A Favorite Chat with Kelsea Ballerini

As Hardy gets ready to release his new album COUNTRY! COUNTRY! we're looking back on a chat we had when he first started to rock out! Original Airdate: January 2023Follow the hosts on Instagram:Amber Anderson - @HeyItsAmberAKelly Sutton - @TheKellySutton See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zach Top celebrates the release of his second album Ain't In It For My Health, by making his first visit to Country Heat Weekly! From his early dreams and ambitions to headlining his own tour, Zach takes us into the creation of the project, including which songs are based on real life and which ones are poetic license. Plus he shares what he has learned from touring with Dierks Bentley and the Hot Country Knights!Kelly Sutton is back this week and brought all the scoop from her time on the set of an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie set right here in Nashville!Follow the hosts on Instagram:Amber Anderson - @HeyItsAmberAKelly Sutton - @TheKellySuttonBe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Russell Dickerson is having a moment right now, and we are loving every second of it. He stopped by the Country Heat house in Nashville to chat with Kelly and Amber all about his best summer yet! Go behind the scenes of his epic Russellmania tour, his new album Famous Back Home, and balancing it all with dad life. From the stories behind the songs, to collaborating with Vince Gill, and the real-life breakup that inspired several fan favorites, Russell dives into it all, and even teases what could be coming in 2026. Follow the Hosts on Instagram:Amber Anderson - @HeyItsAmberAKelly Sutton - @TheKellySutton Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey Nashville: BigXThaPlug has arrived! We're going beyond his hit with Bailey Zimmerman and diving into this unexpected genre crossover - which all started with a little white lie. The Texas native talks being welcomed into the Nashville community, how heartbreak shaped his new EP I Hope You’re Happy, and the support he’s received from megastars like Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and even Beyoncé! BigX shares with Kelly and Amber how stepping into country music pushed him to be more intentional with every lyric and revealed that somewhere along the way, he might’ve accidentally fallen in love with his duet partner, Ella Langley. You’ll have to listen to find out more!Follow the hosts on Instagram for BTS Content:  Amber Anderson - HeyItsAmberAKelly Sutton - TheKellySutton Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re back with Bailey Zimmerman for his third time in the Center Stage spotlight, and boy is there’s a lot to catch up on. Since his last visit, Bailey’s life has been a whirlwind full of nearly sold-out tours, writing his most personal album yet, Different Night, Same Rodeo, and becoming a dog dad again. So we held a therapy session where Bailey opens up about how rescuing Pie felt like a ‘God thing,’ why his bucket list now includes Bush Stadium, and how this record feels like his realest work yet. Plus, we talk collaborating with Luke Combs, Kid LAROI and BigXThaPlug, get the story behind “Chevy Silverado,” and hear why he’s manifesting a meet cute with his future wife.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Have a seat because you're not going to want to miss a single second of this episode with chronic over-sharer Kelsea Ballerini.This episode originally aired in October of 2024 as Kelsea was about to release her album Patterns. Next Week: Bailey Zimmerman brings his new album Different Night, Same Rodeo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hot topics for this week include a new Keith Urban album, a fresh Luke Combs track, and some very colorful collaborators for Chris Stapleton! Plus, Kelly and Amber have the scoop on a record Megan Moroney just broke and which country stars have named their cars! Follow on IG:@theKellySutton@heyitsAmberABe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you're a new fan or already hooked, this episode dives deep into Max McNown’s unique story. The rising star opens up about growing up in Oregon, how his family sparked his love of music, and the unexpected road that led from making lattes to going viral and earning millions of streams. Max shares why he walked away from American Idol, unpacks the stories behind fan-favorite songs, and talks his new album Night Diving (The Cost of Growing Up). Before hearing all about Max McNown’s journey, Kelly and Amber give us the scoop about our girl Lainey Wilson and her brand-new exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails, which just opened last weekend.Follow Kelly and Amber on Instagram: @thekellysutton and @heyitsamberABe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly and Amber are back in the studio this week and have a LOT to catch up on! From being on the bus with Dierks Bentley to catching Old Dominion in Chicago, this episode is packed with artist updates. Plus, they dig into collaborations from the Country Heat Playlist from Ella Langley & Hardy, Chris Stapleton & Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll & Alex Warren, and more!  Next week: Max McNownBe the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our final episode recorded live at CMA Fest 2025, features a raw conversation with Parker McCollum where he reveals career insecurities that may surprise you.In this chat, we dive into two big topics in Parker’s world right now: fatherhood and his brand-new self-titled album. He opens up about recording for seven straight days in NYC with laser focus and why this is the first time he’s ever truly loved a project.Parker also talks about the vulnerability behind “Hope That I’m Enough,” writing “Permanent Headphones” at just 15, and teaming up with Cody Johnson for a standout cover of “Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues.”Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.