Try That in a Small Town Podcast

Why don’t Nashville publishers dig through old catalogs for forgotten songs anymore?
Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil explain how song pitching has changed, why today’s business side often feels disconnected from the creative side and what was lost when personal demos and passionate song pluggers were replaced by emails and manufactured writing-room connections.
Then the guys introduce a new game: If famous country artists had no musical talent, what would they do for a living? Chris Young, Tim McGraw and Ella Langley receive some extremely specific alternate careers.
They also respond to listener criticism that the show has become too negative, discuss Keith Urban, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Jason Aldean, and share stories about a 50-milligram gummy, movie-theater popcorn, In-N-Out Burger, an oven left on all day and a gas grill that nearly ended very badly.
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Should the national anthem be a celebrity performance—or should the marching band play while the entire stadium sings?
Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil debate who should lead the anthem before turning their attention to the changing NFL quarterback position. Are athletic, run-first quarterbacks abandoning the reads and pocket discipline that made players like Tom Brady great?
The guys also discuss the leadership vacuum in college football, NIL money, player discipline, government involvement, Texas and Arch Manning, Tennessee’s young quarterback, Alabama, Florida and the growing number of early-season NFL injuries.
It’s Week 5 of Small Town Sports: four hit songwriters, four football opinions and absolutely no agreement required.
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Sam Smith is headed to the Grand Ole Opry, leading Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil into a heated debate over what the Opry represents—and whether country music’s most historic stage still carries the mystique it once did.
The guys also debate whether music genuinely brings people together, consider Carrie Underwood’s potential move into rock and question country music’s growing habit of rebuilding new songs around familiar classics.
Plus: Lainey Wilson’s faith and authenticity, AI as a tool versus a substitute for creativity, celebrity encounters, unwanted voice messages, “my current wife,” dangerous crosswalk behavior and grown men being serenaded in restaurants.

00:51 Raising $500,000 for St. Jude
01:58 The Jason Aldean tour winds down
02:41 “Try That in a Small Town” gets even bigger
03:21 Why blue-city crowds respond so strongly
04:01 Jason Aldean and Boston Strong
05:39 Another commercial-flight adventure
06:29 An aspiring singer asks for advice
08:07 The uncomfortable truth about her music
08:25 Does music really bring people together?
12:09 Concerts and temporary unity
14:23 Cledus T. Judd’s Ella Langley parody
15:14 Another “Choosin’ Texas” train wreck
15:50 What happened to Maren Morris?
16:52 Ella Langley’s hunting photos
18:10 Lainey Wilson’s faith and authenticity
19:24 The writing session that got away
20:12 Sponsor break
22:04 The alarming new trend in golf shorts
23:32 What is happening with LIV Golf?
25:14 Why successful bands break apart
25:43 Sam Smith’s Grand Ole Opry debut
27:02 Has the Opry lost its mystique?
29:19 From Ernest Tubb to Sam Smith
31:29 What does the Opry mean today?
33:37 Would Jelly Roll quit music?
34:28 Carrie Underwood’s possible rock album
36:02 Which country artists could go rock?
37:29 Sponsor break
39:09 Country music keeps rewriting old hits
40:20 Would the guys interpolate a classic?
42:48 Jason Aldean answers a podcast question
43:31 Running on empty
44:55 Would Tully bother Tom Brady?
45:48 Meeting John Elway and Tony Romo
47:13 Mentoring young Nashville musicians
48:14 Stop sending voice-message texts
48:54 Congress attempts to regulate AI
50:12 AI as a tool versus creative theft
51:46 How the guys actually use ChatGPT
52:52 Is AI weakening creativity?
53:33 What if the Wi-Fi disappeared?
55:32 The aspiring singer conversation continues
56:34 Finding another career in Nashville
58:08 A landscaper leaves an unforgettable voicemail
59:46 This week’s DipShidiot
1:00:14 Never say “my current wife”
1:01:31 “Grass-fed” macaroni shells
1:02:50 Look up before entering a crosswalk
1:05:41 Stop singing Happy Birthday to grown men
1:07:54 Kelley’s years as a singing waiter
1:08:58 Did the guys offend anyone?
1:09:25 Christmas arrives before Halloween
1:11:14 Ten Stone at Walmart

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SPONSORS:
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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.

10Stone is an all-new apparel brand inspired by country music superstar Jason Aldean. Built around the same hardworking mindset Jason has carried throughout his career, 10Stone delivers rugged, everyday style made to keep up. 10Stone. Premium Quality. American Grit.

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone/20082817

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.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

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

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

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.

No. 1 Texas and Arch Manning are headed into Neyland Stadium, and the guys debate whether the pressure of playing at Peyton Manning’s old home gives Tennessee a real opportunity to pull off the upset.
That leads to a heated showdown over which is more exciting: college football or the NFL. They also discuss participation trophies, expanded playoffs, Alabama’s comeback, Justin Herbert’s struggles, Taylor Swift’s NFL screen time, football cheerleaders and whether grown men should ever wear jerseys in public.
Vote in the comments: NFL or college football?

01:06 Should second place get a trophy?
02:45 When a hit song finishes at No. 2
03:26 The participation trophy debate
05:18 Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss
05:42 Tennessee faces No. 1 Texas
06:45 The pressure on Arch Manning
07:26 College football versus the NFL
08:49 Are college games more meaningful?
10:09 Is a 24-team playoff coming?
12:12 Why football season is the best
12:42 The Titans and 157-degree turf
13:38 Stop showing Taylor Swift
14:42 Should grown men wear jerseys?
17:11 Football season moves too quickly
17:41 Alabama, Georgia and Week 4
18:53 Is Justin Herbert the problem?
20:16 Do NFL teams need cheerleaders?
21:11 NFL or college—cast your vote
21:40 Tennessee–Texas prediction
22:01 Dressing in your team’s colors
22:54 Closing
___________________________________________________________________________________
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.

10Stone is an all-new apparel brand inspired by country music superstar Jason Aldean. Built around the same hardworking mindset Jason has carried throughout his career, 10Stone delivers rugged, everyday style made to keep up. 10Stone. Premium Quality. American Grit.

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone/20082817

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

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

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.

What happens when working songwriters are asked to let artificial intelligence learn from their music?
Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil discuss an AI-music opportunity presented through their publishing platform, explain why they opted out and debate whether AI should enhance human creativity—or whether allowing it to generate entire songs crosses the line.
The guys also examine Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen’s award-show nominations, Taylor Swift’s return to country, artists imitating Morgan’s sound and the resurgence of traditional country music.
Then the conversation turns to playing shows while sick, whether touring musicians need therapy, artists dressing like they’re headed to the gym, parental leave, overly long voice messages, secret speakerphones, inconsiderate parking, valet drivers and children on leashes.
Plus, Tully receives an original retraction jingle and the guys deliver another round of DipShidiots.

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.

10Stone is an all-new apparel brand inspired by country music superstar Jason Aldean. Built around the same hardworking mindset Jason has carried throughout his career, 10Stone delivers rugged, everyday style made to keep up. 10Stone. Premium Quality. American Grit.

Available exclusively at Walmart.

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

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

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.