In short
Koei Red discusses adversity, discipline, and mindset shifts—how she built a music career without industry connections, stayed authentic while blending hip-hop and country, and used rejection and slow growth as “protection.” She also shares the origin of her “That’s not country music” merch line and the spiritual/mental reframing behind her song “Church.”
Guests
One guest, Koei Red, a California-born artist now based in Nashville. Background: started writing hooks at age 12 to earn studio time; made makeshift recordings (shoe-box “studio”) and opened doors through Bay Area hip-hop community support. She later moved to Nashville, funded the move by selling a 2019 Jetta, and writes “wordy” lyrics shaped by years of hip-hop songwriting plus formal songwriting courses via Skype.
Key claims
“You only fail when you give up”; rejection is protection; success comes when preparation meets opportunity; “church” is internal faith; authenticity beats trying to be accepted by country gatekeepers.
Notable examples
selling her 2019 Jetta; cutting “Church” in ~30 minutes on a couch during a roommate/producer’s crisis; “That’s not country music” comment becoming a merch slogan; Tom Brady “make the best three reps” story; a Vietnam vet jamming to her music and receiving a hat/video.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOEarly Musical Endeavors
0:00 to 0:46
Learn about Koei Red's journey starting as a young songwriter in California.
“At 12 years old, you were writing hooks for rappers just to earn studio time.”
The Power of Social Media
1:23 to 3:40
Exploration of how social media fosters connections and relationships.
“And it's actually cool when the energy matches, right?”
Koei's Journey in Music
3:40 to 8:00
Hear Koei's inspiring story of writing hooks and pursuing music despite challenges.
“I use it to, you know, build my show and, you know, everything else is off limits for me, you know, but, um, I want to get into your story because it's, it's amazing what you did.”
Understanding Authenticity
8:00 to 8:41
Discover Koei's perspective on authenticity in music and storytelling.
“And I feel like it was always part of the journey to like where I am now is what I've always wanted to do.”
Cultural Influences in Music
8:41 to 11:28
Discussion on how Koei's background influences her music style and writing.
“because it's like, I'm listening to what you're saying and I'm looking at your hat.”
Bay Area Music Legacy
13:33 to 14:00
Koei discusses the cultural and musical legacy of the Bay Area.
“There's so many innovators that come from there.”
Understanding Artists Through Their Origins
14:00 to 15:10
Learn how understanding an artist's background enriches their music appreciation.
“He's one of the goats and kind of an innovator of hip hop.”
The Dual Nature of Rejection
15:10 to 16:40
Explore how rejection can protect and guide us in our journeys.
“Because I think there's two different paradigms here, right?”
Pushing Through the Desire to Quit
16:40 to 18:00
Discover strategies to overcome the temptation of giving up on dreams.
“And, and I, I truly believe in the, in this, in the phrase or the saying, you only fail when you give up.”
Turning Points and Personal Sacrifice
18:00 to 19:20
Learn about the sacrifices made in pursuit of success in music.
“And what I listened to and what my mom loved and you know what I mean?”
Show all 26 chapters
Creating from Adversity
19:20 to 21:00
Understand how adversity can inspire creativity and authenticity in art.
“So instead my, my roommate or my old roommate at the time was going through a hard time.”
Reflections on Personal Growth
21:00 to 23:00
Discuss the importance of recognizing personal growth over time.
“And it's not necessarily, and people always like take it as like, oh, like actually going to a physical church.”
Trusting the Journey
23:00 to 25:00
Explore the significance of trusting one's path and timing in life.
“And what we forget is to reflect back and understand how far we've come.”
Celebrating Small Victories
25:00 to 27:20
Learn the importance of celebrating achievements and the journey itself.
“I have fans, I have people that relate to my music and that's all I've ever wanted.”
Bonding Over Shared Passions
27:20 to 28:00
Discover how shared passions create connections and memories.
“That's like a passion that me and my dad.”
Father's Influence on Resilience
28:00 to 30:50
Learn how the speaker's father's experience shaped his perspective on perseverance.
“So he was drafted in his high school parking lot when he was 16.”
Overcoming Adversity in Pursuit of Passion
30:50 to 34:12
Discover the importance of persistence and love for one's craft amidst challenges.
“Like I feel, I feel like such an asshole.”
The Unpredictable Nature of Opportunities
34:12 to 42:00
Explore how unexpected opportunities can arise and the importance of persistence.
“here we are i i didn't know i had no idea yeah you know um opportunity with janna kramer came up an actress and i'm like okay cool i'm like wait kobe's there wait wait a second Fillmore's there.”
Navigating Acceptance in Music
42:00 to 43:30
Learn about the challenges of fitting into different music genres and the journey of acceptance.
“to kind of be something that I wasn't in a way.”
The Impact of Influential Artists
43:30 to 45:40
Discover how iconic artists shaped the speaker's music and aspirations.
“And you shouldn't, you know, like, because I think everything about your music is what I love.”
Personal Transformation and Growth
45:40 to 47:18
Explore the speaker's journey toward health and becoming a role model for determination.
“Now it makes perfect sense because of consistency, right?”
Connecting with the Audience
47:18 to 48:29
Understand the importance of audience connection through personal stories and music.
“Oh, you live a determined lifestyle and you have people on that talk about determination and discipline.”
Music's Healing Power
48:33 to 53:27
Learn how music can help individuals process emotions and experiences.
“I read somewhere that an army vet, and I don't know if you know this, but an army that said your music helped them open up about his emotions.”
Defining Determination
53:27 to 56:01
Discover personal definitions of determination and the importance of perseverance.
“with cry like a man, I even wildcard, like I get that all the time.”
The Journey of Earning Success
56:01 to 57:09
Explore the importance of earning success through adversity and discipline.
“You're probably going to get five views.”
Encouraging Support for Koi Red
57:10 to 57:32
Listeners are encouraged to support the guest artist Koi Red on social media and music platforms.
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00At 12 years old, you were writing hooks for rappers just to earn studio time. Somebody's cousin did rap in the Bay Area. They were like, oh, she's like 12 years old writing these songs. She's got the hook. She's dope. She's got the bars. Like, let's do it. I sold that 2019 Jetta. So the only thing I've ever owned just to come out here to move to Nashville and fund basically that move. Because if you don't go all in on yourself, then nobody else will. I'm listening to what you're saying. That's not country music. That was the number one comment I used to get all the text. That's not country. That's not country.
0:32I'm like, okay, cool. Now to really go and hold true to your comment, you can buy my merch. Yeah, buy your merch. You country people, don't act like you don't like hip hop.
0:45What's up, guys? We are back and we're in a different space today. We're at Nashville Creative Spaces, Rory Vaden's studio here in Nashville, Tennessee. And I have with me today, Koei Red. you guys are in for an amazing treat she is the epitome of determination discipline and resilience country artist from california in my neck of the woods welcome to the show kobe thank you so much for having me i can't believe we're finally here it's been like a year or two since we've been connected and so crazy it's so crazy it's so funny when you meet people through social media and then you meet them in person you're like i feel like i've known you forever and it's my first time meeting you.
1:23And it's actually cool when the energy matches, right? It's like, you can be one way online and then meet somebody and like, they're completely different. And that's also, that's always like so hard because in my line of work, I meet a lot of great people like yourself. And, you know, I got to do a show with my favorite, you know, Tony Goldman's my favorite actor. And it's like, when you meet people like that, you just hope they measure, you know, and, And it's always nice when they do. So you did it. You match. Like, it's all good. It's all good. I feel like it's probably harder for you too, especially having a podcast.
1:56And if you interview somebody and they're like very lively on social media and then you meet them and they're just like, kind of like, don't like say. And you're like, oh. I've done some shows where it's like, you know, it always happens virtually. If you do a virtual show, it's like you're staring at the camera or the screen, you're like. Yeah, it gets a little awkward. Yeah, well, it can. But then, but you can see the time. You're like, all right, cool. I can see the time. Yeah. You know, and some, but it just, you know, you're not going to always mesh with everybody, but as long as the audience gets what they need out of it, I'm good.
2:30Exactly. I am so good. So, and just like with you, with your music, it's like you want to impact your audience. Yes. You know, always, always. That's always the goal for sure. Vacaville, California. Good old VV. Let's go. Dude. It's so crazy. like I told you I used to play baseball in Vacaville right by the Budweiser factory every weekend from the time I was 13 and 14 and my allergies were so bad there so bad my eyes would itch and they'd they go red I couldn't see but I was I was playing ball girl all those rolling all those rolling hills you know all of those all those all those trees and I mean it's beautiful I'm just I was I'm not gonna lie when when you know you were like oh my gosh such a fail like where are you from when you knew where vacaville was i was like oh okay yes because typically especially out here in nashville and i'm like i'm from vacaville and they're like what that vaca vaca vacaville and i'm like yeah i'm like it's like in between san francisco sacramento it's like right outside of napa like i have to preface it's very small but like it's part of my childhood too i mean because i was there a lot you know and we it's so it's just it's such a small world.
3:40And that's why I do love social media. Um, I use it the right way. Um, as you do as well. Um, I use it to build relationships. I use it to, you know, build my show and, you know, everything else is off limits for me, you know, but, um, I want to get into your story because it's, it's amazing what you did. And for, you know, for the audience sake, like, you know, you're this artist now and it, but it didn't start that way. You were behind the scenes, right? At 12 years old, you were writing hooks for rappers just to earn studio time. Walk us through that there because that, that is amazing. Pretty interesting.
4:23Yeah. I think I knew from like a really young age that I loved music. I loved writing of storytelling. I love all of that. And, um, I come from, you know, my dad was a garbage man. My mom was a stay at home mom. We didn't come from money. I didn't come from connections or knew anybody in the music industry. So it was kind of like a get in where you fit in. My parents were always super supportive, but it was also like my dad came from the baseball world too. And you know, um, you gotta, you know, if you really love something and, and want something, you have to do it too. It can't just be everyone pushing you.
4:54You know what I mean? You can't just throw money behind your kid, you know, like, Oh, cause then it becomes, you know, inauthentic. It becomes something forced and not something that genuinely like, oh, I want to fight for this. Like I want this. Um, yeah, I just, I, I loved writing and I started kind of doing like skeleton tracks to where I would like take songs and then I would kind of write my own melodies and my own lyrics to them. And it was kind of getting where you fit in. And there was a couple of kids around the corner and one of, they were a little bit older than me actually. And, uh, he worked at Burger King.
5:26I'll never forget this. So funny. He worked at Burger King. He was like 16. My mom grew up with his dad and, but they knew that I could like write and sing. And I was just always doing music stuff and I was doing small shows and shows and stuff. And they were making music on like, you know, garage band and all that stuff. And I'll never forget. We had like a Jordan shoe box and he had like a headset from Burger King. Cause he didn't have a microphone and we stuck it through the shoe box and wrapped it with toilet paper. kind of like make a makeshift studio. And we would just go on like YouTube and like just rip instrumentals.
5:59And I would just write hooks and things over it. And it ended up somebody's cousin did rap in the Bay area and they were like, Oh, she's like 12 years old writing these songs. And so then it was like, Oh yeah, we like what you're doing. Okay. Come here. Okay. We have this show? Do you want to open for this guy? Yeah, sure. Okay. Come to this, you know, uh, studio in the Bay area or whatever. And what's even crazier is my parents were like so supportive. Like I'd be like rolling up to like straight trap studios and like the middle of Oakland. And my mom was just like, all right, like lock the doors, but let's go.
6:37Like, let's get out. Like we gotta go do this. Like they were always supportive and just, but in a way of, if you want it, you have to, you have to work for it. But the thing was, was music was music. And I just wanted to create so badly that I didn't really care. And the hip hop community was so, especially in the Bay area at that time was just so welcoming. And like, just didn't, didn't matter my age, didn't matter what I looked like, didn't matter that I was a girl, like nothing. Like everybody was just like, yo, like she's, she's got the hook. She's got the bars. Like, let's do it. And it just progressed from there.
7:13And ultimately, I mean, if you were a music producer living in Northern California, you probably were able to afford to make a steady living there off money. And I didn't have money to make music. So it was like, get in where you fit in, you know? It's such a cool story because, you know, I look at adults now, they say they want something, but they, but they want the map. They want everything figured out for them instead of just taking action and moving. And that's the one thing that I really love. At 12 years old, you understood the secret to success. It's like, if I want this, not only do I have to take action, but I got to work diligently in order to, like you said, get in where I fit in right now, because you don't know where it's going to lead.
7:59Now you're sitting here in Nashville. It's wild to me. And I feel like it was always part of the journey to like where I am now is what I've always wanted to do. And it's funny because I've always considered myself a songwriter first because storytelling's my favorite thing in the world. I love it. So, um, in any facet of that, and, and so combining kind of the genres and diffusions that I do now is just kind of a product of where I come from, who I am. And, you know, people might not get it, but people that do come from where I come from or know who I am or know how I got my start or, you know, know all the background, know my background.
8:38they are like, yeah. So I'm getting goosebumps right now because it's like, I'm listening to what you're saying and I'm looking at your hat. That's not country music. And so for the audience, you know, her hat is so sick. It's one of her merchandise. It is. And it says, that's not country music because a lot of people put country music in a box and you've exploded that freaking thing. Oh yeah. And the thing is, is, you know, I actually, the reason why I wanted to make my merch of that's not country music Cause that was the number one comment I used to get all the types of people. That's not country.
9:09That's not country. I'm like, okay, cool. Like now you have a hat. So now, now to really go and hold true to your comment, you can buy my merch. Yeah. Buy her merch, you know, Corey read.com, right? Exactly. Yeah. Buy the merch. But you know, it's, but the thing is, is like, I got it very early on, as you know, like I, I'm like, You definitely did. I remember, I remember when you wrote me and I was like, Hey, you know, you're like, and you said something along the lines of, you're like, oh you kind of remind me of like a country pop like a leah kind of and i was like yes and i'm so that's another thing is i love 90s fashion it's like my thing you know what i mean as like a mid-90s baby you know like grew up in that era so like i just i love all that i love throwbacks i love you know what i mean that type of era and i think i kind of missed the curve of being able to really like be able to participate in that era, but I was a dope era.
10:05That era is a dope era. So essentially, yeah, I just, I love like the baggy stuff and like the Calvins that's, you know, what a lot of people and it's funny now. And I love it so much because people get like weirded out. They're like, Oh, I see people wearing, you know, like, Oh, they're like the Calvin thing, just like you do. And I'm like, that's frigging awesome. Like I love it. Like, yeah. Like nineties fashion, like please make a comeback. I love it. Yeah. No, it's funny because I picked up the Aaliyah vibe right away. She was, she was my favorite. And I remember when she passed, I was in college and I just remember just reading it in our school paper in Louisiana.
10:41And I literally got up and walked out of class. Like it's so, so like when I saw you and I saw just the bars and just the way, and then the way you dress, like you had the, the Calvin Klein's up. I'm like, wow. Like she's bringing that shit back. I gotta be, I gotta be along for this ride. Um, so let me ask you a question. So with, with the writing of the bars and everything like that, where you came from, that's obviously influenced how you write and produce music. Yeah. Yeah. And it's so funny because even out here, like I'm just, even the more pop or the more country, like country stuff that I do, I'm just very wordy.
11:22and that comes from the fact of writing hip-hop for years yeah I mean it's it's kind of embedded into my writing style and just who I am and it's also what I love um so I always like to say yeah like that genre like chose me I don't feel like I chose it I don't think people realize like because they look at me you know and like vanilla dude no no like vanilla dude dude i mean like growing up in the san francisco bay like it was all hip-hop it was yeah you know i grew up in in the ghetto like i was running away from the bloods after you know when i'm walking home at eighth grade i'm like what sorry probably sixth seventh grade but it's like
12:11that area can give you such a cultural vibe that nobody can understand. Now, you may have seen the buzz, but let me give you the inside scoop. Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, King Griffey Jr., Mark McGuire, all the greats. What they have in common, they have collectibles and they're being sold on whatnot right now. And it brought me back to my childhood. Knowing that I can get my hands on something cool like that really gives me hope. So if you're selling online or out of a storefront, full-time or as a side hustle, you already know the challenges. You're hoping for people to find your listing or waiting for them to walk in.
12:47Whatnot flips that right on its head. On Whatnot, you go live and sell directly to people in real time. They see what you've got, they ask questions, and buy. And they keep coming back. Whatnot is the largest dedicated live shopping platform, whether it's beauty, collectibles, electronics, luxury fashion, or heck, even cookies. Sellers are building real thriving businesses. Anyone can sell. Whether your business is big, small, or yet to exist, people selling on Whatnot sell 10 times more than on other major marketplaces. That's because you're not just listing products. You're building real connections with buyers.
13:24Search Whatnot, W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the App Store. Download and you can start selling right away. It's crazy. There's so many innovators that come from there. too and it's funny because vacaville's like the outskirts you know what i mean silverback but it's still yeah it's still you know what i mean considered considered that and uh there's just so much culture and there's so much like just artistic vision out there i mean you can even see it with artists that have come out directors i mean you have ryan kugler just did sinners you have kehlani that just won a grammy you have e40 who is literally considered you know he's He's one of the goats and kind of an innovator of hip hop.
14:09Cause he did it in his own way. Mac Dre, who's still. Did you ever hear RBL posse? RBL posse. That does sound, wait, give me something. Bounce of this. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay. There it is. There it is. Sometimes I'm like, I've grown up around so much Bay area music that sometimes I'm like, which one like into D like, you know, like I'll got, got to respect the OGs too. You have to. And, and like, like RBL. I mean, I, I still listen to it in the gym, you know, cause that's my childhood. It brings me back. But like, just again, my point for everybody listening and watching is, you know, in order to understand an artist, you have to understand where they come from and then you'll fully understand and appreciate it.
14:51You know, I, I look at what you're creating and I'm very proud of you, by the way. Thank you. Very proud of you. Thank you so much. Absolutely. Is you have made it your mission not to fit in, but to stay authentic. How has that blessed you, but also caused you stress? Because I think there's two different paradigms here, right? Oh yeah. You know, like we talked about rejection earlier off camera. Yeah. Right. Yeah. That rejection really is protection sometimes. And even though you might not see it at that time, um, usually later you'll have that aha kind of moment. Thank God. Oh my gosh. Okay.
15:29Like I understand it now. And you kind of need those, you need those kinds of divine interventions to kind of like, you know, to get frustrated, to just be human. Cause in that or also frustrate you, but it'll put you in a position to like, listen, you're either going to go one of two ways. You're going to go 10 times harder or you're going to give up. Yeah. And giving up for me is not an option. I don't think my family would ever let me give up at this point, even if I wanted to. And that's actually happened before, you know, so. That right there. Okay. Cause this is something that drives me crazy.
16:03There's so many people out there that say, I've never wanted to give up. I know I'm it. You're a liar or delusional or like maybe you need medicine because I mean, I think I've wanted to quit 10 times last week, but it's not an option. It is a, it is a current state of emotion. Oh yeah. You know, and so, so dig into that because the audience listening and watching some of them right now are in the middle of wanting to give up their dream. Oh yeah. No. And the thing is, is like, don't do it. Don't do it. The thing is, is once you give it up, then it's like, then what? Then cool. You lost you. Exactly.
16:40And, and I, I truly believe in the, in this, in the phrase or the saying, you only fail when you give up. you'll you that's the only time you'll ever fail and when you have that mindset and that mentality you'll realize that even the slow progressions like with me I was sitting at you know I had you know over a million followers on TikTok and all this stuff and I was putting out music and I'm you know serving in restaurants on weekends and funding all my own stuff and and doing all this and with that being said my Spotify numbers were only you know 50 ,000 monthly listeners and I sat there for a really long time and my goal was just, I just want to break a hundred thousand monthly listeners.
17:23And I gave everything that I could, you know, I moved out here. I won a car on the prices, right. And sold it to take that money to, you were on the prices, right? Like fun, funny. Yeah, man. I won. I actually, I won the showcase showdown and that 2019 Jetta is the only thing I've ever owned. And I, yeah. And I remember it was, it was in 2019 and it was around the time where, you know, TikTok and stuff, everything started happening in 2020. And, but it was always part of the plan of me being here and doing the music that I'm doing now. It was always, I wanted to kind of infuse the two worlds that I grew up in, you know what I mean?
18:04And what I listened to and what my mom loved and you know what I mean? that was kind of embedded in me, uh, to really just, this was all part of the plan. And, uh, so it's funny. Yeah. I, I sold that 2019 Jetta. So the only thing I've ever owned just to come out here to, to move to Nashville and fund basically that move, because you got to go all in on yourself. If you don't go all in on yourself, then nobody else will. This is so good. You know, this is so good. Like the only, like you said, I want the audience to hang on to this because like the only thing you ever owned when you own something for the first time it's like I'm I'm never letting this shit go because I don't know if I'm gonna get something else ever and I want something on my own but you saw it as leverage yeah you saw it as a tool to get you where you wanted to go ultimately and I think that's such a special quality of you about you.
18:58Oh, thank you. Absolutely. It's just, you know, that, that moment is the reason why you've gone from 50 ,000 to almost 200 ,000 now to almost 200 ,000 monthly. You know, I'm a little offended that church is not at least at 1.5. Can you guys start streaming church, please? What the hell is wrong with you? That is my, I love that song. it's so deep that was my first release church was church i thought wild card was no no church was first release so good and that that song came from such an authentic and organic place because i was at that i was at that pivot point of wanting to quit wanting to give up but it also like back to what i was saying before if i give up okay so i spent my entire life almost signed to this invisible contract, knowing that this was what I meant to do, not trusting my journey and just give it up.
19:55Like no way. Yeah. So instead my, my roommate or my old roommate at the time was going through a hard time. And he was also my producer and he was sleeping on my couch, was going through breakup, having a really, really hard time. And it was on my couch and he started singing like this little like hook, like melody. And I was like that. And at that time I was in a really, really rough spot. And I kind of didn't know what I, what my next move was. Like I wanted, I was coming out here, but I wasn't getting, I mean, I would show up and have 10 sessions and every single one of them would cancel. It was just, it was really, really rough.
20:30And it put you in that, in that position of like, maybe this is a sign, maybe, you know what I mean? And it's like, no, I'm going to make something happen. and I'm recourse was singing that melody and had that guitar rift. And I was like, sit. And we sat on my couch that night and we cut the entire song within like 30 minutes. Are you kidding me? Yeah. And I just like almost like freestyled out like the verses and stuff. And I just knew that I needed to find like, and that's what the song was about. And it's not necessarily, and people always like take it as like, oh, like actually going to a physical church.
21:04It's like, no church isn't here. Like church is in here. Like your relationship with God, like I'm, you know, a follower of Jesus Christ and God and like, but whatever you believe in. We can say that here. Yeah. But like whatever you believe in, you know, like it's in here, you know what I mean? And, and, and that's church and that's, you know what I mean is, is admitting to yourself sometimes like, man, I'm down, but you know what? Like I have so much faith and like, I'm going to, I'm going to crawl out of this. there's two there's two i don't know what you call them because i'm not a musician but there's i'm gonna call them lines or verses or whatever that i resonate with so much and here they are screaming out but nothing's leaving your teeth and um overlooking the flowers just to dwell on the weeds yeah those two make me feel some type of emotion because at some point we've all felt like we are screaming, we are trying to say something, but nothing's coming out.
22:04No one is hearing it. And then in life, there's so much adversity, so much adversity with anything. I don't care if you're a teacher, hotel, you know, you work in hospitality, musician, podcast host, like the amount of adversity that you're going to face on a daily basis is astronomical. And so when I looked at the, when I heard the line, overlook the flowers just to dwell in the weeds, I'm like, dude, I'm doing that shit right now. Yeah. Look how beautiful this is. I don't have to go and check in with a boss anymore. Oh, for sure. I don't have to do anything. I get to talk to great people every single day.
22:41I'm living a freaking dream. Does it look like what I want it to yet? Nope. No, but look at how far I've come. Yeah. But like I'm in Nashville right now, dude, you know, like what, what in the world happened? But like, and this is something that I want you to answer too, because I'm having to reflect on this a lot lately. I keep, I keep looking at, you know, the, my brand, you know, the business, it's like, I got to get to that next level and I got to get there quick because I get somewhere and I'm like, okay, this is neat, but what's next? And what we forget is to reflect back and understand how far we've come.
23:25How do you deal with that? I'd say, you know, I've had like some divine intervention. So when I would say about this time last year, exactly, I was probably the most miserable version of myself. I was very comparative. I was very frustrated. The why me? Like, why, why am I like, I'm doing this and I'm, you know, all of these things. And I, I just wasn't happy. And what I realized was that I was not trusting my journey. I wasn't trusting myself. It's hard because it's unseen. And then it's crazy because I have to remind myself, like it's, it's about trusting the journey. It's about trusting yourself.
24:09Like nothing, the universe isn't going to reward you when you're over here worrying about this, that, this, that, and the other. It's going to reward you when it's like, oh, she's ready. And I've always said, you know, there's no such thing as luck. It's always when preparation meets opportunity and the universe has been, and I haven't had a big moment. I haven't been put on by a big artist. I haven't had a big record deal. I haven't had like a big moment or an opportunity, but I know it's coming. And I know that when it does happen, I'm going to be so ready for it and so prepared because I've gone through all of these steps.
24:41So it's always reassuring that and telling myself that, that, you know, going back to that. And I kind of had this moment spiritually with myself and, um, I, it, it, it dawned on me of, yeah, why haven't I been like, look at, like I'm in Nashville, like I'm doing this, like I'm going on tour. Like I have all of these great things. I have fans, I have people that relate to my music and that's all I've ever wanted. Like focus on that. Focus on the good. Dude, you got three in this room. Yes. And the little one right there that just adores you. With the cutest cowgirl hat on now. She is cute. But it's one of those things.
25:21Yeah. Like you have to trust your journey. And, and I am a very spiritual person in that, in that aspect. I don't relate all of my spirituality to like biblical. Like I've said, I've always said it's, it's in here. Like your relationship with God, everything's in here. Yeah. Um, and so, yeah, I just relate back to that of there's such a plan in store that's bigger than I ever imagined. We don't know it. And I'm trusting the journey and I know I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. And I know that when those opportunities come, you're going to be ready. You're already ready. Just the world hasn't caught up yet.
25:56And that's just kind of one of the things. No, absolutely. It's just, it's just what it is. And it's funny because you know uh my good friend dan tufarello he was my boss at paychecks and we ended up becoming like brothers and he is now on my team he left corporate america he went and taught for years like i'm not doing lesson plans i'm out and he said to me he goes i promise you guys the audience i'm going somewhere with this he goes i'm done let me know if you know anybody I'm like, well, do you want to come work for me? Like, he's like, uh, yeah, absolutely. And so like I brought him along and this is what he says to me yesterday, you know, because I told her, you know, I told him that, you know, my wife was coming and, you know, and everything and, and, and Mia and I go, he goes, look, dude, I want you to understand something.
Read the full transcript
26:49And he texts me this after we had the conversation, he goes, dads don't get a whole lot of credit. Like they don't hear how great of a job they're doing from their friends, et cetera. He goes, but the fact that you're able, that you were able to build something that your family can be along with and enjoy, he goes, dude, you're winning. And I looked at that and I'm like, what? Like it's so true. It's like, cause this all pertains to the journey. Exactly. Like this isn't normal. Yeah. there's somebody right now that is a podcaster going like i want that and i'm looking up here and go i want that exactly there's always this the grass is always greener on the other side kind of thing but you're but you're so right in that aspect of like the opportunities that come from come from what we do whether it be music whether it be entertainment whether it be whatever are things that'll last a lifetime.
27:51Like, I mean, just like a small thing. So I, I grew up riding dirt bikes. That's like a passion that me and my dad. Not surprised. Not surprised. But it's one of those amazing things where when I first came out to Nashville, um, or like official, like I would say it was like, I was like two years in, um, two years ago, Supercross was happening in Nashville and I was working with WME and they were like hey we have these tickets like these you know really cool tickets do you want to go to Supercross and whatever and I was like yeah so of course me my dad used to go to Supercross every year like we still to this day that's like kind of our bonding thing we'll call and talk about like the races and heats and like who's when like big fans and it's just a bonding thing that we do every week like if it's baseball, it's either baseball or Supercross.
28:42Okay, so baseball. What's his background in baseball? Because you mentioned that earlier. He was a pitcher. Where? So he was drafted in his high school parking lot when he was 16. He was a stud. And yeah, and then he tore his rotator cuff when he went to college and was trying to kind of get back into it. I'll be honest, not to circle back, but he's one of the reasons why, no matter what's happened or any setbacks that I've had in music, why I'm hungrier than I've, than ever, why I'm always come back because, you know, he put into perspective, um, one, one night when I called him and said that I was, you know, done, done.
29:27I'm not, I can't do this anymore. I'm just tired, dad. I just, and he was like, I love you. I'll support you through whatever, but I can't let you quit. And I was like, why? And he was like, because do you, can you, do you have, you have two legs? Can you write a song? Can you sing? And I'm like, yeah. And he was like, well, guess what? I had a dream and I worked really hard for baseball. I loved baseball. It was my first passion. And he was like, and it was out of my control to still continue that dream. I got hurt. I couldn't do anything. You don't have that excuse. Think about kids that are sitting in hospital beds right now that don't have the even luxury to even go after something that they want and you're sitting here complaining saying you're tired like think about how you know what i mean and he was like granted and it always makes me emotional when he said this he was like granted my dreams changed and it was to be your dad and he was like but my dream is also to see you live your dream come on and i was like someone says that what the hell yeah okay fine all right well i guess i can't quit now on the overalls again like let's go we're running it you know get the calvins what do you get the calvins again no but it's one of those things you know and it's all about perspective it's all about perspective when you look at you know what I mean?
30:50Things like that. You're like, wow, you're so right. Like I feel, I feel like such an asshole. Like, Oh my God. Yes. But you need that. You need those divine interventions. You do. And, and I, one of the things that I will say about your dad, I also had that injury. I went to LSU. I played in the college world series and I didn't have that choice because I got hurt my first year there. And then for two straight years, I was working so hard to get back on the field. when I came back, I wasn't the same. Like I couldn't throw like I used to, you know, it just got in my head. So to your dad's point, like that's one of the things too, that keeps me from quitting what I'm doing now, other than the fact that I'm obsessed with it.
31:37And I honestly think I love this more than I love playing baseball. Oh yeah. I, in some weird way, the thing that nobody knows about me, and I'm going to say it right now for the first time on air is what I love more than podcasting is being on stage. What I love more than that is being a husband and a father. So I understand your dad's paradigm where he's coming from. And my biggest fear is when I look at my three beautiful children is I don't want to ever see him quit anything. If you make a commitment and you're doing something, you're going to, you're going to finish the season, the year out, whatever it is.
32:13And then we can pivot. If that's not your thing, cool. You tried it. But if it's your passion and it's your purpose, you're not allowed to quit. You can't, you know, and, and, and that's what I want the audience to really pay attention on is because what you said about your dad and how he walked you through that. If, so if you're a parent, you have a child looking to quit something, replay that. Yeah. Run it back, run it back, dude, because run it back and run it back in your own mind. Right. I don't care if it's a fitness journey. I don't care fixing a marriage or, or being promoted in your career.
32:49You cannot see the future. Yeah. You don't know what's coming. Like two weeks ago, I didn't know I was gonna be sitting in Nashville. Now you may have seen the buzz, but let me give you the inside scoop. Babe Ruth, Barry Bonds, King Griffey Jr., Mark McGuire, all the greats. What they have in common, they have collectibles and they're being sold on whatnot right now. and it brought me back to my childhood. Knowing that I can get my hands on something cool like that really gives me hope. So if you're selling online or out of a storefront, full-time or as a side hustle, you already know the challenges.
33:22You're hoping for people to find your listing or waiting for them to walk in. Whatnot flips that right on its head. On Whatnot, you go live and sell directly to people in real time. They see what you've got, they ask questions and buy. And they keep coming back. Whatnot is the largest dedicated live shopping platform, whether it's beauty, collectibles, electronics, luxury fashion, or heck, even cookies. Sellers are building real thriving businesses. Anyone can sell. Whether your business is big, small, or yet to exist, people selling on whatnot sell 10 times more than on other major marketplaces.
33:58That's because you're not just listing products. You're building real connections with buyers. search whatnot w-h-a-t-n-o-t in the app store download and you can start selling right away here we are i i didn't know i had no idea yeah you know um opportunity with janna kramer came up an actress and i'm like okay cool i'm like wait kobe's there wait wait a second Fillmore's there. And so. All the opportunities aligned. All the opportunities aligned. Went to a friend. I said, hey, best studio in Nashville. He goes, Nashville Creative Spaces, brand builders, Rory Vaden. I'm like, dude, set that up.
34:44And then we got Rory coming on tomorrow too, which I haven't met, but I've known of him ever since I've been in this space. Yeah. And it's so funny. I'm gonna tell him yesterday. I mean, tomorrow, but I'll say here on the air. So many of my close friends are because of Rory Vaden. And Rory Vaden doesn't even know it. Really? He doesn't know it. That's actually amazing. Matthew Hedden. You get to meet tomorrow? Yeah. We're going to hang out. We're going to do a show. Oh, I love that. That's going to be neat. So like one of my good friends, Matthew Hedden, like heard a podcast with someone that I'm no longer connected with.
35:17I'll leave his name out. And he's like, well, hey, if Rory Vaden's on this pod with him, then maybe I should join his community. And I was in that community and we both left. but that's how me and him met. And we've been close friends forever, like three years now. Love that. I mean, so it's like, there's, there's this big spiderweb. Anyway, I'm getting on a tangent, but, but like two weeks ago, I didn't know. It's my, it's my point, right? You don't know what the next second's going to bring. So if you quit, like what, what the hell? I think the thing is, that's always brought me back too, is just my love for it.
35:51Like, like kind of like you said, like there's nothing more that you love. And that, that was my whole thing too, is it's like, I can't picture myself doing anything else in the world. So even if I'm 80 years old, still, still doing it, like I'm still going to do it because I, because I love it. Yeah. Even like, regardless of my success level, when I peak, whatever, like when you love something and the intention behind it is just genuine, like you just, you love it. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, I don't, you know, I've never been signed to a record label. I've never been signed to anything.
36:23I don't get it. I'm sorry. What are you guys doing? Rejection is protection because like I said, when that does happen and when the right people come around, they're going to get it. And then it's going to be off to the races. Like, I love the fact that, and I used to hate it. I used to be so envious. Like, why can't it just be easy but nothing worth it is ever easy you know what i mean nothing worth it the long time think about some of the most successful people in the industry or regardless of you know like i said entertainment music sports whatever think about like tom brady dude you know what i mean like the rise out of the ash and to end up being one of one of the greatest football players of all time Oh yeah, definitely the best quarterback.
37:14You know what I mean? Yeah. Hall of Famer. Oh, easy. And last, you know, last drafting class, right? Like nobody expected him and he came out of Michigan and he wasn't like crazy in Michigan, but like. No, he wasn't. But then he came out and just, he understood, he put everything into it. I want to tell you something because I saw this clip of Tom Brady being interviewed on stage and you've probably seen it. Everybody's seen it. But if you guys haven't, listen up and watch. So he went up to his coaches at Michigan and said, hey, look, I'm only getting three reps of practice, three snaps of practice.
37:53How am I going to develop and get better with only three snaps? You know what the response from his coach was? Those three snaps you take, make them the best three that you've ever done. Clearly he did. so like the the the thing is with that right it's like it doesn't matter how much playing time you're getting or how many interviews you do or how many stages you're singing on that moment make it the best that you can do and now he is the best quarterback of all time oh for sure which kind of offends me because i was a joe montana guy so that sucks but i did meet tom brady oh really i I met Tom Brady.
38:36So he's from San Mateo. Yeah. Okay. So he's a Bay area boy. Yeah. He's a, he's a Bay guy. So right before the draft, I went to college of San Mateo in junior college before I transferred LSU. We walk out and he's playing catch with his dad on the football field. I say, Hey man, what's going on? You ready? He's like, yeah, we'll see what happens. I was like, well, Hey man, nice to meet you. Good luck. So crazy. The rest is history because he trusted his process. He had his journey. He knew he didn't give up. he knew that he was going to go on to be greater than what he probably could have imagined what anybody could have imagined at the time and that's what i'm saying is that perspective of like just just run with it like don't think why me think why not me why not or what is this teaching me what am i supposed to learn from this right there's got to be a reason it's like i haven't peaked yet you haven't peaked yet there's a reason because we need to learn a lesson and we need to enjoy this.
39:30And like for, for me, when I look at everything, I, I go, would I have wanted it quicker? You're damn right. I have a family to take care of. I would love endless amounts of money so I could travel with them, you know, when I'm not recording, you know, I'd love to just hop on a plane, you know, and, and, and, and shoot off the Yellowstone for the weekend on a surprise. It's just not time yet. But the one thing I'll say is through all the adversity and the pain that I've gone through and that you're going through, when we get there, we are going to appreciate it so much more than the flash in the pan overnight success.
40:12Like, let it take another five years. I'm only 47. Only 47, Jesus Christ. Listen, 26. Run with 26. You're good. That's fine. You're good. That's fine. Hey, look, I feel young, you know? But I think the journey and all the pain because we talk about this a lot on the show. It's determination and discipline. That's what we go through here. It's like leaning into those moments. A lot of people like to run from them. I, and my wife knows this. I feel that pain so deeply and I put my face in it because then I know what I'm feeling. And then when I get out of it, I'm like, I can appreciate the next moment.
40:53Do you also find yourself like really accepting the pain and not running from it? Yeah, no, definitely. I think it's one of those things too, especially recently, like I said, this time last year, I was, you know, in kind of like a rougher spot and it's one of those interesting things. You said something really interesting in the fact of, you said, do I wish it would have happened sooner? Yes. Sure. I looking at myself now, thinking back to a year ago when I wanted that, that success, I wanted that overnight success. I look back now, I'm like, shit, I was not, I wasn't ready. Like right now, like who I am now, I'm writing the, and it hasn't come out yet, but I've been writing the best music I've ever written in my life.
41:36And I needed to go through all of that. Oh, I'm, I'm standing by it. Like the records that, that I have been doing, I would say this past year are the best records I've ever made. and they haven't come out yet. And you know why? It's because I embraced my authenticity. I realized that I chased so hard that, and I put so much pain on myself and so much pressure on myself to kind of be something that I wasn't in a way. You did? In a way. Really? I mean, moving out here, I really wanted to be kind of accepted into the country world. And I really wanted, you know what I mean? To make friends and rub elbows with all of these up and coming people that clearly didn't want anything to do with me.
42:21Cause they're like, who are you? What's this hip hop shit? And you know, kind of in a way or like, or like a, almost like a dance monkey dance kind of thing. Like I'd get called into sessions and I'd be super excited to write because what people don't realize is like, I come from also, I took songwriting courses when I was 10 years old, when I was 15. And I paid for those. Wow. myself through on Skype every day I would meet with this songwriter from Berkeley College of Music and he would basically go over the curriculum that he went through for songwriting and taught me the basic formula of pop pop writing so people sometimes don't realize that I do have that background as well and they'd call me into sessions and be like okay well I want you to put a verse on this and I'm like okay well that's not writing a song together that's like you want that's you wanting to collab with me yeah you like that's like a feature yeah you know what I mean Yeah, exactly.
43:11That's like a fee. That's not like me coming in and writing a song with you, you know? But like, it's one of those things, yeah, where I definitely had to face that a lot. But like I said, it was, now I'm like so confident in what I'm doing and who I am. And I don't care what people think. I love it. And you shouldn't, you know, like, because I think everything about your music is what I love. Thank you. Because I love pop. I love hip hop and I do love country. Yeah. It's like, wait a second, I can go to one place and hear it all? Exactly. Like, like, and you, you, you country people don't act like you don't like hip hop.
43:53I think it's funny too. And I talk about that all the time. I'm like country and hip hop are the cousins in the genre. Sure. They're a lifestyle genre and they're also a storytelling genre. And that's what I fell in love with, with hip hop originally was storytelling. I mean, like I loved TLC and OutKings. Oh, dude. TLC, man. We've talked about this before, haven't we? Yeah. TLC, Left Eye is like what inspired me to want to, you can ask my mom. Growing up when I was a little girl, I used to love, love, there was three music videos that I loved that would come on and they're so random and so weird, but I loved Waterfalls by TLC.
44:33That's a great song. Oh my gosh. I actually, I have a country cover of it coming out. Stop. Yeah. And it's actually phenomenal. And when you hear it, it makes, you're like, it's a hundred percent. Oh yeah. It's phenomenal. Of course I hit the left eye round. Of course you did. But Thriller by Michael Jackson. And of course, Man I Feel Like a Woman. Yeah, Shania Twain. Shania Twain. Those were like, and Any Man of Mine I used to love too. That's a great one. I really liked that song. Yeah. Yeah. Like, or, um, I'm thinking of the, yeah, I think, yeah, that was the music video of her, like with like the cropped jean and the jeans.
45:16And she's like, I'm thinking, is it who's better? Have you, no, no, no. It is any man of mine when she's like on the tractor out. Oh my gosh. Yeah. And I thought she was so beautiful. I was like, you know, like when you're little and you just like watch, you know, things like that. But yeah, no, I loved all, they're just, they're all kind of related genre wise you know it's it's awesome because it allows you to create this art that's so different yeah and sometimes you know people are like i'm not ready for different but when they are they are and it's it's astronomical and i'll tell you what you i want to go back because you you talked about at one point you know they didn't get it i remember having this conversation with my wife very early on i'm like nobody gets to the determined society and i said you know in fact i don't even know if I get it.
46:07I don't know what it means. I don't know what it is. It didn't make sense. Now it makes perfect sense because of consistency, right? And overcoming certain things. And, you know, I, I made a move in my own life to get very healthy because about, you know, November of 24, I was probably the most depressed that I've been in a very long time. And I remember laying down on the couch and not being able to get up and do anything unless I was recording. I was just, I wouldn't work out, wouldn't do anything. But then I changed that, you know, and I got lean and I got in great and better shape and now I'm in better shape and we keep moving on that.
46:54But I became the brand. I became the determined society. Instead of just talking about determination, discipline, I'm now the billboard for it. And then that's when the show went. And so, you know, I just think that's such an important point because, you know, people will get it. Oh, for sure. People will get it. Now it makes perfect sense. The determined society. Oh, you live a determined lifestyle and you have people on that talk about determination and discipline. That makes sense. It's like, duh. And then you'll have people that are inspired by what you're doing. And I think that's also like just a magical thing is seeing people that love what you do, that get what you do.
47:34And then you inspire them to do their art form or their, what they're doing in a different way. The, the most rewarding part about this isn't the amount of listeners a month, the streams, the ad revenue. It's when I get messages like I did from this dude in New Zealand. I got it two days ago. He had just found out about an affair that his wife had four years ago. And he's struggling in his marriage, trying to figure out what he's going to do to stay. And, you know, if he's going to stay and is it okay to stay or do I need to leave? How do I become a, how do I be a great father only seeing my kids half the time.
48:14That's some heavy stuff. But he was searching through Spotify and found my show. And he started binging it like a couple of weeks ago. And he wrote me a message and I responded and, you know, and I followed him back and I'm pouring into him. That to me is the most rewarding about this whole thing. I read somewhere that an army vet, and I don't know if you know this, but an army that said your music helped them open up about his emotions. Yeah, yeah. I actually, so crazy story. And I remember I cried when I got, so I've had a couple vets reach out to me. One, unfortunately, Mark, he passed away and I sent him a Koei red hat and I sent him a video.
49:02Damn. And he was, he had Parkinson's and he was a he was a vietnam vet he was older and my manager reached out to me and was like koey i'll talk about i know exactly what you're talking about but i'll talk about that one sure no of course no um and nico my manager reached out to me was like koey you'll never guess what just happened i'm like what he's like one of my homies like in like north carolina he's a caretaker for this for this vet um this like vietnam vet named mark and you know he's parkinson's he can't really like talk or like you know what I mean he's kind of it was advanced yeah he's kind of towards the end and um and he's in his wheelchair and he was like I've seen you post this this girl stuff that you work with and he's like okay he was like and Mark is over there just jamming on his phone and it was your artist Koei and he was like listening I can't remember what song it was or what it was, but he sent Nico a video of him and he was like rocking back and forth, like with the, like, in like his thing.
50:07And he was like, Oh Mark, you like it? You like Koei Red? And he was like, yeah. And he was like, and he like, was like just jamming. And so I sent him a video message. Uh, and Nico's like, listen, like totally up to you, but like, I just had to send this to you. And I was like, let's run it. Like, let's send him a hat. Like, let's like, I'll send him a video, like a personal video. Like, Hey, what's up? So like, Mark, oh my gosh, like, I love you. Like, thank you for your service. Like, I can't wait to meet you when I come to North Carolina, you know, all this stuff. He ended up passing away, unfortunately, but I was like, I'll have a ticket waiting for you.
50:38Um, and then his, the caretaker sent a video of him watching my video and he's like, he's watched it like 20 times. Like he just is like, so, and he was like getting excited and like, uh, just it's things like that, that just put, like I said, uh, make, make everything, all the, all the pain, all the, the, the hardships, all of the doubt, everything that you go through, like I'm exactly where I need to be. I'm doing exactly what I've always wanted to do. Um, but I did, I did get a, uh, I got a direct message from this, uh, from this guy one time and he was like, Hey, um, he's like, I feel comfortable sending you this because I don't think you'll ever read it.
51:24He's like, cause you have a lot of followers, you know, like, but I do, I do, I try and reach, I try to read everything as much as possible. I mean, I'm only human and I, you know, have, have things going on and I can't get back to everybody, but I really try to, cause I'm so appreciative. Like there's thousands of great artists in the world. You can listen to anybody. Like you want to listen to me. Like, I want to give you a hug. Like I wish I could hug everybody. um you know and just like thank them because i like i said i had to work really hard like i haven't had a lot of people believe in me especially coming up like a lot of people i was like laughed at i was mocked i was you know what i mean i know how that feels and bullied for you know um so having like oh my like you have no idea what this what this means to me but i got this message and he was like hey um you know you'll probably never read this so i feel comfortable saying this but I, you know, did three tours in Iraq.
52:14I have a beautiful wife. I have two beautiful little girls, but sometimes it just, I don't feel strong. I don't feel like I'm strong enough for them. And I listened to your song, cry like a man. And for the three minutes and two seconds made me feel like I was seen for the first time. And he was like, and I just want to let you know, thank you so much for writing that. And you have no idea how much that song meant to me in these type of moments. And I was just like, I remember crying and I was like, Amber called my mom. Cause I was calling my mom for like stuff like, I'm like, what do I do? And I was like, shit, do I write him back?
52:54Like, do I let him like, is he going to be like, oh my gosh, she opened it. She saw it. Now I'm like mortified. Like, oh my gosh. I was like, yeah, just write him back and say like, you know, thank you. And I'm like, yeah, but I don't want to, you know, it's kind of like manly, you know, it's like buff dude tattoos, like Jim, you know what I mean? And I was like, Oh shit, like, I don't want to, you know, but I also was just like, Oh my gosh, like I'm so touched. Like, I love that you love that song. You're exactly who I wrote it for. I'm so happy that my music found you. And I think, yeah, that's, you know, with church, with cry like a man, I even wildcard, like I get that all the time.
53:31And I can't tell you how much just connecting with people through writing, it makes me feel so seen. Cause like I said, I've always considered myself a writer first. So getting that people, even you saying some of the specific lyrics to me, I'm like, I get it. You got those. Yeah. I get it. I do get it. I think it's, it shaped the way you've written your music because it's deep. Yeah. It's not empty and the world needs deep right now. Yeah. The world needs deep. But, uh, I have one more question for you before we shut it down. I could go like seven hours with you. I feel like I spiral too. So I'm like, no, you're, no, you're great.
54:07This has been a very fun conversation with a lot of value. Yeah. That is literally the root of this show. And I'm just grateful that for your friendship first and foremost. And then secondly, that we got to connect and do this together. I'm so grateful too. I was, I was just telling somebody I'm, I'm a little bit shy in the sense of, I don't put a lot of myself personally out on the internet. I get a little bit nervous. It's a scary place. I get picked apart already for music that I'm like, uh, like, you know, it's hard to, Hey guys, how's it go? Like, you know, to do the camera. Yeah. Yeah. It gets a little nerve wracking.
54:44I'm like, am I even, I'm boring as shit. Like I just sit down with my, with my Pomeranians, like, you know? Um, so, so I can't tell you how much it means that you invited me to come on today. Absolutely. We'll do it again, you know, and we'll do it when you're on a big tour. That'll be really cool. Right. But don't worry. We don't get much hate here on the show. You're, you're not going to get destroyed. But one more question. Um, again, when I started the show, you know, one day I, I said this statement, I just want to wake up in a society where people are determined to chase their dreams, no matter how they feel emotionally at that time.
55:20Yeah. That's my definition. That's my definition of determination. What's yours? of determination of, that's a good question. My determination or my definition of determination is trusting the journey and just doing it, just doing it. You can sit around and sit and think about it forever, but until you just go out there and do it and it's going to be scary, it's going to be scary. You're going to put yourself out there for whatever it is you want to do, whatever it is you're pursuing, it's going to be scary. You're going to feel silly. You're going to feel, Oh my gosh. You know, if you're putting yourself out there with music for the first time, whatever, let's just say that, or a podcast, you're probably going to get three views.
56:05You're probably going to get five views. Keep doing it. Yeah. Keep going. Keep doing it. And it's, and it's hits the ego a little bit. It hits your pride. You're like, yeah, but I'm so good. Why, why is it? You know what I mean? Trust, trust the journey, trust yourself. You gotta Yeah, exactly. You got to earn it. You have to earn it. Because when you do earn it, when it's not handed to you, when you do earn it, it makes you a better person. It genuinely does. Truly does. I mean, think about, you know, people that have, like we were talking about, people that, you know, didn't have it easy or wasn't handed or it wasn't like this God gift and it just happened for them.
56:42They really had to work for it. Most of the time, those people are also the most humble, appreciative people. That's true. in their craft, whatever they're doing. That's so true. Because they knew what it was like. They knew what it was like to be in those positions. Yeah, it's true. And they did it. Then they're real people and they're down to earth and they're cool and killer like yourself. Thank you, Koi. Thank you so much. I'm so happy we did this. I'm so happy. That was an amazing determination definition, by the way. Oh, thank you. I feel like I spiraled a little bit. No, it's okay to pause.
57:16I'm like, I'm thinking. It's okay to pause and think. that's called authenticity. Yeah. See, we don't cut things out like that. I want the listeners to hear that. Oh, I like that. Yeah, we don't, we don't. Like we don't cut nothing. No, no, no, no, no. Nothing fabricated here, my friend. All right, guys. Thank you so much for listening. Please do me a favor. Go to at Koei Red on Instagram. Go to her website. Search her on Spotify and listen to her music. My personal favorite is church, but there's so many great ones. And like she said, she's writing some more stuff and recording some more stuff so check her out because i'm gonna tell you one thing one thing one day she'll be the biggest country female artist on this planet and you want to be along for the ride to watch her growth so go get it done and until next time stay determined
From the publisher
Most people talk about chasing their dreams—but very few have the determination and discipline to sacrifice everything when adversity strikes. In this episode, rising country artist Coey Red reveals the exact moment he chose commitment over comfort, and shares the three tactical strategies he used to transform obstacles into unstoppable momentum. Discover the mindset shifts that separate dreamers from doers.
Key Takeaways
- If you don’t go all in on yourself, nobody else will—determination has to come first
- Rejection is often protection that builds your mindset and direction
- You only truly fail when you quit—adversity is part of the process
- Success comes from action, not perfection—discipline beats hesitation
- Authenticity builds real connection and long-term success
- Trusting your journey requires mental toughness and belief
- The hardest seasons are where determination and growth are forged
*Socials*
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theshawnfrench
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/476624146831479?checkpoint_src=any
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5kS9tkLGQLcVyRgB3mDznw
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-society-with-shawn-french/id1555922064
YouTube-
Coey Redd - https://www.instagram.com/coeyredd/
The Determined Society is hosted by Shawn French — a show for people who refuse to quit. Every episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore the real stories behind resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of a life built on your own terms.
Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all others.. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and leave a review. It helps more than you know.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
