The Voices of Kentucky's Rising Music Scene: Gracie Yates & Brock Burton Podcast
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There's a moment in conversation when you realise someone has found their calling. It happens quietly, without fanfare—a shift in tone, a certainty in the voice. For Gracie Yates and Brock Burton, two Kentucky artists navigating the uncertain early stages of their music careers, that moment arrives the instant they step on stage. "Once I get up there and play the first note, I'm in the zone," Brock reflects, and you believe him entirely. There's no hesitation in that statement, no performance anxiety left behind. Just clarity.
What's remarkable about Gracie and Brock isn't just their talent, though that's undeniable. It's how they embody something essential about the current state of independent country and Americana music in America—a generation unafraid to blend influences, rooted in community, and genuinely committed to the craft beyond the promise of commercial success. At 22 and 25 respectively, they're precisely where the UK roots music community should be paying attention.
If you wouldn't talk to your friend that way, would you talk to yourself that way?
— Gracie Yates and Brock Burton
Both artists grew up steeped in music, though their pathways differed. Gracie came of age in a household where live music was as common as Sunday dinner. Her parents were travellers, musicians at heart, and they instilled in her an appetite for experience alongside sound. She was raised on Elvis—her grandparents were devoted fans, regular pilgrims to Graceland—mixed with the harder edges of classic rock, Joan Jett, AC/DC. There's something rebellious in that combination, and you can hear it in how she approaches her own work: rooted in tradition but unwilling to be confined by it.
Brock's journey arrived through an unexpected turn. A football injury in his teens forced him to redirect his energy, and he picked up a guitar instead. What might have been a mere distraction became a passion. His family had always been musical—his father's side particularly invested in playing and performing—but Brock needed that physical catalyst to take it seriously. He's spent the years since making up for lost time, and it shows.
Once I get up there and play the first note, I'm in the zone.
— Gracie Yates and Brock Burton
The pair recently spent a weekend at Sleeping in the Woods, Nick Jameson's Kentucky music festival, an experience that perfectly encapsulates what draws them to this life. They didn't just attend; they immersed themselves. Car camping without service, disconnected from the digital noise, surrounded by serious songwriters and a genuine community of musicians. There's something almost countercultural about that choice in 2024—the decision to unplug, to prioritise the actual human experience of making and hearing music together. It's where the best roots music still happens, in those moments between stages, around campfires, in conversations with other artists who understand the peculiar blend of ambition and acceptance that this life demands.
What's particularly striking about Gracie and Brock is their maturity around the psychological challenges of performance. Stage fright and performance anxiety are real obstacles, especially for young artists building their confidence. Yet their approach is refreshingly honest. Gracie has learned to distinguish between pre-show nerves and what happens once the music actually begins—that moment when anxiety transforms into focus, when the technical and emotional aspects align. It's not about conquering fear; it's about understanding it, working with it, letting the music do what it's designed to do.
Both artists are conscious of something deeper too: the importance of community in sustaining a music career. They speak about their experiences at festivals and with other musicians with genuine warmth. This isn't the cynical networking of the industry proper—it's people who genuinely love what they do, who lift each other up, who understand that independent music thrives when artists support artists.
For UK listeners interested in where contemporary American roots music is heading, Gracie Yates and Brock Burton represent something worth following closely. They're young enough to have no nostalgia clouding their vision, yet rooted enough in tradition to understand why these songs matter. They're building something real, one show and one festival at a time, in the small towns and rural communities where country and Americana music has always belonged.
The full conversation is worth your time—particularly if you want to hear artists speak candidly about overcoming performance anxiety, what draws them to festival culture, and why a community of serious musicians matters more than industry validation. Listen to hear two rising voices that deserve your attention.
If you wouldn't talk to your friend that way, would you talk to yourself that way? >> Once I get up there and you know, play the first note, I'm I'm I'm good. I'm in the zone. >> So, I'm like, you're going to kill it. You're born to be a rock star. This is Maggie Noelle and I love Rugged Revival. >> This is the Rugged Revival podcast, where your home in the UK's country, America and roots music community. Uh first of all, if you haven't already, please hit the subscribe button. Uh it goes a long way to helping the channel out. And it means we can have more of these great conversations with your favorite artists. Anyway, on today's show, uh I've got two of my favorite artists right now, straight out of Kentucky, Brock Burton and Gracie Yates. How you doing, guys? You okay? >> We're doing well. Thank you for having us. >> Awesome. Where you guys now? Are you Are you at home in Kentucky now? >> We are. We're home in Elizabethtown, Kentucky for right now. >> Sweet. Okay. So, how's your week going? What you been up to lately? What what's going on? >> It's going really well. Uh we spent the last weekend at uh Sleeping in the Woods music festival. So, that was really fun and then we've just been home uh getting ready for our next shows. >> Yep. I I've I've That's on my bucket list of things to do to go and uh see Nick Jameson and his festival. It's uh What was it like? You know, what give us an insight into that. >> Oh, it was great. Uh really really good songwriters, fun community. Um it was just a great weekend, you know, seeing a bunch of friends and getting to hang out and talk to these musicians and this is a great time. >> Yeah, the sets were incredible. Nick's set was amazing and we were car camping the whole time. So, it was just like we didn't have a ton of service. So, it was a little bit of like a break and just focus on the music. It was so much fun. >> Awesome. Yeah, I saw some of your uploads in terms of uh Brock putting up the tent, was it? I think or or trying to put the tent up. >> That was from a long time last year. Uh we >> Oh, was it? Okay. >> Yeah, we were setting up camp like in the middle of the night. >> Yeah, that that was a rough night. >> Yeah. >> We got lost in the fog and it was raining. >> It was the best ever. >> for you guys though. You know, uh me and my family don't do camping. I would love to do more camping personally, but uh you won't catch my my wife and my kids uh you know, doing that side of it, you know. Maybe one day I'll get them into it. But then that's superb, guys. I mean, I think what we'll do uh straight away is uh we'll dial it back, you know, I'm always interested in then in hearing where people grew up and where you guys come from and uh so yeah, we'll start with uh I don't know, should we do ladies first? You know, we'll go with you, Gracie. You know, where did you grow up and then what was life like growing up? >> Um I grew up in Kentucky. I had a big family. I have a lot of cousins and I'm the oldest of four siblings. Uh so it was chaotic and a lot going on. Um my parents and my grandparents were all really big music lovers and so I grew up like going to live music and going to the beach and watching like the live music and Florida. And so I just had a like a really strong appreciation for music early on. Uh and I got a desire to travel. Like my parents traveled a lot when they were younger and so it always like inspired me. >> Wonderful. And what what sort of music was playing in your household growing up? >> A lot of Elvis. My uh dad's parents were huge Elvis fans. Like we would go uh to Graceland and uh visit Memphis when I was younger. Um so there was a lot of that, a lot of like classic rock, '70s, AC/DC as well. Uh I love Joan Jett a lot, too. >> Yeah, I can I can kind of see that in the style somewhat. That's uh that's pretty cool. Uh so quite a quite a varied mix of uh music growing up. How about yourself, Brock? >> Yeah, I grew up in Kentucky. Um kind of do the Kentucky things, you know, like the being outdoors and stuff. I I do music and also train dogs for work and uh But yeah, I grew up around music uh my whole life. I really didn't see myself doing it until I got older um after high school. I started taking more serious and my dad's family had been playing music forever um singing and playing guitar and being involved with venues and my mom's family was the same way and they love music and yeah, it kind of came to be through happenstance uh you know, I ended up hurting my knee in football and kind of took up music and ran with it and here we are now. >> Wouldn't look back since then, man. Superb. How old are you guys if you don't mind me asking cuz you you you seem quite young. >> I'm 25. >> I'm 22. >> Okay, so you still got a lot of years ahead of you to to yeah, play play your music. >> Definitely. I'll be doing this till I'm old. >> It's exciting. Right at the start, man. It's it's it's superb. But uh so it's great, you know, I've I've been watching you guys from afar for a while. I mean that sounds a bit creepy but um but musically, obviously. Um but I I loved what you guys did individually and you know, it's been really cool seeing you kind of do more more stuff together but um I suppose how how would you describe your your personalities to begin with and tell us the story of how you kind of got together as well. >> You want to go first? >> Yeah, we we can go. Um my personality, I'm probably a little more uh I don't know. Joking around, goofy, laid-back. Uh >> He's very funny. >> Yeah. I kind of go with the flow kind of things and then we ended up uh well, hanging out and stuff first time cuz I had texted her on Instagram. And I actually was good friends with her sister in high school. And I asked her if she wanted to hang out and write some music. And I ended up getting nervous and almost didn't go. But I I showed up and we kind of hit it off on the front porch and then she asked me to sing the national anthem with her at a rodeo. And it's been history ever since. >> Yeah. >> That's a cool story. It's well it's good that you know you just good that you had the balls to reach out Brooke so good for you. >> Yeah. It worked out really well. I had he messaged me right when I was heading back from performing in Texas for a while and I had been there for like 2 months so it just was really good timing and we started writing together and just hanging out. >> Brilliant. Yeah, we'll go into to definitely more of that in a second so because I'm really interested in terms of the stuff that you've been writing and and the stuff that you've been releasing that's that's probably not on Spotify but kind of doing the rounds on socials which is is superb and some of the stuff that we we've obviously shared as well but in terms of the Kentucky music scene you know I I said it many times in the podcast it feels like our home away from home even though we've not been there funny enough but you know since we started podcast and doing this you know all of the the best people we've met online you know I've been kind of best friends with Lance and you know other other people and like Josh Mitchum and it just feels like you know a fantastic place to to go so I'm looking forward to it someday to get over there but in terms of the scene itself and the people and the culture you know how would you kind of describe it in your own words? >> It's definitely a big community it's such a small world funnily like you run into people that know everybody and there's connections everywhere but it's also just really supportive and there's so many incredible musicians that we love going out and just listening to all of these other artists in our community and we're lucky enough that they do that back to us so it's just been so much fun like watching our friends grow and continue to write and release amazing music and become better friends along the way. >> Brilliant. Yeah, it's that's what I get from you I get this real sense of community and I think that's probably why the scene fits in really well with what we do on the Rugged Revival so yeah like I said hopefully one day we'll get out there but in the meantime I have a fantastic kind of team and and contributors uh you know like Lance and and Kenzie as well. I think Gracie you met Kenzie at the Bull. Yeah, she's she's awesome. So she she was hanging around the Bull and and what's hanging around the Bull, but you know, she's she's been on the scene for a long time and got to catch up with you have a chat about the full of love of Appalachian. I think you guys were at previously, weren't you? >> Yes, I think that's the first time I met her and we had so much fun. We just hung out all night and then I got to stay interview and then she came out to our next Bull show as well. >> She can be at a show in Tennessee too, Justin. >> Yep. Yep. So that's great. It's great you got to catch up and mentioned Lance before but so we got this collaboration for people listening you know the rugged revival falling for great sessions and so Brooke and Gracie we we shared a couple of your songs already. We still got one more to to share and put well we'll let we'll let people kind of savor the ones that we put out. It's been a fantastic reception to that. So Covered is the the next one and I'm not going to reveal the day that we'll put that out just yet, but yeah, definitely go and listen to Eliza. I absolutely love that song. >> Oh, thank you. >> It's superb. Coyote that we I think that was the first one we put out for you Gracie, but yeah, talk to us about those songs. So I don't think those songs are actually released properly yet, are they? >> No, they're not. We have been in the studio working on them, but we've just kind of been sharing them live and on social media for right now. Eliza is a duet that we wrote together. We were actually writing a different song and Brooke came up with the melody and like the main verse for Eliza and then we started writing on that one. >> Yeah, that was a that was a fun one. I've been listening to a lot of Allman Brothers at the time. I'm a big 70s rock guy and I'm a I was telling Gracie I got all these these girls names in songs and I was like we need one of them and next thing you know, it popped into my head and uh that one came pretty quick and that was that was fun writing that one and I've been everyone's really liked it, so we have that song the bones are down in the studio. We've got to go back once we find some time and finish it. So, we're excited to do that. >> Yeah, it's it does give me those kind of Allman Brothers vibes that you say and I think with all the songs that you're doing together particularly it's got that kind of classic sound but with with a modern twist twist almost. I know that sounds very vague to kind of describe it in that way but I think it kind of blends well with the stuff Gracie you were doing previously and and the vocals you were pulling out and Brock with I suppose the more gritty kind of rawness and and you put that together and it just creates this kind of beautiful, you know, duo and I I don't think there's many I'm not seeing many duos like you on the scene either. So, perhaps that's you know, something different that you guys are pulling out there, too. >> Yeah, thank you. >> We're definitely just trying to stay true to the music that like we write authentically and it's been so much fun collaborating together and like bouncing ideas off of each other. I feel like we've grown a lot like trying out each other's writing styles and just growing together as musicians and I think the harmonies have been like a really interesting addition cuz it adds so much to the songs and so much fun. >> Took me a while. >> Yeah, yeah. I was going to say as it's as it's kind of taken a lot of practice to to kind of work in that way different style that you were perhaps used Yeah. >> Yeah, I'm still learning. >> No, it's it's beautiful man and yeah, like I said the the stuff we put out on YouTube already. So, folk if if you're out there listening, please go and check that out on our channel. I didn't know whether to share this bit in fact cuz we we what I tend to do is I'll put the full track on there and then I'll break it up into shorts just to kind of span it across the week to try and get as much traction and one one of the comments on the shorts made me laugh because they I think it was a a section of Eliza and uh or maybe it was another the other song in fact. No, sorry, it was Coyote. And you were you were doing your part, Gracie, and it wasn't the harmony section, but obviously Brock you were in the shop. So someone commented, you know, why why is the the young lady's handler or security you know, on on the I was like, yeah, dude, that's not a handler. That's that's Brock Burton. So it gave me an opportunity to kind of plug your work at the same time, but people thought you were Gracie's security. >> That's so funny. >> You have to get a made up a t-shirt. >> Yeah, he does one of his solo gigs. He's my roadie. >> There you go. Get yourself a t-shirt made up with Gracie's security guard uh >> Yeah, I'll have a yeah. >> Um but there you go. So awesome. So you know, with the great sessions, you know, we've had we've had some great Kentucky artists over in the UK as well. So over last over the last year we've had the likes of Josh Mitcham, Cody Lee Meece, and Joe Clark when those guys were here. So you know, it's fantastic doing this kind of work with with Lance and and bringing kind of more artists like yourself to to the kind of forefront. Um but going into your your music particularly, um you know, when did you start releasing kind of music professionally? I'm really interested in you when people talk about, you know, what the early days looked like and your early sound and you know, how that's kind of transformed or or even stayed consistent over over the years to where you are now. So would you mind sharing a little bit about that, please? >> Yeah, so I started my music career really early. I started writing just silly songs when I was like 12. I always knew that I wanted to be a musician. I was like in kindergarten singing Hannah Montana at my talent shows and I wasn't sure how I wanted to get it done, but I just kept pushing and growing and learning more about writing songs. And then after high school, I got into a record deal. And so that's like my first releases like that are out on Spotify and stuff like that. And they had more like a pop country kind of like vision for my music, but I was writing more of an eclectic mix. I had some like rock country. I had like some bluegrass type songs and they weren't really wanting to release them. So after I got out of that deal, I did my first independent EP with a good friend named Eric Hagen. And so that was just a collection of songs that I had been working on the time that I got to make with some friends and that was like my first independent release. >> Fantastic. How about yourself, Robin? >> Yeah, so I think was really COVID hit. I was still in school and I started taking a little more serious. And I started writing my first songs in that 2021 area area. And I had a lot of Colter Wall Childers influences that I was listening to at the time and I've kind of evolved from that now and I feel like doing it longer and gigging and having more life experience. I've kind of fell into my own spot where I like to write and my own influences like we like a melting pot of influences. I know I love so much music that we've kind of decided that we're just going to take it all and kind of put it in the one, you know. But we I'm trying to think now. I guess this is like really the second or third year of really doing music full like not full time, but taking it real serious and gigging and and getting out there and traveling on the road. So we're excited. We have a big summer coming up and uh yeah. >> Yeah, that's awesome. And yeah, like I said I I I think you know, bringing that all together in terms of being the duo now. You know, I think that just takes it to another level and yeah, it is just superb to see and you know, I can see you're part of the Tim's Brandstetter Music Management team as well and that family that he's put together. So talk to us a little bit about that cuz I'm interested in this amazing artist on here. I know Lance has joined the team recently too and but it does seem like a genuinely good group of people and fantastic artists from all ages as well. So what's the experience like for you guys? >> Yes, definitely. We've had so much fun just collaborating with our friends and we live a little bit further away from them. So we'll travel down and we've done gigs and collaborations and stuff like that. We just did a show with the burl that was super fun. And then like we wound up doing a show in Richmond close to Lance and so we did his podcast and he came out to our show afterwards and that was so much fun. But I think it's just a good community of musicians. >> Yeah, absolutely. And he seems a top guy as well. So yeah, hopefully that goes really well for you guys. In terms of you know, you touched upon writing new songs and and hopefully getting to release them soon. I think the last release was from from Uprock wasn't it Heathenry? If I'm pronouncing that right. Well well that's a jam. So anyone who wants to check that out on Spotify or wherever you listen to go and check it out. And it's got Cody Lee Meese absolutely ripping guitar on that too just to add more flavor to it. But so yeah, what was that you know, where did the inspiration for that song come from man? >> Yeah, so that song was I started writing that song a good while ago. I had some good buddies of mine that really helped push this music thing along at first when I wasn't for sure if I wanted to you know, I was just uploading videos or really wanted to go do it and they were a wild group of wild group of dudes. Um I think they're you know, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday we were always going to a party and doing something all summer and jumping through windows and all kind of stuff when the door was locked. But so that kind of inspired that song. Um just being wild and kind of having kind of a I don't know, a rowdy song for summer, you know. I You know, I don't write a lot of songs like that, but that one's probably one of my favorites. And when we went in to record it, you know, I I I could kind of hear what I wanted. You know, a lot of songs it's kind of hard to uh you go in there and you have a vision for it and it doesn't go exactly where you want and you got to sit there and figure out where you're going to take it. But, uh "Heathenry" from day one uh it was pretty much we had it down and uh we kind of went for the CCR Skynyrd kind of vibe for it. And uh yeah, Cody knocked it out of the park and then our guitarist at the time, Dylan Anders, did really really good work on it. So, uh it was fun, man. I was really happy with the way it turned out. The organ was really cool. Um kind of gave us that old sound. But, it's good old good old song good old driving song. >> Absolutely, man. Yeah, definitely check that one out, guys. Um so, in terms of like where you're all now um guys what would you say have kind of been the top moments of of your career so far? I know you're kind of still early days, but um you know, what what kind of things stick out in your mind that thing you know, that that's been damn cool or you know, some something off your bucket list already? >> I think the top moments for me have been booking these festivals for this summer. It is a long-term dream of mine to perform at them and uh it's such an honor to be on the lineup with all of these musicians that I've listened to and looked up to forever. So, it's just going to be a really cool experience. So, the moment that we found out we were playing each of them has to be like one of my top memories of my entire career. Playing the Burl uh was definitely one of those moments. Uh "For the Love of Appalachia" was the first time that I ever played there and it's only like an hour and 15 minutes from us. So, it was a dream venue for sure on my bucket list and I'm super excited. Yeah, those are my favorites. What about you? >> Yeah, I think uh you know, these festivals coming up. I always had I kind of a bucket list when I first started music. Um and I could say we've knocked off three already. Um and that's pretty special to me. Um it's marking off those accomplishments like Laurel Cove and um getting to play the Bell Theater. Um playing the Barrel. Those are all things that were really really goals for me and we're knocking down those doors. So, um I think this summer is going to take the cake on some of these, but uh getting to open up for the Crikers at a sold-out show was awesome. Um that was really special. >> Yeah, they're absolutely killing it right now, the Crikers, and and deservedly so. And, you know, you mentioned Laurel Cove a couple of times, and that that is on my bucket list of of venues and festivals to go to. It's, you know, looks like what John has put out there is is grown every year, and it just seems to be sold out before, you know, even the lineups announced. So, you know, good on you guys for for killing on that list. There's some some really cool acts this year. What Is there anyone in particular that you're excited to kind of see play there? >> Probably Jason Scott and the High Heat, Wilder Blue. Um those are two bands I haven't got to hear yet live ever, and I've been listening to their stuff a bunch recently. Looking forward to hearing Cole Chaney and Colton Bowling, our buddy. Um that's going to be a lot of fun. There's all great a bunch of great artists on there, but those are the ones I'm excited >> SG Goodman. >> Oh, yeah, SG. >> good. >> Yeah, it it like I said, you could probably just reel off the entire kind of list of Laurel Cove, and everyone is so cool. Yeah. So, so what what's the event like? What what is the kind of vibe of Laurel Cove? Cuz I I think, you know, people will see a lot of it online, but to actually attend, you know, it's interesting to kind of hear your your kind of take on it. >> Uh to me, it's just like a really special place. It looks like a fairy garden. There's like stone benches covered in moss, and there's like just built into the side of the mountain. It's just so beautiful, and then you don't have a ton of service, so you're just out there like soaking in the moment and just all of these people that are huge music supporters and true music fans. So, it's a really cool environment to listen to music and also to perform there for people that have so much respect and uh love for music is going to be really special. >> Yeah, fantastic. You've sold it to me already, so uh yeah. Let's see if I can uh get a hall pass to to to leave the UK next year and uh attend the next one. It'll be It'll be cool to see some of you guys in in person as well. Um >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah, man. It will be. So, halfway through the podcast normally to break things up a little bit cuz sometimes it can get a little bit heavy in terms of just going through question after question. So, we like to you know uh make make things a little bit easy with a a quick fire round. So, who wants to go first? It's going to be five questions, minimal thinking. You don't need to explain yourself to to anyone. So, whatever you say is correct essentially, but um So, who who wants to take it on first? >> I'll go first. >> Okay. Good on you. Right, are you ready? So, number one, favorite musician from your childhood. >> Oh, man. Uh probably Waylon. That's what I listened to when I was little. >> One independent artist that more people should know about. >> Mm. Jordan Lee King. >> Best album or song you've heard from the last five years. >> Oh, man. That's a really hard one. I'm terrible on the spot with songs. Um shoot. Best song or album I've heard in the last five years. Gosh. All right, uh I'm trying to think. I need help here. Uh >> What about the What we were listening to in Alabama? >> Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Okay. This is more recent, not in the last five years, but uh recent album or song I've been jamming to a bunch is uh The Band of Heathens. Uh I think it's uh Southern Skies or Country Sides. I love that album. Um I think uh it's the song um I'm forgetting the title now. That whole album I love. >> Yeah, we'll have to check that out. Um, best gig you've ever been to? >> Best gig? >> Yeah. >> Like playing or watching? >> Watching. Yeah, what's been the best gig that you you've attended as a spectator? >> Okay, I'm going to say a couple here. Um probably Ray Wylie Hubbard at Third and Lindsey's in Nashville. And then our buddy Tyler Childers put on a solo show up there in Erie, Pennsylvania. Acoustic show for him and it was it was awesome. It was amazing. >> Fantastic. You've got some good picks there, man. Gracie, are you ready? >> I'm ready. >> She went second so she could think while while you were doing yours. >> Yeah. >> So, favorite musician from your childhood? >> Elvis or Ray Wylie Hubbard. >> One independent artist more people should know about. >> Uh, Childers and the Ghost. >> Best album or song you've heard from the last 5 years? >> Um, that's a tough one. I've been thinking about it. Probably Childers and the Ghost's recent releases. I'm listening to them all the time. >> Yeah, their name comes up a lot. Um, so we'll definitely have to check more of them out. Best gig you've ever been to? >> Uh, definitely Ray Wylie Hubbard. I love him so much. >> Fantastic. Thank you guys. Normally that goes a lot smoother cuz I'm normally talking to one so you know, good on you for entertaining me with that. Um But anyway, so we talked about Laurel Cove and and some of the the events that you're playing this year. I also checked out that you've got Unbroken Circle in September, isn't that right? So, headlining that that particular festival is Whiskey Myers and and Sierra Ferrell. So, these these are some some huge kind of you know, festivals that you're playing, aren't they? >> Yeah. >> Oh yeah, we are so excited. Unbroken Circle, I've listened to all of the artists on there forever. I'm super excited to be on the same lineup as Sierra Ferrell. Uh I just watched her at Railbird last year and she's just incredible. I've looked up to her for a long time and the same with Flatland. Uh I've listened to them forever. I've been singing their songs and covering them myself and it's going to be really special. >> Yeah, it it looks so awesome. I'm always interested in these these kind of festivals. So, when when you've got so many artists, is there kind of a backstage area or green room where you actually get to meet like Flatland or those guys or you know, what what what kind of happens beyond the scenes like? >> Yeah, I think it all depends on you know, whatever like everyone's pre-show ritual. I think sometimes people like to be away and like kind of focusing and sometimes like to hang out. I know last year at Iron Broken, I think we met almost everybody. I got a poster. I got it signed by I think almost every single artist there. So, that was really special. Got to meet Marcus King and and Blackberry Smoke and Ricky Skaggs and all those guys. >> So cool. >> So, you know, usually everybody's hanging out, having a good time. You know, it's chilling. It's always it's cool getting to see those people that I've grew up watching and listening to for years and you get to see them right there in person. It's it's a it's a weird thing sometimes too. You're like, I can't believe that's them right there. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it's a bit surreal, isn't it? To to to to to do that. But no, that's really cool. Always interested like I got to have a peek behind the curtains for the normies like us that obviously see it from the other side of the stage. But so you talked about kind of pre pre-show rituals. Do you guys have anything, you know, before you guys go on to stage? You know, is there any any anything that you guys do? >> Uh I usually get pretty silent. >> Yeah, you got to get your head in the right place. So, I'm like thinking positive thoughts in my brain. I'm really big about like affirmations. So, I'm like, you're going to kill it. Your band will be a rockstar. Like just like thoughts in my brain to get me like hyped up before I go on stage. Um and I always listen to Ray Wylie Hubbard. So, it's like my hype up song. >> you the inspiration. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, I just get a little anti-social. Anti-social in the corner and then like put a little put her in and go play some music. That's usually how it goes. >> So do the do the nerves kind of dissipate as soon as you get on stage? Or is is it is it a a song or two before you start kind of getting into it? >> That's something that I've had to work on a lot. Um it's like adrenaline, you know, and I would get like I would feel like my legs were like tree trunks, you know. I'd be like, "You got to move around." Um and so working on getting that nervous energy and like the adrenaline out like before you go on stage. Um it doesn't matter like how prepared I am if it's something new and something that I'm really excited about. I'm going to be like really hyped up. So really just learning to like channel that energy and get it out, you know. Be ready. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's so it's so interesting when we ask um all types of artists this, you know, Emily James and said that she gets so nervous still and and has her own ways of coping. And you know, we I won't mention names, but you know, we we met a huge artist last year that that you just wouldn't think would have any nerves whatsoever. And you know, at a a regular venue almost. And yeah, the nerves beforehand were just off the wall. You know, he had to kind of do his pre routine. Uh everyone stays out the way and uh let him get on with it. So it's interesting, you know, for again for normies like us that don't go on stage and play to crowds. You know, it's it's an interesting insight. And I suppose that leads me on to another question in terms of what why why do you play for crowds? You know, what what what kind of entices you to do that? >> Mhm. For me at first, I think it was like the the missing adrenaline. So I played sports and stuff. Uh being able to go out and perform um was something I wanted to do. And then once that was done, um performing in a different way in music kind of gave me that feeling back again. Um and then, you know, once I got doing it more and older, the connection between people and how music brings everybody together. And no matter what's going on everybody can have a good time and uh and and connect with everybody and you know you know I can't tell you how many shows I've gone to where I didn't know somebody and came out of come out the venue best friends with somebody just talking to them at a music venue. So I think that's what I like to do it for the most is is meeting people and and just enjoying life together. >> Yeah, I think for me I agree like on the connection thing. I started wanting to perform because I wanted to share my songs and writing songs is how I like share my emotions and like connect with the world and it's like an outlet for me and I think whenever I started doing that when I was younger and I would go to open mics and play my original music and people would say like I could connect with that or you made me feel less alone or like I felt that way too. Like it just was such a special feeling and so like now when we get on stage and share our original songs it's like such a cool connection with the audience and um it's like everybody can relate and understand. >> Yeah, and that maybe that will help with the nerves as well, you know, that that sort of affirmation and connection like you've had had had you know since you've been doing it. So that's a really cool thing, you know, to to be able to achieve for somebody. So yeah, thanks for sharing that guys. I know you know it's some of these questions were a little bit weird but I'm just interested in >> It's so funny too with nerves and stuff. Um it's like once you step up there like I'll be nervous beforehand but once I get up there and you know play the first note I'm I'm I'm good. I'm in the zone. Um and it's so weird cuz it goes by so fast cuz you're so focused and your adrenaline's going so much and you're having a good time and it's like you know before you know it you're done. You know, 10 songs whatever how many songs you're playing you're done and it's like well that wasn't that bad, you know, and it's it's kind of like sports, you know, when we used to play football like I'd be nervous before that too and then you know, first first play and then I'm good, you know, so it's it's weird how that stuff happens but then like you might not be nervous at all and my leg might be shaking. You know, it's just it's and that still happens to me every now and then. My leg be shaking. >> Still watch out for that. That's uh So, what what's the next day like? You know, you you're on such an adrenaline high after playing these awesome venues to to fantastic people and and then you go home afterwards and or the next day. What what's it like? Is there a big kind of lull at that point and you know, how do you cope with it? >> Um I think it for me it just feels like uh relief and kind of like an achievement. I'm like, oh yeah, that one's so good. Like or yeah, like I got through it and I did something I like that I'm proud of and shared my songs and it was so much fun. So, like processing that afterwards is a lot less pressure cuz I think like going into the show you're thinking about what all you have to get done and making sure that you have the songs all memorized and you're thinking about like the job that you have to do and like afterwards for me I get to like really enjoy it and like so good in the moment. >> Yeah, I'm just the hell yeah, that was awesome and then I'm going to the river and catching fish. >> the next day. >> That sounds that sounds perfect. And actually again it just it's a nice segue to to our our question that we frequently ask guests is So, when we're at Rebel Revival we we're big advocates and supporters of of mental health, you know, looking after your own mental health and and trying to look after your you know, your bodies as well. And you know, we'd like to understand how you know, artists particularly look after your mental health when you're you're not playing, performing and and doing kind of the music thing and particularly social media as well cuz that can be exhausting, brutal at times, you know, all consuming. You know, what what kind of things do you do to kind of clear your head and and and keep keep on track really? >> Oh, definitely. I think social media can be really hard. Um it used to be a lot harder for me, you know, like I was editing my videos and like watching myself all all time and I was like such a harsh critic, you know, like oh I messed up that note or like that line and like it's easy to get in your head and be a perfectionist. But I think when I started treating social media and all of that is more of just like I'm just talking to my friend. Like just being my most authentic self, posting silly mess-ups, posting like all of the behind the scenes stuff, like the not glamorous stuff. It really like became less stressful to me and I wasn't so focused on like the perfection part of it. Um and so that helped me a lot and then for like the mental health aspect, I think it's important to like focus on gratitude for me and like all of these things that like I'm thankful for like yeah, like I'm nervous or like I'm not sure like I'm having a break right now. Maybe I'm having a hard time and then I'm like but look at all of these things that are in my life that I'm grateful for. Like it's a beautiful day. I get to play. I can I have the ability to play my guitar and sing. Um people listen to my songs. I get to have an online community. I have music friends. Like just focusing on all of the things that you are grateful for I think makes a big impact for me. And then like the positive affirmations and stuff have been really helpful for me. Like replacing negative thoughts with like positivity and like just being super kind to yourself, you know, like if you wouldn't talk to your friend that way, would you talk to yourself that way? >> Yeah, I just get out in the woods, man. That's what I do. I just go out there and find what I can do. I always got done turkey season and stuff and that's what I was that was my therapy for the last month and then Grace knows I got so many days I got to go fishing the week usually and that's what that's what that's my therapy, you know, it's taking a break and go out there and and do that and come back and ready to go. >> Yeah, get a little mental break. That's important. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. Yeah, and any whiskey and weeds involved in that as well, Brock? >> Yeah, every now and then. There was a little bit of that involved in sleeping in the this weekend. That was That was a good time. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's it looks a super interesting, very different type of festival that Nick puts on out there. Almost hippie-ish, dare I say. >> was awesome, man. It was great. >> Yeah. It It looks wonderful. So, yeah, I'll definitely keep that on my bucket list, but uh But yeah, thank you guys for sharing that. Um I know it's um sometimes we we don't think about it enough, but uh we we would just like to ask that if there's anybody out there, you know, just just just talk to somebody as well. >> Yeah, for sure. >> So, guys, we we we went for a quick rapid-fire round a minute ago. This one's hopefully a little bit easier. So, you've probably done this type of thing before in terms of a Mount Rushmore of uh favorite artists. So, I I think it's it's quite cool to to ask the question to to see you who you come back with to to see how that aligns with, you know, the music that you play um and kind of your your style and your sound. So, who wants to go first? >> Gracie, you got this one. Yeah. >> You first. Okay. So, who would be on your Mount Rushmore, Gracie? >> Okay. Uh can it be any artists? Like of all time like favorite of all time? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um I would say Elvis, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Turnpike Troubadours. Um it's so hard to pick only a few. Um John Prine, and my last one >> There's five, right? >> I think there's four on Mount Mount Mount Rushmore, so you you've probably you've probably got that. >> He said five. >> the question she asked you? Fair enough. Yeah. No, it's No, it's a good eclectic mix. How about you, Brock? >> I'm just kidding. I said five. Um All right. If I If I got to go uh with influences on my music and stuff, um I'd say Jason Isbell is one of them. Um Steve Earle. Um probably Turnpike Troubadours and then Lynyrd Skynyrd. >> Awesome. Yeah, that that sounds right up my alley, that does. So, uh yeah, great great selection, guys. It's uh it's interesting to hear and definitely I can I can hear Isbell in in what you're putting out, uh Brock, you know, that's >> you. >> whether it's his voice or just the the styling, but um yeah, I think anyone that likes Jason Isbell will will certainly like your music, man. Um fantastic. So, so in terms of what you guys are doing um kind of in the near and perhaps more distant future, you know, what what does that look like in your head? You have I mean, how how much do you have mapped out uh right now or you know, in the pipeline? What what's going on? >> I'd say we kind of have a mix. Like, we're always go with the flow and like taking opportunities as they come. We have um shows booked for the rest of the year, but we're still uh booking up our schedule. Um I have been working on finishing up a song, uh One Hit Wonder. So, I'm trying to release that uh right before Laurel Cove. So, I'll have a new song out and I'm super excited. It's a really fun one. Uh it's like a funky, fun song. And I'm just excited to get some new music out there. >> Uh yeah, we got a we got a couple more songs coming out soon. Um and then after that, I we got a couple singles in the mix and uh hopefully my goal is to put a record together, maybe um maybe later this year or next year. And I know we'll be on the road a bunch here coming uh soon. I'll go to Texas and Florida and >> Yep. >> uh where else? >> Um Ohio. >> Ohio, Pennsylvania. >> Yeah. >> So, I'll be all over the place. Looking looking forward to being a fun a fun year. >> We're doing North Springs Music Fest in Ghost Town. Um so, that's going to be fun. >> Awesome. You've got so much going on and it's uh it all sounds amazing. And Texas, particularly, I I love the Texas scene. I think that's along with Kentucky probably one of the best in in the world. And uh you guys have been down there before, haven't you? I think you mentioned. >> Yeah. >> Yes. I've spent a lot of time in Texas. I have some like long-term family friends that I go stay with and they live in Seguin, so I kind of go between like Seguin and like New Braunfels and Dallas, Fort Worth. So the music scene there is just really cool and I think it lines up well with the type of music that I write and we both write. So it's really cool. >> Yeah, absolutely. You know, we were very fortunate to go out there last year and and see some incredible, you know, artists like Presley Hall and you know, all of the kind of independent Texas guys and yeah, absolutely love Fort Worth. I wish we had more than a a week. I think we were out there before we had to go back home, but yeah, you can you can spend several weeks just in in yeah, Fort Worth alone. Um And you mentioned New Braunfels with with Green Hall and places like that. So yeah, just iconic places and hopefully we'll be able to get back out there one day, but so outside of the US, have you got any aspirations to come to to places like the UK or Europe or anywhere like that? >> Oh, yeah. >> We would love that. That would be so much fun and a complete like adventure. You know, just getting to share our music in so many different places would be amazing. >> Yeah. I eat some beans and toast. Oh, the good old British. I want to I want to eat this bird. A spur is how they call it? >> Yeah, jacket potato. Yeah, that's not what we have here. But yeah, yeah, we'll treat you to the most bland boring kind of British food when you're out here, but yeah, hit us up definitely guys if you're coming this way, we'd love to to meet up, do some recordings and you have have more conversations, but but look, you know, I really appreciate you you carving out some time for us. You know, I know like I said, I know you're super busy, but you know, thanks so much for coming on the show and again for letting us share those sessions work. They are incredible. I'm going to shout from the rooftops about it with the the two tracks that we put out already. We'll put the next one out very soon and and we'll announce that with you guys. But where where can we find you guys online? Where's the easiest way to contact you if somebody wants to book you for a show or or just to kind of reach out in general? >> The easiest way is probably social media. You can find me as Gracie Yates on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Or you can find all of our music on any of the streaming platforms. Just look for Gracie Yates or Brock Burton and then my website gracieyates.com has information as well. So >> Yep. And then Brock Burton Music on all social media platforms is mine. And yeah, you can get in contact with us on there. DM DM us and we can set something up. >> Awesome. And could they contact Brand Setter as well if they want to book shows or anything like that? >> It's usually better to message us on social media and then we forward it to our booking agent. And all that good stuff. So we can check our schedules. We kind of work as a team. >> Yep. Yeah. >> But thank you so much for having us. This has been so much fun. And thank you for having us. >> It it's nice to talk to people finally after, you know, just kind of hanging out online in the in the virtual world. This is still the virtual world, mind. And it's very difficult sometimes to have these conversations with connection issues and you know, everything like that. But you know, it's it's been great. But is there anything else that perhaps I haven't kind of mentioned that you want to kind of plug or get out there? >> Are we missing anything? >> I don't think so. >> We're going to be releasing some merch soon. So if you we're going to have pre-order for some shirts and then we're also going to have merch that we're selling like at all the festivals and stuff. So if anybody wants to buy some t-shirts or some stickers, just shoot us a message on social media as Gracie Yates or Brock Burton and we'll get you the pre-orders and ship you some shirts. >> I'm so jealous of you guys out there. We we we struggle to get merch cuz the shipping costs are so flipping high. >> Sending anything to the UK. But yeah, next summer I'm out there. I'm going to fill my suitcase up with you know, all manner of stuff. So there you go. But I don't know if you guys have got a a drink to hand. If you don't, we always sign off with a toast. So to the grit, the grind, and to the revival. Thanks everyone for listening. Thanks guys for coming on. And yeah, check out the episode when it lands. >> Cheers.
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