The Country Minute Show

Country Minute sits down with honky-tonk legend Mark Chesnutt for an honest conversation about his 40+ years in country music. From chart-topping hits to life as an independent artist, Chesnutt opens up about touring, family, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

It’s not every day you get to sit down with one of country music’s biggest stars, but that’s exactly what happened when we interviewed Cole Swindell aboard his tour bus at Country Jam USA 2025 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Just hours before headlining the festival, and days before becoming a first-time father, Cole talked with us about his brand new album, Spanish Moss. In this exclusive interview, we cover the inspiration behind the project, how he chooses the right songs, what makes a track a hit, and what he’s looking forward to in the next chapter of his life.

With career-defining hits like You Should Be Here and Middle of a Memory, Cole has become one of the most consistent and respected voices in modern country music. This conversation offers insight into his process and passion, just before a major moment in his personal life.

This interview is also available on the Country Minute Podcast, streaming now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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In its purest form, country music is an amalgamation of sounds and ideas pulled together from every corner of life. Whether its pulling from the hymns of Appalachia or the instruments of West Africa, country music is the melting pot of sound, combining truth and storytelling to capture minds and comfort hearts in a way no other genre can replicate.

That is a long way of saying that evolution is at the heart of country and always has been. The genre must continue to progress to remain true to its roots, which is exactly why we're talking to Logan Garrett in today's episode. Logan is combining EDM with country music to create something fresh yet familiar which is quickly taking the genre by storm.

We caught up with Logan before his set at Friends In Low Places during CMA Fest in Nashville. What followed was one of the more fun and enlightening conversations we've had in recent memory. Enjoy!

John Morgan is the kind of country artist you root for the moment you hear his music—or shake his hand. A humble hitmaker with a knack for lyrics that hit home, John built his Nashville resume writing for stars like Jason Aldean (“The Trouble With A Heartbreak”). Now, he’s stepping into the spotlight with his debut album Carolina Rain (out April 25).

We caught up with John backstage at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on March 27 while he was on tour with Chase Matthew. Over the course of 20 honest and insightful minutes, we talked about everything from the stories behind his singles “Kid Myself” and “Crickets,” to co-writing on Jason Aldean’s new record, to finding his tribe of songwriters—and how he balances it all with being a parent.

We’ve said this before, but we really mean it this time: this might be the best episode we’ve ever recorded. John Morgan is our new favorite country artist, and after this, he just might be yours too.

Alex Miller first met the world through his time on American Idol, but to call his success a result of that appearance would be a disservice to his incredible work ethic and talent. A Kentucky native whose respect for the genre runs deep, Miller has spent the last several years honing his craft day in and day out, all leading to his (perhaps inevitable) move to Nashville in 2024.

Now, Alex is back in the limelight to promote "The Byrd," a collaboration with 90s country icon Tracy Byrd. The story of how these two artists met is a focus of our conversation, which also delves into Alex's upbringing, the role of Kentucky in his music, and his aspirations for the future.

We recorded this conversation on February 21 at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. Be sure to follow along for more interviews coming soon!

With more than 15 million followers across social media, Cooper Alan has built more than just a fanbase—he’s built a community. In a town where chasing hits can feel like a formula, Cooper is carving his own lane by self-releasing music that speaks to real people and real stories—often the ones that go unnoticed.

Just hours before taking the stage at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Cooper sat down with the Country Minute team for a wide-ranging conversation. We talk about new music, life on the road, the fans who’ve fueled his rise, and the intentionality behind crafting an album. He may be keeping future plans close to the chest, but one thing’s for sure—Cooper Alan’s future has never looked brighter.

This episode was completely unexpected. Just a week ago, we had no idea we'd be talking to Tiera Kennedy—let alone for this podcast—but sometimes, the best moments come as surprises.

Last Friday, March 28, Laura and I snagged last-minute tickets to see The War & Treaty’s hometown show. Opening the night was Tiera Kennedy, a rising country star we've followed for years but had only seen live once before (opening for Danielle Bradbery). While grabbing dinner before the show, we got an email asking if we wanted to interview Tiera. Assuming they meant sometime next week, we said yes—only to realize they meant tonight.

With just 45 minutes until showtime, we grabbed the only microphone we had in the car and rushed to the venue. Tiera’s performance was as incredible as we’d hoped, earning a well-deserved standing ovation. As the crowd cheered, a stage manager whisked us through a side door and into the backstage area—so quickly that we arrived at Tiera’s dressing room before she did (a first for us).

With only moments to spare before The War & Treaty took the stage, we made the most of our time, talking about the one-year anniversary of Cowboy Carter (which Tiera worked on), her debut album Rooted, life on the road, and more. It was a brief but inspiring conversation, and we’re so excited to share it with you today.

Tiera Kennedy is currently on tour with The War & Treaty, and her debut album, Rooted, is available now wherever you listen to music.

Mark Taylor is living the dream and chasing another. A singer/songwriter whose already years deep into the 'ten year town' of Nashville, Mark is one of our favorite country music underdogs. He's got everything—a powerful voice, creative songwriting, lovable personality, and even his own brand of whiskey. Still, Mark is chasing something bigger, and in this episode we discuss how he's learned to navigate Nashville. That is, until about halfway through when Mark flips the script and decides to interview host James Shotwell! Learn all about Country Minute, as well as our favorite up-and-coming singer/songwriter, all in this one incredible episode!

We’ve been looking forward to this one for a long time! On this episode of the Country Minute Podcast, James sits down with the incredibly talented Walker Montgomery for a deep conversation about his career, life in Nashville, and the impact of his father, country legend John Michael Montgomery. Walker opens up about his journey, the stories behind his upcoming EP, life on the road, and what’s next for his music.

Recorded during Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville, this episode captures a raw and real moment with one of country’s rising stars. While the media room setup wasn’t our usual, we made it work—and we have even more great conversations from CRS coming soon. Walker’s latest single, Never Had You Anyway, is out now, with more new music on the horizon!

On this episode of The Country Minute Podcast, rising country artist Mackenzie Carpenter joins us to discuss her highly anticipated debut album, Hey, Country Queen, dropping March 7. Mackenzie opens up about the inspiration behind her music, the journey of navigating Nashville, and the importance of setting personal and professional goals. We also dive into the evolution of her songwriting, her experience in the industry so far, and what fans can expect from this new chapter in her career. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of country music’s most exciting new voices.

Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.