Podcast Summary: The Bobby Bones Show – BONUS EP: CMA Awards Backstage Interviews Final Day

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Welcome to a detailed recap of the "BONUS EP – CMA Awards Backstage Interviews FINAL DAY" from The Bobby Bones Show. Hosted by Bobby Bones and Morgan, this episode offers an exclusive peek behind the scenes at the 58th Annual CMA Awards, featuring heartfelt and humorous conversations with top country artists including Cody Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Eric Church, Parker McCollum, Bailey Zimmerman, and more. Below is a structured summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and memorable moments from the episode.

1. Cody Johnson: From Button-Up Shirts to Party Invitations

Timestamp: [00:01 - 20:30]

Bobby Bones kicks off the episode by welcoming Cody Johnson, who is notably dressed up for the CMA Awards. Their conversation delves into Cody’s usual attire preferences and his occasional foray into formal wear for significant events.

• Fashion Choices: Cody humorously shares, “I don't ever wear a button-up shirt either. I had to wear one today. I was like, I gotta get the T-shirt off. This sucks.” (02:15)

• Invitation to the Party: The discussion shifts to the exclusivity of CMA parties. Cody reflects, “The opposite of doing this stuff is not being invited to the party, you know?” (05:45)

• Nostalgic High School Stories: They reminisce about high school antics, with Cody narrating wild parties and close calls with the law, emphasizing how far he has come. “You get away with things that you were supposed to be,” he admits (12:30).

• Family and Future Goals: When asked about Thanksgiving traditions, Cody shares his family’s shift from active sports to baking, highlighting his daughters' focus on desserts. He also expresses his desire to experience Africa’s wilderness and engage in adrenaline-pumping activities like hunting dangerous game. “I’d like to drive a race car going 200 miles an hour, slam it into the wall,” Cody jokes (18:50).

2. Ashley McBryde: Embracing the Vulnerability of Performance

Timestamp: [20:31 - 40:20]

Next, Ashley McBryde joins Morgan to discuss her experiences leading up to her fifth CMA nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.

• Comfort and Performance: Ashley talks about her choice of comfortable outfits, noting the challenges of performing solo with just her guitar. “If something goes wrong, that is my fault,” she candidly states (22:10).

• Handling Pressure: She shares a poignant moment performing in front of Susan Sarandon, expressing the difficulty of maintaining focus. “This is my life and I’m going to have to get through this regardless of what happened,” she confesses (26:45).

• Life Outside Music: Ashley dreams of voicing an animated character, humorously asserting she’d make a great villain, despite her sweet persona. “I would make a great Ursula until I saw Melissa McCarthy as Ursula in Little Mermaid,” she laughs (35:30).

• Philosophical Insights: Ashley imparts a valuable lesson on self-belief: “You can believe yourself into a good performance, but you can’t berate yourself into a good performance,” encouraging herself and listeners alike (39:15).

3. Matt Stell: The Dive Bar Enthusiast and Sports Memorabilia Hobbyist

Timestamp: [40:21 - 55:10]

Matt Stell joins to discuss his unique fashion sense, experiences at dive bars, and his burgeoning interest in sports memorabilia.

• Fashion and Sports: Matt humorously reflects on his extensive hat collection and the quirks of using metal boots as bottle openers. “You get a beer on Bubba. I mean, he ain’t paying for it,” he jokes (42:00).

• Antiques and Memorabilia: The conversation shifts to his passion for antiques, particularly sports memorabilia. Matt recounts the humorous trials of trading capos and the challenges of identifying their origins, likening it to an Antiques Roadshow experience (48:30).

• Personal Goals: Matt shares his aspiration to master playing golf and balance his love for pickleball amidst a hectic touring schedule. “I did a show at a race, and I woke up and borrowed a bike and raced,” he recounts enthusiastically (52:45).

• Financial Reflections: He candidly discusses paring down his spending habits, selling an expensive car to focus on more meaningful life aspects like family and personal growth. “I realized there’s way better things to do with more money than just go buy a car,” Matt admits (54:50).

4. Tucker Wetmore: Navigating Rapid Success and Personal Goals

Timestamp: [55:11 - 1:10:00]

Tucker Wetmore shares his meteoric rise in the music industry, balancing a budding career with personal aspirations.

• Career Milestones: Tucker reflects on the swift changes over the past year, from having no released songs to touring with renowned acts like Thomas Rhett. “The Opry was one of those moments where I was like, oh, crap. This is really cool,” he acknowledges (56:20).

• Social Media Impact: Discussing his viral success, Tucker attributes his popularity to luck and divine favor rather than mere physical appeal. “I’m just lucky, you know, I’m just blessed,” he humbly states (1:02:15).

• Future Aspirations: He outlines his plans for 2025, including embarking on a new tour, releasing a significant album, and focusing on building a family. “I really want a family. I want to be a dad,” Tucker declares with heartfelt sincerity (1:05:40).

5. Eric Church: Creating an Anthem for Community Resilience

Timestamp: [1:10:01 - 1:25:30]

Eric Church discusses his heartfelt response to Hurricane Helene and the creation of his song "Darkest Hour" as a beacon of hope for affected communities.

• Impact of Hurricane Helene: Eric shares his initial shock at the devastation caused by the hurricane in North Carolina, emphasizing the personal connection to the affected communities. “It’s the people, the community, they’re going to need help for a long time,” he remarks (1:12:30).

• Songwriting for Healing: He explains how "Darkest Hour" evolved into a charitable anthem, with all proceeds dedicated to rebuilding efforts. “We decided to release it and make it an anthem for the people there,” Eric explains (1:18:50).

• Future Commitments: Eric outlines his ongoing efforts to support community rebuilding, highlighting plans to construct 100 homes in Western North Carolina. “We do a pretty decent job with the 911 response of food, of water, of diapers. But we don’t do as well at the next phase,” he elaborates (1:23:00).

6. Dustin Lynch: Balancing Family Life with Touring

Timestamp: [1:25:31 - 1:40:45]

Dustin Lynch offers insights into managing life on the road while nurturing family relationships.

• Touring Experiences: Dustin recounts humorous and relatable moments from touring, such as dealing with stage fright and balancing performances. “The last time I had to sing through one of those, but those suck,” he admits (1:28:55).

• Family Dynamics: He discusses his holiday plans, cooking responsibilities during family gatherings, and the challenges of maintaining personal connections amid a busy schedule. “When we get out, she and the kids can grill something,” Dustin explains (1:33:20).

• Personal Growth: Reflecting on his journey from living with his mom to achieving financial independence, Dustin shares a touching moment of familial pride. “Fast forward to four years, dude. How do you like me now, Mom?” he laughs (1:37:40).

• Future Aspirations: Dustin emphasizes his desire to remain grounded and focus on his career while dreaming of expanding his family and achieving personal milestones. “I am trying to be an adult,” he states earnestly (1:39:30).

7. George Burge: Pickleball Passion and Friendship

Timestamp: [1:40:46 - 1:55:25]

In a lighthearted segment, George Burge joins to discuss the trio's pickleball league, athletic endeavors, and enduring friendships.

• Pickleball Enthusiasm: George shares the dynamics of their informal pickleball league, including playful banter about Eddie’s performance and Bones' exceptional skills. “Bones has game. But I'm calling it here first, 2025 is the year that I assume the top spot on the ladder,” George predicts (1:42:10).

• Athletic Balance: He talks about balancing pickleball with his love for golf, despite a hectic touring schedule. “I have been playing more pickleball,” George notes (1:48:30).

• Fashion and Lifestyle: The conversation shifts to George’s fashion choices, particularly his extensive hat collection, and the humorous challenges of managing his wardrobe. “I have an unbelievable amount of hats,” he admits (1:50:45).

• Past Injuries and Recovery: George recounts his severe dirt bike crash, breaking multiple bones, and the support he received from loved ones during his recovery. “I broke four ribs, both arms, my shoulder. It was one of the worst crashes of my entire life,” he shares (1:53:20).

8. Mark Collie: Nashville’s Evolution and Songwriting Legacy

Timestamp: [1:55:26 - 2:10:00]

Mark Collie, a Nashville legend, reflects on the city's transformation and his songwriting journey.

• Nashville’s Growth: Mark contrasts the gritty, tight-knit Nashville of the past with its current glitz and glamour, emphasizing the enduring sense of community. “I like the smaller town. I like the smaller houses,” he reminisces (1:57:40).

• Songwriting Challenges: He discusses the intricacies of writing impactful songs, citing his acclaimed track “The House That Built Me” as a pinnacle of his career. “It connected to so many people at so many levels,” Mark explains (2:03:15).

• Social Media Reflections: Mark shares his thoughts on the absence of social media during his formative years, suggesting it influenced the authenticity of his songwriting. “Social media probably cut out a whole lot of cheating songs,” he muses (2:07:50).

• Personal Philosophy: He emphasizes resilience and learning from poor choices, underscoring the importance of perseverance. “Never, ever gonna keep me down,” Mark asserts (2:09:30).

9. Bailey Zimmerman: Navigating Fame and Personal Goals

Timestamp: [2:10:01 - 2:25:20]

Bailey Zimmerman engages in a candid conversation about his rise in country music, personal life, and future aspirations.

• Career Achievements: Bailey discusses the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the industry, highlighting his dream to simplify his life by selling an oversized house to focus on what truly matters. “I realized, okay, you don’t need all of this stuff in life,” he confesses (2:12:45).

• Family Dreams: He expresses his heartfelt desire to build a family farm with his future wife, complete with various animals and a loving home. “My biggest goal in life is to have a loving wife and kids and a farm with many horses and many cows,” Bailey shares (2:18:10).

• Humorous Insights: Bailey humorously interacts with Morgan and Lunchbox, discussing the challenges of home maintenance and the quirks of owning a large house. “I got two,” he jokes (2:21:30).

• Personal Growth: Reflecting on his journey from living with his mom to achieving stability, Bailey shares a touching moment of familial pride albeit with humor about past financial struggles. “I have two. Yeah, Mom. Who’s got a house now? I got two,” he laughs (2:24:50).

10. Scotty Hasting: Music as a Healing Force for Veterans

Timestamp: [2:25:21 - 2:40:00]

Scotty Hasting, an army veteran and singer-songwriter, discusses how music has become a vital outlet for healing and connecting with fellow veterans.

• Military Service and Trauma: Scotty opens up about his time in the U.S. Army, being shot ten times in Afghanistan, and the subsequent path to finding solace in music. “I was shot in Afghanistan. I was shot 10 times,” he solemnly shares (2:27:40).

• Music as Therapy: He elaborates on how songwriting helps him and other veterans express emotions that are difficult to verbalize. “Music for me has always become an outlet, but more than that, now it’s a way to help,” Scotty explains (2:32:15).

• Collaboration with Dolly Parton: Scotty highlights a significant milestone—collaborating with Dolly Parton on a version of his impactful song “Till Last Shots Fired.” “She’s Dolly Parton… and she wants to be a part of this,” he enthuses (2:35:50).

• Legacy and Impact: Emphasizing his mission to leave the world better, Scotty speaks passionately about using his music to support and uplift others, particularly veterans. “The biggest thing for me is I just want to leave this place better than when I came here,” he states (2:38:30).

11. Parker McCollum: Fatherhood and Festive Seasons

Timestamp: [2:40:01 - 2:55:25]

Parker McCollum shares his reflections on fatherhood, holiday preparations, and his commitment to family amidst the CMA Awards hustle.

• Festive Preparations: Parker discusses the joy of decorating his home for Christmas early, balancing family time with tour schedules. “We put the tree up… I like the tree. I would put the tree up all year long,” he shares (2:42:20).

• First-Time Fatherhood: As a new dad, Parker talks about the challenges and rewards of parenting, lauding his wife, Halle Ray, for her exceptional maternal instincts. “The coolest part since the kid has been born is how good Halle Ray is at being a mom,” he praises (2:45:50).

• Balancing Career and Family: He elaborates on managing life on the road while prioritizing his family’s well-being. “There are some moments where I’m thinking that though that’s fair,” Parker reflects (2:48:30).

• Awards and Personal Accomplishments: Parker speaks about his CMA nominations, expressing gratitude and humility. “I just want to have a terrific relationship with my wife and kids,” he states earnestly (2:53:15).

• Humorous Banter: The conversation ends on a light note with Parker joking about being on Joe Rogan’s show and his dreams of mastering household tasks, showcasing his down-to-earth personality (2:54:50).

Conclusion

The final moments of the episode wrap up with playful interactions among the guests, highlighting the camaraderie and spontaneous humor that The Bobby Bones Show is renowned for. Each artist leaves listeners with a blend of personal insights, career reflections, and heartfelt aspirations, providing a comprehensive and engaging behind-the-scenes experience of the CMA Awards.

Don’t Miss: Tune in live to The Bobby Bones Show each day for more exclusive interviews and full replays of all content discussed during the CMA Awards.

Note: This summary captures the essence and key moments of the podcast episode, organized by each guest’s segment, and includes notable quotes with approximate timestamps for easy reference.