Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #694

He's a musician and a songwriter. He's a front man for the band Kings of. Leon, who have a new album, Oh my. Beloved, which comes out this Friday, November 6th. Uh he's had a wild life and I'm thankful. to sit down today with Mr. Caleb. Followill.

>> Yeah, it's just so bizarre. I saw this. freaking What was this thing I saw? See. if you can find this, Trevor. I saw them. wash drone washing a pet. There's like a. guess a pet service now. Pressure washing. via drone. There There you go. Yeah, Chinese company uses solar. cleaning drone to wash dog. >> Wow. I mean, I guess I don't have a dog, but. it I think it's kind of hard to get them. to get in the bath and stuff, right? So.

you just sneak up on them with this guy? >> Yeah, I think you just call them and. they come by in the morning or whatever. when your dog's not expecting it. I. guess it gives it. >> I've got a couple of cousins that could. use one of those things probably. >> [laughter]. >> Amen, bro. That's the truth, dude. Um. Caleb Followill? >> Yes, sir. >> Nice. Nice to see you today, man. >> Yeah, man. Nice to be here. Nice to meet. you. >> Yeah, thanks for catching up, dude. We. both ended up wearing this. >> I know, man. We We felt it. It was a. denim kind of day, right?

>> I think it was. I think just everything. feels so denim right now. >> Like Ernest P. Worrell. >> Yeah. [laughter]. Yeah, I don't know if it's that time of. year. I mean, it's definitely been a. beautiful time of year. This is like one. of the nicest times of year in Nashville. that I've ever seen with the leaves, you. know? >> Yeah, I love this time of year. >> Yeah. >> Like when the sun's hitting them just. right, I feel like they pop and you get. the yellows and the reds and. yeah, it's pretty beautiful stuff. And. you're from. you're Louisiana, right? >> Yeah. I'm from Louisiana, man. And did. you guys You You grew Oklahoma?

>> Well, kind of, yeah. I'm I'm from born. in Memphis. So, um. >> Oh, yeah. >> the first few years we lived in. Millington, Tennessee. >> Is that outside of Memphis? >> Yeah, just outside home of Al Green and. Justin Timberlake, I believe. >> Nice. Nice combo. >> There you go. >> Yeah, we used to get dropped off over. there by Howard Johnsons over there in. Memphis. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There would be like a familial. exchange or something, you know, a lot. of kids they you know, they meet up with. some family member and they drop them.

off in a parking lot and we'd always be. at that Hojo over there. >> Mhm. Well, yeah, I grew up uh first handful. of years there, but our dad was a an. evangelist, so we traveled. >> Mhm. >> So, we went, you know, back and forth. Oklahoma, but we spent a good deal in. Louisiana, too. And I just remember in Louisiana my. cousins from Louisiana. um they're from Luling. You know Luling? >> Oh, yeah, it's over kind of I think it's. over by Hahnville maybe or by uh some. kind of. >> Parish, yeah. >> the West Bank. >> And I just remember we'd be there um and.

then it would be like fall or winter. and he'd always be bummed cuz the. weather wouldn't really change. I remember he woke me up one morning. he's like, come outside, come outside. We went outside and there was just like. a little bit of frost on the ground and. he was like, let's go make a snowman. >> Oh, yeah, dude. Look, if you leave the. freezer open for too long somebody will. try to make a little uh Christmas. scenario in there, [laughter] you know? You walk through the frozen food section. you'll start playing Christmas carols on. your phone. >> Oh, yeah. >> You know, it's just you're looking.

you're hoping for any moment of winter. because there's nothing like it's just. you don't get any of it down there. And. dude, yeah, you get down towards Luling. you'll have people have family members. that are bait. [laughter] You know, it's like you'll. have like. >> Yeah, man. That was uh. that was always like such a unique place. to me because, you know, America has. like all of these different. depending on where you are, you know, people have different accents and and. different ways of life. But Louisiana is. like a one of one. >> It really is, man. >> like everyone you talk to and I got down.

with the lingo by the end of it, but. like. first time you, you know, you arrive and. people start talking, you're just like, I don't think I know what It's not like. a Southern country accent. It's like so. different, yeah. >> Oh yes, sometimes it people they don't. even know the alphabet. [laughter]. And they're just hoping for the best, you know, they're just kind of verbally. hoping you know what they're doing, you. know. It's kind of it's a lot of. pressure on the listener. >> It is, yeah. >> That's what we kind of say about.

Louisiana. That's the dialect down. there. It is big pressure on the. listener, man. >> you got to lean in. >> Yeah, yeah, you [laughter] got to be. right there with Sometimes you have to. hold people's hands while they're. talking. You know what I'm saying? Dude, I've had. to rub somebody's back to help them get. through a [laughter] sentence. You know what I'm saying? You see a dude. hit a semicolon and he. [laughter] his skeleton can't handle it, you know, but I mean it is just it is. that kind of place, you know, they'll be. like, oh, caught my wife on a spinner. bait or whatever. It's [laughter] just. it's bizarre. It really is. bizarre, dude, and it's like and um.

sorry to get animated about it. I guess. I don't think about it that much, but it. is a unique place, man. First I didn't I. didn't I don't think I had really much. appreciation for it growing up, but then. as I got older and traveled around, I'm. like, oh damn, there's something. And. it's soggy. I mean you'll be talking to. somebody and notice be sinking right in. front of you. >> Yeah, man. I I used to go uh. >> to lift them [clears throat] up every. now and then [laughter] and set them. like a foot over to get through the. convo. >> We used to go spend like a I would go. spend summers in Louisiana.

Um as a kid, you know, it was my cousin, he was my best friend, so we just go. raise hell and um. kind of run around and get chased by. cops and stuff. We were little kids, so. we would sneak out at night after our. after his parents were asleep and we. just like go. break into the swimming pool and like, you know, just dive off the stuff and. get in the snack machines and uh. and I remember there was this one night. and we were, you know, we were out and. it was about 2:00 in the morning. I.

don't know what we were looking for. I. think we just some trouble. >> Probably cool air too, you know. I mean. it's summer, It's so rough. But go on. Sorry. >> Yeah, I know. And then the cops, we we. saw lights. And so the next thing you. know, we're kind of like in a drainage. ditch. Like and it was kind of like I. was only like 12, but for a moment I was. like, I think I need to make some. changes, you know. This probably ain't. the right thing to be doing. But then later on I like we got odd jobs. like roofing houses and Thibodaux and. >> Oh, bro. >> uh little in New Orleans and.

>> Yeah, dude. Everything down there is. flooring, bro. They'll put flooring on. your ceiling. They don't give a damn, bro. People they'll put linoleum around. a baby, bro. They don't even [laughter]. care down there. Like everybody in. Louisiana I feel like ends up doing. roofing or flooring at some point, bro. >> Yeah, and my and they there was always. like a flood. Like every year. I'd come they'd have a different color. carpet. And then the next time then. finally they just went straight. concrete. They're like we're done. We're. done. >> Oh, yeah. >> So then it get humid and you be slipping.

all around the living room and. >> That's the devil's carpet, dude. [laughter] And you know yeah, that is so. Louisiana when you finally just give in. and be like, all right, we're doing just. >> a concrete family. >> [laughter]. >> We're a concrete family, dude. Um bro, so funny that like you know, you're. talking about a place that's so flooded, you know, that's like so flood-centric. and your family had really kind of a. religious upbringing. Um you said your. dad was an evangelist. >> Yeah. So he was a preacher, but we just. traveled and preached.

from town to town. >> So like a traveling evangelist? >> Yep. >> And was he good at it? >> Oh man, he was he was the best. Yeah. As a you know, as a little kid I I he. was like a. I mean, people throw it around a lot, but he was a rock star, you know. He. would uh. he would see the biggest, scariest. looking man in the room and he would. have them laughing. And then 5 seconds. later the man would be crying. He was. kind of a comedian. I mean, he was he. was really funny.

Um but he was also, you know, a a man. who who had been through a lot, so he. could relate to to people. >> I see. >> Um, so whereas a lot of people, you. know, they kind of have their nose in. the air, my dad was a man of the people. And I feel like that was something that. kind of. you know, when we would roll into a town. and uh. take over the church for a weekend or a. week or something, by the end of it, you know, I felt like. everybody wanted us to stay and kind of. wanted, you know, us to take over.

>> Wow. >> Yeah. >> That's almost like a rock star energy in. its own right, huh? >> Yeah, he was he. >> rolling in like that. >> That was it, man. We lived out of the. car. We uh most of my. childhood, we didn't really have a. house. We everything was in the trunk. And we were just yeah, man, looking out. the windows, looking at the you know, America just driving and. go to towns and. >> Dude, that's so cool. >> friends, but then after a while you started to. kind of it'd break your heart cuz you.

you wouldn't see them again. So. >> Yeah. >> it kind of started you started to kind. of. pull away a little bit, but it was good. cuz I was with my brothers. So. um we always had each other. Um. but yeah, like seeing a normal childhood. and. boyfriend and girlfriend and high school. and all that stuff. was so foreign to us because, you know, that wasn't our life. It was on the. road. And oddly enough,

we ended up choosing a. career path that kind of kept us on the. road. >> So so like whenever you guys would pull. into town, like did you did the kids. have like a responsibility? Did you and. your siblings have a responsibility to. like. >> Yeah. >> you know, to help build the atmosphere. or like what was like kind of if you can. just explain that to me a little bit? >> I mean, when we would come to town, it. was a revival. So when we came to town, it was usually the church needed a. spark. >> Okay. >> You know, things had gotten a little. stagnant. >> Yeah. >> And so we would roll in and kind of fire.

everyone up and then we'd leave and. hopefully it would keep going. Um but. us, I think. you know, we were boys. It was three. boys, so like. they just didn't want us to get in. trouble, you know? And to kind of be a. good example to the other kids, but you. know, we weren't really the best. example, I don't think. Um, >> Your adolescence, too. >> Yeah, we just wanted to play sport. Like. whatever the if they had a basketball. court at the church, it was like, all. right, sweet. We can go play some.

basketball. We can go whoop up on some. kids. >> Yeah. >> Um, we had that we had our brother, so we. had kind of like a built-in team. Um, but yeah, we didn't really we weren't. that involved in the church, but we did. that is where we started singing. Um, and we didn't want to do it very often. Every now and then they would they would. talk us into getting up. Um, and we'd play the drums. Uh, we. would we would help along, you know, with the music. >> So kind of almost whatever was needed,

like if dad needed you to do something? >> Yeah, you know, if we needed to go pass. the plate around or uh, you know, be the first one to go down to the altar. and be a good, you know, get people. feeling comfortable to go do it, we'd do. that. >> Amen, dude. >> Yeah. >> Dude, it reminds me, bro, this is so. funny, man. One of my favorite movies of. all time, I don't ever even talk about. it, is Leap of Faith. You ever see that. movie? >> Is that Steve Martin? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Dude, I love that movie growing up. We. had one of those like I think it was. like yeah, there it is right there. It. was like a random house, one of those.

things where you mail them $2 and they. send you six movies or [laughter]. whatever, and then they sue you for the. rest of your life or whatever for not. paying them or whatever. >> Yeah. >> Or then they like track you down for. years or whatever because you have a. copy of Curly Sue out or something that. you owe them. >> Oh, man. Back to Louisiana, we me and my. cousin one night we snuck out and we. went to the video store, and we wanted to rent like some dirty. movies. I mean, not dirty, R-rated. movies. >> Yeah. >> I remember we got this one Jean-Claude. Van Damme movie. I think it was called.

like Double Trouble or Double Team or. something. He played twins. >> Yeah. >> But it had a it had a couple of scenes. that we liked. Um, and we didn't realize, you know, we. had rented it on my uncle's thing, but. we just left it at that house. We didn't. want to get busted. >> Yeah. >> And then it was years later that he got. the bill. [laughter]. And he's like, what is this? >> Yeah. They're like, you owe $11,000. >> Yeah. But that leap of faith, that was a. that looked like a tent revival, right?

>> Yeah, that was Steve Martin. It was a. tent revival. Bring it up just for a. little bit of. uh something just be accurate here. Yeah, this was man, this movie, dude, he. would pull in and they had this. soundtrack with it and it was like, are. you ready for a miracle? Ready as I can. be. Remember that? >> I know that one. Yeah. >> Oh, you ready for a miracle? Let the. spirit set you free. >> That's awesome. >> ready? We had three movies, I think, and I. watched this probably 400 times, bro. Uh a 1992 American comedy drama film. Uh.

what does it say? Uh slick talking. traveling evangelist Jonas Nightingale. runs a high-tech revival scam using. hidden microphone spotters and. computerized databases to fleece small. town congregations. >> That's kind of like Fletch, right? Fletch too, isn't he like fake like he's. a preacher and they got like some. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Did you ever see The Apostle? >> Uh-uh. >> Oh man, that's a good one. It was Robert. Duvall. Um. that's a good one. >> The Apostle? >> But it's kind of similar thing.

>> I'll put that on my list. I like Robert. Duvall. He's in Crazy Heart. Have you. seen that? >> Oh yeah. The Apostle is his best. I. think it's his best work, but yeah, Crazy Heart's awesome. >> Dude, yeah, that weary kind, that song. >> Oh man. Yeah. >> If you want to cry in a parking lot, >> I do. >> Then yeah, then yeah, [laughter]. put that on. And just pull behind the Aldi, dude. >> Yeah, let's do it. >> [laughter]. >> Dude, you go park behind any Kroger and. put that on. There'll be four other. dudes listening to it back there. [laughter].

Oh yeah, dude, that's a real that's a. song right there, man. I love that. Ryan. Bingham. Now who's who's Bingham? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Is that right? >> Yeah. >> he was in the uh in the movie too, I. think. >> Yeah, he's the I think he's his backing. band, right? He's the leader of the. backing band when he rolls up to the. bowling alley. >> Yeah. Yeah, if you want to know if. you're an alcoholic, go listen to this a. few times. I think it. >> Oh yeah, man, that movie that'll hit. you. >> Oh. >> I watched it a couple of times when we. were on the road and I was pretty beat. up and yeah, it makes you feels like.

there's a spotlight on you. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Oh dude, in the end, bro, when he go. like. when she shows up and she has the ring. on, she met somebody. >> Yeah, I know that part. >> I still feel bad about that. Dude, I. feel. >> like they got together after that, right? I don't think that was going to. work. >> Right. >> relationship she was in cuz they had. Look at the way she's looking at him. >> Oh, I know, dude. God, I want that. But dude, and we asked him I we actually.

got to interview him not too long ago. Yeah, we got to sit down with him and uh. and we asked him. We're like, how is Bad. Blake doing, you know? And he's like, I. heard I heard he's doing pretty good. >> Oh, that's good, man. >> So it's just kind of cool to like. just go and like uh. just get it kind of direct from the. source. >> Yeah, a lot of times you watch a movie. and you you know, you get to kind of. fill out you color in between like what. what happens afterwards. >> Yeah. >> And you hope it plays out the way that. you imagine it plays out.

>> Yeah. Yeah. And the character they just disappear. out into the ether, you know? >> Mhm. >> Unless this person Like I was even. asking Jeff Bridges like, hey, do you. ever just Bad Blake around the house and. fire him up just to give him, you know, a nice afternoon or something, you know, just take him for a walk? >> Yeah, I'm friends with the with an actor. that was in Tron with him, Garrett. Hedlund. And I think when they were making that. movie, maybe he was preparing for Crazy. Heart. >> Oh wow. >> And Garrett likes to play music too.

So he would uh he told me like stories. about him. playing those songs to him before he had. seen the movie. >> Oh, to go get ready kind of? >> Yeah, and he was just always like, man, you got to hear these songs. These songs. are amazing. >> Yeah, dude, that's cool. I I know if I ever met Garrett or not, but. um yeah, I just feel it would be so neat. to be able to have a character that was. so like. kind of revered or beloved that you got. to fire them up around every now and. then, take them on a bike ride or. something. >> I know it must be weird being an actor.

and then you. you're like you have this one. role and you're kind of identified as. that. >> Yeah. >> You know, it's it's weird it's always. weird if you meet like a celebrity. um. and you think you know them because. you've watched them so much. And then. you start. talking to them like you're talking to. the character from the movie and then. you realize like oh man, they're not. like that at all. [laughter]. He hates that character. >> Oh dude, yeah. Well, it is kind of funny.

how is you like if you have some. creative work and you sort of evolve. over time, sometimes you start to not. appreciate your like early works or. sometimes they'll be like. a little cringe to you or something. about it maybe. >> I think you always are going to go. through a period. where you don't like something, but I. think you come around. If you survive long enough and have a. long enough career, then you can look. back on the early days and you know, you. admire it a little more and you're not. as you know.

embarrassed. But a lot of times when. you're embarrassed about the thing that. you were, you look back on that time and you're. like oh that was even more embarrassing. Like the early days were better than. that guy. >> Oh yeah. [laughter]. Oh eventually you get to the point where. you're like oh the second dude was way. more embarrassing than the first dude. >> Yeah. It's hilarious. Um let's go back a little bit to like. the Pentecostal like just to that. traveling like what um cuz I grew up in. an area there was a lot of Pentecostals. down our like down out out in the.

country and stuff like that and um and I. always thought that the way that they. try and communicate. >> Mhm. >> like with their higher power and with. God and like. I I always really kind of admired it in. a weird way um because some of it was. super unique I felt like. Um what did. you see like what is a typical or even a. atypical kind of Pentecostal service. like? >> Oh man, it's been a while, but it was it. was exciting, you know. We I had I went.

and visited some friends like their one. of my friends was a Church of Christ and. I went to his church and they had no. music and I was just like. everyone was falling asleep and I was. like. and our the way that we kind of did it, you know, you go in and music. is kind of throughout, you know. It kind. of sets the tone and you can. uh you can kind of dictate what the. night is going to be. It's like, all right, we need some. something lively, so Nathan, my older.

brother or me would get on the drums. and. you know, kind of wake everybody up. But. it was a lot of music, a lot of when my. dad. preached, he was mindful, you know. He. wasn't one of those guys that got up and. was long-winded. He was kind of he had. his hits, you know. >> Yeah. >> We could you know, we could sit there. and kind of quote some of the stuff. We. knew what was coming and we'd be telling. the kid like, watch he's about to say. this or watch he's about to say this. verse and. >> look out for the magic. >> Oh yeah. Um.

but it was it was exciting, man. It was. it was a good childhood, you know. I think a lot of people would look at it. and and feel sorry for us and think. like, oh man, you didn't have the. traditional. schooling and. you know, you're always on the move and. but it was exciting. You know, when. you're a little kid, you're not stuck in. a classroom or you're not. you know, stressed out about certain. things. It was just like we were always. on the roll, you know, always on the go.

>> Yeah. >> Um. and it was exciting, you know. The. services were cool. and we'd always go to like a restaurant. afterwards and eat at Shoney's and. >> yeah, dude. >> Yeah, man. That was good. >> Shoney's was freaking crazy, dude. How. great it was? >> Oh man, the floors are always slippery. and staff was always pissed when you. roll at 10:00. >> Yeah. >> Whole church just in there taking over. >> [laughter]. >> Especially you got. >> Oh, probably not tipping. You know, now.

looking back, I'm sure. nobody probably tipped back then. Um, but. >> Oh, yeah, especially if you're getting. out of a revival and you guys are out. all hyped up. >> Oh, everybody's starving. They've just. been running the aisles for 2 hours. >> Yeah, if when you're praying at a high. level intensity, dude, the calories. you're burning. >> Oh, yeah, you got to carb up for that, yeah. >> Oh, [laughter] yeah, dude. Oh, carbs for. Christ, dude. Something that won't even measure on a. whoop bracelet, bro. Some of this. [laughter]. praying, that should definitely. I wonder how many calories does praying. burn? Let's look that up.

[laughter]. If you don't mind, how many calories. does praying. burn? >> They don't even want you to know. They're like, we don't want to give you. any ideas. >> Praying. uh burns about 15 to 18 calories per. session. or roughly 80 to 90 calories per day if. you perform all five daily prayers. So. that's asking a lot of people, but. >> Yeah, how long are these prayers? >> Um, about 15 to 18 calories per session. Yeah, what specifically is that? Let me. see. Uh.

that must be like um it could be a. Muslim prayer. Oh, it's Islamic prayer. of Salah. But I would say 15 to 18 calories per. session probably seems like that would. be the answer, I guess. That's not bad. >> Pretty good. >> Yeah, if you pray six times in a day, you could have like a. >> could be like a personal. trainer/preacher, just get people to. pray and then. burn some calories, make a little money. >> Oh, dude, yeah, that could be the next. thing. It's kind of like a like an. advance like a traveling evangelist, but with kind of a ropes course at the.

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13th. Get your tickets now. I always thought it was interesting. about Pentecostals because a lot of. times you would see they would speak in. tongues, right? They would kind of or. it's called um. what is the exact word? It's. >> Is there? >> Oh, glossolalia. Glossolalia. >> That's the first time I've ever heard. that. >> Glossolalia, the fluid vocalization of. speech-like syllables, rhythms, and. sounds that lack a comprehensible. meaning or known grammatical structure. and is often practiced during ecstatic.

or charismatic religious experiences. Um. cuz I've found sometimes. that it's hard to it's hard to get the. sounds out of yourself that like, you. know, if you want to really just let. yourself loose, sometimes it's hard to. just get it out of you. >> Yeah. Um. >> And it seemed like that was like a a. branch of a religion where they kind of. they let that happen. And when they would lay hands on people. or when they would pray over people, I. always felt that's to me it seems very. powerful cuz it's like there were more. physical acts during some of those.

services. And I feel like that is a good. thing a lot of times. >> Oh yeah, I've seen some I've seen some. uh. some crazy experiences. >> Have you? >> Cuz there were other people that would, you know, that were evangelists, I guess. you would say. And that was more of their thing kind of. laying hands on people and. you know, I've seen healings and you know, seen. people walk that weren't walking. >> Wow. >> We had this woman that went to our. church and uh.

she was like. had cancer real bad. Like you look at. her, she was you know, her skin she was. gray. Um. and yeah, she. she didn't have long and and my dad uh. prayed for her and she's I think she's. still alive. Yeah. So. >> So you've witnessed miracles out there. >> Oh yeah, yeah. >> Hmm. >> Yeah, there's definitely power in, you. know, in prayer. >> Oh yeah, just to be thinking of somebody. else is really is it's almost like a um. it feels like a superpower sometimes.

>> Mm. >> To sit there and be like, hey, let me. channel whatever energy I have today. >> Yeah, man. I I think, you know, we are. capable of so much. You know, we have a. lot of energy that we can direct towards. one another. Um and when you have that. focus and you know everyone's kind of. dialed into the one thing and. yeah, I've I've seen some. some pretty cool stuff. >> Was there one area of the country that. was like that was more prevalent for.

revivals? Was there one part of the. country where it just really felt like. uh. >> Um I I think it happens everywhere. I. mean, our our kind of area was in the. South mainly. Um and the South, you. know, they get down. >> Oh yeah. >> So yeah, it was. And then we'd get to like Oklahoma. and that has more of like a midwestern. feel. So they were. not quite as. rambunctious as the Southerners, you. know.

>> Yeah. >> Um. but yeah, you know, like we would do. like tent revivals like like that thing. that that movie. And those were always exciting and those. happened in the South mainly because, you know, everywhere else. um didn't have the kind of weather for. it. But I remember we did have this one tent. revival and I forget where we were. I. think we must have been in the South. But there was a cold spell that kind of. come through. And I remember when my dad finished, it. was like James Brown or something. because he would like get he'd be so wet.

and you just want to like put a his. jacket over him or something. Um but I remember he came to the like. afterwards he walked to the car and his. hair was ice. It was like frozen because. he had sweat and then it just like froze. solid. [laughter]. It was wild. But yeah, I think the South probably. I mean, like I say, that was our that's. where we went. So I know it I know it. was big there, but we weren't like um. you know, then you get to like the.

mountains and that's where you get like. the snakes and stuff. That wasn't us. >> It wasn't y'all? >> No, no. We didn't. >> Yeah, it's when the evangelism meets. like kind of zookeepers or. >> Yeah. That was a little that was a. little much, you know. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I'm not saying that you. you know, whatever you I'm not here to. judge, but I don't think we got to bring snakes. into it, you know. >> I don't. >> I think we there's a easier way to get. to God, you know, but. >> Oh, I sit in the snake free section, brother. >> no crap.

>> That is it, dude. I sit in the snake. free section. Snake handling also called. serpent handling, um a religious rite. observed in a small number of isolated. churches mostly in the United States, characterized as rural and part of the. holiness movement. The practice began in. the early 20th century in Appalachia and. plays only a small part in the church. service. There you go. Early. Christianity. In the 2nd century, the. Ophites reportedly handled snakes during. their services. um and also worshiped the serpent. The. practice of snake handling first.

appeared in American Christianity around. 1910. Um. >> That says Tennessee. Oh. >> Yeah. Wow. >> So maybe we did invent it. >> Lot going on around here. >> Yeah. >> Um and I know from your documentary that. you guys grew up in poorer conditions. Um. was there was there a lot of money to be. made in evangelism? >> No. Yeah, we didn't have any money. Um. we were just, you know, I guess you say paycheck to paycheck, but it was town where. some towns you get to, they don't even.

have any money. >> Yeah. >> So you're just kind of, you know, you're. doing your thing and it's kind of like. you get us back or whatever. I remember. we we preached at this one church and. they gave us uh tickets to Disney World. >> No way. >> And so my family didn't get my my. parents didn't get much out of it, but. we got to go to Disney World. >> You're like, man, that was the good one. right there. >> Um but yeah, we were yeah, we didn't. have a lot, but. we didn't realize that we didn't have a. lot, you know. And I know it's kind of.

cliché, but. we had a lot of love and. we had each other, you know. it wasn't a. thing where um. and we didn't have TV and stuff, you. know, we were. >> Right, so you weren't always getting. this reflection of the world of what you. were missing. >> Yeah, we didn't know. We didn't know. what we didn't know, you know? >> That's a good point, man, cuz I think I. grew up with a lot of resentment about. like not having much, you know? But I. think also it was because there wasn't. much communication like, hey, we don't. have much, but like we're good people.

and that, you know, that doesn't define. us and we are a family and that, you. know, we're working together. Like I. think if somebody had sat down for two. minutes with me and just told me those. things, then I'd have had a better idea, you know? Um. So I think some of that in my own world. was like communication probably. >> Yeah, but I feel like the more and you. see it now, I mean. I feel like the more you have kind of. it doesn't bring happiness, you know? I. feel like we were really happy and we.

would just laugh all the time. And. whenever you're poor, but you can laugh. at it, it's not like you're poor. >> Yeah. >> It's just kind of like you're in on the. joke You're the joke and you're in on. it. It's kind of like, oh, you know, you. you're always making jokes about how bad. it is, you know? >> Oh, definitely, dude. There was nothing. more fun I was actually texting my. buddies Larry and Eddie today from uh. the street I grew up on. There was. nothing more fun, dude, than making fun. of each other out on the street, dude. >> Oh, yeah. >> I mean it was just.

dude, it was the best, bro. >> I feel like those rich kids couldn't. They can't take it, you know? Like when you're poor, you can say. anything and it's like, yeah, I know, you know, I know. >> You have nothing to lose, dude. One. thing that my mom always said that I. appreciated was she said uh. the best thing about being poor is you. have nothing to lose. >> Yeah, that's true. >> what you want, you do what you want, sue. me. What are you going to do? They got. nothing [clears throat] to take. [laughter] from you. >> it. >> Yeah, take it. >> I ain't got nothing. >> Yeah, there's nothing.

There's nothing, dude. And I think some. of the freedom sometimes, even though. like I I think it was like a lot of like. probably discomfort and maybe. disconnection like that kind of in the. culture of like like our mom would. always work and stuff like that, so we. would kind of be left our own devices. But then when I look back on it, it was. like. I knew how to sew, I knew how to do. laundry, I knew how to do all these. things at five years old, that were six. years old, that were, you know, things. that other kids still would just didn't. have a an idea. I eventually knew how to. resole a shoe. There was like just.

little things I would learn, just how to. take care of myself, right? And then my dad would always be like. you're going to you're a survivor. That's the only thing he ever said to. me, right? I mean, I kind of wish he had. said some other stuff, but it was like. but that's truly the thing I probably. needed to hear, you know? Um, I don't. know. I I don't really know what I'm. talking about. I guess I'm just thinking. about like. yeah, I don't know. Just just yesterday. I was thinking like man, those are some of the coolest times. ever, really. >> Yeah, it you know, it shapes you and now. I'll tell stories to my kids and if you. know, you feel like those stories that.

your parents told you about. going to school uphill both ways and. snow and all that kind of stuff. Um, but. yeah, you know, it I feel like it gave. us thick skin, uh, put a drive in us and. a hunger. Um, and it's never it was. never really for success. It was just. kind of. to prove our worth, you know? That was. all that's always been something. and even now in the music industry and.

you know, there's always a little bit of. a chip on your shoulder from your. childhood of kind of walking in a room. and feeling like you don't belong in. there, but you're like by the time I. leave this room, they're going to know. who I am, you know? And so I feel like kind of growing up. that way. you know, it it instills that in you and. makes you, uh, and I hope that my kids have that, but. they're not going to. I don't think so. [laughter]. They got a way too good. >> Dude, it's funny you say, uh.

>> son is seven and he still can't resole a. shoe. >> Can't he? Dang, dude. >> Yeah, humiliating. >> Dude, I can get him a farrier course. online. You can start by just learning. how to hoof of horse. >> There you go. >> [laughter]. >> So it's like and then you advanced into. this just human uh. hoofery, I guess, if you will. But um. dude, I've never heard it said like that. that. uh if you didn't grow up with a lot, then you felt like you had to prove your. worth. Like I don't know if there's. anything better in some ways if it's not. like. if it doesn't get into a negative space. for you than feeling like you have to.

prove your worth, you know? >> Yeah, I think you always, you know, that's the one thing the older I get. that. I realize that you want. respect, you know? You want to be. respected. for what you do or for who you are. My mom used to always tell me she's. like, you know, once you once people. lose respect for you, you can't get it. back. >> Mm. >> She's like, so always, you know, make sure that people respect you. Um. I feel like that's the same kind of.

thing as like that proving your worth. Um. yeah, you know, I mean, when you're the. poor guy uh. and you see the pretty girl and then. there's the rich. dude over there, >> Yeah. >> you're like, how am I going to get her. to look at me. you know, with this guy over here? >> Yeah, with the washed hair. >> Yeah, exactly. The guy with shoes over. here. >> Yeah, dude. My buddy had washed. hair, dude, and he still does. >> Yeah. God. Probably blow dries it, too.

>> a show off, dude. [laughter]. Yeah, dude. >> shampooed and he probably had soap. separate, too. It wasn't just like. whatever's there does it all. [laughter]. Mouthwash. >> Oh, dude, I'm trying to think of some of. the things that were kind of different. I mean, my mom got a car one time and we. go sleep in that. >> Yeah. >> because it was just more comfortable in. there, you know? >> Yeah, I mean, we I slept in we slept in. our car. That was, you know, usually we were rolling down.

the road. My dad was driving, but. man, I think back I mean, I used to. sleep in the back windshield. Uh seriously, I would sleep on the. floorboard with the lump. >> Oh god. >> you kind of either have to. >> find a way to curl up on one side of the. lump or you just slept with a lump in. your bag. >> Yeah, or you got to be a camel for. Halloween again. >> exactly. [laughter]. >> Like there's only. >> But yeah, man, a car My mom had pictures. of me in a tiny little suitcase as an. infant in the floorboard between her.

feet. >> Oh. >> We we did not play by the rules, I don't. think. Little to go item of the Lord. right there. God. >> Oh yeah, dude. I remember on the. weekends though I didn't even think. about this. I used to ride my bike. around and collect aluminum. I'd go get. cans everywhere. I'd be out in the woods. looking for cans. I found a part of a. severed hand in there one time. Yeah, there was something I always wanted to. like I don't know. I was going to find a. way. I think something like that kind of. built up. Dude, I remember dude I would sneak in. my mom My dude, my mom, bro. And in.

Louisiana our apartment was always. sinking, bro. So when it was kind of dry. season in the carpet cuz the carpet. would get really wet like half the year. >> Oh yeah. >> Cuz something was wrong. >> That mildew smell. >> god, dude. Oh, you'd be talking to. somebody that had just mold spores all. over them. >> [laughter]. >> You know, you You'd part your. hair and have two reptiles just wiggle. on out of it. >> That's kind of stylish. >> Yeah, it was a bit much. Um but uh I. remember I just elbow crawling in my. mom's room, dude, quiet as and I'd. open her little purse thing or whatever.

and she'd have $4 in there and I'd take. one of them. I'd take one of them bastards. >> taking a quarter of the of the family's. earnings. >> Hey, I knew I was going to take care of. it. >> Yeah. >> That's why I don't know what she's going. to do with it. >> it though. I invested. >> Oh, I wouldn't go spend it. I just. [laughter] was like hey. >> Just go show it off like yeah, Mr. Clean. Hair. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, it was a different time, dude. Um. yeah, sometimes it's interesting to try. and think about new things. I'd never.

thought about that though that like if I. didn't have much then I had to prove I. had to create myself. I had to prove my. worth. I never thought about that. So. sometimes just the things you hear when. you're just kind of talking with. somebody, you know? >> Mhm. >> Um. so how do you get from kind of. occasionally going up and singing with. your family, right? At revivals and. stuff like that. How do you go from. there to um. kind of. getting into music, becoming sort of um. uh Kings of Leon? How do you I know. that's a a lot in there. >> No, yeah, it was uh.

I mean, there was it was a bit of a. a journey of kind of. maybe just. trying to find who you are and what what. what it is that you're going to do with. your life, you know? I think there was a part of me that felt. like I was probably going to follow in. my dad's footsteps. >> And be a preacher? >> Yeah, I think so. I mean, that's all we. knew. I I didn't know It's not like, you. know, we had other family members that was. doing something that it was like, oh, I. want to be that, you know?

Um and then we, you know, we he also. painted houses. and my uncles painted houses. So. there for a little bit we went to. Oklahoma. Um my parents split up. My dad was in Oklahoma and so we went. and we're painting houses in Oklahoma. and I was probably about. 15 16 something like that. Um. and then just like. too much like, you know, huffing paint and doing all.

the just being a painter, you know, always kind of high, always just felt. like crap, always. >> You got that matte finish in your eyes, yeah. >> yeah, oh yeah. And then it was like one. day. um. I kind of hit a wall and I was like, yeah, this ain't this ain't it. I'm not. There's no future in this. And I actually went. um in Oklahoma City. and I don't know what I was doing, but I. was in like a parking lot and there was. like a an enrollment for like the.

military. >> Yeah. >> And I. I was, you know, think considering it. I was like, maybe I'll go do something. like that. And then I heard a voice. I mean, I you. know, it sounds strange, but I heard a. voice that just said go home. And. and so I I went back to the house and I. told my brother and. all of our buddies. I was like, I'm. going back to Tennessee. And um. I think everyone was just kind of like, what? Why? What do you have there? Cuz.

it was just my mom and my little brother. living in Jackson, Tennessee. I was like, I think I'm going to go try. to. get in the music. Um and I didn't even. know what that meant. Um. >> But you felt like a calling towards it. kind of? >> Yeah. I just felt like I needed to go, you know, that whatever that was that. was talking to me was telling me like go. home. It didn't say why, but it just said go home. And so when I went back to Jackson, Tennessee, I just.

I wanted to find my way into Nashville. Um. and so I would like go to the. we'd go to Kroger or something like that. and when we were checking out, there'd. be like magazines like Country Weekly. and stuff like that. >> Yeah. >> And I was like, that's Nashville. So I'd. thumb through it and I'd go to the back. And it was always like wanted the wanted. pages like we want a songwriter, a. guitar player, singer. I didn't know how to do any of those. I. knew how to sing. Um. but my older brother Nathan, who was.

living in Oklahoma, he called me like. three days after I got there and he's. like, hey man, I'm coming home. He's. like, I'm going to help you do that. music thing. >> Wow. >> And I was like, sweet. And so he got home and we just looked at. each other. We were like, so what how do. we do it? [laughter]. And he just got a. a pad and pen and we just started. writing little storybook rhymes and. little. I love you. Do you love me? You know. >> Yeah. >> And just like listening to um like Otis. Redding and Sam Cooke and.

um and then just kind of started doing. that and then eventually we got songs a. couple of songs together that were. decent enough. to where we could sing them and we sang. a couple to my mom. And she was like, you know what boys, we're going to go to Nashville. >> And you all were in Jackson at the. Tennessee at the time? >> Yep, we were in Jackson. And her boss at the insurance company. where she was the secretary, um, ended up being her husband later on. Uh, >> Mhm. >> Yeah.

>> That policy, boy, that policy hitting. >> Yeah. [laughter]. But he was. his. marriage was over, hers was over. Um, and so we came to Nashville, um, and we were living like. uh out in uh. like Hermitage area behind the Hooters. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah, that was inspiring. Um, but yeah, we just uh one day we went out. >> rather be in front of them. I'll tell. you that, but. >> [laughter]. >> We go on.

Um, and her Tom, Tom Murphy's his name, uh our stepdad. And he had him a little boat. Wasn't nothing. It was just a little. bass boat or something. And we went out. on the lake. And my mom, we were out there just kind. of like floating, and my mom was like, boys, why don't you all sing him one of. your songs? And so he was like, all right, [clears throat] here we go. And we hit him with a little a cappella. >> Yeah. >> And instantly he went, hey man, that's. good. That's real good. That's how he talked.

And he was like, and I think that night we went home cuz. me and Nathan were working at a little. restaurant um called Tumbleweeds, I. believe it was. It was a little. I was a bad waiter. I I didn't last. long. Um, and he was like, you know, I'm going to. give you all a little bit of. money. to where you can quit your job and you. can go try to get your foot in the door. in Nashville. >> Really? So he believed in you guys some. >> Yeah. So it wasn't much. It was like a.

you know, $1,000 or something like that. And. the end of the by the end of the month, we paid him back cuz we had gone and. knocked on every door in Nashville. And. just like in the movies, everybody slam. the door in your face. I mean, now. looking back, we had long hair. They had opened the. door and we started singing a cappella. They were like, what the is this? >> Two of the most busted looking young. women I've ever seen. >> Yeah, exactly. [laughter]. God, she's got a nice mustache.

Um, but then there was one our lawyer. >> That's y'all? [clears throat]. >> That's us. All we that's. >> That's way better than it was, huh? >> We looked good there. Yeah, that was. that was after we had you know, we had. done all right. But one person didn't close the door on. us and and that kind of started it and. we got a little publishing deal and. started writing songs and trying to get. someone to cut a song or something. But then the songs we were writing were.

weren't like country songs and so we. didn't have we didn't know what we were. And so eventually. after Nashville I kind of said, yeah, it's not you know, this isn't for you. Um, our lawyer was like, let's go to New. York. And so we went to New York. And that was a different story cuz we. had nine. record labels that we met with and we. played a couple songs for them and we. got seven record deal offers.

>> Wow. >> So of the nine, seven of them offered us. and so we ended up. living in Nashville. They didn't like. what we were doing. Went to New York, got a record deal with RCA Records. and then came back to Nashville and then. I remember we were at my mom's house. behind the Hooters. and like a limo pulled up just like. Wayne's World. Dude got out with a suit, walked into our garage and we're all. stoned just like, hey,

he's like, yeah, play me some songs. And. by that point we had called our cousin. in Mississippi and we're like, come on. man, we got a record deal, you're in the. band. And our little brother was a. freshman in high school at Mount Juliet. And we're like, you want to be in the. band? He's like, yeah. And we're like, all right, we need a bass player. >> Did he just drop out? >> So we had to sit down with my mom and be. like, hey, Jared's not going to school tomorrow. >> [laughter]. >> Did you have to sign him out or not? >> I. >> don't know how it happened, but I know. my mom believed in us enough to where.

she was like, okay, you can drop out of school. I. mean, we had dropped out, too. We never. had, so. >> Was your mom a good judge of character, do you think? >> Oh, yeah. >> She was? >> Oh, yeah, big time. >> that's a wild thing for a mom to kind of. do that, I feel like, cuz most moms it. would be like, no way. I feel like that. would be the the move, maybe. >> Yeah, she always knew. I mean, from a. early age, um she would always just tell. us like you're you're going to do. something great. Like you guys are. special. You're And that was probably. her just being a mom, you know, you just.

say that cuz you love your kids. >> Right. >> But I think she really did, you know, believe that there was something that we. were meant to do. Um. >> And was your cousin a good. >> guitar player? >> Yeah. >> Uh well, we had called him up. and we were like, hey man, we got a. record deal. We went to New York. Like. we signed it and everything. They let. they they gave us a stretch limo to the. Yankee Stadium. We went to the Yankees game. Like I just.

they really did it up. That was back. when music industry had money, I guess. Um but we're like, man, you want to come. be in the band? And he's like he's like, ah man, you. know, I've been playing my guitar a. little. And we said, well, play. something. So over the phone, he played he ripped a. Thin Lizzy guitar solo. And we're like, man, that sounds good, dude. You're in the band. Come on. And so we all went to I remember us. going to the airport. And you had the. escalator and we just saw some. flip-flops and some bell bottoms coming.

down. >> And there he was. >> And he had told his mom, yeah, I'm just. going up there for the weekend. >> Yeah. >> But he knew he wasn't going back. >> The long weekend. >> So yeah, so we're in the garage. He's. there. Um we had been practicing a few songs. and the limo rolls up and the this. bigwig comes in, sits on the couch that. our friend had just. got drunk and pissed on like two nights. before. >> Ugh. >> So it's probably still damp. >> Oh, yeah.

>> Um. >> Oh. >> and he sat there and we ripped like. three songs for him and he stood up and. it was like, it was it was big time. We had made it, so. >> That's crazy, bro. >> Yeah, it was wild. >> I mean, looking back, do you feel like. that's absolutely kind of crazy? It's. kind of crazy. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's like it's like stuff. you see in a movie that you're like, oh, they didn't tell the whole story. It's. kind of like. they they glamorized it. But that was it, man. That's how it. worked. And instantly they.

we had to go make an EP um cuz we were. going to make an album, but we didn't. have the songs yet. We were still. writing the songs. So we had a few songs, so we were going. to go record them. We went and made the EP. um and then we went straight to Memphis. We were going to go make a record. So while we're in Memphis, we get a call. and they're like, hey, we got to pause. the record. And we're like, why? They said because the EP. has just hit it big in the UK.

And so we're like, what are you talking. about? They're like, you guys are big. And we're sitting there like, >> sounds like a prank show almost. >> I know. It's wild. >> Like everything you do, it's almost like. and that and that's great and. >> Yeah. And so then they were like, your boys. are going to London. We're like, man, we. haven't. They're like, you guys need to go play a. couple of concerts. So we went and. played a show in uh. Atlanta at Smith's Old Bar. >> By yourself or opening up for somebody? >> We opened for Billy Joe Shaver. >> Wow.

>> Um, and a band We were the first of. three. There was a band called the. Sketers. who were I don't think they're still at. it. Maybe maybe they are. I don't know. But we went and played there and then we. went and played the Nick in Birmingham, Alabama. And we walked on stage at the Nick. and there was one man standing in front. of us. And there was like a couple guys playing. pool, someone at the bar. >> And who was it? The IRS or whatever? >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, he was the only guy that was there. for the music, you know. >> So they didn't even know nobody even.

knew. You guys were just actually. practicing. >> Yeah, >> it was just like. >> To get you the feel of walking out. there. >> We just needed to walk on a stage before. we go to the UK and there's actually. people there. And so the guy that was in front of us. obviously the first thing he said was. Free Bird. And then we're like we ain't. there yet, man. Like. >> Yeah, we're not even there yet. >> Yeah, we don't know how to play our. songs, let alone Leonard Skynyrd. >> Bro, what the heck? >> And then we we went and played a few. shows and they said all right, you boys. are going to London. We landed in.

London. Um on the way to the. uh hotel. we heard our song. Pull they pulled the. van over and we're all like yeah. We get. back in it. They change the station. There's another song. So of the three or. four songs that were on our EP we heard. like two or three of them on the way to. the hotel. >> God. >> So then we went and had to play uh our. first concert and it was like the new. rock revival is what they called it. >> Mhm. >> [sighs and gasps].

>> So it was like a bunch of bands that. had you know been playing. It was a band. called the Datsuns from Australia and. they had tight pants and ripping guitar. solos. >> The Datsuns. >> Yeah, and there was a band called Sleepy. Jackson. who ended up being Empire of the Sun. Um. but these guys all got up there and were. ripping, but we were more popular than. them. >> Oh. >> So we had to play after all these guys. and we didn't know what the hell we were.

doing. >> And did that feel like scared like oh my. god, how can we even do this? Cuz that. seems like like recently this is. not a comparison at all, but recently I. had to go DJ one time, right? [clears throat] I'd never DJ'd before in. my life. I'm thinking like oh I can do. this. The second I got near it and it. was like. there's probably eight or 9,000 people. there. I was like I can't do that. I. don't even know what I'm [laughter]. doing, right? Like what did that even. feel like? That had to be crazy. >> I just remember. before we walked on. you know we looked at each other and.

we're like what are we going to do? And. I said just play it. very fast and very country. I said because that's the one thing that. these people don't have that we do. I was like we have a southern sound, you. know these guys sound Australian, these. guys sound British. And so we went up there and from the. first note, man the crowd knew the songs. and it's never stopped over there for. us. It was like out of the gates big. there and then we come back home.

and we land and our mom's waiting there. at baggage claim. Nobody knows who we. are. For years nobody knows who we are. Yeah, it felt like. >> So you had this secret place that ever. you were It was almost like falling. through like a Narnia or something and. you're there. >> Yeah, we'd go to the record I mean to. the like. Barnes & Noble or whatever it was when. we got back to Nashville and we go to. the magazine section and we're on the. cover of like. Enemy Magazine and like all these. British magazines. And then no nobody knows who we are and.

everybody snickers at us when we walk. into. you know the restaurant cuz we got bell. bottoms and we're like you. this was England, you'd be happy we were. [laughter] here. >> Yeah, Viva Manchester. Yeah, you're. right just over there. Wow, bro. >> Yeah. >> Did Was anybody able to explain to you. why you were so popular there? Like what. made you so popular to that audience? >> I think they. they started telling our story from the.

moment that our music hit the radio. And they're like oh check out this band, man. These guys are crazy. They're. southern guys. Their dad's a preacher. They're this they tell these gothic. tales about. you know our upbringing and stuff and so. like all the press was just fascinated. with. who we were, the fact that we're. brothers. They didn't believe that. They. would always be trying to like get us to. swab, check our DNA. They'd be like you. guys aren't brothers. Like all this is. made up and. so it was once again trying to prove our.

worth. >> [laughter]. >> Dude, that's so wild. >> Yeah, it was crazy. >> Wow. >> So we came home, but we played every. dive in Nashville before I was even. I mean, I I wasn't old enough to be in. the room. So as soon as we'd play, they'd come and be like, get out. Like, you know, you're not old enough to be in. this bar. >> [laughter]. >> Um we would go to every rider's night, anything that we could do to kind of. get experience and and keep playing and. keep writing.

Um but yeah, then we would. always like we'd always get on an. airplane and go over there and it was. things were different. >> Dude, that's so wild. >> Yeah. >> This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. You know, I've been thinking about. mental real estate recently. The things that just kind of hang around. in your mind that you're ready to let go. of. For me, those things are um am I going. to be able to do everything? Am I going. to be able to do things uh perfectly? Um.

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Did Did you see that um Robbie Williams. movie? >> Mrs. Doubtfire? >> No. [laughter]. It's Baderman. Dude, this movie is so. good. It didn't get a lot of like acclaim or. people wanted to watch it or whatever. He took on this. But is he the monkey? >> Yeah. He just they put a monkey face on. they turned him into a monkey, the. character, for some reason. So everybody.

else in the movie is a human, he's a. monkey. And he doesn't act like he's a just he. acts like he's a human, but he just. happens to be a monkey. But this movie. was great. But it just makes me think about Robbie. Williams like so big in one place and. just a different amount of an audience. in another place or having to build it. in another place, you know? I know he. had kind of a similar career kind of. where he would come here and it just. wasn't the same as when he was in the. UK. >> When we would go over there, all of their like all the big. celebrities, we didn't know who they. were.

And then you pretty quickly start to. realize. who was who and. Did you ever get to meet like Prince. Harry or anything like that? Like did he. get like. >> Yeah. >> Or Prince William or whatever. Who's. Who's the prince? >> Both of them were. I think only one of them is now, right? >> One of them got unprinced or whatever. Damn. >> Did Harry lose his? I don't know. >> I don't know either. >> But I played ping pong with Harry. He's. good ping pong player. I know that. William never met William, but we did. play a show.

that he was like the he hosted it, but we never actually got to meet him. >> That's wild to have that experience over. there. I saw where you guys had gotten a. tour with Bob Dylan. >> Mm, yeah. >> And we had Billy Strings on. It was. probably one of my like. >> I saw that one. >> Dude, what I I love Billy Strings. >> man. He's great. >> He's just such a. open book kind of, I guess. But yeah, he had he had just had like. kind of this wild experience with Bob.

Dylan where he had written a letter to. Bob Dylan and then Bob Dylan had written. him back and then and then he got to go. and tour with him and open and open for. him. What was it like? Was that one of your. early opening experiences kind of? >> Yeah, that was one. >> of our earlier ones. And he had. personally requested us. Apparently he had a radio show. And we. had heard kind of whispers of it. But. they were like um his radio show every. night he plays y'all. and talks about you guys. >> Wow. >> And I think it was another thing where. he liked the story. Um.

and so they you know we got the offer. and we were like of course we want to go. play with Bob Dylan. You know that's. amazing obviously. And uh I remember we we went out there. and um. you know we never saw him. And and then we were in the dressing. room. one night. and I smelled like a cigarette. behind me. And he went like hey. And I turned. around I was like oh god it was Bob.

Dylan. And he's like. what's that last song you play? I said oh it's called. He went. that's a hell of a song. I was like wow man that was Bob Dylan. just told me that. And that was it. And then the last night. of the tour. um they're like hey [clears throat] Bob. wants to come say goodbye to you guys. And so he came and gave us all a hug and. that was that was kind of it. But yeah. he was. he was one of the first um.

iconic American artists that took us. under his wing and and gave us a stage. >> Hm. Wow. >> Yeah. >> Yeah there's always a lot of lore kind. of around like his appearances or like. his involvement sometimes with other. musicians or. um like yeah he seems to keep this sort. of uh. almost just like. like the shadow type of. >> Yeah his crew his like uh. the guy that's playing guitar with him. was a friend of a of friend of ours who.

lives in Nashville. And so he came to talk to us and he. would. we were playing outside of Chicago. And. so he came over to us he's like where. are y'all staying? And it wasn't anything nice but it was. in Chicago where we were staying. And he. was like, man, we're so jealous. He's like, Bob only stays in um Holiday. Inns. or places that he can open his window to. smoke cigarettes. >> Mm. >> So they were staying like in a little. motel.

and we were the opening band and we were. staying in the city. So they were like, man, we wish we were staying where you. guys are staying. But I think that's awesome. It's like. you imagine if you were staying at. Holiday Inn and. >> Oh yeah. >> there's you were like, I swear that guy. next to us looked like Bob Dylan smoking. out of his window. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> That was Bob Dylan. >> And you could probably fit in cuz. there's probably a lot of dudes that. look like Bob Dylan smoking out of their. [laughter] window over there. That's. classic, dude. Um not not a lot of. people get to have the opportunity to.

kind of like. go through fame like with their brothers. and with family. Like can fame and. popularity, can that like even ruin like. a brotherhood in a way or like what kind. of extra stresses can that cause on like. a brotherly relationship that some of us. might not be able to see? >> You know, fame. is. you know, there's a lot of baggage that. comes along with it. Um. a lot of pressure. Um.

and to have your brothers with you kind. of going through it. um. it helps, but it also, you know, it's. your brothers, you're competitive. Um so we fought a lot. Um. but we also fought together a lot, you. know. It was us versus the world. But having your brothers with you was. you know, it was great and it was awful. and it was all of those things. It's. just. you're all going through these strange.

experiences and. you're in room like it's like I said, you know, you are in these rooms where. you don't feel like you belong and. everybody is accomplished and everyone's. like something. And you you're still in your mind, you're just these little poor kids from. Tennessee or whatever. Um, so having the my brothers with me was. always awesome because we keep each. other in check a little too much. sometimes, you know. Um, it was cool.

and I feel like now that we've. gone through everything that we've gone. through. we can now appreciate it even more, you. know, that we were there for each other. cuz. we probably wouldn't have survived, you. know. It's. >> Yeah. >> like what is the survival rate. of. a musician, a rock band, you know? Most. of them die or. you know, become addicts and just lose. everything and lose their minds.

Um, and we did a little bit of all that, but I think. the fact that we were there. together. we never allowed ourselves to get too. far gone. You know, we could always. no matter what, you know, no matter how. much fun you're having um, you still you look over at your little. brother, you know, and you go like damn, I'm supposed to be the one helping him, you know. >> Oh, yeah. >> I'm supposed to be the good example. here, you know. You see your little.

brother when he was little. Um, so having that to kind of keep you in. check. >> It helped you sometimes? >> Sometimes. >> Oh, yeah. [laughter]. >> Not always, but yeah. Sometimes. Uh, but. yeah, you know, anytime you can have. a support system with you to go through. the highs and the lows. you need that cuz. doing it by yourself I I really feel. sorry for.

artists or musicians that kind of. get so big and then. and really the whole time it's happening. you're so alone. You know, eventually you start looking. around going. these people are all making money for. me. They don't care. >> Like their employees. >> Yeah. >> Or even if they weren't in the. beginning, sometimes friends become. employees. It all becomes. >> yeah. Yeah. I mean, that's that's just. how it goes, and you need something to. ground you. And we had each other. Um. and we still need it every now and then.

We still need to keep each other in. check. Um. but yeah, man, it was. at times it seemed hard, and at times, you know, you want to be like, you know, screw this, man. I don't need you guys. You know, I can go do this on my own. Um. but I never wanted that. You know, I. always wanted us to be able to do this. together, you know, cuz that was our. our thing, you know. That's like. when we'd walk into the YMCA, it was us. We were the basketball team.

It didn't matter who else was there. It. was like, you're going to play against. us. >> Right. >> You know, this is my family. >> Right. >> And so that's how we have always. approached this career, too. It doesn't. matter. how big the band is that might be. playing after us or. how many albums they've sold. It's hard to It's hard to beat family, you know. >> Mhm. >> Like we have something that. I don't care how skilled you are at your. instrument. and how much money you make, when you.

put a family together, you have the instinct and this. connection that. you might not be the greatest in the. world, but when you're together, it. sounds like you are. And it's like, ooh, there's something there. You know, when. you hear. sibling harmonies, you know, you hear a. brother and a sister or two brothers. sing together, >> Yeah. >> it sounds like angels because their. their voices just link right up. Um. and I feel like that's that's how we. have survived as long as we have is that.

we have something about us that you. can't quite put your finger on, and I. think it's just our family connection. >> With each other. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, there's been times in my life. where I would be like I'd be like the. one who would be like. kind of telling my friends like, hey. man, this isn't how what how we should. be doing this. And then two weeks later, I'm the one who's like hoping that. they'll be telling me like, >> Oh, yeah. >> hey man, this isn't how how we should be. doing this, you know? Um, and I can certainly relate to like. the trap of like uh, oh, I can do this. by myself. >> Yeah.

>> Ugh. >> Yeah, you start to believe what you. hear. And you know, there's people putting. those thoughts in your head too, you. know? >> yeah, sometimes there's people. >> so much easier if it was you, you know? It saved so much money if you if we just. get you out there and you go, you know, not extra hotel rooms, not the thing. And you start to go, yeah, you know. what? That sounds pretty good. That look. good up there on Caleb Followollow. instead of, you know, Kings of Leon. >> But that's the devil though. >> Yeah. Yeah, it was actually the devil that was.

whispering to me. >> Yeah. >> [laughter]. >> He used to work for us. >> Did you guys have some bad influences? >> Oh no, I was I mean yes, but we didn't. actually employ the devil, I don't. think. But we could have. I don't know. >> Yeah, you never know, huh? >> We had a couple of demons working for. us, I think, probably, but. >> Sometimes it's tough to know that's just. like uh, a lot of that's greed, control. >> Yeah. And also to, you know, I feel like um, people get obsessed with.

I I don't know if celebrity is the right. word, but you know, you. that's why like LA has always been a. weird place to me because you hear the. way everyone just. like there's one person at the table. who's the person and then everyone. around them is just like. filling them with such about. how perfect they, you know, everything. is just like. candy and roses and. then you know, that starts to happen, you start to get people that, you know, they want to be a part of your your rise.

or whatever. So I think. their thing is like pull you away from. everyone. and then I'll be there with you, you. know? It's kind of like that. I don't know. >> It's all kind of scary. I mean, like I. remember one time I was talking with Ben. Affleck and I wanted to ask him, I. didn't exactly, but like whenever he. became. because he and his brother both have a. have experience with fame and. for their um acting and different stuff. But I was like, will your brother's like.

affections for you ever be enough like. ever be able to live up to this like. these hypothetical affections of fans. and of of popularity. Like so that was. one thing that but that kind of stuff's. always interesting to me. >> Yeah. >> You know, like if I for a son has a. father that's famous, like do they ever. worry like how much I care about my dad. will never be able to um be the same as. how much these people that don't even. know him care about him. >> And yeah, that that scares me all the. time, you know, as a. parent you don't.

First of all, you don't want them to see. you the way that everyone else sees you. You know, you want them to see you as. the dad, you know, that I'm here for. you. You know, whatever you need, I'm. the guy that's going to give it to you. I'm going to be the one that picks up. the call when you need me. >> Mhm. >> Um but then when they see you on TV or. hear your music or see the way people. look at you, then they kind of start you. don't you don't want them to see you. that way. You want them to always be embarrassed.

by you as their dad. You know, you want. to be. corny and you want to be those things. Um but like as a band, we all have experienced a level of fame. or success, but I was still the one with the. microphone. So even though we're all kind of doing. this, you still have those moments where. you know, your ego kind of pulls you a. little away from everyone.

And so I imagine there were times when. they were probably all like screw this. guy, you know. Um. cuz I'm you know, I I have had an ego at. times and it's hard not to. >> Yeah. >> Um especially if you're living a wild, crazy, you know, debaucherous life. Um yeah, you can start to believe the. hype and start to think like yeah, I. don't need these people. And I tried to not be that way. Um but. I'm sure there was levels of that.

Um. >> Did you notice yourself? Or how do you. even check back in, right? Like, cuz. your ego is so crazy. Dude, I think. about this kind of stuff a lot. And it's. like it's almost like this shadow that. grows, right? And you kind of don't even. know what it's where it's growing like. >> Yeah. >> you know? And you can kind of latch on. to different ideas. And it feels like its goal is just to. get you to be by yourself. Like this. isolation thing. >> yeah. And you know, I. I went through times when I was drinking. real bad and.

um. >> Yeah. >> And that in and of itself, I felt like I was trying to punish. myself. because I didn't like the person that I. was becoming or I didn't like the way. that everyone else was seeing me. So. >> Mhm. >> we'd be out there on the road. and I was so alone, you know? Everyone. hated me. Everyone in my crew, everyone in my. band, you know? You could just sense it. You walk out there to do a sound check.

>> Everybody's afraid to look at you? Oh, yeah. >> just want them to look at you. You just. want anyone to just. make you feel like. it's okay or it's not okay. You just. want to feel anything. You're just in a. cold, empty arena. and everybody's looking down. And a lot. of times that's where I would end up. writing songs. is because I was like, well, I'm going. to get I'm going to get them to notice. me. >> Mhm. >> So I would walk up to the mic with my. guitar. and I would start singing something or.

playing something and then slowly. you hear the bass join in and then the. drums come. Then before you know it, you're all kind of playing and it's. like, all right, we're back. We're back. Um. But yeah, I mean, it's it's. it's hard to experience something. that we've experienced and you not have. little moments of selfishness and. just feeling like you're better than. other people. And I know they've all. felt that too, you know? They've had. their moments where they pull away and.

you know, but I guess it's part of it. >> Yeah, well it's a crazy thing to happen. in life is like some like kind of to. achieve a level I think of popularity. and a level of like um. creation where you've created something. that's kind of infected so many people. like positively infected I mean but like. or like you know uh. touched so many people. Um it's just. it's it's it's it's a rare thing to. happen in a human life, right? And it's. scary. It's it's like.

cuz you think so many things would be. kind of perfect from this from that sort. of experience but there's a lot that. goes on. I I do think it's interesting. that that you said that like. you know like you could be like so alone. and you'd start in and then the other. instrument would come in. >> Yeah. >> and you always it's kind of cool it's. like oh we're putting the band back. together. It's almost like all right. this family we're going to we're going. to make it through one more ride here. >> Yeah. Yeah. Get the duct tape man. We're. going to we're going to make this thing. work. >> Yeah, sometimes I would get like I was. in a spot where I had to drink before I. would go on stage.

>> Yeah. >> And that was tough cuz then it was like. um I couldn't even have fun out there in. a way. >> Yeah. >> unless I'd had a drink. >> Oh man. Yeah, you get into a cycle. >> And that's a bad place to be. >> Oh yeah. It's like well you know I'm a. I'm a creature of habit so. like every morning I wake up at the you. know my habits have changed. They're. better now but I wake I have a whole. routine in the morning. and back then I had a whole routine. leading up to the show. Um.

and so you do the thing and then you go. out there and you start to realize like. this is the person they expect. So I got to keep doing it. You know you. got to keep being that guy out there on. stage. >> Right. >> And I look back and there were years. that I just don't remember. playing a show that I enjoyed. Like I didn't. I was mad on stage. and the madder I got the more the crowd. loved it. The more I spit the more they. were just like yeah he's doing the.

thing. Um. yeah dude. >> And you just look back and you go like, man, that was. that was a lot of uh a lot of years. [snorts] of just kind of. thinking that you were doing something. special, but really you were just. hurting yourself and you were losing. inspiration. And now, you know, a lot of time people don't. really want to hear a lot of bands'. newest music, you know. Nobody wants to. hear the new album of a band that's been.

around [laughter]. for a long time. It's like you go to a. concert and they break into a new song, it's like, oh, come on. Um, [laughter] but the music that I that. we're making now, I feel like all those years of. of uh. being in that in that pattern, I feel like I'm making up for it now. because. I love. doing the work now. >> Mm. >> I love playing the show. I love. connecting with the crowd and actually. talking to them. I mean, for 10 years I.

never spoke to the crowd, ever. >> Really? >> I would I thought I was Johnny Cash. I'd. go out and say, thank you, we're Kings. of Leon, and that was it. And we'd rip through a set and that was. the only talking. And now I'm like, I want to say a little something, you. know. I want to. see how Boise's doing tonight, you know. >> [laughter]. >> Dude, that's cool, man. Wow. Um, the new album is Oh My Beloved, um and.

it's out today. >> Yep. >> Nice. >> Yeah, man. >> What makes it so that now you're at a. point where you can kind of package all. this together and it feels like um you. want to make music again? Is that a safe. way to say it? >> Well, I just feel like with this album. I kind of. really started to look back on my life. and where we are now and all of the. things that we have accomplished along. the way through those years when I. wasn't enjoying it, I can now look at it through a different. lens and just be like, man,

look at how far we made it, you know. We. always said, if we could ever sell like 10,000. albums, then that meant one time a year we could. play one concert for 10,000 people. We didn't realize that you have to. travel. [laughter] But like for us, it was like, you know, if we can just play a concert. in front of a big crowd one day, that. would be awesome. >> Yeah. >> And now I look back at all the things. that have happened, but not just.

success, but like. who we are now and the fact that we all. are good men who. are raising families and we're. present and we're. we've become you know, we've beat we've. beat the statistics, you know. We're. we survived and we're still here. Um. so I feel like a lot of these songs are. full of gratitude and appreciation for. the way we were raised, um the men that.

we've become, the journey, just the bumpy road that led to, you. know, where we are right now. And a lot. of those songs, you know, I'm. there's little lyrics throughout that. are from. childhood all the way to, you know, yesterday. You know, it's like. I just feel like now I'm I'm finally. I'm okay with being me and I'm. I'm happy with. if this is the end, I'm happy with.

everything that we've done and it's. much bigger than I ever thought it could. be. >> Yeah. I know you guys were touring crazy like. from the 2008 album, from that success. um till like 2011 or or 2012. Um has. there been like a hiatus since then or. >> No, we've been we've been at it. We've. taken a couple of little breaks. Um. but we kind of like just I feel like we. kind of faded into the background a. little bit. We tried to.

just do whatever we had to do and. nothing more. Um. so a lot of people, you know, think that. we haven't been working or weren't. making records or touring. It's like we. were. We just. you know, we weren't loud about it. We. kind of just tried to. I don't know. We wanted to blend in. We. just didn't want to stand out. Um. so there were some years, you know, that. it just felt like. you know, it wasn't inspired.

>> Um well, especially with the success. that you guys had, right? With your I. think it was the 2008 album. >> Mhm. >> Um the I mean that success was. >> Yeah. >> astronomical. >> Oh yeah, that was. >> Only by the night 2008 Kings of Leon's. best selling and um most successful. album. Worldwide sales over 6.2 million. copies sold. Um. over 4.7 billion streams on Spotify and. I don't even know what date this is. Debuted at number five on the Billboard. 200. 131 consecutive weeks in the top.

75. You had to like y'all's music even. if you didn't want to, dude. That's how. huge it was. >> Yeah, and we didn't like it. We did [laughter] We did not like that. Um. >> You didn't like what? That like how big. it got, you think? >> Yeah. That was. That was when like the rough times. started. Um. just the real weight of like actual big. time success here at home, everywhere. I'm still to this day, I mean,

you know, doesn't matter where we go, we. play songs from that album, Sex on Fire. or Use Somebody. And I've said it before, but I'm. I feel like we could. play those songs at a funeral and the. damn corpse would sit up and start. clapping cuz you know, everybody knows. them, you know? So like any you know, >> That's a revival. >> Yeah, exactly. [laughter]. Um but that you know, that that pressure. got to us and then I feel like that was. when we kind of had some dark times. You.

know, we weren't ready for that. >> Yeah. What What And And do you think anybody. could be ready for that or it's just too. much like of you? You know what I'm. saying? Like is it Like what is that? Cuz it's like. some people you're right, like don't get. to go to this like, it's almost like sending somebody out. into space, right? >> Yeah. >> Cuz it's a scary place. There's just. tons of whatever you want kind of. Um, and it's all like the kind of the sin, anything you can you have access to. whatever really, you know? And your own.

ego can grow. It's like it's a scary. place to go. It's a Mordor. >> Yeah. Well, I feel like at that point we were. kind of doing like this and it was like. naturally growing and then it went. And when that happened, it was like it. kind of threw us all and. and then I feel like we spent some years. either trying to run away from that. and then there were times we tried to. like maybe recreate that. and it's like it was a moment that you.

know it happened and. anytime you try to repeat success, you know it's it doesn't happen. It just ends up being like a watered. down version of something. So yeah, those years um, I feel like we. just kind of struggled with it and. it's been recently that I feel like. we've kind of found our footing and and. just like. have become you know, in my opinion. Well, I don't want to say that but.

I I just. I don't care who's playing, you put us. out there we'll hold our own. >> Mm. >> I don't care who it is. And there was a. lot of time that I couldn't say that. but we've got. years of experience but we're also. we're just in a different place now. And. like I said we. we walk out there and it's like back in. the day, you know, we look each other. and go like all right we're about to. if there's someone here that doesn't. know who we are when we leave here they. going to know who we are, you know? And.

it it's. you know I feel like that kind of. youthful. competitive uh, spirit is back in us. >> Like you found yourself kind of. >> Yeah. Yeah, we lost ourselves for a little. while. Um, >> Do you think anybody would have though? >> Yeah, I don't think there's I mean I. feel like I'm. I feel like we're fairly grounded. people, you know, the way that we were. raised and stuff. And it affected us the way that it did. I can't imagine. someone that didn't have a stable.

background or, you know, a. supportive. parents. You know, I I that they are the. statistic that doesn't survive. >> Yeah, I mean it's like you guys, professional wrestlers. >> How how'd you know about that? >> Those guys are. >> Oh, I thought you said [laughter] you. guys are. >> The Followill boys. That'd be a good. one. >> Jerry, the Kings of Leon Lawler. That's. a. >> [laughter]. >> Yeah, bro. That's a good one. Um I feel like it's like. rock stars, professional wrestlers,

it's not. Some of them don't have a second act, a. third act. You know, they don't have a. It's a dangerous life. So it's really a. blessing, but it's also a challenge, really. >> Yeah, I mean to be in a like a. big rock band, you kind of you're. you're like what you're shooting for is. the tiniest little window. You know, it's like. that window comes and goes and then it's.

like now what? >> Mhm. >> You're either dead or you're, you know, a caricature of yourself out there. bloated like trying to put your tight. pants on go out there and do the dance. that they liked back in the. 2010s or whatever. >> Yeah, but I think it's like. you have to evolve, but then also you. want to give fans what they want, right? So it's I think it's just a in the end. it seems like it's a lot of us of coming. to reckon with yourself. >> Yeah.

>> and with whatever's going on inside of. ourselves. It's like even with comedy, it's like sometimes it's like I want to. latch on to like things that used to. work or try to do this or something, but. it 's like well, that's not exactly me. anymore. In some ways it is. There's a. part of me still there, but that's not. totally me. So if I just try to. that, which at times you'll try to and. stuff, it's like, yeah, it's just a. trap, but it's also normal to try and. want to stay with what's safe, you know? I mean, it's all just a. I don't know. It's all just interesting. >> It's a mind It's a.

It's It's a mind game. Um you learn a. lot about yourself. when you find success. You know, it's like like I say, the more. I like the more you have, the harder it. is. >> Yeah. >> And when you just go and you're big and. then. you know, you're the. We were never that, but like I look at. some of these pop stars and it's like. you're the biggest thing in the world. and you are all alone. >> Oh, I mean, if you look at Britney. Spears, she's spinning around by a. fireplace with knives every day.

>> She's got our music in the background. sometimes. >> She does? >> Yeah. >> No way. >> From Only by the Night. I'm telling you, it was a big record. >> [laughter]. >> Bro, yeah, when your record is the. soundtrack for Tough Times of Mental. Health, [laughter] that means you made. it, dude. But isn't it crazy how we watch this and. this has kind of become normal for us. too like in a way to just watch this? And those dog spell out help sometimes. with their bodies if you watch them long. enough. >> Oh man. >> Little spell out there. >> She's from Louisiana too, right? >> I know. But it's like.

>> you guys come up together? >> No, but uh we might have been around a. little bit around the same time. Couple of years Oh, she was a little bit. younger to me, but you would definitely. >> real knives, you think? >> I mean, even if they're not, what is. going on? I mean, you know what I'm saying? What's. going on? And your music is inspiring. it. >> I know what song she's dancing to right. there. [laughter]. I know those moves. >> So you tell me, dude. Um let me see Oh right here it says. studies show that rock and pop stars. have a mortality rate two to three times.

higher than the general population and. fame reduces a musician's life. expectancy by roughly four to five. years. Hm. Thought it would take a little more than. that off. >> to five years? Yeah, right. [laughter] What was their life. expectancy before? They're dead at 23. Isn't that the number? >> That's a. >> 27? What they're supposed to live to 32. What year is this? >> The Club 27. >> the 30s. >> [laughter]. >> The Club 27 myth research published in. the journal Epidemiology and Community. Health dismissed the popular myth that.

rock stars uniquely die at age 27 like. Jimmy Hendrix or Kurt Cobain. The. statistical risk is spread out over. years of high risk lifestyles. You know it's interesting because you. want to go see your rock star, right? You want to see them be a rock star, but. if they were to continue to be a rock. star, like they wouldn't be there to. perform anymore. >> Oh yeah. >> Um like I went and saw 311 the other day. like um. I was in Austin and I was at the airport. and uh. and I saw this guy and I was like, man.

you look so familiar. And he's like um I'm Nick and I was like. I'm Theo and I was like Nick and he's. like Hexum. And I was like oh my god dude and I like. the biggest smile came on my face. It. didn't even come from me. It just came. from like I think when I was a kid or. something. And I was like hey can I give you a hug? >> Uh. >> And it was just the craziest thing. It. was like. I don't know. And he's like yeah sure. man. And so then me and him were just.

hugging by baggage claim, but it was. like I don't know. It was just so cool. It was like. it was just part of me that I think I'd. even forgot about some of the stuff I. liked so much when I was young. And then. hear that part of me had a moment like. and it ran into something that like kind. of meant a lot to it or. and it was just like anyway that was. like just like this moment that was like. wow this is um. I don't know. I gotten so busy sometimes. doing whatever that sometimes I'd. forgotten about things that really. brought me a lot of joy. Um and then. anyway we got to go to their concert and.

um. Hexum is sober, right? So he doesn't. drink or do drugs. So it's like but I. don't know if he had stayed on an old. path if he's still you know what I'm. saying? I don't know if I get to see him. again or if like a lot of your favorite. musicians if you get to see him again, you know? >> Yeah and. if they stay on that path the version. that you do see is is. oh man. Or Elvis, you know, his final. his final days, it's like you see him. and it's like.

I love Elvis, obviously being a Memphis. guy. Um. >> Yeah, but there's something sad about. it. >> Yeah, because it's like man, you could. see like he had to go up there and be. Elvis. And he was he was struggling, you know. Um. and I feel like we all if you're in. music or not, we all have those musical. moments from our past, from our. childhood that you're just like oh man, that. that song takes me right to this moment. and that takes me there. and you want to see that.

But the thing is we all get older, we. all you know, our bodies, everything. changes. >> Yeah. >> None of us are none of us look the way. we did in high school or college or. whatever, but. when you had that poster on your wall. and you go to the concert, you're. expecting that poster and then it's like. here comes. kind of a chubby version of it and. you're like oh man, that ain't the. poster. I want my money back. [laughter]. >> Yeah, dude. And then you know what? It's.

this weird thing I think you of like if. you have some sort of popularity that. happens to you of trying to live up to. the poster. >> Yeah. >> And that's such a it's like. >> by the way, we need to start making. posters again, man. What happened to. those? You used to go to Walmart and you. sit there and thumb through that big. giant thing and it'd be like. >> Yeah, remember that? >> girl on a car and then it'd be like. Jonathan Taylor Thomas. >> Yeah. >> And then it'd be like all these like. teenybopper stars and then there's Keanu. Reeves and you're like what the heck? >> Schwarzenegger all the time. Oh dude,

and they would someone would just be a. big pair of breasts or whatever and be. like it's warm outside, ain't it or. something? >> [laughter]. >> It is now. >> And you're like I want this framed, mom. [laughter] You know? You get something like that framed for. Christmas, bro. >> that I think we had I think we had Kathy. Ireland on our wall. Um some of those. old Sports Illustrated. >> We. >> had Kathy Scotland, not as good looking. [laughter]. But uh but but a good attitude. >> Yeah, that's what we had.

Oh, but yeah, Kurt Cobain, bro, when all. those and when those magazines would. come like. we were like big in like Aerosmith, Def. Leppard, GNR, like just all those. magazines. And you'd see them all. bloodied up and stuff. Like one of them. got like Sebastian Bach every week had. gotten hit by a bottle somewhere. You. know, it was. >> Outside of the Roxy. >> Yeah, always like that. And it was. probably all mythological but we. were just sitting there just absorbing. it, you know. Dude, that was so much fun.

>> I miss those. >> I miss some of those times, man. Um. your your band that's going back on. tour, it's the same members as always? >> Yeah, me and my two brothers, my cousin. Um. yeah, it's us, man. It's always been us. Never been anything else. Yeah. >> And what's something that you kind of. like admire about each one of those guys. kind of? >> Oh man, [sighs] I love those guys. Uh. I mean. besides the fact that we've kind of all.

gone through it together, we all have. our role. We all have um. something that we bring to the band that. makes us who we are. And it doesn't. necessarily mean on stage or in the. studio. personality wise, you know, Nathan being. the elder statesman, he was the one that. always felt like he was watching over. us, you know. Even when he wasn't. [laughter]. You know, none of us we weren't watching. anything. Um but he always seemed like he was, you.

know, he was the guy that would somebody. said something. about us, he would push everyone behind. him and want to fight for us, you know. Um. Jared is, you know, he's my little. brother. He's just funny and got a big. heart and um. just, you know, we still laugh like we. did back when we were kids. Um Matthew. is, you know, he's. he's the cousin. So there's that.

Uh, you know, he probably has a little. chip on his shoulder. Um. >> Does he cuz he's the odd cuz he's just. like a. >> I don't think he does. He you know, he's. he's always been cool. We always assumed. it, but. um. >> Oh yeah, the cousin. >> you know, cuz you're out there with. three brothers and we all have our you. know, we have our inside jokes and now. he's in on everything, but there was a. couple years where. I'm sure you know, it seemed like we. were. >> Was it you guys against him sometimes it. felt like? >> No, I didn't seem like it to us, but you.

know, we were always trying to be funny. and usually when you're trying to be. funny, it's at the expense of someone, you know. >> The cousin. >> Yeah, whoever's not the brother, it's. like yeah, we're going to. pick on you or um. but they they all they picked on me for. a while too. So we we all got it, you. know. >> They took your turns. >> Yeah. >> If I had a freaking cousin, dude, the. I would do to him. >> Oh man, it's so fun. >> I hope I never have one. >> You probably do. >> You're right. >> Probably Britney Spears. >> [laughter].

>> Hey, heavy on the Spears, huh? I mean damn. She looks like damn Donatella out there. or something. I mean Raphael. >> It's Raphael, right? >> I mean she's definitely a Louisiana. snapping turla. [laughter] Uh, I mean. that's. crazy over there. Um before you leave, bro, um how has. your relationship with religion changed. over time? If that's okay to ask you. >> Yeah. Um. well it's. you know, it's.

it's been an evolution of um kind of. where we came from to where we are now. I think the way that we grew up. we kind of saw behind the scenes and. kind of how the sausage is made, I guess. you would say. >> Mhm. >> And so I got a little bitter for a while. um. cuz there was times I felt like my dad. kind of got. pushed out because he was. having normal struggles that a goes.

through, but he was supposed to be this. perfect. man, but he wasn't. Um, and so I got. bitter for a while about that. And so. I feel like now my relationship. with God is a personal relationship. Um, and I try to maintain it and try to uh. you know, I pray and I read the Bible. and um. but don't put me on a pedestal. I'm far. from perfect. I'm.

I make mistakes every day. I'm just like. everyone else. Um, and I'm always. searching. I don't know. all the answers. I don't know. what I believe all the time. Um, but I. know I've always been searching for the. answer. Um, and I'll keep searching. And. and maybe one day I'll find it or maybe. I won't. And the journey is. awesome, you know? It's like that that. searching sometimes is the best part. So.

um I try to raise my kids right. We We. were raised right. Um, even outside of. the. religious aspect, we were always just. raised to be kind and um. considerate of others and. like I said, when you grow up with. nothing, you you learn to love people. for who they are. And you don't love someone because they. have something or because they're. doing well. Um, in fact, you. a lot of times those people put you off.

because they aren't authentic and they. haven't had those experiences. So. um yeah. I don't know. I feel like. I'm always I'm always searching and um. yeah. Maybe one day maybe one day I'll. find what I'm looking for. >> Yeah. I mean, I think that's probably the. creed of a lot of people probably, you. know? The truth of you know, a lot of. people's truth. is trying their best. Um,

sometimes our society it so tough to. have to have time to have peace with. yourself, you know, time to focus on and. turn your attention to a higher power. sometimes. >> Yeah, and I I feel like you're always, you know, if if you're. doing it right, um, then maybe it's not doing it right. I don't know, but I feel like you. you do try to help other people even. when you're struggling. Um, you see someone, you try to pick them.

up, and then. you know, there's that voice in your. head like, why are you giving this. person advice? Look at you. You don't you don't even know the answer. yourself and you're trying to, you know, but I feel like that's our. as humans, you know, you. you want to take what little experience. you have and pass it on to someone. >> Yeah. >> and then hopefully they'll hit you with. something back and you're like, oh, thank God, I needed that, you know. >> Oh, yeah, dude. I go to recovery. meetings and I'll go sit in meetings. sometimes and it's like.

oh, yeah, sometimes I hear somebody say. something and I'll literally feel my. shoulders go like. >> [sighs]. >> Yeah. I'm not alone. Yeah. >> took an exhale that like has been stuck. in my lungs for 20 years. >> Yeah. >> It's like old air that won't come out. and it's like cuz I heard him say. something that I just couldn't say or. something that I needed to hear. I don't. even know. I don't even know sometimes. what the. the unlocking is, but. um, but yeah, and then any any break I get. from thinking about myself is nice, you.

know. >> Yeah. And hopefully you have. people um, either in your life or people that. admire you and. they're, you know, they're praying for. you or they're trying to, you know, help you get through what you're going. through, you know, and and maybe that's. why you hear someone say something and. it's like, oh, someone knew I needed to. hear that, you know. Maybe it was my. you know, my uncle that say that prayed. for me or something and then that spoke.

through that guy and that guy didn't. even know what he was but he was talking. right to me, you know. >> Amen. Yeah, I feel I think about that stuff a. lot. >> Yeah. >> Cuz it does feel like if you're praying. that there's a power in it. >> Oh, there's power in it, yeah. >> You know, it feels like there's like. this is this does something. This is not. for naught, you know. It's almost it's. an undeniable thing. >> Yeah, why would you do it if there. wasn't? >> Right. >> Like I mean besides the burning of the. calories, but [laughter] you know, lose a little weight.

>> Dude, that's a great callback, dude. Way. to bring that [laughter] full circle. right there, dude. Um. yeah, do you ever see yourself in and up. in a space with uh like doing revival or. something like that? >> We always used to say uh when we first. started. that one day we could see ourselves um. with our dad back up there. and we were the band. You know, kind of. like how. Bob Dylan his band was The Band. Do you.

know The Band? >> Mm-mm. >> So. they're one of our favorite bands, but. they're they're called The Band. Um. [snorts] they were Canadian um except. for Levon, the drummer, he was from. Arkansas. But they were Bob Dylan's band. >> Mm. >> and then they went on. to have massive success on their own. And so I feel like we all, you know, we imagine that one day that could be. us. And in this scenario, this is a very.

small. church in the middle of nowhere. This. isn't like one of those. I've never understood those big super. church things. >> Right where the Lord comes down on a. rope or whatever? >> Yeah. [laughter] I never understood that. stuff, but for me it was always what. church was to us, which was just four. little walls. You could smell the furnace, you know. It was like everything was tight. It was. all plywood and. >> Yeah. >> but you know, that was the best place in. the in the town, you know, for that. moment.

>> You got that box rocking, homie. >> yeah. So we could, you know, I think. there is. there is that kind of romantic fantasy. that. perhaps. one day that could happen, but. >> That's cool, dude. I would love that. Like that kid Mason Locklear, have you. ever seen that kid? >> I don't know. >> He's like this little kid. He does um. he's a I think he's Pentecostal. This. him. >> Whoa. >> Don't add up to me. I just want to I. just want to point this out. Don't add up to me.

[snorts]. You say that you're a Christian, right? Say that you're a Christian. I want you. to listen to me good. You say you're a. Christian, but you're gay. >> THIS KID IS. >> BUT YOU'RE GAY. >> OH DANG, I DIDN'T. >> YOU MURDER A WOMAN. You murder a man, BUT YOU SAY YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN. >> CAN FIND ANOTHER ONE. >> [laughter]. >> I MEAN, GO GO READ LEVITICUS 18 AND 22. and see what it says. >> a little too close to home, huh? >> I know. I'm just [laughter] saying, bro. That kid's wilding, bro.

>> his voice, man. >> How are gay Christians doing actually? Look that up. [laughter]. If you don't mind, that's a good. I haven't even looked that up in a long. time. >> Have you looked it up before though? >> I'm sure. Gay Christians today. experience a wildly polarized landscape. ranging from full theological. affirmation and ordination to strict. expectations of celibacy or outright. exclusion. Overall, gay Christians are. doing pretty good. Hell yeah. I knew it.

>> They're doing all right. >> They're doing all right, dude. There we go, man. Um. >> Well, now I'm going to go home and watch. that little kid. You got to send me his name, man. >> Oh, I'll see it. >> going to be my YouTube's going to be. firing tonight when I'm falling asleep. >> [laughter]. >> Oh yeah, that's firing in brimstone. right there, that little fellow. Who. knows, man? Maybe if we hit another time. like this, like you know, like if we hit. into some you know, they say the world. could be ending, who knows what's going. on. If we hit into some grapes of wrath.

stuff, maybe it'll be. I mean, revivals might be all they have. again. >> Hey, that's it's a good time. >> Oh yeah, dude. >> It's a good time, man. Um, you guys are. doing some festivals as well. You guys. just got on the Sand in My Boots. Festival. >> Yeah. >> with Morgan, Ella Langley. That's going. to be great. >> Mhm. >> Um, dude, the bands on here are crazy. >> Look at Empire of the Sun. He was. He was the. Sleepy Jackson that was at that concert. in London when we were so scared.

>> And here they are? >> Yep, he's up here on the bill Sand in My. Boots. >> Um, have you met Morgan or no? >> I have not met Morgan, no. Or Ella or. >> That's going to be great, dude. Nelly is. Cole Swindell. >> Rida. >> Um, the new album Oh My Beloved, it's. out today. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, yeah, Caleb, thanks so much. How's. your dad doing by the way? >> Oh, man, he's good. He was just here. Uh, he'll be here.

uh in a couple weeks for Thanksgiving. So yeah, he's good. >> Is he still evangelizing? >> No, um but he still gets up and preaches. every now and then at at his local. church in Oklahoma. >> Amen. >> Yep. >> Nice, man. We'll tell him we said hello. Um, Caleb Followill, Kings of Leon, tell. your brothers and cousin that we said. hello and thank you guys for. just coming by chatting with us for a. bit and. best luck on the new tour, man, and just. congratulations on being alive still. >> Thanks, man. You got to come out and uh.

have see a show with us. >> I'd love to. >> Yeah. >> I will, man. Thanks, brother. >> Yeah, man. Thank you. >> [music].