Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
Come on.
[00:00:15] Speaker B: This is Outside the Round with Matt.
[00:00:17] Speaker A: Burrill for Rage Rowdy podcast.
[00:00:20] Speaker B: What's going on, guys? Welcome back to Outside the Round with me, Matt Burrill. Today, a very special guest, a new friend of the family. His name's Bobby Stevenson. He wrestled on television as Damon Kemp and now he's doing the country music thing. He's from the great state of Minnesota and we're so happy to have him here. My brother. Good to meet you, dude. Thanks for coming out here, buddy.
[00:00:40] Speaker A: Excited to be here.
[00:00:41] Speaker B: So you're not living in Nashville fulltime yet, are you?
[00:00:44] Speaker A: No, I'm debating it. I don't know yet. I live in Orlando right now, so. When I was in the wwe, we were required to move down to Orlando. Oh. So I was living. I'm living down there almost going on four years now.
[00:00:56] Speaker B: No way.
[00:00:57] Speaker A: Wild been down there, it's been good.
But every time I come up here, Last time I was up here was in January.
Now all the vibes are pretty cool. You know, I was like, you get to meet a lot of cool people that are like, like minded and chasing the same dream that you're chasing. So I'm like, it's kind of tempting, you know.
[00:01:14] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:01:14] Speaker A: What.
[00:01:15] Speaker B: What was that? Was. Was this past January your first visit up here or had you been before.
[00:01:21] Speaker A: To write and do music?
Yes, but like, obviously I've been up here to like hang out and party and stuff like that. But like the January was the first time I was actually up here for like work work, like actually like chasing the dream. So that was pretty cool too. It was kind of like, with being new to it, it was like kind of intimidating in a way. Yeah, because like you're around guys that, you know, done this and that, and I'm like, yeah, I'm just, dude, starting out. But I was like, I was like, everyone's been there before. So it's just like just kind of like, you know, just. Just trust the process and just do it, you know, instead of being like timid or like, oh, this guy's this or this guy's that. And I'm like, screw that. Let's. Let's run it. Let's show. Let's show them what's up, like what I can do and stuff like that. So yeah, dude.
[00:02:00] Speaker B: So what inspired you to want to go the, the country music route and start writing songs? I'm sure you've been a fan of music your whole life, had an appreciation for it, but it takes like a switch to flip to be like all Right. This is what I want to do now.
[00:02:14] Speaker A: Well, I always enjoyed singing. Okay. I. My mom has some pictures when I was younger, you know, like, the little microphone that had, like, the little echo behind it.
[00:02:23] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, yeah.
[00:02:23] Speaker A: I had one of those when I was younger, and I always, like, blast onto that. My mom. My mom would always say, you were always singing. And like, in 2019, you know, I didn't know what I was doing. I was like, that little SoundCloud dude that, like, here's my SoundCloud song. And then I put the song out in 2019, and I was like, I didn't know nothing. Let me redo that one. So I eventually gonna redo it, but it was more so. So I lived in Indiana, and once I moved to Minnesota, I was on the University.
University of Minnesota wrestling team. So I was around on farm boys and stuff like that. So I was like. They were always playing country music. So like, when I really, like, dove into it, I had, like, moved to Minnesota in 2013.
My little Pandora playlist. Yeah. And then it was actually Florida Georgia Line that came on.
[00:03:09] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:11] Speaker A: Get your.
[00:03:12] Speaker B: Oh, dude.
[00:03:13] Speaker A: Oh, this kind of sounds good. And then one. One song led to another. One song led to another. I just kept diving in, diving in deeper and deeper and deeper. Deeper, deeper. Now I was like, oh, this is pretty cool. And then getting to go to the shows and then I seeing how, like, you know, how well they perform and how, like, they get the crowd into it, you know, the festivals, like, the activities that go on. I'm like, you know, this is it. This is it right here. Like, just like, with doing WWE too.
Like, being around the crowd, being front of the crowd and like, building that relationship with, like, the younger fans or even, like the older fans and like, seeing them, you know, like, they actually connect to the character. And I'm like, oh, this is kind of cool because, like, sometimes I'll be at the gym or the grocery store still and, like, people come, oh, it's Damon Kemp. I'm like, oh, okay. Like, I didn't know you guys paid attention to me. You know, I was.
[00:04:01] Speaker B: I was like, all the things too. NXT too. Yeah, Obviously still a high level.
[00:04:05] Speaker A: But yeah, I was like, oh, okay.
Like, no, give me. Take a picture. I'm like, dude, I'll tie your shoes if you want me to. Like, I don't care. Do whatever. Like, thanks for knowing who I am.
[00:04:14] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:15] Speaker A: But it was just like, that rewarding things like that. It's like, it's like, really cool. So, like, we're doing that country music and like being able to tell a story that can connect with someone and you know, hopefully hits home with them. And then that's like a big win for me too. Yeah.
[00:04:28] Speaker B: Dude. So how do. So growing up, you, you wrestled in, in high school. Three time state champion, which I'm from New York, so wrestling big up there in the northeast. Like I had a lot of buddies that wrestled in high school. Right. Went to Ryder University for college, so had a lot of buddies that were. That I used to work for the athletic department. So I was always around like the dual meets and stuff. And high school wrestling is an animal, bro. Especially in the state of Minnesota.
[00:04:57] Speaker A: We're different, dude. They're different. So like I started out in, in Indiana. So my freshman year I got fifth and then my sophomore year I got first and then like right. I won state and then right after I won state, we moved to Minnesota and then we were in Napa Valley High School. So we were the number two ranked team in the, in the country. So we were like smashing everyone. Like there's like no competition.
[00:05:19] Speaker B: And you had to like earn a spot on there too. Because when you go from school to school and you're going to a program that's got a rich history and a solid roster. What, what weight class were you wrestling at?
[00:05:30] Speaker A: So my, when I moved there, I was 182. So like I was already like a top ranked guy in the country before I even moved there. Yeah. So like a lot of them kind of knew what it was when I came in.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:40] Speaker A: Obviously you gotta like, you gotta flex muscle when you go in there. Like it's just, it's like you're playing football. You gotta show everyone your ain't like, I'm not a wimp, you know? Yeah. So it's like I went there and then we were like, dude, we were stagged. We had like, so we. I think that year we had like seven or five to seven state champs. Wow. We were like smashing. Then we won state as a team. I'm talking like when we won state as a team, the score was like 68:3. Wow. In like this in the state finals. So it was like we were, we were a powerhouse. We should have been number one, number one in the, in the country. But like the other school, they didn't want to duel us. They were like from I think PA or Jersey or something.
[00:06:17] Speaker B: Like we always like Blair Academy.
[00:06:18] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, it was Blair cast.
[00:06:19] Speaker B: It was Blair.
[00:06:20] Speaker A: Yeah, it was Blair Apple Valley. And then like Oak Park River Forest. And then we, like, wanted to duel them. Like, we offered to do it at, like, the Gophers, like, before. A Gopher duel.
[00:06:29] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:06:30] Speaker A: But, like, I guess it was something like, with recruiting. Like, you can't do that. And then we offered to meet halfway in Wisconsin, and they didn't want to do it because I think they knew we were going to smash them because, like, their lower weights were really good, but our upper weights, we were like Hammers. Just monsters Hammers. Like, everyone from, like, 52 to heavyweight was, like, a state champ. And we were. We were. We would have smashed him, but it was a good move. Like, we more so just did it for wrestling because, like, we were actually, like, taking wrestling real serious and then moving to Apple Valley. We were only 15 minutes from the Gopher Room.
[00:07:02] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:07:03] Speaker A: So in the off season, we were allowed to go to the Gopher Room and train with the college guys. And I was like, that was insane in its own thing, because there's a.
[00:07:11] Speaker B: Difference between high school and college wrestling. Like, it's a pretty wide game.
[00:07:15] Speaker A: It's. It's huge. Especially, like, with Division one. Like, people don't know, like, the. How big of a gap, like, high school to Division 1, and you're in the Big Ten. Yeah.
[00:07:23] Speaker B: Like, that's another level.
[00:07:25] Speaker A: Yeah. So you're going against guys in that room that are, like. Like. Are trying to, like, smash you. And, like, you're like. They know that you're the new guy coming in. So, like, all right, we gotta, like, smash this guy. So I was like, there's times I'll go to practice, I would not get a takedown. I would not get a takedown. Like, I would. I would. Like, we would damn near go to, like, this fighting because, like, I'm like. I'm not gonna let anyone punk me. But then this guy's, like, so, like. Like, a. Like, third at Nationals, and he's, like, taking me down whenever he wants, but I'm like, all right, we gotta do. I gotta do something.
[00:07:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:07:52] Speaker A: You know, so it was, like, real. It was like, amazing to be able to go in the go for room, like, and get to do stuff like that. Because, like, in. In Indiana, we were, like, an hour and a half away from, like, Purdue and, like, iu. But, like, the level of wrestling of Minnesota versus, like, them was like, yeah.
[00:08:08] Speaker B: Indiana is a basketball state.
[00:08:10] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Basketball. Yeah. So it was. It was. It was wild. Like, real thankful for those guys, too. Just, like, a lot of them paved the way for, like, the younger guys and Being able to, like, the coaches, too, like Luke Becker, Brandon. Brandon Egg. I'm great coaches. They're still there. You know, they always had us come up there, and they. A lot of high school kids, they do it too, you know, but they know what it is. Like, you go on the. You know, there's a few kids that went there, and they're like.
Like, they debate quitting because. Yeah. It's a different world, you know. See, they're in there. You're not, you know.
[00:08:39] Speaker B: Yeah. Talking about being. Being the new guy and kind of being the fresh meat for the. The older dogs that are in there.
[00:08:44] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:08:45] Speaker B: You transition from that. You obviously go wrestle at. Go wrestle for the gophers.
[00:08:50] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:08:50] Speaker B: And then you end up going. Doing this WWE thing.
[00:08:54] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:08:54] Speaker B: How does that go from. Are there a lot of, like, college and high school wrestlers in the. The wwe, or is there.
[00:09:01] Speaker A: There's a few of them. There's a few of them. I think there's the ones that wrestle at a high, Like, a high level in college. There's probably three of them.
[00:09:09] Speaker B: Three or four of them, because I know, like, back in the day, like, you had, like, your Kurt angles and, like, you had. You had your Lesnar's and, like, you had your guys.
Yep. You had your guys that came up.
[00:09:18] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:09:18] Speaker B: In the ranks of doing it that way. But what was the biggest transition for you of going from the Olympic style, like the. The classic style to the rock wrestling entertainment?
[00:09:31] Speaker A: I say the biggest adjustment was just opening up, like, amateur wrestling. We're trained to, like, show no emotion and, like, just be, like, a straight killer. Yeah.
[00:09:39] Speaker B: Just go in and get those points, man. Get that pin.
[00:09:42] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:09:42] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:43] Speaker A: So, like, when we transferred to wwe, it was like a whole different thing. It's like, I had to, like, be someone I was not, and I'm kind of like an introvert. Like, once you get to know me and stuff like that, you, like, I bring you around my house, like, we do all this and that. I'm like, all right, we're cool, you know, you know, we're boys. But, like, if I'm, like, walking into the room for the first time and, like, you know, people are watching you because you're new, and then, like, you're, like, trying to play this character that you're not. But, like, you know, you got to play it because, like, if you don't play it, you know, you're boring, and then you get fired. And then. So it was like, the biggest thing was just, like, opening up and, like, not caring what People thought of me because, like, that was another thing too, because it was just like, you know, if you, like.
I don't know how it was the same as, like, performing, like, if, like. I'm sure fans can see, like, when an artist is, like, not into it.
[00:10:27] Speaker B: Oh, dude. Country music, we sniff out the inauthentic.
[00:10:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:30] Speaker B: Quick.
[00:10:31] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:10:31] Speaker B: And that's something now with social media that you really see.
[00:10:34] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. So I'm like, I'm. Either people are going to see I'm not in it, or I'm going to say screw it. And I'm just going to, like, turn up and, like, do whatever I can. Because, like, like I said, country music, like, you see our artists out there, and they're, like, not into it. Like, you're not into it. But then if the guy is, like, completely over the top, like, throwing beer in the air, has a stomach out, and it's, like, going crazy, you're like.
[00:10:54] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, that's the dude, man. That's the dude.
[00:10:57] Speaker A: And that's always like. It's like that with wrestling, too. It's like, if you're, like, scared of what your peers think or scared with the audience, things they're gonna see, like, oh, this guy doesn't really want it. But then if you're like, you're coming in, you're being over the top, like, loudest guy in the room, and just being the character, they're like, oh, this is the guy, man. Let's put him on tv, like, real quick and stuff like that. So, like, the biggest thing was just, like, opening up and, like, not caring. And I. And, like, I transitioned to that really quick because I was like, well, I'm on TV every week, you know, I don't want to lose that spot. So I gotta do. I gotta do what the paper says. So I was just like. And I started to enjoy it, too. And, like, a lot of people started to see me as, like, the goofball when. When it came to, like, being on tv, but then, like, being off tv, they're like, dude, why don't you act like that? And I'm like, I'm getting paid to do that. It's like. And it's, like, fun for that moment, but, like, I turn it off when I walk out the doors, you know?
[00:11:40] Speaker B: Yeah. What? So I'm. I'm not a huge, like, wrestling guy. I know some of the history. I know that Jelly Roll is doing something with Logan Paul this week. Like, there's a lot of that going on and everything. But what was Your character of, like, your.
Your alias is Damon Kemp.
[00:11:56] Speaker A: Like, yeah.
[00:11:57] Speaker B: Was Damon Kemp a heel, A baby face? Did you flip it all or, like, how. How would you describe Damon Kemp, like, his storyline?
[00:12:04] Speaker A: So I started out as a baby face, and then we had, like, a huge storyline, like a. Like, one of the. I think. My opinion. I think it's one of the best storylines that went on during that time.
[00:12:15] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:12:16] Speaker A: That's my opinion.
[00:12:17] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:12:18] Speaker A: In nxt, because the reason why there's a crazy picture out there, when I did the turn, I hit the dude. I hit the dude with the chair shot and to, like, cause a bunch of, like, mayhem. So it was, like. So, like, they built it really good to, like, I was always, like, the new guy, like, coming into the group and, like, trying to earn my way when then I was slowly earning my way. But then I was constantly getting, like, crapped on by the group, too, in.
[00:12:44] Speaker B: A way, like, for being the nice guy.
[00:12:45] Speaker A: Yeah, being a nice guy and, like, trying to, like, help them win the tag titles and stuff like that.
So, like, when this. When the time came, they're like. It was like. It was like a. Like a TV special. It was like. I think it was called Worlds Collide when they had, like, the uk, like, the NXT uk, and then, like, NXT in America, they, like, collided and, like, did, like, a thing.
So, like, I didn't know. It was, like, people were, like, that intense, like, in tune with it because, like, it was a spot where they're like, hey, you know, this spot's gonna happen. This guy's gonna fire up to the crowd, and a guy from the other team's gonna run in. But Damon, hey, you're gonna spear this guy. And I was like, okay, cool. And then they're like, then you're gonna pick up this. Then you're gonna pick up the chair, and then you're gonna hit your teammate with the chair.
And then. And then, like, then they're like, you're gonna slide the rep back in. So, like, when I grab the chair, you know, it was, like, one of those moments, too, because, like, I always got a little bit more nervous for, like.
Because, like, if you mess up the small moments, it's like, trash. Yeah. And, like, I had. All I had to do was spear a guy, pick up a chair, hit the other guy before he hit his finisher. Now I was like, damn, like, this might be over.
So I picked up the chair, hit him, and I didn't know, like, that place was a real. Like, it was loud where was it? It was, it was nxt. So, like, we only had.
[00:14:04] Speaker B: Where do they. Do you guys do NXT in the same spot every week?
[00:14:07] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:14:08] Speaker B: Okay. Yeah, it was down in Orlando.
[00:14:09] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, same spot. And I hit the, hit the dude in the back of the back with a chair. Place went crazy. Like, there's a picture, like, you see people just like, like doing stuff like that. I was like, dang, you guys are actually paying attention. Like, that's, that's when like, it kind of like flipped for me too. Like how much people like love wrestling. Yeah. And like, even though I don't think they're paying attention, they're paying attention. And like, I looked, I still look back at that picture in that spot. That spot. I think that on like I had like over like 5 million views on it and I was like the most like longest viewed video for like a long time. Like, I, I think it's probably still up there. And I look back in the pictures and everyone's just like, in shock. And I'm like, oh, this is pretty cool. And then, so then I was heal. So, like, when it comes to like being Damon camp, I was more like the, like that real technical grappler, like the catch wrestling. And then I was part of the no quarter catch crew. So we had like another bunch of wrestlers in there too. So we were like more, more known as like the grappling group and like to, you know, put you in bunch.
[00:15:01] Speaker B: Of holds, which makes sense as given your, your, your background on the mat.
[00:15:05] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So it was fun. It was fun. So we was like all the grapplers and stuff. So.
[00:15:11] Speaker B: Yeah. Is it, is it something that you would go back to is say the country singer wrestler? That'd be kind of sick. You come out there with a cowboy hat, you just smash a guitar over somebody's head, bro, that'd be lit.
[00:15:24] Speaker A: I'd be down for it. Like, a lot of people ask me, like, hey, would you ever go back? Yeah, like, I don't. Like, it was. Even though things didn't work out how they, how I wanted them to work out because it was just like the contract expired and then they just didn't. They just chose a different route.
[00:15:37] Speaker B: Yeah, it's business.
[00:15:37] Speaker A: Yeah. I was like, can't be butt hurt about it. Like, in a way in like the back of my head, there was always this, like that, like, oh, it can happen to anyone. Like, literally can happen to anyone. So I was like, you know, if it happens, it happens. Obviously it's Gonna suck. But I was just like, you know, it is what it is. But then I'm like, I'm not gonna, like, cry about it. Like, I gotta move on with life. I can't, Like. Yeah. You know, just sit here and, like, be upset. And, like, a lot of people get into that too.
Like, a lot of people, like, get real upset and, like, they, like, lose themselves a little bit. I'm like, like, you're a special person. You know, if you're. If you were on NXTV or like WWE tv, like, you're special.
[00:16:11] Speaker B: That's a very small percentage of humans.
[00:16:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:14] Speaker B: That are able to do that, let alone get the opportunity.
[00:16:17] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm like, if you guys. If we're doing this, like, and you like a business. This isn't. Happens and, like, you're gone. Like, you're still special. Like, people still, like, even though you don't think they, like, look up to you or not, you know, you're still special. So, like, go chase another dream. Like, go do something else. Like, you already kind of got the upper hand. Like, already having a good fan base. So it's just like, you know, go chase it. Like, don't pout about it. It's like, keep it moving, you know?
[00:16:41] Speaker B: Yeah. Now, how did your. Your friends or your. Your buddies from the wrestling world react to when you pivot to doing this music thing and you go all in as Bobby Stevenson?
[00:16:50] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:16:50] Speaker B: Like, I got songs I want to write, I got buddies I want to collaborate with. I got music I want to put on spot.
All that stuff.
[00:16:58] Speaker A: They've been all real supportive. They've been all really. Especially my parents and my brother and stuff. They've been all real supportive. And things have been moving, like, pretty fast. Yeah. And it's like, faster than I can, like, kind of, like, wrap my head around it a little bit because, like. So, like, let me plug my song real quick. Like, last month in May, me and my boy Ethan Carl, we put a song out called Midwest Girls.
[00:17:18] Speaker B: Midwest Girls, baby. I was listening to that. I've been listening to it, getting ready for this, and it sounds like. It's funny you talk about FGL being the first thing on that Pandora when you've moved up to Minnesota.
[00:17:28] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:17:29] Speaker B: And it's like, it has that 2000s party. Like, it's just a vibe. It's something you're. You're hanging out at a field, you're tailgating, you're with your boys or with your girls or whatever. You're cranking up a song like that.
[00:17:40] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:17:41] Speaker B: So production wise, you did a great job on that.
[00:17:43] Speaker A: Appreciate it. Yeah, we worked real hard on it. And then we put that one out and then when that one came out, I was like, I did pretty good.
I like, no sense. We're like going crazy viral. Like, like, oh, we got billions of streams, but like, we're almost like 30, 000 streams. I was like, for the first one I actually put out, I was like, okay, you know, this is cool, you know, so like, let's keep the ball rolling. So like a bunch of little things happened after it too. So it's just like I had like bars reach out and like, hey man, you want to like come sing your song? And then like, we'll like pay you. And then we're like, you know, give you some bottles and stuff like that. I was like, you pay me to do one song and like pretty much party. I was like, okay. You know, and then, and then like I had like another festival reach out and they're like, hey, do you want to come on and do like a 30 minute set? And I was like, okay. You know, I was like. But I was like, I don't have a lot of music and I'm like, so new to it too. So it's just like, I got to like. It's one of those things too. It's like, if you don't do it, it's going to pass and someone else is going to do it and then they're, they're just going to take your spot and then you're just going to be the guy that was scared to do it.
[00:18:41] Speaker B: Just like your wrestling stuff.
[00:18:43] Speaker A: Yeah.
So I was like, I was like, hey, they're like, you got 30 minutes of music. And I was like, I lied. I was like, yeah, let's do it. You know, I'll figure it out. Like, I don't know what I'm doing. I'm like texting, like finding guitar people and stuff like that and writing more songs. So like, I just, I just got done writing another song yesterday because I was like, I gotta have more songs. I don't want to be the guy that's like doing like 25 minutes of covers and like one song of mine. And so like, it's just been moving fast. So I was like, all right, it's happening. Like, it's happening like slowly, but it's just like, okay, let's just trust the process and let's just see where it goes and let's put out good work. Let's be around Good people. Let's be a good person and just like, you know, whatever I can do to help someone or whatever someone can do to help me and, like, return the favor to, like, help the new guy out, you know, because, like, in, like, the wrestling world, too, you know, I was always. I was kind of like the quiet leader, you know, like when new guys came in, you know, like, yo, I'm Bobby. What's up? If you want to go hang out sometime, or if you need help with, like, the amateur wrestling stuff in. In your work to, like, help to move around the ring, I was always that guy to, like, help out, you know, so it's like when someone, like, country music, like, reaches out or, like, they want to, like, help me out, I'm like, okay, you know, I'm loyal. I'm loyal to this guy now. So it's just like, let's, you know, let's keep it going. But everyone's been real supportive about it. It's been fun, you know, like, my second show ever. We get to play in the White Sox field.
[00:20:02] Speaker B: Chicago.
[00:20:03] Speaker A: Yeah, the Chicago White Sox field. Mel's like, dude, what am I doing? I was like. I was excited, but I was also, like, nervous. Like, so nervous. Like, I don't know. I'm putting my ears in. I'm like, okay, you know, turn this down. Turn this up. All right, all right, we're there. But it's like, like I said, it's like, if I'm not going to do it, someone else is going to do it. And then it's just like, well, you had your chance. Now it's gone. So I'm like, screw it. Let's just run with it, man.
[00:20:24] Speaker B: Yeah. Talk about the discipline of working on the music stuff now, because obviously wrestling at the levels that you did it at require a lot of discipline. So how is. How is that discipline from what you've learned in your. In your past life, so to speak? And you're how old? You're what, like, 29?
[00:20:40] Speaker A: 29.
[00:20:41] Speaker B: So you're still a young guy. So it's like, how is that discipline crossing over into now, pursuing this musical dream?
[00:20:49] Speaker A: Well, that's like, one of those things, too. I gotta, like. I get into it more. Just like with amateur wrestling, you're practicing, like, every. Pretty much every day, four days a week, and you're lifting every day so. To get better.
[00:21:00] Speaker B: So amateur wrestling is which one?
[00:21:03] Speaker A: The real stuff?
Yeah. Like, high school, college. Yeah, high school, college Olympics. Yeah. So it's like.
I was like, okay, so if I'm practicing four or five times a week and lifting four or five times a week. I should probably, you know, transition to that into, like, writing songs, you know, two or three times, just play.
[00:21:20] Speaker B: Just picking on the guitar. Like, that's how these guys get so good. They sit there and play guitar all fucking day.
[00:21:25] Speaker A: Yeah, there was like. There's times now, like, if I'm writing with someone or if I'm not, like, I'll dedicate, like, an hour to, like, you know, writing a song or, like, figuring something out, obviously, if it goes longer than an hour, but it's just more so just like, all right, let's just. This is. This is what we got to wake up. We got to do this. You know, let's practice this. Let's practice this. Let's add some more lyrics here and just like, keep practicing, you know, just with just being new, just, like, I got to keep, like, going because, like, when I was getting these rooms, you know, when they get in the studio and stuff like that out here, terms, I don't know, like, I'm just being honest. Like, yeah, I'm an honest person. Like, I'm always, like, upfront and, like, I don't, like, pretend to be someone I'm not. So it's just like. And I'm in these rooms, and, like, producer would say something, like a term. I don't know. I'm like, I have no idea what you just said.
[00:22:08] Speaker B: What does that mean?
[00:22:09] Speaker A: What does that mean?
Like, like, whatever. I'm just like, can you explain that? You're like, oh, like, what would you, like, do this to do? I'm like, don't know what you're saying, bro. But I'm like, I'm here to work. But then it was just, like, more so. Just, like, just being a sponge. So, like, when I'm in these rights and stuff, like, obviously, I'll give my 2 cents and, like, get into it. Stuff like that. But we're in the studio and stuff, like. And just working and, like, working on songs. I might more so just kind of just being, like, the fly on the wall that's listening. Obviously, when it comes to a song, I'm like. I'm giving my input, but, like, when I'm hearing, like, these terms being thrown around, I'm like, all right, let's listen. So, like, I can, like, you know, soak it in, too. So, like, when I keep growing as an artist and then just hearing all this stuff, I'm like, okay, you know, this is how it goes. This is how it goes. This is how it goes. This is one of the melody sounds like now we're rocking, you know? So just being a sponge and like my dad. My dad would always say, keep your ears open and mouth shut. Like when I was wrestling. So I was like, okay, let's keep ears open, mouth shut when we're doing this.
So it's been good. Can I pop this?
[00:23:10] Speaker B: Yeah, go for it, buddy. That's a Surfside peach tea.
[00:23:14] Speaker A: Let's hit this.
[00:23:14] Speaker B: It's got. That's some good. That's some good stuff right there.
[00:23:19] Speaker A: That's real good.
[00:23:20] Speaker B: Yeah, there you go. We'll send you. We'll send you home with an eight pack of.
Man, what was the worst thing to get hit with in the ring?
[00:23:27] Speaker A: Chair.
[00:23:27] Speaker B: The chair.
[00:23:28] Speaker A: That sucked, bro.
[00:23:31] Speaker B: Cuz again, I've. I've been to some. Been to like some events and whatnot. And like, I've watched it on tv. I'm not like an avid fan by any means, but yeah, it looks like it's bro.
[00:23:42] Speaker A: Rough, dude. So I did a pay per view match, an ambulance match. So for those who don't know what that is, it's whoever can get thrown in the back of the ambulance first wins the match. And like, we got all these weapons and stuff and like, we're hitting each other's with like kendo sticks, chairs, the little crutches.
Yeah, the. You know, the crutch.
[00:24:01] Speaker B: You're just smacking somebody with a crutch.
[00:24:03] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:24:04] Speaker B: And then.
[00:24:06] Speaker A: And dude, it was like, like we really got into it. Like, part of me think we kind of got out of hand because, like, we were both competitive and then we were just like rocking dudes. Pay per view, we gotta go. So like the end of the match, they're like, yo, because like, like two weeks before I hit his brother with like a. With a chair shot like 20 times. And then.
And the match ended in like a disqualification.
And then so they wanted to end our match. I had. So they're actually brothers, so they wanted an R match with me getting hit with chair shots. Yeah, I was like, God damn.
And then so it was like, I was like, all right, how many chair shots? They're like 10, bro. You got to be kidding me, man. Bro, I'm not, I'm. I'm not exaggerating at all. Do. My back was going numb. Like, my butt was going numb because I was getting hit.
[00:24:59] Speaker B: So you were just laying down.
[00:25:00] Speaker A: I had to take it. I was just like, dude, I was like, I couldn't do nothing about it. We're like, in the pay per view, I can't, like, get up and just walk out. So I had to take 10 chair shots.
And like, I was like, I hated the crowd too, because, like, they're like six.
[00:25:16] Speaker B: Oh, they're in on the bit.
[00:25:17] Speaker A: Yeah, bro just hit me.
And then so, like, I hit with the chair ten times. My back was numb. Like, my. My, like, my shoulder blade, like, everything, like, shut down, cuz, like, I was getting hit so hard, so I couldn't move my arm. I literally couldn't move cuz, like, everything was just shutting down, like, from, like, how much trauma I was taking. And then so I. I took 10 chair shots and then I got, like, powerbombed onto, like, the. A gurney.
Got power bombed on in the gurney. And then they were like, hey, when you get power bombed on the gurney, let's like, show some fight. Like, you're still coming back up. So I get power bomb. Boom. That didn't hurt at all because the thing was like, like, crazy soft powerbomb. Boom. Like, hey, like, raise up. Like, you know, like the undertaker kind of raises up, like, hey, raise up. He threw the. He threw the chair at me. I caught the chair, got clotheslined. I was like, bro, when I tell you, like, I was in so much pain, like, he had to carry me back because, like, the arena was like, weirdly set up because, like, obviously ambulance is so big and the Raina wasn't that big, so we, like, we had to, like, go through the back, and it was probably like, a good 30 yards. He had to, like, carry me, like, through the back, like, to the back, and he threw me in the ambulance. And I swear, I. Dude, I swear that ambulance ride, like, it was like he had, like, go all the way up the street and turn around, and I was in pain. And, like, I felt like I was in the ambulance for, like, 30 minutes. I'm like, are you actually going to the hospital? Because I was like, yelling. I was like, yo, where are we going? He's like, I gotta turn around. I was like, bro, it's been like 10 minutes. It doesn't take that long to go up the street and turn around. And I'm like, yelling, I can't move my arm. But, dude, those chair shots, those were. Those were rough.
But, you know, there's also, like, a lot of ways to, like, work it too, you know, like, make it look like it's happening, but it's not. So it's like, like, you got the chair. Like, say if this is my body here. Yeah, Got the chair. Usually like hit the chair, like hit the head of the chair here on, on the, on the canvas. So it makes it look like it's hitting you, but it's not. But it still makes that loud.
[00:27:08] Speaker B: But. But this wasn't that.
[00:27:10] Speaker A: This wasn't that, bro. I'm not doing that again.
I'm not doing that again. That was a rough dude. Yeah.
[00:27:17] Speaker B: Where was that in your timeline of your, your career with that? Was that more or was that kind of in the middle or.
[00:27:24] Speaker A: That was like a year in.
[00:27:25] Speaker B: Oh, so that was like in the beginning.
[00:27:26] Speaker A: Yeah. So like wwe, they. Dude, that moved real quick too. So like, I was like another thing too. I was like, I'm in these, I'm in the ring with people that like, know what they're doing. I'm like, I'm new to it, new to this. So I was. I literally felt like I was driven out to the middle of the ocean and I just dropped like, sinker, swim your way back. And I, I swam.
So it was just like, I got there in August. My first TV match was in late August, so my first TV match was like early December. So I was only there for like a few months before I was on live tv. And then they had a show called like, it was called 205 Live. It was like the pre show, but it was. It would get air every, every Friday on my peacock. So I got on that and then live TV happened in like three or four months and then just like, gotta go. Then there's like a bunch of terms I did not know because, like, there was like, no one was really giving like the script on how to like learn it, you know, like, obviously the coaches are like doing amazing jobs like coaching us and stuff. But it was like all the details and stuff like that, like, you know, the receipts or, you know, time being cut, you know, or, you know, this is the break spot. But it's like I was like new. So I was like, the heck is this? But I kind of had like idea what it was. But it's like I was like, I was only doing like five or seven minute matches. And then I go into like doing like matches, like 13, 17 minutes. And then it's like, okay, let's, let's go. Yeah.
[00:28:51] Speaker B: Yes.
Or maybe not as much for you, because the endurance that you had built up at the collegiate and the high school levels.
[00:28:59] Speaker A: Yeah, I still, I'll still get pretty gas, but it's like a different, you know, like activity, like type of endurance, like you run to the ropes you jump on your leap and you're like doing this, you're flipping and all this other stuff. But then you gotta, like, keep going back on. Like, keep it going, you know, in the last five minutes, as you were going in the first five minutes. But it was like, there's like some matches. Like there's a house show and we had to go. It was like a last minute match. And like, we weren't even dressed for it. And then they're like, yeah, you guys got to go out there and wrestle. I was like, okay. You know, I didn't get to warm up at all. So, like, by the time I was done, I was like.
Because we just had to feel. We just had to go out there and fill time. We said, just go out and do it with, like, not knowing what the. You know, any ideas?
[00:29:42] Speaker B: Is there a script or anything?
[00:29:44] Speaker A: Yeah, it's all.
[00:29:45] Speaker B: Was there a script for that? That moment?
[00:29:47] Speaker A: Like, we had to make it up real quick. Oh, yeah. We had to make it up real quick. So I was like, whatever. But like, yeah, it's all. It's all predetermined. It's not a secret. It's like, yeah, it's this. The stunts are real. Like, oh, yeah. Like, people can. You can snap your neck at any second. So, like, all that stuff's real. But, like, yeah, it is predetermined. You get. You do have like a game plan when you go out there. It's like, I want to say, like, like, it's like scripted acrobatics. It's a scripted fight, but the stunts are real. And you can. You can die out there. Like, there was a dude like, three years ago, he got thrown like a belly to belly. He got thrown on his dome and broke his neck. Can't even wrestle right now. He could still walk, thankfully, but, like, you can't. You can't. Yeah. Can't wrestle. Like, it's real. Yeah, but it is. It's a scripted fight.
[00:30:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:30:33] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:30:34] Speaker B: That's wild.
[00:30:34] Speaker A: But it's fun.
[00:30:35] Speaker B: Yeah, dude. No. And that. Is that something you tried out for? Do they approach you or. How did that. How did that come to be? Because that's what led you to Florida and you're still down there.
[00:30:45] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So, like, I was in college, and then Monday Night Raw came to Minneapolis and then we got invited.
Just mutual friends.
Yeah. By the backstage. Got to meet Triple H. Real cool dude and stuff like that. And like Paul Heyman, you know, real good dude. He was kind of like the, the front runner for, for me and my brother to, like, get us in because, like, we were trying to get in during Coven. Because, like, we graduated. I graduated in December of, like, 20. 2019. And then, like, the next year was Coven. And, like, I couldn't. You couldn't. Obviously couldn't do it when you're still in school.
So, like, he was, like, being the front runner for me and, like. Like, you know, putting my name out there and stuff. But I had to wait because Coven. I was like, bro, like, what are we doing? And, like, yeah, we can't do anything because of COVID And then so we're just, like, mutual friends and stuff like that. And then eventually, it was like a funny story, too.
I was hunting, and I was in a. I was in a blind, and I was expecting a call from the guy that was running the performance center to, like, come on for my tryout.
And he calls me, of course, while I'm in the blind. I'm like, well, I can't ignore it. So I.
I pick up the phone, and he was like, hey, what's up? It's so and so. Like, we would love to have you come down and, like, try. Give you a try out and see what's up. Like, see what we look what you look like. I was like, okay, cool. And he's like, how long? We, like. He's like, we want. We want you to come down for two days. I was like, no, I want to come down for longer because, like, I want to, like, actually, like, let you guys see me, like. And, you know, yeah, two days ain't enough. Yeah, two days ain't enough. And there's. Oh, yeah, you come down this. This. I'm like, like, we're like, of loud and, like, loud and professional, like, talking stuff like that. And then I'm like. As I hang up my phone, I look up, and there's a dough, like, 20 yards from my blind. So she just looks at me, huffs at me, and then just takes off. And I was like, well, I'm done, but, like, I. I'm getting the job, so.
So that was a. A pretty funny story, how I got into it. It was, like, right after college, like, I just had to wait a few months. So I was like.
I was working as a corrections officer, so I worked in the prison, so I was. I gotta kill time. I was like, I gotta work. So I was like, let's go work in the prison. Because, like, I was kind of chasing the Secret Service because I always thought that was kind of cool. Like, you know, you see the movies.
[00:32:55] Speaker B: Like, you know, angel is Falling or Bodyguard or anything.
[00:32:58] Speaker A: Yeah. And I was like, this kind of cool. So then they're like, yeah, unfortunately you got to have like two years of job, full time job experience. So I was like, I wasn't able to work because I was a full time athlete. And then so like I was working in a prison like during Coven. So that was like a whole thing.
[00:33:13] Speaker B: Yeah, that does not.
Does not sound ideal.
[00:33:16] Speaker A: Yeah, it was not ideal, but it was, it was exciting. Something new every day. But I was like, I just gotta like, do something like covert. You gotta wear a mask. Like you're like walking around, can't breathe and stuff. And then we just, you know, got the job, moved down there and then, you know, rocked it out.
[00:33:32] Speaker B: Yeah. So your brother did it, did it too then.
[00:33:34] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
[00:33:34] Speaker B: Is he still active in the. In wrestling or did he end up doing it or.
[00:33:40] Speaker A: No, no, he did. He did it.
He was on the Raw brand that he moved to nxt, got some work in there and then it was just like, it was just a different wrong time. Yeah, that's the wrong time. Like, we're both, we're both young. I'm sure we would both go back if the call came.
[00:33:55] Speaker B: Is he down in Florida?
Oh, he went back home. Okay.
[00:33:59] Speaker A: He's chasing, like, doing some fights. He's got some stuff planned and whatnot. So we'll see what he does.
[00:34:05] Speaker B: Awesome. That's cool, man. Do you miss Minnesota this time of year? Yeah, this is like the primo time of year to be up there with the thousand lakes and everything. Like the upper Midwest. This time of year is just. And you're sweating your ass off in Florida and then today, sweating your ass off in Tennessee. We're at 100 degrees on the heat index today, bro.
[00:34:23] Speaker A: I miss it. I miss it. Like, dude, here's the thing.
If the snow didn't last that long, like, I'll. It's not even about the snow. Like, eventually I'm gonna move back because, like, we're just out exploring life right now. Like, I feel like everyone's got to go out there and just explore life.
[00:34:37] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:34:38] Speaker A: You know, just find who you are and explore.
So, like, think with Minnesota, it's like if it. The snow didn't last that long, it would be great because, like, some people don't know. Like, like how you talked about the summers are great.
[00:34:51] Speaker B: Oh, the best.
[00:34:51] Speaker A: Dude. It's like a. Vibes are like insane. Like, people are always talking about, oh, it's always so cold. I'm like, no, once you go, why don't you go up there during this time. This time and this time and go to the state fair and feel that vibe and go on the lake. And I'm like, bro, I feel like, yeah, yeah. It's like, I don't know, I just missed it. I just missed that. And I kind of like, you know, I just feel it, you know, that's like, the vibes are, like, so good. Like, you got all your boys on the boat, you know, everyone's like, it's not. Not a care in the world. And everyone's just hanging out now. You don't have to worry about alligators. Yeah. Or sharks and stuff. Jumping. Yeah. But like, the snow, dude. I'm like, if the snow didn't last that long because, like, the snow will, like, be sometimes in, like, October and it'll go all the way to, like, April.
I'm like. And there's no spring. It's just like late April would be like, it's still cold. And then all of a sudden the snow melts and then it's, like, muddy everywhere. Then like the next week. Oh, yeah, let's throw an 85 degree day on them. And then like, there's a start of your summer or something like that.
[00:35:52] Speaker B: Yeah, man, it sounds like a countryside.
[00:35:54] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:35:54] Speaker B: Living up there. Honestly, like, you're up there in the. In the woods now. Where in Minnesota were you? Were you living at, like, how far were you from, like, Minnesota or, like, Minneapolis or. Like.
[00:36:03] Speaker A: I lived in Minneapolis.
[00:36:04] Speaker B: Oh, you were in Minneapolis.
[00:36:05] Speaker A: Yeah. So I was only like 10 minutes from the school. So, like, we were. All right. Mopeds, like that. Mopeds.
[00:36:11] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:12] Speaker A: So we all just had mopeds. And we did. We would ride those mopeds like, you know, during rainstorms, snowstorms, and we were just like, put a helmet on and go. That's how he got the class.
[00:36:22] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:22] Speaker A: But no, I miss. I miss Minnesota. So I don't know. Eventually I like to go back and. Because, like, all my family's there and stuff. So.
[00:36:30] Speaker B: Yeah, I was there in 2022 or would have been, or might have been 2023.
We did. I was out with a guy named Trey Lewis, and we were on tour with Kid Rock.
[00:36:42] Speaker A: And we did.
[00:36:43] Speaker B: We did a show at the. At the arena up there.
[00:36:45] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:36:45] Speaker B: And I did an after party at a bar called Wild Greg's.
[00:36:48] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:36:48] Speaker B: Yeah. You've been the Wild Gregs. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know. Know Greg very well.
[00:36:53] Speaker A: He.
[00:36:53] Speaker B: Yeah, he loves to argue with city officials and the states where all of his bars are at. Shout out to Wild Greg.
But yeah, we went to a Twins game that day too, which was cool. I'm a big Yankees fan, so it was fun to boo Carlos Correa a little bit. But, but, but yeah, grow being being up there. So you were up there for your high school years and on?
[00:37:14] Speaker A: Yeah, I was there from 2013 until 2121.
[00:37:19] Speaker B: I've just been in Florida ever since.
[00:37:21] Speaker A: Yeah, I like it, but it's just, there's like, there's a lot of things to do beach and you know, like, the living back down there is like real laid back. So like, you guys, like, no one's in. Seems like no one's really in a rush, you know, like, everyone sucks at driving too, but it was just like, oh, dude. Yeah.
[00:37:38] Speaker B: Florida driving is so chaotic.
[00:37:40] Speaker A: It's like i4. Then there's this exit called 10A to get to go. Like I drive. I swear, bro, it's like everyone just like this turns dumb. I'm like, dude, can we just read the signs? Yeah, it's like every time I go there, it's like I. Oh. I like almost always get in an accident because someone just doesn't know what they're doing. But there's always something to do. Especially like going to those beach towns like Tampa or like Jacksonville. You know, the way of living is just different. It's like slowed down. Everyone's just like on their beach vibes and just really just just kicking it, you know. Like, I do enjoy it, but like I do miss the Midwest too, because I enjoy hunting. You know, they're in the deer in Florida. They're like little dogs. Yeah. And stuff. But like.
[00:38:21] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:21] Speaker A: And then, but like I, I, I plan on like hog hunting either next month. I like, I really enjoyed that. So that's, that's kind of like got my, got my motor going like with doing some hog hunting because I was like, I went to Crowell, Texas in like 2018 and killed some pigs and I was like, oh, that's pretty fun.
[00:38:42] Speaker B: Was that one of the ones where you're up in the helicopter or no? No, I wish helicopter technique.
[00:38:49] Speaker A: But we have, we have four wheelers and we were just ripping it up and it's like we didn't know what we were doing, but we were just like throwing out feed and then just seeking destroyed. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then like it was like one day, it was like 10am and I was sitting on the bluff. It was like beautiful.
A bluff Nice little stream going through. And all of a sudden, I see, like, vultures in the sky. And I'm like, okay. Like, something must be dead. And then all of a sudden, like, 30 pigs just come running out. And I'm like, oh, crap. And I'm like, I'm on a bluff, so I'm, like, shooting down.
[00:39:16] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:16] Speaker A: So, like, I knew they were gonna get water, so I was like, the streamers right there. So, like, all right, they're gonna get. They're gonna get something to drink. But, like, me, like, I was excited, so I wasn't, like, really scouting out who was the biggest one. I was like, all right, whatever comes out and that drinks right here, I'm smoking it. So, like, a little. A little. It was like a little piglet came out. It was about, like, this big, you know, it came out. Boom. Smoked it. And then I saw another one. It was. It was probably, like, around 150 yards. Not exaggeration. I had a little bolt action going, and I smoked it. Boom. Racked it. And then all. All of them started scattering. I was like, oh, crap. So I, like. I see the sow. I'm, like, following, following, following. Boom. I didn't know if I hit her or not.
[00:39:58] Speaker B: That was her big.
[00:39:59] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, she was big. And then she was taking off. She was. She was running. I was like, I don't know if I killed her. So I went down. We, like, went down there. We had to walk all the way down the bluff. Found that one. And then we, like, went walk. I was like. I swear I hit her. Like, my. My sights are on her. I don't know if, like, did any damage, but, like, I know I hit her. Yeah. And then we're just looking around, and we found her turned, like, shot her, like, right in the, like, the butt area. But, like, when we cut her open, I guess I had, like, an artery. And so we cut her open. She was already, like, bled out. Oh, wow. But, like, the crazy thing about Texas, too, it was just like, when we, like, as we were, like, you know, fixing her up, like, she was already, like, bloated, like, how hot it was. So as we, like, went to go fix her up and cut her open, it was like, geez, that was. That was quick.
[00:40:45] Speaker B: Like, deflating an air mattress.
[00:40:46] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. Deflating air mattress. And I was like, that's crazy. Texas. And I was like, whatever. But it was fun. But the Midwest, man, It's just. It was a different vibe, man. I miss it. It's fun. It's like, being so Close to the Vikings stadium. I'm a big sports fan, so.
[00:41:01] Speaker B: Yeah. So big. So big Vikings.
[00:41:03] Speaker A: Yeah, Big Vikings. I love the twins. Yeah. You know, and then I love going to hockey, and, like, everything was, like, 15 minutes away.
[00:41:10] Speaker B: Do you miss the Dome, or were you there after.
[00:41:12] Speaker A: I was there after the dome. Yeah. I never got to go in the dome. I think, like, a. I think. Right. Literally first moved there. I think it's. That's. I can't remember when it collapsed. I remember hearing about the. The dumb class.
[00:41:23] Speaker B: It was like, around 12 or 13, I think.
[00:41:25] Speaker A: Okay. Definitely.
[00:41:26] Speaker B: It was before. Or was before you were. Or.
[00:41:29] Speaker A: Yeah, that was, like, way before then. I was thinking of something else because, like, there was, like, a crazy storm that knocked down, like, a dome and, like.
[00:41:37] Speaker B: Yeah, the snow, like.
[00:41:38] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, dude, the Viking State. That stain is. That stadium's insane.
[00:41:42] Speaker B: It's literally a giant Viking ship on the outside. It's beautiful. I haven't had the chance to go, but it's on the bucket list.
[00:41:48] Speaker A: Oh, dude, it's insane. Like, the twin stadium is real nice. I really enjoy that one. The hockey is real fun and just, like, just being, like, close to everything, too. It's just like, you can't beat it, you know? Yeah.
[00:41:57] Speaker B: That's what you'd have if you came up here, bro.
[00:41:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:41:59] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:42:00] Speaker A: Right. Are you guys in the baseball team?
[00:42:02] Speaker B: I think so.
[00:42:03] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:42:03] Speaker B: I think so. My loyalty is always going to be the Yankees. But like I said. But it would be. It would be cool. I mean, like, they taught. They've talked about, like, you can't take the Grizzlies out of Memphis. That's, like, all they got. But they were talking, like, because we already have an NBA team with them.
[00:42:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:42:17] Speaker B: So it's like the one missing piece is. Is the baseball, you know?
[00:42:20] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:42:21] Speaker B: I heard they've talked about the Nashville Stars.
[00:42:23] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:42:23] Speaker B: Reboot. Bringing it back to the Negro League days. It should be really cool on a historical level. And there's a lot of big powers that be that are involved and trying to get a team here. And the MLB is talking about expansion.
[00:42:34] Speaker A: Didn't it say the White Sox?
[00:42:35] Speaker B: I mean, if there's going to be a team that's going to move and is in a very low point right now, it would be them, because they. Because the A's are probably gonna either stay in Sacramento or go down to Vegas. That's what they've been talking.
[00:42:47] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. I think the Vegas next year or something like that. Yeah.
[00:42:50] Speaker B: That's what they're Planning. They still haven't built the stadium though, so they might be stuck in Sacramento for a while.
[00:42:54] Speaker A: Who knows? They're all minor leagues, all messed up.
[00:42:56] Speaker B: Yeah, dude. In a minor league stadium that holds like, it's like the size of the sound stadium that we have here. Dude, we have here.
[00:43:03] Speaker A: So.
[00:43:03] Speaker B: So how long are you up here on this trip?
[00:43:05] Speaker A: I leave tonight. Okay. But I. I plan on coming back here real soon.
[00:43:08] Speaker B: Yeah. Where have you gotten to play gigs at and stuff so far? You were talking about getting to do, getting a pop up at some bars and getting it up by a festival and everything.
[00:43:15] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So popular bar in Orlando called Bullet Bar. A pretty good spot. And I had St. Pete Country Fest. They reached out to me and I was like, let's do it. You know, I'm excited, but also like, I was nervous too, but I just want to do so good. St. Pete Country Fest, they reached out.
There's a lot more things in the works, like collaborations and stuff like that, but it's just like more so just having to put more music out so people can see. Because like I'm saying, you know how it goes. Like, you know people that are like celebrities or whatever that, oh, let's do country, let's do, let's do a song and they'll like drop one song and they'll like be done.
[00:43:50] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:50] Speaker A: So like, I know I gotta like prove myself. Like this isn't just like something I was doing for fun, you know, out of on a limb. But so like probably, probably come back in maybe like a September.
[00:44:03] Speaker B: Okay, cool. When you come, when you come back. We got each other's info. We do a ton of events in town. I'd love to have you on one of the, one of our writers rounds or something.
[00:44:12] Speaker A: Let me know, I'll pull up. Well, I'm only like 10 hours away and like an hour flight, so. Yeah, but this is like being, being here too. It's like, I do like the vibe. I do like the vibe.
[00:44:20] Speaker B: It motivates you, dude. Yeah, it's a, It's a town where people are grinding.
[00:44:25] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:44:25] Speaker B: Whether it's on the music side or it's on the health care side or it's on. It's all the bartenders and the bouncers downtown, you know, like everybody is hustling, man. There's a reason so many of us move here.
[00:44:36] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. Like last night.
Yeah.
[00:44:38] Speaker B: Where were you last night? You said you had a late night last night.
[00:44:41] Speaker A: We were at one of. My buddy, Josh Barker, he.
He just dropped Some music last night. And then he, like, we met through an artist, like, two years ago.
[00:44:51] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:44:52] Speaker A: And, like, was backstage stuff. Just chopping it up real good, dude. And then I was like, hey, man, would you. Like, this is, like, last week. I was like, hey, man, would you be down to, like, right with me? He's like, yeah, bro, of course. You know, like, just, like, the first time, like, Rex was like, like, talking, talking. Like, we follow each other on Instagram and stuff, like, to, like, that. And then he's real nice, real genuine dude. And then so, like, two days ago, he was like, hey, man, you know, I'm doing, like, release party at my house. Like, I'd love to have you come. And I was like, okay. You know, I was like, cool. You know, it was, like, real cool how, like, someone, like, hasn't met me in person yet, but they were, like, so down to, like, have me come to their house.
[00:45:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:45:28] Speaker A: And I can bring me around their circle and stuff. So you. I. I really appreciate him doing that. Real genuine dude. And then. So we. He dropped some music last night, and then we were just, like, staying up because, like, I never.
The one of my buddies I came with, he's actually producing my song.
He was there, and then he was like, hey, man, I'm gonna leave. And I was like, well, I probably wouldn't, like, get many opportunities like this to, like, be around this many talented people and, like, connect like this. And, like, everyone. We were just like. He had the studio in his house. Josh did. And, you know, I like music. So I was just, like, on the thing, you know, put music in turn, had the speakers all the way up. It was like three in the morning. We're just, like, blasting. Just, like, hanging out and stuff. And then everyone was just, like, sending, like, unreleased music. We're just, like, listening to it and stuff.
[00:46:10] Speaker B: Best man. So I was like.
[00:46:12] Speaker A: I was like, this is. This is real. When everyone's just, like, motivated. Everyone wants to help everyone change numbers. Like, hey, let's get on. This is. Do this, do that. So I was like, yeah, I got to stay. So we're just like. Everyone's playing unreleased music. We're all hyping each other up and just, like, having a good time.
[00:46:23] Speaker B: That is something you can't get.
[00:46:25] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:25] Speaker B: In many places, but you can get in large quantities here in Nashville. Yeah, that was what Covid was for me.
[00:46:31] Speaker A: Like, a bunch of writing, hanging out, bro.
[00:46:33] Speaker B: Yeah. Because I'm not. I'm not a singer. I'm not a songwriter. I'm not an artist I don't do. Not a musician. I'm not a producer. None of that. I just like listening and talking about it.
[00:46:41] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:41] Speaker B: Yeah, but that's, like, how all the Dick down in Dallas stuff with Trey started, man. That's literally how it happened, man. Three of our buddies wrote a song. They didn't want to put it out. Trey was like, it. I'll put it out.
[00:46:50] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:51] Speaker B: We used to sit around the campfire at. When Trey was living with Ella, Ella Langley, and, like, all them, we would just go and hang out, like, covet. It was just sit around the fire, pass around some smoke, have a cigar, drink a beer, and. And everybody just playing the songs that they wrote that week around the campfire. Like, it's so organic and so freaking special, man.
[00:47:10] Speaker A: Yeah, it was real cool because, like, everyone, you know, it didn't feel like anyone was, like, trying to, like, judge anyone who's trying to, like, step onto who to get this. It was just more so, hey, let's just, like, we're all vibe, and this is some support. And I was like, this is pretty cool.
[00:47:24] Speaker B: That's the. That's the Nashville community, bro.
[00:47:26] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:47:26] Speaker B: Yeah, that's. Yeah, that's more productive. And I love. Obviously, Midtown is a huge part of what we do. We do our events over at Riley Green's Duck Blind and used to be out at Live Oak on the Bumberdine Hill. So I'm a big Midtown guy. But there's something special about those house hangs.
[00:47:42] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:47:42] Speaker B: Or you're with other creators. I mean, like, oh, look at. Look at this demo. I don't know if I'm gonna put it out or not. Look at this one I just heard. Oh, look at. Look at this song. My buddy has that. I'm gonna show you that I'm one of the people that has. Yeah, that demo. Jail, like, sharing is just so special. And now when you come back up, you got other homies you could possibly write with.
[00:48:00] Speaker A: Yeah. So I was like, I'm really thinking.
And it was, like, weird, too, because I was like. I asked my guy.
His name's Alex Keel. He's a producer down here and songwriter.
I was like, do people normally do stuff like this? Like, invite people to their house or, like, you know, for, like, song releases or album. Album releases. He's like, yeah, man. It's real common. I was like, okay. You know, I didn't. I didn't know, like, how it went. I didn't know that that was a thing. And then, like, we pulled up to the Guy's spot, you know, it was like. I felt, like, weird a little bit. It's like I almost feel like I was in high school going, like, to the house party.
[00:48:30] Speaker B: You know, it has that feeling where it's like an extension of college with, like, the house parties.
[00:48:35] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. But then we got there. It. It was. It was vibe. It was real. It was a real good time.
[00:48:39] Speaker B: And you get to be there to support your boy who's dropping a song. And it's such an exciting. It's seeing a whole crew celebrate one member of their. Of their friend group or their family put out a song, and everybody's just as excited as that guy or girl is that's dropping the song.
[00:48:57] Speaker A: It was. It was like, real cool, too, to see everyone support. Because, like, I don't know, it's like. I don't know if you, like, went through things like that where it's like, you.
I would say it's like, it shouldn't be that hard to support your boys. Oh. You know, because, like, obviously everyone gets excited. Oh, are you doing music? Are you doing this? Or you're in wwe? Are you doing this? Like, I gotta come out to show I gotta do this. I gotta, like. And then, like, you, like, put a song out and then, like, the people that were, like, hyping you up before, then, they, like, don't want to share it or, like, give a little save or do this or do that.
And so, like, like, slowly starting to see. It's like, dang. I was like, I didn't know it was like, that hard to get the boys, like, some of the boys or like, some extended friends to, like, support or, like, get a listener. Check me out. Yeah. You know, so. But it's, like, funny too, because I always, like, joke about it. It was like, people do that, but then when stuff really hits, then they're like, oh, yeah, man, this is my boy. Like, we're coming to the show. Like, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. You send them the ticket. Master Link.
I'm like, well, all you had to do was like, you know, help. Help the new guy out and like, just like, you know, just help the boys out.
[00:50:00] Speaker B: Yeah, that's something.
[00:50:01] Speaker A: I do it.
[00:50:01] Speaker B: That's something we pride ourselves on with. With Razor Audi is like, if I got a buddy that's playing a show in town and it's a 10 or 15 ticket, I won't ask to be on a guest list. I'll buy. I'll buy the ticket and support my homie.
[00:50:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:50:14] Speaker B: You know, now if it's like a sold out show and they're playing the arena. I'll try to claw my way in there, but if it's like you got. There's something special about being there for the ground level.
[00:50:23] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
[00:50:23] Speaker B: You know, and there's something. And it makes you feel good as an artist to have your. Have that support. And that's, that's the biggest thing that I would say about you. Come to Nashville, you're going to, you're going to find your people and you're going to have those people in your corner. And a high tide really does raise all ships, you know, so that's, that's what it's all about.
[00:50:41] Speaker A: Yeah. So it was, it was real cool being here. So it's like, you know, it's a thought, you know, but I don't know what's going to happen. We'll just see how these next few releases go and then keep running it from there. But like, the support down here is crazy. And then the vibes and it's real cool. So. Especially like when like Morgan Wallen keeps dropping these songs about Tennessee, I'm like, cool vibes, you know, so.
[00:51:05] Speaker B: Yeah, dude, it's. It's a special, It's a special place. Do you have any spots that you like to frequent when you're, when you're up here?
[00:51:13] Speaker A: I just like seeing like the Celebrities bars.
[00:51:15] Speaker B: Okay, so you like going to the Broadway bars?
[00:51:17] Speaker A: Yeah, let's go to the. Go to the bars.
[00:51:18] Speaker B: And favorite. You have a favorite one yet?
[00:51:21] Speaker A: Post Malone's bar was pretty cool.
[00:51:23] Speaker B: I haven't been in there yet. When I first moved there, I was a bouncer at Dirk's Bentley's bar. My first year in town, I helped work the door, so it was like, I still have that ptsd.
So I don't get down the Broadway a ton, but I've heard posties that used to be Tequila Cowboys, boy.
[00:51:41] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:51:42] Speaker B: Because that's underneath Aldean's, right?
[00:51:44] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that was real cool. They got like a whole like old truck like above the bar just sitting there. I was like, it's pretty cool. But yeah, just like I don't have like a really specific spot, but it's just more so just like going to see like my favorite artist's spot, you know, and then like, I know the support, you know, just like, let's go see it. You know, like they don't know I'm going there, but it's just like, I.
[00:52:05] Speaker B: Like to see it and like, what's the Wildest thing. You've seen Umbrella Broadway so far in your future?
[00:52:09] Speaker A: I don't think I've stayed out late enough to see anything that well. Okay, so I'll just bounce out. But like, I've heard because like a lot of, A few of the locals I've talked to and they're like, yeah, we stay away from Broadway.
[00:52:18] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't go.
[00:52:19] Speaker A: I was like, yeah, why? So what's your take on not going there? It's just like. Because like, you know, you see different things on like Tick Tock and stuff like that. Or just like. Yeah, we. If weird things are happening.
[00:52:29] Speaker B: It's just there's so many bars in this town that we've got like over two or 300 bars, like in the sick in the Nashville, like metro area.
[00:52:37] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:52:37] Speaker B: So it's like in Midtown's where a lot of the original music happens. So I stick over there because we do the events and everything.
[00:52:43] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:52:43] Speaker B: And it's like now if you're, if you're a single dude and you're looking to get somebody, you're a single lady on a bachelorette party. You're looking to get some and you wanna, you wanna, you wanna go on a bender, Broadway's the spot for you.
[00:52:55] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:52:55] Speaker B: Now if you wanna go somewhere where it's a little bit like quieter, like, East Nashville is really cool. There's some great spots over there. Midtown's awesome. Like Tin Roof, Live Oak, Obvious, there's Duck Blind. Have you been to Red Door yet?
[00:53:07] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've been there. That's. I heard that's, that's like the spot.
[00:53:10] Speaker B: That is like the late night watering hole. And I always joke around, like when my friends come down, they're like, where do we see somebody famous introduce us to so and so. Like, honestly, your best chance to see them would probably be hanging out at Red Door where there's no music and everybody's just chilling and that's a good spot. Yeah. Red Door is where I've made a lot of my like, networking connections and met a lot of my people.
[00:53:30] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
That's cool. Well, I don't know. So I like, the more I come down here, the more I explore. But it's like it was crazy too because we went down Broadway yesterday and I was like, every room had a band playing.
[00:53:42] Speaker B: Oh yeah, dude.
[00:53:42] Speaker A: I was like, it's non stop. It's wild.
[00:53:44] Speaker B: Non stop, bro. Whiskey Row, when I was there, was the first band would start at like 9:30 or 10:00am and they'd be open till 2:30 in the morning. So you're rotating shifts and those bands play for four hours.
No, not very many breaks. Very, very few breaks. A lot of them will just roll. And then some of the musicians that are in those bands will go from playing at one bar with one artist and then go down the street to another bar and they'll pull a double or a triple shift on like a Saturday or Friday or something.
You know, there's good money in there.
[00:54:15] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:54:15] Speaker B: There's good money in the. In the guys and girls that play the car.
[00:54:18] Speaker A: Yeah, it's like we were just walking around, dude, though, to get to the rooftop in Post Malone's bar, bro, I felt like I was climbing Mount Everest.
I was like, where's the elevator? Because we had to go so high up. But it was like every room had music, had music, artists, artists, this. That. I was like. I was like, dude, this is crazy. But it's like, also reminds you too, just like, how many people are chasing that dream too, to, like, try to make it. And so it's like, kind of motivating to see people out there doing their thing and. Oh, yeah, just like, chasing it and just doing what they can to, like, get up there.
[00:54:47] Speaker B: Yeah, dude. That's been the culture of this place forever, man. And so looking at the new music. So we've got Midwest girls out there right now. When are we looking at new stuff dropping? What's kind of the plan now? We're about halfway through the year, so.
[00:55:00] Speaker A: I definitely put out.
So we're putting out one.
I don't have an exact date, so it'll probably be in early September. Okay. Like first or second week of September. And then I want to follow it right back up. So I probably will come back here, down here in, like, late August or early September. Yeah, just like, keep it going because I gotta. I feel like I just got to keep building the resume. Yeah. And then I think it'll be pretty solid by the end of the year to have, like, maybe, like.
Just gotta plan it with, like, the timing too. I don't know, four songs out, five songs, just playing it right. And it's like, yeah, keep putting them out there. If I keep. If I keep getting a good response back, you know, I'll just keep putting them out there. But I also want to, like, follow, like, the right way. How to, like, put it in, like, into the distribution, like, way.
[00:55:48] Speaker B: Marketing.
[00:55:48] Speaker A: Marketing it, Letting it sit and stuff like that.
But I feel like a lot of things are gonna start rolling on, like, 2027. Yeah. You know, so I just want to make sure. I'm like, got my. Got my stuff together. So when the time comes, I'm like, all right. Yeah, I got seven songs out. You know, Here you go. You know. All right, let's. I can play. I can give you, you know, 30 minutes, 40 minutes. Let's rock. Yeah.
[00:56:10] Speaker B: Dude, you never. You never. You never know what song is going to hit. Like, you. There's nothing wrong with throwing singles out there and just throwing darts and seeing what gets closest to the bullseye.
[00:56:20] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we got one coming out late, early September. Like I said, be on the lookout for that one now. Make sure I do all the fun tik toks and stuff.
[00:56:29] Speaker B: You should incorporate the wrestling into it. Like, put the audio and, like, throw a buddy through a table or something stupid.
[00:56:36] Speaker A: No, I got. I got. I got a lot of things. Plans when it comes to, like, that's.
[00:56:39] Speaker B: What I'm saying, man. Like. Like, use it. Like, use part of what makes you you. What separates Bobby Stevenson from everyone else is Bobby Stevenson is Damon Kemp.
[00:56:47] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:56:48] Speaker B: You know, like, incorporate that. Incorporate that stuff in there, man. I think it'd be sick.
[00:56:53] Speaker A: No, I am so. A lot of things rolling. So we're gonna make it happen.
[00:56:56] Speaker B: Hell yeah.
[00:56:57] Speaker A: Make it happen.
[00:56:57] Speaker B: Dude, I appreciate you coming on here and hanging out and everybody can find you at Bobby Stevenson.
[00:57:03] Speaker A: Y. Right, Twitter, Facebook.
[00:57:06] Speaker B: Do you tweet a lot?
[00:57:07] Speaker A: Not as much anymore.
[00:57:09] Speaker B: Did you tweet a lot as a wrestler? Is that like.
[00:57:11] Speaker A: Yeah, I did. Yeah, I did. I tweeted a lot.
[00:57:13] Speaker B: But now, like, like the, like the beefs with, like, the character and stuff like that.
[00:57:16] Speaker A: Yeah, we do the talking down there. When I was like, with Twitter too, like, I try to find things to tweet about and like, stuff like that, but it's just like, what am I gonna tweet about? Well, like, I'll treat about, like, obviously they market myself and stuff like that, but it's just like, like, you know, like when you're younger, you're like, you tweet about random stuff. Like all lunch. School lunch was trash tweet.
[00:57:33] Speaker B: You're yick yakking and.
[00:57:35] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, like, with Twitter, like, I'm. I'm still on there and doing my thing, but, like, just follow. Find me on, like, Tick Tock.
Instagram.
Yeah, Instagram. That's my. That's like my main bigger stage. But yeah, just follow me and, you know, stay connected and stay with me from the ground up to the top.
[00:57:53] Speaker B: The ground up to the top. Absolutely. I'm gonna have to find that video of the. The wild chair stuff.
[00:57:59] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, it's on YouTube.
Watch me get tortured.
[00:58:03] Speaker B: That's awesome. Well, I'll be sure to look up our man, Bobby Stevenson. Shout out to our friends from Surf Simon to send you home with an eight pack of that. You can enjoy that before the flight home tonight.
Also got a bunch of hats there. You can go through, pick some stuff out. But y' all be sure to go check out Midwest girls and be on the lookout for the new music coming soon. The boy has got it going on. For more on us, visit rad.com from my man, Bobby. I'm Matt. For real, this has been outside the.
[00:58:27] Speaker A: Round I ain't never been the kind for staying one place for too long I ain't never been the best at sin I love you to a girl I love Only got a couple tricks up my sleeve they usually just make them leave so if you know me, if you really know me you know I'm just a two trick pony, baby the drink and the lack of money for show I'm just a two trick on it yeah.
