Ever wonder what really goes on behind the cameras of your favorite reality TV and music competition shows? Today on Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with Emmy-winning TV producer Lee Metzger — the man behind The Voice, The Road on CBS, and Barmageddon — to pull back the curtain on the world of television production.

Lee shares how he went from playing guitar in LA bands to working with legends like Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Keith Urban, and Taylor Sheridan. From the organic magic of The Voice's blind auditions to the insane logistical challenge of taking 12 artists on a real tour with a 140-person crew, Lee breaks down what it actually takes to make great TV.

Plus — hear the hilarious story of how Barmageddon was born, why Morgan Wallen getting eliminated from The Voice might have been the best thing that ever happened to him, and what Blake Shelton is REALLY like off-camera.

If you love country music, reality TV, or just love hearing from people who have built incredible careers doing what they love — this episode is for you.

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Follow Lee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leemetzger_/

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In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Max McNown at Lone Star Smokeout for a candid conversation about faith, growth, and staying grounded in the industry. Max opens up about teaching himself guitar just a few years ago, selling out two nights at the iconic Ryman Auditorium (with a miracle to match), and why being a role model for young fans means everything to him. Plus — what fans can expect from his upcoming summer tour. If you've ever needed a reminder that God's plan is bigger than yours, this one's for you.

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Follow Max McNown:

Instagram: instagram.com/maxmcnown

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

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The music industry is being rewritten in real time — and the artists who understand what's happening right now are the ones who will win.

In this episode of Talk Y'all To Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Grammy-winning producer and mixer F. Reid Shippen for a raw, honest conversation about where music is headed and what independent artists need to know to stay ahead of the curve.

From the platform he built to help indie artists release music in under a minute, to AI voices that can clone your favorite artist, to why the next Chris Stapleton or Zach Bryan might be recording on a phone in Marrakesh — this conversation covers it all.

Reid and Tori break down why every artist today is their own CEO, why owning your music matters more than ever, and how AI isn't just a threat — it might actually be the greatest creative renaissance of our lifetime.

If you're an artist, a creator, an entrepreneur, or just someone trying to keep up with a world that won't slow down — this episode is for you.

🎵 Check out Once — the platform built to get your music everywhere in seconds.
📖 Grab Tori's book Unexpected at torikruse.com

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Talk Y’all To Me

00:36 – Introducing Once: The platform for indie artists

01:32 – Why the music release process is broken

02:38 – The Once solution: How to get paid

03:17 – Releasing a song in under 60 seconds

04:16 – Why ownership and control matter most

05:16 – Milestone: 1,000+ users & counting

06:12 – AI: The coming revolution in music

07:17 – Global impact: Creating hits on an iPhone

08:26 – Every artist is now a Startup CEO

09:47 – Tori Kruse’s New Book: Unexpected

10:10 – Will AI replace music producers?

11:09 – The reality of AI voices & digital singers

12:03 – Using technology as a gift for expression

13:50 – Art vs. Entertainment: What AI can’t copy

14:58 – Betting against the legends (Stapleton & Bryan)

16:13 – The shift from analog tape to digital phones

17:05 – Giving back through music education

17:52 – Behind the scenes: Life as a "Girl Dad"

18:59 – Final thoughts & where to follow Reid Shippen

👉 Subscribe to @officialtorikruse for more insider stories from the heart of country music.

Follow F. Reid Shippen:

Instagram: instagram.com/@robotlemon

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