If Sh*t is Good, It’s Good with Koe Wetzel - On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer

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Transcript58 lines

[00:07]
A
I hate when people put a genre on songs. If the good, it's good. You know, it's so easy to make music now. It's so easy to put your music out there. And the way the streaming world is and everything, man, it's really cool. It's just the way it's kind of evolving. We're seeing it firsthand and it's really cool.
[00:30]
B
Hey, everybody, it's Troy Volhofer on the bus at Country Thunder. Today we're having a very unique artist. CO Wetzel on We're going to talk a lot about what's going on in your life and what's going on on the road. And let's talk about where you were last night.
[00:43]
A
We were in El Paso, got a layover there. We were coming from Gonzalez, Texas, and yeah, we, we stayed up a little too late last night. We were. Had to get an IV whenever we pulled up. But I'm feeling a little bit better now. I got me a little cocktail now, so we're doing a lot better.
[00:59]
B
Yeah. Green band aid. Yeah. Get right back on that horse.
[01:03]
A
Absolutely.
[01:04]
B
So you're from Pittsburgh, Texas? Yeah. So what was it like growing up in Pittsburgh, Texas?
[01:08]
A
It was great, man. It's a really small town about two and a half hours east of Dallas. So it's. It's kind of behind the pond curtain. Like, they don't even really consider us east Texans a part of Texas. It's kind of. They consider us pretty much Louisiana. But it was great, man. Small town vibe. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.
[01:27]
B
So you played football?
[01:28]
A
Yeah.
[01:29]
B
So how did football transcend into music?
[01:32]
A
So I've always, I've always, you know, played music and sang and wrote and stuff, and it was all. It was always just kind of there, you know, I never really thought that I would pursue it the way I did. But, yeah, I played football, got a scholarship to, to go play college football. I did it for like a year and a half, broke my ankle, had to have surgery, came back and we were gigging a lot more and I've been drinking a whole lot more and figured out I could get more women by playing the guitar and get more free beer by playing guitar than ever having any chances of going to the NFL. So I was like, man, screw this, I'm out. And then, yeah, the grades went to after that in school and they kicked me out of school. I said, well, I guess this is time to get after it. So we really started hitting it hard after that.
[02:23]
B
Well, we're glad you did that and made that choice because, you know, sure. Enjoying your music. And so a lot of our listeners, we're. This. This podcast is throughout North America, and so there's some Canadian listeners. And as we know, the whole Texas scene is a whole scene to itself. I don't think a lot of people understand that, that it's like two different worlds. There's Nashville and then there's Texas. And so you started out in the Texas scene where there's a lot of artists who make a living never leaving Texas.
[02:52]
A
Yeah, absolutely. It's like you said, it's a song scene. It's. It's. I mean, hell, Texas is pretty much its own country. Like, I mean, you can tour year round and never hit the same city twice in Texas, you know, and a lot of people do that and make damn good livings doing it, man. And yeah, coming up in the Texas thing was awesome. It was. There was that little feud of mainstream. I think there's always been kind of a little feud there with Texas country and in mainstream country, but no music's music, so it is what it is.
[03:21]
B
Yeah, it seems like that has kind of diminished a little bit.
[03:24]
A
Yeah. Yeah. Now there's so many different genres and there's kind of just not even a. Music is so genreless these days, you know, so it's kind of everything just kind of blended in with each other now.
[03:36]
B
So you signed. You signed your big deal with Columbia in 2020. What was it like to get your first record deal?
[03:41]
A
It was great. You know, I never had any plans of signing a record label. You know, we. We were independent for, you know, so long, eight or eight or nine years. And, you know, it was kind of how I wanted it to be, but we felt, or I felt, you know, that it was. There's only so much you can do as an independent artist. You know, you. You do need those connections and especially if you want to grow the brand and, you know, spread your music. So it was during COVID and nobody really knew what. What the. Was going on. We didn't. Nobody really knew what was going to happen. And after Harold Saw High, we had a couple record labels hit us up and. And we talked to a bunch of them, and I was like, you know what? I think it's time we take that step. And I'm glad we did, man. We got with Columbia and they've been nothing but great to us. Just kind of let me do what I wanted to do. And. And they're. They backed me 110%.
[04:34]
B
So, like, your. Your tunes are fused with A bunch of different genres. And what were your influences? Like, what made the creative edge that you have now?
[04:43]
A
Yeah, so, I mean, I grew up on like, older country mama. If I was in a little car with my mom, it'd be worship music or, you know, 90s country, old country. And if I was with my dad, it was either old rock or, you know, Eminem and 50 Cent and rap and hip hop. So I think all that combined with me figuring out grunge music and pop punk, like whenever I was around sixth, seventh grade, all that kind of combined just kind of really, you know, help. Help make what we're. We. We're putting out.
[05:19]
B
Yeah. Because I really dig how you just smash stuff together. It's killer. And I mean, it's so. It's so unique and it's. It's so refreshing and.
[05:26]
A
Thank you.
[05:27]
B
It's. It's awesome. I really enjoy your tunes. Let's talk about the single Damn Near Normal.
[05:31]
A
Yeah, it was a song that me and Gabe Simon, Amy Allen, we got together in Torneo at Sonic Ranch Studios. We had like a three or four day just kind of write and record session. And it was one of those songs that we kind of got to talk about how our lives as musicians and people that are in the music world, you know, our lives are a lot different than, you know, say, whenever we go back home and we see all of our friends that have kids and wives and nine to five jobs, and it's just. It's crazy how different our lives are. So we got. We got on that topic and we wrote that song pretty quick. And I don't know, it. It meant a lot to me, you know, for especially it being the first song back in two years since we put out music. I kind of wanted just to show everybody, you know, kind of the way that we're. We're, you know, making our music and pushing our music to us out and that kind of sound, you know, that's killer.
[06:25]
B
How did love come up with Parker McClellan?
[06:27]
A
I actually wrote the song, and then me and Parker were hanging out or whatever, and that was right after he put out Limestone kid. And he was kind of on his rise in Texas scene. And my buddy Jake Murphy was his tour manager at the time. And he was like, man, I think. I think Parker wants to help get on love. And I was like, that'd be Murphy. So he got on and he called me. He was like, hey, you know, I'm writing this last verse. I think I'm just going to kill her in the end. Is that okay? I was like, sure, let's kill her. So we kill her off in the song. And. No, it was great, man. And the success that he's had, man, is just insane. It's so much fun to watch. But, yeah, man, it was. It was a good time.
[07:12]
B
Yeah, he's a great guy. I've had him on the show before.
[07:14]
A
He's a badass.
[07:15]
B
Yeah, he is. And I've had him around Country Thunder since he was, you know, from an opening act, actually, you know, a headliner at one point. And he's. He's excellent.
[07:24]
A
Excellent kid, for sure.
[07:26]
B
And so tell me about your touring schedule. How many dates a year are you doing now? What's it. What's it consist of?
[07:32]
A
We're doing a lot less shows than we're used to. Used to? We're. We're around 150, 125 to 150 shows a year. And, hell, two or three years ago or before COVID it was closer to 200 shows a year.
[07:43]
B
Where are you living now?
[07:44]
A
Where do you live? I live just west of Fort Worth in Weatherford.
[07:47]
B
Oh, wow. So you stayed in Texas?
[07:48]
A
Yeah, I'm still in Texas. It's. It's gonna be hard for me to. To leave, I don't think. I mean, hopefully if I keep playing a couple more Country Thunder festivals, maybe I'll buy me a house up in the mountains or something. But for now, it's. It's Texas for me.
[08:02]
B
Let's go. Do you make it over to Nashville often?
[08:05]
A
I do. We get there. I mean, I'm probably there 10 or 15 times a year, or if it's. If it's us just laying over, you know, traveling, or. Now that we're kind of making this transition of genre of music or whatever it is, you know, the style of music, it's easier to be around those type of people in Nashville that kind of get it and the sound that I'm going for, so I've been spending a whole lot more time in Nashville than past years.
[08:32]
B
Yeah, it just seems like over the last. Since, you know, Covid has ended, the whole scene has changed considerably from where everything was put into a box. It seemed like now it's kind of like it's all over the place.
[08:47]
A
It is whatever you want, and I.
[08:49]
B
Think it's the best thing for music.
[08:50]
A
Yeah, absolutely. I hate when people put. Put a genre on songs. If this is good, it's good, you know, and I'm glad that, you know, everybody's starting to do that, and it's so easy to make music now. It's so easy to put your music out there and the way the streaming world is and everything, man, it's, it's really cool. It's, it's just the way it's kind of evolving. We're seeing it firsthand and it's really cool.
[09:14]
B
So what do you think about the TikTok artists who get discovered on TikTok and have never played a live gig? What's your thoughts on that?
[09:22]
A
Man, it's, it's. To me, it's. I don't know. I don't really have a huge input on that, man. I think get it however, however you can get it. Get it, man. Absolutely. But whenever, whenever it gets there, you know, you better be ready to, to show out, man. We, we started out on the road, you know, that's all we, we knew how to do is just get up there and play. And we were lucky enough that, you know, people started giving a. About our music and stuff. But man, a lot of these TikTok artists are phenomenal musicians, you know, they're great.
[09:52]
B
Absolutely.
[09:53]
A
And like, like I said, however you get, get discovered is, you know, it's, that's how it is. And, and in this world today, that's, that's how I think how it's going to keep, keep on growing and being, you know.
[10:04]
B
Yeah, I think it's just a trend of, of a way that, you know, now you're getting discovered. We used to go, you know, agents and talent scouts who would scour the bars looking for bar bands with talent.
[10:16]
A
And, and, and hell, back like back in the day, it was like you, you needed a radio promoter.
[10:20]
B
Yes.
[10:21]
A
You know, and now you don't even know. You don't even need a radio promoter. It's, it's, it's crazy. You know, people are blowing up, you know, they'll have a song that'll just blow up on. TikTok is kind of like the new age radio, honestly, you know.
[10:33]
B
So, yeah, I don't believe that radio now has any indicative part of success in music anymore where it used to be the pinnacle. I mean, you didn't have radio, man. You didn't have nothing going on. You know, now you got Spotify, you can produce your own records, you can do whatever you want to do, you know, absolutely unlabel us, but there's a lot of kids out there who are doing great. The only thing that I concerns me about the Tick Tock thing and, and as I've seen you before, you know, you Earn the audience. But you learned that because in those loud bars when people were sitting there smoking and drinking and trying to wheel their girlfriend not listening to you, you had to earn their. You had to earn their interest and listenership. Right? And I think that that's a trait that can only be learned by playing live and being in amongst the moment. Right. So I wish those kids the best of luck. We're seeing a ton of those kids coming upon us, you know, all the time.
[11:25]
A
So. Yeah, absolutely.
[11:26]
B
It's exciting. What's. What's up tonight? So what are we looking forward to tonight?
[11:31]
A
A lot of music, man. I'm not going to talk a whole lot. Like I said, I'm pretty hungover today, so I'm probably going to get back on that train and. And I'm not going to talk a whole lot. I'm just going. We're going to get up there, we're going song after song after song. I ain't got. I got a whole lot to say tonight, man. We're really excited to be here and we're gonna make it really loud. It's gonna be really, really loud tonight, man.
[11:52]
B
I love it, man. I can't wait to see it. It's great to meet you, man. Thanks. And best of luck in your career. I'm a huge fan.
[11:58]
A
I appreciate that.
[11:59]
B
Keep rocking.
[12:00]
A
Absolutely, man. Thank you so much, man. Thank you.
[12:02]
B
Pleasure, man. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, CO Wetzel. Have a great day and thank you very much. Hey, Country Thunder music fans. So we just finished up this interview with CO Wetzel and I just want to have a little sidebar with you. You weren't sitting here with me looking him in the eyes and I'm telling you, he's one of the new absolute outlaws of country music. And I think he pushes the genres of different types and styles of music. That is so refreshing to country music in a whole. And his spirit is something that reminds me of Waylon Jennings and the Johnny Cash era and the Highwayman and Willie Nelson. He just has the spirit of fun and going out and playing music, rolling down the road, having some cocktails. Really interesting gentleman. I have a lot of respect for him and his art and I wish him the best of luck. I wish you were all here sitting here talking with him like I was. But I enjoyed this interview immensely and thank you for listening. This is on the bus at Country Thunder with Troy Volhofer.

Summary7 min read

Podcast Summary: "If Sh*t is Good, It’s Good with Koe Wetzel"

Podcast Information:

Title: On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer
Host: Country Thunder | Pod People
Episode: If Sh*t is Good, It’s Good with Koe Wetzel
Release Date: March 6, 2025

Introduction

In the latest episode of "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer," host Troy Vollhoffer sits down with renowned country artist Koe Wetzel. The conversation delves deep into Koe's personal life, his journey in the music industry, and his perspectives on the evolving landscape of modern music. The episode offers listeners an intimate look behind the scenes, enriched with candid insights and memorable anecdotes from Koe's career.

Early Life and Background (00:43 - 01:26)

Koe Wetzel opens up about his roots in Pittsburgh, Texas, painting a vivid picture of his small-town upbringing. Located about two and a half hours east of Dallas, Pittsburgh embodies a "small town vibe" that Koe cherishes. He shares, “It's a really small town... they consider us pretty much Louisiana” (01:07).

Growing up, Koe was deeply involved in sports, particularly football, which played a significant role in his early life aspirations.

Transition from Football to Music (01:26 - 02:23)

Troy inquires about Koe’s transition from football to music, a pivotal moment in his life. Koe narrates, “I played football, got a scholarship to go play college football... but I was like, man, screw this, I'm out” (01:31). An ankle injury and subsequent surgery forced him to reevaluate his path. Coupled with increased performances and lifestyle changes, Koe realized that music offered better opportunities and fulfillment than pursuing a career in the NFL. This decision marked the beginning of his dedicated journey into the music industry.

The Texas Music Scene vs. Nashville (02:23 - 08:05)

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the distinctiveness of the Texas music scene compared to Nashville. Koe emphasizes, “It's like you said, it's a song scene. It's... Texas is pretty much its own country” (02:51). He highlights the richness and diversity within Texas, noting that artists there can tour year-round without repeating cities, a testament to the state's vast landscape and vibrant music culture.

Troy adds, “sure. Enjoying your music... the whole Texas scene is like two different worlds” (02:23), underscoring the unique identity Texas artists maintain. Koe acknowledges the diminishing feud between Texas country and mainstream country, attributing it to the blending of genres. He remarks, “Music's music, so it is what it is” (02:51), reflecting his belief in the universal language of music beyond genre constraints.

Despite the strong Texas foundation, Koe admits to spending more time in Nashville, aligning with his evolving musical style. “I've been spending a whole lot more time in Nashville than past years” (08:05), he states, recognizing Nashville’s influence and infrastructure in shaping contemporary country music.

Signing with Columbia Records (03:35 - 04:34)

Troy shifts the conversation to Koe's significant career milestone: signing with Columbia Records in 2020. Koe describes the journey, “I never had any plans of signing a record label... but we felt... there’s only so much you can do as an independent artist” (03:40). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in this decision, as uncertainty in the music industry led Koe to seek the support and resources a major label could provide.

Koe shares his satisfaction with the partnership, stating, “they backed me 110%” (04:34), highlighting the collaborative and empowering relationship he has with Columbia Records.

Musical Influences and Style (04:34 - 05:26)

Exploring his musical influences, Koe provides a multifaceted view shaped by diverse genres. “I grew up on like, older country mama... old rock or... Eminem and 50 Cent and rap and hip hop” (04:43). This eclectic mix, combined with his discovery of grunge and pop-punk during his formative years, contributes to his unique sound that transcends traditional genre boundaries.

Troy commends Koe’s innovative approach, saying, “I really dig how you just smash stuff together... it’s so unique and it’s so refreshing” (05:18), to which Koe modestly responds, “Thank you” (05:25).

"Damn Nearly Normal" and Collaborations (05:31 - 07:25)

The conversation transitions to Koe's single "Damn Nearly Normal," a track born out of a collaborative writing session with Gabe Simon and Amy Allen. Koe explains, “we had like a three or four day just kind of write and record session” (05:31). The song reflects on the divergent lifestyles of musicians compared to those living typical 9-to-5 lives, capturing the essence of Koe's experiences in the music world.

Further discussing collaborations, Koe talks about working with Parker McClellan. “I was like, sure, let's kill her” (06:27), referencing the lyrical decision-making process. The success of Parker, whom Troy praises as “a great guy” (07:11), underscores Koe's commitment to fostering talent within the Texas music scene.

Touring and Current Projects (07:24 - 08:05)

Koe provides insights into his extensive touring schedule, noting a reduction from previous years due to shifting priorities and external factors like the pandemic. “We're doing a lot less shows than we're used to... closer to 200 shows a year” (07:32). Currently, he's performing between 125 to 150 shows annually, balancing his time between touring and personal endeavors.

Residing in Weatherford, west of Fort Worth, Koe remains deeply rooted in Texas. He muses about potential future moves, “maybe I'll buy me a house up in the mountains or something” (07:48), but for now, Texas remains his home base, offering a strong foundation for his career.

Views on the Modern Music Industry (08:05 - 10:33)

Koe shares his thoughts on the current state of the music industry, particularly the rise of genre fluidity and digital platforms. “I hate when people put a genre on songs. If this is good, it's good” (08:48), he asserts, emphasizing the importance of quality over classification. He praises the accessibility of music production and distribution in the streaming era, stating, “it's so easy to make music now... it's really cool” (00:07).

The discussion shifts to the impact of platforms like TikTok on artist discovery. Koe is cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the talent of TikTok artists while emphasizing the necessity of live performance skills. “We started out on the road... a lot of these TikTok artists are phenomenal musicians” (09:21). He encourages new artists to be prepared to deliver compelling live performances, drawing from his own experiences of earning listeners’ attention in bars and on the road.

Troy nods in agreement, highlighting the evolution from traditional means of discovery to modern digital avenues. “The new age radio, honestly,” (10:20) Koe elaborates, recognizing TikTok as a transformative force akin to radio's historical role in music promotion.

Conclusion (10:33 - End)

As the episode draws to a close, Koe reflects on the excitement of performing and the relentless energy he brings to his shows. Despite a playful admission of being hungover, he remains focused on delivering high-energy performances, promising, “we're gonna make it really loud” (11:30).

Troy expresses admiration for Koe’s artistry and spirit, likening him to legendary figures like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. He commends Koe’s ability to infuse fun and authenticity into his music, wishing him continued success.

Final Thoughts

This episode of "On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer" offers a comprehensive look into Koe Wetzel's life and career. From his small-town origins and athletic endeavors to his dynamic presence in the Texas music scene and beyond, Koe emerges as a multifaceted artist unbound by genre constraints. His commitment to authenticity, coupled with his adaptability in an ever-evolving industry, underscores his position as a formidable force in contemporary country music.

Listeners gain valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of modern musicians, the importance of genuine connections with audiences, and the limitless possibilities afforded by today's digital landscape. Koe's candid reflections and unwavering passion make this episode a must-listen for fans and aspiring artists alike.

Notable Quotes:

Koe Wetzel (00:07): “I hate when people put a genre on songs. If the good, it's good... the way it's kind of evolving. We're seeing it firsthand and it's really cool.”
Koe Wetzel (01:07): “It's a really small town... they consider us pretty much Louisiana.”
Koe Wetzel (01:31): “... figured out I could get more women by playing the guitar and get more free beer by playing guitar than ever having any chances of going to the NFL.”
Koe Wetzel (02:51): “Music's music, so it is what it is.”
Koe Wetzel (03:40): “there’s only so much you can do as an independent artist... it was time we take that step.”
Koe Wetzel (04:43): “I grew up on like, older country mama... Eminem and 50 Cent and rap and hip hop.”
Koe Wetzel (05:31): “we had like a three or four day just kind of write and record session.”
Koe Wetzel (08:48): “If this is good, it's good.”
Koe Wetzel (09:21): “a lot of these TikTok artists are phenomenal musicians.”
Koe Wetzel (10:20): “TikTok is kind of the new age radio, honestly.”

Timestamp Reference:

All timestamp references correspond to the minutes and seconds indicated within the episode transcript provided.

Loading summary

Transcript58 lines

[00:07]
A
I hate when people put a genre on songs. If the good, it's good. You know, it's so easy to make music now. It's so easy to put your music out there. And the way the streaming world is and everything, man, it's really cool. It's just the way it's kind of evolving. We're seeing it firsthand and it's really cool.
[00:30]
B
Hey, everybody, it's Troy Volhofer on the bus at Country Thunder. Today we're having a very unique artist. CO Wetzel on We're going to talk a lot about what's going on in your life and what's going on on the road. And let's talk about where you were last night.
[00:43]
A
We were in El Paso, got a layover there. We were coming from Gonzalez, Texas, and yeah, we, we stayed up a little too late last night. We were. Had to get an IV whenever we pulled up. But I'm feeling a little bit better now. I got me a little cocktail now, so we're doing a lot better.
[00:59]
B
Yeah. Green band aid. Yeah. Get right back on that horse.
[01:03]
A
Absolutely.
[01:04]
B
So you're from Pittsburgh, Texas? Yeah. So what was it like growing up in Pittsburgh, Texas?
[01:08]
A
It was great, man. It's a really small town about two and a half hours east of Dallas. So it's. It's kind of behind the pond curtain. Like, they don't even really consider us east Texans a part of Texas. It's kind of. They consider us pretty much Louisiana. But it was great, man. Small town vibe. Yeah, it was a lot of fun.
[01:27]
B
So you played football?
[01:28]
A
Yeah.
[01:29]
B
So how did football transcend into music?
[01:32]
A
So I've always, I've always, you know, played music and sang and wrote and stuff, and it was all. It was always just kind of there, you know, I never really thought that I would pursue it the way I did. But, yeah, I played football, got a scholarship to, to go play college football. I did it for like a year and a half, broke my ankle, had to have surgery, came back and we were gigging a lot more and I've been drinking a whole lot more and figured out I could get more women by playing the guitar and get more free beer by playing guitar than ever having any chances of going to the NFL. So I was like, man, screw this, I'm out. And then, yeah, the grades went to after that in school and they kicked me out of school. I said, well, I guess this is time to get after it. So we really started hitting it hard after that.
[02:23]
B
Well, we're glad you did that and made that choice because, you know, sure. Enjoying your music. And so a lot of our listeners, we're. This. This podcast is throughout North America, and so there's some Canadian listeners. And as we know, the whole Texas scene is a whole scene to itself. I don't think a lot of people understand that, that it's like two different worlds. There's Nashville and then there's Texas. And so you started out in the Texas scene where there's a lot of artists who make a living never leaving Texas.
[02:52]
A
Yeah, absolutely. It's like you said, it's a song scene. It's. It's. I mean, hell, Texas is pretty much its own country. Like, I mean, you can tour year round and never hit the same city twice in Texas, you know, and a lot of people do that and make damn good livings doing it, man. And yeah, coming up in the Texas thing was awesome. It was. There was that little feud of mainstream. I think there's always been kind of a little feud there with Texas country and in mainstream country, but no music's music, so it is what it is.
[03:21]
B
Yeah, it seems like that has kind of diminished a little bit.
[03:24]
A
Yeah. Yeah. Now there's so many different genres and there's kind of just not even a. Music is so genreless these days, you know, so it's kind of everything just kind of blended in with each other now.
[03:36]
B
So you signed. You signed your big deal with Columbia in 2020. What was it like to get your first record deal?
[03:41]
A
It was great. You know, I never had any plans of signing a record label. You know, we. We were independent for, you know, so long, eight or eight or nine years. And, you know, it was kind of how I wanted it to be, but we felt, or I felt, you know, that it was. There's only so much you can do as an independent artist. You know, you. You do need those connections and especially if you want to grow the brand and, you know, spread your music. So it was during COVID and nobody really knew what. What the. Was going on. We didn't. Nobody really knew what was going to happen. And after Harold Saw High, we had a couple record labels hit us up and. And we talked to a bunch of them, and I was like, you know what? I think it's time we take that step. And I'm glad we did, man. We got with Columbia and they've been nothing but great to us. Just kind of let me do what I wanted to do. And. And they're. They backed me 110%.
[04:34]
B
So, like, your. Your tunes are fused with A bunch of different genres. And what were your influences? Like, what made the creative edge that you have now?
[04:43]
A
Yeah, so, I mean, I grew up on like, older country mama. If I was in a little car with my mom, it'd be worship music or, you know, 90s country, old country. And if I was with my dad, it was either old rock or, you know, Eminem and 50 Cent and rap and hip hop. So I think all that combined with me figuring out grunge music and pop punk, like whenever I was around sixth, seventh grade, all that kind of combined just kind of really, you know, help. Help make what we're. We. We're putting out.
[05:19]
B
Yeah. Because I really dig how you just smash stuff together. It's killer. And I mean, it's so. It's so unique and it's. It's so refreshing and.
[05:26]
A
Thank you.
[05:27]
B
It's. It's awesome. I really enjoy your tunes. Let's talk about the single Damn Near Normal.
[05:31]
A
Yeah, it was a song that me and Gabe Simon, Amy Allen, we got together in Torneo at Sonic Ranch Studios. We had like a three or four day just kind of write and record session. And it was one of those songs that we kind of got to talk about how our lives as musicians and people that are in the music world, you know, our lives are a lot different than, you know, say, whenever we go back home and we see all of our friends that have kids and wives and nine to five jobs, and it's just. It's crazy how different our lives are. So we got. We got on that topic and we wrote that song pretty quick. And I don't know, it. It meant a lot to me, you know, for especially it being the first song back in two years since we put out music. I kind of wanted just to show everybody, you know, kind of the way that we're. We're, you know, making our music and pushing our music to us out and that kind of sound, you know, that's killer.
[06:25]
B
How did love come up with Parker McClellan?
[06:27]
A
I actually wrote the song, and then me and Parker were hanging out or whatever, and that was right after he put out Limestone kid. And he was kind of on his rise in Texas scene. And my buddy Jake Murphy was his tour manager at the time. And he was like, man, I think. I think Parker wants to help get on love. And I was like, that'd be Murphy. So he got on and he called me. He was like, hey, you know, I'm writing this last verse. I think I'm just going to kill her in the end. Is that okay? I was like, sure, let's kill her. So we kill her off in the song. And. No, it was great, man. And the success that he's had, man, is just insane. It's so much fun to watch. But, yeah, man, it was. It was a good time.
[07:12]
B
Yeah, he's a great guy. I've had him on the show before.
[07:14]
A
He's a badass.
[07:15]
B
Yeah, he is. And I've had him around Country Thunder since he was, you know, from an opening act, actually, you know, a headliner at one point. And he's. He's excellent.
[07:24]
A
Excellent kid, for sure.
[07:26]
B
And so tell me about your touring schedule. How many dates a year are you doing now? What's it. What's it consist of?
[07:32]
A
We're doing a lot less shows than we're used to. Used to? We're. We're around 150, 125 to 150 shows a year. And, hell, two or three years ago or before COVID it was closer to 200 shows a year.
[07:43]
B
Where are you living now?
[07:44]
A
Where do you live? I live just west of Fort Worth in Weatherford.
[07:47]
B
Oh, wow. So you stayed in Texas?
[07:48]
A
Yeah, I'm still in Texas. It's. It's gonna be hard for me to. To leave, I don't think. I mean, hopefully if I keep playing a couple more Country Thunder festivals, maybe I'll buy me a house up in the mountains or something. But for now, it's. It's Texas for me.
[08:02]
B
Let's go. Do you make it over to Nashville often?
[08:05]
A
I do. We get there. I mean, I'm probably there 10 or 15 times a year, or if it's. If it's us just laying over, you know, traveling, or. Now that we're kind of making this transition of genre of music or whatever it is, you know, the style of music, it's easier to be around those type of people in Nashville that kind of get it and the sound that I'm going for, so I've been spending a whole lot more time in Nashville than past years.
[08:32]
B
Yeah, it just seems like over the last. Since, you know, Covid has ended, the whole scene has changed considerably from where everything was put into a box. It seemed like now it's kind of like it's all over the place.
[08:47]
A
It is whatever you want, and I.
[08:49]
B
Think it's the best thing for music.
[08:50]
A
Yeah, absolutely. I hate when people put. Put a genre on songs. If this is good, it's good, you know, and I'm glad that, you know, everybody's starting to do that, and it's so easy to make music now. It's so easy to put your music out there and the way the streaming world is and everything, man, it's, it's really cool. It's, it's just the way it's kind of evolving. We're seeing it firsthand and it's really cool.
[09:14]
B
So what do you think about the TikTok artists who get discovered on TikTok and have never played a live gig? What's your thoughts on that?
[09:22]
A
Man, it's, it's. To me, it's. I don't know. I don't really have a huge input on that, man. I think get it however, however you can get it. Get it, man. Absolutely. But whenever, whenever it gets there, you know, you better be ready to, to show out, man. We, we started out on the road, you know, that's all we, we knew how to do is just get up there and play. And we were lucky enough that, you know, people started giving a. About our music and stuff. But man, a lot of these TikTok artists are phenomenal musicians, you know, they're great.
[09:52]
B
Absolutely.
[09:53]
A
And like, like I said, however you get, get discovered is, you know, it's, that's how it is. And, and in this world today, that's, that's how I think how it's going to keep, keep on growing and being, you know.
[10:04]
B
Yeah, I think it's just a trend of, of a way that, you know, now you're getting discovered. We used to go, you know, agents and talent scouts who would scour the bars looking for bar bands with talent.
[10:16]
A
And, and, and hell, back like back in the day, it was like you, you needed a radio promoter.
[10:20]
B
Yes.
[10:21]
A
You know, and now you don't even know. You don't even need a radio promoter. It's, it's, it's crazy. You know, people are blowing up, you know, they'll have a song that'll just blow up on. TikTok is kind of like the new age radio, honestly, you know.
[10:33]
B
So, yeah, I don't believe that radio now has any indicative part of success in music anymore where it used to be the pinnacle. I mean, you didn't have radio, man. You didn't have nothing going on. You know, now you got Spotify, you can produce your own records, you can do whatever you want to do, you know, absolutely unlabel us, but there's a lot of kids out there who are doing great. The only thing that I concerns me about the Tick Tock thing and, and as I've seen you before, you know, you Earn the audience. But you learned that because in those loud bars when people were sitting there smoking and drinking and trying to wheel their girlfriend not listening to you, you had to earn their. You had to earn their interest and listenership. Right? And I think that that's a trait that can only be learned by playing live and being in amongst the moment. Right. So I wish those kids the best of luck. We're seeing a ton of those kids coming upon us, you know, all the time.
[11:25]
A
So. Yeah, absolutely.
[11:26]
B
It's exciting. What's. What's up tonight? So what are we looking forward to tonight?
[11:31]
A
A lot of music, man. I'm not going to talk a whole lot. Like I said, I'm pretty hungover today, so I'm probably going to get back on that train and. And I'm not going to talk a whole lot. I'm just going. We're going to get up there, we're going song after song after song. I ain't got. I got a whole lot to say tonight, man. We're really excited to be here and we're gonna make it really loud. It's gonna be really, really loud tonight, man.
[11:52]
B
I love it, man. I can't wait to see it. It's great to meet you, man. Thanks. And best of luck in your career. I'm a huge fan.
[11:58]
A
I appreciate that.
[11:59]
B
Keep rocking.
[12:00]
A
Absolutely, man. Thank you so much, man. Thank you.
[12:02]
B
Pleasure, man. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, CO Wetzel. Have a great day and thank you very much. Hey, Country Thunder music fans. So we just finished up this interview with CO Wetzel and I just want to have a little sidebar with you. You weren't sitting here with me looking him in the eyes and I'm telling you, he's one of the new absolute outlaws of country music. And I think he pushes the genres of different types and styles of music. That is so refreshing to country music in a whole. And his spirit is something that reminds me of Waylon Jennings and the Johnny Cash era and the Highwayman and Willie Nelson. He just has the spirit of fun and going out and playing music, rolling down the road, having some cocktails. Really interesting gentleman. I have a lot of respect for him and his art and I wish him the best of luck. I wish you were all here sitting here talking with him like I was. But I enjoyed this interview immensely and thank you for listening. This is on the bus at Country Thunder with Troy Volhofer.