Tx2Tn Podcast Ep158 with Ghosts of Hill County

Grayson Kepley, the host of The South Bound Show joined the pod to talk about pods, music, social media and more.

Erick Willis is a Texas-based singer-songwriter known for his blend of country, roots-rock, and soulful melodies, often drawing from personal experiences and his rural upbringing. Born and raised in Henrietta, Texas, Willis discovered his love for music early on, singing in church choirs with his grandmother starting at age five and participating in holiday specials. He credits his single mother for instilling a strong work ethic, while her affinity for hard rock bands like AC/DC, Whitesnake, and Journey influenced his sound, alongside his grandfather’s introduction to classic country music. Willis began performing young, appearing in local talent shows, opry events like the Texasville Opry and Johnny High’s Country Music Show, and taking voice lessons before shifting focus to sports in his teens. Reigniting his passion in high school through a guitar class, Willis started writing his own songs and performing at open mics during college, quickly transitioning to paid gigs. He released his debut self-titled EP in 2012, followed by EP Spring ‘13 in 2013, marking his entry into the Texas music scene with a style that mixes heartfelt, Texas-inspired lyrics with roots-rock grooves and occasional gravelly vocals. His full-length albums include Please (2014), Flood Gate (featuring tracks like “I Can’t Stop,” “Tensaw,” and “Keep You Forever”), and the recent Day & Night (2025), which includes songs such as “Give Us Your Money,” “You Really Hate Me,” “Alabama,” and “Thoughts and Prayers.”   Willis has built a dedicated following through organic growth, performing around 150 shows annually across the U.S., both solo and with his band, emphasizing authentic connections with audiences. Influenced by a mix of church music, hard rock, and golden-age country, Willis’s work often explores themes of life, relationships, and perseverance, earning him praise for his smooth voice and emotional depth. As of 2025, he’s actively touring to promote Day & Night, with recent performances at venues like Bluelight Live, The Post in Fort Worth, and festivals such as Caveman Music Festival, alongside upcoming shows in Texas locations like Granbury. Willis continues to engage fans via social media and live events, focusing on spreading his music and maintaining a genuine presence in the independent country scene.

Wynn Williams is a Texas-born country music artist known for his traditional honky-tonk sound and roots in rodeo culture. Raised in Weatherford, Texas, he grew up immersed in cowboy life, competing in rodeo events like steer wrestling while developing a passion for music.  Williams began performing at around age 16, starting with school talent shows and progressing to local restaurants and bars. After graduating from Texas A&M University in 2016, he pursued music full-time, releasing his debut EP, Words Fly, in early 2017 while working at events like Rodeo Houston. Drawing inspiration from 90s country icons, his music revives classic themes of heartbreak, hard work, and rural life, earning him comparisons to legends like George Strait. Williams has built a dedicated following through relentless touring, social media engagement, and releases like his self-titled album, emphasizing authenticity and a strong work ethic. Beyond music, he’s a licensed pilot, husband, and continues to embrace his cowboy heritage, often performing at venues across Texas and beyond. With a growing presence on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, Williams is positioned as a rising star in the country scene, focused on connecting with fans through live shows and genuine storytelling.

Josh Smith, known professionally as Rev. J. Mikhael Smith, is a singer-songwriter based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Denton, Texas. He has been writing songs and performing since 2014, primarily with his band Handsome and the Humbles. His music style is often described as “Garage-icana,” drawing comparisons to artists like Uncle Tupelo, Wilco, and American Aquarium.

The Low Water Bridge Band joined the pod to talk about their latest album Honky Tonk Process.

On this episode Jarrod Morris joined the pod to talk about his new album Day Money and grandmas.

Spooky Fox Music is a Kentucky-based singer-songwriter who performs as a one-man band. He fuses elements of folk, country, blues, and Americana in his music, often using a guitar, suitcase kick drum, and tambourine while incorporating colorful storytelling in his lyrics. Spooky is known for his charming wit and emotional style, with performances that include originals like “Rock and Roll” and covers such as “Jolene.” His music is available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, where he has released tracks including “Baby Blue Eyes” and “Misery Loves Company.” He maintains an active presence on Facebook under “spookyfoxforever,” describing himself as “up to date on shots, neutered, mostly tick free and coming to a town near you!”. He is also involved in music festivals, such as serving as a board member for events in Kentucky.

Cody Gentry is a singer-songwriter and performer hailing from Upstate South Carolina, where he was born and raised. Influenced by classic country and folk artists like John Prine—whose song “Please Don’t Bury Me” was the first he ever learned the lyrics to—Gentry began writing music during his middle school years.  Over the past five years, he has honed his craft by performing in music halls, bars, and coffeehouses throughout the southeast, drawing inspiration from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the storytellers of his youth. 

Specializing in Americana music, Gentry’s songs are known for their gritty, poetic, and unmistakably Southern style, blending literary depth with honky-tonk honesty.  His work explores themes of love, heartbreak, victory, and vindication, often mixing fiction with real-life experiences. Testimonials compare his literate and lyrical voice to contemporaries like Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers, as well as legends like John Prine, praising his raw, engaging live performances that encourage audience sing-alongs. 

Dylan Moss is a country and red dirt singer/songwriter from Stillwater, Oklahoma. He began writing songs at 17 for his first band, The Johnnie Thomas Band, where he served as guitarist and vocalist from 2020 to 2023. In 2023, he formed Dylan Moss & The Middle Class, a rockin’ red dirt group known for their original, authentic Oklahoma tunes.

Influenced by artists like Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers Band, William Clark Green, Reckless Kelly, Micky and the Motorcars, and Merle Haggard, Moss draws from his Red Dirt roots and personal experiences to craft a unique, storytelling-driven sound that appeals to all ages.

Since forming, Dylan Moss & The Middle Class have toured extensively, performing from Key West, Florida, to Houston, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana. They’ve opened for notable acts like Casey Donahew, The Great Divide, Ward Davis, Pony Bradshaw, Kyle Nix and the 38s, Kody West, and The Damn Quails.

Dirty Honey took time to come on the pod before their show in Memphis, Tn at Minglewood Hall.

Dirty Honey is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2017. The group was founded by guitarist John Notto and vocalist Marc LaBelle, who met while Notto was performing with LaBelle’s previous band, Ground Zero. They recruited bassist Justin Smolian from the same group and later added drummer Corey Coverstone, initially naming the band The Shags before settling on Dirty Honey—inspired by Robert Plant’s mention of The Honeydrippers in an interview. The name evoked a gritty, rock-and-roll vibe for the members. Coverstone left in 2023 due to his aversion to heavy touring and was replaced by Jaydon Bean.

The band’s current lineup consists of Marc LaBelle on lead vocals, John Notto on guitar, Justin Smolian on bass, and Jaydon Bean on drums.

Dirty Honey gained early attention with their self-released 2019 EP, also titled Dirty Honey, featuring the single “When I’m Gone,” which became the first song by an unsigned band to top Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs chart. They followed up with their self-titled debut studio album in 2021, which included tracks like “California Dreamin’” (a cover peaking at #12 on the same chart) and “The Wire.” Their second album, Can’t Find the Brakes, arrived in 2023, spawning singles such as “Won’t Take Me Alive” (#7 on Mainstream Rock) and “Don’t Put Out the Fire” (#18). In 2025, they released the live album Mayhem and Revelry. Other notable releases include covers of Aerosmith’s “Last Child” and Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy,” the latter performed at the 2022 NHL Winter Classic.

The band has built a reputation for high-energy rock drawing from classic influences like Guns N’ Roses and Aerosmith, while touring extensively. They’ve opened for major acts including Slash, The Who, Guns N’ Roses, Kiss, The Black Crowes, and Rival Sons, and co-headlined the 2022 Young Guns Tour with Mammoth WVH.

Dusty Vaquero is the creative alias and media brand of J.B. (Jake) Zielke, a Wyoming-based working cowboy, award-winning author, videographer, and promoter of authentic Western and cowboy music. Zielke, originally from Saratoga, Wyoming, embodies the rugged cowboy lifestyle while blending it with storytelling through music videos, live sessions, and events. His work focuses on “where day-working cowboys meet starving musicians,” highlighting independent artists with deep roots in ranching, agriculture, and the American West. Influences draw from traditional cowboy culture, global adventures, and artists like Colter Wall, with a neo-traditional country sound emphasizing raw, honest narratives of rural life.Background and Persona• Early Life and Cowboy Roots: Born and raised in Wyoming, Zielke has cowboyed professionally across six continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia), from feral cattle in Argentina to reindeer herding in Mongolia. These experiences inspired his writing and media work, capturing the universal spirit of the cowboy.• Author Career: Debut memoir The Lost Cowboy (2023, self-published) chronicles his global adventures, including gunfights, bank truck robberies, and horseback journeys. It won two Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America in 2024 (Contemporary Western and First Novel), making him the only Wyoming author to achieve this dual honor that year. The book is praised for its vivid, no-holds-barred tales and is available on Amazon and thelostcowboy.com.• Creation of Dusty Vaquero: Launched around 2020–2021 via YouTube, Dusty Vaquero started as a platform to promote under-the-radar Western musicians tied to real ranch life. Zielke films acoustic sessions in barns, saddles, and remote locations, often covering classics or unreleased tracks. The name evokes the dusty trails of vaquero (Spanish cowboy) heritage. He operates from Austin, Texas, but remains Wyoming-rooted, with Instagram (@dustyvaquero) and YouTube channels under the moniker.Career Highlights in Music and Media• YouTube and Video Production: The Dusty Vaquero YouTube channel (5.75K subscribers) features “Saddle Shop Sessions” and “The Ranch Recordings”—intimate performances by artists like Colter Wall (covers of “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” “Prairie Evening”), Sam Munsick (“One Horse Town”), and others. Videos have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, showcasing non-mainstream talent. Zielke also produces music videos for his company, Dusty Vaquero Productions.• Dusty Vaquero Days Festival: Founded by Zielke in partnership with Gold Towne Music (manager Ryan Klein), this annual event debuted May 30–31, 2025, at the CAM-PLEX in Gillette, Wyoming. It celebrates the cowboy-music intersection with a lineup of working-ranch artists. The 2025 inaugural drew crowds for two days of live music, rodeo vibes, and Western heritage. The 2026 edition is set for May 28–30 in Gillette. Past/billed performers include The Lowdown Drifters, Carson Jeffrey, Kenny Feidler, Dave Stamey, Summer Dean, Kellen Smith, Kade Hoffman, Colten Jesse, Logan Ryan Band, Tris Munsick, and Sam Munsick. Reviews highlight its authentic, grassroots feel, with high-energy sets and a focus on storytelling over pop-country gloss.

Wade Forster is an Australian country music singer, songwriter, and professional rodeo cowboy from the Queensland outback. Born and raised on a cattle station, he embodies the rugged rural lifestyle, working long days in the saddle while pursuing music that reflects themes of hard times, heartache, loss, love, and outback grit. His style is authentic, no-frills neo-traditional country with storytelling lyrics drawn from personal experiences—no poetry, just real stories. Influences include his rodeo background, early exposure to country tunes via truck radios, and artists like Tyler Childers, whose cover of “Oneida” in 2021 went viral and propelled his career.Career Highlights• Beginnings: Self-taught on a $50 guitar bought in 2017 while working a refrigeration job in Mount Isa. Started sharing covers online; attended the CMAA Senior Academy of Country Music in Tamworth in 2023.• Breakthrough: Won the 44th Toyota Star Maker in January 2024, earning national recognition as an independent artist. Nominated for a Golden Guitar Award.• Collaborations and Milestones: Rode with and performed alongside American star Cody Johnson at a Townsville rodeo; opened for Luke Combs in front of 25,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena. Hosted a free pop-up show in Fort Worth, Texas, in July 2024, drawing 300 fans. Co-headlined The Low Down Under Tour with The Lowdown Drifters in the US in January 2025, selling out venues like Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa) and Gruene Hall (Texas).• Accolades and Reach: Over 40 million global streams without major label support. Built a strong US fanbase through social media and surprise performances. In 2025, kicked off a world tour starting with Gympie Music Muster.• Tours: Currently on The Dying Breed Tour in 2025, with dates including September 17 at The Basement (Nashville, TN), September 18 at Off Broadway (St. Louis, MO), September 19 at Mercury Lounge (Denver, CO), and more through October, often with opener Kade Hoffman. Upcoming international shows in Australia and beyond.Releases• Debut Album: The Beginning (2022), recorded at Hillbilly Hut Studio using rodeo winnings. Features raw tracks on depression, rural life, and personal struggles; amassed millions of streams.• Notable Singles and EPs (many self-released or independent): • “Last of a Dying Breed” (2024, official lyric video). • “Chemistry” (2024, official music video released September 12, 2024). • “Gooseneck Party” (latest release). • “Take That Buckle Home” (2025 album/single). • “One Night Stand” (2025). • Others: “The Drifter,” “Midnight in Texas,” “Honky Tonk Bulldoggin’ Man,” “Cigarettes,” “Fighting Tears.” His music blends heartfelt ballads with uptempo rodeo anthems, praised for honesty and relatability.Performances and ReceptionA high-energy live performer with rodeo-honed stage presence, Forster has played festivals, rodeos, and arenas across Australia, the US, and Europe. He’s known for intimate acoustic sets and full-band shows that connect with working-class audiences. Reviews highlight his gravelly vocals, authentic storytelling, and “outlaw cowboy” vibe, drawing comparisons to Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton. As an independent artist, he’s built a grassroots following via Instagram (979k+ likes), Facebook, and YouTube (5.68k subscribers).Forster’s music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more. Visit wadeforster.com for tour tickets, merch, and updates, or follow @wadeforstermusic on Instagram and Facebook.

Tx2Tn Podcast Ep 142 with Addison Johnson Round 2

Tx2Tn Podcast Ep 141 with Zach Russell

Tx2Tn Podcast

Tx2Tn Podcast Ep 139 with Evan Boyer

Dustin Massey is a singer-songwriter from Fort Worth, Texas, known for his roots in the Red Dirt country sound. Originally from Granbury, Massey grew up immersed in the local music scene, frequenting venues like Magnolia Motor Lounge and the old Live Oak, where bands like Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights inspired him to pursue music. Despite early aspirations, he spent years in the oil and gas industry after college, only later embracing music as a career. His journey was sparked by a songwriter’s workshop with Luke Wade, where he wrote his breakthrough song “Run,” and further fueled by a recording session with producer Beau Bedford.

Massey’s debut single, “Pretty Okay,” released in March 2021, marked his entry into the Texas music scene, followed by his second single, “Bad Love,” co-written with Joey Green. His debut album, Matter of Time, showcases his blend of Red Dirt, rock, and soulful songwriting. With fewer than 60 shows under his belt by mid-2021, Massey has performed at iconic venues like Gruene Hall and Magnolia Motor Lounge, often with his band.

His music, available on Spotify (16.3K monthly listeners) and Apple Music, reflects raw emotion and a relatable, everyman spirit.

On this episode Levi stopped by to talk about the ends and outs of The Valley Music Festival. The Valley Music Festival in Idaho is a 3-day music festival held in Sun Valley, Idaho, specifically at Champions Meadow (formerly Festival Meadows).A multi-genre music festival celebrating country, bluegrass, folk, and alternative music, featuring over 50 artists across two main stages. It also includes an exclusive VIP acoustic stage for intimate performances. The festival emphasizes Idaho’s culture and creativity, offering a mix of live music, food vendors, and community engagement in the scenic Wood River Valley.• When: Scheduled for September 4-6, 2025.• Details: • Organized by Fin n’ Fir Productions, the event aims to bring the community together through music and curated experiences. • Features include general admission, VIP tickets, and VIP private tables/tents. Early bird tickets went on sale November 23, 2024. • The festival warns against purchasing tickets from third-party sites to ensure validity, directing attendees to official channels. • It’s designed as an outdoor experience with a focus on local culture, set against the backdrop of Sun Valley’s natural beauty.For more specific information, such as the 2025 lineup or ticket prices, you can check the official website at valleymusicfestival.com. Shane Smith and the Saints, Josh Meloy, Southall, Bakker Blankenship, Colby Acuff, Jason Boland, Wade Forster, Tyler Halverson, Logan Ryan Band

Addison came on the pod to catch up since Ep 42 and to talk about his latest single, Maybe I'm Lonely Too.