The Official Yellowstone Podcast: Episode 4 Summary Title: Behind the Music of Yellowstone: Andrea von Foerster & Dani Rose
Release Date: February 13, 2025
Host: Bobby Bones
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Paramount Podcasts

Introduction

In the fourth episode of The Official Yellowstone Podcast, host Bobby Bones delves into the intricate relationship between music and the critically acclaimed series Yellowstone. Celebrating the podcast's halfway mark, Bones expresses his enthusiasm for engaging with the creative minds behind the show, aiming to provide fans with deeper insights into the Dutton family's saga. This episode spotlights two pivotal figures in the series' musical landscape: Andrea Forster, the esteemed Music Supervisor, and Dani Rose, a talented country music artist whose work has been prominently featured throughout the series.

Interview with Andrea Forster: Shaping the Soundtrack of Yellowstone

Timestamp: 03:13 – 07:08

Andrea Forster shares her journey to becoming the music supervisor for Yellowstone:

• Meeting the Team: Forster recounts her initial interactions with Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, emphasizing their immediate connection over shared cinematic interests, notably the film Unforgiven.

• Music Selection Process: Forster meticulously reviews scripts to identify scenes that require musical accompaniment, ensuring that each song enhances the narrative without overshadowing it. She describes Yellowstone's musical aesthetic as "quietly epic," aligning with the show's introspective and rugged Montana setting.

  Andrea Forster (04:16): "We have a very narrow lane of music that we use on Yellowstone because it's Red dirt country. It's quietly epic... everything is very introspective."

• Discovering Talent: Andrea highlights her discovery of rising artists like Lainey Wilson, whose song was featured in the iconic "bull in the bar" scene. She praises Wilson's ability to blend traditional and contemporary country elements, positioning her as a versatile and appealing artist for the show's diverse audience.

  Andrea Forster (05:54): "She's just a really wide appeal. She's sort of like the next Miranda Lambert, but I can also see her in the Dolly Parton universe."

• Career Path: Forster outlines her career trajectory from film school at USC to working with major productions at Disney, eventually establishing her own company in 2006. Her dedication and passion for blending music with storytelling have been instrumental in defining Yellowstone's unique soundscape.

Interview with Dani Rose: From Party Encounters to Yellowstone Stardom

Timestamp: 25:56 – 35:13

Dani Rose narrates her serendipitous connection with Andrea Forster and the subsequent impact on her musical career:

• Connection with Andrea Forster: Rose describes meeting Forster at a birthday party in Los Angeles, leading to her music being featured on Yellowstone. This unexpected opportunity significantly boosted her visibility and fanbase.

  Jenny Garth (26:22): "I sent it to her, and then I didn't hear anything for a couple of years. And then randomly out of the blue, she just messaged me and said, hey, I love your music. I'd love to put it on Yellowstone."

• Career Transformation: Featuring on Yellowstone catalyzed Rose's career, leading to increased streaming numbers, bookings, and media attention from outlets like Rolling Stone and Billboard. She emphasizes the supportive and family-oriented community within the Yellowstone team and its affiliates.

  Jenny Garth (28:55): "It's such a community there. It's so family oriented. Everybody at Paramount... They really put together such a wonderful family."

• Creative Process and Releases: Rose discusses her upcoming releases, including the single "I Ain't Living," which debuted in season five. She highlights her collaborative songwriting with industry veterans like Liz Rose and Brent Cobb, underscoring her commitment to meaningful and authentic storytelling through music.

  Jenny Garth (35:13): "Outsiders is all about saying goodbye to the old me and saying hello to the new me. The title track is 'Good Morning,' which is all about having a funeral for the old me and laying her to rest."

• Personal Journey: Growing up between Virginia and Tokyo, Rose reflects on how her diverse upbringing shaped her musical influences and resilience, ultimately driving her passion for country music and performance from a young age.

  Jenny Garth (33:32): "From fifth grade until ninth grade, we just traveled Southeast Asia. ... It was quite a culture shock just to be dropped back to here."

The Impact of Music on Yellowstone's Success

Timestamp: 12:33 – 22:17

Bobby Bones draws parallels between Yellowstone and other culturally impactful shows like Grey's Anatomy, emphasizing the critical role of music in enhancing storytelling and character development.

• Cultural Influence: Bones compares Yellowstone's influence on country music to how Grey's Anatomy shaped soft rock and singer-songwriter genres. He praises the show's ability to showcase diverse musical tastes, which enriches the viewing experience.

  Bobby Bones (12:33): "Yellowstone for country music now is what Grey's Anatomy did for that soft rock singer-songwriter."

• Artist Exposure: Andrea Forster and Bobby discuss how Yellowstone serves as a platform for emerging artists, helping them reach broader audiences and achieve significant career breakthroughs. Forster expresses joy in witnessing artists like Whiskey Myers gain popularity through their association with the show.

  Andrea Forster (15:24): "It's really fun to be a part of someone's story and to give them a platform."

• Emotional Resonance: The discussion highlights specific moments where music deeply resonated with both creators and audiences, such as the use of Zach Bryan's tracks in emotionally charged scenes, underscoring the power of music to enhance narrative depth.

  Bobby Bones (16:13): "There was a wide open field scene where you're playing a Zach Brian slow song... it was one of those rare times where I go, gotta save that to my playlist."

Conclusion

Bobby Bones wraps up the episode by acknowledging the profound impact of music on Yellowstone's storytelling and its broader cultural significance. He commends Andrea Forster and Dani Rose for their contributions, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the show's narrative and its musical backdrop.

Bobby Bones (22:38): "It's been musically a culture changer what you guys did on Yellowstone, the same way that Grey's Anatomy was then... Thank you so much for being with us and talking about it. It means a lot to me."

Final Thoughts

Episode 4 of The Official Yellowstone Podcast offers an in-depth exploration of the series' musical landscape, shedding light on the meticulous process behind curating its soundtrack and the artists who bring these songs to life. Through the insightful conversations with Andrea Forster and Dani Rose, listeners gain a greater appreciation for the nuanced role music plays in enriching the Yellowstone narrative and fostering a vibrant community of artists and fans alike.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrea Forster (04:16): "We have a very narrow lane of music that we use on Yellowstone because it's Red dirt country. It's quietly epic... everything is very introspective."

• Jenny Garth (26:22): "I sent it to her, and then I didn't hear anything for a couple of years. And then randomly out of the blue, she just messaged me and said, hey, I love your music. I'd love to put it on Yellowstone."

• Bobby Bones (12:33): "Yellowstone for country music now is what Grey's Anatomy did for that soft rock singer-songwriter."

• Andrea Forster (15:24): "It's really fun to be a part of someone's story and to give them a platform."

For more insights and behind-the-scenes stories from Yellowstone, subscribe to The Official Yellowstone Podcast and tune in every Thursday.