Tag

singer

Dec 31
Love24

Will Jones

By Music, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re ending the year with a bang in this episode of Once Around the Country as we welcome singer-songwriter Will Jones! Join us for a relaxed, honest conversation that wanders through bluegrass roots, songwriting, fatherhood, and the beauty of keeping things simple.

Will shares stories from growing up in Cana, Virginia, playing in a family bluegrass band tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, learning music before most kids learn multiplication tables, and waking his dad up singing gospel songs at six years old. Those early porch-front, small-town moments still shape how he writes and performs today.

We also explore the grind of the road, lessons learned from nearly empty rooms, moments with artists like Josh Turner, Laney Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, and Zach Brown, and how faith, family, and years of persistence have shaped his perspective.

This episode is funny, reflective, and deeply human. It is about staying rooted, showing up honestly, and finding joy in the journey, even when it is messy.

This episode is sponsored by:


(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

In This Episode:

  • Bluegrass roots and Appalachian beginnings
  • Learning music before learning math
  • Writing songs from real conversations
  • Fatherhood, family, and finding balance
  • Fixing old trucks between shows
  • Playing live with no tracks, no safety net
  • Lessons from empty rooms and long roads
  • Why honesty still wins in country music

Quotations:

“Part of entertaining for me is getting to know the people that I’m singing for and letting them get to know me.” ~ Will Jones

“If you want people to get to know who you are, you have to be yourself, and you have to be unapologetic about being who you are and being yourself.  And once you realize that you have the complete freedom to do that and sing exactly how you sing and write the songs you want to write and be exactly who you are, then that lifts all the weight off the shoulders for me. I mean, that gives you the ultimate freedom as a creative person to really start to have fun with your music and your content and everything you’re doing.”  ~ Will Jones

“Every bit of the inspiration that I pull from for writing songs and doing what I do, I guess you would say, my why,  you know, in this life, it goes to my family, my wife and my two-year-old and my soon-to-be newborn baby, you know, my faith in Jesus.”  ~ Will Jones

Bio:

Will Jones is a country artist raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and based in Nashville. A seasoned performer and songwriter, he blends mountain grit, soul, and timeless storytelling into a sound all his own.

His sound is a love letter to the past and a firm handshake to the future—carving his own lane in country music.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://willjonescountry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willjonesofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillJonesCountry/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willjonesofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCD_ZJSvhqWmy967s-_iaSg

Jun 25
Love34

Meghan Patrick

By Music, Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, Meghan Patrick returns to reflect on how her life and her music have evolved over the past few years. Meghan shares what it really takes to stay true in an industry that rewards masks more than authenticity.

We talk about the fatigue behind the spotlight, the courage it takes to walk away from toxic relationships (even when they’re family), and how songwriting helped her process deep personal wounds. Megan opens up about the emotional weight behind songs like “Blood From a Stone” and “Golden Child,” offering listeners comfort, connection, and clarity through her vulnerability. Listen now!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

In this episode:

  • Meghan’s evolution as an artist and human
  • The power of having a team who gets you
  • Choosing authenticity over virality
  • Healing through songwriting
  • The realities of navigating toxic family dynamics
  • Why drudgery is part of the dream

Quotations:

“If I have to be less myself to get you to like me, then you’re not for me, and that’s fine.”  ~ Meghan Patrick

“The first step is figuring out who you are, and that definitely does take some time.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“There was no way I was ever not gonna want to make music, write songs, or perform because that’s who I am.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“How many of those overnight viral sensations are actually gonna have longevity and still be able to maintain that for a long-lasting career? And I don’t hope that for any of them. And I’m not shading these people. That’s great for them. I’m not saying they’re undeserving or anything; I’m just saying that one viral moment does not mean that you are going to have a long-lasting career, and that’s the only kind of career I’m interested in.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“You know what is sustainable? Fans, real fans who love you, who will follow you to the ends of the earth, who will buy every record you make, who will spend, save for months and months to come see your show and then buy your t-shirts and that, when they get in the car with their friends, like, let me show you this song, and they want to play their favorite artist.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“Why do I feel have to act like I have more money than I do? That’s crazy. For the fans, they don’t care. Matter of fact, they might like me more if they understood that, like, yeah, I’m just like you. I’m struggling with this as well. And just being honest and real with your fans about what’s going on in your life. And that took a lot of courage for me to get to a place where I felt like I could do that, where I could let them know, like, I’m not perfect all the time. I don’t have it together all the time. And I’m struggling and frustrated with some of the same things that you are.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“I know that God gave me a gift of music, the gift to be able to sing and to be able to write songs, but I think even more importantly than that and beyond that, I realized that part of my calling was not just to sing and write songs; it was to use my gift to help others. It was to use my gift to talk about the hard stuff, the very real-life stuff that that nobody really wants to talk about because it’s uncomfortable.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“There are people walking around with a piece of their heart broken for their whole lives. I mean, it happens every day.” ~ Meghan Patrick

“I just wish people understood that, like, dude, put your time and energy into things you do like, not things you hate. If you don’t like it, then just move on.” ~ Meghan Patrick

Bio:

Meghan Patrick is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter originally from Ontario, known for blending raw vulnerability with fierce confidence. A two-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year with 19 CMAOntario Awards, Meghan’s music unpacks the grit, grace, and truth of life on her own terms. Her latest album, Golden Child, marks a powerful turning point, diving into personal healing, hard-earned wisdom, and what she now calls Big Sister Country, where strength and intimacy coexist. From bluegrass to funk to country, Meghan’s musical journey defies easy labels, but one thing’s clear: when she tells her story, people listen.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.meghanpatrickmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MegPatrickMusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MegPatrickMusic/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MeghanPatrickMusic

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@megpatrickmusic

Feb 14
Love11

Heath Wright

By Music No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, we sit down with the lead vocals, lead guitar, and fiddle of the renowned ’90s country band, Ricochet. Tall, good-looking, and incredibly talented Heath Wright shares his epic journey from delivering donuts to insurance agencies with our very own host, Gary Scott Thomas, to becoming a cattle rancher in Oklahoma. He reminisces about the bizarre things bands did back in their early days and gives us an inside look into life on a ranch, new music releases, and his reflections on being part of a band. Join us in this amazing episode filled with laughter and more! Tune in now!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

In this Episode:

  • The early days: Reminiscing about when Ricochet delivered donuts to an insurance agency, showcasing the unique promotional stunts bands undertook while climbing their way to fame.
  • A day in the life of a rancher: Heath candidly shares his current routine of tending to sick animals on his cattle ranch, highlighting how far removed it is from the typical musician’s lifestyle.
  • Nostalgia hits hard: They reflect on ’90s country music trends and discuss why some bands endure while others fade away.
  • The evolution of performance: Heath talks about singing their hit song “Daddy’s Money” 30 years later and jokes about wishing he’d recorded it in a lower key due to changing vocal ranges over time.
  • Behind-the-scenes look at recording: Insights into re-recording classic hits for today’s audience using modern technology are shared, preserving originality while enhancing sound quality.
  • Album release excitement: There’s a buzz around Ricochet’s new album, featuring both rerecorded classics and fresh tracks that blend past glory with present vibrancy.
  • Thought-provoking discussions reveal what goes into maintaining longevity in music, including making tough business decisions similar to those made by other successful groups like Sawyer Brown and KISS.

I’ll Still Be Loving You by Restless Heart (Live Performance with Heath Wright)

Quotations:

“I got to thinking to myself, well, If I’m lucky, I might get 10 years out of this, out of this career. But here I am 30 years later, still, still singing Daddy’s Money in the original key.” ~ Heath Wright

“If I had it to do over again, I don’t know that I would be in a band, or if I were, I would probably do it more like Mark Miller did it.” ~ Heath Wright

“I’m one of those guys who loves country music. I’ve been a country music fan long before I was a country music artist.” ~ Heath Wright

“When I go see a band, and I still do, I still go to concerts, I still love to listen to music and go out and listen to live performances and stuff, and, uh, when I do that, I like to sing along with the songs.” ~ Heath Wright

 “I loved it. It is refreshing that you’re so knowledgeable and that you’ve actually done your homework on Ricochet.” ~ Heath Wright

“I refer to myself as the spare tire of Restless Hearts. So they called me the sixth member. I’m basically the spare tire.” ~ Heath Wright

“My band is made up of professionals. I’ve handpicked the very best musicians out of Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.” ~ Heath Wright

“I need people to understand that, you know, even though these aren’t the original guys anymore, these are the best guys in the business.” ~ Heath Wright

Bio:

Heath Wright is the lead vocal, lead guitar, and fiddle of the country music band Ricochet. He is a proud native of Vian, Oklahoma, and has always stayed true to his roots, even during his 15-year stint in Nashville, TN. Heath’s journey began on the Rockin’ W Ranch, where he serenaded a captive audience of Hereford cows and honed his musical talents. Despite early shyness, Heath’s passion for music blossomed, leading him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Northeastern State University before delving into a unique Country Music degree program at South Plains College.

Upon graduation, Heath embarked on the most significant journey of his life – the move to Nashville. There, he co-founded Ricochet, a band that skyrocketed to success with chart-topping hits and prestigious awards, including the New Vocal Group of the Year from the Academy of Country Music and several other CMA and ACM nominations. Top 10 hits (and even a multi-week #1) on the Billboard charts were no stranger to Heath and his band, Ricochet. During their highest point, Heath and Ricochet made numerous television appearances on Country Music Awards shows (as performers, presenters, and nominees), the Grand Ole Opry, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In 2011, Heath received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing lead vocals for Restless Heart, a band he admired since childhood. Despite his bustling career, Heath’s proudest achievement remains his son, Dustin Heath, and the cherished moments they share on the family ranch.

Today, while Heath continues to perform with Ricochet and Restless Heart, he also fronts his band, “Heath Wright & the Hangmen,” showcasing classic-style country music across Eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://ricochetonline.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicochetFanPage/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialricochetband/