Aldean, late-night casino losses, Neil’s killer benefit performance, and plans for an epic golf grudge match. Then they pivot into government/alien conspiracies, the death of “free” sports TV, and a fresh round of Dip Shitty of the Week.
From bus hockey and blackjack in Oklahoma to Area 51 stories, New York tax drama, and honoring small-town hero principal Kirk Moore, this one is wall-to-wall road stories, rants, and laughs.
Timestamps
01:39 Road run recap: Neil joins Aldean’s tour
02:36 Bus life, twin buses, and late-night NHL video game wars
04:36 Aldean troubleshooting the Wi-Fi like the band’s IT guy
05:24 Oklahoma golf, old-school course, and Kurt left off the tee sheet
07:16 First casino show, Neil as “guitar tech” and getting footage
07:32 Blackjack in Oklahoma: ante every hand and the endless shoe
08:45 Everyone’s losing, ATM trips, and the slide into craps
10:09 Security vs. gamblers: “It’s four hours to the next gig, we’re fine”
11:07 Reality check: it’s actually an eight-hour bus ride
12:16 Neil’s allergy battle, steroids, and dragging into the next show
13:05 Private benefit show setup and crowd size
13:48 Neil’s solo opener and “Night Train” setlist drama
14:35 Side-stage support: Aldean and the guys watch Neil crush it
15:32 “There Goes My Life” and why it always slays
16:22 Doing it for the kids and Elvis-ing out after the benefit
16:36 Bus hockey, Neil completely hitting the wall
17:31 Road DNA vs. home life – why no one goes straight to bed
18:12 Aldean’s schedule, sleep discipline, and protecting the voice
19:15 High-end sports card obsession on the bus
20:09 Getting home, sleeping it off, and turkey hunting at 3 a.m.
20:38 Could Kayla hang on the bus? Road stamina debate
21:22 Work trips, mobile studio rig, and writing/recording on the road
22:41 Whiskey on the guitar: the dressing room spill story
24:02 Original Glory ad read and small-town investment plug
24:36 Patriot Mobile ad and values (1st/2nd Amendment, life, military)
25:22 Dreaming again about an RV / work bus and early pod expectations
26:23 Looking back: tattoos, million followers, and the Winnebago dream
27:07 All Access motor coach sponsorship idea
27:34 Neil’s road trip recap buttoned up
27:58 Conspiracy hour: dead scientists and weird “suicides”
28:37 Are other countries targeting our brightest minds?
29:44 Alien/UFO thread and government secrecy questions
31:46 Area 51 stories from the late 90s and getting turned around by Jeeps
33:08 Do they believe in aliens? Biblical angle and demonic deception theory
34:22 What’s really at Area 51 – missile base or decoy?
35:09 Jim jumps in: living in Vegas, deep-diving Area 51, and the S4 doc
36:00 Streaming sports rant: too many apps to watch one team
37:01 NFL on YouTube, Peacock, Netflix, and subscription fatigue
37:55 DirecTV vs YouTube TV and paying twice for the same games
38:31 “Package” upgrades that still don’t have all the sports
40:02 More casino anger: losing thousands and drinks still not free
41:00 Aldean’s wrapped “drug money” stacks on the bus
41:45 Why they still kind of love casino nights anyway
42:08 Oklahoma hero principal Kirk Moore update – shot protecting students
41:59 Prom king moment and why they want him on the podcast
42:41 Mission: get Kirk Moore to a show and on the pod
43:25 How GPS and smartphones changed navigation and memory
44:07 Losing laminates, AirTags on tour passes, and tracking them in casinos
45:06 Golf range finders, AirTags, and expensive gear that always gets lost
46:01 Phone GPS vs range finder lasers and why golfers don’t trust tech
46:30 Range finder magnets on carts – brilliant way to sell more units
47:03 Masters meltdowns and 10s on par 5s – pros are human too
48:12 Why golf can be miserable if you’re not a player
49:10 No etiquette in this crew: non-stop ribbing on the course
49:44 You need tough skin to be in this friend group
50:24 Planning “The Match”: format, handicaps, and who gets Tully
51:27 Shamble vs scramble and how to make it fair with Neil
52:16 Handicaps, past form, and how the mental game wrecks Kayla
53:01 Golf as life-ruiner: the little white ball in your brain
53:23 Committing to make the golf match happen in May
53:55 Dip Shitty of the Week: public phone audio with no headphones
55:02 Rudeness in modern life and lack of basic courtesy
57:14 Crosswalk behavior: assuming cars see you while you’re on your phone
58:37 Do you scurry in crosswalks or drag your feet?
59:12 Taxing the rich: New York politics, commercial real estate and exits
1:01:07 Capitalism, church tithes, and who actually funds things
1:02:26 Islamic movement, spiritual concerns, and NYC post-9/11
1:03:16 Queens street takeover and Palestinian flags
1:04:09 Social media as a double-edged sword: awareness vs outrage
1:05:29 Kurt’s “Kurt, what’s up?” ticket-text pet peeve
1:06:22 The pressure trap of vague texts from people who want favors
1:08:01 Pauls Valley, OK, July 24 show and finding Kirk Moore
1:08:39 Two-year anniversary of the podcast
1:09:17 Listener support, comments, and platforms ramping up
1:10:05 Wrap-up and call to follow, subscribe, share, rate, and grab merch

______________________________________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS:
The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business
Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!
Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company
Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks joins Try That In A Small Town to unpack how Hurricane Katrina accidentally sent him to the Vegas auditions, what Simon Cowell really thought at first, and the strategy he used to “play the game” and win Idol at its peak.
Taylor breaks down crazy behind-the-scenes Idol stories, the early days of 360 deals, going from a 60-cap bar to Southeast Asia arenas in six months, writing and singing the Paul Finebaum Show theme, and grinding through 576 Broadway shows in a 40-foot ice cream cone as Teen Angel in Grease. He also teases his new single “The Mirror,” cut at Sun Records with Memphis horns and a southern rock vibe.
Plus: a hilarious “DipShidiots” segment on airport bathrooms, oversized carry-ons, public sneezers and more.

Key Timestamps:
00:00 Taylor’s wild Hurricane Katrina-to-Idol audition story
11:45 Simon Cowell’s early rejection and later apology
23:00 Inside Idol strategy, 360-style deals and media “game play”
27:30 From small bar gigs to arenas and Southeast Asia
41:28 Broadway in Grease and life inside a 40-foot ice cream cone
55:30 New single “The Mirror” and current touring life
59:00 “DipShidiots” segment: pet peeves and airport stories

______________________________________________________________________________________________
SPONSORS:
The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!
Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business
Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:
Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!
Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company
Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/
________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.