In this episode of the Try That In A Small Town podcast, the guys sit down with hitmaker George Birge to unpack his long road to “overnight success” in Nashville. George talks about grinding for a decade before his first number one, the moment Luke Bryan said “Play that motherfucker” about his song, and how TikTok flipped his career with Beer Beer Truck Truck.

He shares how Clay Walker pushed him back into being an artist, how a Bobby Bones performance turned Mind On You into a life-changing hit, and why Jason Aldean giving that song back was a defining act of class. Along the way you’ll hear wild road stories with SEAL Team Six and Post Malone, getting wrecked by Gary Allan’s weed, the art of building a live set, and how country music’s community creates careers that last decades. They close it out with golf at Augusta, Idiots of the Week, HVAC disasters, fan etiquette and plenty of laughs.

Timed Highlights:

0:03:12 – Four number ones in a row, why Nashville is a “10-year town” and how hard it really is to break

0:04:35 – Building relationships with radio and listeners, and the pressure of chasing every hit

0:05:04 – Luke Bryan mentor story, Chesney’s jet and the “Play that motherfucker” cowboy song moment

0:07:40 – Why country music is a “big happy family” and how fan relationships create 20–40 year careers

0:08:53 – Shouting out Kurt and Tully on a surprise Jason Aldean number one and how labels plan chart runs

0:10:00 – Original Glory beer spot and investing in America’s small towns

0:11:14 – The magic and misery of the grind: why it’s good that success doesn’t come easy

0:12:20 – First number one, confidence, and how belief changes the way you write and perform

0:13:20 – Mike Eli’s tough-love advice: “You just need to go get your ass kicked”

0:15:30 – Sprinter van nightmare in Kentucky, the meth’d-out “mechanic” and character-building on the road

0:17:49 – Moving from one recognizable song to multiple hits and the freedom of building a real setlist

0:18:38 – Covers as a “cheat code,” winning crowds in clubs and finding the sweet spot with 90s country medleys

0:20:19 – Club days: Dwight Yoakam medleys, Sweet Child O’ Mine into Paradise City, and stretching 90 minutes

0:22:40 – Teaching an audience how to listen to your ballad and earning the right to play the slow songs

0:25:26 – Lessons from touring with Toby Keith: zero ego, human jukebox and knowing when to turn it into a honky-tonk cover set

0:28:19 – Tailgating with Toby Keith, SEAL Team Six and Post Malone on the bus in Virginia Beach

0:29:48 – Post Malone’s country roots, respect for the genre and doing it the right way

0:30:09 – Pivoting to “just” being a songwriter, asking out of the duo deal and heading to Clay Walker’s beach house

0:33:33 – Writing Clay Walker’s We All Need A Bar Sometimes and Catching Up With An Old Memory and hearing the band’s take from the studio side

0:36:35 – Refusing to quit, irrational optimism and how things fall into place when you keep showing up

0:37:38 – Clay Walker says “Get on TikTok” and the birth of Beer Beer Truck Truck from a country-music hater’s video

0:39:41 – Going viral overnight, crediting the original TikTok creator and landing on The Bobby Bones Show

0:39:47 – Playing Mind On You live on Bobby Bones, getting a record deal and watching it go number one

0:41:03 – Jason Aldean had Mind On You on hold – and gave it back so George could release it as his debut single

0:45:08 – George’s Mount Rushmore: Aldean, Gary Allan, George Strait and Tracy Lawrence, and how that shaped his sound

0:46:47 – First-hand weed disasters: Gary Allan’s tackle box, the volcano, numb legs and the best pineapple ever

0:52:23 – Willie’s Remedy, tequila pairings and trying to “just sleep” through a THC drink gone wrong

0:54:08 – Tequila on the road, giving up whiskey in the summer and survival strategies under 100-degree stage lights

0:55:16 – Golf talk: college golf background, shooting 75 at Augusta and winning the BMW Celebrity Pro-Am

0:57:31 – John Daly, a 27-minute Knocking on Heaven’s Door and golf-country crossovers

0:58:08 – Weekly segment: Idiots of the Week – ducks on dashboards and Jeep duck culture

0:59:35 – People touching injured shoulders, hugging the sling side and unintentional pain

1:01:16 – HVAC conspiracy: the AC “just happens” to die right after the service check and buying a new unit

1:06:42 – Language rant: the word “literally,” dictionaries caving and when words stop meaning what they mean

1:08:37 – Fan behavior: phones in faces, reading the screen mid-song and completely losing the lyrics

1:10:19 – Fist bumps, picks, Sharpies mid-solo and why some fans think they’re on stage with you

1:12:00 – World Cup tangent, flops, drama and sports rants

1:13:40 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and sending George beans for the bus

1:14:23 – The hosts on why George is great for country music, closing thanks and merch reminders

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

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Brad Lea joins the Try That in a Small Town podcast and absolutely unloads. From building Lightspeed and the Dropping Bombs brand to calling out weak mindsets, traditional gender roles, AI-written songs, government lies, moon landings, flat earth rabbit holes, COVID vaccines, and “dipshitty of the week” — nothing is off limits.

Hear how a high school dropout built a training empire, why mindset, skill set, and habits are the real cheat codes, why most people quietly choose to stay broke, and how social media, politics, and conspiracies all tie back to belief and personal responsibility. This one is part masterclass, part bar fight.

• 3:34 “I’m not an influencer” – building real businesses vs being a personality
• 4:12 Inventing Lightspeed: from broke sales trainer to training software pioneer
• 7:00 Eight years to “overnight success” and almost missing payroll
• 9:01 Mission: getting knowledge from people who have it to people who need it
• 10:01 Aladoxophobia – fear of other people’s opinions
• 13:40 From high school dropout to employing PhDs and MBAs
• 15:10 Commission, mindset, skills, habits: Brad’s simple formula for getting rich
• 18:24 Content machine: cameras, social media, and “you are the content”
• 21:10 Helping broke people vs rich people and why most never change
• 23:33 Tough love: self-worth, appearance, and being judged in real life
• 28:16 Choices, free will, and why most people pick misery without realizing it
• 31:06 College, AI, and why relationships matter more than degrees
• 37:19 “The right woman wants a king” – Brad’s take on marriage and money
• 41:17 Would he let his wife work for another man? Lines, loyalty, and control
• 44:32 Ambition, freeloaders, and “who raised your ass?”
• 52:01 Perseverance in music: staying in line until the song finally gets cut
• 57:27 Transgender sports, common sense, and cultural insanity
• 1:04:08 AI music, Suno, fake artists, and how writers are really using AI
• 1:10:03 Borders, wasteful spending, and why “we the people” have no eject button
• 1:18:04 Aliens, disclosure, and weird Florida mall footage
• 1:21:18 Did we land on the moon? Brad’s problems with the footage and story
• 1:29:03 Scripture, luminaries, and why some people flirt with flat earth
• 1:34:34 God, intelligent design, and what we actually know
• 1:35:34 Dipshitty of the Week: waiters, nose pickers, left‑lane campers, and mashed potatoes guys
• 1:43:48 Willie’s weed drink, alcohol, and getting older
• 1:47:01 COVID, vaccines, pressure in entertainment, and not trusting the government
• 1:53:36 Wrap‑up: bombs dropped, minds blown, and thanks to Brad Lea

Follow Brad:

www.bradlea.com

www.droppingbombs.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Sage Steele joins the Try That In A Small Town podcast for an honest, uncensored look at sports media, politics, faith, and standing up when it could cost you everything. She shares the real story behind her controversial Obama comments, the COVID vaccine moment that changed her career at ESPN, suing Disney while still on air, and why she refuses to back down from her convictions.

The crew also dives into the “Try That In A Small Town” backlash, country music, Jason Aldean’s TV bans, social media burnout, raising kids with values, and how Sage found love and a second chance at marriage in Nashville.

If you care about free speech, faith, sports, country music, and common sense, this one’s for you.

TIMED HIGHLIGHTS / CHAPTERS:

00:17:08 – Is “Sage Steele” a real name? Childhood, identity and keeping her name after marriage

00:19:02 – Growing up a military kid: Earth, Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie, James Taylor and first concerts

00:22:34 – First reaction to “Try That In A Small Town” and why Sage never saw it as racist

00:24:22 – Sponsor break: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile

00:25:40 – Sage vs The View: Barbara Walters, race, Obama and getting elbowed backstage

00:33:00 – “No going back”: politics, division since 2016 and losing common sense

00:36:33 – COVID, mandates, Fauci, Tulsi Gabbard and accountability in leadership

00:48:10 – The Jay Cutler podcast: Disney’s vaccine deadline and Sage’s fateful comments

00:50:36 – Suspended, forced apology and living in fear inside ESPN

00:54:24 – Double standard: political rants allowed on ESPN air… unless they’re from Sage

00:56:20 – Suing Disney/ESPN while still on the air and the moment her son told her to stand up

01:00:09 – Her relationship with Stephen A. Smith and why he still stands next to her

01:03:50 – How ESPN lost its way with politics, personalities and cord‑cutting

01:07:05 – Missing the old SportsCenter era: Stuart Scott, Berman, Linda Cohn and big TV moments

01:17:01 – Launching The Sage Steele Show and learning to be an independent creator

01:20:45 – Being labeled “conservative” and how that shuts doors in media and entertainment

01:21:34 – Jason Aldean, banned TV appearances and corporate fear around “Try That In A Small Town”

01:23:27 – When controversy makes a song bigger: backlash, business and blessing in disguise

01:30:15 – Meeting Dave: military‑brat connection, charity event, and a whirlwind Nashville love story

01:37:36 – Daily devotionals on camera: praying out loud, public faith and the fear of “send”

01:39:24 – First ever public prayer: doing the invocation at a NASCAR race on live TV

01:42:30 – Why praying out loud feels scarier than live TV and why we’re never “worthy”

01:49:41 – Pet peeves, movie etiquette and “read the room” moments in public

01:55:36 – Airplane chaos: overhead bin wars, service animals and entitlement culture

01:59:31 – Sage’s patriotic merch and the line “raised right, seasoned well”

02:01:02 – Why Sage came on the show and what standing up has really cost—and given—her

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS: 

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From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

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Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

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Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Try That in a Small Town Podcast, the guys start with listener Q&A and end up deep in the realities of life as working Nashville pros. They break down why most artists use session bands instead of their road bands in the studio, what makes a truly great studio player, and how songs like “Try That in a Small Town,” “All-American Girl,” and other hits actually came together.

You’ll hear stories about mentoring young musicians in Nashville, navigating confidence and doubt in the early Aldean days, and how a raw, slightly “on the edge” sound helped define a new lane in country. The crew also vents about crosswalk etiquette, insane roundabouts on Demonbreun, messy public bathrooms, and a wild “dipshit of the week” segment that includes a pharmacist trading meds for sex and Neil’s unapologetically spicy take on women joining Augusta National.

Along the way, they celebrate “Try That in a Small Town” going platinum, shout out John Edwards finally getting some long-overdue recognition, and brag on Neil’s wife and her company for co-designing the new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs across the state.

Top moments:

05:24 Q&A: Favorite venues and why arenas win

14:44 Why artists use session players over road bands

21:15 Hicktown, early Aldean years, and betting on their sound

34:30 Writing “Try That in a Small Town” and how the track changed the melody

39:27 Worst writes ever: salad guy and Rich Robinson falls asleep

43:29 Neil’s wife helps design the new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs

45:27 “Try That in a Small Town” goes platinum and missing No. 1 parties

59:44 World Cup, offsides confusion, and “soccer in the South” rant

1:02:29 Dipshidiot of the Week: bathrooms, crosswalk zombies, roundabouts, Augusta & more

_____________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS:

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From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

_____________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From bar-hopping at CMA Fest with Jason Aldean’s band to scheduled high school fights at 3 pm sharp, this episode of Try That in a Small Town is all about chaos, consequences, and the crazy ways we somehow survive it all.  

The guys kick things off with surgery scars, locked-up backs, and near misses in the garage, then pivot into behind-the-scenes CMA Fest stories, in-ear monitor nightmares, and why late-night stadium sets grind down even veteran players. They talk Morgan Wallen flipping pianos and throwing phones, Taylor Swift’s historic new country single tied to Toy Story 5, and how modern country production has become so “perfect” it’s almost personality-free.  

Things get heavier when they unpack the Carmelo Anthony/Austin Metcalf stabbing at a track meet, race narratives in the media, and what real self-defense is—and isn’t—when someone pulls a knife. They contrast that with a powerful small-town hero story: a Gwinnett County officer who saves a 7-year-old launched through a windshield.  

In classic TTIAST fashion, the crew rounds it out with songwriting pet peeves, delusional DMs from strangers wanting co-writes and video calls, bullying stories that still haunt them, and how golf, TV binges, and pizza reviews are getting them through recovery.  

01:30 Surgeries, brutal bruises, allergic reactions to bandages and upcoming product bans in Tennessee  

04:40 Locked-up back on the toilet, crawling across the house and day-three recovery status  

06:30 Surviving CMA Fest: bar crawl sets, in-ear monitor disasters and playing blind on stage  

09:45 Bar energy vs stadium distance and podcast fans popping up at shows  

11:15 Late-night stadium headlining slot, fried fans, and what TV does to show times  

14:00 Original Glory and Patriot Mobile sponsor segments  

15:10 Learning piano one-handed after surgery, Jingle Bells, and mining TV shows for song ideas  

17:50 TV recs: Life After Lockup, The Invisible Pilot, and Cape Fear reboot  

20:20 NBA and Stanley Cup talk: Knicks’ huge comeback, Wembanyama, and why some tuned out the NBA  

22:45 Trump at the Garden, celebrity courtside culture, and politics vs respect for the office  

24:40 Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 country single and the business behind her return to the format  

29:00 Why modern country records all sound the same and the few acts still using their own bands  

31:40 Morgan Wallen: “I Ain’t Coming Back” lyric love, phone toss, piano flip and Billy Joel’s defense  

36:30 Wild private plane trip with Morgan Wallen, crass “rich buddies” and what stuck with Kalo  

38:20 Post-surgery meds, apologizing to Neil, and the nurse/dong/stripper one-liner  

41:10 Group shave before a heart cath and hospital humor  

42:00 CMA Fest nights with Luke Bryan at his bar, tequila overload and four-day hangovers  

44:10 Dipshits of the week: insane video chat requests, song pitches, and social media entitlement  

47:00 Fans demanding co-writes and “brain picking” vs actually earning a seat at the table  

50:40 The worst song “idea” ever: Cats in the Cradle… but backwards  

55:00 Young writers sliding into DMs, asking for writes and coffees, and basic industry etiquette  

58:40 Nearly gassing yourself in a closed garage while checking mixes: calling dipshit on yourself  

1:01:40 Drone-rescue story: Apache down, surviving in the water and next-level military tech  

1:05:30 Golf injuries, steroids on the road, and fighting to stay in playing shape  

1:07:10 The Carmelo Anthony–Austin Metcalf stabbing: facts, sentencing and race narratives  

1:12:10 Media framing, self-defense vs murder, and how race gets injected into every case  

1:16:00 Scheduled school fights at the park, bus brawls and why nobody brought knives back then  

1:19:40 Getting drilled in the face for knocking a kid’s basketball away: lesson learned  

1:20:30 One cold jab to the nose and understanding when you’ve gone too far  

1:22:10 The bully who made you fast: getting wrecked in pickup football and later asking for tickets  

1:24:20 Small Town Big Story: Officer Ariana James saves a 7-year-old thrown from a truck in Gwinnett County  

1:26:10 Closing: Peacemaker Coffee, shoutout to listener Ed, scheduled fights and listener call-to-action  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS: 

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

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From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chairman Jason Smith of the House Ways and Means Committee joins the Try That In A Small Town podcast from CMA Fest in Nashville. He breaks down what the powerful Ways and Means Committee actually does and how it touches every American’s life through taxes, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and more.  

Jason opens up about his small-town Missouri roots, being a fourth-generation farmer, raising white buffalo, and why he still lives in the same rural community he represents. He explains how he took the Ways and Means Committee on the road to 32 states to listen to working families, small businesses, and farmers before writing what he calls the “Big Beautiful Bill” – the largest tax cut in U.S. history, including no tax on tips and overtime.  

The conversation gets candid on Social Security’s future, election integrity and slow vote counts in places like California, and what happens when people lose trust in the system. Jason also shares behind-the-scenes stories of working closely with President Trump – from grilling him for three hours on every line of a 103-title tax bill in the Oval Office to the now-famous “red button” that just orders Diet Coke.  

Along the way, they talk CMA Fest, Jason’s obsession with Reba, the Chiefs, Mahomes vs. Brady, cleaning up Washington, D.C., and why he believes the founding fathers’ values are really small-town values. Jason closes with a powerful story of a single mom whose $10,000 tax refund changed her life – and why that’s why he still fights for small towns and working families.  

Timed highlights  

2:00 Who is Chairman Jason Smith and what is the Ways and Means Committee?  

5:13 CMA Fest, first concerts, and Jason’s country music roots  

7:11 The Ozarks, one of America’s poorest districts, and small-town values  

8:14 Reba superfan stories and being starstruck in DC  

10:02 How the guys first met Jason at the South Dakota Governor’s Hunt  

11:49 Nashville’s Bluebird Café, songwriting, and music in DC  

13:06 Jason’s priorities: working families, small businesses, and farmers  

14:19 White buffalo, donkeys named Bill, Hillary, Chelsea, and Hunter  

15:29 Growing up poor in a trailer, farm life, and why that shapes his politics  

19:15 Taking Ways and Means to 32 states and writing the “Big Beautiful Bill”  

20:20 No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and tax ideas from real Americans  

22:06 Social Security history, FDR, and why both parties will keep it  

23:35 Will Social Security ever go away? Jason’s answer and insolvency warning  

26:49 How Jason became the youngest Ways and Means chair since before the Civil War  

29:01 Inside the steering committee and what it takes to win the gavel  

32:31 Life on call with President Trump and 5:30 a.m. texts  

33:00 Three-hour Oval Office grilling on the “Big Beautiful Bill”  

35:07 The Diet Coke button story and a handwritten note after Jason’s dad passed  

37:34 Elections, slow vote counts in California, and voter trust  

40:31 Why “every vote counts”: Jason’s one-vote victory story  

43:03 Chiefs fandom, Mahomes vs. Brady, and elite QB mindset  

48:19 How Trump cleaned up Washington, D.C. and made it feel safe again  

51:39 What do you buy a president for Christmas and Trump’s generosity with guests  

52:14 Jason presents a Congressional Record honoring “Try That In A Small Town”  

54:57 Why the song struck a nerve in small-town America  

56:24 The waitress, a $10,000 refund, and how tax policy changes real lives  

59:19 Jason’s schedule, gym routine, and juggling DC with life back on the farm  

1:01:21 Final thoughts on serving small towns and inviting listeners to DC  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS: 

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Country artist and entertainer Chuck Wicks stops by the Try That In A Small Town podcast for a wild, honest, and surprisingly emotional ride.

Chuck opens up about his journey from small-town farm kid and college baseball player to Nashville recording artist, radio host, entrepreneur, and autism dad. He shares the real story behind Stealing Cinderella, what it was like to be turned down by RCA the first time, and how he fought his way back to a record deal.

Chuck also talks candidly about raising his nonverbal autistic son Tucker, early intervention, therapies, and the emotional roller coaster of getting an autism diagnosis at Vanderbilt. He explains how that journey has changed his priorities and why he and his wife Cassie (Jason Aldean’s sister) feel called to help other parents find resources.

From there, the guys dive into:

- Chuck’s relationship with Jason Aldean and what Jason is really like offstage  

- How Melorosa Wine was born from Cassie’s Cuban family story  

- Building Shiners, a wild Cirque-style, adults-only residency show in downtown Nashville  

- The stress of chasing country radio, the power of authenticity, and artists taking shots at radio  

- The infamous “DipShidiot” segment: road rage, gas station etiquette, youth sports parents, and more  

Chuck also teases his upcoming movie on Great American Family Network and Amazon Prime, where he sings multiple songs and steps deeper into acting.

If you love real Nashville stories, songwriting, small-town values, and unfiltered conversations about parenting, business, and faith, this episode delivers.

Subscribe and share if you enjoy the show, and check out the member-only bonus segment for extra songs and stories.

3:06 Early mornings, syndicated radio, and sleep routines  

5:05 Family trip out West: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, elk and bison  

7:48 Buffalo vs bison and bear talk  

10:00 Hunting, backlash on social media, and eating what you kill  

13:44 Health, wild game, and clean eating  

14:17 Chuck on being 47, staying in shape, and raising his autistic son  

15:12 Tucker’s autism journey: early signs, testing at Vanderbilt, and therapies  

18:49 Nonverbal progress, speech breakthroughs, and hope  

19:37 Faith, calling, and why parenting Tucker matters more than career  

20:00 Connecting with other autism parents (Joe Don Rooney story)  

22:19 Treatments, Lucavorin, red light therapy, and access to resources  

24:50 “We wouldn’t trade him for anything” – embracing Tucker’s journey  

26:17 Belt obsessions, airplane routines, and sensory quirks  

26:28 Chuck’s early life: small-town farm kid and college baseball player  

28:46 Discovering his voice in college, almost joining a pop group  

31:45 First trip to Nashville, meeting RCA’s Jim Catino and singing a cappella  

33:56 Development deal, not getting picked up, and starting over  

36:18 Four years of grinding, learning to write, and finding his sound  

42:40 Second chance: Clint Higham, Chesney camp, and full RCA deal  

45:47 Writing Stealing Cinderella from a personal love story  

50:00 Singing Stealing Cinderella at Coach Fulmer’s daughter’s wedding  

51:37 Realizing the power of a song to move strangers  

52:57 The stress of chasing radio hits and perspective with time  

53:18 Other cuts and hits, including Jason Aldean’s Don’t You Wanna Stay (context: Aldean cut with Thrash)  

56:03 How Chuck met Cassie, realized she was Jason Aldean’s sister, and dating into the Aldean family  

1:00:13 The day after: Jason Aldean’s “blessing” phone call  

1:02:30 Why Cassie’s three kids changed how Chuck approached relationships  

1:03:58 Blended family life: ages of the kids and how fast time moves  

1:05:25 What Jason Aldean is really like offstage: loyalty, mystery, and staying the same guy  

1:06:29 Jason’s laugh, tight inner circle, and “it could all go away” mindset  

1:08:01 Melorosa Wine: starting a wine company with Jason Aldean  

1:09:00 Where to find Mellorosa (online, Kroger, ABC, Princess Cruises, Dubai)  

1:09:33 The Cuban family story behind the name and “toast to freedom”  

1:10:59 Shiners: Cirque-level, adults-only, comedy show in the historic Woolworth building  

1:13:35 Writing Shiners during Covid and building a Nashville residency  

1:16:10 The history and civil rights importance of the Woolworth building  

1:20:20 What to expect at Shiners: moonshiners, aerial acts, crowd work, and “if you’re easily offended…”  

1:22:02 DipShidiot segment: explaining the bit  

1:22:33 Gas station chaos: Bucky’s pump hogs and parking-lot etiquette  

1:25:29 Red velvet “Whitey” vs “Witty’s” custard mix-up  

1:27:31 Red Clay Strays controversy: “radio is dead” comment and why radio still matters  

1:30:39 Burning bridges you haven’t crossed yet and respecting country radio  

1:35:05 Youth sports parents losing their minds vs just being a dad  

1:38:01 CMT Awards “edit the chorus” story and learning to be grateful  

1:41:03 Road rage story: 75 in a 70 and killing them with kindness  

1:43:45 Locker room etiquette: naked close talkers and lifetime fitness stories  

1:45:44 Manscaping, gym talk, and ridiculous visual bits  

1:46:00 Chuck’s upcoming movie: Great American Family Network & Amazon Prime  

1:47:04 Coloring hair, beard guard settings, and aging on camera  

1:50:02 Closing: Melorosa Wine, Shiners, Chuck’s music, coffee collab, and podcast wrap  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From AI-written songs and a controversial commencement speech to trans athletes in girls’ sports, Cody Johnson’s bear hunt backlash, THC drinks, and a powerful small-town funeral story – the guys cover it all in this episode of the Try That In A Small Town Podcast.  

They compare Scott Borchetta’s AI-heavy, “deal with it” address to Eric Church’s inspiring guitar analogy, talk about what AI and streaming are really doing to songwriters, roast a school district for a rained-out graduation, tell wild Bahamas golf and gambling stories, and debate THC drinks, hunting, and new “poly” reality TV.  

They close with DipShidiot of the Week and a heartfelt look at how small towns still show up for their own.  

00:52 Will Levis sex tape rumor and buying stories back from tabloids  

02:53 Summer is here, kids out, and notable commencement speeches  

03:16 Eric Church’s guitar-and-life commencement speech and why it worked  

05:09 Scott Borchetta’s AI commencement: streaming, socials, and production  

05:41 Booed by grads, “I know it, deal with it” and delivery vs message  

07:12 Is brutal realism better than inspiration for graduates?  

08:02 AI as tool vs replacement and why it hits different when you’re already rich  

09:18 Comparing AI to Pro Tools, samples, and why fully AI songs lose listeners  

11:09 Streaming’s impact on publishing, who actually makes money now  

12:25 Big label buildings, tiny publishing floors, and small pub company struggles  

13:54 Local high school graduations drenched in rain, no backup venue  

14:45 Rain-or-shine policies, lightning concerns, and rushing the ceremony  

15:43 What the soaked kids and grandparents went through that night  

16:48 Superintendent named Dipshit of the Week for no backup plan  

17:34 Road managers, “bad calls,” and transition to Bahamas trip  

18:01 Bahamas: golf, fishing, tequila-fueled NHL-on-PS5 money games  

19:57 High-dollar putter on the line: live call to Jake for Scotty Cameron details  

20:58 Aldean wins the putter in overtime and pulls it from Jake’s bag at the airport  

22:10 Telly’s golf swing, overconfidence, and getting mocked online  

23:06 Baker’s Bay, Morgan Wallen, and stories that stay behind the paywall  

24:36 Charles Barkley’s swing yips and getting a little better over time  

25:03 Tax deadlines pushed back again in Tennessee and IRS jokes  

25:38 Teasing next guest and Kayla’s upcoming shoulder surgery  

26:16 Pain meds, “no days off,” and the idea of a post-op podcast  

26:54 The blue bottle “herbal” drink heading toward felony status in Tennessee  

27:35 How it became a pre-show hype drink and what it actually looks like  

28:26 Why the state is banning it and links to opioid recovery concerns  

29:10 If that’s illegal, what about THC drinks and Delta beverages?  

29:54 THC drinks as golf “swing juice” and health vs alcohol debate  

30:32 Listeners’ THC drink stories and whether it really helps putting  

31:20 Prebiotic Pepsi “health” marketing and chemical overload  

31:56 Predicting THC drinks at sporting events and stadiums  

32:07 Super Bowl 2030 coming to Nashville and halftime show speculation  

32:30 Taylor Swift, “real” country, and who should play the big stage  

33:40 Titans rebuild, new coach, and does Will Levis really have it?  

38:18 Pocket passers vs mobile QBs and what the guys want under center  

39:40 Topic wheel spin: California track meet and trans athlete controversy  

40:21 “Can’t believe this is still a thing” and fairness for girls in sports  

40:58 Parents, boycotts, and refusing to line up against male competitors  

41:51 Riley Gaines’ regret about competing and the mental toll  

43:08 Zero tolerance stance vs waiting for laws and elections to catch up  

44:02 New show “This Is Poly” and modern polyamorous families on TV  

45:25 Jealousy, fights, and why some refuse to watch these reality shows  

47:34 Kayla’s comedy, being “yourself” on mic, and overthinking funny  

49:04 Musicianship, performance anxiety, and freedom when you stop monitoring  

50:34 Recording vocals without headphones and trusting feel  

51:12 Delta THC drinks: 20 mg misfire and why 5 mg is smarter  

52:02 Gummy war stories, Doritos, and not being natural stoners  

53:04 On-stage looks vs reality: who seems like the “stoner” in the band  

54:03 Dip Shitty of the Week: Cody Johnson’s Alaskan bear hunt haters  

54:31 Hunting culture vs online outrage and meat-eating hypocrisy  

55:27 “Harvested” vs “killed” and calling hunting what it is  

56:02 Liberal sensitivities, offense at everything, and language games  

57:07 Public etiquette dipshit: people who just stop in the middle of walkways  

58:30 Airport moving walkways: “it’s not a ride, keep walking”  

59:20 Backpack chaos on airplanes and basic travel courtesy  

1:00:33 Listener callout: submit your Dip Shitty of the Week in the comments  

1:01:02 Small-town funeral: honoring a firefighter, veteran, and community pillar  

1:01:45 Fire trucks, sirens, last ride, American Legion, and folded flag moment  

1:02:20 Food, casseroles, and how small towns show up for grieving families  

1:03:22 Why small towns may be what keeps the country united  

1:04:36 Going home to a 400-person town and Legion dinners after funerals  

1:05:09 How that support gives the family peace and helps them move on  

1:05:27 Peacemaker Coffee promo: TTIAST blends, sucker punch dark roast, travel mugs  

1:05:58 CTAs: download, comment, send small-town stories and dipshidiots of the week  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS: 

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

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From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

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Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Try That In A Small Town crew dives into the 2024 ACM Awards – the politics, the snubs, and the few moments that actually delivered. From Morgan Wallen being shut out, to Ella Langley’s historic run, to Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Zach Top, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and more, the guys break down who deserved what and where country music is really headed.

They also talk about TikTok-ready story songs like “Choosing Texas,” the future of traditional-leaning artists, how award shows are losing legitimacy with fans, and why the industry keeps cloning the same “country boy” image. Plus: a small-town hero who saved a family from a fire, drive-thru rim damage, broken-English call centers, and a McDonald’s “fresh” muffin story.

Perfect for country fans, songwriters, and anyone who’s over the BS of modern award shows.

Timed Highlights:

2:16 – Studio chaos, heat, and golf talk in the eSpaces room

3:18 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and the truth about roast caffeine levels

4:32 – Shoulder MRI results: torn bicep, torn rotator cuff, and surgery date

16:05 – Instagram subscriptions and bonus content tease

16:44 – Confession: who actually watched the ACM Awards (and who didn’t)

18:20 – Lainey Wilson’s opener: high energy vs memorable songs debate

22:36 – Laney’s lack of a clear “signature” song and expectations for her writing

23:22 – Miranda Lambert’s “Crisco” performance reaction

24:44 – Riley Green and Ella Langley: onstage “pajamas” tension

33:31 – Why fans are losing faith in award shows and ratings

36:29 – Megan Moroney’s many nominations and zero wins

42:48 – Group of the Year: Red Clay Strays and the new darlings of country

45:18 – “Best they/them duo?” Pushing back on where categories might go

47:05 – Why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts are selling more tickets now

48:01 – Disposable songs vs timeless 90s/2000s country

48:20 – Red Clay Strays sell out Bridgestone: how fans find music now

48:54 – Encouraging signs: more traditional-leaning performances at the ACMs

49:44 – Parker McCollum wins Album of the Year over Morgan Wallen

50:37 – “Choosing Texas” wins Song/Single of the Year and just how massive it is

52:51 – Somewhere Over Laredo vs Somewhere Over The Rainbow and copyright splits

55:09 – Tucker Wetmore: Morgan/Riley clone, performance debate, and industry blame

59:12 – Zach Top’s 90s throwback lane: can it really last?

1:02:27 – Why traditional acts must have truly great songs to survive

1:03:21 – Kane Brown’s “Woman” and trying to stay country

1:08:20 – Why Ella Langley feels so believable and why her stool performance worked

1:09:34 – Dancers in country: necessary or cheesy?

1:11:09 – Grading the ACMs: starting at a 5 because of the Morgan snubs

1:12:34 – What the ACMs are signaling to fans by ignoring Morgan Wallen

1:13:58 – How the snubs actually pour jet fuel on Morgan’s career

1:14:55 – The legitimacy problem when the biggest artists don’t show up

1:16:46 – Speculating on why the industry still hasn’t moved on from Morgan’s incident

1:16:54 – New Male Artist: Tucker Wetmore; New Female Artist: Avery Anna

1:21:01 – “No cause for alarm” text actually is cause for alarm: contract story teaser

1:21:39 – Contract options and income surprises: more to come

1:22:29 – Small town hero: Officer Eli Rogers saves a family from an apartment fire

1:23:18 – Why stories like Eli’s embody “Try That In A Small Town”

1:23:59 – Dipshit of the Week: broken-English call centers and customer service

1:31:32 – Why the ACMs feel like BS but we still care about songs, fans, and country music

__________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS:

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

_________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Toradol shots and “rock docs” on the road, to AI tools like Suno reshaping Nashville, to cruise-ship horror stories and fans yelling requests at charity shows… this episode of Drive That in a Small Town goes all over the map in the best way.  

The guys swap stories about playing hurt on tour, getting hooked up by “rock docs,” demolishing Luke Bryan’s band in flag football, near-disastrous 100-yard dashes, and getting smoked by a college women’s softball team. They also take a hard look at AI in songwriting, the death of old-school demo sessions, and how quality songs still rise above the noise.  

You’ll also hear heartfelt praise for John Morgan’s heart for kids, a hilarious breakdown of Zach Bryan’s infamous fast-break clip, cruise stories including the notorious “Poop Cruise,” a peek into publishing contracts and quotas, and a “Dip Shit” segment calling out bad audience etiquette, shady neighbors, and 5-minute voice texts.  

If you love small-town stories, country music, road-life chaos, and real talk about where the music business is headed, this one’s for you.  

02:00 Shoulder sling, cortisone shots and playing hurt on the road  

05:03 High-ankle sprain, Toradol, and “rock doc roulette” on tour  

09:12 Behind the scenes: how rock docs keep shows from getting canceled  

11:19 Golf postponed, one-armed putting, and Def Leppard drummer jokes  

13:02 John Morgan at Bethel Bible Village: connecting with kids and staying late  

14:25 John Morgan’s small-town roots and Chattanooga ties  

14:42 Zach Bryan’s legendary fast break: live reaction to the clip  

18:05 Is he a team player or just a chaotic fast break? Hoops talk and last-shot mentality  

20:16 Who played what sport? Shortstop, field goal specialist, soccer and skateboarding handstands  

22:15 Sponsor: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile  

23:00 Neil’s college field goal career and the illness that changed his path to music  

25:00 Spotting athletes on stage by how they move with their instruments  

25:48 Flag football vs Luke Bryan’s band and a very lopsided score  

27:00 Hungover 100-yard dash: who’s really the fastest?  

29:24 Thomas Rhett vs Jay: 50-yard dash, gravel, and a brutal face-plant  

30:30 Road games: Wiffle ball, basketball, softball and unhealthy competitiveness  

32:41 Getting humbled by a college women’s softball team  

33:04 Tennis, pickleball and even getting hurt playing video hockey  

34:34 Women’s hockey, drunk women’s hockey and a TV-league tangent  

34:55 Publishing meeting anxiety: “no cause for alarm” text and overthinking contracts  

37:44 Song quotas vs quality: why the biggest years came from fewer songs  

39:21 Suno AI demos, ChatGPT lyrics and “shining up a turd”  

42:20 Why AI is scary for real creatives and how it masks bad songwriting  

43:42 Who owns AI-generated masters and what happens when tools get better?  

46:02 The death of Nashville demo sessions and what’s been lost for musicians and engineers  

49:21 Why a real band in a room can’t be replaced, and how ears have changed  

50:54 Hearing untuned vocals again and why imperfection feels so good  

52:04 Cruise people vs non-cruise people and the infamous “Poop Cruise”  

53:20 Disney Cruise and Castaway Cay: the one cruise they actually loved  

55:16 The Venice/Disney Magic gig almost everyone in the band was offered  

56:10 Hantavirus on cruise ships and mysterious “wives overboard” stories  

58:09 Dip Shit segment: drunk fans yelling at benefits and show etiquette  

01:01:09 Neighbor overcharging on landscaping: calling out the rip-off  

01:02:55 Voice-text etiquette: why anything over 30 seconds is a problem  

______________________________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS: 

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!

Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.

Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.com

Peacemaker Coffee Company

Founded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.

https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com

For advertising inquiries, email [email protected]

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co  

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.