Music

Married to the Music with Hanley Riggs

Married To The Music is a podcast that takes you behind the scenes into the lives of country music artists and their spouses. We explore what it’s really like to be married to someone in the spotlight about the challenges, the triumphs, and the everyday life that fans rarely see. From navigating parenthood and relationships to balancing personal dreams while supporting a partner’s career, we dive into the trials and tribulations of being a country artist’s significant other. Through intimate stories, candid conversations, and real-life experiences, this podcast humanizes the lives of your favorite country stars and offers a unique perspective on love, family, and life in the music industry.

Latest Episodes:

Emily West (Matthew West): Graceful, Faithful and Finding Love On Music Row May 29, 2026

Show notes

Before Emily West was married to Matthew West, she was building her own career on Music Row — working in artist development and publicity at record labels in Nashville. In this episode of Married to the Music, Emily shares the story of meeting Matthew through work, how their whirlwind relationship unfolded, and what it’s been like navigating marriage, motherhood, faith, and life in music ever since.

She opens up about raising two daughters while Matthew toured, the realities of supporting an artist behind the scenes, the importance of trust when your spouse is on the road, and why creating a home he always wants to come back to became such a meaningful part of their partnership. Emily also talks about style, meal prep, social media, and the little everyday routines that keep their family grounded.

It’s a conversation about love, timing, partnership, and the life happening behind the spotlight.

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Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best.

From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hailey Morgan (John Morgan) : Warm, Compassionate, and Down-To-Earth May 22, 2026

Show notes

This week on Married to the Music, Hailey Morgan joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations yet. As the wife of country artist and songwriter John Morgan, Hailey opens up about moving to Nashville alone, meeting John before his career took off, and what it looked like navigating the early grind of the music industry together.

She shares the story of unexpectedly becoming parents while John was chasing a record deal, the reality of raising three young kids while he’s out on the road, and the marriage advice Brittany Aldean gave her that completely changed her perspective on relationships in the industry.

Hailey also talks about social media, motherhood, insecurity in the music world, finding confidence in yourself, and why building a strong support system matters more than ever. It’s a vulnerable, funny, and deeply relatable episode about love, growth, family, and the not-so-glamorous side of chasing big dreams in Nashville.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kara Birge (George Birge): Burnt Orange, Young- Love, and Raising the Dream May 15, 2026

Show notes

George Birge’s wife, Kara Birge, joins Married to the Music to share the real story behind their 20-year relationship, raising two boys while balancing life on the road, and what it was actually like leaving Texas for Nashville before country music success ever happened. From meeting at the University of Texas and taking a leap of faith on George’s music career, to navigating NICU stays, tour life, motherhood, and finding stability in an unpredictable industry, Kara opens up about the realities of building a family behind the scenes of country music. She also talks about the importance of sisterhood, staying grounded through success, parenting while your spouse travels constantly, and why empathy has been the key to making their relationship work through every season of life.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FILMORE & Paige Filmore: Tin Roof, Road Life and Babies May 08, 2026

Show notes

Filmore and his wife Paige join Married to the Music for a conversation about love, life on the road, parenthood, and the reality behind the music industry.

From growing up just an hour apart without ever meeting, to eventually crossing paths at Tin Roof, the two share the unexpected story of how their relationship began and what it took to make long distance work while Filmore chased his music career. Paige also opens up about her demanding career as a pediatric cardiac sonographer and what it’s like balancing motherhood, medicine, and life alongside an artist.

The couple talks honestly about trust in relationships, navigating social media and touring, becoming parents, and the emotional experience of welcoming their daughter early and spending 20 days in the NICU. They also share stories from touring with Pitbull, raising their son Asher, and the behind-the-scenes moments fans rarely get to see.

This episode is funny, emotional, chaotic in the best way, and a real look at what it means to build a life together behind the music.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimberly Kelly (Brett Tyler): Real, Ambitious and Ever Evolving May 01, 2026

Show notes

Kimberly Kelly is a country artist, Texas native, mom, and the wife of No. 1 hit songwriter Brett Tyler, and her story pulls you straight into the real life behind Nashville’s music scene. She opens up about what it actually looks like to chase your own dream while married to one of the top writers in town. She talks honestly about finding her identity as an artist, balancing motherhood with ambition, and navigating an industry that does not come with a clear path or timeline. This is a real, behind-the-scenes look at love, work, and what it truly takes to build a life in country music beyond what you see on stage.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brittney Johnson (Jamey Johnson): Love, Law, and the Road Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Brittney Johnson, wife of country artist Jamey Johnson, joins Married to the Music to share her story of building a career as an attorney, falling into an unexpected love story, and navigating marriage in the country music industry.

From a tight-knit childhood in Mississippi to graduating from Ole Miss Law and making her mark in the courtroom, Brittney had a clear, driven path until one unexpected meeting changed everything. She opens up about meeting Jamey at a governor’s inauguration, not even knowing who he was, their instant connection, and the moment he “proposed” just days later, only half-kidding.

And yes… they got married because what’s a casual, low-key life decision without a little country music chaos?

Brittney gets real about what it actually looked like to leave behind her identity as a trial lawyer, move to Nashville, and figure out life and love in the music industry from long distance and time on the road to rebuilding her sense of self and creating balance in a completely new world.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Munsick (Ian Munsick): Fearless, Honest and Grounded Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

What’s it really like to manage your husband’s country music career while raising a family—and building a brand from the ground up?

This week on Married to the Music, Caroline shares the unfiltered reality of being both the wife and manager of a rising country artist—and how their relationship evolved from a Belmont University connection into a full-blown partnership in life and business.

From navigating a male-dominated industry at a young age to taking risks that changed everything, Caroline opens up about building a career in music without being an artist, trusting her instincts in high-stakes rooms, and creating opportunities from nothing.

She also shares what life really looks like behind the scenes—raising kids on a tour bus, balancing motherhood with management, protecting her relationship in the public eye, and why “showing up” is the most important part of loving someone in the music industry.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mandi Payton (Elvie Shane): Love, Sacrifice, and Resilience Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Mandi Payton, wife of Elvie Shane, joins Married To The Music for a raw and emotional conversation about motherhood, marriage, and life behind country music. From raising her son at a young age to becoming the foundation behind Elvie’s early career, Mandi shares what it looked like to support a dream while managing real life at home.

She opens up about long stretches apart, learning trust and communication in a relationship shaped by the road, and the powerful moment she first heard “My Boy”—a song that would come to define their family’s story.

This episode is an honest look at love, sacrifice, and resilience in the music industry, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the real lives behind the songs they love.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sara Brice (Lee Brice): Faith, Family and The Farm Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Sara Brice, wife of Lee Brice, joins Married to the Music for a heartfelt conversation about their love story, raising a family, faith, songwriting, and what life really looks like behind one of country music’s biggest names. Sara shares growing up in Youngstown, Ohio, discovering music through poetry and her grandmother, and how that led her to songwriting.

She opens up about meeting Lee on the beach when they were young, falling in love before his career took off, and standing by him through the early, unpredictable years. From radio tour days to building a life rooted in faith and family, Sara gives a real look at their foundation, plus stories from their Tennessee farm, raising their kids, and what Lee is really like at home.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chase Fann (Madeline Merlo): Trust, Stability and Loving an Artist Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

What’s it really like being married to a country artist? Chase Fann joins Married to the Music to share a real, grounded look at building a relationship in the middle of the music industry.

He talks about growing up near Nashville, becoming a lawyer, and meeting Madeline Merlo right before COVID, when their relationship had time to grow in a more intentional way. Chase also opens up about supporting a partner through touring, career highs and lows, and the constant balancing act between two very different worlds.

They get into faith, communication, and what actually makes a relationship last, plus some fun moments with SEC football, Harry Potter, and the everyday things that keep them connected.

It’s honest, relatable, and a true behind-the-scenes look at love beyond the spotlight.

Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music

Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs

More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.