Charles Esten was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to Virginia with his mother and his sister after his parents divorced. After college, he played Buddy Holly in a long-running UK stage production before becoming a member of the casts for both the UK and US versions of Whose Line is it Anyway? Eventually, he landed a role on TV’s Nashville as troubled songwriter Deacon Claybourne, where he got to show off the musical skills he’d been developing since childhood. 
Charles joins Sid to discuss how his parents – and their divorce – shaped him. Plus he reveals how his recent surge in songwriting, which garnered him a Guinness World Record for the number of singles released in consecutive weeks, has led him to release his first full-length album, Love Ain’t Pretty.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Esten’s Long Road to Nashville

In the South, food and music go hand in hand. They define much of what we think of as Southern culture, and they say a lot about our past, our present, and our future. Each week, Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living, sits down with musicians, chefs, and other Southern icons to hear the stories of how they grew up, what inspires them, and why they feel connected to the region. Through honest conversations, Sid explores childhood memories, the family meals they still think about, and the intersection of food and music in their lives. Always surprising, always engaging, Biscuits & Jam is a celebration of the South—and the people who are moving it forward every day.

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Music

Music Interviews

TODAY Show co-host Craig Melvin has put a lot of thought into what it takes to be both a father and a son. His 2021 memoir, Pops: Learning to Be a Son and a Father, dealt with his experiences living with a dad who was an alcoholic and a gambling addict—and writing the book ultimately helped him salvage the relationship. At times emotional, Melvin also shares with Sid some of the backstory and motivation for writing his new children’s book, I’m Proud of You, which explores the important role parents play in raising confident kids.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer/Audio Editor
Jennifer Del Sole - Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Craig Melvin Is a Proud Dad

Sid Evans, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living Magazine, chats with Lauren Daigle, a musician who began her career as a Christian artist, but who’s more recently become a crossover sensation. Lauren Daigle grew up in Lafayette, Louisiana, where she enjoyed fishing with her dad, dancing to Cajun music with her grandparents, and rooting for LSU with her entire family. And while the rich musical traditions of Cajun country influenced her, it was really the two years she spent sick and homebound as a teenager that led her to pursue her dream career. With a new self-titled album coming out and a growing legion of fans, Daigle is now sharing her soulfully raspy voice and her deeply held faith with the world. 

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Jennifer Del Sole-Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Encore: Lauren Daigle’s Cajun Soul

The Castellows are three sisters—Eleanor, Lily, and Powell Balkcom—who started sharing their music on Instagram just a couple of years ago, and now they seem to be everywhere. Their newfound success has led them to a fast-moving career in Nashville and to the recent release of a new EP called A Little Goes a Long Way. With beautiful harmonies and lyrics about a simpler way of life, many of the songs pay tribute to the sisters’ roots in rural Georgia, where they grew up spending weekends on the lake and singing hymns at a small country church. Sid talks to the sisters about how their music career is helping to carry on a family name, their love of Georgia football, their grandmother’s cooking, and how homeschooling gave them the time to focus on their music.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Jennifer Del Sole-Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Castellows’ Family Traditions

Tyler Hubbard was born and raised in Monroe, Georgia, where he grew up working in the garden with his family, competing in motocross races, and playing music at his church. He met his bandmate, Brian Kelley, at Belmont University in Nashville, and by 2012 Florida Georgia Line was one of the hottest acts in country music. These days, he’s entered a new phase in his life and career. He’s a father now, with a wife and three kids, and after taking a break from recording with Kelley, he’s also reintroducing himself to fans as a solo act. His new album, Strong, is set to release just a few days after this episode comes out, and he has a big tour ahead of him with Kane Brown. Tyler joins Sid to talk about his new music, how different his solo career has been from his days with Florida Georgia Line, and the father he misses every day.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Jennifer Del Sole-Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler Hubbard Is Trying to Be Strong

Emmy Russell was born in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, and grew up touring and performing with her grandmother, Loretta Lynn, as well as her mother, Patsy Lynn. She doesn’t sound much like the “Queen of Country,” but Emmy has a beautiful voice and plenty of talent as a songwriter. On an episode of American Idol earlier this spring, she wowed the judges with an intensely personal song that caught the country’s attention—and earned her a ticket to Hollywood. It’s called “Skinny,” and it touches on her past struggles with an eating disorder, as well as a deep lack of confidence that’s kept her off the stage. Now Emmy is finding her own voice and looking at a bright future in music. Emmy talks to Sid about why she had to take a break from the family business for a few years, what Loretta taught her about songwriting, and the famous guitar she gave her at the age of 15.   
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Jennifer Del Sole-Director of Audio Growth Strategy & Operations
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles Esten’s Long Road to Nashville

Download our free app to listen on your phone