Talk Y’all To Me

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with Jacob Bryant, singer-songwriter and pioneer of "outlaw Christian" country music, for one of the most honest conversations we've ever had on this show. Jacob opens up about walking away from music at the height of his touring career to face alcoholism head on, and the 90 days he spent in a faith-based rehabilita...

America 250 is finally here!  Just 100 days ago, I had the honor of attending the official America 250 Press Conference at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Now, as we celebrate Independence Day week, I'm taking you back behind the scenes with the incredible people helping bring this historic event to life. In this special episode of Talk Y'all To Me, you'll hear from Charlie Daniels Jr., Aa...

In this special CMA Fest 2026 recap of "Talk Y'all To Me," Tori Kruse takes you backstage for a whirlwind week in Music City, sitting down with ten artists making their mark on country music. From viral breakouts to seasoned road warriors, this episode is packed with new music, real stories, and the kind of honest, faith-forward conversations the Talk Y'all To Me podcast is kno...

In this episode of "Talk Y'all To Me," Tori Kruse sits down with 18-year-old Texas country artist Tristan Roberson for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations to hit the Talk Y'all To Me podcast. Fresh off a high school graduation and a performance at a festival in Monterrey, Mexico alongside Braxton Keith, Tristan is already doing what most artists spend years workin...

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with Ed Warm, the co-founder of Windy City Smokeout and Lone Star Smokeout and ACM Award-winning promoter, one of the most influential forces behind the scenes in country music. Ed pulls back the curtain on how it all started in a downtown Chicago parking lot in 2013, what it really takes to build a world-class festival experience...

Host Tori Kruse takes you behind the scenes at the Texas Regional Radio Awards for a fast-paced, behind the scenes look, on media row at the Texas Regional Radio Awards. From brand-new music being debuted for the first time to heartfelt songwriting rooted in family, faith, and loss, this episode captures what makes the Texas scene special: humility, hard work, community, and a whole lot of heart....

Host Tori Kruse takes you behind the scenes at the Texas Regional Radio Awards for a fast-paced, behind the scenes look, on media row at the Texas Regional Radio Awards. From brand-new music being debuted for the first time to heartfelt songwriting rooted in family, faith, and loss, this episode captures what makes the Texas scene special: humility, hard work, community, and a whole lot of heart....

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the cameras of your favorite reality TV and music competition shows? Today on Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with Emmy-winning TV producer Lee Metzger — the man behind The Voice, The Road on CBS, and Barmageddon — to pull back the curtain on the world of television production.   Lee shares how he went from playing guitar in LA bands to worki...

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Max McNown at Lone Star Smokeout for a candid conversation about faith, growth, and staying grounded in the industry. Max opens up about teaching himself guitar just a few years ago, selling out two nights at the iconic Ryman Auditorium (with a miracle to match), and why being a role model for young fans means...

The music industry is being rewritten in real time — and the artists who understand what's happening right now are the ones who will win. In this episode of Talk Y'all To Me , Tori Kruse sits down with Grammy-winning producer and mixer F. Reid Shippen for a raw, honest conversation about where music is headed and what independent artists need to know to stay ahead of the curve. From the...

What does it really take to turn a song into something you feel? This week on Talk Y’all To Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Grammy-winning producer and mixer F. Reid Shippen—the man behind hits from Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, and more. From inside his Nashville studio, F. Reid Shippen pulls back the curtain on the music-making process, sharing how songs go from raw recordings to...

What happens when a "joke" song between friends becomes a global, chart-topping sensation overnight? This week on Talk Y’all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Trey Lewis, the man behind the viral hit "Dicked Down in Dallas." While many know him for the rowdy, shock-value lyrics that beat out BTS on the Billboard charts, Trey opens up about the deeper story ma...

What happens when you mix high-end craftsmanship with the grit of a Texas honky-tonk? You get Republic Boot Company. In today’s episode, Tori Kruse interviews Chris Conrad about his journey from corporate life to becoming the "Anthony Bourdain of boots." Chris reveals the secrets behind his "sensory overload" retail experience in Houston and gives us an exclusive first look at...

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, Tori Kruse catches up with the incredibly relatable and talented Billie Jo. After meeting at the Texas Country Music Awards and following her journey on the CBS show The Road, Tori dives into the "real life" moments that the cameras didn't always catch. We discuss: •The Reality of The Road: Billie Jo shares hilarious behind-the-scenes storie...

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with native Houstonian and serial entrepreneur Russell Molina. Russell shares his journey from growing up in the legendary Molina’s Cantina family to building a diverse portfolio of businesses, including the historic Hat Store in Houston and THS Ranch. We dive deep into: • The Business of Legacy: How Russell transitioned from fina...

In this episode of Talk Y’all to Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Brian Johnson—author, producer, and storytelling coach—whose journey spans small-town Alabama, Hollywood sets, and faith-fueled purpose. Brian shares how he moved to Los Angeles with almost nothing, earned opportunities through service (not resumes), and learned the hard way what it means to know your worth. He takes us behind the scen...

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Brian Johnson—an Amazon bestselling author, Hollywood talent strategist, and founder of Book Rich Profits Club, a community for aspiring authors.  He worked on the 5 time Emmy winning series Carpool Karaoke: The Series and has talent produced for On Purpose with Jay Shetty and Getcha Popcorn Ready with NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Ow...

What does it actually take to go from working three retail jobs in Nashville to standing on the Ryman stage with Keith Urban and Blake Shelton? In this episode, Tori Kruse sits down with the powerhouse finalist from CBS’s The Road, Cassidy Daniels, to pull back the curtain on the "grit" required to make it in modern country music. Cassidy isn't your typical 25-year-old. Raised in a...

In this episode of Talk Y’all to Me, we sit down with platinum-selling country artist Brett Young as he kicks off an exciting new chapter with his 2.0 Tour, beginning January 22nd at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Brett opens up about life on tour and how becoming a husband and father has shaped his perspective both personally and professionally. He shares how those seasons have infl...

The independent spirit of Texas country music shines bright, and "Talk Y'all to Me" was there to capture it! In this special episode, we're on location at the Texas Country Music Awards, bringing you candid conversations with the talented artists and dedicated fans who embody this vibrant community. Discover the stories and passion behind the music that's truly Texas-made....

Get ready for some real talk, y'all! In this episode of "Talk Y'all to Me," we're hitting the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, right outside the CMA Awards! Join me as I chat with incredible artists and passionate fans, getting their unfiltered thoughts, excitement, and celebrating country music's biggest night of the year! 👉 Subscribe to @officialtorikruse for more...

Talk Y’all to Me with host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Adam Sanders on the release day of his powerful new single “Bible in a House Fire.” In this episode, Adam shares the true story that inspired the song — a burned-down double-wide trailer and the image of a Bible untouched by flames. He opens up about his songwriting journey from Florida to Nashville, how he scored two No. 1 hits a...

Step inside the world of Texas Country Music with Linda Wilson, President & Founder of the Texas Country Music Association. In this episode of Talk Y’all To Me , Tori Kruse walks and talks with Linda live from the Fort Worth Stockyards to uncover: How the Texas Country Music Association was born The journey from small-town roots to hosting the Texas Country Music Awards at Billy Bob’s Why Texa...

Texas country meets tradition, tequila, and timeless storytelling. In this episode of Talk Y’all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Jon Wolfe live from Tannahill’s in Fort Worth, Texas. Jon opens up about: Why his upcoming album leans into old-school country vibes (Merle, Waylon, Hank Jr.) How a George Strait New Year’s party launched his career What makes Texas honky tonks legen...

Today I'm re-sharing an episode from when I was a guest on the Keep What You Earn Podcast. We dive into the power of styling for events and how the right outfit can boost your confidence on stage. When you feel great in what you're wearing, it’s easier to own the spotlight and perform at your best. We’ll talk about the importance of comfort, too—because confidence comes from feeling good...