Craig Morgan | Dumb Blonde Podcast

[music]. Is this thing on? Hello babies. Welcome. back to another episode of Dumb Blonde. I have a Tennessee legend sitting on my. couch today and I couldn't be more. ecstatic about it. Mr. Craig Morgan, how. you doing? >> I'm good. Not legend, but good. you. I. love how humble you are, but honestly,

you are a legend. Like the things that. you've accomplished, the life you've. lived. When I was studying you last. night, my husband was so excited. He's. like, "Do you want me to write the. podcast for you?" I was like, "No.". [laughter] He's like, "You don't. understand." And he was like telling me. all these like little cool stories and. we called Loba and Loba told us a couple. cool stories and it was just really cool. to learn about you and the man that you. are. And you're just a you're a. beautiful soul. I'm just a blessed. individual and you you guys know you you. may not know but we love you. We love.

Jelly. I love that. I tell people every. night on stage I I tell the story about. him telling the story about Almost Home. on the Opry and I tell them, "Go look at. that.". >> And I talk about how when he told that. story, he was talking about what that. song meant to him and everything. But. what he didn't know and what both of. y'all continue to do today is when he. was telling that story, he was moving. me. No. you know, somebody who has been. doing this for a while and he he just it.

motivate it excited me to see that we. have such good spirits in our people, in. our human race, >> uh, in spite of our history, >> right? >> And I love that. I love that neither one. of you have shied away from that. I. think you're both of you are such an. inspiration. And I say that every night. and I and I badmouth anybody, not bad. mouth, but I will protect and stand up. for the both of you until the day I'm. gone. I believe y'all are doing good. things for not only yourself, but other. people. And I'm not just saying that. So,

>> I appreciate again. Go look at my shows. I say it every night. >> No, we appreciate you so much. And the. love is returned. Like, we love you and. your wife so much. I think your wife is. just a badass, if I'm allowed to say. that. I think she's amazing. She's a. badass. >> and has stood behind you. And I love. that she's from Texas, too, cuz I'm from. Texas. So, I love that. >> Oh my god. [laughter] If I hear one more. Texas thing, >> you Texas girls. But they do they do. make them pretty down. [laughter]. >> Listen, we listen, we're proud of where. we come from. Okay. >> Yes, you are.

>> But let's talk about you. So, I was I. was really surprised to learn that you. are you grew up in Kingston Springs. >> I did. I was born in in at General. Hospital in Nashville. >> That's crazy. Like you're a Y graduated. from Chetam County High School, went to. MTSU before I joined the Army. >> Yeah, that's amazing. Growing up here, do you think Nashville is completely. different than what the Nashville that. you grew up in? >> Oh, it's two different worlds. >> Which one? >> For me, anyway, >> which one do you prefer?

>> Uh, I mean, there there's there's. wonderful aspects about both. I'll be. honest. You know, I'm not that guy. that's so set in my ways that I'm not. willing to accept, you know, technologies, advancements, and all. these things. Right. >> Um, but I absolutely love love love my. privacy and and the woods and nature. Uh, so much so that, you know, we bought. a place in Alaska. We live up there. during the winter. >> What part? >> Uh, I'm about halfway between Anchorage. and Fairbanks. I'm I'm 9 miles from the.

closest road. You can There's no road to. get to me. You can't ride a four-wheeler. or drive a vehicle wheeled vehicle to. where I'm at. >> That's amazing. And actually, uh, Jay. and I whenever we were kind of like. rekindling our marriage, we went to. Alaska and we were driving to Fair. Yes. And we were driving to Fairbanks. And. when we were driving to Fairbanks, we. got to see the northern lights flash in. front of us. >> Did y'all see them before last night? >> They could see them. I couldn't see. them. >> Oh, I got pictures. It was absolutely. amazing. >> Do you get to see them in Alaska also.

all the time? >> Yes, regularly. >> Is that not. >> So when you drove, y'all drove from. Anchorage to Fairbanks? >> Yes. And we went to the springs that. were out there. Yes, hot springs. >> It is beautiful out there though, like. Alaska. >> But when you drove up there, you drove. by my place almost. >> Okay. So, >> cuz there's only one highway that goes. up there. >> What made you pick Alaska? >> Uh, I'd been going up there for years. for back when I was in the army. I would. make trips up there because of the. installations and visit. >> uh doing my job and and then moving. forward uh fishing and hunting and stuff.

like that. And I've always just loved I. mean it's the last frontier. >> Yeah. >> I love I'm a survival guy. I love. putting myself to the test in the limits. and always thought, man, someday I'd. like to be able to have my own place. where I build my own cabin with my own. hands kind of thing. >> Yeah. >> And so I just finally made the jump, you. know, and did it like. >> that's amazing. And I think it's so. beautiful out there. I think we'll. probably end up, you know, in Montana. somewhere like getting a chunk of land. to just hide away from everybody once.

we're ready to retire to. I think. retiring um [snorts] in isolation is the. best thing that you can do for your. soul. >> I agree. >> Yeah. >> I I think you need that even even like. well right now where we're at, we're. working. >> uh I I do a lot of shows, but when I go. up there, I my son, we have a business. up there. We ended up turning it into a. bit of a business. >> Uh but he his philosophy that we talk. about is sometimes you need to. disconnect to reconnect.

>> I love that. >> And it's true. You get up there and man, you separate yourself from all of these. things that separate us from each other. >> and you find yourself coming back. together in a way that you can't hear. >> I love that. And I'm going to take that. with me and I'm going to tell everybody. that like you have to disconnect to. reconnect. Like that makes so much. >> #Jerry Lake. >> Yeah. [laughter]. I love it. [gasps] So doing research on. you, I read that your mom used to take. you hunting. >> Yes. >> Okay. Where where was dad? Was he in the.

picture or was this. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. My my parents uh. actually my parents were married for my. most of my young life. They divorced. when I was 18, but I was already at, you. know, 18 going into college. You know, I. have younger siblings that affected. differently. Obviously, they were. younger. >> Uh but they were together the whole. time. My dad worked and he did hunt and. I would hunt with my dad some. Okay. >> But my very first hunt was with my mom. That is so savage cuz you that's the. only reason why I asked where your dad. was is cuz normally you talk about. hunting with your dad but to hear. hunting with your mom I was like dude.

that's straight savage. Like that's so. cool. >> I mean and she was uh both my parents. were both employed. Uh they you know we. they were both the the hunter gatherer. They both did I mean their roles were. very equal for the most part. Uh they. both did the work. They both cooked. They both did everything around the. house. >> A. >> I mean, my dad was kind of the fix it. guy, you know, and my mom was the. >> she did most of the cooking and stuff.

My mom could I can remember going in the. house and there not being any food. I. was not a a wealthy child at all. We. were lower middle class at best, but I. can remember coming in from school. going, "There ain't in here to eat and. I'm starving to death." And my mom would. come in and cook dinner and he'd be. like, "Where did this come from?" You. know, but she was able to make stuff out. of nothing. So cool. Can you can you. take me on that first hunting trip or. like what about your first kill? Was it. >> Did you just ask me to take you on your. first hunting trip? >> Well, I mean I would like for you to. take me on my first hunting trip.

>> Dear God, April, I'm taking you turkey. hunting. It's going to change your life. >> Oh my gosh. I I'm so scared. I don't. know if I can hurt a little animal, but. I'll go. >> You don't have You don't even have to. shoot it. I I want you to experience. the interaction between a male. gobbler, a mature male gobbler, and it. is one of the most unbelievable things. because when you go turkey hunting, it's. a lot like elk hunting except, you know, they're obviously a lot smaller animal, but. >> but there's an interaction that takes.

place that defies nature. >> because what normally happens, and I'm. going way into a lot of detail, when. they're rudding or when they're in heat, so to speak. Uh it's in the spring, so. when they're wanting to breed, the. gobblers will set up in the tree in the. morning and. I know y'all heard turkeys gobble, right? >> Yeah. Absolutely. You do it so good. >> What they're doing is they're telling. all the hins, "I'm over here.". >> Ah, bring it on, girls. Come and get it. And so what we do is we go over and set. up on the ground and we pretend like. we're the prettiest girl in the.

neighborhood. and try to piss him off so bad that he's. willing to leave his harum and come to. us. >> And so when you do that, you've caused. him to do something that he doesn't. normally do. And when he comes in, he. does this thing called spitting and. drumming. He goes, [laughter]. and when he does it, the VB, you can. freaking feel it in your body. You'll be. sitting, I'm not you. You'll be. sitting there and you hear that and you.

feel the And you It's like a. Harley-Davidson racking off way in the. distance. >> I'm coming. I'm coming. >> I'm telling you, it's it's a. life-changing experience. >> I I'll I'll probably end up bringing him. home with me, but I. >> You bring him If you bring him home, you're going to bring him home mounted. >> Oh, no. All right, we'll think about it. But I'm definitely We have to go. >> We're going to put some lead in the. head. >> That would be so fun to even vlog that. >> And then you have the best meat that. you've ever eat in your life. It's. grain. It's not grain-fed, cornfed. It's. grass-fed. It eats insects. It's a wild.

animal. You know, the butterball turkey. that you buy in the store, >> that turkey is about 12 weeks old. In. order for a wild turkey to get that same. size, it takes about two years. >> Wow. >> That's the difference. >> Wow. Oh, so it's just all the stuff that. they're feeding. >> It's all natural. And I'm a I'm a huge. like I'm a I'm a huge huge food freak. Like I'm a big faster. My wife and I eat. one meal a day. >> Oh, you guys do the OMAD. >> Uh. >> it's called one meal a day. >> That's what it's called. I have a I.

literally just have a fast app and I. only do that cuz if I feel like I'm a. little hungry, I look at my app and go, "It's only been 16 hours. I can wait two. more hours, you know.". >> Wow. What's the longest fast you've ever. done? uh like I want to say maybe 48 or. 50 hours. >> How do you feel after you know the first. 24 hours? >> Better than I felt uh after I ate. >> Super clear. Super just. >> never never better. >> Never better. >> I run every day. >> Uh in fact, this week I'm doing an 18. mile road march with a 25 lb rucks sack.

in under four and a half hours. >> Craig, that's insane. >> And I'm 61. you. I was just about to say. for somebody your age to be as witty and. sharp and in shape as you, it's you're. like a different breed. >> No. Well, anybody can do it though. >> You think. >> there's no question. >> What's the secret? >> You got to have the mental capacity. >> Uhhuh. >> You got to have the the intestinal. fortitude to tell yourself. We've been. lied to our whole lives. >> Yeah. >> We truly have. >> Yes. >> And I think if you need encouragement or.

I call it assistance, you call it. whatever you want. uh whether it be the. Ompic or any of that stuff to get you on. the right path. >> I encourage anybody to at least get. there, >> right? >> Uh that's why I talk about Jelly all the. time. He's such an inspiration because. that's hard. It's hard. >> He fasts. He fasts a lot. Like he. >> But it's hard for anyone. >> to lose weight, but it's really hard. when you have so much weight to lose. >> Oh yeah. It took him so much work.

>> It took two years. A lot of people think. that it happened overnight because they. don't see him every day, >> but look at him two years later and I. can see him healthy. I see him running. around. I remember two or three years. ago when he would walk out on the stage. and be out of breath. >> Yeah. >> And so I I just love him. I love he's I. talk about him all the time. >> Yeah. I love that. >> But I believe in I believe in fasting. Yes. I believe in prayer. I'm a big. believer. I'm not a great Christian, but. I'm a big believer. M. >> um. >> do you think the fasting helps you with.

your prayer and your spirituality? >> I would say my prayer helps me with my. fasting. >> Oh, gotcha. >> U but but what happens the the only. reason fasting came about that Christ uh. or the Christian community uh um. integrated or or uh started fasting was. so that when you had a desire for. something whatever it may be you're. fasting from. >> instead of going to that you go to. prayer. >> Yeah. Yeah, >> that's what fasting was really all. about. It wasn't about losing weight.

>> Losing weight is a byproduct of the. spiritual gain that you get. >> Yeah, absolutely. >> But but I mean honestly for me it's the. health. I uh you know both spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, everything. The better your body is, the. better all those other things are going. to be. I tell people that all the time. But understand that none of those things. are going to progress without pain, >> right? Whether it be hunger, whether it. be heartache, uh, in your mental, you. know, life or love life, whatever.

>> How do you keep your joints and your. muscles and all of that from, you know, like age takes I I'm in my 40s and I can. feel it sometimes. So, I know like when. I. >> exercise, >> yeah, just exercise every day. >> And I'm not a I'm not I don't go to the. gym every day. In fact, I very very. seldom ever go to the gym. My wife kind. of jokes about it. She's like, "Well, you should go to the gym and work on. your abs, [laughter] you know." I'm. like, "No, I do work out. >> [snorts]. >> I work outside. >> Yeah. >> Like come spend the day with me and then. tell me I need to go to the gym.

>> Come spend the day with me [laughter]. and then you'll be like, "Man, I I I. hurt more from working today." I mean, we ran two miles of fence day before. yesterday before I went into town to do. the opery. >> Uh barbwire fence, you know, I got cows. I got We do all the same. >> But a person who works like that and. does that physical Yeah. Mhm. >> You know, and you're picking up logs and. it's, you know, I like deadlifting a. little bit here and there and if you do. enough logs, you know, >> listen, I did my first farm work about 6.

months ago. We even filmed it and I. couldn't believe it. I was like, "No, I. burned like 4,000 calories that. [laughter] day." I was like, "No wonder. farmers are hot, dude." Because they're. like, they're out here just, you know, shoveling stuff, hay, everything. Like, it was crazy. So, I have a newfound. respect for the farm life because I'm. doing it now. life. No, it is. >> It's a very physically demanding life, >> but so rewarding. >> Very. >> Yeah. Like, it's so rewarding. >> So, let's talk about your military. career because, you know, at 18, you.

enlisted into the US Army and you became. an emergency medical technician. I had. listened to you on Tracy Lawrence's. podcast and you tell this story about. eating a live chicken with all of your. friends because you guys were in some. sort of like um. >> we were in uh the Korean Ranger School. >> Yes. Can you tell me that story please? >> Yeah. So, uh in the Korean Ranger school. there's a twoe portion of that 9week. course. I think it was actually 10 days.

um where you go through a P encampment. um scenario, >> right? >> So, you've basically been captured and. they place you in the camp and your. objective is to escape from the P camp. >> That's what you're told. And all you. know, you don't know anything except the. experience that you're encountering. right then and you have a location as to. your safe house, the place you're trying. to get to. Right?

>> So if you do get outside of the camp, you got to get to there. But what you. don't know is all of these little. communities that you're running through, all of those local Korean people are. paid good money if they turn you in. So. if they see someone from the camp, I. mean, they're literally they do patrols. to look for people trying to get out of. the camp so that they can get rewarded. >> Wow. >> Uh and we escaped myself uh two other. Americans uh one other American and two.

uh katusas, which weren't Korean army. They were uh they're what they call. Korean uh augmentation to the United. States Army. So they're Korean nationals. that work in the US Army that are. stationed in Korea. So they're assigned. to my unit even though they're Koreans, right? >> Uh but instead of going through the. Korean army programs, they go through. the US Army programs so that we have. that international relationship thing. happening. Uh but we escaped and we got. out. Well, we're running literally we.

weren't 200 yards from the little. encampment and we realized at this point. that people were following us and they. were trying to turn us in. So I told him. we can't stop and it was about 2 miles. from where we were. Now mind you, we. probably hadn't eaten in four or five. days. The only thing we had eaten was. bugs that we caught and the rice that. grew up through the pins that we were. being kept in. >> What kind of bugs were you guys eating? Anything that flew in there died.

>> Really? Just anything. >> I couldn't even tell you the stuff that. I ate. >> Oh my goodness. >> And I can tell you like it seemed like. it tasted good. I just remember it. tasting good. >> cuz you're so hungry. >> So hungry. [laughter]. >> My god. >> Uh and you did you did physical activity. for 2 hours every morning and two hours. every evening. So they just absolutely. drained you. >> Yeah. >> Without no food. I mean with no food. And they were extremely abusive to the. Koreans. Even the. >> kusas. Yeah. >> Like if we would be doing push-ups, they. would come and push us over and kick us.

over, but they would at a full kick kick. the katusas in the stomach and lift them. up off the ground. >> Oh my gosh. >> And those guys would land on their hands. and feet and just keep doing push-ups. like nothing happened. >> This is like something out of a movie. >> It was It was just like a movie. The. whole time. That's what I kept thinking. It's like one of them damn Vietnam. movies. Yeah. >> I mean, we even had the pajamas and the. whole bit. >> Oh my gosh. >> And we were disgraced, you know? They. they they acted like they hated us as. Americans. Um, anyway, back to the. story. We're running through and we come. across these chickens and one of the.

katusas yanked the chicken up. He. grabbed it and we just kept running and. while we were running, he was plucking. this chicken and he would hand it over. and each of us and we were trying to get. this chicken. Finally, one of them got. its neck rung. But I promise you, before. that chicken's heart stopped beating, we. were all taking chews out of it. >> Oh my. >> Eating on it. And it was good. you are just I I could sit here and. listen to you talk all day and these. stories are insane. At 18, you know, and. listening into the army, where was your. heart at with that and what encouraged.

you to do that. >> when I first went in? >> Yes, sir. >> Um, you know, honestly, I was I grew up in. Kingston Springs. >> and I'd kind of I was, you know, in college that first year of college. I. was actually not even in college yet. I. was at uh uh Texas TSU. >> Okay. >> Uh I mean I guess it's college. I was. going to EMT school. >> and I just felt like, you know, I was. drinking and doing the normal 17 18 year. old thing, you know. Um but I I seen all.

these advertise advertisements. I. remember saying be all you can be, you. know, go to other places. And and at the. time I was a volunteer fireman at the. fire department. So, I think there was. always something in me that wanted to do. other things. And I love helping people. Uh, and I'm not saying it it sounds. super cheesy when you say it. >> No, it doesn't. >> I mean, it really does. It to me it. does. When I say that, it sounds like. you're going, "Oh, you know, I love. helping people.". >> No, not at all. That's where your heart.

is. That's your spirit. >> But I love I really enjoy helping. people. I mean, and and you know, being. on the fire department, I always felt uh. like, you know, you felt heroic. Mhm. >> It felt like that night, you know, and. it made you always thought always. thought the girls would think it was. cooler, you know. >> Most firefighters are really hot, though. [laughter]. >> So, I seen all those commercials and I. thought it'd be an opportunity for me to. go do something else and, you know, maybe get some college money. You know, like I said, we weren't, you know, we. weren't wealthy by any means. We didn't.

have a lot of money. So, I thought I can. get free college money and and free. hunting clothes, too. So, it'll all be. it's a win-win. take me into that boot. camp because the army boot camp is wild. Like how were you were you just like. what did I do like the first week that. you were there? It honestly it was like. you said earlier the whole scenario when. I recognize it now the same time I see. myself sitting in the barber chair I. remember movies of when the you know.

where the guys were in the barber chair. getting. you know that really does happen like oh. god I know he just cut my freaking head. to [laughter] I got to be bleeding right. now that's what it felt like. >> and you can't show any emotion. >> no no you just sit there and get your. haircut and I remember I was at I went. to uh the basic and AIT, which is your. advanced individual training, which is. your job training. Um, under one program. at Fort Sil, Oklahoma. And I remember we. got her when you're going through. reception when you first get there.

Yeah. >> There's a drill sergeant comes in. He's. not nice, but he's not like over the. top. [laughter]. >> You know, he's like, "All right, >> it's not like you see in the movies, >> right?" Today, there's parts of it. You. don't get to that part till later. Oh, they got the introduction part first. Yeah. [laughter] Hey, you're going today. you're getting a haircut. You're going. to get your TA50 issue. You're going to. do this. You're this. Tomorrow your. drill sergeant for your unit for your. training unit will be picking you up. And you go through all these motions and. you're think and I remember thinking.

it's not that bad. It's really not that. bad. And then we finished up and our. drill sergeants for our training unit. show up and that's where the movie. started. >> Just like WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU. KNOW, AND at this point in my life, I. had never shaved. Not one time. >> Wow. >> I just didn't have any facial hair. Yeah. I didn't have to shave. >> So, every morning they told everybody, "You had to shave. You had to brush your. teeth. You had to do I mean, it was like. teaching a 12-year-old. They made sure. you did everything." Well, I wouldn't. shave because I didn't need to shave.

>> Yeah. >> I didn't have no hair. >> Yeah. >> You know, and the I'll never forget this. drill sergeant come running up to me in. formation and my real last name is. Greer, you know, >> and he said, "GREER, DID YOU SHAVE THIS. MORNING? THERE WAS NO HAIR IN YOUR. RAZOR. I SAID, "DRILL, SARDON, I DO NOT. HAVE I DIDN'T ASK YOU IF YOU HAD ANY. HAIR. I ASKED IF YOU SHAVED." I SAID, "And he had my razor." And I said, "No, drill sergeant." And he took that damn. razor and he scraped it on that concrete. sidewalk and he said, "SHAVE.". [laughter].

>> Oh my gosh. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> No. >> Oh yeah. I shaved. Nope. Nothing but. skin came off. >> Oh no. >> I cut myself like eight or 10 times and. stood there and bled in formation. Oh my. god. And if you don't do it, you get. punished, right? >> Well, I mean, you know, Yeah. back then. it was different, >> right? >> You know, back then I I'll be honest and. and I'm. >> Yeah. I'll just be honest. It was. different back then. Well, they were. making, you know, uh our new secretary. of war said it in a speech recently.

>> We do ugly things in the military. Yeah. >> And you got to be prepared and both. mentally, physically, and every aspect. to be able to do those ugly things to. bad people that want to hurt Americans. >> Yes. Absolutely. And that's what I I. remember feeling that then as a you know. 19year-old kid going. >> gosh man this is what this this could. happen you know I could be in Vietnam. and somebody would make me shave. [laughter] with a bad razor you know you. just don't know what's going to happen.

>> No that's crazy just to even have to go. through that at such a young age. What. would you say was the defining moment in. the army that changed you for the rest. of your life? probably uh Panama in 1989 during the. conflict. >> Um uh there there were things that. happened there that made me realize, you. know, um. we don't control things and no matter. how good you are at what you do, there's.

things that will that affect it that are. beyond your control, >> right? Uh and and you get a in combat. and any veteran that's experienced any. form of combat at all would I think. would attest to this. You have a sense. of appreciation for life so much so that. you are not scared to die. >> and you don't even know it. For me the. whole time all I can remember even in. Panama 1989 thinking what I am doing. will prevent people at home from ever.

having to do anything like this again. >> Right. When we were in Iraq, uh, all of. our soldiers that were there would tell. you what was happening there prevented. that thing from happening there. happening at home, >> right? >> And then September 11th, you know, >> that was, you know, that and that was as. big an event as that was in our country. Yeah. >> That's that's that's minuscule to the. what they have planned or what they. would love to do. >> to to us as Americans. >> Yeah. Absolutely. And I just want to say.

thank you for your service, too, and for. everything that you've been through. It's the greatest privilege of my life. Greatest honor. >> Thank you so much for it. Um, so while. you were in the army though is when you. kind of started writing music because. didn't you write a song about Panama. actually that was in some of your. lyrics. I remember um hearing a song. where you talk about losing your brother. in the war and I get I mean like your. brother that was in the army and you. know uh you just go on this journey with. it. What inspired you to start writing. music while you're out there? Was that.

an outlet to channel all the trauma that. you were going through? >> Uh, I I I want to be real careful. I. don't want to I don't want to identify. it as trauma. >> Okay. Gotcha. >> And I'm not going to say that it wasn't. >> Right. I get it. >> I may be in a bit of denial. >> Right. It's okay. It's okay. >> But for me, I don't know that music was. an outlet as much as it was a way for me. uh to to communicate with other people. Mhm. >> Um I'm I'm I'm a in groups like this I.

do really well. I don't like the big. 60,000 when we do those shows and I'm. I'm nervous as a longtail cat in a room. full of rocking chairs. I [laughter]. can't hardly stand it. >> Uh. >> you would never know that. >> But but you know smaller groups I love. that and I love talking to people. I. love hearing people's thoughts and I. love affecting people's attitudes. I. love having the ability to make someone. who might be feeling like absolute that. day smile. >> Yes. >> U or I love knowing that I can make.

someone think of something special and. they tear up. >> Um and that's what music did for me. It. gave me that. And in the army when you. had time down uh for me it was just a. way to to kill some time. >> Uh I you know I wasn't a songwriter. then. I was writing songs but I wasn't. really a songwriter. I don't think I. really uh started really writing songs. until I came back home and started. writing. >> regularly and with great writers and and. understood the the the schematics behind.

writing. >> the art the art form and and once you I. think it's a gift. I do believe that I. think anybody who writes has a special. gift. >> but that doesn't make them great. songwriters. They have to perfect that. gift, you know, and you have to work at. that gift. And I think that's that's. could be said with any gift that God. gives us. No matter what your gift is, you you should work at that and be. grateful for it and use that gift for. the betterment of others. >> Absolutely. Do you remember the very. first song that you wrote while you were.

away? Did you write when you were. younger at all? >> I Yes, I did. Uh my dad moved to Texas. uh once to for a job, a company he did, and I went down there with him for a. summer and uh I remember sitting around. the guitar. literally did it just to. impress the girls. >> There was a couple girls and so I. thought it was cool, but I don't even. really remember that first song. >> Yeah. >> Um the one of the first songs that I. remember writing was the one I wrote. when I was in airborne school. >> Mhm. >> Um and the government had Congress had.

passed a bill allowing the test platoon. The test platoon were the first jumpers. ever to jump in the United States Army. Hence the name test platoon. Yeah. >> First guys ever to parachute out of an. airplane. >> So they were coming to the airborne. while I was going through airborne. school. They we they were going to do. the banquet at Fort Benning, Georgia. >> Mhm. >> And so uh I was calling Cadence pretty. regular, you know,

and we'd be running, you know, C130. rolling down the strip. Y'all seen. people, right? >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> And the whole platoon see repeats. Yeah, I was doing that and one of the guys. come up and said, one of the instructors. said, "Hey, you do a great job at. cadence. They just passed this deal. Congress, the 82nd Airborne Choir is. coming. They need more cadence callers. You're going to do that?" Like, I didn't. have a choice. He's like, "You're going. to do [laughter] it?" I'm like, "Cool.". So, every evening when we would get. finished with airborne school, I would. go to my room and pick up my guitar. And.

I So, I I literally asked everybody, "What's the test platoon?" when we did. our research and I found out that Red. King. >> was a man who was the first enlisted man. ever to jump out of an airplane and he. talks he talked about it and in his. story he landed on his ass and he that. was the big thing. I jumped out of the. plane and I landed right on my ass. [laughter] um. >> and lived to tell it. >> Yeah. And and so there was all these. great stories. So I sat in the barracks. one night and I just started playing. this.

and so I wrote this song. Hey. Um, hey. Red, let me see where you're at. Hey, Red. Cuz he was going to be at the. banquet. Let me see where you're at. They said you were the first enlisted. man to jump. Tell me, did you really. land on your Mr. Ed? So, I played that. for the instructors and they went, "The. colonel needs to hear this. >> I'm not making this up. >> This is my life. This is how dumb my. life has been.

>> That's [laughter] not dumb. This is so. much lore, Craig. You have no idea. This. is awesome. >> So the commander comes down. This is a. colonel and I'm, you know, this little. private and he says, "Private Greer, let. me hear this thing, the song you write.". So I played it for him. He said, "I want. you to come to the White House every. evening after class after or every day. after your uh task are completed and. work on this song, you're going to sing. this at this banquet." I'm like, "Rog?". He said, "The 8second Airborne Choir is. going to back you up. They're going to. come in." And I mean, I'm nobody, y'all.

I'm just I'm not in the I went in the. army. I was going to be a paratrooper. That's all I wanted to do was jump out. of a planes and be in the army and kill. bad guys. >> and and I'm doing this. But again, this. was God. This is the way God does stuff, man. He'll get you even when you don't. think you want to be a part of it. You. know, >> I know he's been working on me and my. husband unexpectedly. >> I go up there and I write this song and. I sing it at the test platoon banquet. and the 82nd Airborne Choir comes. marching in. Boom boom boom boom. and. they sing it and I play the song. A. cassette tape of that song is in the.

museum uh in Fort Benning, Georgia. >> The infantry museum. >> Oh, that's amazing. >> But I was in the army and I didn't think. nothing about music then. I was just. doing that to get over. >> Yeah. >> I mean, cuz every time instead of having. to stand in line to go up to the tower. to do my 250 ft tower jump, they'd put. me in the front of the line. I would go. do my jump, front of the line, do my. jump that day, do my extra stuff I had. to do, and then I would go set up the. White House and work on this song like I. was something special. A but you were. you had a talent and God was using you.

to bring a smile to those soldiers. faces. >> What was special about all of that that. no one would know would consider special. except for us was. my parents couldn't be there when I. graduated. You know, they both worked. which wasn't a big deal. You know, I. didn't I didn't feel bad about it. It. ain't like I was the one guy soldier. over there like this, you know. I didn't. really [laughter] care. Um, back then they did what they called. blood wings. When you got your wings, they would stick them right there and.

then they pound them in your chest. I. mean, the little needle's only about. quarter inch, but they would pound them. in your chest. It was a, you know, badge. of honor, so to speak. >> Yeah. >> Uh, my parents couldn't be there. And. since I did that, Red King, who was the. first enlisted man ever to jump out of. an airplane, and Colonel Leonard B. Scott who wrote the book about Vietnam. Charlie Mike who was the commander of. the airborne school gave me my blood. wings. >> Oh my gosh. So it was like full circle. >> Yeah. You know again even then when that. happened I thought yeah whatever the. commander and some old guy gave me my.

wings and then you look back and go my. god man you know. >> Yeah. >> You think about the first guy who ever. jumped out of an airplane with a. parachute gave me my blood wings. >> That's insanity. >> Yeah. It's pretty cool. >> That's so cool. Can we talk about what. on earth made you want to become a. paratrooper? I am scared of heights. So, you get me in a plane and try to push me. out of there, I'm clawing my way back. in. What was it like jumping out of a. plane for your first time? >> Uh, I don't remember much. I had a.

migraine so bad I couldn't see. >> Oh gosh. >> My eyes were closed for most of the. jump. Everybody says your first jump is. a night jump. No matter what time of day. you do it, [laughter]. your eyes closed your eyes. >> You know, they're static line jumps. So. you're basically following the guy in. front of you and then you step off the. aircraft and the wind blows, you know, your drawers up your ass and then. [laughter] and then your parachute. opens, you know, and and then you just. fall to the ground, >> do a what they call a dynamite PLF, parachute landing fall, land on the. balls of your feet, calves, thighs, but. ox mus butttock and push-up muscle. All.

five muscles. So you basically just fall. down and get back up, pick your up, and run. [laughter]. >> Craig, you're so cool. I don't even. think you realize how cool you are. >> No, I'm not cool. >> No, you're so freaking cool. >> I promise you I'm not cool. Ask Karen. [laughter]. >> I love Karen. And we're going to talk. about her. Actually, let's let's we'll. fast forward and talk about her and then. we'll circle back to your faith because. I was I was going to talk about your. faith next. But let's talk about Karen. because she seems to keep you in check. >> Can you take me. >> You got no idea. >> Yeah. [laughter]. I love the fact that you said that Karen.

um doesn't like any of your music or. listen to any of your music. >> I'm the same way with my husband. >> Like I am the same way. But I have. called all of his hits, all of his. number one hits. It's the opposite. >> Yeah, I heard you say that. And I think. that's. >> okay. If my wife likes him, go a I. don't know if we should record this. [laughter]. >> I love that though. I feel like that's a. good balance with a musician and his. wife is like you don't want somebody. who's like yes, yes, yes to everything. You want somebody who's like, you could. do better, you know, cuz I feel like it. pushes you. Take me on the journey of.

you meeting Karen and how you guys met. >> Uh I was stationed at Fort Campbell at. the time. Um, unbeknownst to me, she was. looking at going in the army, but she. was in Tennessee visiting her mother who. was married to a gentleman that my mom. knew. They worked together, >> right? >> Uh, and my mom said, "Hey," and I just. got out of a relationship. Uh, and my. mom said, "I got this girl. You're going. to love her." And I'm like, "I ain't got. time to meet no girl. I'm killing bad. guys, man." And we are freaking on our. game. I mean, at that point, I was,

>> you know, a young E5 and just life was I. was smoking it. I was doing great. things. I felt like [laughter]. >> I ain't got time. Um, and my mom one day. I went to see my mom. She said, "I'm. over here at this address in Dixon.". >> And I go over there and lo and behold, it's Karen's mom's house. And and my mom. said, "Go in there and and meet Karen. She's in there." I'm like, "Oh my gosh, she done set this up." And I fell. [laughter] for it. And I remember. stepping around the corner going, "Yep, she's cute. [laughter].

I can do this.". >> Oh, I love that though. you know, but. even then I wasn't really looking for a. relationship, but but I thought, you. know, I'd love to maybe get to know her. a little bit. Maybe we can date. I I. mean, I was really just wanting to, you. know, watch a movie with her, >> right? >> Call [laughter] it what you want. >> Hold on, Craig. Say Netflix and chill. >> Say Netflix and chill. >> And you wanted a Netflix and chill. >> Yeah, I wanted [laughter] to Netflix and. chill. What was it about Karen that made you. after you guys had started dating and.

you guys Netflixed and chilled, what was. it about her that made you say, you know. what, this is the one that I want to. spend my life with? >> Um, she had confidence. I loved her. confidence. Uh, but I also she had a m a. I got to be careful. She had a maternal. error about her. >> She had this beautiful, you know, you. can just see a person who cares for. people. >> Yes. She had that and you could see it. I could sense it. I mean, I'm I'm going. to tell you, we only dated for a few.

months before we got married. >> A. >> that was 37 years ago. We've been. married 37 years. Long time. >> That's so awesome. Jay and I. >> It's been like 20 of the best years of. my life. >> Oh my gosh, I love that. [laughter]. Jay, I love you. 37 years, but only 20. have been good. I'm like, "Oh, I love. that. That's good. That's a good ratio.". Um Jay and I got married a month after. we met we met. So, and we've been. together going on 10 years. I feel like. those I feel like those work. That works. cuz you jump in literally. And that's. what I was just about to say is like you. guys married so young. What was that.

like growing up? Like you guys have been. through everything. >> she has. I you know uh we learned a lot. together. Uh there were there's. struggles just like with any. relationship. But you know we for us it. was a commitment and and we said and she. knew she was marrying a soldier. >> Yes. >> Uh so she was prepared for that. Um uh. there were times that situations and. things happened that I don't think she. was prepared for. >> Uh when I was in Panama uh a unmar or a.

marked government vehicle pulled up at. she was with she stayed with her dad. while I was in Panama. >> Uh and a army vehicle pulled up to the. house and she would not answer the door. >> She just knew that they were there to. tell her that, you know, I had not made. it, that I had died. >> Oh my gosh. Um. >> but but she lived through that. experience. I mean, you know, I didn't. die obviously. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> But for her to be standing in that house. >> and to think. >> the man that I love has died and they're.

here to tell me, >> you know, that's that's I mean, yeah, that's heartbreaking. And and you know, think about the women and men. >> that have been in that position that had. to answer that door and and that did. receive that message. >> I mean, it's heartbreaking. But anyway, I say all that to say she's she's. confident. Uh she's not she's a. beautiful lady. She's very ladylike, but. she can get dirty ass Texas on you. quick, too. >> You know, and just be mean as.

>> I feel like you like that though. I. think you need. >> I love I love our relationship. And. we've learned how to argue. >> You have to learn how to argue. Yes. >> You got to know how to argue. >> It's I think it's okay. It's okay to. disagree. It's even okay to I don't want. to use the word fight because it leads. to condemnation that you know you're. physically doing something. >> Oh yeah. No. No. >> Uh but sometimes you got to fight stuff. out a little bit, >> right? >> Uh and we've learned how to do that, you. know. Uh we seen this thing where this. woman says she comes in the door and.

she's like, >> "I'm 50%.". >> Yeah. >> So you got to pick up the other 50%. today or I'm 20% I'm in no mood for your. your So you got to be 80% on the. good side. >> I love that. I'm going to start using. that with my husband. >> When we're really pissy, we'll both look. at each other and and it's happened a. cuff time where we both go, I'm 20%. [laughter]. >> And then you laugh and you go, "Okay, let's. >> let's calm it down and let's figure this. out.". >> Yeah. >> I love that. You've said that Karen has.

um never told you no when it comes to. your big dreams. What's an example of a. moment where her faith in you changed. the course of you guys' life? >> Uh the this business right here. when I. was at Fort Poke, Louisiana, I'll never. forget, and I had 10 and a half years. I. was over the halfway mark. >> in in in the army. >> So, in nine and a half years, I would. have retired and she and I would have. lived semi comfortably. Yeah. >> You know, not not that military. retirement is the best there is, but at.

least you have some guarantees, you. know. Mhm. >> Uh and and I without sounding sexist or. anything, I think a woman that marries a. man, stability is a big part of that. relationship. >> You want to feel safe and you want to. feel safe. >> You want a bit of a fail safe. And that. I was her failafe. And I'll never forget. coming in the door and telling sitting. down with her going, I talked to the. commander today and I think I am going. to uh go try this music thing. and and. and she was like, "Okay, what does this.

entail? What are we doing?" I'm like, "We're going to move to Nashville." Uh I. and I that's when I told her, "I'm going. to stay in the reserves and if it don't. work in a year or two, I'll come right. back into active duty. I don't lose my. rank. I don't lose any time in service. Uh and we'll kind of just pick up where. we left off and and and I'll I'll. retire." And I said, "Chances are it's. not going to work anyway." But I I agree. with the colonel when I talked to him. I. should try it, you know. And she's like, "All right, let's go. At least we'll be. home. You'll be close to home." Uh, I.

mean, she was very supportive. Now, if. you ask her now, she'll go, "Oh, I cried. for a month.". >> A, >> you know, [laughter] because she hated. it when we left the army. We had such a. wonderful life. Not that we don't have a. wonderful life now, but Right. >> You know, that job in particular, >> it was Yeah. It was like a a scheduled, you know, like you knew what to expect. The only problem with that job, which is. the problem, and it's not a problem, it's the reality of being in the. military, is at any minute you can get. the phone call and you're gone. >> Right? >> And there were times in our life when I.

was at Fort Bragg, the phone would ring. and I'd walk out the door and I'd say, "I don't know where I'm going and I. don't know when or if I'll be back. I. love you." And that's it. >> And she might not see me for 24 or hear. from me for 24 hours. It might be seven. or 14 days. >> Uh, you know, you just don't know. >> Yeah. You got to be a strong woman to be. able to handle that. But shout out to. the colonel who encouraged you to chase. your dreams. Like that's really cool, too. >> It was very cool. Uh to this day, he and. his wife his wife back when we had fan.

clubs was the first president of my fan. club. [laughter]. >> I love that. >> You've had a ton of full full circle. moments. >> Still still to this day, there's some. they're like parents to us. >> Oh my goodness. >> We love them to death. But he I'll never. forget he sat me down and he said, "Look. here. I think if you stay in the army, you will be the sergeant major of the. army someday if you decide you want. that. I believe you have the you will. you could do that. You have everything. in order. He said, "But I also think you. have a very special gift that you should. at least try.".

>> And he's the one told me, "Go in the. reserves. If it don't work, you come. back. You don't lose nothing and I'll. see you.". >> I love that. I love that cuz in those. moments when you're making a huge. decision like that, it's so good to have. somebody give you like not only the pat. on the back to be like, "It's going to. be okay." but also the encouragement. >> Yeah. The and the honest advice. >> And the honest advice. Yes. So, let's. talk about this music career. In 2000, you released your debut album Craig. Morgan on Atlantic Records. Take me on. that journey. >> It was awesome. Uh first record deal. I.

I was literally in Nashville writing. Uh. >> finished up a writing session and was. headed back and I got a phone call um. from a guy named Brian Schwitzer. Uh and he said, "Hey, I'm Brian. Schwitzer with Atlantic Records. Uh, I. just got a song and I'm in my head I'm. going and I said, "What's the song?" And. he told me and I knew that I'd pitched. that song to John Michael and I thought, "Shit, I'm getting John Michael cut. This is awesome." You know, cuz he was. on fire. >> Yeah. >> Like, this is [laughter] going to be. great. I could use a good cut. You know,

the money will be great. Um, and he. said, "Uh, yeah. Can you come by the. office?" And I said, "Yeah." And he. said, "Where are you?" I said, "I'm in. town." And I was actually on Interstate. 40 almost to Charlotte. And I I cut. across the interstate. I had an old. Jeep. I cut across the interstate in my. Jeep. I went back and I was there in. like 12 minutes. >> And I went upstairs and he and Al. were sitting there and he said, "Uh, man, we love this song." He said, "Would. you uh um do you have something else. that you've written?" I said, "Yeah.".

And and again, this whole time I'm. going, "I'm getting a freaking John. Michael cut. They want more songs. [laughter] I mean, this is awesome, you. know. finally. Um, and he says, "Would. you sing something?" I had this song. called, uh, uh, Everywhere I Go. And he. said, "Uh, can you I said, uh, I need a. guitar." And he goes, "Yeah, yeah, we'll. get you a guitar." He said, "Just sing. it." I'm like, "Well, it's it's really a. piano song, you know." And so, at this. point, I'm going, "This is really it's. getting weird, [laughter].

you know. I'm not sure why they're. asking me to sing a song that they've. never heard." And they've, you know, do. you And I wanted to say, "Did you like. the other song for John?" But I just. didn't know what was going on was, you. know. So, so I started singing this. song. Everywhere I go, you're going my. way. In the dark of night, in the light. of day. And he said, stop. He said, I. want to offer you a record deal. I swear. to God. And I went, "All right." Yes, sir. [laughter] He said, "Uh, can we get. a letter of intent to your manager?" And.

I said, "Yes, sir." He said, "Well, here's my number. Uh, give it to your. manager and call me." I said, "Roger, no. problem. I'm still in the army." Right. >> And so I go out and I'll get in my Jeep. and I call Phililly. >> Yeah. >> And I said, "Phil, I just left Atlantic. Records and they want to offer me a. record deal." And he said, "Shit, that's. awesome, dude." Uh, cuz you know, we. were writing together and playing. together a little bit. And he said, uh, and I said, "They asked me to my manager. and I don't have no manager." He said, "Well, we better find one.".

>> That was my next question. I was going. to be like, "Who is your manager? >> Have one." Huh? >> So, we spent like four hours talking to. everybody we knew and finally they. hooked me up with this person, uh, Christy Forner. >> And so, I said, "Hey, I need a manager. and I need it tomorrow." And she said, "Yeah, I'm on board." Uh, and she came. on board as my manager for for quite. some time, that first year or so. >> Uh, and all I did that first year, that. was in like October. In January, my. first single came out called Paradise. that you alluded to. Um, which is odd.

because when I wrote that song, like I. didn't want people I didn't want my. buddies in the military to think I was. trying to take advantage of my military. career to to have success in the music. business. >> So, I didn't want to write about my. military, but you know, I just wrote the. song and they loved it and they thought. it would be a good single and so we did. it anyway. Uh, and uh, yeah, so I did that for a year, but I. didn't do any shows, >> right? >> Like real shows. Mhm. >> For 12 months, all I did was radio shows.

back then. >> Mhm. And that's kind of the way to get. in, though. >> Back then, it was the only way to get. in, >> right? >> Uh we didn't have Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. We didn't have none. of that stuff. >> You literally have to go I tell uh a lot. of people this in the country realm. especially. I've said it with my. husband. You have to court the radio. >> That's exactly right. >> Courting is the the word. >> Yes. >> We would court them. And by courting. them, it meant me and my guitar player. would go to the radio station in the. morning. They would bring in a bunch of. listeners. The record label would pay to.

feed all those listeners. I would play. for all those listeners and they would. kind of read the room and see how it. went. I did that for a year. >> A year. There was times when Phil and I. would leave Dixon and head, he tells the. story better than I do. He says, "We. were in my Jeep. We head to the airport. and he said we got to Belleview and my. Jeep started jumping cuckoo." [laughter]. And he said, I looked at him and went, "Oh I'm out of gas." I said, "You. got any money?" He said, "I ain't got no. money." I said, "Shit, me neither." We. were literally hoping to make it to the.

airport to get our pdeium from the. record label so that we would have gas. money to get home. >> Oh my goodness. >> I mean, that's We both had other jobs in. between doing this radio And I was. doing the radio stuff every I mean, every week. >> Yeah. >> It was just non-stop. >> Uh, and I'm not complaining. I'm. bragging. It was It was the best thing. that happened to me. >> It's hard work and people don't realize. that. But it gave me so much uh it gave. me a great deal of passion for our. industry and I love you know it is the. music business. >> right.

>> and I learned a lot about the business. side of it and I made a lot of friends. uh I met people that I otherwise never. would have met. >> Yes. >> Uh and radio friends you know but that's. what we did. >> Tell me about the first time that you. heard your song on the radio. >> in Dixon on on uh WDKN. little AM station. And I had taken it in. and played it for them. >> Uh and they put it on before the record. label even sent it out uh to have it, you know, to start working it. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> And I just, you know what I remember. thinking? I remember think, God, I hope.

I hope hope KDF and WSM and everybody. else in town plays it. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I don't think that many people. listen WDKN. >> Did you feel like at that moment that. you had made it or did were you like I. have more work to do? >> I'll be honest with you, buddy. I've. never felt like I never felt like I made. it until 2008. Wow. >> And I had three top uh three number ones. at that point. >> What was the pivotal moment that made. you come. >> when they said, "Would you like to be a. member of the Grand Old Opry?". >> And I when I saw that it took eight. years for you to be inducted into the.

Grand Old Opry, I was like, "That's. amazing, you know, because some people. it takes longer, some people it was. shorter, but like that I don't I just. feel like for you hard work has always. been a testament of your journey and it. show you know eight years of working. your butt off in this industry and they. finally were like come see you know come. be a part of this. be honest when they. asked though when the oper asked I mean. it it hadn't gotten to a point where I. was you know telling the manager like. have I done some I didn't I wasn't. aggravated that I wasn't asked to be a. member right. >> I was more concerned that I had done.

something that would prevent me from. becoming a member. >> so you were kind of stressing like why. is it taking. >> what have I done. >> right. >> it wasn't you know I deserve this cuz I. never felt like that even today when I. step in that circle it's like. >> it's one of the most humbling. experiences and I'm so grateful for it. but I was always felt like I had done. something that would prevent me them. from asking me because I had the hits. I. was touring. I was, you know, doing all. of those things. >> Also, you're a Tennessee boy also.

>> Yes. And I'm from Tennessee, you know, I. mean, everything. But again, it it was. God's time, not mine. Right. And when it. did happen, it was a amazing thing. But. >> yeah. So, >> do you feel like being in the military. um helped you handle the pressure of the. success of being in the music industry? >> No question. >> Yeah. >> No question. >> Absolutely. >> Uh I was a very hard driving NCO. Um I I. I would pay money right now to have some. of my guys from my teams sit down here.

and talk to you because they would tell. you, you know, yeah, he tried to kill. me. He made me do 300 [laughter]. push-ups because I told him my shoulder. hurt. you know, I was just real hard. charging. Uh, but I also knew what size. his underwear was. I knew what his. wife's name was. I knew what his kids'. names were. >> Uh, they, you know, I took care of my. people. And, and it, it teaches you a. sense of gratitude for how fortunate we. are. I had the privilege of going to. third world countries before, >> you know, to countries most of my.

friends couldn't even enunciate. >> and going in and seeing things that get. when I would come home just be in tears. almost. But you know, like even now when. I go to Alaska and I bust my ass to get. to the cabin in the middle of the. winter, sometimes getting stuck, a trip. that shouldn't take over 45 minutes, sometimes taking six hours. >> And then you get in there and you get. that fire built. >> and you sit there with a glass of wine. and you're like, man, God, this is the. most perfect moment.

>> But that moment, like I said earlier, would not be that perfect had it not. been for the pain that I went through to. get there. M uh and that's what I felt. like with the Opry. It felt like, you. know, it was perfect. And uh and I don't. deserve any of this. I will tell you. that I don't deserve any of this. >> You do. >> Uh no, I'm I I swear to you, I don't I. didn't This was not my dream. I you. know, I'm buddies with Blake. You know. that. Um. >> I see I see guys like Blake that he. loves it so much.

>> Yeah. >> He as a kid, he stood in front of a. mirror with a brush. He says he tells. those stories, you know. >> Yeah. >> Uh people that want it that much and. work so hard for it, >> you know, they they do deserve that. I'm. not saying I didn't work for it, but it. was never my I worked for it because I. had wife and kids. I had bills to pay, right? >> Uh it was never my dream to stand on. stage and do that. >> right. >> now. That I do it. I praise God every. night, man. before the show, after the. show, I get on and have a glass of wine.

and and literally almost cry every night. going, "What did I do?". >> And you pour your soul out. You're an. amazing I've watched you like on stage. and I just I think you are an amazing. performer and it's because it comes from. your soul. Like you can tell that you. are there for the people and not just. for the applause. Like you're there to. move people and I mean of course. everybody that's your fan sees that. also. So when you say that you don't. deserve this, I truly feel like, you.

know, I hope one day you realize how. much you do deserve this and how much. you have changed a lot of people's lives. because of what you do. >> Well, I I get paid. >> Uh, you know, it ain't like. >> We all love a little cash only. That's. right. It ain't like [laughter] I'm. doing it for free, >> right? I get it. >> Uh, but I always thought about this the. same way kind of my service in the. military. I got paid, >> right? and and I I do a bunch of stuff. with a bunch of veterans at different. times and and I love sitting down with. these guys and I'll never forget we was. out at my place in Alaska and uh had a. group come through that a paid group.

came through of veterans uh and I was. there with them and then we're talking. about we had an old guy there 74 years. old he said he don't tell the veterans. thank you and these veterans and these. are all tier one operators I'm talking. about Navy Seals Delta Force CIA these. are hard chargers these are guys that. you know kill more people than small. pops right? >> Real bad dudes. And they all looked at. him and like why? You know, not that they were offended, they were just curious why. And he said, I never served. I don't know what it's.

like. I don't even He said, "I don't. feel like I deserve it." I thought, "Holy, man. I you know, he didn't think. that he felt like he had the privilege. to tell us thank you.". >> He said, and and it was like, "Holy. cow." And one of the guys that was. there, uh, F-18 pilot, CIA, tough dude, super sweet man, said when pe I used to. say thank you, but it feels weird as a. soldier saying thank you, right? >> I get paid, >> right, >> to eat snakes and shoot bad people,

right? >> You know, I can't really say thank. He. said he started saying it was an honor. >> It's a privilege. And I feel the same. way about this occupation. You know, when people say, "Man, that song meant. everything to you." Well, it's an honor. and it's a privilege for me. I believe. that. >> I love that. Let's talk about your faith. because you are rooted in faith. Um, what was your first memory of faith and. how did that like shape your life? >> Uh, I don't know faith and Christianity.

and there's a lot of different. descriptions and elements of that. Uh, it started with me early as a kid. Uh my parents took us to church. We got. out of church at times, got back into. church at times, but when I was in the. army, we would go to church. And when my. wife and I came home, it was important. to us to raise our children in a church. family, >> right? Uh so we met a group of people. that we just we just fell in love with. and we became part of that church family.

and we were going to church Sunday, Sunday night, Wednesday, had the potluck. on Thursday, >> Bible study on whatever other day, you. know, it was a [laughter] it was just. what we did. >> Yeah. >> Uh but my spiritual walk has been. something of a book in and of itself, right? >> I grew up in a Southern Baptist family, stayed Southern Baptist my whole adult. life. uh experienced things in the. church that made us feel uncomfortable. there. So, we thought we would go over. here and try the Methodist. We tried. this.

>> Um before my son died, he and my. youngest son and my wife were going. through a program at the Catholic Church. called the RCIA program. >> Mhm. >> Um and the rights for uh Christian. something. It's about the Catholic. church is different than any other form. of Christianity. I was christened as a. Catholic and we grew up a little bit. Catholic before we went to Southern. Pentecostal. >> Yeah. So Karen was going through this. program and she would come home and tell. me these stories and I'd be like we're.

going to end up getting divorced. Oh, >> you're in this damn cult. You know, and she would tell me something. I'm. like, "That's not true. That's not what. the Bible says." And she says, "It is.". And you know, study it. Read it. Uh I'm. not I'm not going to tell you. I'm just. going to tell you this is it. Here's And. I started studying. In doing that, I I. when Karen would tell me things, I would. remember from my other studies. So, I. started doing a lot of research. I spent. about a year and I got so engulfed in it. that I I remember going to that same.

program a year later that they had gone. through and the very first night I sat. there crying, >> thinking I have been a Catholic my whole. life and I didn't even know it. and it just hammered me. >> And I just did not want to let another. minute of my life pass without trying to. be the best. >> Christian person that I could be. >> Um. >> I think you're a great example of. Christianity because you don't judge. people and you don't you also don't push.

your faith. You live your faith. I say. all the time, I I'm not I will tell you. this and I I went through a great. program in that Baptist church that I. still love so much and those people. called experiencing God and it taught me. something that humbled me. Humbled me. Uh and there's a portion in there where. we all sitting there and we talk about. doing God's work. You know, as. Christians, we all try to do God's work, >> right? >> And that book and this program said we. cannot do God's work. And it struck me.

am thought. How can we as Christians say. that we can't do God's work? That's what. he put us here for. And it's like, you. started studying again, you realize. that's not what he put me here for. Only. God can do God's work. >> God asked two things from me. Love my. neighbors and love him. And when you. focus on your relationship with God and. not all the other stuff, God will do. great and wonderful things through you. And I believe that with every fiber. that's in me. And I apply that same. philosophy in my relationship with him.

to every aspect of my life. Yes. My. music. If it's meant to be a hit song, it will be. As long as I'm working and. doing everything that I can to try to. make it hit and focusing on my. relationship. If he wants it to be, it. will be. If he don't want it to be, it. ain't going to be. And it's in my best. interest. >> I love it. That's so beautifully. >> Not easy to accept. [laughter]. >> Yeah. >> Not easy. >> Oh, trust me. I I argue with God all the. time. I'm like, "Are you sure?" I mean, just let me do it one more time. Yeah. [laughter]. So, not to bring down the um you know. the the the mood, but you did touch base.

on losing your son. >> Yeah, that was a really God moment, >> right? And that was my next question. Somebody who is so rooted in faith, do. you ever find yourself sometimes being. mad at him for that happening? >> No, I can't say that I was mad at him. Uh I would not question but question, you know, like that. Really, God? >> Yeah. Yeah. You know, I thought, [laughter]. you know, you would say [clears throat]. as a Christian, I really thought, you.

know, I mean, I know I made mistakes. I've done things wrong, but I thought I. was doing pretty good. >> And, you know, and you think those, you. know, when you're doing pretty good, you. know, bad shouldn't happen to you, >> right? To good people for especially. >> not the way it works, though. I don't. believe that. And I know that and I knew. it then, but I was selfishly going, I'm a little. better than most people who were saying. that, you know, I mean, really, I I was. probably be being I'm just being honest, you know, being I was arrogantly going,

but I really did live better, you know. I really was trying, you know, and then. I'd see my sin and go, well, maybe I. didn't try as hard as I should have. But. I as as I worked through all that, I. realized God was never punishing me. He. never was. And and I don't believe for. one second that God took my son. I do. not believe that. >> I believe the devil did it. >> And I do know that God could stop him. and he didn't for some reason. >> And what I have to accept uh is that.

that happened. Um and a lot of people. seek out the reason why God let that. happen. >> Was it so that all those kids that got. baptized after my son died would get. baptized? Uh, was it because of this? Was it because of the charity that was. established his name that's going to. help all these kids? It's going to. affect that. I don't do that. I can't. >> because you'll chase that forever. And [clears throat] all you're doing is. looking for justification. >> And for me, there is no justification. >> Yeah. >> He's gone and it is that's it. My.

youngest said it. We just have to live. with the suck for the rest of our lives. >> Uh, and we miss him. Um, but my faith in. God will not waver. >> Yeah. Amen. >> But it doesn't mean that you don't have. bad days, you know. Yeah. >> Uh it doesn't mean that I think it's. okay to I think there's moments in your. life where you're you're you're supposed. to question him. >> Yeah. >> Sorry. I think that when you. it it's tough, you know.

>> I'm so sorry. >> No, no, it's okay. Okay. I got this. I think when you. question God, your faith grows because. he educates you. Yeah. Sometimes it just takes really. things. I mean, you know, I I read my. wife just read a book about a lady who. she lost we lost Jerry. She lost her. husband and two kids all at the same. time. I mean, there's people every day.

losing multiple siblings. um you know it. it so. >> can I give you a hug? >> Oh yeah, absolutely. [laughter]. >> Sorry. >> No, I don't uh I don't want to make. anybody upset. I want to encourage. people. Uh that's like the damn song I. wrote. [laughter]. >> The Father, my son, and the Holy Ghost. When I wrote that, I never had any. intentions of anyone ever hearing that. song, >> right? Um,

but I know that God wanted people to. hear that. There's stories that I have. heard. >> when that song when we released it to. the to the platforms, you know, we. didn't even go to radio with that song. >> Yeah. >> We didn't go to radio. It became the. number one most downloaded song in the. history of music. of all genres four times. >> That's God. >> We're going to dial you guys in real. quick. >> Sorry. when we get up and sit back down, the cameras kind of.

>> I just couldn't not hug you, you know, at that moment. >> Thank you. >> We all need a hug sometimes, you know. >> Oh, yes, we do. And we should not be. scared to to hug one another. >> I know. I'm a hugger, too. I love that. >> I am, too. I tell my friends I love. them. Uh I got a you know, I got buddies. that, you know, grew up in homes that. didn't I grew up at home when both my. parents hugged us and told us they loved. us every day before we went to school. >> Yeah. you know, before they, in fact, my. parents both went to work before we went. to school.

>> Absolutely. >> So, they would wake us up and get us up. and feed us and get us ready. And me. being the oldest, I was kind of in. charge of getting the younger ones to. the school bus and such. Uh, but they. would hug us and tell us they love us, you know, >> kissed us, >> you know. And my wife, she's super. weird, though. She's like a lip. [laughter] kisser. >> Like, she is, man. My wife, like my. buddies come over and she's like, "Oh, you know, like you've met him twice and. oh, she kissed him on the lip and. they're like, oh [laughter]. >> that I I'm too OCD for that. I can't do. that." But.

>> I mean, women don't understand dudes. though, you know? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> You kiss [laughter] a dude on the lips, he's like, "Oh we did it.". >> Can you repeat? >> We're going to have a baby. >> The guy [laughter]. >> Can you repeat for me what you were. saying before we had to fix the cameras. though? Because I think and in that. moment where everything was so heavy and. you know we all were crying a little bit. that was just such a beautiful testament. of what God can do. You said it was the. most downloaded song in all genres and. it wasn't even supposed to hit the air. >> It wasn't I never intended for anyone to. hear it. Right.

>> In fact that song it's one of the few. songs I've ever written in my life that. when I wrote it I wrote it from top to. bottom exactly the way you hear it. today. >> Right. No, [snorts] no, no. Uh went back. and changed this line like we do. normally, >> right? Yeah. >> Uh verbatim, >> right? >> Word for word, note for note. And and so. I tell people God wrote that song and I. and I was downstairs. It's 4:30 in the. morning. My wife was still asleep. upstairs, but I know she hurt me a. little bit and you know, and I I was.

crying and. >> you know, just pouring it out and and. and I'm sure it was therapeutic. I'm. sure that there's psychologists or. psychiatrists that would say, "Yeah, that's one of those very therapeutic. moments. You obviously use like I'm I'm. not that guy, >> right? >> I'm the I'm the hot stove guy. philosophy. When something hurts, [clears throat]. freaking stay away from it, >> you know? Um you just don't go back and. keep touching the stove. >> I get it. I'm the same way.". >> But that song, it God, it was I knew. that he wanted me to do it and and it.

happened. And so I finished it and I. just came upstairs. Everything's good. And uh then I went back down there and I. had recorded it and then I listened to. it on my little recording thing and and. I thought, "Oh my gosh, what have I. done, man?" And I called my daughter and. I said, "I wrote this song. I want you. to hear it." She's a writer, you know, uh that's not what she does. professionally. She sells drugs. professionally, but uh. >> sells drugs. [laughter]. >> She's in pharmaceutical. >> Okay. Gotcha. I was like, "Crack.

heroin." [laughter]. and she uh I played it for her and and. and she was crying and she said, "Dad, you've got to put that. You got to. record it so that we have that. It's. it's it's so good." And I said, "Well, I. don't want everybody to hear this, though. I'm just not ready for this." Uh. so, I didn't even call Phil. Phil and I. produce all my records. Uh we've we've. been producing my records together for. years. >> Yeah. >> Uh I didn't even call Phil. I didn't. call all our normal band studio guys. I.

called different people. I didn't call. my normal background. I called um um uh. Sonia Isaacs and I said, "Sonia, I wrote. this song uh and I know knew that she. had lost a baby.". >> And I said, "I I don't want to upset. you, but I want your vocals on this. I. think there you need to be the one. singing this." I'm telling this is the. way God all these things happened. went. in this little old studio, recorded it, and ended up playing it for my. management folks, and they let the label.

hear it, and the next thing I know, they're saying, "Okay, listen. We won't. go to radio, but let's at least put it. out to the socials." I said, "All right, you know, we'll do it." I went to. Alaska, and I was up in Alaska, and. service where I'm at wasn't real good at. that time. It still ain't real good. until I turn Elon on. [laughter]. >> That's Starlink. >> Yeah. But I don't like to turn it on. because we have we only have solar and. generators. So, it sucks up the solar. power. [laughter]. >> Yeah.

>> But anyway, I got into an area where I. had service and my phone went nuts. >> You know, all these messages and phone. and I'm like, what the hell? And I. noticed one from Blake and I was like, well, that's weird cuz I hadn't texted. him in like two weeks, >> right? And it usually takes him a lot. longer to respond than two weeks, right? >> And he had called me and had texted me. And I went to his text and he said, "Call me ASAP." And I thought, "Oh, someone's hurt." I really thought. something was wrong. >> So I got to where I had service. And I.

called Blake first cuz you know, he's. the only one that all these guys had. sent me. You need to call us. You know, it's important. Whyever, you know, I'm. not doing music this week. Um, and. I called Blake and he said, "Dude, if. you uh if you talk to your managers, you. know what's going on." And I said, 'I. got What are you talking about? Is I. said, "Is everything okay?" He said, "Man, I got your text. I got the song. and I listened to it." And I said, and. at this point, I literally had forgotten. that I sent him the song, right?

>> Blake had lost a brother, >> so I wanted him to hear that song. And I. said, "Are you talking about the uh the. the elk?" I sent him a picture of an elk. I killed. [laughter]. And he said, "No, dumbass. The song.". >> And I said, "Oh, oh, the song, the. father, my son." He goes, "Yeah." He. goes, "Dude, uh, it's gone viral. It's. about to be number one most downloaded. song on iTunes." And he said, "You need. to call your managers." I said, "All. right, I'll call them. I'll call them.". I said, "Did you see the HLK?" He said,

"Man, [laughter] call your people." He. said, "Ellen Degenerous is talking about. your song." Uh, Kelly's talking about. it. Everybody, he said, "You need to. call your folks, man.". >> So, I I called them and they said, "Hey, we're going to get you on all these all. these people want you on the show. They. want to talk about the song and talk. about your spirits and, you know, it's. helping people.". >> Yeah. >> It's healing people. I said, "Okay, yeah, sure. I'll be back Monday." They. said, "No, Ellen wants you on Thursday.".

I said, "I can't do Ellen on Thursday. I'm going to be in Alaska.". I said, "I love her.". >> Yeah. >> And I've I'd love to be on her show, but. I can't come home early, bro. I'm sorry, y'all. >> Mhm. >> And so I said, "Book whatever you can. book starting Monday, and I'll be there. and I'll do whatever anybody wants me to. do.". >> Yeah. >> Uh and that's what happened. And then I. went on the Kelly show. uh and it again flipped and became the. number one most downloaded song, all. genres. After that show, I went on Fox.

and Friends and again it flipped and. became the number one. But again, here. it was a song that no one was supposed. to hear. >> A song that. all of these things that happened, you. know, and and I am in no way no way. comparing myself to any biblical figure. I'm not doing that. But I'm just saying. God takes the the things that aren't. supposed to work and makes it the I I. mean, I talk about y'all all the I'm. just saying I'm not saying that you. weren't supposed to work, >> but I mean he's not a pretty man.

[laughter]. to me. I mean, and you're you're super. cute. >> And so people see it and they're like, "Really?" I'm like, "No, really. It's. true. >> It's my baby.". >> It's true. She loves him and he loves. her. >> I do. >> God takes things and does beautiful and. wonderful things with it. >> With God takes broken things and does. beautiful things with it. >> He does take broken things. Thank you. for telling us that story and thank you. for going somewhere that you know is. uncomfortable and it's a hot stove.

>> I really it is and I really really. appreciate that. So let's move on into. your legacy and then I've already kept. you for like an hour and a half so I'm. going to end it with this but after. >> I've been trying to get on your show for. freaking six months. >> Yeah. Listen, you can come back anytime. you want. You come here anytime. >> Watch your show. We love you. >> I love that. >> We share it all the time when someone. says something bad about you. My wife. gets real freaking Texas. She don't I. tell her I have to remind her, you know, you have grandkids now. They can see. that, you know, you can't put F question.

mark question mark K. And they don't. know. They know. >> I'm telling you, me and Karen are a lot. alike. And and the Lord is working on my. mouth, let me tell you. But I love a. good clapback. So tell Karen I. appreciate it. But after everything, the. uniform, the stage, fatherhood, loss, who is Craig now? >> I'm all of those things. >> still. >> Yeah. You know, I think that's been the. biggest issue with my with if you look. at my music career and it's been a an. amazing career. I mean, I'm still here.

Everybody said, you know, the reality is. I should have left 10 years ago. I. should have and by left, I mean I. shouldn't have had the success, but God. did want this to happen. I've tried I. tried to get out. He's my manager will. tell you five years ago I said I'm. retiring. you [laughter] know, I've got. all these other businesses that are. doing great and and and you know, and I. want to do this, I want to do that, and. but God does something every time that. shows me that he still wants me here. Yeah. >> And so, as long as he wants me here, but. I am all of those things. And it makes. it really hard for a management company.

or a record label because I don't wear a. cowboy hat. I'm not a one straight line, this is what I do and this is who I am. kind of guy. You're. >> not a one-trick pony. >> I am not. And I'm not gonna subdue to. that in order to be more successful at. any one of those things. Yeah. >> What I do. >> strive to be the best I can be is as a. dad, a husband, and now a grandfather. >> Yeah. >> A brother, a son, and a friend.

>> I think that's beautiful. Craig, >> those are those are top. Everything. after that is what you really have to. work hard to to do so that you can be. the best you can be at those five things. right there for me. >> Yeah. >> You know, I work very hard at my job. I. work very hard at at the businesses that. we have outside of this with my. friendships and everything. But I do it. so that I can be the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, son, and. friend that I can be. >> Yeah. And I said it when you first. walked in here that just reading about.

your story, you're a beautiful soul. But. being able to sit here and talk with you. the past hour and a half, I'm just in. love with you. I'm in love with your. family. I'm in love with everything that. you represent. And I could only hope. that Jay and I could be like you and. your wife as we age. And. >> you're already there. You guys are. inspiring so many people. >> I love it when I get on stage at night. and I talk about y'all and and when I. say y'all's names, the crowd goes wild. >> No. And that means they love you and. they respect what you're doing. And I. tell people all the time, you know, I.

I'll never forget I'll never forget, you. won't remember this, but. Jelly had made a post um I don't even. remember what it was. And there was a. preacher who went off on him. You can't. say these things and then try to claim. to be living a Christian life. And I. thought, man, how arrogant of you. And I. never ever ever ever [laughter]. let me say that again. Ever ever ever. ever respond.

>> to text. >> I mean to these messages. >> Yeah. >> Because all it does is just you know. it's like you get into this neverending. What I do is just let. everybody else do it. >> and they'll do it. They they do it. amongst themselves then it goes away. But I I remember it that hurt me that. someone from the Christian community. >> was judging a man that I knew. >> that I found to be good. >> and it like.

>> it in and you you had made a comment and. and then I I I like I told Karen I said. I can't not do it. >> I'm like lest ye not judge you don't. even know this man. You know, I'll never. forget the first time. And even. >> I want [clears throat] you to know I do. remember that and I do remember you. sticking up for him. >> One of my closest friends and and and. and I think he would tell you he he's a. good one of the greatest Christian men I. know. >> even he said one time cuz we we.

[laughter] were at a show. Can I curse. on you? >> Of course. >> I already did a few times but [laughter]. we were at the show at that bowling. place. >> Brooklyn Ball. >> Brooklyn ball. Oh, it was that stupid. label thing. >> Yeah, >> remember? >> Yes. >> Uh, and I love the label. I do. I love. those folks. But. >> yes, shout out Loba and Brother. >> 100 artist. But I'm Jelly was about to. go on and y'all were all outside and. Jelly said, "Craig, would you pray for. us?" I said, "Yes." And there was like, I don't know, 1,200 people back there.

[laughter]. >> If it's my husband back there, yes. He's. got his whole. >> which I loved. Uh, and I got one more. jelly story for you. [laughter] Uh um. and I said, "Yeah, I'll pray." And. everybody's arms and it was just I had. not fel the love was so good and it was. pure and clean and innocent and honest. And I finished my [laughter] prayer and. Jelly said that's the way youing pray. right there. >> My husband will cuss in his prayers.

>> We got to separate them just a little, Jenny. [laughter]. >> Just a little, bro. [gasps] That is so. my husband. >> You know what? It did. It didn't hurt. me. It didn't bother me. Well, in fact, it made me love him because he was being. who he was and it was honest and he. meant it. >> Yeah. >> And and I think sometimes we we we try. so hard to be this semblance of what we. think other people think we should be. >> that we ignore truth and honesty and.

fairness and kindness. >> and nonjud non-judgmentalness. Like I. feel like the church now is so. judgmental and we could talk about that. for hours, but I just feel like. >> our job as people who love Jesus is to. show people what unconditional love is. And that's all I want to do. >> Your neighbor and love him. >> Yes. >> When you're doing those two things, you. everything else is where it's supposed. to be. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. >> Craig, thank you for sitting here with. me. I appreciate you so much. And.

anytime you want to come back here, you. have a VIP pass to come [laughter] and. sit down. We will get you in ASAP, sir. >> We're going to have you guys out. Do you. eat meat? >> I do. Yes. >> Okay, good. >> Well, you're taking me hunting. I got to. go see these turkeys. >> I know. Well, there's a difference in. hunting and eating meat. I mean, [laughter] like my son eats meat, but he. my youngest, but he won't hunt. >> Yeah. >> He like he cries when when when I poke. the cow to try to get it to go through. the fence. I'm like, you you don't know. He don't even feel that hardly, you. know? He gets He's so sensitive about.

animals. He just loves it. Yeah. >> I I killed a coyote that was chasing the. the my donkey the other day. >> Yeah. >> And he's like, I know it had to die, but. I just hate to see it. [laughter]. >> You're like, how you're like, how are. you my offspring? >> Yeah. Yeah. And know, you know, he's. like, they have a cat and a dog. And I'm. like, listen, when you hear them. howling, you at least need to come. outside and make some noise cuz they. will they will eat your cat. >> Yes. Yes. >> Take it and drag it away and eat it. Yeah. >> And he's like, no. [laughter] You know, like, yeah, shoot the coyotes. >> Well, promise me. Anyway, I I say that.

because if you do, I we have the best. black Angus beef. >> Oh, yay. >> That and we'd love to have all of you. come out and we'll have a a steak night. And. >> what are you guys doing for. Thanksgiving? >> Our kids are [laughter] my wife, y'all. She gets so text. My kids said, "Mom, we're going. We got friends coming in. this day." She said, "No, >> I don't give a what you're doing. You're. coming to my house Thanksgiving day. >> and you're coming." She put her foot. down. So this Thanksgiving, all the kids. and all the grandkids, everybody's.

coming in. >> I love that. It's going to be beautiful. Well, we're right down the street. We. have land out there. >> That's where you got the cow. The. long-haired one is here. I'm getting. one. >> The last [laughter] time I bought. >> you have to. shut up. >> Right now. And they're gorgeous. They're. the offspring of my. >> I literally went to the cow sale uh when. I I don't know when I bought my last. year and they had two and I'm like, gosh, man. >> Do I go in now? They're the best. The. sweetest tumor. >> My donkey. My little tulip. Oh my.

>> tulip. I have two donkeys, too, with. them. And. >> I know. I see them. I see your post. >> No, they're great. I'm telling you. >> She is so sweet, y'all. And the people I. bought her from, they said, "Oh, she's. mean. That's why we're getting rid of. her." The first time they they deliver. I was out on the road and I come in and. I pulled through the gate. She come. running up. I had gotten out of the. buggy. She come running. I thought, "Oh, they said she's me." She come up. She. put her head in my chest. >> and I was like, "You got to be kidding.". And now like the kids go up and she'll.

she'll lower herself a. >> baby y'all to the little guys. >> She just needed some love. >> That's it. My son will go out there. He. lives on a house on the farm. And he'll. go out and he'll put his arm over her. and walk her from the far side of the. from another barn. It's I don't know. quarter mile all the way to the feed. barn walks. >> I love my my donkey Nova. She's the. sweetest. She just comes and she's like. this silent little creature that just. [laughter] until she doesn't want to be. silent anymore. But like if she wants to. move like stealthlike, I'll literally be.

sitting there and all of a sudden her. mouth just comes over my shoulder and. I'm like, "How did you get behind me. without me hearing you?" She's protected. probably. >> So sweet. Oh yeah. So sweet. Thank you, Chris. Thank you guys for tuning in to another. episode of Dumb Blonde. I'll see you. guys next week. Bye. [music]. >> [music].