THE TROUBADOUR PODCAST

THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED BACK IN APRIL OF 2018 WHEN PETE WAS RIDING SOLO ON THE SHOW.  ENJOY

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This episode of The Troubadour features my visit with Jomo Edwards of the Austin, TX based band The Possum Posse. Jomo is the creator of the viral YouTube video "Guy on a Buffalo."

The #1 way you can support our podcast is by visiting our Patreon page!

We’re also excited to say that we are now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you need any new strings, picks, microphones, recording gear, etc. make sure to use this link!

Today is Sunday, March 19th, 2023 and Carly and I are thrilled to release this episode with a young singer and songwriter that’s on his way up.

But first, let me remind you that the #1 way you can support our podcast is by becoming a patron at our Patreon Page.

We’re also an affiliate for Sweetwater now so anytime you need to buy new gear, make sure to use the link on our website.  Both can be found by clicking the “Support The Podcast” tab at thetroubadourpodcast.com.

Today’s guest, JD Clayton is a native of Fort Smith, Arkansas and things are really starting to happen for this kid.  His new Album “Long Way Home” is getting lots of attention and if you check out his tour schedule at www.jdclaytonofficial.com you’ll see just how busy he is right now.  As you’ll hear during the interview, the songs that make up the album were born during Covid, mostly while JD was working for a landscaping company in Nashville.  So, in the past few years, JD has went from a day laborer to a guy who’s opening shows for the likes of Dwight Yoakam and being a featured artist on the ever-popular Jam in the Van series.

JD and I also go down the rabbit hole on vintage Gibson J-50 guitars and his performance of one of my favorite John Denver songs called “This Old Guitar”.

Links for all this stuff can be found in the show notes for this episode.

So let’s get into it!  Here comes Episode #170 and our visit with a great new artist I expect you’re going to be seeing and hearing a lot of soon; JD Clayton.

FROM THE ARCHIVES - THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED ON FEB. 19TH, 2018. 

THIS WAS BACK WHEN PETE HAD STARTED THE TROUBADOUR ON HIS OWN AND HE WISELY ASKED CARLY TO BE A GUEST.  

The #1 way you can support our podcast is by visiting our Patreon page!

For an original artist, getting your song on the radio is understandably a HUGE deal.  But, a lot of artists aspiring for AIRPLAY don’t even know where to begin or how that process works.  On today’s episode of The Troubadour I visit with the program director and on-air radio personality for KORA 98.3 FM, located in Bryan / College Station, TX, Carly Evans.  I had the pleasure of making Carly’s acquaintance earlier in both of our careers when she was an on-air personality in Hays, KS and I was a wet-behind-the-ears aspiring musical artist looking for ANY and ALL publicity I could get!  What gives this interview with Carly so much credibility, as it pertains the the Red Dirt / Texas Country genre, is that Carly’s career in Radio has primarily been at radio stations that have been known to show support for original artists within the scene.  She provides lots of insights into the nuts and bolts of radio and  some tips to aspiring artists on the best practices to gain the interest of program directors, music directors and DJs.

The #1 way you can support our podcast is by visiting our Patreon page!

We’re also excited to say that we are now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you need any new strings, picks, microphones, recording gear, etc. make sure to use this link!

 Today is Sunday, March 5th, 2023 and it’s a big day here on The Troubadour!   This episode unofficially marks the beginning of our 6th season of The Troubadour Podcast!    And I’ve got to give some credit where it’s due.  If Carly Evans hadn’t agreed to join me on this little idea of mine, after I struggled through that first season of about a dozen episodes on my own, I can tell you with 100% confidence, The Troubadour would have never made it this far.   So a huge shout out to my wonderful co-host and friend, Carly!

There’s another reason why today’s episode is so special.  Back in the 1990s when I was spending lots of time in the cab of a tractor or swather during my teens, songs from today’s guests were in regular rotation on the local FM station.  As you’ll hear on the show today, the band McBride & The Ride was formed in 1989 as a brain-child of Nashville record producer Tony Brown.  Tony was aware of individual talent he saw in Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas and brought them together and the band was formed.  After a good run together, which included 5 top 5 singles back then, the group eventually went their separate ways but all remained active musicians, playing and writing for some of the best artists in country music.

But now in 2023, the band is back at it, releasing new music and touring as a group again. Carly and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them as guests on today’s show.  If you’ll recall, Terry was our guest on Episode #100, and to have the entire group here on today’s show was simply a thrill.

Within the show notes for today’s episode, you can check out the YouTube link for their new single “Marlboros and Avon” complete with their signature and unforgettable harmonies.

This interview was certainly a pleasure to be a part of and I can’t wait to catch the band live sometime soon.  For you Texas listeners, McBride & The Ride will be playing at the Kenney Store in Kenney, TX on April 28th , and they’ll be at The Texan Theatre in Cleveland, TX on April 29th.  For my Kansas brethren, they’ll be playing at Knuckleads in Kansas City on June 1st.

So let’s get to it!  Here comes Episode #169 and our visit with Terry McBride, Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas of McBride & The Ride.

CALLING ALL HEARTS ACOUSTIC AT THE CASTLE

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Before jump into today’s episode remember that The Troubadour is now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you buy any new strings, picks, microphones, recording gear, etc. make sure to use the link on our website!

Kevin Fowler says that his approach to life is to never take it too seriously.  You can certainly hear that come through in his unique style of songwriting; but, I also submit that that attitude also has a lot to do with his success as an entertainer.

Growing up in west Texas, Kevin’s musical journey started as a drummer in his high school band.  Once in college, he picked up the guitar, started playing in a cover band, and his musical fire was lit.  Around his Junior year he dropped out of college and moved to L.A. to study music full-time.  After a year and a half in L.A. Kevin moved to Austin to play music full time - in rock bands.  Eventually his writing style lead to his evolution into country music and becoming a singer and front man of his own band.

While working on finding his voice as a country entertainer in Austin in the late 1990’s, he paid his bills by driving a route and delivering local periodicals.  It was during this time that the majority of his “Beer Bait and Ammo” record was written.  While driving his route he would work on song ideas and record them on a hand-held tape recorder.  At other times he recalls dialing his home phone and leaving song ideas on his answering machine so he wouldn’t lose them.

In this interview, Fowler recounts the evolution of the Texas Country / Red Dirt scene from the late 90’s until today and just how much the internet and social media has totally changed the game.  It’s no longer a business where you can only get your music heard by getting radio airplay.  He also talks about how relentless touring used to be the only way to spread your music virally without a major deal and how now the internet has blown the game wide open.

The transition from old physical forms of music to the digital distribution streams of today is exhibited in the fact that Fowler states that he just recently threw away over 4,000 copies of his own CDs, simply because no one buys them anymore.  In fact, he tells us in this interview he only pressed 1,000 copies of his new record, “Barstool Stories” released on August 23, 2019; and he only did that to ensure he had some to sell at live shows.

In the later moments of the interview Kevin talks about his work with producer and friend, Trent Wilmon as well as other well-known names in the scene including Thom Shephard, Roger Creager and others.

Listen in and enjoy.

https://www.kevinfowler.com/

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Hey everybody – We are back with another new episode of The Troubadour!

Before jump into today’s episode remember that The Troubadour is now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you buy any new strings, picks, microphones, recording gear, etc. make sure to use the link on our website!

If you want some free podcast swag check out our Patreon page.  Links for both can be found in the show notes for this episode or by clicking on the Support the Podcast tab at thetroubadourpodcast.com. 

On today’s episode we’re interviewing Texas singer-songwriter Austin English.  Austin has been paying his dues in the scene for well over a decade now.  He’s played everywhere from the White Elephant Saloon in the Ft. Worth Stockyards all the way to famed venue’s like Gruene Hall. 

His 6 feet 6 inch frame has always made him stand out in a crowd but lately it’s his music that has people looking his way.  We have a great chat with him in this episode and if you’re a Texas listener or if you want to road trip from further out, he’s playing the Blue Light in Lubbock this coming Wednesday, February 22nd and he’ll be at Hoot’s Pub in Amarillo this coming Friday, February 25th.

So, let’s roll the tape on episode #168 featuring Austin English.

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Hey everybody – We are back with another new episode of The Troubadour!

Before jump into our interview with Austin honky-tonker’s The Western Express, remember that The Troubadour is now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you buy any new strings, picks, microphones, recording gear, etc. make sure to use the link on our website!

If you want some free podcast swag check out our Patreon page.  Links for both can be found in the show notes for this episode or by clicking on the Support the Podcast tab at thetroubadourpodcast.com. 

Today’s guests are Stephen and Phill of the Austin band The Western Express.  If you like real honky-tonkin music you’re gonna dig these guys.  What started as two dudes who found each other through Craigslist ads, has developed into a band that’s now been featured in the iconic Honky-Tonk Times and has headlined a stage at the Houston Rodeo.

Their 2022 album, Lunatics, Lovers & Poets was produced by veteran producer and songwriter John Evans and will not disappoint with it’s Texas border-town honky-tonk vibe.  They’ve got a new project in the works with Evans again at the helm so be looking for that soon!

So, let’s jump in to episode #167 featuring The Western Express.

Honky-Tonk Saints Video

Cover of Dwight Yoakam’s “1000 miles from Nowhwere” Video

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THIS EPISODE WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN MARCH OF 2020

In the late 90’s and early 2000’s as Red Dirt and Texas Country Music was making it’s way north into my home state of Kansas some of the first bands I saw live were those like The Great Divide, Jason Boland & The Stragglers and Cross Canadian Ragweed.  Through those 3 bands, me and my cohorts were gradually introduced to many of the other great acts coming out of that scene as the movement was really starting to gain some steam.

Therefore, I assume that my first experience with becoming familiar with the Austin band, Reckless Kelly was much like many of you.  Ragweed’s live show at that time almost always included the Reckless Kelly tune, “Crazy Eddie’s Last Hurrah”, which became known as a song that would bring the house down during Ragweed’s shows.

As I started digging in to Reckless Kelly I found several other of their songs were also simply gems.  A couple of my own other personal favorites from the early Reckless days were “Hey Say May” and “Wild Western Windblown Band”.

As Reckless Kelly’s career progressed, they solidified themselves as one of the most respected bands in the scene.  Their prowess as a group was recognized with Grammy nominations and later a Grammy win for their 2013 album “Long Night Moon.”

Reckless Kelly is still releasing great stuff and in May, they will be releasing another 2- album project that, as you’ll hear in this interview with Willy Braun, he feels it’s their best yet.

This episode with Willy is great and here’s a YouTube LINK to the humorous story we visit with Willy about including a streaker across the stage during a Robert Earl Keen show.  If you haven’t already seen this, it’s simply MUST WATCH content.

So, without further ado, here comes Episode #70 of The Troubadour Podcast featuring Reckless Kelly front man, Willy Braun.  Enjoy!

Reckless Kelly’s website: https://recklesskelly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recklesskelly96/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recklesskelly96/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/user/rktv

How YOU can support the podcast!

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You can listen to our wonderful podcast by clicking on any of the following links:

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 Hey everybody – We are back with another new episode of The Troubadour!

Before we get started, remember that The Troubadour is now an affiliate for Sweetwater.  So, the next time you buy any new gear make sure to use the link on our website!

The Troubadour Podcast also now has a Patreon page to fund this little operation so you can now support the show and earn some free podcast swag.  Links for both can be found in the show notes for this episode or by clicking on the Support The Podcast tab at thetroubadourpodcast.com. 

One of our newest Patreon supporters is our buddy Justin Landers out of Oklahoma.  Justin is a big part of Orange Peel Altus and they always bring in some great musical artists at their events.  For more info go to orangeconnection.org and check it out.

Today’s guest on the show is a Troubadour Podcast Alumni and we’re glad to have him back.  Michael Kelton first appeared on the show back on Episode # 110.  Along with putting on his Sideman Song Swap acoustic live shows at various venues around Texas, he’s also an accomplished songwriter and plays drums in Pat Green’s band.  I’m not sure how he gets everything done in his life with everything he’s got going on, but we’re about to get some insight on that.

Unfortunately or fortunately, however you want to look at, I wasn’t able to take part in this episode and Carly had to fly solo interviewing Michael for this episode and she did a great job.

So, let’s jump in to episode #166 featuring our buddy, Michael Kelton.

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Paul Thorn - another episode from the archives!

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Being born the son of a Pentecostal preacher and the nephew of a real-life pimp made for an interesting childhood and adolescence for roots rocker and songwriter, Paul Thorn.  Add to that combination, having music deep in your soul while growing up in Elvis Presley’s hometown, singing in many of the same churches he did as a youth, and being a close personal friend of the guy that first taught The King how to play guitar, and you’ve got yourself an interesting concoction that helped mold Paul Thorn into the artist he is today.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, and following his preaching father to both “white” churches and “black” churches in town, Paul was exposed both styles of congregational music which helped lay an early foundation for his musical stylings.

In this interview Paul talks with us about his early career as a songwriter under the tutelage of legendary producer Rick Hall and shares a couple stories about Rick, including how he passed on the chance to record and produce The Allman Brothers.

Interestingly enough, prior to Paul’s success as a songwriter and performing artist, he was also a pretty damn good boxer.  His success in the ring helped move him up the ranks as a middleweight boxer and eventually led to a televised bout with legendary boxer, Roberto Duran.  The fight was eventually stopped and went in favor of Duran, but Paul gave an impressive performance, going six rounds with one of the best to ever climb in the ring.  You can watch the fight HERE.

As Paul’s career as a songwriter and performer began to gain momentum, other artists began to take notice, and some even started recording his tunes themselves.  Most notably, Toby Keith cut Paul’s song “Double-wide Paradise”; Paul, with tongue-in-cheek, says it was Toby’s lowest charting single ever.

Paul is also the writer of the song “Mood Ring” that has become a favorite of Wade Bowen fans.

With Paul being one of my favorite songwriters and artists, this interview was a real treat for me.  I hope you guys dig listening to it as much as I did recording it!

Click here to watch Paul's concert special that aired on PBS!

Wanna give Pete and Carly a hand at The Troubadour AND get some free swag?

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE TROUBADOUR PODCAST'S PATREON PAGE