EPISODE 9: Trolls, Trump, and Neil's Carnivore Diet: Tackling Online Drama, Trump vs Biden, and Legal Battles 01:02:38

Exciting news. What? Give it to me. I have a new hater. I predict if you stay on this road, you're going to be in a bubble in, you know, two years. I don't want to be bubble boy. I've actually been pushed out of a number one picture by a plugger. I have a feeling tonight's going to be spicy. Could be. I do. I feel like it's going to be spicy. There's a little something in the air. What makes you say that? I don't know. You've been on a carnivore diet for two days.

It's not going very well. It ended tonight. It started Sunday and ended today? It was almost 48 hours. I haven't slept. I haven't slept. It's kept me up. I'm hungry. Because of the carnivore diet? Well, thank God the stress of that's over. Yes. I have to have a carb balance, you know? I have to eat carbs. Why were you all doing that diet anyway? Didn't you have like a family bet? It's a family bet going on. Okay. Yeah.

Everybody's putting in $100. Whoa, I want in. $600 in the pot. So you're down $100 and you bought all the food. I don't care. I'll pay the whole $600 if I can have chips and guac. That's true. It's not a bad trade. Well, that's good. We did great. That was a couple days. You did great. Good. Congrats. Cheers. Cheers. Cheers.

Oh, gosh. Well, hey. Well, it's good to see y'all. You too. It's been a long time. I have exciting news. What? Give it to me. I have a new hater, which is always fun for me. Oh, this would be a great way to start. I mean, we don't have to stay on this very long, but I always... It's been a minute since I've had a good, solid hate message. Yeah. You know, and this guy, I'm going to call him out by name because he really...

aggravated me. You mean his handle? His handle. I don't know his name, but Stormtrooper 1975. Is that what it is? That's what it is, and it actually makes me sick to my stomach because that's the year I was born. Yeah, but I like Star Wars. Me too. Okay, what happened? Well, he really hit a nerve. We won't have to stay long on this, or we will. So he replied to one of our, let's see, it was the, you know, Kayla, you were talking to

Al Dean about when he first heard the song and all that stuff. And this guy chimed in a couple days ago. Try that in a small town. They did that at your concert, and where were you? Running away, dodging the fight like your pal Donald. Or did you get out your gun and put a stop to it? He's talking about Vegas, this guy is. I actually didn't even see that. Whenever this shit goes down, the big-talking Second Amendment people are running away. You're never there. Um...

You called us some song-writing sissy who didn't do shit when the shit was going down. First of all, it is going to get spicy because this guy here, this guy is the problem. This guy is so ignorant to bring up Vegas like you know what that's like and disrespectful to the people that lost their lives that night. So usually, like my other hater, I would choose to take the high road, but this guy is a special kind of stupid guy.

So I replied to him. Simple, really. Watch your mouth. You don't know shit. And people like you are the problem. Actually, well said. I think so. Yeah. Back you on that one. And then again, of course, he responds back. Oh, there was another response. He fired back at me. At Tully Kennedy. Intelligent people are the problem? Question mark. Watch my mouth? Question mark. And he goes, what are you going to do? Oh, my God. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Which is, again, I mean, you know, I hate, I hate. You know what? I'm going to buzz myself because I hate taking part in this. It's hard. It is. But when they, the Vegas thing is so sensitive because, you know, for one, we had no clue what was going on, obviously. Right. And, you know, I fired one last item. I said, you think you're intelligent? Question mark, you know, talking shit about things you don't know.

you know and you crushed him dude well i really i hate even taking part in it but that that is you're right it does bring up uh i i think we'll have a uh an isolated episode where we talk about vegas a lot and you know we'll get chasing in and rich and you know some of the band maybe even brittany but i tell people this a lot when they ask about it it's like i can't even

I can't even tell you because I don't have words to describe what it was like for you to understand. And to your point, you don't know shit. Yeah. And not liking our podcast or liking what we're saying. That is completely. You're right. But you start talking about stuff like that where you fire at us or Jason about running away and not doing it. It's like, look,

None of us are equipped to go through that situation. We're musicians, songwriters, artists. And we didn't know what was going on, obviously. We had no idea. So it is super annoying. And Stormtrooper in 1935, you can take a fast track straight to hell. That's my message to you, my friend.

Please subscribe for a podcast. Like and subscribe. But there is forgiveness. Stormtrooper. I don't know. I told you we were going to get spicy. I don't think... I'm not going to... Don't feel bad about that. Anyway, so back to the flat stomach. Anyway. It's getting heavy in here. No, it's great. It's fantastic. It need to be said.

What you said needed to be said. Well, I just, you know, look, come on. I mean, this is the problem with social media, though. It really is. Look, if you don't like our podcast, don't watch our clips. Don't watch it and...

Well, I don't think they disliked our podcast. I think it was mainly you. It wasn't our podcast. Right? I mean, to be fair, it wasn't against all of us. No, to be fair, your face was the first one on the clip. Really? You were the cover picture. You were the cover picture, which should be Kurt. It should be Kurt in that better order. Why would it be me? Hey, guys, so we did the emergency pod. Oh, yeah. That was kind of fun. Yeah, the weekend review.

Any new thoughts on the Trump trial? I was thinking, you know, we were talking about how this would help Trump and he'll have a better chance of being elected and things like that because everybody's going to be so fired up that they're going to go to the polls and vote and everything. I don't know that I feel that way. I know that the people who are going to vote for him are going to vote for him anyway.

I'm not sure that something like this, I don't see how in the world it could be a positive that would bring other people in. You don't think like independence will? I mean, I don't know. If I'm an independent and I'm not, you know, I hadn't made up my mind, I don't know. I don't know if that's going to make me do that or not. I've seen so many people that are riding the fence or down the middle and that lean left that know what's going on here.

They're not stupid. And they played them for stupid, but they're not stupid. And I've seen so many being interviewed that says they're definitely voting for Trump now because the jig's up for the left or for the Biden administration and what they were up to when it came to that. So I think we're in the driver's seat. I think Trump's in the driver's seat. I really do. I know some people are worried. I know you're a little worried, Tully. I feel good about what you just said, though.

And yes, I am worried and was worried. But I do feel good. You brought up a good point. I have to believe people know better. I do have to believe that. Because I talked to you guys before we started the podcast tonight, and I was saying, I'm worried about the independents that maybe were on the fence. And is this enough to push them off the fence the other way? But Neil, you brought up a good point. I have to believe that everybody sees through this. And I still believe that

People are less worried about something that may or may not have happened years and years ago than they are about that they can't afford things. That's it to me. That is it to me. I think that, you know, so I brought my kids out to dinner last night, just the three of us. $120 for basic. It wasn't like we went out to a steakhouse or anything. It was basic.

you know, basic stuff. And I was like, you know what? This is at a place we go often. Right. And just a few years ago it was $30 cheaper. I don't know how people are surviving. I really don't like a middle class or lower middle class family of four. Like how, how are people doing that? I don't know. It's really, but I think Neil, to your point, I do believe that people see through that and, and they are more concerned about taking care of their families and

than they are about smoking mirrors and trying to keep Trump off the election trail and campaign trail, I should say. But anyway, I mean, I feel better now, Neil. Good. I want to have a drink. So, you know, I was asking this and we can go here or not, but do you guys think Biden is going to be the actual nominee? No. No.

You don't? No. Because I actually don't think so either. Nope. They're going to make up some sickness that he came down with, and he's going to disappear supposedly in the hospital, and he's out. They can't. He can't run. They can't let him run. That's a popular idea. I guess it's a popular, I don't know if it's a conspiracy theory or a theory, but I kind of subscribe to it because I just don't see how that wins. To your point and in all of that, I just don't know how that works.

gets votes. See, I think they're riding that horse all the way. And you might be right. I hope they are. I hope they run. I think that's the whole thing about going tooth and nail in with this sham in Manhattan. The whole thing. Pushing that. I just don't see... And maybe I'm naive in that way. I just feel like we're into June. Yeah. They're supposed to have the debates. Their first debate at the end of the month. And

I don't know. I just see like if he tanks, they'll do the old school. I don't know. Who do you guys think shows up then? I feel like, honestly, I think Trump's best chance is if Biden stays in. Well, I agree with that. If anybody else comes in, almost anyone, they win. They're the shiny new penny. And it's going to be really difficult for Trump.

If you just put up a standard guy or girl without a record. You think that many, if they got somebody new in there, you think that many people would change their vote from Trump to Duke Harkins? I'll tell you this, if it's Michelle Obama, I'd say so. But the independents might lean. I think it's so lopsided now. I mean, yeah.

I think if it's Michelle Obama, I think people change. I think people... I think Trump loses. Yikes. Well, yikes is right. But if it is something like that... I don't want it to happen, but yeah, I agree. But she said she wasn't going to come in. I don't know. Neil, you brought up a great point on the... Hey, teach my wife those words. Neil, you brought up a great point. Something we haven't talked about yet, which was interesting. You were talking about

and you were saying, you know, basically you get that people don't like his personality. And to be fair, I don't like his personality. I met him and it was really awesome. But I can see why, you know, I personally was hoping he'd be

And I know he's not a politician, but when he was elected in 2016, I was hoping he'd be a little more presidential in the way he talked. And I certainly didn't like the Twitter war with LeBron James and all that stuff. I don't want to see a president doing that. I like Trump, but more than anything, I like the policies. And Neil, you brought up a great point. You don't have to like him. It's the policy. Do you hate him enough to...

Is he a winner, or is everybody better off? That's the thing. Is everybody better off? People hated Nick Saban. They couldn't stand him. They couldn't stand him when he got behind the mic. They just couldn't stand him. But that son of a bitch won. He was a winner. And the thing about Trump, too, is that, yes, he is very transparent about

Yeah, he's not a politician. He's not. And most politicians know how to say what they think the right thing is. Oh, he's very likable. Oh, he's very presidentialist a word. It's a popularity contest most of the time. But yet, I mean, is Joe Biden a good person? Oh, no, he's the worst. Right. But, you know, that's...

on the outside, you know, of course not now, but he's a politician. So it's like, it's a popularity contest to your point. Yeah. I'm losing followers. Well, and Ken, so we might be all losing followers. So on, on that point and everything. So, so today, and I'm not sure when this, this podcast may be a couple of weeks behind when it comes out, but, but as of today and recording, they were selecting the jury, you know, for Hunter Biden. And, and,

And so do we believe, I mean, first off, it's kind of interesting as you think about when they pick the jury for, you know, for, you know, president Donald Trump. 12 crackheads. Yes. You can have, you can have Hunter's best friend, somebody, somebody, somebody that Hunter owes crack to. So,

So anyway, you're already kind of thinking about that. But if we can kind of agree, do we think that Joe Biden or the Biden family, have they done something, have done something or something in the past that you and I would be arrested for, even for a little bit? Right? Is this a rhetorical question? It's just a question. Like, do you think? Yes. Okay, so yes. I'm going to mark yes. So we can say that the Biden family, somewhere in there, they're criminals. Right? Right.

Of course. Right. So so now Trump, he's he's convicted also. Right. So so we're at zero. So now you're voting for a criminal or a criminal. Which one do you want? So they're at zero. So to me, it's kind of a fair field. But they care about what's on paper. See, yeah, they're not going to let that tag go to corn pop. They're going to they're going to that tag. They wanted to hang that.

over Trump. Convicted, felon, whatever. I 1000% agree. Those are the words. But to Neil's point, like I do think... Oh, we're saying that a lot. This is an unusual... Neil, you are rocking this episode. It must be the diet. It's true. I feel way better about it now. It must be the tequila. I think people will see through it. I think, I do think that you have to see through it. You have to. If you paid any attention to it. There's not that many naive people in this country. Now, we'll say...

I'm talking about true patriots. There's not. They're not as stupid as the left makes them out to be. But I still know the same people before that hated Trump. And a lot of these are older Americans too. And they're not voting for him this time. They do not like him. And there's nothing that will change their mind. And that worries me a little bit. Like,

We need those people. We need everybody to see what's happening and how far we've fallen here. Oh, there's a boatload of never Trumpers. That's for sure. But in an interesting way, I feel like this is kind of flipped. I feel like there were people that didn't want to vote for Trump in 2020 because it was just like, oh, I just can't do it anymore. I feel like that's happening with Biden this year. I think people are going to go...

I just can't do it. I can't, I can't do it. Maybe a lot of, maybe a lot of people get in there and secretly vote for Trump because I agree. Like it's, you can't look at it and tell me things are better. No, I mean, that's for your families or it's actually indisputable. You know what I mean? And we're not safer. We're way less safe. Um, I'm safer.

Well, and even now he's going to sign an executive order about the border and everything now. And if people would just wake up and realize, are you kidding me? So how many million now have been illegally across and for three, three and a half years just letting everybody come over, but now he realizes, okay, my numbers are down on the border. We've got the election coming, so I'm going to do an executive order.

I'm going to show people that I care about the border, and I'm going to put a stop to this. They're already here. People that want to hurt us are already here. Not everybody, but they're coming from so many different countries that do not like us. And so why just now? So if you're somewhat of an average thinking person, you would know it is all political. And as far as him being – and he can't cognitively –

Be president. And I'm not bashing him. I mean, I pray that I get to that age. But he is not mentally fit to run the greatest country in the world. He's just not.

You know, he doesn't know where he is a lot of times and he shakes hands with the air. He doesn't know where to go. He falls down going up to Air Force One multiple times. It's actually not even fun. Not with those new shoes. Not with those fancy new shoes he's got. I know, but I'm definitely not making fun of him because he's old, you know, because he's, I mean, he's somebody's granddad and he just doesn't need to be running the country.

you know, and shame on them for parading him out there, you know, because it's gotten to the point too. I'm like, it's not even funny anymore. They just, they keep parading him out there. Yeah. I like it when he tries to run.

That's my favorite. No, it's the walk-run. It's like when you trip on a crack in the sidewalk and you kind of run it off to make it look cool. That's what he does all the time. And then you start to feel sorry for him a little bit. Well, you only laugh because it's good for your head and oxygen. You're not really laughing at him. It's healthy to laugh. They say it's healthy, and that's the only reason we're laughing. It's like, come on. But going back to what you asked, it's like there is a chance. I mean, they'll invent some sort of illness mechanism

And that they'll have him step aside. I don't even know if they have to invent it. I know we're getting down to the wire. Dr. Fauci's back. You don't have to invent one. It's a little way. Oh, Fauci. I want to know. What I want to know is what they give him before he debates or does a State of the Union because he is oddly sharp. Oh, yeah. I mean, Caleb's eyes. Don't blink. I need that before my co-writes. I know it. Imagine how clear we'd be. No, I mean, but he's naked. No.

I would like to know what they're giving him. That's amazing. Because if we did that before each writing session. That's Adderall. I'm stunned. But he's, yeah, you're right, Neil. They keep rolling them out there. Yeah.

I don't know, boys. I feel slightly better, but then I have peaks and valleys of emotion. Sometimes I hate talking politics and this shit. I hate it. Well, and we always try to bring it back around to us and things that we know. Because like we've talked about before, we're not talking heads or political pundits or anything like that. No, far from it. And so I'm just thinking about the legal system and how messed up the whole Trump thing is and all the trumped up things, pardon the pun, but...

you know, the legal system in America needs a lot of work and tort reform and everything. And Neil and I were talking about it today have been caught up in that to where in it's, it's weird that you're in America and that people can sue you for, for anything like Neil and I both, uh, have, have been sued, um, for in, in the songwriting community, like before there was songwriter insurance, you know, before all the infringement claims and,

and things like that. And both of us have paid a hefty price because in different circumstances. And then because of me, even though ours has been long gone, I can't say anything about it still to this day. That's just part of it. It's part of the thing. Yours may be different, but. So you can't tell us a song?

No. What? I can't. It's one of the number ones that I've had. So it's just part of the thing. So I got one of 18 chance. Really? I'm just not supposed to talk about it. I don't remember. Was that in mine? I don't think so. It wasn't Tix. It wasn't Tix. But the point is... So one of 17. The point is... One of 17. But the point is... I know it wasn't a small town.

One of 16. Guys, let me tell my story. Okay, sorry. Go ahead. So anyway, it's just the thing of the fact that anybody can say anything they want and say, you took this from me.

And there's no evidence or nothing like that, but you have to spend sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars to prove that you didn't. And it's amazing. I mean, and I know Neil went through the same thing. I'll let you tell your story because I think you can tell a little bit more. I don't want to talk about it anymore. But both of us thinking about... Did you ever sign an NDA, too? No. I'll tell every damn thing I know.

Well, tell yours. Tell yours. Tell your story. It was just some numbnut. Lived in New York. He wrote a Pat Benatar song back in the 90s. Sued me and Wendell and Jada Marcus for an album cut on Rascal Flatts.

Just out of the blue, just with no proof, no nothing. We just got accused. Maybe it was actually Jay. And was it, was yours, it wasn't even like lyrical or really melodical. It was the solo, right? It was a guitar lick that was like the melody line of that chorus or whatever, in which we didn't even write. It wasn't even in their demo. The musicians did it on tracking day.

On-site guitar player who gets paid through the union, the solo he played. Yes. He got sued as a songwriter. Yes. Yes. Wow. And they didn't even write that. They got sued for something else they didn't even write. It got drug out and it got bad. And we all decided to use the same attorney and...

and have this class action settlement thing. And it was just a freaking mess. And it turned into a mess. And it got to the point where I thought I was going to have to sell my house. Oh, my gosh. Oh, yeah, it got bad. Same. I mean, they held royalties for me for five years. Mine too, mine too. And unfortunately, I was at the same, I had been at the same company my whole career at the time. So they didn't just hold the royalties of that one song. They withheld everything.

all my royalties. So then you've lost 60% of your family income for five years. Five years. And what's interesting too, and we didn't talk about that this morning, as songwriters, when you sign your deal, you indemnify the publisher, meaning if something like this happened, you hold them harmless, right? And that's just in every songwriter agreement that there is.

What's kind of interesting about it is let's say somebody did take a song, right? And they were found guilty. And the writer has to pay all this money and the writer pays all of the attorney's bills for the publisher also, right? You know, whether guilty, innocent, or you dismiss it or whatever. But the publisher gets to keep all of the money they earned on the stolen song, right?

Really? They get to keep it all. And the writer has to pay everything, but then the publisher, they get to keep everything. That's good to know, isn't it, Kurt? Well, we lost two to three times more than we ever made on the song. So it's beyond being penalized. Y'all wouldn't be laughing if you know how much I had. No, no.

No, it actually isn't funny at all. It's not funny at all. It's not funny. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. No, it's not funny. It's gone and it's in the past. I had to do some hard work.

soul searching and praying. I had to go to the Bible and I had to find out what I'm supposed to do in this situation because it got down to the wire. We're going to sell the house. I'm going to sell all my stuff just for an album cut. It wasn't even a single. Those were the dark years. It affects your whole life. We'll give you every penny that we made on this album cut.

You know, because... So you got sued for much more than that song made. Oh. It's the legal expenses. That's what it is. It was an album cut. That's what gets you is the legal expenses. All I had was mechanicals. So like my share of just trying to get... This is only 30 days in of just trying to get it dismissed. My share...

with three writers and three publishers, was $85,000 in 30 days. It went on for five years. If someone sees an opportunity to take money from... It is amazing how low people can go.

And that's the problem is that people do that. They find ways to skirt the system and just how do I make a quick buck? Yeah, and sometimes it's just the matter of people being uneducated. You know, like sometimes, I mean, if you live in Oklahoma and name one of your big hits just off the top of your head. Trouble with Heartbreak. Okay, Trouble with Heartbreak. Do you think anybody else in the world has ever written a song called that?

We might...

I don't know. Our titles are pretty good. Well, that's what I thought, too. That's what I thought, too. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. It's a joke. There were writers that had been sued before, before me. And they said, yeah, I got sued on this. But I was thinking, honestly, I was thinking, well, you know what? My ideas are so good and so unique. Nobody's ever going to step on mine. Well, there was a song called Don't Forget to Remember Me, which me and Ashley Gourley wrote with Morgan Hayes for, ended up being for Carrie Underwood. That was one of her number ones.

Anyway, after that went number one, I was just kind of Googling. I thought, man, my ideas are good. I'm going to Google that just to make sure nobody's ever thought of that because I was so proud of myself. And I Googled it, and that was a number one for the Everly Brothers back in 1950. Is that right?

Well, maybe I'm not so original after all. Now, that many years, too long ago. No, but still, my point is we all kind of think of the same things. Unless you have a song called John Deere Green or something that's super unique, it's very possible somebody else out there has written it. So if somebody would have come to town two to three years or five years...

before you wrote that song, before it came into your head, and they came through and they pitched their song around and it was called If I Didn't Love You or if it was called Trouble of the Heartbreak, they would be thoroughly convinced that you somehow got a hold of it and stole it. And they would be really convinced. So they're not really trying to do something. They really firmly believe it. Yeah, but to win that kind of...

It's got to be more than a title. No, no, I'm just saying they, the individual. It's not just that a lot of times people, oh, they're just scumbags. No, I'm just saying people honestly sometimes believe it just because they're uneducated. Now, here in town, we realize that we write all the time, and I pitch you guys an idea, and you say, oh, I wrote that last week. And I'm thinking, dang, I've never heard that. And somebody else said, yeah, I wrote that. Some people have integrity. Some don't.

Yeah. Well said again. Hey, there's a lot of people out there that will, and there's a lot of attorneys out there that will bring a suit about somebody that has no merit whatsoever, but it doesn't matter. Once they file it, you have to start defending yourself, and then you're screwed. Songwriters can get screwed so easy. Well, and we're continuing to get screwed, and I think we want to go to the

Spotify issue, but it's a tough business. To finish up that, it was like when I just did what the Lord told me to do, pay for it and get it out of your life, I've got this.

I did, and then six months later, it was like it never happened. I started getting cuts and singles again, and I forgot all about it. And another thing, since it's a night that we're all giving Neal accolades for his wise words. Another great point by me. Another classic Neal. He did tell me, because he had already went through his lawsuit and everything, and I called him and talked to him. He goes, well, I'm going to tell you one thing.

One thing that's true. And I said, I said, what? I thought it was going to be this, you know, it's going to make me feel great and alleviate all the pressure. He goes, ain't nobody going to give a shit about what you're going through.

He goes, not your publisher, not your buddies, not your co-writer. Nobody's going to give a shit. That's a hard truth. And I didn't really believe it. He was 100% right. You were absolutely alone. The ones that you were supposed to be your music family and your publishing partner and we're all in this together bullshit. It's like that went away instantly. But...

They don't have a problem running up on stage when you get an award for the ASCAP. They're sprinting up there and smiling and putting their arm around you. Those same people will disown you the next day when you get sued. I've actually been pushed out of a number one picture by a plugger.

Excuse me. Do you mind if I get in here? I know you did nothing on this song and didn't write it or pitch it. Oh, that's good. It's your one night a year, I know. That's good. That's a true story. Wow. Yeah, true story. Who are you? I'll never forget it. It was a tipping on back song for Dierks. Didn't go one, went like two or three or something, but I got my first BMI award as a writer for it. I'm up there.

And the picture that ended up, I'm in like third row behind a line full of publishers. And I mean, that's a big night for them. Oh yeah. Yeah. They, they, they, uh, screw the writers. Yeah. They want that. They want that night. Yeah. But it was anyway.

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We touched on the emergency session, you know, about, and Neil was talking about this earlier, about how they can actually, you know, not just recording that song, you know, try that in small town and standing up for the song and all that and what he believes. He's the only artist that we know of that actually the word Trump comes out of their mouth, like period, which is really interesting, you know. And what's another interesting thing is that

is that being on the conservative side, which the majority of the country music listeners are on the conservative side, and why, as an artist, you know, you would be leery of saying something that the majority of your fan base would be in line with. It's interesting. And then, you know, but like we talked about last time, Tully said this, or Kurt or both, about a lot of the music industry leans left, you know? And so...

So the artists are not going to, generally they're not going to do that. However, if let's say, and this is hypothetical, okay, because we were talking about this a little bit. And if an artist wanted to come out and go to a, like a transgender rally, let's say, right? Nobody's going to prevent that. They're going to support that and say, oh, yes, yes, definitely, right?

go do that, which the majority of the country music fan base probably wouldn't be in line with that, you know, politically, socially, or whatever. However, if they wanted to go to a Trump rally, it says, hell no, no, no, you don't need, don't get caught up in that. Don't get caught up in what the whole fan base is caught up in. It's just kind of, it's so backward. Even for business-wise, it's odd. So why is that?

I don't know. I just think it's... They're scared of the powers that be. It's that, and it's things that I can't understand for $100, Alex. You know? And I've had disagreements with artists about certain things, that they want to go do this thing, and I'm like, well, God, if you do that, everybody knows who you're voting for. And most of your fans, I don't think, voted for that person. Oh, they're in a bad spot, because it's career suicide either way.

Either way, you go to a pride parade, march in a pride parade, and you're a country music artist, your fan base is going to start dropping off the planet. If you go to a Trump rally, then the executives and pirates that be that run your career, they're going to disown you. So you're screwed.

You're a loser either way. It's just a tough spot. And it's more, like for me, it's those things that kind of boggle you a little bit is that there are so many people in country music that we're learning as time goes on, you know, that you think, like, I guess as an excited country music fan, I mean, you're a fan first, and then you come, and then you write songs and stuff, but you're still a fan of country music and everything. And we think...

that you're all on the same team, so to speak, and we all kind of think alike, and it's really fun. We've got this really, really big team. But it's interesting that in country music, there are just not many of us, it doesn't seem like. There's a lot of conservative artists in country music. They're of the mind, just shut up and sing, don't say anything. They're not like Jason. They're not at all like Jason. He's like, man, he walked out on that ledge, buddy. Yeah.

He did, and he's out there, and he hasn't paid the price for it. They tried to kill him. They tried to kill our song. Yeah. You know what's funny, though? Fan base is strong, man. Well, but Jason has the backbone, and he's willing to pay the price because he has paid a price since our song came out. We haven't been on TV. Our song didn't get nominated for an award, didn't win awards. Oh, but we did win a big award in my book. We did, but I'm saying we used to play...

a lot of, you know, TV shows, late night shows, early morning shows. And it's concerning or it should be concerning that we put a song out just how we believe and that they can say it doesn't line up with what we believe in the media and the networks. So we're not going to let you play in these shows anymore. You know what I would ask you and Jason and everybody else, how would we go? What's more important, Jimmy Kimmel or the fans or the fans? It,

That's not even about who's more important. Well, the fans are the most important thing. Of course, but that's not even what it's about. It's about the fact that they can play their part in squashing you. We're going to take it to the fans, and we're going to win every time. But the fact that they can say, no, we don't like this, and we're not going to let you play in these shows anymore. After we played these shows for years and years and years and done really well and always had support and...

It's frustrating. And believe me, all we care about is the fans. That's why this song came out. But it's interesting how they can say, uh-uh, you don't line up with what we're trying to do. The narrative we want to spin. And so we're not going to let you play in these shows. And it does suck. We used to love playing foul. And we'd go up there and have a good time. It is a bummer not to. But it's not... Obviously, we...

going to do our thing. It works the same with us. There's going to be a lot of corporate gigs that they hire songwriters for that we're not getting hired for. Kalo already had one where he was asked not to sing that song.

At a corporate gig. And we don't have to name who the corporation was. I'd love to. No, no, we don't need to. Oh, yeah, they deserve it. They deserve it. Well, but you and I think a little bit differently on this. Because I would have said, if I would have been, if I would have showed up at a corporate gig to do a writer's round and the person in charge asked me not to sing that song, I would tell them to go F themselves. I'm going home. And if I were with you, and if I were with you and we were on that show together, I would say, he didn't mean...

that. What he meant. By F-U, he said friend. He said friend. We would very much like to play that, but if it's offensive to you or your group, we definitely won't do it. Well, it's because we do think a little bit differently. For me, I just feel like

for a corporate thing, they've hired you because they want their people to have a good time and all this stuff. I'm not there. If they think I'm there to make a statement, then it just kind of goes against that. I just feel like we're there to please the client. I don't like that they won't allow us to play it mainly because it's the newest hit. You're taking a big arrow out of your

quiver so it's kind of disappointing so dang i wanted to play them the new one so they'll know i'm somewhat you know relevant and i have had a hit in the last last few years uh but so we think a little bit differently on that they need to do their homework before they hire me yeah i do feel bad for the young artists who do have a backbone because they're in a tough spot it's hard to be a young artist you're you're not making any money you're losing money to play i don't think people realize that

When you see a new artist play and opening up for someone like us, or even when we were opening up for Rascal Flatts and all these people and Toby, Jason's not making money. He's losing money, right? They're out there trying to build a career in a different kind of environment. Politics are so polarizing today that it's not just about music anymore. If you want to make a statement as a young artist, it's hard to do that and be smart and be like, okay, well, the industry and the labels...

which the fans probably don't realize they're very left-leaning, you know, which is very, Kayla, I think it was Kayla when you were talking about this, like the crowds are all middle America where America, but the industry is so far left. So they are controlling what the new artists get to put out. It's tough for new artists. It's like, you want to have a career, but you want to play ball. You want to, you want to support your family. You want to support yourself and pay your band and pay your,

It's really challenging. That's what pisses me off so much. It should piss everybody off. Because if you want to just flaunt your left-leaning liberal ideology as an artist, it's quite okay. You're not going to pay a price at all. In fact, they encourage it. That's what pisses me off. If that's the kind of artist that you want to be and that's what you believe in and you want to flaunt it on stage and you want to flaunt it in interviews or whatever, it's never going to hurt you.

Ever. That's what pisses me off. It's because this town, a music row, and I'll say it, I'm probably going to get ran off the road tonight by someone on the way home, but it's in a bubble. They are completely disconnected and always have been from the people that we go play for. Well, and I think, well, you're 100% right, but this also extends to Hollywood. It's the same kind of thing. Oh, sure. If you're a conservative...

actor in Hollywood, you can't let your... Of course. You can't let that be known because it's so left. And most of these big...

Tech, big media people are left. And to your point, it's like if you have a conservative opinion, for whatever reason, we feel squashed. You know, you can't don't voice your opinion. Just don't rock the boat here, because like you said, I'm like, especially for new artists or a new actor. It's like you're just trying to put money on the table. You're trying to feed your family. Yeah.

yeah you want to have a career that lasts longer than two strongs yeah two songs on spotify yeah right so but it is it it's very concerning i mean if you think about it you know why try that in a small town works so well and we saw it connect every night we're jason we said on the first podcast or a second one i can't remember at this point but how he's so dialed into his fan base and the the response from our fans and from country music

It's so great, but yet the people that are supposed to be behind us, it's completely opposite. Everybody's trying to squash it. Success. They're trying to squash success, and it's building. It's such a crazy thing to think. The song's exploding. Oh, no. The song's exploding. What can we do to kill the song? Don't talk about the song. Don't ruffle feathers. Don't start your podcast. Don't ruffle feathers. Don't bring it back up. It is weird, and it's...

It's kind of strange to even talk about it like this because it sounds completely unfair. Right. But the media is so controlled, the labels, you know, entertainment in general is so left that they're really controlling it. And to put it on Jason, like, that's our guy. That's our secret weapon. He's going to say what he thinks. He's a stud. And he, believe me, he takes his shots. He's taken them this week.

you know, for supporting Trump and after the verdict. And it's like, look, you know, everybody has a right to think what they want to think. But you can't try to silence people for their opinion. What are we doing? And you know, it's weird is that that thought right there, like, for some reason, it seems like such an obvious thing to say. But why isn't it? It's like,

So what? He supports Trump. Why shouldn't he be able to? Exactly. It's a basic thought. Yeah. That's scary to me is that that's become a thing. Like, oh, don't say it. Don't say that. Yeah. Again, why? Isn't that weird? It's really weird to have this conversation. Your whole fan base. It is. It's so true. It's a very, oh, what's going on? We're talking about something that feels so basic and really always has been. It wasn't that long ago where you could talk politics.

about it. Yeah. I mean, you'd argue, but it wasn't this to where you feel shunted. Don't, don't. Yeah. Don't do it. Don't do it. Yeah. Well, and even like. You lose radio. Even like some of the, some of the artists, you know, like obviously we know where Aldine stands. Some of the artists, you don't know where they stand and that's fine too. It's great. Just, you know, be an artist, do your music. Shut up and dribble. It's fantastic. Yeah. Do that.

But there are some. It's just interesting, like for listeners out there, just over the course of time or even go back, start listening to some of the lyrics. You know, just that's all you got to do is start listening. And every now and then you'll hear something. You'll think, huh.

I've let that kind of pass by. I wonder about that a little bit. And it is kind of funny that you have artists, they're also very liberal, but they sing very right songs, down the middle, middle America, but they actually don't even believe that way. And that's the thing that'd be hard for me.

Like if I were if I didn't identify with my audience, it'd be really hard for me to to make my life about selling that, you know, to people that I don't align with. Wouldn't that be like incredibly tiring and stressful?

You know what I mean? Like, for example, like if it's different, like if you're if you drive NASCAR, you know, we're not selling people cars. We're just selling them that we're a great driver. Who cares what you're but but some of the artists are actually selling an audience on the fact that, hey, I'm like you, but they're totally not. It just seems like it'd be very tiring being.

Who are you talking about? Who are you talking about? Name somebody. Name some artists. Well, I'd like to start by naming... We're going to go to a break right now. We'll be right back. But you're right. I do think if said artist has a hit on that, I think people tend to see through that, whether it's now or eventually. It's just... And it's...

But on the opposite side, that's why Jason has had a very long career because you believe him. Doesn't even matter if you agree with him. You believe him. That guy means what he's saying. Yeah, knowing what somebody believes is a huge thing. Like you said, whether you like it or not, it's like, hey, I like that guy or that girl because at least I know what they believe and they own it. Yeah. And we'll see whose careers last longer too. Yeah. Hey, I was going to ask, Kurt, so you're –

Indiana fan. You know, Caitlin Clark, you know. I am a Caitlin Clark fan. You know, and she is. And I haven't really been watching. I just kind of see the blurbs, you know, and watch the news and stuff. And you see all the stuff and you watch the highlights and things like that.

Have you been keeping up with it enough? Like she's one of the greatest college players, right? You have all time, put up all the historical numbers. Then she goes to the WNBA and is doing great, but is getting pushed around. I mean, she's literally. Yeah. And just almost like a football style. I mean, I would never, you don't see things like that. Oh, are we going there? So what's your question? Just to see what you think, because the...

What I saw, and I'm not sure the other team, but apparently they've been going back and forth. So, you know, just competitive, you know, people are going to get fiery, you know, and kind of check you. And she's a rookie, you know, so she, by nature of that, you know, you should take a little bit of, you know, rising and a little bit of, hey, this is, you know. You know, what bothers me a little bit about it or upsets me is that they've, man, she's catching a lot of heat. Yeah.

And she's caught heat. There's been people that come out and say she's getting attention because she's white and straight. No, of course. Okay, here we go. Yeah, it's so... Not the fact that she James III is like Steph Curry. She shoots like Steph Curry. We have never seen a woman basketball player play like she has. I told you when they were playing for the championship. Yeah.

I watched a women's college basketball game for the first time. That's not anything against women's basketball. It just, you know. But that's it. Because it's something you've never seen before in the women's game. And that's why people tuned in, right? The WNBA was gifted a golden ticket. They'll screw it up. Yeah. They already have. They'll screw it up and they'll be... Because listen, you want to...

build your league around somebody like her, right? And they just sells a ticket to sell the ticket. It's a business and they're not and like for somebody like me that appreciates her game, like I turn on the WNBA and I can't watch it like to your point. It's like, this isn't basketball and they're not allowing they're not allowing it to be marketed like they should. You know, there's a ton of women's sports I watch.

And the reason I think people tuned into women's basketball was because of her and because she was doing something that no woman has ever done before. So what is so crazy? This is again, a crazy conversation. Um,

I caught a little bit of what you're talking about. Like, the fact, like, it happened the day before yesterday or last night. They threw her down. But there's been a lot of that. They've turned in, like, I forget how many clips of her just getting bully-balled, which, okay, right of passage is one thing. Right. Right.

I'm sorry, go ahead. During the course of play, that's a different thing. But when she's just standing there and they're throwing the ball in and somebody comes from the side or the back and knocks her down. It's cheap shots. I didn't even call a flagrant foul until later. Some of that is welcome to the league, rookie. It is. But that one isn't. I agree. Magic and Bird came in the league. They catered the NBA to their style of play.

That's what they did. If the WNBA was smart, they would cater their league to what Caitlin Clark made it open. Look at the coverage you're getting. The WNBA is getting coverage over all this. Well, but especially after what she did. Yeah, it will stop. But what Caitlin Clark did for women's college basketball, you'd think the WNBA, who, let's be honest, needs a facelift, that would be it.

That would Caitlin Clark is it like, right. Don't you think that? Well, yes, but it's, it's already, I mean, people are starting to turn it off because of, it's just not, it's not good basketball. Okay. Well, you got any, do you have any, do you have any hand sanitizer on you? Yeah. Can I borrow some?

He does. I just want to check the level. But the problem is, when I give it to you, now I've touched it, and it's the dirtiest thing in my pocket. Okay, then keep it. Hold on. Is this a thing? I want to let everybody know, I mean, there's germaphobes.

And then there's germaphobes with a capital G. He's squirting it right now. He's doing that. Let me tell you. I appreciate it. He touched the bottle? Yeah, well, the bottle is the dirtiest thing. If the camera can see this, this is no lie. No, this is what you do. Well, when you grabbed the bottle out of your pocket, the last time you touched it, it was because you wanted to get something off your hands, right? Are you being serious? No, it's bad. It's bad. It's bad. I can't even believe he's part of this, but it's bad. It's bad.

This is what he does at home. The hand in the shirt. You have to explain that. Open the refrigerator. At home, his wife touched it and he's touched it. Grab it, pull the refrigerator open, and that's what he does. And then hand sanitizer.

After? After the shirt, yeah. Is this true? What if something's on the outside? I don't know if I'd hand sanitize after that. Maybe I have before. I predict you'll be... But you don't open the refrigerator with your hand? No, he does not. I am starting to do that some. Now, when you did see me, that was a few years ago, and I have grown a little bit, but not a lot. It's a problem. I mean, it's a problem. We have to talk again.

you know, I predict if you stay on this road, you're going to be in a bubble and you know, two years. I don't want to be bubble. You'll be walking around in a bubble. You ever see that movie? I did way long. Yeah. Well, actually I'm referring to a Seinfeld episode. Yeah. The bubble boy. I'm referring to John Travolta, like way back in the, no, no, no. I'm talking, I'm talking like bubble wrap and stuff. I mean, he's like, I think I'm getting better. I don't think so. I,

But I do appreciate it. I'm the opposite of that. I'll give you a break. I'll give you a break if we get a hand sanitizer sponsorship. I'll give you a break. Hey, Wade.

Purell, maybe? Does it irritate you that people like me never use hand sanitizer? No. No. Now, because of the handshaking thing, I am more of a hugger, and people think, oh, what a sweet guy. He's a hugger. It's really mainly because, you know, you don't have to use the hand sanitizer. How were you during COVID? Was that like a... Oh, I never left the house. It was great. It was great.

He was fantastic. He's not really a hugger either, though. He comes up to you and he kind of semi-hugs and then he pats like you're a dog. Neil hates it when you pat him. He doesn't want to touch you long and he figures if he does that... You know what? I'm going to back Neil up. The five-second rule. I'm not much of a guy either. If I'm going to hug, I'm going to hug. I don't know where that came from. Bring it on in, man. Yeah, I don't know. I'm going to work on that. I mean, yeah, I'm not fully grown yet. I don't know how we got here, by the way. I still got some growing to do.

There's worse things. 100%. I mean, there's a lot of hand sanitizer companies out there. I only know one. Purell? Is that a hand sanitizer? I think so. Or is that just soap? I don't even know. I don't even wash my hands. No, it's a hand sanitizer. I probably don't even wash my hands. My wife right now is horrified.

Oh, yeah. I don't wash my hands. Ever? I do after the bathroom. I guarantee you his immune system is stronger than all of us put together. Maybe. Well, no, no. I mean, Tully's got a good immune. But, I mean, it's not bad. Just from the whiskey. Where it gets to driving me crazy and Rachel, my wife, crazy is that, let's say, for example, we had takeout, like, last night. And so...

I'll open all the containers, right, and all the dressing, all the dips and things like that, lay the lids to the side. Is that so she doesn't open it? No. I want everything open so I can have access to it without having to ever touch a container again. And so I'll open all the containers, and then I'll wash my hands, and then everything's free game. I don't have to worry about it. But if I forgot to open one, say queso, for example...

Then I have to go, and she's in the other room, and I'm like, Rachel! And she doesn't hear me. And then I have to open it, and I have to wash my hands again. Do you think that's a problem? Do you think you have a problem? I do think about it. I don't think it's normal. But I feel good about washing my hands after that because you never know. I mean, that's been through a lot of hands. I wonder if our buddy Joey Bro uses hand sanitizer. Oh, big week. I don't know.

Joey Bro, you have to explain to people who Joey Bro is. Yeah, because I'm a new fan. You have to explain. Joey Bro is a coon ass that we wrote this song about. Language. That's where he's from. Try That in a Small Town was written for that dude right there. Where he's from, where he grew up. So it is, I just looked it up so we could get the correct spelling. Joey, J-O-E-E.

Bro, B-R-E-A-U-X. It's safe to say he's a fantastic follower. It really is. You have to go to Instagram and follow him at JoeyBroOfficial. Please check it out. There's too much good content there to even try to explain it. He's awesome. He's been a friend to us.

It's a follow you won't be disappointed in, right? He's killing it. I guarantee that. He's killing it. He's killing it. Damn it, boys. He's exploding. Boys and girls. We love you, Joey. Thank you for all the love. You're amazing. He did a little cover of Try That in a Small Town. Man, Joey, thank you. Yeah. Thank you. It was just a very unique interpretation. You'll go to his page, and you will just scroll, and you will scroll, and you will watch. Y'all think we can get him on the show?

I hope so. We've got to get them on. It'd be a riot if we could. Where is it? Joey. Damn it, boys and girls. You've got to come on. You've got to come on. Damn it, Joey. All right. And so we did want to mention again and...

qualify, clarify, what have you, of the RV that we were looking for. Really, like, you know, a donation, but not a gift. It's not to keep or anything like that. It's just for us to utilize for a little bit, like during this tour, possibly, with the Aldine tour coming up, and just spend some time out there in an RV. But

there is a difference between an RV and a camper and it's not about us. And we're not prima donnas at all. Right. I mean, we're not, but we're going to have guests. We're going to have guests come on. That's right. We're going to have guests come on there. And so it needs, you know, the basic accoutrements, uh,

Like, you know, the minibar, the AC, all the things. And if it does extend, you know, to where you get a little bit more width in that cabin. You guys could probably swing some passes for some, if somebody. Oh, hold on. Let me. 1,000%. I'll tell you this. Whoever comes through with this wonderful donation. Here we go.

We'll be taking care of some Aldine shows. Ooh, yeah. And we'll up the ante. Oh, we will. We're going to up the ante. That's right, we will. We will? We will. If we get an RV that all of us think is great, we'll give away a guitar. Oh, wow. We'll sign this thing. And lyrics. We'll write out lyrics. Try that in small. Tickets. Tickets to a show. Tickets to the show. Yep. We'll even share a nice, cold Crown and Seven together. Oh.

And you'll get a case of original Glory beer.

Now that, our sponsor, Original Glory. And that's good stuff. It's actually pretty good. Now this, what we need, I'm asking for, we need like a good size Winnebago that we can... No, no, no, don't say Winnebago. Don't say the word Winnebago. I don't like the Winnebago. What's wrong with you guys? Back to the meth lab stuff. We're not doing a Winnebago. It's a very hot summer in the south, Tully. No, no, no. I mean, it's Scottish. Well, me and Kurt are going to be on our bus. Yeah, yeah.

Oh, yeah. Yeah, you guys are with Aldi on your own bus. I'm going to be in my condo bunk. Me and Neil are behind going... Anybody out there with a decked out, tricked out Prevo? Oh, stop. We can take a Winnebago. We can take a Winnebago. Yeah. I mean, we can make this work. Can't we? For America? Well, when you put it like that,

We will take that advisement. We'll check it out. Hey, Wade, we'll be looking at that stuff. Anyway, we thank you guys for the responses. On a serious note, though, if anybody has any ideas or access to one that's attainable, word of the night. Word of the night. This is attainable. We want to take this podcast to you guys on the road, so please let us know.

Yeah, because we talk about it all the time. We're having a great time. We love connecting to all you guys, but we do...

We do want to do some good. We want to do some ministry. We want to reach out. We want to do some shows for somebody. We'll figure out how we're going to do this at some point, picking a town on the map or somebody with the best story and stuff and maybe come do a benefit, raise some money to build back Mr. Miller's barn or what have you, and just really do some good things. Because even though we talk about people on the left that we disagree with,

Try that in a small town is a good message. It's an American message. It's our message. It's Aldine's message. It's a lot of you guys' message. And so we just want to continue to prove that we set out to do right, and we want to continue to do right and have fun. And the reason we're talking about a sponsorship for this RV is because

we are self-funding this podcast. So as fun as it is, there are expenses. And so that's why, as Kurt would say, we need you guys to like and subscribe and download and pass it along to your friends so that we can continue this movement and have fun with you guys because we certainly love it and we just want to keep it going. Well said. Well said. Well said.

It was a good night. It was a great night. It got a little spicy. It got a little serious. Neil came out hot and strong. He did. I did. But you got a lot of love. Yeah, I did. A lot of love. We'll edit that out. Thank you, guys. That's more love than you've had since your honeymoon. Raise them up. Oh, yeah. Cheers. As always. Cheers, cheers, cheers. Ding, ding, ding. Boom. Uh-oh.

hey guys thanks for listening don't forget to follow us on all the social platforms at try that podcast and of course if you're watching on youtube make sure you like and subscribe and leave a comment we love interacting with you thanks