Podcast Summary

Podcast: Tony Mantor’s Almost Live… Nashville

Episode: Kyle Coroneos: SavingCountryMusic.com to Crafting The Hook: A Songwriter's Showcase
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Kyle Coroneos (aka “Trigger”), Editor/Creator, SavingCountryMusic.com
Release Date: August 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Mantor sits down with Kyle Coroneos—known in the industry as "Trigger"—the founder of SavingCountryMusic.com. They discuss the website’s mission to champion independent country and roots music, its influence on the genre’s evolution, and the launch of Kyle’s new live event and upcoming video podcast, “The Hook,” a platform for both emerging and established songwriters. Throughout, the conversation weaves together classic Nashville “behind the scenes” stories, sharp industry insights, and practical advice for artists and fans on how to foster and sustain genuine music communities.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Mission of SavingCountryMusic.com [02:00–06:58]

• Frustration Sparks Action:
  Kyle launched the website in 2008, driven by frustration at the lack of recognition for independent and underground country artists.

  “I was discovering a lot of independent and underground country artists that were just not getting any kind of attention from the press or really anywhere… there was sort of an underground community… I said, well, somebody should step up and start covering this as a legitimate part of the country music universe.” — Kyle [02:34]

• Historical Parallel:
  The inspiration also came from the outlaw country era—artists like Hank Williams III, who at the time was fighting with his label, reminiscent of ongoing tensions in country music.

  “Reading about what was happening with him and seeing the parallels… it was like, these are the same problems that country music has been going through for decades. It’s a battle of evermore that’s constantly going on.” — Kyle [03:13]

• Transition to Online Communities:
  The shift from MySpace to major platforms like Facebook, Insta, and TikTok has allowed the independent movement to flourish—artists not played on radio, like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, now selling out arenas.

  “It used to be if you didn’t get played on the radio, barely anybody knew about you… now you have artists like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers. They’re selling out arenas.” — Kyle [03:46]

2. Growth and Industry Influence [05:08–12:30]

• Spotlighting Futures:
  Kyle’s forté is identifying talent early—citing Sturgill Simpson and being the first to interview Zach Bryan.

  “I was the first guy to ever talk about Sturgill Simpson… as his career emerged… that helped me grow my platform…” — Kyle [05:15]

• Balanced Critique:
  SavingCountryMusic.com doesn’t ignore the mainstream, but acts as a voice for “disenfranchised country fans” and a bridge between scenes. Viral moments—like Eric Church's song “Country Music Jesus” inspired by one of his articles, and contentious exchanges with Blake Shelton—helped the site gain notoriety.

• The Value of Remaining a Stepping Stone:
  Despite opportunities, Kyle intentionally avoided turning SavingCountryMusic.com into a label or a festival, preferring to remain “a stepping stone.”

  “I’ve really valued remaining a stepping stone and doing that on purpose. It’s like not making it about me, making it about the music… my fulfillment is being the first that talks about an artist, but then they get so big, it doesn’t matter if I’m talking about them anymore…” — Kyle [11:19]

• Notable Impact:
  The site’s advocacy contributed to industry changes, such as the Grammys adding a “Best Traditional Country Album” category.

  “That was something I’ve been working at for years, and I finally got that just this year and was so validating and so fulfilling.” — Kyle [09:26]

3. Building Grassroots Music Communities [10:07–14:00]

• Analogy to Grateful Dead:
  Tony draws a comparison to the Grateful Dead’s fanbase, which exploded from the underground without commercial radio.

  “You’ve kind of created a Grateful Dead underground… you’re kind of doing very similar things…” — Tony [09:45]
  “Grassroots fans… come out to the shows, they don’t just stream the album… buy a vinyl copy, a T shirt… it helps support the venues… and opportunities to newer up and coming artists.” — Kyle [10:29]

• Artists Giving Back:
  Major artists who “make it” pay it forward, like Luke Combs booking rising acts as openers after reading about them on SavingCountryMusic.com.

  “…those moments are really what I live for.” — Kyle [13:19]

4. Launching "The Hook" — A New Songwriter Platform [13:37–25:46]

• Why the Pivot?:
  With podcasts, video, and short-form content overtaking traditional sites in cultural influence, Kyle saw “The Hook” as the next step.

  “Print and online journalism just is not having the type of cultural impact it once did… I’m a Web 1.0 property in a Web 3.0 world… what can we build for the future as a forum to launch artists? That’s where The Hook came from.” — Kyle [13:37]

• Format & Philosophy:

  • Two-hour song showcase; not a competition.
  • Mix of established songwriters and total newcomers, all given the chance to perform original material.
  • Focus is on songs, not just performance or star power.

  “We’re looking for those great songs… hopefully, whether once, twice, or three times during the two hour period, some random person… just blows our mind…” — Kyle [15:53]

• Post-Performance Path:

  • Standout performances will be clipped and promoted via podcast, social media, and potentially revisited/followed up.
  • The aim is to generate genuine industry attention and provide artists with media resources generally exclusive to those signed to major labels.

  “We’re going to create those resources for them.” — Kyle [18:15]

• Production Team:
  Backed by former Music City Roots video crew, event hosted in Nashville with intentions to build an in-the-room and digital audience.

  “It’s going to be like a TV show… we’ve already invited a lot of people from the labels, booking agents, publicists, A&R people.” — Kyle [19:32]

• Event Details:

  • Test Run: September 1 at Eastside Bowl’s “58 Room”, 7:30–9:30pm.
  • Sign-Up Process: Random draw from participants who sign up before 7:30pm.
  • Official Pilot Taping: September 29, same time & place.

  “Sounds like you’ve got it all planned out.”— Tony [25:24]
  “We put their name in a hopper and then we pick the names randomly.” — Kyle [25:29]

5. Critique, Judging, and Comparisons [20:41–24:43]

• Influences:
  Format partly inspired by "Kill Tony" (comedy podcast) and even “The Gong Show”—there will be a comic, fast-paced edge and a “hook” for underwhelming acts.

  “If somebody’s really bad, a bell’s gonna ring… or they’re gonna get the hook… like the old vaudeville thing…” — Kyle [22:04]

• Constructive Critique:
  The panel (starting with Kyle and songwriter Caitlin Cannon) will provide honest, actionable feedback—not just encouragement—which sets The Hook apart from “fluffy” showcases.

  “There’s a lot of music outlets out there, but when people come to Saving Country Music, they know they’re going to read an honest, constructive criticism if it’s necessary. And so I’m going to bring that same energy and that same idea… to the Hook.” — Kyle [22:25]

• Panel Expansion:
  They plan to invite big-name songwriters, journalists, influencers, industry insiders, and even label heads and DJs to the panel.

6. Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Underground Artists’ Struggles:
  “There wasn’t enough underground fans in any given place to fill out more than maybe just like a bar show all around the country. There was actually a pretty strong grassroots following for this music.” —Kyle [02:41]

• On Fulfillment:
  “Honestly, the stuff that I’ve taken the most value in is building careers for deserving artists… when they go and play the clubs or bars, there’s people there to see them and they can have sustainable careers because I’ve been able to activate this grassroots network.” — Kyle [08:32]

• On Songwriting’s Impact:
  “Songs can change a life. They can change someone’s perspective and they can change the world. And so by creating a forum for these songs, hopefully we can do all of those things.” — Kyle [16:56]

• On Remaining Small by Design:
  “Truly what I get fulfillment out of is being that guy that can help be the first that talks about an artist. But then they get so big, it doesn’t matter if I’m talking about them anymore…” — Kyle [11:25]

Key Timestamps

• 02:00 — Kyle’s journey into journalism & creation of SavingCountryMusic.com
• 03:43 — Hank Williams III, Outlaw Era, & the “battle of evermore” in country
• 05:08 — Early growth strategies—early Sturgill Simpson, Zach Bryan
• 08:16 — Most validating accomplishments: artist impact & Grammy category advocacy
• 10:07 — Building a grassroots scene, “Grateful Dead underground” analogy
• 11:19 — Why Kyle never turned the site into a label or festival
• 13:37 — The decline of blog culture, rise of podcasts/video, and the origin of The Hook
• 15:23 — Format/goal: open songwriter showcase, power of breakthrough songs
• 18:13 — Post-show promotion strategies for new songwriters
• 19:32 — Production and event details, participant sign-up
• 20:41 — Influence of “Kill Tony,” critique as feature, “getting the hook”
• 23:13 — Judge/panel plans (including Caitlin Cannon’s work with prisoners)
• 24:50 — Test and pilot episodes: Sept 1 & Sept 29 at Eastside Bowl

Conclusion

Tony and Kyle’s conversation is a deep dive into how independent country music has been rescued from obscurity by new media, passionate advocates, and community building. Kyle’s journey with SavingCountryMusic.com offers a blueprint for grassroots cultural change, while the launch of “The Hook” aims to continue evolving the spotlight for songwriters in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The episode is rich with real-world tips, stories of unintended influence, and heartfelt advocacy for authentic music—and is essential listening for artists, fans, and industry insiders alike.