Digital Social Hour – Episode Summary Episode: Jacob Hackworth: From the Railroad to a No. 1 Hit in Nashville | DSH #1730
Host: Sean Kelly | Guest: Jacob Hackworth
Aired: January 4, 2026

Episode Overview

In this candid and energetic conversation, Sean Kelly sits down with country music songwriter and artist Jacob Hackworth. They trace Jacob’s unconventional journey from working on the railroad in rural Missouri to writing a country chart-topping hit in Nashville. Along the way, they discuss the grind of breaking into the music industry, the importance of connections and networking, the evolving landscape of country and pop music, and the realities of chasing dreams far from home. The discussion is peppered with humorous personal stories, insights on songwriting, and reflections on life, mortality, and creativity.

Key Topics and Insights

1. Jacob’s Journey: From Railroad to Nashville

• Roots in Small-town Missouri
  • Jacob started out working on the railroad straight out of high school, following the traditional path in his hometown.
    "That's just what everyone does where I'm from... You can either get a normal job where you’re not making very much... or you're smart enough to make something happen there." (07:25)
• Hard Work and Long Days
  • Describes working 21 days straight on the tracks, then having a brief stint back home before returning. (08:05–08:49)
  • Physical demands and “blue collar” identity shape his work ethic.
• Parental Support and First Steps into Music
  • Family always supported his singing; mom signs him up for The Voice auditions (12:00).
  • The pivotal moment: mom introduces him to a Nashville contact, leading to his first trip—and decision to move.
    "I came here one time, and I was like, I'm moving." (00:14, 13:10)

2. Breaking Into Nashville: The Role of Networking

• Struggling Through COVID
  • Arrived in Nashville just before the pandemic, lost bar work, returned to Missouri briefly, then came back with roommates.
    "I was just now getting around... got a job at a bar... then everything happened. They fired everyone. I was like, okay, I might have made the wrong move here, but we stuck it out." (00:56)
  • The lockdowns kept everyone in town, fostering intense networking among musicians. (01:18–02:08)
• Party Boat to Publishing Deal
  • Got hired by songwriter Heath Warren on a party boat (Pontoon Saloon) where Jacob barbacked and DJed.
    "We worked on a party boat. And while we were working there, that's when we wrote our first hit." (02:38)
  • Wrote “Rock and a Hard Place” during this period, later cut by Bailey Zimmerman.
    "It came out in 22 with Bailey Zimmerman… and just boomed. Six weeks at number one." (04:00–04:16)

3. The Realities of Music Success

• Overnight “Luck” and What Sets You Apart
  • First major label cut goes #1, but Jacob stresses the years of hard work beforehand.
  • Importance of being present in the scene:
    "Being in the circle of things down here… did a huge number on my career." (05:34)
  • Opportunity & drive:
    "Chasing something and having fun while you're doing it is… makes it a little easier." (06:34)
• Navigating the Competitive Landscape
  • "Even the airport, when I land, it’s live music… No other airport has that." (05:12)
  • Nashville’s ecosystem is all about connections and collaboration—a recurring theme.

4. The Songwriting and Release Process

• Early Indie Attempt and Learning Curve
  • Independently released a record in 2021 without marketing:
    "We just didn't know we were doing it... but it was awesome." (16:42)
• Songwriting Craft
  • Jacob emphasizes the importance of being clear-headed while writing:
    "I think a clear mind is probably the best way to go for me." (26:19)
• New Music and Upcoming Tour
  • Announces new single out April 11, 2026:
    "We're gonna finally put some music out... I'm pumped about it." (16:42–17:38)
  • Joining Tucker Wetmore’s tour as an opener, marking his first big tour.
    "It's kind of like a rite of passage… there's a lot more people out here than I'm used to, but here we go." (18:44, 19:01)

5. Personal Anecdotes, Humor, and Life Lessons

• Bar Stories & Goofing Off
  • Jacob shares about being kicked out of bars for goofy behavior:
    "I might have, like, took my shirt off and lit a cigarette in a bar… we're never malicious or anything, just being stupid." (06:43–07:23)
• Substance Use in Creative Work
  • The duo discuss their (often disastrous) experiences with weed edibles and why Jacob avoids writing on drugs:
    "Even if someone's like, taking an edible and going and writing a song, that would be terrible... it's coffee in the morning, good drive to work, and pick up a guitar." (26:43)
• Mortality and Faith
  • Jacob talks openly about aging, perspectives on death, and his faith:
    "I'm a big believer, I'm a big Christian, and, you know, I look forward to that one day." (21:53)
• Football, Brain Health, and Physical Toll
  • Multiple concussions from high school football; giggles about current (less athletic) shape.
  • Discussion of brain health, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and attention issues, especially in a TikTok era:
    "These days with TikTok, I feel like everyone has it." (32:09) "Now... there are no rules... let’s go make some badass (music) that people love. Let's experiment." (33:37)

6. Music Industry Evolution & Cross-Genre Collaboration

• The Power of Social Media
  • TikTok as an essential (but not only) factor in breaking hits these days.
    "It's nuts these days to hit number one. I feel like you need TikTok." (14:08)
• Pop-Country Hybrids, Expanding Creativity
  • New generation blending genres (country and pop, country and hip hop).
  • Admiration for Morgan Wallen, Ernest, and boundary-blurring artists.
    "The crossovers... gonna be so sick because now there are no rules." (33:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Moving to Nashville:
  "I came here one time, and I was like, I'm moving." — Jacob (00:14, 13:10)
• On Writing a #1 Hit by Accident:
  "That was my first major label cut… it blew up on social media, blew up on TikTok… we all signed publishing deals and started writing songs professionally." — Jacob (04:00–05:00)
• On Making it in Nashville:
  "There's a ton of people and a ton of amazing songwriters… so for something to cut through and happen like that, it was pretty special." — Jacob (05:02)
• On the New Age of Music Marketing:
  "You can have massive numbers and that kind of thing, but the radio is still an untouched thing." — Jacob (14:13)
• On Being Goofy:
  "I'm just goofy as shit… I might have, like, took my shirt off and lit a cigarette in a bar and got kicked out." — Jacob (07:01)
• On Songwriting and Substances:
  "I think a clear mind is probably the best way to go for me." — Jacob (26:19)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jacob describes the move to Nashville: 00:00–01:14, 13:10–13:26
• Surviving COVID in Nashville and networking: 00:56–02:08
• Writing and releasing “Rock and a Hard Place”: 03:38–04:22
• On Nashville’s music scene: 05:12–05:17
• Reflections on life, mortality, and faith: 21:53–22:17
• The power of social media, TikTok and hitmaking: 13:38–15:34
• Indie vs. label in modern country: 14:08–15:34
• Creative process and songwriting rituals: 26:19–26:51, 27:09–27:37
• Tour with Tucker Wetmore: 17:57–19:04
• Cross-genre collaborations and the future: 32:59–33:42

Closing & Where To Find Jacob

• Upcoming single drops April 11, 2026
• Socials: Instagram & TikTok @jacobhackworthmusic_
  "Got a song dropping April 11th ... check out my social medias to see what you think." (34:01)

Jacob Hackworth’s story offers a window into the raw hustle of Nashville, the value of genuine connections, and the unpredictability of the road to success in the music industry. This episode is equal parts inspiring, humorous, and authentic—a testament to chasing your dream and enjoying the wild ride along the way.