The best part of my job is, without question, Hangin’ & Sangin‘ every Friday at Hillbilly Central. Not only do I get to talk with and listen to some of my absolute favorite artists, but I also get some quality time with my own personal Gelman (aka Justin Hiltner, BGS’s social media director). We keep it loose and fun while still digging into some deep, interesting topics. Because of that, inevitably, after the show, the artist says, in a pleasantly surprised tone, “Wow. That was great! It didn’t hurt at all. Thank you!” I don’t know what other interviewers are doing — or not doing — but we’re sure thrilled and touched by that compliment. Every time.
To close out 2017, I’ve pulled together a batch of the best moments from throughout the year. Some happened on camera, some off, but each made our little show that much more special — as did each of you for tuning in. Thanks for supporting us!
Watch all the episodes on YouTube, or download and subscribe to the Hangin’ & Sangin’ podcast and other BGS programs every week via iTunes, Podbean, or your favorite podcast platform.
Johnnyswim: I fell in love with these two the first time we met, and we had a deeply good time on this episode. When I told them I felt like I just needed a JSwim hang every few months, they invited me to dinner in L.A. and we immediately started meal planning. Beautiful people making beautiful music ... really doesn't get any better.
Angaleena Presley: Before every show, we usually bond a bit by gossiping and/or ranting. This day, we were yakking about straight women who've made out with other women, when Lady A revealed that she'd done that once. But the kicker of the story was this: "She only had one leg, but man, she could clog up a storm!" We all burst into laughter, even as we pictured that in our minds. (Right as we went live, Ang leaned over and dropped a second titbit on me ... but I'm keeping that one to myself.)
The Time Jumpers: It took several months to pull off this fantastic feat, as the Jumpers will only make appearances as a whole 10-piece band. But pull it off, we did. And, I'll tell you what: I've never in my life seen 10 guys set up and soundcheck in 11 minutes. We went live a half-hour early because I wasn't gonna make Vince Gill sit around doing nothing for 30 minutes. #pros
Keb' Mo': No two ways about it: This guy is just a charmer. And, even though his wonderful wife knows about our mutual crushes, she did warn me to be careful. I tried! But when your favorite "mack daddy" flashes a grin like this ...
Jonny P: Handsome and talented as he is, Jonny was not the star of this episode. His daughter Rain was. Part way through the show, she started to get a bit fussy, so he handed her off to Gelman behind the camera and she sat perfectly content in a bearded stranger's lap ... and stole all our hearts.
Dan Layus: The weekend before this episode, our booked guest had canceled. So, while I was at 3rd & Lindsley watching Dan open for Will Hoge, I decided to see if he was up for it. After his set, I barged my way backstage, knocked on the door, and asked. He was thrilled. A few texts and emails later, we were set. He did a stunning new tune for us, but the highlight in this pic happened when I announced that the next H&S guest was Yola Carter. Dan flipped with excitement. It was delightful.
Yola Carter: And then came Yola, who flew into Nashville a few days before AmericanaFest just to do H&S and who blew our minds with her voice. So much heart. So much power. So much magic. (Side note: I'm pretty sure she drank the tequila I asked her to take to Margo Price at the AMAs, and that's okay. She's YOLA.)
Lee Ann Womack: The things we do for LAW ... Gelman and I both love LAW more than she will ever know. And he'd never met her until she sauntered into the penthouse suite at 21c Museum Hotel in Nashville. After the show, he couldn't not get a photo with her. Right as it was being shot, he said to her, "I've cried along to so many of your songs." #LAW4EVER
Deer Tick: These guys were our second AmericanaFest show at 21c Museum Hotel. Three-fourths of the band arrived on time, so they got set up and soundchecked, then we all sat around waiting for John McCauley to show. Finally, about eight minutes before "go live" time, he wandered in, asking, "So what are we doing?" Now you know why I seemed a little frazzled during that interview.
Leyla McCalla & Turnpike Troubadours: For our second day of AmericanaFest shows at 21c Museum Hotel, we had Leyla McCalla and Turnpike Troubadours on. We sent them out into the museum spaces with Noelle, our photographer, to capture the artists in their natural habitats ... with art.
Charlie Worsham: What a dreamboat! I mean, I was a fan going into this show, but when he started playing a theme song as we went live ... way to win a host over, Charlie!
The Lone Bellow: I don't know what we were talking about right before we went live, but Zach got caught on camera revealing that the crotch of his jeans always wears out faster than it should. Brian, Kanene, and I lost it. Rarely a dull moment at Hillbilly Central!
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