On the Bus at Country Thunder

Multiplatinum singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw sits down with Troy Vollhoffer for an at-home episode of "On the Bus" for an in-depth conversation about growing up in the Catskills, his family’s passion for music, and how Patrick Swayze’s character in Dirty Dancing was (allegedly) based on his grandfather! Gavin opens up about why supporting the troops is so personal to him and how the fear of regret motivates him as an artist. Gavin shares stories about being broke in New York (including the time he might have eaten a finger!), working with Colbie Callait, and details how the real Joe Davola–yes, THAT Joe Davola from Seinfeld–convinced him to use his hit single “I Don’t Want To Be” as the theme for One Tree Hill. Then, Troy looks back on his favorite interviews of 2025 with Blake Shelton, Billy Bob Thornton, Gavin Adcock, and Old Dominion! In 2026, Gavin hits the road with O.A.R. for the Three Decades Tour, which will also feature musical artists Lisa Loeb, KT Tunstall, and Phantom Planet.

After growing up watching The Who on the Ed Sullivan Show, the members of The Boxmasters never dreamed of having the chance to tour with one of the greatest bands in the world, but here they are. Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer welcomes Billy Bob Thornton and JD Andrew of The Boxmasters to On The Bus. The duo walks Troy through their happenstance meeting and how the British Invasion and “hillbilly music” are such major influences in their work. Billy Bob reveals why, despite all of the major successes he’s had in TV and film, his greatest passion will always be music. JD and Billy Bob explain how they went from appearing in The Trailer Park Boys to singing at Abbey Road, and how their music often reflects on missing the simple things in life, like putting a quarter in a payphone.

The members of Old Dominion spent years in Nashville crafting a sound and trying to break through. After another label passed, their manager asked if they wanted to keep going. The guys had one answer: “If they don’t like it, that’s fine.” Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer welcomes one of his favorite country bands, Old Dominion, to the show. The members of Old Dominion detail their origin story and how they played in different bands on the same circuit before teaming up. Troy recalls the first time he booked them for a festival and how tenacious OD was from the start. The bandmates share how shocking it was to discover so many fans in Canada, and reveal how Barbra came to be.

Cole Swindell was drinking beer on the porch at his college fraternity when an alum by the name of Luke Bryan stopped by to change his guitar strings. After moving to Nashville a few years later, Cole got his first job in the music business, selling t-shirts for his new favorite frat brother, Luke Bryan. Cole Swindell takes a break from the incredible crowd at Country Thunder Wisconsin to join CEO Troy Vollhoffer On The Bus. Cole talks about his early “only in Nashville” moments and writing three number one hits for Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Florida Georgia Line, which were all out at the same time The two discuss the collaborative nature of writing country songs in Nashville, and how the song Cole wishes he never had to write, “You Should Be Here” came together.

After realizing his dreams of playing in the NHL might not happen, Troy Vollhoffer went from scrapping with the captain of the Boston Bruins to fighting to get his production company off the ground. After decades of putting on the largest country music festivals in the world, Troy Vollhoffer has no signs of slowing down. It’s a special episode of On The Bus, as Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer hands the wheel over to his good friend Nick Meinema. Growing up in an entertainment household is how Troy got bit by the showbiz bug. Troy reveals to Nick how he went from poolside milkshakes with Redd Foxx to growing up and overseeing the longest-running country music festival in North America. Nick has Troy share some of his favorite Country Thunder moments and reflect on how special it is to work with megastars like Reba McEntire, George Strait, and Taylor Swift.

After an injury ended any dreams of becoming a pro athlete, Jake Owen put down his golf clubs, picked up a guitar, and went on to create a brand-new era of country music. After two EPs, seven albums, and thirteen years as a household name, at 43 Jake Owen might have finally grown up, but he still isn’t slowing down. Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhofer welcomes Jake Owen On the Bus to dive into how he and his twin brother grew up motivated to succeed thanks to their dad. Troy and Jake detail what made 2011’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” so revolutionary, and why it’s limiting to be selfish as an artist. Jake discusses why it’s important to still make time for the “fun Jake” summer tours, creating an experience for fans, and “owning” the crowds. While collaborating with Shooter Jennings on a new album, Jake opens about making different music that speaks to this chapter of his life and why his daughters are his saving grace.

Even with 16 number one hits to his name, Hardy still feels like his career is just getting started. After his breakout album, The Mockingbird & the Crow, Hardy continues to light up the stage and the charts with his unique mix of metal and Mississippi country. Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhofer is joined by his good friend and amateur arrowhead archaeologist Michael, who country music fans call Hardy. Hardy opens up about why country fans love seeing metal music live, writing songs for other artists, and the need for songwriters to earn a living wage. Hardy and Troy detail how someone can go from having “goose eggs” in their bank account, to searching a major music producer’s backyard for arrowheads. Troy shines the spotlight on one of his favorite new artists, Baker Blankenship.

Having a hit-song writing uncle and a singer/songwriter older brother, Jordan Davis is living proof that some families have music in their DNA. With hits like “Singles You Up” and “Buy Dirt” and a new album out this summer, Jordan has country music running through his veins.This week, Country Thunder CEO Troy Vollhoffer sits down with Jordan Davis to discuss why being on the road can make someone a more efficient songwriter, and why the best way to write a new song is to talk to as many people as possible. Even though touring can be a grind, Jordan tells Troy why he treats every night like it’s the Super Bowl. With the ACMs just a week away, Troy has his eye on Ella Langley as she continues to make a name for herself in country music.

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

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

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

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

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