The Real Country Podcast by Nikki in Nashville

The Reeves Brothers join The Real Country Podcast for an honest conversation about building an independent country music career in Nashville...and a hilarious whiskey tasting.

Matt and Cole break down how they grew to 150,000+ monthly Spotify listeners without signing a major record label, why they chose to stay independent, and what it really takes to survive in today’s country music industry.

We talk about:

 • Sleeping in trucks and 17-hour drives for early gigs
 • Leaving cover gigs to bet on original music
 • Recording and producing their own songs
 • Growing organically on...

In this episode of Real Country, we sit down with Jack Browning, a British singer-songwriter whose music is deeply influenced by American country, Americana, and the Western way of life, despite being far from Nashville.

Jack shares how he first discovered country music in the UK, what drew him to the sounds and stories of the American West, and why authenticity matters more than trends in today’s music industry. We talk songwriting, identity, culture, and what it means to create real country music outside the mainstream system.

This conversation explores ho...

In this episode from the Real Country Podcast archives, I sat down with Chancey Williams to talk about a path that looks nothing like the Nashville playbook.

Chancey shares his journey from growing up in Wyoming, earning a rodeo scholarship, and living the cowboy life, to building a successful country music career rooted in authenticity, grit, and real fans. We talk about how rodeo and ranch life shaped his songwriting, why staying true to his roots mattered more than chasing trends, and how he built a loyal a...

This is a Real Country archive episode featuring rising country artist Taylor Austin Dye, recorded before some of her biggest recent milestones, and it’s one worth revisiting.

In this conversation, Taylor shares her journey from Kentucky roots to building a fiercely loyal “Ride or Dye” fanbase, her blend of Southern rock and country, and what it meant to step onto the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time. We talk about carving out her own sound, staying authentic in a changing country music landscape, and buildi...

In this episode of The Real Country Podcast from the archives, I'm again live for The Carter Studio Sessions! I sat down with Americana singer-songwriter Sophie Gault for a deeply honest conversation about music, mental health, and writing songs that don’t shy away from uncomfortable truths.

Sophie talks about the long road to releasing her sophomore album, Baltic Street Hotel (out September 20 of 2024), and what it took to keep going after nearly walking away from music altogether. She reflects on her early days, the confidence she regained after releasing her debut record, and...

In this episode of The Real Country Podcast, from the archives, I'm showcasing my first artist on The Carter Studio Sessions. I sat down with rising Americana artist Zach Meadows for an honest conversation about songwriting, Nashville, and taking the long road as an independent artist.

Zach shares his journey from growing up in Orlando, Florida, to finding his sound in the Carolinas, and ultimately committing fully to music by moving to Nashville. He opens up about his background in musical theater, how songwriting became his true creative outlet...

From the archives, recorded during a pivotal moment in his career, this conversation features Willi Carlisle reflecting on folk music, belonging, and what it means to make art for real people, not algorithms.

In this episode, Willi talks through his Opry debut, his complicated relationship with musical institutions, and why folk music, at its core, is about people singing together, telling the truth, and bridging loneliness. He traces his path from punk scenes to traditional folk spaces, discusses learning instruments out of necessity, and explains how songwriting, literature, and lived experience shape his records.

From the archives. Recorded in early 2024, this conversation captures Aaron Watson in rare, unfiltered form before playing in Indianapolis, reflecting on more than 20 years of building an independent country music career on his own terms.

In this episode, Aaron breaks down how country music has changed over the past two decades, why social media creates faster fame but shorter careers, and what it really takes to play the long game as an artist. 

He shares how staying independent allowed him to own his songwriting, protect his brand, and release multiple top-10 B...

From the archives: Recorded in November 2023, just hours before his first-ever performance at the Ryman Auditorium, this past conversation captures Tanner Usrey at a true turning point.

In this episode, Tanner sits down backstage in Nashville to talk about betting everything on music, leaving a “real job” behind, and letting songs become what they’re meant to be without forcing them into a genre box. 

We discuss his release of 'Beautiful Lies' collab with Ella Langley, and 'Crossing Lines' album.

We dig into his Texas roots, the songwriting influences that shaped him (from Jason I...

Nothing changes until you start.

In this episode of Real Country, Nikki sits down with Eddie Marange a country music creator and photographer/videographer, to talk about what it really takes to build a career in country music and social media without connections, shortcuts, or overnight success.

Eddie shares his journey from law enforcement to working alongside country artists, how he grew a large platform simply by showing up consistently, and why most people quit long before things begin to work. They unpack the realities of social media growth, building a personal brand...

Lane Smith is an emerging country music singer-songwriter from Texas who started as a bullfighter! In this episode of the Real Country Podcast, we discuss his inspirations, goals for his career, how he writes songs, and his entire journey from rodeo...to the country music stage.  

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

On this episode of The Real Country Podcast, I’m joined by multi-instrumentalist and viral fiddle sensation Philip Bowen. Known for his electric energy, soulful playing, and mountain roots. We talk about his unconventional path to music, going from a corporate day job to a full-time artist, and what it’s been like building a fanbase from scratch through social media, songwriting, and sheer authenticity.

We also dive into his Appalachian upbringing, what inspires his songwriting, and how he’s carving out a space in the modern country/Americana world that’s both deeply rooted a...

Western Kentucky native and singer‑songwriter Kelsey Waldon has earned a loyal following for her honest, no‑nonsense lyrics and her commitment to real country music. 

Raised in the farming town of Monkey’s Eyebrow and steeped in bluegrass and honky‑tonk, Kelsey blends raw storytelling with a voice that cuts straight to the heart. After years of working odd jobs and paying dues in Nashville’s clubs, she’s now a critically acclaimed artist whose albums, including her new one Every Ghost, showcase life’s highs and lows with grit and grace.

In this interview, we div...

Country singer-songwriter and Nebraska native, B.J. Jamison, vows to put the twang back in today's country music...and he's just in his early 20s.

Being born to rodeo royalty, B.J. has been at it since a very young age, even running into issues while playing at honky tonks while he was under 21! His voice and songs are what country gold is made of, and we discussed the possibility of a new upcoming album. He also just released a recent single, Listen to Hank, which is a MUST listen.

In this interview, we...

Cowboy and West Texas Native Hayden Redwine has ranching and cowboying in his blood from as far back as he can remember.

Growing up in the cowboy lifestyle, working cattle, and competing in rodeos, Hayden blends country and western music into a highly recognizable style all his own.

The recent release of his album 'Spade', easily one of my top 10 albums of the year so far, shows he can write stories and sing songs about his personal experiences, which make you feel like he's lived many more lives than how old he is.

...

Jesse Daniel & Benjamin Tod: Redemption Through Country Music | Real Country Podcast

In this powerful episode, two of the most respected voices in independent country music, Jesse Daniel and Benjamin Tod, sit down with me for a raw, heartfelt conversation about life, addiction, recovery, and how music (and the right relationships) gave them both a second chance.

Both artists have walked a hard road, battling addiction, homelessness, and hopelessness before turning their pain into powerful songwriting and storytelling. What emerged is a shared story of redemption and change that’s as gritty as it is inspiring to...

JD Clayton on Making Music His Way, Nashville Life, and Fatherhood | Real Country Podcast

In this episode of The Real Country Podcast, we sit down with rising country/blues-rock singer-songwriter JD Clayton for an honest, laid-back conversation about life, music, and everything in between.

JD opens up about his journey into country music, from growing up in Arkansas to nearly pursuing a totally different career path. We talk about what it was like moving to Nashville, self-producing his own record, and the importance of staying true to his sound in...

On this episode of the Real Country Podcast, I sat down with artist Sterling Drake.

Sterling is living a life that many people dream of...and writing authentic country music songs about it too.

With a brand new album just released, Sterling is a tried and true cowboy, now a resident of Montana. He spends most of his time in country music or advocating for land conservation. 

Follow Sterling here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EhNTeJuyK3nLYjkXZtPPC?si=xuGHNcQESfOddjM_IKHXqg

Subscribe for more country music stories!

Thanks for listening! T...

On this episode of the Real Country Podcast, I sat down with artist Naomi Johnson. 

She just released her first solo single, Bricks Make Houses, and has a heck of a story to go along with it.

Growing up with 11 siblings on just one bus, she and her family travelled the country, in and out of cults, camps, and a minimal way of life.

She figured out music was her thing, and the rest was history. 

Watch the entire story here! https://youtu.be/L2RZSAXa3PA

...

Lily Meola won over hearts with her America's Got Talent appearance, singing an original song, Daydream, which now has almost 100 million streams.

Now working on her upcoming full-length album, I sit down with Lily to discuss her new music, growing up in Hawaii, her love for horses, and more.

Welcome back to the Real Country Podcast with Nikki in Nashville. This week we're talking to artist Cody Gentry. Cody is gaining traction with the release of his album Blue Ridge Gold, and also has a new one on the way for 2026! Check him out and smash that subscribe button for more BTS of country music. 

Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new music, chatting with artists, and all things country.

What goes perfectly with Texas Country/Rock music? Ghost stories. Justin Ross, headman for Justin Ross and Deadwood Revival who has played with or opened for acts like Aaron Lewis, Everlast, Warrant, Hinder, Fuel, Stoney Larue, and more, joins me today to talk about that exact combo! 
Playing on the front ends of a new revival of Texas music and rock, we discuss their band Deadwood Revival, how they approach their sound, new music, and a passion project that was quite interesting. 
Little am I ever left speechless but some of the paranormal stories you'll hear with Ju...

In this episode of The Real Country Podcast, I sit down with songwriting troubadour and vivacious storyteller, Benjamin Tod, and his wife Ashley Mae!

Frontman of the Lost Dog Street Band, Ben just wrote and released his recent solo album, Shooting Star.

Ben's story is popular and inspiring at that, telling a tale of a troubled kid addicted to drugs who found his way to the light through music.

Listen to the full thing here where we discuss the story behind his new album, the reuniting of Lost Dog, his upbringing and finding...