THE TROUBADOUR PODCAST

When we’d initially booked Kimberly Dunn for the podcast, we had no idea the interview and conversation would go where it did.  For instance, if you are a fan of Kimberly’s music, seen her live show or even an on-camera interview she’s done and posted on YouTube, you are aware of just how much of a bubbly and upbeat personality she has.

Unfortunately, last week when the interview was recorded, we’d all just got the news that one of her fellow female artists in the Texas Country and Red Dirt scene, Kylie Rae Harris, had tragically just lost her life in a car accident. 

So, Carly, Kimberly and I spent most of the first half of our conversation doing what people do after receiving horrible news like this: we talked about our own lives and our own struggles with the fragileness of life.  We talked about God.  We talked about our own individual purposes and earthly journey.  We talked about Kylie Rae Harris, her music, and now her loved ones that remain on earth.  We talked about things that are REAL.  This entire topic was definitely something none of us really planned to be talking about that day, but the Man upstairs has his own plans.  So, we went down that path.  And, just speaking for myself, it was a little therapeutic.  While it was a tragic even that triggered it all, it was nice to have that kind of visit with those two gals.  Before blogging on here, I do want to share that there has been a GoFundMe set up for the Kylie Rae Harris family to help cover funeral expenses and set up a college fund for her daughter Corbie.  You can contribute to it by clicking HERE. 

Eventually, got to the topic of Kimberly Dunn and her musical journey from a college student who entered into a “battle of the bands” competition on the encouragement of some friends, to a real honest to goodness current talent as a musical artist; and one who’s music is crossing over to several genres.

We speak about her latest 11 track release, titled “New Smoke Show”.    Dunn worked with Grammy award winning producer, Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift, Trisha Yearwood) on the record.  With this record, she began to show more of the pop and rock n’ roll influence in her music following her success with songs in her early career such as her tune, “Randy Rogers”.

Today, Dunn is currently working on and writing for another release, but with more freeness and self-fulfillment than ever before.  Kimberly aspires to continue growing and learning within the business of music and eventually hopes to become a producer.

Along with her career as a musician, Kimberly Dunn has been active in many other things including charity work with her Dunn Good Foundation and her Originally Dunn line of Apparel.

So, while this interview starts on a somber note, it ends really nicely and I can chalk it up as another great conversation with a talented musician and human being.  Enjoy!!

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How does a guy go from once working as a commodities trader in Chi-town, to becoming a successful country songwriter and artist along with being an entrepreneur selling his own name brand Tequila?  Well, in this interview with Jon Wolfe, we’ll get the skinny on it all.

Jon’s journey as a musician and songwriter is unique.  While he knew he was always drawn to music, he didn’t take it seriously until college when picked up the guitar and realized he really had a passion for it.  After graduation, and following his employer transferring him from Chicago to Houston, Jon started playing open mic nights which eventually led to a relationship with John Evans who was one of his first influencers and really helped him work on his songwriting.  As Jon immersed himself in the Texas music scene, he eventually got to know a few other artists and even was roommates with Hayes Carll for a time.

Eventually, Jon ended up in Nashville with a deal and was writing up to 3 times a day on Music Row where he was able to learn a lot and cultivate his craft which he talks about in the interview.

When the deal fell through, Jon ended up moving back to Texas and putting his solo career as a Texas Country Music artist into motion.

While Jon continues to build his career as a country music artist in Texas, he’s also been working over the last couple of years to develop his own brand of Tequila.  He’s proud to announce that Juan Lobo Tequila is now available in many Texas locations and he and his team are working on expanding their reach.

Check out the Juan Lobo Tequila website below to find out how you can get your own bottle!

http://www.jonwolfecountry.com/

https://juanlobotequila.com/

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From the mid-2000’s until 2013, the Stillwater, OK band, No Justice, was a well-known name in the Texas Country and Red Dirt Music Scene.  Within a few short years of taking their show on the road they had become regulars at all the notable venues within the genre and had even joined the long list of artists within the “Live at Billy Bob’s” series, with their 2007 release.

Frontman, Steve Rice, and the rest of the band, were playing up to 250 show annually; paying the dues it takes to make it and establish yourself as a group that isn’t just dabbling.

Then, in 2013, the band hung it up.

In this interview with Steve, he goes deep into his near fatal health scare, which ultimately led to his decision to stop touring in 2013 and take his life in a new direction. 

As one might expect, and as he recounts, his decision to stop playing wasn’t welcome news for everyone associated with No Justice.  However, his near-death experience didn’t leave any room for wavering, and his decision didn’t change.

After re-grouping and moving his family closer to other loved ones, life went on.  Steve still loved music and it remain within him, even though he used the years following the break-up of No Justice to work on other things in his life.

And then, the opportunity to play again as No Justice happened.  After some phone calls to band-mates and nailing down some specific criteria to the next evolution of No Justice, the group was back.

While Steve insists that they won’t be touring as heavily as they used to, they’ll take the gigs they want and release the music they choose to and when.  Their current single “More to Live For” is hitting the airwaves and can be found through your favorite streaming service.

All their upcoming tour dates can be found by clicking HERE. 

Listen in as Carly and I catch up with an old friend from yesteryear, Mr. Steve Rice!

Don’t forget about the upcoming 610 Music Festival.  For more information you can go to: 610 Music Festival on Facebook.  For tickets click HERE!

Listen via:’

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In the late 1990s, Texas Country Music Stalwart, Josh Grider, made his way from Las Cruces, New Mexico to Luckenbach, TX for one of Willie Nelson’s “4th of July Picnics”.  The experience opened his horizons to what was out there for aspiring singers and songwriters beyond what could be heard on nationwide country radio at the time.  Josh mentions seeing some notables for the first time including Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Cory Morrow and others and how it changed his outlook as to what just may be attainable in the music business.

Josh initially moved to Waco, TX to attend college at Baylor University where he started his first band, “Riverside”.  After graduation, Josh moved to Austin to focus more on his music and he released his first project in 2005.

In 2011, Josh moved to Nashville after earning a publishing deal and began working with producer and fellow Texan, Trent Wilmon.  During this time Josh explains he learned a huge deal about the amount of creativeness that exists in the city of Nashville and just how many hard-working songwriters are cranking out new songs there on a daily basis.

Although Josh ended up moving back to Texas where he’s now raising a family, he still commutes to Nashville for meetings and writing appointments because as he states, it IS Music City USA.  Additionally, for those like Josh (and yours truly), if your goal is to eventually have a song picked up and cut by a major artist, working in that town is nearly a must.

So, sit back and enjoy this interview with a guy who has one of the smoothest baritone voices in the scene: Josh Grider.

https://www.joshgrider.com/

Don’t forget about the upcoming 610 Music Festival.  For more information you can go to: 610 Music Festival on Facebook.  For tickets click HERE!

Listen via:

The Troubadour Podcast Website

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In describing the life and career of Texas Singer-Songwriter, Mark Powell, it’s really kind of hard to know where to begin and where to end.  The west Texas native has carved out a piece of life for himself that is the envy of many, including Yours Truly.  But, like all great success stories, the road to get to where his is today has had a lot of twists and turns.

The son of a performing musician, Mark followed suit and at an early age he found himself on stages playing twin fiddles with his father.  It was also during this time of his life that Mark discovered he had the unique ability to understand how to play most songs after hearing them just a single time, as well as remember almost every word.

As adolescence gave way to the later stages in becoming a grown up, Mark found himself in college and performing with his own group.  Not long after this Mark loaded up and headed for Nashville with a developmental deal from Universal.

While Mark only spent about a year and a half in Nashville, he was able to learn more about the business side of country music and songwriting and found himself in writing rooms with legendary country songwriters like Mac McAnally and Walt Aldridge.

Upon his return to Texas Mark entered a brief period of his life in which he held down a “real job” as a banker; something that allowed him to gain useful knowledge to use later on his musical endeavors.

Through a twist of fate in what was supposed to be Mark helping to put together a show for a local venue, the Outlaws and Legends Music Festival was born.  The backstory to this event is very interesting and you won’t want to miss it in the interview.  This festival has now become a top-tier festival in the scene and is approaching its 10th year.  An entire episode could focus on the festival itself. 

In the conversation Mark also talks about co-writing and his relationship with true country music songwriting legend, Dean Dillon. 

Currently, when Mark’s not writing or performing in Texas, he can probably be found somewhere playing music or trout fishing in the mountains of Colorado.  That sounds pretty much like an ideal situation to me!

Sit back, relax, and enjoy our visit with one of the more interesting guests we ever had on the podcast: Mark Powell!

https://markpowellmusic.com/

https://www.outlawsandlegends.com/

We also want to point out that the 55th Annual Courtland Funday is quickly approaching and will be held the last weekend in July. (July 26th & 27th) It will feature all kinds of activities and entertainment including a Saturday night performance by a previous guest on the podcast: Rob Baird.  Check out the details of the entire event by clicking HERE.

Don’t forget about the upcoming 610 Music Festival.  For more information you can go to: 610 Music Festival on Facebook.  For tickets click HERE!

Listen via:

The Troubadour Podcast Website

Apple Podcasts

Google Play

Spotify

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Podbean

One thing that seems to set Texas Country Music and Red Dirt Music apart from the everything else, in my humble opinion, is the unbridled honesty of the artists and their approach to making and performing music. 

This interview with Kyle Park is a perfect example. 

Kyle recounts some great stories from his past on his rise in Texas Country Music from the nitty-gritty of his first paying gigs while in college at San Marcos, TX, to touring 180-200 dates a year in his 20’s, to now pulling back a bit and averaging 100-120 dates a year.  From getting on stage with Johnny Lee and his band while in his teens, to fronting a cover band made up of musicians including members of George Strait’s “Ace in the Hole” band, Kyle has taken something from all of those types of experiences, added in his own creativity and talent, and created a successful career for himself that is rightly, the envy of others.

At the age of 12, Kyle unfortunately lost his father.  Kyle partially credits that experience for the reason he now seems to enjoy it when the pressure is put on him in life; whether that be as the front-man and leader of his band, to his time on the golf course.  He also tells us how sharing that tough experience from his past with his fans has actually helped him to connect with them on a deeper level today.

We get in depth about some of the songs from his latest album, “Don’t Forget Where You Come From”; especially the song “Rio” and how the video for the song came to be.

On the eve of Kyle traveling to Europe to play a show at Normandy in November we talk about the amazing opportunities that being in the music industry can bring to those who are lucky enough to be a part of it. 

Kick your boots off and enjoy the listen!

www.kylepark.com

We also want to point out that the 55th Annual Courtland Funday is quickly approaching and will be held the last weekend in July. (July 26th & 27th)  It will feature all kinds of activities and entertainment including a Saturday night performance by a previous guest on the podcast: Rob Baird.  Check out the details of the entire event by clicking HERE.

Don’t forget about the upcoming 610 Music Festival.  For more information you can go to: 610 Music Festival on Facebook.  For tickets click HERE!

Listen via:

The Troubadour Podcast Website

Apple Podcasts

Google Play

Spotify

Stitcher

Podbean

Pete and Carly talk about lots of items from Texas Music and Texas pride to having well-defined goals in life. 

Holly Tucker has been performing and singing in front of people in her home state of Texas since she was only seven years old.  Then, at the ripe old age of 14 she released her first CD.  So, by the time she turned 19 and was selected as a contestant for Season 4 of The Voice, in 2013, she was already a seasoned veteran.

Holly has been referred to as the Angel of Texas Country Music and if you hear her sing, you’ll be hard-pressed to disagree.  In this interview with Holly we talk about her early years singing in churches and then on to the stages of the Opry Houses that are a staple of the country music-loving towns in Texas.

Obviously, one of Holly’s most career-altering events was her experience on the television show, The Voice.  In 2013 she rose to the top 6 out of the 40,000 singers who had auditioned for the show and she even received the coveted 4-Chair turn from the coaches.  Holly ended up on Blake Shelton’s team and she visits with us about this experience and how it has ultimately affected her career and musical aspirations.

Today Holly is concentrating on her next project, of which, a few singles have already been released to radio, including her current single that is climbing the charts titled “Country Music Won’t Let Me.”  In the interview Holly explains how she really digging in to the Texas and Red Dirt Music scenes and that she really feels that the scene allows her to focus on a more “country” music sound. 

We also visit about the challenges faced by women trying to break out as a singers, songwriters and performing musicians.  It’s a lively part of the conversation that I think listeners will appreciate.

So, grab your favorite beverage and sit back to enjoy this great conversation with the lovely and talented Miss Holly Tucker!

We also have a new sponsor onboard the podcast: 610 Music Festival.  For more information you can go to: 610 Music Festival on Facebook.  For tickets click HERE!

www.hollytucker.com

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Rob Baird is a singer and songwriter who had the good fortune of being raised in the legendary music town of Memphis, TN.  He first picked up a guitar in his teen years.  During his career thus far he’s been signed by a label, been a staff writer on Music Row, has shared tour dates with many of the big stars in the business, and has had many of his songs picked up by television shows.  But it all hasn’t been roses…. 

After getting into some trouble as an adolescent, his father sent him off to work on a ranch in the West.  His experience with ranching and livestock led him to school in Ft. Worth to study such things, however, after his first experience with artificial-insemination, he decided that playing music for a living and writing songs sounded like a much better option.

Rob built a strong following by playing a weekly gig in Ft. Worth which gave him the confidence to record and hit the road.  Following the release of his first record he caught the ear of a label in Nashville and ended up becoming a staff writer on Music Row for many years.  After becoming a bit disillusioned with the recent Bro-Country movement, Rob packed up and moved back to Texas and is now settled in Austin.

In this episode he recounts some cool anecdotes about his career thus far including sharing dates with the sometimes “abrasive” Travis Tritt and having checks sent to his mailbox signed by Ashton Kutcher.  Listen in!

www.robbairdmusic.com

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The Texas Country and Red Dirt Music genre is full of artists and bands who pride themselves on doing “their own thing”.  Most aren’t marching to the beat of an overbearing label’s insistence and direction in sticking to a certain “image” or a specific “sound”.  Many pride themselves in touring relentlessly and “boot-strapping it” to build their own following.  And like it or not, there’s usually a “Texas” theme or reference in at least one song from every artist’s catalog of music.  (The writer of this blog post is guilty as charged) 

While the Texas “beer-drinking, hell raisin’, home-state pride” type of songs have done wonders for the careers of many in the scene, Rich O’Toole has consciously tried to expand his music past this regionality; a decision that some have hated on him for…

Rich O’Toole doesn’t hide who he is.  He pisses some people off with his approach and attitude and other people piss him off with theirs.  Love him or hate him, it’s hard not to respect the way he’s molded his career into what he wants it to be.

Growing up in Houston, Texas, Rich came onto the scene in 2007 with his debut album, “Seventeen”.  Since then he’s released five more records, some on a big label, and has called everywhere from New York City to Los Angeles home.  Fact is, on the day this podcast episode was being recorded Rich was packing his stuff for the move from L.A. to his new home of Nashville, TN.

Rich is definitely an open book in this interview and isn’t afraid to share his opinion on many levels.  Following our interview with Rich, I’m definitely a bigger fan of his now that I’ve gotten to know him a little more and come to understand what makes him tick and do the things he does.

Rich understands that some people just aren’t going to agree with everything he does, or even like it; but he’s cool with that….and if it bothers you, rest assured, it ain’t bothering him.

www.richotoole.com

Listen via:

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