The Neon Eon

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Latest Episodes:

011: BJ Barham of American Aquarium May 07, 2021

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 this episode, we talk about the early inspiration behind the project, the blue-collar anthems and earnest storytelling of the '90s collection, how '70s & '80s rock songwriting influenced country music, early memories of listening to the radio in rural North Carolina, and why & how bands and artists like Sawyer Brown, Sammy Kershaw, and Patty Loveless wound up seeping into the American Aquarium sound.
Visit The Neon Eon merch store here.
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon. Check out The Neon Eon Overall Playlist here and The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Visit The Neon Eon's Presenting Partner, Burn Vodka here. Like and follow Burn Vodka on Facebook and Instagram.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

010: Marty Raybon of Shenandoah Apr 15, 2021

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, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon. Check out The Neon Eon Overall Playlist here and The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Visit The Neon Eon's Presenting Partner, Burn Vodka here. Like and follow Burn Vodka on Facebook and Instagram.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

009: Tracy Lawrence Mar 11, 2021

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 Overall Playlist here and The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

008: Sara Evans Mar 03, 2021

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 songs like Lori McKenna's "Bible Song" early in her career.
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon. Check out The Neon Eon Overall Playlist here and The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

007: Clint Black Feb 17, 2021

This week on The Neon Eon, I revisit an older episode of New Slang, an interview with country music legend Clint Black. During this hour-plus conversation, Black gives incredible insight, detail, and perspective on his storied career. We go back and talk about his breakthrough debut album Killin' Time (which last year was its' 30th year anniversary), how being in the public eye changed his songwriting, how he and guitarist Hayden Nicholas formed an unbeatable songwriting & creative team, writing & collaborating with the likes of Merle Haggard, how "going electric" helped shape and expand his artistic process, and his latest album, Out of Sane.
*This episode was originally aired on New Slang back in the Summer of 2020.*
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon. Check out The Neon Eon Overall Playlist here and The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

006: Larry Stewart of Restless Heart Feb 10, 2021

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 The Neon Eon: The Songwriters Playlist here. Subscribe to New Slang here.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

005: Terry McBride (McBride & The Ride) Feb 03, 2021

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 & Dunn and Reba McEntire. During this conversation, we talk about those early Texas roots, establishing McBride & The Ride, hanging out with Guy Clark, recording the breakout album Sacred Ground, hitting it off with Ronnie Dunn, writing "If You See Him/If You See Her," and making his way back to recording albums once more.
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

004: Porter Howell of Little Texas Jan 27, 2021

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 stories behind some of their biggest hits like "What Might Have Been," "God Bless Texas," and "Some Guys Have All the Fun."
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

003: Gretchen Peters Jan 20, 2021

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, Twitter, and Patreon.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

002: Pam Tillis Jan 13, 2021

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, and Patreon.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

001: Clay Walker Jan 06, 2021

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, Love," and "The Chain of Love."
Like and Follow The Neon Eon on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Patreon.
Today's theme music is "Rollin'" by Lauren Duski.

The Neon Eon - Teaser Jan 02, 2021

Welcome to The Neon Eon! The Neon Eon is a '90s-centric country music podcast. Interviews, commentary, and stories about and with the superstars, songwriters, one-hit wonders, pickers, and players of country music from The Neon Eon (86ish-2001ish). Hosted by music journalist Thomas Mooney.
Weekly episodes every Wednesday. Episode 1 out January 6 with Clay Walker. Subscribe today.
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