Carolina Country Music Fest 2026: Behind the Scenes in Myrtle Beach

Mae Estes joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk 90s country, the realities of making a living in music, and why staying true to yourself matters more than ever. From singing the national anthem at just seven years old to making the move to Nashville inspired by Dolly Parton, Mae shares the experiences that shaped her journey as an artist. She opens up about the pressure to create controversy on social media, the fear of being misunderstood online, and why being genuine can sometimes be mistaken for complaining. Mae also weighs in on artists leaning into the 90s country sound, collaborating with Shenandoah, and why that era of country music is just as relevant today. Plus, she gets real about the rising costs of touring, the financial challenges artists face, and the life-changing advice she received from Ashley McBryde. And, of course, we couldn't let her leave without naming her Mount Rushmore of 90s country artists! Subscribe for more conversations with your favorite country artists on Whiskey Riff Raff! #WhiskeyRiff #WhiskeyRiffRaff #MaeEstes #CountryMusic #CountryMusicPodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wheeler Walker Jr. joins the Whiskey Riff Raff Podcast to talk about stepping away from country music, getting out while the getting’s good, and why he’s sick of hearing about algorithms and AI. Wheeler opens up about why he wants to open a bar on Broadway just to piss people off, what his version of a Broadway bar would look like, and why he thinks owning his own spot could help “fix” Broadway. He also talks about why he chose the Ryman Auditorium for his final show and why he worries it may be one of the last remnants of Old Nashville. He breaks down his unconventional approach to making music, explaining why every one of his albums has taken just five days to make and why he believes he makes “country music, not laptop music.” He also gets candid about collaborations, including the infamous Maren Morris experience, and why he generally chooses not to collaborate. Wheeler talks about being misunderstood as a comedy artist when he’s actually writing tender love songs, why he believes he’s simply saying what other people are too afraid to say, and why he thinks it’s frustrating that what he does is considered groundbreaking. Plus his advice to get out of the algorithm and go listen to Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, George Jones and other great country music. Listen to the full episode of the Whiskey Riff Raff Podcast with Wheeler Walker Jr. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nicholas Jamerson joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk about the rich musical history of Eastern Kentucky, the artists who deserve more recognition, and the early memories that shaped his love for music. He opens up about the difference between autobiographical and fictional songwriting, the advice he gives aspiring songwriters, and why being process driven matters more to him than chasing the finished product.

Fox N Vead joins Whiskey Riff Raff to talk about their genre-bending new album, why they’ve started calling their sound “crunge,” and why they don’t think putting artists into a single genre box makes much sense. The band also opens up about why playing live has always been at the heart of what they do, the relationship between social media followers and ticket sales, how the music industry has changed for developing artists, and the surprising love they’ve received from the Texas country scene. Plus, they talk about what it’s really like being in a band, how they all came together despite having completely different musical tastes, and why they believe God brought them together. whiskeyriff.com shop.whiskeyriff.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Whiskey Riff Raff, we head to Wildwood, New Jersey for one of the biggest country music festivals on the East Coast, Barefoot Country Music Fest. Throughout the weekend, we sat down with an incredible lineup of artists, including Chase Rice, The Wilder Blue, Channing Wilson, Tracy Lawrence, The Fray, Slater Nalley, Ty Myers, Emily Ann Roberts, Chris Lane, Tequila Randy, and Bob Durkin. We talked about new music, life on the road, festival season, songwriting, and everything in between. We also took in everything that makes Wildwood such a unique destination, from the boardwalk and beach to the food, nightlife, and unmistakable Jersey Shore atmosphere that surrounds Barefoot Country Music Fest. Whether you're a longtime country music fan or already dreaming about your next trip to the Jersey Shore, this episode is packed with great conversations, behind-the-scenes moments, and a look at everything that made this year's Barefoot Country Music Fest so memorable. whiskeyriff.com shop.whiskeyriff.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.