Hitting the Road

Bodie didn't set out to make Christian music — he set out to make honest music, and eventually those became the same thing. The Southern California singer-songwriter finished runner-up on NBC's The Voice Season 22, then signed with Provident Label Group and released the Happy to Be Here EP. His single "Whisper and the Wind" climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart, surpasse...

David Koechner — Anchorman 's Champ Kind, The Office 's Todd Packer, and a Four-Decade Career Still Going Strong David Koechner has appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, but ask him and he'll tell you the thing he loves most is still the work itself. Best known as Champ Kind in Anchorman and Todd Packer in The Office , David came up the hard way — studying improv under Del Clos...

Claire Leslie has been leading worship since she was 14. Now she's a Capitol CMG-signed artist with 6.5 million streams, a debut EP called Twenty Something , and a growing community of listeners drawn to one thing: her willingness to be completely real. In this episode, Claire opens up about the journey from worship leader to signed artist, building a career rooted in identity over trends, and...

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with California-raised singer-songwriter Ash Ruder, whose winding journey from the sun-soaked canyons of Los Angeles to the heart of Nashville is as cinematic as the music she makes. After turning heads on ABC's American Idol, Ash traded the West Coast for Music City and quietly became one of its most in-demand behind-the-scenes writers, craftin...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with Tyler Boone for a candid conversation about independence, entrepreneurship, and building a career without waiting on permission. Tyler shares his journey from grinding it out in clubs to becoming a nationally touring artist, earning recognition from outlets like Spin Magazine , and landing placements across major sports and radio platforms. We talk...

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Brooks Herring for a grounded conversation about songwriting, persistence, and carving out a lane in today’s country music landscape. Brooks shares his journey from small-town roots to building a career the long way—one song, one show, and one relationship at a time. We talk about the discipline behind his writing process, the realities of chasing mo...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with singer-songwriter Dave Fenley for an honest conversation about faith, perseverance, and finding your voice in a crowded music world. Known for his powerful, soul-driven vocals and grounded songwriting, Dave shares his journey from small-town stages to national recognition—and the grit it takes to stay authentic along the way. We talk about trusting...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with country artist Dillon Carmichael for an honest conversation about roots, resilience, and staying true to who you are in a changing music industry. Raised in rural Kentucky and shaped by a deep love for traditional country music, Dillon carries forward a legacy while carving his own path. As the nephew of country icons John Michael Montgomery and Edd...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with J.T. Harding , one of Nashville’s most respected hitmakers, for an honest conversation about songwriting, perseverance, and the stories behind the songs that define country music. JT shares his journey from growing up in Michigan to carving out a career in Nashville, writing chart-topping hits for artists like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen,...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with The Kody Norris Show frontman Kody Norris for a conversation that proves tradition and forward momentum don’t have to be opposites. Known for their rhinestones, high-energy performances, and deep respect for classic country and bluegrass, The Kody Norris Show has built a sound that feels timeless without ever standing still. From Kody’s early days s...

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with The Band JAREN for a hope-filled conversation centered on faith, calling, and the true message of Christmas. Fronted by sisters Jaren and Jade LaGore, The Band JAREN has quickly emerged as a fresh voice in Christian Pop/Rock—blending strings, four-part harmonies, and modern arrangements to reach their generation with music that points hearts back to...

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Emerson Day, a soulful singer-songwriter whose story beautifully reflects the good news we celebrate during the Christmas season. Emerson shares how her love for music and storytelling began at a young age on her family’s farm in Southern Maryland, shaped by faith, southern rock influences, and the sounds of an old church piano. Though she was once o...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with Mark Graalman , drummer and founding member of Sanctus Real , for a timely and hope-filled conversation centered on the true message of Christmas. As one of Christian music’s most enduring bands, Sanctus Real has spent nearly three decades sharing songs that point listeners back to faith, truth, and the goodness of Jesus. In this episode, Mark refle...

On this episode of Hitting The Road , we sit down with Colin Stough —a gravel-voiced storyteller raised on Southern rock, hard lessons, and second chances. Born on the Mississippi–Alabama border, Colin picked up a guitar at age eight and never looked back, even trading his prized possessions for a pawn shop acoustic he still plays today. Before music took over, he was working full-time as an HVAC...

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with singer-songwriter Tyler Halverson — the mustached South Dakota troubadour blending cowboy charm, sharp storytelling, and a sound that lives somewhere between modern country, western tradition, and cosmic Americana. Growing up among wide-open plains shaped Tyler’s perspective, and it shows. His songs feel lived-in and honest — whether he’s singing abo...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with western music standout Olivia Harms —a true rhinestone cowgirl carrying forward her family’s legacy while forging her own path. Born to Western Music Hall of Famer Joni Harms and raised on a 150-year-old Oregon ranch, Olivia has been on stage since she was two days old and hasn’t slowed down since. Blending Texas grit, Bakersfield twang, and Nashvil...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with breakout country artist Ryan Waters , whose rise has been anything but ordinary. Raised on small-town values and a baseball diamond, Ryan eventually found himself pulled away from the sport he’d spent years chasing—and straight into the arms of the music he’d always loved. With the same grit that once fueled his athletic career, he taught himself gu...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Madison Hughes — a boundary-bending artist whose debut album All That I Am marks the arrival of a voice that’s as bold as it is soulful. Madison has never been interested in choosing just one lane. From viral acoustic covers that put her on Nashville’s radar to prime-time TV performances and a creative upbringing steeped in American roots music, she’s been...

On this episode of Hitting The Road , we sit down with Sam Grow—one of country music’s most powerful voices and one of its most relentless storytellers. From booking his own shows and grinding through years of DIY hustle to watching his debut studio album Love and Whiskey hit #1 on iTunes with zero radio play, Sam’s journey is the definition of blue-collar perseverance. We talk about the breakout...

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with rising country star Drew Green for an in-depth conversation that pulls back the curtain on his remarkable path in music. Hailing from McMinnville, Tennessee, Drew shares how small-town life, family values, and a deep love for storytelling shaped his sound and songwriting. We trace his journey from open-mic nights and co-writing in cramped Nashv...

In this episode, we sit down with rising music artist NORA to go beyond the tracks and dive into the real story behind the name. Known for raw honesty and bold musical moments, NORA takes us on a journey through her beginnings, creative process, and where she is now.  We talk about how she first found her voice, what inspires her to write the kind of songs she does (“music says what words can’t… i...

In this episode of Hitting The Road, we sit down with Tristan Tritt, a Georgia-born rocker who’s carving his own lane in the world of music. Though he grew up surrounded by country greats — as the son of legend Travis Tritt and brother to Tyler Reese Tritt — Tristan’s sound leans more toward the grit of Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne, and Stone Temple Pilots than the twang of traditional country. After...

In this episode, we sit down with Travis Bolt — the small-town Texas artist turning raw honesty into country gold. Known for his breakout viral hit “Never Tried Cocaine” (12M+ streams and counting), Travis opens up about the stories behind his songs, his unlikely rise from local gigs to signing with Gravel Road Records , and how heartbreak, redemption, and a little grit have shaped his sound. Blen...

This week on Hitting The Road , we sit down with Thelma & James — the powerhouse duo of married singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge . What began as an impromptu writing session between two artists who had spent years pursuing their own successful careers has now evolved into something extraordinary. Their first co-write in over a decade, “ Happy Ever After You ,” not only we...

In this week’s episode of Hitting The Road , we sit down with Army veteran, country artist, and storyteller Scotty Hasting — a man whose journey from the battlefield to the stage is nothing short of inspiring. After being shot ten times while serving in Afghanistan, Scotty’s life changed forever. What could have been the end of his story instead became the beginning of a new one — a story of heali...