Take This Pod and Shove It

This weekend Zach Bryan released his highly anticipated self-titled album, which might be the hottest country album since...well, the last Zach Bryan album. On today's episode Danny and Tyler are joined by comedian Ali O'Neil (Worthless Clowns Podcast) to discuss what works, what doesn't work, and what's totally new on Bryan's poetic, and proudly self-produced new LP. For...

This week we're joined by comedian Max Fine (In the Minivan Podcast) to discuss the incredible songwriting and impeccable aesthetics of the late great Justin Townes Earle. Narrowing down which song from Earle's diverse catalog to add to our ongoing playlist was tough, but we settled on one of his earliest songs, the bouncy, minimalist country ditty "I Don't Care" from his...

Take This Pod and Shove It is listener supported. Visit our Patreon to support the show! Bob Dylan has always been a fan of country music, and even though he only intentionally wrote and recorded country music a few times in his career, his impact on the genre is massive and goes back to his earliest days as a young folk prodigy. This week Danny and Tyler take a look at one particular Dylan song t...

[CW: Child abuse.] Sadly, we recently lost the talented and radical Sinead O'Connor. On today's episode we pay tribute to O'Connor's iconic music and acts of protest—plus we share times when O'Connor covered country music and was embraced by the country music community. Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and more all have a part to play in this episode....

Starting at $5 you can get access to the full-length version of this bonus episode, plus our entire catalog of bonus episodes! Visit our Patreon for access and to support the show! On this episode we have some wholesome fun roasting some musical acts we love, and some musical acts we...don't necessarily love. But we hope you have fun listening, even if one of your favs winds up in the crossha...

For as low as $5 a month you can get bonus episodes and other perks, simply by supporting us on Patreon HERE! We've hit 60 songs on our Official Playlist so it's time for another Catchup & Mustard with your favorite hosts, Tyler Snodgrass and Danny Maupin! We play "Country Trivial Pursuit" using some country music trading cards Danny found in a pawn shop, and play IS IT COU...

We asked and you answered: what is your gateway country song? Thanks to everyone who submitted responses. We picked a few of our favorites to share on the podcast. From Townes Van Zandt to Charley Crockett to Billy Ray Cyrus, we got a wide variety of answers! Also, we discuss the national news being made by Jason Aldean's new pop country-meets-butt rock song, "Try That in a Small Town,&q...

This week we add the Tyler Childers-penned fan favorite "Jersey Giant" as recorded by Elle King to our public playlist. We are joined by comedian Lizzy Cassidy ( Close Calls Podcast ) to break down the song, discuss Elle King's pop-to-country career path, King's relationship with her famous father Rob Schneider, and how country folk can be from ANYWHERE. If you'd like to s...

It's Bocephus day on the podcast! Comedy writer Lillian Stone (preorder her new book "Everybody's Favorite" now!) joins Danny and Tyler to discuss country music's most famous son. We get into Hank Jr.'s near death experiences, stepping out of Hank Sr.'s shadow, his massive hits, and his many cringeworthy political songs. If you'd like to show your support fo...

We here at Take This Pod and Shove It, want to hear from you, the listener! So tell us: What was YOUR gateway country song. Or, in other words, what was the song that got you into country music? Did you used to hate country? Is there a story your country lovin'? Tell us as much or as little as you want—we'd love to share what you have to say on an upcoming episode. To respond to this pro...

Dodge the Smokeys and tune in because this week on Take This Pod and Shove It we are discussing the delightful Jerry Reed classic “East Bound and Down.” Not only do we add the theme song from Smokey and the Bandit to our public playlist, but discuss Jerry Reed’s acclaimed guitar playing, his late-in-life supergroup, which song of his was covered by Primus, and the impressive career of the song’s c...

This week we discuss Adeem the Artist, a rising star in country and folk. Adeem sings about the South with a genuine love but a critical eye, and tells about their unique experiences as a nonbinary person growing up in the conservative region. We get into Adeem's lyrical similarities to punk music, dissect their Toby Keith diss track, and add gut-punching tear-jerker "Middle of a Heart&q...

This week we discuss Gram Parsons, the artist credited with creating numerous country sub-genres, including country-rock, cosmic country, and alt-country. Joining us this week is comedian and cartoonist, Madeline Horwath (The New Yorker), a Gram fan and expert. Moving past his brief time with The Flying Burrito Brothers , we get into how Gram went solo, his untimely passing, and his lasting legacy...

Take a listen to the COVERS playlist version of our Official playlist here! After 55 Covered and Smothered segments, Tyler and Danny revisit our official Covers playlist, and debate which covers should be added! PLUS: we ask what makes a great cover song, and discuss some recent excitement COVER SONGS NEWS . We talk Luke Combs, T-Pain, Elle King, Sturgill Simpson, Leon Russell, and more! Check out...

Last week we tragically lost Tina Turner, a musical icon often nicknamed the Queen of Rock N Roll. On this episode we not only want to celebrate the life of one of the greatest singers and performers in rock and pop history, but highlight Tina's unlikely and largely overlooked detours into country music. We discuss her early album of all country covers, hear her impressive versions of a few c...

This episode is our version of The Avengers : Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson join together to form country music's most iconic supergroup. Though they wouldn't be officially known as The Highwaymen for several more years, their version of the vignette-filled story song not only defined the group but put them all back on the charts. This week David Gbo...

On a very special live recording of Take This Pod and Shove It at The Chief Comedy Festival, Danny and Tyler sat down with three of their comedian pals to discuss their gateway song to country music. Christie Buchele talked about the deceptively horny "Fishing in the Dark" by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Aaron Naylor discussed the gritty, lyrically stunning "Charleston Girl" by...

If you're enjoying the show we hope you'll consider supporting us on Patreon! Using Artificial Intelligence is becoming more commonplace and more controversial each day it seems. Recent discussions around AI's ability (and potential) to write creatively and convincingly inspired us to do a little experiment. On today's episode we tried to write some hit country songs using Chat...

Vince Gill is one of the most accomplished country musicians of all time. He's received a record-breaking number of awards, sings like an angel, and makes shredding on guitar look easy. This week we are joined by comedian James Hamilton (@thejamham, VICE) to discuss Gill's smooth country bop "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away." Help out the show AND get bonus epi...

This week we cover a modern favorite of the Red Dirt Country movement: Turnpike Troubadours. The boys are joined by comedian Stephen Taylor (@formerlyfatstephen, Fountain City Comedy Festival) to discuss Turnpike's history, songwriting, and recurring characters. Plus we add fan fav "Good Lord Lorrie" to our public playlist! Want to support the show AND get bonus episodes + other per...

Since the release date of this episode happens to be Tax Day we decided to explore country music's complicated and contentious relationship with the I.R.S. Whether it's Cash or Paycheck, or the many in between, they've got beef with the government, and today we tell their stories! Who owed millions, who lost their property, who wrote songs about taxes, and who got songs written abou...

At long last! The incomparable Willie Nelson gets added to our public playlist! This week we dig into the innovative and influential album The Red Headed Stranger , and how Willie made the most of his newfound creative control in the early 70's. Plus we get into lots of fun Willie trivia! Want bonus episodes? Or just want to help out the show? Support us on Patreon HERE! Follow the link below...

King of the Hill is one of our favorite TV shows of all time, and on our newest bonus episode we discuss how frequently the show incorporates country music and country music stars. It's a lot of fun, and you can hear the full hour long episode exclusively at our Patreon! Support the show by checking out the Patreon here! (We now offer free trials! And there's a NEW tier!) Check out our m...

We have remastered the mixing and editing of our debut episode about John Prine and his boot stompin' song "Please Don't Bury Me." Often considered "Music's Mark Twain," John Prine is funny, heartbreaking, charming, understated, dry, and brilliant. Danny and Tyler discuss the rollicking and decidedly-country "Please Don't Bury Me," and also explore...

This week we're talking when Outlaw Country decides to go Gospel! What would Jesus do? We'll he'd listen to these boot stompers and hand clappers! Click here to listen to the Outlaw Gospel playlist we discuss on the episode! From Willie to Merle, Cash to Paycheck, and even new blood Sturgill and Childers, we are discussing the wide variety of Gospel music written and recorded by som...