95.9 The Ranch-The Ranch Sitdown Podcast

In this special Ranch Sitdown from AmericanaFest in Nashville, Shane Hollinger sits down with Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Visit Fort Worth’s Tom Martens, and artist Summer Dean. From proclaiming Delbert McClinton Day, to Fort Worth’s booming live music scene, to Summer’s Opry debut and upcoming albums, this episode highlights how Cowtown is making its mark on the national stage while staying true to its Texas roots.

In this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shayne Hollinger sits down with Texas songwriter Kyle Hutton to talk about songwriting, storytelling, and the journey that led him to create the long-running Real Life Real Music series. Kyle shares how his love for music began with digging through liner notes and listening closely to the stories behind songs. He talks about the early days of building the show, memorable interviews with legendary artists like Larry Gatlin, and what it means to preserve authentic songwriter moments for future generations. The conversation also explores the unique perspective of a songwriter interviewing other songwriters, the emotional impact of hearing your songs performed by artists you admire, and the moments that make you realize you belong in the songwriting community. Kyle also performs songs during the episode, including a special performance of “Run Like Hell Is Knockin’ At Your Door.”

Texas songwriter Ashton Naylor joins Shayne Hollinger on The Ranch Sitdown for a conversation about the craft of songwriting and the next generation of Texas music. Ashton performs songs including “Any Other Way” and “Barkeep” while sharing the stories behind how they came to life. During the Sitdown, Ashton talks about learning guitar during COVID, writing songs starting in his parents’ garage, and why great songwriting always comes down to strong titles, honest lyrics, and melodies that connect. He also discusses navigating social media as an artist, the challenge of staying creative, and the influence of legendary writers like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Robert Earl Keen. It’s a deep dive into the mindset of a young Texas songwriter focused on writing songs that will stand the test of time.

On this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shane Hollinger sits down with John Teague, frontman of the Teague Brothers Band, to talk about songwriting, Texas music, and the stories that shape great songs. John shares the true story behind one of his songs about a fight over a buckskin gelding, his blue-collar upbringing, and how growing up around hardworking family members influences his writing. The conversation dives into his hit song “Fire,” how it was written years ago during COVID, and why he focuses on writing timeless songs that avoid modern timestamps like phones or texting. They also discuss the welcoming Fort Worth music scene, the artists inspiring the next generation of Texas music, and why authentic songwriting still matters. The episode closes with a powerful live performance of “Fire.”

This episode of The Ranch Sitdown was filmed live at MusicFest with Texas country artist Slade Coulter. Slade performs acoustic versions of his songs and shares the stories behind them, including the emotional songwriting process that led to “Mr. Wrong.” He talks about writing music with close friends, the collaborative culture of the Texas Red Dirt scene, and the pressure and pride that comes with being part of the West Texas songwriting legacy. Slade also dives into life on the road, including the wild story behind writing his song “Lucky” after getting stranded on the side of the road during a tour run through Nebraska. From songwriting retreats and co-writing sessions to opening for massive crowds one night and playing intimate shows the next, Slade gives an honest look into the life of a rising Texas country artist. Recorded in the mountains during MusicFest, this Sitdown captures the raw acoustic energy, humor, and storytelling that defines the Texas music scene.

Texas country staple Josh Abbott joins Ranch Sitdown to reflect on 20 years in the Texas music scene from writing “She’s Like Texas” to preparing for his Red Rocks debut. Josh shares the real story behind one of the most iconic wedding songs in Texas, the evolution of the Josh Abbott Band, and why his next chapter will feature a more stripped-down, raw sound. He opens up about early touring days in Lubbock, the growth of the Texas country movement, mentoring young artists, navigating a crowded streaming market, and balancing life as a father with life on the road. Josh also performs a brand-new unreleased song, “Prettier With You,” giving listeners a first look at the direction of his upcoming music. If you love Texas country, Red Dirt, and behind-the-scenes stories from one of the genre’s pillars, this is a must-listen episode.

Recorded at AmericanaFest in Nashville, Tennessee, this Ranch Sitdown finds Shayne Hollinger catching up with Texas native Van Darien during a season of major personal and creative change.  Van opens up about getting married, getting sober, and how those life shifts shaped her latest album Bummer Town.  She explains the concept behind the record, describing “Bummer Town” as a mental space rather than a physical place, and how the project serves as a journey out of emotional ruts and into imagination, joy, and healing. The conversation dives into Van’s songwriting process, her collaborations with Daniel Markham and producer Owen Beverly, and her decision to move from Texas to Nashville. She shares what it’s like being a Texas artist navigating the Nashville scene, finding community among fellow Texans, and discovering the city’s underground rock and songwriter culture beyond the mainstream.  Van also reflects on how Nashville brought her unexpected connections, including meeting her husband through the local songwriter circuit, and why maintaining strong ties to Fort Worth allows her to enjoy the best of both worlds. From creative rebirth to personal growth, this sitdown captures Van Darien at a grounded, hopeful point in her journey, with a candid look at music, mental health, and finding your people wherever you land.

In this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, host Shayne Hollinger runs into Texas country standout Kylie Frey while both are in Nashville, turning an unexpected meeting into a candid, wide-ranging sitdown on music, songwriting, Texas pride, and life’s newest chapters. Kylie opens up about her upcoming music, including a honky-tonk barn burner titled “Fort Worth,” a song she discovered while working with producer Trent Willmon and one that originated from a songwriting circle connected to Cody Johnson. She shares how the track evolved into a duet featuring Randall King, why the song felt like a natural fit for her, and how she’s working with the City of Fort Worth to help promote it, a full-circle moment for a Texas artist deeply rooted in her home state. Kylie also discusses her upcoming six-song EP, recorded while she was pregnant, her work as a songwriter with Carnival Music, and a creative shift toward writing more songs on her own. She reflects on years of co-writing, learning from some of the best writers in the industry, and how stepping into solo writing has been cathartic, grounding, and closer to the reason she started making music in the first place. This sitdown captures an artist in a season of growth, balancing career momentum, creative self-discovery, Texas pride, and motherhood, all while staying true to the sound and spirit that made her who she is.

In this episode of Ranch Sitdown, host Shayne Hollinger sits down with Kentucky-born songwriter Grayson Jenkins to talk about the long road into music, the quiet influences that shaped his sound, and the stories behind his latest album, Country Parables. Grayson reflects on growing up in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, known to many as “Paradise” from the John Prine song, and how early exposure to music videos, Johnny Cash, and church shaped his fascination with storytelling, even before he ever picked up a guitar.  A latecomer to music by his own admission, he shares how college became the turning point, eventually leading him to leave a traditional job and pursue music full time. The conversation dives into the realities of being a working songwriter today: the grind of touring, the financial challenges of the modern music industry, and finding balance after years of playing 100-plus shows annually.  Grayson also opens up about the creative process behind Country Parables, an album years in the making, including songs written as far back as 2016 and the impact of co-producing with Tony Bradshaw. Along the way, Grayson talks about his favorite dive bars and listening rooms, the rich tradition of Kentucky songwriters, comparisons to artists like Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton, and his growing connection to Texas, both musically and personally. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about patience, place, and building a life around songs that mean something.

On this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shayne Hollinger welcomes one of country music’s most fearless truth-tellers, Sunny Sweeney, for a wide-ranging, deeply honest conversation about legacy, independence, and saying exactly what you mean, even when it ruffles feathers. Sunny dives into the heart of her new album Rhinestone Requiem, explaining why it’s the first record she’s made without relationship turmoil weighing her down, and how peace, age, and hard-earned clarity have shaped her writing. She opens up about life on the road with her longtime bandmate and partner, choosing partnership over tradition, and why marriage simply isn’t part of her story anymore. The sitdown moves effortlessly between humor and gravity as Sunny reflects on aging in the music industry, being unapologetically herself at 48, and why vulnerability gets easier when you stop caring about other people’s expectations. She shares behind-the-scenes stories about discovering forgotten country songs at 3 a.m., recording deep cuts once made famous by legends, and how YouTube rabbit holes still influence her creative process. Sunny also unpacks the now-infamous Nashville billboards, including the bold statement “Country is not a costume” and why she was willing to spend her own money to make noise, start conversations, and stand up for traditional country music in a modern industry. From major-label lessons to the freedom (and financial reality) of being fully independent, she explains why doing things her way is the only way that works. The conversation takes an unexpected turn into musical theater, where Sunny reveals how a single Instagram post manifested her latest passion project: Stardust Riders, a country-fueled musical about aliens chasing a record deal in Nashville, with Sunny writing and producing the music alongside her partner. To close, Sunny speaks candidly about the double standards women face in country music, the pressure to be palatable, and why she feels fiercely protective of young female artists coming up behind her.  With sharp wit, heartfelt stories, and live performances woven throughout, this Ranch Sitdown is classic Sunny Sweeney, honest, hilarious, fearless, and unmistakably country.

In this episode of Ranch Sitdown, host Shayne Hollinger welcomes Amarillo, Texas singer-songwriter Travis Roberts, whose debut album Rebel Rose is already turning heads across the Texas Americana and alt-country scenes. Travis opens the sitdown with a powerful acoustic performance and dives deep into the stories behind Rebel Rose, an album recorded largely live with a tight circle of collaborators including Dalton Domino, PH Naffah, and Jeff Linsenmaier-Briolt. He reflects on growing up in the Bible Belt, learning to pack entire lifetimes into three-minute songs, and why his music leans as heavily into punk and rock as it does country tradition. The conversation explores Travis’ early influences, from Copperhead Road to pop-punk and emo records, and how that blend led Rolling Stone to say he’s “emphasizing the alt in alt-country.” He talks candidly about addiction, recovery, and how songwriting became both survival and salvation, including the raw, one-take recording of “All My Friends.” Travis also shares behind-the-scenes stories from making his debut record, including writing with Ray Wylie Hubbard, cutting a rare “industry cut,” and learning just how many unseen hands it takes to bring an album into the world. From Amarillo’s dive bars on Route 66 to major press attention before turning 25, this sitdown captures an artist at the beginning of a remarkable journey. The episode closes with Travis performing the title track “Rebel Rose” and reflecting on how loud country, hard lessons, and honest storytelling continue to shape who he is, both on and off the stage.

Recorded live in Nashville during AmericanaFest, this Ranch Sitdown finds Shayne Hollinger catching up with Jesse Daniel in the middle of one of the busiest and most exciting weeks on the Americana calendar. Jesse talks about playing songwriter rounds and showcases around town, the evolving spirit of AmericanaFest, and why this year felt especially meaningful for artists on the circuit. Jesse opens up about what “Americana” really means to him, describing it as a wide-open umbrella for American roots music that blends country, blues, folk, rock, and everything in between. He shares insight into his latest music, including the powerful duet recorded with Charles Wesley Godwin, and explains why that song’s message about time, family, and intentional living continues to resonate so deeply with audiences. The conversation dives into Jesse’s songwriting process, from writing instinctively when inspiration strikes to co-writing many of his songs with his fiancée. He reflects on growing up in a musical household in rural California, learning drums at a young age, playing punk and rock bands, and watching his father perform, moments that shaped his lifelong connection to music and the stage. As the sitdown wraps, Jesse talks candidly about reaching a turning point as an artist: tuning out outside expectations, writing honestly for himself, and finding peace in making records on his own terms. It’s a thoughtful, grounded conversation about authenticity, growth, and staying true to your roots, both musically and personally.

Kaitlin Butts sits down with Shayne Hollinger for a wide-open conversation about what it really feels like when a song explodes online. Kaitlin breaks down the unexpected second life of “You Ain’t Gotta Die to Be Dead to Me,” what it’s like seeing influencers and celebrities use your track everywhere you scroll, and why she’s grateful the viral moment came after years of building real experience.  They also get real about protecting your peace when the internet turns loud, how she handles negative comments, why she’s been vocal about sexism in the space, and the mindset shift that keeps her focused on the people who actually show up for the music. From karaoke nights and her go-to “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” to the surprising moment that made Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle” hit her like a brand-new song, Kaitlin shares the story behind turning it into a staple of her live set.  Plus: Kaitlin performs an acoustic snippet of “The Middle” right in the studio, talks Texas and Fort Worth feeling like home, and runs through what’s ahead, Billy Bob’s Texas, the Ryman, NFR in Las Vegas, touring with Lainey Wilson in Australia, a run with Molly Tuttle, and a brand-new record deal with new music in the works.

Singer-songwriter, producer, and label owner Matthew McNeal joins The Ranch Sitdown for a conversation that bridges Fort Worth grit with heartfelt Americana soul.  From his punk beginnings in Terrell, Texas, to founding his own record label and touring nationwide, McNeal opens up about independence, loss, and community.  He shares how DIY roots shaped his music, why Fort Worth’s creative spirit fuels collaboration, and the lessons behind his fifth studio album, High Lonesome.  It’s an honest, grounded look at a modern troubadour carving his own path built on kindness, authenticity, and a love for the craft.

At AmericanaFest, The Ranch Sitdown catches up with American Idol alum and Texas native Jack Blocker for a down-to-earth conversation about his whirlwind year. From hitting national TV to welcoming his newborn daughter, June, Jack shares how life, love, and late nights have reshaped his outlook on music. He talks about finding inspiration in legends like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, balancing family life with a touring schedule, and his unwavering loyalty to Dallas sports, even while living in Nashville. With a new album freshly released and another already in the works, Jack opens up about writing on the road, performing solo across the country, and the pull Texas still has on his heart.

In this week’s Ranch Sitdown, Americana prodigy Jack Barksdale opens up about his songwriting process, the deep-rooted wisdom behind his lyrics, and how growing up between Lucinda Williams and Nirvana shaped his sound. From toy guitars to Spotify rabbit holes, Jack breaks down the stories behind “The Wealthy Man’s Debt,” shares why live performance is both a blessing and a puzzle, and delivers a haunting acoustic performance that’ll stick with you long after the outro.

In this hilarious and heartfelt episode of The Ranch Sitdown, we catch up with Americana legend Hayes Carll at AmericanaFest to talk about songwriting through life’s messes and his new record born from self-reflection and a second divorce. Hayes opens up about finding peace, writing songs as reminders to himself, and accidentally rescuing a “lap dog” the size of a couch. From co-writing with Brothers Osborne to jamming with The Band of Heathens, this Sitdown is part therapy, part comedy, and all Hayes Carll.

In this episode of The Ranch Sitdown, Shane Hollinger kicks back with San Marcos singer-songwriter Hank Weaver, a quiet talker with a powerhouse voice and a knack for turning late-night thoughts into hauntingly good songs. Hank opens up about how Walk the Line inspired him to pick up a guitar at just four years old, his wildest writing sessions (including a dingy Oklahoma motel), and the thriving songwriter scene at Cheatham Street Warehouse. From battling writer’s block to dreaming about bagpipes and barbecued pre-show meals, this conversation is as down-to-earth and hilarious as it is heartfelt.

In this sitdown, legend Will Hoge talks new music, old classics, and what it’s like watching your kid call Pearl Jam “oldies.” From Grammy nominations to re-recording albums lost in the California fires, Hoge reflects on a career spanning 15 records, the evolving meaning of his songs, and why Americana feels like the Land of Misfit Toys. It’s equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and rock ’n’ roll storytelling.

Dalton Domino has never been afraid to tell the truth, whether it’s through his music, his struggles, or his new role shaping the next generation of artists. In this sitdown, Dalton opens up about life after the spotlight, marriage, fatherhood, sobriety, and the patience it takes to survive the industry. He talks about the making of his new record Arizona, the lessons he’s learned the hard way, and his bold approach to managing Shelby Stone by skipping the streaming chase and focusing on real fans. With plenty of laughs, blunt honesty, and even a few live songs, this episode is Dalton at his most candid.