Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Ep: 1201 | Why Phil Robertson Banned Country Music & Jase Discovers Larry Fleet’s Viral Faith Anthem
Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Tread Lively
Guests: Larry Fleet, Jase Robertson, Willie Robertson, Zach Robertson

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Robertson family broadcasts from Nashville, welcoming country singer-songwriter Larry Fleet. The conversation ranges from hunting tales to the influence of country music in their lives, to Larry Fleet's faith journey and the story behind his viral hit "Where I Find God." The episode explores how faith, family, and personal transformation intersect in country music and everyday life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Anecdotes: Duck Hunting and Family Stories

[00:06 – 13:54]

• Jase explains being in Nashville during teal season, lamenting missing hunting but sharing an epic, low-expectation duck hunt that turned into a memorable success.
• The crew—Jase, Jay, Burley, Cody ("the blind builder"), and Willie’s son-in-law—relive a hunt where 5 guys took on a small pond, hoping for a rare group of teal.
• Highlights Burley's role as "the angel of death" nurse—an imposing but gentle character who was deeply present during Phil’s final days.
  • "If you wake up from a surgery and Burley's walking towards you, you might think you didn't make it." – Willie, [04:21]
• Detailed recounting of the hunt: despite low expectations, they shot an impressive 13 out of 14 incoming teal.
  • "There were 14 teal and we shot 13 of them. That’s impressive with two misses.” – Jase, [13:54]
• Reflection on the value of teamwork, anticipation, and assigning roles, both in the blind and life.

2. The Robertson Upbringing & Phil’s Country Music Ban

[21:19 – 23:59]

• Jase and Willie recall childhood rules—especially Phil’s ban on country music. Phil preferred classic rock (notably the Eagles and Lynyrd Skynyrd) and considered country music “just stupid.”
  • "We couldn’t listen to country music. It wasn’t like a rule. It was just like, that’s just stupid." – Jase, [21:35]
  • "He came from a classic rock background...he did like Skynyrd." – Jase & Willie, [23:14]
• Jase’s attempt to introduce Hank Jr.'s “A Country Boy Can Survive” to Phil fails once a swear word comes up.
  • "He said, turn that off…He was like, no, we quit all that." – Jase, [22:40]

3. Introducing Larry Fleet: Faith, Family, and Bearded Camaraderie

[17:56 – 21:19]

• Larry’s personal style and beard immediately fit the Robertson aesthetic.
  • "I don't wear a shirt or a pair of pants that don't stretch anymore." – Larry, [17:56]
• Larry shares anecdotes about growing a beard to avoid football rash, being mistaken for Willie, and making peace with looking “country.”
  • "When I get out of here, I’m never shaving again." – Larry, [20:51]

4. Larry Fleet’s Musical Roots & Faith Journey

[28:32 – 57:09]

4.1 Growing up with Bluegrass, Country, and Southern Rock

• Larry recalls learning music on his great aunt's porch, playing bluegrass and gospel standards, and early exposure to classic country.
  • "If you can play bluegrass, you can play anything." – Larry, [29:33]
• Family’s deep connection to George Jones and Merle Haggard; Larry’s granddad imitating 'The Possum.'
• Early public performance:
  • "I actually played [the Ryman Auditorium] when I was about seven years old in the bluegrass band." – Larry, [31:53]

4.2 The Long Road: Bars, Bricklaying, and “Gospel Song Sunday”

• Larry’s path involved working construction, playing local bar gigs, and writing songs on the side.
  • "Pouring concrete, making all right money…weekends playing for tires on my truck." – Larry, [35:18]
• A fateful encounter at a barn wedding with Jake Owen, leading to his first break.
  • "You got to quit your job, you got to make this thing happen." – Jake Owen (relayed by Larry), [36:51]
• Building an audience through social media, notably with 'Gospel Song Sunday.'
  • "Whatever I played at church, I play it and video it and put it on social media…that became a thing." – Larry, [39:16]

4.3 “Where I Find God”: The Viral Faith Anthem

• Origin story: Written with Connie Harrington, initially shelved by the record label, and resisted by radio.
  • "I talked them into it and said, let’s put it out on Good Friday. It’s called 'Where I Find God'..." – Larry, [41:59]
• Shoe-string budget video ($3,000) during lockdown, organic viral spread.
  • "The first week it was out, it got a million views. I was like, well, we’re on to something." – Larry, [43:16]
• *Massive emotional impact—performed worldwide, fans singing along in Australia and at U.S. venues.
  • "23,000 people sang 'Where I Find God'—they knew every bit of it." – Larry, [45:34]
• The song’s frank message (faith, family, working hard) became his brand.
  • "All he ever sings about is faith, family, and working hard. I said, you got it, bud." – Larry, [46:13]

4.4 Testimony: From Prodigal Living to Redemption

• Larry describes a cyclical faith journey, from high school “chasing a girl” into church, to years of prodigal wandering, and ultimate return through his wife's family and their church.
  • "Just because you get saved doesn't mean your life just changes...it’s a thing you practice forever." – Larry, [50:44]
  • "If you’d have given me money and fame in my twenties, I’d be dead probably." – Larry, [51:21]
• Baptized with his wife in the Tennessee River—new spiritual focus was foundational for success.
  • "When I did that, that’s when 'Where I Find God' came along. That’s when the record deal..." – Larry, [51:21]

4.5 Nature, Faith, and the Outdoors

• Robertsons and Larry reflect on finding God in creation, not just church; roots in hunting and fishing.
  • "There is something about Romans 1...God's divine nature being seen in what has been made." – Jase, [53:15]
  • "I’ve talked to God more in a cab of a truck on a backroad than I have in church." – Larry, [55:40]
• Identifying with biblical figures like Paul—the hope of grace for those with messy pasts.
  • "Some of the disciples were terrible...that gives me hope." – Larry, [56:16]

Notable Quotes

On Faith and Authenticity:

• "Just because you get saved doesn't mean your life just changes; it's a thing you practice forever."
  — Larry Fleet, [50:44]

On Songwriting and Mission:

• "If you will just play it, that's all. I don't care if it's the number one hit...those people need to hear it."
  — Larry Fleet, [44:31]

On Gospel in Country Music:

• "You’re sharing the gospel in a different kind of way...the working-man way."
  — Zach Robertson & Larry Fleet, [27:03]

On Creation and Faith:

• "I’ve talked to God more in a cab of a truck driving down a back road than I have in church."
  — Larry Fleet, [55:40]

On Personal Transformation:

• "If you’d have given me money and fame in my twenties, I’d be dead probably...I wasn’t ready for it."
  — Larry Fleet, [51:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:06] Opening: Missing teal hunting for Nashville, low expectations
• [03:54] Burley's origin and significance in the Robertson family
• [13:54] The epic teal hunt & intern "forensic investigation"
• [17:56] Larry Fleet joins the show (country music, bearded bonding)
• [21:19] Phil's rules: Banning country music, musical upbringing
• [24:52] George Jones, Southern rock, and musical influences
• [31:53] Larry on learning bluegrass, playing at the Ryman at age seven
• [35:18] Concrete work to country music—Larry’s career path
• [39:16] 'Gospel Song Sunday' origins
• [42:16] The making and unexpected success of 'Where I Find God'
• [46:13] Embracing a message of faith, family, hard work in music
• [50:44] Larry's faith journey: rededication, baptism, and impact on his life and career
• [53:15] God in nature—hunting, fishing, Romans 1
• [55:40] Music as ministry, finding God outside the church

Memorable Moments

• The Duck Blind Metaphor: Jase’s detailed, humorous recounting of the low-expectation duck hunt, paralleling life’s surprises and teamwork.
• Larry’s Zero-to-Hero Video: The viral video for "Where I Find God" shot on a bare-bones budget, gaining massive organic traction during pandemic lockdowns.
• Cultural Resonance: The shock of hearing 23,000 Australians sing along to Larry’s faith anthem, far from the American South.
• Music as Invitation: Reflections on how songs about the outdoors, family, and hard work point listeners towards faith in an approachable way.

Conclusion

This episode blends humor, authenticity, and a deep love for faith, family, and the outdoors. The Robertson family and Larry Fleet showcase the power of telling real stories—whether about hunting mishaps, overcoming hard times, or writing country songs that serve as gospel invitations. Larry’s journey and the unashamed faith he expresses through his music resonate far beyond Nashville, echoing the episode’s core message: God finds us wherever we are—sometimes even in the duck blind or the cab of a truck.