Roger Springer: Country Music Then & Now

In this episode of Outside the Round, host Matt Burrill welcomes legendary country songwriter Roger Springer for an honest and heartfelt conversation about the craft, the culture, and the community of country music. Roger shares his journey from small-town Oklahoma to Nashville in 1990—landing a record deal within just two months—right at the heart of the '90s country explosion. After losing that first deal, Roger transitioned into full-time songwriting, building a legacy through hits with legends like Mark Chesnutt and carving a space for himself in country music history. He reflects on learning from the greats, the grind of life on the road, and the ever-changing landscape of the Nashville music industry. Now, Roger’s influence extends into the new generation of traditional-leaning country artists. He plays a vital role in mentoring and producing projects for rising voices like Jake Worthington, Will Bannister, and Colton Dawson—young talents reviving the spirit of '90s country with modern energy. Throughout the conversation, Roger emphasizes the power of simplicity, truth, and personal experience in songwriting—and why staying passionate about the craft is what keeps him going strong after all these years. Follow on Social Media: Roger Springer: @rkspringer62 Matt Burrill: @raisedrowdymatt Outside The Round: @outsidetheround Raised Rowdy: @raisedrowdy Chapters (00:00:00) - Legendary Country Musician Roger Springer On Rage Rowdy(00:01:18) - Tennessee songwriter and performer John Briggs on coming to Nashville(00:06:01) - Songwriter on Writing With Mark Chestnut and Others(00:10:36) - Mark Twain on Cutting ''(00:11:08) - Jake Worthington on Starting the 2000s(00:14:42) - Mark Chestnut on the 90s Country(00:17:20) - Jake and the Real Boys: Writing On The Ranch(00:21:10) - Colton Jones on Writing With Jake and Adam(00:25:09) - Bill Monroe at the Legends(00:25:35) - What Do You Think It Is That Makes a Songwriter?(00:29:20) - Talking Back on the Road With Mark Chestnut(00:32:28) - Talking About Country Music in the 90s(00:33:23) - Merle Haggard on His Songs(00:35:58) - Tom Petty on His 35th Anniversary(00:40:53) - George Jones on Getting Off the Road(00:44:17) - George Drake on His 'Straight Hold'(00:45:41) - Writing Songs For The Young Guys(00:46:17) - Jake Worthington on His New Song(00:49:01) - Colton Franklin's New Country Album(00:51:24) - George Jones on Advice For New Songwriters(00:53:26) - Roger Springer on Colton Dawson's New Album