A Country Road Trip

Editor’s Note: Each issue of Good Country, our co-founder Ed Helms will share a handful of good country artists, albums, and songs direct from his own earphones in Ed’s Picks.

Asleep at the Wheel

Among the many excellent Texan country & western bands Asleep at the Wheel have been standing tall for more than 50 years. Their new album, Riding High in Texas, collects ten of the best songs about the state from some of country’s most iconic artists and writers – and it features quite a few stellar guests as well, like Lyle Lovett, Brennen Leigh, and Billy Strings.


The Creekers

A few short weeks ago, no one would have faulted you for not knowing who Eastern Kentucky bluegrass band the Creekers were. Now, their track “Tennessee” is seemingly everywhere on the internet. The song has been used on more than 36,000 TikTok videos and the group has quickly amassed upwards of 60,000 followers on the platform – plus, “Tennessee” has been streamed more than 3 million times on Spotify and has racked over half a million spins on YouTube! Let the catchy tune do the explaining why.


KIRBY

Here’s some Good Country! Now, it’s true not every track from this Mississippian genre-bender’s brand new album, Miss Black America, would be “permissible” on country radio, there are still plenty of rural, down-home, red clay, Americana moments throughout this impeccable collection. From the visuals of the album and her social media accounts to tracks like “The Man,” “Reparations,” “Mama Don’t Worry,” and “Thick n Country” it’s clear KIRBY and her material would fit right in alongside the best of today’s pop country and country trap – and would certainly outshine most songs in those subgenres, too.


Sabine McCalla

The GC team was first introduced to this incredible singer-songwriter, Sabine McCalla, through her equally talented sister, Leyla. But soon after that she took the internet by storm with her Western AF video performance of “Baby, Please Don’t Go” – which rests comfortably at 1.1 million views on YouTube. McCalla just announced her debut full-length album, Don’t Call Me Baby, arriving November 7 via Gar Hole Records and we can’t wait. The singles she’s released so far promise more lovely and innovative heart-wrenching indie-roots music.


Margo Price

New Margo Price music is always cause for celebration. We’ve worked with Margo a lot over the years, from Bonnaroo to the Good Country Goodtime at Newport Folk Festival this July, and we’re constantly impressed by her drive, grit, tenacity, and the way agency is at the center of all of her work. That’s certainly true for her brand new album, Hard Headed Woman. Don’t ever change, Margo.



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Photo Credits: Asleep at the Wheel by Curtis Clogston; The Creekers courtesy of the artist; KIRBY by Justin Hardiman; Sabine McCalla by Camille Lenain; Margo Price by Yana Yatsuk

Gary P. Nunn on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Today, I interview a legend! Gary P. Nunn joins the pod to talk about the Texas Country Music Cruise, writing a book, friendship with Willie Nelson, drummers and Texas Music Heritage.

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First thing: obviously the audio here is not ideal, and I really apologize. I was at a songwriting retreat in the sticks, so from my end, there was a lag and also some audio that cuts in and out. But when you get the chance to interview Gary P. Nunn, you take it! So even though I was not purposefully interrupting Gary P — I would never — it does happen due to the delay in audio. This legend is so unbelievably kind, open, fun, and genuine. We talk about his book At Home With The Armadillo, which I own and adore, and his new record To Texas With Love which is also fantastic. We talk about Willie and Jerry Jeff Walker, writing the epic song “London Homesick Blues,” all of the success around his song, “The Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning” (which I had to sing in front of him at Steamboat, terrifying), and how he has stayed super independent through all of the changes in the music industry.

Gary P. and I share a love of red wine, and I spill the beans that I will be joining the Texas Country Music Cruise in Fall of 2026! You can see me there next year and Gary P. this year! Head to TexasCountryMusicCruise.com to book that right away!

Thanks to Gary P. Nunn for hanging in there with me through the audio mishaps, and go to GaryPNunn.com for all of his merch, tour, videos, you name it! And Gary P! Release that photobook!


Photo Credit: Valerie Fremin Photography

Sunny Sauceda on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

My “Redneck, Squeezebox, Mexican” amigo Sunny Sauceda joins us on Only Vans this week to talk about content creation. He’s a three-time GRAMMY Award winner who’s making the switch from Tejano to Texas Country. He has some great insight on content creation, mentality, and blurring genre lines to share!

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Find Sunny Sauceda’s music, tour dates, and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at SteamboatLakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!


Find our Only Vans episode archive here.

Clay Hollis on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

My little brother and best friend, Clay Hollis, is my guest on Only Vans today! Of course we talk about what he’s been up to and his latest song, and then dig deep into… our live sound rigs!? I hope this episode gives you a ton of new insight into the high level of knowledge that’s needed to tour like we do as independent artists, but (full disclosure) the second half might go right over your head if you’re not interested in the audio nitty gritty. Enjoy!

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Find Clay Hollis’ music, podcast, tour dates and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!


Editor’s Note: Only Vans with Bri Bagwell is the latest addition to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about the podcast coming on board here. Find our episode archive here.

Dallas Burrow on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

One of my favorite people on earth, Dallas Burrow, stopped by for this new episode of Only Vans to talk about owning a music venue, shamans, Charley Crockett, having a complicated past, and all the good vibes!

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Find Dallas’s music, podcast, tour dates and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!


Editor’s Note: Only Vans with Bri Bagwell is the latest addition to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about the podcast coming on board here. Find our episode archive here.

Mason Lively on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Fresh off a new full length album, country and Americana singer-songwriter Mason Lively joins the show to chat with host Bri Bagwell about songwriting, priorities, babies, and the housing market. Do yourself a favor and check out Mason’s new record, Burn The Ground, today!

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Find Mason’s music, podcast, tour dates and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!


Editor’s Note: Only Vans with Bri Bagwell is the latest addition to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about the podcast coming on board here. Find our episode archive here.

Ryder Grimes on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

Ryder Grimes is one Texas Country’s most exciting up-and-comers. He’s got a vintage, old soul style and one-of-a-kind voice. On today’s episode of Only Vans we dive into starting early, self-confidence, fashion sense, and the classic “van vs. bus” argument.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFYAMAZON • MP3

Find Ryder’s music, podcast, tour dates, and merchandise here.

Thanks to our sponsors for this episode, The MusicFest at Steamboat, Lakeside Tax & CH Lonestar Promo!


Editor’s Note: Only Vans with Bri Bagwell is the latest addition to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about the podcast coming on board here. Find our episode archive here.

Mitch Ballard (BMI) on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

(Editor’s Note: BGS is proud to announce the addition of Only Vans with Bri Bagwell to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about our newest podcast coming on board here.)

Live from the legendary Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas, Only Vans host Bri Bagwell sits with friend and BMI’s Executive Director of Creative in Texas, Mitch Ballard. They discuss what BMI is and why it’s important, along with the constantly evolving nature of the music business and what BMI is doing to keep up and help artists.

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Only Vans would like to thank CH Lonestar Promo for being the best merch company in all the land!


 

Cody & Shannon Canada on Only Vans with Bri Bagwell

(Editor’s Note: BGS is proud to announce the addition of Only Vans with Bri Bagwell to the BGS Podcast Network! Read more about our newest podcast coming on board here.)

In the latest episode of Only Vans, Texas country artist and host Bri Bagwell chats with friend, mentor, and famed lead singer of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Cody Canada and his wife/manager Shannon in the bus, covering a wide variety of topics like racial injustice, partying, the metal music scene, and shifting priorities after having kids.

LISTEN: APPLE • SPOTIFYAMAZON • MP3

Find Cody’s music, tour dates, and merchandise here.

Only Vans would like to thank CH Lonestar Promo for being the best merch company in all the land!

Intro music: “Free Man” by Bri Bagwell
Outro music: “Elle” by Cody Canada & The Departed


 

BGS 5+5: Israel Nash

Artist: Israel Nash
Hometown: Dripping Springs, Texas
Newest Album: Topaz
Nickname: Izz

Which elements of nature do you spend the most time with and how do those impact your work?

Nature is a big part of my creative process. We have a ranch out here in the middle of Texas Hill Country. It’s a place like no other, surrounded by cascading hills, cedars, oaks and scrub brush, it’s a wild land really with rocks and cactus, and the sunsets are a pure psychedelic wonder. They kind of look like those Thomas Kinkade paintings that were in every dentist office in the ‘90s. Endless pink and purple pastel swirls. And the night sky is one of a kind. Dripping Springs is one of 27 designated Dark Sky cities in the entire world. Which basically means just look up at night time. It’s cosmic.

I built a studio out here where I make all of my albums and write. It has a patio and a pair of big double doors that I keep open most of the time to feel like the outside is always inside. It’s definitely a part of not only the process, but something you hear in the records I make. Magic is in nature, we take that for granted, but trees just grow and give us breath at the same time, I mean birds fly around in the air, like naturally! Gotta see the beauty in all that, be aware of it and let it be something that keeps you open.

What other art forms — literature, film, dance, painting, etc. — inform your music?

I think it’s important to keep up my chops through other mediums of art other than music. Taking the music hat off for a bit and working on other creative outlets can be really magical. And I always find some melodies while I’m working on that other stuff that creates a nice yearning to get back to music. It’s a cycle. Doing one always informs the other. Music will always be my main outlet, but ultimately I want to be a creator and maker of things. I want to chase inspirations wherever they lead me and bring ideas to life, adding form to the formless. Lately I’ve been working with film, from shooting/editing to finishing up this movie script I’ve been working on. Who knows? Just make stuff. That’s my mantra.

What’s the toughest time you ever had writing a song?

On Topaz, I have a song called “Dividing Lines” about how divisions separate us and drives out love. Took me about two years of rewriting this song. I always had what I call the anchor, which here for me was the chorus and those words, dividing lines. But that version was completely different from one now. It just didn’t work yet. My wife is always my first line of listening and when she kind of puts her head down and is like “ummmm” I know I need to go back until I get a better response. It took two years on and off to work it out. And not because I was focused on it, rather it would pop back up in my mind and I would have a new idea to chase. Ultimately, I completely changed the verses, added a musical break and then this big outro. I finally got the head nod/wild dancing response I wanted from her, I knew it was done.

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

I loved music since I was a kid and took piano lessons, but I fell in love and knew my path the moment my uncle picked up a Strat and showed me “Johnny B. Goode.” Electric guitars got me. Somehow I convinced my parents to let me quit piano lessons and take guitar lessons and I got this red Strat knock off and a tiny Gorilla guitar amp. My piano lessons were at an old church lady’s house, but guitar lessons were held in the backroom of a guitar shop and the teacher would literally smoke cigarettes through the lessons!

I guess it was all slowly preparing my folks for the future with me. Music was my childhood dream, I’m talkin’ 11 years old childhood dreams. I’m proud of that and have been able to learn and grow so much. It makes me excited for the future. I think we all get a little better at things as we get older, and I mean “better” in this holistic way that encapsulates your feelings, perceptions, experiences, talents, understanding, knowledge, reflections, all that good stuff. My vision and path might have changed over time, but I’ve always been moving and chasing new places. Music has been so centric in allowing me to pursue life, learn about myself and strengthen my craft.

If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?

To make things always that fulfill the cycle of inspiration. Be inspired > Create > Inspire Others to Create…. We can all feed off that and see where it flows. That’s what keeps me interested and moving forward, chasing inspiration. Not just expecting it to fall on my lap, but living and being among it.


Photo credit: Chad Wadsworth