There are some things that we will never not talk about. Those include mullets, baseball, Myrtle Beach and Reba McEntire’s “Fancy,” which all get shout outs in this episode with singer-songwriter Lydia Loveless and magic man Michael Casey. In spite of these tangents, we come away with important life lessons learned from all of our song picks: Hal Ketchum teaches us about parenting a heartbreaker, Toby Keith shows us how to stalk your ex, and Garth Brooks provides tips on partying low while feeling high. 

Rachel & Spencer’s pick: Hearts Are Gonna Roll by Hal Ketchum, 1992

Lydia’s pick: Who’s That Man by Toby Keith, 1994

Mike’s pick: Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks, 1990

Listen to Lydia’s music and get tickets to her upcoming tour here: http://www.lydialoveless.com/

Find out where you can be frightened and amazed by Mike’s magic here: http://www.caseymagic.com/  

Mipso and Hard Tuck singer/guitarist Joseph Terrell joins us with his mustache and tales of how he became a pickup man. We move from Brad Paisley and Disney's Robin Hood (trust us, they're related) to Keith Whitley and the first hints of Lil Nas X's fame (OK, those aren't very related). We leave with some reflections on Dwight Yoakam's many artistic assets and The Beach Boys' disappointing Stars and Stripes album. 

Joseph's pick: Me Neither by Brad Paisley, 1999

Spencer's pick: Charlotte's in North Carolina by Keith Whitley, 1994

Rachel's pick: Ain't That Lonely Yet by Dwight Yoakam, 1993

Check out Mipso here: http://www.mipsomusic.com

Twangy Chapel Hill duo Blue Cactus joins us this episode before going into studio to record their next album. We start on Reba and end on Carson Daly before moving on to Spencer’s sneaky motivations for choosing Brooks & Dunn and Rachel bragging about being one degree from Kevin Bacon. But we leave with a few unanswered questions...is Neon Moon about a guy in a strip club? And which is the better sport: NASCAR or Swamp Buggy races?

Steph’s pick: Is There Life Out There by Reba McEntire, 1991

Mario’s pick: The Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks, 1990

Rachel & Spencer’s pick: Neon Moon by Brooks & Dunn, 1991

Check out Blue Cactus and support their GoFundMe here: https://bluecactusmusic.com/ 

Veteran arts administrator Aaron Greenwald joins us this week and shares a behind-the-scenes look at Nashville in the late 90s and the art of making music videos. We talk about sweater vests without undershirts, Rachel’s not-so-secret love of demolition derbies, and Sammy Kershaw’s PG13 nickname. It’s sexier than Kenny’s tractor, y’all. 

Song #1: It Ain’t Easy Being Me by Chris Knight, 1998

Song #2: She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy by Kenny Chesney, 1999

Song #3: This Kiss by Faith Hill, 1998

Song #4: Maybe Not Tonight by Lorrie Morgan & Sammy Kershaw, 1999

Find out more about Songs for Listening, Aaron's latest project, here: https://www.songsforlistening.com

Who wants to go to Dollywood?! Durham musician and proud mullet man Alex Bingham has offered to be our tour guide for the Great Smoky Mountains’ greatest attraction. We take some wild rides with misheard Dixie Chicks lyrics, spreadsheets about drinking songs, and toxic masculinity that results in violence against jukeboxes. 

Alex’s Pick: Fancy by Reba McEntire, 1990

Rachel’s Pick: Bubba Shot the Jukebox by Mark Chesnutt, 1992

Spencer’s Pick: Hypnotize The Moon by Clay Walker, 1995

Find out more about Look Homeward here: http://www.lookhomewardmusic.com/

After a surprise cameo from Rachel's dog, Beau, Durham singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz joins us to talk about sleepovers soundtracked by 90s country and make road trip plans to Dollywood. Between our ramblings about Chicken Soup for the Soul books and speculating on the future of viral yodeling star Mason Ramsey, we discuss Diamond Rio's accented vocals, Tim McGraw's romantic gestures, and LeAnn Rimes' childhood success. 

Rachel's pick - Norma Jean Riley by Diamond Rio, 1991

Skylar's pick - Something Like That by Tim McGraw, 1999

Spencer's pick - Blue by LeAnn Rimes, 1996

Check out Skylar's music and tour dates at http://www.skylargudasz.com/

Durham musician Phil Cook, a Wisconsin native who has embraced the warm weather and culture of the Carolinas, joins us this week to talk about cheese (both culinary and musical) and the distinct differences between black gospel groups and Presbyterian choirs. Phil also shares great stories of witnessing performances of Randy Travis songs both bring bars together and tear them apart. We're pretty sure this episode contains our highest LPM (laughs-per-minute) yet. 

Spencer's pick - I’m Gonna Have A Little Talk With Jesus by Randy Travis, 1992 

Phil's pick - It's A Great Day To Be Alive by Travis Tritt, 2000 

Rachel's pick - I Fell In Love by Carlene Carter, 1990 

Check out Phil's music and tour dates at http://www.philcookmusic.com/

Anita & Sandra (She & Her's hosts with the most and OUR friends) teach Rachel & Spencer a little about professional podcasting and Shania Twain. This entire episode is devoted to our country queen of the great white north! We discuss songs from Shania's first three albums and her place as a feminist icon (and anti-capitalist icon?) in country music. As always, we find a way to mention Dolly Parton, Joe Diffie, and Bojangles.

Sandra's pick - Any Many of Mine, 1995

Anita's pick - Man! I Feel Like a Woman, 1997

Check out Sandra and Anita on their podcast She & Her (it's Spencer's fav!) http://www.sheandherradio.com/

Durham singer-songwriter Al Riggs joins us this week and takes us on unexpected tangents about Jimmy Buffett and the best worst vacation spot—Myrtle Beach. We answer the tough questions like “Who is Joe Diffie?” and “Have you ever been to Cook Out?” And somehow Metallica and KISS get a mention. We’re not sure what kind of podcast we are anymore. 

Spencer’s Pick: Some Girls Do by Sawyer Brown, 1992 

Al’s Pick: Cowboy Take Me Away by The Dixie Chicks, 1999 

Rachel’s Pick: I Try to Think About Elvis by Patty Loveless, 1994 

Listen to Al Riggs' music online (https://alriggs.bandcamp.com/) and at The Cave in Chapel Hill on February 15.

Allison Hussey, music writer and (former) music editor of our local alt-weekly newspaper Indy Week, joins Rachel and Spencer this week. After we all beg for biscuit sponsorships, blank checks, and Dolly to become our fairy godmother, we get down to business. Rachel proves how little she knows about Seminole and drag history (a crossover that could only ever happen on this podcast). Spencer wonders what the hell Chablis is. Finally, Allison bids adieu to the Carolinas for someplace greener and warmer, i.e. Brooklyn?

Rachel’s Pick: John Anderson’s Straight Tequila Night, 1992

Spencer’s Pick: Jo Dee Messina’s Heads Carolina Tails California, 1996

Allison’s Pick: Dixie Chicks’ Goodbye Earl, 1999

Read Allison's work (and give her a damn job!) here: http://www.huss.works/