The Western Side Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, we sit down with Appalachian singer-songwriter Darrin Hacquard to dig into the world behind his new album Weights & Measures and how he got there in the first place. Darrin opens up about how a simple verse of poetry from a friend sparked one of the most haunting songs he’s ever released, and how the imagery of Hocking Hills, Ohio continues to shape the way he writes about love, loss, and the seasons of a person’s life.

We talk about how he balances real stories with the fictional characters that wander into his songs. Darrin shares stories from the creative process, the emotional weight behind this new chapter of music, and the intention that goes into every word he puts on the page.

It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation with an artist who refuses to chase anything but the truth. If you love songwriting that feels lived in and real, this episode takes you right into Darrin Hacquard’s world.

Gavin Adcock first made national headlines as the Georgia Southern football player who chugged a beer on top of the team bus. But his story doesn’t stop there. In this episode, you'll learn how Gavin opened up about the whirlwind that followed, how the moment unexpectedly launched his country music career and the grind of building his sound and fanbase beyond the viral clip. From the football field to the stage, Gavin reflects on reputation and the lessons he’s learning as one of country’s most talked-about rising artists.

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of The Western Side Podcast! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on Instagram @the_westernside for all your country music needs.

JD Clayton never planned on a life in music. Growing up in Fort Smith, Arkansas, he thought dentistry might be his path until a single song at high school graduation shifted his whole trajectory. In this episode of The Western Side Podcast, JD sits down with us inside the brand-new Marsh Wear flagship store in Charleston (shoutout to our friends at Marsh Wear for hosting!) to talk about his slow-and-steady rise, his soulful new record Blue Sky Sundays and his recent sessions down in Muscle Shoals.
We talk about small-town roots, gospel banjo and what it means to mix country, rock, and soul in a way that feels honest—without chasing trends.
Tap in for a refreshing conversation, and get to know JD Clayton and his music!

Follow us on Instagram @the_westernside and watch the full session on YouTube: youtube.com/@thewesternside

Jack Blocker’s rise from growing up in Dallas to the national stage has been anything but ordinary. In this episode, we sit down with Jack during his time in the studio for the Western Side Sessions to talk about his journey: from a kid that sang in church to a breakout artist capturing hearts with his sound, soul, and sincerity.

He shares stories of growing up in a sports-obsessed household, discovering a love for guitar through YouTube tutorials, and how songwriting became a new form of storytelling after American Idol.

Catch the full conversation — and don’t miss his live performance now up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewesternside

Jesse Daniel didn’t set out to become a country artist – music found him when nothing else could. In this raw, uncut conversation, Jesse opens up about his wild journey from addiction and jail to honky tonks and headline tours. Raised on punk shows and outlaw country, Jesse shares how one moment in rehab and a Hank Williams song changed everything.

We talk about his new album Son of the San Lorenzo, the healing power of music, and life offstage with family, animals, and a hard-won sense of peace. You might not know Jesse Daniel yet, but you won’t forget him after this.

Thank you for listening! Follow the show for fresh, in-depth interviews with the voices shaping country music. Hear your favorite artists like never before – or discover your next one.

Want more? Join our growing community! Watch full documentaries and live sessions on YouTube, and follow us on Instagram @the_westernside.

From a small West Virginia town to the national spotlight of America’s Got Talent, Philip Bowen has lived the kind of story musicians dream about. A lifelong fiddler turned multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, Philip’s viral rise on TikTok and Reddit transformed late-night home recordings into sold-out shows, tours with country legends and songs that carry the heart of Appalachia across America. 

In this episode of The Western Side Podcast, Philip opens up about his roots, the grind of balancing family and music, the power of meeting fans online and why his fiddle still feels like a part of him. This is the story of growth and music that makes people feel something.

Subscribe to our channel on YouTube for deep dives into all things country and American! And follow us on Instagram @the_westernside to keep up to date with all the latest country music news. Thanks so much for listening!

On this episode of The Western Side Podcast, we sit down with Tommy Prine to talk about his newest EP Love Circle, the evolution of his sound and the gift of growing up in the presence of a songwriting legend. From intimate ballads to layered soundscapes, Tommy shares how he’s carving out an identity that is wholly his own while honoring the legacy of his father, John Prine. We also dive into his Nashville roots, influences from Pink Floyd to Outkast, and how becoming a father is shaping his perspective on music and life. 

On this episode of The Western Side Podcast, we sit down with Ramona and The Holy Smokes, a rising honky tonk band rooted in Central Virginia with ties stretching all the way to South Texas. Fronted by singer-songwriter Ramona Martinez, the band blends the grit of classic country with stories that are both timeless and refreshingly original. We dive into Ramona’s upbringing across the country, the band’s formation after she wrote 20 songs in a single year and what it means to carry forward the tradition of honky tonk in 2025.
Join our country music community! Keep up with all the latest news about the artists you love on Instagram @the_westernside and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for deep dives and stories about artists you'll want to know. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Sam's journey as an artist. Growing up in Southeast Missouri, Sam never imagined a future in music. But the soulful sounds of Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton changed everything.

Picking up his grandfather’s dusty old Gibson guitar, he found his voice and began his musical journey. Whether it was the explosion of "Straight and Narrow", his EP Million Eyes or his 2024 album Restless Mind, he's been constantly making waves in the country and Americana scene, and Sam Barber is showing no signs of slowing down.

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube, or follow us on Instagram – @the_westernside – and be part of a growing community of country, folk and American music fans. Thanks so much for listening!

Singer-songwriter Cole Chaney joins The Western Side Podcast to talk about the long road to his highly anticipated second album after Mercy. From the quiet hollers of Boyd County, Kentucky to the sold-out stages of Americana’s biggest festivals, Cole’s journey has been one of grit, patience and purpose.

In this conversation, Cole opens up about writing and recording his new record In The Shadow of the Mountain, how place and people shape his songwriting, the balancing act between staying true to his roots but still reaching a wider audience and why slowing down might be the key to making his best work yet.

Whether you’ve been playing Mercy since day one or just discovering Cole’s music, this episode offers a candid, heartfelt look at an artist in the middle of his next big chapter.

Buy In The Shadow of the Mountain now: colechaneymusic.com

Thanks for listening and getting to know the making of one of country and Americana’s most exciting voices. Join our growing community on YouTube – www.youtube.com/@thewesternside – and follow us on Instagram to discover your new favorite artists: @the_westernside.