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TitlePub. DateDuration
Jeremy Pinnell on Country Music, Jiu-Jitsu and Balance13 Aug 202500:35:00

In this episode, The Dads speak with Jeremy Pinnell, a country music dad from Elsmere, Kentucky.  Jeremy released his first full-length album in 2014 on SofaBurn Records, featuring a collection of songs that draw from his life to tell a truly country story. Jeremy recently released brand new singles “Save You” and “Come Home to Me.” He joined the Dads to talk about family, finding balance and all sorts of other topics on this episode. 

Show Notes: 

2:00 - Jeremy’s music seems highly biographical, but he gets into his roots and family background that shaped his musical approach and personal experience.

5:15 - The stories in Jeremy’s music feel true. And that is something that resonates with him. Story songs have always resonated with Jeremy, and he believes other folks like them too because they want to experience others and “feel uncomfortable.” In the discussion of “Feel This Right,” Jeremy notes that the story is true -- perhaps. 

8:38 - Jeremy discusses how his experiences and drug use influenced his earlier writing. He goes on to say that he doesn’t discuss these songs with his son as he wants to allow him to just be a kid, something that he didn’t have the opportunity to do in many cases. 

11:02 - A discussion of the push and pull of home and the road -- Jeremy started touring about the same time his son was born. It’s getting harder as he grows up, but he still needs to balance the pull of the road. 

12:40 - Donnie brings up the ideas of “I Don’t Believe” about religion, being a good person and other issues. Jeremy explains that he was looking for something when he wrote that song, and he’s still not sure why, but it has become a study of being content where you are in life. 

15:05 - Jeremy talks Jiu-Jitsu, getting his ass kicked and finding balance in being uncomfortable. 

18:31 - Work makes Jeremy happy. He shares that enjoyment on socials, but it’s more about sharing what he enjoys, not some desire to prove his country credentials. For the Dads and Jeremy, work provides a counterbalance to chaos that is always rewarding. 

21:09 - When talking about balancing inspirations, Jeremy told the Dads about the rules about not talking about the venue until you are three miles down the road with the windows up. And that gave birth to a great idea -- and that is sort of how that happens. 

24:00 - The story of the “Save You” music video. 

26:38 - The new singles from Jeremy were produced by Shooter Jennings. The studio process was about highlighting the song and making it as strong as it could be, Jeremy explains. 

28:45 - The Dad Life Sound Check is coming in hard with Jeremy leaning into silence. A nice shift. Donnie and Dave have songs. 

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or...

Why Dads Should Take Parental Leave, Plus a Country Music Dads Update06 Aug 202500:09:23

Dave goes solo for this episode with a brief update on Country Music Dads' plans in the coming months and with a brief rant about parental leave for dads.

Show Notes:

00:34: The Update Dave's having a baby! He shares how that news will affect the timing of the podcast in the coming months as he takes Podcaster Parental Leave. The Country Cutler Takeover of Country Music Dads is underway....

03:53: A Brief Rant on Parental Leave for Dads: Dave encourages dads to take EVERY MINUTE of their paternity leave (especially if they get paid for it). It's good for you, it's good for the baby and it's good for the women in your lives.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

Mentioned in This Episode:
References
Country Grammar: Children's Lit with Some Country Grit02 Apr 202500:59:25

The Country Music Dads dive headlong into the world of children’s literature, pop culture and its intersection with country music. We discuss the viral video of Ludacris’ incredible rapping of the book Llama Llama Red Pajama, discuss our favorite kids' books, which ones would make incredible country music songs and who should cut them.

Show Notes: 

2:22: The Kids Books We Love and Love to Hate: Dave and Donnie discuss the nighttime classics and some modern-day page turners for kids (and those reading them to kids). And what would a podcast episode be without some conflict -- so we jumped on a few we wish would just fall behind the bookshelf.

21:27: Books That Sound Like Country Songs: Before diving into who should sing our kids' book songs, the Country Music Dads explore the fairly significant crossover between country music songwriting and children's book writing -- and some of those people who did both. Namely, Shel Silverstein.

38:34: Who Should Sing These Kids' Book Country Songs? From Colter Wall to Miranda Lambert, the Country Music Dads consider the best artists to bring these books to life.

46:57: Dad Life Sound Check: This recurring segment is an opportunity for Dave and Donnie to discuss a song that is hitting home in recent days. For Dave, "Buy Me a Boat" by Chris Janson had been resonating in his house, while Lasers Lasers Birmingham’s "Shorter Letter" was touching a chord for Donnie.

52:22: Change My Mind: Donnie challenges Dave to think differently about the glories of shopping at Costco -- from the sea of beautiful TVs, to rows of top-shelf bulk-size booze to Costco staples, like rotisserie chicken, availability of eggs and the $1.50 hot dog and soda. 

Mentioned in the Show:

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website:

New Year, Same Ole Me… But Different: How We’re Growing in 202519 Mar 202500:57:12

Country Music Dads is BACK for Season 2! And we are kicking things off by talking about the change (or lack thereof) that often accompanies the start of a new year. “New Year, new me” we say in January before seeing the “same ol’ me” staring back at us in the mirror in March. But is that such a bad thing? George Jones and Dierks Bentley provide support via two songs separated by 40 years but with the same name (different spelling), “Same Ole Me.” The Dads wrestle with self-improvement vs. self-acceptance, change vs. growth, and bro country vs. traditional country.  

We also discuss changes to the podcast itself. What is different for Season 2, what is staying the same, and what, Dear Listener, do you have to look forward to when you follow the Country Music Dads? True to form, it’ll be the same ole show, but a little bit different.

Show Notes:

  • 02:12: Dave shares a preview of Season 2 of the podcast: what has changed, what is staying the same, and how feedback from our early-adopting listeners has influenced our plans.
  • 06:26: Meet Country Music Dads’ new co-host: Donnie C. Cutler!
  • 08:22: Dave and Donnie discuss George Jones’ “Same Ole Me,” Dierks Bentley’s “Same ‘Ol Me,” how they think about goal-setting, personal change, and growth, and how their pursuit of improvement could influence their kids.
  • 35:02: The Dad Life Sound Check: Donnie shares how the competing pressures of life on the road and family life in Jeremy Pinnell’s “Night Time Eagle” resonate with his own attempts to balance self-care pursuits and being there for the bedtime routine. Dave admits that “Halo” is his favorite Beyonce song and that Joshua Ray Walker’s highly countrified rendition of it takes him back to a simpler time before kids when weddings were ragers.
  • 45:41: In our new, recurring segment called “Change My Mind,” Donnie posits that Bro Country is BAD for the country music genre. Self-proclaimed “recovering bro country aficionado” Dave attempts to convince him otherwise.

Mentioned in the Show:


Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can...

Best Country Christmas Songs for Fireside Eggnog Season12 Dec 202400:47:14

With the Holiday season upon us, here are our favorite Christmas songs. We have songs by classic country artists, new renditions of the classics, original compositions, and some that just make us laugh and smile at the joy of the Christmas season. Grab a glass of eggnog, sit back and enjoy the sounds of a Country Christmas.

Mentioned in the Show:


Show Notes:

  • 5:57 Dad Life Soundcheck - Dave talks about "The World is On Fire" by American Aquarium and Mick explains why Morgan Wallen is the Entertainer of the Year.
  • 12:09 HARDY Report - HARDY and Mick finally have something in common as the former prepares for life as a #girldad!
  • 13:08 Farm Boy Update - Preparing the urban homestead for winter by chopping up leaves and cutting firewood.
  • 15:35 The Dads share their favorite Christmas songs. While there are many tried and true classics, some may surprise you.

Thank you for listening. You can find back episodes and all of our playlists via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠⁠. Make sure you are following us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠. Feedback and comments can be sent to ⁠The Dads⁠ and most importantly have a very Merry Christmas!  References:


The Country Music Bourbon Showdown: Chris Stapleton vs. Ryan Bingham21 Nov 202401:03:53

This was our first live podcast recording with some of our listeners as guests. In a ballroom at HomeDadCon in St. Louis, the Dads gathered with four fellow at-home dads for the ultimate country music bourbon showdown between Chris Stapleton (Traveller Whiskey) and Ryan Bingham (Bingham's Bourbon). We taste-tested their bourbon brands, sampled their music, and engaged in a lively, bourbon-soaked debate that we're sharing with you here. Take a listen and let us know who YOU think does country music and bourbon better.

Mentioned in this episode:


Show Notes:

  • 5:30:  Dad Life Sound Check - The Dads talk about "War Inside of Me" by Benjamin Tod and Lost Dog Street Band and "Disaster" by the The Red Clay Strays.
  • 13:40: Farm Boy Update- Yellowstone the chicken went to live with another family because her coop mates are a--holes.
  • 16:15: HARDY Update- Congrats to HARDY and his wife, Caleigh, who are expecting their first child! TBD whether "ONE BEER" played a role….
  • 18:00: The Country Music Bourbon Showdown.

Please share your feedback on the Socials or via email at countrymusicdads@gmail.com. All of our content is available at the Country Music Dads Website, countrymusicdads.com.

References:

  • Intro Music:⁠⁠“Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
  • HARDY Report Theme Music: “Frantic” by Lemon Music Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


Best Country Songs From Yellowstone: A Playlist Inspired by the TV Series30 Oct 202400:46:19

The second half of the fifth season of the "Yellowstone" TV series is slated to come out on November 10th. In preparation, the Dads compiled a list of the best country songs featured on the show over the years. Take a listen as you prepare for Yellowstone's return and let us know which of your favorites we missed!

Mentioned in the Episode:   


Show Notes:

  • 07:31: Farmboy Update - Harvest season is upon us, so please thank a farmer.
  • 10:28: Dad Life Soundcheck - The Dads talk about "I Never Lie" by Zach Top and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" by Barbara Mandrell.
  • 15:34: HARDY Report  - Dave discusses HARDY singing the unreleased song "Dog Ears" at Mutt Nation with Miranda Lambert.
  • 19:23: The second half of the fifth season of the "Yellowstone" series is slated to come out on November 10th. The Dads cannot overlook how important music is to the show's success. Therefore we compiled a list of the best country songs featured on the show over the years to prepare you for the upcoming season.

Thank you for listening. You can find back episodes and our playlists on ⁠Spotify⁠ and via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ @countrymusicdads. Correspondence can be sent to ⁠countrymusicdads@gmail.com.⁠ Most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.

References:

"The Art of Fatherhood" With a Twang: Art Eddy Interview16 Oct 202400:49:52

We are so grateful to interview Art Eddy for our show! Art is the host of one of the premiere podcasts for Dads, "The Art of Fatherhood". Art has interviewed over 500 Dads over the years about their fatherhood journeys, and we are so honored to get him on the other side of the microphone this week.

Mentioned in the Show:


Show Notes:

  • 8:16: Farm Boy Update - Mick got some rain and Yellowstone the chicken has completely recovered from her brush with death.

  • 9:10: HARDY Report - Dave explains how a sippy cup made "BOOTS" one of his favorite songs.
  • 13:00: In the interview with Art Eddy we learn why he does what he does for the "Brotherhood of Fatherhood" and how ⁠Walker Hayes⁠ became one of his favorite guests. Art also shares what he has learned from his guests over the years and the most profound piece of parenting advice he has ever heard.
  • 24:20: Dad Life Sound Check - Art joined us on this segment and talks about "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" and how Taylor Swift's "Never Grow Up" lives rent free in his head. Mick shares how "I Am Not Okay" by Jelly Roll is actually a parenting song. Dave shares his connection to "Ghost In This House" By Alison Krauss.

Thank you for listening. You can find back episodes and our playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠. Please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook @countrymusicdads. Correspondence can be sent to countrymusicdads@gmail.com. Most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.


References:

Don't Call Me "Mr. Mom," Lonestar02 Oct 202400:42:16

The Dads discuss the complicated and sometimes controversial phrase, "Mr. Mom," which also happens to be the name of Lonestar's early-2000's hit song. In the stay-at-home dad world, this phrase is bound to get certain people as riled up as ⁠George Jones getting pulled over⁠. We talk about why that is, and what we as active, engaged fathers can do about it. The Country Music Dads share their own experiences hearing that moniker, and only get slightly riled up. This episode was so important, Mick showered for it. And you can totally tell, even over audio.

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 4:21 - Dad Life Sound Check: The Dad's Talk about the Songs "One More Last Chance" by Vince Gill and "Are You Sure Hank Done It That Way" by Waylon Jennings and how they relate to their kids and their parenting styles. 
  • 9:05 - HARDY Report: HARDY did an acoustic version of "Father's Son" with Stephen Wilson Jr. and I think it is the first song to be on our playlist twice.
  • 12:10 - Farm Boy Update: Mick laments the fact that it is way too dry in Kansas City.  
  • 13:00: The Dads talk about Lonestar's hit song "Mr. Mom." In the stay-at-home dad world this phrase is bound to get certain people as riled up as George Jones getting pulled over. We talk about why that can be for some dads. The Country Music Dads share their own experiences on the subject. 

You can find back episodes and our playlist on ⁠Spotify⁠ and via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ @countrymusicdads. Correspondence can be sent to ⁠countrymusicdads@gmail.com⁠ Most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends. References:

  • Intro Music:
Small Towns, Hard Work, and Giant Hay Bales With Officer Isaiah Lemasters19 Sep 202400:48:19

Small town living, hard work, and hay are common themes in country music. We learn how all of these things came together to give the ⁠Country Music Dads⁠ their biggest social media post to date. Our guest is the star of that social media post: Officer Isaiah Lemasters from the Missouri Highway Patrol. Perhaps better known (on the internet) as the hay bale-lifting cop, Officer Lemasters joins us to talk about his viral video, small town life, and a little country music.

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 5:08 - Dad Life Sound Check: The Dad's talk about the songs "I Had Some Help" by Post Malone and "Troubadour"" by George Strait

  • 10:48 -  HARDY Report: Dave got tickets through one of our favorite friends of the show Country Cutler to see ERNEST and he is hoping that HARDY shows up for a collaboration.
  • 14:15 - Farm Boy Update: One of Mick's chickens had a near death experience.  
  • 16:39 - The Dads' guest on this episode is Officer Isaiah Lemasters from the Missouri Highway Patrol. Small town living, hard work and hay are common themes in country music. We learn how all of these things came together to give the Country Music Dads their biggest social media post to date. 

You can find back episodes and our playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠. Please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook @countrymusicdads. Correspondence can be sent to countrymusicdads@gmail.com Most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.


References:


5 Montgomery Gentry Songs You Can Roll Through Life With04 Sep 202400:47:12

This week, the Dads take a deep dive into one of Mick's all-time favorite artists: Montgomery Gentry. The 5 songs we analyze build a life narrative that any dad can relate to, whether you're a Montgomery Gentry superfan (Mick) or a Montgomery Gentry newb (Dave). Take a listen and "roll with me" as we unpack some of the biggest hits from this early aughts country music super-duo.

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 11:00 - Dad Life Sound Check: The Dad's Talk about the Songs "Much Too Young (to Feel This Damn Old)" by ⁠Garth Brooks⁠ and "Yes Ma'am, He Found Me In A Honky Tonk"" by ⁠Summer Dean.
  • ⁠15:35 -  HARDY Report: Dave talks about his favorite HARDY song of all time and how it has become his white whale because he has never seen it performed live.  
  • 20:06 - Farm Boy Update: Mick lost his lawnmower
  • 21:40: The Dads take a deep dive into one of Mick's all time favorite country music artists: ⁠Montgomery Gentry.⁠ Mick explains how many of their biggest hits form a life narrative. Dave shares how he wasn't the most familiar with the group but realized that he can relate to much of their music.  

You can find back episodes and our playlist on ⁠Spotify⁠  and via our ⁠⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠ @countrymusicdads. Correspondence can be sent to ⁠countrymusicdads@gmail.com⁠. Most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.

References:

The 8-Hour All-Female Country Playlist With Macey Isaacs14 Aug 202400:55:20

We are joined by Macey Isaacs on this episode. Macey is a standup comedian in Los Angeles, Co-Host of the SSRI'M OK Podcast and the curator of an 8-hour all-female country playlist on Spotify. 

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

We are joined by Macey Isaacs on this episode. Macey is a standup comedian in Los Angeles, Co-Host of the SSRI'M Ok Podcast and the curator of an 8 hour all female country playlist on Spotify. 

  • 24:10 - HARDY Report: Dave talks about "Six Feet Under" (Caleigh's Song) on this episode
  • 26:47 - Farm boy Update: Mick share's a story about what Macey deemed to be a suicidal snapping turtle  
  • 30:39 - Dad Life Sound Check: Macey joins the Dads and they discuss songs by Jo Dee Messina, Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, and Pam Tillis. 

You can find the Country Music Dads playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠. You can find all of our back episodes on our website countrymusicdads.com. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook @countrymusicdads. And most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.

References:

Sean Burns Does It All23 Jul 202500:53:44

This week, the Dads sit down with Manitoba's own Sean Burns. He’s a sideman, a frontman and a radio man -- and he’s your new best friend. Sean has been playing bass and touring with one of Canada’s best underground country stars, Corb Lund, for years. He makes time for his own solo career as a songwriter and purveyor of classic country sounds as the frontman of Sean Burns and The Lost Country.  And he’s also the evangelical lover of traditional real country music and as the host of the Boots & Saddle Show, your humble home of honky-tonk and beautiful country music by beautiful country music singers, he shares his takes on what make great country music every Tuesday on CKUW 95.9 FM in Winnipeg, and then on podcast services around the globe. 

Throughout the show, they discuss the balancing act of being a touring musician with a deep passion for the music and being an engaged father to a young daughter. For Sean, it’s all about how the two worlds influence one another and finding the right balance as he navigates his life with his wife and kiddo. 

Show Notes:

2:01 -- Sean Burn’s country music origin story. 

6:14 -- Dave asks Sean a very easy question: What is the best country music album of all time? He has his opinions, and then he gets into how to define country music -- what is and what isn’t country. It’s not as divisive as you might think. 

9:24 -- The planning process for the Boots and Saddle Show. 

13:30 -- The Canadian Music Rules and how Sean breaks the laws -- because he’s an outlaw! But he has great reasons for it. And then Sean goes deep into the history and Canadian infrastructure of country music through the 20th Century. 

21:07 -- Balancing the road and the home life: Sean loves being a road warrior and “dadding up,” but it’s a hard balance. 

25:33 -- How all the different creative pursuits provide different fulfillment to Sean that makes him a better and more complete person, which in the end makes him a better dad too. 

30:00 -- Sean is a true critic and delivers truth without being a jackass. It’s not an easy process but the key is to be honest and keep it about the music, not the people. In the end, it is about what he wants. He also has some strong words about 90s country and the people making it.

36:01 -- The clear divide between the road and the home comes down to the responsibilities we all have. But the road and the music influence the home life, which exposes the little one to a bit of the road. And that brings the kiddo into the music life -- and gets to meet some weirdos. Driven and independent folks, but weirdos all the same!

41:24 -- The Dad Life Sound Check -- Sean and the Dads share their songs of the moment. 

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

Mentioned in the Show: 
"As Good As I Once Was:" Toby Keith's Anthem for Middle-Aged Dads31 Jul 202400:39:16

The Dads talk about Toby Keith's longest running #1 song, "As Good As I Once Was." Ultimately they need to decide if the lyrics in the song title are true OR ask themselves if they were ever any good in the first place?

Mentioned in this Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 7:05 - Dad Life Sound Check; The Dad's talk about the songs "Chess" by Dani Rose and "Cuckoo" by Stephen Wilson Jr. 
  • 12:00 -  HARDY Report: The Quit Album comes out soon and Dave is full of nervous excitement 
  • 14:42 - Farm Boy Update: Mick discovered that they have a follower in Australia and are kinda excited that they have gone international
  • 17:05 The Dads talk about Toby Keith's longest running #1 song, "As Good As I Once Was." Ultimately they need to decide if the lyrics in the song title are true OR ask themselves if they were ever any good in the first place?

You can find the playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠. You can find all of our back episodes on our website countrymusicdads.com. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook @countrymusicdads. And most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.


References:


The "Home Dad Chat" Podcast Goes Country17 Jul 202400:58:12

The Dads are joined by the hosts of the Home Dad Chat
podcast, Brock Lusch and Danny Mercer. Home Dad Chat is the official podcast of the National At Home Dad Network .

Mentioned in this Episode:


 

Show Notes:

  • 7:05 - HARDY Report: We were not going to do a HARDY Report this episode but Brock became a HARDY fan because of this segment and it had to be done.
  • 14:35 - Dad Life Sound Check: The Dads turned this segment over to their guests. Brock and Danny shared songs from Conway Twitty, Tracy Lawrence, Rodney Atkins, Billy Currington and Toby Keith  
  • 32:02 - Main Segment: The Dads learn about all of the ways that the National At Home Dad Network   provides resources for all dads to build community, find mentors and learn from their peers. The best way to see everything they have to offer is to visit and join their Facebook group National At Home Dad Network Facebook Group. 

You can find the Country Music Dads Playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠⁠webpage⁠⁠⁠. You can find all of our back episodes on our website⁠⁠⁠⁠ countrymusicdads.com. Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram and ⁠⁠Facebook @countrymusicdads. And most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.


Sources:

"A Boy Named Sue:" Parenting Genius or Deadbeat Dad?03 Jul 202400:45:19

The Dads break down the Johnny Cash Classic "A Boy Named Sue." They talk about the song's uniqueness, its backstory and its cultural significance. 

Mentioned in this Episode:


Show Notes:

8:48 - Dad Life Sound Check Mick shares how water represents so many of the things we like about summer. with the help of Brad Paisley. Dave is burning the candle at both ends and just needs some quality sleep, with the help of Koe Wetzel.

14:40 - HARDY Report Dave talks about HARDY's latest single "Psycho".

17:33 - Farm Boy Update Mick has lightened his load around the urban homestead by teaching his son to use the chainsaw.

19:45 - The Dads get into whether or not "A Boy Named Sue" is a parenting triumph or failure. Along the way they discuss some parenting techniques and habits that may have run their course and no longer work in today's world. You will also learn some of the backstory of how this poem written by Shel Silverstein became a song in the first place. Be sure to watch the clip of Johnny and Shel singing it together. 

You can find the playlist on Spotify and via our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠. You can find all of our back episodes on our webpage ⁠⁠www.countrymusicdads.com⁠⁠. Follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ @countrymusicdads. And most importantly, please give us a 5-star review and share the show with all of your friends.

Sources:

Country Cutler Talks Parenting, Country Music in LA and Strawberry Pie For Breakfast19 Jun 202400:59:22

We are super excited to have our first guest. Joining us is Donnie C. Cutler: better known as Country Cutler on Instagram and Substack. Donnie shares his insights on the LA Country Music scene, having a dad in charge of the household and whether or not strawberry pie is acceptable for breakfast.    

Mentioned in this episode:


Show Notes:

  • 11:20 Dad Life Sound Check: Donnie talks about being there when your kids need you. Mick shares how grandpa's farm provides such a strong foundation for the younger generations. Dave wonders which bottle is being taken away, the whiskey or the baby's?
  • 21:22 Farm Boy Update: The strawberry and cherry season was brief this year... but, there was pie.
  • 23:23 HARDY Report: Dave tells the story of having his gallbladder removed a couple years ago after a HARDY show but blames the spicy ramen his brother-in-law gave him at 1am.
  • 30:20: The Dads and Country Cutler talk about how country music tells a story, the Southern California influence on country music, how Donnie's dad was featured in a newspaper story on "Mr. Moms" and how to introduce your kids to the music you like. They wrap things up with a lightning round and Donnie gets the first question wrong in Mick's opinion.

Sources:

The Perfect Country Playlist for Father's Day05 Jun 202400:51:11

Father's Day is almost upon us and the Dads figured every father needs some tunes to listen to while he is practicing his well-deserved self-care. So whether you are watching the grill or watching your kids mow the lawn we've got the Playlist to help you celebrate yourself. 

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:                               

  • 09:52 Dad Life Sound Check - Dave is trying to wrap his head around being master of ceremonies for the summer instead of shipping the kids off to camp. Mick starts wondering about the bucket list differences between younger and older adults.        

  • 17:46 HARDY Report - Hardy appears on the Jimmy Kimmel Show and gives a free show that Dave attends afterwards 

  • 21:54 Farm Boy Update - Mick had a critter eat his new green beans and he is not happy about it.

  • 23:21 The Dads share the eleven best songs to listen to on Father's Day. The list they put together is pretty wide ranging as it spans 35 years of different country music styles celebrating all things Dad and Father's. Believe it or not they only had one song show up on both of their lists. Can you guess which one it was?  

Sources:

How To Impress Shania According to Two Dads Who Drive Minivans23 May 202400:42:52

The Dads break down one of Shania's biggest hits and answer the question guys have wrestled with for the past 25 years: if brains, looks, and a car don't impress Shania, what does?

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 12:18 Dad Life Sound Check - After dealing with a potential bullying situation with one of the boys Dave felt like he needed a drink. Mick realized that he wouldn't be able to celebrate mothers if God hadn't given him a girl.        

  • 14:54 HARDY Report - HARDY gives the commencement speech at his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University.
  • 18:38 Farm Boy Update - Mick laments the fact that since the chickens started free-ranging they are messing up all his newly spread mulch.
  • 20:20 Shania shares the three things that don't impress her. And The Dads share their takes on what does.

Sources:



ACM Awards 2024: Picks and Predictions From The Dads08 May 202400:42:17

The Dads change things up this week and preview the 2024 ACM Awards with our picks and predictions. We cover lots of ground from Jelly Roll to Megan Moroney, weigh in on the Stagecoach livestream, and share some of our hot takes and/or rants on some of the biggest names in mainstream country music.

Mentioned in This Episode: 


Show Notes:

  • 7:06 Dad Life Sound Check - Mick and his daughter enjoyed watching Stagecoach's live stream together and enjoyed Chris Barnes and Bailey Zimmerman. Dave talks about "Father's Son" by Stephen Wilson Jr. and the crush his boys have on Megan Moroney.
  • 13:43 The Farm Boy Update - Mick planted his garden and is updating his landscaping in preparation for the high school graduation party.
  • 15:50 The HARDY Report - HARDY was all over the place at the recent Stagecoach music festival and Dave shares the highlights or to Dave's disappointment the lowlights. 
  • 20:08 - The Dads give their takes on the upcoming ACM Awards by breaking down the nominees for Best Female Artist, Song of the Year, Best Male Artist, and Single of the Year. Dave and Mick provide some commentary on who they think will and SHOULD win.   

Sources:


"Somewhere in the Middle" is Just Fine: Education, Achievement, and Cody Jinks24 Apr 202400:45:53

There is a lot of discussion around education in society today. Does education always come from books? Can you find learning opportunities in unconventional places? Is an academic education better than hands-on learning?  With the help of Cody Jinks and "Somewhere in the Middle," we break it down and share some of the life lessons we've learned working on the factory floor.

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • The Dad Life Sound Check starts off the show with Dave talking about how he needs a vacation from the vacation. Then the kids transfer the virus to him and he is out of commission for a few days. Alabama and a date attending the Tyler Childers concert help pull him through the fact that he has to wear Astros gear to support his son's little league team. Megan Moroney reminds Mick that it is OK for our kids to do things differently than we would.
  • 14:35 HARDY Report - "Truck Bed" goes to #1 and Mick thinks HARDY and Beyonce should do a collaboration.
  • 19:17 Farm Boy Update - Mick's garden makes him happy but repotting 60 tomato and pepper plants takes awhile.
  • 21:00 The Dads break down why "Somewhere in the Middle" is such a great song to illustrate that you can learn something from everyone and that doctors are not necessarily superior to world champion roller skaters. Is achievement culture really helping us raise our kids? The Dads share what their first jobs were and why everyone needs work in a restaurant or customer service at some point in their life.

Sources:

"It Won't Be Like This For Long:" The Best Parenting Advice We Don't Want to Hear Courtesy of Darius Rucker10 Apr 202400:33:25

Time flies when you're having fun. Time moves excruciatingly slowly when you are sleep deprived and can't seem to get the baby down for a nap. What do these things have in common? They don't last forever. We are going to talk about just how fast things move when it comes to raising kids and why we hate the phrase "I miss those days." "It Won't Be Like This For Long" by Darius Rucker is the perfect song to describe this moment in time.

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 4:04 Dad Life Sound Check - The Series "Yellowstone" provides both parenting advice and music from Ryan Bingham. Flatland Cavalry makes Dave feel older than he is.  
  • 13:10 Farm Boy Update - Mick has a mole problem on the urban farmstead. 
  • 15:15 HARDY Report - "Quit!!" has Dave wanting to see HARDY perform live once again. 
  • 18:39 The Dads break down why "It Won't Be Like This For Long" is such a perfect summary of the fact that life changes faster than you think when it comes to raising kids. They also touch on the fact that when you are in the middle of it you aren't always the most receptive to hearing about how people miss it. Dave needs to go and research the word Kairos as well. 

Sources:


Best Country Songs for Your Parenting Day From Hell27 Mar 202400:39:38

In this episode the Dads get into every parent's nightmare: the Parenting Day From Hell. We came up with some songs to help you through these trying and exhausting times. These songs approach the Parenting Day From Hell in a variety of ways. Some describe how we are feeling at that moment. Others give us something to look forward to when the day is "over." We even have a couple of songs in this list that channel our inner HARDY and salute the day with his favorite offensive gesture. 

Mentioned in this Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 1:16 Dad Life Sound Check: Dave talks about the bonds that brothers form and how they sometimes confuse George Strait with Jose Feliciano. Mick talks about college visits and the song "Starting Over" by Chris Stapleton. 

  • 12:12 HARDY Report: We learn about the history of the Middle Finger thanks to HARDY, Post Malone and Professor Benjamin Bergen.

  • 15:38 Farm Boy Update: Mick is working in the garden and planting spinach.

  • 17:25: The Dads explain their thoughts and soundtracks for the Parenting Day From Hell.

Sources:


Family Vacation is a Lie09 Jul 202501:03:18

... or how I traveled with kids on summer break, and all I got was this grape snow cone. This week, the Dads talk about the season of family vacations. While these trips are a tremendous amount of work, all the research and our lasting memories suggest that, although these journeys aren’t exactly vacations, the family trip is incredibly valuable to the family unit. 

This episode explores some of the research — both academic and anecdotal — that supports our theory that these trips are great for families (if only in the long term), as well as some of the great country songs that can help us through the grind of the summer family vacation or family trip.

Show Notes

01:08: How do we define the family trip vs. a vacation? Well, Google and the all-powerful AI summary help us out by delivering a clear and concise explanation. 

02:08: Benefits of a Family Trip: While it’s exhausting, research seems to back the idea of taking a family trip. It keeps our family talking, helps our kids learn and enhances the bond between partners, no matter what was said when the directions were not followed exactly. 

03:58: The Brutality of Traveling With Children: As a Stay-at-Home-Dad and “Default Parent,” Dave feels that family trips are often like business trips. So it’s just parenting on the road as you deal with the “brutality of traveling with children.”

06:28: Content Warning: The first mention of vomit. 

08:33: Content Warning: The second mention of vomit.

9:39: Content Warning: The third mention of vomit.

11:35: Family Team-Building on the Family Trip: The idea of working together as a family during these trips helps the family grow together -- working as a team makes you a better family.  

12:46: Dave’s Notorious Family Trip to Sequoia National Park and the Fisher Price Toy Lantern.

14:50: What is the best place to stay during a family trip? The rental house vs the hotel seems to be the debate. While the space and privacy seem to win out, the breakfast buffet is a huge plus.

20:40: Do Family Trips Need to Be Educational? Research suggests that educational trips make kids smarter, but do trips need to be explicitly educational for kids to extract value from the trip? The Dads touch on how just changing it up a bit, doing things you want to do and working through the difficulties on the road provides the real educational value — and how Dad Stories (read: lies about things on the side of the road) are critical. 

27:32: Content Warning: The fourth mention of vomit. 

29:50: Conquering the Family Trip: The Dads discuss packing, planning spreadsheets, and other key tactics. 

32:19: Content Warning: The fifth mention of vomit, and this one is intense. 

33:14: Giving our Kids a 90s Summer: Is this possible? Should it be? 

40:27: The Songs of the Summer: The Dads debate the greatest country music for the summer. As well as a few songs for cleaning up vomit. 

51:17: Change My Mind: Donnie attempts to change Dave’s mind about using profanity in front of the kids. It’s a great f**ing conversation. 

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website:

"Things a Man Oughta Know" According to Two Dads and Lainey Wilson13 Mar 202400:34:59

In this episode the Dads talk about the breakthrough hit for the current queen of country music, Lainey Wilson: "Things a Man Oughta Know". This song is a lot deeper than it first appears and affects you in more ways than you realize. The Dads break down how the song hits them and how their perceptions of this tune have evolved over time.  

Mentioned in This Episode:


Show Notes:

  • 1:18 Dad Life Sound Check: Dave Talks about the Importance of a DNO (Dad's Night Out) with the LA Dads Group, Naja's Place, Toby Keith and Kip Moore. Mick talks about being home with a sick kiddo, Johnny Cash's American Recordings and how "God's Gonna Cut You Down" has affected Major League Baseball. 

  • 15:27 The Hardy Report: What makes a small town? HARDY gives us some perspective via "Rednecker."  

  • 19:01 The Farm Boy Update: The chickens don't like the 55 degree Midwest weather fluctuations.

  • 20:15: The Dads get into and break down the song that put Lainey Wilson on the path to becoming the hottest commodity in country music, "Things a Man Oughta Know."
  • 29:40: Grady Smith and his feature of "How Lainey Wilson Took Over Country Music" on YouTube. 

 Sources:







The Who, What, and Why of Country Music Dads28 Feb 202400:28:41

In our very first episode, Mick and Dave dive deeper into the mission of the podcast. Who are the Country Music Dads? What will we talk about? And why does the world need a country music podcast about parenting? We cover our distinct backgrounds, the six kids we have between us, and the key influences that have shaped our tastes in country music. We also give listeners an idea of the topics and structure they can expect from our first season. Thank you for tuning in! We are stoked to start sharing the music and the parenting stories that are helping us raise our kids country.


Mentioned in this episode:




Show Notes

  • Mick and Dave share how they met and their previous creative endeavors in the parenting and country music space [01:35].
  • Who are Mick and Dave and what are their perspectives? [04:32]
  • What can listeners expect from the show? [07:27]
  • The musical tastes and preferences that influence the Country Music Dads [18:18].


Sources









Please subscribe to the show, rate it, and leave a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, OverCast, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! And follow us on Instagram @CountryMusicDads and Facebook...

The Doohickeys on Comedy, Dad Jokes and Country Music25 Jun 202500:46:03

Our guests this episode are The Doohickeys, a comedic country music duo who are on the rise in the Americana and country music worlds. Haley and Jack join The Dads to talk about their journey from house parties and open mic nights in LA to playing the Ryman Auditorium and releasing their debut album, All Hat No Cattle. We talk about their creative process, the current state of independent country music, and about how Jack was once starstruck by Jon Pardi.

We also talk about Dad Jokes: the definition, their proper use, and their pun-filled overlap with country music. This pair is hilarious and we hope you enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at their unique brand of comedy and music.

Show Notes

03:31: Creative Process for a Comedic Country Duo: Haley and Jack like to start with a clever premise. And even if they don't think Too Ugly to Hitchhike is the smartest song they've written, plenty of fans thinks so.

05:29: The Doohickeys Origin Story: The Doohickeys were born at an LA Halloween party and raised on a shared love of "good" country music and an original plan to make sketch comedy YouTube videos.

10:13: More Background on Creating Comedy Songs and Their Comedy Influences: Haley and Jack share the story behind Rein it in Cowboy. And they cover their main influences like Minnie Pearl, the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, and their very funny parents and grandparents.

14:54: The Doohickeys Play The Ryman: The duo share their thoughts on playing The Mother Church of Country Music and pooping in the same toilet as Hank Williams.

16:58: Making a Point vs Making It Funny: Jack shares some wisdom from Phil Rosenthal (showrunner for Everybody Loves Raymond) about the power of clarity in comedy to get laughs and to get your point across. They also comment on the balance that serious artists walk when trying to be funny, and that funny artists walk when trying to be serious.

21:33: The Doohickeys Get Serious: Jack and Haley give their commentary on the state of popular country music and the entertainment industry at-large, the uphill battle independent artists face, and their love/hate relationship with Spotify.

27:54: Please Tell Me You're Sleepin' is Not Safe for the Family: Dave shares how he accidentally played one of The Doohickeys' more risque songs on a family road trip, and Haley shares how they were banned from a radio station for that same song.

30:38: The Definition of a Dad Joke: The Doohickeys weigh in on Dave and Donnie's favorite comedy genre. Jack uses the poor pun in Tequila Little Time to share his true feelings about Jon Pardi.

38:20: The Dad Joke Laugh Off: The Dads and The Doohickeys go head to head with their best dad jokes in an effort to get a laugh (or at least a cringe).

Mentioned in This Episode
Tony Kamel Fights With a Smile: On Fatherhood, Real Stories and Finding Hope in Hard Times11 Jun 202500:36:19

Tony Kamel, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, clawhammer banjo and guitar player, and father to a four-year-old girl, joins the show to talk about his latest album, We’re All Gonna Live, and to give us a behind-the-scenes look at the stories and real people that inspired many of his songs. Tony shares how his new-ish role as a father and his relationship with his own late father influences his music in an honest, vulnerable and inspiring interview. Listen along as the Dads commiserate with this stalwart of the bluegrass world about shared family calendars, the challenges of being a working parent, and finding hope in the stories of real people in roots and folk music.  

Show Notes

02:05: The Story Behind We’re All Gonna Live: Tony describes the creation of his latest album, how fatherhood affected the creative process, and where the theme of death and loss on the album came from.

07:18: “Fight With a Smile:” Tony tells the story of how his grandmother helped him find strength and hope during difficult times and how her wisdom influenced the album’s theme (and cover art).

10:52: Authenticity and Tradition in Storytelling and Fatherhood: Tony shares that many of the stories in his songs are about real people and real experiences. He comments on the importance of telling authentic stories in roots and folk music and of bringing authenticity to your parenting.

15:28: 90’s Alt-Rock Cover Songs: Tony talks about his viral banjo cover of “Santa Monica” by Everclear and the songwriting quality of many alt-rock songs we remember from our childhoods.

18:49: "We’re All Gonna Live:" Tony tells the true story that inspired the title track of We’re All Gonna Live.

22:24: "A Father and a Daughter:" Tony shares the inspiration behind his song "A Father and a Daughter" and how he considers it to be a gift to his daughter as she grows up.

26:08: The Dad Life Sound Check: Tony shares one of his dad’s favorite songs, George Strait’s "Love Without End, Amen." Dave talks about how Summer Dean’s “Lonely Girl’s Lament” reminds him to consider the single people in the “village” helping to raise his kids. And Donnie can’t help but choose Tony Kamel’s “The Surfer” (and he swears he’s not just sucking up to the songwriter in the room).

Mentioned in This Episode:
References:
Daddy's Got His Blue Jeans On: A Deep Dive Into Country Music's Pants28 May 202500:57:35

Blue jeans are ubiquitous in country music. Yet dads (and kids) often choose the comfort and flexibility of "soft pants" over the rich history and unforgiving fit of denim. In this episode, the dads explore how blue jeans fit in our kids' active lives, on dads' expanding waistlines and in country music tropes. They're joined by author James Sullivan (who literally wrote the book on blue jeans) to dive deep into the history of blue jeans in America, culture and music. If you've ever wondered where our blue jeans obsession comes from, or whether you'll ever fit into your suddenly "tight-fitting jeans" again, this is the episode for you.

To wrap things up, Dave spends the "Change My Mind" segment trying to convince Donnie that even aging dads should embrace the discomfort (read: suffering) of country music festivals in pursuit of growth and, perhaps, the fountain of youth.

Show Notes

3:32: Should Our Kids Wear Jeans? In a Scary Mommy article, a pediatric occupational therapist suggested that kids should not wear jeans. The dads discuss the merits of blue jeans in the lives of active, knee-skinning children.

7:17: Should Dads Wear Jeans? When the size of your pants is a moving target, pants selection gets tricky. The dads weigh the requirements for “dad pants” from ruggedness and cool-factor to flexibility and comfort.

9:44: The History Of Blue Jeans: Donnie kicks off an initial history lesson by reading the Levi’s website with the voice of an old-timey movie narrator.

13:46: Blue Jeans in Western Wear: A western wear aficionado, Donnie, weighs in on denim’s role in “the scene” and encourages Dave to check out the rancher pant (or maybe a nudie suit).

16:37: Do Stretchy Jeans Still Count? The dads discuss the current trend toward stretchy (but less rugged) jeans-like materials and whether that matters in the world of blue jeans.

20:05: Blue Jeans in Country Music: Of the many mentions of blue jeans in country music, the dads hone in on two common tropes: the funny yet often cringey sexual innuendo of “tight fittin’ jeans” and the more family-friendly images of nostalgic Americana and simpler times.

28:02: Author James Sullivan on Blue Jeans and American Culture: James Sullivan joins the podcast to share a more in-depth look at the history of blue jeans, based on his work writing Jeans: A Cultural History of an American Icon.

38:41: How the Hatred of Laundry Led to a Resurgence in Blue Jeans’ Popularity: James Sullivan tells the story of how the Denim Council reversed blue jeans’ “juvenile delinquent” reputation with a clever marketing campaign.

46:25: The Dad Life Sound Check: Donnie discovers a sad country song about laundry: Rebecca Porter’s “The Laundry Pile.” Dave looks forward to finding his “Chattahoochee” this summer, though he’d prefer not to wear jeans in the lake like Alan Jackson does in the music video.

49:06: Change My Mind: Dave changes gears and encourages Donnie to “choose discomfort” in an effort to change his mind about whether aging dads still belong at multi-day country music festivals.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love...

Ted Russell Kamp: A Founding Father of Alt-Country14 May 202500:45:52

Ted Russell Kamp, a Los Angeles-based musician, songwriter, producer and country music dad, joins Dave and Donnie to talk about the evolution of modern country music from his perspective as one of the forefathers of the modern alt-country movement. Ted's balance between touring, producing, songwriting, and building a family is unique and inspiring.

We also explore his time with Shooter Jennings, his recent solo work and drop a boatload of stories from his time on the road and in the studio.

Show Notes

2:23: Ted tells us a bit about his background and entry into the country music space and how he grew up not liking pedal steel. But once discovering The Band and Whiskeytown, things really changed.

5:27: Ted’s move to LA introduced him to many of the great California country legends, like Merle, Buck and Dwight -- and having the opportunity to play with those who played with them -- pushed him further into this space. 

6:01: The Shooter Jennings Relationship starts like most great music relationships -- a Hollywood jam session in a dingy practice space.

10:28: Slappin’ the Bass -- Ted has always loved the bass and that is how he can build trust with bands, musicians and production partners. 

11:32: Six Degrees of Ted Russell Kamp gets us to Diplo and how his bass line got onto “Use Me (Brutal Hearts).” To quote Ted, this is a totally weird and wonderful LA rock star story. 

18:09: The guys talk about Ted’s semi-autobiographical album and the push and pull of the road and family life. Luckily, Ted and his wife worked together to create a balance that worked for them, but it wasn’t easy and it took work to figure it out.

27:20: The Dads talk about the resurgence of roots music and freedom the LA Music Scene allows for exploration and creativity in this space. Ted finds the genre orthodoxy from some in the scene to be an interesting aspect of this renaissance and provides a few examples for those looking to dip their toe in the alt-country Americana space. 

31:30: A quick discussion of the nostalgia loop and how what was on the radio when your parents were driving you around as a kid influences you as an adult. But as the world gets more complex, people long for things like music that they can understand, Ted explains. 

36:12: The Dad Life Sound Check provides a chance for Ted to tell stories about Waylon Jennings being a mensch, Dave shares some great news and Donnie talks about the passage of time while using the word “vibe” too many times. Ted also provides more insight into  his song writing process.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Jason Isbell Canceled Shows for His Daughter: Great Dad or Letting Fans Down?30 Apr 202500:48:25

A few months ago, mega-star and Czar of the Americana Empire Jason Isbell announced on social media that he was sorry to push back a few dates at large venues across the country to attend his daughter’s school play. In this episode, we discuss whether modern families — especially fathers navigating shifting expectations across their various responsibilities — achieve balance or if we should even try to achieve it.

In honor of this topic, we discuss work-life balance, the low bar dads have to live up to as parents and some Donnie and Dave's favorite Isbell songs.

Donnie also tries to convince Dave it’s time to get a cowboy hat. 

Show Notes

02:26: Work-Life Balance: Before discussing Isbell’s decision, the guys talk about the term “work-life balance” and whether it has a place in modern family life. They touch on how this may apply to primary, stay-at-home parents and those who work completely remotely. Dave also sneaks in that he is a rocket scientist. 

08:47: What does balance look like now? Dave and Donnie touch on what kind of balance is prevalent today in a post-pandemic work, school and family environment.

11:58: Initial reactions to the Isbell news: Dave admits he was very uncomfortable about the news from Isbell -- well more about the news about the news of Isbell’s announcement. 

17:36: Responsibilities of a Public Figure and the Low Bar for Dads: The guys touch on the similarities to the Eric Church Final Four show cancellations and how the “family first” argument is sort of a copout which leaves the bar incredibly low for dads. This gives Dave a little bit of the ick.  

31:02: There's No Easy Right or Wrong Answer for Dads: Is Isbell’s situation so much different than the guys that they can’t understand his decision? Or is it that there is no easy, straightforward answer when dealing with these issues? It’s getting Meta on this podcast. 

33:12: The Dad Life Sound Check: In honor of talking all about him for more than a half an hour, the guys talk about their favorite Isbell songs for the Dad Life Sound Check.

40:41: Change My Mind-- Dave Can't Pull Off a Cowboy Hat: Dave asks Donnie to change his mind about why he, too, can wear a cowboy hat. 

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

Mentioned in this Episode:
Luke Combs' "Fathers & Sons" Reviewed: An Emotional Country Gut Punch for Modern Dads16 Apr 202500:47:50

If you're a dad in need of a good cry, consider this your warning: Luke Combs’ album Fathers & Sons hits hard. In this episode, the Country Music Dads give a full, unfiltered review of Fathers & Sons because, honestly, it was inevitable.  The Dads weigh in on the best and worst songs and the overall impact of this album on country music, modern fatherhood and their emotional state of mind. 

Plus: Dave goes full throttle in an impassioned “Minivan Rant” and tries to change Donnie’s mind once and for all.

Show Notes

03:11: First Reactions to the Album as a Whole: After Donnie recovers from "snot-bubble crying" during his passive listen, we discuss the songwriting quality, sincerity of the lyrics in a "songwriting-by-committee" approach and how "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" doesn't seem to fit (even though it is very sad).

14:01: The Dad Life Sound Check: Donnie is a better parent thanks to "Huntin' By Yourself" (even though he doesn't hunt), and Dave finds a pillar of his parenting philosophy in "Whoever You Turn Out to Be."

25:06: The Best Tracks from the Album: The Dads share more of their favorites, including "Front Door Famous" and "The Man He Sees in Me," and how those songs inspire us to live up to the higher expectations that modern dads rightfully (and finally) are measured against.

32:36: The Worst Tracks from the Album: The Dads discuss the songs, like "All I Ever Do is Leave" and "Little Country Boys," that seem more like filler material to get an LP out of this concept album.

36:00: "Fathers and Sons" Album Rating: The Dads wrap up the album review by rating "Fathers and Sons" on a scale of 1-5.

37:50: Change My Mind About Minivans: Dave launches into an impassioned and memorable "Minivan Rant" to change Donnie's mind about the classic and highly versatile “FUV,” the family utility vehicle.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

References
Songbirds' Son: Shooter Jennings on Waylon The Artist, Waylon The Dad and The Legacy of Both05 Nov 202500:38:34

This episode needs no introduction: Shooter Jennings joins Donnie and Dave to discuss his dad’s cache of recordings, the process of bringing together three albums' worth of new Waylon Jennings music, and his feelings about the first installment, Songbird. Shooter talks at length about the discovery of Waylon’s previously unreleased music, his relationship with his legendary dad and his own role as a father of two. This one was big for the Country Music Dads, as there couldn’t be a more perfect topic for this podcast.

Show Notes

1:24 -- Shooter tells us about the discovery of these songs and how the Songbird project came together. 

6:12 -- Dave says it was surreal to hear these songs in 2025. Shooter felt the same way. And then he knew he had to share this with others so they could have the same experience.

8:26 -- The Myth vs. The Man: Shooter explores what fans might be able to take from these projects.

10:42 -- Shooter’s childhood on the road and why he’s tired at shows regardless of how much sleep he gets. 

12:20 -- Waylon the Artist vs. Waylon the Dad. Shooter kept true to the art but modernized it a bit — “letting the music on the tape talk.” That said, the experience of going through this chapter of his dad’s life was very special to Shooter. 

20:07 -- As a producer, the process of this project was a bit different for Shooter because Waylon is no longer with us; he is his father, and there was so much more material than usual. So he wanted to make it last to “make it like Waylon is here for a minute.” 

23:00 -- Donnie asked about how relationships impact Shooter’s production style. He specifically pointed to Turnpike Troubadour’s last two albums and the fan backlash after Cat in the Rain. Shooter’s direct and honest answer provides an interesting view into his producing style.

28:58 -- The Dads ask Shooter how the production on the next albums fit together and how they tell a story. We also learn that there are several other projects to come from this collection of recordings, including songs by his mother, Jessi Colter. It’s like a little Marvel Universe of Waylon Jennings, they joke. But wouldn’t that be cool?

30:40 -- How this project impacts Shooter’s legacy and his kids’ vision of him. 

36:30 -- What’s next for Shooter? He’s working with Charley Crockett and BJ Barham of American Aquarium again.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

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Ryan Posner: The Dad Behind Y'all Star Revue on Country Music's Evolution15 Oct 202500:46:33

This week, Donnie speaks with Ryan Posner, a Los Angeles-based bass player, side man and musical director, about balancing his home and professional life, how to define country music, why it is important to push art forward and how bass players make great dads. 

They dive deep into the value of his current project, the nearly weekly Y’all Star Revue, a showcase at the original Desert 5 Spot in Hollywood. This event highlights the best local and touring country music talent who are on the verge of breaking out. 

Show Notes

1:50 -- Ryan’s origin story: From a 16-year-old rocker to figuring out playing country music right before the pandemic. He tells Donnie that his first concert was Willie Nelson at age five and his second concert was Weird Al opening for the Monkees in the early 1980s -- which really summarized his musical existence. Until he watched Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary.

6:38 -- Bass players make great dads: Ryan has always been attracted, and it seems that the Country Music Dads are attracted to bass players. Perhaps the kind of person who likes to play bass is also the kind of person who wants to be a dad. 

8:58 -- How do you truly balance the parenting? Being honest is a good start.

10:40 -- What is The Y’all Star Revue, and what is the impact of this program on country music?

17:25 -- What is real country music? Ryan ends the debate of what country music is and what it is not. His platform is to share new music with new audiences.

20:19 -- Freedom from Choice: Ryan hopes that his new curated platform can help bring so many different kinds of music together to help develop a new experience outside of the over-saturation of the Los Angeles music scene. He prefers “freedom from choice” rather than “freedom of choice.” 

22:19 -- More Debate on What Makes Real Country Music: But does this kind of platform push country music too far? Ryan says no. There is no line too far. Country music evolves just like every other kind of music, and the only person who can define “real” country music for that person is that person. 

30:55 -- The Dad Life Sound Check: Ryan brings “Funny How Time Slips Away” by Willie Nelson, and Donnie talked about Waylon’s “Songbird.”

38:15 -- THE LIGHTNING ROUND, which gets completely derailed by the last question about the one concert you could attend at any time. 

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

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The Mustache Rides Again: Greatest 'Staches in Country Music (and Beyond)10 Sep 202500:40:45

This week, the Dads talk about a growing trend in country music and on the faces of men everywhere: the mustache. While facial hair is divisive, this episode takes a light-hearted view of the ‘stache, the correlation between masculinity in society and the prevalence of mustachioed individuals and much more. This is just one long “Change My Mind” segment, and you won’t be disappointed. 

Show Notes:

1:45 - The History of the mustache, pogonotrophy and some notable ‘staches from history. There are several horrible dad jokes about facial hair throughout this section. 

6:30 - The place of the mustache in pop culture from the Fu Manchu to the handlebar to Tom Selleck, everyone’s favorite short-short-wearing Private Eye. 

11:52 - The mustache is a symbol of Dad Life. Dave comes from a long line of mustachioed dads. 

13:33 - A mustache is an intentional act of manliness and all that is baked into that statement. In the end, men grow mustaches for their fellow men. 

16:11 - The evolution of the mustache in modern society, the impact of Movember and shifts in culture. 

17:50 - The great (and not so great) mustaches of country music. And for some reason, Dave brought up Chris Gaines in relation to Garth Brooks. 

29:44 - Change My Mind: Here it comes down to this -- will Dave change Donnie’s mind about the 'stache?

35:54 - The Dad Life Sound Check 

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Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new...

Beefing Bros: Making Sense of Gavin Adcock and the Fightin' Side of Country Music18 Dec 202501:00:19

What’re you looking at, son? You wanna go? Well, it seems like Gavin Adcock can’t get enough of the fightin’ side of country music, and the media (The Dads included) can’t get enough of his bologna. This week, we dive into the beefs, why country music seems to foster this kind of violent rhetoric, what dads should do about it and how the media landscape makes it all worse.

While you're listening, please take two minutes to fill out our listener survey! What do YOU want to hear about country music and modern fatherhood in Season 3? Survey will be live until January 31, 2026.

https://countrymusicdads.com/feedback/

Show Notes:

00:58 - Who is Gavin Adcock and why is country music (and its tabloids) so obsessed with him? The Dads get into his origin story, his approach and why he’s the perfect foil. He’s either a marketing genius or an idiot savant.

6:21 - Donnie outlines why he doesn’t like him, but Dave jumps in to say he totally gets his appeal, that vibe and that stupidity. There is something to be said about acting a fool. But it needs to be safe for everyone involved.

10:31 - Beefs, it’s what’s for dinner. The Dads outline the wild number of beefs that Adcock either instigated or accelerated. Up first, we talk about Braxton Keith and Adcock.

13:28 - Next, we cover the swing Adcock took at Beyoncé. His take was loaded and unneeded.

16:53 - Now we get to the good stuff: Zach Bryan vs Adcock. They came into it with the same energy, and this one is wonderfully messy. They both looked like fools because neither chose to de-escalate.

21:10 - On to Charley Crockett and his master class in narrative control. Adcock put himself back into the conversation, ego and all. And boy did he miss. The allegations of “Cosplay Cowboy” against Crockett fall so flat. All stage performers put on an act -- including Adcock.

27:46 - The fight and beef drives streaming revenues, but it’s not going to establish Adcock for the long term.

29:16 - Benjamin Tod, the $75 a night beef and the outlaw version of puka shells.

34:14 - How do these beefs stand up to the history of country music beefs? They are similar, but the social media system exacerbates the situation.

36:10 - What role do violence and male bravado play in country music -- it’s all about the storytelling. From Johnny Cash to Jason Aldean, country uses violence to tell a story and foster the image of power and control. And this music provides an escape. Understanding the line between violence as an escape vs a solution is critical.

45:19 - How do dads help their kids deal with this kind of trash talk or bullying? Be a better person: don’t let yourself be hurt, and find a better way to fix the problems that will always arise. And this isn’t just about dumb beefs or little kids. This is about how society solves its problems.

54:29 - Dad Life Sound Check for meeting the bully in the parking lot.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

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Why Thanksgiving is the Ultimate Country Music Dad Holiday– and Why It Gets No Respect21 Nov 202500:50:52

Thanksgiving doesn't get any respect, but we're looking to change that. The beleaguered middle child of the holiday season, Thanksgiving is often overlooked. Yet so many elements of Thanksgiving (gathering with family, romanticizing our past traditions, and reckless binge-eating, among others) seem to make it the perfect holiday for a dad and for country music. We explore why Thanksgiving doesn't get its due and we take our best shot at creating a Country Music Thanksgiving Playlist.

0:01 - The introduction: Why do we, in the country music and dad community, not elevate Thanksgiving to its rightful place as the American Holiday?  

2:33 - A Bit of History about Thanksgiving and how it became today’s National Holiday. Please note that Donnie had a lot of trouble with the word “popularization.” 

5:30 - What does Thanksgiving mean to the Dads? What must you have to eat in order for it to be “right?” And how does being an adult make a difference? Donnie also talks about when he was in shape and ran really fast during a Turkey Trot (Much like the misremembered history of the holiday, Donnie made up a bit of the story, but he did come in first place in the Clydesdale division one year).

13:16 - Deep-fried turkeys, roasting turkey and handling the bird like a chunky nine-month-old. Also, how do you pronounce “giblets?”

16:30 - How do kids change your traditions? Establishing these rituals is very important, and with a bit of planning, you can do great things. But there is more that gets done, and less pure enjoyment and celebration. 

19:08 - The great joy of being a parent comes from hard work, and what Donnie says to people who are considering having kids. 

21:21 - A Call to Dad Action: We should take Thanksgiving and make it THE American Dad Holiday. 

22:30 - What must be on your Thanksgiving table?

26:20 - Donnie and Dave discuss why we think Thanksgiving doesn’t get the respect it deserves. And like the Father of our Nation, George Washington, the Country Music Dads make a proclamation naming Thanksgiving the Dads’ Holiday. 

29:48 - Why are there no country music Thanksgiving songs? There are a few songs that work, and the Dads try to jam a square peg into a round hole. 

40:51 - Green Bean Casserole is easy: Dads, you can up your game! Donnie outlines the entire process of making it—and it’s super easy. 

42:31 - Alice’s Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie is a bonkers banana pants song, but it’s a song about Thanksgiving. Sorta…

44:00 Change My Mind: Donnie pretends to believe that turkey is overrated. And Dave changed my mind -- in the name of tradition. But everyone can agree that the next day sandwich is what Thanksgiving is really all about.

Thank you for listening. The best way to support us is to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever podcast platform you use. If you want to see new episodes and more content delivered straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our newsletter: countrymusicdads.substack.com. You can find everything we do on our website: countrymusicdads.com. And we’d love to hear what you think, so send us comments, suggestions, friendly banter on Instagram @countrymusicdads, or via email countrymusicdads@gmail.com.

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