December 7, 2021 • 24 mins
It's anything BUT a match made in "heaven". Crook & Chase take you way behind the scenes with Dustin Lynch & Mackenzie Porter to hear the real drama surrounding their hit "Thinkin' 'Bout You". Turns out, going through a challenge can reap huge musical rewards.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
When I started wedding planning, I didn't have time or
money to waste. That's why I chose Joy. Joy is
you're all in one wedding planner and the only registry
with zero fees on cash gifts. Create a beautiful wedding
website backed by powerful planning tools, integrate your guest list,
send the perfect save the dates and invitations, track r
s vps, and of course, add gifts from any store
(00:22):
to your all in one registry. It was so customizable
and easy to use. I couldn't believe it was free.
Discover the smarter way to plan in your big day
at with Joy dot com. That's with Joy dot com
Happy Planning. At Metro by t Mobile, we're giving you
more with the Big five G Upgrade. Now choose from
the largest selection of three five G phones and pre
(00:42):
paid like the Samsung Galaxy five G. Just switch and
trade in your old device, plus enjoyed five G access
on every plan at no extra cost, all powered by
the T Mobile five G network only at Metro requires
poured in I D and eligible plan plus tax fived
coverage not availab everywhere. See store for details. At Metro
(01:05):
by t Mobile, we're giving you more with the Big
five G upgrade. Now choose from the largest selection of
three five G phones and pre paid like the Samsung
Galaxy five G. Just switching trade in your old device
plus enjoyed five G access on every plan at no
extra cost. All powered by the T Mobile five G
network only at Metro. Requires poured in I D and
(01:27):
elgible plan plus tax five D coverage not available everywhere.
See store for details. Hello, Welcome in to Crook and
Chase and Nashville Chats. I'm Lauranne Crook here with Charlie Chase.
And it's sort of fitting, Charlie that you and I
are a duo and have been for how many years?
A long time? Seriously, are we coming up of forty years?
(01:48):
Nearly nearly forty years? Thirty nine years? Actually we've been
together as a team. We deserve some kind of a
vacation or a Tiara or something, don't we. Let me
just say this. I'm know who're close to retire, but
I love this gig. I love being a radio. We
get a chance to meet with some of the most
unique and weird people I've ever met in my life.
(02:09):
I love them all to death. I really do. It's
always a surprise. You never know what to expect. But
we digress. The reason we're interested in our little collaboration
here is because collaborations have become the huge trend in
country music artists duetting inside and outside of country music now. Often,
as you know, Charlie, the collaborations happened between close friends
(02:32):
in the business. But the one we're talking about today
is different. One of the newest hit collapse as a
partnership between Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter, who did not
even know each other prior to this big hit song.
Of course, we know in Dustin a long time because
he comes from just south of Nashville, down Tullahoma, Tennessee,
(02:52):
and a matter of fact, did his album about Tallahoma.
But getting back to this du I think it's not
easy to pull off something like this because there are
a lot of legalities involved. People have contracts with one
label and your friends have a contract with another label.
Then you've got to get their approval and all this stuff.
But anyway, Dustin has been a when you have some hits,
you have some leverage. That's put it like that because
he's been a hit maker since twelve and his breakthrough
(03:16):
hit was Cowboys and Angels. That that took him a
long way. In January two is the tenth anniversary of
that particular song. Believe it or not, ten years since
that first hit. Yeah, it picked at number two. I
always thought it should be a number one song. Somehow
we can make it in number one song. Well, here's
about mackenzie all right. Mackenzie moved to Nashville from Canada
back in and she is already a strong star in Canada.
(03:39):
She was the first woman Charlie with three back to
back number one songs since Shania Twain did it back
in nineteen. And of course McKenzie it just has a
slew of Canadian Country Music Award and Juno nominations. But
even though we're just meeting mackenzie, I think we have
her number already and she is now included in a
very range club initiated by me and Mickey Guyton. Hey,
(04:04):
what's up is this? Dustin? This is is that Mackenzie? Hello,
Hellenie Mackenzie. We know all about that clown next to
you there, but it's nice. It is so nice to
meet you too. I've heard all about you guys through
dust Oh well, listen. You will love to know this. Um.
I had a conversation recently with Mickey Guyton and it
(04:26):
relates to you. Mickey and I were admitting to each
other that once the party is over people have gone home,
or if we're home alone, we will pick up the
wine bottle and drink out of the bottle. And uh,
I saw you doing the very same thing in the
unlnely Me music video. Oh yeah, I mean I will
(04:47):
drink wine however it served to me whatever form. Okay,
so now there are three of us in wine from
the Bottle Club, just so you know. I love it.
And listen. If I'm not mistaken, Dustin, didn't you keep
beer cold in the creek? Absolutely? I did when you
were a teenager. Oh yeah, I had to hide it.
I would, I would smuggle it. I was at the time.
(05:08):
I had a job of um cleaning out golf carts
at the country club, and you know that you'd find
an occasional one or two left over beers and me
and my buddies would stash them down in this creek
and keep them cold till we're sneaking out. Go get
him out of the creek. Yeah, listen, Mackenzie. You just
need to stay in touch with us, will tell you
whatever you need to know about this guy. But while
we're confessing here though, in the music video for Thinking
(05:30):
about You, Dustin, you are drinking whiskey, but it's from
a beautiful crystal glass. So when nobody's watching, do you
just pick up the whiskey bottle and drink from the bottle?
I have before, But no, I'm not one to sit
around the house and and drink whiskey from the bottle.
I've seen you do it out of party or two back. Yeah,
(05:51):
now on on Lake Day or something. Um, I was
gonna say, yeah, probably probably tequila bottle around every now
and again. Well, hey, let's get to music here. I
think we'll share some more later here. But now this
song Thinking About You, just a brief history here. This
song was originally recorded with Lauren Lena and When You,
Dustin wanted to release it as a single. Lauren already
(06:13):
had a single out with John Party, so they were
concerned about some sort of confusion over two of those
projects the same time, So it was time to solve
the problem. Now, Seriously, you could have called Laurienne Unaway
that about a compounded the problem. So what was involved
in the blind audition where you found Mackenzie. Yeah, we
just submitted. My team just submitted to Nashville community that hey,
(06:36):
if you're an artist and want to sing on this
song and can release it during this window of time,
we would love to have you, please email this email.
And so we got a bunch of submissions, and I
had all the names removed from that list just so
I wasn't, you know, persuaded one way or the other,
if if I knew someone or not. And uh kept
coming back to this particular version that just moved me.
(06:58):
The first time I heard it, I got hills and
and just got emotional. I'm like, wow, that is so
good and effortless. Who is this? And end up being Mackenzie.
So when you were listening to these, did you have
a chair on a button spun around you? You know,
it is exactly like the voice. Um, I didn't have it.
I didn't have a button, but I had a chair.
The first time I listened out to the folder, I
was I was waiting on a plane and a terminal, so, um,
(07:20):
I was sitting there. It's crazy, you know, you remember
those those moments um in life that are that are
game changing, and that was that was that moment for me. So, Mackenzie,
what made you want to jump in on this? I
mean so many different things. I mean, first off, just
it was Dustin Lynch um, and I was a big
fan of him before. I didn't know him, but knew
of his music UM. And also the song. I mean,
(07:42):
I had heard the song Lauren's version of the song
um when his record came out UM, So it was
kind of like a no brainer for me. And um,
it was right in the middle of COVID, so I
was trying to go out on a radio tour to
promote my first single, but you know, nobody was traveling.
Everyone was at home, so we were just having to
like basically push and wake because I couldn't start really
(08:03):
my cycle um until after And so it was kind
of like the perfect storm. And UM, you know, I
was of course like I'll put a vocal down, not
really like thinking anything would really happen of it, um,
And I didn't hear anything for to me what felt
like a month. I don't know how long it actually was,
it felt forever. Well, I remember living with the version
(08:25):
for a couple of weeks, well, but can see that
we know how Dustin felt the first time he heard
your voices blending together. The first time you heard it,
What did you think? I mean, I had I think
it was the demo that you sent over UM that
I got to sing on UM. So, I mean I
(08:46):
thought it sounded incredible. I mean I was super pumped
on the version that we turned in and I did
it with my producer Joey Moy and UM. You know,
I was just kind of just like hoping and praying
that like the stars were aligne. And one day I
got UM. I was like scrolling through Instagram and I
noticed that Dustin Lynch followed me on Instagram, and I
was like, I mean something UM, And so I screenshot
(09:12):
at it and sent it to my like basically entire
label and was like, guys, we're doing the song. And
there was no calm down, You're not um. And then
a couple of days later, I did get a phone
call from she sent made a voice smeil did. I
didn't know who it was. You made her wait so long, dusted,
so I thought you were like going to sell me
(09:33):
into it was spam Lynch, all right, So the decision
was made to bring you on board for the song.
Let's go to the session. Dustin shows up. I understand
wearing your merchandise. Now, let me that says something because
he ordinarily wears his own with his face on. So
there's the icebreaker. How long was the session to get
(09:55):
the song recorded? Was it a breeze? Did you do
it in one day? Oh? Yeah, one day? I mean
how many? Was like a few hours? Hey, y'all she's
really good, that's all that means. Uh? Yeah, my Actually,
I came to the studio with UM, with Zach Krow,
my producer and my videographer, so we wanted to document
the day and UM, and it was just amazing, And honestly,
(10:17):
I wanted to be there because I want to see
if she could pull it off live, because you know,
fingers crossed, we get to you know, we're going to
get to perform this thing on TV which has happened
and stage, and I just want to make sure that
you know, what we're getting was real. And UM, she's
just an incredible vocalist and this song is is challenging
to sing. It's really high. She's singing a super high
(10:39):
octave over me in the chorus and then the runs
that she does in that last course are just really impressive.
So to to be in person and see that happen
um was awesome. Now, you gotta remember this was a
year where we weren't doing a whole lot, so um,
you know, it was just it was great to be
in the studio. It's great to see other humans and
make a little magic with them. We'll take us even
further behind the scenes. You know, a lot of artists
(11:01):
do collaborations, and we've been told that the decision making
process about who you each are going to sing with,
it's more than just do the voices blend? You know,
do the personalities blend? Do all the behind the scenes
legal does that all work? So so how complicated is
it just besides the vocals, to get together to artists
(11:24):
on a collaboration. I think the most challenging thing is
what I ran into it with the song is is
timing of releasing it. Because radio stations tend to not
want to play too much of the same artist in
an hour, and so we really have to gauge how
many collaborations we do and when those are released because
we don't want to. We don't want to. I guess
compete with um, yeah, yourself on the station and and
(11:49):
so that's what you run into. That was the biggest challenge.
And um, of course there's a there's a lot of
village behind Mackenzie and I on both sides, so we've
got to make sure they play nice and sand boss
and and luckily both of our our label teams do
and and have really worked together um wonderfully on this song. So,
as I alluded to earlier, it is not easy just
(12:09):
getting together and singing. You wish it was that easy,
but it's not. On the other hand, it does show
how keeping yourself open to you know, unexpected opportunities with
people you don't even know, such as the case here. Uh,
it can all be life changing and of course career
changing and boosting too. It is in this case as well. Well.
When we come back, how Dustin and Mackenzie are celebrating
(12:32):
and plan to continue celebrating their success a little reminiscing
about their favorite childhood Christmas gifts too, and Mackenzie's big
debut that brought her entire family from Canada to Nashville.
It's coming up. Stimulant use disorder is a disease, not
a choice, but getting help for your math or cocaine
addiction is Choose treatment and Choose Change California. Find proven
(12:56):
treatment options at Choose Change ce A dot org. It's
a new year. What's your style? Resolution? Express as you
covered with the latest arrivals. If you want to embrace
fun colors, try five Star Body Contour. New statement tops
and dresses are perfect for creating a versatile closet. Resolving
to buy more sustainably expresses new conscious edit genes contain
(13:19):
at least recycled fibers or cleaner dye techniques compared to
traditional practices. Start fresh and shop new arrivals at Express
dot com or in stores. That time you got home
from a week of double shifts and your dog didn't
recognize you. He hates me, hates Do you want to treat?
(13:42):
You want to treat? You knew it was time for
something new. Let's drop it up At career builder. You
can find jobs with the work life balance and salary
you want. Plus, build a resume and apply to multiple
jobs in just one click. Start your search at career
builder dot com. You have a hit song. Now, okay,
(14:03):
but let's let's look back. This began this project began
in the spring, so here you are closing out the
year basically with a hit song. And this might be
an odd question, but considering the life of the song,
but when did you know? When did it become known
that this was going to be a hit? I think
pretty early on for us. UM. I remember specifically Mackenzie
(14:24):
texting me saying, Hey, is is this good? And I
started laughing when I got the text because it wasn't good.
It was incredible, um at the pace of this song
that was being picked up and played and and programmed. Um.
And what we've learned along the way is just you know,
getting to celebrate this together is what we've enjoyed. The signs,
(14:46):
What were the signs? What triggered it early on? Just
how many stations wanted to play it right away? Yeah,
and before before we release it, how many people wanted
this song, um, while my other single was still climbing
the charts. That's always a great sign um. So we had,
you know, we had some pretty high confidence going in,
and then it all just becomes about do people want
to hear it? You know, it's all about the fans
(15:06):
and the market and the ready listeners. Do they want
to hear it? Do they turn it up or do
they turn the station? And clearly they aren't turning the
station on this one. Yeah, we're gonna say, do people
want to hear it? That's a big fat yes. Pretty cool,
don't you think to wrap up the year going into
a great, big hit like this? So do you celebrate
even more? Are you're even in a better mood? How
(15:29):
are you both going to celebrate the holidays individually with
your families? I mean, for me, yes, it'll be a
massive celebration, you know, because this is the first time
that I've ever even got to where it is right now. Um,
so I'm already celebrating just because this is very very
very cool. Um. But you know, if if it you know,
(15:50):
I'm not sure, like the knock on wood, Um, if
it kind of goes all the way, Um, yes, a
lot of a lot of wine will be drunk, drank
from the bottom. One thing I've learned all one thing
I've learned along this this wonderful ride with Mackenzie is, um,
she and I both get along very well when it
comes to celebrating things. We've got to do some life
(16:11):
together out on the boat on the water and um,
you know, just jumping around a different events and it
is gonna be it is gonna be quite the celebration,
and we hope you guys joined it. So you're rocking
around the Christmas tree, so to speak. As they said,
all right, well find the way far wrong the subject
of Christmas. You don't mind, let me ask one question
here that we might be able to use in our
holiday versions of the show. Do either of you or
(16:34):
both of you, do you have a favorite toy that
from Christmas when you were a kid that you still
have or wish you had. Wow. Um, I'll go first,
just because, um, so I don't somebody ways like talking
about this the other day and I know I still
have it somewhere in my parents house. But do you
(16:54):
guys remember like tamagotchis No, it's not a Canadian thing.
I've asked. It is like it is like a little
like creature that you like feed. Yeah. Yeah, it's like
a fur baby, but it's like on your Um, I
don't know people will remember. I think I would, yeah,
(17:17):
feed it and take care of it, and like, I
don't know, it's like I just remember it being so well,
you've done a great job of it. You don't know
where it is. If you know, very important question. If
you feed this thing, does it also pee and poop
and you have to clean that up? Well yeah, but
it's like a computer game basically, But yes, you do.
(17:38):
You're supposed to clean it up, all right, justin top that. Yeah,
I don't know if I can. Um, I'm trying to remember,
you know, it would probably this. I don't know if
this is bad or good, but it would probably one
of my shotguns that I have. Yeah. I was huge
into you know, and I have my dad and grand
(18:00):
had to thank for this. I was. I was huge
outdoorsman growing up early on in life. And it's just
I think it's a milestone thing for a kid, you know,
you start out with I can remember having a little
gun that shoots rubber bands across the room, and then mom,
let me have one of those cap guns. And then
I got my first BB gun and then like my
first twenty engagement. The first four years of life, is it. Yeah,
(18:23):
I don't remember what year it was, but um, it's
it's in pretty bad shape now. But um, that was
just a you know, a gift that I'll never forget
a little bit of independence came with it too, you know,
of course. But Dustin, this is why Charlie doesn't mess
with you more than he already does, because he knows
(18:43):
you're locked in loaded, yeah, probably drunk. All right. Back
to the music here with a hit song like this,
it's a I was gonna bring more in uh more
notoriety to what you do and everything? Dustin, is your
new project finished? And Mackenzie, I'll ask you you have
(19:05):
a spring release anythinking the works? Right? I think we've
both we've been busy outside of touring. I literally just
gave the okay on on finalizing everything for my next
album yesterday. So yeah, it's it's a it's been a
big day. I'm going to celebrate tonight, believe it or
not because of that. And um, it's been a labor
of of a long time and love and and and
(19:27):
really a roller coaster of creating. You know, we started
making this album as soon as we got pulled off
of the road in twenty and here it is done
with the bow on top, and now we're just waiting
on on the right time to release it. Hey, speaking
at roll roller coaster? Uh, Dustin, did you give Mackenzie
any special advice for the big Opery debut. Well, I
(19:47):
got to be there, so that was just awesome. Um.
Our schedules worked out where I was able to be
a part of that show, and UM we got the
tour back stage together and then I stood on the
on stage right and got to watch your h her
nerves hit right when she was announced, and UM, walk
out and do her thing, and she performed. UM. She
performed a new song that that she released and UM,
(20:10):
which I think is gonna be do great things. I was,
you know, it's one of those first listen moments where
you go, oh, that's a special one. And then she
got to come back out on stage and do think
about you are a free debut together. So yeah, So Mackenzie,
you do have a project coming out in the spring,
is that right? I do. I've had well, I had
four songs come out this fall I'm sorry three and
(20:30):
have another one coming out right before UM Christmas, and
then it'll kind of like turn into a full record
UM in the new year. So my next single will
be off of that, and yeah, we're just kind of
really excited. I start tour again in the new year
right away, and it'll be a very yeah, I was
gonna say I had a big year for both of
you and Mackenzie. What will you remember most about your
(20:54):
Opery debut? I think, um, I'll definitely remember most. You know,
my entire fan only flew in. My my five yearly
grandma was there and they're just like such big country fans, um,
and had never been. Well, my parents have been to
the opery, just like as an audience member, but my
grandma had never been. And of course we took them
(21:15):
on stage before and they got to stand in the
circle and um, they were so cute, Like they took
more photos than I took that night, just because it
was really cool. Um and honestly, like you know, having
dust In there and um, my parents got to meet
his parents. It was just like such a family night,
which I know that is what the opera is, but
I guess you don't really like know it and to
(21:36):
experience it. Well, that's great. Well, congratulations on the success
of thinking about you. Will think about you guys over
the great holiday season, and be safe and we'll hope
to see you soon. Okay, awesome, thank you, guys. I
gotta tell you, she was very descriptive and walking on
the stage of the Granville Opery for their family members.
If you've never been to the opera, there's something magical
when you walk on that stage, just realizing or thinking
(21:57):
about the history involved, especially when you get in that circle,
that magic circle you that which, by the way, is
the circuitar part. They cut out of the Ryman Auditorium
and took to the new Operahouse, which you feel chills
when you're in that area, And it was so funny
that Dustin actually saw her begin to freak out out there.
(22:18):
But you know, Mackenzie Porter ending this year on the
By Dirt Tour with Jordan Davis and already booked on
the Fancy Like Tour next year with Walkerhead. And I
have to say this. I have to say this. If
you want to see for yourself all the ways that
Mackenzie Porter can drink wine from a bottle, check out
the music video that I mentioned is called Unlonely Me.
(22:40):
Wait a minute, how many ways you can drink wine
from a bottle? Like? What? Well? Our clue? One of
the ways that she in the video drinks wine from
a bottle is upside down on the couch, just tell
you know. And this is so funny. Mackenzie even has
an album that was released last year. It's seven tracks
called Drinking Songs the collection. I wonder if she remembered
(23:04):
recording that. I don't know anyway, let me point out
also there's new music on the way from Mackenzie before
the end of the year, and new albums from both
Dustin and Mackenzie in the spring of There are a
lot of fun It's a great collaboration. We'll see where
it goes from here. That is the latest news regarding
Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter. We have your country covered.
(23:24):
Listen to the Crook and Chase Countdown every weekend on
hundreds of radio stations across America, also streaming on I
Heart Radio, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
at Crook and Chase. That Color Pop Cosmetics, We believe
that beauty should be within everyone's reach. True beauty is
about giving yourself the freedom to pop and color pap
lets you create your own definition of beauty. Color pap
(23:46):
is the leading cruelty free cosmetics brand, combining the latest
trends with luxury quality formulas at an affordable price, from
super shock shadow to eyeshadow pellets in every color to
the best foundation and concealer on the market. Check out
the brand That's One awards from amoor at Lure and more.
Learn more at color Pop That's c O l O.
You are Pop dot com Beauty for Everyone. Did you
(24:07):
know Amazon provides ways of working that fit your lifestyle.
They know you value your time outside of work, juggling families, school, friends,
or other activities. That's why they offer a variety of
shifts that work for you. There are full time, part time,
and even temporary opportunities that can work with your schedule
with great starting pay and sign on bonuses. If you
(24:27):
want a career that fits and adapts to your lifestyle,
head the Amazon dot Com slash apply. Amazon is a
proud equal opportunity employer. Look for your children's eyes and
you will discover the true magic of a forest. Find
a forest near you and start exploring it. Discover the
forest dot Org. Brought to you by the United States
(24:50):
Forest Service and the AD Council
When I started wedding planning, I didn't have time or
money to waste. That's why I chose Joy. Joy is
you're all in one wedding planner and the only registry
with zero fees on cash gifts. Create a beautiful wedding
website backed by powerful planning tools, integrate your guest list,
send the perfect save the dates and invitations, track r
s vps, and of course, add gifts from any store
(00:22):
to your all in one registry. It was so customizable
and easy to use. I couldn't believe it was free.
Discover the smarter way to plan in your big day
at with Joy dot com. That's with Joy dot com
Happy Planning. At Metro by t Mobile, we're giving you
more with the Big five G Upgrade. Now choose from
the largest selection of three five G phones and pre
(00:42):
paid like the Samsung Galaxy five G. Just switch and
trade in your old device, plus enjoyed five G access
on every plan at no extra cost, all powered by
the T Mobile five G network only at Metro requires
poured in I D and eligible plan plus tax fived
coverage not availab everywhere. See store for details. At Metro
(01:05):
by t Mobile, we're giving you more with the Big
five G upgrade. Now choose from the largest selection of
three five G phones and pre paid like the Samsung
Galaxy five G. Just switching trade in your old device
plus enjoyed five G access on every plan at no
extra cost. All powered by the T Mobile five G
network only at Metro. Requires poured in I D and
(01:27):
elgible plan plus tax five D coverage not available everywhere.
See store for details. Hello, Welcome in to Crook and
Chase and Nashville Chats. I'm Lauranne Crook here with Charlie Chase.
And it's sort of fitting, Charlie that you and I
are a duo and have been for how many years?
A long time? Seriously, are we coming up of forty years?
(01:48):
Nearly nearly forty years? Thirty nine years? Actually we've been
together as a team. We deserve some kind of a
vacation or a Tiara or something, don't we. Let me
just say this. I'm know who're close to retire, but
I love this gig. I love being a radio. We
get a chance to meet with some of the most
unique and weird people I've ever met in my life.
(02:09):
I love them all to death. I really do. It's
always a surprise. You never know what to expect. But
we digress. The reason we're interested in our little collaboration
here is because collaborations have become the huge trend in
country music artists duetting inside and outside of country music now. Often,
as you know, Charlie, the collaborations happened between close friends
(02:32):
in the business. But the one we're talking about today
is different. One of the newest hit collapse as a
partnership between Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter, who did not
even know each other prior to this big hit song.
Of course, we know in Dustin a long time because
he comes from just south of Nashville, down Tullahoma, Tennessee,
(02:52):
and a matter of fact, did his album about Tallahoma.
But getting back to this du I think it's not
easy to pull off something like this because there are
a lot of legalities involved. People have contracts with one
label and your friends have a contract with another label.
Then you've got to get their approval and all this stuff.
But anyway, Dustin has been a when you have some hits,
you have some leverage. That's put it like that because
he's been a hit maker since twelve and his breakthrough
(03:16):
hit was Cowboys and Angels. That that took him a
long way. In January two is the tenth anniversary of
that particular song. Believe it or not, ten years since
that first hit. Yeah, it picked at number two. I
always thought it should be a number one song. Somehow
we can make it in number one song. Well, here's
about mackenzie all right. Mackenzie moved to Nashville from Canada
back in and she is already a strong star in Canada.
(03:39):
She was the first woman Charlie with three back to
back number one songs since Shania Twain did it back
in nineteen. And of course McKenzie it just has a
slew of Canadian Country Music Award and Juno nominations. But
even though we're just meeting mackenzie, I think we have
her number already and she is now included in a
very range club initiated by me and Mickey Guyton. Hey,
(04:04):
what's up is this? Dustin? This is is that Mackenzie? Hello,
Hellenie Mackenzie. We know all about that clown next to
you there, but it's nice. It is so nice to
meet you too. I've heard all about you guys through
dust Oh well, listen. You will love to know this. Um.
I had a conversation recently with Mickey Guyton and it
(04:26):
relates to you. Mickey and I were admitting to each
other that once the party is over people have gone home,
or if we're home alone, we will pick up the
wine bottle and drink out of the bottle. And uh,
I saw you doing the very same thing in the
unlnely Me music video. Oh yeah, I mean I will
(04:47):
drink wine however it served to me whatever form. Okay,
so now there are three of us in wine from
the Bottle Club, just so you know. I love it.
And listen. If I'm not mistaken, Dustin, didn't you keep
beer cold in the creek? Absolutely? I did when you
were a teenager. Oh yeah, I had to hide it.
I would, I would smuggle it. I was at the time.
(05:08):
I had a job of um cleaning out golf carts
at the country club, and you know that you'd find
an occasional one or two left over beers and me
and my buddies would stash them down in this creek
and keep them cold till we're sneaking out. Go get
him out of the creek. Yeah, listen, Mackenzie. You just
need to stay in touch with us, will tell you
whatever you need to know about this guy. But while
we're confessing here though, in the music video for Thinking
(05:30):
about You, Dustin, you are drinking whiskey, but it's from
a beautiful crystal glass. So when nobody's watching, do you
just pick up the whiskey bottle and drink from the bottle?
I have before, But no, I'm not one to sit
around the house and and drink whiskey from the bottle.
I've seen you do it out of party or two back. Yeah,
(05:51):
now on on Lake Day or something. Um, I was
gonna say, yeah, probably probably tequila bottle around every now
and again. Well, hey, let's get to music here. I
think we'll share some more later here. But now this
song Thinking About You, just a brief history here. This
song was originally recorded with Lauren Lena and When You,
Dustin wanted to release it as a single. Lauren already
(06:13):
had a single out with John Party, so they were
concerned about some sort of confusion over two of those
projects the same time, So it was time to solve
the problem. Now, Seriously, you could have called Laurienne Unaway
that about a compounded the problem. So what was involved
in the blind audition where you found Mackenzie. Yeah, we
just submitted. My team just submitted to Nashville community that hey,
(06:36):
if you're an artist and want to sing on this
song and can release it during this window of time,
we would love to have you, please email this email.
And so we got a bunch of submissions, and I
had all the names removed from that list just so
I wasn't, you know, persuaded one way or the other,
if if I knew someone or not. And uh kept
coming back to this particular version that just moved me.
(06:58):
The first time I heard it, I got hills and
and just got emotional. I'm like, wow, that is so
good and effortless. Who is this? And end up being Mackenzie.
So when you were listening to these, did you have
a chair on a button spun around you? You know,
it is exactly like the voice. Um, I didn't have it.
I didn't have a button, but I had a chair.
The first time I listened out to the folder, I
was I was waiting on a plane and a terminal, so, um,
(07:20):
I was sitting there. It's crazy, you know, you remember
those those moments um in life that are that are
game changing, and that was that was that moment for me. So, Mackenzie,
what made you want to jump in on this? I
mean so many different things. I mean, first off, just
it was Dustin Lynch um, and I was a big
fan of him before. I didn't know him, but knew
of his music UM. And also the song. I mean,
(07:42):
I had heard the song Lauren's version of the song
um when his record came out UM, So it was
kind of like a no brainer for me. And um,
it was right in the middle of COVID, so I
was trying to go out on a radio tour to
promote my first single, but you know, nobody was traveling.
Everyone was at home, so we were just having to
like basically push and wake because I couldn't start really
(08:03):
my cycle um until after And so it was kind
of like the perfect storm. And UM, you know, I
was of course like I'll put a vocal down, not
really like thinking anything would really happen of it, um,
And I didn't hear anything for to me what felt
like a month. I don't know how long it actually was,
it felt forever. Well, I remember living with the version
(08:25):
for a couple of weeks, well, but can see that
we know how Dustin felt the first time he heard
your voices blending together. The first time you heard it,
What did you think? I mean, I had I think
it was the demo that you sent over UM that
I got to sing on UM. So, I mean I
(08:46):
thought it sounded incredible. I mean I was super pumped
on the version that we turned in and I did
it with my producer Joey Moy and UM. You know,
I was just kind of just like hoping and praying
that like the stars were aligne. And one day I
got UM. I was like scrolling through Instagram and I
noticed that Dustin Lynch followed me on Instagram, and I
was like, I mean something UM, And so I screenshot
(09:12):
at it and sent it to my like basically entire
label and was like, guys, we're doing the song. And
there was no calm down, You're not um. And then
a couple of days later, I did get a phone
call from she sent made a voice smeil did. I
didn't know who it was. You made her wait so long, dusted,
so I thought you were like going to sell me
(09:33):
into it was spam Lynch, all right, So the decision
was made to bring you on board for the song.
Let's go to the session. Dustin shows up. I understand
wearing your merchandise. Now, let me that says something because
he ordinarily wears his own with his face on. So
there's the icebreaker. How long was the session to get
(09:55):
the song recorded? Was it a breeze? Did you do
it in one day? Oh? Yeah, one day? I mean
how many? Was like a few hours? Hey, y'all she's
really good, that's all that means. Uh? Yeah, my Actually,
I came to the studio with UM, with Zach Krow,
my producer and my videographer, so we wanted to document
the day and UM, and it was just amazing, And honestly,
(10:17):
I wanted to be there because I want to see
if she could pull it off live, because you know,
fingers crossed, we get to you know, we're going to
get to perform this thing on TV which has happened
and stage, and I just want to make sure that
you know, what we're getting was real. And UM, she's
just an incredible vocalist and this song is is challenging
to sing. It's really high. She's singing a super high
(10:39):
octave over me in the chorus and then the runs
that she does in that last course are just really impressive.
So to to be in person and see that happen
um was awesome. Now, you gotta remember this was a
year where we weren't doing a whole lot, so um,
you know, it was just it was great to be
in the studio. It's great to see other humans and
make a little magic with them. We'll take us even
further behind the scenes. You know, a lot of artists
(11:01):
do collaborations, and we've been told that the decision making
process about who you each are going to sing with,
it's more than just do the voices blend? You know,
do the personalities blend? Do all the behind the scenes
legal does that all work? So so how complicated is
it just besides the vocals, to get together to artists
(11:24):
on a collaboration. I think the most challenging thing is
what I ran into it with the song is is
timing of releasing it. Because radio stations tend to not
want to play too much of the same artist in
an hour, and so we really have to gauge how
many collaborations we do and when those are released because
we don't want to. We don't want to. I guess
compete with um, yeah, yourself on the station and and
(11:49):
so that's what you run into. That was the biggest challenge.
And um, of course there's a there's a lot of
village behind Mackenzie and I on both sides, so we've
got to make sure they play nice and sand boss
and and luckily both of our our label teams do
and and have really worked together um wonderfully on this song. So,
as I alluded to earlier, it is not easy just
(12:09):
getting together and singing. You wish it was that easy,
but it's not. On the other hand, it does show
how keeping yourself open to you know, unexpected opportunities with
people you don't even know, such as the case here. Uh,
it can all be life changing and of course career
changing and boosting too. It is in this case as well. Well.
When we come back, how Dustin and Mackenzie are celebrating
(12:32):
and plan to continue celebrating their success a little reminiscing
about their favorite childhood Christmas gifts too, and Mackenzie's big
debut that brought her entire family from Canada to Nashville.
It's coming up. Stimulant use disorder is a disease, not
a choice, but getting help for your math or cocaine
addiction is Choose treatment and Choose Change California. Find proven
(12:56):
treatment options at Choose Change ce A dot org. It's
a new year. What's your style? Resolution? Express as you
covered with the latest arrivals. If you want to embrace
fun colors, try five Star Body Contour. New statement tops
and dresses are perfect for creating a versatile closet. Resolving
to buy more sustainably expresses new conscious edit genes contain
(13:19):
at least recycled fibers or cleaner dye techniques compared to
traditional practices. Start fresh and shop new arrivals at Express
dot com or in stores. That time you got home
from a week of double shifts and your dog didn't
recognize you. He hates me, hates Do you want to treat?
(13:42):
You want to treat? You knew it was time for
something new. Let's drop it up At career builder. You
can find jobs with the work life balance and salary
you want. Plus, build a resume and apply to multiple
jobs in just one click. Start your search at career
builder dot com. You have a hit song. Now, okay,
(14:03):
but let's let's look back. This began this project began
in the spring, so here you are closing out the
year basically with a hit song. And this might be
an odd question, but considering the life of the song,
but when did you know? When did it become known
that this was going to be a hit? I think
pretty early on for us. UM. I remember specifically Mackenzie
(14:24):
texting me saying, Hey, is is this good? And I
started laughing when I got the text because it wasn't good.
It was incredible, um at the pace of this song
that was being picked up and played and and programmed. Um.
And what we've learned along the way is just you know,
getting to celebrate this together is what we've enjoyed. The signs,
(14:46):
What were the signs? What triggered it early on? Just
how many stations wanted to play it right away? Yeah,
and before before we release it, how many people wanted
this song, um, while my other single was still climbing
the charts. That's always a great sign um. So we had,
you know, we had some pretty high confidence going in,
and then it all just becomes about do people want
to hear it? You know, it's all about the fans
(15:06):
and the market and the ready listeners. Do they want
to hear it? Do they turn it up or do
they turn the station? And clearly they aren't turning the
station on this one. Yeah, we're gonna say, do people
want to hear it? That's a big fat yes. Pretty cool,
don't you think to wrap up the year going into
a great, big hit like this? So do you celebrate
even more? Are you're even in a better mood? How
(15:29):
are you both going to celebrate the holidays individually with
your families? I mean, for me, yes, it'll be a
massive celebration, you know, because this is the first time
that I've ever even got to where it is right now. Um,
so I'm already celebrating just because this is very very
very cool. Um. But you know, if if it you know,
(15:50):
I'm not sure, like the knock on wood, Um, if
it kind of goes all the way, Um, yes, a
lot of a lot of wine will be drunk, drank
from the bottom. One thing I've learned all one thing
I've learned along this this wonderful ride with Mackenzie is, um,
she and I both get along very well when it
comes to celebrating things. We've got to do some life
(16:11):
together out on the boat on the water and um,
you know, just jumping around a different events and it
is gonna be it is gonna be quite the celebration,
and we hope you guys joined it. So you're rocking
around the Christmas tree, so to speak. As they said,
all right, well find the way far wrong the subject
of Christmas. You don't mind, let me ask one question
here that we might be able to use in our
holiday versions of the show. Do either of you or
(16:34):
both of you, do you have a favorite toy that
from Christmas when you were a kid that you still
have or wish you had. Wow. Um, I'll go first,
just because, um, so I don't somebody ways like talking
about this the other day and I know I still
have it somewhere in my parents house. But do you
(16:54):
guys remember like tamagotchis No, it's not a Canadian thing.
I've asked. It is like it is like a little
like creature that you like feed. Yeah. Yeah, it's like
a fur baby, but it's like on your Um, I
don't know people will remember. I think I would, yeah,
(17:17):
feed it and take care of it, and like, I
don't know, it's like I just remember it being so well,
you've done a great job of it. You don't know
where it is. If you know, very important question. If
you feed this thing, does it also pee and poop
and you have to clean that up? Well yeah, but
it's like a computer game basically, But yes, you do.
(17:38):
You're supposed to clean it up, all right, justin top that. Yeah,
I don't know if I can. Um, I'm trying to remember,
you know, it would probably this. I don't know if
this is bad or good, but it would probably one
of my shotguns that I have. Yeah. I was huge
into you know, and I have my dad and grand
(18:00):
had to thank for this. I was. I was huge
outdoorsman growing up early on in life. And it's just
I think it's a milestone thing for a kid, you know,
you start out with I can remember having a little
gun that shoots rubber bands across the room, and then mom,
let me have one of those cap guns. And then
I got my first BB gun and then like my
first twenty engagement. The first four years of life, is it. Yeah,
(18:23):
I don't remember what year it was, but um, it's
it's in pretty bad shape now. But um, that was
just a you know, a gift that I'll never forget
a little bit of independence came with it too, you know,
of course. But Dustin, this is why Charlie doesn't mess
with you more than he already does, because he knows
(18:43):
you're locked in loaded, yeah, probably drunk. All right. Back
to the music here with a hit song like this,
it's a I was gonna bring more in uh more
notoriety to what you do and everything? Dustin, is your
new project finished? And Mackenzie, I'll ask you you have
(19:05):
a spring release anythinking the works? Right? I think we've
both we've been busy outside of touring. I literally just
gave the okay on on finalizing everything for my next
album yesterday. So yeah, it's it's a it's been a
big day. I'm going to celebrate tonight, believe it or
not because of that. And um, it's been a labor
of of a long time and love and and and
(19:27):
really a roller coaster of creating. You know, we started
making this album as soon as we got pulled off
of the road in twenty and here it is done
with the bow on top, and now we're just waiting
on on the right time to release it. Hey, speaking
at roll roller coaster? Uh, Dustin, did you give Mackenzie
any special advice for the big Opery debut. Well, I
(19:47):
got to be there, so that was just awesome. Um.
Our schedules worked out where I was able to be
a part of that show, and UM we got the
tour back stage together and then I stood on the
on stage right and got to watch your h her
nerves hit right when she was announced, and UM, walk
out and do her thing, and she performed. UM. She
performed a new song that that she released and UM,
(20:10):
which I think is gonna be do great things. I was,
you know, it's one of those first listen moments where
you go, oh, that's a special one. And then she
got to come back out on stage and do think
about you are a free debut together. So yeah, So Mackenzie,
you do have a project coming out in the spring,
is that right? I do. I've had well, I had
four songs come out this fall I'm sorry three and
(20:30):
have another one coming out right before UM Christmas, and
then it'll kind of like turn into a full record
UM in the new year. So my next single will
be off of that, and yeah, we're just kind of
really excited. I start tour again in the new year
right away, and it'll be a very yeah, I was
gonna say I had a big year for both of
you and Mackenzie. What will you remember most about your
(20:54):
Opery debut? I think, um, I'll definitely remember most. You know,
my entire fan only flew in. My my five yearly
grandma was there and they're just like such big country fans, um,
and had never been. Well, my parents have been to
the opery, just like as an audience member, but my
grandma had never been. And of course we took them
(21:15):
on stage before and they got to stand in the
circle and um, they were so cute, Like they took
more photos than I took that night, just because it
was really cool. Um and honestly, like you know, having
dust In there and um, my parents got to meet
his parents. It was just like such a family night,
which I know that is what the opera is, but
I guess you don't really like know it and to
(21:36):
experience it. Well, that's great. Well, congratulations on the success
of thinking about you. Will think about you guys over
the great holiday season, and be safe and we'll hope
to see you soon. Okay, awesome, thank you, guys. I
gotta tell you, she was very descriptive and walking on
the stage of the Granville Opery for their family members.
If you've never been to the opera, there's something magical
when you walk on that stage, just realizing or thinking
(21:57):
about the history involved, especially when you get in that circle,
that magic circle you that which, by the way, is
the circuitar part. They cut out of the Ryman Auditorium
and took to the new Operahouse, which you feel chills
when you're in that area, And it was so funny
that Dustin actually saw her begin to freak out out there.
(22:18):
But you know, Mackenzie Porter ending this year on the
By Dirt Tour with Jordan Davis and already booked on
the Fancy Like Tour next year with Walkerhead. And I
have to say this. I have to say this. If
you want to see for yourself all the ways that
Mackenzie Porter can drink wine from a bottle, check out
the music video that I mentioned is called Unlonely Me.
(22:40):
Wait a minute, how many ways you can drink wine
from a bottle? Like? What? Well? Our clue? One of
the ways that she in the video drinks wine from
a bottle is upside down on the couch, just tell
you know. And this is so funny. Mackenzie even has
an album that was released last year. It's seven tracks
called Drinking Songs the collection. I wonder if she remembered
(23:04):
recording that. I don't know anyway, let me point out
also there's new music on the way from Mackenzie before
the end of the year, and new albums from both
Dustin and Mackenzie in the spring of There are a
lot of fun It's a great collaboration. We'll see where
it goes from here. That is the latest news regarding
Dustin Lynch and Mackenzie Porter. We have your country covered.
(23:24):
Listen to the Crook and Chase Countdown every weekend on
hundreds of radio stations across America, also streaming on I
Heart Radio, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
at Crook and Chase. That Color Pop Cosmetics, We believe
that beauty should be within everyone's reach. True beauty is
about giving yourself the freedom to pop and color pap
lets you create your own definition of beauty. Color pap
(23:46):
is the leading cruelty free cosmetics brand, combining the latest
trends with luxury quality formulas at an affordable price, from
super shock shadow to eyeshadow pellets in every color to
the best foundation and concealer on the market. Check out
the brand That's One awards from amoor at Lure and more.
Learn more at color Pop That's c O l O.
You are Pop dot com Beauty for Everyone. Did you
(24:07):
know Amazon provides ways of working that fit your lifestyle.
They know you value your time outside of work, juggling families, school, friends,
or other activities. That's why they offer a variety of
shifts that work for you. There are full time, part time,
and even temporary opportunities that can work with your schedule
with great starting pay and sign on bonuses. If you
(24:27):
want a career that fits and adapts to your lifestyle,
head the Amazon dot Com slash apply. Amazon is a
proud equal opportunity employer. Look for your children's eyes and
you will discover the true magic of a forest. Find
a forest near you and start exploring it. Discover the
forest dot Org. Brought to you by the United States
(24:50):
Forest Service and the AD Council
Popular Podcasts
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Decisions, Decisions
Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal journeys navigating their 30s, tackling the complexities of modern relationships, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions that challenge societal expectations. From groundbreaking interviews with diverse guests to relatable stories that resonate with your experiences, "Decisions, Decisions" is your go-to source for open dialogue about what it truly means to love and connect in today's world. Get ready to reshape your understanding of relationships and embrace the freedom of authentic connections—tune in and join the conversation!