Jeremy Pinnell on Country Music, Jiu-Jitsu and Balance

In this episode, The Dads speak with Jeremy Pinnell, a country music dad from Elsmere, Kentucky. Jeremy released his first full-length album in 2014 on SofaBurn Records, featuring a collection of songs that draw from his life to tell a truly country story. Jeremy recently released brand new singles “Save You” and “Come Home to Me.” He joined the Dads to talk about family, finding balance and all sorts of other topics on this episode.

Show Notes:

2:00 - Jeremy’s music seems highly biographical, but he gets into his roots and family background that shaped his musical approach and personal experience.

5:15 - The stories in Jeremy’s music feel true. And that is something that resonates with him. Story songs have always resonated with Jeremy, and he believes other folks like them too because they want to experience others and “feel uncomfortable.” In the discussion of “Feel This Right,” Jeremy notes that the story is true -- perhaps.

8:38 - Jeremy discusses how his experiences and drug use influenced his earlier writing. He goes on to say that he doesn’t discuss these songs with his son as he wants to allow him to just be a kid, something that he didn’t have the opportunity to do in many cases.

11:02 - A discussion of the push and pull of home and the road -- Jeremy started touring about the same time his son was born. It’s getting harder as he grows up, but he still needs to balance the pull of the road.

12:40 - Donnie brings up the ideas of “I Don’t Believe” about religion, being a good person and other issues. Jeremy explains that he was looking for something when he wrote that song, and he’s still not sure why, but it has become a study of being content where you are in life.

15:05 - Jeremy talks Jiu-Jitsu, getting his ass kicked and finding balance in being uncomfortable.

18:31 - Work makes Jeremy happy. He shares that enjoyment on socials, but it’s more about sharing what he enjoys, not some desire to prove his country credentials. For the Dads and Jeremy, work provides a counterbalance to chaos that is always rewarding.

21:09 - When talking about balancing inspirations, Jeremy told the Dads about the rules about not talking about the venue until you are three miles down the road with the windows up. And that gave birth to a great idea -- and that is sort of how that happens.

24:00 - The story of the “Save You” music video.

26:38 - The new singles from Jeremy were produced by Shooter Jennings. The studio process was about highlighting the song and making it as strong as it could be, Jeremy explains.

28:45 - The Dad Life Sound Check is coming in hard with Jeremy leaning into silence. A nice shift. Donnie and Dave have songs.

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Mentioned in the Show

• Western AF
• Cincinnati Airport
• Jiu-Jitsu
• The Five-Day Work Week
• LFDW Podcast
• ZZ Top
• Jonathan Tyler
• Nikki Lane’s advice: make the music you want to make
• Rod Gator and the “Save You” music video
• Sagebrush, Austin
• Zach Bryan

References:

• Theme Music: “Dark Country Rock” by Moodmode
• “The Way Country Sounds” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Ballad of 1982” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Night Time Eagle” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Save You” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Teddy Bear” by Red Sovin
• “Feel this Right” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Satisfied Mind” by Porter Wagner
• “I Don’t Believe” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Goodbye, L.A.” by Jeremy Pinnell.
• “Legs” by ZZ Top
• “Never Thought of No One” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Come Home to Me” by Jeremy Pinnell
• “Sunshine” by Ryan Bingham
• “Honey Do” by Steve Denmark