In this deep dive, we explore Zach Bryan’s journey leading up to his 2026 album, With Heaven on Top. Over the past year, Zach has faced lots of personal challenges and growth, and this album reflects a more complex and introspective side of his music. I’ll walk you through the themes, the emotions, and my personal interpretation of what makes this album a turning point for Zach.

We’ll also touch on how Zach’s journey through mental health and self-discovery has influenced his sound and lyrics. While this video focuses on the album’s narrative for the main version, it’s worth noting that Zach also released acoustic versions of the tracks. Let me know in the comments which version you prefer!

As always, this is my interpretation, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions. Dive in and let’s discuss Zach Bryan’s evolving sound!

Thanks so much for listening! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @the_westernside to keep up with all things country, folk and Americana.

It’s January 2026, and we’re diving into the heart of country music from 2025. In this episode, we’re gonna unpack all the moments that defined the year, from the top albums that took us by surprise, to the trending songs that had everyone talking. We’ll also touch on some of the unforgettable moments and surprises that made 2025 so unique. And make sure you stick around until the end, because I’ll share my top three defining moments of the year that you won’t want to miss!

If you’re a country music fan or just curious about the scene’s evolution, this is the place to be. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth country music content!

Thanks for listening! Watch more just like this on YouTube and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @the_westernside.

Chancellor Lawson is an artist whose journey is as real as the songs he writes. Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, music was always part of his world, influenced early on by his mother and the sounds around him. What makes Chancellor’s story different, though, is the road he took to get here. From playing in bands to opening his own bar that became a home for local musicians, every chapter pushed him closer to finding his voice.

In this unfiltered conversation, Chancellor opens up about the ups and downs of chasing music, how his experiences shaped songs like Ups and Downs, and how Cheers to My Friends was inspired by the people he met while running his bars. We also talk about his unique blend of country and Americana, releasing music while on tour, and what it was like opening for 49 Winchester.

This is a raw, honest look at an artist who’s still writing his story, one song and one mile at a time.

Thanks so much for listening to our first episode of 2026! Give our show a like, check out our YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things country music on Instagram, @the_westernside.

We sat down with Kade Hoffman to talk about the road that brought him here. Raised on a ranch in southeast Colorado and homeschooled for most of his life, Kade found music early, teaching himself guitar and writing songs in the quiet moments between ranch work. After an accident at thirteen put him in the hospital, old Andy Griffith episodes and classic country helped spark a deeper connection to music that never left him.

Influenced by artists like Johnny Cash, Kade developed a voice and songwriting style that feel far beyond his years. His song Bonfire Blues has gained millions of streams and helped introduce his sound to a growing audience. Now in his early twenties, Kade is a regular opener for Colter Wall and continues to carve out his own path by honoring tradition while bringing something fresh to country music.

In this conversation, we talk about his upbringing, the stories behind the songs, pivotal moments along the way, and what drives him as an artist. This is a look at an old soul at the beginning of a long journey.

On this episode, we sat down with Nathan Bess just before his Western Side Live Session to get the full story behind the music.

From how he got his start to the stories behind his songs, Nathan opens up about what drives him, his biggest influences, and the journey that’s shaping his sound. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to chase a dream from West Virginia to the stage, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and a love for the craft.

Thanks for listening! Don't forget to stay up to date on all things country music by following our Instagram – @the_westernside – and subscribing to our YouTube.

Marcus King has had one heck of a journey. Join us as we dive into his story, his struggles with substance abuse, and how he overcame it.

In this episode, you'll hear from Marcus directly and end up caring even more deeply about his music.

Thanks so much for listening! And don't forget to follow us on Instagram – @the_westernside – for all the latest country music news, and subscribe on YouTube to watch this video and more!

In this episode, we sit down with Appalachian singer-songwriter Darrin Hacquard to dig into the world behind his new album Weights & Measures and how he got there in the first place. Darrin opens up about how a simple verse of poetry from a friend sparked one of the most haunting songs he’s ever released, and how the imagery of Hocking Hills, Ohio continues to shape the way he writes about love, loss, and the seasons of a person’s life.

We talk about how he balances real stories with the fictional characters that wander into his songs. Darrin shares stories from the creative process, the emotional weight behind this new chapter of music, and the intention that goes into every word he puts on the page.

It’s a thoughtful, honest conversation with an artist who refuses to chase anything but the truth. If you love songwriting that feels lived in and real, this episode takes you right into Darrin Hacquard’s world.

Thanks for listening! Want more? Subscribe to TWS on YouTube and follow our Instagram – @the_westernside – for all the latest country music news. See you there!

Gavin Adcock first made national headlines as the Georgia Southern football player who chugged a beer on top of the team bus. But his story doesn’t stop there. In this episode, you'll learn how Gavin opened up about the whirlwind that followed, how the moment unexpectedly launched his country music career and the grind of building his sound and fanbase beyond the viral clip. From the football field to the stage, Gavin reflects on reputation and the lessons he’s learning as one of country’s most talked-about rising artists.

Thanks so much for listening to this episode of The Western Side Podcast! Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on Instagram @the_westernside for all your country music needs.