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. 2D AGO

    From Jelly Roll’s Testimony To Industry Tantrums - The Guys React To The Grammys :: Ep 95 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    What happens when a night meant for music turns into a tug-of-war for the mic? We unpack the Grammys with a clear eye for craft and a low tolerance for noise. From Hardy’s layered storytelling on “MacArthur” to Bruno’s masterclass in musicianship, we weigh what actually moved us—and what was engineered only to trend. Then the room shifts: Jelly Roll’s acceptance speech lands like a testimony, bold and unapologetic. We ask the hard question—can that kind of moment be a “bit”?—and find the answer in the conviction that carried the words. We dig into country’s slate too. Tyler Childers’ win, Zach Top’s nod to tradition, and Chris Stapleton’s steady excellence show how roots can still surprise. Along the way we peel back the industry habit of turning every podium into a soapbox. There’s a place for politics and a place for songs; when new artists finally get a sliver of airtime, let them own it. That theme echoes in a fan-story from the road: one loud voice yelling “Play The Truth” between every song can sink an entire section’s night. Respect the setlist, respect the room, and the music gets bigger for everyone. We add a few laugh breaks—on mustaches and throwback looks, drive‑thru indecision, texting etiquette, and even an Australia shark‑cage maybe‑yes from the crew—before closing with Super Bowl predictions and halftime curiosity. Through it all, we stay anchored to what lasts: honest writing, tight performances, and the kind of moments that don’t need a headline to matter. If you’re here for real talk on country music, pop spectacle, and the thin line between art and agenda, you’re in the right place. Subscribe, share with a friend, and drop your take on the most powerful—and most head‑scratching—moment of the night. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    1h 9m
  2. 6D AGO

    A Hit-And-Run and a Small Town Mission To Find The Driver :: Ep 94 Try That in a Small Town

    A late-night ride near home. A driver fleeing police. A life cut short. We sit down with Haley Kilman to trace the night her partner, competitive cyclist Blaise Schaeffer, was killed in a hit-and-run—and the relentless search for driver Allen Samir Bautista Milla, who ran on foot and hasn’t been seen since. Haley walks us through the frantic morning calls from another state, the agonizing wait for a warrant and a usable photo, and the grind of canvassing Nashville with updated flyers and a $5,000 reward for a lead that results in arrest. We dig into what’s known: the attempted traffic stop for erratic driving, the crash damage that disabled the car, the companion who helped identify the suspect, and the jurisdictional complexity at the county line. Beyond the case details, we confront a hard truth about public reaction: how quickly outrage fades and how easily blame shifts to cyclists. The evidence at the scene tells a different story—one about speed, disregard, and a danger zone that would have endangered anyone on that stretch of road. This isn’t a bike debate; it’s a call for accountability and safety on streets we all share. We also honor Blaise beyond the headlines. He hit a 12,000-mile goal the night before he died. He was top of his class, on homecoming court, a college soccer player, and the kind of person who made rooms feel welcoming. His family is setting up a scholarship at Luther College to keep his legacy alive. Haley’s focus is both love and public service: get a face and a name in front of the right eyes, move the investigation forward, and keep another family from living this story. Listen, share the BOLO image, and spread the tip line. If you know anything, call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help this reach the people who can make a difference. BOLO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zEBQRobCPy0hFnfkEnp2wrNLh2KfbK5D/view?usp=drive_link ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    40 min
  3. FEB 2

    Nashville Ice Storm, The Left's Bad Behavior & Songwriting Email Blacklists :: Ep 93 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    A sheet of ice turned Nashville into a maze of downed lines, frozen driveways, and tough choices—stay put, chase a generator, or brave the roads that turn cars into curling stones. We trade real stories from a chaotic week: the house that became a money pit overnight, the water heater that erupted sediment like a geyser, a dog’s hospital dash, and the neighbor with a torch who became a winter superhero. Along the way, we spotlight a small-town moment that stopped us cold: an 11-year-old lifting a tree trunk off his grandpa’s leg. That’s the kind of grit we’re here to amplify. From the storm we slide straight into the studio, where hype meets reality. We break down what actually happens when you pitch songs to artists and producers: why credibility disappears when you send five “perfect” tracks that miss; why the fire emoji doesn’t turn a good idea into a great cut; why keys, phrasing, and demo voices can make or break a listen. We talk camps, trust, and the band dynamic—how long relationships shape the sound, why great outside songs still break through, and how an artist’s ear isn’t swayed by sales copy. Honest feedback matters more than comfort, and rejection is often the teacher that sharpens your pen. There’s heat here too—on selective outrage, on empathy that shouldn’t be partisan, on keeping the temperature down when tensions run high. But we keep coming back to the core: show up for your people, prepare for the next storm, and do the work. Whether it’s clearing ice with a T-square or cutting noise in your inbox, consistency wins. If you’re a songwriter, you’ll leave with hard-earned guidance on pitching, demos, and crafting lyrics and melodies that hold. If you’re here for community and small-town stories, you’ll hear proof that character shows up when the power goes out. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who’d appreciate the honesty, and leave a quick review to help more folks find the show. Got a small-town story or a “dipshidiot of the week”? Drop it in the comments—we might feature yours next. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    1h 14m
  4. JAN 26

    From Tour Flu To Top Five: Behind Country Music’s Hooks And Headaches :: Ep 92 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    The first week back on the road always feels like a high-wire act: new production, cold weather, and the pressure to sound bulletproof while your voice fights the season. We open with the messy truth of touring in winter, a car accident that derailed a day, and how those surprises ripple through rehearsals, buses, and call times. From there, we shift gears into the craft we love—why chorus-first songs win in a short-attention economy, and how a bass line or four-note guitar tag can brand an entire era before the first lyric lands. We pull back the curtain on setlist design and the tricky balance between fan service and show flow. Those DMs asking us to play a deep-cut B-side or announce a birthday? Here’s why that breaks more than it fixes. We nerd out on hooks, pacing, and the math of modern arrangements, with nods to Jelly Roll’s “strongest-line-first” approach and the relentless catchiness of mega-streamers. If you write, produce, or just love dissecting songs, this is a masterclass in how structure, motif, and musical space keep a crowd locked in. Then we zoom out to the business. What happens when artists notch a few hits and seem to vanish? We talk radio vs. hard tickets, corporates, fairs, and the quiet middle class of country performers who build long, profitable careers off recognizable catalogs. Culture doesn’t stay quiet either: we react to protests entering churches, the risks families face when lines blur, and the basic etiquette that keeps public spaces safe—on highways, in arenas, and yes, on airplanes. We lighten the mood with listener stories, a small-town rescue that restores some faith, and a confession about late-night social buys, including a jaw gadget we can’t wait to roast on camera. If you’re here for songwriting insight, touring realities, and the unvarnished truth about fan-artist boundaries, you’ll feel right at home. Hit play, drop your small-town story, and tell us: what’s the most memorable hook you’ve ever heard—and why did it stick? Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more folks can find the show. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    55 min
  5. JAN 19

    Dinner With The Governor, Tour Kickoff, And Hot Takes :: Ep 91 Try That In a Small Town Podcast

    Ever tried to pack show pants while guessing the silverware order for dinner at a governor’s mansion? That’s where we start—tour jitters, wild boar rumors, and a very real battle with food poisoning that couldn’t keep us off the mic. From there, we swing hard into culture: the ICE headlines everyone rushes to frame, the pins and podiums at awards shows, and why Hollywood feels allergic to stories that stick. We’re not doom-scrolling; we’re searching for the good—Mayor of Kingstown, The Chosen, and anything with grit, heart, and a pulse. Music gets the microscope next. Remember when albums were seasons of your life? Now it’s leaks, singles, and a content treadmill that ages a record the day it drops. We break down a smarter release strategy, celebrate new Aldean cuts, and talk about writing for the way listeners actually listen without caving on craft. The point isn’t nostalgia—it’s durability. Great songs should outlast the scroll. Sports fans, we didn’t forget you. The NFL hope is alive, but college football’s NIL era is chaos. We lay out fixes that would stabilize the game—spending caps, meaningful transfer limits, and trusts that pay players at graduation or upon injury. Keep the incentives, cut the bidding wars, and rebuild the bond between fans and programs. It’s a simple promise: structure can save a beautiful game from itself. We wrap with our “dipshidiots” segment—yes, a jingle is coming—aimed at speakerphone talkers, coffee-shop “CEOs,” and plane-aisle sprinters. The through line is respect. Whether it’s a governor’s table, a studio, or a stadium, community works when we choose patience and better stories. If that mix of tour life, hot takes, and real fixes is your thing, tap follow, share this with a friend, and drop a review with your own etiquette pet peeve—what everyday behavior would you ban first? ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    1h 10m
  6. JAN 12

    From Food Pyramid Myths To Law And Order:: Ep 90 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    A coffee in hand, a reformer by the couch, and a Zoom link away from the old studio—this one starts cozy and gets loud. We kick off with the simple routines that actually work: a new Pilates-style reformer easing back pain, why “eat real food” outlasts diet fads, and how flipping the old food pyramid toward protein and fiber brings real energy and steadier appetite. Frozen veg in a blender, unexpected beet devotion, and small-town practicality set the tone: less hype, more habits. Then we open the guitar case. Neil pulls back the curtain on a hit that almost went elsewhere, a write that took 45 minutes, and a session kept on the second take. It’s a masterclass in trusting feel over perfection—how a studio band’s personality gets baked into a track and how not overthinking can make a record breathe. A live performance seals it, reminding us why songs stick: groove, grit, and choices you can hear. The mood turns as we take on the Minnesota ICE shooting, the protests, and the politics that stoke them. We talk respect for law enforcement, leadership signals from city halls, and why “comply now, contest later” keeps people alive. You’ll hear frustration with outrage loops, headlines that miss context, and policy talk about “safe spaces” from federal law that can backfire on the street. Whether you agree or push back, the challenge is clear: build trust with consistent standards, not slogans. We wrap with lighter but telling social media gripes—announced “breaks,” birthday-bait posts, and why authenticity beats copy-paste sentiment. From beets to back care, from a tour-naming hit to a city on edge, the throughline is the same: common sense over clout, craft over noise, respect over spectacle. If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Your notes help us shape sharper conversations and bring more honest voices to the mic. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    1h 2m
  7. JAN 5

    Fewer F-Bombs And "Weight Loss Journeys" :: Ep 89 Try That in a Small Town Podcast

    Frozen fingers, live riffs, and zero safety nets. We kick off the year with a behind-the-scenes look at playing a New Year’s Eve set in brutal cold, why we refuse to mime to tracks, and how TV “post-fix” can make a one‑song club cut feel more polished than the real thing. From numb hands at soundcheck to signature licks under pressure, we pull back the curtain on what audiences hear—and what they never see. That honesty sets up two new series we’re launching this year. History Behind the Hits goes inside the songwriting and the moments that turned into staples, while Small Town Stories invites you to send the heroic, un-Googleable tales from your community so we can spotlight one each week. Along the way we argue about language levels, trimming the F‑bombs that don’t serve, and keeping the ones that punch with purpose. We also trade lake house fantasies for the maintenance reality and share a candid family health scare that reminded us how fast life can change. Then we hit the hot button: Dry January and the weight-loss “journey” myth. We’re happy for anyone getting healthier, including those using semaglutide, but we call for clear language when shortcuts do the heavy lifting. The same truth-to-power energy fuels our college football breakdown: Alabama’s 38–3 gut punch, Georgia’s risk-reward calls, and why long layoffs, NIL, and the transfer portal are tilting the sport toward parity and yearly turnover at the top. It’s part therapy, part strategy session, and a promise to keep the conversation grounded in what’s real. If you care about live music, small-town grit, and smarter sports talk, you’re in the right place. Hit follow, share this with a friend who loves a good myth-bust, and drop your Small Town Story for a chance to be featured this season. Your listens and reviews help keep the mics on—thank you for starting the year with us. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    57 min
  8. 12/29/2025

    From New Year Myths To Hard Work - Why Success Is On You :: Ep 88 Try That in a Small Town

    A fresh calendar won’t change your life—your habits will. We kick things off with a light jab at New Year superstitions and quickly get into the real drivers of progress: discipline, honest self-audits, and the courage to adapt when your industry shifts under your feet. If you’ve felt the pull of comfort or the lure of blaming “the system,” you’ll hear why we’re doubling down on ownership this year and stacking more “lottery tickets” by writing, showing up, and doing the work even when it isn’t glamorous. We also share what it takes to perform live when the weather fights back, why we refuse to lean on tracks, and how authenticity reads from the stage—especially on a freezing New Year’s Eve. From there, we rewind our most-watched conversations of the year and unpack why those episodes hit so hard. Names like John Rich, Jason Aldean, Kirk Herbstreit, Hulk Hogan, and Rob O’Neill brought stories that stuck with us, and we lay out a bold wish list for the next run—think Peyton Manning, Jeff Foxworthy, Dennis Quaid, and Dale Jr. If you’ve got a guest in mind, we want to hear it. The heart of this one is about people and priorities. We talk circles of trust, boundaries, and how to spot relationships that drain more than they give. When is it worth trying to reconcile, and when is a “hard cut” the healthiest move? The answers aren’t soft, but they are simple: loyalty matters, reciprocity matters, and your time is precious. Traditions can be fun—black-eyed peas, cornbread, cabbage—but they’re not engines for change. Systems are. If you’re stepping into a new year, consider this your nudge to set goals you act on today, not after midnight. If this hit home, tap follow, share it with a friend who needs a reset, and drop a comment with the guest you want to hear next. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a quick review—it helps more folks find the show. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 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

    1 hr
4.9
out of 5
178 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.

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