Right About Now - Legendary Business Advice - Catching Fire with Smoke with Michael Hobby

Episode Date: April 11, 2023

Welcome back to The Radcast! Get ready to learn the ups and downs of being an artist in today's music industry. We have an exclusive interview with Michael Hobby, a Country Rockstar extraordinaire! Michael shares his journey, from his humble beginnings to becoming a chart-topping artist. One thing's for sure - it takes dedication, hard work, and an unwavering passion for music to make it in this competitive scene. But the conversation doesn't stop there. We delve deeper into the creative process of making music, the challenges that come with it, and how artists can navigate the business side of the industry. Michael's insights provide a wealth of information for aspiring musicians and business owners alike. If you're looking for some practical advice to apply to your own venture, tune in and absorb Michael's wisdom. Who knows, it may just be the push you need to take your career or business to the next level. Don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind episode and get ready to be inspired!Key notes from the episode: Michael started playing guitar at a young age and, after winning a competition, moved to Nashville to pursue his dream of being a musician. (01:39) Michael's band had to take up side jobs in order to finance their music career, which has included touring with some big names. (06:08) Michael discussed the highs and lows of his musical journey, which began when he moved to Nashville when he was 18. (14:41) Ryan and Michael discussed the song "Smoke Number One" which rose to number one on the charts. (22:16) Thousand Horses' new album has a "familiar but way bigger" sound that was crafted with meticulous detail. (28:21) Thousand Horses are planning to release their record independently and tour this year. (34:51) Michael is a musician with a lot of talent and ambition who encourages others to enjoy the journey and emphasizes the importance of relationships. (40:37) This episode is packed with energy, wisdom, and passion and we know you will get a ton of value from this.To keep up with Michael Hobby, follow him on Instagram @AThousandHorses and @MichaelHobbyLearn more by visiting our website at www.theradcast.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RadicalHomeofTheRadcastIf you enjoyed this episode of The Radcast, Like, Share, and leave us a review! If you enjoyed this episode and want to learn more, join Ryan’s newsletter https://ryanalford.com/newsletter/ to get Ferrari level advice daily for FREE.  Learn how to build a 7 figure business from your personal brand by signing up for a FREE introduction to personal branding https://ryanalford.com/personalbranding.  Learn more by visiting our website at www.ryanisright.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/@RightAboutNowwithRyanAlford. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You're listening to The Radcast, a top 25 worldwide business podcast. If it's radical, we cover it. Here's your host, Ryan Alford. Hey guys, what's up? Welcome to the latest edition of the Radcast. If it's radical, we cover it. And I'm pretty pumped today. You know, I have all of my needs and wants and tastes all in one.

here not only with the cool dude and someone who I'm calling a friend now but who's just a fucking badass you know I'm so Michael I'm just going to talk tell it like it is Michael Hobby lead singer of a thousand horses artist writer and a friend it's good to have you brother man hey man it's good to call you a friend and I'm glad we met that night I like pre bus it's a good story you know I know a great story I'm hoping like, you know, like 30 years from now when, you know, you've got 20 number ones behind you and everything else. And we're sitting on the porch somewhere having a beer and, you know, we'll look back and go, we met on old Jaron's Cadillac 3 bus. That guy.

We met all that guy's. He's my oldest friends, man. I love that, dude. I love crew, Shelby and Neil. It was a good timing. I was home to see my family in South Carolina. and my brother wanted to go to their text because he's a fan of their band and I was like oh well yeah we we got to go yes I'm glad you did got up there sang a little little song too

and got on stage I'm like damn and then I was telling the call's like jaren's gonna text me we'll help me up but I'm glad we met man I've been a fan of your music just didn't know you personally and now getting to know you and Caroline personally just my kind of people and And I'm really just excited for people to hear, you know, the music industry is interesting. I've learned, and I know you can tell me, tell us all the stories there. But I think just, I don't know, getting underneath the music and, you know, what it takes to be an artist today. And I don't know, the highs and the lows. But let's just start, Michael, again, with just kind of that journey and that story, you know, like what made you.

you want to become a rock star country rock star yeah man you know i i got into music when i was around you know i got a guitar when i was 11 11 12 um when i was with my mom she used to drag one to the barns south carolina which you know saturday auction and there was a guitar there that was going up for auction and i didn't have any money and the lady wanted 25 bucks for it and uh i told her i'd help her load all her stuff up that she bought to if I could if I could get the guitar she said well if you help me load everything I'll give it to you for 20 bucks and I was like okay so I went and begged my mom borrowed 20 dollars mom I still owe her 20 bucks to this day but and I got the guitar and I went home and just kind of never looked back you know I stayed I grew up way out in the country

and didn't have a lot of things around so I just stayed in my room and and learned out of play and, you know, kind of dove in and never, never changed. It was what I wanted to do the moment forward and just worked my ass off, try to, you know, find man members in a small town. And Columbia and Greenville were closest big cities and putting in ads in the paper to get calls for people to come try out. And finally, just kept grinding, man. I don't know if you guys remember 93.5 in Columbia.

Oh, yeah. But they were doing the locals lot thing. Crocodile Rocks. Oh, yeah. Crocodile Rocks. I remember the T-shirts. They had T-shirts. That was the coolest thing.

You had a Crocodile Rock T-shirt. Yeah, Banana Jad, was crocodile rocks. All that shit was popping. And we entered into that. We ended up winning the whole thing and getting to go on the radio station and play a song, which was huge. and got some recording time. I think the jam rim is what that studio was called

and made a little demo tape and just started, you know, my dad met a guy that was in Nashville. And this was all, I was in ninth grade. I was I was in high school. And my guitar player, Bill, he's my best friend. He was in the band. And met a guy through my dad that produced records in Nashville. And we talked to him for a little while.

And we moved here in 2005 to chase the dream, you know, and learned very quickly, which is, it's funny that we met Algerian's bus. But Jaron was one of the first guys I met when I moved to town. I went to, it was his band was bang, bang, bang. And it was him and Neil and Kelby Still. And I went to their show at this club called Twelfth and Quarter. and I remember Bill and I looking at each other going, holy shit, we got to practice. Like, we got to get better.

The bar was raised. The bar was right. Welcome to town. You know? Yeah. This said in South Carolina, a little Newberry. All right. So, you know, we dug into that, became friends with those guys,

and played locally at Bunch. And it did as much as we could nationally. in a car in a trailer and then to a van in a trailer which led us to I mean we moved to your 2005 our first record deal was in 2009

we got our first record deal on interscope records you know after so 10 year town I guess or not in those 5 years but and we thought man here we got we were out in Sanalyst and

and living there for a few weeks or a month at a time and started making a record. And about the time we finished, it was an EP, five songs, which is, I think, still out, still available on streaming and whatnot now. But that didn't eat shit, streaming stuff didn't exist in, you know? Yeah. Now it's all your, your Napster or iPod or whatever the hell it was, right? Oh, I remember Napster. Napster was good.

Yeah. Not good for my business, but good. Yeah, right, exactly. Anyways, and as quick as that began, you know, that went away, you know, at that time. We were probably on that label for a year, and we toured relentlessly during that time, came back to Nashville, regrouped. I'm kind of only giving you, I guess, the bullet points of this story. No, it's good, though, man. I mean, it's good.

We'll dig into some of that. Regrubed and then got a record deal with Big Machine a few years later in a country label, you know. What are you doing in between that time? Are you just on the Nashville, like, are you working side jobs?

Are you like, what are you, how are you piecing it all together? I mean, like, between gigs and all that. Yeah, well, we, we, We didn't really never make any money playing gigs. I mean, if we did, it was, it was peanuts. But, man, we had jobs. I worked at Buckel, selling clothes here in Cool Springs.

And then Bill, our guitar player, he worked at a restaurant and outside. He was a waiter. And he was doing that grunt. Yeah. And, you know, everybody else was kind of musician friends that would play with us, or we'd give him a little bit of money to play with it. And our bass player, Graham, is Bill's cousin. So he moved up right after high school in like 07 when he graduated.

He literally walked out of the front door to his car and drove straight to here. This was before the big machine thing. Yeah. Anyways, we signed a big machine. And in between then, what we did is we worked odd jobs here and there, you know, and did whatever it took to make a buck. And I got a publishing deal before all that. So with Warner Chapel.

and that was like my first getting money to be a writer. Yeah. You know? And that was a game changer for me because I got a little pub deal and finally had

I didn't have to do any other jobs I could just write and then led to the record deal. And man, we, we in that process, we had made that first record. A lot of people don't know this but we were working with Dave Cobb. He was our producer

at the time. And we this was before Dave was Dave we went into his home studio and we made that record like on our credit cards like and we didn't you know Dave was so nice he didn't charge us for anything but we had to pay these musicians

and stuff that would come in and I remember I'll never forget it we were out of it and we were walking in his driveway and all four of us in the band were all our phones with credit card companies trying to get whatever little white credit we could get a fees.

None of us had any money or any credit. I mean, and finally, I'd become friends with a great guy by the name of any here who was part of a local bank called Avenue Bank, but now it's Pinnacle Bank. And I called him and I said, we can't get a credit card to give us any money to finish this record, but I know this record is great. And he said, how about this? I'll loan you enough money that sweeping my parking lots could pay for. And I said, you got a deal.

So he gave us 15 grand. And we made the repair. It landed us a record deal with Big Machine. And we were off for the races running. We ended up going back in with Big Machine and re-picking the record and adding a few songs. and thank God we did because that's when smoke came in and uh

the drug to all already been written and then a song on the record called where I'm going came in that I've written and they were kind of like the 11th song for the record and I brought I wrote smoke on a Thursday played it for the guys there were sent it to everybody late late Thursday night and Friday morning my phone

was blowing up from our label and the band of like, man, guys, this is it. And our label was like, we're with this one. So we went right into the studio on Saturday, cut that sob first, and it was our first single out of the gate, which... So they knew it was a hit.

They heard it? Yeah, yeah. Before, I mean, that's their job, I guess, you know, and... Yeah, it just kind of came out of the blue, man. You know, when I wrote it, I thought it was great, and I liked it. But, you know, I just turned it in, like I always did. And, yeah, the Big Machine ran with it.

And it was the highest debuting single on the chart in history from a group. And we came in at like 26 out of the gate, which was unheard of. So we were like, holy smoke. Yeah. I was like, holy shit. Here we go. You know, we lost the Interscope deal. Now we're Big Machine.

And now we got a hit on the radio. So we, we, the rocket took off, you know, and it never really stopped, you know, after that. And, and so smoke goes no-on, drunked off, you know, it goes, it gets like top 15. And then things kind of started to get shaky, which was wild at the time. And, you know, shortly after that, we're, you know, we're on the Jason Outdine. So we're torn with Darius Rucker. We're torn with Jason Addeen and Thomas Rett, brothers Osborne. and just on top of the world, man.

And then the deal with Big Machine fell apart, right, kind of in the middle of all that, which was super deflating, you know? I mean, it was a bummer. And we came home and then we're like, what are we going to do? And then boom, we got the Kid Rock tour right after that, like his tour back.

And we went out and did that. And then in the process, so what we did is we repeated. You know, we were in a way better position than we ever had been. So we went and put up our own money and went back in with Dave and made it another record. And while we were making that record, we got another record deal from Elektra and Dave's label, Low Country Sound. And we were like, hell, yeah, we got another deal. This is our third at this point. Yeah.

Major label deal. And we finished the record, geared up, ready to go. We had a two-week European tour and then a U.S. tour. And it was March of 2020. And we're on the plane from Nashville. We stop in Charlotte to get on the big plane to go across the pod to play our European tour. And we get off the plane of Charlotte because they ban international travel. And our whole world shut down, you know, right?

in the middle of that gear up to go at it again. And as you know, I mean, things for a lot of people got tough during that time and still now are tough. And it brought our world to a halt, which was a real bitch. And a lot of our friends,

I mean, so many people, it was just kind of a shitty time, a terrible time for everybody. And in that process, we, the year or in two years, we weren't really on the road touring or couldn't tour.

You know, we parted ways with Electra and Atlantic in that time period, and we fired our manager, or parted ways with it, firing such a harsh word. Yeah. Different directions. Yeah, we went different directions. And we had this record that we had back. So we did what we always did, and we put our heads down, and dove into it. We went with a new manager for a little bit, put this record out, you know, and now we're just now starting to come back from the two years or three years, really, of dealing with the sludge of what happened.

And in that process, in last year, we made another record. So we have that record that hasn't been released yet. You've heard some of it. Oh, yeah. I can't wait to talk about it. And now we're, you know, back in the game. We're just, you know, it's a, if you don't stop, it won't stop. We got a million reeth to quit and, you know, our true hearts and belief and an artistry of what we do is what keeps us going.

You know, it's the little wind along the way and the highs and lows that keep you moving towards the bigger success. But it's been a process, man. I mean, that started from when I was a kid. and moving to Nashville when I was 18 right out of high school with just a dream to now. And it's been very, it's been very great, like very good. And it's also been shitty, you know, like anything else. And frustrating. In the music business, you know, it can be frustrating.

Very frustrating. It's not, it's like, it's not. It's unlike any other business in the world, I think, you know, with what it's based off of. And you learn something new every day, and you go and adapt. But we're excited about this new record. We're excited about the things we have lined up for it and being back out on the road, starting probably in May. I think it's when we start back up to be out through the summer. And we'll see now where this journey and this record takes us, you know, that's all we can do.

It's like every record is a different journey. I mean, in a way. But before I go there, man, it's, I think for someone listening and myself getting to know you, it's, smoke was just such a fire hit. And obviously, you told that story. But people don't realize the trials, tribulations, the ups, like, they just don't understand. And I think it's fascinating hearing the true journey, you know, from the passion as a kid to, you know, you're working at Buckel. You're in between, like, you do all these things.

You've had a record label and all that, ups downs, all that. I think people just think these things, you go into a factory and, you know, these hits spit out. And like, but there's just such a journey there that's unlike a lot of other career paths, just like you said, it's very unique. Yeah, there is. man, I mean, it's, there's so many things that have to line up and come together at the same time. I mean, some people call that magic. Some people call it the stars aligning. And it really truly is.

And it's, it's nothing, that's the problem with it. You can't, you can't pinpoint, like, this is what works and this is how you do it. And it'll work again and again, again. Like, it's not a, it's not a rinse and repeat thing. And it's based off, you know, criticism of it. You know, it's based off, like, who likes it and who does it. Like, it's completely opinionized of whether a song works. And the inner workings that go behind that on the business side or, you know, all just have to line up.

And you don't ever know why. Or there's no reasoning, you know, why a song works, why a song doesn't work. you just got to keep trying and and keep going and trying to be better and improve yourself and be a better writer, be a performer. And also just deal with life in the same sense, you know. You know, a lot of us, we got married, we got kids, you know, in this process. So, you know, the growing pains of learning how to be those things. I mean, to learn how to be a husband and then learn to be a father. I think that's a whole other department, especially when you're on a, a, a couple of, a couple of, a couple of, a couple.

country rock and roll band tour in the world and you're gone and you're back and forth you know it's a lot to adjust to but it's wonderful i love it you know that's why we all do it you can't stop let me ask you this you know the politics side you started to go there a little bit you know and i'm gonna i keep coming back to smoke because there's such a before and after and then today and i'll definitely want to get to the new album which is fire the uh It's interesting because I see it as if the right person wants to make your song big, it seems like it can be manufactured in a way. But the counter to that for me is smoke. I remember hearing it the first time I was like, that's a fire hit.

Like, I mean, it just was so catchy and told the story. And you never heard it like positioned that way. The whole story within the story of the song. but they heard it and so again it's not just politics they obviously because like you said you send it in overnight the next morning they're recording that tomorrow like they immediately know so obviously it's not just politics it's obviously talent and a you know the right formula coming together but like because for the longest time i was just like well if the right person knows you they can make your hit a hit but it still has to have substance i'm just curious

You know, like that process. Absolutely. Yes. There still has to be that magic or that connection in it that you can't make up. But, you know, I always sell people too. It's just, it's not that somebody has to hear your song. It's the right person has to hear what you do in it, align with what they believe. Yeah, you know, and that person is very important fighting for you and making sure it's heard

and making sure you get the opportunity to give it its best lice, you know, for a song. So it's, you know, if you get a thousand, those you're looking for is one yet. And it's the right person. You know, some people don't get it. Some people do. I mean, when that happened to us, you know, there was a lot of people. people that were like, y'all are fucking crazy for signing that, or y'all are fucking crazy for thinking that song's a hit.

And it's just as many people said, well, this is a no brain. You know? Yeah. It's always, you're always up against the critic, you know, especially in the business. And, you know, like, not to talk about another artist, but like Luke Combs has that story of when he came to town and he played a major player in this business. you know, four, five songs, and the guy told him to go home. That none of those were hits, and he'd never make it in this town.

And all five of those songs were five monster number one hit. You know, and he just took that as, well, fuck you. And he kept going. Yeah. And that's it. You know, hit that door. So that's the rule that you play every day with a song is you just, you do the best you can, and you put it in the check.

Amber and pull the trigger, man. And you don't know what's going to happen. Well, let's just go there because I was texting you while I was having, you know, probably my fourth margarita in Mexico, you know, listening to this ain't, you know, listening to this ain't no drunk dial, which was a, I don't know what's number one versus number seven, but let's just call it. It was a fucking jam hit. And, you know, I know, I'm.

Not good at a lot of things, but I've always been good at hearing a ringer. And that's a ringer. I don't know how much you can share. I mean, I know you're not going to bash the label or anything, but that thing was rising. And I'm trying to understand exactly why or how you're with a label. You have smoke, number one fastest song on the charts ever. You've got a clear, even if it wasn't smoke, it's not.

you know, 20 steps behind it. It's a close number two to being a hit jam. How did it go south or why did that momentum? What makes them not go, well, there's not another one behind this? You know, I can't quite get my head around that. That makes two of us. Man, you know, those kind of things are above my page. grave when it comes to it.

I don't I don't know what happened with that song. I don't know where you know any if or any what balls got dropped

you know like I said we were we were kind of on that rocket ship I mean that was frustrating you know for us coming out of the gate was such a heater but in and in all things considered that song was a hit. It just it didn't ring a number one bill.

It was top 20. So I mean so that's That's a winner, right? Yeah, and it didn't ring the number one bill with, you know, looking back now was a bummer then, but now I look at it and go, well, shit, man, I probably still hit. Yeah, it was a hit. That's incredible. But what, that's the things behind the scenes and the politics of things that I don't know, you know, I don't, that's where whatever the label was thinking or whatever they had coming or whatever they wanted to go with. they always call out research and all these things that as an artist you're like what

what are you what are you calling people on the phone and playing 20 second clips yeah right however many people hang up goes against you if the song's good or not yeah right you know so that that was a you know that was deflating at the time especially when you're on that high but if you had you've got look by any measure of success i would you correct me you're you have a a heater number one and a top 20 number two two songs that hit that high i think would be a marker of success of the album overall for just about any group a number one if you get one number one i mean that's probably a successful album so why did it fall up why why i wasn't immediately we all need to, you know, Michael, we need 10 more songs and, you know, let's, let's ring it up again.

I mean, you know, so maybe there's no, we'll never quite understand that one song. I guess I just don't follow why it wasn't like, let's ring up another, you know. And, you know, in those conversations were had, and we had songs lined up, but then we kind of got caught, we kind of got lost, you know, is a, is a band, you know, to be honest. and with the business of the music world and, you know, the pressures coming from the other side of changing producers, changing who you're writing with, changing, trying to find, it's kind of like,

I always describe it as like the sky is falling mentality. Yeah. And it never really was, but it was being treated that way. So as an artist, like, it's, it happens all the time where you get lost and you lose your identity. that made you what you were and you lose focus on what you started in the beginning

because you got all these other, you got pressure on you from the other side and you know it gets rushed and you know haste makes waste and money gets spent and you know

it just kind of implodes you know it's a great recipe for disaster for an artist's career you know it's like we love you, you're great, we want to do this, can we change everything? You know, and it, it's fucked up, but it happens. Yeah. It happens a lot.

You know, people wonder what happens to people or people, you know, wonder what happens to songs. And I think that's kind of what we got caught in, man. It was just a, it was a, it is wild that that's how that played out. Because like any other person or any other situation, you go, all right, man, shoot, we have two hits off the first record. Let's go in and make another run. record and I'll have a couple hits off that and then make another record.

We're building this thing. Exactly. For a long term. And that wasn't the case for us in the situation we were in. Come to find out. Yeah. So we've gone independent, right? We're independent.

Yeah. I mean, officially. I mean, but open to possibilities, right? You don't, you're not necessarily. Absolutely, man. I mean, you know, we're older, wiser and more experience now. and we got to go make the record we wanted to make them. And we used our judgment, our intercompose to do that.

And there are other opportunities out there for us now, which we're incredibly grateful for. And we'll continue to strive. So, yeah, we're open to kind of any scenario to help level up what we've already built, you know. The business has changed so much. I mean, like talking with Michael Hobby, lead singer of a thousand horses.

you know, we've talked about this. I mean, the streaming game and TikTok and like, you know, there's never been a time to,

you know, to be able to do it your own self. Like, you don't, you need it, don't get wrong. Radio's still important. But damn,

like you can make a lot of hay on your own these days. It's a little different, isn't it? Absolutely, man. That's, we talk about that all the time, how much the,

the landscape has changed in the last, you know, five years and and yeah it's unbelievable man I mean the opportunity for for people to get their songs out and get them heard and build a career

and really make a living doing it and and do what they want to do is if it's it's limitless to be honest and that's exciting you know I think artists are kind of realizing that and I think and labels realize that for sure

and they're still you know the gatekeepers of the world and all that. But it's it's it's it's changing. Yeah. And just like you said, through TikTok and through social media platforms and and and and and and where you can be heard and reach an audience is it's wide open, which also is kind of scary because it's not the way it used to be.

Yeah. So you got to change and adapt and, and, and move towards that and go against things that you don't know how to do. You know, we're, we're kind of a man that was caught. We're caught in like the middle of an oval. Like, you know, when we, when we had smoke and big machine, like Spotify was not something that we were allowed to really support, you know, it was a new thing. Nobody knew what to do with it. We loved it.

And they've been incredibly great. They've been great to us. And then it came in and out what it's all about. You know, it's the, I'll tell people like the gut instinct that used to be on something is very hard. come by now. It's really based off the word metrics always comes to the mind of what you're doing. Same, similar than with what you do

with your podcast. You know, I mean, you know who's listening. You know when and all that. And we didn't have that. You know, back you know, 10 years ago. Yep. You get the algorithms and everything else. So, I mean, are you guys shopping,

you know, look, for everybody listening, the new album, Fire. It's, it's like, you need, if you go listen to, like, a couple of their, Michael and the group's original songs, it sounds. I mean, it'll sound familiar. It's like, it's familiar, but, you know, I asked you like, what is it? What's the, you know, it's like, it's like country, but fucking way bigger.

It's like, I'm like, but it is, man. It's just there's like this Americana, this rock to it. There's, you know, I know always so that. I don't know. And I grew up like Black Crow's, like, love it. Like there's a certain just rock vibe with your stuff that's always present. It's always got a little bit of the country. It's there.

But, dude, I mean, there's just some jams on that. And they're all different. Like, I just, I went from track to track. And in a really good way, it just felt almost. it felt like a thousand horses, but it felt like every song felt like an experience in and of it. Sometimes you listen an album,

and you kind of like, not every song sounds the same, but like there's just like this thing, but I was like, I just kind of felt like I was going on a different trip every time. One was a trip down to Charleston. One was I was headed Nashville

to party my ass off. One, I was like going out to the field to make out with my wife. I mean, it was just like all over the map. Yeah, that's good. Well, man, I mean, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's what we were kind of going for. You know, we, we want our record to be a journey through the whole thing, you know, we want to pay attention to that detail to get people an experience. I mean, just because, you know, it's a singles world and songs come out that way, it's like, well, we can still create, keep a little bit of the old craft, a record that's good, like a play of work that says who you are and expresses your, your emotions.

and your feelings towards it that hopefully connects. A song on that record may connect to somebody and not the other person but they got, there's one for everybody on. Yeah.

And apply it to your life and story. So I'm glad you feel that way. That was what we were going for, just what we loved and kind of a ride through the whole thing. I mean, we even got like an intermission track in there that's just us jamming in the studio,

you know? I'm glad you said that because I'll say this. so you know since we met I've become like the world's greatest thousand horses fan just because you know it's just when you meet somebody

and you like them and then you knew and I liked your music I mean I liked smoke and I knew I'd heard drunk dial a little bit but I knew I didn't hear it enough you know now worn it out

at least with like my wife or something she's like are you gonna play that song again yeah I am get over but in all seriousness here's where I'm going with that the level of craftsmanship and the quality of the music and the abilities, like I told you, I felt like every song had like 18 instruments going.

Yeah, you said that that was funny. Dude, I'm just saying, like, it is really quality, quality like musicmanship or whatever the hell you call it. But like just the quality of the instruments, the sound, like I just felt like there was a depth on every song that felt like there was a lot of fucking attention paid to this. Yeah, man, there was. And, and, and we, you know, we were musicians.

We play a little thing, and we can do that, and we do that well. And we worked hard on getting to that level of being able to that. And I appreciate you saying that again about the record. And we took time with it. You know, we had time, and we took time to really craft, opposed to doing it the easy way. What's the, I mean, are you going to shop that record? to try to get a deal or are y'all just going full bore independent launching it?

Man, it's all up in the air right now. Okay. You know, we're going to forge it ahead like we do. And, you know, the opportunities that are right or have arisen from it already, you know, take it slow. You know, we've been in the mix of it for a long time. And, you know, we're open to any and, you know, we're open to any of it. all opportunity that comes, as long as it fits our narrative and fits our vision for what we want to do with the band and the record.

When does the decision have to be made, though, like, okay, you've mastered it, you've got I'm sure other stuff going on, artwork, music video, whatever that might be. But when do you have to decide if you're going to self-release it or if it goes elsewhere? I mean, is there a line in the sand or one way or another you're going to self-release us? it just might get picked up or something. Yeah, we're kind of in that process right now, figuring out how long we want to wait, or do we just want to go ahead?

Yeah. And that's, to be honest with you, that's exactly where we are. You know, it's done. The hard part's done. Now it's the planning that goes into it. You know, there's a lot of 18 to 24 months plans you write out for something for a release.

you know and that's that's kind of where we're at you know we we we like doing it ourselves and on our on our timeline and being in control of it and if that leads to another deal in the future because we've built it more and more than you know that's that's best for all parties involved but you got to keep moving you know and like I said the world's changed and releases have changed the music's changed and and how people can see them has changed. And, you know, we want to give our audience and our fans music. You know, that's why they're there and they're the best in the world. And they've stuck with us through this whole time.

And they don't care about any of this business stuff that you and I talk about. Like, it's just great music. Go put on great shows and have a great time. Where's your tour going to be? Oh, man, you know, right now we're up in, like, West Virginia, and then we got a few things. and we're going to Ontario, Canada for a show this summer. We're going to be announcing soon.

We just released this wooden wire project, what it's called. It's the acoustic songs. So we take some of the songs off the last record and reimagined them acoustic. And then we added a new one on it called Don't Move to Tennessee. And we're going to go out and do an acoustic run of shows, like in small venues, and play the songs in a different way. You get the wooden wire experience of a thousand horses and it come out this summer and you get the big band full-blown thing with the record. So we're working on putting that together starting in May.

And I'm sure we're going to be close to Greenville. I think that's on the list of cities. Close! You're coming to Greenville. Come on, man. Yeah. Why not the only place close? So that'll be out then once we finalized the details of it.

And we're looking forward to that. We've never done. And we love playing, you know, acoustic and stripped down. And that's going to be a lot of fun. And it's kind of give you that Wooden Walk experience. And we're going to continue Wooden Walk series one, two, three, and four after every record. Just to give, you know, a different way of listening in the music, a different way of doing it, you know, that a lot of people don't get a chance to see in here.

Talk to me, like, like, you know, when you go back out on tour, is it still politic, like, as long as you're independent, will there ever, is there just not going to be like a thousand horses opening for, uh, Eric Church? I mean, you know, like, is, is that just, even though things have changed a lot, are the, if it's, if you're not on the same record label or something,

has that just become like impossible? No, no, not at all, man. Those kind of things come from, you know, usually guys like your church. Like if they like your record and they like what you're doing. And obviously, it's a small community around here. You know, friends, you know, they'll, you know, graciously ask you to come out and play with them. And, you know, you jump on those opportunities. Okay.

So those are still open. Those things are still out there. They don't, they're not. Because I imagine 10 years ago it was probably record label driven stuff, even if they want to. I guess if they got enough power, they can do anything they want, but you guys, they'll bring independents on the road with them. Oh, yeah, I mean, just because you're independent on a major or whatever, that has nothing to do with who you tour with and how you go out with.

You know, that has to do with, you know, what kind of band you are. Does it fit what they do? Do they like what you do? And what opportunities, you know, are in the play to help out the whole package. Yeah, right. It's not really, well, I can't take you out. You're not on capital. Okay.

I didn't know that level. I mean, you know, companies gunned for their artists to go out with other people and things. Why wouldn't you? But it doesn't really play a role. Nobody really cares. I don't think artist-wise, you know, who you're all or what you're doing. It's just more about the personal relationship and then the music that you make, you know, and if it's something that they like.

Where's it all headed, brother? I know that's always the million-dollar question. Like, let me say, let me rephrase it. Where do we, where does Michael Hobby want this to go the next 10, 20 years? Like, you know, like, what, what's, what's the perfect playbook for you? Man, as far as we can take it, you know, this is something, you know, music to me, I can't stop. being a musician and an artist. And it's what I signed up for, and it's what I love,

and it's what God gifted me to do. You know, I believe all of it comes from a higher power in this world. And to have fun with it and take it as far as you can take it, you know. And, you know, everybody will tell you, I want to do stadiums, I want to do this, well, yeah, those are obvious things. Who doesn't? but enjoy it while you do it, you know, because it can get to the, it can very easily not be enjoyable in the throes of it. And finding, you know, we get to play music for a living, man.

I mean, that, that was my dream when I was. And so I'm living it. And living proof that you can do it too. It's just so I want to take it as far as we can take it. And I love my band. I love their, we're all family. and we love our fans and playing for people and meeting people, and that's never going to stop.

So, you know, to put a, I'll know I've made it win, there's no limit to that. It really is, you know, you'll get to the top of one mountain and you've got to go right back now, get back up to the other one. You know, but enjoy it along the way. You know, more important things than fame. and success in life, especially where we're all at our age.

And we're young, you know, but still with families, there's just more to it now than there was when we were 20. Of course. But, you know, business and life and everything is driven by relationships. And, you know, I'm just glad. And music brings people together. I mean, I'm just glad I met you, man. I can't wait.

Yeah, man. You know. A D.Y. Granny, right. I want a Grammy. Grammy. All right. Hey, dude, you're talking to the right man.

I make shit happen. That's why I did this podcast. I said, that's the guy. You know, if only by sure will and manifestation and just... That's it. You know, like, I just, you know, I don't know. I just don't take no or accept anything, but pushing shit, man, and stuff that I love. and I don't know.

I get blessed to do what I love and talk to guys like you and, you know, make connections. But you're blessed, man. Caroline's wonderful. Sonny is awesome. You know. She is.

Thank you. They're wonderful. I love them. They're the best. How can everybody keep up with everything, a thousand horses and Michael Hobby? Man, a thousand horses. All our stuff is at a thousand horses,

you know, A thousand spelled out horses. And then at Michael Hobbies, all my handles on social media and whatnot. But you can follow along our journey there and say hello. And we'll see you in a town at some point. And it'll be a good time. You'll have a great night. Yeah, man.

So if you're listening, go follow these guys. You can tell, you can see how good of a guy Michael is, how real, raw, original this group is. And you'll thank me for it. it later, especially once you hear the jams, man. They are off the chain. And you know what? If you don't sign them with the record label on this new album, we're going to do something

and get this thing just to fucking blow up on TikTok and everywhere else. We're going to figure that. We're going to break the algorithm. All right, let's go. Let's do it. Let's break the algorithm. Hey, guys, you know where to find us. We're at the radcast.com. If it's radical, we cover it. That's why we have the best in the business,

including Michael Hobby with a thousand horses. You know where to find me. I'm Matt Ryan Alford on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, verified on all the channels because you know you're going to get it raw and real. We'll see you next time on the Radcast. To listen or watch full episodes, visit us on the web at the radcast.com or follow us on social media at our Instagram account, the dotrad. Or at Ryan Alford. Stay radical.