The Bobby Bones Show #563: Bobby, Eddie, and Matt Stell on the Top 3 Albums That Changed Their Life + Matt Shares Breaking News + Greatest Lead Singers & Debut Albums of All-Time

Date: December 15, 2025
Host(s): Bobby Bones
Guests: Eddie, Matt Stell
Producer: Premiere Networks

EPISODE OVERVIEW

In this vibrant episode, Bobby Bones brings together Eddie and country artist Matt Stell for an in-depth, fun, and sometimes philosophical discussion about music that shaped their lives. They reveal the top three albums that changed each of their lives, discuss the greatest lead singers and debut albums ever, and engage in hilarious banter about band dynamics, personal music memories, and changing tastes. In a special moment, Matt Stell shares breaking news about his personal life. The episode is filled with memorable stories, playful arguments, and genuine insights into how music intersects with life.

HIGHLIGHTS & KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

1. Setting the Scene: Don't Pander! (03:53)

• Bobby sets ground rules: pick albums that truly changed your life, not just "cool picks" for show.
  • “Don’t pander, either one of you…like Tchaikovsky in B Major. That’s simple.” – Bobby Bones [04:31]

2. The Top 3 Albums That Changed Our Lives (04:45 – 31:31)

Bobby Bones' Top 3

• Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill
  • First time Bobby saw white guys rapping; broke perceptions from his Arkansas upbringing. [05:03]
• Adam Sandler – They're All Gonna Laugh At You
  • Comedy album; learned you can make comedy music. Tape traded from neighbor as a kid.
  • "That’s the real thing." – Eddie [06:33]
• Diamond Rio – Self-titled Album
  • First concert experience; realization that musicians are real people. [07:14]
• Talks about vocal range in country music: "You don’t realize until you try to sing one of their songs back…how high they sing and how hard it is." – Bobby [07:37]

Matt Stell's Top 3

• Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill
  • Connection sparked by "Hand In My Pocket" on Florida radio; notes Alanis was only 21 then. “That record did not have a parental advisory on…I guess there’s a number of curse words.” – Matt [17:10]
• Drive-By Truckers – The Dirty South
  • Discovering lyric-driven southern rock; experiences making a record in Muscle Shoals with Jason Isbell. [19:38]
  • "He is one of the smartest people I’ve ever been in a room with." – Matt [21:32]
• Randy Travis – Storms of Life
  • First live show attended as a kid; learned vocabulary from the songs ("negligee"). Nostalgia and family ties. [24:31]

Eddie's Top 3

• The Beatles – Let It Be
  • Mom’s 8-track in the Oldsmobile, foundational childhood memory. [31:31]
• Garth Brooks – No Fences
  • Fan club member; transformative for Eddie’s country fandom. [33:53]
• Pearl Jam – Vitalogy
  • Discovered via "Better Man"; deep connection. "I think Bugs was kind of a joke...just because we owe them an album." [35:36]

3. Personal News: Matt Stell’s Breaking Announcement (10:59)

• Matt reveals that his wife is pregnant—“Oh, yeah. My wife’s pregnant.” [11:05]
• JOYOUS REACTION: Group jokes about a new “dad squad,” shared fatherhood experiences, and Matt’s dreams for his son in sports. [12:18]

4. Greatest Debut Albums of All-Time (41:16 – 57:41)

Matt Stell’s Picks

• Hozier – Self-titled (“Take Me to Church” and more): “That record is special, special, special.” [42:22]
• Ray LaMontagne – Trouble: Soulful, timeless, considered it a 20-year-old classic on first listen. [43:32]
• Turnpike Troubadours – Diamonds & Gasoline: Soundtracked Matt’s time in the van; emblematic of Oklahoma/Texas "red dirt" sound. [44:41]

Bobby Bones’ Picks

• Kacey Musgraves – Same Trailer, Different Park: “Traditional and progressive at the same time.” [53:02]
• Hootie & the Blowfish – Cracked Rear View: Deep high school nostalgia and personal connection with Darius Rucker. [54:03]
• Counting Crows – August and Everything After: Bobby’s all-time favorite band. [55:57]

Eddie’s Picks

• Counting Crows – August and Everything After: Deep, enduring favorite. [56:42]
• Matchbox 20 – Yourself or Someone Like You: Wore out the album; “Real World,” “3AM,” etc. [57:08]
• (If allowed) Pearl Jam – Ten [57:44]

5. Best Lead Singers Discussion (57:57 – 70:18)

Eddie’s Picks

• Jeff Buckley (“Grace”, “Hallelujah”)
• Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
• Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog)
• Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)

Matt Stell’s Picks

• Chris Stapleton: “He is one of the best we’ve ever had in country music.” [61:47]
• Aretha Franklin: “Go watch Kennedy honors...it will change your life.” [63:37]

Bobby’s Picks

• Chris Martin (Coldplay): Points to versatility, emotional performance.
• Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters): “Maybe the greatest rock singer I’ve ever seen.” [67:12]
• Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)

Debate Moments

• Matt points out differences in interpreting “lead singer” vs. “best singer.”
• Playful mockery from Bobby: “You guys are just picking great singers. I’m picking distinct and generational success.” [68:36]

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Comedy Albums

  • “That’s the real thing. Did you…ever do tape dub to tape?” – Eddie [06:33]
  • “My baby’s gonna be so big it’ll need a twosie.” – Matt Stell [13:47]

• On Changing Bands

  • “If you just have the lead, you got it…who cares about the Crashers.” – Bobby, on band lineups [83:07]

• Musical Philosophy

  • "Are you familiar with the ship of Theseus?" – Bobby, on whether a band is still the same without original members [85:11]

• Band Dynamics

  • Chatter about the Band Perry’s changing lineup, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last original member [82:37 – 85:10]

7. What’s Next for Matt Stell? (75:52)

• Matt teases a new music project “The Drift” with a first single “Sugarcoat,” a departure from straight country, described as lo-fi, digital, gritty, creative—“I sound like Fergie and Jesus.” [77:05, 78:02]
• Matt explains The Drift’s title: “Yeah, I’m drifting from what people know me as…a little bit.” [86:43]
• The group pokes fun at how hard it is to describe new music without namedropping major influences.

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• Top 3 Albums That Changed Your Life – 04:45
• Matt Stell’s Breaking News (Baby Announcement) – 10:59
• Greatest Debut Albums – 41:16
• Best Lead Singers – 57:57
• Band Names & the Ship of Theseus – 85:11
• Matt Stell on “The Drift”/New Music – 75:52

TONE & STYLE

• Playful, self-deprecating humor: Constant jokes about age, band lineups, controversies about who counts as a “lead singer.”
• Genuine reverence for music & musicianship– deep dives, emotional stories, and honest confessions about how certain artists and albums shaped their youth and careers.
• Camaraderie & friendly debate: Good-natured ribbing about taste, nostalgia, and changing perspectives.

CONCLUSION

This episode is a heartfelt, insightful, and often hilarious journey through music that profoundly shaped three friends’ lives. Listeners are treated to personal stories, nerdy music debates, and candid reveals—both professional and personal. The interplay of nostalgia, perspective, and playful banter makes it an engaging listen for music fans and podcast enthusiasts alike.

Notable Quotes

• “That record did not have a parental advisory on…I guess there’s a number of curse words.” – Matt Stell on “Jagged Little Pill” [17:10]
• “He is one of the smartest people I’ve ever been in a room with.” – Matt Stell on Jason Isbell [21:32]
• “My baby’s gonna be so big it’ll need a twosie.” – Matt Stell [13:47]
• “You guys are just picking great singers. I’m picking distinct and generational success.” – Bobby Bones [68:36]

For New Listeners

• If you love music, nostalgia, stories from inside the industry, and high-energy banter, you’ll find this episode both insightful and entertaining.
• Skip the ads and intros—this is one to dive straight into the main conversations!

Find Matt Stell’s new project "The Drift" and single "Sugarcoat" on all platforms now.