Whiskey Myers Speaks on Independence on Steven Rinella Podcast

Texas country and Southern rock band Whiskey Myers has made their way in the world not through the help of major labels or mainstream radio play, but through grit and hard work, and a few hefty shout outs from influencers and a big piece of exposure through the Paramount network show Yellowstone.
Now they just got another opportunity on the wildly popular podcast of avid hunter and conservationist Steven Rinella. The latest episode of The MeatEater Podcast posted on Monday, December 7th includes a lengthy interview, and some of the boys also go on a Duck Hunt with Rinella.
“I mean, we just wanted to do our thing, we wanted to play our own music,” frontman Cody Cannon tells Steven Rinella. “Some people get into music I think and they want to be famous. Ya know? They don’t care, they want to be famous. That’s the end goal. There’s nothing wrong with that. But I don’t think anybody in our band ever had that in mind. It’s what you did. We play music. We’re in a band now. That’s what we do. And it was important for us to have our own style, and have our own control.”
Whether it was their goal or not, Whiskey Myers is now plenty popular, even if it would be a stretch to label them “famous.” On September 18th, not one, but two singles from the band were Certified Gold by the RIAA. Their song “Ballad of a Southern Man” off their 2011 album Firewater was certified Gold for reaching over 500,000 units in sales, downloads, and streaming equivalents, as was their song “Stone” from their 2016 album Mud.
Along with Cody Jinks and Tyler Childers who’ve also received RIAA certifications, Whiskey Myers is helping to spearhead the independent country revolution. And don’t look for them to up bite anytime soon if a major label comes calling.
“It’s still important to us. So that’s why we never signed any record deals or anything,” Cody Cannon says. The band currently operates their own label, Wiggy Thump Records distributed by Thirty Tigers. “We’ve always been independent, and we always want to be … Why the hell do I want a boss?”
The new podcast with Steven Rinella can be heard on MeatEater.com and Apple Music.
December 7, 2020 @ 7:21 pm
Great segment, glad these guys crossed paths. As the MeatEater brand expands I think it would be awesome to see them do a farm aid type music festival, post covid. To support conservation and the hunting and fishing community. Many great independent country artists who are sports men and women.
December 8, 2020 @ 4:35 am
fa·mous /ˈfāməs/
adjective — known about by many people.
Yeah–I’d say they’re famous. And good. Really good.
December 8, 2020 @ 5:28 am
I heard Ballad of a southern man a couple months ago by accident and ended up listening to every cd that afternoon.as good as the studio stuff is it pales in comparison to the live shows ive watched.absolutly amazing guitarists all 3.and when was the last time you saw a band with a full time percussionist?ill be glad when I get the chance to see them play live.about time something REAL came along.
December 8, 2020 @ 8:35 am
They are the real deal and their live shows are special!
December 8, 2020 @ 7:25 am
Stay independent guys.
You guys make awesome music!!
I tell everyone I know about your music
December 9, 2020 @ 12:50 am
Love u guys, keep on doing what ur doing ,” makes my day.Stay independent.Thats right Be your on boss
December 8, 2020 @ 8:55 am
There also a pretty good episode with Dave Simonett of Trampled by Turtles. Its Ep. 235. They talk about mainstream country a bit and how there’s nothing real about it anymore
December 8, 2020 @ 5:02 pm
Ballad of a Southern Man is an all time classic. Video equally moving.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj7Zft8aiRc
Raise your glass to this one!
December 9, 2020 @ 5:55 am
My favorite as well. Now I’m just sarcastically waiting for the revised/ censored release of that one that removes “I still fly that southern flag, whistlin’ Dixie loud enough to brag…..”
December 9, 2020 @ 8:55 am
They’re unapologetically Southern and express it artistically well in that song. I can’t image any Southern boy agreeing to change those lyrics…
Blackberry Smoke on the other hand has quietly washed the Southern flag from mostly all their apparel. Their top hat skull logo is barely used any more (sans a sticker and patch pack) and when it is they replaced it with the Bonnie Blue. I was worried they would get massive blow back from the woke culture but they seemed to get ahead of it. Not that I agree with it, mind you, but I don’t want to see their career take a hit in any fashion. Bonnie Blue is still a Southern flag without any connotations… Until they decide to move the goal posts again.
December 8, 2020 @ 11:41 pm
Stone is good I love the mandolin in bury my bones. Love whiskey meyers