Hudson Westbrook

[00:00:14] Welcome back to Whiskey Riff Raff. I'm Shelby. My name's Quinn. And I don't know, we've only been in here maybe a week ago? Yeah, it's been just a little bit and we're getting back into the groove of interviews and things like that. So I'm very appreciative of getting to sit down and talk to artists. I really like that we get this opportunity. It's fun. What's been going on in your world? Not a whole lot. I know you're going to ask about concerts like we typically discuss.

[00:00:44] And I actually did go to a concert. Yes. Not a country concert, but I did go to see Jack White at the Pinnacle and Holy Smokes. Yeah. And I think the White Stripes just got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, if I'm not mistaken. So I know this is not necessarily a country topic, but Jack White used to be with the White Stripes.

[00:01:05] Now he does more solo stuff. And he can, my friends and I have always said that we appreciate artists that can make the guitar talk, if that makes sense. Yes. And if it doesn't make sense, that's okay too. There's certain artists who like, you know they can do that. And it was really, I honestly had never seen an artist do this, but it was after every song that Jack White played, he said, that's it. That's all we got, like in some form or fashion. So it was obviously just a running joke, I think, throughout the show.

[00:01:34] But obviously at one point he said that, and then he was actually over, but that was after he played Seven Nation Army, which is cool to see. Yeah. I've been in plenty of sports stadiums where that song plays. Oh yeah. And to see it, you know, from the, well, I guess not a great transition, but we're going to talk about the derby, straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak, was really cool. What about you? No concerts for me. Wow. Look at me. Hey. Well.

[00:02:04] You're still ahead by a mile on the concerts. Well, I say that, but I was on Broadway this weekend where I'm like, every floor is a concert, technically. That's right. I mean, so that was enough for me this past week. I have a lot coming up the next couple weeks. I don't want to tease them though. I'd rather just share. You got to save them. Yeah. Save it for the next time. Yeah. When I go. So you can continue to tally more than me. That's perfect. I just, I mean, any chance, I go. It's like my favorite thing to do. Broadway, you were there for a long time?

[00:02:33] I was there for like 12 hours on Saturday. Holy smokes. I'm like, it's Tuesday. I'm still tired. Yeah. And it's hitting me. I'm like, I'm chugging my energy drink now. That'll take, that'll take, that'll take it out of anybody. I think even a couple hours for me on Broadway is all, is all I need. But hey, props to you for toughing it out for the 12 hours. Well, let's dive into like the top country stories of the last couple of weeks. My favorite one that I'm excited to talk about is Whiskey Myers just announced a new album,

[00:03:02] which they're like, I don't know. I cannot like choose my favorite. I'm always like, oh, they're my favorite. They're my favorite. Whiskey Myers, my favorite. Like they're fantastic live. One of my favorite concerts I've ever been to was them at Red Rocks. Yes. The new song, fantastic. I'm just so excited for the new music. Seems like a very easy opportunity for some synergy there. Whiskey riff, Whiskey Myers. Let's make that happen. But yeah, the new album, that'll, that'll be great. I'm sure. And I already kind of touched on the derby thing.

[00:03:31] Didn't, didn't smoothly transition right into it. Like I thought, but Toby Keith's horse rendered judgment will run in the Kentucky Derby. And we were just talking about the derby before we turned the mics on and I've never watched the derby ever. And Quinn gave me a look of shock. If you will. Yeah. Well, I'm from Kentucky. I'm, I'm about three hours from Churchill Downs where, where the derby happens every year.

[00:03:57] Uh, and yeah, it, for me growing up, it was always a, around this time of the year, you gather around the TV for about two minutes. Uh, longer if you want to see some of the before stuff. I'm the, I'm, I just want to see the, the Kentucky Derby and, and let's get on with it. Um, but it's like, it's over in a couple minutes, if that. So I could get behind that because a lot of sporting events are very long. Exactly. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But. That's, that's a good way to look at it. Yeah.

[00:04:22] The comments were kind of mixed about, um, Toby Keith horse racing in it. I don't understand the derby well enough to understand why, but anything Toby Keith, like anything that carries on as legend, I'm here for. Well, and I think, uh, it was touched on in the story that we, that we did is, is that that was one of the things that Toby Keith wanted. Uh, he, it was like a dream of his, for his horse to race in the Kentucky Derby.

[00:04:48] So if there are mixed reviews, I'm not entirely sure why, because, uh, it's a positive, uh, thing. And like you said, it's kind of carrying on Toby Keith's, uh, legacy. Only, only thing I would say is maybe, maybe the horse's name should be big dog daddy. Uh, and then maybe there weren't as many mixed reviews if that would have happened. But render judgment is a great horse name. Great patriotic. Yeah. All the horses have the craziest names. And so yeah, render judgment definitely fits along, you know, typical Kentucky Derby names.

[00:05:16] Something less positive is, um, Aaron Watson has been taking the stage to kind of, um, narrate some country music drama, if you will. Um, a couple stories he did was one when, um, Gavin Adcock and Braxton Keith were, I don't, I wouldn't even say feuding because like they made up in like a day and it wasn't even that crazy. But the one that got me laughing was him talking about, um, Warren Ziders. Yes. Did you see it? I did see it.

[00:05:45] Uh, and I know that Warren Ziders is a very polarizing figure. Um, and then I think we even saw another example of Warren Ziders being in the headlines whenever Donald Trump, President Trump just randomly shouted him out, uh, on, I think it was Truth Social. Uh, so, uh, I've always heard that any pub is good pub and so Warren Ziders is getting a lot of bad pub that's good pub, I guess. Uh, I don't know about that. Or a good pub that's bad pub. I don't know. I wouldn't say, um, we necessarily, uh, support Warren Ziders in any way she performed.

[00:06:15] Well, exactly. Yeah. So it just depends how he sees it. I don't know. Um, but I mean, if I would be very, uh, happy if the president shouted me out. Yeah. So. One, one could say that's one of the higher forms of, uh, of being shouted out is the president of the United States. So, uh, yeah, like you said, we're not necessarily, uh, Warren Ziders fans ourselves, but the president is. Uh, so that's, that's, I guess, something to file away. Yeah.

[00:06:43] But Aaron Watson talking about it just, it was like my favorite thing on the internet for a while. That's his tailgate. He sits on his tailgate, right? Yeah. And talks about the drama and I'm so here for it. Yeah. Um, what song are you listening to right now? Good, good question. So I've already talked about Jack White. That was non-country. I'll get another non-country thing out of the way. I'm an Arcade Fire fan. Um, and I know that they can be kind of divisive. Maybe not, but, uh, they've got some great songs. Like one of those bands, like back in the early 2000s, they were putting out bangers, right?

[00:07:12] And they've continued to do really well and they've got a new album coming out. So I've listened to a couple of those, uh, songs from their upcoming album. But then country-wise, uh, I did just like throw on Country Squire by Tyler Childers, uh, the other, the other day and just listened to it through like maybe two or three times. Um, House Fire, uh, always gets me going. Uh, there's, that's obviously we don't have to be like, wow, what a great album that was. Everybody already knows that. Uh, but yeah, I've been listening to, listening to Tyler Childers a little bit.

[00:07:42] Um, and I can't remember, it might've helped that, you know, that, uh, story we did where he rode out on like a little mini toy horse or something. I think that might've like put it in my brain. Hey, you should listen to Tyler Childers. And here I was listening to him. What about you? Um, mine is Whiskey Meyers' new song, Time Bomb. When I put on, like when I'm working out, I put on my country playlist, my work at country workout playlist, which is also on Whiskey Riffs Spotify. That's right.

[00:08:08] Um, but it's a lot of Coe Wetzel, Treaty Oak, and Whiskey Meyers. So this one has been on repeat when I'm running and I'm obsessed. Again, so excited for the new album. And as much as I'd love to share more, our guest just walked in, Hudson Westbrook. I know. So this episode is brought to you by Rock the Country. Yes. And Rock the Country is a festival for we, the people. It's coming to a small town near you in 2025 with Kid Rock, Nickelback, and many more artists, including our guests today, Hudson Westbrook.

[00:08:37] Don't miss the action in Ocala, Florida, May 9th and 10th, York, Pennsylvania, May 30th and 31st, Hastings, Michigan, June 13th and 14th, Little Rock, Arkansas, June 20th and 21st, Ashland, Kentucky, July 11th and 12th, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. July 18th and 19th in Anderson, North Carolina, July 25th and 26th. Tickets on sale right now at rockthecountry.com. Hudson Westbrook, welcome to Whiskey Riff Raff. Yeah, well, thanks all for having me.

[00:09:07] I love talking to different artists at different stages in their career because we'll have artists who are super established, have 20-year-long careers. And then we have newer artists where we try to do some research, but there's not much out there yet. So it's just like talking to someone new and already like- This is the research. This is the research. Yeah, it makes it more fun. Yes. And like we're talking and already my perception of you, completely different than what you are actually like. What you expected. I expected you to be super quiet, super shy.

[00:09:35] That's not what you're giving whatsoever. No, no. That's the opposite. Even better, even better for a better podcast. So we have a lot to dive into today. Let's dive. Let's start from the beginning. You're from Texas, which Texas people hold a lot of pride for their state. But you're from Stephenville, which some people don't always feel like that's the best area. I've been, because Kat Hastie lived there and I went to Twisted J show once. The J.

[00:10:03] The J. How do you feel, Texas and Stephenville, coming from there? How do you feel about it? Yeah, I love being from Stephenville. You know, it's a very small town and it's, but it teaches you so much being from a small town. Like I might be going to like New York and going to all these places, but like I feel like the beauty of what I'm doing kind of is I'm staying in Texas. Like I don't want to live in Nashville.

[00:10:31] I don't want to live outside of Texas, not for like any negative reason. It's just Texas is home and football was a huge deal there. So I was all dove into football and then I showed pigs there. And yeah, just it's a small town, great feeling, great community. Like if you're broken down on the side of the road, someone's going to help you out. But I did have to get out of there for sure. You know, like I wanted to experience the world and go to college somewhere else. What part of Texas are you living in now?

[00:10:59] Yeah, so I live in DFW area now. Okay, nice. I'm like an hour away from home and I haven't been back yet, but I want to, or I went back this weekend, but I haven't gone back and like enjoyed it and just hung out in Stephenville in a minute. So it's only an hour away, but I'm going to go down there soon. That's the goal. Yeah, that'll be a fun show. And now you're in Nashville, not necessarily living in Nashville, but you're in Nashville pursuing music. Is it right that you've only been making music for about a year? Yeah, I've only been making music for about a year.

[00:11:27] I've been playing guitar for five years. So like I was one of those kids that was in like the Zach Bryan like era of he started playing and then all the kids came out of the sticks and like started doing all that. That's what made me want to learn to play guitar. And like I never took it seriously throughout high school. Like I was just playing and your buddies like being on a football team and being part of like a sports group, you don't ever just whip your guitar out and start playing it. Like that's just not, like, all right, bro, what you're trying to prove here?

[00:11:57] Like the locker room vibe. Yeah. Yeah. And so I went to college and started taking it super serious or not super serious, but I'd write in my dorm room and my buddies would be outside getting hammered, just hanging out and I wrote two way drive and take it slow. It was the first two songs I've ever written. And, um, and it all took off from there. So then that's when I was like, all right, we got to dial in. We got to, we got to learn how to play guitar. We got to, which I already did, but it was more of like taking it serious and went from

[00:12:26] a hobby to a, to my lifestyle now, you know? And, um, there's beauty in that, but I think it's all about putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to figure it out, you know? And once you got to figure it out, you'll learn. And, and speaking of, it might not have been an uncomfortable situation, but you were at Texas tech for a year or two years, a year and a quarter. And so obviously you kind of bet on yourself and you're like, I'm just going to go with this music thing. How did that come to be?

[00:12:52] Well, so like in the beginning I was super realistic about like where I was. So I was like, I'm a freshman at tech. I'm giving tours of the university. I'm in president select. I'm in student government. Uh, if I don't make a 4.0, my mom doesn't pay for my college anymore. Like that's the one thing she paid for. And, uh, and she said, as long as you're making 4.0, like we're good. I was a five dealt at tech. So I was with all my buddies. I just got done with rush and just got done with a pledge ship.

[00:13:19] And so I was like finally getting to live the college life, you know? Yeah. And, um, and then all of a sudden this video blows up and I'm like, all right, what am I going to do now? And so, um, I hit up grant and then like we got a van and we got, um, everything put together. But like my one year at Texas Tech was so beneficial because I had to like give tours of the university in front of everyone and then like talk in front of meetings and make movements and amendments to the school policy.

[00:13:49] And, uh, and yeah, it was great while I was there, but it was, it was short lived, but I'm ready to like next year tour dates to come down a little bit and me to go to like football games and tailgates and just go hang out. So, cause to them, I'm a human. I'm just still the same Hudson that I was. Well, and I'm, I'm interested hearing that your mom was holding you to a 4.0 standard. How did the phone call go with your mom when you were like, Hey, I think I'm done with this college thing. See the, it was not a phone call. That's the issue.

[00:14:19] Uh, it was not a phone call. Um, we're standing on stage at ACL and that was like my first like big play. So I walked on stage, super excited about it. And, um, we're about to start two way drive and I always do this talking thing where I'm like, I was going to school at Texas tech was breaking bulls out there. And then I would drive back and forth from Fort Worth to Lubbock. And then I ended up dating a girl and I think about her on the way back and I just dropped out of college. Here we go. My mom's in the crowd and my mom came backstage after the show.

[00:14:47] So, and I'm obviously like super excited, hyped up. My whole band's around, like my family's around. Thank goodness. Because she came up and she goes, uh, she goes, you did what? And I was like, good set, right mom? Like that was a good one. And she was like, no, you did what? And I was like, I dropped out. And she was like, all right. Okay then. And then we hit headline tour and she was like, oh wow, this is real.

[00:15:12] Like she, she was numbers are numbers, but people there are people there. And she was really excited once she saw that. That's good. That's crazy how fast it all happened. But what a story to tell of the beginning of your career, honestly. And it's all happening so fast. What are you doing to stay present and enjoy everything that's happening? Yeah, I think it's staying grounded and calling your family. Like that's, that's one thing I can't stress enough to people that are in this era of like

[00:15:43] quick moving, making decisions fast. Like just as much as the songs are coming out, I'm having to ride them. And just as much as the songs are, um, doing well on socials, I'm having to take content for them. And it's a big, it's a fast turnover rate. And I've gotten lucky to like have very intentional rights and, um, meet a lot of good people in Nashville that have also helped me just be like, Hey man. You can be open with us. Like, how's everything going? How's the whirlwind? How's the, and, and honestly, it's going great.

[00:16:12] Just staying in touch with my family. Like the EP we released, the first thing was pray your name on the whole EP. And like that preached the whole thing that I was just writing off of at that moment was like, the only thing I can do is, is pray and like, think about my family, you know, because I'm a million miles away right now. And, and the least I can do is just think about them, you know, and, and go to someone who has been through it all, you know? So, so. And you mentioned Zach Bryan is one of the ones that got you playing guitar.

[00:16:40] What other artists were inspiration for you for, especially for writing now? Yeah. That got me into playing guitar. And, and then once I learned guitar, I started to find my own little, my own little vibe for sure. Um, but I listened to Limestone Kid growing up like crazy. And I listened to, um, I mean, Josh Abbott, William Clark Green, Flatland Calvary. Um, and now just like coming here to Nashville and meeting new people and, and I've found a

[00:17:09] way to pocket that into its own world, you know, my sound. And I feel like it's, I see the importance in instrumentals. That's very important to me. Melody is insanely important to me. And I feel like there's such a world out there that like, you don't have to sing about boots and jeans and drinking whiskey all the time. If, if you're, if you use the instrumentals in country, you know, like you can use the instrumentals in country, but talk about, you know, it don't always have to be drinking

[00:17:38] whiskey and I brought some farmland, you know? No, no hate to anyone that does that. They do it the right way. But I'm just trying to find a world where the hook isn't, it doesn't always have to be country, you know, but, but the sound of it and the melody can be country. I mean, I think it was Parker who said like on his last album, it was the first song he ever used the word beer in, which is crazy when you think about it. I know. And, you know, I've seen comparisons to you to other artists. Do you find that as a compliment or are you just kind of like, I really want to build my own thing?

[00:18:08] Yeah. So like once take it slow dropped, the instant, like me sitting in front of a truck and with blonde hair and blue eyes, like everyone's like Parker and understandable. But now it's like, that's faded so far away from anything. Like I don't ever get really compared anymore. And that's nice because I feel like there is an only, like there is a lane for it. And that was a worry in the beginning. I was like, Oh, like, is this a thing or is it just a one thing? Yeah.

[00:18:35] And, um, but I feel like who you look up to is who you try to apply to your daily life. And everyone that says, Hey, this sounds kind of like this. It's like, okay, well I'll look up to him. So I'll take that. Like, you want to compare me to Parker? He's headlining Red Rocks. Like, heck yeah. That's the goal. Yeah. I think there's something about the human condition where like, if you see something that you don't know, you, your first instinct is to try to compare it to something that you do. So I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing when you do get compared, but then I've

[00:19:04] also heard, you know, like athletes like, Oh, he's the next LeBron James. Like sometimes you want to just, I don't want to be the next this. I just want to be my own person. And so I understand there's probably two parts to that. Yeah, exactly. It's like without it's, it's like, don't get frustrated about it. Go just ignore it and go write your thing and, and find something to be excited about that day, you know? And, and, um, but comparisons aren't, aren't a big deal. I'll take them.

[00:19:32] And what's crazy is you're so young where like, you know, Parker's at a different stage of his life and he didn't get, you know, the traction till later where you might have the traction at, you know, 24, 25 and headlining Red Rocks. So it's like your career is already going to look so different. And so it's exciting to see. Yeah. Yeah. And I think the fun part about it is, is just because it's up here right off the bat doesn't mean Hudson Westbrook's up here. And that's the beauty of it is like, I didn't know what a hook was until I came to Nashville.

[00:20:01] Someone said, what's the hook? And I go, huh? I was like, what hook? And like, that's the beauty is I know what a hook is now. I know, I know what a melody is now. I know what a ganjo is now. I don't know. It's a banjo that you can play like a guitar. But that's the beauty of it is Hudson Westbrook isn't all the way here yet, but it's, it's here right now. And so I'm excited just to show what we've been working on. What would you say are some of your career goals? Obviously it's early, but like, what are some of those things that you're striving for right

[00:20:31] now? Yeah. Right now I'm striving to just keep building true fans, you know, and with it moving so fast, like the number one goal is like, how personal can we make this at a fast rate? Because a lot of times when you blow up so fast, it gets very unpersonal very fast. And, and so we've been like getting texts together, like making sure everything, because the day TikTok has gone too, is the day that my true fans are still there, you know?

[00:21:00] And that's why we're on TikTok actively and we're on Instagram actively, but, or I am and, um, and we're playing 120 dates this year. Like that's the staple is okay. If Hudson's not on TikTok anymore, we know he's touring cause he's on the road, you know? Yeah. And, uh, and so, yeah, I think the goal is just to stay active on the road, build true fans and, um, and one day headline an arena. Like I feel like if you're not playing or stadiums, you know, if you're not playing and you don't

[00:21:30] have the confidence in yourself that you're going to play a stadium one day, why are you doing it? You know? And, um, but yeah. And you have so many tour dates, so many shows you've done and shows to come. What has been your favorite show so far? My favorite show? I'm going to put it at three for the people that watch this. So, uh, Janice live in Florida was insane because I guess cause we went, we went and played

[00:21:55] this like strip club slash, um, slash venue in West Palm beach. It was the weirdest thing. Like strippers are walking in and out. I'm playing five to nine and I'm like, this is not lining up. Pray your name. Yeah. Yeah. Pray your name. Like that's not the Hudson Westbrook vibe. Um, but there was like a hundred people there and there and they were hanging out. But, um, and then at Janice live, there was 3000 and like, there's a video of the city and people just screaming house again. It's ringing out through the, through the town.

[00:22:22] And I was like, that showed me that we're going somewhere. And then, um, San Antonio was super fun. There was like 4,000 people at, at, um, at. Uh, floors country store. Okay. And that was so cool because that was like my first big Texas show. And then Billy Bob's, I guess was my first big Texas show, but that one was just the highlight of the year. Sold out Billy Bob's. Right. Yeah. Yeah. That's crazy. Yeah. And it was two weeks before and Robert texted me the, the owner.

[00:22:52] He's like prestigious. I think it's so funny. He's the only bar owner that I've known that is like on the dot everywhere. He's like walking backstage. He's like, you ready to go brother? You ready to, to go play? And, um, anyways, but Billy Bob's was such a cool experience because I watched Zach Ryan from five feet away from where I was standing. And then I watched Flatland as my first concert ever at Billy Bob's from the chairs, you know? And, um, so all of those are super special for their own reason. Yeah. I love Billy Bob's.

[00:23:21] I love Fort Worth in general. So I think that's super cool. And I was going to say like being from Texas, do you, is there an obligation that you feel to spread that Texas sound to, you know, to places outside of Texas or is that just kind of the, what you found that came to you easiest? Yeah. The beauty of what we're doing is, is like, I'm not using tracks or anything. I'm using drum tones.

[00:23:48] I'm using the, I want it to sound like you're listening to the concert in your car. You know, I feel like that's when a song's done right. And, um, and like the Texas sound using electric based stuff, like it's all Texas instruments. Like it's all very Texas based lead lines, Texas based solos. Um, and using the lyrics that aren't so, I went to Fort Worth and I went here and I'm drinking a beer at Billy Bob's.

[00:24:18] Like all that's really cool. There'll be a time when that comes along. Um, but right now it's contagious, you know, like people in Chicago and Australia are listening to it because it's, it's, I feel like you pocket it with lyrics, you know? Definitely. And I know you've literally just dropped an album, but you know, people, I feel like now even more than ever because of TikTok, their attention span is this short. Oh, it's very short. So are you already on working on new music? Do you already have a plan to release new music? Yeah. What's that looking like?

[00:24:48] Yeah. So we, um, we're always looking for the next thing, you know, just like everyone. We live in a microwave society. That is for sure. Um, and I just been, while we're releasing, I've been flying back and forth. So like my schedule looked like Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. I was writing Thursday, fly back home, hop on the bus from DFW airport, go on the road. And so we've been racking up the songs. Um, we got something super special coming in two weeks that no one, no one can know anything

[00:25:17] about, but it's, it's absolutely insane. It doesn't even seem real in my head. Um, and then, uh, it's a little package thing that's coming out. And then we have, um, an album ready. Um, not ready just yet. We're mixing the vocals on it, mixing, mastering. And then, uh, the track list, we're actually listening to it on the way here just to make sure everything fades in. But, uh, do, do the album. I'm excited for it. It's a whole different, not a whole different vibe, but it's a whole different era of like Hudson. So I'm excited for everyone to hear it.

[00:25:47] It's so crazy to me that like, that's how you have to work. Like you're driving here, listening to the music because like, that's your, that's your that's your downtime. Yeah. That's why I made sure to tell that. Cause like, it's true, you know, like I was, um, I was about to walk on stage at LJT this weekend and they're sending me the master for the thing that's coming out soon. And I'm listening right next to stage and I'm like, all right, good. And then we roll with it, you know? And so that's been, that's been interesting, but I think also there's beauty in being under pressure.

[00:26:17] Like you're like, all right, when I come to Nashville this week, like I got to write something good, you know? And, and I'm going to write something that I'm going to be very intentional with what I'm doing. Cause I think we wrote 60 songs and 35 of them, 30 of them are getting cut. Okay. Wow. That cut rate is insane. Yeah. And, um, hopefully they're as good as I think. We'll see. But how was playing LJT? That was cool. Cause, um, three years ago I was cleaning out the porta potties there and, and, um, and we were washing them out.

[00:26:47] What a switch. We'd basically go around with the septic tanks and like suck it out with the tube on our shoulder. Oh, it's disgusting. But, um, definitely made me grateful to go back home and play a show for the people that, that knew me in high school. And we hung out and they're texting me just like, Hey, good set dude. And, and come hang out with us if you can. And it was good to see all those dudes and, and just still talk to them and be like, Hey, all this is going on, but let's hang out.

[00:27:14] Now, if there was a movie about your career, then that would be like somewhere in the beginning, right? Where you're emptying out the porta potty and then like you look over and like one day I'll be over. Did that actually happen or was it more just like you were just doing the job that you were there and. Yeah. No. Was there any inclination that you were like, I'm going to play here one day? I always had a very, like, I always had a bone in my body that was like, I want to play on stage.

[00:27:39] And it wasn't for, I guess, cause like the ease that I got from listening to country music and, and the, the joy that I got, I just thought it was so cool. Like, cause when you're in the crowd, you're like, how are they doing this right now? Like eight dudes are on the same page playing the same songs in a row and doing it in a fun way. Doesn't get better than that. And you have a beer in your hand and your hammer and you're watching it like screaming at the top of your lungs. Yeah.

[00:28:06] And when you get to be that for someone, that's when, that's when you really understand. But like at the moment I was like, that'd be cool, but I don't know if I can do it. You know? So. Another festival you're on the lineup for is Rock the Country. Have you played any of those yet or are those coming up? Oh, we played one this weekend. Okay. It was a little bit of a mess just because it rained and then they couldn't park the buses next to the stage, but it was a good set. And they had to shorten it up a little bit because of the rain and they can't control that, but it was a cool set.

[00:28:35] It was, we're playing, I think the first set of the whole festival right now, um, which is only 30 minutes. So we just do as much as we can with 30 minutes. That's the only bad thing about a festival is the weather. I know. I have been to one where people left their shoes. Oh my God. They showed up to the festival and it was so bad. Like it was so muddy. They just left them there? Like people either got their feet stuck in the mud and it was like, well, I guess my shoes are going to stay there. I for one at least took my shoes with me, but then threw them away once I got home. So that's the only bad part.

[00:29:05] That's fair. About festivals. I had a brand new pair of Tecovas that got junked this weekend. Yeah. But. Like that's why you wear your shit kicker. Yeah, I know. I was like, that's what I get for trying to be a pretty boy up here. Um, I'd love to talk a little bit about your personal life. If you're open to it. Um, your girlfriend, I'd love to know the whole story of how y'all met and what you guys are doing. No, 100%. Um, so I was, we were in Fort Worth and she walked into a bar and we kind of knew each other

[00:29:34] through social media, but not really. Like I was doing my own thing. All this stuff was happening. Everything was a whirlwind. And we met at this bar and I was like, I was like, Hey, and, and we said, what's up? And then all our friends were there and then all our friends left and she stayed. And I was like, Oh, that's cool. And it was my birthday. And, um, so we were all hanging out and she walked in on me playing take it slow because my buddies made me get on stage. So I was like, all right, this just looks like I'm trying to like, like rule the whole situation. That's another movie moment. Yeah. Yeah. Literally.

[00:30:04] Yeah. It's all been like a movie. Like we just need a documentary here. Um, no, but, and then we met and then I came to Nashville for three weeks and I was writing and I was gone. So we just call and get to know each other. And, um, I think what we met played golf and then I dipped. And, um, we just got to know each other so well. And then we got back and I went to cotton fest with her, um, in Lubbock. And then I was like, okay, she, she can tour too. Like she's hanging out. She's, she's doing her own thing while we're doing the music.

[00:30:33] And, um, luckily, like in the moment we didn't realize how much people would be invested into all that. And so we really spotlighted it everywhere and, um, not really spotlighted. We were just excited and like proud that we were dating and found someone to be happy with. And, um, and now it's definitely like we want to be kind of on our own and just hang out and, and have our own relationship outside of social media. Cause, cause it's, but at the same time, I mean, people video us enough together to

[00:31:01] that it still is like a proud moment to be dating her. And, um, and she's proud to be dating me. And, um, it's, it's fun though. And, and she comes on the road every once in a while and I'll bring her on stage and, and do whatever because I'm like, these songs are coming to life for a reason, you know, like why not show it? So I brought my mom and her up on stage in San Antonio. You know, but, um, yeah, she's back, back home hanging out and I shoot her a call when I can. And she's so understanding though about everything and I'm understanding about all her stuff.

[00:31:31] So it's, it's really cool. Yeah. I'm sure that's an interesting, like great area to navigate. But I mean, people love seeing the relationship stuff no matter what, like, and love commenting on it. And I think it's hilarious when like you get posted and then all the girls are like heartbroken that you're with. It's like you're heartbroken. He's happy. Yeah, I know. It's like, it's like, um, cause that's been a conversation between both of us. Like I'm on stage and, and that I just don't ever want to come off as the guy, like the

[00:31:59] dress down music video was a bunch of roses and teddy bears and like fun stuff because it's not like that for me. Like I'm just singing my songs. I wrote them and I want the dudes out there to be like, Hey, I could have a beer with that dude. But at the same time, like, um, but at the same time being a figure that everyone looks up to, you know, and, and being yourself on stage. So you're saying, so we talk about that a lot, but I'm like, there's a reason why I'm touring all over the nation and we're living on the phone together.

[00:32:28] It's cause this is worth it, you know? And, um, it might be fun and rockstar life to go have fun and do the dumb things. But, um, I just know that it's honestly keeping me grounded too. And, and she makes sure to be like, Hey, you don't look good in that video. Like don't post that. Yeah. Fair. And so you're saying there's no Riley Green worst way video on the way. Oh no, that ain't coming anytime soon. We're going to, we're going to try to, hopefully the music is good enough that I don't have to do that.

[00:32:56] That's a great song, but I won't be, uh, ripping off my shirt or anything anytime soon. Gotcha. We'll, we'll make sure to clip that and put it up there. You should. You should. Hey, no shirts, no shirts coming off. Well, uh, I also want to talk about the fact that you grew up as the youngest of four siblings, right? So, uh, a lot of people, like if they grew up in a big family like that, there are stories of like, Oh, you know, the youngest person became this because they were fighting for attention or something like that.

[00:33:25] What's the story there as far as like, you know, the sibling, uh, not maybe not sibling rivalry, but like how you all grew up together. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, we grew up, it was, I was the youngest, you know, so they're, they're my two older brothers and my, and my sister, they went through college first and they went through high school first and they went through all these, all these obstacles in life and all these like adventures that you go on. And I got to watch as a little kid. So I'd be like, all right, mom doesn't like that. Dad doesn't like that.

[00:33:55] And, and so I'd kind of watch and, and, um, and it's such a good relationship though, because at the same time that they're like, Hey dude, you're being like, they can call me and be like, Hey dude, this isn't you. Like you're being an idiot and, and, and you're not doing what you're supposed to. But then they're also like my biggest hype man. Like if I was nervous and you had to put me in a room with a hundred, with 10 people, I'd put my whole family in there, you know? And, and so it's definitely a competition though.

[00:34:22] Like me and my brothers, like, they'll be like, um, Hudson's got dinner tonight. Like he can, he's got dinner tonight this time or, or why aren't you taking us out to the lake? Cause my brother, we always take out his boat, but, um, it's always been competitive in the, in the Westbrook household for sure. And that's why I enjoy music. Cause I found another competitive like thing, you know, and, and I get to like compete at

[00:34:46] something and, uh, and no, but, but growing up with them, they, I think it also reflects my, like, I was always mature for my age and I was the oldest one in my grade, but I was forced to be that way because they, I was around them all the time and they'd still tell on me for saying the word dumb though, or saying the word stupid or, and I don't know, it was a good relationship though. Great family to grow up in. Do you think they're surprised to see you doing music full time or did they always know

[00:35:15] that too? Yeah, they're, they're surprised. They were surprised in the beginning. They were like, cause I was never that, I've always been a deep thinker and like always been a very emotional person, but I haven't ever exerted it, but I found a way to exert it now, you know? And, um, and they were in the beginning, they're like, dude, is this even what you want to do? Like you're about to buy a van and a trailer and hire a band and go tour. And I was like, yeah, man, like, I think it's what I want to do. We'll see. Like I'm loving every moment of it right now.

[00:35:45] And, uh, and once I kind of took off and started doing it, like they, they're like, I see that like, this is what you were made to do, dude. Like, this is what you enjoy. And, and, and they, I mean, I always play guitar around them and they hype me up. So it was just, once it went from going to college and doing music to just doing music was a little transition, but, and now they're starting to understand like, Hey, on Thursday night, I might be writing a song at 1am and I can't answer the phone, you know?

[00:36:12] And, and so, yeah, it's just been a whirlwind, but we, we're all hanging out still. Sounds like a really supportive atmosphere, which has to be like, you know, you can't ask for anything else in a situation that you're in. And I'm going to now ask a very serious question. Okay. I hope that you're ready for this. Is it going to be serious? Um, I, I noticed that you went on a Taco Bell run recently. Yeah. Um, so my super serious question is what's your go-to order and is that your go-to fast

[00:36:42] food spot? Okay. So I'll answer that a little backwards. So we're, we're at the bus and the bus is parked at the hotel and there's a Taco Bell across the street. So we're like, all right, we got to do it. And they just brought the chicken nuggets back and the nacho fries back. So if y'all didn't know that, let me just go ahead and break. I saw the commercial about the chicken nuggets. Yeah. Yeah. They're legit. Um, but it was definitely like a food place I would avoid because I was really involved in FFA and I was like, I don't know how I feel about Taco Bell.

[00:37:12] But then like I did my research and they're one of the best fast food places to like grab something fast. And I got chicken nuggets, all three sauces. I'm a huge sauce guy. Like I got to have everything like ketchup, honey mustard, whatever it might be. And, um, and then I got, what else did I get? I got a Doritos Locos taco. Yep. The best. And a Baja Blast. And, uh, my camp's the only camp I know that can spend, I think we spent $185. Wow.

[00:37:39] At Taco Bell as a whole, but we didn't have a car. And so we're all just standing in the, in the, in the drive through and this car's behind us watching us all order. And it's like $175 worth of Taco Bell. So it seems like a joke, but, um, yeah, that's our order. And that's kind of our go-to place because it's the only place open by the time you get a set done. Yeah. So. Gotcha. It wasn't a serious question. That was personal. That's a serious one for me. Okay. That's personal. I love Taco Bell. I love Taco Bell so much.

[00:38:08] Now, now that you're making music, you know, you mentioned a couple physical jobs you had. Is there any part of you that misses doing all that physical stuff or do you kind of still do it while making music? Yeah. I saw like you did contracting, like fencing work, like all these like very hands-on things. Yeah. Yeah. So in high school, I grew up, um, with, um, my whole family was very like out in the country. Like we showed pigs. Um, I showed pigs.

[00:38:36] It's, it's the weirdest thing to people for some reason, but it was so normal for me. Um, I showed pigs growing up and then I ended up going to tech and I was like, all right, I gotta have a job now. And so I started breaking bulls and that was basically like, you're combing their hair to go forward. You take a group of calves, you put them in a pin, you tie their face up and like they're shaking their head. You're holding them. You're, you got your heels dug in the ground and you tie them up and then their face gets

[00:39:06] sore from like what they're doing and, uh, or from the strap being around their, their nose. And then they learned, they got to listen whenever you pull on them cause it's going to hurt. And, um, and then we tied them up, train their hair to go the right way. And, and then after that, I worked at a feed store and delivered hay bales and delivered pig feed, chicken feed, kangaroo food. I didn't know that was a thing. I didn't either. No, no. Um, but yeah.

[00:39:33] And then I did that and, and in high school I just loved fencing. And so I got real deep into like welding and, and I was about to, like I bought a three quarter ton truck and put a well, or I didn't put a welding rig on it, but I put a transfer tank on it. I was like getting ready to roll on my fencing career. And, um, and I, I miss like sweating if that, that's a really weird aspect, but I miss being

[00:39:59] outside and just pouring sweat and feeling like I just worked my tail off. This is more of like a mental game, you know? And a mental, like it's like mental exhaustion rather than I'm tired. And, and, um, and so I, I miss it a little bit. I get excited for like the summer sets that I just pour sweat and like, we get to feel like we're working, you know? Yeah. But yeah, I didn't know if, because, uh, I'm in a situation where like I used to do something

[00:40:29] where I was just like outside all the time and now I am a writer primarily. And it's just like, I'm inside for the most part. And there is a part of me that does miss, like there's a sense of accomplishment. Like one time I had a conversation with a friend and it was like jobs that you have to take a shower after, like make you feel better sometimes. And so that might be like, we're like the end of your day is like getting home, showering and then like, that's a reset. Yeah. And there's something about that. Psychological thing, you know?

[00:40:56] And with like the, um, the routine that I was in at tech and the routine that I was in in high school was like waking up early and, and working out and then going to class and then working. And then like now music is so like on, like at the moment, like you're just like, all right, we're going to go right. And then you go right and you spend seven hours writing and then you're like, oh shoot, the whole, the whole day's gone. Um, but yeah, it's definitely like, I think that's a psychological thing.

[00:41:25] Like it felt good to look at the fence and be like, all right, we got here today. Yep. That's done. I'm going to go shower, eat dinner and then catch up with all my buddies. So yeah, you can turn it on and off. You can turn it on and off and music is always on. Yeah, exactly. And in Texas, football is king. We kind of just want to open the floor to let you share about the Texas state football championship that you won. Yeah. Yeah. That was, that was super fun. I, I played football all four years, all, well, six years.

[00:41:54] And, um, we like football was awesome and I loved it a lot and it taught me so much. And to win like the state championship, it teaches you like that you, you accomplish something and then you got to do it again, you know? And we tried to do it again my senior year. We didn't do it, but, um, playing that though was, was awesome because you're getting to like, like, like that's the, for Texas as a high schooler, like that is your, that's the dream.

[00:42:24] Yeah. That's the dream. That's as high as you can go. Yeah. I've seen like the Texas high school football stadiums. Nuts. Is it like, was that a situation where you're playing in some pretty big places? Yeah. We played at the Frisco star and then we played at, um, Cowboy stadium. Yeah. And so like my locker was, was Des Bryant's locker or something, you know? And what you walk out there and it's a blur, like everyone's watching, you go play the game and then you win and you're like, we just won state.

[00:42:53] Like that is insane. But do I think it's the biggest accomplishment in my life? No. But was it at the moment and was it really cool? And are those my best friends for life? Like they say, yeah, 100%. Um, and then it was fun just to like, you always talk about playing during Thanksgiving and playing during Christmas and there was just the practices in the cold and, and getting together with the dudes and being like, Hey, we're going to play.

[00:43:22] And then we're going to open presents tomorrow. Like that was really cool. And we got to all just like wear our medals. It was, I guess it was like a satisfaction thing. Like we finally did what the coaches were wanting us to do, you know? That's huge. And I'm assuming maybe football, you're still a fan of the sport, even though you don't play anymore. Uh, I'm assuming it can go either way as far as NFL. I know that you, you went to Texas tech. Sometimes there's the carryover like, Oh, Patrick Mahomes went to Texas tech.

[00:43:49] So you're a chiefs fan or being from Texas, you choose one of the Texas teams. How do you, how do you do Dallas Cowboys? There we go. Okay. Yeah. I set up the whole question. I figured that was, I already knew what the answer was for you and finished it. No, Dallas Cowboys all the way. And then Mavericks and, but I love college football because it's like people are trying to prove themselves at that level. But now you got NIL and now you got all these things. It's changing the game. I know.

[00:44:17] So Quinn, Quinn Ewers just took like a huge pay cut going to the NFL. He was like making millions of dollars at Texas. Now he's going to make like 600, 800 thousand dollars. Ridiculous. In the NFL. And like everyone, what was the Tennessee quarterback? Oh yeah. I can't say his name because I don't want to butcher it. I don't know his name. But he's the one who like wouldn't accept less than like $4 million. $4 million. And so now he's going to go somewhere else and it's just a whole thing. And so I'm like, it changes how the game is played because that's why people loved college so much.

[00:44:46] It was like they played with their heart because it was just about the game. And now it's like a proving yourself thing. And now it's like, all right, we were paying you $2 million to rep X brand. And now you're going to go to NFL and we're paying you to play for this team. But I mean, there's still sponsorship opportunities, but it's like, I just see the hungry, the hunger in like all the college players. It's all dollar signs. Yeah. Definitely. Well, I've loved chatting so far.

[00:45:15] We're just going to wrap up with some rapid fire if that's okay with you. Let's roll. Okay. What are your predictions for the rest of 2025? This can go for anything, music, life, whatever. Yeah. My predictions for 2025 is to release an album. Hopefully that album charts top of the billboard and top of everything it can possibly chart. And I want to go on a skiing trip to Switzerland. I will do that. And because I love snowboarding and wakeboarding and stuff too.

[00:45:45] And I'm going to be on the lake a lot this summer. Those are my predictions. Fun. I'm sure your team's like, just don't get hurt. Just don't get hurt. Hey, if I got a cast, I'm still ripping. I don't care. That's right. They can wheel you out. Yeah. Those girls are going to be like, this is not the Hudson we knew. What song do you have on repeat right now? The song that I have on repeat right now is Mystical Magical by Benson Boone. I do like him a lot. So unique.

[00:46:12] Is there anything outside of country music that you feel like you're really passionate about? Yeah. I'm super passionate about snowboarding and wakeboarding. And then, but like on a, on emotional level, what I'm super passionate about is I love pictures. Like pictures are my favorite thing ever. I'm about to buy a film camera. Yeah. And take pictures of like all the things we do because that's our way to like. Yeah. Remember everything that's happening so fast.

[00:46:41] I love Polaroids on the fridge. I love like little things like that. Okay, cool. Yeah. Name something overrated. Something overrated. Let me see. A Coney from Sonic. Drive-in is completely overrated. It's disgusting. I've never had one. Yeah. Thank you. I've never had one. All right. I was waiting for someone to objectify. But like all my buddies are like, they're insane, dude. And I'm like, that is not, no hate on Sonic.

[00:47:10] But I love their burgers. So I'm with you on the, I think Sonic great for, you know, a drink, slushy, ice cream. But food, I'm going to go somewhere else. Yeah. I think fast food burger though, I would almost choose it over anything. Oh, okay. Good to know. I might need to try it. I've had Sonic, but I think I usually really hung over and just pick whatever sounds good in the moment. So can you name something underrated? Something underrated.

[00:47:42] Bottomland Boys. I forgot their name. They sing. Okay. The song Over You, Over It is underrated. I don't think I know it. Yeah. Okay. Not familiar, but I will look it up. See, it's underrated. Yeah. You haven't heard it yet. I love it. Any embarrassing onstage moments so far? I fell offstage at Silver Saloon in Terrell. So I walked up to the edge of the stage trying to be cool or whatever and walked up and said, how the hell are we doing, Silver Saloon?

[00:48:12] And then I go, oh, fell on this girl. This girl looks at me, grabs my shoulders and she's like, oh my gosh, that's him fell on me. And I'm like, this is not good. But it was one of those things. And that same day, I was like, I will not fall offstage. I will not be that guy. It was around the same time that Parker fell. He played it off very well. But he fell two days before and I was like, I won't ever do that. That's what always happens. Yeah.

[00:48:40] It's either you manifest it and you manifest that you're not going to fall would have worked out swimmingly. Or the fact that you saw someone else do it and then it's in your head. Yeah. And I tried to step on this little tiny board and I just got new boots. So that heel part slipped off the board and it just sent me into the crowd. But you were all good. It sounds like the person broke your fall almost. Yeah, that's why I really felt bad.

[00:49:07] And then she DMed me a few days later and was like, hey, I need free tickets. You fell on me at Silver Saloon. I was like, all right, come on. I guess I can do that. At least it didn't hurt her. No, at least I was like, I get it if you're hurt. You got free tickets for life. But she was all right, luckily. After a rough show night, what does your recovery look like? First thing is shower. I brush my teeth like crazy and I shower like crazy. I cannot stand being dirty.

[00:49:34] That's like number one on our bus rule list is to shower. Which is interesting because you're such a hands-on guy and you love sweating. Yeah, I know, I know. But I also like grew up around my sister and my mom and like I was the man of the house back in the day kind of. And so they would tell me if I smelled bad or wasn't clean and then go back to the bus and usually I'll just, I'll eat and watch Instagram for like an hour or 30 minutes and then recap on the show. Just watch the stories to make sure my voice is sounding good.

[00:50:05] And everyone's doing their job and then I'll go to bed. We always have fun with this question. What is the largest animal you could take in a 1v1 fight? The largest animal I can take in a 1v1. Kangaroo. A kangaroo? I think I could take a kangaroo in a fight. I feel like we had somebody else. Any, any, like any size or like. Any size. Any size, okay. Dude, those things start getting six packs. I don't know if that's an edit, but like. I don't know either. Some of them will get ripped up. Yeah.

[00:50:31] And I always like, I love videos where people are like in nature and they're getting chased by something or like one dude was golfing and he's fighting a kangaroo. Like I just find so much humor in that. Yeah. Because they're just chilling and a kangaroo comes up like who's going to box a kangaroo on a Tuesday afternoon? Right. But if you have to. I got you. Yeah. Just call me up. Okay. Perfect. Just let me know. That's all we got for you. But before we wrap up, I'd love to just open the floors. Is there anything else that you want fans to know? Anything you're excited about you want to share that we might not have touched on?

[00:51:01] Yeah. We kind of touched on it, but the album is going to be super special. We're going to make sure to give each song its moment and make sure that everyone hears the whole thing. It's about to dump out. It's a lot of songs, but just I'd appreciate if they took the time to listen to it and I'll take the time to make sure that it's perfect for them. Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being here. We look forward to it. Yeah. Well, thank you all for having me. Thanks so much. Yeah.