In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill welcomes legendary country songwriter Roger Springer for an honest and heartfelt conversation about the craft, the culture, and the community of country music. Roger shares his journey from small-town Oklahoma to Nashville in 1990—landing a record deal within just two months—right at the heart of the '90s country explosion. After losing that first deal, Roger transitioned into full-time songwriting, building a legacy through hits with legends like Mark Chesnutt and carving a space for himself in country music history. He reflects on learning from the greats, the grind of life on the road, and the ever-changing landscape of the Nashville music industry. Now, Roger’s influence extends into the new generation of traditional-leaning country artists. He plays a vital role in mentoring and producing projects for rising voices like Jake Worthington, Will Bannister, and Colton Dawson—young talents reviving the spirit of '90s country with modern energy. Throughout the conversation, Roger emphasizes the power of simplicity, truth, and personal experience in songwriting—and why staying passionate about the craft is what keeps him going strong after all these years.

Follow on Social Media:

Roger Springer: @rkspringer62

Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round: @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy

In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with Arkansas native and hitmaker Matt Stell for a wide-ranging conversation that dives deep into his latest musical chapter. From his early days navigating the industry in Nashville to the inspiration behind his upcoming project The Drift, Stell opens up about embracing new creative directions and staying motivated amidst the chaos of modern music. They explore his passion for writing songs with emotional weight, what it means to play “inspired music,” and how friendships and collaborations have helped shape his artistic identity. Stell also reflects on the evolving country landscape, his relationship with fans, and the grind of life on the road—plus a few thoughts on social media, creative burnout, and why chasing greatness is a lifelong process.

Follow on Social Media:

Matt Stell: @mattstell

Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round: @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy

In this episode of Outside The Round, Matt Burrill hangs out with Nashville’s favorite Canadian transplant, Luke White – part content creator, part podcaster, part suburban dad, part feral raccoon. They get into Luke’s journey from a small farm town in Canada to taking over Nashville’s content scene with a camera, a dream, and probably a pair of Crocs.They cover everything from the absurdity of Facebook Marketplace, to building a brand while staying genuinely funny (on purpose), to the wild future of AI in country music. Luke opens up about balancing memes, marriage, music, and his mild caffeine addiction. If you like country music and questionable internet humor, this episode is basically your spirit animal.

Luke White: @lukewhitelukewhite

Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt

Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy

Outside The Round: @outsidetheround

In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with CeCe, a genre-blending artist originally from a small town in Illinois who now calls Los Angeles home. They reflect on the aftermath of an awards night, her roots in rural America, and how those experiences shaped her musical journey. CeCe opens up about her time on The X Factor, her move to LA, and how the COVID era forced a creative pivot that continues to influence her work today. The two discuss authenticity, trying new things, and why genre boundaries no longer matter. CeCe emphasizes the power of music as a tool for empowerment and shares how surrounding yourself with the right people can make or break your path in the industry. The conversation also touches on what’s next for CeCe and how she’s embracing her full artistic identity as both a creative and a collaborator.

Follow on Social Media:

CeCe: @cecefrey

Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round: @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy

In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill welcomes Deerock, a New York-based DJ making serious noise in the country music scene. Known for his innovative blend of country and hip-hop, Deerock dives into his upbringing on Long Island, his early inspirations, and how exposure to southern party culture completely reshaped his sonic direction. He shares the origin story of his viral genre mashups and the creative mindset behind his growing brand Club Rodeo, a live party concept that brings together fans of country, rap, and high-energy dance music under one roof. The conversation explores the importance of risk-taking in today’s music landscape, Deerock’s evolution as a performer, and why genre boundaries are meant to be broken.

Follow on Social Media:
@deerockmusic
@raisedrowdymatt
@raisedrowdy
@outsidetheround

In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with Texas country-rock rising star Aaron McBee to dive into his roots, his sound, and his debut project 'Who I Am'. Hailing from outside Fort Worth and now part of the Lubbock scene, Aaron shares how growing up around rodeo culture and traditional country music helped shape his no-holds-barred approach to storytelling. He talks about finding his musical identity after a college baseball injury redirected his path, and how influences from grunge, Southern rock, and the red dirt scene converge in his music. The conversation touches on building a live band, the power of collaboration with producers, and why he prefers to chase "real" over "viral." From early touring memories to the songwriting process behind tracks like “Porch Light” and “Scream,” Aaron brings an honest and refreshing perspective on what it means to carve out a career in country music on your own terms.

Follow on Social Media:

@aaronmcbeemusic

@raisedrowdymatt

@raisedrowdy

@outsidetheround

In this episode of Outside The Round, host Matt Burrill is joined by rising country artist Tyce Delk, a New Mexico native now making noise in the thriving Lubbock, TX scene. They dive into the story behind Tyce’s brand-new debut EP, "Enough Ain’t Enough", exploring his songwriting process, small-town upbringing, and the influence of Red Dirt and Texas country music on his sound. Tyce shares how his time at Texas Tech helped shape his perspective and musical path, while also unpacking the creative freedom that comes from being an independent artist. The two discuss the cultural quirks of West Texas, his love of family and community, and the importance of finding your own voice in a crowded music landscape. Tyce reflects on the emotional depth of tracks like "Thinking Too Hard" and "She’s From Texas," and the personal meaning behind the EP’s title track.

In this episode of Outside The Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with Georgia-born powerhouse Erin Kirby to talk about her brand-new EP In and Out of Love. The conversation dives deep into what it’s like being an artist in today’s social media-driven landscape, from TikTok trends to the constant pressure of creating content. Erin opens up about the importance of being authentic online, the spontaneous nature of her most successful videos, and how she finds joy in the creative process. They discuss the balance between building a brand and staying grounded, the challenge of not burning out, and the grind behind maintaining momentum as a young artist in Nashville. If you're a fan of real talk, pop-country vocals, and artists who actually enjoy creating, you won’t want to miss this one.

Follow on Social Media:

Erin Kirby – @erinkirbymusic

Matt Burrill – @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round – @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy – @raisedrowdy

In this episode of Outside The Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with Texas native Brendan Walter, a rising voice in the Nashville country scene. Brendan walks us through his journey from the Texas Hill Country to Austin and now Nashville, opening up about the road that led to the release of his debut full-length album Disappearing Days. He shares insights into the writing and recording process, building a creative team around him, and the emotional depth behind the album’s most personal songs. The conversation also dives into his experience navigating the ever-changing music industry, his working with country tastemaker and longtime friend of the show Grady Smith, and the camaraderie that comes from touring with fellow artists like Evan Honer, Leon Majcen, Kashus Culpepper, and more. Brendan is on a rocket ship, that is only starting to take flight, learn more about him on this episode!

Follow on Social Media:

Brendan Walter – @brendanwaltermusic

Matt Burrill (Host) – @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round (Podcast) – @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy (Network) – @raisedrowdy

In Episode 268 of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill sits down with rising country artist Justin Schools for a conversation full of heart, humor, and hometown pride. Originally from South Georgia, Schools shares his journey from singing in church and leading worship to chasing his music dreams in Nashville. The two discuss the transition from college life to the grind of Music City, navigating social media, and building community through songwriting. From Waffle House antics and discovering his first bagel, to making new friends in Nashville and learning the ropes of the industry, this episode dives into what makes Schools' story relatable and uniquely Southern. They also explore the creative process behind duets, the importance of emotional honesty in music, and the wave of talented artists coming out of Georgia. A must-listen for fans of authenticity, nostalgia, and great storytelling. 

Justin Schools: @justinschoolsofficial

Matt Burrill (Host): @raisedrowdymatt

Outside The Round (Podcast): @outsidetheround

Raised Rowdy (Network): @raisedrowdy