On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer

Growing up on his family’s cattle farm in rural Georgia, Gavin Adcock dreamt of becoming a professional bull rider. But the universe had other plans. After suffering a knee injury playing football in college, Gavin turned his attention to playing guitar and songwriting, and the rest, as they say, is history. In this episode of On the Bus, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer sits down with rising country music star Gavin Adcock. Together, they talk about how Gavin got his big break, life on the road, and how he puts himself in the emotional headspace to write his hit songs. Plus, Troy shares a new single from Country Thunder Florida artist Blake Shelton in our Thunder Strike segment.

Many new artists these days get their big breaks on TikTok. But unlike many of those viral sensations, sister duo Tigirlily Gold had already proven their chops in the bar and club scene in Nashville before being discovered. In this episode of On the Bus, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer talks with Kendra Olson and Krista Slaubaugh of Tigirlily Gold about their serendipitous discovery by songwriter/producer Shane McAnally, the female artists and duos they are inspired by, and how they balance their strengths and personalities working together as sisters. Plus, stick around for our new segment, Bring the Thunder, where Troy features upcoming artist John Morgan talking about his favorite song lyric, festival moment, and tour bus must-haves.

Not many artists actually hail from Tennessee, but the scenic valleys and rolling hills of The Volunteer State are part of Dustin Lynch’s DNA. In this episode of On the Bus, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer sits down with Dustin to discuss his journey from playing fraternity parties and weddings across the southeast to being the first country artist with a club residency at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Plus, stick around for our new segment, Thunder Strike, where Troy features upcoming festival performer Riley Green’s hit song “Damn Good Day to Leave” to give you a taste of what’s to come at Country Thunder in 2025.

Growing up in Texas, Koe Wetzel dreamt of a career in the NFL. But after a college football injury, he realized he could get more women and free beer by putting his music hobby front and center instead. On this episode of On the Bus, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer talks with Koe Wetzel about the plethora of music genres that influenced his style, and how he sees the blending of genres in modern music as a good thing. The two also discuss why he decided to sign with a big label, the influence of streaming and TikTok on emerging artists, and the value of playing live in front of an audience.

How do music artists make most of their money? From the smallest act playing dive bars, to the band that sells out stadiums and festivals, musicians earn the bulk of their living on events and tours. And behind every artist is an agent that books those gigs and helps them achieve meaningful financial success in their careers. For this special episode of On the Bus, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer holds a roundtable panel with three industry veterans—Curt Motley, agent at United Talent Agency; Rod Essig, Vice President at Creative Artists Agency, and Nick Meinema, agent at Action Entertainment. These three have worked with some of music’s biggest acts—from Tim McGraw and Joan Jett, to the late-great Toby Keith. This intimate conversation explores how agents shape the careers of artists behind the scenes, as well as the pitfalls and pivots of putting together live shows, drawing on more than a few star-studded insider stories along the way.

Have you ever wondered about what it’s like touring as a musician on the festival circuit? Or maybe about who discovered them, and just how the heck they helped them make it big? From Country Thunder Music Festivals, we invite you, the fans, to ride shotgun on the tour bus with us to find out all this and a whole lot more. Join host Troy Vollhoffer, the founder and executive producer of Country Thunder, for On the Bus, a podcast that gives you backstage passes to sit down with today’s hottest and up-and-coming music artists and industry professionals. Join Troy as he explores the stories and inspirations behind your favorite songs, the trials and triumphs faced by the artists, and the dedication and grit it takes to succeed in this industry. Listen to On the Bus with Troy Vollhoffer. Launching video episodes coming March 20.

Troy engages in a candid conversation with country sensation, Dierks Bentley. Join us as they delve into Dierks's remarkable decade-long journey to success in Nashville, his passion for hockey, and his experiences with Taylor Swift.

Reflecting on Jon Pardi's phenomenal year, we go back into the vault as Troy engages in a candid conversation with the country sensation. Together, they delve into Jon's upbringing, the pursuit of the Nashville dream, insights into his whiskey line, and what he calls the “worst hangover of his life".

Troy sits down with Parker McCollum to talk about his Texas-roots, love of George Strait, and writing songs in fast food drive-thrus.

In this episode, Troy is joined by the hottest artist in country music - Bailey Zimmerman! Get a rare backstage glimpse at how his life has changed since releasing his music online, and what you can expect from him when he comes to a Country Thunder Festival near you.

ACM, CMA, and GRAMMY winner Ashley McBryde sits down with Troy to chat about how she found her place in the music industry.

Season two of On The Bus at Country Thunder returns with legends, Williams & Ree. Troy sits down to chat with the comedy duo to unravel decades of history and laughter.

Terri Clark is on the bus - and no topic is off limits! She and Troy chat about moving to Music City, the origin of her signature cowboy hat, and Playboy.

Don't miss this epic episode with the legendary Marty Stuart. He and Troy cover the history of country music, his incredible start, meeting Johnny Cash, his marriage to Connie Smith, and much much more!

Trevor Rosen of Old Dominion is on the bus, fresh off a big win at the 2020 Country Music Awards. He and Troy chat hockey, publishing deals, and the explosive success of Old Dominion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Troy has Big Kenny from Big & Rich on the bus. You won't believe the story about Tim McGraw and a few motorcycles!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re travelling back in time with this never-before-heard conversation between Troy and Nate Smith at his very first appearance at Country Thunder. Since then, he has blown up and become a household name with some of the catchiest tunes in country music.

Lindsay Ell is on the bus - she and Troy chat moving to Nashville, the allure of country music in Europe, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive!

Terri Clark is on the bus - and no topic is off limits! She and Troy chat about moving to Music City, the origin of her signature cowboy hat, and Playboy.

Don't miss this epic episode with the legendary Marty Stuart. He and Troy cover the history of country music, his incredible start, meeting Johnny Cash, his marriage to Connie Smith, and much much more!