June 18, 2026 • 27 mins
That feeling that whispers “there’s more” can get louder with every year you stay busy, stay responsible, and stay stuck. We start with a gut-check question: are you where God wants you to be, doing what He made you to do, or have you buried something you were created to carry?
Our guest, blues rock musician Andy Watley, shares a story that hits home for anyone juggling faith, family, and big decisions. Andy grows up with music and sports, chases football, builds a life, raises five kids, and spends years coaching and providing. But the gift never leaves. A single on-stage moment at a benefit reignites the calling, and what begins as a few shows with his sons turns into a new season of touring, songwriting, and unexpected opportunities, including sharing stages with major artists. Along the way, Andy gets real about the cost, the criticism, and a mistake he had to own at home: not communicating clearly with his wife when the dream started pulling him forward.
We also talk practical discipleship, not just inspiration: how to listen for God’s direction, how to handle naysayers, and why you do not need perfect conditions to take your first step. Ron closes with clear action steps you can start this week to move toward your purpose, serve others with your gifts, and trust Jesus with the outcome. If you’re on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, you’ll also hear how to catch Andy live at The Sanctuary in Biloxi.
If this conversation stirs something in you, do not ignore it. Subscribe, share this with a friend who feels stuck, and leave a review that tells us what dream you are ready to bring back to life.
Thank you for listening! Please help us by sharing this podcast with your friends and telling someone about what Jesus has done for you. If you would like to share your story, visit our website https://thepromoter.org/
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Episode Transcript
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Announcer (00:01):
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople, sharing real struggles,
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire, and empower you to face
life's challenges with a fullconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, RonMyers, the promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:22):
Hello, my friends.
It is so good to be with youtoday.
I want to begin with athought-provoking question.
Does God have you where hewants you to be?
Now think about that for aminute.
Are you doing what God createdyou to do?
Are you using the gifts,talents, and abilities he's
placed inside of you?
Or do you feel like there'ssomething more to life?
(00:43):
If your answer is no or even,I'm not sure, Ron, then today's
episode is a must listen.
Now, if you're new to thisshow, let me tell you what I do.
I chase God stories.
I love hearing the stories ofordinary people who discover
that God has an extraordinarypurpose for their lives.
(01:04):
Today's story found me afterchurch last Sunday.
A friend of mine, Greg, walkedup to me and told me about a
blues rock musician coming toBiloxi on June 20th to perform
at the music venue called TheSanctuary.
As he shared a little bit aboutthis man's journey, I knew then
that God had set up anappointment for me with another
(01:26):
story that my listeners neededto hear.
Now I warn you, I have beenaccused of being an instigator.
Not because I caused trouble,but because this show has a way
of stirring up gifts, dreams,and callings that have been
lying dormant inside of peoplefor years.
You know those gifts God placedinside of you?
(01:48):
The ones that keep whisperingthere's more.
The ones that won't leave youalone.
The gifts that are screaming,let me out.
Well, today's conversation maydo exactly that.
My guest is Andy Watley, ablues rock musician who spent
years raising a family, coachingfootball, running businesses,
(02:10):
and doing all the thingsresponsible people do.
He had a dream.
Music.
The music never left him.
The gift never left him, thecalling never left him.
After our conversation, I'llshare a few practical action
steps that you can beginimmediately to help you move
closer to the place God wantsyou to be.
(02:32):
And before we're done, you'regoing to hear a little of Andy's
music and learn how you can seehim live if you're on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast.
So let's get right to it.
Andy, what's your story?
Andy Whatley (02:45):
Wow, which which rabbit trail are we going to go
on today?
Brought up in an incredibleChristian family in Montgomery,
Alabama, and had me in aChristian school, but there were
two things relevant growing up.
One's music constantly, theother was sports.
That's it.
Music and sports, sports andmusic, which is a little bit of
(03:09):
a sometimes contradictory, youknow, but it's it's what we
were.
And so my dad, you know, wasteaching me how to play guitar,
and we're constantly havinginstruments around the house.
And so that kind of was, Iguess, the feeder for what was
gonna eventually become.
The reason I even bring thesports and the music up is
because you're gonna see thatinterwoven as as I'm just
(03:32):
dealing with with what Godbrings me and and what I run
away from and what he brings meback to.
So left that school, ended upplaying college football up in
Wisconsin, probably becausethat's the furthest way I could
get away from my folks at thattime when you're 18 and ready to
think you can do it on yourown.
And that lasted good.
I had fun up there, but it justwasn't for me.
(03:55):
If you wanted to be a goodpreacher, you would go to that
school at that time.
I wasn't wanting to be apreacher, so that only lasted
about a year.
As I floated on back, I startedgetting to bands, playing
everywhere I could.
We called ourselves ChristianRock at that time, but we pretty
much played anywhere the doorwas open and we could play,
(04:16):
whether it be a Christian coffeehouse here, a bar there.
We actually had a, I think itwas a label called Word out of
Nashville wanted to sign usbecause they were looking for
no, this didn't work out, butthey were looking for a
Christian band to go into barsand they're just they had an
idea that didn't that didn'treally come to fruition for us,
(04:38):
but that also explains to youwhere we were at, you know,
trying to do that.
And when I say we, it a lot ofthat is my brother.
Um his name is Chris, and uh,so me and him are constantly
just trying to do stuff likethat.
Along comes, I go back to myhigh school sweetheart, married
her, and I think I met her, shewas in ninth grade, I was 11th.
(05:01):
So after a few years, well, wewe team up, we get married, we
have our second child, andthat's the time I was like, ooh,
if I keep doing these bars andI keep this lifestyle, I'm going
to lose that woman and thosetwo boys.
So I kind of put up the guitarat that point and went into the
(05:21):
business of my own, uh, the meatbusiness of all things.
It was fun.
Did that for about seven yearsand kept having kids.
We ended up having five kidsduring all that, four boys and a
girl.
And so that led us to the backto sports.
I actually went back, got mydegree, got my master's, and
(05:43):
started coaching football inAlabama, definitely about three
or four different schools.
You know, you travel around.
What led me back to music wassitting around a coaches
meeting.
We always had ours on Sunday inbetween churches.
And my dad calls me and hesays, Hey, come down here to
this benefit, and uh they wantus to sing Seven Bridges Road.
(06:04):
And what what it was wasthere's a friend, there's a
mutual friend in our family, andhe's a big country star.
His name is Jamie Johnson.
So he was having a localbenefit, and he had it for a few
years there.
So I it was raising money for Ithink pancreatic cancer.
And so I kind of knew about it,but again, you know, I'm I'm
not in music.
(06:25):
I'm I'm only in, you know, likesports at this point.
My sons, they're killing atmusic, they're learning their
instrument, they're getting verygood on their instruments, you
know.
So I got to listen to them andthroughout all these all these
years, but I'm not.
So my dad calls me, hey, youknow, come come sing the song.
You know, literally just cometo we'll we'll put you on a
(06:46):
little cart, they'll take you tothe stage, we'll get up there.
I'm like, dad, I can't, youknow, I've got a meeting right
here, you know.
We're trying to go over thisdefense here, and you know, and
so then he texts me, hey, uh,hey, hey, you think you can come
up, you know?
And so I actually I rememberlooking down, literally
thinking, you know, I kind ofwore some black jeans and a
black shirt.
Other words, I was like, thiswould work on stage, you know,
(07:08):
because it was what I wore tochurch that day.
I just went straight over tothe school after that.
I'm like, all right, so I go,and literally, it was, you know,
he probably had a couplethousand people out there, and
they pulled me up and it theyhanded me a acoustic guitar.
There's my dad, there's mybrother, and I believe Jamie's
dad, he always sings bass withus.
And so uh so we jump up onstage, did one song, and right
(07:32):
there I went, oof.
Even on the way home, I wasgoing, no, no, no, no, no,
don't, don't, don't, Andy,don't, don't, you know.
And I'm really talking to whatI felt like God's saying, yeah,
I've got some new plans for you.
And so that took an extreme,you know, turn.
I really wasn't tellinganybody, like, hey, I might give
up all this to start this.
(07:54):
I really didn't want to reallytell anybody, especially my
wife.
Well, at the same time, mysons, who are getting very good
at their instruments, they cometo me and they say, Dad, why
don't you sing for us and let'sbook a few shows?
Let's have some fun.
And I'm like, oof, that's goodtiming.
So I literally said, Okay,let's do that, and started
(08:16):
booking shows mostly out oftown.
Jump in the truck, trailer, goset up, play a bar scene.
And it was all it was a lot offun.
But I wasn't doing it for fun.
I knew I was supposed to gothis direction.
We kicked along for about twoyears, and that was called
Watley and Company.
And we started at that time,Jamie uh Johnson, he he started
(08:38):
saying, Hey man, why don't youwhy don't you uh get on my
record label and start releasingmusic under it's called Big
Gass Records?
And I said, Okay, let's dothat.
And but all of a sudden, thatfirstborn, he's the drummer,
Kyle.
He he had his second baby.
And the uh second born, my bassplayer, Carson, he had his, I
(08:58):
think he got he had his firstbaby, and and then the my
guitarist who does other stufflike keyboards and everything
else, Kirkland, he was gettingmarried.
So you can see where I'm goingwith this.
Now they're doing the samething I did when I had my second
kid.
Dad, I can't go, I can't dothis traveling.
We were starting to travel alot more under Watley and
(09:20):
Company, and so I kind of sawthat and I'm like, hmm.
And so we were playing a showin Tennessee, I'll never forget
it.
And I'm I love history.
And so uh I was uh after theshow in Tennessee, we were
opening up actually for I thinkit was Jamie, it was a it was a
big artist.
Well, my sons, they took thetruck and trailer, went that
way.
I actually have my wife on thattrip trip, and we're gonna go
(09:41):
to Shiloh Battlefield.
On the way there, I literallyheard in my in my head, Andy
Watley and Company.
Instead of, you know, it wasWatley and Co.
Wally and Company.
And I'm like, oh no, I'd neverput my name.
You know, I like a band.
Come on, give us a band name.
You know, I don't ever want toput just, you know, Billy Bob
(10:02):
Johnson here, boom, you know.
And so I was like, I wrestled,no, no, and but I I was like,
wow, my sons are with me.
And and then he said, Yeah,they're leaving.
You know, I heard I felt Godsay, They're leaving.
This is you.
This is you, I got you to whereI need you to be.
And so I officially made itAndy Watley and company or and
went back to my brother andsaid, Bubba, will you travel
(10:23):
with me?
He's a bass player.
And I went back to you.
Remember, I told you I wasplaying when I was younger?
That exact that drummer there.
I went back to him and gotthose two guys to start touring
with me.
Now, since my brother hasgotten off the road, too much
interstate for him, he plays andsings locally.
So I have a younger bass playernow, you know, that does these
(10:44):
shows with me.
So that right there is leadingme up to just keep releasing,
keep playing music.
And we, I guess, management haskind of looked at the direction
I'm going and says, you knowwhat, let's get you, let's wean
you off these bars and startimplementing some of these small
theaters, and so we could startworking those for a couple of
(11:05):
years and build that thatclientele up.
And you just got to hear thestory.
Ron Meyers (11:11):
So you knew since you were little that you had a
talent with singing, and youknow, life threw things at you,
wife, marriage, you know, kids,and all that kind of stuff, and
it kind of took a detour, butthere was always something
pulling you back.
You said God, I believe it wasGod, because I think God wants
us to all, you know, follow ourtalents and the gifts He's given
(11:32):
us.
Did you have people tellingyou, well, you not want to think
twice about that?
Did you have people or did youhave support from everybody?
Andy Whatley (11:42):
People thought I lost my my mind on this last
one.
Just because I was soestablished in what I did for a
living and and in that in thatwhole circle of deals, you know,
coaching and athletic directorand a baseball coach.
Just that was what I waswrapped up in.
Now, while all that was goingon, that was 17 years I did
(12:04):
that.
I'd always had these littlelike I could pick a guitar up,
not tell anybody and just writea song, you know, just put it
down, you know, and just kind ofyou know, keep keep a record of
it.
I was doing that the whole timethinking, eh, that would have
been fun if I'd if I'd got to dothat.
In fact, I've got to do it somuch now.
If he says, okay, I'm ready foryou to go do this, uh, you
(12:26):
know, I would love and cherisheverything I've done up to this
point.
Ron Meyers (12:30):
Amen.
Amen.
You know, one of the thingsthat I like to talk about in my
show a lot with the guests isthat a lot of people feel like
they're missing something inlife, but they they don't want
to take away from theirresponsibilities or their full
one 401k.
But I always say there's a timein life that you do have to
(12:51):
make a decision if you want togo and pursue your dreams.
And so somebody out there thatis listening to your story and
say, Man, I can relate to thatguy.
What encouragement would yougive them about following their
dreams and not listening to thenegative things in the world?
Andy Whatley (13:08):
Yeah, and we're me and you are talking about the
belief in in Jesus.
Amen.
And so it's so what so me andyou, our conversation is always,
always going to be based onlistening and hearing from him.
And so, you know, because youtake a look at what I do, and if
you don't know me, you're gonnago, there's another stoned-out
rock and roller playing late atmidnight at, you know.
(13:30):
And I I when I went into this,I was like, wow, that that in
fact, that's another thing youdon't see a lot of is somebody
who has 13 grandchildrenliterally out there playing bar
and theater and bar and theaterand opened up the, you know, I
got to go do a run withBlackberry Smoke, you know.
I got to open up for CharlieDaniels before he passed away,
(13:51):
you know.
Um, I shared a stage and backedup Kid Rock literally while he
was doing a tribute to EddieMoney.
So all these things, and all Iit wasn't like nobody came to me
and said, Hey, you get to doall this if you make this
decision.
Ron Meyers (14:05):
It just happened.
Andy Whatley (14:06):
I just don't know.
So it yeah, and but it was thatyou know this is where I messed
up.
So this is where I messed up,and I didn't, I wasn't upfront
with my wife.
I could not look at her andsay, hey, you know that master's
degree I have in sportsmanagement, and and you know
that I I'm gonna walk away fromthat.
I I I should have done that andI didn't, and we're okay.
(14:27):
We made amends, and it was arough a couple years for her to
finally go, oh, you're doingthis now, you know.
So uh yeah, you know you we'regonna make mistakes along this
whole journey, anyhow, butthat's definitely one of them.
But anyhow, when you know itback to hearing from God, and
when you know it in your heart,you know, you gotta go.
You gotta go.
And you know there's gonna benaysayers.
(14:49):
That's just part of it.
Ron Meyers (14:50):
That's exactly right.
And you have to go do that.
I tell people now, they say,well, what's the difference when
you were listening to Jesus,Ron, and when you were doing it
and weren't were doing it foryourself?
And I said, Well, this mightsound strange, but everything I
thought I was gonna do, I'm notdoing.
And everything I never knew Icould do, I'm doing.
(15:11):
So that has to be God.
I'm having a life now that justit's fun, it's exciting, it
touches people's lives, but Iget to be myself.
And I think that's really whatit comes down to, Andy.
A lot of times God wants us tobe ourselves, to be ourselves
and not be somebody else thatpeople want us to be, but he's
(15:32):
given us those talents.
And I see your videos, I seeyour website, and you seem like
you have a connection.
You have a connection becausethe songs, in fact, I was
reading, you write the songslike basically half the lives of
those people sitting in youraudience, and so there's the
connection with them.
Andy Whatley (15:50):
I was I was really hoping someone would pick up on
that because uh sometimes Iwrite a song, and especially my,
you know, my my closest humanis my wife, she's like, Yeah,
you you don't deal with that.
I said, I know, but I've met aguy who deals with this.
I'm singing like he wrote thesong, you know, and he's my
muse, you know.
I don't even know his name, butI I remember him sitting at the
bar.
Ron Meyers (16:09):
Amen.
Andy Whatley (16:09):
And uh and so I'm glad you picked up on that.
Thank you.
Ron Meyers (16:12):
Well, I think it's so important because there's so
much that we can share withpeople, with you know, none of
us are gonna make perfectdecisions in life.
That's why we need Jesus.
You know, he's he's giving usforgiveness and we have that
grace, but he wants us to shareour struggles and our troubles
with other people and how we gotthrough them.
So if somebody came up to youat the end of your show and
(16:34):
said, you know, Andy, you you'reso talented and enjoy it, but
you know, I have such a crummy,rotten life.
I don't even know why I camehere tonight.
I my life, I can't do anythinglike you're doing.
I know you'd probably give hima pep talk, wouldn't you?
What would you tell thatperson?
Andy Whatley (16:52):
First, I was I started writing a song just then
about this dude.
I I was at I had theopportunity to uh play at the
Grand Ole Opry last July, andthat was with uh the same guy,
uh Jamie, he's a member.
So he invited my dad and mybrother and me to come and sing
because it was his birthday.
And anyhow, there was thisyoung kid there who got to play
(17:15):
and he he had his guitar, Ican't even remember his name,
but he had his guitar muted.
So you finally get out there onstage on one of the biggest
country music stages, and theydidn't unmute his guitar.
And and and it's just like whenhe came off the stage, I don't
know why I went straight intocoaching mode.
Like that that kid just youknow, just threw a uh hung a
(17:36):
curveball and the guy hitanother fit.
And and and so that vibes camedown now.
I'm answering your questionabout anybody that comes up to
me.
I can't tell you what I wouldsay to anybody until that
happens and the Holy Spiritstarts speaking through me.
Because do you ever do thatafter after you kind of give
some advice, you go, wow, thatwasn't me at all?
Ron Meyers (17:54):
Like, amen.
Where did I say I didn't know Iwas that smart?
Where'd that come from?
Right.
Andy Whatley (17:59):
And so the answer is I'm not that smart.
I really ain't.
And uh so I just have to hopehope that he starts speaking
through if that's a good divinemoment, you know.
Ron Meyers (18:09):
Amen.
So, what's life like now forAndy Watley and what's God doing
through you and all yourtravels?
Andy Whatley (18:16):
I got you.
Well, here's a typical first ofall, I'm finally empty nester.
All five kids are married.
Four of them has given us 13kids.
The other, the young one, he'sonly been married a couple
years, so we're gonna give himanother few more years.
So empty nesters and my myMonday is what I'm doing usually
with the music, trying to uhsettle down from the weekend and
(18:37):
then kind of do someproduction.
And this is what I love thispart.
So while I was coaching, youknow, the whole football coach
needs to teach history thing.
It is usually a joke class.
Though while I was opposite, Ilove history.
That's what I don't misscoaching at all.
Miss teaching history.
Then you start gearing up forthe weekend.
You know, you're I'm alwayschasing a dollar, making sure me
(19:00):
and the wife can eat, you know.
So if I'm not playing, I'mdoing something like that, you
know.
If I'm not playing, usuallyweekends start Thursday, but you
know, we travel back Sunday,usually is what how it usually
works out.
Ron Meyers (19:11):
What can people expect if they say, Wow, I've
never even heard of this man?
I think I want to come comelisten to him.
What can they expect a night oflistening to you and your
songs?
Andy Whatley (19:22):
Well, it it's gonna be loud.
We are very loud.
It's a three-piece band.
And when I'm I'm not gonna sitthere and play an hour and 40
minutes of Andy Wiley musicbecause I want to give everybody
something.
So you'll hear a mixture ofsongs I like to hear that are
covers, and you'll hear uh myoriginals.
But the covers now, they don'tI don't think I do one cover the
(19:47):
way it's supposed to be done.
I do it all my own versions.
And so, and that for somereason is one of the best
compliments we get is hey, Ilike that you did that, and I
like the way you did it.
You know, because nobody elseis gonna do it the way I do it.
And so that's usually, youknow, kind of a I don't know
what people kind of look forwardto, what am I gonna do now, you
(20:08):
know.
I just put somebody just postedon my Facebook me doing a slide
lead with a beer bottle, and sosomebody literally texts me and
said, You got to bring one toBiloxi.
So I'll I'll be doing a slideblues lead on the own with a
beer bottle.
Ron Meyers (20:22):
That's awesome.
Well, listen, we're about outof time.
I know you're busy.
There's a couple things that Iwant to ask you.
One is the title of this showis called Get the Hell Out of
Your Life.
So, Andy, how do you get thehell out of your life?
Andy Whatley (20:36):
Man, you you you focus your your view on the
cross, even if it looks likeyou're an idiot and you just go.
You just and yeah.
And so I think naturally thehell will get out of your life
at that point.
It has to, because you juststaying on the right path.
Ron Meyers (20:51):
Amen, brother.
And before we go, will youclose us out and pray for our
listeners?
Andy Whatley (20:59):
I sure will.
Father God, thank you so muchfor uh the show and uh what what
he does and how you uh I guessyou work through him to affect
people, Lord.
We just ask for blessings foreverybody listening, and we also
ask for blessings for the showtonight, and uh just uh may your
will be done in all this.
Thank you so much in Jesus'name, amen.
Ron Meyers (21:22):
Did you pick up on the fact that God never wasted a
single chapter of Andy's life?
The football coaching wasn'twasted, the years raising a
family were not wasted, thebusiness years weren't wasted,
even the years when that guitarsat in the corner weren't
wasted.
You see, God was preparing him.
(21:43):
I also love something else,Andy said.
He did not pursue music becauseit was safe, he pursued it
because he believed God wasleading him there.
Today Andy is playing bluesrock music in theaters,
festivals, and everything.
Every time he steps on stage,he has an opportunity to reflect
(22:04):
the love, grace, and characterof Christ.
Now, here are some action stepsif you're ready to move towards
your purpose.
Number one, pray about thedream you've buried.
Number two, identify the giftsGod has already given you.
Number three, stop waiting forthe perfect conditions.
(22:28):
Number four, take one smallstep this week.
Number five, use your gifts toserve others, not just yourself.
And number six, trust God withthe outcome.
You see, my friend, you don'thave to become someone else.
You simply need to become whoGod created you to be.
(22:50):
When I return, I will close outthe show, say a prayer for you,
and let you listen to a bit ofAndy's music.
Announcer (22:59):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
Adverstiment (23:25):
From crafts to trees to sights so pretty, it's
all right here in ChristmasCity.
Gifts and food over 300 booksguaranteed to put you in the
holiday booth.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Save the date, the 43rd annual Christmas City Gift
Show, November 13th through the15th at the Coast Coliseum
Convention Center in Pilexi.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
At Ron Meyer's Christmas Ed.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Visit Christmas City Gift Show.com for more.
Ron Meyers (24:47):
Dear Jesus, no more wasting time and doubting you.
Today, encourage, inspire, andempower me to follow the dreams
you have placed inside of me.
Remove the doubt, the fear, andignite a passion to pursue my
purpose.
Jesus, I give you my life.
(25:08):
I want to follow you and sharemy gifts with the world.
Thank you for your forgiveness,love, and awesome grace that
reminds me daily how much youlove me.
I am yours and thank you forAndy sharing his story today.
Lord, I want a life with noregrets.
(25:31):
Amen.
I will be back next week withanother grace-filled episode of
Get the Hell Out of Your Lifeavailable wherever you listen to
podcasts.
Until next week, this is RonMyers reminding you when you
give Jesus your heart, you notonly get the hell out of your
life, but you are giving Jesuspermission to transform you into
(25:54):
the person he created you tobe.
And if you're in the Gulf Coastarea Saturday evening, June
20th, why not make plans to comesee Andy perform at the
sanctuary in Biloxi?
The show starts at 7 30 p.m.
Look for me, I'll be there andsay hi.
And now I want to close outtoday's show with a taste of
(26:15):
Andy Watley's music.
Announcer (26:17):
See you next week.org.
(27:20):
And would you prayerfullyconsider making a tax deductible
donation so that we maycontinue to share stories of
God's amazing grace with theworld?
And join us next week foranother broadcast of Get the
Hell Out of Your Life.
Real people, sharing realstruggles, and offering real
hope.
It's time now to get the hell out of your life.
A weekly broadcast with realpeople, sharing real struggles,
and offering real hope.
Today's show will encourage,inspire, and empower you to face
life's challenges with a fullconfidence and renewed hope.
Now let's join our host, RonMyers, the promoter.
Ron Meyers (00:22):
Hello, my friends.
It is so good to be with youtoday.
I want to begin with athought-provoking question.
Does God have you where hewants you to be?
Now think about that for aminute.
Are you doing what God createdyou to do?
Are you using the gifts,talents, and abilities he's
placed inside of you?
Or do you feel like there'ssomething more to life?
(00:43):
If your answer is no or even,I'm not sure, Ron, then today's
episode is a must listen.
Now, if you're new to thisshow, let me tell you what I do.
I chase God stories.
I love hearing the stories ofordinary people who discover
that God has an extraordinarypurpose for their lives.
(01:04):
Today's story found me afterchurch last Sunday.
A friend of mine, Greg, walkedup to me and told me about a
blues rock musician coming toBiloxi on June 20th to perform
at the music venue called TheSanctuary.
As he shared a little bit aboutthis man's journey, I knew then
that God had set up anappointment for me with another
(01:26):
story that my listeners neededto hear.
Now I warn you, I have beenaccused of being an instigator.
Not because I caused trouble,but because this show has a way
of stirring up gifts, dreams,and callings that have been
lying dormant inside of peoplefor years.
You know those gifts God placedinside of you?
(01:48):
The ones that keep whisperingthere's more.
The ones that won't leave youalone.
The gifts that are screaming,let me out.
Well, today's conversation maydo exactly that.
My guest is Andy Watley, ablues rock musician who spent
years raising a family, coachingfootball, running businesses,
(02:10):
and doing all the thingsresponsible people do.
He had a dream.
Music.
The music never left him.
The gift never left him, thecalling never left him.
After our conversation, I'llshare a few practical action
steps that you can beginimmediately to help you move
closer to the place God wantsyou to be.
(02:32):
And before we're done, you'regoing to hear a little of Andy's
music and learn how you can seehim live if you're on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast.
So let's get right to it.
Andy, what's your story?
Andy Whatley (02:45):
Wow, which which rabbit trail are we going to go
on today?
Brought up in an incredibleChristian family in Montgomery,
Alabama, and had me in aChristian school, but there were
two things relevant growing up.
One's music constantly, theother was sports.
That's it.
Music and sports, sports andmusic, which is a little bit of
(03:09):
a sometimes contradictory, youknow, but it's it's what we
were.
And so my dad, you know, wasteaching me how to play guitar,
and we're constantly havinginstruments around the house.
And so that kind of was, Iguess, the feeder for what was
gonna eventually become.
The reason I even bring thesports and the music up is
because you're gonna see thatinterwoven as as I'm just
(03:32):
dealing with with what Godbrings me and and what I run
away from and what he brings meback to.
So left that school, ended upplaying college football up in
Wisconsin, probably becausethat's the furthest way I could
get away from my folks at thattime when you're 18 and ready to
think you can do it on yourown.
And that lasted good.
I had fun up there, but it justwasn't for me.
(03:55):
If you wanted to be a goodpreacher, you would go to that
school at that time.
I wasn't wanting to be apreacher, so that only lasted
about a year.
As I floated on back, I startedgetting to bands, playing
everywhere I could.
We called ourselves ChristianRock at that time, but we pretty
much played anywhere the doorwas open and we could play,
(04:16):
whether it be a Christian coffeehouse here, a bar there.
We actually had a, I think itwas a label called Word out of
Nashville wanted to sign usbecause they were looking for
no, this didn't work out, butthey were looking for a
Christian band to go into barsand they're just they had an
idea that didn't that didn'treally come to fruition for us,
(04:38):
but that also explains to youwhere we were at, you know,
trying to do that.
And when I say we, it a lot ofthat is my brother.
Um his name is Chris, and uh,so me and him are constantly
just trying to do stuff likethat.
Along comes, I go back to myhigh school sweetheart, married
her, and I think I met her, shewas in ninth grade, I was 11th.
(05:01):
So after a few years, well, wewe team up, we get married, we
have our second child, andthat's the time I was like, ooh,
if I keep doing these bars andI keep this lifestyle, I'm going
to lose that woman and thosetwo boys.
So I kind of put up the guitarat that point and went into the
(05:21):
business of my own, uh, the meatbusiness of all things.
It was fun.
Did that for about seven yearsand kept having kids.
We ended up having five kidsduring all that, four boys and a
girl.
And so that led us to the backto sports.
I actually went back, got mydegree, got my master's, and
(05:43):
started coaching football inAlabama, definitely about three
or four different schools.
You know, you travel around.
What led me back to music wassitting around a coaches
meeting.
We always had ours on Sunday inbetween churches.
And my dad calls me and hesays, Hey, come down here to
this benefit, and uh they wantus to sing Seven Bridges Road.
(06:04):
And what what it was wasthere's a friend, there's a
mutual friend in our family, andhe's a big country star.
His name is Jamie Johnson.
So he was having a localbenefit, and he had it for a few
years there.
So I it was raising money for Ithink pancreatic cancer.
And so I kind of knew about it,but again, you know, I'm I'm
not in music.
(06:25):
I'm I'm only in, you know, likesports at this point.
My sons, they're killing atmusic, they're learning their
instrument, they're getting verygood on their instruments, you
know.
So I got to listen to them andthroughout all these all these
years, but I'm not.
So my dad calls me, hey, youknow, come come sing the song.
You know, literally just cometo we'll we'll put you on a
(06:46):
little cart, they'll take you tothe stage, we'll get up there.
I'm like, dad, I can't, youknow, I've got a meeting right
here, you know.
We're trying to go over thisdefense here, and you know, and
so then he texts me, hey, uh,hey, hey, you think you can come
up, you know?
And so I actually I rememberlooking down, literally
thinking, you know, I kind ofwore some black jeans and a
black shirt.
Other words, I was like, thiswould work on stage, you know,
(07:08):
because it was what I wore tochurch that day.
I just went straight over tothe school after that.
I'm like, all right, so I go,and literally, it was, you know,
he probably had a couplethousand people out there, and
they pulled me up and it theyhanded me a acoustic guitar.
There's my dad, there's mybrother, and I believe Jamie's
dad, he always sings bass withus.
And so uh so we jump up onstage, did one song, and right
(07:32):
there I went, oof.
Even on the way home, I wasgoing, no, no, no, no, no,
don't, don't, don't, Andy,don't, don't, you know.
And I'm really talking to whatI felt like God's saying, yeah,
I've got some new plans for you.
And so that took an extreme,you know, turn.
I really wasn't tellinganybody, like, hey, I might give
up all this to start this.
(07:54):
I really didn't want to reallytell anybody, especially my
wife.
Well, at the same time, mysons, who are getting very good
at their instruments, they cometo me and they say, Dad, why
don't you sing for us and let'sbook a few shows?
Let's have some fun.
And I'm like, oof, that's goodtiming.
So I literally said, Okay,let's do that, and started
(08:16):
booking shows mostly out oftown.
Jump in the truck, trailer, goset up, play a bar scene.
And it was all it was a lot offun.
But I wasn't doing it for fun.
I knew I was supposed to gothis direction.
We kicked along for about twoyears, and that was called
Watley and Company.
And we started at that time,Jamie uh Johnson, he he started
(08:38):
saying, Hey man, why don't youwhy don't you uh get on my
record label and start releasingmusic under it's called Big
Gass Records?
And I said, Okay, let's dothat.
And but all of a sudden, thatfirstborn, he's the drummer,
Kyle.
He he had his second baby.
And the uh second born, my bassplayer, Carson, he had his, I
(08:58):
think he got he had his firstbaby, and and then the my
guitarist who does other stufflike keyboards and everything
else, Kirkland, he was gettingmarried.
So you can see where I'm goingwith this.
Now they're doing the samething I did when I had my second
kid.
Dad, I can't go, I can't dothis traveling.
We were starting to travel alot more under Watley and
(09:20):
Company, and so I kind of sawthat and I'm like, hmm.
And so we were playing a showin Tennessee, I'll never forget
it.
And I'm I love history.
And so uh I was uh after theshow in Tennessee, we were
opening up actually for I thinkit was Jamie, it was a it was a
big artist.
Well, my sons, they took thetruck and trailer, went that
way.
I actually have my wife on thattrip trip, and we're gonna go
(09:41):
to Shiloh Battlefield.
On the way there, I literallyheard in my in my head, Andy
Watley and Company.
Instead of, you know, it wasWatley and Co.
Wally and Company.
And I'm like, oh no, I'd neverput my name.
You know, I like a band.
Come on, give us a band name.
You know, I don't ever want toput just, you know, Billy Bob
(10:02):
Johnson here, boom, you know.
And so I was like, I wrestled,no, no, and but I I was like,
wow, my sons are with me.
And and then he said, Yeah,they're leaving.
You know, I heard I felt Godsay, They're leaving.
This is you.
This is you, I got you to whereI need you to be.
And so I officially made itAndy Watley and company or and
went back to my brother andsaid, Bubba, will you travel
(10:23):
with me?
He's a bass player.
And I went back to you.
Remember, I told you I wasplaying when I was younger?
That exact that drummer there.
I went back to him and gotthose two guys to start touring
with me.
Now, since my brother hasgotten off the road, too much
interstate for him, he plays andsings locally.
So I have a younger bass playernow, you know, that does these
(10:44):
shows with me.
So that right there is leadingme up to just keep releasing,
keep playing music.
And we, I guess, management haskind of looked at the direction
I'm going and says, you knowwhat, let's get you, let's wean
you off these bars and startimplementing some of these small
theaters, and so we could startworking those for a couple of
(11:05):
years and build that thatclientele up.
And you just got to hear thestory.
Ron Meyers (11:11):
So you knew since you were little that you had a
talent with singing, and youknow, life threw things at you,
wife, marriage, you know, kids,and all that kind of stuff, and
it kind of took a detour, butthere was always something
pulling you back.
You said God, I believe it wasGod, because I think God wants
us to all, you know, follow ourtalents and the gifts He's given
(11:32):
us.
Did you have people tellingyou, well, you not want to think
twice about that?
Did you have people or did youhave support from everybody?
Andy Whatley (11:42):
People thought I lost my my mind on this last
one.
Just because I was soestablished in what I did for a
living and and in that in thatwhole circle of deals, you know,
coaching and athletic directorand a baseball coach.
Just that was what I waswrapped up in.
Now, while all that was goingon, that was 17 years I did
(12:04):
that.
I'd always had these littlelike I could pick a guitar up,
not tell anybody and just writea song, you know, just put it
down, you know, and just kind ofyou know, keep keep a record of
it.
I was doing that the whole timethinking, eh, that would have
been fun if I'd if I'd got to dothat.
In fact, I've got to do it somuch now.
If he says, okay, I'm ready foryou to go do this, uh, you
(12:26):
know, I would love and cherisheverything I've done up to this
point.
Ron Meyers (12:30):
Amen.
Amen.
You know, one of the thingsthat I like to talk about in my
show a lot with the guests isthat a lot of people feel like
they're missing something inlife, but they they don't want
to take away from theirresponsibilities or their full
one 401k.
But I always say there's a timein life that you do have to
(12:51):
make a decision if you want togo and pursue your dreams.
And so somebody out there thatis listening to your story and
say, Man, I can relate to thatguy.
What encouragement would yougive them about following their
dreams and not listening to thenegative things in the world?
Andy Whatley (13:08):
Yeah, and we're me and you are talking about the
belief in in Jesus.
Amen.
And so it's so what so me andyou, our conversation is always,
always going to be based onlistening and hearing from him.
And so, you know, because youtake a look at what I do, and if
you don't know me, you're gonnago, there's another stoned-out
rock and roller playing late atmidnight at, you know.
(13:30):
And I I when I went into this,I was like, wow, that that in
fact, that's another thing youdon't see a lot of is somebody
who has 13 grandchildrenliterally out there playing bar
and theater and bar and theaterand opened up the, you know, I
got to go do a run withBlackberry Smoke, you know.
I got to open up for CharlieDaniels before he passed away,
(13:51):
you know.
Um, I shared a stage and backedup Kid Rock literally while he
was doing a tribute to EddieMoney.
So all these things, and all Iit wasn't like nobody came to me
and said, Hey, you get to doall this if you make this
decision.
Ron Meyers (14:05):
It just happened.
Andy Whatley (14:06):
I just don't know.
So it yeah, and but it was thatyou know this is where I messed
up.
So this is where I messed up,and I didn't, I wasn't upfront
with my wife.
I could not look at her andsay, hey, you know that master's
degree I have in sportsmanagement, and and you know
that I I'm gonna walk away fromthat.
I I I should have done that andI didn't, and we're okay.
(14:27):
We made amends, and it was arough a couple years for her to
finally go, oh, you're doingthis now, you know.
So uh yeah, you know you we'regonna make mistakes along this
whole journey, anyhow, butthat's definitely one of them.
But anyhow, when you know itback to hearing from God, and
when you know it in your heart,you know, you gotta go.
You gotta go.
And you know there's gonna benaysayers.
(14:49):
That's just part of it.
Ron Meyers (14:50):
That's exactly right.
And you have to go do that.
I tell people now, they say,well, what's the difference when
you were listening to Jesus,Ron, and when you were doing it
and weren't were doing it foryourself?
And I said, Well, this mightsound strange, but everything I
thought I was gonna do, I'm notdoing.
And everything I never knew Icould do, I'm doing.
(15:11):
So that has to be God.
I'm having a life now that justit's fun, it's exciting, it
touches people's lives, but Iget to be myself.
And I think that's really whatit comes down to, Andy.
A lot of times God wants us tobe ourselves, to be ourselves
and not be somebody else thatpeople want us to be, but he's
(15:32):
given us those talents.
And I see your videos, I seeyour website, and you seem like
you have a connection.
You have a connection becausethe songs, in fact, I was
reading, you write the songslike basically half the lives of
those people sitting in youraudience, and so there's the
connection with them.
Andy Whatley (15:50):
I was I was really hoping someone would pick up on
that because uh sometimes Iwrite a song, and especially my,
you know, my my closest humanis my wife, she's like, Yeah,
you you don't deal with that.
I said, I know, but I've met aguy who deals with this.
I'm singing like he wrote thesong, you know, and he's my
muse, you know.
I don't even know his name, butI I remember him sitting at the
bar.
Ron Meyers (16:09):
Amen.
Andy Whatley (16:09):
And uh and so I'm glad you picked up on that.
Thank you.
Ron Meyers (16:12):
Well, I think it's so important because there's so
much that we can share withpeople, with you know, none of
us are gonna make perfectdecisions in life.
That's why we need Jesus.
You know, he's he's giving usforgiveness and we have that
grace, but he wants us to shareour struggles and our troubles
with other people and how we gotthrough them.
So if somebody came up to youat the end of your show and
(16:34):
said, you know, Andy, you you'reso talented and enjoy it, but
you know, I have such a crummy,rotten life.
I don't even know why I camehere tonight.
I my life, I can't do anythinglike you're doing.
I know you'd probably give hima pep talk, wouldn't you?
What would you tell thatperson?
Andy Whatley (16:52):
First, I was I started writing a song just then
about this dude.
I I was at I had theopportunity to uh play at the
Grand Ole Opry last July, andthat was with uh the same guy,
uh Jamie, he's a member.
So he invited my dad and mybrother and me to come and sing
because it was his birthday.
And anyhow, there was thisyoung kid there who got to play
(17:15):
and he he had his guitar, Ican't even remember his name,
but he had his guitar muted.
So you finally get out there onstage on one of the biggest
country music stages, and theydidn't unmute his guitar.
And and and it's just like whenhe came off the stage, I don't
know why I went straight intocoaching mode.
Like that that kid just youknow, just threw a uh hung a
(17:36):
curveball and the guy hitanother fit.
And and and so that vibes camedown now.
I'm answering your questionabout anybody that comes up to
me.
I can't tell you what I wouldsay to anybody until that
happens and the Holy Spiritstarts speaking through me.
Because do you ever do thatafter after you kind of give
some advice, you go, wow, thatwasn't me at all?
Ron Meyers (17:54):
Like, amen.
Where did I say I didn't know Iwas that smart?
Where'd that come from?
Right.
Andy Whatley (17:59):
And so the answer is I'm not that smart.
I really ain't.
And uh so I just have to hopehope that he starts speaking
through if that's a good divinemoment, you know.
Ron Meyers (18:09):
Amen.
So, what's life like now forAndy Watley and what's God doing
through you and all yourtravels?
Andy Whatley (18:16):
I got you.
Well, here's a typical first ofall, I'm finally empty nester.
All five kids are married.
Four of them has given us 13kids.
The other, the young one, he'sonly been married a couple
years, so we're gonna give himanother few more years.
So empty nesters and my myMonday is what I'm doing usually
with the music, trying to uhsettle down from the weekend and
(18:37):
then kind of do someproduction.
And this is what I love thispart.
So while I was coaching, youknow, the whole football coach
needs to teach history thing.
It is usually a joke class.
Though while I was opposite, Ilove history.
That's what I don't misscoaching at all.
Miss teaching history.
Then you start gearing up forthe weekend.
You know, you're I'm alwayschasing a dollar, making sure me
(19:00):
and the wife can eat, you know.
So if I'm not playing, I'mdoing something like that, you
know.
If I'm not playing, usuallyweekends start Thursday, but you
know, we travel back Sunday,usually is what how it usually
works out.
Ron Meyers (19:11):
What can people expect if they say, Wow, I've
never even heard of this man?
I think I want to come comelisten to him.
What can they expect a night oflistening to you and your
songs?
Andy Whatley (19:22):
Well, it it's gonna be loud.
We are very loud.
It's a three-piece band.
And when I'm I'm not gonna sitthere and play an hour and 40
minutes of Andy Wiley musicbecause I want to give everybody
something.
So you'll hear a mixture ofsongs I like to hear that are
covers, and you'll hear uh myoriginals.
But the covers now, they don'tI don't think I do one cover the
(19:47):
way it's supposed to be done.
I do it all my own versions.
And so, and that for somereason is one of the best
compliments we get is hey, Ilike that you did that, and I
like the way you did it.
You know, because nobody elseis gonna do it the way I do it.
And so that's usually, youknow, kind of a I don't know
what people kind of look forwardto, what am I gonna do now, you
(20:08):
know.
I just put somebody just postedon my Facebook me doing a slide
lead with a beer bottle, and sosomebody literally texts me and
said, You got to bring one toBiloxi.
So I'll I'll be doing a slideblues lead on the own with a
beer bottle.
Ron Meyers (20:22):
That's awesome.
Well, listen, we're about outof time.
I know you're busy.
There's a couple things that Iwant to ask you.
One is the title of this showis called Get the Hell Out of
Your Life.
So, Andy, how do you get thehell out of your life?
Andy Whatley (20:36):
Man, you you you focus your your view on the
cross, even if it looks likeyou're an idiot and you just go.
You just and yeah.
And so I think naturally thehell will get out of your life
at that point.
It has to, because you juststaying on the right path.
Ron Meyers (20:51):
Amen, brother.
And before we go, will youclose us out and pray for our
listeners?
Andy Whatley (20:59):
I sure will.
Father God, thank you so muchfor uh the show and uh what what
he does and how you uh I guessyou work through him to affect
people, Lord.
We just ask for blessings foreverybody listening, and we also
ask for blessings for the showtonight, and uh just uh may your
will be done in all this.
Thank you so much in Jesus'name, amen.
Ron Meyers (21:22):
Did you pick up on the fact that God never wasted a
single chapter of Andy's life?
The football coaching wasn'twasted, the years raising a
family were not wasted, thebusiness years weren't wasted,
even the years when that guitarsat in the corner weren't
wasted.
You see, God was preparing him.
(21:43):
I also love something else,Andy said.
He did not pursue music becauseit was safe, he pursued it
because he believed God wasleading him there.
Today Andy is playing bluesrock music in theaters,
festivals, and everything.
Every time he steps on stage,he has an opportunity to reflect
(22:04):
the love, grace, and characterof Christ.
Now, here are some action stepsif you're ready to move towards
your purpose.
Number one, pray about thedream you've buried.
Number two, identify the giftsGod has already given you.
Number three, stop waiting forthe perfect conditions.
(22:28):
Number four, take one smallstep this week.
Number five, use your gifts toserve others, not just yourself.
And number six, trust God withthe outcome.
You see, my friend, you don'thave to become someone else.
You simply need to become whoGod created you to be.
(22:50):
When I return, I will close outthe show, say a prayer for you,
and let you listen to a bit ofAndy's music.
Announcer (22:59):
You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life
with your host, Ron Myers.
Real stories, real struggles,and real hope.
Adverstiment (23:25):
From crafts to trees to sights so pretty, it's
all right here in ChristmasCity.
Gifts and food over 300 booksguaranteed to put you in the
holiday booth.
Speaker 1 (23:41):
Save the date, the 43rd annual Christmas City Gift
Show, November 13th through the15th at the Coast Coliseum
Convention Center in Pilexi.
Speaker 4 (23:51):
At Ron Meyer's Christmas Ed.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
Visit Christmas City Gift Show.com for more.
Ron Meyers (24:47):
Dear Jesus, no more wasting time and doubting you.
Today, encourage, inspire, andempower me to follow the dreams
you have placed inside of me.
Remove the doubt, the fear, andignite a passion to pursue my
purpose.
Jesus, I give you my life.
(25:08):
I want to follow you and sharemy gifts with the world.
Thank you for your forgiveness,love, and awesome grace that
reminds me daily how much youlove me.
I am yours and thank you forAndy sharing his story today.
Lord, I want a life with noregrets.
(25:31):
Amen.
I will be back next week withanother grace-filled episode of
Get the Hell Out of Your Lifeavailable wherever you listen to
podcasts.
Until next week, this is RonMyers reminding you when you
give Jesus your heart, you notonly get the hell out of your
life, but you are giving Jesuspermission to transform you into
(25:54):
the person he created you tobe.
And if you're in the Gulf Coastarea Saturday evening, June
20th, why not make plans to comesee Andy perform at the
sanctuary in Biloxi?
The show starts at 7 30 p.m.
Look for me, I'll be there andsay hi.
And now I want to close outtoday's show with a taste of
(26:15):
Andy Watley's music.
Announcer (26:17):
See you next week.org.
(27:20):
And would you prayerfullyconsider making a tax deductible
donation so that we maycontinue to share stories of
God's amazing grace with theworld?
And join us next week foranother broadcast of Get the
Hell Out of Your Life.
Real people, sharing realstruggles, and offering real
hope.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.