From Elvis to Dolly with Ronnie McDowell

Video Description

What does it take to make it 48 years in country music—and still be going strong? For Ronnie McDowell, it’s a mix of talent, passion, and one unforgettable tribute to Elvis Presley. In this episode of The Heirloom Podcast, Josh Nowell and Jim Rasberry sit down with Ronnie at The Heirloom Hotel in Laurel, Mississippi. They talk about Ronnie’s life on the road, the story behind his million-selling single “The King Is Gone,” and the unexpected turns that shaped his career—from Vietnam to American Bandstand to Dolly Parton’s latest record. Ronnie shares stories about paying off old debts, preserving history through painting, and why he believes he’s one of the most blessed performers alive. His memories stretch from the South Mississippi Fair to Studio B in Nashville, woven together by music, legacy, and a deep respect for the past. “By proxy, Elvis did for my mama what he wanted to do for his—he gave her rest. And he didn’t even know it.” – Ronnie McDowell ▶ You’ll hear: • How a tribute to Elvis turned into a breakout hit • Why Ronnie says Dolly Parton “put me between Paul McCartney and Judas Priest” • The $700 he almost invested in Walmart stock • Paying off his mama’s mop bucket job with a radio hit • Painting for Disney—and Tupelo Hardware’s hidden Elvis story “If you make somebody money, give ’em a little extra. If you lose ’em money, give ’em some back.” – Ronnie McDowell, quoting Ernest Tubb Whether you grew up on country music or just love a good story, this episode is a reminder that legacy surrounds us—even alone in the pickup on a brisk fall drive, when the radio rattles out those old songs that make us smile and remember the ones we love. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 – Meeting Jerry Lee Lewis 04:00 – Vietnam and the Early Band Days 05:30- Meeting Sam Walton at Walmart 12:00 – Writing “The King Is Gone” 13:00 – American Bandstand and Hot Checks 18:20 – Dolly Parton and “Track 28” 19:45 – Painting for Disney and Elvis’s Guitar 30:45 – Conway, George Strait, and Songwriting 33:45 – Paying Off Mama’s Mop Bucket Job 52:00 – Legacy, Family, and Storytelling 1:03:00 – Gratitude, Vietnam, and What Matters Most ⸻ Recorded in Laurel, Mississippi at The Heirloom Hotel Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows. Ronnie’s Songs: Thing About Texas https://youtu.be/hS0nrgRRNBA?si=cAO7JTq8f1xEWp7_ You’re going to Ruin My Bad Reputation: https://youtu.be/FCOq_MHb9nI?si=hVjhR2NCKRMR-iC8 Older Women: https://youtu.be/7zSqztNTkx0?si=mbAGBtDbwS132w3b #TheHeirloomPodcast #RonnieMcDowell #JoshNowell #JimRasberry #LaurelMississippi #CountryMusic #ElvisPresley #Legacy #TheHeirloom #HeirloomHotel #DollyParton The Heirloom: (http://theheirloom.us) Heirloom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theheirloom.us/ Heirloom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573682210542 Heirloom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theheirloom.us Heirloom X: https://x.com/theheirloomus