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.

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

Follow Lee

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

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

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.

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

Follow Max McNown:

Instagram: instagram.com/maxmcnown

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

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

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

What does it really take to turn a song into something you feel?

This week on Talk Y’all To Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Grammy-winning producer and mixer F. Reid Shippen—the man behind hits from Kenny Chesney, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, and more.

From inside his Nashville studio, F. Reid Shippen pulls back the curtain on the music-making process, sharing how songs go from raw recordings to radio-ready hits. But this conversation goes way beyond music—it dives into creativity, imposter syndrome, AI’s impact on the industry, and what it means to stay true to your calling in a constantly changing world.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, chased a dream, or wondered what happens behind the scenes of the music you love—this one’s for you.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to Talk Y’all To Me
00:42 – Meet F. Reid Shippen
01:19 – How he got started in music
03:04 – The real path: intern → assistant → producer
03:58 – What happens before a song hits the radio
05:38 – Why some songs are harder than others
06:44 – Making artists feel something
08:27 – Working across genres (country, R&B, Disney & more)
12:29 – The “Drunk on a Plane” story (almost NOT a hit)
14:34 – The pressure behind the music industry
15:23 – Imposter syndrome & creative anxiety
17:48 – “Assume positive intent” mindset shift
19:09 – Faith, fear, and stepping into your calling
20:39 – Handling criticism in a public world
23:16 – What winning a Grammy really feels like
24:47 – The reality of “feast or famine” careers
26:09 – Building “Once” for independent artists


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



Follow F. Reid Shippen:



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

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

What happens when a "joke" song between friends becomes a global, chart-topping sensation overnight? This week on Talk Y’all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Trey Lewis, the man behind the viral hit "Dicked Down in Dallas."
While many know him for the rowdy, shock-value lyrics that beat out BTS on the Billboard charts, Trey opens up about the deeper story many haven't heard. From celebrating 19 years of sobriety to the emotional journey of losing his father, Trey shares how music truly saved his life.

We dive into:
•The "Overnight" Success: What it was like watching a campfire video turn into 6 million views in three hours.
•Touring with a Legend: Behind-the-scenes stories from 40 dates on the road with Kid Rock.
•The Birth of "Thomason": Why Trey is launching a new project to share his most sincere, and honest music yet.
•A Full Circle Moment: Preparing for his upcoming debut at the legendary Bluebird Cafe.

Whether you're a fan of the rowdy anthems or looking for a story of resilience and creative evolution, this episode is a reminder of what it takes to stay true to yourself while the world is watching.

Connect with Trey Lewis:
•Website: treylewismusic.com (https://treylewismusic.com/)
•New EP: Releasing April 17th
•Shop: pawpawshats.com

Grab Tori’s new book, Unexpected:Available now at torikruse.com

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

What happens when you mix high-end craftsmanship with the grit of a Texas honky-tonk? You get Republic Boot Company.

In today’s episode, Tori Kruse interviews Chris Conrad about his journey from corporate life to becoming the "Anthony Bourdain of boots." Chris reveals the secrets behind his "sensory overload" retail experience in Houston and gives us an exclusive first look at his newest project: The Republic Wine Castle in the Texas Hill Country.

In this video, we cover:

00:00 - Intro: Rodeo Season & The Castle

02:30 - The Republic Boot Company Experience

05:15 - 5th Generation Texan: Carrying on the Legacy

08:45 - The Custom Boot Process (From Lasts to Leather)

12:20 - Alligator Hunting: The Ultimate Custom Story

16:40 - Why Chris Bet His Entire 401k on This Vision

19:15 - Inside the New Texas Wine Castle & Hotel

24:00 - The Future of Republic Boot Co.

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

Follow Chris:

www.republicbootcompany.com

Instagram: instagram.com/republicboot1836

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, Tori Kruse catches up with the incredibly relatable and talented Billie Jo. After meeting at the Texas Country Music Awards and following her journey on the CBS show The Road, Tori dives into the "real life" moments that the cameras didn't always catch.

We discuss:
•The Reality of The Road: Billie Jo shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories and the struggle of being away from her kids for six weeks while filming.

•The "Mom" Factor: A candid look at the standards for women in the music industry and how Billie Jo manages a household of four kids while touring full-time.

•Vulnerability as a Superpower: Why she’s decided to stop showing just the "highlight reel" and start sharing the messy, unpolished moments of motherhood and music.

•Faith & The Grind: The emotional "closet floor" moments and how her faith keeps her pushing forward when doors seem to close.

•Songwriting from the Soul: How she turned her personal life into true stories that resonate with fans across Texas and beyond.

Follow Billie Jo:
Website: billiejojones.com
Instagram: @billiejo_music

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, host Tori Kruse sits down with native Houstonian and serial entrepreneur Russell Molina. Russell shares his journey from growing up in the legendary Molina’s Cantina family to building a diverse portfolio of businesses, including the historic Hat Store in Houston and THS Ranch.

We dive deep into:
•The Business of Legacy: How Russell transitioned from finance to owning oil field companies and eventually preserving Texas heritage through luxury Western wear.
•The Texas Bicentennial: Why Russell is "lighting a fire" under Texans to prepare for the 2036 celebration and his work with the Texas Ranger Bicentennial.
•Exclusive News: Russell shares the inside scoop on the return of the iconic Texas Ranger statue to Dallas Love Field and the true history behind it.
•The Art of the Custom Hat: A look inside the 100-year-old tradition of the Hat Store and why a quality felt hat is a multi-generational investment.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a history buff, or a fan of Western fashion, this episode offers a masterclass in leading with heart and serving your community.

🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse

👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse

👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse

👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse

👉 Website: torikruse.com

👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse