Married to the Music with Hanley Riggs

Emily West (Matthew West): Graceful, Faithful and Finding Love On Music Row

Before Emily West was married to Matthew West, she was building her own career on Music Row — working in artist development and publicity at record labels in Nashville. In this episode of Married to the Music, Emily shares the story of meeting Matthew through work, how their whirlwind relationship unfolded, and what it’s been like navigating marriage, motherhood, faith, and life in music ever since. She opens up about raising two daughters while Matthew toured, the realities of supporting an artist behind the scenes, the importance of trust when your spouse is on the road, and why creating a home he always wants to come back to became such a meaningful part of their partnership. Emily also talks about style, meal prep, social media, and the little everyday routines that keep their family grounded. It’s a conversation about love, timing, partnership, and the life happening behind the spotlight.   Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best. From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much. Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriedtothemusicpodcast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHanleyRiggs%40iheartmedia.com%7C17c8a77da23d43e2d7ad08de6a5b11b3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639065136525517299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz3sqAV94ugApObg4bTIXKyaYpU2GB10NAL4Iou6paI%3D&reserved=0] Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hailey Morgan (John Morgan) : Warm, Compassionate, and Down-To-Earth

This week on Married to the Music, Hailey Morgan joins the podcast for one of the most honest conversations yet. As the wife of country artist and songwriter John Morgan, Hailey opens up about moving to Nashville alone, meeting John before his career took off, and what it looked like navigating the early grind of the music industry together. She shares the story of unexpectedly becoming parents while John was chasing a record deal, the reality of raising three young kids while he’s out on the road, and the marriage advice Brittany Aldean gave her that completely changed her perspective on relationships in the industry. Hailey also talks about social media, motherhood, insecurity in the music world, finding confidence in yourself, and why building a strong support system matters more than ever. It’s a vulnerable, funny, and deeply relatable episode about love, growth, family, and the not-so-glamorous side of chasing big dreams in Nashville. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best. From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much. Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriedtothemusicpodcast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHanleyRiggs%40iheartmedia.com%7C17c8a77da23d43e2d7ad08de6a5b11b3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639065136525517299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz3sqAV94ugApObg4bTIXKyaYpU2GB10NAL4Iou6paI%3D&reserved=0] Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Kara Birge (George Birge): Burnt Orange, Young- Love, and Raising the Dream

George Birge’s wife, Kara Birge, joins Married to the Music to share the real story behind their 20-year relationship, raising two boys while balancing life on the road, and what it was actually like leaving Texas for Nashville before country music success ever happened. From meeting at the University of Texas and taking a leap of faith on George’s music career, to navigating NICU stays, tour life, motherhood, and finding stability in an unpredictable industry, Kara opens up about the realities of building a family behind the scenes of country music. She also talks about the importance of sisterhood, staying grounded through success, parenting while your spouse travels constantly, and why empathy has been the key to making their relationship work through every season of life. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best. From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much. Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriedtothemusicpodcast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHanleyRiggs%40iheartmedia.com%7C17c8a77da23d43e2d7ad08de6a5b11b3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639065136525517299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz3sqAV94ugApObg4bTIXKyaYpU2GB10NAL4Iou6paI%3D&reserved=0] Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

FILMORE & Paige Filmore: Tin Roof, Road Life and Babies

Filmore and his wife Paige join Married to the Music for a conversation about love, life on the road, parenthood, and the reality behind the music industry. From growing up just an hour apart without ever meeting, to eventually crossing paths at Tin Roof, the two share the unexpected story of how their relationship began and what it took to make long distance work while Filmore chased his music career. Paige also opens up about her demanding career as a pediatric cardiac sonographer and what it’s like balancing motherhood, medicine, and life alongside an artist. The couple talks honestly about trust in relationships, navigating social media and touring, becoming parents, and the emotional experience of welcoming their daughter early and spending 20 days in the NICU. They also share stories from touring with Pitbull, raising their son Asher, and the behind-the-scenes moments fans rarely get to see. This episode is funny, emotional, chaotic in the best way, and a real look at what it means to build a life together behind the music. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best. From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much. Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriedtothemusicpodcast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHanleyRiggs%40iheartmedia.com%7C17c8a77da23d43e2d7ad08de6a5b11b3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639065136525517299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz3sqAV94ugApObg4bTIXKyaYpU2GB10NAL4Iou6paI%3D&reserved=0] Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Kimberly Kelly (Brett Tyler): Real, Ambitious and Ever Evolving

Kimberly Kelly is a country artist, Texas native, mom, and the wife of No. 1 hit songwriter Brett Tyler, and her story pulls you straight into the real life behind Nashville’s music scene. She opens up about what it actually looks like to chase your own dream while married to one of the top writers in town. She talks honestly about finding her identity as an artist, balancing motherhood with ambition, and navigating an industry that does not come with a clear path or timeline. This is a real, behind-the-scenes look at love, work, and what it truly takes to build a life in country music beyond what you see on stage. Follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Married to the Music is where the spotlight fades and the real story begins. It is honest, heartfelt conversations with the husbands and wives behind today’s country stars, the ones living this life every single day. This is where you get to know your favorite artists on a deeper level through the people who know them best. From building careers to raising families while tour buses roll out, it is an inside look at what life really feels like beyond the stage and who these artists are when they are home. But even more importantly, it creates space for the partners who do not always get the mic. These are the stories you do not hear on stage, and they matter just as much. Watch clips and behind-the-scenes moments: @married.to.the.music Follow Hanley: @hanleyriggs More episodes and show notes: www.MarriedToTheMusicPodcast.com [https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marriedtothemusicpodcast.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CHanleyRiggs%40iheartmedia.com%7C17c8a77da23d43e2d7ad08de6a5b11b3%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639065136525517299%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Iz3sqAV94ugApObg4bTIXKyaYpU2GB10NAL4Iou6paI%3D&reserved=0] Know someone we should feature? Reach out on social: @married.to.the.music See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.