Best Neon Rainbow Podcasts (2026)

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Trent McBama - with Charles Latham 42:31

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6y ago42:31

42:31

Durham's Charles Latham joins us to talk about how he came to embrace country and his experiences covering Alan Jackson at a two-step brunch and Dolly Parton as The White Stripes. We discuss Alan's authenticity and his early attempts to sound maybe a little too much like Merle Haggard and George Jones, along with ridiculous redneck Christmas songs …

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Two Scoops of Coffee with Rainbow Sprinkles - with Kate Rhudy 41:53

6y ago41:53

41:53

After months of talking up singer/songwriter Kate Rhudy, she finally joins us for an episode that doesn’t disappoint. We discuss country music duets and how Kate romanticized the idea of having a lover to duet with. She also shares stories of her brushes with Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Alison Krauss while living in Nashville. Finally, we talk appr…

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SparkNotes For A Children's Book - with Libby Rodenbough of Mipso 33:06

6y ago33:06

33:06

Mipso’s Libby Rodenbough joins us this episode and admits that in the 90s, she was dazzled by the dance moves and sincerity of the Backstreet Boys (we all were -- it’s okay). Since then, she’s become a fan of Keith Whitley and songs in which the narrator fails at pretending to be fine. So obviously, we talk "I'm Over You" -- which Libby learned fro…

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Beer Pong With Boone's Farm - with Mike McKee of Delta Rae 46:02

6y ago46:02

46:02

Delta Rae drummer Mike McKee enlightens us on the common ground between Weezer and The Dixie Chicks and shares his observation that songs in 6/8 teach us lessons. After we remember when 30 was old, Mike admits that he originally thought "Strawberry Wine" was written by a Triangle teenager who opened for his high school band. Rachel confesses her lo…

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From Beats To Boots - with Michaela Anne 35:20

6y ago35:20

35:20

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Michaela Anne joins us to talk about her journey from rapper and jazz student to embracing country music despite the genre’s contentious definitions of authenticity. We all hop on a soapbox about the lack of “lady singers” on modern country radio (seriously, no Kacey?!?) and the trouble with music app algorithms. M…

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Spooky Critter - with Lee Bains III 37:41

6y ago37:41

37:41

Lee Bains III, who fronts politically-charged Alabama rockers Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires, joins us while stopping through Durham for a barnburner of a show at our beloved Pinhook. We talk about the importance of place in songwriting, from Lee's own songs to his home state heroes Alabama and his pick for this episode, John Anderson's "Seminole …

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The R&B Station is Down the Hall - with Rissi Palmer 37:19

6y ago37:19

37:19

Durham’s Rissi Palmer, who became the first African-American woman to reach the country charts in 20 years upon release of her self-titled debut, joins us to discuss her life as a closeted country fan. Although she grew up listening to Kenny Rogers and Trisha Yearwood, Rissi opted instead to blast the Rush Hour soundtrack in the parking lot of her …

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Top Shelf Sad Bastard - with Scott Phillips 32:57

6+ y ago32:57

32:57

Scott Phillips, a singer-songwriter from Raleigh bands Goner, Gnoer and The Monologue Bombs, joins us for this episode. We learn that Lilly's in Raleigh is good for more than just pizza, it’s where Scott got a significant education in music. He explains how his road to country goes through John Denver and finds common ground between Richard Buckner…

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The Little Girl Hall of Shame - with James Phillips 33:52

6+ y ago33:52

33:52

Bombadil drummer and Durham producer James Phillips challenges our qualifications to host this podcast since he has formal education in country music. We discuss potentially problematic phrases found in David Lee Murphy's breakthrough single, wonder why a Bible is needed on a date, and figure out who to blame for that snare sound. We also discover …

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My Sexual Awakening - with Kory Urban 33:23

6+ y ago33:23

33:23

Museum Mouth bassist Kory Urban plays in a punk band but he's learned a lot by listening to country music, from song structures to first realizing that he wanted a girlfriend. After Kory discusses how his wife measures up to the character from "Daddy's Money" (he's not a gold digger - she's got her own money!), we talk about tropes and misogyny in …

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Not Every Move They Made - with Saman Khoujinian 39:30

6+ y ago39:30

39:30

Triangle musician and producer Saman Khoujinian fronts T. Gold, plays guitar and synth in No One Mind, and has helped make records or played with the likes of Dad & Dad, Virgins Family Band, The Dead Tongues, Humanize, Chris Frisina, and Matt Phillips. Between breaking down Sting's only country hit and the bizarre music video that accompanies it, S…

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Drunk With A Baby 26:06

6+ y ago26:06

26:06

We're fixing to start a new season with even more guests! Before we do that, Rachel & Spencer recap season one, talk about some upcoming guests and a few changes to the format, and catch y'all up on what we've been up to over the summer. This is also our first episode where both of us are drinking, so we understand if you don't make it all the way …

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Chunky Yet Funky - with Britt Spruill 1:04:51

6+ y ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Comedian Britt Spruill of Eyes Up Here joins us this episode. It’s probably not a surprise that we end up talking about Jeff Foxworthy along with Kacey Musgraves and “Old Town Road” (again). But our lengthy discussions of RuPaul’s Drag Race, boy bands, and school dances are probably unexpected! So grab your cowboy hat from Gucci and get ready to li…

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Hamm's, Call Us! - with Dylan Earl 57:41

6+ y ago57:41

57:41

Dylan Earl cut his teeth on 90s country while riding around in his mom’s van. Now he’s all grown up with a van of his own, touring non-stop and and still jamming to 90s country. On this episode, we spend arguably too much time talking about line dancing and Sting, but wash it all down with a Hamm’s tallboy. Spencer's pick: My Next Broken Heart by B…

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Snug Trousers, Some Taut Slacks - with Danny Johnson 57:39

6+ y ago57:39

57:39

Danny Johnson, a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays with several Triangle bands including Jack the Radio and New Reveille, keeps his lawyer on speed dial for this episode. He and Spencer discuss their alternative identities as school teachers and come up with a genius invention (two words: biscuit. koozie.). Then, Rachel shares dating advice …

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Missed Opportunities for Artists 39:18

6+ y ago39:18

39:18

There's so many ways to engage with a crowd, and to market yourself. While we all try are best to cover as many bases as we can, what ones are we missing? This week we dive into some SUPER EASY ways that will help you grow your fanbase, and set you apart as an artist. www.NeonRainbowPodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Androgynous, An-genre-less? - with Kym Register 1:02:10

6+ y ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Loamlands leader Kym Register stops by and discovers just how many hypothetical Neon Boots events we have planned for The Pinhook, the Durham bar where they are the head honcho, before we try to decipher what the hell is going on in 90s music videos. Then we discuss the process of coming out (as gay or vegetarian) in the 90s country scene along wit…

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10 Things to Gain Traction 33:34

6+ y ago33:34

33:34

This week we tackle another good ole’ top ten list. These are some things you can do to gain traction with your music. It’s so much more than social media (yes, I know) and shaking the right hands. In this short episode, we’re going to cover some things you can do to make that extra money, and see your fan base grow!…

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How to get noticed by A&R reps in 2019 51:33

6+ y ago51:33

51:33

Well, this week is a doozie. We’re gonna be talking about how to get the attention of A&R reps/record labels in a time where the record deals are few and far between. The record deal or development deal is the dream right?That’s not so much the case anymore. We dive into how the deals have changed, what they used to provide, and how you can do EVER…

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I'll Eat A Dirt Sandwich - with Reese McHenry 56:14

6+ y ago56:14

56:14

Prolific Triangle songwriter and powerhouse vocalist Reese McHenry has never been to Myrtle Beach but we let her on the show anyway. Kiefer Sutherland and Michael Jordan somehow steer our discussion from Patty Loveless to Reese's yet-to-be-recorded rock opera about the Michael Peterson case. We also ponder all the ways that Sharon Stone is wrong ab…

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Songwriting can open doors. 46:51

6+ y ago46:51

46:51

We’re back after a whole lot of technical difficulties y’all.. yikes. This week we’re diving head first into songwriting. Why is it important? Should I be writing? The answer to both of those is aboso-freaking-lutely!! www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Give yourself an edge 48:27

6+ y ago48:27

48:27

How can you set yourself apart in the music business, that's not music related? This week we dive into some unconventional tips that will give you a leg up on things like networking, content creation, and more. Also, enjoy our video of this episode on our YouTube Channel! www.NeonRainbowPodcast.com YOUTUBE CHANNEL…

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Your local music scene: Thriving or dying? 54:12

6+ y ago54:12

54:12

This week is a controversial topic in the local music scene… Is live music dying? We don’t think so, and we’ll tell you why. www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Finding Earl Bud Lee - with Lydia Loveless & Mike Casey 1:07:49

6+ y ago1:07:49

1:07:49

There are some things that we will never not talk about. Those include mullets, baseball, Myrtle Beach and Reba McEntire’s “Fancy,” which all get shout outs in this episode with singer-songwriter Lydia Loveless and magic man Michael Casey. In spite of these tangents, we come away with important life lessons learned from all of our song picks: Hal K…

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Dealing with difficult clients 49:05

6+ y ago49:05

49:05

This week’s episode is a mashup… We discuss dealing with difficult people/situations. What were our experiences, and offer some helpful tips for when you encounter them for yourself. In our second half, we ask the question: "What you can do today to change your career tomorrow"? www.neonrainbowpodcast.com…

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Must have: Apps for Musicians 45:32

6+ y ago45:32

45:32

We all know there’s a million apps out there, but what are the ones that will make our lives easier as musicians? There’s a few we keep in our arsenal that are LIFE SAVERS. Wether you’re an Android or iPhone user, we’ve got some tools to help streamline the business side of your music. www.NeonRainbowPodcast.com…

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Naw, Hell Naw, and Supernaw - with Joseph Terrell 1:02:08

7y ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Mipso and Hard Tuck singer/guitarist Joseph Terrell joins us with his mustache and tales of how he became a pickup man. We move from Brad Paisley and Disney's Robin Hood (trust us, they're related) to Keith Whitley and the first hints of Lil Nas X's fame (OK, those aren't very related). We leave with some reflections on Dwight Yoakam's many artisti…

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And they're off: Where to start 57:46

7y ago57:46

57:46

This week, we talk about the steps you need to take when you're just starting out. What do you need to have ASAP, and what things you can wait on, we cover it all. www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Southern with Bath Salts - with Blue Cactus 57:32

7y ago57:32

57:32

Twangy Chapel Hill duo Blue Cactus joins us this episode before going into studio to record their next album. We start on Reba and end on Carson Daly before moving on to Spencer’s sneaky motivations for choosing Brooks & Dunn and Rachel bragging about being one degree from Kevin Bacon. But we leave with a few unanswered questions...is Neon Moon abo…

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The reason you procrastinate (It's not what you think) 45:03

7y ago45:03

45:03

This week, we’re kicking procrastination’s ass. Why do we procrastinate, how do we break those habits? We’ve got a lot of tips and resolutions to make sure you’re making the strides you want to in your music career. Because a year from now, you're gonna wish you started today... The videos mentioned are in our blog post, that's linked below. www.Ne…

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Booking: a Musicians "Day Job" 40:48

7y ago40:48

40:48

Guess who’s back… This week dive into the monster that is booking. Whether you’re looking to do it yourself, or hire an agent, we’ve got some tips to help you navigate the booking world. www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Bart Simpson T-Shirts - with Aaron Greenwald 51:14

7y ago51:14

51:14

Veteran arts administrator Aaron Greenwald joins us this week and shares a behind-the-scenes look at Nashville in the late 90s and the art of making music videos. We talk about sweater vests without undershirts, Rachel’s not-so-secret love of demolition derbies, and Sammy Kershaw’s PG13 nickname. It’s sexier than Kenny’s tractor, y’all. Song #1: It…

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This Is Not My First Mullet - with Alex Bingham 1:06:18

7y ago1:06:18

1:06:18

Who wants to go to Dollywood?! Durham musician and proud mullet man Alex Bingham has offered to be our tour guide for the Great Smoky Mountains’ greatest attraction. We take some wild rides with misheard Dixie Chicks lyrics, spreadsheets about drinking songs, and toxic masculinity that results in violence against jukeboxes. Alex’s Pick: Fancy by Re…

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You're going to Hollywood!... Now what? 50:29

7y ago50:29

50:29

On this week’s episode of NRP, we talk about TV “Talent” Competitions… Are they what they say they are? Kinda… We’re gonna give you guys some pointers to make the most out of this amazing opportunity, and how to navigate the bizarre world of “Reality TV" www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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Beau, Welcome to the Podcast - with Skylar Gudasz 50:40

7y ago50:40

50:40

After a surprise cameo from Rachel's dog, Beau, Durham singer-songwriter Skylar Gudasz joins us to talk about sleepovers soundtracked by 90s country and make road trip plans to Dollywood. Between our ramblings about Chicken Soup for the Soul books and speculating on the future of viral yodeling star Mason Ramsey, we discuss Diamond Rio's accented v…

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FREE: Marketing for Musicians 35:27

7y ago35:27

35:27

Got a new album coming out, and didn't plan your budget to help promote it's release? This week we talk about ways you can get it done for FREE. www.NeonRainbowPodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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I Lived In The Cheese - with Phil Cook 54:07

7y ago54:07

54:07

Durham musician Phil Cook, a Wisconsin native who has embraced the warm weather and culture of the Carolinas, joins us this week to talk about cheese (both culinary and musical) and the distinct differences between black gospel groups and Presbyterian choirs. Phil also shares great stories of witnessing performances of Randy Travis songs both bring…

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the "Style" of Music 43:27

7y ago43:27

43:27

This week we talk about clothes... What you should wear, what you shouldn't wear, and what you should wear and when. It's the visual representation of your music, so it should be important. LINK TO MCKENNA FARMS "DERBY DAY" www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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The Original Bon Iver - with She & Her 1:04:05

7y ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Anita & Sandra (She & Her's hosts with the most and OUR friends) teach Rachel & Spencer a little about professional podcasting and Shania Twain. This entire episode is devoted to our country queen of the great white north! We discuss songs from Shania's first three albums and her place as a feminist icon (and anti-capitalist icon?) in country music…

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The Business of : "Partying Like a Rockstar" 43:27

7y ago43:27

43:27

This week we talk about urinal etiquette, body language, fan girls, drinking, and how to not behave at an industry event. Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, novice, or experienced, there is something in here for you! Let us, help you navigate these events. www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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But is it wise to wear neon boots? - with Al Riggs 49:56

7y ago49:56

49:56

Durham singer-songwriter Al Riggs joins us this week and takes us on unexpected tangents about Jimmy Buffett and the best worst vacation spot—Myrtle Beach. We answer the tough questions like “Who is Joe Diffie?” and “Have you ever been to Cook Out?” And somehow Metallica and KISS get a mention. We’re not sure what kind of podcast we are anymore. Sp…

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Stick With It! : Overnight Success debunked 51:33

7y ago51:33

51:33

This week is a doozie. Everyone always talks about someone that is a success over night.. which is almost never the case, and we'll tell you why. It takes years of work, practice, and timing to make it in the business. Don't get discouraged! We share some of the amazing stories of some truly inspiring artists and song writers.…

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Going somewhere greener, somewhere warmer…like Brooklyn? 52:29

7y ago52:29

52:29

Allison Hussey, music writer and (former) music editor of our local alt-weekly newspaper Indy Week, joins Rachel and Spencer this week. After we all beg for biscuit sponsorships, blank checks, and Dolly to become our fairy godmother, we get down to business. Rachel proves how little she knows about Seminole and drag history (a crossover that could …

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NRP: Musician Jokes 30:46

7y ago30:46

30:46

This week, we took it easy, and made a list of some of our favorite music/musician jokes. Definitely a laid back episode, that is sure to make you giggle (whether or not you want to) What are some of your favorite jokes? Let us know! [email protected] www.neonrainbowpodcast.comBy Jayron Weaver & Hailey Fletcher

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WWLD: What Would Lee Ann Do? - with Erin Terry 48:47

7y ago48:47

48:47

"Laugh at my trauma, please." Comedian Erin Terry joins us this week! Erin is the brains and beauty behind Eyes Up Here, a stand-up comedy cartel featuring NC-based Lady Comics. She sips on margaritas (hear the ice clink in the glass around 11:02) and reminiscences about painful teen years. Spencer overshares regarding body hair and Rachel forces e…

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Know Your Goals ! 51:30

7y ago51:30

51:30

This week, we dive into what success in the music business looks like to you, and steps to help you reach it! We focus on two main areas: songwriters, and recording artists… Those don’t always go hand in hand (sorry to burst your bubble). What things to focus on, and things that aren’t worth your time... Lets talk about it! Join the NRP Family! www…

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Excuse me, Mr. Flea - with Grant Emerson 51:43

7y ago51:43

51:43

Grant Emerson of Durham band Delta Rae joins Rachel and Spencer this week. Things get as spicy as a Bojangles Cajun Filet when we discuss our first concerts, meeting music celebrities, and Weekend at Bernie's. Thanks to Durham's Carolina Theatre for hosting us! Rachel's pick: Callin' Baton Rouge by Garth Brooks, 1993 Grant's pick: Midnight in Montg…

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Perks of PRO's : ASCAP 41:29

7y ago41:29

41:29

What's a PRO? What do they do? What do they offer? Well, this week we give you a rundown of what exactly performing rights organization does, and what kinds of benefits they offer if you sign with them. Everything we talk about is linked to our blog below, so you can follow along! www.neonrainbowpodcast.com/blog…

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He Ain't Dead, Just a Lap Ahead - with BJ Barham 53:52

7y ago53:52

53:52

This week, Spencer and Rachel welcome our first special guest, BJ Barham! BJ is a NC-native who grew up on 90s Country and is the lead singer of the band American Aquarium. We talk BJ's songwriting influences, the important and undeniable link between country music and NASCAR, and Southern gothic murder ballads. This episode is full of some real 't…

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Tips and Predictions: Music Business 2019 45:43

7y ago45:43

45:43

This week took a gaze into our crystal ball and made some predictions of the music industry for 2019. Artists always are having to stay in front of the curve… but it’s hard when you don’t know its curving, or when it will again. Everything from song structure changing from Spotify, to using Facebook’s new Portal as a tool to engage directly with yo…