The Western Side Podcast

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.Thanks for listening! Want more? Subscribe to TWS on YouTube and follow our Instagram – @the_westernside – for all the latest country music news. See you there!

Join us as we celebrate the remarkable journey of Brit Taylor, whose decade-long career has been a testament to resilience. After years of highs and lows, Brit faced a breaking point but never gave up. Surrounded by inspiring musicians and driven by her passion, she reclaimed her sound and found a new sense of purpose. Now, in spring 2026, Brit Taylor is back with her latest album, The Land of the Forgotten.This collection blends 80s and 90s inspired country with a rich touch of bluegrass, evoking the spirit of eastern Kentucky. Brit is here to stay, bringing her music to the forefront and leaving an unforgettable mark on the country scene.Thanks for listening! Check out our YouTube for more content just like this, and stay in the know about all things country, folk and Americana on Instagram: @the_westernside.

In this episode, we break down how 'Choosin Texas' went from a country fan favorite to one of the fastest rising songs on the billboard hot 100. From its release and early traction to radio support streaming growth and viral momentum, we explore this breakout moment by Ella Langley. We look at why Choosin Texas connected so deeply with listeners how it spread beyond the country bubble and what separates Ella Langley from the pack of new artists coming up right now.Ella Langley’s rise is not an accident and Choosin Texas is a perfect case study.Help us get to 100k subs on YouTube by the end of 2026! I want this to be a community where we can talk all about country, folk and americana music on all platforms.Plus, don't miss out on any content and follow us on instagram and TikTok! @the_westernsideThanks for listening!

In this deep dive, we explore Zach Bryan’s journey leading up to his 2026 album, With Heaven on Top. Over the past year, Zach has faced lots of personal challenges and growth, and this album reflects a more complex and introspective side of his music. I’ll walk you through the themes, the emotions, and my personal interpretation of what makes this album a turning point for Zach.We’ll also touch on how Zach’s journey through mental health and self-discovery has influenced his sound and lyrics. While this video focuses on the album’s narrative for the main version, it’s worth noting that Zach also released acoustic versions of the tracks. Let me know in the comments which version you prefer!As always, this is my interpretation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Dive in and let’s discuss Zach Bryan’s evolving sound!Thanks so much for listening! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @the_westernside to keep up with all things country, folk and Americana.

It’s January 2026, and we’re diving into the heart of country music from 2025. In this episode, we’re gonna unpack all the moments that defined the year, from the top albums that took us by surprise, to the trending songs that had everyone talking. We’ll also touch on some of the unforgettable moments and surprises that made 2025 so unique. And make sure you stick around until the end, because I’ll share my top three defining moments of the year that you won’t want to miss!If you’re a country music fan or just curious about the scene’s evolution, this is the place to be. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth country music content!Thanks for listening! Watch more just like this on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @the_westernside.

Chancellor Lawson is an artist whose journey is as real as the songs he writes. Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, music was always part of his world, influenced early on by his mother and the sounds around him. What makes Chancellor’s story different, though, is the road he took to get here. From playing in bands to opening his own bar that became a home for local musicians, every chapter pushed him closer to finding his voice.In this unfiltered conversation, Chancellor opens up about the ups and downs of chasing music, how his experiences shaped songs like Ups and Downs, and how Cheers to My Friends was inspired by the people he met while running his bars. We also talk about his unique blend of country and Americana, releasing music while on tour, and what it was like opening for 49 Winchester.This is a raw, honest look at an artist who’s still writing his story, one song and one mile at a time. Thanks so much for listening to our first episode of 2026! Give our show a like, check out our YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things country music on Instagram, @the_westernside.

We sat down with Kade Hoffman to talk about the road that brought him here. Raised on a ranch in southeast Colorado and homeschooled for most of his life, Kade found music early, teaching himself guitar and writing songs in the quiet moments between ranch work. After an accident at thirteen put him in the hospital, old Andy Griffith episodes and classic country helped spark a deeper connection to music that never left him.Influenced by artists like Johnny Cash, Kade developed a voice and songwriting style that feel far beyond his years. His song Bonfire Blues has gained millions of streams and helped introduce his sound to a growing audience. Now in his early twenties, Kade is a regular opener for Colter Wall and continues to carve out his own path by honoring tradition while bringing something fresh to country music.In this conversation, we talk about his upbringing, the stories behind the songs, pivotal moments along the way, and what drives him as an artist. This is a look at an old soul at the beginning of a long journey.

Marcus King has had one heck of a journey. Join us as we dive into his story, his struggles with substance abuse, and how he overcame it. In this episode, you'll hear from Marcus directly and end up caring even more deeply about his music. Thanks so much for listening! And don't forget to follow us on Instagram – @the_westernside – for all the latest country music news, and subscribe on YouTube to watch this video and more!

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.

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.comThanks 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.

Hayden Redwine never set out to be a musician. He grew up on a ranch in West Texas, more familiar with rodeo dirt than recording gear. But when the world slowed down during the pandemic, and he was hit with personal loss, something shifted. Songwriting became the only way to make sense of it all.In this episode, Hayden talks about the journey behind Spade, his debut album that’s equal parts heartache and home. We get into what it means to grow up with grit, how some songs take years to finish and the way losing his dad changed not just his music, but the way he sees the world.It’s a story about dust, distance and finding healing in the middle of it all. You can support families affected by the recent devastating flooding the region's and local recovery efforts here: Kerr County Flood Relief FundThank you for listening! Join our growing community and follow us on Instagram – @the_westernside – and check out our YouTube channel for long-form documentaries featuring talented artists just like Hayden: https://www.youtube.com/@thewesternside

Before the bus. Before the hits. Before "Loud and Heavy," Cody Jinks was grinding it out on freight docks and metal stages. He wasn't chasing fame; he was chasing a sound. In this raw, wide-ranging conversation, Cody gets real about growing up under a tough Texas father, working blue-collar jobs, forming a metal band in high school and eventually becoming the voice of a country music movement he never intended to lead.Recorded as part of The Western Side’s full-length Cody Jinks documentary, this podcast episode is an in depth look at the long, unpredictable road from working freight docks, playing metal shows, to an outlaw country icon. Thanks for listening!The full documentary is live on YouTube. Don't miss it: https://www.youtube.com/@thewesternsideCody’s new album drops July 25 – or might already be out by the time you're hearing this. Follow us on Instagram for more country music news: @the_westernside.

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.

On this episode, we sat down with Nathan Bess just before his Western Side Live Session to get the full story behind the music. From how he got his start to the stories behind his songs, Nathan opens up about what drives him, his biggest influences, and the journey that’s shaping his sound. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to chase a dream from West Virginia to the stage, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and a love for the craft.Thanks for listening! Don't forget to stay up to date on all things country music by following our Instagram – @the_westernside – and subscribing to our YouTube.