Whiskey Riff Raff

Mae Estes joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk 90s country, the realities of making a living in music, and why staying true to yourself matters more than ever.

From singing the national anthem at just seven years old to making the move to Nashville inspired by Dolly Parton, Mae shares the experiences that shaped her journey as an artist. She opens up about the pressure to create controversy on social media, the fear of being misunderstood online, and why being genuine can sometimes be mistaken for complaining.

Mae also weighs in on artists leaning into the 90s country sound, collaborating with Shenandoah, and why that era of country music is just as relevant today. Plus, she gets real about the rising costs of touring, the financial challenges artists face, and the life-changing advice she received from Ashley McBryde.

And, of course, we couldn't let her leave without naming her Mount Rushmore of 90s country artists!

Subscribe for more conversations with your favorite country artists on Whiskey Riff Raff!

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Wheeler Walker Jr. joins the Whiskey Riff Raff Podcast to talk about stepping away from country music, getting out while the getting’s good, and why he’s sick of hearing about algorithms and AI.

Wheeler opens up about why he wants to open a bar on Broadway just to piss people off, what his version of a Broadway bar would look like, and why he thinks owning his own spot could help “fix” Broadway. He also talks about why he chose the Ryman Auditorium for his final show and why he worries it may be one of the last remnants of Old Nashville.

He breaks down his unconventional approach to making music, explaining why every one of his albums has taken just five days to make and why he believes he makes “country music, not laptop music.” He also gets candid about collaborations, including the infamous Maren Morris experience, and why he generally chooses not to collaborate.

Wheeler talks about being misunderstood as a comedy artist when he’s actually writing tender love songs, why he believes he’s simply saying what other people are too afraid to say, and why he thinks it’s frustrating that what he does is considered groundbreaking.

Plus his advice to get out of the algorithm and go listen to Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Jones and other great country music.

Listen to the full episode of the Whiskey Riff Raff Podcast with Wheeler Walker Jr.

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Nicholas Jamerson joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk about the rich musical history of Eastern Kentucky, the artists who deserve more recognition, and the early memories that shaped his love for music. He opens up about the difference between autobiographical and fictional songwriting, the advice he gives aspiring songwriters, and why being process driven matters more to him than chasing the finished product.

Nicholas also shares his thoughts on faith, finding meaning in being an artist, and documenting his life and the lives of his children. From writing a song every week for the past three years to releasing music in a world with an increasingly short attention span, he offers a unique perspective on the modern music industry. Plus, he talks about Ole 60 covering one of his songs, coaching his kids’ soccer team with a banjo, and the time a raccoon found its way into his house.

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Fox N Vead joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk about their genre-bending new album, why they’ve started calling their sound “crunge,” and why they don’t think putting artists into a single genre box makes much sense.

The band also opens up about why playing live has always been at the heart of what they do, the relationship between social media followers and ticket sales, how the music industry has changed for developing artists, and the surprising love they’ve received from the Texas country scene.

Plus, they talk about what it’s really like being in a band, how they all came together despite having completely different musical tastes, and why they believe God brought them together.

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On this episode of Whiskey Riff Raff, we head to Wildwood, New Jersey for one of the biggest country music festivals on the East Coast, Barefoot Country Music Fest.

Throughout the weekend, we sat down with an incredible lineup of artists, including Chase Rice, The Wilder Blue, Channing Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, The Fray, Slater Nalley, Ty Myers, Emily Ann Roberts, Chris Lane, Tequila Randy, and Bob Durkin. We talked about new music, life on the road, festival season, songwriting, and everything in between.

We also took in everything that makes Wildwood such a unique destination, from the boardwalk and beach to the food, nightlife, and unmistakable Jersey Shore atmosphere that surrounds Barefoot Country Music Fest.

Whether you're a longtime country music fan or already dreaming about your next trip to the Jersey Shore, this episode is packed with great conversations, behind-the-scenes moments, and a look at everything that made this year's Barefoot Country Music Fest so memorable.

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This episode of Whiskey Riff Raff with Brantley Gilbert is brought to you by Rock The Country.

Brantley opens up about balancing life on the road with being a husband and father, why he drifted away from church and what brought him back, and the importance of creating a culture where his band and crew feel comfortable talking about their mental health.

He also breaks down his new album, including the Jelly Roll collaboration that shines a light on homelessness. Plus, he explains why today's shift toward singles over albums is hurting country music's storytelling tradition.

The conversation also dives into his passion for supporting veterans, the lessons he learned from Toby Keith, what it was like meeting Charlie Kirk, his thoughts on social media turning the world into one giant comment section, his exchange with Zach Bryan, and how he unexpectedly became part of a Guinness World Record.

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Ben Chapman joins Whiskey Riff Raff for an honest conversation about making music, raising a family, and the ever-changing landscape of country music.

Ben talks about balancing life as an artist and a parent, why he'd encourage his son to learn a trade, and how Nashville has transformed over the years. He also shares how The Beatles first inspired him to pursue music, the impact Channing Wilson had on his career, and the story behind his latest album—including how he feels about the "funky tonk" label.

The conversation eventually turns to country music itself. Ben explains why he thinks Waylon Jennings was the "bro country" artist of his generation, discusses why too many artists today don't know the genre's history, shares his thoughts on today's "phone-in" records, and wonders what the future of great music might look like.

It's a conversation about authenticity, songwriting, and staying true to what makes country music great.

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On this episode of Whiskey Riff Raff, we head to Myrtle Beach for one of the biggest country music festivals of the summer, Carolina Country Music Fest.

Throughout the weekend, we sat down with an incredible lineup of artists, including Drake White, Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry, Chris Janson, Stella Lefty, Rodney Atkins, Slater Nalley, Myles Morgan, Rut Spence, Ashley Cooke, Chandler Carpenter & The Reckless Souls, Lauren Alaina, The Wilder Blue, Zach John King, and Alexis Wilkins. We talked about new music, life on the road, festival season, songwriting, and everything in between.

We also explored some of what makes Myrtle Beach such a great destination, from the local food and attractions to the atmosphere that makes Carolina Country Music Fest one of the most unique stops on the country music calendar.

Whether you're a longtime country music fan or dreaming about your next beach getaway, this episode is packed with great conversations, behind-the-scenes moments, and a look at everything that made this year's Carolina Country Music Fest so memorable.

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This week on Whiskey Riff Raff, we sit down with Ryan Fox of Dexter and The Moonrocks to talk about the band's rise, the evolution of their signature "Y’allternative" sound, and what it takes to build a band in today's music landscape.

Ryan dives into the reality of being a modern-day artist, from balancing social media content with making music to navigating an industry where everyone seems to be chasing country music's popularity. We also discuss the surprising similarities between grunge and country music, how Dexter and The Moonrocks got their name despite nobody actually being named Dexter, and why they originally started out playing country music.

Plus, Ryan shares updates on the band's long-awaited debut album, explains why they split songwriting credits evenly among all members, reflects on the viral success of “Freaking Out,” and talks about opening for The Red Clay Strays. We also get into why he believes Turnpike Troubadours should be the biggest band in the world and how Dexter and The Moonrocks found their place by embracing the "Y’allternative" movement.

If you're a fan of country, rock, grunge, or anything in between, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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Fresh off the release of his new album Handmade Horsepower, Colby Acuff joins the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast to talk about winning Whiskey Riff Raff Madness, the viral origins of "Dunk That Shit," why social media is breaking country music, and why some of the most talented artists in the genre still aren't getting the recognition they deserve.

Colby dives into his frustrations with modern country music, explains why he believes Nashville is still the place to be for aspiring artists, and shares why Handmade Horsepower is the record he wants to be remembered for. He also discusses writing every song on the album himself, the short film that accompanies the project, and the impact artists like Sturgill Simpson have had on his career.

Listen now and subscribe for more conversations with the artists shaping country music.

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