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A
So good, so good, so good.
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Cause there's always something new.
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E
So when you have a song go eight times platinum, what happens to your world?
A
I mean, everything changes. It's for sure reacted in a way that nobody saw coming from 19, really, to 2025, where I'm at now. So the past five years, I mean, three kids, two number one songs, awards. I mean, there's just a lot of layers to it.
F
Actually, I don't know if you want to talk about this, but you have your kiddos with you on tour a lot, and so how in the world do you guys manage to taking your kids, not just saying, okay, I'm gonna get our kids on a schedule, put them to bed. How do you have them sleep on a bus?
E
Hey, guys. We are very excited for this episode. We have Gabby Barrett and her husband Cade Fayner with us in the studio, and they've become really good friends of ours over the years.
F
Yeah, they're awesome friends of ours. And you guys probably know Gabby because of her hit songs.
E
Oh, yeah. I Hope has gone platinum eight times. We talked to her about that and how that's changed her life. Good ones, I think. Four times platinum. She's had some incredible hits. Her career's just taken off, and we actually talked to her about why they decided to have children and get married when her career was just taking off. So this is a very good conversation. We give you some behind the scenes of American Idol as well. We've kind of got some crossover. They met and fell in love on reality tv, kind of like us.
F
Yeah.
E
So this is a good one. Now, as you guys know, we cannot do this podcast without our incredible sponsors. And so we wanted to start by telling you about Function Health.
F
We chose Function Health because it's the only health platform that gives you access to the kind of data that most people never see and the insights to actually take action.
E
Yeah. Inside Function Health, you can test over 160 biomarkers, which is just, I think, fancy language for saying you can find out if you're really healthy and if you need something fixed. So sometimes we think like, hey, I've got low iron. I'll just take a couple supplements, guys. Other stuff might be going on inside your body, and by signing up for Function Health, it gives you access to really see, am I a healthy person inside and out.
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As we get older, a lot of.
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People rely on us.
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We have our kids, our spouse, and it's so important that we know what's happening inside our body.
E
Yeah. You want to stay on top of your health, and Function Health lets you do that. This is an incredible opportunity. We love Function Health. I know you guys are going to love it as well. To learn more and join using our link, visit www.functionheal health.com ginger j I n-g e r so go to functionhealth.com ginger. Okay, guys, thank you for letting us tell you about our incredible sponsor, Function Health. Enjoy this episode. What's going on, guys? It's Ginger and Jeremy here, and we're back.
F
I am so glad that we're back. It is late at night, and we have some very, very special guests, and I am so excited that they have decided to sit down with us.
A
It's our really good friends Kate and Gabby.
F
Welcome to the podcast.
A
Glad to be a part of it.
E
So we just had a really great steak dinner. The AC has gone out in the studio, so we're warm. It's late.
F
It's 85 degrees in here. It's going up 85 degrees. I don't know. Our makeup's going to be dripping.
A
Yeah, it's sweaty.
E
But I think it was Gabby's idea to jump on the podcast now and then. I was like, ginger, we're podcasting. You're like, you're joking.
F
I thought you were joking. I changed into shorts and a T shirt, and I was like, I'm going to change into something nicer. What I was wearing to dinner.
A
Smart. Hop back in.
F
I like that.
E
Hey, welcome to California.
A
Thank you.
F
I just have to say, yeah, we're going to get into that yes. We're going to get into that whole thing. I have to say, I'm the only one who's not wearing a hat right now, and I feel very left out. This is kind of sad. You're gonna get makeup on it. That's so sweet. Look at that.
A
Chivalry isn't dead, ladies and gentlemen.
F
Wow. That looks really great on me.
E
Okay, wait, Ginger.
F
Gabby's idea.
E
Here's the thing. You pointed to your book, which is sitting here, which. You're wearing a hat.
F
I'm wearing a hat.
E
What did you do with that hat?
F
Are we allowed to say that?
A
I returned it. You did the hat. But it's. I returned it. Hey, you didn't use it.
F
I was like, I don't know when I'm gonna wear this.
A
It's, like, trying it on.
F
You tried it on? But that's what everybody does with wardrobe stuff. So you just get a bunch of stuff and whatever you use or don't use.
A
Absolutely.
F
So I returned it.
A
It's true.
F
That's why I don't have a hat right now.
A
Smart.
F
I saved, like, what, 400 bucks or something?
A
Probably they're expensive.
F
It was very expensive. Very nice.
E
So welcome, guys.
F
This is not supposed to be about me not wearing a hat.
E
How you guys doing? Cade, how is it to be in Southern California as a buckaroo, as a cowboy from Nacogdocious? I mean, you doing okay out here?
C
Oh, yeah, I like it. I do.
F
He's surviving. Are there enough cattle and horses out here?
C
Oh, yeah, they're around. They're not right here, but they're around.
F
Oh, my word. So, okay, can we get into this text message? Y' all just sent a voice message. Kade sent a voice message, I should say to Jer, right before y' all came, and you were asking him some questions that you thought he would know.
C
Oh, well, what were you asking about? Well, all the California history was some of those Spaniards that came over, you know, they. After they fought all the wars and did all that and started settling down, they had got a bunch of cattle, and they took these old war horses and started, you know, using them for cattle. And so a lot of that trickled down through history, and now you still have some remnants of that left over with the spade bit and things like that.
A
What's the spade bit? Tell everybody what this is, though. Well, this is horse supplies right here.
C
It's very refined.
F
You're literally. You're literally asking Jeremy if he knows where to get a horse bit.
C
Yeah, this is cattle country. So this is.
F
Naturally, Jeremy would know.
E
I get a voice text, call.
F
I mean, the hat.
E
I need sports. And I'm going, Kate. I responded, Kate, I don't know what you said.
C
That's funny.
A
Well, I kind of love it.
C
Oh, and I was weird.
E
How did you expect me to know?
C
I was tired. So the more tired I get, the more slouchy my language. So. But yeah, spike bit is. It's a very refined cube bit, really. You know, and it's got a. Well, apparently all the old vaqueros, they took spoons and literally that's what it was. It's the spoon that goes up on there, and as you pull on the reins, the spoon comes off the tongue. It's a. Of the horse, you know? You know what I'm talking about.
E
No, I don't.
C
Yeah, sure goes in their mouth. But it's not like, you know, broken mouth snaffle and stuff, which is a norm in the equestrian world. But this is the old Californio stuff. It's a different world way back. Yeah. So it's drawing off of old, you know, Fascinating.
A
He's gotten into this fairly recently.
C
Yeah, I'm all in.
F
Wow.
E
So Kate is the real deal cowboy. I mean, you're out there, like every day, East Texas, doing that cowboy work. So behind your country music that you guys are both creating. Cause, Kade, you got some music coming up too. There's real cowboy work happening. This isn't fake country. This is real country.
C
Yeah, that's true. We were actually just talking about that. You know, she's not living in a high rise building in Nashville. She's living in the woods in East Texas. And there's, you know, everything's an hour away and, you know.
A
And I didn't grow up originally like that.
C
That's right.
E
Where'd you grow up, Gabby?
F
It's an adjustment.
A
Not far from where you grew up.
F
During Pittsburgh, but a world away.
A
North Philly. Yeah, that's true. Not Philly.
E
From the Steelers to the Eagles. There's a big difference.
A
Yeah. Sorry. But yeah, I grew up in Pittsburgh all eight first 18 years of my life. And then we moved to Nashville when we got married, and we based out of there for about five years. And so now we've been basing out of Texas the last year, though, since we have kids, and our oldest is starting to get to a place where she's gonna have real memories of where she's growing up. And so we have a really good church there that we like, so we wanna be there.
E
So Talk to us, because we met some years ago. Cade and I, through social media, just started following each other and got connected because of similar theology and stuff like that. But you guys were in the. I mean, that was right at the tail end of your American Idol experience. So we've got some similarities here in relationship because effectively reality TV played a huge part in our relationships. Me with Ginger and the two of you. I mean, you guys met and fell in love on American Idol, so give us a little bit of that history. I mean, everything started for you here in la, didn't it?
A
Mm, I did. Whose story do you wanna hear first?
F
Oh, I wanna know who saw who first. Like, did you. Did you both fall in love at the same time, or was it a work in progress? Did you have to win her over, Cade?
A
No, it was.
F
I had.
A
I had to go chase him. I did. He was. He was the hard one to get to. We saw each other. What point was that in the competition? That was top 24, right. And we were going down to 14.
C
I saw you prior to.
A
Well, yes, you briefly, like, he's like, I saw your ponytail from far away during, like, the first couple weeks, like, Hollywood Week. And you said, what did you think? You said that it was pretty. But then we didn't.
F
Okay.
A
We didn't come back to it, really, until top 24. You start noticing people when the numbers start going down. There's so many people. There's about probably 400 people at least, when we were on 400 people. And then they start sifting through. Through Hollywood Week. It's like a very busy week. You're cutting a lot of people. It's a very stressful week mentally, so you have to be able to handle a lot. Kind of get into the competition separating, you know, minds. And so we really started to notice each other. Top 24. I had said something to him backstage. He had just performed. I know a couple of my family members were like, there was this guy that just went on the stage, just, like, ripped the guitar super confidently and blah, blah, blah. And my parents don't talk about everybody that they see. The only really people that they're really impressed by. Cade was one of those people. They had mentioned him to me. I had seen him. I became interested in him. And I had said. And he does not remember this at all. I had said to him. I came up to him backstage. He was like, you did a great job. And he said, thank you. You know, very shy and reserved. Do you remember that happening? I'm not kidding. He doesn't remember. So that's why I said, whose story do you guys.
E
That's your first interaction.
A
That was our first interaction. Yes.
F
We want to take a break from this episode to tell you about Cozy Earth. So I'm sitting here in this bubble cuddle blanket and I'm telling you this would make an amazing gift. You're thinking of the holidays coming up and birthday gifts. We have actually gifted your family so much cozier stuff. And so I'm telling you it is the best thing possible.
E
Here's the difference between me and Ginger. She's always thinking about others and what to gift them. And I'm thinking, wait, why wouldn't I just get that blanket for myself?
A
Well, you already did.
F
You got the things for yourself.
A
Yeah, that's true.
F
And you have the Cozy Earth.
E
We, well, we have all of it.
F
Sweat sets.
E
Why do you think Cozy Earth is like, why do you think it's so changed the game for us? What is it about Cozy Earth?
F
Oh, my goodness. I think that their sheets are incredible to the point where when guests come and stay on our bed, they're like, what sheets are these? They're soft, breathable. They're buttery soft. And you can actually get a 100 night free trial for any of you who are kind of suspicious, you're not sure if you like them, you will love it after night one for sure of sleeping in the sheets.
E
So head to cozyearth.com, use our code Ginger J I N G e R for 40% off site wide. And if you get a post purchase survey, make sure you let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here on the show. Go to cozyearth.com use our code ginger J I N G e R for 40% off because your bed should be more than a place to sleep. It should be your happy place. Cozy Earth makes that possible.
F
We want to take a break from this episode to tell you about Ava.
E
I don't know if you know this, I've got a fun Duggar fact, but you growing up because you guys did not believe in credit. You had no credit when you came into marriage with me.
F
That's true.
E
You had never opened a credit card.
F
Nope.
E
You had only ever used a debit card. And so when we got married, we started to build your credit. And having good credit is really important. And Ava makes that possible. It helps you build excellent credit so that you can make necessary purchases in life, purchases that you might not have all the cash for, but you want to get a good rate on whether It's a car. Whether it's a mortgage, Ava makes that possible.
F
Yeah. AVA is a credit building app, and it allows you to improve your credit fast so you can get better rates.
A
On loans, put more money in your.
F
Pocket, and pay off those debts faster.
E
Yeah. So take control of your credit right now. Download the AVA app that's spelled a V A today, and when you join, using our promo code GINGER20, you'll save 20% off your first year. That's a big deal. Monthly, annual, your Choice, you'll save 20%. So again, get the AVA app, use our promo code ginger20 so they know you heard it from us, and get 20% off whatever plan you choose. Use promo code GINGER20. Thanks to Ava, you can now go get yourself good credit.
A
And then I awkwardly, like, asked him for a picture one day. Honestly, I don't know what I was doing. I asked him for. I was like, can we take a picture? And then he kindly, like, shook his head and said yes. And then we started hanging out. Who reached out to who for that, though? We hung out in a conference room.
C
Oh, shoot.
F
Do you have that picture? We should. If you have it. We should.
A
I have a video.
F
Put it up here.
A
I have a video.
F
That's amazing.
A
So we hung out. The first two times that we hung out, it was in this conference room, and we were just playing music. Like, he would play the guitar and I would sing something, and we were just like. I was like, hey, can you play this song? And, like, let's just sing it together and kind of connect over music. And that's what we did. You were. I would say you were really, really shy, though, when I was in the conference room with you. And to me, that read, oh, he doesn't like me. He's not interested in me at all. I'm like. Cause I was trying to be, like, bubbly and bring that up. And you were really shy. And so I was like, oh, no, this isn't working out. But I don't. Was that. Was that the case of what? Shyness. I mean.
C
Oh, yeah.
A
That. It wasn't gonna work out.
C
No, you said shyness. Yeah, I was shy.
F
He was very shy. And quiet.
A
He was very shy. Quiet, reserved. But, like, almost to where I was like, oh, he's not interested.
F
Yeah. So.
A
But you said that it was because when you liked a girl, that's how you acted. So it's so funny. Cause I didn't pick that up at all.
F
Yeah, that's awesome.
C
Yeah, I liked it. Yeah, I thought you were pretty I wouldn't have been in there hanging out with you. It's like, she's pretty.
A
Okay. Okay. But that's how it started.
F
I like it. That's awesome. So that was in Hollywood, like, proper.
A
That was in. We were literally. We were in Burbank.
C
No, that was Burbank. Yeah.
A
Oh, Burbank. So we were staying. Yes. This was a little advanced at. We were in Hollywood at first. And then as you got further in the competition, you moved to different locations. We went to Burbank, and that's where there was a Marriott in Burbank that it all happened. And we actually later got engaged at that same place that we hung out, which is so funny. But yes, that's where we, like, mainly were meeting and, like, hanging out there because all the contestants stayed at this hotel during the competition.
F
Wow, that's crazy.
E
You didn't win American Idol. The two of you were in the top five, correct? Right. Do you know what place you came in?
A
Third.
E
So you came in third, but then your career took off. But I think a lot of people would assume, like, oh, you're on American Idol, you're in the top five or you win it or whatever. You're just automatically given a career. That's not the case. You had to. You had to grind and hustle even after American Idol.
A
Yes, it was actually. No, it was really. It's really difficult after you come off the show because before you go onto the show. From my perspective, I was grinding in the most grueling way, I guess you could say, of how to start. We both were. We both were doing things like that. My dad was like my manager wrapped in one. My sister would come with me everywhere. I would just go anywhere and everywhere that I could. Every little fair, every little festival. I went and sang in malls. I went and sang in grocery stores, big grocery stores that had, like the cafe section over to the side. I would go over there and, like, sing to the fruits and vegetables. And then my dad had me sing in a chick fil A In the, like, corner set up in a chick fil A.
E
That's a privilege.
A
I mean, it's incredible.
E
Singing it with God's chicken is a privilege.
A
Right? I love it. And so, I mean, it was everywhere you would go sing at?
C
Well, I did. Yeah, I did more bars and stuff like that.
A
Yeah, but you were singing at a car dealership. Oh, inside doing a one man band where he was. You were doing.
C
I did, Yeah, I did that one time. I did.
A
Okay, well, he did it. And it was so we were both, like. We were both really just, like, grinding it out. So then you go on to American Idol, and for me, it was, oh, my gosh, yeah, your world's flipped upside down. You have a stylist. You have vocal, you know, trainers and people that work with you. You're on television. You're on a big stage with all of these lights. You have an audience. You have fans. Like, it is a whirlwind from where you're coming from before, and then you get off of the show. And for me, being in third place, I don't know what you get and what it looks like when you win the show, but for me being third place, it was okay. Let's start from ground zero again. Like, you go home. You go home. Like, I went back to Pittsburgh where I did my stuff with my dad and my sister, and it's like, now what? And so that's when I just started to build out my team in Nashville. We had our management who was attached to American Idol, who? Tom Ward is my manager. Love you, Tom. And he's been my manager ever since. So they had signed me shortly after the show and started closely working with them, and then they really helped branch out to start building my team. You need a business manager. You need a label. You need, you know, you need all those foundational partners to really do something in Nashville and get to a spot you want to be in.
E
I remember when we met because we met at the tail end of American Idol, and then I Hope hadn't come out yet. I don't think it hadn't. And I remember one of my friends heard it was either in advance of I Hope or it was just your music from American Idol, and they said, oh, that girl's got a special voice. Like, she's gonna make it. And I don't know music like that. I know you do, but I was like, okay, why? How can you tell differentiate certain voices? I don't remember everything they said. But then I Hope came out, right. How soon after American Idol did that come out?
A
So Idol finished 2018. I released it in 2019, earlier in the year. So I did not have a record label. It was just me and my management at the time. I just started writing songs in town, so I released it independently, and that thing just exploded.
E
Eight time platinum. What was that? What is that feeling and experience?
C
Was that the One of the first ones, really? You?
A
One of it was probably. Yes. One of the first four songs that I wrote in Nashville. Yes.
E
So when you have a song go Eight times platinum. What happens to your world?
F
We want to take a break from this episode to tell you about Mint Mobile.
E
Yeah. So cell phones have become one of those things that have been really difficult to get connected on and super expensive, but everyone needs one. Well, Mint Mobile is solving those problems. It is super accessible, it's easy to use, and it's affordable. You can get mint mobile for $15 a month.
F
All plans come with unlimited data, talk and text, and they're delivered on the nation's largest 5G network.
E
And here's what's really cool. You can bring your own phone already. You don't have to worry about losing your phone number or losing all of your contacts. You can just sign up with the device you have on Mint Mobile.
F
Make the switch@mintmobile.com SLG that's mintmobile.com Ginger.
E
Upfront payment of $45 required, equivalent to $15 a month limited time. New customer offer for first three months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gigabytes on unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. Guys, you're going to love Mint Mobile. Make the switch.
F
Today, we want to take a break from this episode to tell you about Nanit. I don't know if any of you were in the same stage that we are in. So when we first had kids, we had our first, and she was so tiny, and it really made us nervous because all the sounds kept waking us.
E
It was terrifying.
F
And we realized right off the bat that we needed a baby monitor because when we go out of the room, we wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. And having peace of mind with a baby monitor, at first it was just like an audio one and we thought that was fine. But then I kept going in to look. I was like, I want to be able to see. See my baby.
E
Yeah. And Nanit is the number one most awarded smart baby monitor. Now, I said smart baby monitor because Nanit actually helps you track how long your baby's sleeping and the quality of their sleep. I'm telling you, I get so nervous when I hear the noises babies make. And I'm always waking up, I'm checking them. Nanit helps you have, like, a extra set of eyes that never gets tired, never goes to sleep. Watching your baby all the time. It really is incredible technology. It's the new way for baby monitors. And Nanit is number one.
F
Yeah. And for a very good reason. Nanit parents get 36 more nights of sleep per year.
E
Yeah. It's awesome. Who doesn't want more Sleep. Nanit is truly the one baby item we can't live without. And right now, Nana is offering 25% off just for our listeners. Get 25% off your first order with baby 25. That's the code baby25. Go to nanit.com. that's n a n I t nanit.com and use code baby25 to save. That's nanit.com with code baby25.
A
I mean, everything changes. It's wild now. It didn't immediately go to 8 times platinum. It's done that over the past couple of years. But it for sure reacted in a way that nobody saw coming. I didn't know it was coming by any means. I was just starting to dabble in the world of writing with, you know, Nashville writers, people that really know how to write songs. And I really didn't know if I was able to write music. I didn't know if I should just be an artist that, you know, cuts other people's songs or if I should actually try to write my own material. And so it was encouraging to have a song like that. Pretty interesting. So. Because I released it independently and it did start to grab a lot of attention quickly. My manager, I remember, he was like, I'm getting a call from this label, from that label, from this. And keep in mind, before I released the song, I had went from label to label to label to label. Singing in there, singing for the people, like see. And they're like, nah. Like, you know, people are hesitant to. At least I feel like people are hesitant to take a shot on people that come off of singing shows because of non success stories in the past. So which I understand they're just a little bit more hesitant. Cause they want something positive to come out of it. And so it's really like, I feel like they kind of wait for your original music to be something exciting for everybody. And then it's like, okay, we've got something here. They don't want to sign somebody that's just gonna be a cover band or, you know, they're not gonna have their own material to put out. And there's not gonna be true success that carries through, which I understand. But it was still hard. It was really hard. Cause we were going around, I had written just maybe like one or two songs, so maybe not even I hope at the time. And we were like, look at this verse and a chorus. And we were going around and singing and showing everybody. And a lot of people were passing. And so I did a couple more rights, got this Song. We said, okay, let's record it. And me and management were like, I think we should go with this one. Let's release this one. And then everybody just started calling. After that, I went and sang at Warner Music Nashville, which is who I'm with now. And they were like, we have to have you here. We need you here. And I was. I had a strong, very strong gut feeling to go with them as my label. We were dating at the time too, right? Maybe freshly engaged. So it was craziness happening personally and professionally. Yes.
F
So how were you able to handle that? So you guys were at that stage of developing your relationship, but then everything's taking off at the same time. Was it like conversations? You know, once you're engaged, you're like, okay, what. What are your goals now? What is your life gonna look like as it's just taking off? So much is happening. You probably couldn't even prepare for all of it fully and not knowing. And you're both so young. So when you guys met, how old were you?
A
I was 17 and you were four years apart, so he was 21.
F
That's crazy. Okay. Yeah.
A
Then I turned 18.
F
So young. And everything's just ramping up at that point. How was that? Was it just like, did you figure it out as you went?
A
I think the grace of God was over the whole situation. Honestly, I look back on it now, and I kind of ask the same question to myself that you do. I'm like, I don't know. I can't give you a clear answer. I really can't. The way that everything has played out was incredible because you're so right. There was so much going on. It would have been so easy to get swept away if certain things didn't happen. Having children at that time, there's so many things I think that the Lord did to where this all has worked out, because he was doing it every day in little ways, like just guiding us along the way. He really was. We were having conversations, and if you want to add anything to this, we were having conversations about how do we figure this out? So when we first met, Cade grew.
C
Up more in a Christian home.
A
And you went to what kind of church?
C
We went. No, I grew up non denominational church.
A
So he grew up with Christian parents. I went to Catholic school, but I just never. I was never like a Bible reader. I went to Catholic school my whole life, but I never had a Bible like an esv. King James in my house read nothing like that. And I didn't grow up in a Particular religious family either. So I met Cade. He really introduced me to the gospel, the message of the gospel, the Bible and reading the Bible. And that's when that journey kind of began for me. At 18, I would say I was saved from the Bible that you gave me. Thank you very much.
F
Oh, that's awesome.
A
Yes. He gifted me one.
F
When was that? Was that at like, in the time when you guys were just starting connecting on Idol?
A
Yes, 2018. So I think he wrote the date somewhere. That's so sweet. June, maybe. We started dating in March of 2018 and it was like June. And he wrote something very sweet and gave it to me. And then I started reading Romans, I think. And that's where. That's where something just like, it was like a switch. I can't even explain it. But yeah. So our journey's been interesting. God's been guiding it the whole way.
E
Did you feel like with that switch. So you're coming off American Idol, you're grinding and hustling. You're about to release. I hope you're dating this guy. You guys are headed towards marriage. You're growing in your faith. So much is happening and changing so quickly. Did it feel overwhelming or in the moment, do you feel like, yeah, this is just life. You're taking a day at a time and then you look back and go.
A
Wow, so much was happening in the moment. No, it didn't feel overwhelming. Believe it or not, Even though we're talking about all this and it should, like, it should. It didn't. And again, I think that's really just God, like, helping us. I was excited. I was like, woo, we're in some movement here. Like, this is so exciting. But we were constantly having conversations of how do we make this work? We're both Christians. We both want our relationship to work. We know that it probably won't work if you're trying to pursue that solo and I'm trying to pursue this solo. And we're gonna meet up every, you know, a weekend out of the month at the airport to have a date and then be ships crossing in the middle of the night. How are we gonna be able to sustain a marriage? How are we gonna be able to raise a family? I knew I wanted to be a mother. I wanted to have kids. And so we were talking about all this and it just made sense to start doing it together. You were always seemingly more passionate towards the guitar, right?
C
Yeah. Always a joke. I was a guitar player who made it on a singing show.
A
He's a good singer too. Yes. Well, okay.
E
Fantastic song.
F
We have a video. So Cade came to Laredo. I feel like we were just watching. This was the last time y' all were here. We were just watching that video, and I just remember he was in our tiny living room in Laredo, and Jeremy's like, sing us a song. And he pulled out his guitar, and he started out kind of soft, you know?
E
And little Felicity's one. No, she's like, six months.
F
She was like, yeah, she's tiny.
E
She's sitting there. She's, like, fascinated with the guitar. She's listening.
F
So mesmerized watching Kade start to just strum a little bit, and then he just belts with his voice. It went from, like, this quiet to, like.
E
Like, his voice just filled the house.
F
And she started screaming.
A
She lost it.
C
I'm deeply.
F
It was so great. It was a moment.
C
It's. I just look back down. I just didn't know how to sing then. Maybe being with you has helped me learn how to sing a little bit in terms of I could sing in a quieter setting now. I couldn't then. I didn't know how.
F
But my favorite thing, though, is, like, when, like, hearing y' all sing together, and y' all are so good at just picking up on harmonies and just, like, going back and forth and back and forth.
C
I'm not.
A
No, no, but you can.
F
You guys do it together.
E
But here's the thing. I got to give a plug for Cade singing because he's coming out with an album soon. Jeremy wants to join us or to. Yeah. I've been pushing you to put out this album because it's. It's country, and I have. You sent me a couple of the. The mixes, and I can't stop listening to it. I mean, I'm a. I'm a. I'm a sixth generation buckaroo brother. I'm in. And so, hey, listeners, you better look out for this Cade album because it's coming to a theater near you. I want to ask you this. You're 25 years old. You've got three kids. When you're at the height of your fame, when your songs are taking off, were there people telling you, like, gabby, what are you doing getting pregnant? Like, what are you doing getting married? You're gonna ruin this. You're gonna derail your career before it starts. People are invested in you financially. They see the potential. What was that like navigating because you're getting married and wanting to have a kid? How old were you when you had your first child?
A
20.
E
20 years old and a multi platinum selling artist. Was there pressure not to do that?
A
No, actually. And I'm so thankful. No, when I really am honest with myself and I look back and I'm like, no, not from my management and not from my label. Not from anybody. No, actually, my manager and someone I'm very close with at my label who's high up. We had a very Christian wedding. You married us and definitely presented a picture of the gospel. It was very evident of that picture and kind of what we were after too. And I remember her just saying, hey, whatever we need. She said to me, whatever we need to do to keep this together, we need to do.
E
Wow.
A
Like, she said that my. Nope, My manager didn't have a problem. They all said, congratulations, very happy for me. And it was in the peak time of COVID going on, so it was a very strange time. We were. I look back now, it's so funny. We were like, yeah, we're gonna go on tour with. We were actually supposed to go on tour with Brad Paisley. So we were supposed to go on tour with Brad paisley. It never happened because of COVID And we're like, yeah, let's have a baby. It's so funny. We were just like.
C
We were married for.
A
I knew that I wanted to be a mom. We're like, yeah, let's have a baby.
C
Six months. We were married or something.
A
Yeah, it was six months into, I think, when I. Six or seven months and I found I was pregnant. But no, nobody was judgmental towards it. Everybody was very supportive. Now, by the time I got to the third baby within a couple of years, I was a little nervous about that one. I was a little bit nervous. But again, everybody was very supportive on my team's side of it, which I really appreciate. That's really helpful.
E
What's that like touring and being a country music artist? Award shows, regular shows, all the demands that has in media with three kids at home and you want to be a wife and mom who's present. So you're raising your kids. And by the way, as you guys have spent time in our home over the years, you're doing an incredible job. Such a good job raising little Bela Boone.
F
Ivy, it's amazing.
E
How are you navigating that? How are you balancing all that?
A
By the grace of God, I just take it day by day. That is all that I can do. If I think too far down the line, it just doesn't work out very well for me. And I know that, you know, day by day is what I've Gotta do. I try to balance it the best that I can. There is no true balance. I can't lay out a formula for, you know, do this many shows, spend this much time with your kids. You know, that's really difficult. But I just take it day by day. I trust in the Lord that He, you know, will keep me on the right path. He knows that my heart wants to be towards my children and my family and my husband first. And I truly believe that he sustained me to this point in doing so. And I think something that's been big for me is just reframing my brain, and this is something that I'm continually working on. What is the definition of success for me? What does that mean for Gabby? So Gabby is a country music artist and Gabby is a Christian, right? What does that mean for me? Charts are great. So all the streaming numbers are great. Awards are great. All those things are great, and I'm very, very thankful for them. But success, when I get down to brass tacks, like in my heart, success is measured for me by faithfulness. So how am I treating other people? What am I singing about? How am I representing myself so that my children will look at me? Who do they see as they get older? Am I doing things that are pleasing to God? You know, all of those things are really what's important to me. And that is my measure of successful. Being successful, you know, is being faithful at the post of where God's put me. And that's something that I struggle with because, you know, being an artist in the music industry, it's very competitive. It's very fast moving. It's very work, work, work, work, work, work. It's, you know, it's very challenging sometimes. And so it's always a work in progress for me. But that's where I've had to reframe my mind is successfulness being, you know, about being faithful with what God has given and where you're at, rather than paying attention to the numbers and the money and the awards and how many, you know.
E
So that's a powerful insight because I think for so many young women, they would claw and climb to just get to where you are, whether it's in music or business. And success is framed around the things that you're seeing as, like, secondary.
F
And I think that's the beauty of being a Christian, because, like, we. We do look at life in that way, and we should.
A
We should look at life in that.
F
Way because we realize that all these things God has given as blessings and in stewardship, that he's given us. But then ultimately holding it all with an open hand and just saying, God, use my talents and gifts however you please. And I love that. And you guys have done such a good job of that, because it's like, you have such an opportunity to proclaim Christ in a way. Like, you can give a good show, and we all love going to your shows, let me just say. So fun. We take our kids there. It's so great, and it's amazing. But at the same time, you also. You come and bring it back in, and you honor Christ. And I love seeing that in how you live your lives, even if it's on social media, things that you guys say, it's incredible to see, because that holistic mindset of, like, okay, I'm a Christian, and that's what defines me. So your music can be fun, awesome. But then you're just bringing it back to the glory of God ultimately, in how you're living. And I love that because, well, those.
E
Are the most powerful songs. Like, yeah. So we have your songs on repeat, because the girls right now. Easy Part. The Easy Part is Evie's favorite.
F
And I said. Actually, I was telling them, because I said, she's. She kept saying she wanted the evvy.
E
Part when she was requesting it for the series. Play the Evvy part.
F
Play the Evvy part. And I was like, what's the evvy part? And then I finally realized. I was like, oh, it's the easy part. And she'd say. And then finally she learned after we said it many times, like, play the Easy Part by Gabby Barrett. And then, you know, it would come up, and now she can turn it on by herself. But it was so cute. I was like, it is the heavy part.
A
My mind is the heavy part forever now.
F
It's so sweet.
E
I mean, but, like, the easy part, you're a brilliant songwriter, and the two of you as a duo, like, you're producing incredible music. But the most powerful songs are those, at least for us.
F
Like, when we hear them growing up, raising you. It's so good.
E
Talk about that. Growing up, raising you, because you actually. That's, like, biographical or autobiographical. That's you as a young kid who feels like you're having kids and you're becoming an adult as they're going through their childhood.
F
Right?
A
Yeah. My last country album that I put out, chapter of verse. It was very. The whole album was very autobiographical. I wanted to. It felt right. I mean, I feel like we've both went through so much life a bit quicker, sped up from 19, really, to 2025, where I'm at now. So the past five years, I mean, three kids, two number one songs awards. Like, there's just living in a completely different state from where both of us were familiar with. I mean, there's just a lot of layers to it. But Grown Up Raising youg is probably my favorite song that I wrote on that album. It is one that's very near and dear to me. It's about our oldest, Bela, and it was exactly about, you know, people. I mean, I feel like people comment or say or. I've heard it, like, growing up, like, you're a baby. Having a baby when you're young, you know, and you're having kids. And, you know, I felt like people were saying that to me at the time. And it was a very strange time. It was the peak of COVID We were the only ones in the hospital. Like, it was very strange in a way, but. But also amazing. So you're trying to figure out who you are typically, I feel like at 20 or you're asking deep questions about that. At least I was. And who do I want to be? What do I want to represent? What am I about? What do I value all of those questions. And we were, yes, freshly married, and then I'm pregnant, and I realized that, like, bringing a life into the world, it's now my responsibility and his responsibility, too. Raise this person to be the best person that they can be. But you don't know who you are. And so you're like, it's this beautiful thing that you get to do together. And God's perfect timing. He gave me, or us, I should say, a beautiful baby. And so that's what that song is about, is really just about the journey of having her.
E
You know, I love you as an example to our daughters, but also to young women out there, because you. It's. It is. And I know Cade would attest to this. It's like Proverbs 31, this. This beautiful balance. I mean, it's what I love about Ginger. The many facets of Ginger, but, like, conquering different spaces but keeping. And you said it really well. Well, actually, I can't remember exactly what you said toward your centeredness toward home or how did you say that?
A
What did I say? I don't know.
E
There's like a. Basically, yeah, like, you're centered on your home, but you're out here conquering the world. Like, Ginger's out here writing a book or speaking engagements or whatever, seeking to minister to others effectively and, like, you said all of your music, you're wanting it to glorify God, but then your children still feeling like they're the center of your universe. And your family feeling like you're not abandoning them because you've got something greater to achieve.
F
Right.
E
We need those examples. Like, those are few and far between. In fact, you guys could probably speak to this on a personal level of just seeing in the industry the brokenness of, like, yeah, you won the Dove Award or you won a CMA acknowledgement. I mean, your family's in shatters, and you're on your third marriage and your kids don't know you, but, man, your household name, like, good for you. There's just such an emptiness, right?
C
Yeah, that's true.
F
Yeah.
A
It's just not worth it to me in the sense of that, to sacrifice that and lose the other. I think that's God's grace too. Just renewing. Renewing of the person, renewing of what matters. Ultimately, falling in love with His Word because His Word is what shapes us. We work things out in accordance to what His Word says. I know what he says for the woman and what he values and finds pleasing for women. And so that's important to me, to try to live a life that's pleasing to God the best way that I can and with what I've been given. And so, you know, because I truly believe that God is real and God says who he is, the other things grow strangely dim in light of him and what he says that he loves. Cause we wanna love the things that God loves. So that's just my. That's my kind of view. I know that I'm trying to get to the end goal of being in heaven with him and hopefully hearing, well done, good and faithful servant.
F
So I don't know if you wanna talk about this, but you have your kiddos with you on tour a lot, and that's something that is very impressive. And I just don't know. How do you do that? How do you do that, guys? Because that's a big deal to get your kids. I was like. And Gabby's like, please ask me that one, actually, because it is impressive. I mean, we have three kids, and right now we're recording this podcast, and I have a baby monitor on Finn, and I'm like, is he gonna wake? Is he gonna wake? And I feel like it's such a tricky thing to do with kids. And so how in the world do you guys manage taking your kids, not just saying, okay, I'm gonna get our kids on A schedule. Put them to bed. How do you have them sleep on a bus?
A
They don't really know any different, to be honest. We just. The first one came along and I waited until about five or six months to where they could sit up a little bit. They were eating a little bit of food. I was kind of a little. A little bit more rested to where I could be on the bus. They were okay and could kind of, you know, they're so resilient. I mean, they just catch on to what's going on. And so, you know, the tour bus is like a nice big rocker if you think about it. It's buzzing and it's like a car ride all night.
F
They sleep better on the bus than they do at home, honestly.
A
Some.
F
We all say that's true.
A
Some nights we've actually been having little trouble after we got off the bus of them waking, like for two or three nights in a row, and then they won't on the bus. So it's like hit or miss, but they really don't know any different. We have three bunks. Each one has a custom mesh zipper on it and then the blackout curtain that goes over it. So Bela, since she's the oldest, she sleeps on the top. Boone's in the middle, and then Ivy's on the bottom to try to get the best sleep for the littlest one.
F
That's amazing.
A
It really is. It's so funny when wake up in the morning. We sleep up in the front. We wake up in the morning and go. Go get them out of the bunks. It's like, hello. It's just so. It's so sweet, but it's the best. I don't know. We just. We don't have a. Yeah. There's no choice to leave them behind. There's just not. I love. I wouldn't be able to go do it. I wouldn't.
F
Guys, take them.
A
And now we're doing homeschool with the oldest and so amazing school on top of.
F
That's incredible.
C
Yes.
F
We just figured out.
A
Figured out. You know, how it goes.
C
You starting homeschool with Bayla and going through that. And I remember you saying that. Oh, man, I don't know if I could ever do that. But you're doing it now.
F
That's incredible.
C
And doing a real good job.
F
I love it.
C
I was with her, did half of her worksheet with her. You know, nothing at all. She did all the work.
F
That's incredible.
C
I was impressed with her, what she was able to do.
F
Now, Cade, do you Throw these kids on a horse the second they can walk or before they can walk.
E
Better put that boy on a bronchie someday.
C
Well, yeah, I did put. Yeah. I mean, they've been on horses and lead them around. Nothing crazy, you know, Are they going.
F
To take riding lessons or what do you do writing lessons or is that. Is that just like. You just throw them on a horse and you're like, go ride.
A
Well, he knows how to break horses and instruct them. Break them as in you can give the definition, not break them.
F
Like train them.
A
Yes.
F
That's how you train him to ride a ball.
A
He knows how to ride. He used to rodeo. He used to. So he's well educated on that. So I'm sure he would be the teacher.
F
That's why he has a belt buckle.
C
This is my father's, who I'm very proud to be his son, Rick Vayner. This is his. I wear it with pride. I like that he bulldoged.
E
It's awesome. Legendary.
A
You want to get the kids a pony, though.
C
I want to get a pony so that I could turn them loose with it. I would, because I don't have anything tame enough for them to just take off on and, you know, so I put them on. There's one horse I put them on and lead her around, you know, she's not gonna throw them off. But nothing else I have. They could ride, but in her, they couldn't get hold of her enough. But, you know, I mean, they're coming along, you know, and. And I want to have Boone, my boy, out there with me.
F
That's special.
C
At some point, you know, be able to take.
F
I like it. Teach him to lasso. Do you lasso, too? I guess you do all that rodeo stuff?
C
Yep.
F
That's crazy. Get him a mini lasso. Does he have a mini lasso?
C
Do what?
F
Does he have a small lasso?
C
Oh, yeah. They've got a bunch of good size ones they do. And I'm trying to take. Oh, yeah. Trying to teach them how to rope. Bayla's doing pretty good with it.
F
See, I don't know all the proper lingo.
C
Oh, well, it's okay. No, yeah. I'm teaching Bayla how. And Boone, you know, he's. He's coming along. He doesn't quite got the coordination or long enough interest to stay with it. And I don't. With that. I don't want to just make them do it and make them sour to it, you know, or something like that. So I just kind of let them do it. At their interest at their base.
F
That's so great.
E
I love it. You guys are awesome. Well, we. We're so glad you're in town and we're glad you're hanging out with us. At midnight your time, 10 o' clock hours, we will have you back on studio.
F
No ac when it's not. When we actually have AC and it's not like midnight.
A
Okay, perfect.
E
Hey, you guys, you really are inspiring. Your music's incredible. We're excited. What the Lord's doing in your lives. You are one of those couples that we point others to as examples. You're doing such an incredible job in every area, husband and wife, parents in your career, balancing all of that, putting the Lord first. So we're grateful for you guys. We love you guys. And thanks for hanging out with us.
F
Thank you. Thanks for coming out with us all. Glory to God.
A
Thank you.
E
And Doug Limu and I always tell.
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Episode: Too Young to Have Kids? American Idol Love, 8× Platinum… and Babies?! | Gabby Barrett & Cade Foehner
Release Date: September 24, 2025
Guests: Gabby Barrett & Cade Foehner
Hosts: Jinger Vuolo & Jeremy Vuolo
This episode dives deep into the whirlwind lives of country music star Gabby Barrett and her husband, Cade Foehner. The couple shares candid stories about their early fame, meeting and falling in love on American Idol, navigating a fast-paced career while starting a young family, and remaining centered in faith and family values amid industry pressures and public scrutiny. Jinger and Jeremy, themselves familiar with the limelight and unique relationship beginnings, connect with Gabby and Cade over the shared experiences of reality TV romance and raising kids with a faith-driven perspective.
On Young Marriage & Motherhood:
On Faith and Priority:
On Supporting Each Other:
On Raising Kids on the Road:
On Legacy and Generational Faith:
The episode is heartfelt and relatable, balancing lighthearted banter (hat jokes, cowboy stories, kids on tour) with vulnerable, faith-centered discussions about careers, marriage, and parenting under pressure. The hosts and guests speak warmly and candidly, offering encouragement and real-life wisdom particularly geared toward young couples, music fans, and those navigating faith in the limelight.
Whether you're a fan of country music, American Idol alumni, or seeking inspiration in balancing career and family, this episode offers a window into the personal convictions and joyful chaos behind the spotlight—always grounded in faith and intentional living.