Hitting the Road

Episode 45: Bodie

Bodie didn't set out to make Christian music — he set out to make honest music, and eventually those became the same thing. The Southern California singer-songwriter finished runner-up on NBC's The Voice Season 22, then signed with Provident Label Group and released the Happy to Be Here EP. His single "Whisper and the Wind" climbed into the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart, surpassed 23 million global streams, and won the Grand Prize at the International Songwriting Competition — the first Christian artist in the competition's 23-year history to take the top honor. In this episode, Bodie talks about stepping into his calling, life on the road, and making faith-driven art that doesn't fence anyone out. Check out Bodie’s music: https://www.bodie.live/ [https://www.bodie.live/] Check out our sponsor: https:// [http://usrentalvans.com]usrentalvans.com [http://usrentalvans.com]

HTR Episode 44: David Koechner

David Koechner — Anchorman's Champ Kind, The Office's Todd Packer, and a Four-Decade Career Still Going Strong David Koechner has appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, but ask him and he'll tell you the thing he loves most is still the work itself. Best known as Champ Kind in Anchorman and Todd Packer in The Office, David came up the hard way — studying improv under Del Close at Chicago's ImprovOlympic, graduating to Second City, and landing back-to-back stints on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien. From there came Talladega Nights, Thank You for Smoking, Get Smart, Krampus, The Goldbergs, Twin Peaks, and voice roles on American Dad and F is for Family. These days he's on the road constantly — touring his stand-up from Phoenix to Fort Worth to Milwaukee, running Office Trivia nights in character as Todd Packer, and co-hosting the Big Slick charity weekend with Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Riggle, and Eric Stonestreet. In this episode, David opens up about building a career from scratch, the Second City years, and what it actually looks like to keep showing up for the craft after four decades in the business.

HTR Episode 43: Claire Leslie

Claire Leslie has been leading worship since she was 14. Now she's a Capitol CMG-signed artist with 6.5 million streams, a debut EP called Twenty Something, and a growing community of listeners drawn to one thing: her willingness to be completely real. In this episode, Claire opens up about the journey from worship leader to signed artist, building a career rooted in identity over trends, and why vulnerability — not polish — is what actually connects people to music. Plus what it really looks like to keep showing up when the road ahead isn't fully clear yet. If you love artists who mean every word, this one's for you. Check out Claire's music — https://www.claireleslie.com/ [https://www.claireleslie.com/] Check out our sponsor — https://usrentalvans.com/ [https://usrentalvans.com/]

HTR Episode 42: Ash Ruder

In this episode of Hitting the Road, we sit down with California-raised singer-songwriter Ash Ruder, whose winding journey from the sun-soaked canyons of Los Angeles to the heart of Nashville is as cinematic as the music she makes. After turning heads on ABC's American Idol, Ash traded the West Coast for Music City and quietly became one of its most in-demand behind-the-scenes writers, crafting songs for some of country and pop's most respected names. With a sound rooted in the breezy, golden warmth of 1970s West Coast rock and the emotional depth of classic country, Ash has carved out a lane that is entirely her own. In 2024, she stepped into the spotlight with her debut single "The Valley," followed by "Blue Genes" — a beautifully raw ballad weaving together the threads of family legacy and mental health that earned her a spot on CMT's Next Up Now. Most recently, she released her debut Miss California EP, a love letter to the life she left behind and the artist she's becoming. We dive into what it looks like to spend years pouring your best ideas into other people's music before finally betting on yourself, the stories behind her most personal songs, and what it really takes to build something real from scratch. Tune in for an honest and heartfelt conversation with an artist who's just getting started. Check out Ash’s music: https://www.ashruder.com/ [https://www.ashruder.com/] Check out our sponsors: https://usrentalvans.com/ [https://www.usrentalvans.com/?__hstc=21858660.e893863a473055d2943db7e232f411b3.1712070198921.1772141300633.1772480699280.178&__hssc=21858660.4.1772480699280&__hsfp=b1afb39c2fd401dc6a51b06206084aa1] and https://nashvillevans.com [https://nashvillevans.com/?__hstc=21858660.e893863a473055d2943db7e232f411b3.1712070198921.1772141300633.1772480699280.178&__hssc=21858660.4.1772480699280&__hsfp=b1afb39c2fd401dc6a51b06206084aa1]

HTR Episode 41: Tyler Boone

This week on Hitting The Road, we sit down with Tyler Boone for a candid conversation about independence, entrepreneurship, and building a career without waiting on permission. Tyler shares his journey from grinding it out in clubs to becoming a nationally touring artist, earning recognition from outlets like Spin Magazine, and landing placements across major sports and radio platforms. We talk about what it really takes to sustain momentum as an independent musician, the mindset required to bet on yourself, and how discipline fuels creativity over the long haul. Beyond music, Tyler opens up about launching Artist Formula, a company designed to help artists navigate today’s DIY landscape, and building Boone’s Bourbon, an award-winning spirits brand rooted in craftsmanship and authenticity. It’s a conversation about ownership, risk, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them. If you’re an artist, founder, or anyone chasing big goals while building from the ground up, this episode will resonate. Check out Tyler’s work: https://www.tylerboonemusic.com [https://www.tylerboonemusic.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] https://www.artistformula.com [https://www.artistformula.com] https://www.drinkboonesbourbon.com [https://www.drinkboonesbourbon.com] Check out our sponsors: https://nashvillevans.com [https://nashvillevans.com] and https://usrentalvans.com [https://usrentalvans.com]