In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with Jacksonville, Texas rapper Cico P for a raw, unfiltered conversation about where he came from, what shaped him, and how he turned a childhood surrounded by public housing, limited opportunities, and generational struggle into a breakout rap career. Cico talks about growing up in the “bricks” and “the park,” watching his family make music, learning from uncles and cousins who rapped before him, and discovering early on that lyrics were a way to tell the truth about the life he knew. He reflects on the realities of small-town poverty, the lack of economic mobility, the way people lose hope—or get too comfortable—and the mindset shift it took to believe he could be something more.

Chad guides the conversation through Cico’s early hustle, working long shifts at Trane while secretly writing music on the line, recording with local producers out of home studios, and teaching himself the industry beat by beat. Cico breaks down the making of “Tampa,” the song that changed everything, from buying the original beat online to laying down the track in a small Tyler studio. He opens up about signing with APG, what he learned from that deal, why mastering and owning your masters actually matters, and the behind-the-scenes path he’s taken toward full independence. They dive into the difference between creativity and clarity, the role of sobriety in writing, and why he believes he does his best work with a clear mind even if the culture around him glamorizes otherwise.

The episode also digs into the meaning behind his lyrics, his strategy of naming songs after cities, the Houston rap scene’s unity, and the personal evolution that led him to leave Jacksonville and start over in Dallas to escape destructive patterns. Cico shares stories about loyalty, losing friends when the fame cooled down, building his own entertainment brand Dog Ties, and the new music he’s crafted with more intention, more maturity, and better production than anything he’s released before. It’s an honest look at ambition, environment, talent, and the relentless grind of an artist determined to defy expectations and write his own story. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with lifelong friend Stephen “Smitty” Smith for a wide-open conversation that stretches from their childhood in Tyler to Smitty’s three-decade journey through the Western apparel industry. Smitty talks about stumbling into the business in the late 80s through Cavender’s, learning retail from the back room forward, and eventually becoming a rep traveling across the country and even into China and Mexico to work with leather manufacturers. He shares the funny, strange, and unforgettable experiences from those early years—including time spent in Huntsville stores surrounded by prison-made leather goods, the small-town web of relationships in the Western wear world, and the way the industry has exploded thanks to trends like Yellowstone, social media, and the nationwide rise of the cowboy aesthetic.

The conversation goes deeper as Smitty walks Chad through the personal side of his story. He left his long time employer after 22 years, facing depression for the first time, reworking his life with the help of friends and a therapist, and eventually returning to Cinch with a new sense of focus and clarity. He talks openly about raising his daughters, navigating life after divorce, aging, loneliness, and the strange, vulnerable process of starting over in your 50s. Smitty shares the highs and lows of traveling for work, setting up for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, and the moment a health scare during NFR led to a hospital stay where world-famous bull rider Tuff Hedeman refused to leave his side. It’s equal parts emotional, hilarious, and human.

Chad and Smitty also dive into the music world Smitty accidentally became part of—helping launch Southern Thread, outfitting artists before social media existed, and building friendships with names like Randy Rogers, Wade Bowen, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Whiskey Myers, and others who grew out of the Texas and Red Dirt scenes. Smitty shares behind-the-scenes stories from Steamboat, Gruene Hall, Bootlegger’s, and the early days of countless bands before they blew up. It’s an unfiltered, nostalgic, and surprisingly inspiring look at friendship, music, mental health, and the unpredictable roads life takes when you say yes, show up, and treat people right. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with legendary former Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith. J.B.’s life story spans poverty in rural Arkansas, the dangers of naval service, and 36 unforgettable years as one of the most visible public figures in East Texas. J.B. takes us through his childhood marked by deep poverty, an abusive home, and the early instinct that he needed to escape. He talks about enlisting in the Navy at 17, serving on an aircraft carrier during Vietnam, and discovering structure and purpose for the first time. It’s a rare and candid look at the resilience that shaped him long before anyone in Texas knew his name.

J.B. shares how he arrived in Tyler by chance, joined the police department, and eventually won the sheriff’s race as the first Republican candidate since Reconstruction—running a grassroots campaign that redefined local politics. He opens up about the turbulence of the Smith County Justice era, false accusations, political enemies, and the intense pressure that came with being targeted by the Tyler Morning Telegraph and others. He talks about the investigations he endured, the lessons he learned, and how Judge William Wayne Justice reinstated him after a malicious prosecution.

The conversation also explores the lighter, unexpected chapters of J.B.’s life: his speaking career, his humor, his years doing forensic hypnosis, auctioneering, and the countless stories from decades in law enforcement—from undercover raids to nightclub inspections to the changing culture of policing over generations. As he reflects on legacy, family, faith, and the portrait now hanging in the sheriff’s office, J.B. offers a rare, unfiltered account of a life lived in public, a career built on instinct and grit, and a perspective shaped by hardship, humility, and an undiminished love for people. It’s an honest, wide-ranging conversation with one of Smith County’s most enduring figures. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with Junior League leaders Chelsea Cooper and Libby Simmons to unpack the real story behind one of Tyler’s oldest and most influential service organizations. Chelsea and Libby walk through the history of the Junior League, how it began as a group of 13 civic-minded women in 1950, and how it grew into a powerful 75-year old force for community service, philanthropy, and women’s leadership development. They explain how the League has evolved over generations—from stay-at-home moms in the 1950s to today’s membership, where more than 85 percent of women work full-time and still give significant time to service in Smith County.

The conversation gives an inside look at the League’s mission, application process, volunteer placements, grant making, and long-standing community partnerships. Chelsea breaks down the data showing who joins today and why, how provisional classes form tight-knit groups of new members, and how the League supports everything from children’s programs to community nonprofits. Libby reflects on her decades of involvement, the mentorship between sustainers and active members, and the way the organization continues to produce trained leaders who go on to serve across East Texas.

They also explore the behind-the-scenes effort behind Mistletoe & Magic, the League’s signature fundraiser now entering its 47th year. The conversation covers everything: vendor selection, sponsorships, the preview party, special events, auction items, logistics, and why this holiday market remains one of Tyler’s most anticipated traditions. Chelsea and Libby offer a candid look at the volunteer work, leadership, and passion required to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year—money that goes straight back into the community. It’s an honest, detailed look at an organization that has quietly shaped Tyler for generations, and the women who keep its mission alive today. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

In this episode, J. Chad Parker sits down with legendary East Texas sports voice Michael Coleman for a wide-ranging conversation that traces his life from a childhood in Lawrence, Kansas, to a broadcasting career that eventually took him from Tyler to New York City and back again. Michael reflects on growing up two blocks from the University of Kansas, sneaking into football games as a kid, meeting Gale Sayers as a teenager, and navigating a complicated home life marked by domestic violence. He talks about the mentors, teachers, coaches, and community members who pushed him to dream bigger—and how sports became his escape, his motivation, and eventually his profession.

Michael walks Chad through his winding path into broadcasting: junior college football, Southern Illinois, early reporting jobs, the strange and dangerous season he spent working for the Nielsen ratings, and his first breaks in television news. He opens up about the years he spent covering major markets, from hosting shows in Kansas City to reporting live from Yankee Stadium during his stint in New York. He talks about the grind of the industry, the joy of telling local sports stories, the weight of being one of the few Black sports directors in the country, and the lessons that came from saying “no” at the right time, fighting through rejection, and finally earning the opportunities he spent years chasing.

The conversation becomes deeply personal as Michael shares stories about returning to East Texas, the phone call that brought him back to KLTV, and the community that welcomed him home. Chad and Michael discuss high school football culture, the evolution of local news, the shift toward digital media, and the power of great storytelling—whether it’s following Adrian Peterson from Palestine to the NFL Draft or watching Patrick Mahomes’ rise firsthand. It’s an honest, funny, emotional look at a career built on resilience, determination, and connection, told by one of the most recognizable voices in East Texas sports. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

J. Chad Parker sits down with his son, Jake Parker, for a rare, honest conversation that traces Jake’s journey from growing up in Tyler to competing at the highest levels of high school and college football. Jake walks through the early years—long days at the ballpark, middle school battles, and the friendships that shaped him, including the tight-knit bond with Patrick Mahomes and the group of friends who stayed inseparable on and off the field. Chad and Jake revisit the Little League World Series run, the grind of multi-sport seasons, and the competitive fire that pushed Jake to become a fearless, tough-minded athlete.
The story turns toward Jake’s path after high school, including the adversity that came with injuries, the challenge of walking on at Texas Tech, and his unexpected detour into the oil field while trying to figure out his life as a young man. Jake shares candid lessons learned working around older men with real families and real struggles, and how that season forced him to grow up fast. He talks about the moment he decided to chase football again, the long climb back into shape, and the second chance he found at Howard Payne University—where he eventually became an All-American and one of the players credited with helping turn the program around.

The episode also dives into Jake and Patrick’s long-standing friendship, the behind-the-scenes moments fans never see, and the ways Patrick has continued to show up for the people he grew up with—whether it’s dropping into a JUCO spring game in Brownwood or tracking down Jake and his brother Zach on the front row of an AFC Championship celebration. Jake opens up about perseverance, maturity, relationships, and the future he’s building now. It’s a full-circle conversation between a father and son, reflecting on sports, life, second chances, and what it means to keep moving forward even when the road takes unexpected turns. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

J. Chad Parker sits down with Tyler Dudley to walk through the real story behind Joint Custody, the East Texas band that’s been grinding their way from church-house beginnings to packed venues around the country. Tyler opens up about growing up in Whitehouse, learning guitar on YouTube, walking away from the 9-to-5 world, and slowly figuring out what it meant to chase music with intention. He shares early days playing restaurant gigs, forming his first band, and the relationships that shaped him along the way, including the influence of JB Patterson and the lessons learned from years of trial and error.

The conversation digs into the formation of Joint Custody in late 2019, the moment the four-piece decided to lock in, and the unexpected arrival of guitarist and songwriter Shawn from Georgia. Tyler breaks down the band dynamic, the roles each member plays, and how their sound evolved from acoustic country roots into the riff-driven southern rock they’re releasing today. He talks openly about the challenges of life on the road—breakdowns, long nights, tight budgets, and the kind of camaraderie required to keep a band together through it all.

Tyler and Chad also look ahead to the band’s new self-titled album, the growth in their songwriting, and the grind of trying to build a following one show at a time. Tyler shares stories from recent tours across Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Chicago, and Ohio, the difference between good nights and humbling ones, and why Joint Custody is more committed than ever to making authentic rock music that resonates. It’s an honest look at the work, the sacrifice, and the fire behind a young band chasing something real. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.

In this episode of East Texas UNFILTERED, host J. Chad Parker sits down with his longtime friend Pat Mahomes Sr. for a rare, no-filter conversation that goes far beyond the typical “Patrick Mahomes’ dad” interview. From growing up in small-town Lindale, Texas during the tail end of segregation to becoming a 17-year-old professional pitcher facing grown men (and real racism) in the minor leagues, Pat opens up about the triumphs, struggles, and family sacrifices that shaped both his 11-year MLB career and the childhood of his superstar son.

Chad and Pat have known each other for nearly two decades—coaching kids together, crying in parking lots after tough losses, and watching Patrick and Chad’s son Jake grow up side by side. Here, Pat finally sets the record straight on everything from his mother’s paralyzing accident when he was seven, driving himself to school at age eight, the truth about Patrick’s upbringing while he was on the road 180 days a year, Randy Mahomes’ massive role, and why he really signed with the Minnesota Twins instead of going to college.

This is the full East Texas story—raw, funny, emotional, and unapologetically real—that you won’t hear anywhere else. Two old friends, one table, and no agenda. Subscribe and turn on notifications for more conversations like this.