Episodes
Not the LTC ladies' normal MO, this episode is a very personal one for the fathers in our lives. It's almost Christmas and at Christmas you tell the truth: We love these men and all they've taught us! For some classic LTC country music industry commentary and to hear what we have to say about Beyoncé and The Chicks performing Daddy Lessons at the 2016 CMAs, skip to 1:02:20.
Published 12/19/23
Published 12/19/23
Hosts Mary Lynne and Sarah, and their guest LuVerne (aka, Lulie) discuss HARDY and Lainey Wilson's duet, "Wait in the Truck." To listen to our episode called "Country Music on Domestic Violence": https://www.letstalkcountry.com/episodes/country-music-on-domestic-violence If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also text START to 88788. For tips on how to help those experiencing abuse, follow...
Published 04/27/23
Mary Lynne couldn't join us, but Mary Jane came to play. Join Sarah and stand-in co-host, Chris Ray (Sarah's dad) as they take a literal CBD chill pill and rock out to some of their favorite tunes that speak favorably about weed. Hear our thoughts on songs from the likes of Levon Helm, Jimi Hendrix, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, and Brandy Clark. Get some good Dad-vice from Chris (by way of Tom Petty) and hear some cool stories. Check out our far-from-exhaustive playlist here:...
Published 04/20/23
Hey y'all! Signing in for a very short mini-sode. Hope you enjoy our little news roundup from the beginning of April! Thanks for listening! Back soon with more real sized episodes!
Published 04/13/23
The LTC ladies do a watch-along of Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas! Come along for the wild, genre-defying experience. We've got reactions! We've got podcast resolutions! We've got music recommendations! We've got nonsensical metaphors! We've got warm fuzzies! And, in an unlikely turn of events, hear both Dolly Parton AND Mary Lynne say, "Go to Hell"! Merry Christmas, listeners. xoxo  Companion Playlist for the episode is here!  https://www.letstalkcountry.com/ Purchase Adeem the...
Published 12/22/22
Y'all! Chapel Hart got a Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent! Mary Lynne and Sarah find some joy in the midst of some tough times by talking about 5 songs they've got on repeat this month. You'll hear tunes from Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Balsam Range, Willie Jones, and of COURSE Chapel Hart! Plus cameos from Aretha Franklin, TLC, and HARDY! It's our most music-packed episode yet. Here's a link to our Companion Playlist for this episode!  And this...
Published 09/06/22
Y'all, we're playing clips of the latest from Hailey Whitters, Miranda Lambert, and Trixie Mattel, BUT, more importantly: We sat down with David Michael Hawkins. Whether he's lending his dulcet tones to country tunes new and old, or organizing the first-ever "CMgAys", David is one of the busiest, boot-scootin'-est guys in the country music biz! In addition to bringing his incredible talent, he also offers a healthy dose of optimism about LGBTQ+ folks taking their turn in the country music...
Published 08/12/22
The LTC Ladies and the ANA continue our conversation. From PMS to tattoos, we can count on country music AND public health nurses to have something to say. *As promised in the intro, we don't go into detail on any of the following but if you're not up to hearing mentions of child abuse/child sexual abuse, you can skip from minute 3:00 to 10:42. *We also have mentions of postpartum depression and ppd songs from 28:20 until 32:37. *And mentions of abortion and abortion songs from 32:37 until...
Published 07/16/22
Haven't you always wondered how country music has addressed public health issues? WONDER NO MORE! Mary Lynne and Sarah talk to 3 retired public health nurses about tuberculosis, the 1919 flu, COVID-19, AND SO MUCH MORE! Hear Jimmie Rodgers, Essie Jenkins, Luke Combs, Big & Rich, and yes...Dolly herself sing about the hardships of these (and other) plague times. Here is our official "Country Music on Public Health" Playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0YFk8Qsmt6kPoxnnbRyIRE Here...
Published 06/10/22
Sarah talks with Marika, Katherine, and Shauna from Safe Harbors, a non-profit dedicated to helping survivors of domestic abuse. Together they examine a playlist of country songs that discuss abusive relationships. From The Chicks' campy murder ballad "Goodbye, Earl" to more earnest offerings from Faith Hill and Reba McEntire, this playlist is a representative sample of the way that country music talks about domestic violence. Listen to the songs discussed (and more!)...
Published 03/16/22
Join us as we talk to our friend, Elliott, who tells us about growing up queer in conservative, small-town NC and the music that got him through it. He shares his music knowledge and a healthy dose of optimism to go with the difficult realities of being queer in The South and in country music.    Here's his playlist. Listen along. Walk a mile in someone else's music.    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7FzUqQrfeja6jjjDRRIJPs?si=5ef85648e95541f5 Hear our favorites from Orville Peck,...
Published 01/12/22
Mary Lynne and Sarah are looking back at 2021, counting their blessings, and reminiscing on Christmases Past. Hear their favorite and least favorite holiday stories set to tunes they genuinely love.  Featuring Brenda Lee, Robert Earl Keen, Mary Lambert, and more!   Hope you've got your dancin' shoes handy! 
Published 12/22/21
Mary Lynne and Sarah serve up a plate of hot takes on white people’s claims of Native American ancestry and the cultural appropriation found in songs like Tim McGraw’s “Indian Outlaw.” Hear the cautionary tales of Elizabeth Warren and Johnny Cash. PLUS, the LTC gals chew on some food songs from Lyle Lovett, Dale Watson, and The Carolina Chocolate Drops. Voices in the intro mashup were: Donald Trump, Elizabeth Warren, Elizabeth Cook, Tyler Mahan Coe, Drew Morgan, and  Trae Crowder....
Published 11/25/21
Mary Lynne and Sarah discuss Patty Loveless, Maren Morris, Clay Walker, and Sammy Kershaw. PLUS, the Let's Talk Country ladies take Blake Shelton to school on why "Minimum Wage" was NOT the song we needed to round off 2020.
Published 11/16/21
Mary Lynne and Sarah listen to Redneck songs by and about women. We hear from Nadine Hubbs, Lady Redneck, RaeLynn, Lyle Lovett, Sammy Kershaw, The Bellamy Brothers, and of course, the quintessential Redneck Woman herself, Gretchen Wilson.   
Published 09/06/21
Teaser for our Patron-exclusive episode about the Miley Cyrus Pride Special on peacocktv.com Become a supporter and listen to the full episode on patreon.com/letstalkcountry 
Published 07/26/21
Sarah and Mary Lynne explore the usage of the term "redneck", its historical context, and what it means to country music. Come with us into the hills and hollers, the backwoods and the sticks. We'll shout our opinions on everything from Larry the Cable Guy to miners' unions. Plus, learn how to play Redneck Celebrity Bingo!
Published 07/05/21
Subscribe today for access to all premium and early release episodes - patreon.com/letstalkcountry  Sarah and Mary Lynne explore the usage of the term "redneck", its historical context, and what it means to country music. Come with us into the hills and hollers, the backwoods and the sticks. We'll shout our opinions on everything from Larry the Cable Guy to miners' unions. Plus, learn how to play Redneck Celebrity Bingo! Free access to full episode coming on July 5.
Published 06/29/21
Sarah and Mary Lynne take a deep dive on Maddie and Tae's epic clap-back song "Girl in a Country Song." Join the Let's Talk Country team for a brief history of bro country, plus a thoughtful discussion of Maddie and Tae's other hits. You'll hear songs by Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Chris Young, Blake Shelton, Tyler Farr, and Florida Georgia Line, BUT ALSO Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Lee Ann Womack, and Kitty Wells. It's a wild ride down a dark dirt road, but we'll get home safe if we stick...
Published 05/23/21
Sarah and Mary Lynne take a deep dive on Cole Swindell's Middle of a Memory — a song that's a little bit sweet, a little bit creepy, and a whole lot entitled. We also talk about pie in honor of Pi Day, and Sarah connects the dots between Bob Dylan's Country Pie and Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5. Sorry. 
Published 04/18/21
Sarah and Mary Lynne introduce themselves and give their Country Music critic credentials. Their takes on Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, The Highwaymen, Reba McEntire, Tyler Childers, Rhiannon Giddens, RaeLynn and more! Go to https://youtu.be/n7RuIga3vdk for the full video of teens reacting to American Bandstand tunes. *Any factual errors we’re aware of will be addressed in the next episode*
Published 03/31/21