Hitting the Road

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with one of Nashville's upcoming artists, Conner Sweet, whose voice and style carry the heart of traditional country music while leaning into modern influences.

Growing up in a family of singers and musicians, Conner was destined to make music his life’s work. Inspired by legends like George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Alan Jackson, along with today’s stars such as Eric Church and Jason Aldean, he’s built a sound that feels both timeless and fresh.

Conner’s breakout moment came in 2020 when his debut single “Times Like These”—a heartfelt song about the Nashville tornado that took on new meaning during the pandemic—connected with listeners across the country. The song climbed into the Top 40 on the Billboard Country Indicator Chart and landed as one of the most played independent country songs of the year.

On stage, you can often find him bringing down the house on Broadway, where fans get a front-row seat to the energy and soul he pours into every performance. In this conversation, Conner shares his journey so far, what family and authenticity mean to him, and how he’s setting the stage for what’s next in his career.

Check out Conner's music - https://connersweet.com

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with Baylee Littrell, an artist stepping boldly into a new season of honesty, faith, and creative freedom. Many first discovered Baylee on American Idol Season 23, where he auditioned with an original song and later delivered one of the show’s most talked-about moments with his heartfelt performance of “Hey Jesus.” Written during a season of struggle and doubt, the song became both a deeply personal prayer and the catalyst for Baylee’s renewed sense of purpose—now released as the lead single from his upcoming album.

From childhood memories of introducing the Backstreet Boys on stage to making his Broadway debut at just 13, Baylee has spent his life moving between music, acting, and visual art. His journey has taken him from opening stadium shows on the DNA Tour to showcasing his own blend of indie, pop, country, and rock on projects like 770-Country and Vol. 1. Alongside music, his paintings and illustrations reflect the same raw emotion and search for connection that drives his songs.

With a new record on the horizon, Baylee is embracing this next chapter with a sound that defies genre and a message rooted in authenticity, faith, and acceptance.

Check out Baylee's music - https://bayleelittrell.com/

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with Nashville-based artist Zauntee, whose journey from teenage dreamer to nationally recognized voice in Christian hip-hop and pop is a story of perseverance and purpose.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Zauntee started writing songs and making beats in his bedroom at an early age. By the time he was in his teens, he had already begun building a grassroots following with a message of hope and authenticity that set him apart in the genre. His breakout single “God Taught Me” racked up millions of streams, catapulting him onto national stages and earning him a reputation as one of the bold new voices in faith-driven music.

Now based in Nashville, Zauntee has gone on to release projects like 3:34 and The Stonebrook Project, blending trap beats, pop hooks, and raw honesty into a sound that connects with both mainstream and faith audiences. With streams in the tens of millions, he’s proving that his mission-driven music has wide resonance.

We talk about his early hustle, what it means to stay true to your calling in the music industry, and how he’s carving out a unique lane at the intersection of hip-hop, pop, and worship.

Check out Zauntee's music - https://www.zauntee.com/

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

On this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with CJ Solar — a songwriter and artist who’s been shaping the sound of country music for more than a decade. With cuts by Morgan Wallen, Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, and plenty of others, CJ has proven he knows how to write a hit. But his own music tells the rest of the story: southern grit, rock ‘n’ roll edge, and country heart.

Named one of Rolling Stone’s “New Artists You Need to Know,” ASCAP’s “Artist-Writer of the Year” nominee, and Music Row’s Independent Artist of the Year, CJ is gearing up for a new project that captures the energy of his live show and sets the tone for 2025.

Tune in as CJ shares the journey, the stories, and the songs that are defining his next chapter.

Check out CJ's music - https://www.cjsolar.com/

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with Oklahoma native Jake Banfield, whose journey from college basketball player to rising pop-country artist is as unexpected as it is inspiring.

After a knee injury sidelined his athletic career, Jake began teaching himself how to play and write original music. Blending the influences of 80’s hair bands, 90’s and 2000’s hip-hop and R&B, old school rap, and country music from every decade, he quickly carved out a sound that’s both versatile and uniquely his own.

Starting from humble beginnings, Jake’s fanbase grew to over 1M followers across all platforms, eventually landing him on an upcoming Fall tour with Uncle Kracker.

With over 20 million Spotify streams and breakout singles like “Lasso” earning millions of plays, Jake’s mix of pop, country, rock, and hip-hop continues to resonate with music fans everywhere.

We talk about his unlikely start in music, what it’s like to carve out his own path, and the road ahead as he works toward his first full-length project.

Check out Jake’s music - https://www.jakebanfieldmusic.com/

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with singer-songwriter Nolan Taylor, whose raw storytelling and haunting melodies have taken him from small-town Ohio to the national stage.

Raised in Blanchester, OH, Nolan’s journey is steeped in the grit and beauty of rural life — from hard winters and factory work with his dad to navigating family struggles that shaped his perspective and his art. Music became his refuge, drawing early influence from The Grateful Dead, Pinegrove, and the iconic MTV Unplugged sessions of the ’90s.

After years of relentless gigging across West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky, Nolan’s breakout moment came in 2023 when a live performance of his song “68” in the woods went viral, amassing over 2.6 million views on the Radio WV YouTube channel. Now signed to Atlantic Records, he’s making waves with songs like “Wicked Ways” — each track a blend of hard-earned wisdom, lived experience, and a voice that cuts straight to the soul.

We talk about his path from playing anywhere that would have him to connecting with millions online, the stories behind his songs, and what lies ahead for an artist who’s found his voice in the quiet spaces between the big cities.

Check out Nolan’s music - https://www.nolantaylormusic.com/

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we catch up with rising country artist Cody Cozz, a Pueblo, Colorado native whose voice and drive have taken him from the Rocky Mountains to the heart of Music City.

Signed to Craig Campbell’s Grindstone Records from 2022 to 2024, Cody made waves with his debut national single “On My Way,” which premiered on CMT and earned him a nomination for the Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards’ New Artist of the Year, along with a Fan Army Award win.

With a sound rooted in modern country, and his high-energy live shows, Cody has rubbed elbows with the likes of Jon Pardi, Chris Young, Randy Houser, Koe Wetzel, Easton Corbin, and Travis Tritt.

We dive deep into his journey from small-town shows to national tours, and what it looks like to navigate the music industry with authenticity and grit.

Tune in for stories from the road, lessons learned, and what’s next for an artist who’s just getting started.

Check out Cody's music - ⁠https://codycozzofficial.com/⁠

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

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with Sarah Fleshner, founder of 362 Entertainment, a dynamic artist management company redefining how music, storytelling, and community converge. From Texas to Nashville, Sarah brings a fresh perspective to every artist she has the pleasure of working with.

Discover 362 Entertainment’s mission to shape every phase of an artist’s career, from breaking through to sustaining success. Sarah’s work blends performance with purpose, creating magic from the smallest details to the grandest stages—and she’s just getting started.

Check out Sarah's work - https://362entertainment.com/

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

In this episode, we sit down with the dynamic Cody Webb, a South Carolina–born singer-songwriter and guitarist whose soaring vocals and heartfelt storytelling have earned him a devoted fanbase across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Best known for co-authoring “Memories Are Made Of” with Luke Combs and Ray Fulcher—featured on Combs’ blockbuster debut This One’s For You—Cody’s songs have accumulated over 14 million streams, and his live performances have graced stages from NFL Draft intros narrated by Dolly Parton to Dodgers Stadium and Bank of America Stadium. Along the way, he’s opened for the likes of Morgan Wallen, Sam Hunt, Riley Green, and Charlie Daniels, showcasing a musical versatility rooted in southern rock, classic country, and modern songwriting craft.

We trace Cody’s journey from Ridge Spring’s poultry festivals—where a twelve‑year‑old with shaky hands first conquered “The Ballad of Curtis Loew”—through his days at Clemson University studying mechanical engineering, all the way to Nashville’s songwriting circles. With guidance from Grammy‑nominated producer Matt McClure and management at Bow To Stern Group, Cody shares how he balances engineering precision with creative spontaneity, and why he believes every great career starts with an uncompromising song.

Don’t miss this candid conversation about the grit, the grace, and the gospel of great songwriting—plus a sneak peek at what’s next for an artist determined to let his music do the talking.

Check out Cody's music - https://codywebb.komi.io/

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

Join us on this episode of Hitting the Road as we sit down with Chad Karger, Co-Executive Director and Porter at Porter’s Call, a nonprofit providing free, confidential mental and emotional health support to artists and their partners.

Hear Chad share the heartfelt mission of Porter’s Call, which partners with touring musicians, artists, and songwriters to guide them toward a healthier, more balanced life.

Tune in for an honest and inspiring conversation with a true advocate for creatives.

Check out Porter's Call - https://www.porterscall.com/

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