Try That in a Small Town Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S E132: Hits, Honors & Hard Truths: Nashville Songwriting, Faith & Politics :: Ep. 132 Try That in a Small Town Podcast Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

Neil and KLo share stories from Nashville’s big songwriters night—including an interruption that nearly wrecked their composure. The guys discuss getting great songs heard, changing songwriter income, and why they keep writing.

Then the conversation turns to Jason Aldean, Trump, and a spirited debate about faith, voting, and family disagreements. Plus: wardrobe problems, the singing barber, and Keith Urban’s imaginary alternate careers.

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Tennessee’s Letdown: KLo Answers for the South Carolina Loss | Football Week 9 Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Last week, KLo brought Tennessee gear to celebrate beating Alabama. This week, after South Carolina…a different entrance.

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SPONSORS:

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From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone/20082817

Peacemaker Coffee Company

https://www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

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Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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S E131: When Politics Enters the Writing Room—and a $62 Taco Bell Run :: Ep 131 Try That in a Small Town Podcast Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

Tully and KLo share experiences they say affected work opportunities in Nashville, leading to a candid conversation about politics, songwriting, and collaborating across differences.

Neil recounts an evening at John Rich’s house, the guys debate rising everyday costs, and KLo explains spending $62 at Taco Bell. Plus: Camp Roberts memories, country music halftime-show ideas, and imaginary day jobs for Garth Brooks.

SPONSORS:

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone/20082817

Peacemaker Coffee Company

https://www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

_____________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

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Tennessee Bragging Rights, Alabama Frustration & What Comes Next | Small Town Kickoff Week 8 Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

KLo celebrates Tennessee’s win over Alabama with some studio-ready Volunteers gear—and Neil ends up wearing orange. The guys discuss Tennessee’s game plan, GMAC’s confidence, Alabama’s coaching, and the danger of a letdown against South Carolina.

Plus: rushing the field, college football chaos, the Patriots, Josh Allen, the Titans, Cam Ward, and a debate about NIL and the transfer portal.

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S E130: Mark Wills: The Hit He Passed On, Gospel Roots & Stories Behind the Songs :: Ep 130 Try That in a Small Town Podcast Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

Mark Wills shares how Nashville demo sessions led to his record deal—and why he passed on “Just to See You Smile” three times. He talks about “19 Somethin’,” his commitment to the Grand Ole Opry, and the gospel harmony that inspired Grand Ole Revival.

Plus: unforgettable stories involving the Undertaker and Chad Brock, a candid discussion about country music’s direction, and a performance of “Places I’ve Never Been.”

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S E2: Tennessee–Alabama: Upset Potential, Rivalry Nerves & Protecting Cam Ward | Football Week 7 Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Tennessee–Alabama week brings rivalry nerves and a blunt assessment: a Tennessee win would be devastating for the Tide. The guys discuss the matchup, revisit Alabama–Georgia and its controversial calls, and respond to listeners’ Tennessee comments.

Also: Drake Maye, protecting Cam Ward, Kentucky’s aggressive coaching, Florida frustration, and whether watching your team on delay should cost you your fan card. An honorary DipShidiot segment closes out the episode.

_____________________________________________________________________

SPONSORS:

The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!

Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every Business

Book a tour today at espaces.com

From the Patriot Mobile studios:

Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!

Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOT

Right now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.

Available exclusively at Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/brand/10stone/20082817

Peacemaker Coffee Company

https://www.trythatinasmalltowncoffee.com

___________________________________________________________________________________

Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -

For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.com

Produced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.co

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

S E129: Millions of Streams… But Where Are the Fans? :: Ep 129 Try That in a Small Town Podcast Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

What do millions of streams really mean if an artist can’t sell tickets? Kurt, Tully, Kelley, and Neil discuss AI-assisted streaming fraud, online popularity versus real audiences, and why great artists need time to develop.

Neil shares stories about Gary LeVox, songwriting demos, and Jason Aldean’s ability to hear beyond a demo’s vocal range. The guys also weigh in on Morgan Wallen and award shows, discuss John Morgan and Zach Top, and imagine alternate careers for Bailey Zimmerman and Gavin Adcock in “If They Weren’t Them.”

Along the way: adjusting to home life after touring, a bizarre Jason Aldean dream, and an honest discussion about Trump, gas prices, and campaign promises.

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Tennessee’s QB Question, Georgia–Alabama Weather and the Foul Ball Debate Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Did Tennessee pay millions for the wrong quarterback, or does its young starter simply need more time?

Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil debate the Volunteers’ quarterback situation, Alabama’s emerging star Keelon Russell and whether the Georgia–Alabama game should be moved before severe weather reaches Tuscaloosa.

They also react to New England’s surprising win in Buffalo, question whether the Chargers’ system fits Justin Herbert and debate whether a grown man should surrender the first foul ball he has ever caught to a child sitting several rows away.

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S E128: Why Great Songs Get Buried, Country Stars’ Backup Careers & a 50mg Mistake :: Ep 128 Try That in a Small Town Podcast Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Why don’t Nashville publishers dig through old catalogs for forgotten songs anymore?

Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil explain how song pitching has changed, why today’s business side often feels disconnected from the creative side and what was lost when personal demos and passionate song pluggers were replaced by emails and manufactured writing-room connections.

Then the guys introduce a new game: If famous country artists had no musical talent, what would they do for a living? Chris Young, Tim McGraw and Ella Langley receive some extremely specific alternate careers.

They also respond to listener criticism that the show has become too negative, discuss Keith Urban, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Jason Aldean, and share stories about a 50-milligram gummy, movie-theater popcorn, In-N-Out Burger, an oven left on all day and a gas grill that nearly ended very badly.

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Let the People Sing: The National Anthem, Running QBs and College Football Chaos | Week 5 Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Should the national anthem be a celebrity performance—or should the marching band play while the entire stadium sings?

Kurt, Tully, Kelley and Neil debate who should lead the anthem before turning their attention to the changing NFL quarterback position. Are athletic, run-first quarterbacks abandoning the reads and pocket discipline that made players like Tom Brady great?

The guys also discuss the leadership vacuum in college football, NIL money, player discipline, government involvement, Texas and Arch Manning, Tennessee’s young quarterback, Alabama, Florida and the growing number of early-season NFL injuries.

It’s Week 5 of Small Town Sports: four hit songwriters, four football opinions and absolutely no agreement required.

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