Country Minute Podcast

James Shotwell
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The Country Minute Podcast brings you closer to the artists, songs, and moments defining today’s country music scene. Hosted by husband-and-wife team James and Laura Shotwell, each episode is an immersive, fan-centered journey through the world of country music. From exclusive artist interviews and deep dives into emerging trends to unforgettable stories from behind the scenes, we deliver the latest in a way that only true fans can. Built on the success of our social media content, Country Minute Podcast captures the vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving nature of country music. It’s a space wh

  1. 1d ago

    Shane McAnally: Writing the Songs You Shouldn't Hear | Country Minute

    James sat down with Shane McAnally at CMA Fest, and somehow captured lightning in a bottle. We chased this interview for nearly a full year, and Shane did not disappoint. This is, by far, one of the most personal conversations we've had on this show. Shane was just named the second greatest living country songwriter by Rolling Stone. But we start where it all began that week: his brand new one-man show, Hits & Giggles, which we caught at Zanies in Nashville. Shane talks about how the show came together, the nerves of hitting the road without a padded crowd, and why he insists on that piano being on stage. From there it's pure songwriting. Learning to navigate Sam Hunt's train of thought writing style. How Kacey Musgraves showed him it was okay not to give a damn. The quiet sadness inside "American Kids" that most people miss until someone points it out. And what song he'd play for his 2008 self if he could. Shane also gets honest about losing the joy in his career chasing commercial success, and why he's fighting to get it back. That part, honestly, might be my personal favorite. Follow us on Instagram @country_minute and subscribe wherever you listen for new episodes.

    16 min
  2. Why Colby Acuff Is Doing Everything Opposite in Country Music

    Apr 28

    Why Colby Acuff Is Doing Everything Opposite in Country Music

    Colby Acuff is the country outsider leading a revolution that is anything but quiet. We sat down with the Idahoan singer-songwriter in the basement of The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan to talk about his headlining tour, his upcoming record, and why he is doing everything opposite this year. Colby just wrapped up a Whiskey Riff March Madness run where he beat Chris Stapleton and Turnpike Troubadours to take the whole thing. He is playing a ton of unreleased music on this tour, leaning into a Southern rock and country rock sound that pulls from CCR, Waylon, Willie, and Bob Seger. The new record was solo written, recorded raw with no vocal tuning, and Colby calls the next single his favorite song on the entire project. We also got into the art direction behind the new era, why he packages serious messages in comedy, the iPhone he passes into the crowd every night so fans can shoot the show, and what it means to find your own measurements of success when you are not chasing the mainstream. New music drops at the end of April. Presented by Country Minute.

    19 min
  3. Zach John King: New Music, Big Tours, and the One Thing He Still Hasn't Figured Out

    Apr 21

    Zach John King: New Music, Big Tours, and the One Thing He Still Hasn't Figured Out

    James sits down with 2025 Country Minute Rookie of the Year Zach John King backstage at the Blue Gate in Shipshewana, Indiana. Zach opens up about joining Thomas Rhett on the road this fall, the headlining run he's been low-key teasing, and why ticket sales are the only metric that really matters to him. He also breaks news on back-to-back releases coming in just a few weeks, including a Harry Styles cover that was previously Amazon-exclusive. Plus, his honest take on TikTok, balancing the grind with keeping his band's morale intact, and what it looks like to build a catalog that doesn't put fans in a box.Subscribe for more country music interviews, festival coverage, and artist stories every week.#ZachJohnKing #countrymusic #CountryMinute

    8 min
  4. Gavin Adcock on Opening for Morgan Wallen, New Album, and That Caddy Suit Story

    Apr 20

    Gavin Adcock on Opening for Morgan Wallen, New Album, and That Caddy Suit Story

    Gavin Adcock joins Country Minute backstage at US Bank Stadium before night two of Morgan Wallen's Still The Problem tour. Gavin walks us through the debut of his new song Wannabe, his plan to release new music every three weeks, and the next album taking shape. He previews his first arena headlining tour with a 25-foot longhorn stage piece and a drum riser that puts his drummer 15 feet in the air, teases Country Never Dies II, recaps his sold-out Australian run at CMC Rocks, and tells the story behind the caddy suits he and Vincent Mason wore on stage in Minneapolis. Recorded on location in Minneapolis.

    12 min

  5. Apr 15

    Graham Barham Interview: “Break Up (Down),” FGL Influence & What’s Next

    Graham Barham joins us backstage at The Intersection in Grand Rapids on the final run of the Whiskey Rain Tour to talk about everything happening in his world right now. From the release of his new single “Break Up (Down)” to the viral success of “Country Music,” Graham opens up about blending country with club energy, paying homage to artists like Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line, and why now felt like the right moment to drop this next phase of his sound. We also get into his songwriting success behind the scenes, including cuts with artists like Blake Shelton and Dierks Bentley, plus the story behind “Broken Branches.”

    13 min
  6. Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE on 'The Long Surrender,' acoustic tours, and more t

    Mar 3

    Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE on 'The Long Surrender,' acoustic tours, and more t

    Recorded live at the historic Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor, James sits down with Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE for an honest and reflective conversation ahead of the band’s acoustic tour stop. Bear opens up about why the acoustic shows hit differently, how sitting down on stage changes the energy, and why longtime fans are finally getting to hear songs they’ve been waiting on for years. The two also dive deep into the meaning behind the upcoming album The Long Surrender, a record born out of personal loss, frustration in the studio, fatherhood, faith, and the humbling realization that some things in life simply can’t be controlled. From the vulnerability behind writing “The Long Surrender” in a moment of prayer, to the story of recording in Savannah with producer Dave Cobb, Bear shares how this season of the band feels different — more present, more stripped back, and more open to spontaneity on the road. It’s a conversation about surrender, songwriting, and what happens when the music takes on a life of its own in the hands of fans. If you’ve ever had a NEEDTOBREATHE song become part of your story, this one’s for you.

    13 min
  7. JOSH MELOY talks independent success, songwriting, and finding balance in country music

    Feb 16

    JOSH MELOY talks independent success, songwriting, and finding balance in country music

    Josh Meloy has been on my list of artists who could easily take the world by storm given the right opportunity since at least 2022. The Oklahoma native has a knack for deeply personal songwriting and a voice you cannot shake. He spent 2025 releasing a string of singles as opposed to a traditional project, and he's headed into the new year with similar plans. In this conversation, which we recorded at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Josh talks about his ever-evolving approach to promotion as an independent artist. He details how a team of about seven people make everything happen, including how they look to the future and set goals. If you are curious about how country looks and feels outside the label world, this is definitely the conversation for you. Josh is touring this spring with plans to release new music soon. Until then, stream "Bad Habits" when you have a chance.

    17 min
  8. BAYKER BLANKENSHIP on his wild 2025, writing songs for his girlfriend, and his big plans for the future

    11/13/2025

    BAYKER BLANKENSHIP on his wild 2025, writing songs for his girlfriend, and his big plans for the future

    We last saw Bayker Blankenship in November 2024 at a small festival in Arizona. We were both hundreds of miles from home and unsure of how to adjust to the simmering Southwest heat. He was performing solo at the time, and truth be told, he was one of the first people kind enough to give us time on camera. Fast forward 50 weeks and we reconnected with Bayker Blankenship after our friends at Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts invited us to the Greenville Country Music Festival. Bayker and his band had just completed a 19-hour drive from Texas, but that didn't stop him from taking a few minutes to discuss his the past year and how he feels about the future. In this brief conversation, Bayker and I dig into what it means to be a young artist today. Bayker now has a band, and together they've traveled the world honing a sound that still feels very raw in the best possible way. He spoke of collaborations, like the one he has with Zach John King earlier in 2025, as well as the inspiration he finds in his current relationship. If you ask me, Bayker Blankenship is the future of country music. He's a true storyteller putting in the work needed to build a strong, lasting career in music. This conversation may be short, but it inspired me to work a little harder. Maybe it'll do the same for you.

    7 min
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About

The Country Minute Podcast brings you closer to the artists, songs, and moments defining today’s country music scene. Hosted by husband-and-wife team James and Laura Shotwell, each episode is an immersive, fan-centered journey through the world of country music. From exclusive artist interviews and deep dives into emerging trends to unforgettable stories from behind the scenes, we deliver the latest in a way that only true fans can. Built on the success of our social media content, Country Minute Podcast captures the vibrant, diverse, and ever-evolving nature of country music. It’s a space wh

Information

  • Creator
    James Shotwell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © James Shotwell
  • Show Website
    Country Minute Podcast

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