Try That in a Small Town Podcast

Try That Podcast

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.

  1. 6d ago

    Being the Tour Boss for Aldean - Jake Lagrone on Kidney Stones, High-Stakes Bus Hockey, And Life On The Road :: Ep 119 Try That in a Small Town9

    Jason Aldean and longtime tour manager Jake “Charlie” LaGrone join the Try That In A Small Town podcast for a no-filter look behind the curtain of one of country music’s biggest road operations. From kidney stone chaos and EMT horror stories, to high-stakes bus hockey, stolen putters, and firing disloyal crew, this episode is wall-to-wall backstage gold. Jake walks through his journey from Lori Morgan, Reba, Rascal Flatts, and Alan Jackson to running Jason Aldean’s 80-person touring machine with 11 semis and 6 buses. The guys talk loyalty, crew culture, why good bus and truck drivers are everything, and how one bad attitude can poison an entire tour. They also dig into touring during COVID, the fallout from “Try That In A Small Town,” AI in music, new artists skipping “club years,” and what true longevity really looks like in country music. You’ll hear: • Jake’s first-ever ambulance ride thanks to a vicious kidney stone • Why a 5mm stone had the whole camp on edge • The legendary Bahamas bus-hockey game that cost Jake a $640 Scotty Cameron putter • The New Zealand Maori tribe welcome that ended with Jason singing the Star-Spangled Banner and touching noses with the chief • Real talk on firing crew who bad-mouth the artist while riding his bus and eating his catering • How Jason’s camp builds “lifers” and keeps turnover insanely low • Why stadiums aren’t the money machines people think they are • The difference between viral success and being able to carry a 90-minute headlining show Perfect for fans of Jason Aldean, road stories, and anyone curious what it REALLY takes to keep a big-time country tour on the rails. Timed Highlights (YouTube Chapters / FB Reels Cues): 2:18 Meet Jake “Charlie” LaGrone, Jason Aldean’s tour manager 3:25 Jake’s resume: Lori Morgan, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Alan Jackson and more 4:13 Leaving Alan Jackson for Rascal Flatts and triple the money 4:39 Alan Jackson not taking the news well 4:47 “Down a putter and up a stone” – the night everything went sideways 5:00 Jake’s first-ever ambulance ride from a show 5:35 The 450-pound EMT and a long, painful ride to a small-town hospital 6:30 Computer crash, no CAT scan results, and Jake signs himself out 7:16 The pain hits: FaceTiming his granddaughter, then “twins breach” level agony 8:39 The diagnosis: a 5mm kidney stone and a long bus ride home 9:41 “You gotta have a pretty big Willie to pass that” – the guys pile on 10:59 Still hasn’t passed the stone… might need a “C-section” 11:18 Original Glory beer sponsor segment 11:44 Patriot Mobile sponsor segment (PatriotMobile.com/smalltown) 13:17 Why the tour can’t function without “Charlie” 15:11 Jason and the band admit: when Charlie’s down, everyone is lost 17:00 What a tour manager really does: the fireman who puts out problems without anyone knowing 17:42 80 people, 11 semis, 6 buses – Jake explains the operation 18:47 The crew “lifers” who’ve been there 15–20 years 19:57 Delivering bad news: losing songs, losing soundcheck, and weather delays 22:01 High-stakes bus hockey: how $25 games escalate to $200 a night 22:58 The Bahamas trip: tequila, fishing, golf, and late-night hockey 23:37 Jake’s $640 Scotty Cameron putter story 24:44 The all-or-nothing bet: $500 vs the $640 putter at 1 a.m. 26:05 Sudden-death OT: Jason’s “dirty” winning goal and the putter is gone 26:40 Claiming the putter off the golf bag at baggage claim in Nashville 27:22 Jason trolling Jake with couch photos and the “putter that never even posted” 28:02 Who’s the best bus hockey player? Trash talk erupts 29:22 “You will never own this putter again” – it’s in Jason’s will now 29:46 Jake buys the sister putter and trades tickets for a discount 29:53 Tully’s hurt feelings: Jake sending his ugly golf swing pic to Tucker 31:21 Tucker exposes his dad: “My dad sent me that picture of your swing” 31:53 Wrapping the Bahamas trip – great time, bad swing 32:18 Celebrating Jason’s 32nd No.1 and a rare second week at the top 32:45 How this No.1 climbed “organically” without a big radio push 33:09 Jason’s perspective: new album off to a hot start 33:54 Jake on the camaraderie of Jason’s camp and why this crew is unique 34:52 Why watching fans clap, dance, and smile keeps Jake going 35:36 The “lifer” crew – Snapper, stage managers, merch guys, techs and more 36:33 Jason explains why he hates seeing new faces and loves his long-time crew 37:15 Adding front-of-house engineer Chris Leonard – the missing piece 38:32 The NASCAR pit crew of country tours – fixing gear mid-show 39:12 Why each show must feel like someone’s first and only Jason Aldean concert 40:11 Low turnover starts at the top – how Jason and the band lead 41:04 The four-piece beginnings and building the team over 20+ years 42:11 Why the show doesn’t happen if the crew decides to take a day off 42:39 Tear-down in 50 minutes: 11 trucks loaded and gone 43:05 Jake shares a “difficult artist” story in D.C. over White House access 44:31 Firing versus fighting for people – when Jason saves a crew member 48:14 Jake’s loyalty and HR role: one team, respectful, politics off the clock 49:04 Keeping promoters and venues happy so you’re always invited back 50:24 Bus and truck drivers: the most important people on tour 51:00 If you get fired as a driver out here, you really did something 51:45 COVID, masks, and extremism bleeding into the crew culture 56:22 “Try That In A Small Town” backlash and crew disrespect – lines get crossed 57:29 Bad-mouthing the artist while on his bus? “You gotta go.” 58:17 How a few bad seeds can poison an entire tour’s culture 59:09 Jake’s reset meeting: respect, no agendas, one team or you’re out 1:00:44 The toll of road life, kids, and missing milestones 1:01:17 Why this business isn’t for “ordinary citizens” 1:02:23 Jason on touring: travel is the real grind, not just the 90 minutes on stage 1:04:13 New Zealand Maori tribe story – intense welcome ceremony 1:05:12 Choosing the Star-Spangled Banner as their “answer song” 1:07:37 Nose-touching with the chief – sealing the deal 1:08:27 The most awkward moment Jason, Tully, and the guys have ever shared 1:10:02 Proof you never really “see it all” on the road 1:11:01 Jason feels more settled than ever and still cutting some of his best music 1:13:16 Letting go of chasing industry awards and leaning into longevity 1:14:45 Why Jason values 21 years of career over a stack of trophies 1:17:08 How grinding through club years shaped the band and the show 1:19:29 The danger of young, viral acts skipping clubs straight to big tours 1:22:26 Knowing when NOT to headline yet – Jason’s Brooks & Dunn detour 1:23:48 Artists with only 1–2 songs trying to carry 90-minute sets 1:24:49 The streaming mirage: background noise vs real connection 1:25:39 Physical concerts vs AI and virtual “acts” 1:27:14 CMAs’ “human creators only” AI disclaimer 1:27:50 DJ-only arena shows and what’s coming next 1:28:47 Dip S****y of the Week segment begins 1:29:09 Parking garage etiquette rant – stay on your side 1:30:15 Children’s toy box cutter – why is this even made? 1:32:15 “My current wife” – Neil roasts himself on a podcast slip-up 1:34:17 Jason’s public dipshitty: fans yelling “Aldean!” in grocery stores 1:36:15 Left-lane campers and bad drivers – Jake’s road rage 1:38:15 Bus “serial peer” mystery and bathroom etiquette 1:40:08 Kurt vs chatty cashiers and waiters who don’t write orders down 1:43:30 Ducking familiar voices backstage – social overload 1:45:09 Neil’s birthday surprise and gifts for the crew 1:46:10 Turkey call plugs and Peacemaker “Try That In A Small Town” coffee 1:47:15 Closing: thanks to Jason Aldean and Jake LaGrone, merch, and where to find more ______________________________________________________________________________________________ SPONSORS:  The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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. www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com - For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com Produced 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.

  2. Jul 20

    George Birge: 10-Year Town, TikTok Virality and Country Music Grit | Ep 118 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    In this episode of the Try That In A Small Town podcast, the guys sit down with hitmaker George Birge to unpack his long road to “overnight success” in Nashville. George talks about grinding for a decade before his first number one, the moment Luke Bryan said “Play that m**********r” about his song, and how TikTok flipped his career with Beer Beer Truck Truck. He shares how Clay Walker pushed him back into being an artist, how a Bobby Bones performance turned Mind On You into a life-changing hit, and why Jason Aldean giving that song back was a defining act of class. Along the way you’ll hear wild road stories with SEAL Team Six and Post Malone, getting wrecked by Gary Allan’s weed, the art of building a live set, and how country music’s community creates careers that last decades. They close it out with golf at Augusta, Idiots of the Week, HVAC disasters, fan etiquette and plenty of laughs. Timed Highlights: 0:03:12 – Four number ones in a row, why Nashville is a “10-year town” and how hard it really is to break 0:04:35 – Building relationships with radio and listeners, and the pressure of chasing every hit 0:05:04 – Luke Bryan mentor story, Chesney’s jet and the “Play that m**********r” cowboy song moment 0:07:40 – Why country music is a “big happy family” and how fan relationships create 20–40 year careers 0:08:53 – Shouting out Kurt and Tully on a surprise Jason Aldean number one and how labels plan chart runs 0:10:00 – Original Glory beer spot and investing in America’s small towns 0:11:14 – The magic and misery of the grind: why it’s good that success doesn’t come easy 0:12:20 – First number one, confidence, and how belief changes the way you write and perform 0:13:20 – Mike Eli’s tough-love advice: “You just need to go get your ass kicked” 0:15:30 – Sprinter van nightmare in Kentucky, the meth’d-out “mechanic” and character-building on the road 0:17:49 – Moving from one recognizable song to multiple hits and the freedom of building a real setlist 0:18:38 – Covers as a “cheat code,” winning crowds in clubs and finding the sweet spot with 90s country medleys 0:20:19 – Club days: Dwight Yoakam medleys, Sweet Child O’ Mine into Paradise City, and stretching 90 minutes 0:22:40 – Teaching an audience how to listen to your ballad and earning the right to play the slow songs 0:25:26 – Lessons from touring with Toby Keith: zero ego, human jukebox and knowing when to turn it into a honky-tonk cover set 0:28:19 – Tailgating with Toby Keith, SEAL Team Six and Post Malone on the bus in Virginia Beach 0:29:48 – Post Malone’s country roots, respect for the genre and doing it the right way 0:30:09 – Pivoting to “just” being a songwriter, asking out of the duo deal and heading to Clay Walker’s beach house 0:33:33 – Writing Clay Walker’s We All Need A Bar Sometimes and Catching Up With An Old Memory and hearing the band’s take from the studio side 0:36:35 – Refusing to quit, irrational optimism and how things fall into place when you keep showing up 0:37:38 – Clay Walker says “Get on TikTok” and the birth of Beer Beer Truck Truck from a country-music hater’s video 0:39:41 – Going viral overnight, crediting the original TikTok creator and landing on The Bobby Bones Show 0:39:47 – Playing Mind On You live on Bobby Bones, getting a record deal and watching it go number one 0:41:03 – Jason Aldean had Mind On You on hold – and gave it back so George could release it as his debut single 0:45:08 – George’s Mount Rushmore: Aldean, Gary Allan, George Strait and Tracy Lawrence, and how that shaped his sound 0:46:47 – First-hand weed disasters: Gary Allan’s tackle box, the volcano, numb legs and the best pineapple ever 0:52:23 – Willie’s Remedy, tequila pairings and trying to “just sleep” through a THC drink gone wrong 0:54:08 – Tequila on the road, giving up whiskey in the summer and survival strategies under 100-degree stage lights 0:55:16 – Golf talk: college golf background, shooting 75 at Augusta and winning the BMW Celebrity Pro-Am 0:57:31 – John Daly, a 27-minute Knocking on Heaven’s Door and golf-country crossovers 0:58:08 – Weekly segment: Idiots of the Week – ducks on dashboards and Jeep duck culture 0:59:35 – People touching injured shoulders, hugging the sling side and unintentional pain 1:01:16 – HVAC conspiracy: the AC “just happens” to die right after the service check and buying a new unit 1:06:42 – Language rant: the word “literally,” dictionaries caving and when words stop meaning what they mean 1:08:37 – Fan behavior: phones in faces, reading the screen mid-song and completely losing the lyrics 1:10:19 – Fist bumps, picks, Sharpies mid-solo and why some fans think they’re on stage with you 1:12:00 – World Cup tangent, flops, drama and sports rants 1:13:40 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and sending George beans for the bus 1:14:23 – The hosts on why George is great for country music, closing thanks and merch reminders ______________________________________________________________________________________________ SPONSORS:  The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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. www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com - For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com Produced 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.

  3. Jul 13

    From High School Dropout to Dropping Bombs with Brad Lea :: Ep 117 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    Brad Lea joins the Try That in a Small Town podcast and absolutely unloads. From building Lightspeed and the Dropping Bombs brand to calling out weak mindsets, traditional gender roles, AI-written songs, government lies, moon landings, flat earth rabbit holes, COVID vaccines, and “dipshitty of the week” — nothing is off limits. Hear how a high school dropout built a training empire, why mindset, skill set, and habits are the real cheat codes, why most people quietly choose to stay broke, and how social media, politics, and conspiracies all tie back to belief and personal responsibility. This one is part masterclass, part bar fight. 3:34 “I’m not an influencer” – building real businesses vs being a personality4:12 Inventing Lightspeed: from broke sales trainer to training software pioneer7:00 Eight years to “overnight success” and almost missing payroll9:01 Mission: getting knowledge from people who have it to people who need it10:01 Aladoxophobia – fear of other people’s opinions13:40 From high school dropout to employing PhDs and MBAs15:10 Commission, mindset, skills, habits: Brad’s simple formula for getting rich18:24 Content machine: cameras, social media, and “you are the content”21:10 Helping broke people vs rich people and why most never change23:33 Tough love: self-worth, appearance, and being judged in real life28:16 Choices, free will, and why most people pick misery without realizing it31:06 College, AI, and why relationships matter more than degrees37:19 “The right woman wants a king” – Brad’s take on marriage and money41:17 Would he let his wife work for another man? Lines, loyalty, and control44:32 Ambition, freeloaders, and “who raised your ass?”52:01 Perseverance in music: staying in line until the song finally gets cut57:27 Transgender sports, common sense, and cultural insanity1:04:08 AI music, Suno, fake artists, and how writers are really using AI1:10:03 Borders, wasteful spending, and why “we the people” have no eject button1:18:04 Aliens, disclosure, and weird Florida mall footage1:21:18 Did we land on the moon? Brad’s problems with the footage and story1:29:03 Scripture, luminaries, and why some people flirt with flat earth1:34:34 God, intelligent design, and what we actually know1:35:34 Dipshitty of the Week: waiters, nose pickers, left‑lane campers, and mashed potatoes guys1:43:48 Willie’s weed drink, alcohol, and getting older1:47:01 COVID, vaccines, pressure in entertainment, and not trusting the government1:53:36 Wrap‑up: bombs dropped, minds blown, and thanks to Brad Lea Follow Brad: www.bradlea.com www.droppingbombs.com ______________________________________________________________________________________________ SPONSORS:  The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces! Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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. www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com - For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com Produced 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.

  4. Jul 6

    Sage Steele Uncanceled: ESPN, Obama, Aldean & Standing Your Ground :: Ep 116 Try That in a Small Town

    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 Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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.com Produced 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.

  5. Jun 29

    Why Session Players Rule, Roundabout Rants, and Augusta Controversy :: Ep 115 TTIAST

    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 win 14:44 Why artists use session players over road bands 21:15 Hicktown, early Aldean years, and betting on their sound 34:30 Writing “Try That in a Small Town” and how the track changed the melody 39:27 Worst writes ever: salad guy and Rich Robinson falls asleep 43:29 Neil’s wife helps design the new “Welcome to Tennessee” signs 45:27 “Try That in a Small Town” goes platinum and missing No. 1 parties 59:44 World Cup, offsides confusion, and “soccer in the South” rant 1:02:29 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 Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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.com Produced 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.

  6. Jun 22

    CMA Fest Disaster Stories, Morgan Wallen Drama & Schoolyard Fights :: Ep 114 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    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 Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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.com Produced 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.

  7. Jun 15

    Inside Ways & Means: Jason Smith on Trump, Voter Trust, and the Big Tax Cut :: Ep 113 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    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 Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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.com Produced 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.

  8. Jun 8

    Chuck Wicks: Stealing Cinderella, Autism Dad, Wine Boss & Shiners Showrunner :: Ep 112 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    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 Business Book a tour today at espaces.com From 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-PATRIOT Right 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.com Peacemaker Coffee Company Founded 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.com Produced 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.

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4.9
out of 5
186 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Try That Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    125
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © © 2026 Try That in a Small Town Podcast
  • Show Website
    Try That in a Small Town Podcast

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