Send us Fan Mail On Episode 227, I'm joined by esteemed journalist and writer Josh Crutchmer ( Rolling Stone , New York Times , etc.). During this sit down in Okemah, OK during this summer's Woodyfest, we talk to Crutchmer about The Turnpike Troubadours, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Wyatt Flores, writing books--his latest being Never Say Never --and the current climate of Americana, Red Dirt, & Country music. Our presenting partner on this episode of New Slang is OG Lone Star, your go-to spot for...
Aug 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 9Ep. 227
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 226, I'm joined by a trio of up and coming Texas songwriters--Ashton Naylor, Cameron Allbright, and Hank Weaver. The three have been making waves down around San Marcos the past couple of years, having ushered in a new class of Texas artists from the hotspot. During this episode, we talk about Songwriter Nights across the state, the latest and upcoming projects, and what it's like to be a new artist in 2025. Our presenting partner on this episode of New Slang is OG Lo...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 226
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 225, I'm joined by Texas songwriter Hayes Carll. We talk about his upcoming album, We're Only Human (out August 8), collaborating with The Band of Heathens, songwriting, finding the middle ground, and how folks like Ray Wylie Hubbard (who briefly cameos) influenced and inspired Carll's generation of songwriters. Our presenting partner on this episode of New Slang is OG Lone Star, your go-to spot for both new and vintage Lone Star gear. Officially licensed and Texas ba...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 9Ep. 225
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to New Slang. On Episode 224, I'm joined by Alabama country duo, Muscadine Bloodline. We recorded this interview a few weeks back with Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton when Muscadine Bloodline headlined CottonFest out at Cook's Garage in Lubbock, Texas. On this episode, we talk about their latest albums, The Coastal Plain and ...And What Was Left Behind , diving into their spin on Southern gothic storytelling, maturation as songwriters, building canon & lore, ...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 224
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to New Slang. On Episode 223, I'm joined by Texas singer-songwriter Randy Rogers. We recorded this episode a few weeks back out at Cook's Garage during this year's CottonFest. On this episode, we talk about the 20th anniversary of their breakout album Rollercoaster, working with the likes of Radney Foster & Sean McConnell, what makes him gravitate towards an outside song cut, the meteoric rise of Parker McCollum (an often collaborator), and what's around the cor...
Jul 24, 2025•41 min•Season 9Ep. 223
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 11, we're joined by our first present-day and new artist, BJ Barham, the lead vocalist and chief lyricist of American Aquarium. The North Carolina-based Barham and AA released a surprise album today--the aptly titled Slappers, Bangers & Certified Twangers, Vol. 1 --the band's ninth full-length studio album and first covers record. As you expect the 10 songs found on Slappers are an ode and tribute to the music, songwriting, and artists of the early '90s. During th...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 8Ep. 222
Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode of The Neon Eon, we're joined by Marty Raybon of the legendary country band Shenandoah. During this one, we talk about their early Muscle Shoals roots, signing onto a label, touring with the likes of Randy Travis, having to essentially start their career over mid-career, smash ballads like "Moon Over Georgia," the legacy of "Two Dozen Roses," and their latest album, Every Road . Visit The Neon Eon merch store here . Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 8Ep. 221
Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode of The Neon Eon, we're joined by country icon Tracy Lawrence. During this one, we talk about music videos for songs such as "Texas Tornado" and "As Any Fool Can See," find the right outside cuts, the process of cultivating a sound for an album, having an identifiable sound being a calling card, and how he's progressed as a songwriter over the years. Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and Patreon . Check out The Neon Eon Overal...
Jul 03, 2025•36 min•Season 8Ep. 220
Send us Fan Mail This week on The Neon Eon, I'm joined by country music superstar Sara Evans. We talk about breaking into the industry and forming her sound, embracing her Missouri roots and singing songs about small-town life, writing and/or recording massive hits like "Suds in the Bucket," "Born to Fly," and "A Real Fine Place to Start," why country music thrived when unique and distinct accents and voices were supported on radio, album deep cuts, and why she felt it was essential to record so...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 8Ep. 219
Send us Fan Mail This week on The Neon Eon, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart stops by to talk about the band's '80s roots, their quick rise in country music, Restless Heart's longevity and consistency all these years later, their string of #1 hits, why radio helped make them successful, being country's soft rock band, and Larry's underrated '93 solo album Down the Road. Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and Patreon . Check out The Neon Eon Overall Playlist here and ...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 8Ep. 218
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Neon Eon. We kick off February being joined by singer-songwriter Terry McBride. McBride began making a name for himself as a bass player playing for the likes of Dale McBride (his father), Delbert McClinton, Rosie Flores, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and others down in his native Texas before bursting onto the scene as the lead vocalist and chief lyricist of the trio McBride & The Ride. Later, he'd be recognized as a hit songwriter for the likes of Brooks & D...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 8Ep. 217
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Neon Eon. On Episode 004, we're joined by Porter Howell of Little Texas. Howell was one of the founding members of the '90s country outfit starting out as the outfit's lead guitarist and one of their chief songwriters. During this episode, we talk about moving from Texas to Nashville, attending Belmont University during the '80s, how their label pushed them to write early on, the band's dynamics and chemistry as performers & songwriters, and some of the s...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Season 8Ep. 216
Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to The Neon Eon. On Episode 003, we're joined by singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters. During this episode, we talk about her journey as a songwriter in Nashville during the era, finding her voice as a storyteller, why she wrote at her best solo, some of the stories behind some of her biggest hits like "Independence Day" and "Let That Pony Run," and recording her debut album, the 1996 gem The Secret of Life . Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook , Instagram , Twitt...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 8Ep. 215
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to The Neon Eon. For Episode 002, we're joined by of the era's greatest, the legendary Pam Tillis. During this episode, we hear some of the stories behind some of Pam's biggest hits like "Let That Pony Run," "Spilled Perfume," and "Where Have All The Good Ones Gone," writing songs with the likes of Dean Dillon, being a young staff writer during the late '80s, and regional (and more diverse) radio markets. Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , a...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 8Ep. 214
Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 1 of The Neon Eon. We kick off the podcast being joined by country music star Clay Walker. During this episode, we talk about Walker's early roots and rise out of the blossoming Beaumont/East Texas scene in the late '80s, signing on to Giant Records, being a young writer, finding his lane, and hear some of the stories behind some of Walker's biggest hits such as "Live Until I Die," "Dreaming with My Eyes Wide Open," "This Woman and This Man," "Live, Laugh, Lov...
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Season 8Ep. 213
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 212, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Caleb Lee Hutchinson. This past Friday, Hutchinson released the cosmic-swept space country album Southern Galactic . With anthemic barnburners like the tone-setting "Silverado" and honky-tonk juke joints like "At Least I'm Drunk" and "Good at Being Bad," Hutchinson captures adventurous sonic punches while delivering familiar country themes. Still, heartbreak, lonesomeness, and existential dread do the heaviest lifting on Southern G...
Nov 02, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 8Ep. 212
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 211, I'm joined by Texas singer-songwriter Dallas Burrow. This past summer, Burrow released his latest full-length, the country and folk rambler Blood Brothers . With fellow Texan songwriter/producer Jonathan Tyler at the producing helm, Burrow continues establishing himself as a vivid storyteller with a knack for delivering a compelling, hearty punch. "Motel 6" is a road-weary charmer that'll fill your coffee cup for the drive back home. Songs like the wistful "Starr...
Oct 24, 2023•53 min•Season 8Ep. 211
Send us Fan Mail New Slang returns with Episode 210, where I'm joined by singer-songwriter Cleto Cordero of Flatland Cavalry. During this conversation, we talk about Flatland's latest EP, Songs To Keep You Warm , working with the great Bruce Robison on projects, finding your true self in songwriting, Far West Texas inspirations, the new Panhandlers EP, West Texas Is The Best Texas , and Flatland's sonic journey over the past few short years. New Slang Twitter New Slang Instagram New Slang Facebo...
Nov 10, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 7Ep. 210
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 209, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Thomas Csorba. During this conversation, we talk about growing up in Houston, discovering Texas songwriters, recording with Beau Bedford & The Texas Gentlemen, writing during the Pandemic, how songwriting has evolved and changed over the past few years, Randy Newman songs, and what he has planned going forward in 2022. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol , The Blue Light Live , and Charlie Stout Photogr...
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 209
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 208, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Grady Spencer, who in January released Wait, his fourth full-length with his band Grady Spencer & The Work and sixth overall. During this interview, we talk about writing Wait, the sonic palette that was influenced by the mood and feel of the past few years, the significance of songs like "Therapy's Good," touring the country, growing up in West Texas, why Matchbox Twenty still holds up, and putting his own spin on '90s Country...
Feb 24, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 7Ep. 208
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 207, I'm joined by singer-songwriter William Beckmann. During this conversation, we talk about his Del Rio roots, border radio influences, splitting time between Texas and Tennessee, finding his voice as a writer, navigating co-writes with songwriting heroes, sage advice from Radney Foster, and what new music he has on the horizon. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol , The Blue Light Live , and Charlie Stout Photography . New Slang Patreon New...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 207
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 206, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Kolton Moore. During this one, we talk about his hiatus, coming back to songwriting, being a reenergized artist with a cult-like following, working with the likes of Ace Crayton of Thieving Birds, and what he has on the horizon in 2022. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol and The Blue Light Live . New Slang Twitter New Slang Instagram New Slang Facebook New Slang Merch Store The Neon Eon Podcast The Neon Eo...
Feb 03, 2022•38 min•Season 7Ep. 206
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 205, I'm joined by rising country singer-songwriter Caleb Lee Hutchinson. Back in September, Hutchinson released the wonderful EP Slot Machine Syndrome. During this episode, we talk about writing and recording the songs of Slot Machine, working with the likes of Brent Cobb (who produced the effort), navigating Nashville songwriting rooms, falling in love with narrative country music, and how he's found himself carving a spot in Texas playing shows with folks like Vinc...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 205
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 204, I'm joined by David Beck, bassist and chief songwriter of David Beck's Tejano Weekend. During this conversation, we talk about their latest album, the aptly titled Volume 2, writing Tejano songs in English, diving into a Mexican music culture that's loved in Texas, but often overlooked, collaborating with legends, and trading Billy Joe Shaver stories. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol and The Blue Light Live . New Slang Patreon New Slan...
Nov 23, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 204
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 203, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Evan Bartels, who released his latest full-length album, Lonesome this past September 17. Dark and rich, Lonesome dives deep into the raw emotional intensity of the human condition. During this conversation, we talk about writing Lonesome, recording with producer Ryan Hewitt, the redemptive streak within Lonesome's darkness, growing up in Nebraska, and why we return to our favorite albums time and again. This episode's presenting p...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 203
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 202, I'm joined by Montana singer-songwriter Sean Devine. Devine released the excellent Here For It All in early September after recording the album with Josh Thompson and Cody Jinks's backing back down at Sonic Ranch. During this conversation, we talk about recording the album, exchanging Dropbox folders with Thompson, writing storytellers like "Clay Bluffs," coming down to Texas, his Montana home, and what continues to drive him to tell stories worth telling. This e...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Season 6Ep. 202
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 201, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Suzanne Santo, who last month (August 27) released the dark and mesmerizing album Yard Sale. During this episode, we talk about the emotional depth and weight within Yard Sale, touring with Hozier, writing on the road, mental health, and our favorite TV series of recent memory. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol , The Blue Light Live , and Charlie Stout Photography . New Slang Patreon New Slang Twitter New...
Sep 24, 2021•59 min•Season 6Ep. 201
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 200, I'm joined by Sam Anderson and David Matsler of Fort Worth rock band Quaker City Night Hawks. During this one, we talk about early roots, discovering music in the late '90s, collaborating with Mike and The Moonpies, and how the pandemic has had them reaccess their approach to songwriting, releasing albums, and tour schedules. This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol , The Blue Light Live , and Charlie Stout Photography . New Slang Patreon New ...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 200
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 199, I'm joined by Louisiana singer-songwriter Rod Gator, who is releasing his latest album, the radiant For Louisiana, this Friday, September 17. During this conversation, we talk about his Louisiana roots, writing about natural disasters & conflict, hear stories about near-death experiences, recording and collaborating with Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas and Will Walden, and dive into more film and TV talk about Michael Mann, True Detective, and The Texas Chainsa...
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 199
Send us Fan Mail On Episode 198, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Luke Dick. During this conversation, we talk about the intersection of art & commerce, releasing music in 2021, writing & collaborating with the likes of Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, & Natalie Hemby, navigating the Nashville songwriting world, and his latest single, the excellent "Some Things Change." This episode's presenting partner is Desert Door Texas Sotol , The Blue Light Live , and Charlie Stout Photography . Ne...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 6Ep. 198
