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PODCAST

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller

Rhett Miller, musician and frontman for the Old 97s, hosts “Wheels Off” a show about the messy reality of the creative life. Conversations with musicians, writers, artists, actors, and comedians about the pivotal moments that shaped their work, what it means to create in a digital age and grapple with the challenges, and the joy, of living a creative life.

music performing arts

All Episodes

39:08

Rodney Crowell on Intention, Patience, and the Long Game

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2026/01/21

Rodney Crowell, often called a “songwriter’s songwriter” and a foundational voice in Americana, joins Rhett for a conversation about intention, craft, and the long game of staying creatively alive. Crowell shares hard-won lessons about process: how spending time on memoir pages puts him in a “workshop of words,” so that when he turns back to the guitar he’s already thinking in language. He talks about patience as the difference between forcing a song and letting it reveal itself, his approach to

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42:13

Hayes Carll on Creativity as a Long Game

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2026/01/06

Hayes Carll joins Wheels Off for a wide-ranging, deeply reflective conversation about songwriting as a lifelong practice rather than a race. Speaking candidly about his early obsessiveness, creative doubt, and eventual comfort in his own voice, Carll traces the evolution of his process—from locking himself in a room chasing melodies to learning how to trust silence and timing.The conversation explores how Carll writes songs today, why collaboration has become central to his creative life, and how

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29:14

Clover County

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/12/09

Rhett sits down with singer-songwriter Clover County, whose debut record arrives after years of writing, refining, and navigating the rollercoaster of early adulthood in public. From her roots in Athens and Atlanta to discovering her home on the road, Clover talks candidly about identity, ambition, private versus public life, and how she’s learned to trust her instincts as her songs evolve.She breaks down her writing process, shares the epiphany that pushed her out of accounting class and into a

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35:30

The Bones of J.R. Jones

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/11/25

Rhett welcomes Jonathon Linaberry, the creative force behind The Bones of J.R. Jones, for a conversation about music, artistic evolution, and the emotional realities of releasing work into the world. They discuss his new album Radio Waves, life in upstate New York, and the tension between creation and promotion.Jonathon traces his unexpected path from punk bands and art school to becoming a one-man musical entity, reflects on anonymity and identity, and talks candidly about how writing, recording,

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38:08

David Fleming

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/11/11

Writer David Fleming joins Rhett to dig into craft, career pivots, and the true story behind A Big Mess in Texas—the wild rise-and-fall of the 1952 Dallas Texans (owned by Rhett’s grandfather). Fleming talks about finding meaning in real life, learning to “disappear” as a writer, managing deadlines without losing your mind, and why the work (not the label) is what matters. It’s a candid, funny, and generous conversation about storytelling, identity, and doing your best work—whether you call it

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33:31

Vicki Peterson

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/10/28

The Bangles’ lead guitarist talks about making a new record with John Cowsill, why she’s a “serial band member,” the magic of songwriting, imposter syndrome, and running your art like a business.Vicki Peterson—lead guitarist and occasional lead singer of The Bangles—joins Rhett to unpack Long After the Fire, the new record with her husband John Cowsill, and a lifetime spent in bands. She talks writing alone vs. collaborating, owning covers you love, combating self-doubt, and why musicians should

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29:16

Briscoe

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/10/15

Rhett sits down with Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman, the two young Texans behind Briscoe, a harmony-rich Americana duo making waves with their sophomore album, Heat of July.Recorded in Nashville during AmericanaFest, the conversation covers the band’s early days at UT Austin, their musical roots, and their thoughtful approach to songwriting and performance. Rhett and Briscoe discuss the realities of being a young band in a fast-moving industry—balancing ambition with patience, dealing with

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47:26

Murry Hammond

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/10/10

Rhett sits down with his longtime bandmate and creative partner, Murry Hammond for a conversation about their 35+ years of making music together—from early songwriting days in Dallas to their latest solo and collaborative albums.Hammond opens up about the evolution of his creative process, the emotional weight that shapes his songwriting, and how depression, humor, and stubborn dedication all feed his art. It's an episode that captures the rare intimacy of two lifelong friends and collaborators

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37:10

Amanda Shires

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/10/01

The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter opens up about her new album, her journey from fiddle prodigy to songwriter, and how painting, practice, and persistence fuel her creative life.Rhett Miller sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Amanda Shires during AmericanaFest in Nashville. The two reminisce about their lives in music, and Amanda reflects on the challenges of moving from sideman to frontwoman. She shares the personal discipline that keeps her grounded, and how her creativity spills

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55:11

Matt Nathanson

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/09/16

Singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson joins Rhett for a fast, funny, and candid conversation about craft and survival. They dig into the constant hum of the inner critic, and the strange mix of persistence and delusion it takes to stay in the game. From KISS posters and Pixies deep cuts to journaling, therapy, and squirrel jokes, Matt opens up about what it really takes to keep making art in a noisy world.Follow Matt Nathanson @mattnathanson Follow Rhett @rhettmiller Wheels Off is hosted and produced

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29:58

James McMurtry

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/09/02

James McMurtry, hailed as one of our greatest living songwriters, joins Rhett for a candid conversation about the craft of songwriting, life on the road, and the realities of sustaining a career in music. Known for his sharp storytelling and uncompromising perspective, McMurtry opens up about his process, from finding inspiration in small details to shaping lyrics around the musicality of the human voice.They discuss the making of his latest record, Black Dog and the Wandering Boy (New West

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27:15

Samantha Fish

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/08/19

Fresh off the release of her new album Paper Doll, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Samantha Fish joins Rhett to discuss balancing life on the road with creative work, the vulnerability of songwriting, and her evolution as a guitarist. She opens up about overcoming shyness and stage anxiety, and reflects on the fine line between challenging yourself and staying true to who you are.Follow Samantha @samanthafishmusic Follow Rhett @rhettmiller Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller

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29:37

Evan Felker

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/08/05

This week on Wheels Off, Rhett welcomes longtime friend, collaborator, and Turnpike Troubadours frontman Evan Felker. Evan joins Rhett from his ranch in Oklahoma for a candid conversation about the Troubadours’ resurgence, his creative process, and why stepping away from the road made the band even more popular. The two dig into songwriting—where ideas come from, the discipline it takes to finish them, and why sometimes the best songs start with a line overheard in passing.Follow Rhett

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51:03

Ray Benson

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/07/22

In this wide-ranging conversation, Rhett welcomes the legendary Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel to Wheels Off for a candid, wisdom-packed chat about music, longevity, and learning by doing. Ray shares stories from his early days as a folk-singing kid, reflects on collaborating with icons like Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, and offers practical advice for young musicians navigating today’s music industry. From tuba lessons to Grammy wins, Ray reveals how staying open, curious, and grounded

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36:41

Josh Rouse

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/07/08

Rhett welcomes singer-songwriter Josh Rouse for a wide-ranging conversation about carving out a life in music. Josh reflects on coming of age in a different era of the music business—when CDs still mattered and labels took chances—and how the ground beneath that world has shifted. The two dive into fatherhood, the struggle to stay creatively motivated, and what it means to be a working musician in a culture obsessed with virality. Follow Josh @ joshrouse.com Follow Rhett @rhettmiller Wheels Off

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27:55

Kristina Murray

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/06/25

Singer-songwriter Kristina Murray joins Rhett to discuss the creative journey behind her new record Little Blue (New West Records), a project that was years in the making. From long nights in honky-tonks to building her own community of musicians and collaborators, Kristina’s story is one of grit, heart, and unwavering commitment to the work. She opens up about the lessons of patience, learning from and celebrating other women in music, and what it means to finally feel supported—while still doing

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42:26

Jordan Wax

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/05/27

Rhett is joined by multi-instrumentalist, folklorist, and genre-defying artist Jordan Wax to discuss his emotionally rich new album, The Heart Deciphers. With roots in Missouri and a home in rural New Mexico, Jordan brings a rare blend of intergenerational storytelling, Jewish diasporic heritage, and indie rock sensibility to his work.The two explore the complexities of honoring tradition while making art that feels alive in the present moment. Jordan opens up about the deeply personal nature of

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34:54

David Gedge

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/05/13

Rhett is joined by indie legend David Gedge, frontman of The Wedding Present and Cinerama, for an in-depth conversation that spans four decades of creativity, resilience, and evolution. David shares stories behind the band’s origin, his distinctive strumming style, and why he still writes songs after more than 300 under his belt. Rhett and David discuss what keeps him inspired—from his early love of music and DIY spirit to recent projects including a 40th anniversary retrospective, a new EP inspired

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34:03

Esther Rose

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/04/30

Singer-songwriter Esther Rose joins Rhett to discuss her transformative new album WANT, her journey into music, and the evolution of her sound. Dialing in from Santa Fe, Esther shares why this record feels like her most personal yet, how she confronts anxiety through songwriting, and the importance of agency in art and life. Follow Esther @therealestherrose Follow Rhett @rhettmiller Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Editing by Matt Dwyer. Music

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38:01

Nathan Hill

Wheels Off with Rhett Miller ·

2025/04/15

In this episode of Wheels Off, bestselling author Nathan Hill (The Nix, Wellness) joins Rhett for an open-hearted conversation about creativity, resilience, and the slow, surprising process of writing novels. From the trauma of losing three years of work in a car break-in to the lessons he learned from video games and Judy Blume, Nathan offers both practical advice and poetic metaphors—yes, slime is involved—for navigating the emotional highs and lows of the creative life.Follow Nathan

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27 results

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