Scars And Second Chances

Send us Fan MailDid you know Chicago played an important role in the history of country music, even before Nashville's Grand Ole Opry became famous?On this episode of the Skip Happens Podcast, host Skip Clark welcomes USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Lori Rader-Day for a fascinating conversation about country music, Chicago's forgotten musical history, and her country-inspired murder mystery, Wreck Your Heart.From Chicago's historic National Barn Dance to the artists who helped shape her love of country music, Lori shares stories and discoveries that may surprise even longtime country music fans.We also go behind the scenes of Wreck Your Heart, a story about aspiring country singer Dahlia Devine, whose life is filled with music, heartbreak, family secrets, and murder.In this episode:Chicago's surprising connection to country music historyHow the National Barn Dance preceded the Grand Ole OpryLori's love of Patsy Cline, Brandi Carlile, and classic countryThe inspiration behind Wreck Your HeartHow country music helped Lori rediscover the joy of writingThe surprising connections between songwriters and novelistsWhy every great story needs heartWreck Your Heart is available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook, with the paperback arriving December 8, 2026.Subscribe to the Skip Happens Podcast for more conversations with country music artists, songwriters, authors, and fascinating people with stories worth telling.🎙️ Hosted by Skip Clark, Program Director and afternoon personality at 92.1 The WOLF in Syracuse, New York.Every Boot Tells a Story.Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcastWebsite: https://skiphappenspodcast.com#SkipHappensPodcast #LoriRaderDay #CountryMusicHistorySupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

Send us Fan Mail25 YEARS. COUNTLESS MEMORIES. ONE INCREDIBLE COUNTRY MUSIC JOURNEY.For 25 years, the Custom Taylor Band has been a major part of the Central New York country music scene. Now, Chris Taylor and the band are joining Skip Clark on the Skip Happens Podcast to celebrate an incredible milestone!From karaoke competitions to sharing stages with some of Nashville's biggest names, Chris Taylor's journey is filled with unforgettable stories, hard work, friendship and a whole lot of country music.In this special 25th anniversary episode, Skip welcomes Chris Taylor, Brett Nelson, Rob Spagnoletti, Amy Reinhardt and Jake Capuzzola for an entertaining, personal conversation about the band's history.IN THIS EPISODE:How Chris Taylor went from karaoke singer to country band frontmanThe early days of the Custom Taylor Band in Syracuse, NYSharing the stage with Justin Moore and other country starsThe band's biggest crowds and funniest onstage momentsThe musicians and friendships behind 25 years of successThe stories behind their music and Nashville recordingsWhy family, fans and the Central New York community mean everything🎸 PLUS TWO SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCES!Hear the Custom Taylor Band perform "Down at the Honky Tonk" and the heartfelt "Something Beautiful" right inside the Skip Happens Pod Zone!This episode is more than a look back at a band. It's a celebration of the people, music and memories that have made the Custom Taylor Band a Central New York favorite for 25 years.Whether you've followed them from the beginning or you're discovering them for the first time, this is a conversation country music fans won't want to miss.ABOUT SKIP HAPPENS PODCASTHosted by longtime country radio personality Skip Clark, Skip Happens takes you beyond the music for real conversations with artists, entertainers and people making a difference.Every Boot Tells a Story. And the stories don't stop here!🎙️ WATCH MORE & SUBSCRIBE:https://www.youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast👍 LIKE this episode if you love country music.💬 COMMENT: What's your favorite Custom Taylor Band memory? Where did you first see them perform?🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more behind-the-scenes conversations, great music and unforgettable stories!#CustomTaylorBand #SkipHappensPodcast #CountryMusicSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

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Send us Fan MailCoyle Girelli joins Skip Clark on Skip Happens to share the story behind Out of This Town, his songwriting partnership with Mac Davis, and the friendship that changed his music.From their first writing session to preserving Mac’s voice from a phone recording, Coyle explains what it meant to finish the project after losing his friend—and why releasing it through Sun Records brought the journey full circle.We also talk about touring with Duran Duran, the Letterman performance that caught Mac’s attention, writing songs recorded by BTS and Macklemore, and recording at Memphis’s legendary Sun Studio.Plus, Coyle shares the story behind “Out of This Town,” the worst music industry advice he ever received, and his personal connection to the healing power of music.Out of This Town (Deluxe Edition) arrives October 30, 2026, via Sun Records.Subscribe to Skip Happens for more conversations with country stars, independent artists, and people making a difference.https://www.youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcastSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

Send us Fan MailNashville band Absolute Silence joins Skip Clark to discuss recording a live album at Ocean Way Nashville and supporting Isaiah 117 House through “Begin Again: An Evening at Ocean Way” on October 23.From busking on the Santa Monica Pier for gas money to touring Europe and South Africa, the independent trio shares funny road stories, hard-earned lessons, and the friendships keeping their music moving forward.We also explore their Navy-to-Nashville beginnings, Upstate New York roots, songwriting influences, and plans to bring strings, horns, and a choir into their live recording.It’s a conversation about taking chances, building something on your own terms, and using music to make a difference.Explore Absolute Silence’s music on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow the band for event information and updates on their debut album.Subscribe to Skip Happens for more conversations with artists and people making a difference:https://www.youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcastSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

Send us Fan MailOnondaga County Court Judge Matt Doran joins Skip Clark on the Skip Happens Podcast for a candid conversation about justice, 30 years of Navy service, family, and life beyond the courtroom.From his Central New York upbringing to the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps and the judge’s bench, Doran shares the experiences that shaped him. He discusses balancing compassion with accountability, treating people with respect, and the daily work behind serious criminal cases.There’s also room for laughs, baseball stories, favorite Syracuse restaurants, and a few unexpected answers—including whether a judge ever gets a speeding ticket.Get to know the person behind the title in this Syracuse conversation about service, community, and the lessons we carry through life.Subscribe for more conversations with country artists, community voices, and people with a story to tell:https://www.youtube.com/@SkiPHappEnsPodcast#MattDoran #Syracuse #OnondagaCounty #CentralNewYork #JudgeMattDoran #BeyondTheBench #NavyVeteran #JAGCorpsSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

Send us Fan MailDeputy sheriff by day. Country singer and songwriter by night.Chris Darlington joins Skip Clark on the Skip Happens Podcast to share how he balances more than 20 years in law enforcement with a growing country music career.Chris opens up about serving as a school resource officer, growing up near Winchester, Virginia—the hometown of Patsy Cline—and nearly moving to Nashville before choosing a career behind the badge. He also tells the incredible story of landing a Broadway gig during his very first trip to Music City.You’ll hear the funny, unexpected story behind his country radio single “What Do You Want,” what it felt like to hear his own song on the radio, and why faith, family and service remain at the center of everything he does.Chris also discusses working with Saddle Up Records, opening for artists including Drew Baldridge, Frank Ray, Terri Clark, Collin Raye, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and Warren Zeiders, and the challenges independent artists face while trying to break through at country radio.CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Chris Darlington01:19 Growing up near Patsy Cline’s hometown03:25 Discovering music and songwriting04:14 Choosing law enforcement over Nashville07:02 His first public performance08:26 The deputy and the country singer10:13 Music as therapy14:32 Becoming a school resource officer15:37 How Chris writes songs23:31 The story behind “What Do You Want”27:05 Hearing his song on the radio29:05 Recording with Nashville session musicians31:31 His first Nashville gig34:32 Handling criticism35:48 What it takes to reach country radio37:19 The toughest part of promoting a record37:40 Joining Saddle Up Records40:51 Sharing the stage with country artists42:24 Faith, family and service46:12 Badge or backstage54:35 Final thoughts and where to follow ChrisLearn more about Chris Darlington:https://chrisdarlington.comWatch more artist conversations and subscribe to Skip Happens:https://youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcastStream “What Do You Want,” follow Chris on social media and request the song from your favorite country radio station.#ChrisDarlington #CountryMusic #SkipHappensPodcast #IndependentCountryArtist #WhatDoYouWantSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

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Send us Fan MailSupport the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast

Send us Fan MailFrom an ABC daytime soap opera and Hollywood auditions to Nashville songwriting and a powerful personal comeback, Woody Bradshaw’s journey has taken some remarkable turns.Woody joins Skip Clark on the Skip Happens Podcast to share how he landed a role on ABC’s “Loving,” moved to Los Angeles, and experienced the Jimmy Webb performance that helped redirect his life toward songwriting. He also opens up about the heartbreak of a record deal falling apart, the ten years he feels he lost, his decision to stop drinking, and why regret now scares him more than failure.We also talk about Woody’s breakout song “The Last Thing You Do,” his interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” his Blue Angels tribute “The Blues Are Back in Town,” and his new America 250 anthem, “Who’s Proud They’re From the USA.”In this conversation:00:00 Meet Woody Bradshaw01:05 Growing up and discovering performance08:44 Leaving college for New York City10:45 Auditioning for ABC’s “Loving”14:02 The reality of making a living as an actor16:12 Moving from New York to Hollywood18:48 The Jimmy Webb moment that changed everything24:52 Writing his first song27:05 Starting over in Nashville32:40 Recording “The Last Thing You Do”34:49 Success, radio and a heartbreaking setback37:00 “Who’s Proud They’re From the USA”42:10 Writing a tribute to the Blue Angels45:05 The emotional story behind “Hallelujah”49:04 How the music business has changed53:44 Sobriety, clarity and reclaiming his life56:32 What scares him more: failure or regret?01:03:46 Rapid-fire questionsDiscover Woody Bradshaw’s music at https://woodybradshaw.comSubscribe to the Skip Happens Podcast for conversations with country stars, independent artists and people making a difference:https://youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcastIf Woody’s story connected with you, leave a comment, share the episode and tell us which part of his journey inspired you most.Support the showThanks for listening!  Follow us at youtube.com/@skiphappenspodcast