Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Married to the Music with Hanley Riggs

Lauren Watkins is a Nashville native, a Big Loud artist, and the wife of hit songwriter Will Bundy - and this week she's on the mic with Hanley Riggs!!

Lauren gets into growing up in Nashville before the bachelorette parties took over, heading to Ole Miss thinking she had to leave music behind, and meeting Will at a songwriters hall of fame induction (he wore a blue suit - he never wears suits). She tells the full story of the bonfire "land warming party" proposal on their land, getting married in the exact same spot, and the one rule that keeps two music careers in one marriage working: no work talk before coffee.

Plus: what it's really like marrying your co-writer, her overpacking problem (she calls it self-care), the beef sticks, daydreaming about the back porch, opening for her childhood hero Luke Bryan, the song she wrote alone during the Nashville ice storm that Will made her turn in, and her new album If I'm Being Honest - out FRIDAY, the same day this episode drops!!

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Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kat King, wife of Zach John King, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music.

Kat shares how growing up in the same Georgia hometown turned into a love story when she and Zach John King were cast as Maria and Tony in their high school's production of West Side Story. She remembers the chorus trip where he walked down the airplane aisle with a guitar and turned "Hey There Delilah" into a prom invitation, the long-distance years that followed when she left for college, and why she always believed his all-in approach would lead to a life in music.

Kat also talks about their decision to move to Nashville, building her own community and career in music marketing, and how working alongside the industry helped her understand the language of Zach John King's world without putting them in direct competition. She explains why listeners should not treat every breakup song like a relationship update: artists are storytellers, and the story in a song is not always the singer's current life.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ally Klein, fiancee of Austin Snell, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music. Ally shares growing up in a small Florida town where nobody leaves, moving to Nashville alone with no plan and no boyfriend, and the three jobs she worked to survive - bartending on Broadway, making hats at a hat bar, and working for Lucchese Bootmaker - while hosting Tuesday night worship potlucks for every songwriter she knew. She tells the story of meeting Austin at Red Door, the first night they talked on opposite ends of her couch until 5:30 in the morning, and why she says he never left. She remembers the broke-kids days: distracting the parking garage manager so Austin could tailgate out without paying, and Publix dinners at home when he told her all he had to offer was his heart. She walks through his first song going viral, the River House publishing deal and Warner label deal that followed, a first tour with Warren Zeiders, and how sewing and thrifting jewelry for Austin grew into her own career as a wardrobe stylist. And she tells the full story of the April proposal on the set of the Colors video, where "camera batteries" was the code word that cleared the room and the crew watched from a monitor next door. Her advice for anyone married to the music: grace, patience, and cancelling out the noise.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex White, wife of country singer Drake White, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music to share the love story, challenges, and unforgettable moments that have shaped their life together.

What started as a friendship in high school eventually turned into a love story years in the making — complete with a proposal that brought an entire restaurant to a standstill. Alex takes us back to the beginning of their relationship and opens up about building a life alongside Drake as his country music career took off.

She shares what it’s really like being married to a touring artist, from life on the road and the sacrifices that come with it to creating a sense of home wherever they are. Alex also talks about her years as a teacher, stepping into motherhood, and raising their son, Hawk, while navigating the unpredictable rhythm of the music industry.

Through every season, Alex and Drake’s story has been one of partnership, resilience, and choosing each other through the highs and the incredibly difficult moments. Alex gives listeners an honest look at the woman and family behind the artist — and the love that has carried them through it all.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abby Langston, wife of Jon Langston, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music. Abby shares growing up in Wisconsin, studying biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the year she signed a downtown Chicago lease on a whim without telling anyone, and the six years she has spent working in regulatory for pharma and medical device companies. She tells the story of the Instagram follow that sat there for months, the text where she told Jon she wasn't interested in a texting buddy, and the message she woke up to the next morning saying he had booked his flight - a first date that lasted a whole day and ended with the photo that is still their favorite. She talks about packing a U-Haul the day after her birthday, getting married in the backyard of their farm in November 2024, and the proposal on the hill at the end of their mile-long driveway, where Jon had engraved an L in a tree and a photographer was hiding in the trees. She is honest about a hard pregnancy: months of sickness, then Bell's palsy three weeks before she was induced, then preeclampsia, and giving birth to her daughter Georgia Grace with half her face still paralyzed. Now she is a mom, a stepmom, and the founder of Grace Haven Coffee Company, which she built postpartum with her daughter asleep in her arms, and which sends a scripture card with every order.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hannah Mooney, wife of Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music. Hannah shares growing up on a cattle farm in small-town Arkansas, winning Miss Arkansas USA the one year she went in with no expectations, and swearing off dating after a painful and abusive relationship right before Shay started commenting on her Instagram photos. She tells the story of the George's Majestic show in Fayetteville she almost skipped over a $30 ticket, the day Shay said they were going to dinner and drove her to a chapel where their parents and three wedding dresses were waiting, and the first year of marriage with 250 shows on the calendar, a new baby, and severe postpartum depression in a new state. She is honest about what got them through, including counseling at Porter's Call, and she tells the story only she can tell: filming the 10,000 Hours video with Justin and Hailey Bieber and getting invited to their wedding the next week, where the phones stayed at the door and she sat at the table with Kris Jenner across from Usher. Now a mom of four boys in a house she happily calls a frat house, she also talks about starting her own podcast, Unexpected with Hannah Love. The episode arrives the same day Dan + Shay release their new album, YOUNG.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexis Coffman, wife of country artist Hayden Coffman, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music. Alexis shares how she messaged Hayden first in the Instagram DMs during CMA Fest week in 2019 with one line about his voice, why she packed up and left Texas for a guy she barely knew, and what it looked like to sell his merch at house shows through COVID while he built a career from nothing. She also opens up about finishing her degree at MTSU, becoming the tour manager the band now calls tour mommy, how Hayden walked away from college after a free ticket to a Luke Combs show at the Ryman, and the proposal five years in the making at Percy Warner Park, with a camera crew hiding in the trees.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades, and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jayden Peters, wife of Noah Peters, the singing barber, joins Hanley Riggs on Married to the Music. Jayden shares how she and Noah met in a high school choir class, how his singing in the barbershop turned into viral videos and a chair that artists now sit in to perform, and what it's like being a middle school counselor married to the guy running one of country music's most unexpected stages. She also opens up about their spring wedding, the vintage barber chair in their bridal suite that gave her chills, and what building a life together looks like when you never know what's walking through the shop door.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From moving across the country to building a thriving business, Anna Wright shares the story behind her life with country artist Chase Wright. She opens up about meeting Chase on Hinge, becoming a stepmom, opening her dream hair salon while planning a wedding, balancing marriage with two demanding careers, and why having your own passion is one of the keys to a healthy relationship.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades, and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Michael Hawkins, founder of My PR Lab, and his husband Alex Dueñas join Married to the Music to share how two career-driven people found each other after moving to Nashville, why honest communication became the foundation of their marriage, what it's really like balancing demanding careers, and why creating a life together has always been more important than chasing perfection. They also open up about navigating the country music industry as a gay couple, their unforgettable proposals, and the relationship lessons that have shaped their first year of marriage.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when two songwriters fall in love? This week on Married to the Music, I'm joined by country music couple Rose Falcon and Rodney Atkins. We talk about the chance meeting that started it all, building careers side by side, navigating infertility, raising a family in the music industry, and why honesty and trust have been the foundation of both their marriage and their music. Plus, they share behind-the-scenes stories from the road, writing songs together, and Rodney's new album, True South.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with Caleigh Hardy, wife of country superstar HARDY, for one of the funniest conversations of the season. From the Instagram DM that started their relationship to life on the road, motherhood, influencer culture, and finding their rhythm in the country music industry, Caleigh shares the stories behind the moments fans don't always get to see.

She opens up about supporting Michael as his career exploded, balancing family life with touring, why she loves bringing daughter Rosie on the road, and the unexpected realities of living in country music. Plus, the two dive into Nashville hot takes, college memories, Broadway bars, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Whether you're a HARDY fan or just love hearing the real stories behind country music, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with Desiree, wife of hit songwriter Brett Anderson, to talk about her unexpected journey from child actress to entrepreneur, the chance encounter with Sandra Bullock that changed the course of her life, and how a late-night Twitter interaction led her to meeting Brett. They dive into the realities of being married to a songwriter, navigating the highs and lows of the music industry, building a life together in Nashville, and finding purpose beyond your partner's career. Plus, Desiree shares the inspiration behind her candle company, Milton Maison, hilarious stories from their relationship, and why creating your own path has always been at the center of her story. It's a fun, honest conversation about love, resilience, ambition, and building a life that's uniquely your own.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with country artist Angie K and her wife, photographer and entrepreneur Marissa, to talk about the cruise ship where they first met, building careers together, navigating Nashville, and the role confidence has played in both of their journeys. They open up about Angie's path into country music, Marissa's successful photography business, their experiences as a married couple in the industry, the importance of representation, and the ways they've supported each other's dreams from the very beginning. It's an honest conversation about love, resilience, creativity, and believing in someone before the rest of the world does.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with photographer and creative Marisa Taylor, wife of country artist Tyler Braden, to talk about growing up in Kentucky, feeling like a late bloomer, discovering photography after years of different careers, meeting Tyler on Tinder, building their dreams side by side, life on the road, touring separately, being one of the few women behind the scenes, navigating marriage in the music industry, why they swear by couples therapy, and the hilarious avocado proposal that turned into one of their favorite stories. Plus, Marisa shares the routines, traditions, and little inside jokes that keep them connected through it all.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with Natalie Marlowe, real estate agent, content creator, new mom to twin boys Case and Huck, and wife of country artist Dylan Marlowe. Natalie shares the story of growing up in Statesboro, Georgia, meeting Dylan at a party where Luke Combs and Brett Young were performing long before either of them knew what the future would hold, and navigating years of long distance while Dylan chased his country music dreams in Nashville. The two talk about building careers side by side, the importance of faith throughout every season of life, and the unexpected twists that come with following your own path.

Natalie also opens up about the emotional journey of trying to start a family, the surprise of finding out she was expecting twins, and what life has looked like since welcoming Case and Huck into the world. From small-town roots and hilarious dating stories to motherhood, marriage, touring life, and finding joy in the waiting seasons, this conversation is full of heart, honesty, laughter, and the kind of real-life moments that make Married to the Music so special. You're not going to want to miss this one.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hanley sits down with Kailey Dickerson, photographer, entrepreneur, podcast host, mother, and wife of country star Russell Dickerson, for an honest conversation about the life she has built in Nashville. Kailey shares what it was like growing up in Wisconsin, attending Belmont University, and meeting Russell long before either of them knew where life and music would take them. She opens up about their journey from friendship to marriage, including a season when they broke up before ultimately finding their way back to each other, and the role faith played throughout that chapter of their lives.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Emily West was married to Matthew West, she was building her own career on Music Row — working in artist development and publicity at record labels in Nashville. In this episode of Married to the Music, Emily shares the story of meeting Matthew through work, how their whirlwind relationship unfolded, and what it’s been like navigating marriage, motherhood, faith, and life in music ever since.

She opens up about raising two daughters while Matthew toured, the realities of supporting an artist behind the scenes, the importance of trust when your spouse is on the road, and why creating a home he always wants to come back to became such a meaningful part of their partnership. Emily also talks about style, meal prep, social media, and the little everyday routines that keep their family grounded.

It’s a conversation about love, timing, partnership, and the life happening behind the spotlight.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Married to the Music, Hailey Morgan joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations yet. As the wife of country artist and songwriter John Morgan, Hailey opens up about moving to Nashville alone, meeting John before his career took off, and what it looked like navigating the early grind of the music industry together.

She shares the story of unexpectedly becoming parents while John was chasing a record deal, the reality of raising three young kids while he’s out on the road, and the marriage advice Brittany Aldean gave her that completely changed her perspective on relationships in the industry.

Hailey also talks about social media, motherhood, insecurity in the music world, finding confidence in yourself, and why building a strong support system matters more than ever. It’s a vulnerable, funny, and deeply relatable episode about love, growth, family, and the not-so-glamorous side of chasing big dreams in Nashville.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Birge’s wife, Kara Birge, joins Married to the Music to share the real story behind their 20-year relationship, raising two boys while balancing life on the road, and what it was actually like leaving Texas for Nashville before country music success ever happened. From meeting at the University of Texas and taking a leap of faith on George’s music career, to navigating NICU stays, tour life, motherhood, and finding stability in an unpredictable industry, Kara opens up about the realities of building a family behind the scenes of country music. She also talks about the importance of sisterhood, staying grounded through success, parenting while your spouse travels constantly, and why empathy has been the key to making their relationship work through every season of life.

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Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Filmore and his wife Paige join Married to the Music for a conversation about love, life on the road, parenthood, and the reality behind the music industry.

From growing up just an hour apart without ever meeting, to eventually crossing paths at Tin Roof, the two share the unexpected story of how their relationship began and what it took to make long distance work while Filmore chased his music career. Paige also opens up about her demanding career as a pediatric cardiac sonographer and what it’s like balancing motherhood, medicine, and life alongside an artist.

The couple talks honestly about trust in relationships, navigating social media and touring, becoming parents, and the emotional experience of welcoming their daughter early and spending 20 days in the NICU. They also share stories from touring with Pitbull, raising their son Asher, and the behind-the-scenes moments fans rarely get to see.

This episode is funny, emotional, chaotic in the best way, and a real look at what it means to build a life together behind the music.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimberly Kelly is a country artist, Texas native, mom, and the wife of No. 1 hit songwriter Brett Tyler, and her story pulls you straight into the real life behind Nashville’s music scene. She opens up about what it actually looks like to chase your own dream while married to one of the top writers in town. She talks honestly about finding her identity as an artist, balancing motherhood with ambition, and navigating an industry that does not come with a clear path or timeline. This is a real, behind-the-scenes look at love, work, and what it truly takes to build a life in country music beyond what you see on stage.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brittney Johnson, wife of country artist Jamey Johnson, joins Married to the Music to share her story of building a career as an attorney, falling into an unexpected love story, and navigating marriage in the country music industry.

From a tight-knit childhood in Mississippi to graduating from Ole Miss Law and making her mark in the courtroom, Brittney had a clear, driven path until one unexpected meeting changed everything. She opens up about meeting Jamey at a governor’s inauguration, not even knowing who he was, their instant connection, and the moment he “proposed” just days later, only half-kidding.

And yes… they got married because what’s a casual, low-key life decision without a little country music chaos?

Brittney gets real about what it actually looked like to leave behind her identity as a trial lawyer, move to Nashville, and figure out life and love in the music industry from long distance and time on the road to rebuilding her sense of self and creating balance in a completely new world.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it really like to manage your husband’s country music career while raising a family—and building a brand from the ground up?

This week on Married to the Music, Caroline shares the unfiltered reality of being both the wife and manager of a rising country artist—and how their relationship evolved from a Belmont University connection into a full-blown partnership in life and business.

From navigating a male-dominated industry at a young age to taking risks that changed everything, Caroline opens up about building a career in music without being an artist, trusting her instincts in high-stakes rooms, and creating opportunities from nothing.

She also shares what life really looks like behind the scenes—raising kids on a tour bus, balancing motherhood with management, protecting her relationship in the public eye, and why “showing up” is the most important part of loving someone in the music industry.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi Payton, wife of Elvie Shane, joins Married To The Music for a raw and emotional conversation about motherhood, marriage, and life behind country music. From raising her son at a young age to becoming the foundation behind Elvie’s early career, Mandi shares what it looked like to support a dream while managing real life at home.

She opens up about long stretches apart, learning trust and communication in a relationship shaped by the road, and the powerful moment she first heard “My Boy”—a song that would come to define their family’s story.

This episode is an honest look at love, sacrifice, and resilience in the music industry, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the real lives behind the songs they love. 

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sara Brice, wife of Lee Brice, joins Married to the Music for a heartfelt conversation about their love story, raising a family, faith, songwriting, and what life really looks like behind one of country music’s biggest names. Sara shares growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, discovering music through poetry and her grandmother, and how that led her to songwriting.

She opens up about meeting Lee on the beach when they were young, falling in love before his career took off, and standing by him through the early, unpredictable years. From radio tour days to building a life rooted in faith and family, Sara gives a real look at their foundation, plus stories from their Tennessee farm, raising their kids, and what Lee is really like at home.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it really like being married to a country artist? Chase Fann joins Married to the Music to share a real, grounded look at building a relationship in the middle of the music industry.

He talks about growing up near Nashville, becoming a lawyer, and meeting Madeline Merlo right before COVID, when their relationship had time to grow in a more intentional way. Chase also opens up about supporting a partner through touring, career highs and lows, and the constant balancing act between two very different worlds.

They get into faith, communication, and what actually makes a relationship last, plus some fun moments with SEC football, Harry Potter, and the everyday things that keep them connected.

It’s honest, relatable, and a true behind-the-scenes look at love beyond the spotlight.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country artists Hannah Ellis and Nick Wayne join Married to the Music to share how their Kentucky and Nashville roots shaped their paths into country music — and how a Nashville artist apartment building unexpectedly brought them together.

They open up about navigating competition within a relationship in the music industry, the importance of having hobbies outside of music like golf, cooking, and scrapbooking, and what life really looks like on the road while preparing to welcome their first child. Plus, they get honest about the emotional toll of social media and how they stay grounded in an industry that never slows down.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country music, Nashville relationships, and life behind the industry — Peyton Niemann joins Married to the Music to share what it really takes to build a strong relationship in the music business.

Peyton talks about growing up in Florida, attending the University of Texas, and eventually finding her way to Nashville, where music, career, and love all began to intersect. She shares how her path evolved from competitive figure skating and dreams of becoming a forensic pathologist to songwriting, artist development, and learning the music industry from the inside out.

She also tells the story of meeting country artist Jerrod Niemann at Alley Taps in Printer’s Alley and how their relationship grew from there. Peyton opens up about navigating marriage in the spotlight, setting boundaries in the music industry, and why communication has been the foundation of their relationship.

Plus, she talks about life on the road, writing music, hosting friends in Nashville, and the perspective that comes from seeing firsthand how deeply country music can impact fans.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hally Cooper, the wife of Cooper Alan, joins Married to the Music for a real behind-the-scenes conversation about growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and what it actually looks like building a life in Nashville when your partner is chasing the dream. Hally talks about being the “chatty kid” growing up, studying fashion textiles at NC State, and how a summer internship in New York City helped her realize what she didn’t want and pushed her to rethink her path.

She also opens up about the early Nashville reality check. The Broadway grind, long nights, and the not-so-glamorous side of the industry that people don’t always see. Hally shares how faith and routine helped keep them grounded through those early years.

Plus, we talk about what life is really like on a tour bus as the only girl, why Cooper isn’t actually a big social media guy, and the funny story behind the whole “Cooper” name confusion. And of course we get into the baby news, including their sweet Opry cupcake gender reveal and getting ready to welcome their daughter.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Florida girls unite. Chloe Crawford- Shane Profitt’s fiancée,  joins Married To The Music for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what life really feels like when your partner is building a career on the road. She shares how they met in true Nashville fashion, what it takes to maintain trust and communication in the music industry, and how she balances supporting his dreams while continuing to build a life of her own at home.

The conversation dives into independence, friendship, boundaries, and the importance of staying grounded while navigating a relationship in a fast-moving industry. It’s candid, heartfelt, funny at times, and full of perspective on love, identity, and finding balance when music is part of your everyday life.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country artist Meghan Patrick joins Married To The Music for a deeply honest conversation about her journey from Ontario to Nashville, the life-changing snowboarding injury that pushed her fully toward music, and how personal experiences have shaped both her songwriting and her purpose.

She opens up about healing, family dynamics, finding confidence in the industry, and building a career from the ground up — plus the real story of how she met husband Mitchell Tenpenny, what makes their marriage work in the music business, and why trust, communication, and keeping their relationship sacred are non-negotiables.

It’s candid, heartfelt, funny at times, and full of perspective on balancing love, career, and identity in country music.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She left Michigan for radio, survived divorce and career burnout, then rebuilt her life inside Nashville’s country music machine. Kristen Brust, wife of LoCash’s Preston Brust, shares the untold reality of loving an artist while protecting your own identity.
Kristen walks through her path from country radio promotions to Big Machine Records, the loneliness of life on the road, hitting rock bottom during a divorce, and the unexpected night she met Preston. She opens up about marriage under a spotlight, tour-life boundaries, trust, raising three kids while he’s gone, and the behind-the-scenes truth of being married to country music.

Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Married to the Music is a new podcast with honest, behind-the-scenes conversations with the husbands, wives, and partners of today’s top country artists. These men and women aren’t just the plus one they’re entrepreneurs, creatives, parents, and powerhouse individuals building lives in and around Nashville.

Each episode dives into love, identity, ambition, and what it really looks like to be married to someone in the spotlight from how they met, to balancing careers and family, to navigating fame from the inside out.

Hosted by Hanley Riggs, Married to the Music is all about the stories you don’t hear on stage or see on red carpets. 

Episode one drops February 13th.

Follow @married.to.the.music on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments and episode teasers and follow me, @hanleyriggs, to come along for the ride.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.