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Episodes
147 conversations with artists, songwriters, and storytellers from across the country music world.
147 episodes
Sean Rodriguez
Sean Rodriguez: Bass, Style & Life on the Road with The Wilder Blue
From sandy hot dogs on the Texas coast to a life spent holding down the low end on stages across the country, Sean Rodriguez has taken the long road to The Wilder Blue. Raised between Corpus Christi and College Station, Sean started out on trumpet before an early obsession with bootleg ’60s and ’70s concert footage on the newly launched YouTube drew his ear towards the bass. What followed was an education built through big-band jazz, funk, country and years on the road — touring the South with New Orleans indie-rock band Hazy Ray, playing blues in Houston, moving to Austin, and eventually spending almost eight years on the road with Bri Bagwell before becoming part of The Wilder Blue. In this episode of The Honky Tonk Hair Machine, Sean talks about the craft behind playing bass, singing harmonies and putting on a show at the same time; why The Wilder Blue runs its live set “like clockwork”; and the musical journey that shaped the player he is today. Then there’s the style. Sean digs into his love of colour, ’70s shirts, giant lapels, floral pearl snaps, Wrangler Ranchers and vintage Austin finds, a look influenced less by the modern Western revival than by old photographs of his great-grandfather. Music, clothes, hair and a life on the road with Sean Rodriguez of The Wilder Blue. Find Sean on Instagram: @MrFretless The Wilder Blue: TheWilderBlue.com Chapters 0:00 Intro — Sean Rodriguez of The Wilder Blue 00:24 Growing Up Between Corpus Christi & College Station 01:41 His First Instrument: Trumpet 04:43 Discovering the Bass Through Early YouTube 06:13 High School Bands, Van Halen & Rush 07:43 Becoming a Road Musician — Jazz, Funk, Blues & Country 11:26 Playing Bass, Singing Harmonies & Performing Live 13:43 Developing His Personal Style 16:24 Vintage Finds, Wrangler Ranchers & ’70s Inspiration 20:31 Hair, Moustache Wax & Life on the Road 23:38 Where to Find Sean & The Wilder Blue Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Ander$on
Singer-Songwriter from Detroit | Ander$on
Ander$on is a singer-songwriter from the Detroit area, cutting his teeth on the independent music scene. Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Chasen Wayne
Addiction, Fatherhood & a Life Built Around Music | Chasen Wayne
Chasen Wayne’s route into music has been anything but conventional. Raised around rodeo cowboys and blue-collar workers, Wayne spent years working with his hands while finding whatever time he could to write songs, play guitar and build a life in music. What followed has been a journey through hard work, addiction, sobriety, marriage, fatherhood and an unwavering commitment to his craft. In this deeply candid conversation with Slim Chance Cowboy, Chasen opens up about the experiences behind his music, the reality of making earlier records while heavily drinking and using drugs, his decision to get sober, and the family that now means more to him than any stage or record ever could. We also dig into his evolution as a songwriter, his work as a talent buyer at the Sagebrush, the sacrifices that come with touring as a father, and the story behind Chasen Wayne & The Honky Tonk Machine’s latest record, The Diamond Saloon. This is more than a conversation about country music. It’s an honest look at the life behind the songs... the mistakes, the work, the people worth changing for, and what it means to keep pursuing something after more than a decade of trying to get it right. Chapters 00:00 Introducing Chasen Wayne 00:36 Rodeo Roots & a Blue-Collar Upbringing 03:59 Austin, Plumbing & Learning the Craft 07:39 Injury, Addiction & a Turning Point at the Sagebrush 10:48 From King Cowboy to The Diamond Saloon 12:43 Writing His Life Into the Songs 14:02 Getting Sober & Looking Back at the Early Records 14:57 Strange Places & Moving Beyond Traditional Country 17:57 The Story Behind “Honeymoon” & Corpus Christi 20:36 Addiction, Sobriety & Choosing His Family 21:47 Work Ethic, Fatherhood & the Cost of Touring 25:15 Finding His Own Sound & Why He Keeps Going 28:57 What’s Next for Chasen Wayne Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Lance Roark
Wrong Notes, Pearl Snaps & Life on the Road: Lance Roark
Lance Roark has spent years figuring out what makes a song work - sometimes by writing bad ones, sometimes by rewriting other people’s, and eventually by learning when to stop chasing perfection altogether. In this episode, Lance talks growing up in Oklahoma, learning guitar alongside his dad, finding his voice as a songwriter and why, these days, the feeling matters more than hitting every note right. There’s also life on the road, forgotten lyrics, wrong harmonicas, Pearl Snaps, canned salmon and the realities that sit behind the songs. An honest, funny conversation with an artist who’s learned to trust his instincts - onstage, on the page and everywhere in between. Chapters 00:00 Oklahoma Roots & Learning Guitar with Dad 01:23 Writing Bad Songs & Finding His Own Style 03:35 Letting Go of Perfection on Stage 07:18 Pearl Snaps, Levi’s & the Lance Roark Look 09:17 Road Essentials, Wrong Harmonicas & Canned Salmon 11:16 Europe, New Music & What’s Coming Next Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
B Knox
Twenty Percent of Zero | B.Knox on Staying Independent
B.Knox is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose music sits somewhere between Alt-Country, Americana and the Folk traditions he grew up around. Raised between Newfoundland and Ontario, his songs carry traces of the East Coast homesickness, storytelling and old Celtic influences. In this Podcast, B.Knox talks about putting writing before performance, remaining fiercely independent, and navigating an industry that increasingly asks musicians to be content creators as much as artists. He gets into publishing deals, the economics of giving up a piece of your work, his complicated relationship with social media, and why privacy still has value. Chapters 00:00 Newfoundland, Ontario & Growing Up 02:31 From Playing Covers to Writing His Own Songs 05:18 Writing, Recording & the Reality of Touring 08:35 Publishing Deals & Staying Independent 09:43 Social Media, Privacy & the Content Machine 11:34 Songwriting Influences & Newfoundland Roots 15:12 Finding His Sound & Letting the Songs Lead 18:18 Personal Style, New Music & Going Acoustic Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Sean Burns
Keeping Lost Country Music Alive | Sean Burns
Country music has always had its stars. But just beneath the surface is another history - regional singers, forgotten 45s, small-town dance halls, independent labels, and working musicians whose records never traveled much farther than their own backyard. Sean Burns has spent years digging into that history. In this conversation, Burns joins Slim Chance Cowboy to talk about his new album, "Better Off in Time and Other Songs for the Dance Floor", and the country shuffle, fiddle, steel guitar, and dance-hall traditions that shaped it. He also traces his fascination with lost Canadian country music, from hunting down obscure records and the musicians who made them to shining a light on an era when local country scenes flourished across Canada. Burns has been called a preservationist. He’s happy to accept the title. “Someone’s gotta do it.” This is a conversation about making country music with an attention to detail, preserving the records that history left behind, and keeping the flame burning for the people who were once simply playing country music in the bars. Chapters 00:00 Sean Burns & the New Lost Country Album 01:48 Building a Different Kind of Country Record 04:40 “Better Off in Time” & the Stories Behind the Songs 08:30 Capturing the Sound of Classic Country Records 12:58 Preserving Canada’s Lost Country Music 19:00 The Greatest Catalogs & Musicians in Country History 26:27 Merch, Touring & What’s Next for Sean Burns 32:42 Unfiltered Country Music Opinions & Closing Thoughts Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Danny Raincheck
"Leave the Ego on the Stage" | Danny Raincheck of Whitey Morgan & the 78’s
Danny Raincheck has spent most of his life somewhere between loud music and the open road. Growing up on a dirt road in Flint, Michigan, he found punk and hardcore early—bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi shaping an attitude toward music that never really left. Decades later, that same spirit runs through his work with Whitey Morgan & the 78’s. In this episode, Danny talks to Camden about growing up in Flint, coming up in the punk scene, a lifetime of playing and touring with Whitey Morgan, motorcycles, tattoos, and what more than three decades on the road will teach you about keeping your head straight. He also gives us a look inside the making of Whitey Morgan’s new record at Sonic Ranch and why this one feels different. As Danny puts it: leave the ego on the stage. Chapters 00:00 Growing Up in Flint, Michigan 03:10 Motown, Country & the Music That Shaped Danny 07:48 Coming Up in the ’90s Hardcore Scene 15:21 Life on the Road with Whitey Morgan 17:22 Touring Essentials, Travel Bidets & Stage Style 22:08 Tattoos & the New Whitey Morgan Record Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Lucca Mae
Lucca Mae on The Teskey Brothers, Paul Weller & Her Rise Through the UK Soul Scene
Rising soul artist Lucca Mae joins The Rugged Revival Podcast to talk about her journey through the UK music scene, from early gigs to sharing stages with some of her biggest influences. She reflects on working with The Teskey Brothers, an unforgettable encounter with Paul Weller, and finding her own voice along the way. Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:26 Growing Up Around Music 07:28 Busking in Australia & Finding Her Sound 10:35 Canada, Early Recordings & Going Independent 16:52 Paul Weller, Steve White & the London Music Scene 21:37 Making the New Album 28:31 Songwriting, Vocal Influences & Amy Winehouse 33:01 Guitars, Gear & Life as a Working Musician 35:18 The Teskey Brothers & Performing at Murrayfield 39:31 Musical Picks, Influences & What’s Next Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Jonathan Pennington
“Music Became My Therapy” | Jonathan Pennington of Moonlight Mile
Jonathan Pennington of Moonlight Mile joins Camden for an open conversation about music, faith, loss, family, and finding his true voice as a songwriter later in life. From his roots in church music to the experiences that shaped Moonlight Mile, Jonathan shares the highs, the hard moments, and why music ultimately became a form of therapy. A candid conversation about finding out who you really are, and having the courage to make music that reflects it. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:12 Learning Guitar & ’90s Musical Influences 05:42 From Church Music to Finding His Own Voice 13:14 The Reality of Playing Live with Moonlight Mile 16:41 Touring, Family Life & Life on the Road Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Justin Wells
The Time for Bullsh*t Has Passed | Justin Wells on Honest Music in an Artificial Age
Justin Wells is a Kentucky singer-songwriter and former frontman of Fifth on the Floor, known for honest songwriting, a fiercely independent spirit, and years spent earning his stripes on the road. We talk about finding your own voice, the DIY years, life on tour, modern country music, and why making something that actually means something still matters. Learn more about Justin Wells: https://justinwellsmusic.com/ Chapters 00:00 Growing Up, Kentucky & Picking Up the Guitar 05:02 Finding Your Voice in an Artificial Age 07:00 DIY Touring & the Early Fifth on the Floor Years 11:04 Authenticity, Performing & “The Time for Bullsh*t Has Passed” 19:36 Life on the Road, Blown Vocal Cords & Dad Mode Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Shane Boeker
Inside Life on the Road with American Aquarium | Guitarist Shane Boeker
Shane Boeker, guitarist for American Aquarium, joins Camden to talk about life on the road, playing guitar for a living, and the experiences that have shaped him as a musician. We get into how Shane got started on guitar, touring and playing live with American Aquarium, his approach to gear and playing, side projects, new music, and plenty of stories from along the way. A laid-back conversation about guitars, music, touring, and what life in a working band actually looks like. Chapters 00:00 Meet Shane Boeker & His First Guitar 02:08 From Local Bands to Touring Musician 04:38 Life on Stage, Style & the Road 10:02 American Aquarium’s New Record & What’s Next #altcountry #americanamusic #guitarist Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Effy Harvard
An Emotional Time Machine Through Vintage Country Music | Effy Harvard
Texas singer-songwriter Effy Harvard joins TJ on the Rugged Revival Podcast to talk about her love of vintage country music, the artists who shaped her sound, and why she describes her music as "an emotional time machine." From growing up on Brooks & Dunn and 1950s oldies to modelling around the world before pursuing music full-time, Effy shares the story behind her unique artistic journey. We also discuss songwriting, stage fright, recording with live musicians, the inspiration behind her vintage aesthetic, and her upcoming single "Heat Wave." If you love Country, Americana, Rockabilly, or discovering independent artists before everyone else, this episode is for you! Chapters 00:00 – Why Music Feels More Personal Than Modelling 00:48 – Meet Effy Harvard & Her Musical Journey 02:59 – Growing Up in Texas & Finding Country Music 07:17 – Modelling, Vintage Style & Creative Identity 12:51 – "An Emotional Time Machine" – Defining Her Sound 22:08 – New Music: Heat Wave & Life Playing Texas Dive Bars 24:46 – Quick Fire Questions: Influences, Albums & Live Shows 29:07 – Songwriting, Mental Health & What's Next for Effy #vintagecountry #50scountry #rockabilly Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com