Hitting the Road

Tim Timmons was diagnosed with incurable cancer in 2001 and given five years to live. Over two decades later, he's still here — and his music has become a testimony to what carried him through.

In this episode, Tim talks candidly about the diagnosis that changed everything, what it felt like to face mortality head-on, and how his faith held steady when the future didn't. He opens up about the years since — building a career as a worship leader and Christian recording artist with albums like Cast My Cares — and what it's taught him about purpose, doubt, and resilience.

This is a conversation about facing the hardest news of your life without losing hope.

Check out Tim's music: https://www.timtimmonsmusic.com/

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TV Taylor went from homeless and battling addiction to building one of the internet's fastest-growing comedy shows. The Prank Cab Show — where he surprises rideshare passengers with custom AI-generated songs — took him from zero to over 620,000 followers and 100M+ views in weeks. In this episode, Taylor opens up about rock bottom, his second chance at life, and how that journey shaped The Prank Cab Show. We talk creative process, going viral, and what's next — long-form YouTube episodes and a possible national tour. A conversation about comebacks, creativity, and turning pain into a platform that makes people laugh.

Check out TV Taylor's work: https://www.instagram.com/tvtaylor.creative

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Emma Zinck moved to Nashville from Fredericksburg, Virginia six years ago with nothing but a guitar — and built her career the hard way, one Broadway bar set and writing room at a time.

In this episode, Emma talks about the grind of establishing herself in Music City, the leap of faith that brought her to Nashville in the first place, and how her persistence caught the attention of hitmaker Bridgette Tatum (writer of Jason Aldean's "She's Country"), leading to her first publishing deal with SoNash. Emma also opens up about the craft of songwriting and what it takes to develop your own voice while learning from artists who've already had the hits.

Listen as artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs turn their dreams into a life on the open road.

Check out Emma’s music: https://www.emmazinck.com/

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Bodie didn't set out to make Christian music — he set out to make honest music, and eventually those became the same thing. The Southern California singer-songwriter finished runner-up on NBC's The Voice Season 22, then signed with Provident Label Group and released the Happy to Be Here EP. His single "Whisper and the Wind" climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart, surpassed 23 million global streams, and won the Grand Prize at the International Songwriting Competition — the first Christian artist in the competition's 23-year history to take the top honor. In this episode, Bodie talks about stepping into his calling, life on the road, and making faith-driven art that doesn't fence anyone out.

Check out Bodie’s music: https://www.bodie.live/

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David Koechner — Anchorman's Champ Kind, The Office's Todd Packer, and a Four-Decade Career Still Going Strong

David Koechner has appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, but ask him and he'll tell you the thing he loves most is still the work itself.

Best known as Champ Kind in Anchorman and Todd Packer in The Office, David came up the hard way — studying improv under Del Close at Chicago's ImprovOlympic, graduating to Second City, and landing back-to-back stints on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. From there came Talladega Nights, Thank You for Smoking, Get Smart, Krampus, The Goldbergs, Twin Peaks, and voice roles on American Dad and F is for Family.

These days he's on the road constantly — touring his stand-up from Phoenix to Fort Worth to Milwaukee, running Office Trivia nights in character as Todd Packer, and co-hosting the Big Slick charity weekend with Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, and Eric Stonestreet.

In this episode, David opens up about building a career from scratch, the Second City years, and what it actually looks like to keep showing up for the craft after four decades in the business.

Claire Leslie has been leading worship since she was 14. Now she's a Capitol CMG-signed artist with 6.5 million streams, a debut EP called Twenty Something, and a growing community of listeners drawn to one thing: her willingness to be completely real.

In this episode, Claire opens up about the journey from worship leader to signed artist, building a career rooted in identity over trends, and why vulnerability — not polish — is what actually connects people to music. Plus what it really looks like to keep showing up when the road ahead isn't fully clear yet.

If you love artists who mean every word, this one's for you.

Check out Claire's music — https://www.claireleslie.com/

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In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with California-raised singer-songwriter Ash Ruder, whose winding journey from the sun-soaked canyons of Los Angeles to the heart of Nashville is as cinematic as the music she makes. After turning heads on ABC's American Idol, Ash traded the West Coast for Music City and quietly became one of its most in-demand behind-the-scenes writers, crafting songs for some of country and pop's most respected names.

With a sound rooted in the breezy, golden warmth of 1970s West Coast rock and the emotional depth of classic country, Ash has carved out a lane that is entirely her own. In 2024, she stepped into the spotlight with her debut single "The Valley," followed by "Blue Genes" — a beautifully raw ballad weaving together the threads of family legacy and mental health that earned her a spot on CMT's Next Up Now.

Most recently, she released her debut Miss California EP, a love letter to the life she left behind and the artist she's becoming. We dive into what it looks like to spend years pouring your best ideas into other people's music before finally betting on yourself, the stories behind her most personal songs, and what it really takes to build something real from scratch. Tune in for an honest and heartfelt conversation with an artist who's just getting started.

Check out Ash’s music: https://www.ashruder.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Tyler Boone for a candid conversation about independence, entrepreneurship, and building a career without waiting on permission.

Tyler shares his journey from grinding it out in clubs to becoming a nationally touring artist, earning recognition from outlets like Spin Magazine, and landing placements across major sports and radio platforms. We talk about what it really takes to sustain momentum as an independent musician, the mindset required to bet on yourself, and how discipline fuels creativity over the long haul.

Beyond music, Tyler opens up about launching Artist Formula, a company designed to help artists navigate today’s DIY landscape, and building Boone’s Bourbon, an award-winning spirits brand rooted in craftsmanship and authenticity. It’s a conversation about ownership, risk, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.

If you’re an artist, founder, or anyone chasing big goals while building from the ground up, this episode will resonate.

Check out Tyler’s work:
https://www.tylerboonemusic.com
https://www.artistformula.com
https://www.drinkboonesbourbon.com

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https://nashvillevans.com and https://usrentalvans.com

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Brooks Herring for a grounded conversation about songwriting, persistence, and carving out a lane in today’s country music landscape.

Brooks shares his journey from small-town roots to building a career the long way—one song, one show, and one relationship at a time. We talk about the discipline behind his writing process, the realities of chasing momentum in a competitive industry, and how staying authentic has shaped both his sound and his outlook.

Along the way, Brooks opens up about lessons learned on the road, the importance of community, and what keeps him motivated when progress feels slow. It’s an honest look at the work it takes to keep moving forward—on stage, in the studio, and in life.

If you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or anyone committed to doing meaningful work without cutting corners, this episode will resonate.

Check out Brooks’ music: https://brooksherringmusic.com/

Check out our sponsor: https://nashvillevans.com

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with singer-songwriter Dave Fenley for an honest conversation about faith, perseverance, and finding your voice in a crowded music world.

Known for his powerful, soul-driven vocals and grounded songwriting, Dave shares his journey from small-town stages to national recognition—and the grit it takes to stay authentic along the way. We talk about trusting the process, navigating uncertainty, and building a career rooted in purpose rather than hype.

Whether you’re a music fan or someone chasing a calling of your own, this episode is full of perspective and encouragement.

Check out Dave’s music – https://www.davefenley.com/

Check out our sponsor – https://nashvillevans.com