Cody Christian - Country Music Singing Man From Virginia

Lo, [music] you love [music] hearts get broke, tables turn, [music] you lose, you learn. This is the Rugged Revival podcast. We are your home of the UK's country, Americana, and Roots music community. I'm here with my mate Ronnie. It's been a while since we've uh done a podcast, hasn't it? It has been I feel like I've gone away for about 3 years. >> Yeah, it's it's been nuts. >> It's been marvelous. Long may that continue. >> Where have you been all my life? >> I don't know. Here I am. Anyway, we are joined [music] today by a very special guest. He's a man with 30 billion streams [music] on Spotify, 37 Grammy nominations. Uh he's a 32 time recipient of the prestigious CCA awards. And uh it's all true because I've checked out his [music] website. So uh there's no lies to be told here. It's Cody Christian. How we doing, mate? [laughter] >> Doing great. Uh just swimming in the wealth and success over here. Thoroughly enjoying it. >> Well, we are we are glad to have you back on, mate. We we tried to make an attempt not too long ago. We won't go into that. We we we're experts on Wi-Fi and all technical stuff. Now, it's all off. Anyway, there we are. >> But it it's h wonderful to have you back on, mate. So, I think just just for starters, uh just for listeners sake again, would you mind introducing yourself in your own words and telling us a little bit how you describe your music? >> Uh my name is Cody Christian. Uh I live in Virginia, uh the United States of America, kind of right in the middle of Virginia. Um, and the genre I guess is uh countryish, you know, get a little funky here and there, get a little folksy. Uh, I don't know, Americana or something. Something's We don't play any tracks or anything yet. Um, whatever that means. >> Does that mean you just jam out with space funk and whatever you want to play? You know, we uh I like to think we're pretty versatile. So, we have played with some space funk bands. Um yeah, play with anybody. I guess any room's an opportunity. >> I like that style, mate. There you go. Well, I'm going to hand over to Ronny because it doesn't seem like you've uh done any talking or any podcast for quite some time. Um so, can you remember how to do it if I >> No, I can't. I'm I'm in awe of the professionalism that you bring to this podcast, DJ. Um, I'm not. It's a complete lie. Um, and actually, I've got to say, I didn't know that you were going to be quite funny on the intro. Uh, and I'm really impressed. So, well done, TJ. It's nice to see you again, >> Cody. >> It's so good to see you. >> Well, thanks again. >> I'd also like to point out like I don't know if he was being that funny. He was just reading my bio that I wrote. So, >> Oh, fair enough. [laughter] You're the funny one. >> Well, yeah. credit. >> That's true. Um, we do know that last time cuz I was wetting myself laughing and unfortunately um it didn't go very well the recording, but this is going to be even better. This is going to be even better. >> So, >> um, Cody, it's an absolute pleasure to speak to you again. And I'm going to start off by saying I like to talk about your early life as like a documentary. So, if your life were a documentary, what would be in your opening scenes? Who would be the people that you would be hanging your time with? And uh bring us up to the current day. Give us a bit of an autobiography. >> Okay. Well, opening scene I think would be a hospital room. Uh and the way that my mom tells it was that uh it was like basketball championship season, I guess, in June. And uh you know my dad and my granddad were like in a separate room watching basketball with like a cooler beer or something and then I came into the came into the world. Um so I kind of interrupted a basketball game. Uh yeah and it's all downhill from there really. Um you know that's kind of how it started. >> You're gonna have to beef it up a bit more than that. >> Yeah. [laughter] So yeah, I was I was born and uh then here we are. No, um let's see what happened next. Uh yeah, I grew up uh grew up in church and stuff and that's, you know, it's a long story, but that's eventually how I got into music and learning guitar and and playing. Um and I think that shaped a lot of just a lot of my experiences and stuff. Um, and I mean I don't know how long the you want the biography to go, but you know, born >> Yes. >> Uh, played sports, started playing music. Um, you know, at some point realized that there were a few people out there that might pay to see it. So, I was like, "Oh, you know what? This might be an opportunity or something to uh, I don't know, do something other than like work." Uh so then I decided, you know, long story short, to uh to to try to make it a job and I realized, no, it's still actually a lot of work. Um sometimes you got to talk to people like in different countries and figure out internet stuff and all part of the job, you know, and uh turns out you don't get paid for most of the job that you do in music. Wasn't aware of that. very much a tip of the iceberg situation when you get money. So, that's been fun navigating. Um, pretty good. [laughter] >> Bio. Yeah, this might be like a like a coloring book biography more than a >> I love this. >> I love this. Now, when when people are listening, we want them to to draw pictures as they're going along. >> Yeah. >> So, we can assign them to all your little bits of the story. I think that'd be quite a good idea. We also love to create awkward silences along the way just to, you know, add to the tension. So, there'll be a few few times like that. [laughter] >> Yeah. So, Cody, who are the who are the who are the characters in your early life? Who would you who would you point at and say, "Yeah, I noticed that. I like that person. Enjoy the company." >> Just characters in my early life that like people >> just characters. Yeah. >> People I enjoyed. >> Yeah. >> Huh. Well, what did I enjoy? I don't know if it's cool to say that I watched the Cosby show growing up. Uh, >> yes it is. [laughter] >> Say that anymore. >> I mean, I don't know if I look to to him as a inspiration or anything, but uh I enjoyed I enjoyed watching that show some. >> I don't know why I said that. I enjoyed watching a lot of different shows. For whatever reason, that's the first one that came to mind. Um, [laughter] >> I loved it. So, when when you were talking about inspiration, who is your musical inspirations? >> Uh, musical inspirations. Uh, I've had a few, man. Um, >> so I one of the first things I remember hearing was, uh, Allan Jackson. And apparently when I was a small child, um, my mom had a cassette player in a in a Jeep and like Be Little Bitty was my favorite song. So, like one of the one of the first things I ever remember hearing was Alan Jackson. Um, and then earlier in my childhood years, I was kind of I don't want to say forced into like listening to Jesus music, but it was highly encouraged. Like anything outside of Christian music was uh stuff that I had to kind of conceal and hide that I got from the neighborhood kid. So, like I would have I had a burnt CD that was full of um like Slipnot, Rob Zombie, uh think like Drowning Pool. So, like some heavier stuff when I was in junior high, but I think the CD it was labeled something totally different than what it was just in case my mom ever saw it. Um, so I I grew up listening to like the stuff that I wanted to and then there was stuff that she wanted me to listen to, which was kind of uh like the Christian version of all that hard stuff. And so some of it was good. Like I was into Skillet, I think. Um, I don't know if you guys have ever heard of Skillet. >> No, >> they're interesting. um basically like the the t-u versions of uh you know mainstream grunge rock and roll whatever you want to call it. Uh but the first the first time that I I saw a band and um it made me realize that I I wanted to be in a band and like this could be really cool was when I saw a band called Need to Breathe. Um, and the guy he like they kind of dabbled into the Christian stuff on a song or two here and there, but other than that they were like a southern rock kind of soul band. Uh, and he was one of the first guys that I noticed that was just singing like from his nuts, you know, and wearing cool big hats and had long. I was like, "Yeah, that's seeing them was what made me want to start wearing cowboy boots and like big hats and tight pants." Um, and then later in life, uh, I I find out who Tyler Childers is and like Chris Stapleton and Sturgil Simpson. And I think the discovering of that stuff for me really kind of set in stone that like, oh, I I like I I think I like country music, you know, because there was a long period of time in my life where I didn't, you know, and it was mostly the heavier rock stuff. Um, you know, and what I was hearing on country radio, I I didn't jive with like, you know, the Luke Bryan's and Florida George lines and stuff. Uh, so I was kind of in a For all I knew, country music was that. So, I was out of it for a while until I was uh my eyes were open, I guess, to really good stuff that I liked and >> could relate to and like, oh, you can write songs like that. So, >> yeah, I would say those are those are the big musical influences in order. >> The good stuff is hidden though, isn't it? As we we had the same issue here as we talk about a lot, Ronnie, with other artists. It's, you know, on the radios in the UK, it's the same situation. If you want to listen to Luke Bryan or who's a new one, Riley Green and those type of people, you know, there's a place for them. People love them, you know, good on them. Not for me. Um, and it was until you you kind of found Tyler and some of the others through Spotify or streaming that I think it turned a corner for a lot of people >> um within the last what 10 years. It's quite recent, isn't it? It's not not been going on. Yeah. For that long, but yeah, I think it's It's getting people to try and dig deeper into that as well, realizing that country music isn't just a certain certain way. They hear certain things that are affiliated to it and they think that's all country music and actually it's not. You know, I remember from what you were saying about growing up around Alan Jackson, you know, I grew up with Charlie Pride and George Jones and everything else, but I like that it was complete different chains, but until you start digging into it, you really get to know what you like. So, >> yeah. Interesting. And you mentioned something there about TJ. Um, well, not about TJ, about you finding big hats and tie pants. And actually, that's what TJ really wants to do when we go over in uh in October. So, um, big hats and tie bands. There you go. >> Right on. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Leather leather ones as well. So, if you if you know any shops or any anywhere I can buy some, then I'm all ears, man. >> Right on. And you guys y'all are going to Texas, right? >> Yeah. Hopefully in October. uh Fort Worth Dallas uh side Stockyards. We we've got we've got a few things planned but uh we can't reveal too much. Mainly because we don't know what we're doing and we haven't booked it yet. >> Yeah. Can't reveal it. >> Exactly. >> Right. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Everybody likes secrecy, don't they? >> Yeah. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a hat out there. >> Yeah. Not not the sort of ones that he wants to get [laughter] >> to be honest. I'm talking about the big bucket hats that you want. got a big head as well. So, I needed something. >> And I could be wrong. Like, don't quote me on it, but like I guess like real cowboys will um there's like seasons when like there's a certain kind of hat that you can wear and a certain kind of hat that you can't wear. I think it's like the summer months I think it's straw or something and then >> I think in the winter fall it has to be felt. I don't know what the date is. So, all I'm saying is just be careful. Um [laughter] that's all. I I'm gonna make him wear the wrong hat so I get to see him getting his head kicked in. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Cowboy. >> I mean, if you're confident enough though, like there's no such thing as a wrong hat, you know. >> We'll live stream it. Yeah, that's fine. Fine. I will. Yeah, absolutely. >> Anyway, Cody, back to you. Um, I wanted to ask about some of your early career choices. Yeah, >> because we talked about a story that influenced one of your songs. Now, I know originally we talked about the fact that uh one of my sources informed me about it, but the last time I went to a source, it was all about lies cuz we um they lied to me and told me the wrong information. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Uh and it was the same as TJ. So, um actually, we talked about liars and and just filling everything with lies and just lying about everything. So, um anyway, going back to your early career choices, uh what what did you do? >> What what do I do or what did I do? What did you What did you do? What influenced you one of your >> Yeah. Well, >> your songs. >> I mean, I've had a lot of jobs. In fact, the best job that I ever had, I tell everybody, was being a delivery guy for Domino's Pizza. Um, my senior year of high school. Best job you could possibly have. Free pizza. You get to drive around, listen to music. Uh, what's better? Um, but eventually like my first like real like career career job, I was working at a shipyard in Newport, News, Virginia, where we built uh aircraft carriers and submarines uh for the Navy. Um, and I worked there for a little over eight years. And uh, yeah, I was a a ship fitter, shi fitter. Uh, usually have to spell that one out for people. Sometimes they're like, "What's a ship fitter?" I'm like, "I don't know. Sounds really messed up now." Anyways, uh ship fitter. So, I don't have a lot of certifications in life. I do have a high school diploma and I also have a uh certification that I can be a ship fitter somewhere. Um that's about it. Uh yeah, that that's that that that did kind of inspire uh one of my songs uh about quitting your job called Twoeek Notice. Um which you know, if you're if you're a good good employee and you're going to quit a job, you're supposed to give people two weeks. Uh funny thing about that song is I it was actually it was written before I before I quit. It was kind of more of a a prophetic tune, I guess. Um, but I didn't even give a two week notice when I quit. I just quit kind of day of. >> Yeah. Bye. >> Yeah. If I had given them a two week notice, I think [laughter] they would have just fired me right then. So, I got an extra two weeks. >> You didn't give them the gratification of it. Yes. >> The best the best part about like knowing that you're going to quit a job is, you know, you know, and nobody else does. So, you know, you get to kind of reflect and take it all in the last few days. >> Yeah. >> Can we can we just lie about the the song being written before? Um and and just say it was it was like that. Two two fingers up. Bye. I'm out. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> that's what I really want to do. That would be perfect. >> You know, I think good songwriting. If if everything were 100% the truth, how many songs would be awesome? I'd say a lot less. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> sometimes you got to speculate or take other people's stories. You know, hey, >> not not everything that I write about is 100% my life. Uh sometimes that would be boring. You know, there's only but so many songs you can write about both. I think >> sitting around having bad internet. [laughter] >> No one wrote a song about that. I believe >> repeating it might be >> repeating recordings three times. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> Cody, absolute pleasure speaking to you. I'm going to hand over to TJ because I've waffled enough. So, thank you so much. [clears throat] >> You certainly have, mate. You certainly have. >> Oh, [laughter] dear. >> Well, Cody, so mentioned before we were introduced by our mutual friend, uh, Mr. Nathan Bess, you know, a lovely guy, fantastic music m Yeah, musician. Can't even say that now. only had one beer, but uh yeah, I'm I'm so glad he he put us on to your music because uh you were up there, mate. Uh with with all of the stuff that we listen to throughout the year. Uh I think it's you and Jesse Williams and a few others that uh you know are definitely up. So, and he couldn't speak highly more highly of you, mate. Um >> so that's fantastic. Um I did recognize your name when he mentioned it because I was I've heard of you before and it's because I had Canary in a coal mine on one of my really early OG playlists. So, uh, it felt like it was meant to be, mate, to, uh, eventually speak to you. >> Um, but if you don't mind, I think what we're trying to do with some of these shows as well is to to play a little bit of music as well. Uh, some people have have not criticized us in the past, but said, you know, why don't you play some music during a music podcast or interview and I thought, well, for the most part, it's because of the big wigs uh, will get us done for copyright and take our lovely podcast down. Yeah. >> So, we tried to be careful. So, would you like >> You'll never take us alive. >> You'll never take us. But, uh, I always get permission and I I think we're safe if we got the artist on to to at least try and play a little something. So, would you mind if we played Canary in a coal mine? Just a snippet. >> Yeah, you can do whatever you want. I don't know what YouTube's going to do, but go ahead. Yeah, do your thing. >> We might remix it by AI. So, he's given us permission for that as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. [laughter] >> Let's go for it. I'm a canary [music] in a coal mine that might never fly again. Look out of the blue sky to make way for richer men. Takes that old [music] war king to cut a free bird's wings. I might never sing again. Making pennies on [music] >> one of my favorites, mate. It's a great song and it's a great album. It's a couple of years old now, wasn't it? Canary and Nicole M. The full album. >> 2022 is when it came out. So, I think we're about three years, honestly. >> On it. >> Yeah. I I forget which song is on on that particular album. Um, Wife and Kids I've been jamming to lately as well. I don't know if that's separate to that particular one. Should have done me research a bit better really. But, uh, >> yeah. No, that was >> I've been Yeah, >> that was on There you go. There you go. Um there was um I I was listening to one the other day actually and uh a lot of people don't normally get this but it was uh Saints of Can't say it again. Saints of Appalachia and >> love that. >> Thanks man. >> Yeah, there's there's a few songs that I've done uh like just live and acoustically and then you know recut them again like with a full band just to give it a different different sound, you know, different life. And uh those are both those are both tunes that had that happen to them. >> Absolutely. And I keep kind of banging on about it, but don't sleep on that particular album. I say it's a couple years old now and I think uh it deserves a lot more plays um >> uh with with that. So brilliant. We we'll play a couple more tracks as as we go throughout the podcast, mate. But let's go back into like your your your home state of Virginia. So, we always like to picture what it's like um over in the US because over in Little England, not much happens. You know, you could probably drive from one end to the other in, you know, a couple of hours mostly. Um so, it's not great. So, I'd like to know what what Virginia's like in your particular hometown. What's it like living there? You know, what's the scene like as well? >> Right. Well, uh I mean Virginia is I' I'd say probably has as much diversity in it as uh a lot of the other states in America. So I mean you could there's parts of Virginia where you could drive for 9 hours and still be in Virginia. Um, and you would definitely see the spectrum cuz I think you would start in like DC area, which is where all the, you know, politicians and rich people hang out. And a real Virginia probably would say that that doesn't count. Um, and uh, you know, and then you get into Appalachia. Um, you know, and then you also got the in between there. And I grew up kind of in the in between, which was a town called Palatan. um which is just a a small pretty rural community. Uh you know, growing up there were a couple dairy barns, a lot of farmers, and I don't know, just country people. Not really much going on. Uh we had like high school sports and little league. And other than that, you know, people just working, no real entertainment. There's maybe one or two bars that people might go to. Uh, and that was it. So, Powatan, not too much happening other than living easy, which, uh, I mean, a lot of people like and prefer. Um, right now, where I'm living is kind of close to Richmond, Virginia, which is pretty central. Um, and I think they've got a a really incredible music hub here. uh a bunch of venues ranging from an amphitheater to you know 100 cap little clubs and stuff. Um like I just put up a video the other day uh I got open for the Red Clay Strays a few years ago. Um, and we were at Richmond Music Hall and I there might have been like 20 20 to 30 tickets sold or something and then just a few days ago they were playing they were headlining the amphitheater in Richmond. So it's I mean that was really sweet just to see that. Um, yeah, I mean the music scene in Virginia is I mean it's super diverse. I spent a lot of time in the Hampton Roads area, which is where I was working at the shipyard, where, you know, you could find live music just about every night of the week. Um, mostly cover stuff and and tribute bands. Uh, but so many bars, real touristy town, so lots of opportunities just to play. Um, yeah. And then the further west you go, like Floyd, Virginia, uh, I think that's the home of like Morgan Wade. Um, and then like 49 Winchester, I believe they're like from Russell County, which is also like kind of western Virginia. Uh, I mean, a lot of really good stuff comes out of here. I think >> Brennan Edwards, Chris Hunt, Lillian Hackett, uh, Jake Conn, awesome people. Hopefully you guys recognize or if you don't, you should. They're all really, really great. Um, >> yeah. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Yeah, Bren Brennan was on the show a few months back. I I've lost track of dates completely. So I think he was an early podcast guest of ours. So >> he's fantastic. And yeah, Chris Hunt Jr. I was put on to through Brennan. Yeah. >> And there's a few, like you say, there's some fantastic people and bands coming out of that particular region. I think we >> trying to we try and keep tally of of of podcast guests and, you know, what state they come from and I think Virginia's pretty much up there with Kentucky at the minute. So Appalachia is killing it. I think the whole of Appalachia is uh >> is is amazing, mate. Um, so yeah, thanks for sharing that, mate. I say we're always interested in finding out what what the where the place is to go and what the scene's like and uh Richmond comes up quite frequently in terms of independent music and you know, one day we will get there. It will be amazing to take a trip out. >> Heck yeah. >> So, but there you go. Um, so yeah, we've obviously done lots of research as you know, Cody. we we we delve into your past and you know what you've been up to and you know I I couldn't help but notice uh was it the Gavin Adcock versus Charlie Crockett beef lately and you've got some beef of your own I noticed and uh >> I believe it's Lee Bryce is is that still outstanding beef that you uh you have >> well I mean it's uh I don't know if it's considered beef if it's uh entirely one-sided um but you know I I doubt that he's ever ever heard of me. Um, which is understandable, you know. I might just be the the gnat in the ear, you know, kind of thing. >> Um, but yeah, I mean, I I I not I'm not a fan, you know, personally. Not just because of the way that a certain situation was handled. Um, we were actually booked to play with him. Like, we were going to open for him in Richmond and it was going to be our first amphitheater show ever. So, like, you know, we were super excited. Like, I mean, that would have been the biggest thing that we'd ever done. Um, you know, and it's kind of criminal just I mean, I'll talk about the business a little bit of it cuz like we were going to get paid I think $250 uh to play in an amphitheater opening up for some national act, which if you don't know, like $250 for a band is not a lot of money. Uh it's not that great. >> Yeah. >> But so we were supposed to play on a on a Friday and on a Wednesday uh I get I get word from the promoter that uh you know they're canceling the show. Um they're not going to do it. Like ticket sales just weren't good enough. Um, and they had offered to to Lee Bryce to play at a at a smaller room, you know, that they could actually fill up and uh and they declined. But so it's Wednesday and I find out that we're not playing this amphitheater show, which I mean that sucks, you know. I mean, and I wasn't like the craziest Libres fan to begin with. Like I recognize some of his songs, but you know, he's kind of in that that lane that, you know, I don't I don't necessarily listen to. Uh, but it was still an awesome opportunity. So, you know, we're we get word that it's canled. So, being being the guy that I am, I'd like to publicly let my people know, you know, hey, this show's canled. Sorry. Like, hopefully you're getting refunds or don't show up because nobody's playing a show there tonight. Um, but they didn't announce anything like Lee Bryce didn't announce, nobody in their team made any sort of announcement that the show was cancelled. So, I make this announcement, uh, which I think is, I mean, a pretty standard polite thing to do. You know, if if you say you're going to be somewhere one day >> and it turns out you're not going to be there, >> I think you should probably tell people you're not going to be there, >> you know. I don't know. I don't know how many people showed up to that place expecting to see a show and wondering like, why is this parking lot empty? What's going on? So, I thought that was messed up. Um, >> and yeah, then next thing I know, I got I mean tons of I'm assuming Lee Bryce fans reaching out to me because I'm the only person that made any kind of statement about the show not happening. So I'm like, "Yeah, no, the show's canceled. I don't know why they're not announcing it or anything." So I just didn't like that. I didn't think that was cool at all. And I reached out to his booking agency, which unfortunately is like the biggest booking agency probably in the world, WME. Uh, like, are you guys going to say anything? You know, cuz like I'm kind of getting bombarded by all of y'all's people here cuz I said the show's canceled because I thought that's what you're supposed to do. And they said no. You know, they emailed all the current ticket holders. Um, and that was about it. And uh then I asked him, I was like, "Well, do you guys want to like are we going to reschedu or anything?" Because like, you know, we're we're small time here. Like we were kind of taking a risk. I mean, it was a great opportunity, but $250 for, you know, that ain't nothing. Like we could have been making, I mean, on a good night, 10 times that, you know, and actually made some money. But now that, you know, less than 48 hours notice, we're kind of screwed here. We just lost out on an opportunity and money. And we're the smallest fish in this pond. So like it actually hurts us. Like you know Lee Bryce and those people got paid tens of thousands of dollars to not show up, you know, just for some contract stuff. So anyways, that's that's my thing with Lee Bryce, you know, and I'm sure if I ever met Lee Bryce, I would be cool, you know, >> if uh if I could get just get my >> This is why this guy that you don't know is like, you know, ripping off risk whiskey riff and taking pictures of fish and just, you know, I like to think they're funny little jabs. Like I don't want to fight the guy, you know? >> [laughter] >> If anything, it'd be cool to be his friend. But, you know, I do I do think that as a small independent artist, we were dealt like a a pretty good injustice there and just kind of cast aside, >> you know, like like it was nothing. And uh I might be a little bitter about that, but uh it's uh it's things like that you do remember. And you know, I I see a lot online recently about people really revealing the kind of behind the curtain scene of what the industry is really like, whether that's pay, the bookings, you know, the the kind of machine of how it all works and how how it shits on, you know, smaller artists that are not in the mainstream. And yeah, >> you know, there's plenty of people in in that boat. Um, and we've got some people coming up on future podcasts. Not Lee Bryce. um he's he's banned from what you say. So, uh, but we we we're going to have some people on because I'm I'm interested in talking about the industry because we we normally on the podcast ask kind of not not bland questions, but it's interesting stuff to get to know your background, your music obviously and everything else, but I I want to know more about the industry and your kind of personal experiences of that and and what what's going particularly for an independent artist, what is going well for you and what what do you see working and what what needs a kind of massive overhaul in your opin? opinion. It'd be interesting to get your thoughts on that. >> Oh man, what is going well? Uh well, you know, [laughter] we uh that's a good question. H what's going good? Uh, I mean, you know, we're we're forced to to keep going, to keep throwing stuff at a wall to to try and make this a sustainable thing, you know, and I mean, we've had really good opportunities like this this past week. Um, I took the the van out in the band and uh we went out to Kentucky and played some shows there. We did a Red Barn radio, which was like a bucket list thing for us. Um, you know, and then we played at this really cool bar in Lexington, Kentucky, uh, called the Green Lantern, which to me, like I I I just stumbled stumbled in there kind of accidentally one time and just I feel like I found one of the cultural hubs of Lexington, like we got to play here. And we did on a Thursday and I think, you know, there were maybe 18 tickets sold total. Uh, you know, but that's rock and roll, baby. you know, I'm down to suffer every now and then. Um, so I mean, what's going good? I I think, uh, you know, it's it's definitely organic. So, if if that's what people like, I think that's all that we're really that's all we're really offering because that's all we really have. Um, you know, it just seems and it makes sense, but it it really does seem like more and more it's a a paytoplay kind of system, you know, like it seems like one of the things that you need to to get anywhere is like a viral moment or something or you got to invest a whole lot of money into Instagram and Tik Tok and stuff to to even get to the following that you already have, much less to to broaden your stuff. Um, and if you're one of those platforms, like I I guess it makes sense. Like, why would you if if you had the power to have a video from going viral or not? Like, why wouldn't you have people pay for it? Um, and I'm not saying that everybody does. Like, there might be some organic stuff that pops off and gets a lot of views. And unfortunately for me, it it seems to always be stuff that doesn't have anything really to do with my music. Um, it's mostly just like uh making fun of Whiskey Riff or something, you know, making fake articles. That seems to be the stuff that does the the best. So I think we are in a weird spot um with with music and really just I guess the culture here in general where like I don't know if it's controversy or something is is kind of what's rewarded. Uh you know and I mean I I think like Oliver Anthony I think was a big thing too. Like he didn't just pop off because a lot of people liked him. Like he popped off because an equal amount of people hated him. So, if you can have something that is controversial, you're automatically going to get double the exposure. So, it seems like that's what's rewarded. Um, and that's why I I mean, I don't actually want to fight Gavin Hcock. I think he'd beat me up pretty good, but if he would threaten me just one good time, maybe I could get a whole bunch of streams off of a song. And uh, and that's kind of where we're at right now. So, I don't know. Um, it's that it's that answer. >> It's the uh the good, bad, and the ugly. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, so I don't know. Like it just just making music doesn't seem doesn't seem to be like enough, you know? I think you have to work the social media game, too. And whether that means you're putting a lot of money into it or or you know maybe I just haven't done anything organically that is worthy of millions of eyes yet which I'm cool to you know we'll just keep throwing stuff at the wall. It it's so difficult, mate, like you say, and it's frustrating more so for you as a m musician when you see stuff like you say, not related to to the music and the releases and the stuff that you're kind of putting your money into your heart and soul and it's and it's the more comedic stuff that is is getting your attention. And right, >> I think it's the attention span. I I think social media is great for independent people because, you know, even for us to get our own stuff out without having to pay anything. you know, you've got Instagram, Tik Tok, or whatever you you've got at your disposal. And some people are very good at it. We're not very good at it. You know, I admit that. We we just try and keep things honest, authentic, and >> we don't deviate because I just think the moment we start doing clickbait crap, we just end up like the honest. >> Yeah. The [clears throat] other platforms that we started this whole thing to kind of go up against and and do something different. So, yeah. I it'd be interesting to see how how the industry changes over the next 5 10 years because uh like I said, I'm seeing a lot of comments about some dislike comments about the industry at the minute on Facebook, particularly from from some big artists as well and I think they're just getting fed up with the way the way things are and the way things are going. Um so there's got to be a tipping point, I think, of of whether a new platform comes out. Um, I know Jam Nation is out there trying to to do something different and change stuff through Rob and uh I'll be interested to see how that impacts artists because that's primarily set up for the artist. Um, and and for genuine fans and to avoid that that shitty clickbait crap. Um, so there there I can see movement. Um, but we've only been in the game for, you know, a couple of years. Well, we weren't controversial, but now [laughter] now that we've just had that whole conversation, I think we might be. >> But there we go. [ __ ] it. Why not? >> Well, I [laughter] mean, that's, you know, seems to be what you got to do, you know. So, call your shot, I guess. I don't know. >> There we are. >> But I do like your Yeah, I do like your comedic stuff on TikTok. I I I I did sit one evening uh watching a bit of Duke Dickle and uh >> you know enjoying myself. That sounds wrong for people that haven't watched uh a bit of Duke Dickle, >> right? >> But uh yeah, go on go on Cody's Tik Tok and >> Yeah. >> Well, and that's the thing, too. Like I know >> I I acknowledge how much I you know do or don't like it like that you have to do something, you know, you have to have some consistency like in anything you do. So like why shouldn't it be you know your music and your and your brand I guess but I also have to do it in a way that you know I can sleep at night and you know feel good about myself and maybe that says more about me than anything else that I sleep better at night you know part my beard and uh just doing ridiculous things that makes me feel better than you know lip syncing and actually trying to promote a song uh in a way that you might might be algorithmic. But maybe and maybe this is wrong. I guess my philosophy is like, well, maybe just I just need to keep doing what I'm doing and one day the algorithm will just circle back around to me instead of chasing something that nobody really understands or knows, you know. So, I'm hoping that authenticity wins. And >> like I said, to me, that's uh creating your own news, you know. I don't have the budget or the the ripple effect to get coverage from, you know, the main country music platforms. And I appreciate you guys for having me on here. Um, but I mean, my philosophy has always been like, well, if the news doesn't cover you, you got to make your own, you know? So, that's one of the first things we did. Duke Dickle. It kind of started as a um that was how I'd answer the phone when I'd get calls for like, you know, people trying to sell me vehicle warranties and car insurance and stuff. And I found that if you actually answer the phone and like mess with those people, that's when they stop calling. Um so it started as my phone alter ego and then just kind of transitioned into my uh my my own news network. Um, and more of that to come for sure. >> Yeah, we need some more Duke Dickle in our lives. But yeah, I I binged watched that all in in one night, I think. So, uh, it was >> Well, and that's kind of that's kind of the thing, too. Like I know it's, you know, silly, but like my thing is if anybody if anybody that I don't know, you know, stumbles upon my music or something and finds theirself looking into the Instagram or the Tik Tok, like I'd like to hope that it's something that, you know, they just find theelves like, "Oh, that was different, you know, funny, like entertaining." At the end of the day, I mean, as a musician, as a podcast, uh, what you're really competing for is people's time, you know, because that's all we got. So, like, and if I want to sell a ticket on a night, like, how am I going to make myself stand out to these people to give three hours of their time or five minutes for this song in a world where according to my statistics, people are only paying attention to like six seconds. So, how do you turn six seconds into, you know, 50 bucks and three hours of their time or whatever? It's >> We're working on it. >> Yeah, it's uh it's a challenge, mate, but I think we're all in the same boat in in some respect. And uh if if we can't Yeah. get people's attention for six seconds, then we're all [ __ ] I think. [laughter] Anyway, should we move on to like a more positive note? I feel like we're >> watching therapy for uh for all three of you. >> I was going to say I was going to say we're now doing coaching on behalf of the Rugged Revival. [laughter] >> All right. >> Yes. >> Anyway, indeed. There we go. >> No, it's good. >> Therapy by the Rugged Revival. There we go. Um let's talk about your new music, mate. So, uh we talked about Canary Cole Mine your album that is fantastic, but you you had Modern Railways out. Um, that's been a what a few weeks now, hasn't it? So, it's it's a recent release. Um, >> about a month. July 11th, I think, is when we released that one. >> Yeah, man. Would you mind if we uh play a little bit of that, too? >> Oh, yeah. How about it? >> Thank God [music] for speed railway [music] for bringing our lovers back home. Thank God [music] for speed of that old train. My baby's [music] back at home in my arms. >> Sorry guys. >> Play it again. [laughter] >> Yeah, I like that. Yeah, play it again. Play it again. >> Sorry about that. >> I love the hat. That was uh that was a superb look, mate. Oh, I love it. Yeah, I was just looking around to see if I could find any railway related stuff. >> It's in my room. [laughter] >> People don't think I like I do invest >> in the in the band and the brand, you know, and this hat costs money. >> Sorry. >> Hardearned money. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's all right, dude. Don't worry. [gasps] >> There we go. I'm very jealous of the hat. I think the last hat I see like that was when uh Colobby T. Helms came to the UK and I think he he came off [clears throat] the the uh the train line in Birmingham dressed ever so strange with a a massive train trucker pat type thing that you've got and >> some great clothing. Uh so he stuck out really well [laughter] in uh the center of Birmingham. So at least I could spot him, you know, straight away with his with his uh girlfriend, which is great. >> Uh but anyway, we digress. So you've got you've got that out uh now and you've got something special coming out this Friday, haven't you, mate? Yeah, we got a new song uh dropping Friday. It's called All or Nothing. Um I think it's a pretty groovy one. Got a thick baseline. You know, kind of get some people hopefully shoulder popping. >> Yeah. >> Uh because that's the business I'm in these days, shoulder popping. So, [laughter] >> yeah, >> bring back shoulder popping. That's what we say. >> Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Fantastic. So, yeah, watch out for that on Friday. We we we are going to put that on the Rugged Rival playlist and uh yeah, send it out because we've had a little sneak preview. I love it. It's uh it's completely within your brand. So uh if you're a Cody Christian fan, you'll certainly love this one. Uh fantastic. >> So Ronnie, I've been well like you mate, I've been waffling on for a bit. Um [laughter] so might as well give you a turn. Do you >> You know what? You've done so well. We've changed it from a middle of the road podcast to a controversial podcast. And uh and why not? We love it. >> It's all over the place, isn't it? >> Yeah, I love it. Why not? We like to mix it up. Um Cody, we've got a playlist which is exclusive that TJ has just mentioned actually. It's exclusive to all of our guests and the people we meet on the road. So, uh we've already got the song, your new song that you're releasing on Friday, uh which we're going to add onto there. Give us one more song that we can add on there that would really showcase you and your talents. >> Huh. So, one of my songs that would showcase me and my talents. >> Yeah. >> Well, did you meant Did you say add one or two on there? >> Yeah. So, the the first one that we're going to put in there is a new one on Friday, which is all or nothing, >> right? >> Um and then you get to choose the next one. >> Huh. Well, my I still my favorite song I think to just to play and I think one of my favorites that I've written is still uh Canary in a coal mine. Um it's just fun to play, but I think it also says a good amount in a in what I think is a cool way. Um so I'd say either that one or one that's totally different from all of them, which would be Two Stone in the City. uh which is probably the most fun to play live. Um which is just a cautionary tale of what you shouldn't do while driving. [laughter] I I have a couple songs that are you know reference like uh drugs and smoking and you know things that aren't good for you. But like I never none of those songs are like positive in reality. It's like, you know, if you if you do these things, like there there there are consequences. So, I'm not like a, >> you know, condoning any of these things. If anything, my song should be used uh in like drug education, you know, >> as a warning. Yeah. Yeah. I was going to say, do we get the parental guidance warning down the bottom of this podcast? Now, >> going off on a slight tangent, you know, with Canary in a coal mine, I was listening to it again today and whoever you had on backing vocals did a great job. She she was really into it and you know I just uh you can hear her you know jamming away in the background. Who was that? >> Oh, she's awesome. Uh her name is Emily Frasier. >> Uh she's out of Virginia Beach. Um super like she's really a pop like kind of like diva almost like incredible vocals and she's puts out a lot of uh her own original stuff. Um, but yeah, she used to she might still book music at like a hotel lobby, so she booked me there a couple times and I got to play um, you know, right by a fireplace in front of like six people. Uh, but she was a fan. I knew that she could sing really well. Uh, she was a friend and um, you know, and she she wanted to be involved. Uh, and it was just a really cool experience. So yeah, Emily Frasier, super good. >> We'll check her out. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Sorry, Ronnie. >> Oh, no. No, no, you you carry on. >> Damn, Ronnie, I finished. [laughter] Damn Ronnie. Um, [laughter] uh, right. So, um, yeah. Uh, we'll get them songs added. Uh, and in fact, I Let me cover this first and then we'll go back to seeing what I can get, what other songs I can get of yours on there, cuz TJ loves it when I keep just throwing songs out. Yeah, we'll put we'll put three on. We'll put four on. Yeah, we'll do three of them. Why not? >> Will it be the world's longest playlist if we give everyone 10? >> It will be. Yeah. Yeah. But I'll do what I like, actually, CJ. There you go. Um, so, uh, you know, you've been on enough times at the Rugby Revival. Uh, so three three or four times now. not officially, but there we go. Um, so, you know, we try to help emerging talent, emerging artists and and artists that are sort of um not very well heard of. Um, but we'll we'll we'll try and give them a bit of a a shout out on here. We'll we'll ask other artists um if they've been listening to emerging artists and talent and who would they love to give a shout out to. So, I'm going to ask you that same question. Is there anybody that you see at the moment that might need a bit of a a shout out to our community, to the rugger revival community as well? >> Well, I mean, and the cool part is, uh, I think you guys have already had, you know, some of these folks like Brennan Edwards, uh, Nathan Best, of course, um, >> really like [clears throat] those guys. Uh, I got a good buddy out of Missouri that writes good stuff that I think you guys might dig named Jake Stringer. Um, he has like legitimately one of my favorite like no skip albums. Uh, he's great. Kind of kind of reminds me a little bit of like maybe like Whitey Morganish kind of that, you know, Outlaw >> just Whan Jennings kind of guitars too. Just super cool. >> Um, man, I mean, Kentucky has so much good like Jordan Lee King. Uh, I don't know if you guys know Jordan. another like no skip album in my opinion. Uh >> Bill Taylor, another Kentucky guy. Um there's a girl Carrie Lacy. Uh she's out of Richmond area. Um and I'm actually doing a song with her that should be coming out sometime this fall or winter uh that she wrote and I got a verse on. Um she's an incredible vocalist. Uh really good songwriter. Um, let's see. Man, the cool part about that is, you know, you do get to say names and the terrible part about that is that you blank on people that you really uh like and then [laughter] >> we always say it's not an endorsement, you know, uh because it can feel like that sometimes, but >> I mean, it is, you know, there's so many so many people I'd love to endorse. Uh [laughter] >> yeah, >> yeah, those are some big >> That's great. Thank you, Kodiches. And I think just uh a question just on from that around emerging artists and I've asked quite a few quite a few artists that we've interviewed. What would be your top three bits of advice for anybody who is currently new to the industry or wants to get into the industry or is currently just, you know, playing whatever they can, school fates, whatever, funs, um anybody, what's your top three bits of advice for them? Well, I mean, I don't think that I'm coming from a place of uh the amount of success that anybody should strive for. Uh but what I would say is one, make sure that you love it like and love it a lot. Um and I guess also learn to embrace the more sucky parts. Uh because there's going to be a lot of that. Um, you know, but if you can if you can switch your attitude from like, you know, damn, I just drove 10 hours and there's six people in this room, like hit, you know, it could be like, you know, I mean, I think that this business should be kind of a one at a time kind of thing. So like you could look at it like man it's only six people or you could look at it like this is six people you know that are here because at the end >> if you're singing and playing music like >> it's a pretty audacious or audacious thing to even expect people to pay money to watch you have fun. So I'd say be grateful for anything that you have. you know, even if it's an empty bar, but the bartender likes you, like those are people you want to like you anyways, cuz those are the people that see everything. Um, so yeah, if you if you could just change your attitude from uh, you know, like the the shitty situations I think are kind of what make you cool and unique and kind of build you, you know, and how you react to that stuff. Um, >> I would also say like if you can build yourself >> uh I guess enough of a cushion to go out there and take losses. Like you know when I drive 23 hours to Texas and come back, it's it's definitely not profitable. I'd make a lot more money if I stayed at home and did literally anything else. Uh even staying at home doing nothing probably would save money, but I think that stuff's important, too. um you know getting out there into new markets and really spreading yourself uh maybe spreading yourself thin too you know I think there's some some uh some glory in the suffering I guess um yeah and you know never never take the people that do show up for granted um because it'd be easy to to look out into a room of all the same people at the same place and be like I'm doing the same thing over again but Again, if you're in the business of competing for people's time, which is what you're doing, just being grateful for the people that are giving you that time, you know, because if you're busy being grateful for something, then uh you don't have time to be bitter because you can definitely be bitter, you know, and I'm I'm bitter about some things. I just told you I'm pretty bitter about Lee Rice, [laughter] but you know, I think a healthy amount of spite is [laughter] good. I mean, you know, you want to maybe a little bit of spite to keep going. Because there is I mean I do have a little list of uh you know man if I ever get to some point I might call that guy you know. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> So maybe maybe >> most most of the people on my list is TJ. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> There we go. >> At least some [laughter] on some sort of list somewhere. >> And I don't know if that was two or three things but I guess that was that was something. Uh, also maybe maybe don't maybe don't sign >> the band. Uh, have you guys ever heard of Welshley Arms? >> They're out of Cleveland, but they go over to Europe a lot. And we got to open for them one time, and they were like, you know, one of my favorite bands. And uh, one thing that they told me was like, "Dude, never never sign the first thing that somebody gives you, you know, like whether it be a contract or something." Um because oftentimes if it's if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. And I think in that business, uh you know, you definitely want some options if those kinds of opportunities come along. >> It's it's a great bit of advice, you know, everything that you've just said there and and very humble as well actually. Um from what you mentioned around, you know, people turning up and listening to you. It could be six people instead of the 60 that you were planned and or whatever else. But you're right. You know, everything you just said there. So, they heard it here first, Cody. >> They heard it here first. There we go. Um, right now we get to go to the gossip section of the podcast. I can't remember if we've got anything on a soundboard to play. [laughter] Um, but if not, just play anything. >> Some of the stuff I can't play. [laughter] >> Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. >> We'll save it. Um, so this is where I get to ask some really random questions. >> Okay. >> But why not? We're having a bit of fun. And then we go into a game, which is going to be extra fun. >> I like it. >> But we do have a soundboard thing for that, which is good. So Cody, what's the most outrageous rumor you've heard about yourself? And did you spread it a little bit? Um, well, we did play a show in Illinois this past week and one of the guys that introduced us said that I beat Arnold Schwarzenegger in a arm wrestling match twice. Um, so I I don't know if that was a rumor, but I heard it there for the first time and uh probably not true. You know, I don't think it happened. I don't think it ever could happen. >> Who cares? We've we've already talked about this. We're all lies on here, so it doesn't matter. Yeah, [laughter] >> he's about 70 odd years old. You could probably take him now, I would say. >> No, I think for me like I don't think I hear >> if people are saying things. I don't think I I don't think it gets back to me. So, >> I guess that's good. >> We'll we'll make something up. >> We'll we'll post it. >> Um, now we talked about tabloids uh and we talked about headlines before um in the middle section of the podcast. So, you get one chance to fake a social media headline about yourself. What would it be? >> Well, I mean, that's an interesting because I have all the opportunities in the world to fake a headline and I do it pretty often. So, I think if you're asking what my next one's going to be, it's probably going to be >> Yes. uh you know that my new song All or Nothing uh has been a smash hit and um you know that I'm currently scheduling a boxing match with uh Gavin Attack and Charlie Crockett I think something like that was like >> I like it. >> And you've also got a tribute show at the Grand Old Opry that you've got top headliners attending and singing about you. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I love it. Yeah. Perfect. All right, we'll get that advertised. Um, so, uh, the last one. If a song was written about your most embarrassing, funniest moment, what would the title be? If this song were written about my most embarrassing uh, moment >> or funniest moment >> or funniest moment, what would it be? Have I ever been embarrassed? Huh? Man, trying to think. Most times I've been super embarrassed. Like, it was really intentional and I knew that it was embarrassing. Um, let's see. I got a concussion one time playing football and uh you know my parents took me to the hospital and I didn't know what sport that I was playing or you know so they convinced me that I messed up my head playing tennis. Um in reality it was American football. So I that might be embarrassing. I don't remember it at all. Um in fact there's probably some college stuff that I don't really remember either. that probably could be songw worthy. >> We'll come back to it. And then just uh finally for me is just a bit of a personal question and I've asked quite a few of our artists that we've interviewed on here and I want to know about your top three goals and it could be from now in six months time it could be for the rest of your life. What is Cody's top three goals? >> Oh goals. Okay. Hey, I thought at first I thought you said top three goals >> and I was like, "Huh, >> that's a good question." [laughter] >> Yeah, >> you can do that as well. >> Yep. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> you can do what you like. >> I was I was >> Yeah, I was actually telling the band this. Uh we were in Lexington, Kentucky this past week, which is where they now house the uh the famous cocaine bear. I don't know if you guys have ever heard of the cocaine bear. Yeah, there's a bear that uh you know found like 40 kilos of cocaine in the woods and ate it and died and um Whan Jennings actually own that bear for a while. Like it was in his house and now it's in this like museum in Kentucky. And uh I told them I was like, you know, I haven't I'm I'm probably not that good at establishing goals for myself. So if I want to establish a goal, maybe my new goal and purpose in music career and making enough money is like one day I want to own that bear. So I don't know how I don't know I would have to do >> how much money I would need to make notoriety I'd need to gain, but if I could be in possession of the bear that you know ate too much blow and Whan Jennings had in his house for a while, I think that would be the coolest thing that you could possibly have. So, I think that's my goal. >> I don't think you could top it. >> Yeah. Uh, another >> I mean that that is just that's all three goals. >> That's it. You've done your job. >> If I achieve that goal, [laughter] that probably means that I've achieved so many other ones. So, >> yeah. And I I You need to do a party at your house when you've got that bear and we're coming round >> because I want to get a photo of the bear. [laughter] >> Who would? That's right. Right on. >> Well, TJ Oh, no. It's not It's not going to you, is it? I've got lost with a bear. What's going on? Um, we've got the game apparently. If you still want to do the game. >> I do. I'm going to try one thing and let me know if this works. >> I'm going to plug my phone, but I think the my battery is getting killed by this video. >> Uh, can you guys hear me? >> We can hear you. >> You can hear me? Well, yeah. You stay still too long then. I thought it crashed out again. [laughter] >> Okay, good. I just I plug my phone in. >> I plugged my phone in. The last thing I want to have happen is for >> this thing to die. But if you guys are good, then I I'm still good and we have no worries. >> We're good. >> Okay, >> let's do it. Yeah, >> we're almost there, mate. We're almost there. We're almost done it. [laughter] >> Nearly. We're We're nearly there. We've only got a few more questions left. We've got the game first if you want to play the game. Yes. >> Yeah. Let's do it. >> Right. Hit it. >> Random. If you don't remember that, then we're going to fall out. [laughter] >> That was fun. >> Buck Owens. No. Yeah, I like that. Anyway, so we've now got a game this episode of Rugged or False. Oh, >> true or false. Um, I'm going to read a statement and then Cody's going to give me the answer, yes or no, and then TJ's going to give me the answer, yes or no, and then I'll toss up the scores at the end of the game and then we'll play a bit of uh Bruce Fight. Um, so the first one is bananas are technically berries, but strawberries are not. Cody, true or false? >> True. >> TJ, >> I'm going to wait until the end to do the scores cuz it just becomes a disaster. >> Actually, bananas, >> right? >> Fun fact. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. They make cramp up. >> You eat a banana. >> I cramp. >> Weird. >> That'd be hilarious to watch. Have you got any bananas? >> Can [laughter] we Can we see it? >> You're riveting television. >> Anyway, next statement. Sharks exist. Sorry. Sharks existed before trees. True or false, Cody? >> Uh, I feel like I saw something somewhere that said this, so I'm going to say true. TJ opposite. False. Next question. The inventor of the Pringles can is buried in one. True or false? Cody. >> Um, yeah. If that were me, yeah, I'd say true. Yeah. >> TJ, >> I say full, so I can't get my hand in a Pringles can. So, how you going to get a whole body? >> Don't get me started on you. Don't get me started on you. >> Nobody said how big the guy was. So, [laughter] could be a thimble. Um, next statement. In Texas, it's illegal to own more than six chickens without a special permit. Cody, true or false? >> I really hope it's false. >> That sounds like the least Texas thing I've heard. >> Yeah. I thought you could own tigers and like exotic animals in Texas. >> Definitely. So TJ, true or false? >> False. >> Next state aim. Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins. Cody, true or false? Well, I mean, it sounds like something that would be a true question. That would be surprising, but if you were good at your job, then maybe some of them should make sense. So, I'm going to say false. >> [laughter] [gasps] >> TJ, I'm going to mix it up and go true. >> Okay. Um, right. We're going to do we're going to do one more. >> Let's go for that one. Cows in Australia are required to have passports to move between farms. Cody, true or false? Um, I work a lot in the agriculture business and my understanding is that uh a lot of livestock goes between uh our two nations. Uh, I'm going to say true >> TJ because he knows what he's talking about. I'm going to copy him and go true. That's cheating. >> Well, I don't know what they're doing, but Let me just uh let me just go through the numbers. You'll be happy to know that Cody, you're the winner of that game this evening. >> You're the winner of the game. TJ's lost. >> Well, that was fun. >> TJ, play me a bit of Bruce Forcip, please. >> Nice to see you. To see you. [cheering] I don't know what Bruce's for has got to do with because it's a nice game [laughter] and we love to do the accent. >> Right. Well done, Cody. TJ lost. Um, by the way, the last the last um question which was cows in Australia are required to have passports to move between farms. It's false. >> Well, >> they don't. There we go. >> Passports. >> Yeah. I don't Well, I mean, passports, I don't know if that means the same thing for everybody, >> but I know at least in America, like, you know, if you're if you're selling certain states and stuff, they have to have certain certifications. So, I don't know if that's a passport thing or not. Anyway, I don't know. >> You got me. >> Anyho, [laughter] well, well done for winning. you know, um you're not invited back on again cuz I also hold a grudge and get very bitter about things, particularly when I lose awful >> games. Yeah. But there you go. >> Um >> so cool. Well, I've only got a few more questions, mate. And um yeah, we'll go from there. But um I I think a nice place to kind of move on to after this ridiculous game is about upcoming stuff. Um so you mentioned obviously we got Friday. Uh, so don't forget that people in terms of Cody's new single, uh, All or Nothing. Can't wait for that. Um, but what else have you got coming up in terms of any new music, um, tours or anything of that that kind, mate? >> Yeah. Um, I mean, we just got done with, uh, with our, you know, big, uh, band run through the Midwest in Kentucky, and that was really cool. We got to play a historic room that I've always wanted to play, Duke's Indie. Um, >> yeah, >> which was, I mean, a bucket list thing. But coming up, uh, I mean, we're trying to be more consistent with releasing singles, you know, to try to again, you know, appease the, uh, the algorithm and people's attention spans. So, we've got kind of a backlog of songs that we've recorded that we're going to be releasing over the next, you know, few months. and into 2026. Uh so more songs are on the way. Um and as far as you know, no big real tours. Uh tomorrow actually I get to open up for Dell Mccur who's just a bluegrass like living legend. So really looking forward to that. Um, and we have a residency at a really cool club in Richmond, uh, called the Camel. So, we're playing there every Sunday and we're having other bands and stuff that we like and love play with us. Uh, Nathan Best being one of them. Um, so every Sunday in October, if you're in Richmond, Virginia, uh, we'll be at the Campbell with other cool folks that I like. And, uh, >> yeah, other than that, man, just working on new stuff and releasing stuff that people haven't heard yet. I mean, I think that's the big plan for the rest of the year. and try to hit the uh the computer and book book some more stuff for for next year and hopefully get on some more cool festivals and you know do some runs with some cool folks. >> Yeah, man. We want to see you at those big festivals like Laurel Cove and you know all those good places and hopefully they'll let us come. I'm not sure as it stands. Um, but uh, yeah, it' be nice to get a ticket and and go over there and see the likes of you. >> Hey, I I've said it. I'd put away. >> Where can people find you? What? >> Yeah, please. Please. It's uh, if you've got You must have more clout than me and Ronnie. Put it that way. It won't be that hard. >> Can't say. Never been, but >> we'd love to. [laughter] >> Maybe we can get in there together. >> We'll get you there. >> We We'll sneak in the back door. If there is a back door, we'll find it. But there you go. So, in in terms of uh people wanting to find you, if they want to to kind of book you up, um where's the best place to to contact you? Is it Instagram? Uh Instagram as far as social media platforms is definitely the one that I'm the most active on, paying attention to. Uh my Facebook got taken down and I had to restart that a couple years ago because I was too funny and uh Tik Tok just never really popped off. So, I haven't done too much on Tik Tok, but yeah, Instagram's a good one. Um, and my website has my main like contact for booking and and things like that. It has my uh email address um for the more formal things. Uh, definitely not Facebook Messenger though. Like, if you've ever Facebook messaged me, I probably haven't seen it, so I apologize. I just don't look at it. Um, yeah, >> codychristianmusic.com. >> There you go. It's a good website and uh, yeah, go and check it out. So, I will hand over to to Ronnie for the final message. Do you want to honor us with that, mate? You got to stop calling it the final message because it just makes it [laughter] sound really like, you know, >> depressing. >> It's like the end of time. >> Anyway, um, I've got some bits to read out for you, Cody. Um, which mean it just describes you in everything that they say. Some of your fans have described you. It's incredible. Um, but you have been on three times to the Rugby Revival. It's been an absolute pleasure each time. Each time you've been on unofficially, uh, my jaw has achd because I've laughed so much. Uh, it's been full of laughs, lies, and, um, and controversy. So, um, I'll try and say that word again, controversy. Um, but there we are. So, uh, we've had an incredible time and I hope you've had a good time as well and thank you so much for joining us. Um, but I do want to read some of the fans comments that made about you. Uh, in a good way. Not I don't know why I keep laughing, but it's in a good way. So, Cody Christian is proof that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is walk away from certainty and run toward the unknown with a guitar in your hand. From the shipyard to the stage, Cody's story is more than music. It's a reminder that dreams don't have deadlines. In every note Cody plays, there's a piece of Virginia, a piece of Appalachia, and a piece of everyone who's ever dared to start over. Cody Christian doesn't just sing about the working class. He carries it spirit in every verse. His music reminds us that the miles between hard work and hope are paved with courage, grit, and a little bit of country salt. And that for me just explains everything that you are from start to finish. So, it's been an absolute pleasure talking. doesn't sound like anything somebody >> I've got a list of different different comments. >> What I try to do is I try to troll through social media and I pick up on different >> uh different comments that people have made, different magazines, different >> That seemed like an AI >> outlet just to just to see what they say. So >> Ronnie made it up. >> Never. [laughter] >> No, he didn't. >> Never. >> Sounds nice. Right. >> That was nice. >> I wouldn't know what to do. Um >> right. [laughter] Anyway, um it's been an absolute pleasure and I'm just trying to find I'm trying to find the end message. [laughter] There we go. >> You forgot it. It's >> forgotten it. Yeah, it's been that long I've forgotten it. Anyway, if you've got a drink, can you raise it for a toast, please, Cody? [laughter] >> So, here's a toast to the grit, the grind, and to the revival. Cheers to everyone for listening. Cheers, Cody. >> Cheers to you. Cheers.

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