Published by Love And Theft (Eric Gunderson & Stephen Barker Liles)
Music
Music Interviews
Welcome to In The Blind Podcast, where we dive deep into the wild and inspiring worlds of artists, entertainers, athletes, hunters, and anyone with a story to tell! Hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of country duo Love And Theft, this fresh show is rooted in country music and the laid-back country lifestyle. Our mission is to create a relaxed space where guests feel at ease sharing personal struggles, life lessons, untold stories, and more. Tune in every week for a new episode packed with authentic conversations and heartfelt insights!
Welcome back to “In The Blind”, the podcast where real conversations happen in Riley Green’s Duck Blind. Hosts Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of Country Duo “Love And Theft” sit down with rising country artist Halie Ridge for an episode full of honesty about moving from a small Missouri town to Nashville, navigating the early grind as a young woman in Music City, the Songland moment that changed everything, mental health through the chaos, and the excitement around her brand new single, “Country Girl Summer,” that’s already turning heads. Halie Ridge grew up on the Arkansas-Missouri line before packing up for Nashville at 18. She quickly made her mark by winning Season 2 of Songland, leading to Martina McBride recording her song “Girls Like Me.” After years of independent hustle she signed with Eclipse Records and is now rolling out fresh music, including her latest single that’s gaining serious attention for its sharp songwriting and modern country-pop edge.
Join hosts Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles in the Duck Blind for Episode 71 of In The Blind, where raw artist-to-artist conversations flow freely. This week, Canadian country powerhouse Robyn Ottolini sits down for an honest chat covering her journey from Canada to Nashville, the visa grind, living with Type 1 diabetes, her highly anticipated debut album dropping August 21st, and a whole lot more. Robyn Ottolini is a CCMA Award-winning, platinum-selling Canadian country singer-songwriter known for her sharp songwriting, sassy spirit, and undeniable personality. Now based in Nashville, her long-awaited 13-track debut album A Safe Place To Land arrives August 21 via ONErpm, marking a bold new chapter.
Step inside Riley Green’s Duck Blind for another raw, unfiltered conversation on In the Blind, the country music podcast hosted by Love and Theft. This week we’re joined by the incredibly talented Lewis Brice…a standout artist in his own right, younger brother of superstar Lee Brice, and a great friend of the show.We dive deep into Lewis’s life and career: his brand new song, “Dyin’ To Dance,” dropping this Friday, the wave of new music he’s releasing throughout the year, fatherhood, family, and a highly successful journey that includes touring and writing with his brother, major cuts on records, and carving out his own powerful path as a fantastic artist. It’s honest talk about family, music, and staying true to yourself…classic In the Blind.
From outlaw country royalty to the streets and back to the biggest stages…Waylon Payne’s life is a story only country music could write. In this raw, unfiltered conversation on In The Blind, the prolific singer-songwriter, actor, and guitarist opens up like never before. Son of Grammy-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne…who played guitar for Willie Nelson for over 30 years…Waylon shares incredible tales from his early days, summers on the road with his mom, and later stepping into his father’s shoes playing guitar for Willie himself. Named after his godfather Waylon Jennings, he’s lived the full outlaw circle: family fame, heartbreak, survival, addiction, identity, and ultimate redemption through song. We went deep on this one. If you love authentic artist-to-artist talks that cut straight to the soul, this episode is a must-listen. Waylon’s artistry and resilience will leave you inspired.
In the Blind is the raw, artist-to-artist country music and lifestyle podcast hosted by CMA/ACM-nominated, platinum-selling duo Love and Theft (Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles). Filmed inside Riley Green’s Duck Blind in Nashville, the show delivers unfiltered conversations about careers, family, mental health, hobbies, and the real side of the music business. This week we’re joined by powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Dave Fenley. Dave opens up about his journey from small-town Texas roots, his national breakout on America’s Got Talent and The Voice (Team Blake), the wild ride of touring with Miranda Lambert, and how he’s deliberately building a sustainable, faith-and-family-first career after years in the trenches. Expect down-to-earth real talk on the music business, navigating fatherhood as a girl dad, his brand-new album Rest of My Life , the excitement and nerves around his Grand Ole Opry debut, crazy stories from meeting heroes, bucket-list moments, and a whole lot more. It’s an honest, inspiring, and entertaining conversation you won’t want to miss.
In the Blind is a raw, unfiltered, artist-to-artist country music and lifestyle podcast hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of the platinum-selling country duo Love and Theft. It’s filmed in Riley Green’s Duck Blind in midtown Nashville and features honest conversations on careers, family, mental health, hunting, fishing, and the real country lifestyle. In this episode, Josh Hood…co-founder and lead designer of LayerX Suppression…joins the guys for a deep dive into the world of cutting-edge firearm suppressors. LayerX Suppression is the innovative company behind the groundbreaking Strake9, a lightweight titanium 9mm suppressor engineered with advanced DMLS manufacturing and near-zero back-pressure technology for superior performance on PCCs, MP5s, and more. Josh shares insights on suppressor design and engineering innovation, the business of building a new company in the firearms industry, how their tech enhances real-world hunting and shooting experiences, the challenges and future of suppressors, his personal journey, and a whole lot more. Expect authentic, no-BS conversation from a true innovator in the space. If you love honest talks about hunting, firearms, innovation, and the real country/outdoors lifestyle, hit play now! Subscribe, like, comment your biggest takeaway below, and share with your crew. Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly…Join us “In the Blind.”
In the Blind is a raw, unfiltered, artist-to-artist country music and lifestyle podcast hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of the platinum-selling country duo Love and Theft. It’s filmed in Riley Green’s Duck Blind in midtown Nashville and features honest conversations on careers, family, mental health, hunting, fishing, and the country lifestyle. In this episode, Steven McBee Jr. - star of Bravo/Peacock’s hit docuseries The McBee Dynasty: Real American Cowboys and CEO of the Missouri-based multi-generational McBee Farm & Cattle empire…joins the guys for a candid conversation. The McBees run a high-stakes farming and cattle operation that’s been thrust into the spotlight, and Steven dives deep into the strain reality TV can put on a family and their relationships, the intense business side of keeping a dynasty alive, the pressures of sudden fame, his father’s incarceration, the question of whether he’s single, and a whole lot more. Expect real talk from a modern day cowboy navigating it all. If you love authentic country stories, family empires, and no-holds-barred chats, hit play now! Subscribe, like, comment your biggest takeaway below, and share with your crew. Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop weekly…stay "In the Blind."
Step inside the “Blind” for unfiltered country gold as the platinum-selling duo Love and Theft sit down with Koe Wetzel. 🦆 Koe Wetzel, the Texas-born superstar from Pittsburg, has racked up billions of streams, multiplatinum hits like High Road, three platinum tracks overall, massive sold-out tours, and now steps into fatherhood with his baby girl Woods alongside his recent engagement, all while dropping his highly anticipated new album The Night Champion. 🦆 In this episode Koe dives deep into his career in country music, his deep Texas roots, how he balances being a father on the road, his recent engagement, how he approaches the business side, and everything about his new project The Night Champion. Expect unfiltered stories, laughs, and real talk only “In the Blind” can deliver. 🦆 Subscribe now, hit play, and join the conversation. Drop your favorite Koe moment in the comments and share with a fellow country fan. Let’s grow this thing together.
Get ready for an electric conversation with one of country music’s brightest rising stars! On this episode of In The Blind, Love and Theft’s Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles sit down with the unstoppable Concrete Cowgirl herself, Ashley Walls. The Georgia-raised country-pop powerhouse is making major waves with her infectious sound and authentic storytelling. In this raw and revealing chat, Ashley opens up about her explosive new music, boldly mixing country with EDM vibes, wild stories from the road, and the intense pressure of building a career as a woman in country music. Wise beyond her years, she shares hard-earned wisdom and teases the incredible things she has lined up for 2026. You don’t want to miss this one 🦆 hit play and get inspired!
In The Blind is the no-holds-barred podcast hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of the country duo Love and Theft. Each week they pull back the curtain on life, music, and the wild stories that shape the artists we love. This week they’re joined by powerhouse country artist and songwriter Styles Haury...the Ohio kid who went from playing garage bands to co-writing Luke Bryan’s #1 hit “Country On,” earning cuts with Craig Morgan and more, while building a career as an independent artist with a big voice and even bigger heart. He has an incredible new project out called 5-9, make sure you check it out! In this energetic episode, Styles opens up about his musical journey from small-town Ohio to Nashville, the realities of the music business, his life as a husband and father of three, the importance of mental health, and so much more. Expect raw conversation, laughs, and real talk about chasing dreams while staying grounded
In the Blind is a country music and country lifestyle podcast where we sit down with artists, song writers, actors, and entertainers, to dive deep into their careers…the breakthrough moments, the ups and downs, mental health, the creative process, and everything in between. On Episode 62 we had the absolute honor of sitting down with country music legend Clint Black. From his explosive 1989 debut album Killin’ Time (which delivered multiple #1 singles and sold millions) to 22 career #1 hits, over 20 million records sold, a Grammy, Hollywood Walk of Fame star, and decades of chart-topping success on RCA and beyond, Clint has defined traditional country for generations. We talked about his incredible journey, the stories behind the hits, and his brand-new memoir Killin’ Time: My Life and Music . Clint was an absolute gentleman and delivered one of our favorite interviews ever…raw, insightful, and inspiring. If you love real country music conversations, like this episode, subscribe, hit the notification bell, and share it with your friends so they don’t miss it! New episodes drop weekly. 🤠
This week it is just us, Love And Theft, sitting down as both hosts and guests. We open up about the last 20 years: the highs, the lows, the tours that changed everything, the songs that mean the most, and the moments we will never forget. We also dive into the brand new Love and Theft music and our new single “Farm Truck” dropping next week on 5/15. If you have been with us for the ride, this episode is for you. Drop a 🦆 if you are tuning in. Tag a friend who should hear this one.
From viral TikTok breakthroughs and hundreds of millions of streams to becoming one of country music’s most exciting independent voices, Chase Wright has taken a path no one saw coming. In Episode 60 of In The Blind, the Lebanon, Indiana native … former college track star and economics major at DePaul University … sits down to tell the full story. He opens up about picking up a guitar for the first time as a freshman athlete, the bold leap to Nashville right after graduation, building his career from the ground up, and what it really takes to thrive as an indie artist in Music City with massive hits like “Wish You’d Miss Me” and “Hurt No More.” In The Blind, hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of country duo Love and Theft, exists to show the real, unfiltered side of country artists, writers, athletes, and entertainers … the stories you don’t usually hear on the radio or in the press. This is one of those conversations. Stream Chase Wright’s music right now and catch up on every episode of In The Blind for more candid, behind the curtain moments with your favorite voices in country. Hit subscribe, leave a comment with your favorite part, and share this one with the crew.
From his viral hit “Dicked Down in Dallas” to his deeply personal new chapter releasing as Thomason, Trey Lewis has never followed the expected script. In Episode 59 of In The Blind, the Birmingham, Alabama native (raised in Vestavia Hills) shares his full story - addiction, the bold move to Nashville with almost nothing, and the tight-knit songwriter community that became family. He opens up about sharing a house and building a friendship with Ella Langley, the wild early days in Music City, and why he is now releasing music under his real family name Thomason - the last in his bloodline - to honor his roots with raw, introspective songs about redemption, relationships, and second chances. In The Blind, hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of Love and Theft, exists to show the real, unfiltered side of country artists, writers, athletes, and entertainers - the stories you don’t usually hear on the radio or in the press. This is one of those conversations. Stream Trey’s new music under Thomason right now, check out his full catalog as Trey Lewis, and catch up on every episode of In The Blind for more candid, behind-the-curtain moments with your favorite voices in country. Hit subscribe, leave a comment with your favorite part, and share this one with the crew.
In the Blind is back with one of the best male vocalists in country music and one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet… Kameron Marlowe ! Hosted by the country duo Love and Theft , this episode is raw, honest, and full of real talk. From his early days grinding it out after The Voice , to breaking through with hits like “Giving You Up,” “Strangers,” and “No Need For Leavin’,” Kameron has quickly become one of country music’s most compelling new voices. With soulful, powerhouse vocals and deeply personal songwriting, he’s carved out a lane all his own while racking up major streaming success and radio hits. In this episode, we dive deep into his journey to Nashville, the brutal grind of the music business, the emotional toll it takes chasing dreams in a crazy town, and how he’s navigating his rising success while staying grounded. Expect laughs, vulnerable moments, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Don’t miss this one 🦆 hit play, subscribe, and turn it up! #KameronMarlowe #InTheBlindPodcast #CountryMusic #Nashville #GivingYouUp #NewCountry #Podcast
In The Blind Podcast, hosted by country duo Love and Theft, creates a comfortable and safe space for artists, athletes, and anyone with a voice to open up about their real journeys in the often ruthless entertainment world. This week we’re joined by the incredibly talented Lindsay James…the soulful, fashion-forward singer-songwriter known for her fresh coastal country sound blended with R&B and pop influences. From her Texas roots and family musical upbringing to navigating life as a mom while chasing her dreams in Music City, Lindsay brings honesty, heart, and serious style to every conversation. In this episode, Lindsay opens up about dropping new music in 2026, the realities of the music business, balancing motherhood, leaning on her strong support system at home, her love for fashion, and what it’s really like living and creating in Nashville. Expect laughs, raw moments, and plenty of inspiration you don’t want to miss. If you’re loving these conversations, hit that like button, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! #countrymusic #newmusic #nashville #countrysinger #musiccity
Country artist, comedian, songwriter, and entrepreneur Joe Denim joins the guys on this episode of In The Blind. Joe has written multiple country hits, toured the world with his high-energy live shows featuring 90s and 2000s superstars, thrown massive festivals, and somehow still finds time for comedy and a dozen other ventures. This week the conversation dives into Joe’s incredible career journey, swapping stories, laughs, and everything that’s happened along the way. Expect plenty of fun, behind-the-scenes tales, and that signature In The Blind energy. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! Tell your friends about In The Blind and help us grow the show. #InTheBlindPodcast #JoeDenim #CountryMusic #LoveAndTheft
This week on In the Blind, we sit down with singer-songwriter and fellow podcaster Troy Cartwright. As the host of the long-running 10 Year Town podcast, Troy brings the same authentic vibe to our conversation that fans love from his own show. We talk music, his journey to Nashville, and what it really takes to build a career in this business. Troy’s a killer artist with a string of standout releases, and he’s been killing it behind the mic as well. In this episode, he opens up about his journey, what he’s working on right now, and shares stories that only come from someone who truly loves the music and the grind. If you haven’t checked out 10 Year Town yet, do yourself a favor and give it a listen. #InTheBlind #TroyCartwright #10YearTown #CountryMusic
Get ready for an exciting episode of In The Blind, the podcast that dives deep into country music and the authentic country lifestyle...what that truly means to each artist, woven together with their own raw personal stories. Hosts Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles, the platinum-selling duo Love and Theft behind massive hits like “Angel Eyes,” unforgettable tours with Taylor Swift and more, are now thriving in their current new music era and bringing that same heart to every conversation. Joining them this week is rising country artist Payton Smith, whose high-energy guitar slinging, Louisiana roots, and down-home songwriting perfectly capture the real Nashville grit. In this episode, buckle up for laughs and real talk, as Payton Smith opens up about his brand-new music, his life as a dad, life on the road, and so much more. Expect heartfelt stories, behind-the-scenes laughs, raw tales from the road and a look into the creative process behind this new music. #CountryMusic #NewCountryMusic #Nashville #GuitarSlinger #DadLife #CountryLifestyle #LoveAndTheft #InTheBlindPodcast #PaytonSmith
In The Blind is the ultimate country music and lifestyle podcast, hosted by Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles of country duo, Love and Theft. We sit down with some of the biggest names, and the most authentic voices in country music, the outdoors, and beyond, from artists and songwriters to athletes and actors who live that country life. This episode features rising independent country-rock powerhouse ‘Jason Cross’, the Michigan native with undeniable talent, a killer work ethic, and that signature edgy swagger. We dive deep into his Michigan roots and how they fuel his music, his relentless grind in the cutthroat music business, the highs and lows of going fully independent, and the exciting releases he's got lined up for 2026. If you love hard-hitting country, real talk about chasing dreams, and stories from the road less traveled, this one's for you. #CountryMusic #JasonCross #NewCountry #IndependentArtist #CountryRock #MusicGrind #OutdoorsLifestyle #Nashville #MichiganMusic #2026Music Check out Jason's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncrossofficial
