Dumb Blonde Podcast
Episode: Gavin Adcock: Country’s Viral Underdog
Host: Bunnie XO
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively, candid episode features viral country music star Gavin Adcock, known for his rowdiness, honesty, and rapid rise from Georgia cattle farms and college football to viral country stardom. Host Bunnie XO dives deep into Gavin’s background, musical journey, internet controversies (including recent drama with Zach Bryan), relationships, family dynamics, and the realities of life on the road. Listeners are treated to raw truths, wild stories, and meaningful reflections—plus plenty of laughs and memorable quotes.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gavin Adcock’s Upbringing and Early Influences

• Childhood Stories & Family:
  • Grew up on a cattle farm in Watkinsville, Georgia. His father was a "cattle trader" and a self-proclaimed "cattle addict," while his mother was a tough nurse.
  • Their tumultuous relationship gave Gavin his “spiciness” and outspoken nature.
  • Gavin: "They just raised a lot of hell when I was a little kid... it kept my life pretty spicy when I was younger." (03:39)
• Cattle Hustle Life:
  • Nighttime emergency cow roundups and “addicted-to-the-hustle” culture shaped Gavin’s approach to work and fame.
• Adrenaline Rushes:
  • Early exposure to adrenaline (near-death misses with bulls/cattle) fueled his later desire for danger and excitement: “The adrenaline was awesome about almost getting killed by a cow. I don’t know what it was, but I enjoyed it.” (10:47)
• Music vs. Personality:
  • Recognizes a near 50/50 split between being known for his music and his unruly public persona. “I enjoy being outspoken and just saying what’s on my mind… It just comes out.” (02:46)

2. The College Football Days and Viral Rise

• Football Beginnings and Fallout:
  • Played for Georgia Southern before a knee injury derailed his football career; environment was “toxic,” and fame turned cold when things went bad. “When things are going bad, everybody’s pulling the finger and hate each other.” (17:06)
• Bus Incident and Social Media Fame:
  • Gained notoriety after chugging a beer while “surfing” a school bus past fraternities—a moment that went viral via Barstool (18:00).
  • Consequence: Suspension, then removal from the team for mixing music aspirations with sports during the season. “I had that chip on my shoulder and I just started letting out songs one after another and had that mind all the time. I was like, I’m not gonna let these people be the end of me.” (19:37)

3. Music Career: From the Porch to Packed Shows

• Beginnings in Songwriting:
  • Started seriously playing guitar at 22 after a knee surgery left him couchbound. Wrote 6-7 songs in the first weeks, channeling restlessness into creativity (21:39).
  • First Break: Negotiated his way into bar gigs in Statesboro, quickly going from $300/pay-to-play at tiny venues to selling 5,000 tickets at the city’s biggest venue. “Year and a half later, ... we sold out 800 tickets. And we’re going back in two weeks for the biggest Blue Room show they’ve ever had. 5,000 tickets.” (24:15)
• Distinct Sound & Influences:
  • Cites love for old-school red dirt and cowboy music (Waylon Jennings, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Co Wetzel), with a preference for “unpolished” and raw songs.
  • “I was one of the first people in the Southeast to come out of the Southeast making a Red Dirt sound… some dirty rock and roll Southern rock music, you know?” (26:23)
• Songwriting Process:
  • Inconsistent, dependent on mood and the moment—sometimes starts with melody, sometimes lyrics.
  • Writes from both experience and empathy, “putting himself in someone’s mindset,” even if it affects his mood for days.
  • “Some of the saddest songs I’ve ever wrote... puts you in a real dark place.” (29:18)

4. Relationship with Haley and Its Impact

• Meeting & Dynamics:
  • Met girlfriend Haley at a bar, started dating after taking her to sing the national anthem at a rodeo.
  • Public breakup due to “rock star mode”; no physical cheating, but “entertaining stuff” online that she didn’t appreciate (33:34).
  • Got back together, and Gavin reflects on the positive effect she has: “I’m still rowdy, and I still like to have a good time. I just want her to be there, you know.” (35:05)
• Balancing Career and Stability:
  • Admits that “behind every great man is a good woman,” and doesn’t want the party lifestyle forever.

5. Life on the Road

• Touring Origins:
  • Early tours in a rundown 24-ft camper (“our green room”), hosting chaotic post-show parties (50:30). Recently sold the camper for $14,000, full of memories.
• Tour Demands:
  • Rider requests used to include condoms, now just “nicotine pouches, lighters, and a candle.” (54:35)
• Fan Behavior:
  • “Ohio is just insane.” (55:36) — the wildest crowds. Fort Smith, Arkansas, the toughest to win over (56:09).

6. Controversies: Zach Bryan Drama & Social Media

• Zach Bryan Feud:
  • Clarifies he never challenged Bryan physically: “I didn’t really appreciate how he reacted to a 14-year-old girl’s ‘why didn’t you sign my stuff’... so I did [speak out].” (57:10)
  • Bryan crashed Gavin's festival set, yelled expletives during another act’s set. Gavin stayed calm, focused on his show.
  • “Whatever you say about me cannot hurt me.” (59:45)
  • Emphasizes trolling only helps his career: “I probably went up 6 or 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify just from them being whiny.” (59:54)
  • On taking the high road: “I’m proud of my decision to not fall into his trap and ruin the show.” (65:20)
• Beyoncé Country Music Take:
  • Stands by his opinion that Beyoncé is not country: “She’s very talented. I don’t think she appreciated the country genre or what it’s about... I didn’t say anything off the wall.” (75:07)
  • Unfazed by backlash: “Her fans started coming into my page and commenting, bees… but they weren’t hurting anything… just making the post do better.” (75:23)
• Reckless Driving Arrest:
  • Arrested in Tennessee for reckless driving and open container (67:45).
  • Used the negative press to hustle: “I probably sold about $150,000 worth of mug shot tees... So it just worked out.” (70:33)

7. Creative Independence and Industry Reflections

• DIY Mentality:
  • Long prided himself on being independent—wrote nearly all his own songs, made money “sleeping at his parents” until he knew what he wanted from a label.
  • Now signed with Warner Nashville, “on my terms.” “The biggest outlaw thing you can do is make your own decisions… if you want to call me an outlaw for that, then you can.” (45:18)
• Discography Evolution:
  • Noting improved craft and production across three albums; wrote 99% of his songs, and is picking more “live, wholesome” material now. (39:04, 49:05)
  • "I will never not have something else to let out. So I would drop a single and I’d write three to five..." (42:10)

8. Reflections and Future Goals

• Growth and Growth Mindset:
  • More family-oriented, evolving from party songs to “a lot more wholesome stuff.”
• Personal Message to Fans:
  • “I don’t really do this for me anymore now that I’ve got some money. Just want them to get music and enjoy their life, you know, and if I can add some kind of value to that… I’m glad I could help if that’s what is helping you, you know?” (81:18)
• Five-Year Goal:
  • “Hope to be headlining stadiums... I’m gonna work my ass off, and we’re gonna be headlining stadiums one day.” (79:41)
• On Awards:
  • Not in it for trophies—"I’m just gonna keep letting out the music that we let out, and if it’s eligible...then that'll be that." (80:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I just really look back on it recently and go, damn, had it made before I had it made." — Gavin, on missing anonymity (07:06)
• “The biggest outlaw thing you can do is make your own decisions." (45:18)
• "I love shaking hands and kissing babies too...That’s what honestly makes it really worth it for me." (08:28)
• On songwriting: “If I come across somebody’s hurt or pain, I really try to put myself in that mindset, which can lead for like a really tough day.” (29:18)
• "Behind every great man is a good woman...You guys need somebody to kind of like hold the balloon string." — Bunnie (35:59)
• “Whatever you say about me cannot hurt me.” (59:45)
• “Anytime something happens negative, turn it into a positive in this business... I probably sold about $150,000 worth of mug shot tees.” (69:14, 70:33)

Key Timestamps

• Upbringing & Family Dynamics: 03:39–06:43
• Football to Music Transition: 16:38–21:24
• First Shows & “Ain’t No Cure” Success: 24:15–26:23
• Songwriting Process: 28:32–31:08
• Relationship with Haley: 31:26–36:18
• Touring Stories (Camper, Crowd Reactions): 50:30–56:09
• Controversy & Zach Bryan Feud: 57:10–66:24
• Reckless Driving Arrest Story: 66:24–70:33
• Creative Independence / “Outlaw” Discussion: 44:56–47:01
• Beyoncé Country Album Discussion: 74:34–76:04
• Stagecoach & Winning Over Crowds: 76:08–79:24
• Vision for the Future & Fan Message: 79:41–81:18

Episode Tone

Candid, brash yet warm—Gavin’s authenticity and sense of humor shine through, complemented by Bunnie XO’s relatable, cheeky, and supportive style. This episode blends wild stories with real vulnerability: it’s for anyone fascinated by the realities and myths of viral country stardom.

Where to Find Gavin

• All Platforms: Gavin Adcock Music
• Mug Shot T-Shirts: gavinadcockmusic.com

End of Summary