The Real Country Podcast by Nikki in Nashville

Cowboy and West Texas Native Hayden Redwine has ranching and cowboying in his blood from as far back as he can remember. Growing up in the cowboy lifestyle, working cattle, and competing in rodeos, Hayden blends country and western music into a highly recognizable style all his own. The recent release of his album 'Spade', easily one of my top 10 albums of the year so far, shows he can w...

Jesse Daniel & Benjamin Tod: Redemption Through Country Music | Real Country Podcast In this powerful episode, two of the most respected voices in independent country music, Jesse Daniel and Benjamin Tod, sit down with me for a raw, heartfelt conversation about life, addiction, recovery, and how music (and the right relationships) gave them both a second chance. Both artists have walked a hard...

JD Clayton on Making Music His Way, Nashville Life, and Fatherhood | Real Country Podcast In this episode of The Real Country Podcast , we sit down with rising country/blues-rock singer-songwriter JD Clayton for an honest, laid-back conversation about life, music, and everything in between. JD opens up about his journey into country music, from growing up in Arkansas to nearly pursuing a totally d...

On this episode of the Real Country Podcast, I sat down with artist Sterling Drake. Sterling is living a life that many people dream of...and writing authentic country music songs about it too. With a brand new album just released, Sterling is a tried and true cowboy, now a resident of Montana. He spends most of his time in country music or advocating for land conservation.  Follow Sterling here:...

On this episode of the Real Country Podcast, I sat down with artist Naomi Johnson.  She just released her first solo single, Bricks Make Houses, and has a heck of a story to go along with it. Growing up with 11 siblings on just one bus, she and her family travelled the country, in and out of cults, camps, and a minimal way of life. She figured out music was her thing, and the rest was history.  Wa...

Lily Meola won over hearts with her America's Got Talent appearance, singing an original song, Daydream, which now has almost 100 million streams. Now working on her upcoming full-length album, I sit down with Lily to discuss her new music, growing up in Hawaii, her love for horses, and more. Growing up in Hawaii Losing her mother and the things they shared together Getting started in music A...

Welcome back to the Real Country Podcast with Nikki in Nashville. This week we're talking to artist Cody Gentry. Cody is gaining traction with the release of his album Blue Ridge Gold, and also has a new one on the way for 2026! Check him out and smash that subscribe button for more BTS of country music.  Thanks for listening! Tune in every week when we release new episodes discussing new mus...

What goes perfectly with Texas Country/Rock music? Ghost stories. Justin Ross, headman for Justin Ross and Deadwood Revival who has played with or opened for acts like Aaron Lewis, Everlast, Warrant, Hinder, Fuel, Stoney Larue, and more, joins me today to talk about that exact combo!  Playing on the front ends of a new revival of Texas music and rock, we discuss their band Deadwood Revival, how th...

In this episode of The Real Country Podcast, I sit down with songwriting troubadour and vivacious storyteller, Benjamin Tod, and his wife Ashley Mae! Frontman of the Lost Dog Street Band, Ben just wrote and released his recent solo album, Shooting Star. Ben's story is popular and inspiring at that, telling a tale of a troubled kid addicted to drugs who found his way to the light through music...

Welcome to the Real Country Podcast where we talk with artists from country music and country adjacent genres who are keeping the more traditional sound alive. From independent artists to those who bring the 'classic' back to mainstream, you'll get them here. In episode 2 I talk to singer/songwriter of the country/folk/blues/Americana (haha) influence, Caleb Caudle. As of this date...

Welcome to the first episode of The Real Country Podcast where we talk all things country music, mostly about your non-mainstream, non-radio artists who are crushing it as independent musicians or in a subgenre that's often overlooked. This week we're talking to Texas country rock and roll powerhouse Adara Kay Music. We discuss her career thus far, how she balances that and every other a...