Podcast Summary: "TBT: Parker McCollum – Not His First Rodeo"

Dumb Blonde Podcast, January 29, 2026

Host: Bunnie XO
Guest: Parker McCollum

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, Bunnie XO sits down with country artist Parker McCollum for an unfiltered conversation about his Texas roots, family dynamics, creative process, journey with substance use, evolution as an artist, and the balance of fame, music, and new fatherhood. The discussion is full of laughs, Southern charm, honesty, and intimate moments covering Parker's vulnerabilities, musical influences, and the realities—both gritty and beautiful—of life as a working musician.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Parker’s Roots and Family Influences

• Growing up in Texas: Both Bunnie and Parker share Texas pride. He’s from Conroe, TX, and describes his family’s deep local connections (05:00–07:27).
• Family Bond: Parker talks about being the youngest of three, crediting his close relationship with his siblings, especially his brother Tyler, who influenced his entry into music (03:47, 04:07).
• Cowboy Heritage: His mother was a barrel racer, and his grandfather Bobby Yancy was "one of the greatest cowboys to ever live" (06:46–07:05).
  • Quote: “He’s one of the greatest cowboys to ever live. Just old school, red, white and blue American Texas cowboy.” (07:03 - Parker)
• Musical Aspirations Sparked by Family: “He (brother) could have been ice skating—I’d probably still be trying to ice skate. It just so happened to be songwriting and guitar.” (04:47 - Parker)
• Mix of Worlds: Grew up between his dad’s car business and his mom’s side’s concrete business—two “very different worlds.” (07:29)

2. Music, Creativity, and Substances

• Influence of Substances on Songwriting: Open about using weed and experimenting with DMT; never really into alcohol (08:22–09:06).
  • Quote: “Some of the best songs I’ve ever written in my career, I wrote just, you know, after taking a little hit...some of the greatest records of all time are written stoned.” (09:05 - Parker)
• DMT Experience: Describes a memorable first DMT trip in Austin, facilitated by a “chemistry” student, resulting in vivid, nostalgic visions and clarity (09:29–11:26).
• Sobriety and Self-Awareness: Eventually realized he couldn’t balance the lifestyle, did not seek rehab but took stock because he didn’t want to “disappoint my family” or “blow it” (12:32–14:54).
  • Quote: “What do you really have if you can’t do it without [substances]?” (16:17 - Parker)
  • Self-reflection: Acknowledges “I’ve never been depressed” but credits resilience and good memories to his upbringing (24:05, 25:02).

3. The Songwriting Process and Inspirations

• Early Start: Began writing at 12 or 13, inspired by George Strait and Texas songwriters (17:28–18:26).
  • Quote: “I just sit down and just make stuff up until something sounds cool or sounds pretty or, you know, moves something in you…” (18:19 - Parker)
• Love of Sad Songs: Enjoys writing romantic and melancholic songs (“I love sad songs. I love evoking that emotion...it just does it for me.”) (19:48 - Parker)
• On Labels and Identity: Resists narrow labels; more focused on intentions and relationships than on fitting an image—emphasizes authenticity (21:05–21:47).

4. Career Path & Reflections on the Music Industry

• No Plan B: Music’s all he’s known since high school: “I have no idea...I don’t remember what it was like before this, really.” (22:12–22:54)
• Journey from Bars to Major Labels: Started in small Texas venues, experienced slow, steady growth before signing with Universal in 2019 (38:58).
• Country Music Identity Crisis: Observes how the genre has broadened, making it harder for artists—even him—to define their sound (35:36–37:40).
  • Quote: “I don’t know if I’m a country singer...if they don’t want to call it country music, that’s fine. This record is incredibly raw.” (35:56, 37:40 - Parker)

5. Artistic Evolution & Upcoming Album

• New Record Process: Recorded in NYC over seven days after a long tour—a “perfect storm” of focus and preparation (31:09–32:27).
  • Quote: “It’s the album I always wondered if I was good enough to make...do I have what it takes to go there and do it like that?” (33:32 - Parker)
• Genre Dedication: Album defies easy classification (“I have no idea what it sounds like...I’ve never made a record that I was like, ‘this sounds like this’.”) (32:29–33:32)
• Singles & Release: Lead single “What Kind of Man” out now; album drops June 27th, 2026 (34:26).

6. Love, Relationships & Family

• Meeting & Winning Over Halle Ray: Shares the story of pursuing his now-wife, inspired by her unique name ("That name's got to go in a song"), her initial resistance, and eventually, their engagement (39:51–41:52).
  • Quote: "She's one of one, no question." (39:37 - Parker)
• Fatherhood: Discusses the surreal, transformative experience of becoming a dad (43:34–47:06).
  • Memorable story: Their son Major's name, inspired partly by Texas quarterback Major Applewhite (47:13–48:15).
  • Quote: “I look at him, I’m like, I am your dad. You are my son...it's wild.” (44:53 - Parker)
  • On legacy: “One day, that photo [with son at Houston Rodeo] will be...my boy on stage with me, 70,000 people. His first rodeo.” (48:25–48:53)
• Self-Awareness in Relationships: Identifies himself as easy-going but inconsistent, admires wife Halle Ray’s steadiness (26:45–27:27).

7. Life on the Road & Backstage Stories

• Touring Legends & Tales: Strong friendship and musical history with Co Wetzel—sharing van tours, wild times, and a sense of brotherhood (49:19–52:08).
  • Quote: "I'd take a bullet for him." (49:35 - Parker)
• Wild Backstage Moments: Shares a “PG” but rowdy story involving a bottle rocket and band antics from early touring days (53:07–54:34).
• The Challenge of Touring: Describes the exhaustion, split identities ("You live two lives—dad and husband vs. touring artist"), and the importance of fan experience (28:56–30:17, 55:20–56:24).
• Forgetting Lyrics: Admits to going blank on stage and improvising lyrics, even at the Houston Rodeo (56:24–57:18).

8. Musical Flexibility, Freestyling, and Hip-Hop Influence

• Hip-Hop Affinity: Love for Houston rap artists (Zero, Slim Thug) and even mainstream rappers (50 Cent), which informs his style and image (58:17–59:38).
• Freestyle as Songwriting: Reveals that he freestyles daily—"that's how I write songs”, though doesn’t think fans want to see him rap (59:57–61:49).
  • Quote: “I can freestyle without missing a rhyme for as long as you want to go—always been able to do that.” (60:41 - Parker)
• Possibility of Rap Collaboration: Expresses openness, especially as a singer on a rapper's hook; names Jack Harlow, 50 Cent, Lil Wayne as dream collaborators (62:20–62:41).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments with Timestamps

• Family & Texas Roots:
  • “The sun shines brighter there...these are your people.” (05:15–06:32)
• On Substances and Songwriting:
  • “Some of the greatest records of all time are written stoned.” (09:05)
  • “What do you really have if you can't do it without it?” (16:17)
• On Artistic Identity:
  • “I just don't know—I've never really known what I was or who I was supposed to be.” (20:29)
• On Becoming a Father:
  • “It's just the craziest thing I've ever seen in my life. It really is.” (43:34)
  • "Isn’t it weird to think we won’t be here for his whole life?” (45:40–45:51)
• On Touring Life:
  • “You live two lives...It'll wear your ass out." (28:56, 29:08–29:26)
• On Rap/Hip-Hop Influences:
  • “There’ll always be a small part of me that wishes I was a rapper.” (60:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Texas roots & family background: 03:27–07:27
• Psychedelics, weed & creativity: 08:22–11:26
• Early songwriting, Texas musical influences: 17:28–19:19
• Self-awareness, relationships, moral compass: 25:03–26:25
• Fatherhood & family legacy: 43:34–48:53
• Country music identity crisis & new album: 31:09–37:40
• Tour life, behind-the-scenes stories: 49:19–56:24
• Rap and hip-hop influence, songwriting process: 58:17–62:41

Tone, Style, & Final Thoughts

Parker and Bunnie blend humor, southern warmth, and vulnerability throughout the episode. The conversation is loose, filled with digressions into family, nostalgia, and the realities of growing up and being a public figure. Parker’s self-awareness and devotion to his roots shine, as do his confessions about the messy, formative years in music and the steadiness he’s found in love and family.

This episode is a must-listen for fans of Parker, country music, or anyone drawn to unvarnished, heartfelt artist interviews—and should leave listeners both entertained and endeared by the man “not his first rodeo.”