Travis Tritt, immensely accomplished musician, singer-songwriter and member of country music's vaunted "Class Of '89," joins host Michael Waddell on the latest episode of The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms and in partnership with Folds of Honor and Cigars International. There's clearly a Southern theme to this visit between Waddell and country music star Travis Tritt. Surrounded by Tritt's guitars and various recognitions from his amazing career in country music, the two Georgia-born-and-bred friends share many common experiences from childhood and school days, father-son relationships, thoughts on hunting all sorts of game, but especially doves, quail and turkeys, early work experiences, defining career moments, and of course, there's a lot to be said about Travis Tritt's life story and the beginnings of his bluesy rock style of country music.
The Michael Waddell Podcast is produced by Outdoor Sportsman Group and is available widely on Outdoor Channel YouTube, MyOutdoorTV, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and OutdoorChannel.com, to name a few.
In this episode, Travis Tritt talks about his first hunting experiences as a young man, chasing small game, squirrels, doves, and the then ubiquitous quail in that part of Georgia he called home. Later, he discovered big-game hunting and wingshooting, pursuits that his wife Theresa and their entire family shared with him. "There is nothing I like better than hunting, flushing birds behind pointing dogs. It is the most fun I have had."
While Tritt enjoys the morning sounds of the awakening forest as much as anyone, listen to his stories about the early days of his career and you'll understand why there was a period in his life when he probably didn't get out hunting as much as he would have liked. "The first two years, 1990 and 1991, after I had had a little bit of success [after topping the country charts with "Help Me Hold On," one of his five #1's], I was doing 250 shows a year," said Tritt. "The first two years, I remember distinctly, I was off for two weeks in a year and no two days out of that 14 days were ever together. So think about it, if you're not doing gigs, then you got to be in the studio recording. If you're not recording, you have to be song-writing. If you're not writing, you need to be on a press junket… I was on the road constantly and never got a chance to come home."
While Tritt knows a thing or two about hard work and overcoming challenges, he also has "kids" in their 20s who are trying to find their way and recognizes that things are different for their generation, and he feels for young people who are working extremely hard to make ends meet and don't know whether they'll ever be able to own a home. "More than anything, they're just trying to survive. That's the dilemma. I sympathize with them," he said, "I really do. I see where they're coming from, and the more I think about it, and the more I read about it and hear commentary about it, it makes me understand. Understanding is the key to having empathy…things have changed a lot."
Nonetheless, Tritt remains a staunch believer in the American Dream. "The United States is still, to me, one of the most amazing things ever," he said. "I mean there's no question about it. And I don't just say this out of pride. I have a tremendous amount of pride, but I say it because it's a fact. This is the greatest place on the face of the planet. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else… Because I came from nothing. This is the land of the American Dream. If you're willing to work hard enough and put everything you have into something, you have the opportunity to do whatever you want to do for a living in this country."
"I'm so thankful for the opportunity to sit down with Travis Tritt, and to meet his wife, Theresa, and family," said Waddell. "I really had to watch myself because there's about 10 years between Travis and me, and I was listening to a lot of his music as a young man, so I didn't want to come across as the starry eyed fan that I am!" said Waddell. "Travis is an incredibly gifted singer-songwriter, but the true story of how he made it in Nashville is as unbelievable as it is inspiring, and you can bet I'll be buying concert tickets as soon as the details come out on his next tour!"
The Michael Waddell Podcast releases new episodes every other week.
Waddell's story began in the backwoods of Booger Bottom, Georgia, where he grew up surrounded by nature, family, and a love for the outdoors. A self-proclaimed "rowdy redneck," his passion for hunting and storytelling led him to win a Realtree turkey-calling contest, which launched his career in the outdoor industry. From guiding and filming hunts to creating hit shows like Realtree Road Trips and Bone Collector, Waddell has become a beloved figure in the outdoor world.
About Outdoor Sportsman Group: Outdoor Sportsman Group is comprised of the world's foremost media and entertainment brands for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. It includes four leading multichannel networks: Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and GAME & FISH TV, a dynamic new Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) channel dedicated to sports enthusiasts and outdoor lovers. Additionally, Outdoor Sportsman Group operates Sportsman Channel (Canada) and MOTV, the world's leading subscription streaming platform created for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. The Group also consists of numerous established publishing assets, including 14 outdoor magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Game & Fish, Petersen's HUNTING, and In-Fisherman, along with 20 top websites. Outdoor Sportsman Group also includes television production operations through Winnercomm. For more information, visit www.outdoorsg.com.