In this episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, host Tom Lamog sits down with two outstanding artists who represent different stages of their musical careers—but share the same passion for songwriting and connecting with audiences.

Tony Traynor, frontman of The Traynr Band, returns to The Roundtable to talk about nearly a decade of performing, opening for nationally recognized artists, building a successful band, and the importance of surrounding yourself with great musicians.

Shelby K shares her inspiring journey from setting music aside to rediscovering her passion years later. She opens up about finding her voice, songwriting, recording in Nashville, and why authentic storytelling is at the heart of everything she creates.

Together, Tony and Shelby discuss their very different musical journeys, how songs are written and evolve over time, collaborating with other songwriters, the Nebraska music community, preparing for the HEROSTOCK Main Stage, why supporting fellow musicians makes everyone better. This episode is filled with honest conversation, laughter, and a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process that brings great songs to life.

If you're headed to HEROSTOCK 2026, you'll get to see both artists perform live on the Main Stage!

Before they take the stage at The Roundtable Live at HEROSTOCK '26, get to know the four talented songwriters who will bring their stories and songs to Ashland, Nebraska.

In this special edition of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, host Tom Lamog sits down with:

• Matthew Jones – Award-winning songwriter, combat veteran, and co-host of The Roundtable
• Anthony Segovia – U.S. Marine Corps veteran and emerging Nebraska country artist
• Derek Thompson – U.S. Marine Corps veteran, firefighter, paramedic, EMT, and singer-songwriter
• D.J. Bridwell – Nebraska Country Music Hall of Fame member and founder of the Trails of Tales Songwriter Festival

Throughout the program, you'll hear the personal stories behind their music, what inspires their songwriting, live acoustic performances of original songs, fun lightning-round questions, and a preview of The Roundtable Live at HEROSTOCK '26.

The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk is presented by HEROSTOCK and celebrates the voices of veterans, first responders, musicians, and community leaders through meaningful conversations and live music.

Keep the conversation going, and keep honoring our heroes.

Get ready for one of HEROSTOCK's newest attractions—the Big Beautiful Bad A$$ Beard Battle! Join hosts Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones as they welcome Kevin Gouran, founder of Doc Goodbeard, and renowned beard competition host Ron Wolek. Learn how beard competitions work, what judges look for, how Doc Goodbeard's partnership with HEROSTOCK came together, and why this fun, family-friendly event is about much more than great facial hair—it's about community.

Whether you're thinking about competing or just want to see what all the excitement is about, this episode gives you everything you need to know before the inaugural Beard Battle at HEROSTOCK 2026.

In Part 1, we got to know Army veteran, retired firefighter, paramedic, and artist Robert "Shrek" Harrell as he shared the experiences that shaped his life—from growing up in Oklahoma to a lifetime of service, and the unseen burdens carried by so many veterans and first responders. In this second half, we'll discover how painting became an important part of Shrek's healing journey. He'll share the stories behind several of his original paintings, and later, he'll create a painting live while giving us a glimpse into his creative process. www.herostock.org

#Herostock #WhereHeroesTalk #veteranstories

What shapes a lifetime of service—and what happens when the weight of that service becomes too much to carry?

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones welcome Army veteran, retired firefighter, paramedic, Choctaw artist, and storyteller Robert "Shrek" Harrell.

Shrek shares his journey from growing up in rural Oklahoma and caring for his disabled mother to serving as a firefighter, paramedic, and Army firefighter. Along the way, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his life, the unseen burdens carried by veterans and first responders, and the artistic gift that has remained a constant throughout his journey. Throughout the conversation, Shrek also shares several of his original paintings and the stories and emotions behind them.

In Part 2, Shrek demonstrates his creative process by painting live in the studio while discussing how art became a powerful part of his healing journey.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and Share.

www.herostock.org

Get to know the voices behind The Roundtable Live before they take the stage at HEROSTOCK '26. This special preview introduces four outstanding singer-songwriters—Derek Thompson, Matthew Jones, D.J. Bridwell, and Anthony Segovia—through highlights from their conversations on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, along with acoustic performances from their podcast appearances. Each artist brings a unique journey, a different perspective, and a passion for sharing stories through music. From military service and first responder experiences to award-winning songwriting and building communities through music, these conversations remind us that every song has a story—and every story has the power to connect us. Join us on August 15 at the Country Drive Golf Course in Ashland, Nebraska, as these four artists come together for the inaugural HEROSTOCK '26 Writers Round: The Roundtable Live. 🎟️ Tickets & Information: www.herostock.org Keep the conversation going, and keep honoring our heroes.

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Join us on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk as we sit down with Cook McKoy, USMC veteran, songwriter, guitarist, and frontman of Dinnerbell Road. Cook shares stories from his youth in a coal-mining community and the path that led him to enlist in the Marine Corps. We discuss boot camp, brotherhood, military service, and the life lessons he still carries today. He reflects on how music entered his life, learning guitar, and finding his voice as a songwriter. Cook also shares the inspiration behind his Marine Corps-inspired song, “Yellow Footprints.” From service to storytelling, this is an honest conversation about purpose, authenticity, and the power of music. Listen in and discover why real stories still matter. Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. www.herostock.org

On this episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, we sit down with six-time award-winning author William “Stevo” Stephens for a deeply personal conversation about storytelling, pain, resilience, reflection, and the experiences that shaped The Reflection Series, including The Broken Mirror.

Throughout the episode, Stevo shares LIVE readings from his books while discussing the real-life moments behind the writing — from relationships and personal loss to mental health struggles, creativity, healing, and finding purpose through storytelling.

The conversation explores: • the origins of The Broken Mirror • dark therapeutic poetry and emotional writing • writing as reflection and coping • the impact his books have had on readers • the power of honest storytelling • resilience, growth, and human connection

Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. www.herostock.org

Singer-songwriter Chad Madsen joins us on The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk for a powerful conversation about music, faith, storytelling, family, and the winding road that led him from praise bands to becoming the frontman of Lost Keys. Raised in South Dakota and inspired by his mother’s songwriting, Chad opens up about discovering his voice later in life, writing songs rooted in real experiences, and the emotional connection between music and storytelling. We also talk about his family’s deep military ties, his support for veterans and HEROSTOCK, and the meaning behind his belief: “Love our warriors, even if you hate the war.” Plus, Chad performs three live acoustic songs during the episode. If you love Americana, folk music, honest songwriting, and meaningful conversations, this is an interview you won’t want to miss. Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones.

Chad's Social Media Sites:

• www.facebook.com/lostkeysSD
• www.tiktok.com/@chad.madsen8

In this powerful episode of The Roundtable: Where Heroes Talk, we sit down with Buddy Lee Dobberteen to explore a life shaped by service, struggle, and resilience. A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Buddy Lee opens up about his experiences in Iraq and the challenges of life after returning home, sharing how music became a lifeline—helping him process, heal, and rediscover purpose. This episode features three live performances, including the moving opening song “Light,” alongside a deep conversation about recovery, creativity, and finding new direction beyond the battlefield. From songwriting to storytelling, Buddy Lee’s journey is one of perseverance and transformation you won’t want to miss. Hosted by Tom Lamog and Matthew Jones. Keep the conversation going—and keep honoring our heroes.

#TheRoundtable #Herostock #VeteranStories #USMC #CombatVeteran #MusicHeals #Songwriting #PTSDRecovery #VeteranVoices #Podcast #LiveMusic #Resilience #MilitaryStories #HealingThroughMusic