Podcast Summary: On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer
Episode: Paving a Path in Music with Larry Fleet
Date: October 16, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Troy Vollhoffer, owner and founder of Country Thunder Music Festival, sits down with rising country artist Larry Fleet. They discuss Larry’s journey from blue-collar work to the big stage, the realities of building a career in country music, and the importance of authenticity and persistence. The conversation is candid and full of behind-the-scenes insights, highlighting Larry’s influences, his breakthrough moments, and the new opportunities for artists in today’s music industry.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Larry Fleet’s Humble Beginnings and Early Influences
- Background: Larry grew up in White Bluff, Tennessee, a small town near Nashville.
- “We literally had one red light…we got a McDonald’s; it was a big deal.” (02:00)
- Family sang gospel after church; bluegrass music was foundational.
- Larry’s dad encouraged him to learn a trade—he did concrete and masonry before pursuing music.
2. Transition from Day Job to Music
- First taste of money from music was seeing tips in a bar’s tip jar.
- “I never thought I could make a living doing something I love to do. Not a lot of people do.” (02:37)
- Initially played covers, started writing his own songs in high school out of boredom and love for poetry.
- Developed his stage chops playing in smoky bars, running his own sound.
3. Earning Respect the Hard Way
- Contrasts new artists from TikTok with his barroom training:
- “A lot of them have never played a real show… I learned in smoky bars, with wedges on the stage, everything loud and feeding back.” (04:44)
- Built a loyal following show by show, with fans returning multiple times.
4. Musical Influences and Genre-Bending
- Big influences: Waylon Jennings (named his son Waylon), Willie Nelson, Allman Brothers (even had a cover band), bluegrass, gospel, southern rock.
- Love for Willie Nelson and memorable backstage/tour stories:
- “The first time I shook his hand, I thought I broke… at this time, he’s in his late 80s.” (07:50)
- Candid story about nervously singing harmony with Willie on “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” (08:58)
5. Band Loyalty and Aspirations
- Inspired by Nelson’s long-term band; Larry’s own band has mostly stuck with him for 10+ years.
- “Which is a rare thing in the industry.” (10:00)
6. The Grind: Touring Life and Global Growth
- Playing 90–100+ shows per year, including in Australia and Europe.
- Surreal moments recognizing success:
- “My wife gets in the jeep, she goes, ‘He was shaking to meet you.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I wonder why.’” (10:26)
7. Balancing Family and Career
- Has two young kids; touring makes being away tough, especially when overseas.
- Kids enjoy being on the road when they can.
8. Power of Streaming, Independence, and Record Deals
- Acknowledges new opportunities via YouTube and streaming for global reach.
- “My manager…said, ‘Hey, we’re looking at Brazil. You have 20,000 fans in Brazil.’” (12:54)
- Talks about the pros/cons of record deals versus independence.
- “Now it’s changed a little bit…we need you to be viral on TikTok, then we can do something with that.” (14:14)
- “Big Loud Records signed me…off of nothing viral… just talent and good songs.” (14:18)
- Emphasizes building a personal fanbase through live shows.
9. Giving Back and Entrepreneurship
- Part-owner of a burger restaurant (Cletus), ranked best in Nashville.
- Gives back by feeding the homeless monthly with the restaurant team.
- “We just bring out grills…made 300 hamburgers…then we did grilled cheese when we ran out of burgers.” (17:09)
- Other country stars like Luke Combs and Jake Owen are fans.
10. The Breakthrough: Jake Owen’s Role
- Confirmed that Jake Owen discovered Larry at a wedding gig.
- “He was like, ‘I think you should reevaluate…you should quit your job.’” (18:04)
- Jake took Larry on tour, which became the catalyst for his transition to music full time.
- “Went to my boss, Harry…‘I gotta do this.’ He goes, ‘You’d be crazy not to try…if it doesn’t work out, come on back. We got your spot.’” (19:18)
11. The Early Struggles
- The first two years were lean, even after getting a record deal.
- “My first deal was…a 50 grand advance, and it lasted for two years, which is not enough to pay bills.” (19:37)
- Partnership with Winnebago provided a touring vehicle, helping keep the dream alive.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 02:37 | Larry | “I never thought I could make a living doing something I love to do. Not a lot of people do.” | | 04:44 | Larry | “A lot of them have never played a real show… I learned in smoky bars, with wedges on the stage, everything loud and feeding back.” | | 07:50 | Larry | “The first time I shook his hand, I thought I broke… at this time, he’s in his late 80s.” (On meeting Willie Nelson) | | 08:58 | Larry | “I thought I’m the first person to probably ever piss off Willie Nelson, you know.” | | 10:26 | Larry | “Some people have no idea who I am…for some people, I’m their favorite singer. And so I learned that too, that you are somebody’s Willie Nelson.” | | 12:54 | Larry | “My manager…said, ‘Hey, we’re looking at Brazil. You have 20,000 fans in Brazil.’” | | 14:18 | Larry | “Big Loud Records signed me…off of nothing viral… just talent and good songs.” | | 19:18 | Larry/Boss | “'I gotta do this.' He goes, 'You’d be crazy not to try…if it doesn’t work out, come on back.'” | | 19:37 | Larry | “My first deal was…a 50 grand advance, and it lasted for two years, which is not enough to pay bills.” |
Highlighted Segments & Timestamps
- Larry on Small Town Upbringing and First Guitar: 01:35–03:23
- Becoming a Songwriter/Performer: 03:23–04:36
- Barroom Lessons vs. TikTok Fame: 04:36–05:30
- Influence of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson: 05:30–08:39
- Touring with Legends and Learning on the Road: 08:39–10:05
- Touring Globally and Family Life: 10:05–12:40
- Building an Audience in the Streaming Era: 12:40–13:44
- Indie vs. Label Paths in 2020s Country: 13:44–15:51
- Burger Restaurant and Community Service: 16:05–17:36
- Jake Owen & The Leap of Faith: 17:47–19:34
- Struggles of an Emerging Artist: 19:34–20:36
Conclusion
Larry Fleet gives listeners a refreshingly honest look at what it takes to succeed in country music today—persistence, humility, and a willingness to start over. His unique blend of traditional influences, modern hustle, and down-to-earth attitude sets him apart, making this episode a treasure trove for aspiring artists and fans alike.
Memorable closing:
“Some people have no idea who I am…for some people, I’m their favorite singer. And so I learned that too, that you are somebody’s Willie Nelson.” – Larry Fleet (10:26)
For More
- Catch Larry Fleet on tour this fall and find his music on streaming platforms.
- Check out Cletus for the ‘best burger in Nashville’—and support their efforts feeding the homeless.
- Connect with Country Thunder on their social channels for future episodes.