Wheeler Walker Jr. is thrilled to be playing his last ever show of Pullin’ Out: The Farewell Tour – and his career – at the Mother Church.
The “F**k This Job” singer stopped by the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast and broke down why now is the right time for him to retire (with all of the AI and algorithms running rampant and what not) and release Pullin’ Out, why he wouldn’t mind having his own bar on Broadway just to tick people off, how he views his music as truth telling while everyone else in the industry tip toes around what they really want to say, and how he’s felt misunderstood throughout much of his career.
Walker Jr. also gave quite the warning to Florida Georgia Line and their comeback, discussed how he prioritizes making country music and not “laptop music,” why he doesn’t mess with collabs (and how one with Maren Morris really backfired), and how fitting he believes it is that he’ll play his final show at the Ryman Auditorium.
It’s crazy to think that Wheeler Walker Jr.’s reign is coming to an end, but he’s made peace with it. Walking away is made a little easier by going out on a high note, and playing at the Ryman to wrap up both his tour and his career. He’s got big plans for the show, and is looking forward to the bittersweet moment:
“The Mother Church. I’m excited to play there. I think it’s gonna be my third time there. If it’s not sold out, its definitely close. That’ll be my final show. We want to film it, and I’ve got to figure out the details. But like everything, I’m gonna have to pay for it myself. So I’ve got to figure out if I can afford that.”
Not a bad idea to get your final show ever on tape.
Walker Jr. is looking forward to finishing up in Nashville for another reason too. The prolific and filthy songwriter has a lot of loved ones in Nashville and the surrounding area. He even revealed that his parents went on one of their first dates ever to the Ryman, so it’s a truly special place to him.
And above all, it’s the Mother Church – the most historic country music venue on the entire planet:
“Oh, it’s crazy. I’ve got a lot of family from here. So I look out in the crowd and I see (familiar faces). My parents went on one of their early dates to the Ryman, back when f***ing Hank Snow was probably playing or something.
I‘m looking out at the crowd and I’m thinking about all of the people that have stood on that stage – and that Hank Sr. was kicked out of there – it’s a cool place to play, you know? Nashville is losing that charm. I don’t want to do my last show at Jelly Roll’s. I want to do it at the Mother Church.”
The only concern he does have with playing at the Mother Church? His raunchy act. It’s not so much of a concern as it is Wheeler Walker Jr. wanting to respect the venue.
Then again… if this truly is his last show ever, it’s not like a lifetime ban will affect him all that much:
“I’ve never had any issues, so I’ve got to give it up to them. The first time I played there, I was like, ‘Oh s***, with the word church in it, I might get in trouble.’ But they’ve been cool.
It is weird playing in a place that’s got pews. Am I supposed to be singing my new song ‘P**** and Pills,’ is that going to work at the Ryman? I think it’ll sound good on that wood.”
@whiskeyriff #whiskeyriff #whiskeyriffraff #wheelerwalkerjr #theryman ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
And we’ll leave it at that.
You can hear about all of that and a whole lot more from Wheeler Walker Jr. by checking out the interview on YouTube or making sure to download the podcast on Apple Podcasts by searching “Whiskey Riff Raff” or by clicking here.
We’re also available on Spotify and wherever else you can listen to podcasts.
Cheers, y’all.
