
Hosted by Try That Podcast · EN
In 2023, Jason Aldean's groundbreaking song and video "Try That In A Small Town" resonated with a resurgence of conservative values in America. The writers of the song, Kurt, Neil, Tully, and Kelley, took the opportunity to launch the Try That In A Small Town Podcast. This platform allows them to reveal the true inspiration behind the song and discuss the importance of common-sense values. With a lineup of influential guests, the hosts will entertain you with the stories behind their music, while also addressing challenging topics affecting our communities and country.

Sage Steele joins the Try That In A Small Town podcast for an honest, uncensored look at sports media, politics, faith, and standing up when it could cost you everything. She shares the real story behind her controversial Obama comments, the COVID vaccine moment that changed her career at ESPN, suing Disney while still on air, and why she refuses to back down from her convictions.The crew also dives into the “Try That In A Small Town” backlash, country music, Jason Aldean’s TV bans, social media burnout, raising kids with values, and how Sage found love and a second chance at marriage in Nashville.If you care about free speech, faith, sports, country music, and common sense, this one’s for you.TIMED HIGHLIGHTS / CHAPTERS: 00:17:08 – Is “Sage Steele” a real name? Childhood, identity and keeping her name after marriage 00:19:02 – Growing up a military kid: Earth, Wind & Fire, Lionel Richie, James Taylor and first concerts 00:22:34 – First reaction to “Try That In A Small Town” and why Sage never saw it as racist 00:24:22 – Sponsor break: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile 00:25:40 – Sage vs The View: Barbara Walters, race, Obama and getting elbowed backstage 00:33:00 – “No going back”: politics, division since 2016 and losing common sense 00:36:33 – COVID, mandates, Fauci, Tulsi Gabbard and accountability in leadership 00:48:10 – The Jay Cutler podcast: Disney’s vaccine deadline and Sage’s fateful comments 00:50:36 – Suspended, forced apology and living in fear inside ESPN 00:54:24 – Double standard: political rants allowed on ESPN air… unless they’re from Sage 00:56:20 – Suing Disney/ESPN while still on the air and the moment her son told her to stand up 01:00:09 – Her relationship with Stephen A. Smith and why he still stands next to her 01:03:50 – How ESPN lost its way with politics, personalities and cord‑cutting 01:07:05 – Missing the old SportsCenter era: Stuart Scott, Berman, Linda Cohn and big TV moments 01:17:01 – Launching The Sage Steele Show and learning to be an independent creator 01:20:45 – Being labeled “conservative” and how that shuts doors in media and entertainment 01:21:34 – Jason Aldean, banned TV appearances and corporate fear around “Try That In A Small Town” 01:23:27 – When controversy makes a song bigger: backlash, business and blessing in disguise 01:30:15 – Meeting Dave: military‑brat connection, charity event, and a whirlwind Nashville love story 01:37:36 – Daily devotionals on camera: praying out loud, public faith and the fear of “send” 01:39:24 – First ever public prayer: doing the invocation at a NASCAR race on live TV 01:42:30 – Why praying out loud feels scarier than live TV and why we’re never “worthy” 01:49:41 – Pet peeves, movie etiquette and “read the room” moments in public 01:55:36 – Airplane chaos: overhead bin wars, service animals and entitlement culture 01:59:31 – Sage’s patriotic merch and the line “raised right, seasoned well” 02:01:02 – Why Sage came on the show and what standing up has really cost—and given—her______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Try That in a Small Town Podcast, the guys start with listener Q&A and end up deep in the realities of life as working Nashville pros. They break down why most artists use session bands instead of their road bands in the studio, what makes a truly great studio player, and how songs like “Try That in a Small Town,” “All-American Girl,” and other hits actually came together. You’ll hear stories about mentoring young musicians in Nashville, navigating confidence and doubt in the early Aldean days, and how a raw, slightly “on the edge” sound helped define a new lane in country. The crew also vents about crosswalk etiquette, insane roundabouts on Demonbreun, messy public bathrooms, and a wild “dipshit of the week” segment that includes a pharmacist trading meds for sex and Neil’s unapologetically spicy take on women joining Augusta National. Along the way, they celebrate “Try That in a Small Town” going platinum, shout out John Edwards finally getting some long-overdue recognition, and brag on Neil’s wife and her company for co-designing the new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs across the state. Top moments: 05:24 Q&A: Favorite venues and why arenas win14:44 Why artists use session players over road bands21:15 Hicktown, early Aldean years, and betting on their sound34:30 Writing “Try That in a Small Town” and how the track changed the melody39:27 Worst writes ever: salad guy and Rich Robinson falls asleep43:29 Neil’s wife helps design the new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs45:27 “Try That in a Small Town” goes platinum and missing No. 1 parties59:44 World Cup, offsides confusion, and “soccer in the South” rant1:02:29 Dipshidiot of the Week: bathrooms, crosswalk zombies, roundabouts, Augusta & more_____________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/_____________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From bar-hopping at CMA Fest with Jason Aldean’s band to scheduled high school fights at 3 pm sharp, this episode of Try That in a Small Town is all about chaos, consequences, and the crazy ways we somehow survive it all. The guys kick things off with surgery scars, locked-up backs, and near misses in the garage, then pivot into behind-the-scenes CMA Fest stories, in-ear monitor nightmares, and why late-night stadium sets grind down even veteran players. They talk Morgan Wallen flipping pianos and throwing phones, Taylor Swift’s historic new country single tied to Toy Story 5, and how modern country production has become so “perfect” it’s almost personality-free. Things get heavier when they unpack the Carmelo Anthony/Austin Metcalf stabbing at a track meet, race narratives in the media, and what real self-defense is—and isn’t—when someone pulls a knife. They contrast that with a powerful small-town hero story: a Gwinnett County officer who saves a 7-year-old launched through a windshield. In classic TTIAST fashion, the crew rounds it out with songwriting pet peeves, delusional DMs from strangers wanting co-writes and video calls, bullying stories that still haunt them, and how golf, TV binges, and pizza reviews are getting them through recovery. 01:30 Surgeries, brutal bruises, allergic reactions to bandages and upcoming product bans in Tennessee 04:40 Locked-up back on the toilet, crawling across the house and day-three recovery status 06:30 Surviving CMA Fest: bar crawl sets, in-ear monitor disasters and playing blind on stage 09:45 Bar energy vs stadium distance and podcast fans popping up at shows 11:15 Late-night stadium headlining slot, fried fans, and what TV does to show times 14:00 Original Glory and Patriot Mobile sponsor segments 15:10 Learning piano one-handed after surgery, Jingle Bells, and mining TV shows for song ideas 17:50 TV recs: Life After Lockup, The Invisible Pilot, and Cape Fear reboot 20:20 NBA and Stanley Cup talk: Knicks’ huge comeback, Wembanyama, and why some tuned out the NBA 22:45 Trump at the Garden, celebrity courtside culture, and politics vs respect for the office 24:40 Taylor Swift’s Toy Story 5 country single and the business behind her return to the format 29:00 Why modern country records all sound the same and the few acts still using their own bands 31:40 Morgan Wallen: “I Ain’t Coming Back” lyric love, phone toss, piano flip and Billy Joel’s defense 36:30 Wild private plane trip with Morgan Wallen, crass “rich buddies” and what stuck with Kalo 38:20 Post-surgery meds, apologizing to Neil, and the nurse/dong/stripper one-liner 41:10 Group shave before a heart cath and hospital humor 42:00 CMA Fest nights with Luke Bryan at his bar, tequila overload and four-day hangovers 44:10 Dipshits of the week: insane video chat requests, song pitches, and social media entitlement 47:00 Fans demanding co-writes and “brain picking” vs actually earning a seat at the table 50:40 The worst song “idea” ever: Cats in the Cradle… but backwards 55:00 Young writers sliding into DMs, asking for writes and coffees, and basic industry etiquette 58:40 Nearly gassing yourself in a closed garage while checking mixes: calling dipshit on yourself 1:01:40 Drone-rescue story: Apache down, surviving in the water and next-level military tech 1:05:30 Golf injuries, steroids on the road, and fighting to stay in playing shape 1:07:10 The Carmelo Anthony–Austin Metcalf stabbing: facts, sentencing and race narratives 1:12:10 Media framing, self-defense vs murder, and how race gets injected into every case 1:16:00 Scheduled school fights at the park, bus brawls and why nobody brought knives back then 1:19:40 Getting drilled in the face for knocking a kid’s basketball away: lesson learned 1:20:30 One cold jab to the nose and understanding when you’ve gone too far 1:22:10 The bully who made you fast: getting wrecked in pickup football and later asking for tickets 1:24:20 Small Town Big Story: Officer Ariana James saves a 7-year-old thrown from a truck in Gwinnett County 1:26:10 Closing: Peacemaker Coffee, shoutout to listener Ed, scheduled fights and listener call-to-action ______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chairman Jason Smith of the House Ways and Means Committee joins the Try That In A Small Town podcast from CMA Fest in Nashville. He breaks down what the powerful Ways and Means Committee actually does and how it touches every American’s life through taxes, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and more. Jason opens up about his small-town Missouri roots, being a fourth-generation farmer, raising white buffalo, and why he still lives in the same rural community he represents. He explains how he took the Ways and Means Committee on the road to 32 states to listen to working families, small businesses, and farmers before writing what he calls the “Big Beautiful Bill” – the largest tax cut in U.S. history, including no tax on tips and overtime. The conversation gets candid on Social Security’s future, election integrity and slow vote counts in places like California, and what happens when people lose trust in the system. Jason also shares behind-the-scenes stories of working closely with President Trump – from grilling him for three hours on every line of a 103-title tax bill in the Oval Office to the now-famous “red button” that just orders Diet Coke. Along the way, they talk CMA Fest, Jason’s obsession with Reba, the Chiefs, Mahomes vs. Brady, cleaning up Washington, D.C., and why he believes the founding fathers’ values are really small-town values. Jason closes with a powerful story of a single mom whose $10,000 tax refund changed her life – and why that’s why he still fights for small towns and working families. Timed highlights 2:00 Who is Chairman Jason Smith and what is the Ways and Means Committee? 5:13 CMA Fest, first concerts, and Jason’s country music roots 7:11 The Ozarks, one of America’s poorest districts, and small-town values 8:14 Reba superfan stories and being starstruck in DC 10:02 How the guys first met Jason at the South Dakota Governor’s Hunt 11:49 Nashville’s Bluebird Café, songwriting, and music in DC 13:06 Jason’s priorities: working families, small businesses, and farmers 14:19 White buffalo, donkeys named Bill, Hillary, Chelsea, and Hunter 15:29 Growing up poor in a trailer, farm life, and why that shapes his politics 19:15 Taking Ways and Means to 32 states and writing the “Big Beautiful Bill” 20:20 No tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and tax ideas from real Americans 22:06 Social Security history, FDR, and why both parties will keep it 23:35 Will Social Security ever go away? Jason’s answer and insolvency warning 26:49 How Jason became the youngest Ways and Means chair since before the Civil War 29:01 Inside the steering committee and what it takes to win the gavel 32:31 Life on call with President Trump and 5:30 a.m. texts 33:00 Three-hour Oval Office grilling on the “Big Beautiful Bill” 35:07 The Diet Coke button story and a handwritten note after Jason’s dad passed 37:34 Elections, slow vote counts in California, and voter trust 40:31 Why “every vote counts”: Jason’s one-vote victory story 43:03 Chiefs fandom, Mahomes vs. Brady, and elite QB mindset 48:19 How Trump cleaned up Washington, D.C. and made it feel safe again 51:39 What do you buy a president for Christmas and Trump’s generosity with guests 52:14 Jason presents a Congressional Record honoring “Try That In A Small Town” 54:57 Why the song struck a nerve in small-town America 56:24 The waitress, a $10,000 refund, and how tax policy changes real lives 59:19 Jason’s schedule, gym routine, and juggling DC with life back on the farm 1:01:21 Final thoughts on serving small towns and inviting listeners to DC ______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Country artist and entertainer Chuck Wicks stops by the Try That In A Small Town podcast for a wild, honest, and surprisingly emotional ride.Chuck opens up about his journey from small-town farm kid and college baseball player to Nashville recording artist, radio host, entrepreneur, and autism dad. He shares the real story behind Stealing Cinderella, what it was like to be turned down by RCA the first time, and how he fought his way back to a record deal.Chuck also talks candidly about raising his nonverbal autistic son Tucker, early intervention, therapies, and the emotional roller coaster of getting an autism diagnosis at Vanderbilt. He explains how that journey has changed his priorities and why he and his wife Cassie (Jason Aldean’s sister) feel called to help other parents find resources.From there, the guys dive into:- Chuck’s relationship with Jason Aldean and what Jason is really like offstage - How Melorosa Wine was born from Cassie’s Cuban family story - Building Shiners, a wild Cirque-style, adults-only residency show in downtown Nashville - The stress of chasing country radio, the power of authenticity, and artists taking shots at radio - The infamous “DipShidiot” segment: road rage, gas station etiquette, youth sports parents, and more Chuck also teases his upcoming movie on Great American Family Network and Amazon Prime, where he sings multiple songs and steps deeper into acting.If you love real Nashville stories, songwriting, small-town values, and unfiltered conversations about parenting, business, and faith, this episode delivers.Subscribe and share if you enjoy the show, and check out the member-only bonus segment for extra songs and stories.3:06 Early mornings, syndicated radio, and sleep routines 5:05 Family trip out West: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, elk and bison 7:48 Buffalo vs bison and bear talk 10:00 Hunting, backlash on social media, and eating what you kill 13:44 Health, wild game, and clean eating 14:17 Chuck on being 47, staying in shape, and raising his autistic son 15:12 Tucker’s autism journey: early signs, testing at Vanderbilt, and therapies 18:49 Nonverbal progress, speech breakthroughs, and hope 19:37 Faith, calling, and why parenting Tucker matters more than career 20:00 Connecting with other autism parents (Joe Don Rooney story) 22:19 Treatments, Lucavorin, red light therapy, and access to resources 24:50 “We wouldn’t trade him for anything” – embracing Tucker’s journey 26:17 Belt obsessions, airplane routines, and sensory quirks 26:28 Chuck’s early life: small-town farm kid and college baseball player 28:46 Discovering his voice in college, almost joining a pop group 31:45 First trip to Nashville, meeting RCA’s Jim Catino and singing a cappella 33:56 Development deal, not getting picked up, and starting over 36:18 Four years of grinding, learning to write, and finding his sound 42:40 Second chance: Clint Higham, Chesney camp, and full RCA deal 45:47 Writing Stealing Cinderella from a personal love story 50:00 Singing Stealing Cinderella at Coach Fulmer’s daughter’s wedding 51:37 Realizing the power of a song to move strangers 52:57 The stress of chasing radio hits and perspective with time 53:18 Other cuts and hits, including Jason Aldean’s Don’t You Wanna Stay (context: Aldean cut with Thrash) 56:03 How Chuck met Cassie, realized she was Jason Aldean’s sister, and dating into the Aldean family 1:00:13 The day after: Jason Aldean’s “blessing” phone call 1:02:30 Why Cassie’s three kids changed how Chuck approached relationships 1:03:58 Blended family life: ages of the kids and how fast time moves 1:05:25 What Jason Aldean is really like offstage: loyalty, mystery, and staying the same guy 1:06:29 Jason’s laugh, tight inner circle, and “it could all go away” mindset 1:08:01 Melorosa Wine: starting a wine company with Jason Aldean 1:09:00 Where to find Mellorosa (online, Kroger, ABC, Princess Cruises, Dubai) 1:09:33 The Cuban family story behind the name and “toast to freedom” 1:10:59 Shiners: Cirque-level, adults-only, comedy show in the historic Woolworth building 1:13:35 Writing Shiners during Covid and building a Nashville residency 1:16:10 The history and civil rights importance of the Woolworth building 1:20:20 What to expect at Shiners: moonshiners, aerial acts, crowd work, and “if you’re easily offended…” 1:22:02 DipShidiot segment: explaining the bit 1:22:33 Gas station chaos: Bucky’s pump hogs and parking-lot etiquette 1:25:29 Red velvet “Whitey” vs “Witty’s” custard mix-up 1:27:31 Red Clay Strays controversy: “radio is dead” comment and why radio still matters 1:30:39 Burning bridges you haven’t crossed yet and respecting country radio 1:35:05 Youth sports parents losing their minds vs just being a dad 1:38:01 CMT Awards “edit the chorus” story and learning to be grateful 1:41:03 Road rage story: 75 in a 70 and killing them with kindness 1:43:45 Locker room etiquette: naked close talkers and lifetime fitness stories 1:45:44 Manscaping, gym talk, and ridiculous visual bits 1:46:00 Chuck’s upcoming movie: Great American Family Network & Amazon Prime 1:47:04 Coloring hair, beard guard settings, and aging on camera 1:50:02 Closing: Melorosa Wine, Shiners, Chuck’s music, coffee collab, and podcast wrap ______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From AI-written songs and a controversial commencement speech to trans athletes in girls’ sports, Cody Johnson’s bear hunt backlash, THC drinks, and a powerful small-town funeral story – the guys cover it all in this episode of the Try That In A Small Town Podcast. They compare Scott Borchetta’s AI-heavy, “deal with it” address to Eric Church’s inspiring guitar analogy, talk about what AI and streaming are really doing to songwriters, roast a school district for a rained-out graduation, tell wild Bahamas golf and gambling stories, and debate THC drinks, hunting, and new “poly” reality TV. They close with DipShidiot of the Week and a heartfelt look at how small towns still show up for their own. 00:52 Will Levis sex tape rumor and buying stories back from tabloids 02:53 Summer is here, kids out, and notable commencement speeches 03:16 Eric Church’s guitar-and-life commencement speech and why it worked 05:09 Scott Borchetta’s AI commencement: streaming, socials, and production 05:41 Booed by grads, “I know it, deal with it” and delivery vs message 07:12 Is brutal realism better than inspiration for graduates? 08:02 AI as tool vs replacement and why it hits different when you’re already rich 09:18 Comparing AI to Pro Tools, samples, and why fully AI songs lose listeners 11:09 Streaming’s impact on publishing, who actually makes money now 12:25 Big label buildings, tiny publishing floors, and small pub company struggles 13:54 Local high school graduations drenched in rain, no backup venue 14:45 Rain-or-shine policies, lightning concerns, and rushing the ceremony 15:43 What the soaked kids and grandparents went through that night 16:48 Superintendent named Dipshit of the Week for no backup plan 17:34 Road managers, “bad calls,” and transition to Bahamas trip 18:01 Bahamas: golf, fishing, tequila-fueled NHL-on-PS5 money games 19:57 High-dollar putter on the line: live call to Jake for Scotty Cameron details 20:58 Aldean wins the putter in overtime and pulls it from Jake’s bag at the airport 22:10 Telly’s golf swing, overconfidence, and getting mocked online 23:06 Baker’s Bay, Morgan Wallen, and stories that stay behind the paywall 24:36 Charles Barkley’s swing yips and getting a little better over time 25:03 Tax deadlines pushed back again in Tennessee and IRS jokes 25:38 Teasing next guest and Kayla’s upcoming shoulder surgery 26:16 Pain meds, “no days off,” and the idea of a post-op podcast 26:54 The blue bottle “herbal” drink heading toward felony status in Tennessee 27:35 How it became a pre-show hype drink and what it actually looks like 28:26 Why the state is banning it and links to opioid recovery concerns 29:10 If that’s illegal, what about THC drinks and Delta beverages? 29:54 THC drinks as golf “swing juice” and health vs alcohol debate 30:32 Listeners’ THC drink stories and whether it really helps putting 31:20 Prebiotic Pepsi “health” marketing and chemical overload 31:56 Predicting THC drinks at sporting events and stadiums 32:07 Super Bowl 2030 coming to Nashville and halftime show speculation 32:30 Taylor Swift, “real” country, and who should play the big stage 33:40 Titans rebuild, new coach, and does Will Levis really have it? 38:18 Pocket passers vs mobile QBs and what the guys want under center 39:40 Topic wheel spin: California track meet and trans athlete controversy 40:21 “Can’t believe this is still a thing” and fairness for girls in sports 40:58 Parents, boycotts, and refusing to line up against male competitors 41:51 Riley Gaines’ regret about competing and the mental toll 43:08 Zero tolerance stance vs waiting for laws and elections to catch up 44:02 New show “This Is Poly” and modern polyamorous families on TV 45:25 Jealousy, fights, and why some refuse to watch these reality shows 47:34 Kayla’s comedy, being “yourself” on mic, and overthinking funny 49:04 Musicianship, performance anxiety, and freedom when you stop monitoring 50:34 Recording vocals without headphones and trusting feel 51:12 Delta THC drinks: 20 mg misfire and why 5 mg is smarter 52:02 Gummy war stories, Doritos, and not being natural stoners 53:04 On-stage looks vs reality: who seems like the “stoner” in the band 54:03 Dip Shitty of the Week: Cody Johnson’s Alaskan bear hunt haters 54:31 Hunting culture vs online outrage and meat-eating hypocrisy 55:27 “Harvested” vs “killed” and calling hunting what it is 56:02 Liberal sensitivities, offense at everything, and language games 57:07 Public etiquette dipshit: people who just stop in the middle of walkways 58:30 Airport moving walkways: “it’s not a ride, keep walking” 59:20 Backpack chaos on airplanes and basic travel courtesy 1:00:33 Listener callout: submit your Dip Shitty of the Week in the comments 1:01:02 Small-town funeral: honoring a firefighter, veteran, and community pillar 1:01:45 Fire trucks, sirens, last ride, American Legion, and folded flag moment 1:02:20 Food, casseroles, and how small towns show up for grieving families 1:03:22 Why small towns may be what keeps the country united 1:04:36 Going home to a 400-person town and Legion dinners after funerals 1:05:09 How that support gives the family peace and helps them move on 1:05:27 Peacemaker Coffee promo: TTIAST blends, sucker punch dark roast, travel mugs 1:05:58 CTAs: download, comment, send small-town stories and dipshidiots of the week ______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Try That In A Small Town crew dives into the 2024 ACM Awards – the politics, the snubs, and the few moments that actually delivered. From Morgan Wallen being shut out, to Ella Langley’s historic run, to Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Zach Top, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and more, the guys break down who deserved what and where country music is really headed. They also talk about TikTok-ready story songs like “Choosing Texas,” the future of traditional-leaning artists, how award shows are losing legitimacy with fans, and why the industry keeps cloning the same “country boy” image. Plus: a small-town hero who saved a family from a fire, drive-thru rim damage, broken-English call centers, and a McDonald’s “fresh” muffin story. Perfect for country fans, songwriters, and anyone who’s over the BS of modern award shows. Timed Highlights: 2:16 – Studio chaos, heat, and golf talk in the eSpaces room 3:18 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and the truth about roast caffeine levels 4:32 – Shoulder MRI results: torn bicep, torn rotator cuff, and surgery date 16:05 – Instagram subscriptions and bonus content tease 16:44 – Confession: who actually watched the ACM Awards (and who didn’t) 18:20 – Lainey Wilson’s opener: high energy vs memorable songs debate 22:36 – Laney’s lack of a clear “signature” song and expectations for her writing 23:22 – Miranda Lambert’s “Crisco” performance reaction 24:44 – Riley Green and Ella Langley: onstage “pajamas” tension 33:31 – Why fans are losing faith in award shows and ratings 36:29 – Megan Moroney’s many nominations and zero wins 42:48 – Group of the Year: Red Clay Strays and the new darlings of country 45:18 – “Best they/them duo?” Pushing back on where categories might go 47:05 – Why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts are selling more tickets now 48:01 – Disposable songs vs timeless 90s/2000s country 48:20 – Red Clay Strays sell out Bridgestone: how fans find music now 48:54 – Encouraging signs: more traditional-leaning performances at the ACMs 49:44 – Parker McCollum wins Album of the Year over Morgan Wallen 50:37 – “Choosing Texas” wins Song/Single of the Year and just how massive it is 52:51 – Somewhere Over Laredo vs Somewhere Over The Rainbow and copyright splits 55:09 – Tucker Wetmore: Morgan/Riley clone, performance debate, and industry blame 59:12 – Zach Top’s 90s throwback lane: can it really last? 1:02:27 – Why traditional acts must have truly great songs to survive 1:03:21 – Kane Brown’s “Woman” and trying to stay country 1:08:20 – Why Ella Langley feels so believable and why her stool performance worked 1:09:34 – Dancers in country: necessary or cheesy? 1:11:09 – Grading the ACMs: starting at a 5 because of the Morgan snubs 1:12:34 – What the ACMs are signaling to fans by ignoring Morgan Wallen 1:13:58 – How the snubs actually pour jet fuel on Morgan’s career 1:14:55 – The legitimacy problem when the biggest artists don’t show up 1:16:46 – Speculating on why the industry still hasn’t moved on from Morgan’s incident 1:16:54 – New Male Artist: Tucker Wetmore; New Female Artist: Avery Anna 1:21:01 – “No cause for alarm” text actually is cause for alarm: contract story teaser 1:21:39 – Contract options and income surprises: more to come 1:22:29 – Small town hero: Officer Eli Rogers saves a family from an apartment fire 1:23:18 – Why stories like Eli’s embody “Try That In A Small Town” 1:23:59 – Dipshit of the Week: broken-English call centers and customer service 1:31:32 – Why the ACMs feel like BS but we still care about songs, fans, and country music __________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/_________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From Toradol shots and “rock docs” on the road, to AI tools like Suno reshaping Nashville, to cruise-ship horror stories and fans yelling requests at charity shows… this episode of Drive That in a Small Town goes all over the map in the best way. The guys swap stories about playing hurt on tour, getting hooked up by “rock docs,” demolishing Luke Bryan’s band in flag football, near-disastrous 100-yard dashes, and getting smoked by a college women’s softball team. They also take a hard look at AI in songwriting, the death of old-school demo sessions, and how quality songs still rise above the noise. You’ll also hear heartfelt praise for John Morgan’s heart for kids, a hilarious breakdown of Zach Bryan’s infamous fast-break clip, cruise stories including the notorious “Poop Cruise,” a peek into publishing contracts and quotas, and a “Dip Shit” segment calling out bad audience etiquette, shady neighbors, and 5-minute voice texts. If you love small-town stories, country music, road-life chaos, and real talk about where the music business is headed, this one’s for you. 02:00 Shoulder sling, cortisone shots and playing hurt on the road 05:03 High-ankle sprain, Toradol, and “rock doc roulette” on tour 09:12 Behind the scenes: how rock docs keep shows from getting canceled 11:19 Golf postponed, one-armed putting, and Def Leppard drummer jokes 13:02 John Morgan at Bethel Bible Village: connecting with kids and staying late 14:25 John Morgan’s small-town roots and Chattanooga ties 14:42 Zach Bryan’s legendary fast break: live reaction to the clip 18:05 Is he a team player or just a chaotic fast break? Hoops talk and last-shot mentality 20:16 Who played what sport? Shortstop, field goal specialist, soccer and skateboarding handstands 22:15 Sponsor: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile 23:00 Neil’s college field goal career and the illness that changed his path to music 25:00 Spotting athletes on stage by how they move with their instruments 25:48 Flag football vs Luke Bryan’s band and a very lopsided score 27:00 Hungover 100-yard dash: who’s really the fastest? 29:24 Thomas Rhett vs Jay: 50-yard dash, gravel, and a brutal face-plant 30:30 Road games: Wiffle ball, basketball, softball and unhealthy competitiveness 32:41 Getting humbled by a college women’s softball team 33:04 Tennis, pickleball and even getting hurt playing video hockey 34:34 Women’s hockey, drunk women’s hockey and a TV-league tangent 34:55 Publishing meeting anxiety: “no cause for alarm” text and overthinking contracts 37:44 Song quotas vs quality: why the biggest years came from fewer songs 39:21 Suno AI demos, ChatGPT lyrics and “shining up a turd” 42:20 Why AI is scary for real creatives and how it masks bad songwriting 43:42 Who owns AI-generated masters and what happens when tools get better? 46:02 The death of Nashville demo sessions and what’s been lost for musicians and engineers 49:21 Why a real band in a room can’t be replaced, and how ears have changed 50:54 Hearing untuned vocals again and why imperfection feels so good 52:04 Cruise people vs non-cruise people and the infamous “Poop Cruise” 53:20 Disney Cruise and Castaway Cay: the one cruise they actually loved 55:16 The Venice/Disney Magic gig almost everyone in the band was offered 56:10 Hantavirus on cruise ships and mysterious “wives overboard” stories 58:09 Dip Shit segment: drunk fans yelling at benefits and show etiquette 01:01:09 Neighbor overcharging on landscaping: calling out the rip-off 01:02:55 Voice-text etiquette: why anything over 30 seconds is a problem ______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs. https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Try That In A Small Town Podcast crew is back with a wild mix of gear talk, surgery updates, politics, and one unforgettable trip to the White House.Kurt and Tully break down their VIP visit to Washington, DC for Jason Aldean’s birthday, including standing in the Oval Office with President Trump, checking out the “Lewinsky room,” seeing historic artifacts up close, and reacting to Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame in the colonnade.The guys also dive into Trump’s impact on safety, the economy, the border, and Iran, and whether hardcore haters will ever admit anything positive by the end of his term.On the lighter side, there’s shoulder surgery pain, a new Try That In A Small Town coffee line, a full-on rant about grown men wearing sandals on the golf course, and a sketchy doctor’s office still asking for Social Security numbers right after being hacked.00:14 Swing-arm mic envy and Rascal Flatts headset jokes02:53 The real “elephant in the room”: Kurt’s arm sling and shoulder pain04:39 MRI coming up and why rehab isn’t enough this time07:40 Setting up Jason Aldean’s DC birthday trip and sightseeing plans08:46 Smithsonian, National Archives, and seeing Lincoln’s hat10:36 How the VIP White House tour and Oval Office visit came together11:27 First steps into the Oval Office and the weight of history13:03 The “Lewinsky room” and Trump’s private swag shop15:12 Trump-signed Bibles and presidential challenge coins everywhere17:16 Trump’s Presidential Walk of Fame in the colonnade and the Biden plaque19:12 Would anyone ever admit “maybe Trump wasn’t that bad”?23:37 Safety, border, DC being clean again, and media spin28:29 Economy, gas prices, inflation, and how people will judge this presidency32:37 “Do you feel safer?” and what hardcore Trump haters will never say out loud37:51 Democratic process, midterms, and Trump’s strategic timing38:30 Ad read: Original Glory beer and Patriot Mobile38:59 Social media backlash to the White House photos40:13 New “Try That In A Small Town” coffee line and flavor names41:39 Coffee review from Mom: bold but not bitter39:40 (segment flows) Introducing “dip sh*tty” targets of the week40:39 Sandals on the golf course and a full anti-man-feet rant43:28 The yacht story: when nasty feet ruin a radio event46:22 Doctor’s office gets hacked… then still asks for Social Security numbers48:01 Replacing debit cards, data everywhere, and security frustration48:40 Augusta story, golf etiquette, and strict dress-code culture______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs. https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The boys are back in the Patriot Mobile Studios powered by E|Spaces, recapping a wild run on the road with Jason Aldean, late-night casino losses, Neil’s killer benefit performance, and plans for an epic golf grudge match. Then they pivot into government/alien conspiracies, the death of “free” sports TV, and a fresh round of Dip Shitty of the Week.From bus hockey and blackjack in Oklahoma to Area 51 stories, New York tax drama, and honoring small-town hero principal Kirk Moore, this one is wall-to-wall road stories, rants, and laughs.Timestamps01:39 Road run recap: Neil joins Aldean’s tour02:36 Bus life, twin buses, and late-night NHL video game wars04:36 Aldean troubleshooting the Wi-Fi like the band’s IT guy05:24 Oklahoma golf, old-school course, and Kurt left off the tee sheet07:16 First casino show, Neil as “guitar tech” and getting footage07:32 Blackjack in Oklahoma: ante every hand and the endless shoe08:45 Everyone’s losing, ATM trips, and the slide into craps10:09 Security vs. gamblers: “It’s four hours to the next gig, we’re fine”11:07 Reality check: it’s actually an eight-hour bus ride12:16 Neil’s allergy battle, steroids, and dragging into the next show13:05 Private benefit show setup and crowd size13:48 Neil’s solo opener and “Night Train” setlist drama14:35 Side-stage support: Aldean and the guys watch Neil crush it15:32 “There Goes My Life” and why it always slays16:22 Doing it for the kids and Elvis-ing out after the benefit16:36 Bus hockey, Neil completely hitting the wall17:31 Road DNA vs. home life – why no one goes straight to bed18:12 Aldean’s schedule, sleep discipline, and protecting the voice19:15 High-end sports card obsession on the bus20:09 Getting home, sleeping it off, and turkey hunting at 3 a.m.20:38 Could Kayla hang on the bus? Road stamina debate21:22 Work trips, mobile studio rig, and writing/recording on the road22:41 Whiskey on the guitar: the dressing room spill story24:02 Original Glory ad read and small-town investment plug24:36 Patriot Mobile ad and values (1st/2nd Amendment, life, military)25:22 Dreaming again about an RV / work bus and early pod expectations26:23 Looking back: tattoos, million followers, and the Winnebago dream27:07 All Access motor coach sponsorship idea27:34 Neil’s road trip recap buttoned up27:58 Conspiracy hour: dead scientists and weird “suicides”28:37 Are other countries targeting our brightest minds?29:44 Alien/UFO thread and government secrecy questions31:46 Area 51 stories from the late 90s and getting turned around by Jeeps33:08 Do they believe in aliens? Biblical angle and demonic deception theory34:22 What’s really at Area 51 – missile base or decoy?35:09 Jim jumps in: living in Vegas, deep-diving Area 51, and the S4 doc36:00 Streaming sports rant: too many apps to watch one team37:01 NFL on YouTube, Peacock, Netflix, and subscription fatigue37:55 DirecTV vs YouTube TV and paying twice for the same games38:31 “Package” upgrades that still don’t have all the sports40:02 More casino anger: losing thousands and drinks still not free41:00 Aldean’s wrapped “drug money” stacks on the bus41:45 Why they still kind of love casino nights anyway42:08 Oklahoma hero principal Kirk Moore update – shot protecting students41:59 Prom king moment and why they want him on the podcast42:41 Mission: get Kirk Moore to a show and on the pod43:25 How GPS and smartphones changed navigation and memory44:07 Losing laminates, AirTags on tour passes, and tracking them in casinos45:06 Golf range finders, AirTags, and expensive gear that always gets lost46:01 Phone GPS vs range finder lasers and why golfers don’t trust tech46:30 Range finder magnets on carts – brilliant way to sell more units47:03 Masters meltdowns and 10s on par 5s – pros are human too48:12 Why golf can be miserable if you’re not a player49:10 No etiquette in this crew: non-stop ribbing on the course49:44 You need tough skin to be in this friend group50:24 Planning “The Match”: format, handicaps, and who gets Tully51:27 Shamble vs scramble and how to make it fair with Neil52:16 Handicaps, past form, and how the mental game wrecks Kayla53:01 Golf as life-ruiner: the little white ball in your brain53:23 Committing to make the golf match happen in May53:55 Dip Shitty of the Week: public phone audio with no headphones55:02 Rudeness in modern life and lack of basic courtesy57:14 Crosswalk behavior: assuming cars see you while you’re on your phone58:37 Do you scurry in crosswalks or drag your feet?59:12 Taxing the rich: New York politics, commercial real estate and exits1:01:07 Capitalism, church tithes, and who actually funds things1:02:26 Islamic movement, spiritual concerns, and NYC post-9/111:03:16 Queens street takeover and Palestinian flags1:04:09 Social media as a double-edged sword: awareness vs outrage1:05:29 Kurt’s “Kurt, what’s up?” ticket-text pet peeve1:06:22 The pressure trap of vague texts from people who want favors1:08:01 Pauls Valley, OK, July 24 show and finding Kirk Moore1:08:39 Two-year anniversary of the podcast1:09:17 Listener support, comments, and platforms ramping up1:10:05 Wrap-up and call to follow, subscribe, share, rate, and grab merch______________________________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs. https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/________________________________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.