Try That in a Small Town Podcast

• The Changing Face of Nashville's Music Row :: Ep 54 Try That in a Small Town

  Remember when Nashville's Music Row was lined with old houses turned publishing companies and studios? When writers walked songs across the street to publishers and artists mingled at the 16th Avenue Café? Those days are fading into memory, replaced by high-rises and corporate offices that barely resemble the creative community that built country music.In this nostalgic yet forward-looking conversation, the guys reflect on Music Row's transformation and what it means for the future of songwriting. Neil shares the surprising story of his spontaneous wedding at the Music Row Wedding Chapel ("We tracked five songs, did vocals and harmonies, and then decided to get married"), while the others reminisce about Nashville landmarks that have disappeared with time.The discussion moves beyond physical changes to the deeper shifts in how music is created and consumed today. When streaming pays fractions of pennies split between multiple songwriters, creating "forever songs" becomes economically challenging. As Kurt explains, "It's hard for songwriters to get excited anymore. I don't get excited if I see somebody putting out a song on social media because you don't make any money." Despite touting millions of streams, many artists struggle to sell concert tickets, revealing the disconnect between digital numbers and real-world impact.Yet through their frustrations, these veteran songwriters demonstrate why they've survived in the business: genuine passion for the craft. Even without financial incentive, the validation of sharing a great song idea with respected collaborators provides enough fuel to keep creating. They propose that giving songwriters a percentage of master recordings might help preserve the quality songwriting that built Nashville's reputation.Whether you're a songwriter, music industry professional, or simply a country music fan, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolution of Music City. Subscribe now and join the conversation about preserving what matters in music while embracing inevitable change.The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessAt e|spaces, we offer more than just office space - we provide premium private offices designed for focus and growth. Located in the heart of Music Row, our fully furnished offices, private suites, meeting rooms and podcast studio give you the perfect space to work, create and connect. Ready to elevate your business? Book a tour today at espaces.comFrom 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-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original BrandsOriginal brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comFollow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -Browse the merch: https://trythatinasmalltown.com/collections/all -For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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• Cledus T Judd - Addictions & Redemption, and a Country Music Journey :: Ep 53 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

  From competing in the World Championships of Hairdressing to contemplating suicide on a bridge in Florida, Cledus T Judd's journey to Nashville stardom defies all expectations. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, the country music parody artist takes us behind the laughter to reveal the demons he battled along the way.Standing in his mother's double-wide trailer, watching Vince Gill win at the CMAs, Cledus made an impossible promise that would change his life forever. With nothing but determination, he slept in walk-in closets, under parking lot lights, and drove through ice storms with frostbitten fingers – all while pursuing his unlikely dream. The turning point came when he heard Tim McGraw's "Indian Outlaw" on the radio and spontaneously created the parody that would launch his career.What makes this episode extraordinary isn't just Cledus's comedic talents, but the surprising kindness he encountered from Nashville's biggest stars. Vince Gill fulfilling a promise to meet his mother. Toby Keith offering a private plane during family emergencies and championing him to arena crowds when he couldn't be there. These aren't just celebrity encounters – they're profound moments of humanity in an often cutthroat business.Most powerful is Cledus's raw account of addiction and redemption. Standing in a hospital bathroom the day his daughter was born, cocaine in hand, he made a choice that would save his life. The quarter he dropped that day still sits in his wallet – a reminder of the moment everything changed. From reconciliation with his estranged father to heart-wrenching final conversations with his mother, Cledus reveals how the deepest pain can become purpose when channeled into helping others find recovery.This conversation will make you laugh, cry, and reconsider what you think you know about the people behind the music. Listen now and discover why humor might be the most powerful survival tool of all.The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessAt e|spaces, we offer more than just office space - we provide premium private offices designed for focus and growth. Located in the heart of Music Row, our fully furnished offices, private suites, meeting rooms and podcast studio give you the perfect space to work, create and connect. Ready to elevate your business? Book a tour today at espaces.comFrom 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-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original BrandsOriginal brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comFollow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -Browse the merch: https://trythatinasmalltown.com/collections/all -For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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• Michael Knox - From 40 Rejected Showcases to Artist of the Decade :: Ep 52 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

  Michael Knox, the visionary producer behind Jason Aldean's groundbreaking sound, pulls back the curtain on one of country music's most remarkable success stories. Knox's candid revelations about their journey expose the harsh realities of Nashville's music business—an incredible 40 showcase rejections, multiple lost record deals, and years of struggle before breakthrough success.What makes this conversation extraordinary is hearing how Knox deliberately architected Aldean's revolutionary sound when mainstream Nashville wasn't ready for it. "The whole plan with Jason was to be Tim McGraw's nightmare, to be the replacement of that generation," Knox explains. "You can't do that if you don't cover all the bases—I can tear your head off, steal your girl, make you cry."Knox shares fascinating production stories, including how executives at Broken Bow Records first heard "Hicktown" with a broken speaker that eliminated the electric guitar parts—yet still loved it. He reveals the battles fought for now-iconic songs like "She's Country," "Big Green Tractor," and "Dirt Road Anthem"—all initially dismissed as career-ending risks by industry gatekeepers.The conversation takes a personal turn when Knox discusses his father, Buddy Knox, who had the first self-written #1 hit in rock and roll history ("Party Doll") yet remains excluded from the Rock Hall of Fame. This family connection illuminates Knox's deep understanding of the music business's often unfair nature and his determination to help Aldean succeed against overwhelming odds.What emerges is a masterclass in artistic vision and perseverance. In today's era of overnight TikTok sensations, Knox questions whether artists who haven't weathered rejection and struggle can develop the character needed for lasting careers. "These people today don't suffer like that," he reflects, celebrating the hard-earned journey that shaped Aldean's authentic connection with fans.The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessAt e|spaces, we offer more than just office space - we provide premium private offices designed for focus and growth. Located in the heart of Music Row, our fully furnished offices, private suites, meeting rooms and podcast studio give you the perfect space to work, create and connect. Ready to elevate your business? Book a tour today at espaces.comFrom 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-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original BrandsOriginal brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comFollow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -Browse the merch: https://trythatinasmalltown.com/collections/all -For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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• Hulk Hogan: From Rock Star Dreams to Wrestling Icon :: Ep 51 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

  From sending audition tapes to Metallica and The Rolling Stones to becoming one of wrestling's most iconic figures, Hulk Hogan's journey through entertainment spans nearly five decades of unexpected twists and reinventions.In this deeply personal conversation, the 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer pulls back the curtain on his early years, revealing how he transitioned from playing bass guitar six nights a week in southeastern clubs to wrestling as "The Super Destroyer" for just $25 a match. Hogan shares surprising stories about living in his van on Pensacola Beach, quitting wrestling multiple times to work as a longshoreman, and how Vince McMahon Sr. gave him the name that would change pop culture forever.The wrestling legend divulges shocking behind-the-scenes details about his breakthrough role as Thunderlips in Rocky III – including how he negotiated his $14,000 payment with Sylvester Stallone and subsequently got fired from the WWF for taking the part. Even more surprising is his revelation about the famous 1984 Madison Square Garden match against the Iron Sheik, where a competing promoter allegedly offered the Sheik $100,000 to legitimately break Hogan's leg.Beyond the nostalgic wrestling tales, Hogan speaks candidly about his spiritual journey, describing how he's found peace through faith after the physical toll of ten back surgeries and countless other injuries from his wrestling career. Now running Hogan's Hangout in Tampa and promoting his Real American Beer, he reflects on the profound impact his character had on generations of fans worldwide.Whether you grew up watching Hulkamania run wild or simply appreciate stories of perseverance and reinvention, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the man behind the 24-inch pythons. Subscribe now and share your favorite Hulk Hogan memories in the comments!The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessAt e|spaces, we offer more than just office space - we provide premium private offices designed for focus and growth. Located in the heart of Music Row, our fully furnished offices, private suites, meeting rooms and podcast studio give you the perfect space to work, create and connect. Ready to elevate your business? Book a tour today at espaces.comFrom 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-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original BrandsOriginal brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comFollow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -Browse the merch: https://trythatinasmalltown.com/collections/all -For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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• Standing in God's Light: John Rich's Fearless Path :: Ep 50 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

  Country music maverick John Rich pulls no punches in this raw, unfiltered conversation about his remarkable journey through the Nashville music scene. Describing himself as an "anomaly chaser," Rich reveals how his greatest successes came from championing the unexpected talents and sounds that traditional Nashville often rejected.The multi-platinum artist and three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year takes us behind the curtain of the legendary "Music Mafia" movement – 72 consecutive Tuesday night jam sessions at Nashville's tiny Pub of Love that launched the careers of Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, and others. Rich's storytelling about fighting to include "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" on an album when executives insisted it would ruin their credibility offers a master class in trusting artistic instincts over industry formulas.From his early firing from Lone Star to writing Jason Aldean's breakthrough hits ("Hicktown," "Amarillo Sky"), Rich shares the hard-won wisdom of building a sustainable career through unwavering authenticity. The conversation takes surprising turns as he candidly discusses his spiritual awakening and transformation in his 40s, leading to a deeper purpose behind his music and public voice.Perhaps most compelling is Rich's unflinching account of speaking truth to power – including confronting former President Trump about vaccines at a private dinner with senators present. This commitment to conviction regardless of consequences reflects his approach to both his faith and his craft – an unwillingness to compromise his values for acceptance or approval.Whether you're a longtime country music fan or simply appreciate stories of resilience and reinvention, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an artist who has consistently defied industry expectations while creating some of country music's most enduring anthems. Subscribe now and join us for an unforgettable conversation about music, faith, and the courage to stand your ground.The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessAt e|spaces, we offer more than just office space - we provide premium private offices designed for focus and growth. Located in the heart of Music Row, our fully furnished offices, private suites, meeting rooms and podcast studio give you the perfect space to work, create and connect. Ready to elevate your business? Book a tour today at espaces.comFrom 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-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original BrandsOriginal brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comFollow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -Browse the merch: https://trythatinasmalltown.com/collections/all -For advertising inquiries, email [email protected] Try That In A Small Town Podcast is produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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