There's a pleasure in that's kind of stereotypical vision of an old Southern man sitting on a rocking chair just looking at the yard.

That's an amazing thing to do.

There's all kinds of apps and meditation guides that are just searching for that.

And growing up Southern, it's just what you did sometimes, was just sit and

enjoy the summer day. Welcome to Biscuits and Jam from Southern Living. I'm Sid Evans, editor-in-chief of Southern Living magazine.

Today I'm chatting with a member of one of country music's most popular bands,

who says that being true to himself and transparent with his fans has been one of the greatest factors in their success.

I've found in songwriting, the more you kind of go inward and explore your own feelings,

it can be scary, but the more you kind of put that out there, usually those are the ones

that really resonate with people because you're speaking to a true emotion that other people

have but maybe don't know how to express. About a decade ago, Buzz and Nashville began to

grow around Old Dominion, led by this week's guest, lead singer Matthew Ramsey. Made up of

talented songwriters who all met in their native Virginia.

The quintet grew an audience early on by playing hits from Kenny Chesney, Luke Brian, and Dirk's Bentley.

But what audiences didn't know until later is that those covers were originally written by the members of Old Dominion themselves.

Now in 2021, thanks to their own hits like some people do and one-man band,

Old Dominion has racked up multiple ACM awards and two Grammy nominations.

On today's show, Matthew shares the advice he got from a fellow songwriter that he continues to carry with him,

even after playing stadiums for tens of thousands.

I asked him what he thought about moving to Nashville, and he said,

if you're moving there to be a star, then don't do it.

But if you're moving there to be surrounded by the best musicians and the best songwriters in the world

...