14. Common Ground in the South w/ Bryan Andrews

Summary

Podcast Summary: Flipping Tables - Episode 14: Common Ground in the South with Bryan Andrews

Released on May 7, 2025

Hosts and Guests

• Host: Monte Mader
• Guest: Bryan Andrews, Country Rock Singer-Songwriter

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1. Introduction: Breaking Initial Assumptions

Monte Mader opens the episode by sharing her initial skepticism about Bryan Andrews, a country music artist perceived as a typical Southern conservative. However, upon viewing one of Andrews' videos, her perception shifts dramatically.

"I started screeching in my living room like I was at church. I jumped up off the couch. I got really excited and inspired..." (00:36)

2. Bryan Andrews' Background: A Proud Small-Town Artist

Bryan Andrews introduces himself as a proud resident of Carrollton, Missouri, a small town of approximately 3,500 people. Despite his growing fame with 2.7 million TikTok followers, he remains committed to his community and blue-collar roots.

"I still live in my hometown instead of moving somewhere like Nashville because I love my community..." (00:36)

Monte relates by sharing her upbringing in Gillette, Wyoming, emphasizing their shared understanding of small-town life.

3. Political Perspectives: Empathy Beyond Party Lines

Andrews discusses his upbringing, highlighting his father's influence in teaching kindness without pushing religious dogma. This upbringing fostered Andrews' strong yet empathetic beliefs, allowing him to support progressive causes like LGBTQ rights and veterans' welfare while maintaining his Christian faith.

"I think everybody grows up empathetic... I just went out and made mistakes and still found my path back to God..." (05:17)

He critiques the deepening political divide, arguing that both major parties fail to address core issues affecting the blue-collar and middle-class Americans.

"It's a class issue... Democrats lose elections because they stop pandering to blue collar and middle class Americans." (09:52)

4. Healthcare and Economic Inequality: The Middle-Class Struggle

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the inadequacies of the American healthcare system and economic disparities. Andrews highlights the unsustainable costs of healthcare, emphasizing that no American should have to choose between medical care and financial ruin.

"People can't afford to choose if they're gonna like, get care and file for bankruptcy or die." (24:51)

He criticizes the wealthy elites for not paying their fair share of taxes, exacerbating the financial struggles of ordinary Americans.

"The richest guy on the planet is the one who's benefiting the most from it. And he's also the one taking it out of the hands of poor people." (16:26)

5. Gun Reform: Balancing Rights and Safety

Andrews, a gun owner and hunter, advocates for common-sense gun reforms. He proposes extensive background checks and training for owning assault weapons while upholding Second Amendment rights for other firearms.

"If you want to own an assault weapon... you should have to go through extensive obstacles." (34:07)

Monte aligns with his views, suggesting that gun licenses should resemble driver's licenses with varying levels of permissions based on the weapon's lethality.

"Gun licenses should be treated like driver's licenses... the more advanced the weaponry, the more extensive the background check." (35:12)

6. Bridging the Divide: The Role of Social Media and Authenticity

Both hosts emphasize the potential of social media to bridge political divides. Andrews believes that creators with authentic, middle-of-the-road views can foster understanding and empathy among polarized audiences.

"Social media is going to play a huge role in mending the gap... be more relatable." (53:23)

Monte adds that maintaining professionalism and mutual respect in political discourse can help diminish hostility.

7. Personal Struggles: Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose

Andrews shares his journey of overcoming addiction and suicidal thoughts, highlighting the transformative power of music and community support. His recovery was catalyzed by a hospital stay and the unwavering support of his family, leading him to channel his experiences into songwriting.

"When I finally got sober, I knew I couldn't die... That's where I started writing songs." (57:10)

Monte relates her own struggles, emphasizing the healing power of creating and sharing music.

8. The Healing Power of Music: Connecting and Inspiring Others

Central to the episode is the discussion on how music serves as a healing tool for both the artist and the audience. Andrews recounts a pivotal concert experience that solidified his desire to inspire and provide solace through his music.

"I wanted to be the guy that provided that moment for everybody else... writing songs that actually matter to people." (67:03)

9. Future Outlook: Hopes for Unity and Systemic Change

Looking ahead, Andrews envisions a future where social media fosters genuine connections and understanding. He advocates for professional and respectful political leadership to restore sanity in the political arena.

"We have to make it through the next four years and then the next two people that run for president have to bring professionalism back to the White House." (54:03)

Monte and Andrews agree that systemic changes, such as fair taxation and improved healthcare, are essential for bridging societal gaps and ensuring economic stability.

10. Closing Thoughts: Embracing Authenticity and Empathy

In their final exchanges, both hosts and guests reiterate the importance of authenticity, empathy, and mutual respect. They encourage listeners to support each other and work towards a more unified and compassionate society.

"The key to life is being who you are down to the core and what you can give to the world, not what you can take from it." (72:08)

Monte expresses deep respect for Andrews' courage in voicing his genuine beliefs, underscoring the episode's overarching theme of finding common ground despite differing viewpoints.

"It's so refreshing and it's really inspiring." (71:16)

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Key Takeaways

• Empathy Over Division: Understanding and kindness can bridge political and social divides.
• Systemic Reform Needed: Addressing healthcare and economic inequalities is crucial for the middle and working classes.
• Common-Sense Policies: Balanced approaches to gun reform and taxation can cater to diverse communities.
• Healing Through Authenticity: Personal struggles can fuel meaningful art that resonates and aids others.
• Role of Social Media: Authentic voices on digital platforms can foster unity and understanding in a polarized society.

Connect with Bryan Andrews

• Social Media: Follow Bryan at BrianAndrewsMusic on all platforms.
• Music Platforms: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and major streaming services.

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Note: This summary captures the essence of Episode 14, focusing on the meaningful dialogue between Monte Mader and Bryan Andrews. For a more immersive experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.

Transcript

[Monty Mater]

This might surprise you, but it turns out that I'm human. And even though I try not to judge a book by its cover very often, sometimes I still do. And when I was sent a video of the young man we're going to talk to today, I immediately was like, oh man, this video is probably going to piss me off. And it was a country music artist and clearly a southern boy. And I was like, oh man. I was sent by a girlfriend of mine on Instagram. I opened that video and I started screeching in my living room like I was at church. I jumped up off the couch. I got really excited and inspired, and this is what that video said.

[Brian Andrews]

Over the last few months, I've gained over 700,000 new followers on this app. And I see a lot of comments like this one. So I feel like I'm going to take the next minute or so to tell you guys who the fuck I really am. And I might lose followers for this, but I don't really give a fuck. My name is Brian Andrews and I'm a country rock singer songwriter from a very small town of about 3,500 people called Carrollton, Missouri. I still live in my hometown instead of moving somewhere like Nashville because I love my community and I actually take a lot of pride in the fact that I'm the guy that never made it out of his hometown. I work camo, I like to fish, and I love hunting white tailed deer. I drink bush lights on the weekends, I cuss like a motherfucking sailor and I used to work on the road welding pipe and consider myself blue collar until the day I'm fucking dead. I also consider myself a Christian and I try to work on my relationship with God every single day. But I don't go to church on Sundays because I don't believe that praying inside a building with four walls and a cross in the middle of it makes me any more or less of a sinner than it makes anybody else. I think that gay people ought to be able to love and marry whoever the fuck they want. I think that every person has the right to quality healthcare without having to file for bankruptc. And I think that a homeless veteran should never, and I mean never, fucking exist. I love my guns, but I think we ought to be able to do something about the amount of kids who get shot and killed in their fucking classrooms. I'm an ex addict and I chew grizzly winter green long cut. I also take a lot of pride in the fact that my songs may not get played at the beach on Spring break, but that they might get played in somebody's car at 2am who's contemplating taking their own life, because in 2014, I tried to take mine. I'm not perfect, and I try to be better every single day. I truly believe that the key to happiness is what you can give to this world, not what you can get from it. I stand strong in my beliefs because my father raised me to be that way, and he's the greatest man I ever knew. I vote differently than 95% of my closest friends, and it's never once made me love them any less. And I will always try to have the tough conversations with them. It is my dream to be able to travel this world, to play songs that matter to people, that matter. Because I truly believe that most people are good. And I truly believe that music saves lives.

[Monty Mater]

So today we're going to talk to Brian Andrews about growing up in the south and empathy and how that fits with the current environment and how it fits being someone who is blue collar. And now an up and coming country Music artist with 2.7 million followers on TikTok on today's episode of Flipping Tables. Hi, Brian. Welcome to Flipping Tables. Thank you for being here.

[Brian Andrews]

Hey, thanks for having me big time. I'm super appreciative.

[Monty Mater]

And as I mentioned in the intro, I was introduced to Brian. A really good friend of mine sent me a video, and I assumed that the video was gonna make me upset. Instead, it made me stand up and praise Jesus like I was in church. And so I wanted to invite you here because voices like yours, and we were talking about this just before we started recording, are much more common than we realize, but we don't hear them, especially because there's kind of an intentional skewing of people who believe this, vote this way, or they look this way when that's not really the case. So for people who maybe aren't as familiar with you on TikTok and Instagram, I would love for you just to introduce yourself, where you're from, what you do. Give us a little backstory to jump from.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. So my name's Brian Andrews. I come from a real small town called Carrollton, Missouri. It's got about 3,000 people in it. And actually, a fun fact I always like to share is we're the biggest town in my county.

[Monty Mater]

So I grew up in Gillette, Wyoming, which was considered a big city in Wyoming. So I get it. I get it.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. But, no, I'm from Missouri. I still live in Missouri. I'm a country artist. And I make country music and rock music and a little bit of everything, to be honest with you. But I think that's. That's part of the good stuff. I think in the new. New era of musicians, you can make whatever music you want to make, you know, and you don't have to be confined to a box or anything like that. But, you know, I've also just grew up being strong in my beliefs because, like I said, my dad raised me to be that way. And I don't think I should be ashamed for the things that I do believe in, you know, even even though I'm from a small town, like, there's. There's more of us out there than you think there is that are just, you know, trying to make a living, trying to make ends meet and are empathetic towards everyone, you know?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And how did you. You mentioned how your dad raised you. What. How was that like? Because you. You mentioned in your videos that you identify as a Christian, but you support LGBT rights and you support helping the poor and veterans especially. So how did your dad raise you? What did faith or personal belief look like for you as a kid?

[Brian Andrews]

See, I think that's the thing. Like, my dad never really pushed me to, like. I mean, I'm not saying that we. I didn't grow up religious because my mom's side of the family is very religious and everything like that. But my old man, he wasn't. He's not a very religious person. He just, you know, raised me to be kind to people. You know what I mean? He was a teacher and still is a teacher. He's been teaching for. Teaching music for 35 years.

[Monty Mater]

That's cool.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. And he was actually my band teacher growing up, so. But no, it's just, like, when I was a kid, it wasn't like, we weren't pushed to go to church a lot. Like, we weren't, you know, like, pushed to just be the straight and narrow line that I think that. That Christians live. And I think that's what eventually ended up making me stronger in my faith, is that I went out and I made mistakes and. And still found my path back to. Back to God and was able to take the empathy and the sympathy and all the other characteristics that I think I have now with me, you know what I mean? And just. And just cultivate those along the way. And I think it's important to note also that, like, I think everybody grows up empathetic. You know, it's. It's. It's never losing the kid in You. You know what I'm saying? So I, like, for me, it was never. I mean, my dad, both my parents are. They're left leaning, but, I mean, they're old school left leaning, you know.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

It ain't like it is now, but, I mean, I don't even know if they'd consider themselves Democrats anymore. But to be honest with you, it's not really. I don't. I don't see the party line thing being, especially with our generations, you know, and like the generations after us being such a major factor. I think that that's a rhetoric that is pushed down our throats to keep us divided. Because now it is like, it feels like all you see on the Internet and social media is red or blue. Red or blue. Which one are you? You know what I mean?

[Monty Mater]

When really the issue is top to bottom.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Yeah, exactly. It's. It's. It's a class issue.

[Monty Mater]

Mm.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, I mean, like, and that's the thing. Like, I think everybody, like, even, even when you get some clout and stuff, when you're rolling on social media, when you talk about politics and stuff like that, I think some, even on the right side of politics, I think some people kind of use like, like I said, the LGBTQ community as like a stepping point, or even people on the left use that as a stepping point to talk about and stuff like that. But really, in everyday life in a small town and stuff like that, nobody cares if you're gay or whatever. Nobody. Literally. No one gives a. I was gonna.

[Monty Mater]

Ask you that because, you know, so you have this huge following on Tick Tock in particular, I think you're at 2.7 million and I see that you get the comments of, well, I liked you before you were so political.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And so what is the response that you've seen online since voicing those opinions versus the response you get in your small town? What's the difference between those two things?

[Brian Andrews]

To be honest with you, like, like I said in some of those videos, I do vote differently than most of my friends. You know what I mean? And so we have, like, things that we see differently, but when you really just have a conversation, like in a small town, when I have a conversation with my friends, it's so quick to realize you're really not that different.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You all kind of want the same things. You just think you can get there different ways because they tell you.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

That you're supposed to. You know what I mean?

[Monty Mater]

This is going to fix the problem.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly.

[Monty Mater]

Usually.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Almost never Does. So I think it's like for me on, on social media, it was such a taboo thing for me, like getting into Tick Tock four or five years ago to even talk about my politics because I knew I was like, I thought a little bit differently than most people in the country audience would normally think, you know what I'm saying?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

Or like they would judge me for that, you know what I mean? So for me, for a long time it was, it was pretty taboo to talk about. And then one day I was just, it really started over, like the Tick Tock ban. And really just when I realized like, okay, it's not you versus me anymore. It's, it's them versus us and they know it and they just don't even care to lie about it anymore.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. It's all out in the open. It's so blatant.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, it's, it's in your face. So, I mean, that's what I'm saying. Like in a small town, like some of these left leaning issues that people really are very far left about and stuff like that, and they, and they, they push them to the forefront of everything. People in small towns, in rural communities, hillbillies, rednecks, like that, they really don't care. You know what I mean? It's, they're not, they don't hate you. You know what I'm saying? It's not like that. They just in, in their mind, everybody around here is blue collar. So if they can't afford to put food on the table, they're going to vote for somebody who they think can.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

And they just don't give a shit. And that's why Democrats lose elections. Right there is because they read, they quit pandering to blue collar and middle class Americans.

[Monty Mater]

Well, and, and when they do introduce policies to correct those things, they don't spend enough time policies on them. They kind of mention it, gloss over it, go back to whatever topic is trending or they allow the GOP to pull them into culture wars and they buy into it versus explaining, hey, this is the policy. This is why it works. This is how it helps the average American. And I was speaking to a Democratic leader two weeks ago and she asked me, well, what's your opinion on the Democratic Party? And I said, well, they're weak, performative and lazy. It was like they grab onto whatever's trending. They're not focused on the real meat and potatoes issues. I'm like, I am so supportive of LGBTQ rights and trans rights and obviously women's Rights, being a woman, all these things. And I was like, but people don't care about feeding the homeless if they can't feed their families.

[Brian Andrews]

Yep, exactly.

[Monty Mater]

They don't care. And that's not because they're bad people or they're evil people. It's because we, when you're in survival mode, you don't have the space to go volunteer at a homeless shelter.

[Brian Andrews]

Yep, the same thing. I mean, that's, that's kind of my thing. It's like I, I, for my whole life, basically, with the entire, like, LGBTQ community, I guess I, I didn't have any opinions either way because I just, it, I mean, it's. You live your life the way you want to.

[Monty Mater]

Your existence doesn't bother you, like, consenting adults, do your thing, you know?

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Like, I, I appreciate that you're a human and you're having the experience you want to experience, and I think you should have all the rights that I have that I'm, it's just that I, I was indifferent about it because I wasn't a part of that community. And I didn't see it every day growing up and stuff like that. But at the same time, the LGBTQ community also can't afford groceries.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And that's the thing, is that it affects everyone. Like, everyone, you know, in our generation, it doesn't matter if you're gay, straight, bi, trans. Nobody's buying homes because nobody can afford them.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. Like, young people just literally cannot afford to buy a house. And I mean, these are the issues that we have to have to get back too. Like, like, I don't. And that's where I struggle even saying that, like, it's even a, I mean, I know that it's a two party system and it's probably not going to change anytime soon, but I struggle even saying, like, Democrats have to start doing this, because I almost wish there was just somebody who didn't call themselves a Democrat, who was maybe a little bit towards the center and, and just ran as an independent that was younger, you know, that related to younger people and stuff like that. That, that would say, like, hey, some of the shit they say is probably pretty crazy, but some of the shit we say is pretty nutty too.

[Monty Mater]

I would love to see someone who's truly a progressive, which is really about changing the system so that the system works better.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes, I agree.

[Monty Mater]

I, you know, I want to be. Because I was again, someone who you were raised, it sounds like, just very empathetic and kind to people. And there was the religious Backdrop. I was raised super far right, like, scary fall. Right. And nationalist and all the things that come with that. And I was very racist and homophobic in all the things. And so seeing the temperature change in the past 10 years. Really. But technically, I mean, I've been voting Democrat because it most aligns with my beliefs. But I don't love the party, and I'm like, I wish you guys would get some fucking balls.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And, like, you're bringing a. You know, I keep saying you're bringing a knife to a gunfight, and you're not coming at these issues aggressively. It's very showy and pandering. And I'm like, I don't want to see streamers. I want you to do something.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Exactly. That's my thing about it is like. Like, I think the whole filibuster thing with Cory Booker, I think that's great. You know, and he. He actually did something in, you know, in the face of Congress and everything. But, like, where did that get us?

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

It's shit like that. It's like, how much of this is just for show?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And I mean, at least with his. It was action and it was sacrifice, and because it was televised, it has the ability to incentivize people. But filibusters are just a time delay.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

Really. Like, you're not. You're not going to change these people's minds who have already decided they're going to vote a certain way.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Yeah. And, I mean, he did get some of the stuff they were going to vote on that week postponed and stuff like that. So I'm not saying it was totally useless. I just think it's like. Like you said, you know, some of these congressmen and women that are in office on the left side of the aisle are just, like, screaming and saying, oh, we got to do something. We got to do something. And then it's like they shut the door, turned around behind the microphones and are like, all right, so who wants to go get coffee?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know what I mean?

[Monty Mater]

That's how it feels. And that's. I mean, that's really how it comes out. How do you feel like, you know, again, being still rooted in your small town and being proud of your small town? What do you think would resonate with your community the most? Like, if there was a progressive candidate or the Democratic Party switched lanes, what would appeal to the people, like your neighbors, the people around you the most?

[Brian Andrews]

I think people would cling to someone who. I wouldn't say attacks the rich, but is really going to make them pay their share. Because I think, and I really do think in small rural communities like here, like, yeah, Trump is a very, like, prominent figure in small towns like mine and everywhere across the country. But I really do think if there was ever somebody who was popular enough already and young enough to, like, look the part and look like they relate to younger people who are coming into their 30s and 40s and stuff like that, I think that would get a lot of traction if they came and said, like, hey, I'm not saying that, you know, rich people don't deserve their money, but they also ought to be able to pay the same amount of money that, you know, teachers in your hometown pay.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. The fact that I pay a higher effective task tax rate than both Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk is nuts.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, it's, it's, it's insane. Like, that's, that's what I always say. I was like, the greatest lie ever told to the middle class American was that somehow people who make $700,000aminute convince people who make $70,000 a year that people who make $7 and 25 cents an hour are the reason they're fucking broke.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. God, that's such a good line. I know. We need to bookmark that for a social media promo. It's true, though.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

It's like the guy flipping burgers that we're trying to give $15 minimum wage to is not your enemy.

[Brian Andrews]

No.

[Monty Mater]

He's not taking anything from you.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. And like, that's, that's my thing. Like, it used to be such a huge rhetoric in, in my community and even communities around that, you know, people on welfare are sucking the system dry. And there might be people who are taking advantage of welfare systems, programs, and disability, stuff like that, but they don't even amount to a fraction of how much money doesn't go towards the federal government and fixing your communities as rich people not paying their fucking taxes.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. I was just reading a post about, like, performative philanthropy from, you know, billionaires, and they referenced Jeff Bezos and they're like, yeah, he donated a billion dollars, but if he paid his taxes, it would have been 25 billion.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And I was like, or million. It might have been million with an M, but it was just this thing where it was like 25 times more.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

If he would have just paid his taxes.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. And that's where, that's where I'm saying, like, I, I just. And, and part of me, I get where people come from. They're like, well, we don't want all them to pack up their and, and leave. And I'm like, okay, they already outsource all their manufacturing overseas. Everything's online now. And do you really think they're going to leave the biggest consumer base in the world on the face of the earth? Probably not.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And like if they make a fraction more money, they're not gonna like be homeless.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

They have so much money. And what's, I'm, I'm curious because you're born and raised in the South. I was not. I'm from Wyoming originally, but I moved here from New York City. So I was in New York for almost 10 years. And you're saying a lot of things that I've taught myself and learned that were different than how I was raised. Where did you learn these things as far as like, hey, this is what the numbers actually say. This is what these programs are actually doing.

[Brian Andrews]

Well, I think it's, it's mostly like growing up having left leaning parents. I mean, and like, I won't, I won't say like, you know, everybody always says like, you're a product of where you come from. And like you, I heard that all the time. Oh, you're a Democrat because your folks were. And it's like, okay. But I'm not near as left leaning some on some things as my parents and I'm more left leaning on some things than my parents are too.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, I mean, so I think for me growing up, I was actually born in Idaho and moved to Missouri when I was eight or seven. Seven. So. But I mean I, my whole childhood is here. I've lived here for 21 years. You know what I mean? So like just being around people like, like from a small town and seeing that we all really do go through the same struggles, mostly we just, and I, to be honest with you, sometimes I really don't understand how we, we do vote so different.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. Especially because we have so much in common.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. It's like, it's like, and that's the thing for me, like I got a lot of times I'll just, I won't. I definitely don't watch the news, but I like, even when I see political stuff online, I'll just scroll past it or if I see something that catches my eye, for me it's like, and I see something that I don't agree with or something like that, I'm immediately going to research that topic.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. I'm going to look at it. I want to know what the data Says yes.

[Brian Andrews]

And that's what, that's where I'm saying, like, even with the whole thing with Doge, I think there's no, there's no left leaning person alive that thinks that the government shouldn't be run more efficiently and that they, yeah. And then they could save money in some places. But I think the disdain and the bad taste that some people have in their mouth is that the richest guy on the planet is the one who's benefiting the most from it. And he's also the one taking it out of the hands of poor people.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And he wasn't elected, he wasn't nominated, and he doesn't have security clearance.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

And he's getting access to all of this, like secure information. It's, it's absolute insanity.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. And that, that's my thing too. Like I, my, my major thing that I've always said is like, I actually got this from a buddy of mine. But it's like, I love my guns, I hate censorship, and you know, I love all my freedoms, but you'll never convince me to sell my freedoms to two billionaires.

[Monty Mater]

Amen to that.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, I mean, and that's like, I, I'm, I truly don't believe there's any such thing as a moral billionaire. I think some of them are better than others. But I think there's some way they took advantage of poor people in some way.

[Monty Mater]

100. 100. You know, because you can't pay all your people a living wage, but you have $400 billion. Okay.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Exactly. It's no different than like how some, some small towns, you know, like their, their grocery stores can charge whatever they want to for groceries because they know people. That's the only grocery store in town and the next nearest one is 30 miles away.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

So what are they going to do? Put gas in their car and drive and spend as much or more money at Walmart? Or they're going to go to your grocery store where they make more money or where you make all the money.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

And just get price gouged. They're just going to get price gouged and then they're going to eat terrible shit that they can afford that comes in a big ass box or something like that because it's processed as shit and cheaply made and so poor people just get fucked. And there's multiple scenarios of that. You know what I mean? And that's my major thing is that like in small towns like this, like a good job pays, a good blue collar job pays probably 15 to $25 an hour. Well, I mean, I wore you short on the road and I made 35 bucks an hour.

[Monty Mater]

You're rolling in it.

[Brian Andrews]

And. Well, and that's what I'm saying, like, even that I was like, man, if I had a whole family, I don't think I could support this. You know, growing up, that's like my grandpa, he worked for General motor for, for 30 years. Union guy, retired with him and everything. And he was the only one in the family that worked. My grandma cut hair on the side.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

But other than that, my grandma was a stay at home mom. And they had a house, brand new house, built it, family, everything. You couldn't do that on 25 bucks an hour now.

[Monty Mater]

No way. You couldn't do it with both parents making 25 bucks an hour.

[Brian Andrews]

Right, exactly. That's what I'm saying. And that's. And I mean, it's just, it's just nuts because, like, the American dream has just gotten so much harder to attain. And it's because rich people hoard all the money.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And the, like, the biggest, like the most booming economy we had was 1948 to 1972. And at that time, the rich took in 8% of the economy. They take 40% now.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

And that's in. It would be different if we were a poor nation, if it was like, hey, guys, we can't give you these programs because we don't have the money. We're an impoverished nation. We are the richest nation in the world, and there's no reason we can't have these programs, number one. And number two, we see in other nations that they work. Socialism and capitalism fused together works really well. Yeah, it works so well. And that's. That I think, is what infuriates me is that the money is there, the resources are there. And I also don't believe in a moral billionaire. I also don't believe that pastors who become multimillionaires are moral either. Because I'm like, there are hungry people in your city and you've got three mansions and a fleet of private jets and a Rolls Royce. I don't think so. Yeah, no, thank you.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. That's kind of my thing. It's almost just like free health insurance. I remember when I was a kid and Obama first rolled out the Affordable Care act or whatever, or Obamacare or whatever. So many conservatives were against it because they were like, it's socialist. You can't. It's a socialist idea. What do you want to be like? You know, Venezuela or China, you want.

[Monty Mater]

They always pick the countries that aren't working. Not Scandinavia. That are the happiest nations in the world.

[Brian Andrews]

Right, right, right. But no, I remember that whole thing. And now it's, you know, eight or however long it is later, 13 years later, a lot of those same people are like, yeah, we could probably do universal health care.

[Monty Mater]

Right.

[Brian Andrews]

Like, everybody probably deserves the right to not have to die or file for bankruptcy.

[Monty Mater]

Right? Like how. Like that. Just that sentence of like, you have to choose if you're gonna like, get care and file for bankruptcy or die.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes.

[Monty Mater]

That's crazy. That's. It's actually insane. And I wish people would. And I think people are starting to wake up and realize. I really do. But I wish people would latch on to that more. That there is no excuse for that in the United States.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. And here's. I think that's why, like, I'm such a big advocate for men's mental health too. Because I think in small, like, let me lay this scenario out for you. This guy works. I mean, it's not a real scenario, but like, this is.

[Monty Mater]

Happens all the time based on real life.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, right. A situation that is probably more common than people think it is. A guy works for. In a small town, he works for a plant or something like that. He makes 22 bucks an hour or something like that. He's got two or three kids and he's barely paying rent. Well, he gets cancer. He doesn't have health insurance because he's got to pay for it for his kids and his employer doesn't offer it. So he goes to the hospital or whatever, to the ER or something like that. And they tell him, hey, you got a big ass tumor, we're going to have to cut it out. But you ain't got insurance, so you're going to have to pay us 150 grand or whatever it's going to cost. And he's sitting there thinking to himself, like, okay, if I do this, I will make sure I cripple my family for the rest of my life and their life. Or I could just die and they won't have to pay back the debt.

[Monty Mater]

Well, and my life insurance policy will cover them.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

Like, how horrible of a choice for a father to make. Especially because in a lot of rural communities, especially because I grew up on a cattle ranch in Wyoming, like, the fathers are still the providers. And what a decision to have to make of, like, if I receive medical treatment, I cripple my family.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly.

[Monty Mater]

But my life insurance policy will Send my kids to college. That's so sad.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. And that's what I'm saying. It's. It's just. I don't know. And that's where, I mean, like, sometimes now it's like, like people are like, well, think about how bad some of those health care systems are around the world with universal healthcare and stuff like that. They have long waiting periods and like that. And I'm like, okay, we're the richest country in the world, most powerful country on the. In the world, on the planet. Do you really not think that we could run it better than them and.

[Monty Mater]

Like, we could figure it out as we go? And you make improvements, right?

[Brian Andrews]

Like progress.

[Monty Mater]

Do something. That was one of the things again. And, and I was someone, you know, who was really excited about the Affordable Care act when it came out. I was like, this is great, because he was finally presenting change. Was it perfect? No. But it gives you a landing pad to start to make change.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

To start to be like, oh, well, we can improve it this way and we can make a difference here. Instead of. I don't understand the mentality of, well, this is how we always have done it and so we shouldn't change anything. And I'm like, well, how we've always done it isn't working anymore.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly. And that's what I'm saying. Like, it's just like, like that whole argument for me when somebody says some stupid shit like that to me, I'm like, okay, do you really love your privatized health insurance? Because in a small town I hear people bitch about it all the time, and rightfully so.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah, because it's garbage.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Why would anyone want to pay $1200 a month for insurance that probably won't even cover you in the long run anyways?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And they can deny you for basically any reason they want to.

[Brian Andrews]

Right, exactly. Like, what. What are we even talking about?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

Like, are you really. Do you really love privatized insurance so much that you're not willing to give something else a fucking shot?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. Right, Right. And I'm interested too. Like, with your, you know. You know, you talked about your small town and how people are really just like, hey, I want to take care of my family. But how does, how does these views, viewpoints, and the videos that you've posted, do you find that there's any pushback within, like, the music industry part of your work, or has that really made an impact?

[Brian Andrews]

Actually, I don't think there has been. I think in the new world of.

[Monty Mater]

And I Asked because I know nothing about the country music industry, because I'm not part of it.

[Brian Andrews]

I just. I just think in the new world of artistry, like, being your most authentic self is so key. You know what I mean? So, like, for me, it was like, if you. You used to not want to do that, you know, like, don't. Don't alienate anybody in your audience. You know what I mean? But, like, in today's world, people don't want to just relate to your music, you know, with social media and how interactive it is now, they want to be able to relate to you as a person, and maybe they're not going to agree with everything you say, and that's okay. But at the same time, like, just because they don't agree with you doesn't mean you have to change your view. So, like, just be who you are. And so for me, that's when I. When I started posting like that, that's when things got really hot for me, to be honest, because it was like, just be yourself and. And be an artist. You know what I mean? Be a person that people can relate to. Because when people go to shows, they want to feel like they know you.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. That they know you. That they're your friend.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly. And that's why, like, I think it's just extremely important to just be yourself and talk about real issues. Talk about real. That you believe in. You know what I mean? Because, like I said, I've got a lot of friends that are very, very far right. You know what I'm saying? And, like, I catch heat for that from people on the left, you know what I'm saying? Like, that's what I'm saying. You're gonna piss somebody off anyways. You're damned if you do and you damned if you don't.

[Monty Mater]

So who gives a. Yeah, and exactly. You gotta, like, stick to your beliefs. And we also have to learn to start mending the divide, as hard as that is sometimes, because we need each other.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. That is my whole thing with the whole movement. I hated that when it first started and people are still doing it, but, like, when I first started seeing it, I was like, y' all are missing the point.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

If you really gave a. About all these rights and all these issues that you think are getting taken away, then you would do whatever it took to get that person's. Get that person on your side.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And I feel like. Go ahead. Sorry.

[Brian Andrews]

No, no, you're good. I feel like I'm trying to do with those. Ish. With talk with these videos. And it's just to be like, okay, I can relate to you on some stuff. You know what I mean? We gotta realize that we can't be so divided anymore because this is bad. It's bad.

[Monty Mater]

It's really bad. And I. I recommend to, like, my followers and because people follow me both for, like, biblical deconstruction and political stuff. And I tell and I've told so many people. I'm like, I understand the anger because it does feel like this group of people want to harm others. I'm like, I need you to understand that even though it doesn't appear that way, most of these people are not like that.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

They truly think, whether it's because of how religion was sold to them their whole life or because of other issues, they think they're doing the right thing.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And that's. The majority. Are there. Hateful, racist, homophobic. Yes, of course. There's always that group. But I was like, but the majority are not. And we've been convinced to hate each other so much. The further that divide gets, the more we all lose because again, the billionaires at the top are going to rake it in while we're not paying attention.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, that's what I mean. Like when you were. When. When being in a small town and like that, when my parents were younger and stuff like that, they never ever spoke about how, like, growing up a Democrat or growing up a Republican made their friends hate them or made people talk shit to them all the time. They never even thought of that because it was just something like little things here and there. I mean, back then, it probably wasn't very uncommon to see. I mean, except during the civil rights movements and stuff like that, it wasn't probably that uncommon to see a Democrat vote for a Republican.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, like, my dad voted for George W. Bush the first time. You know what I mean? It's not. And he's. He's a lifelong Democrat, so, I mean, it's not. They weren't. The lines were blurred back then.

[Monty Mater]

And it was really about what's best for the nation.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. Yes. It was like, how do we think we might disagree on policy? I always go back to that clip. I saw John McCain when he was running against Barack Obama and somebody called him a terrorist or something. Something. And he was like, we might disagree on policy, but he's not a bad person.

[Monty Mater]

Yes.

[Brian Andrews]

That's. That to me is like the final moment that I could. If you was like, hey, what's the moment, the last moment you remember Politics weren't so divided and they weren't so bad. That's the last one.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And like, even the debates during those, during Obama's campaigns were really the debates where like I, and I voted for Obama the second time. I didn't the first time. And. But you saw them come out as gentlemen, right. And there was this mutual respect and there wasn't the nastiness and the name calling and the, it was just such a different climate. And I didn't think to appreciate it as much then as I do now because I didn't, I didn't see the contrast, you know, until later. But with some of those things, one of the things that stood out to me in one of your videos that I absolutely resonate. I've. I grew up around guns, hunted, owned guns. I've been a lifetime gun owner, except when I was in New York, obviously, and you made a comment of, I love my guns, but there's gotta be something we can do to make sure kids don't get shot up in school. And being someone who is a gun owner and a hunter, what do you think, like, common sense gun reform looks like?

[Brian Andrews]

Well, to me, like, here's what I think we should do as like, if I was a lawmaker or if I represented the Democratic Party in Congress, I would say, okay, bucket, you win. We don't have to do with guns. Let's fuck all the shit you say it is. You say it's a mental health crisis. You know, people kill guns. Not, not guns or what? Guns don't kill people. People do. Yeah, okay, fine, you win. Let's try it your fucking way. Let's take a bunch of funding and dump it into fucking mental health care. Oh, no, you don't want to do that.

[Monty Mater]

You don't want to fix that either.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly. That's the problem I have. So it's like it, let's just let it, let it, let them do it their way. And then when that doesn't work, maybe we can be like, hey, maybe we should do something about this. Here's the thing that I have. I think that if you want to own an assault weapon, an AR15, any kind of, you know, semi automatic machine gun like that that is designed to kill people.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

Then great. You should have to go through extensive obstacles to be able to own that weapon.

[Monty Mater]

Yep, I agree. I think my personal opinion is that gun licenses should be treated like driver's licenses in the sense that it's pretty easy to get your basic driver's license for like a shotgun to have for home defense or a revolver or things that are not, you know, hundreds of rounds a minute if you bump stock them. And then the more advanced the weaponry gets, it's like getting your cdl. You have to, you have to complete higher levels of training. You have to have a more extensive background check. Maybe you have to have a psych evaluation. The same way that we treat drivers who want to handle hazardous materials.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. It's no different than somebody who drives a semi for a living. They got to go to school for four weeks just be able to drive that truck.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. Because that truck is a deadly weapon in the hands of someone who doesn't know how to use it.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly.

[Monty Mater]

And it's not designed to kill people.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. And that's, that's what I mean. Like, it's just like to me, that's what common sense gun laws look like. I don't, I don't think, and I think most Democrats feel that way. I think there's probably some that are like, yeah, we should probably not, you know, have any guns at all. But to me, as a small town person who owns many guns and uses them all the time, I just used one yesterday to kill a turkey.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

But for me it's like, could we make them harder for crazy people to get? Yeah, absolutely.

[Monty Mater]

And that just seems to make sense.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Their whole argument is like, well, look at Chicago. If bad people are going to get guns, then they're going to get guns. And I'm like, you're right. Some people will get their hands on them that aren't supposed to. It'll happen, but we could mitigate some of the losses.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And also it negates the fact that in places like Chicago and New York, they're bordered by states where it's legal. So taking that shit over state lines because there's not. We don't have a universal system that's enforced everywhere. It's easier to violate it. And also if that's the argument, if it's like, well, you know, people are going to do it anyway, well, then why are you banning drugs and abortion?

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

Quick question. If bans don't work, like, yeah, I.

[Brian Andrews]

Feel this, I feel the same way. That's my thing. It's like, like I just. And here's the problem, like with it is that, you know, if school shootings never happen, it. You can own me any gun you want. I don't care.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah, I don't give a.

[Brian Andrews]

Kids are dying and people are dying from mass shootings at a super rapid rate. Like kids die more from guns.

[Monty Mater]

It's the number one killer of kids.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. Then they do any thing else. That is such a sad statistic that nobody, nobody seems to be able to grasp.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And that's. And that. And again, it's these issues, they get painted in such a partisan way. But that affects everybody.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

Everyone's kids are going to school. Like the number one risk to anyone's child, the number one killer is firearms.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes.

[Monty Mater]

That's crazy. And I think for me, and again, growing up in the far extreme, I started deconstructing politically first before I deconstructed the other, like really harmful versions of Christianity, the abusive ones. But I remember a big shift for me with Sandy Hook.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

When I saw how my family and people I grew up with responded to that. And the defiance about any kind of conversation about how do we stop this from happening.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

And the Uvalde shooting, when they would wear the AR pins, I was like, that is so ruthless and cruel. Like, to just not only to not have the conversation, but to wear that. It's just heartbreaking.

[Brian Andrews]

Right, I agree. I think it's just so insane because, like, that's my thing. Like, I've even had conversations with guys that I know that I grew up with that are pretty far right leaning and it's like, do you not think that we could have a little bit harsher ways for these people to get them? I'm not saying that people shouldn't be able to own them. I'm just saying don't you think that we should at least have them make. Maybe take a test or take some training or go through an extensive background.

[Monty Mater]

Or go through a class or something?

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. And most, most of them are like, yeah, I don't see a problem with that.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

Okay. But then when it gets politicized on the media, then everybody has a problem with it.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. Well, and it gets painted. It gets painted in such extremes because as someone who is a. I would. I would classify myself as. I'm a progressive democratic socialist. I believe in socialism infused with capitalism because they work the best. I am also a gun owner and I believe that everyone should be able to own a gun if they want one. They should be able to defend themselves. But the way that I would be painted in the media is, well, all Democrats hate guns. No, no, they don't. A lot of Democrats hunt and own guns and own weapons for self defense, like, exactly. And then on the floor, well, Democrats want to ban all weapons. When again, sure, there's probably a few people that feel that way. The vast majority don't. And then the GOP and Republicans get painted as they don't. They don't support any kind of gun reform when a lot of the human beings that own those guns do, because they understand that it's dangerous in the hands of a wrong person.

[Brian Andrews]

Yep. I. I 100 agree. And that's where I'm saying, like, it's just. And like, I. I get so tired of hearing people say, like, oh, well, Trump's less divisive than Joe Biden was. It's like, can we agree that they both are as. You know what I mean? Because, like, that. These issues like, that we can agree on behind in some, you know, chilling, drinking a beer or something like that. Then all of a sudden, we get on the social media apps or we watch the news or something like that, or get on Twitter and see Donald Trump tweet out some like, happy Easter, even to all the racist. Or to the radical left. Crazy liberals. Yeah, radical left or whatever. It's like, how the. Is that not divisive?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. Well, and I think one of the things. The distinction that I agree that the partisan politics are divisive, but Trump's brand is chaos and crazy making. And so I point that out to people. People are like, oh, Biden this or Obama that. And I'm like, hey, listen, I agree with you that both sides of the aisle have their hands in deep pockets. Both sides of the aisle are very divisive. I was like, however, we have to acknowledge that Velveeta Voldemort is intense in crazy making because it is part of his brand. It is what people love him for.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

I mean, we're already on signal gate, too, with Pete Hegseth. Okay, guys, like, it's not the same.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, dude, that. That is crazy, too.

[Monty Mater]

Can you imagine if any. Anyone in any other administration did something like that?

[Brian Andrews]

Dude, that's what I'm saying. They. They wanted. They wanted to castrate Obama for wearing a tan suit. Dude.

[Monty Mater]

Because it was like, it's so. And it's. I laugh because I don't want to scream, but, like, I'm like, this man is texting war plans to family members and a journalist.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

What is going on? And. And, like, RFK is wanting to. Wanting the National Institute of Health to create an autism registry.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And I'm like, that sounds real. 1930s Germany, guys.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Like, you're telling me that we're gonna make people who have autism sign up into a book. So we know, like, that is what the are we doing?

[Monty Mater]

No, thanks. I'm just so. It's like. And I think, again, I think people are starting to wake up and notice those things, but some of it is just so insane. And especially like, the. And I can't even call it a deportation. The trafficking people to El Salvador, some of them by accident without any due process. And I'm like, man, we should all be able to get on the same page, that everyone deserves due process and that you can't just snatch people because you want to. And not only not send them home, send them to a country they've never been before.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Then admit that you did it wrongly, then start lying to people and say it. Nah, we did it.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And. And now we have a photo evidence of interpreting their tattoos to be.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

Ms. 13. I was like, are you.

[Brian Andrews]

That's my whole thing. It's like, if. Listen, if that Guy was a MS.13 gang member and all that bullshit that you guys are saying about him, great, Bring him back here. Bring him in front of a court like the Supreme Court told you to do.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

And let him have his day. Because as far as I'm concerned, when you took his ass and sent him to El Salvador, he was here under protective status.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

And that's the end of the story. Right.

[Monty Mater]

And the judge had ordered that protected status.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. If you want to reopen that case, great, be my guest. But the wrong action was send him back to El Salvador.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. And. And then just saying, yeah, we made a mistake, but we're not going to fix it. And then to say, if he does somehow get back to the border or get in, they're going to ship him back. I was like, this is like, it's actually insane because for me, the greatest threat of that is that I was like, guys, if they can do that to someone with protected status or legal status, they can do it to you.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. That's my big thing. That, that. That's what scares me the most about it is like, dude, here's the problem. Like, I don't know everything about that case, and I won't speak heavily on it, but the problem for me is it sets a precedent. If they can do it to his ass, they can do it to you, too.

[Monty Mater]

Well, and in May, the Supreme Court is evaluating Trump's executive order to be able to remove birthright citizenship.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Which is absolutely insane.

[Monty Mater]

That's all of us. Yeah, that's all of us. And that's also, you know, immigration is another thing that I think the media has painted in Such extremes. Like, oh, the Democrats want to let everybody in. And. And then, you know, the GOP wants to get rid of everyone. And for the most part, people are like, no, I want people to be able to immigrate if they want to. I want people to be able to seek asylum. And, yeah, if someone gets arrested for a crime, they should get due process and then they get sent home. Yeah, no problem. I have no issue with any of that. But it's painted in such huge extremes, and now we're seeing the fallout from that extreme.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. And that's what I mean. Like, I didn't mean to say his ass, like, in a derogatory way. That's not what I meant. I mean.

[Monty Mater]

Oh, no, I didn't. I didn't take it that way at all. You mentioned your viewers, like, I cuss like a sailor. And I'm like, amen. Amen.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, yeah. I just, I just, like, that's. That's my main thing. And, like, even with birthright citizenship, they want to be able. Like that, which I don't want to speak out of turn or speak for the administration in any way, but to me, it feels like they want to get rid of birthright citizenship because they want to be able to get deport people who are US citizens who are largely and loudly speaking out against them.

[Monty Mater]

100. Well, I mean, Trump was on video saying he wants to send homegrowns to El Salvador. So that's on tape. We have proof of that. But then also, the people they're picking up are people who participated in protests. The students that they're sending home participated in protests, which is their legal right.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

So even birthright citizenship has gone, like, I need to get my ass out of the country because I'm real loud about how I feel about this.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. I mean, even. Even Candace, Candace Owens is saying, this is fucking crazy.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And that's. That's saying a lot.

[Brian Andrews]

A lot.

[Monty Mater]

I had a week. There was a week of time where I agreed with something Tomi Lauren said. I agreed with something Laura Loomer said, and I agreed with Joe Rogan. And I was like, what is happening? You know, but it's the same, you know, and people are just pointing, like, really, the alarm bells are going off, because I think that's the greatest risk that we have right now is if we lose birthright citizenship. We're all in hot water, because anyone who protests or resists is in danger of being deported. And they've now set precedent that they can just snatch you, move you overnight really quick, and then they're not gonna bring you back.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly.

[Monty Mater]

And we don't know. We know what's happening to some of the men, but we. I haven't been able to find any information on what's happening to the women and children that have been picked up. I don't even know where they are.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, I don't either.

[Monty Mater]

It's crazy. It's really terrifying.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, very. I would. I would agree with you there. I mean, it's just. And that's where I'm saying, like. Like, it's obvious that I'm not a Trump supporter. And, like, I don't try to pretend like I'm somewhere in the middle when it comes to Donald Trump, because I'm very much not with that guy at all.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. I mean, I would take a. Like, George W. Over him, like, any day.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Yeah. And that's what I mean. Like, that's where. That's what I'm saying. Like, I hold a lot of conservative values, like, when it comes to guns, stuff like that. I think at the bare bones, like, I totally agree with and support the Second Amendment, you know, or certain other things, but when it comes to just being, like, that's my thing. I. I just feel like as a people, we have lost respect for humanity.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, and that's. That's where most of my views come from, is the fact that I just want to be able to recognize and have empathy for other human beings, regardless of what they believe, who they are, or where they came from.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. You know that, like, that we're human first. Like, that's the most important thing.

[Brian Andrews]

Right, Exactly. And I believe that way, too, because I. I feel like my faith teaches me to be that way. You know what I mean? It's like, no matter where you. Where you came from, the Christian religion is. Is founded on the ideals that you respect everybody for anything, or God so loved the world. Yes.

[Monty Mater]

Imagine that.

[Brian Andrews]

I mean, it's just crazy to me. And, like, I. I just. I think about it all the time because, you know, it was such a big saying when we were kids growing up. The. What would Jesus do?

[Monty Mater]

I just wrote an article on my Patreon titled wwjd.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. And it's like, I don't know. I don't know exactly what he would do, but I know he wouldn't be doing this.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. Well, and that's what I come back to, because I. Even with my following, and a lot of it's biblically based, and I've started teaching Bible Studies in a very neutral way. I'm like, I'm not trying to convert you to anything. I just, I'm just going to help talk you through what this actually says. And that the entirety of Christ's ministry is love the Lord your God with your heart, your soul, your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes.

[Monty Mater]

Like, over and over and over. And it's. You have to intentionally miss the message to not see that.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly.

[Monty Mater]

And I think that's what's so frustrating to me because I really. When I deconstructed and I left the radical, the far, far right, I at first was really angry about Christianity, but then I realized that I had been taught, like, a manipulated version of it.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, exactly.

[Monty Mater]

Where I'm like, the work of Christ is incredible. And if we all did this, the world would be amazing.

[Brian Andrews]

Yep. I agree with you 100%. I think if we all follow, followed, like, just tried to be more like him, I think that it would. We would live in a much different world. Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

Like, you know, I mean, even the thing of, like, you know, him telling the rich man, sell everything you have and give to the poor.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

Like, very, like, very socialist leanings. Very, like, communal. And so was the early church and.

[Brian Andrews]

Right.

[Monty Mater]

And I don't know, frustrating to see people twist that and manipulate it into this, like, autocracy, colonialism kind of ideology. That just isn't there. It's not in there.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly.

[Monty Mater]

Like, you made that up.

[Brian Andrews]

Right. That's. That's my thing. Like, and Jesus's whole thing. Whole thing is like, he wants you to. And God, they want. I feel like they want you to be able to come to them because you want to come to them, not because somebody. It's the law, too.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. Right. Because that would make us no different than the Taliban.

[Brian Andrews]

Exactly. And they, they knew that. That's what I'm saying. Like, I, I just don't. And like, that's my thing. I'm a sinner and I know it, dude. And I misspeak all the time. They. I probably shouldn't say and stuff like that and probably have some views that go against my religion and my faith and stuff like that. But at the same time, like, I' I think I'm trying to be better every single day. And where I think people mess up is they think that, like, real life is, is their faith.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know what I mean? And it's like, you're, you're, you're confusing the two, I think. You know what I mean? Like, you're, you're it's, it's like a, it's like a power thing. You, you can't use religion and Christianity as a, As a powerful tool.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

Even I, I agree that the faith is strong, but I mean, you guys are using it to jail people.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. To harm others.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

Like you're using your faith as a weapon.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. And that's, that's where like, like the whole evangelical Christian movement and Christian nationalist movement. Dude, it's like, this is the way they act is not Christian at all.

[Monty Mater]

It's not, it's. It's cosplay like we were talking about with the, the Nashville Cowboys. It's cosplay.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. I, I agree. And that's where, like, I think, like I said, I. Some of the views I do because of my faith and I, I will always stand strong in that because that's my thing. Like, it continuously talks about standing up for the poor or standing up for the weak. So if I got, if somebody's got to stand in the fucking gap, I will. I don't give a shit.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah, I love that. How do you, what do you envision. And again, like, being so rooted in rural South America, you know what I mean? Like, what do you see is our way forward? Like, what's kind of your hope that happens either after this administration or within this administration? How do you envision we fix it or start to fix it?

[Brian Andrews]

I think social media is going to play a huge role in mending the gap like we were talking about. I think we have to start seeing more creators be vocal like that, have middle of the road views or, you know, progressive views or something like that, to be more vocal on their platforms and stuff like that because. And be more relatable. And I think that'll start showing. I think another thing that has to happen is we just have to make it through the next four years and then the next two people that run for president have to be, I wouldn't say like older style politics, but older style rhetoric. You know what I mean? Like somebody.

[Monty Mater]

Professionalism.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. Yeah. To bring, bring professionalism back to the White House. You know what I mean? And I think that would go a long way because it would get people saying, like, oh, you know, these two candidates aren't that much different, that we just disagree on how we can get to the same spot.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah, exactly.

[Brian Andrews]

You know what I'm saying?

[Monty Mater]

How do you think. How do you. I mean. And again, we're speculating here. This is just spitballing. Like, what do you think's gonna happen with the MAGA community and Donald Trump's kind of cult following. I'm not saying general Republicans, cuz there's a difference. But that particular. How do you see that playing out? Especially being in an environment where you might have some more far right folks in your circle?

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. I mean, to be honest with you, I'd say that I'd see a lot of people like, especially in rural areas, they'd start supporting whoever it is that he endorses.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

Because I refuse to speak into existence that he's going to try to run for a third term. But even if that does happen, like if I think, I think if that happens, that's where you'll start to see a lot of them be like, nah, it's like, no, I, I think you'll have some of his following be like, yeah, sure, you know, let's vote for him. I think we should do whatever we can to get him back in office because he's the savior and all, be all and everything like that. But I think there's a lot less of those people than there are people that are that voted for him but are like, yeah, that's probably not a good fucking plan.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. Because I feel like even some of the far right people that I know and even some of our conservative Supreme Court justices, even though I disagree with them on a lot of social issues, they are constitutionalists.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

They care about the Constitution remaining intact and being enforced. And we've seen that with the Supreme Court turning and looking at him and saying, no, you can't do this in a 9, 0 decision. Which is incredible.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Unanimous. Yeah. That's what, that's insane.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And is in for you, like being an artist in this environment. What are you hoping that like your brand and your music can, can do in this space, in this time that.

[Brian Andrews]

We'Re in, heal first and foremost. You know, I think that for me, like, whether it's, you know, social issues that are really big, you know, or whatever and that sometimes feel larger than life or something you're going through in your everyday life, I think mostly I just want to be there for the people who need it, you know, and like, because I remember a time in my life where it felt like I didn't have nobody, you know, even I had friends, don't get me wrong. But like when you're in a super depressed state, you know, when was that?

[Monty Mater]

When were you in that space?

[Brian Andrews]

It would have been 2015, 2014, 2015. I was doing a lot of drugs, probably shouldn't have Been doing. But, you know, I mean, my drug of choice was like. Like Xanax and pills in general, but, I mean, that can just take a hold on your life. But that. That's where, like. Like I said, it's just being there for people who need to heal. You know what I'm saying? Like.

[Monty Mater]

And, like, how did you get out of it?

[Brian Andrews]

I actually went to the hospital with my parents because they finally talked me into it. And. Well, they didn't talk me into it. They just took me because I tried to attempt to take my own life one night, and we went and I spent three days in a facility there and kind of was just taking the world sober for the first time in, like, a year.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

And that helped a lot. And then when I got home, I stayed at my folks for, like, six months in their house and helped them or, you know, always had their help there just to stay away from the. Didn't drink, didn't do nothing. And that helped a lot. But time, really.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

I mean, and music. I mean, that's when I started writing songs right after I got.

[Monty Mater]

I was wondering if, like, that was a catalyst to you becoming. Because you mentioned your dad was your band teacher, so obviously you had done music previously, but was it. Was it after that period that you really became Brian the Artist?

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. Yeah, it was right after. I mean, directly after. Like, as soon as I got home and I was sitting at home for those six months, like, I knew I couldn't drink and I knew I couldn't do pills, but. And I didn't. Like, that's my thing. I. When I. When I finally tried to take my own life and got sober, I realized very fast that I did not want to die.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, like. But I think when you're just. You're caught up in it and it's just. Nothing is ever getting better. Nothing is changing.

[Monty Mater]

That's when you're constantly numbing, and it's like, it's just making things worse. I. I was similar. Similar outcome, but different backdrop in. For me, it was 2016, 2017, when I lost several family members in one summer and then fell into alcohol abuse. I was in an abusive relationship. And then one night, I had planned everything out. I had emptied my locker at work. I had letters written. I had figured out how I was gonna take care of it, and it was just. I got through that night.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And then after that was like, oh, man, I do want to be alive.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Yeah. That was my thing. It's like, I. I think I just spent so long, like, doing the things that I felt so guilty for, you know, and it was just the. That's another thing. The guilt of how I was living my life was just driving me so. So depressed, you know?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

And so trying to deal with that and trying to realize, like, you know, I'm not this person, but trying to convince yourself of that is another thing, you know what I mean? And so I. For a long time, I was just trying to fight that too. And it just finally got to a point where it's like, what am I doing? You know? Like, I've never been. When I was growing up, I was always the outgoing kid, you know, like, always had stuff to do, always played sports, you know, was always doing something at school. Felt full of life, you know? And then when I was 18 years old, I was doing some shit that I really shouldn't have been doing and just kept. Kept up, you know, and kept doing really shady things that I'm definitely not proud of, but. And that was eating me alive, and I just couldn't get over it. And then the pills made it worse, you know, and so when you're. When you're addicted to them, you don't give a anymore, you know, it's just like, how fast can I get them?

[Monty Mater]

Cycle. Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. So. But when I finally got sober, it was like, I've got to find something. Something to be able to cope or whatever. So I just started writing and.

[Monty Mater]

Incredible.

[Brian Andrews]

That was pretty terrible.

[Monty Mater]

Weren't we all, when we all started? Between when you started writing and when you released your first song, how long was that? I'm now asking artist questions. The rock and Roll Monty is now asking questions.

[Brian Andrews]

It was a long time, actually. It was. I didn't release my first single until I was 24, and I started writing songs when I was 18, 19. So I think. Yeah, I think it was. I was 24. It was in 2020.

[Monty Mater]

Okay.

[Brian Andrews]

So it was six years. Yeah. That I spent really trying to write. And I can remember thinking, like, these songs are terrible. But, like, I would show them to my friends and. And they would all think it's all cool, and. Because we'd be sitting around the campfire or something like that, and they'd be like, oh, dude, that's so good. You know, and looking back on them, I'm like, dude, that was bad.

[Monty Mater]

But thank you for believing in me.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, and then I finally wrote a song once that I put on my Facebook and I used to work on the road, and it was a song about Working on the road. And I put. I was in my hotel room at work in Chicago and I had written a song and I put the video. Just took an iPhone video of it and put it on Facebook. And it got like. It got shared around to some like construction pages and got like 40, 000 views. And I was like, holy.

[Monty Mater]

You're like, wait, what?

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, people actually like this? So, no, I just kept writing from there and it was like I just couldn't shut it off because I wanted to chase that feeling again, you know?

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

And I got tick tock and it was. I. I had like 80, 000 followers. Had it for like a year because all my buddies had it and I wanted it. So I downloaded it or whatever and I started seeing other. Other people post, you know, like, their music stuff. And I was like, well, you know, I write here and there. So I was like, I'm gonna start posting. And then right. Right before I quit working on the road, I wrote the. My very first single that I put out on streaming platforms called Liquor and Pills. And I was. I remember writing it when I was on my way home from work in Minnesota. I was on my way back to Missouri and I just thought of the melody and I was thinking of lyrics on the way home, just kind of messing with it. And then when I got home, I posted. Posted a video of it after I put it to some chords or whatever and it got like 700, 000 views. And I was like, oh, yeah.

[Monty Mater]

It's like, am I a musician?

[Brian Andrews]

Like, yeah, like I can do this. And then got the song recorded and put it out in December of 2020 on Christmas Day. And it was like it had like 9,000 streams for a week and. Or in a week. And I was like, dude, this is awesome. You know what I mean? And then I posted a video playing of the song getting played on the radio in my hometown. Shout out to my boy, Chuck Weldon over at the KMZU small, small radio station. But he.

[Monty Mater]

He was like, it matters though. It all matters.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, yeah. He was like, we'll play your song or whatever. So I took a video of it getting played on there with my mom, and that video got 15 million views. And so, yeah, it was like, social.

[Monty Mater]

Media is incredible, man. It is an incredible tool when used properly.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, for sure. That, that was. That was the, like, that I can even. I have a video of me just taking, like. Because I never. I never felt that much like it was before the video even popped off. I posted the video and then I Like, was looking at my phone and I was just sitting in my truck after it got done, the song got done playing and I was like, just that I've never felt that much gratitude towards anything in my life, you know, And I was, it was so humbling because it was like, dude, like, this is, I love this. This is my passion, you know, this is who I am as a person. And I think it's what I'm supposed to be, you know, what I'm here to do. And I was just balling. I mean, I couldn't, uncontrollably, could not stop crying. And I was like, you know, it's, it was just an amazing feeling. And I just have been chasing that feeling ever since and trying to write, write songs that matter to people ever since. Because I think that, you know, I'm not saying I won't write the party song. Every once in a while you gotta.

[Monty Mater]

Have some, some dance songs, you know, Right.

[Brian Andrews]

The, the song that, you know, everybody listen or the hit or whatever. But I think for me, I'm most proud of writing songs that will help somebody get through a bad day.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah. And actually was gonna be my next question because I, I know that almost every artist I know, myself included, are healers that are just trying to make the world a little bit better.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And my kind of my wrap up question as we get ready here is, when you're performing or when you play that big show, what is it that you want people to feel when they see and hear you?

[Brian Andrews]

Just release, you know, just fucking, total, total release of the shit that's just been holding you back for an hour. You know what I mean? Just that, just that time. Just be present in that moment and just let everything else go. Because for me, when I'm on stage, nothing else matters. And I want them to be able to feel the same way I feel in that moment.

[Monty Mater]

You know, in that moment, we're fully present. Yes, fully present. And we get to let everything go.

[Brian Andrews]

Yes. We're just second. You know, I always think about it and I'll, I'll say, I'll tell this story till I'm dead. But like, the moment I knew I wanted to be an artist, I went to. I was a huge Luke Combs fan and still am, but I went to watch him in concert in 2017 with my buddies and I was still working on the road. He was playing at the T Mobile center here in Kansas City, and I went with them. We got a limo and all kinds of shit and we were all getting drunk or whatever and hanging out and stuff like that. And I remember going to the show and he played Beer never broke my heart. And I was loving the show and everything until that song. And I just look around and everybody. There wasn't one person in that arena that was sitting down. You know what I mean? I mean, everybody was screaming. And in that moment, for that three minutes, nobody gave a. Nobody in there cared about any thing else they had going on in life. It was just that small.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. And so I remember sitting there thinking, like, almost getting, like. And I feel guilty for it now, but, like, almost getting, like, a super jealous feeling. And I was like, I want. I don't want to be here. I want to be there.

[Monty Mater]

I think sometimes I think jealousy gets painted in a bad light because I think jealousy, jealousy, if you allow it to consume you and make you a shitty person, yeah, that's one thing. But jealousy, I. I is one of my favorite emotions. Now. That's a weird thing to say, because I've noticed whenever I'm jealous of someone, it shows me things I'm longing for in life and what's missing. And so I can be like, well, I'm jealous of this person. Why am I jealous? Oh, I'm jealous because they're clearly authentically being themselves. Or I'm jealous because they have a really healthy relationship with their family. And then I'm able to kind of turn my compass and say, okay, my body and my heart are telling me I need those things.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And maybe I need to be braver or maybe I need to take, you know, the chance to make that phone call that I don't want to make. You know, things like that.

[Brian Andrews]

I completely agree. I think that, like, that's what I mean. Like, in that moment, I knew right then that I didn't. I wanted to be. I wanted to swap places, you know, Like, I wanted to be the guy that provided that moment for everybody else. So I. And, like, I think in. At the time, I didn't know how to get there or what that even meant, you know? But the further I've gotten along in my career, it's just noticing, like, you get to be that person by writing songs that actually matter.

[Monty Mater]

Yep.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, and so that's the one person.

[Monty Mater]

It's the one person, like, even if it's, you know, not something that becomes a big hit, I found it's the one message or the one comment that says, man, I needed to hear this tonight, or, man, you don't understand what I was going through until I Heard this.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. Absolutely powerful. I posted this on my story or on my social media the other day, but I just got a DM that of a kid that was talking about how he was going to end his life and then heard one of my songs and didn't. And I was like, that's where I'm. You know? And, like, that's what it's all about. Like, I don't. If I. If I never. That those moments are my proudest moments. You know what I mean? Like, and even when I'm making music in the studio, if I really love a song that we're making or anything like that I'm. Or writing, I'm like, I can see those moments happening before they happen.

[Monty Mater]

Yeah.

[Brian Andrews]

You know, and that's what makes. Right. And that's what makes me excited for the song, you know? Like, if I know that I'm writing a song that I just don't care about, I can't foresee any impact of it. Then what's. I don't even want to mess with it anymore. Yeah. There's nothing. There's no point to even make it. You know, if it doesn't speak to somebody's soul, then I don't want it.

[Monty Mater]

And do you have any, like, releases coming up? Kind of what's in the near future for you musically?

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah. So there's some stuff that I probably can't talk about.

[Monty Mater]

That's okay. Oh, secrets.

[Brian Andrews]

But we got a lot of music coming. I'll say that. A lot of big things. Yeah. I think social media has been going really hot, and we're starting to have a lot of conversations, so.

[Monty Mater]

Like that. Like that.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And you already know that next time you are actually in Nashville, I owe you a drink. And if you're doing a show, let me. I'll show up with a bunch of metal heads. It'll be great.

[Brian Andrews]

Absolutely. That's. I love. I love metal music. I was a huge Mice and Men fan back in the day. Epic.

[Monty Mater]

So good.

[Brian Andrews]

We were young, so. Yeah. And I love, love, like, Spirit Box, probably my favorite band.

[Monty Mater]

It's going to get me amped up. I'm, like, sitting up in my chair now. I'm like, let's go. Let's talk about it. I was compared to Courtney once at a show, and I. I literally was like, I will marry you right now. If you see that.

[Brian Andrews]

So what's your ring size?

[Monty Mater]

Exactly. I wear a size.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah.

[Monty Mater]

And where online can everybody find you?

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, you can find me on social media anywhere at Brian Andrews Music or Just search me on any street screaming streaming platform.

[Monty Mater]

At BrianAndrews, it's Brian with a Y as well. And this will be in the show notes as well. But I wanted people to know where to find you. And I just wanted to say thank you again, not just for coming on the show, but for just being that authentic, honest, genuine voice like, and as a woman, it's so nice to see men vocally in this space. It's so refreshing and it's, it's, it's really inspiring.

[Brian Andrews]

Well, I appreciate you having me and I appreciate you saying that to me because I need to be reminded of stuff like that too, you know, like, yeah, that's what I would say. Like if somebody ever makes you feel a certain way, tell them, you know.

[Monty Mater]

Yep. You don't, you never know if you might not have the chance again. And I, but I was, you know, so impressed with, you know, what had gotten sent to me. And it's, again, it's just so refreshing. And as someone who grew up cowboy, grew up in country music, it's a really important voice and I also know that it takes a lot of courage to have that kind of voice. And I just want you to know that I respect the fuck out of you for just showing up, just showing up as yourself.

[Brian Andrews]

Yeah, back at you. I think that's the key to life is being who you are down to the core and what you can give to the world, not what you can take from it, you know.

[Monty Mater]

Amen to that. So I want everybody listening to the podcast to go follow Brian at BrianAdamsMusic on all social media platforms. Go listen to him on Spotify if you're in Nashville. We're gonna go to his shows next time he's up here and all you metal heads, you can go come goth doubt. It'll be fun and just wanna thank you for being here. Thank you all so much for being here for another week. Thank you again to my Patreon supporters who have helped pick topics. They've also sent recommendations for interviews if you would like to support my work. It's $1 a patreon and that's patreon.com Monty Mater. I'm starting to get some supporters and some sponsors. So all of the episodes on Patreon will be ad free always. As well as early releases, exclusive long form content and live streams. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you so much for learning and staying curious and trying to make a difference in the world. And I'll see you next week on Flipping Tables.