Holler Weekly

Well here we are, Season 1 is all wrapped up and what a joy it's been. We thought, while you all wait excitedly for season 2, we'd treat you to a compilation of our favourite bits from the first season of the podcast.

From the lengthy debacle that was Sandalgate, the whole host of star-studded guests that have joined us, to Jof Owen's months-long investigation into what really is Americana, it's been quite the ride these past 15 weeks, and what better way to compile it all than in one big, 40-minute special episode.

We hope you all have enjoyed Season 1 - make sure you're subscribed to the newsletter to be the first to hear about all the exciting things we have planned for Season 2, and if you've missed any previous episodes you can listen to them on your favourite streaming platform or right here on Holler.

Holler at you soon!

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Tenille Townes is this week's special guest! She talks to Baylen and Kelly about her stunning new single 'Girl Who Didn't Care', wanting to be a rockstar from the age of seven while watching Sheryl Crow and her amazing fundraiser 'Big Hearts for Big Kids', which raises money for young people seeking safe shelter.

While also deciding what her favourite Girl Scout Cookie is, Tenille challenges for the One Hot Minute championship belt! Can she topple the current champion, Callista Clark? You better tune in to find out!

Baylen and Kelly also take a deep dive into the career of the one and only Bonnie Raitt! As Holler leafs through Bonnie's back catalogue, the pair decide what their favourite songs of hers really are, and Baylen tells the story of the time he met the lady herself.

Meanwhile, Baylen talks about serving Bruce Springsteen some hot tea in New York City, how they both feel about this new Trace Adkins and Pitbull song and how Soccer is almost unquestionably coming home.

It's another jam-packed episode, right here on Holler Weekly.

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We're back with episode 14 of the Holler Weekly podcast! This week, Baylen and Kelly are joined by Ty Herndon ahead of his Concert for Love and Acceptance, an annual celebration that uses the power of music and media to support the country music community and raise vital funds for LGBTQ+ youth and families.

Now in its sixth year, Herndon created the first Concert for Love and Acceptance in 2015 shortly after he became the first male country artist to come out as gay.

This year's star studded event will include appearances and performances by Brothers Osborne, Kristin Chenoweth, Terri Clark, Brooke Eden, Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Kathy Mattea, Rissi Palmer, Gretchen Peters, Tenille Townes, Walker County and Chase Wright.

To close the episode, Baylen and Kelly discuss their favourite Blake Shelton (aka Kelly's BFF) songs, discussing their fond memories of one of country's biggest stars in celebration of his birthday.

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Brittney Spencer joins Baylen and Kelly this week! She talks about her brand new single 'Sober & Skinny', busking to pay her cell phone bills, how everything she works on is rooted in country music, singing her tail off at church and loving Hoobastank and Avril Lavigne.

Alongside this, she challenges Callista Clark for the One Hot Minute Title Belt! HOW CAN KELLY ASK HER WHAT HER FAVOURITE ALBUM IS... You can't miss it.

To close it out, the pair delve into some of the best country albums made by Popstars - for a new feature we're calling Gone Country. From The Kinks to Elton John, Tina Turner to Kylie Minogue, everyone and their dog has pulled on their boots, tipped their stetson and rode off into the country sunset.

If that wasn't enough, you've all thrown your ten cents into the summer country jukebox, decided which country star needs their own theme park and producer Ross quickly teaches himself Quickbooks... You're all welcome.

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Summer is on its way! What's your favourite summer country song? Do you dream of being on a boat listening to Jake Owen's 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night', or maybe chillin' with a beer and a bucket of fried chicken while blasting Zac Brown band? Ahead of Jof Owen's definitive list, Kelly and Baylen select their 3 favourite summer country songs - there are some real heaters in here.

Our very special guest this week is the amazing Callista Clark! Big Machine's next breakout star has been blowing everyone away with her EP Real To Me, and she joins Baylen and Kelly to discuss driving all night to get from homecoming to a show in Indianapolis, her broad influences and how she started her career aged 13!

Callista also takes part in the One Hot Minute Challenge! Will she defeat the current OHM champion Jordan Davis for the title belt? 15 is a tough score to beat - but can she do it? (Editor's Note - Baylen Leonard can't count).

If all that wasn't enough, the duo argue over who's the laid back one, discuss how Ernie the cat is undeniably British and realise Dierk's Dude Ranch is the mountain theme park we didn't know we needed.

It's another jam-packed episode of your favourite Transatlantic country podcast.

Check out the full features on Holler now:

Cuts The Deepest: Callista Clark - Coming soon!

Top 10 Summer Country Songs - Coming soon!

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Louisiana boy Jordan Davis once caught a 3500-pound, 60ft great white. That's it - you're invested now, right?

This week, the Buy Dirt singer joins us to discuss his brand new EP and also to take part in the most intense round of One Hot Minute yet! Will he topple the co-OHM champions Cassadee Pope and Priscilla Block? Prepare yourselves, it's a real good one.

Baylen and Kelly also discuss country music's relationship with comedy. From Minnie Pearl to Brad Paisley, they discuss the root of laughter in country's soul, their favourite funny song and just what it is that makes the genre so funny.

If that wasn't enough, the duo chat about the fallout from 'flip-flop / sandal gate', how far Kelly's obsession with Dierks Bentley and the Hot Country Knights really goes and what their ultimate ice cream flavours are. It's another packed-in episode, right here at Holler Weekly.

Check out the full features on Holler now:

A Guide To: Comedy In Country - Coming soon!

Cuts The Deepest: Jordan Davis - Coming soon!

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Flipflops and sandals, babies being 18 months old, Kelly losing her mind over Birkenstocks? It's just another typical episode of your favourite transatlantic weekly podcast.

Our favourite pop-punk-loving country superstar Cassadee Pope is on the show! She's here to talk about her love for breaking genre barriers, constantly mixing up her sound, standing in your own confidence circle and her amazing new single 'What The Stars See'.

Also, Cassadee challenges reigning champion Priscilla Block for the One Hot Minute Championship Title! Will she beat Priscilla's score and take the belt? WE CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT.

To close, Kelly speaks to the one and only Brett Young about his brand new collection Weekends Look A Little Different These Days. They discuss how Brett's wife Taylor heard his hit single 'Lady' even before he did, and it's safe to say - if you're going to make your wife cry, this is probably the only way you should.

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It's safe to say Baylen and Kelly have some very particular expectations for Garth Brooks' forthcoming National Geographic series on national parks this week - if Garth's not standing in the middle of a dried brook singing 'River Runs Dry', they aren't having it.

Also this week - the pair rave about the stunning new album from Allison Russell, who's thoughtful and candid choices for Cuts The Deepest are also a subject of discussion.

Finally, ahead of the release of a limited edition LP that captures some of the best performances from the famed circle through the past year in quarantine, they share their personal experiences of being on the Grand Ole Opry stage - national tours of Pinocchio and readings of Christmas stories included.

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What do you do if you find Priscilla Block rushing through downtown carrying a bike and a case of beers she's found on the sidewalk? You don't expect anything less, that's what.

The TikTok sensation turned major label recording artist joins Baylen and Kelly to discuss how bumping into Taylor Swift convinced her to follow her dreams and how she managed to fashion an outfit for The Grand Ole Opry. Also, as the first challenger for the One Hot Minute championship belt, will she thrive or crack under the pressure? Will Baylen and Kelly even ask enough questions in time? Tune in to find out!

If that wasn't enough, Kelly opens the Holler Happy Hour with her very own cocktail class and Baylen reveals Miranda Lambert's secret recipe for the Lambertini! It's all here in a super-packed episode of Holler Weekly.

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Kacey Musgraves works a shift at a snow cone truck, Randy Travis is TikTok's latest sensation, Luke Bryan's mum is an Instagram favourite and Baylen likes to get drunk on raspberry wine. We really do cover it all at Holler Weekly.

On our seventh episode, we get the inside scoop from Cassadee Pope on her new music and love of pop punk, following the release of her single 'What The Stars See'.

Plus, Fancy Hagood chats about speaking your own truth in songwriting, and his experiences of leaving the major label world to pursue a more independently curated artistry.

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Kelly's been to Dollywood! Having tasted all the food, been on every ride and listened to all the exciting new artists working there, she gives us an exclusive round-up review of her weekend at Dolly's favourite theme park.

Also, Thomas Rhett is back in the building! Having spoken to Holler's very own Ross Jones, TR is back with a brand new album and a new lease of life. Kelly and Baylen discuss the country star's route to balancing his life and career, returning to his roots and what country really means to him.

Finally, Ashley Monroe's new album Rosegold has got everyone excited for her return. One of Baylen's three favourite Pistol Annie's sat down with Jof Owen to discuss how she doesn't see this album as being what you would necessarily call country. 

Plus we explore your investigative work into Americana in this week's Mailbag and Ernie returns! It's all here at Holler Weekly. 

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How do you feel about taking a hot tub-converted limousine down the middle of Broadway? No, we're not so sure either. Neither are Baylen and Kelly, as they catch up about everything that's happened this week in London and Nashville.

The duo also discuss how good the forthcoming albums from Kacey Musgraves and Yola are going to be and how RVSHVD is one of the next big things in Country.

Finally, Jof Owen joins the gang to really settle the age-old question... What Is Americana??

What sort of Roots podcast is this if there's no discussion of Carrots or Leeks within the first fifteen minutes? Listen in and find out on Holler Weekly.

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It's Episode 4 of Holler Weekly and we've got all the fallout from the 2021 ACM Awards!

Kelly and Baylen discuss their favourite performances and all the surprises from Sunday night, as Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans put in a legendary performance and Luke Bryan took home Entertainer of the Year.

Also, they delve into Carena Liptak's candid conversation with HARDY - debating the art of transforming from a songwriter to an artist in your own right and his friendship with Morgan Wallen.

Meanwhile, our roving reporter Thomas Mooney has been out on tour with Midland, Hailey Whitters and Flatland Cavalry! They chat about returning to live music, playing on minor league baseball fields and the rising star of Hailey Whitters.

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Another Tuesday, another episode of Holler Weekly - Holler's flagship podcast with Baylen Leonard and Kelly Sutton.

This week, Baylen and Kelly discuss what we can expect from festivals in 2021, the news that Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson have been cast in a new Martin Scorsese film and Brandi Carlile's memoirs. Plus, they delve deep into Amanda Wicks' In Conversation with Rhiannon Giddens, explore the influence of location and culture in songwriting and cast their predictions for this week's ACM awards.

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In this special episode of Holler Weekly - friends, Apple Music Country radio presenters and industry trailblazers Kelly McCartney and Rissi Palmer have an open, no-holds-barred conversation about their work in diversifying country, Americana and roots music. Discussing Rissi’s return to the Grand Ole Opry after 13 years, the role of country institutions in the drive for progression and overcoming toxic cultures, the pair ruminate on the past, present and future of the genres.

Read the full feature here:

This week on Holler Weekly, Baylen and Kelly discuss all the controversy surrounding the new release from Lil Nas X, the no-holds-barred conversation between Rissi Palmer and Kelly McCartney and talk to Holler contributor Nathan McLaren-Stewart about Outlaw Country's legacy and vision for today.

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For the first episode of Holler Weekly, Baylen Leonard and Kelly Sutton discuss whether Carrie Underwood will ever make another country album, how Brooke Eden felt she had to hide her sexuality when releasing music, and the legacy of Whiskey Jam; the Nashville night that's become an integral part of Music City.

Check out the full interviews on Holler now: 

Welcome to Holler Weekly! Hosts Baylen Leonard and Kelly Sutton introduce Holler's new, weekly, transatlantic conversation. This week, Baylen and Kelly introduce themselves, discuss how the lines are blurring between Country, Americana and Roots and how Holler is introducing the music into wide open spaces - both here and across the pond.