The Ranch Sitdown Podcast

On this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shayne Hollinger sits down with rising Texas songwriter Hank Weaver for an honest conversation about music, life, and everything in between.

Hank performs his latest release “Same To Me” and shares the story behind how a simple conversation about dating turned into one of his favorite songs.

The two dive into songwriting, the importance of storytelling in Texas music, and the balance between personal experience and creative imagination.

Hank also opens up about his recent engagement, upcoming music, and what 2026 has in store as he prepares to hit the road and take the next step in his career.

On this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shayne sits down with Bottomland to talk about the journey that brought them together and the moment everything changed. From playing small local shows and nearly never meeting, to a song swap that sparked a partnership, the guys break down how timing, persistence, and a shared vision led to the creation of Bottomland.

They dive into the strategy behind their launch, building a vault of content before even naming the band, and how social media played a massive role in their breakout.

The conversation also covers the viral explosion of “Over You Over It,” the pressure that came with it, and what it’s like navigating sudden success while balancing real life.

It’s a story about taking one more shot, trusting your instincts, and what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

In this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shayne Hollinger sits down with Texas songwriter Kyle Hutton to talk about songwriting, storytelling, and the journey that led him to create the long-running Real Life Real Music series.

Kyle shares how his love for music began with digging through liner notes and listening closely to the stories behind songs. He talks about the early days of building the show, memorable interviews with legendary artists like Larry Gatlin, and what it means to preserve authentic songwriter moments for future generations.

The conversation also explores the unique perspective of a songwriter interviewing other songwriters, the emotional impact of hearing your songs performed by artists you admire, and the moments that make you realize you belong in the songwriting community. Kyle also performs songs during the episode, including a special performance of “Run Like Hell Is Knockin’ At Your Door.”

Texas songwriter Ashton Naylor joins Shayne Hollinger on The Ranch Sitdown for a conversation about the craft of songwriting and the next generation of Texas music.

Ashton performs songs including “Any Other Way” and “Barkeep” while sharing the stories behind how they came to life.

During the Sitdown, Ashton talks about learning guitar during COVID, writing songs starting in his parents’ garage, and why great songwriting always comes down to strong titles, honest lyrics, and melodies that connect.

He also discusses navigating social media as an artist, the challenge of staying creative, and the influence of legendary writers like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Robert Earl Keen.

It’s a deep dive into the mindset of a young Texas songwriter focused on writing songs that will stand the test of time.

On this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shane Hollinger sits down with John Teague, frontman of the Teague Brothers Band, to talk about songwriting, Texas music, and the stories that shape great songs.

John shares the true story behind one of his songs about a fight over a buckskin gelding, his blue-collar upbringing, and how growing up around hardworking family members influences his writing.

The conversation dives into his hit song “Fire,” how it was written years ago during COVID, and why he focuses on writing timeless songs that avoid modern timestamps like phones or texting.

They also discuss the welcoming Fort Worth music scene, the artists inspiring the next generation of Texas music, and why authentic songwriting still matters.

The episode closes with a powerful live performance of “Fire.”

This episode of The Ranch Sitdown was filmed live at MusicFest with Texas country artist Slade Coulter. Slade performs acoustic versions of his songs and shares the stories behind them, including the emotional songwriting process that led to “Mr. Wrong.”

He talks about writing music with close friends, the collaborative culture of the Texas Red Dirt scene, and the pressure and pride that comes with being part of the West Texas songwriting legacy.

Slade also dives into life on the road, including the wild story behind writing his song “Lucky” after getting stranded on the side of the road during a tour run through Nebraska. From songwriting retreats and co-writing sessions to opening for massive crowds one night and playing intimate shows the next, Slade gives an honest look into the life of a rising Texas country artist.

Recorded in the mountains during MusicFest, this Sitdown captures the raw acoustic energy, humor, and storytelling that defines the Texas music scene.

Texas country staple Josh Abbott joins Ranch Sitdown to reflect on 20 years in the Texas music scene from writing “She’s Like Texas” to preparing for his Red Rocks debut. Josh shares the real story behind one of the most iconic wedding songs in Texas, the evolution of the Josh Abbott Band, and why his next chapter will feature a more stripped-down, raw sound.

He opens up about early touring days in Lubbock, the growth of the Texas country movement, mentoring young artists, navigating a crowded streaming market, and balancing life as a father with life on the road. Josh also performs a brand-new unreleased song, “Prettier With You,” giving listeners a first look at the direction of his upcoming music.

If you love Texas country, Red Dirt, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the genre’s pillars, this is a must-listen episode.

Recorded at AmericanaFest in Nashville, Tennessee, this Ranch Sitdown finds Shayne Hollinger catching up with Texas native Van Darien during a season of major personal and creative change. 

Van opens up about getting married, getting sober, and how those life shifts shaped her latest album Bummer Town. 

She explains the concept behind the record, describing “Bummer Town” as a mental space rather than a physical place, and how the project serves as a journey out of emotional ruts and into imagination, joy, and healing.

The conversation dives into Van’s songwriting process, her collaborations with Daniel Markham and producer Owen Beverly, and her decision to move from Texas to Nashville. She shares what it’s like being a Texas artist navigating the Nashville scene, finding community among fellow Texans, and discovering the city’s underground rock and songwriter culture beyond the mainstream. 

Van also reflects on how Nashville brought her unexpected connections, including meeting her husband through the local songwriter circuit, and why maintaining strong ties to Fort Worth allows her to enjoy the best of both worlds.

From creative rebirth to personal growth, this sitdown captures Van Darien at a grounded, hopeful point in her journey, with a candid look at music, mental health, and finding your people wherever you land.

In this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, host Shayne Hollinger runs into Texas country standout Kylie Frey while both are in Nashville, turning an unexpected meeting into a candid, wide-ranging sitdown on music, songwriting, Texas pride, and life’s newest chapters.

Kylie opens up about her upcoming music, including a honky-tonk barn burner titled “Fort Worth,” a song she discovered while working with producer Trent Willmon and one that originated from a songwriting circle connected to Cody Johnson. She shares how the track evolved into a duet featuring Randall King, why the song felt like a natural fit for her, and how she’s working with the City of Fort Worth to help promote it, a full-circle moment for a Texas artist deeply rooted in her home state.

Kylie also discusses her upcoming six-song EP, recorded while she was pregnant, her work as a songwriter with Carnival Music, and a creative shift toward writing more songs on her own. She reflects on years of co-writing, learning from some of the best writers in the industry, and how stepping into solo writing has been cathartic, grounding, and closer to the reason she started making music in the first place.

This sitdown captures an artist in a season of growth, balancing career momentum, creative self-discovery, Texas pride, and motherhood, all while staying true to the sound and spirit that made her who she is.

In this episode of Ranch Sitdown, host Shayne Hollinger sits down with Kentucky-born songwriter Grayson Jenkins to talk about the long road into music, the quiet influences that shaped his sound, and the stories behind his latest album, Country Parables.

Grayson reflects on growing up in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, known to many as “Paradise” from the John Prine song, and how early exposure to music videos, Johnny Cash, and church shaped his fascination with storytelling, even before he ever picked up a guitar. 

A latecomer to music by his own admission, he shares how college became the turning point, eventually leading him to leave a traditional job and pursue music full time.

The conversation dives into the realities of being a working songwriter today: the grind of touring, the financial challenges of the modern music industry, and finding balance after years of playing 100-plus shows annually. 

Grayson also opens up about the creative process behind Country Parables, an album years in the making, including songs written as far back as 2016 and the impact of co-producing with Tony Bradshaw.

Along the way, Grayson talks about his favorite dive bars and listening rooms, the rich tradition of Kentucky songwriters, comparisons to artists like Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton, and his growing connection to Texas, both musically and personally. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about patience, place, and building a life around songs that mean something.