Interesting Humans Podcast

Episode: Paul Harrigill — From Small-town Guitarist to Josh Turner's Stage, All in God's Time

Host: Jeff Hopeck

Guest: Paul Harrigill

Date: November 10, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host Jeff Hopeck sits down with Paul Harrigill, acclaimed guitarist and multi-instrumentalist currently performing with the Josh Turner Band. The conversation traces Paul's remarkable journey from a small-town, gospel-bluegrass family band in Faraday, Louisiana, to major bluegrass accolades, and ultimately to the national stage with Josh Turner. It's a story woven with faith, resilience in the face of setbacks, and the ongoing pursuit of musical excellence and fulfillment. Rich with candid insights, this episode offers inspiration for dreamers and doers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rapid-fire Introduction — Getting to Know Paul

Timestamps: 00:05–06:06

• Jeff kicks off with a 25-question rapid fire to showcase Paul's musical tastes, influences, and quirks.
  • First song learned: "Oh, Susanna" (02:15)
  • Acoustic or electric preference: Acoustic (02:20)
  • Go-to post-show routine: Food, usually popcorn (02:34)
  • Word to describe Josh Turner: "Loyal" (02:47)
  • Most challenging song: "Time Is Love" (03:20)
  • Stage disasters? “Yes. Time is Love.” (03:30)
  • Best venue: Grand Ole Opry (03:10)
  • Biggest tour surprise: "It's very tiring." (02:58)
  • Who inspired you to pick up the guitar? "My father." (04:58)
  • Most underrated guitarist: Tim Stafford (05:51)
  • Song that never gets old to play: “Firecracker” (06:03)
  • Josh Turner song he loves to perform most: “Wouldn’t Be a Man” (04:40)

"My favorite guitar of all time is the Pre War Martin D-28... but what I actually play is a Boucher, modeled after it—because those originals are $150,000."
—Paul Harrigill (70:11, 70:38)

2. Early Life & Family Band Roots

Timestamps: 06:10–15:00

• Raised in a close-knit Christian family in Faraday, LA.
  • Dad: Lifetime pastor; music always present at home.
  • Started performing by age 5 (harmonica, then guitar); first show at a local nursing home (07:00–07:39).
  • The Harrigill Family bluegrass gospel band formed when Paul was around 10-11, with dad on guitar, mom on piano, and sister on bass.
  • The family band played church revivals, regional festivals, and recorded four albums, hitting venues like Silver Dollar City and Dollywood.

"My parents never told me to practice. It was just… there if we wanted. I mean, I got bit by the music bug. It's all I wanted to do."
—Paul Harrigill (12:03, 13:18)

3. Musical Influences & Challenges

Timestamps: 10:17–18:02

• Paul’s musical foundation was supported by his parents and especially his grandfather (banjo enthusiast).
• Faced discouragement as a teen (age 14–15) from a skilled but negative family member, which stunted his growth for a time.
• Learned the value of shaking off negativity and focusing on his personal journey.

"He really put me down… I just kind of stopped... But it's true: comparison is the thief of joy. Be your own person."
—Paul Harrigill (15:24, 16:50)

4. Committing to Music — Leaving School and Home

Timestamps: 21:06–26:15

• Dropped out after 10th grade (with family support) to fully pursue music; earned a GED.
• Continued building experience through the family band, eventually feeling the need to branch out as family life changed.

"I dropped out of school, took my GED because I knew that music is what I was gonna do. Nobody standing in my way."
—Paul Harrigill (22:38–22:43)

5. First Professional Gigs & Solo Independence

Timestamps: 25:36–34:33

• At age 20: Received an offer to join Mountain Faith, a bluegrass band from North Carolina.
• First time on his own (and his first airplane flight), balancing band gigs and working in a tire shop.
• Learned music life wasn’t easy—sometimes work (tires) eclipsed music, requiring perseverance.

"Just some country boy trying to figure it out… I'm working at a tire shop and playing music on weekends. I'm tired, you know, this isn't fun anymore."
—Paul Harrigill (27:09–30:41)

6. Pivotal Personal & Professional Turns

Timestamps: 32:40–39:16

• February 2011: Meets future wife Kelsey (then in the band Flat Lonesome) at a bluegrass competition in Nashville.
• Soon joins Flat Lonesome, her family’s band, as banjo player.
• Moves to Florida, encounters new learning curves, and finds a better fit artistically and personally.
• Attends recording arts school in Nashville, aiming to become a studio engineer, but discovers the industry is shifting due to home recording tech.

"[I] wanted to be a studio engineer… but studios are losing business, everyone can record from their closet now."
—Paul Harrigill (38:51–40:25)

7. Breakthrough — Flat Lonesome’s Rise

Timestamps: 41:49–47:34

• Flat Lonesome signs a record deal in 2013, leading to a burst of recognition and award-winning albums.
• XM Radio unexpectedly features their debut—boosting their profile.
• Achieved career highs: IBMA awards, festival headlining, festivals, and more.

"There's not one way to get there… Dropping out [of school]—I never had regret. When times are good, I let off the gas, though."
—Paul Harrigill (46:24–46:47)

8. The Highs and the Grind — Financial Reality

Timestamps: 47:44–53:26

• Despite accolades, still faced financial hardship—worked second jobs and even applied to McDonald's during thin periods.
• By 2019, the grind of non-stop touring and changing priorities (kids, marriage) led Flat Lonesome to amicably disband.

"I remember applying at McDonald's… after signing the deal."
—Paul Harrigill (48:30–48:33)

9. New Beginnings — Finding the Next Path

Timestamps: 53:26–56:26

• Paul moved to Alabama, briefly worked in his mother-in-law’s cleaning business, reflecting on winding down from music.
• In 2020, receives a life-changing call to audition for the Josh Turner Band, thanks to connections made along the way.

"A friend of a friend texted me, 'Hey, there's a band looking for guitar and banjo...' I was like, tell me who it is, maybe I can help—I had no interest in the road."
—Paul Harrigill (54:14–54:24)

10. Joining Josh Turner: Choice & Challenge

Timestamps: 56:03–65:20

• Decision weighed carefully (especially with a new baby on the way)—Paul and his wife debated at Waffle House before agreeing to a 30-day trial (56:25–57:16).
• COVID-19 struck soon after, sending the music world (and Paul’s trial period) into limbo.
• Eventually settles into the band as a permanent member; navigates the technical pressure and need to replicate signature songs (notably “Time Is Love”).

"Honestly, I can't even tell you about that first show, I was so blacked out. It went good... that's where their grace comes in. It went okay."
—Paul Harrigill (59:22–59:36)

• Opens up about the particular pressure of playing "Time Is Love"’s guitar solo, originally done by studio legend Bryan Sutton:

"That solo… just kicks my butt, and I hate it. I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten it 100%."
—Paul Harrigill (71:46–72:35)

11. Adapting Through the Pandemic

Timestamps: 65:20–69:55

• Paul and the band see massive disruption, playing only sparse/odd gigs (like a 30-hour one-off drive to Utah), supplementing income with remote work and cleaning jobs.
• The industry slowly recovers: crowd restrictions, social distancing, and COVID-testing made gigs complicated and financially uncertain.
• Band refused to perform in masks, “just a bunch of rednecks… don’t tell us what to do.” (69:14)

12. Life, Music & Family

Timestamps: 66:12–81:14

• Paul reflects on balancing music with fatherhood (8-year-old son, 5-year-old daughter), teaching and sharing the music bug, supporting their passions however they express them.
• Discusses homeschooling, the potential of his kids following in his footsteps, and finding fulfillment in their interests—even if not musical.

"My son plays guitar... he's at home, 'Hey Dad, check this out!' My daughter, she can sing—but she's five… she’s just perfect."
—Paul Harrigill (77:52, 81:14)

13. Motivation, Mindset & What's Next

Timestamps: 82:27–85:29

• Paul credits overcoming negative voices as a key to his drive:

“What fuels me is for somebody to tell me how bad I am and how I can’t do something. And that’s what gets me going.” (83:10)

• Considers himself most motivated by challenge; feels a "struggle" is needed to reinvigorate his push for growth, whether musically, in real estate, or life.
• Open to the future: after nearly six years with Josh Turner, could see himself pivoting to real estate, construction, or any hands-on, blue-collar work.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My dad would come home from work... I'd be waiting at the door, guitar in hand: ‘Hey Dad, check this out!’ And he loved it.” (13:40)
• "Go play a show, take out expenses, split it five ways... that was it." (28:37)
• "We made it... winning awards... it was like, man, this is it." (43:05)
• On the pandemic: “Any time we went out, it was just a headache... But you gotta eat, right?” (64:30, 64:51)
• "What fuels me is for somebody to tell me how bad I am and how I can't do something. And that's what gets me going." (83:10)
• On balancing personal ambition and reality: “I need a struggle in some area to make me hungry.” (83:20)
• “If you see me smiling or enjoying it, it’s probably a bluegrass type situation.” (75:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:05–06:06] Rapid-fire get-to-know-you
• [06:10–15:00] Childhood, musical family, first band
• [15:17–18:02] Early struggles, negative influence
• [22:36] Dropping out of school for music
• [25:31–34:33] Leaving home, first pro gigs, Mountain Faith band
• [32:40] Meeting wife, joining Flat Lonesome
• [41:49–47:34] Flat Lonesome's record deal and big break
• [48:01, 53:26] Financial struggle, second jobs
• [53:36, 56:03] Call from Josh Turner, decision at Waffle House
• [59:22, 71:46] Live show pressure, “Time Is Love” solo
• [65:20–69:55] Pandemic effects & band adaptation
• [77:49–81:14] Kids, family, continuing the legacy
• [82:27–85:29] Sources of drive, what's next

Tone & Style

Throughout, Paul's humility, humor, and rooted values shine. The discussion is personable, honest, laden with good-natured sarcasm and the wisdom of lived experience. Jeff’s interviewing style is friendly, conversational, and deeply interested in Paul’s full story—not just his professional highs, but the pivots, doubts, and character-shaping reality in between.

Conclusion

Paul Harrigill's journey illustrates the unpredictable, challenging, and often circuitous routes to fulfillment—personally and professionally—in music or any passion-led life. His transparency about struggles, hard pivots, and the joys of everyday family life add a relatable, inspiring dimension to his story. For listeners, it's a reminder that "success" can wear many hats and often comes "all in God's time."

[End of summary]