Active duty Army soldier Brayden Mullins opens up about writing haunting songs inspired by his coal mining hometown while serving his country - and how deployment separation from his newlywed wife fuels his most personal music.IN THIS EPISODE:✅ Active duty soldier balancing military service with music career✅ Growing up in Pound, Virginia coal country - same area as Ralph Stanley✅ Writing from deployment - 8-hour time difference challenges with his wife✅ "Better Man" - 15-minute song written in army barracks✅ "I'm Familiar Writing" - haunting suicide story reflecting coal country struggles✅ "Limestone Casket" - based on true 1972 coal mine collapse tragedy✅ Why he naturally writes dark, sad songs over happy ones✅ Red Barn Radio appearance while battling severe allergies✅ EXCLUSIVE performance of "Yellow Light" - unreleased love song to his wifeBrayden discusses the weight of performing emotional songs, respecting your audience, and why authentic storytelling resonates with working-class listeners who "all eat and shit and struggle."RELATED ARTISTS: Ralph Stanley, Tony Rice, James King, Nick Jamerson, Tyler Childers#BraydenMullins #ActiveDutyMilitary #CoalCountryMusic #VirginiaMusic #MilitaryMusician #AppalachianMusic #DarkSongwriting #RedBarnRadio #LaurelCove🔔 SUBSCRIBE for conversations with artists serving country while sharing their stories👍 LIKE if Brayden's dedication to both military and music inspired you💬 COMMENT your thoughts on soldiers using music to process difficult experiences