You can’t replicate the energy Jon Pardi generates during one of his country concerts in a gym workout. This is according to the Honkytonk Hollywood singer himself.
With more than two decades of performing live, Pardi knows that each show is a unique, adrenaline-fueled experience. He shared this insight with Country Muscle Podcast host Jeff Tomko while discussing the heart-pumping rhythm of live performing.
For the multi-platinum-selling singer, currently on his Honkytonk Hollywood tour, a successful show requires a specific regimen. It begins backstage, where the band routinely decompresses, recalibrates, and gears up again. This process involves stretches, discussions about the setlist, and sometimes a little celebratory shot or a boost of Red Bull.
But the true magic happens the instant the lights dim and Pardi steps on stage. Giving 100 percent is a dedication that each musician is required to fulfill for the thousands of fans who fill the arenas. “You hit that high you can’t get anywhere else until you step on stage,” he says. Adrenaline floods the body, endorphins surge, and a unique neurological rush ignites every nerve and muscle.
However, no matter how intense the endorphin rush, performing multiple nights in a row can be fatiguing—especially by the third consecutive night, which he recently experienced during shows in Australia. His voice becomes a bit “squeaky,” and every note requires extra focus. Sometimes, he has to channel the crowd’s energy to power through the encore. “You’re giving it everything you can, trying to stay focused, trying to push through it, and sweating, but it’s the crowds lifting you through that,” he reflects.
After a high-octane set, Jon describes the necessary “cooldown” period—a transition when adrenaline slows and reality returns. “There’s that after-show when you gotta cool down,” Pardi says. “I need two to three hours after a show before I go to bed because it’s still like coming down.”
You can watch the Jon Pardi Country Muscle Podcast Interview on the Official Country Muscle YouTube channel and on Apple Podcasts as well as Podbean.
6 Takeaways from the Jon Pardi ‘Country Muscle Podcast’ Interview
- Knowing When Your Song is Complete: Pardi describes finishing a song as an emotional knowing rather than a technical process—you just sense when it’s ready to be recorded.
- Growing Country Music Globally: Touring internationally (UK, Europe, Australia) is rewarding despite logistical challenges, demonstrating country music’s expanding global popularity.
- Training and Fitness Approach: Pardi focuses on full-body workouts emphasizing bodyweight exercises, dumbbells, and joint-friendly movements, balancing the need to stay fit while avoiding back strain.
- Tour Life Fitness Priority: Working out on tour is a non-negotiable priority for Pardi, often relying on widely available gyms (like Planet Fitness) or bodyweight exercises for convenience.
- Tour Routine and Vocal Health: He emphasizes rest and vocal quiet time before shows to maintain peak performance, highlighting the physicality of performing and the importance of recovery.
- The Realities of Songwriting: Pardi acknowledges songwriting can be mysterious and mentally draining, with some of his best songs written quickly but also stresses the importance of showing up consistently to write—even on tough days.