Matty is back from a brief hiatus and couldn’t be more excited to welcome one of his childhood best friends to the podcast: up-and-coming country music artist Ben Durand (@ben_durand_music). In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Matty and Ben take a trip down memory lane, revisiting their early days performing together on stage — including the moment Ben was once told “not to sing” during his first production of Fiddler on the Roof (talk about a plot twist).

From defying the odds to make the Auburn University football team in his junior year, to teaching himself how to play guitar and chasing his dream of becoming a country singer-songwriter, Ben opens up about his creative journey. He shares how personal struggles shaped his music, the realities of the music industry grind, and what it really takes to stay motivated as an independent artist.

This episode is a powerful, funny, and inspiring catch-up between two small-town best friends — and a must-listen for fans of country music, storytelling, and chasing big dreams.

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