The Real Country Podcast by Nikki in Nashville

In this special edition of the Real Country Podcast, The Real Country Corner, I sit down with Adam Sanders fresh off winning the first season of CBS’s The Road. We talk about what it was really like to win the show, why he had to keep the result quiet for months during filming and post-production, and what it felt like knowing his life was about to change before he could tell the world. Adam was officially announced as the inaugural winner of The Road in late 2025.

We also get into Adam Sanders’ history as a Nashville songwriter, his transition from writing hits for other artists to stepping further into his own spotlight, his new music, his engagement, and the wild story behind burning an actual house down for a music video. Adam has long been recognized in Nashville for both his artist career and his songwriting background, which makes this conversation especially interesting now that he’s coming off a major national TV win.

If you’re a fan of country music interviews, The Road on CBS, Adam Sanders, Nashville songwriting, new country music, and stories about what really happens behind the scenes of music competition shows, this episode is for you. We also talk about Alan Jackson being one of Adam’s all-time favorite artists, the pressure of waiting to use his “winnings” until the show aired, and what comes next after a moment this big. Adam has also spoken publicly elsewhere about the long wait between filming and the public reveal of the finale result.

Subscribe to the Real Country Podcast for more country artist interviews, behind-the-scenes music conversations, and stories from the real heart of country music.

Follow along with Adam: https://open.spotify.com/artist/17ewtqMhsRUPRdhpYLzMxg?si=W-cIbQySSBOyzEiernAX6w 

#AdamSanders #TheRoad #CBSTheRoad #CountryMusic #NashvilleSongwriter #RealCountryPodcast

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

On a special edition of The Real Country Podcast...The Real Country Corner...I sat down with 2000s country star Cyndi Thomson to discuss life after her break from music and the 25th anniversary of her hit song, What I Really Meant to Say.

What I Really Meant To Say topped the US Hot Country Songs chart for three consecutive weeks and was one of 2001's most played songs at country radio, and was part of her My World album.

She's back in the studio recording new music, and recutting this hit single along with a few others as collabs!

Follow the Real Country Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0IlijkpNEoIffcEdK2H8Nd?si=4ae63452c82e4638

Follow Cyndi Thomson - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1SlB319k1toEaGunEFn6yq?si=wwC6xXSeRIGLY_gD_oREGg

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

In a special edition of The Real Country Podcast...The Real Country Corner...Walker Montgomery sat down with me at CRS in Nashville to discuss what's about to be his biggest year yet!

Son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Eddie Montgomery, Walker is carving a career and path all his own.

With a new record signing, new music on the way, first headlining tour AND a wedding on the slate for this year, we had a lil bit of fun talking through it!

Follow along for more country music stories.

Watch for Walker's new song 'Savin' The Honky Tonks' out soon!

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

In this episode, I’m sitting down with emerging country artist Worth Gibson for a conversation that goes way deeper than music alone. We talk about his roots in ranching and cowboy life, how personal hardship shaped his songwriting, and why authenticity still matters so much in country music. Worth also opens up about his connection to mustang preservation and rescue advocacy, which gives this episode a whole other layer beyond just being an artist interview.

What I loved about this conversation is that Worth really does come from the life he sings about. We get into real country music, Western values, grit, storytelling, and what it looks like to make art from lived experience instead of just image. We also talk about building a path as an independent country artist, writing from real life, and the role purpose plays in the songs he puts into the world.

If you love authentic country music, rising independent artists, cowboy culture, wild horse advocacy, and deeper conversations around songwriting and identity, I think you’re really going to enjoy this one.

In this episode, we get into:

•  Worth’s background in ranching and cowboy life 
•  How pain and personal experience shaped his songwriting 
•  Authenticity in modern country music 
•  The grit behind the Western lifestyle 
•  Wild mustangs, rescue work, and advocacy 
•  Building a career as an independent country artist

Follow Worth Gibson - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0bq9bsQ7RFZC79XZclXoWp?si=5YK3PhsUTs6ujDteCnXIzg

And make sure you subscribe to The Real Country Podcast for more authentic stories!

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

Country music had a LOT going on this week. In this video, I’m reacting to Colter Wall stepping away from touring for his mental health, Johnny Blue Skies / Sturgill Simpson dropping Mutiny After Midnight, Gavin Adcock’s new classic country tribute project Country Never Dies, and the new Riley Green + Carly Pearce duet “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay.” 

If you’re into country music news, traditional country, outlaw country, new country releases, and honest reactions to what’s happening in Nashville and beyond, this is for you.

In this episode:

• Colter Wall cancels touring and opens up about mental health 
• Sturgill Simpson / Johnny Blue Skies releases Mutiny After Midnight 
• Gavin Adcock leans hard into classic country with Country Never Dies 
• Riley Green and Carly Pearce drop “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” 

Drop your thoughts in the comments:
Which story matters most?
Did Riley Green and Carly Pearce actually pull off the duet?
And what do you think about Gavin Adcock doing a full classic country tribute album?

#CountryMusic #ColterWall #SturgillSimpson #JohnnyBlueSkies #GavinAdcock #RileyGreen #CarlyPearce #CountryMusicNews #OutlawCountry #TraditionalCountry

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

In this episode of the Real Country Podcast, I sit down with Texas singer-songwriter Coleman Jennings for a deep conversation about songwriting, authenticity, and the current state of country music.

Coleman Jennings is part of a new wave of independent country artists bringing raw, honest storytelling back to the genre. In this interview, he talks about growing up in Austin, finding his voice as a songwriter, and why he prefers writing music on his own rather than in Nashville-style writing rooms.

The conversation dives into everything from the philosophy of art and creativity to the role technology, social media, and the music industry play in shaping modern music. Coleman shares his perspective on why so much of today’s music feels manufactured, and why audiences are craving something more real.

If you're a fan of real country music, independent artists, and thoughtful conversations about songwriting and culture, this episode is for you. He's an incredibly well-spoken young man!

Topics covered include:

• Coleman Jennings' journey into music
 • Growing up around the Texas country scene
 • Writing songs alone vs Nashville writing rooms
 • The difference between real art and manufactured music
 • How social media and algorithms impact artists
 • The future of independent country music
 • Finding authenticity as a songwriter

Follow Coleman Jennings - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hxrh6IPuATmIiJuGNSdpp?si=WbOj-YGVTxO6M1Xdc-Nw9w
 

Follow the Real Country Podcast and please consider subscribing and rating our show! It really helps.
 

country music podcast, Coleman Jennings interview, real country music, Texas country artists, independent country music, songwriting podcast, country music culture

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

The Reeves Brothers join The Real Country Podcast for an honest conversation about building an independent country music career in Nashville...and a hilarious whiskey tasting.

Matt and Cole break down how they grew to 150,000+ monthly Spotify listeners without signing a major record label, why they chose to stay independent, and what it really takes to survive in today’s country music industry.

We talk about:

 • Sleeping in trucks and 17-hour drives for early gigs
 • Leaving cover gigs to bet on original music
 • Recording and producing their own songs
 • Growing organically on TikTok and Spotify
 • Whiskey tasting with the kings of drinkin' songs

If you’re a fan of traditional country music, independent artists, honky tonk roots, or want to understand how modern country musicians are building careers without labels, this episode is for you.

The Real Country Podcast highlights independent country artists, Nashville insiders, and the cultural movement bringing real country music back.

New episodes weekly.

Thanks to our sponsor World Whiskey Society. Grab 10% off any product or a membership at worldwhiskey.com/REALCOUNTRY

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

In this episode of Real Country, we sit down with Jack Browning, a British singer-songwriter whose music is deeply influenced by American country, Americana, and the Western way of life, despite being far from Nashville.

Jack shares how he first discovered country music in the UK, what drew him to the sounds and stories of the American West, and why authenticity matters more than trends in today’s music industry. We talk songwriting, identity, culture, and what it means to create real country music outside the mainstream system.

This conversation explores how country music travels across borders, why the genre resonates so deeply beyond the U.S., and how independent artists are keeping traditional storytelling alive in a modern era.

We also discuss how his own personal experiences with how country and the West were shared in the UK, influenced his artwork as well.

If you love traditional country, Americana, Western culture, independent artists, and honest conversations about music, this episode is for you.

Topics Discussed

• Discovering country music outside the U.S.
• The influence of the American West on songwriting
• What makes country music feel “real”
• Creating music outside the Nashville system
• Americana, roots music, and cultural identity

Follow along with the Real Country Podcast for weekly discussion with country music artists, and follow along with Jack's Music as well!

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

In this episode from the Real Country Podcast archives, I sat down with Chancey Williams to talk about a path that looks nothing like the Nashville playbook.

Chancey shares his journey from growing up in Wyoming, earning a rodeo scholarship, and living the cowboy life, to building a successful country music career rooted in authenticity, grit, and real fans. We talk about how rodeo and ranch life shaped his songwriting, why staying true to his roots mattered more than chasing trends, and how he built a loyal audience without compromising his sound.

The conversation also touches on Cheyenne Frontier Days, CRS, navigating the modern country music industry, and the importance of connecting with fans beyond algorithms and mainstream polish.

If you’re into Western country, rodeo culture, independent artists, and music that still sounds like where it comes from, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to do country music your own way.

🤠 Artist: Chancey Williams
🐎 Topics: Wyoming roots, rodeo life, independent country music, fanbase building
🎙️ Podcast: Real Country

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

This is a Real Country archive episode featuring rising country artist Taylor Austin Dye, recorded before some of her biggest recent milestones, and it’s one worth revisiting.

In this conversation, Taylor shares her journey from Kentucky roots to building a fiercely loyal “Ride or Dye” fanbase, her blend of Southern rock and country, and what it meant to step onto the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time. We talk about carving out her own sound, staying authentic in a changing country music landscape, and building a career without chasing trends.

Since this interview was recorded, Taylor has continued her momentum with the release of her new single “Man For That,” out January 23, 2026, further cementing her place as one of the most exciting voices in modern country music.

If you’re into traditional-leaning country, Southern rock influences, artist discovery, and honest conversations about building a music career, this episode is for you.

🎶 New Single: Man For That (Released 1/23/26)
🤠 Artist: Taylor Austin Dye
 

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.