A Lot Of Grit And A Little Bit Of Crazy With Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson grew up hunting and fishing in rural Texas with two dreams: to be a singer and a cowboy. Not only does CoJo continue to sell out stadiums, but he has his own ranch filled with horses, cows, and pastures. If only young Cody could see him now!
Troy Vollhoffer, CEO of Country Thunder, is thrilled to welcome Cody Johnson on the bus this week. Cody explains how he started bull riding in high school and what it’s like having his own official roping event. Troy and Cody discuss the ups and downs of pursuing music without a backup. Cody details why letting the band rip during recording sessions and improvising on stage allowed him to find his authentic artistic voice.
--------
21:42
--------
21:42
Dreaming Up Barbara with Old Dominion
The members of Old Dominion spent years in Nashville crafting a sound and trying to break through. After another label passed, their manager asked if they wanted to keep going. The guys had one answer: “If they don’t like it, that’s fine.”
Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer welcomes one of his favorite country bands, Old Dominion, to the show. The members of Old Dominion detail their origin story and how they played in different bands on the same circuit before teaming up. Troy recalls the first time he booked them for a festival and how tenacious OD was from the start. The bandmates share how shocking it was to discover so many fans in Canada, and reveal how Barbra came to be.
--------
21:07
--------
21:07
Paving a Path in Music with Larry Fleet
Larry Fleet’s father told him that if he learned a skill, he’d always have a job, which is how he made a living pouring concrete. After playing a bar for tip money, Larry learned that he might be able to pave a path into the music industry.
Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer welcomes the world-traveling Larry Fleet to On The Bus. Larry and Troy discuss the nuances of building a fanbase and how capturing the attention at a crowded bar is great training for a music career. Larry reveals how fame snuck up on him at a hardware store, that time he grilled 300 burgers, and how Jake Owen got him to quit his day job and join him on the road.
--------
23:58
--------
23:58
From the Merch Stand to the Stage with Cole Swindell
Cole Swindell was drinking beer on the porch at his college fraternity when an alum by the name of Luke Bryan stopped by to change his guitar strings. After moving to Nashville a few years later, Cole got his first job in the music business, selling t-shirts for his new favorite frat brother, Luke Bryan.
Cole Swindell takes a break from the incredible crowd at Country Thunder Wisconsin to join CEO Troy Vollhoffer On The Bus. Cole talks about his early “only in Nashville” moments and writing three number one hits for Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Florida Georgia Line, which were all out at the same time The two discuss the collaborative nature of writing country songs in Nashville, and how the song Cole wishes he never had to write, “You Should Be Here” came together.
--------
20:59
--------
20:59
Going Solo and International with Tyler Hubbard
In 2012, Tyler Hubbard burst onto the music scene as one-half of the Florida Georgia Line duo. After pioneering a new wave of country music, over 20 hit singles, and selling out shows as a member of “the biggest band in the world,” Tyler knows what it’s like to reach the mountain top. And now Tyler’s on a new journey back to the top but solo.
Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer invites Tyler Hubbard On The Bus to dive into what it’s like starting from scratch as a solo artist. Tyler walks through his journey of being intimidated by other musicians at Belmont University to getting that first publishing deal, and how he still carries the high standards set by Joey Moi with him today. Troy and Tyler get into the differences between country fans in the US, Canada, and Australia. Then, Tyler reflects on his biggest personal and musical influences, and how going solo is turning into a family affair.
Troy Vollhoffer, owner and founder of Country Thunder Music Festival, invites the biggest country artists to join him for a one-on-one celebrity interview “On the Bus”. As Troy opens his home, his tour bus, and festival venues to his audience for behind the scenes conversations, he asks exclusive questions, discusses festival do’s and don'ts, and highlights the tracks you will hear on stage at Country Thunder this summer. Guests include Dustin Lynch, Koe Wetzel, Tigirlily Gold, Dierks Bentley, Bailey Zimmerman, Jon Pardi, Ashley McBryde and countless other music industry legends, taking you backstage to share stories of their concerts, their careers, and their entertainment industry journeys. Be ready to be thunderstruck, On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer.