Hitting the Road

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with country artist Dillon Carmichael for an honest conversation about roots, resilience, and staying true to who you are in a changing music industry.

Raised in rural Kentucky and shaped by a deep love for traditional country music, Dillon carries forward a legacy while carving his own path. As the nephew of country icons John Michael Montgomery and Eddie Montgomery, he grew up surrounded by music—but success didn’t come handed to him. In this episode, Dillon opens up about the grind of building a career, the pressure of expectations, and the importance of authenticity in both songwriting and life.

We talk about his journey from small-town Kentucky to the national stage, the stories behind his music, and how he balances honoring country music’s past while pushing forward with his own sound. Dillon also shares perspective on perseverance, faith, and what it really takes to last in a business that’s always evolving.

Whether you’re a longtime country fan or someone chasing a dream of your own, this conversation is full of real-world insight and encouragement you won’t want to miss.

Check out Dillon’s music - https://dilloncarmichael.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with J.T. Harding, one of Nashville’s most respected hitmakers, for an honest conversation about songwriting, perseverance, and the stories behind the songs that define country music.

JT shares his journey from growing up in Michigan to carving out a career in Nashville, writing chart-topping hits for artists like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, and Riley Green. Along the way, he opens up about the craft of songwriting, the discipline it takes to stay consistent over decades, and how real life finds its way into the room.

We talk about what separates a good song from a great one, how the Nashville writing community has changed, and what it really means to play the long game in a creative career. Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter, a music fan curious about what happens behind the scenes, or someone chasing a calling of your own, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and plenty of perspective from someone who’s lived it.

If you love great songs and the stories behind them, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Check out J.T.’s writings - https://linktr.ee/JTHARDINGMUSIC

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with The Kody Norris Show frontman Kody Norris for a conversation that proves tradition and forward momentum don’t have to be opposites.

Known for their rhinestones, high-energy performances, and deep respect for classic country and bluegrass, The Kody Norris Show has built a sound that feels timeless without ever standing still. From Kody’s early days soaking up harmony records in the passenger seat of his uncle’s car, to the formative influence of church music and festival stages, this episode traces the roots that shaped one of today’s most exciting bluegrass acts.

We talk about the band’s journey—from award-winning releases and Billboard chart success to playing more than 100 dates a year—and the creative vision behind their latest album, Highfalutin Hillbilly. Kody shares what it means to honor the chapters of country music that have faded from the spotlight while still pushing the genre forward with bold instrumentation, thoughtful songwriting, and unmistakable style.

The conversation also dives into the importance of band chemistry, the role fans have played in their rise, and why authenticity still matters in a fast-moving music industry. Whether you’re a longtime bluegrass fan or discovering the genre for the first time, this episode offers a powerful reminder that great music doesn’t live in the past—it keeps moving.

If you’re looking for a story rooted in heritage, heart, and hustle, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Check out Kody’s music - https://www.thekodynorrisshow.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with The Band JAREN for a hope-filled conversation centered on faith, calling, and the true message of Christmas.

Fronted by sisters Jaren and Jade LaGore, The Band JAREN has quickly emerged as a fresh voice in Christian Pop/Rock—blending strings, four-part harmonies, and modern arrangements to reach their generation with music that points hearts back to Jesus. In this episode, they share their journey as sisters in music, the vision behind building something together, and how God has shaped their path from major stages to meaningful ministry.

With Christmas upon us, the conversation turns toward the good news of Jesus—why this season still matters, how faith anchors their lives on and off the road, and the unique role music plays in reminding people of hope in a distracted world. It’s an encouraging and grounded conversation that brings everything back to what Christmas is really about.

Whether you’re discovering The Band JAREN for the first time or have followed their rapid rise, this episode is a meaningful listen as we celebrate the season and the message at its center.

Check out The Band JAREN - https://www.thebandjaren.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Emerson Day, a soulful singer-songwriter whose story beautifully reflects the good news we celebrate during the Christmas season.

Emerson shares how her love for music and storytelling began at a young age on her family’s farm in Southern Maryland, shaped by faith, southern rock influences, and the sounds of an old church piano. Though she was once on a path toward federal law enforcement as a decorated collegiate lacrosse player, God clearly redirected her calling toward music.

In this episode, Emerson opens up about the defining moments that solidified her passion for Christian music—especially leading worship and witnessing lives changed in real time. We talk about her journey to signing with Fair Trade Services, her debut on Micah Tyler’s “People Like Us,” her EP God Ain’t Finished Yet, and her powerful single “Get Behind Me,” a bold reminder of spiritual authority and trust in God.

This conversation centers on hope, obedience, and the life-changing message of Jesus—the same good news that continues to transform hearts today.

Check out Emerson’s music - https://www.emersondaymusic.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Mark Graalman, drummer and founding member of Sanctus Real, for a timely and hope-filled conversation centered on the true message of Christmas.

As one of Christian music’s most enduring bands, Sanctus Real has spent nearly three decades sharing songs that point listeners back to faith, truth, and the goodness of Jesus. In this episode, Mark reflects on the band’s journey, the heart behind their music, and what it means to keep showing up with authenticity through every season of life and career.

With Christmas upon us, the conversation turns toward the good news of Jesus—why it still matters, how it shapes Mark’s life, and how music can be a powerful reminder of hope in a noisy world. It’s an honest, encouraging episode that brings things back to what this season is really about.

Whether you’re a longtime Sanctus Real fan or simply looking for a meaningful conversation to close out the year, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Check out Sanctus Real’s music - https://www.sanctusreal.com/

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On this episode of Hitting The Road, we sit down with Colin Stough—a gravel-voiced storyteller raised on Southern rock, hard lessons, and second chances. Born on the Mississippi–Alabama border, Colin picked up a guitar at age eight and never looked back, even trading his prized possessions for a pawn shop acoustic he still plays today. Before music took over, he was working full-time as an HVAC tech—until a nudge from his mom led him to audition for American Idol Season 21 and change everything.

Fresh off a third-place finish, a deal with 19 Recordings / BMG Nashville, and breakout songs like “Bad Day,” “I Still Talk to Jesus,” and “White Trash,” Colin talks about faith, failure, and finding his voice without chasing trends. With nearly 750k fans behind him and a live show built on Southern grit and outlaw spirit, this conversation digs into the scars, fire, and honesty that fuel his music—and where the road is taking him next.

Check out Colin’s music - https://www.officialcolinstough.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with singer-songwriter Tyler Halverson — the mustached South Dakota troubadour blending cowboy charm, sharp storytelling, and a sound that lives somewhere between modern country, western tradition, and cosmic Americana.

Growing up among wide-open plains shaped Tyler’s perspective, and it shows. His songs feel lived-in and honest — whether he’s singing about long roads, lonely nights, or the kind of love that sticks with you longer than it should. With a growing catalog that includes fan-favorites like “Your Bar Now,” “Beer Garden Baby,” and “Mac Miller,” Tyler has carved out his own lane, earning a loyal following drawn to his sincerity, humor, and unmistakable style.

It’s a genuine, easygoing, and thoughtful look into one of country music’s most unique emerging voices.

Check out Tyler’s music - https://www.tylerhalverson.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with western music standout Olivia Harms—a true rhinestone cowgirl carrying forward her family’s legacy while forging her own path. Born to Western Music Hall of Famer Joni Harms and raised on a 150-year-old Oregon ranch, Olivia has been on stage since she was two days old and hasn’t slowed down since.

Blending Texas grit, Bakersfield twang, and Nashville tradition, Olivia has crafted her signature Country Western Honky Tonk sound—showcased on her 2021 album Rhinestone Cowgirl and Texas chart-climbing singles like “Hey There Cowboy” and “This Ain’t My First Rodeo.”

We talk about life growing up on the ranch, running her career as a one-woman operation, writing with Nashville greats, and the whirlwind experience of being selected by Taylor Sheridan and Blake Shelton for their CBS/Paramount+ series The Road, where she toured with Keith Urban each week.

Now living on a California cattle ranch with her husband, Olivia continues touring nonstop with her band, The Roadrunners—staying true to her western roots every step of the way.

This is Olivia Harms on Hitting The Road.

Check out Olivia's music - https://www.oliviaharms.com/

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This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with breakout country artist Ryan Waters, whose rise has been anything but ordinary. Raised on small-town values and a baseball diamond, Ryan eventually found himself pulled away from the sport he’d spent years chasing—and straight into the arms of the music he’d always loved. With the same grit that once fueled his athletic career, he taught himself guitar, vocals, and songwriting, and one viral moment changed everything.

After posting his song “Chevrolet You Down” on TikTok (at his sister’s urging), Ryan racked up more than a million views, over 6,500 pre-saves, and now more than 9 million Spotify streams. That momentum carried him to Nashville, where he doubled down on his craft and delivered a run of streaming hits including “Tomorrow’s Not Tonight” (10M+ streams) and his 2023 cover of “Chasing Cars” (7M+ streams).

In this conversation, Ryan opens up about the shift from baseball to music, finding his voice on and off social media, the grind behind the successes, and how growing up in a small town continues to shape his sound. It’s an honest, grounded, and inspiring look at one of country music’s rising voices.

Tune in—this is a good one.

Check out Ryan's music - https://www.officialryanwatersband.com/

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