Country Music Dads

This week we interview Thomas Csorba, a Texas singer/songwriter whose latest album, Tender Country, seems like it was made specifically for Country Music Dads just like us. Tender Country paints a vivid, beautiful and highly accurate picture of life in the early years of parenting. The Dads had never heard anything like this -- an “authentic” view of early parenthood-- so we had to talk to him.

SHOW NOTES:

00:50: A bit of an intro and a spelling lesson, as we welcome Thomas into the show.

2:58: A dive into the album, Tender Country and how this album hits much deeper into the Dad Life. Csorba explains that his approach toward songwriting had to be part of his lived experience. And not trying to be cool, which is pretty cool.

6:05: The Productivity of Naptime -- Thomas outlines how fatherhood changed his approach to art and productivity. Kids’ proximity to the ground enables them to change our perception, said Thomas and that this process of being a dad has shifted his understanding of being a creative.

11:08: What is the real cost of making it? The Dads and Thomas talk about his opening track “Big Time” and what success really looks like for parents. For Thomas and his four year-old, it’s high, low, buffalo and getting a handwritten sticky note on a cut out of his profile in the Houston Chronicle.

16:35: Inspiration in the mundane and the ego killer of a four year-old demanding a sandwich.

19:35: A discussion “He Would’ve Love This” and how generational family life matters so much more once you’re a parent.

21:30: Asking the songwriter his go to lullaby. A mixture of old gospel music and Willie Nelson tunes -- very Texas.

24:05: The Dad Life Sound Check

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

• The War of Art- Steven Pressfield
• Houston Chronicle profile.
• Wind Chimes album - Thomas Csorba
• How to Write One Song - Jeff Tweedy

References:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” - Moodmode
• Homemade Margaritas - Thomas Csorba
• Big Time - Thomas Csorba
• I Love - Tom T. Hall
• He Would've Loved This - Thomas Csorba
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand (with Marion Williams) - Thomas A. Dorsey, Marion Williams
• Bigger Wheels - Thomas Csorba
• Bigger Than Your Hat - Thomas Csorba
• Rake And Ramblin' Man - Don Williams
• Can't Into Could - American Aquarium
• Feelin' Good Again - Turnpike Troubadours, Sierra Hull

Brian Whelan is a professional musician with a range of impressive credits to his name. He’s supported Post Malone’s early forays into country music, was a mainstay in Dwight Yoakam’s studio band and supported one of last year's best albums, Jake Owen’s Dreams to Dream. In addition to his studio work, Whelan is a regular on stages across Southern California and beyond.

Like so many musicians based in Los Angeles, he called Altadena home. The proximity to recording studios, affordable and interesting housing and a slower pace of life were appealing.

Along with his wife, they welcomed their twins home to the city, and not long after that, their lives changed, along with so many others, on a windy night in January. More than 9,400 structures burned down in that fire that raged through the hills and neighborhood east of Los Angeles.

The Dads speak with Whelan about music, the impact of the Eaton fire on the music scene in LA, especially the roots, Americana and country scenes, and how being a dad, growing up and getting "Pro Vibed" have provided balance in his life and approach.

Show Notes:

2:20 - Brian claims he knew he’d be a performer at 6 years old—and never looked back. As he got older, he became a “liner note junky” and knew he wanted to be one of those guys.

4:22 - Becoming a father drastically shifted his priorities and changed his idea of time. Brian flipped the script on Dave and Donnie and put the question on them -- always a good guest power mover.

7:50 - The Kid Happy Hour: Putting on the greats, right after kid dinner and before bath and bed, the family gets some music, the parents get some drinks, and everyone dances.

9:59 - Brian has mixed feelings about having his kids go into the arts, but he will support them no matter what. But that is sometimes a bit harder said than done, and the guys explore that kind of support.

15:35 - Exploring how a session player helps develop and advance the sound of an artist's album, Brian explains that he sees himself as a connector and supporter of music. Almost as important is how he’s matured as a person, and how his fatherhood and getting “Pro Vibed” have played into that process.

20:05 - We talk about Dwight Yoakam and how much Brian learned and grew when working in his band.

24:00 - Discussing Jake Owen’s most recent album and his role in “the five-piece band in the middle of Hollyweird.”

31:50 - The impact of a local haunt on the trajectory of Brian’s career -- a personal history of the Cinema Bar in Culver City.

37:05 - Eaton Fire and the long-term impact. Brian lost his first home, most of his guitars and most of the family photos. But his kids gave him and his wife purpose. He had a place to put his energy -- and his kids gave him an incredible gift.

45: 18 - The Dad Life Sound Check!

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Marissa R. Moss on Jake Owen in the Don’t Rock the Inbox newsletter
• Brian Whelan's website
• Cinema Bar
• MusiCares
• Tom T. Hall's children's record Country Songs for Children
• Vincent Neil Emerson's health issue post
• Tender Country - Thomas Csorba
• Review of Tender Country
• Country Cutler newsletter for new music discovery
• Nathan Evans Fox interview
• Children's books episode

References:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• Second Hand Heart - Dwight Yoakam
• I'll Pay the Price - Dwight Yoakam
• Dreams to Dream - Jake Owen
• Barefoot Blue Jean Night - Jake Owen
• Wouldn't Be Gone - Jake Owen
• Can't Let Go - Lucinda Williams
• I Love - Tom T. Hall
• Fox on the Run - Tom T. Hall
• The Great Highway - Vincent Neil Emerson
• He Would've Loved This - Thomas Csorba
• Little Green Apples - Thomas Csorba

This week, the Country Music Dads celebrate America 250, country music’s role in this -- and other -- uniquely American celebrations, and how to honor our history, the details of our past, and advance the American experiment. Happy Birthday America!

Show Notes:

00:05 - Dave and Donnie talk about their memories of the Fourth, how they are getting ready for America 250 and so much more. From childhood memories to debauchery of young adulthood, the guys go over what makes the Fourth of July awesome.

4:46: What makes a great Fourth of July playlist song? And Dave asks if non-country fans use this holiday as an excuse to enjoy something they feel like they can’t otherwise.

6:35: The history of country music and patriotism. The discussion turns serious as the dads address Joseph Thompson’s Time magazine article that explores how the country music industry, titans of industry and the Department of Defense teamed up to feed the concept that country music is the music of America.

12:50: “God Bless the US” has been stuck in Dave’s head since the second grade due to grammatical corrections his school made to the song.

14:05: Fourth of July family traditions growing up and sharing with your kids. Both of us want to raise proud Americans who can still love America while understanding the more complicated aspects of our history.

22:49: The playlist debate. The dads start with “Clear Patriotic Anthems/ Celebrations of American Life.”

36:45: The next section is about “Blind Patriotism” songs, and yes, they talk a bit about post-9/11 reactionary country music.

43:30: And now, for a few Protest Songs because there is nothing more American than speaking truth to power. Just ask our kids.

49:57: Songs that People Mistake for Patriotic Anthems but are Really About Something Else

52:15: The Dad Life Sound Check - American Edition

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Joseph Thompson's book: Cold War Country: How Nashville's Music Row and the Pentagon
• Joseph Thompson's Time magazine article
• Country Music Association
• Whiskey Riff article about the Hermosa Beach Ironman
• No-No Boy
• Ted Russell Kamp episode
• Shooter Jennings episode
• 60 Songs That Explain the 90's: The 2000s on Toby Keith
• America-themed parties around the world
• Country Country podcast
• Dead Man’s Town: Born in the USA Revisited
• Nathan Evans Fox episode

References/Songs:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa
• God Bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
• The Best God Damn Band in Wyoming - No-No Boy
• This Land is Your Land - Woody Guthrie
• Ragged Old Flag- Johnny Cash
• America - Waylon Jennings
• Born Country - Alabama
• 4th of July/He Stopped Loving Her Today - Medley - Shooter Jennings, George Jones
• Americana - Ryan Bingham
• American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley
• Middle of America - Haily Whitters feat. American Aquarium
• God's Country - Blake Shelton
• God's Country (Live from Red Rocks) - HARDY
• God Bless America Again - Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty
• Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) - Toby Keith
• Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning - Alan Jackson
• Your Flag Decal Won't Get You into Heaven Anymore - John Prine
• Dress Blues - Jason Isbell
• All American Made - Margo Price
• History Repeats Itself - American Aquarium
• Try That in a Small Town - Jason Aldean
• Independence Day - Martina McBride
• Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen
• Born in the U.S.A. - Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
• Call to Arms - Sturgill Simpson
• I Love My Country - Florida Georgia Line

This week, the Country Music Dads welcome Nathan Evans Fox to the podcast. He is a Nashville-based country music artist and dad with a fascinating new album on the way. He explores his own country upbringing. Using traditional themes of land, hard work and faith, he approaches his music and life from the political left, in a space considered very conservative. Fox’s album Heirloom is out May 29 on Free Dirt Records.

Show Notes:

3:12 - A discussion of “Lots of Beginnings” brings the conversation to the very end of the album, as Nathan explains the process of losing his dad and becoming one in the same year -- and how he landed on the title of the Heirloom album. And we dive deep into family right away.

6:00 - Nathan’s connection to family, family land and the family system, is deeply connected to his political understanding. His understanding is wildly personal, tactile and real. The family land allowed him to know his extended family through his universe of ghosts -- and it still looms large in his experience even after the family sold it.

9:50 - Growing up very weird and country go hand in hand with Nathan’s experience.

10:50 - A feeling of home vs enjoying where you live. Nathan and the dads talk about how to create a home. Grief, economics and complications.

12:10 - His time as a hospital chaplain exposed Nathan to the full range of emotions of those at the hardest points in their lives, forcing him to radically listen. These experiences drove him to be more explicit about the need for his music to become more message-driven. It also put his life as an artist in perspective.

15:50 - Going viral with “Hillby Hymn” and bringing liberation theology to country music fans, and how Nathan became many folks' favorite worship leader.

18:51 - Understanding how to square yourself to the cultural dominance of Christianity in the bible belt, and how this language can be used as a vernacular poetic experience, one that helps folks accept something they don’t expect.

25:48 - “We belong and we feel, well before we think or form ideologies,” Nathan said. And we should likely get back to knowing our neighbors and caring.

26:35 - A discussion of Nathan’s music feels a bit like contemporary Christian music, suggested Dave. And Nathan felt called out.

28:45 - Talking about “Racecar” and its place within contemporary country music, or as Nathan calls it, “Butthole Country Music.” Dave and Nathan geek out about Bro Country and how “Racecar” references “Dirt Road Anthem” for tone. Yet the topic of this song is anything but traditional -- in fact, it’s pretty divisive. The guys jump into the question of politics of it all.

34:24 - The Dad Life Sound Check featuring songs from Roger Miller, Ryan Bingham and Corb Lund & Hayes Carll.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Liberation Theology
• The book about how country music was created to divide people is Creating Country Music: Fabricating Country Music
• Nathan Evans Fox's substack

References/Songs:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• Lots of Beginnings by Nathan Evans Fox
• I Know the End by Nathan Evans Fox (out May 29)
• Hillbilly Hymn (Okra & Cigarettes) by Nathan Evans Fox
• Racecar by Nathan Evans Fox (out May 29)
• Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean
• Do-Wacka-Do by Roger Miller
• Americana by Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen
• Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old) by Corb Lund & Hayes Carll

The Dads are so back! After an extended season break -- due to some expansions in the family size -- the guys are back at it, planning out a new season of great guests, interesting topics and general silliness. We hope you are ready for Season Three of the Country Music Dads podcast.

Show Notes:

• 00:47 - Highlights of Season Two. Dave and Donnie discuss three things: our best episode, favorite interview and the most memorable moment. From Mustaches to Beefing Bros, with great guests and social media shares, the guys get to do what all podcasters love: talk about themselves.
• 16:29 - Looking forward, the Dads talk about their delay into season three, prioritizing time and the changes outside the pod that drove some of these issues. (Hint: Dave is the father of FOUR kids under the age of 10).
• 21:30 - The Dads discuss our listener feedback and how we will incorporate that into the podcast moving forward. Buckle in -- you’re gonna get more dad stuff and more country stuff, which is shocking.
• 24:44 - The Dad Life Sound Check

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Mustache Rides Again episode
• Beefing Bros Episode
• Country Never Dies Album Review
• Gavin Adcock comments on Country Cutler's Instagram post.
• Songbird album
• Shooter Jennings episode
• James Sullivan, author of Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon
• Blue Jeans episode
• The Doohickeys episode
• Jeremy Pinnell Interview
• Ted Russell Kamp interview
• Children's books episode
• Lukas Nelson article on the Substack
• Luke Combs Fathers and Sons episode
• GQ interview with Luke Combs
• Grey DeLisle's album of Cindy Walker songs

References/Songs:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• "Run Your Mouth" by Gavin Adcock
• "Night Time Eagle" by Jeremy Pinnell
• "Redneck Yacht Club"
• "The Lie" by Lukas Nelson
• "Beer Never Broke My Heart" by Luke Combs
• "Alcohol of Fame" by Luke Combs
• "The Pieces" by Grey DeLisle

Recently, the dads sat down with Grammy-nominated songwriter, alt-country artist and father, Jeremy Ivey. But you may know him better as Margo Price’s husband. Ivey has a new album, It’s Shape Will Reveal Itself, out now on Soggy Anvil Records, and it’s a heavy look at the world around us. We will talk about his role as Price’s husband, their partnership in raising their children and songwriting, and how their lives together (and apart) have influenced his art.

Show Notes

1. 1:10: Donnie admits to being a fan boy and interrupting Jeremy’s dinner before a show in Charlotte, NC, several years ago. What he wanted to ask then, and could ask now, was how Jeremy got into songwriting, and it all started with reading great poetry.
2. 3:12: Jeremy explains how It’s Shape Will Reveal Itself came together, and the story of “Little Bird” and his daughter’s role on the track.
3. 5:15: A discussion of how the track order, the playing and technical recording impacts the album's feel, through a patchwork of old and new songs. Also, a CRAZY story about Joan Baez.
4. 10:35: Jeremy’s approach and process, supporting Margo Price and his personal career, and the impact of fatherhood. And a cautionary tale about selling your car with a young child to make an album -- this one worked out, but don’t do it, says Jeremy.
5. 14:10: Balancing home and touring. How Margo and Jeremy find the balance for their music and family, and the hardest part of staying off the road is the FOMO.
6. 16:20: Balancing the creative, romantic and parenting partnerships, and the annual cycle of creativity and support.
7. 19:30: What does a normal day look like for the Ivey/Price household? Pretty normal, explains Jeremy. It’s complete chaos, with a bunch of toys on the floor.
8. 21:40: Jeremy explains his writing process and how the chaos around him influences it. And the honest balance between self-indulgence and giving in to the process of songwriting.
9. 22:57: The difference between songs created for Margo Price’s albums and Jeremy Ivey’s albums.
10. 26:40: The American experience provides an incredible context for creating meaningful and interesting art.
11. 27:20: The Dad Life Sound Check.

Mentioned in the Episode

1. Emily Dickinson
2. The Beat Poets
3. PAIN: The Board Game by Sampson Starkweather
4. Drew Carroll
5. The Bomb Shelter
6. Joan Baez
7. Bonnie Raitt
8. Emmylou Harris
9. Dulcimer
10. Thin Lizzy
11. The Dubliners
12. Buffalo Clover
13. Brittany Howard and Alabama Shakes
14. Darrin Bradbury
15. Anti Records
16. Farm Aid
17. Anthony Bourdain
18. Khalil Gibran

References/Songs:

1. Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
2. Little Bird - Jeremy Ivey
3. Edge of Darkness - Jeremy Ivey
4. Don’t Sleep on Your Dreams - Jeremy Ivey
5. Whiskey In A Jar - The Dubliners
6. Close to You - Margo Price
7. Tennessee Song - Margo Price
8. A Long Way From Home - The Kinks
9. Gone to Stay - Margo Price
10. He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones
11. Lots of Beginnings - Nathan Evans Fox

Awards Season is here, so the Country Music Dads must weigh in on what is most deserving, who was snubbed and how the Grammys may be the ultimate dad award show. It’s the 2026 Grammy Awards preview edition of Country Music Dads!

While you're listening, please take two minutes to fill out our listener survey! What do YOU want to hear about country music and modern fatherhood in Season 3? Survey will be live until February 28th, 2026.

https://countrymusicdads.com/feedback/

Mentioned in This Episode:

1. The Price of Admission by Turnpike Troubadours
2. Country Cutler's 2025 Year-End Review
3. The Grammys Process

And the Categories are...[14:04] Best Country Song

1. Bitin’ List- Tyler Childers
2. Good News- Shaboozey
3. I Never Lie- Zach Top
4. Somewhere Over Laredo- Lainey Wilson
5. A Song to Sing- Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton

[20:58] Best Country Solo Performance

1. Nose on the Grindstone- Tyler Childers
2. Good News- Shaboozey
3. Bad As I Used to Be- Chris Stapleton
4. I Never Lie- Zach Top
5. Somewhere Over Lareo- Lainey Wilson

[27:38] Best Country Duo/Group Performance

1. A Song to Sing- Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
2. Trailblazer- Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
3. Love Me Like You Used to Do- Margo Price and Tyler Childers
4. Amen- Shaboozey and Jelly Roll
5. Honky Tonk Hall of Fame- George Strait and Chris Stapleton

[33:49] Best Traditional Country Album

1. Dollar a Day- Charley Crockett
2. American Romance- Lukas Nelson
3. Oh What a Beautiful World- Willie Nelson
4. Hard Headed Woman- Margo Price
5. Ain’t In It For My Health- Zach Top

[42:51] Best Contemporary Country Album

1. Patterns- Kelsea Ballerini
2. Snipe Hunter- Tyler Childers
3. Evangeline Vs. The Machine- Eric Church
4. Beautifully Broken- Jelly Roll
5. Postcards From Texas- Miranda Lambert

References:

1. Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
2. II Most Wanted by Beyonce and Miley Cyrus
3. I Had Some Help by Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
4. On the Red River by Turnpike Troubadours
5. Bitin' List by Tyler Childers
6. Good News by Shaboozey
7. Somewhere Over Laredo by Lainey Wilson
8. Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Iz)
9. I Never Lie by Zach Top
10. She Thinks I Still Care by George Jones
11. She'll Come Back to Me by Hayes Carll
12. Nose to the Grindstone by Tyler Childers
13. Hurt by Johnny Cash from American Recordings
14. Bad As I Used to Be by Chris Stapleton
15. Getting to the Bottom by Tyler Childers
16. Honky Tonk Hall of Fame by George Strait feat. Chris Stapleton
17. Trailblazer by Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson
18. Love Me Like You Used to Do by Margo Price feat. Tyler Childers
19. Amen by Shaboozey feat. Jelly Roll
20. Dollar a Day by Charley Crockett
21. Ain't Done by Lukas Nelson
22. Oh What a Beautiful World by Willie Nelson feat. Rodney Crowell
23. Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down by Margo Price
24. Between the Ditches by Zach Top
25. Armadillo by Miranda Lambert
26. I Am Not Okay by Jelly Roll
27. Johnny by Eric Church
28. Patterns by Kelsea Ballerini
29. Watch Out by Tyler Childers

What’re you looking at, son? You wanna go? Well, it seems like Gavin Adcock can’t get enough of the fightin’ side of country music, and the media (The Dads included) can’t get enough of his bologna. This week, we dive into the beefs, why country music seems to foster this kind of violent rhetoric, what dads should do about it and how the media landscape makes it all worse.

While you're listening, please take two minutes to fill out our listener survey! What do YOU want to hear about country music and modern fatherhood in Season 3? Survey will be live until February 28th, 2026.

https://countrymusicdads.com/feedback/

Show Notes:

00:58 - Who is Gavin Adcock and why is country music (and its tabloids) so obsessed with him? The Dads get into his origin story, his approach and why he’s the perfect foil. He’s either a marketing genius or an idiot savant.

6:21 - Donnie outlines why he doesn’t like him, but Dave jumps in to say he totally gets his appeal, that vibe and that stupidity. There is something to be said about acting a fool. But it needs to be safe for everyone involved.

10:31 - Beefs, it’s what’s for dinner. The Dads outline the wild number of beefs that Adcock either instigated or accelerated. Up first, we talk about Braxton Keith and Adcock.

13:28 - Next, we cover the swing Adcock took at Beyoncé. His take was loaded and unneeded.

16:53 - Now we get to the good stuff: Zach Bryan vs Adcock. They came into it with the same energy, and this one is wonderfully messy. They both looked like fools because neither chose to de-escalate.

21:10 - On to Charley Crockett and his master class in narrative control. Adcock put himself back into the conversation, ego and all. And boy did he miss. The allegations of “Cosplay Cowboy” against Crockett fall so flat. All stage performers put on an act -- including Adcock.

27:46 - The fight and beef drives streaming revenues, but it’s not going to establish Adcock for the long term.

29:16 - Benjamin Tod, the $75 a night beef and the outlaw version of puka shells.

34:14 - How do these beefs stand up to the history of country music beefs? They are similar, but the social media system exacerbates the situation.

36:10 - What role do violence and male bravado play in country music -- it’s all about the storytelling. From Johnny Cash to Jason Aldean, country uses violence to tell a story and foster the image of power and control. And this music provides an escape. Understanding the line between violence as an escape vs a solution is critical.

45:19 - How do dads help their kids deal with this kind of trash talk or bullying? Be a better person: don’t let yourself be hurt, and find a better way to fix the problems that will always arise. And this isn’t just about dumb beefs or little kids. This is about how society solves its problems.

54:29 - Dad Life Sound Check for meeting the bully in the parking lot.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned in this Episode:

1. Gavin Adcock bus surfing and shotgunning a beer (Source: Adcock’s social channels)
2. Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast with Gavin Adcock
3. Braxton Keith calling out Adcock
4. Adcock comments on Beyoncé
5. Zach Bryan's reaction to young fan
6. Adcock reaction to Zach Bryan's young fan interaction
7. Charley Crockett video on the subway
8. Crockett on the Nashville Now podcast with Rolling Stone
9. Country Cutler article on crafting personas in country music
10. Kat Hasty tweet about Morgan Wallen's authenticity
11. Clip from Benjamin Tod's socials screaming at people about Nashville
12. Interview with Benjamin Tod for Saddle Mountain Post
13. Interview with Benjamin Tod about making $75/night

References:

1. Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
2. Run Your Mouth - Gavin Adcock
3. Need To - Gavin Adcock
4. SOLD OUT - HARDY
5. February 28, 2016 - Koe Wetzel
6. Settle for a Beer - Braxton Keith
7. 16 Carriages - Beyonce
8. Nine Ball - Zach Bryan
9. Crucified Son - Charley Crockett
10. War Inside of Me - Lost Dog Street Band
11. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
12. Try That in a Small Town - Jason Aldean
13. Don't Take Your Guns to Town - Johnny Cash
14. I Could Kick Your Ass - Justin Moore
15. Beer for My Horses - by Toby Keith feat. Willie Nelson
16. Fightin' Side of Me - Merle Haggard
17. Decoration Day - Drive By Truckers
18. Fuss & Fight - Koe Wetzel

Thanksgiving doesn't get any respect, but we're looking to change that. The beleaguered middle child of the holiday season, Thanksgiving is often overlooked. Yet so many elements of Thanksgiving (gathering with family, romanticizing our past traditions, and reckless binge-eating, among others) seem to make it the perfect holiday for a dad and for country music. We explore why Thanksgiving doesn't get its due and we take our best shot at creating a Country Music Thanksgiving Playlist.

0:01 - The introduction: Why do we, in the country music and dad community, not elevate Thanksgiving to its rightful place as the American Holiday?  

2:33 - A Bit of History about Thanksgiving and how it became today’s National Holiday. Please note that Donnie had a lot of trouble with the word “popularization.” 

5:30 - What does Thanksgiving mean to the Dads? What must you have to eat in order for it to be “right?” And how does being an adult make a difference? Donnie also talks about when he was in shape and ran really fast during a Turkey Trot (Much like the misremembered history of the holiday, Donnie made up a bit of the story, but he did come in first place in the Clydesdale division one year).

13:16 - Deep-fried turkeys, roasting turkey and handling the bird like a chunky nine-month-old. Also, how do you pronounce “giblets?”

16:30 - How do kids change your traditions? Establishing these rituals is very important, and with a bit of planning, you can do great things. But there is more that gets done, and less pure enjoyment and celebration. 

19:08 - The great joy of being a parent comes from hard work, and what Donnie says to people who are considering having kids. 

21:21 - A Call to Dad Action: We should take Thanksgiving and make it THE American Dad Holiday. 

22:30 - What must be on your Thanksgiving table?

26:20 - Donnie and Dave discuss why we think Thanksgiving doesn’t get the respect it deserves. And like the Father of our Nation, George Washington, the Country Music Dads make a proclamation naming Thanksgiving the Dads’ Holiday. 

29:48 - Why are there no country music Thanksgiving songs? There are a few songs that work, and the Dads try to jam a square peg into a round hole. 

40:51 - Green Bean Casserole is easy: Dads, you can up your game! Donnie outlines the entire process of making it—and it’s super easy. 

42:31 - Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie is a bonkers banana pants song, but it’s a song about Thanksgiving. Sorta…

44:00 Change My Mind: Donnie pretends to believe that turkey is overrated. And Dave changed my mind -- in the name of tradition. But everyone can agree that the next day sandwich is what Thanksgiving is really all about.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned in the Episode

• Butterball Togetherness Report
• Cooking with Country Cutler and Donnie’s fascination with Jello molds
• Family leave episode
• Christmas Music episode
• Holler's list of Thanksgiving songs
• Brent Cobb
• Alice's Restaurant Massacree by Arlo Guthrie
• The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot
• Mustache episode

References:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode 
• Children's Folksong- Yankee Doodle by Nesrality on Pixabay.
• All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey
• The Thanksgiving Song by Adam Sandler
• Thanksgiving Song by Mary Chapin Carpenter
• It's a Great Day to Be Alive by Travis Tritt
• Glad to Be Here by Hailey Whitters (feat Brent Cobb)
• Turkey in the Straw by Burl Ives
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives
• Family Table by Zac Brown Band
• Crowded Table by The Highwomen
• Family Tradition by Hank Williams Jr.
• Buck on the Wall by HARDY
• Chicken Fried by Zac Brown Band
• Biscuits by Kacey Musgraves
• Cornbread and Butter Beans by Carolina Chocolate Drops
• Gravy by Tim McGraw
• Polk Salad Annie by Tony Joe White
• Berry Pie by Dolly Parton

This episode needs no introduction: Shooter Jennings joins Donnie and Dave to discuss his dad’s cache of recordings, the process of bringing together three albums' worth of new Waylon Jennings music, and his feelings about the first installment, Songbird. Shooter talks at length about the discovery of Waylon’s previously unreleased music, his relationship with his legendary dad and his own role as a father of two. This one was big for the Country Music Dads, as there couldn’t be a more perfect topic for this podcast.

Show Notes

1:24 -- Shooter tells us about the discovery of these songs and how the Songbird project came together. 

6:12 -- Dave says it was surreal to hear these songs in 2025. Shooter felt the same way. And then he knew he had to share this with others so they could have the same experience.

8:26 -- The Myth vs. The Man: Shooter explores what fans might be able to take from these projects.

10:42 -- Shooter’s childhood on the road and why he’s tired at shows regardless of how much sleep he gets. 

12:20 -- Waylon the Artist vs. Waylon the Dad. Shooter kept true to the art but modernized it a bit — “letting the music on the tape talk.” That said, the experience of going through this chapter of his dad’s life was very special to Shooter. 

20:07 -- As a producer, the process of this project was a bit different for Shooter because Waylon is no longer with us; he is his father, and there was so much more material than usual. So he wanted to make it last to “make it like Waylon is here for a minute.” 

23:00 -- Donnie asked about how relationships impact Shooter’s production style. He specifically pointed to Turnpike Troubadour’s last two albums and the fan backlash after Cat in the Rain. Shooter’s direct and honest answer provides an interesting view into his producing style.

28:58 -- The Dads ask Shooter how the production on the next albums fit together and how they tell a story. We also learn that there are several other projects to come from this collection of recordings, including songs by his mother, Jessi Colter. It’s like a little Marvel Universe of Waylon Jennings, they joke. But wouldn’t that be cool?

30:40 -- How this project impacts Shooter’s legacy and his kids’ vision of him. 

36:30 -- What’s next for Shooter? He’s working with Charley Crockett and BJ Barham of American Aquarium again.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email [email protected].

Mentioned in the Episode

• Songbird album by Waylon Jennings
• Countach (for Giorgio) album by Shooter Jennings
• Tony Joe White
• Sometimes Y album by Yelawolf
• Sunset Sound
• Rumours album by Fleetwood Mac
• Rolling Stone Nashville Now podcast with Shooter Jennings
• WSM 
• Billy Bob’s Texas’ mural of Waylon is still the King
• Shooter’s Father's Day post about the music

References

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• "Loading" by Shooter Jennings
• "I'd Like to Love You Baby" by Waylon Jennings
• "Songbird" by Waylon Jennings
• "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac
• "After The Ball" by Waylon Jennings
• "I Hate to Go Searchin' Them Bars Again" by Waylon Jennings
• "The Cowboy (Small Texas Town)" by Waylon Jennings
• "The Eagle" by Waylon Jennings
• "Dollar a Day" by Charley Crockett
• "Cat in the Rain" by Turnpike Troubadours
• "Mean Old Sun" by Turnpike Troubadours