Episode 4 - Lily Rose

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Thursday. [00:00:00] Speaker B: Let's go, dude. What? So. Whoa. Burnout. Yeah. Cheers to Wayne. Get another ticket right now. This was for the home team. [00:00:19] Speaker A: This was for the home team. [00:00:25] Speaker C: Welcome to Tailgate Beers. We got Austin here, Ryan, and today we are sitting down with Lily Rose. Lily, welcome. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. We've got to spend some time with you today and really appreciate just your outgoing and fun loving type of personality to go out. We got to shoot some golf early. Just been a great day here with you. Just finished your vip section. How do you feel? How do you feel about tonight? [00:01:10] Speaker B: Dude, I'm stoked. This is our fourth time playing cruisins, so. And we've done tailgate, tall boys, Bloomington twice, so I feel like I work here now. [00:01:20] Speaker C: Right? [00:01:21] Speaker B: But, no, I'm stoked. They're all excited. It's a Saturday night. Like, I feel like you could play cruisins on a Tuesday and it's still gonna be wild. But they are fired up. The VIP's were fired up singing loud during the acoustic stuff, so I think we're gonna figuratively burn this place to the ground tonight. I'm excited. [00:01:37] Speaker C: And they asked a lot of good questions. [00:01:38] Speaker B: So we do the vip thing, and I play some acoustic songs. Then I tell them, like, hey, while I'm playing the song, think of a good question. And when I tell you that, like, so many of the questions are like, it's amazing that you're curious about who I wanna collab with the most and who I wanna tour with the most and who's my biggest inspiration. But, like, I told you, 95% of my life is on the table, bro. Like, give me something juicy. And, no, honestly, there were a lot of really just, like, wholehearted, fun questions that I've never gotten before about my career. So. [00:02:10] Speaker C: And just being around the kind of campus of cruising's farm that we've been at today, I mean, I've seen a lot of your fans just kind of, you know, hanging around and got the shirts on and hats and stuff like that. So that's gotta be, you know, that's gotta feel good to know that you have that type of support. [00:02:28] Speaker B: No, it's the dream. You know? Like, I think a lot of us, we picked up a guitar and started writing songs to just try to get an emotion out, you know, whether you're 13, 1415 in my case. And then you are like, holy cow, I think I can make a living doing this, and I don't think I can do anything else. So when, like, I truly am, like, I was joking today that I went to school for five years. No degree. Majored in life, minored in friendship, you know? And for me, there was just no backup plan. There was no. Once I got on stage when I was, like, 18 years old, it was just like, I have to do this. That's what I want to do. So anytime that I can do these headlining shows specifically, and to see people spending their hard earned money on, like, shirts that have my face and my name on it and coming early to vip or just buying the ticket, it's still kind of mind blowing. We take it for granted as artists a lot, but I need that reminder every now and then. [00:03:23] Speaker C: So, I know you were in Chicago area last night. [00:03:25] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:03:26] Speaker C: Did you see some of the same faces, have, like, a traveling type of crew that you see at different venues? [00:03:32] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, like, so it kind of depends on the weekend routing. A couple weekends ago, we did Birmingham to Athens, Georgia to Raleigh. So, like, Birmingham to Athens is about four and a half hours, and then Athens to Raleigh is, like, six and a half. But this weekend, I was looking. It was like, okay, grand rapids and two and a half hours to Chicago, and then Chicago to Peoria. Two and a half hours. I was like, we're gonna have a bunch of people that are gonna come to two or three of these shows. And we've had lots of folks that are repeat offenders for the entire weekend. And, you know, they're like. They're asking me. They're like, hey, can you do, like, any other song at VIP? Cause, like, we've already seen this twice. And I was like, well, I didn't tell y'all to buy three days worth of vip. I know I'm not changing this set list for y'all, but I'm grateful that you're here. So, yeah, that's one of the things that has really kept my career going that is such a driving force, are not only the fans, but, like, we call them, I guess, superfans, and they are just. They're gonna buy every single item of merch. They're gonna buy every vip for every ticket they buy. They're buying vip, too. And they really, really keep. Keep the train and the wheels, like, oiled, and it's amazing. So I'm so grateful for them, but they were trying to find us at the bars last night. They were like, what bar we all at in Chicago? We were trying to. We're trying to find you. And I was like, we're at the dueling piano bar. Just think of the cheesiest place in the world. You can find me there. The whitest place in the world. That's gonna be where I am. [00:04:52] Speaker A: So you put yourself out there all the time for all these fans, and a lot of artists do it, but a lot of artists also keep very separate. They're very private. What do you do to re energize? What are you doing on the road or in your off time? I know you write a ton. [00:05:09] Speaker B: Yeah. Especially in vip, as we've been talking about it, when I get to meet fans face to face, even if it's on the street or at a bar, wherever it is. And a lot of them have stories when it comes to specifically villain, back pew, and stronger than I am. One of those three songs that have something to do with either breakup or a loss or a really hard, like, falling out in a relationship of any kind. And they want to share that with me, and it's amazing, but it does get heavy. Like, you can sit there in a vip meet and greet line, and you can have, like, five different people cry in your arms that your song helped them get through the loss of their husband or their kid or something like that. So, for me, I really try to make sure I'm giving them the moment right then and there. And, like, I'm so grateful for it, and I take it into the writing room. And when we write those special songs, like, I remember the day we wrote back po, I was like, this is gonna be one of those ones that somebody's gonna cry in my arms every single show, and they're gonna be crying in the crowd every time. So I try to put that energy back into the song because it can be a lot and it can be heavy. But for me, I have to work out every single day. This tour, I have kind of given myself a day off on Saturdays. [00:06:20] Speaker A: Cause it's in the fall. I didn't see that on the agenda. [00:06:23] Speaker B: Beer before ten dogs win today? No, I really have. Like, I'm a neurotic person about going to the gym, and it has nothing to do. I mean, I drink more beer than anybody I know, so it's kind of like just a counteracting thing, but it clears my head so much. It's like a form of therapy for me as artists. We were talking about Nate earlier that he had, like, four phone interviews the day that he was here, and he couldn't do the podcast. Like, we are constantly around people and speaking to people, and we have to be on, like, really on so much. And the gym is, like, my hour, and a half of the day that I get to be with me and, like, just reset. I'm either sweating out the tequila from the night before, or I'm just, like, getting a really good workout in. So it's the gym, spending time with my wife, and I go to therapy, and I love it. So it's a lot of reset with that, but all just so I can have the best energy I can. It's kind of just, you know, that cycle of, like, trying to be the best version of myself. I don't drink too much before shows. You know, like, today we went and golf, so I had a couple beers and we had, like, one shot. But, like, that's more than I usually drink before a show. Cause I really want to give it back to the fans and I want to be very, very present for them. And then we will tear it up after we get off stage. But, like, I just have seen so many artists come out and say that they regret, like, tours, that they can't remember the shows. [00:07:49] Speaker A: Right. [00:07:50] Speaker B: So, for me, you know, it's, like, as much fun as we like to have, I really, really, really. This is all turning it back to give as much energy as I can for the fans. So it's a process because it's cool. [00:08:01] Speaker C: But kind of talking about mental health and you're talking about fans and some of the emotions that they have connections to your songs and stuff like that. I've seen in your socials even lately on these tours that there's been times that you get emotional on stage. And what is that driving force? I mean, is it just the overwhelmingness of knowing that you've got these people out here that are spending their hard earned money on tickets to come see you, like we've said, and that kind of thing. Does that drive some of those emotions of you? [00:08:32] Speaker B: Totally. Totally. I've just gotten a lot of really great advice over the last few years from different artists and, like, higher ups at my label or management or whatever it is of, like, hey, there are gonna be some specific moments that you're gonna wanna be present for, and I can't tell you what those are. Cause it doesn't always mean it's gonna be the most tickets sold or the song is peaking higher than it's ever been. You're just gonna feel it and, like, try to be present in those moments. And I had one the other day in Indianapolis. It just happened to be our biggest headlining show ever. We sold over 1300 tickets. For a lot of the time. I can get through, like, back pew, everyone's singing it or villain for, like, the first two years, where I can just not tap into that. Like, hey, don't get emotional. Like, sing this song so you can give them the best version of this song is why they came. But I really let myself open up during that indie back pew moment. Cause I was just kind of like, yo, like, you haven't heard this many people sing this song back yet. Soak it in, take it in. And also, like, look at how many people are crying out in that crowd because this song is telling their story, too. It's not just yours. It's bigger than you. So I try to just make sure that when I really feel that those moments are coming, not turning the emotions off. Cause it's really easy to turn them off. We're entertainers. We are a sense of an actor on stage. I'm a different personality for running out of time when everyone's jumping or sad in the summer, the Diplo song, than I am for villain or the goal or one of the way chiller songs. So, yeah, I think I just try to make sure when the moment feels like it's creeping up on me, just, like, letting the emotions take over. Cause the fans want to see that. [00:10:15] Speaker C: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, that vulnerability and that openness. I mean, that drives further connection, I'm sure. [00:10:21] Speaker B: Yeah, yep, absolutely. Yeah. It's also, you know, you don't want to, like, dilute the emotion, like, aspect of it or, like, desensitize them to it. Because for villain, that first year. Cause I exploded kind of overnight online and got to quit my grocery delivery jobs and, like, not working at a country club anymore. Shout out, country clubs. We were golfing there today. Amazing. But, like, it was so emotional. That was like, holy shit. Like, we're actually making this dream come true. So I really couldn't. But the more that I was tapping into that emotion, I could see that, like, even my team and my band. Oh, she gonna do this just every time. Is it even real anymore? Is it that? So I really try to just stay focused in the song, and if I'm like, yo, this moment is really cool, like, lock in, I let myself go there. [00:11:11] Speaker C: Yeah. And I'm kind of stealing our time here, but I want to let Austin talk as well, or ask some questions. I know he's got some, but. So I do want to take a quick commercial break. You talked about villain, and during the break, I just want to quickly just kind of remind some folks and play a quick snippet of villains. So enjoy this real fast. [00:11:40] Speaker B: Whatever else you're sleeping now. Yeah. You can make me the bad guy. Make a mob. [00:11:51] Speaker C: So I told you that was something you probably heard. I want to get into two villain. I don't want to say overnight, but you know, that. Talk to us about how that happened. I mean, you hear the stories of, you know, I posted something, I went to bed, and I woke up, and I've got 300 text messages because everybody is seeing this. Is that kind of thing that happened or explain how it happened for you. [00:12:15] Speaker B: No, it was almost exactly that, except I didn't have any text messages because I just was, like, so discouraged by the app. I had seen my buddy Priscilla block blow up on TikTok and get a record deal. Then I saw a fellow Georgia kid, Andrew Janakis, do the same thing. And I think I was 27 at the time. Back in 2020? Yeah. Wow, 27. And I was like, I'm way too old for this app, but my friends are getting record deals doing this, and I don't want to deliver groceries anymore, so I'm going to stop being stubborn. I'm going to download it. I think it was, like, mid October, and I had no followers on Instagram. I wasn't on the voice or American Idol or had anything. I didn't have any followers to carry over, like, from any other social platforms, and posted every single song that I had except for villain. They had, like, 25 videos up. A girl named Rakhia Marshall was the only person to reach out to me from one of those other videos and was like, yo, you have a dope voice. You want to come over and we'll listen to demos? And, like, I'm opening my own publishing company. I want to see if we can sign you to a publishing deal. So I played her everything. I even played her villain. She's married to Seth Englund, the CEO of Big Lab Records, and both of them heard villain, and they passed. And I was like, yo, that's fine. I was listening to Matthew McConaughey's green Lights audiobook while I was delivering groceries at that time. [00:13:35] Speaker A: Love that book. [00:13:36] Speaker B: Loved it. And I remember, like, crying. Speaking of crying, on the way home, I called my wife, my girlfriend at the time, and I. I just told her, I was like, this is so discouraging. Like, I thought. I thought I was about to sign a publishing deal for $30,000 a year, and I was gonna get to quit and, like, chase the dream and, like, still be broke, but at least I'm getting paid doing something. And, like, I was just like, yo, he talks about that in that book, like, it's not a red light, yellow light. I was kinda like, it is a yellow light. I just connected with two of the, like, coolest people in Nashville that I've looked up to for so long. I gotta post the last song that I have that was villain was the only one that was fully mixed mastered, not a demo, like, ready to go. And I posted it, like, four or five days later, went to bed, was like, whatever. Woke up and had had, like, 850,000 views. And that was before no one had in country had had a song do that overnight yet. It was the biggest numbers yet. And all of a sudden, it's like, noon, and I'm getting a call from Rakhia Marshall. And I was like, hello? And she was like, what are you doing? I'm going to the gym. What are you doing? She was like, have you looked at TikTok? And I was like, no. She was like, your villain is viral. Do you want to do a 50 50 master deal with me and let's get you a record deal? And I was like, yes, I'm in. You believed in me before this, before everyone else was calling. So, yeah, I signed a deal with Rakiah that pretty much not to get too inside baseball with it all, but she was like, 50 50 master deal. I will help you pay for the music video and put it out and everything. And when a record company wants to sign you, they will buy that master. You get 50%. I get 50%. I was like, I'm in. It's amazing. So we made the music video. We released that song in nine days, which is insane to do. We got the COVID art. I signed on with a publicist. I just. It was whirlwind in December, too, which is crazy, because everyone was like, nashville shuts down after, like, November 10. No one works. It's the music industry. And we did the whole thing, and I ended up meeting with 13 labels inside of three days. And all my dreams were coming true right in front of my eyes. And lucky for me, big loud has been my number one label that I've wanted to be with since I moved to town. I saw the way that they just, like, they let these three new kids, they had Jake Owen, they had Chris Lane, but they let these three new kids, Morgan, Wallen, and Hardy and Ernest, like, be themselves. Like, they weren't trying to make them lose weight or be pretty boys or, like, do anything like that. It was like, I want to be there. That's how I'm going to be able to be an artist and be the fullest version of Lily Rose, quote unquote, there. And luckily, it was mutual, so I'm so grateful. I'm with big loud and Mercury and Republic records and Rakhia's record label. So it's a big old deal, a lot of record labels, but I'm at the best. I'm at the most wanted label in the music row, and honestly, in the world with Republic Records. So I am so thankful for villain. I can't believe it's been four years. It's crazy. Yeah, nuts. [00:16:39] Speaker A: That was crazy how that flies by and, like, that song putting you on the map. I mean, did you have a thought of what you're gonna do next with it, or did you get guidance from certain people that were like, all right, here's what's gonna happen. Here's how you need to kind of take the next step? [00:16:57] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, so when we. We knew that it was doing, because I think I posted it, like, three more times, I was being like. I wasn't being a cocky asshole by any means, but I was like, yo, if I could get that thing to get a million views in, like, 13 hours, which no one's done yet, watch me get 2 million views in 13 hours. And, like, everyone was like, stop. No, no, no. And I would be like, hey, guys, if. If you guys get 2 million views on this in 24 hours, I'll release the song. And then it would get, like, 4 million. And everyone was like, yo, what the heck? And it was really cool. So inside that nine days of it going viral and us releasing it, there was a lot of anticipation and a lot of advice that I was getting and support. But finally, when the song came out and it went number one, all genre, and it sat there for, like, 13 days, I think maybe 14 ahead of Taylor Swift's album that had come out two days before. Ahead of all I want for Christmas is you, like, in December, you know? And I think it sat there until about December 23, and then it finally fell out of the number one slot. But everyone was just like, we need more music. So immediately, once Christmas and New Year's ended is when I signed my deal with big loud, and we started, like, writing, and it was amazing. [00:18:09] Speaker C: Hey, we're sitting here with Lily Rose, and hopefully you've enjoyed the podcast so far and do want to take a quick break and thank our sponsor for today's show, Surfside. If you haven't tried it yet, get yourself some. Do yourself the favor. Several different flavors and tastes here. That really good out there in the golf course? I heard Lily say that earlier today as well. So thank you, Surfside, for your support. [00:18:35] Speaker A: Cheers. [00:18:36] Speaker B: Love you, surfside. Cheers. On ice is even better. Cheers. [00:18:39] Speaker C: Cheers. [00:18:39] Speaker B: Cheers. [00:18:39] Speaker A: I almost broke the. I almost broke the seal of africanus today. I was going to give her a leg up on this segment. We just say, this is brought to you by Surfside and cruisins. But then I'm like, no, I'm just going to spring it on her. I'm not going to give her the luxury of being able to know. So I asked this all the time and it was phrased to me years ago by somebody, and I am an albums person. I grew up where, you know, tapes you. I mean, you start here and you end here. There wasn't a go to one, then six, then four, and you bounce around. I mean, albums were meant to be listened to from front to back. And so a guy who I knew, knew this, and he asked me this question one time, and I don't know why he phrased it. I don't know if my brain is making this up. But nonetheless, you're on a plane. Plane's going down. Okay. And you can only reach for five albums, naturally. A parachute to listen to for the rest of your life. [00:19:35] Speaker B: Sure. [00:19:35] Speaker A: And you gotta make this decision. What five albums would you listen to for the rest of your life? [00:19:40] Speaker B: I'll tell you mine in order, dude. Number one, it's only eight songs, but born to run by Bruce Springsteen. It is a masterpiece. A rock opera, if you will. Number two songs about Jane by Maroon five. Their first record? Amazing. Three. I'm gonna go. Montevella by Sam Hunt. Four. I'm gonna go. Good kid. Mad City by Kendrick Lamar. [00:20:04] Speaker A: Love it. [00:20:04] Speaker B: And then number five, teenage dream by Katy Perry. [00:20:09] Speaker A: So you went variety big time. [00:20:11] Speaker B: Yeah, but those are truly my top five albums of all time. [00:20:14] Speaker A: Awesome. [00:20:14] Speaker B: Yep. [00:20:15] Speaker A: It's hard to think about. Thinking about the ones that I don't listen to forever. But I'm telling you right now, I'm listening to stuff that I'll never listen to again. Something that's popular right now in my truck will not be popular. It will not be one of my top five. [00:20:26] Speaker B: Totally. [00:20:27] Speaker A: But you gave me that Oasis album live. Yeah, done. [00:20:30] Speaker B: Dangerous by Morgan Wallins. Like, the hardest one to put at six. But, like, it just. It doesn't beat those five for me. Yeah. [00:20:36] Speaker A: You know, I want to know, too. You know, this has all been serious about stuff. What's something on tour that is you love, like, either pulling a prank. What things do you love to do that just kind of. You guys seem like you have a fucking blast. [00:20:49] Speaker B: Oh, my God. [00:20:49] Speaker A: With each other. But, I mean, there's got to be. There new because, you know, different people come on that are new to the band or something. I mean, is there a. Is there a prank? Is there something fun you like to do? Or. What's a. What's a tradition, man? [00:21:01] Speaker B: We. We give each other hell. That's for sure. I do think that we just have something special going on here when it comes to our camp. We've. We've added a lot of new faces lately that, like, some of them, it's only their third or fourth weekend, and it already feels like family, so I'm really grateful for that. Of everyone kind of taking a chance on each other. But one of our favorite things to do is it doesn't really matter if we're playing for opening for Luke Bryan, first of three, and then if we're headlining, whenever we're done with soundcheck, we really like to just find a, like, bar, grill, sports bar, restaurant, and, like, just go try somewhere new. That's, like, a one of a kind in its city. Like, Cruisins is the perfect example of a place that if we were playing the arena here and cruisings wasn't a venue or anything like that, that we would be like, yo, this is where you can find the lily Rose crew before. So we like to do that and just, like, see new places and new sites. But we play a lot of PGA 2024 on the Xbox, and you watch me golf today. It's not helping. It's not helping. But I'm pretty good at it on the Xbox, so. No, we love it. We play a lot. [00:22:13] Speaker A: You played the arena here. Not. I don't know when. Not too long ago, sometime this year. And I remember Danielle calling me and going, hey, Lily is here, and she wants merch. I'm like, well, fucking give it to her. I was like, I don't know. And then you ended up taking whatever, and then you played. I think I'm trying to remember who you played with. Hardy. [00:22:32] Speaker B: No, Sam. [00:22:33] Speaker A: You played with Sam Huntley, and then you ended up coming down, but on stage, you had the. You had. [00:22:37] Speaker B: The dude came down. It was the. Yeah, it was the green. No, we did the green. I wore the green shirt for our set, and then when I came out and sang with Sam, I had the cruise and Sodie on. Yeah, but, yeah, dude, we still. Bud and I have to, like, text each other if we're going out and, like, it's a little chilly in Nashville. And we have to be like, who's wearing the cruisers hoodie? [00:22:56] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:22:56] Speaker B: Because I'm like, I cannot show up. I cannot show up. [00:22:59] Speaker C: I've seen you on, what was it? Ten year town podcast, too. Yeah, Warren, cruising. I love that on that one. [00:23:08] Speaker A: Me and Wayne have so many of the same fucking shirts. There's times I just bring two. [00:23:12] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:23:12] Speaker A: Because I'm like, I'm bound to have the exact same one as him. [00:23:15] Speaker B: Yep. Or you just have him on your shirt or El prize shout out. [00:23:20] Speaker C: So I do want to take a little bit of a serious turn for a minute or two. And I know we're limited on time. And again, we really appreciate you sitting down with us and allowing us the opportunity to learn more about you and share with some of our fans and people that watch our podcast. But you are one of the first, if not one of the only, openly gay female country artists. [00:23:45] Speaker B: Totally. [00:23:45] Speaker C: You know, that's authentically you, and you've always been very authentically you in talking about that, and I've heard you talk about it. What does that. What does that mean to you? [00:23:54] Speaker B: No, it's an awesome question. I think there are a lot of people that, like, walked so folks like me could run, which I'm very grateful for. Shane McInally, Brandy Clark, Brandi Carlisle, so many folks that come out of the Nashville system. I think Ellen, you know, especially Ellen, being in entertainment took the brunt of a lot of that. But for me, when I always thought of country music, I've just thought of, like, authenticity and honesty. And I'm really grateful that I have two parents and a brother that have supported me since the day that I told them that's who I am when I was 19, so. Shit, twelve years ago. So for me, it was like, I get this question a lot. And I think people are kind of like, how do you choose to be so brave? I'm like, I. I don't have a choice. Like, this is who I am, and I will not settle or compromise being who I am for anyone, whether that's me in my personal life or in my artist career. So I think I've had a journey that has allowed me and parents, again, like, I have a support system that I know a lot of people don't have. So I'm grateful for that. It's fans showing up. And, like, I was surprised tonight at vip, nobody said it, but it's almost every single vip fans will be like, hey, I just want to thank you for, like, giving us somebody that looks like us and, like, lives the way that we do. Thank you for finally giving us country music that we feel included in and somebody that we can look up to. And I keep telling them, like, you guys showing up, for me, you guys are the only reason that, like, I have a career. And as much as it is me living my authentic life and having a label and management and agents and family that support me, these fans showing up, they don't realize how much they're doing to move the needle when it comes to somebody who looks a little bit different and sings about the same things, but just about a girl and a girl, how much they're affecting and, like, keeping me around. They're doing it. I'm just the face, but they are the gasoline. I'm just, like, the car, you know? So it's all been really cool. Nashville's also the bluest city I've ever lived in for sure. Like, when it comes to just, like, acceptance, and I've never once felt like I couldn't be who I am in Nashville, Atlanta, and Athens. Like, I had way harder times with both of those, so it's great. My parents also just, like, raised me to be a very, very, very strong, independent woman, and I grew up with a dad that was like, honey, you can do anything a boy can do and better. Like, go do it. Go. Go out. Throw them on the football field. Go, like, go do everything. So I think I also just might have that nice, perfect recipe for carrying a lot of this weight and the, you know, figuratively and literally carrying the flag. So it's. It ain't easy, but if anyone's gonna do it, it's gotta be me. And I'm just grateful that people give me a shot because it's the least interesting thing about me, you know? Like, it's like. It's like. So that's my favorite part about it. [00:26:55] Speaker A: But because now, even after knowing you more, I mean, I don't even. I mean, I don't know. I don't look right. You. I don't. It doesn't come across at all in my mind as far as the topics for you. I mean, there's so many other interesting things about you once you get to know you and your personality, but also, like, I don't know, you could also spend your whole life sitting there dwelling on it because you're a female, because you're, you know, you came out as gay. Because I'm this. Because I got. I mean, I got to deal with Wayne, like, or you just deal with it totally, you know, and you seem like somebody that honestly, just. You deal with it. You roll with it. And I think you do a great job at it because it's. It's not easy being an artist in general with everybody scrutinizing every fucking thing that you do and in that spotlight. So we, you know, we just only have a couple hundred followers. We don't have, you know, too much scrutinizing on our end yet. [00:27:44] Speaker C: Not yet. [00:27:44] Speaker B: Well, I can promise you. Let me just get. Let me wrangle the whole lr crew. They'll come in hot. [00:27:52] Speaker A: I love it. [00:27:52] Speaker B: But, no, I do think that it's a very, very, very fine line of it being the least important thing about me. And why do we have to hyper focus on it and x, Y and z? And then back to our conversation we were having in the car earlier today of just, like, there's also. On the other side of that, there is a reason that we do need to highlight it and celebrate the fact that we haven't had a lot of gay people in country music or people of color or whatever it is. And it's like, it's that really, really, like, jelly bean balance of what's too much. How do we not tip the scales one way or another of, like, not celebrating it and, like, owning and being proud of who you are and something different and, like, cool while also, like, not hyper fixating on it because, you. [00:28:35] Speaker A: Know, and, like, people saying, like, the day that we get past is the day, like, you know, we don't have to have a month or we don't have to have whatever, because that's how, you know, it's really just done. [00:28:46] Speaker B: Well. Yeah, there's no more hate in the world. So people don't feel like they have to only, like, take 30 days to sell it. Like, feel out and open about themselves. [00:28:54] Speaker A: We talked about the car. Like, you. We haven't brought up one time how I'm straight. Like, because we don't talk about. [00:28:58] Speaker C: That's normal. [00:28:59] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:28:59] Speaker A: And that's where I hate when people even focus on any of that stuff. Just be yourself. I have my opinions. You have yours. And we talked about that in the car where I just think it's about the fucking music, too. Like, yeah, it's about your. Your music and what you're doing to touch people. That is why we love you. [00:29:17] Speaker C: I think one of the most important pieces of it, and I think you said it very elegantly, is knowing that you represent the people. And I saw it in the vip, and they're looking at you because you're representing them and they see themselves in you or whatever it is. And I think that's the most important piece to be able to say, you know, I'm leading and I'm okay with that. And, you know, I'm living my life. And if you look at me as a leader or somebody who is, you know, proof that, you know, everybody can. Can be happy or whatnot, then you're owning that. [00:29:56] Speaker B: Visibility is a very important thing. And that's why I do think it's really important to celebrate those that might not have had the visibility or, you know, the diverse groups that, you know, I was a kid that grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, that, like, I had so many gay people in my life that I didn't know were gay. Cause, like, no offense, my parents, they're literally angels walking among us. But, like, they didn't tell me that these people were gay. So I'm just sitting there terrified my whole life. Cause I had no visibility. I had no example of, like, oh, wow, my dad's boss. My dad's kind of, like, a badass. And, like, my dad's boss is gay. Like, you can be gay and, like, do well in life. So that's the coolest, the coolest thing by far. It's amazing when people come up to me and say that they're so, like, my songs have impacted them or they walked down the aisle, their first dance was to a song that is always so special. But when I hear parents or, like, kids at this point tell me that, like, hey, my kid finally came out because, like, they saw you. You're on stage with Luke Bryan, aka, like, you can do anything, and they felt comfortable enough. That's the win. That right there means that the music doing its job, not the agenda. But, like, me just writing songs has gotten us to a point where another kid feels more comfortable earlier than I did to live who they are. [00:31:13] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:31:13] Speaker B: And that's just. That's just the tunes. Starts in the writing room because, like, I could sit here and do shoving agendas down people's throats all day long, but that ain't gonna move the needle, you know? So it's. Music's a really cool thing. [00:31:25] Speaker C: So going on to what you just said, as far as music is concerned, I know you found music at an earlier age, piano, and I think you got a drum set early on, and I know you had an older brother that kind of encouraged or at times you looked up to and whatnot. So talk to us about kind of how you assembled yourself as a musician or came to love songwriting or even playing. [00:31:52] Speaker B: Totally. Yeah. My parents, neither of them played instruments, but they both can carry a tune. And there was just so much music playing in our house all the time. Springsteen to Beach Boys to Jackson five, like, just all that. But my older, he was actually my cousin who passed away now. He passed away when he was 21. I was 17. But we would go over to his house. He was my only cousin in Atlanta. And he had the drum set and he had the guitars and the piano and just all of it. And he would let me play. And that's kind of where I not only found the love for the instrument part of it all, but my parents kind of got eyes on, like, yo, our kid is musical. This is dope. Let's get something in her hands. And I begged him for about six months. I was nine years old. I was like, please, can I get a drum set, please? And they finally took the leap, which is insane to me. I don't know many parents are gonna buy their nine year old kid a drum set, but thank God there's basements in Atlanta, or else I might not be in this chair right now, but I'm. Yeah. So they took the chance and I did the drums, and I loved it. And then two or three years later, I was like, hey, I really want a guitar. And they're like, okay. So they got me a little first act guitar, and it was all self taught. And then I was like, I want a piano. And they're like, okay. And it wasn't until, like, Taylor Swift really came on the scene when I was in 8th grade that she was singing about all the things I was going through, like being a freshman in the hallways and like this, and like, oh, my gosh, my best friend's with the senior boy. And, you know, like, just stuff where it was just like, holy cow. I've never felt connected to a song and a story the way about this. And I was like, I want to write music like this. So that's kind of where the songwriting started. And then I got to college, and freshman year, I went and did an open mic night, and it was my first time on stage and never looked back. [00:33:38] Speaker C: Fell in love. [00:33:38] Speaker B: That's how the artist thing started. So it's been a really long. I mean, I'm 31, so it's been 22 years of me playing music and still learning every day. But it's been a really cool journey, so. [00:33:50] Speaker C: Absolutely. Do you believe in aliens? [00:33:54] Speaker B: Yeah. I believe that. Like, I think this. I'm not a simulation person. So when I say this, I'm like, kind of kidding. But like, I think it could be a simulation. I think there could be aliens. I don't think the earth is flat, that's for sure. But, like, not a flat or I think I know, like, nothing compared to what a lot of other people know. Some people know some shit, man. [00:34:16] Speaker A: Do you have a conspiracy on anything, though? Would you have a thought on anything? That conspiracy? [00:34:21] Speaker B: We've been like pretty not deep in it by any means, but like, I do think that JFK could have been killed by like our own people. Oh, shit. [00:34:30] Speaker A: Okay. Cause I've traveled on that rabbit hole and then I do the pyramid rabbit hole a lot. That gets me a lot of, like. [00:34:35] Speaker B: How did they make those? I need to go. And weren't they like. They were like way bigger. Like, they're bigger humans. [00:34:42] Speaker A: When you started traveling down the rabbit hole of how did they move the stones? And is it impossible? And how the hell are we this smart in this day and age and modern technology can't figure out really how that many people moved it and like, where they got the rock from. To all, I just watched one the other night talking about a place in Utah where these like 6000 pound perfectly square pieces are like cut in earth and what they use them for. [00:35:08] Speaker B: Yeah, I need to go down that one. Cause that just. That's law. I'm like unhealthy level of logical to where I'll sit there and have a discussion and be like, how in the world does that make sense to you? Like, I'm very, very cut and dry. Science, physics. I do think Avril Lavigne and Paul McCartney are alive. Okay. That is one that I will fall on that sword of like, I think. I don't know what that conspiracy is about. Paul's alive. I've seen him in concert. And Avril's kicking. [00:35:38] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. [00:35:39] Speaker A: Song with Nate Smith. [00:35:41] Speaker B: I know another one. Let's go run it back. [00:35:43] Speaker C: They just. [00:35:44] Speaker B: But did you see there's a conspiracy that she. That's not her. I'm like, yeah, that's her. [00:35:47] Speaker A: Some other artists, I keep seeing that they look like he's like old time singer and he's always like, looks autonomous. I don't know who that is. [00:35:53] Speaker B: Joe Biden. [00:35:57] Speaker A: You know, I, on the pyramid one, though, my grandma will go over there. My grandma's like, in her eighties. I'm like, grandma got to change these light bulbs. And she's over here and she gets on the pyramid kick, too. But then I'm like, you know what? Before my grandma, like, something ever happens, I'm like, I might just slip her, like, some brownies and shit, and me and her just sit and kick it and watch, like, pyramid shit and go down with my grandma. [00:36:18] Speaker B: But I bet you you wouldn't even have to slip your grandma brownie now. [00:36:21] Speaker A: She's on other stuff. No, we all, jokes aside, I mean, we can't wait to have you back on, you know, I don't know, do it here again, whether you play the festival next year, which I hope, hopefully you will. And, yeah, we'll catch up again. And thank you for being on. [00:36:37] Speaker B: Dude, this is fun. I mean, we all golfed all day today. I can sit here and talk to you guys forever, but I gotta go clock in, so. [00:36:43] Speaker C: Right. Almost time to work. [00:36:44] Speaker B: I cannot wait. Tonight's gonna be amazing. So thanks for having me, y'all. Thank you. [00:36:47] Speaker A: Thank you. [00:36:47] Speaker C: Thanks for the time, dude. [00:36:48] Speaker B: Cheers. [00:36:49] Speaker A: Cheers again. [00:36:49] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:36:50] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [00:36:50] Speaker A: Appreciate it. [00:36:52] Speaker B: Come on. Hell, yeah. That was great. 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