Chuck Wicks: Stealing Cinderella, Autism Dad, Wine Boss & Shiners Showrunner - Ep 112

Country artist and entertainer Chuck Wicks stops by the Try That In A Small Town podcast for a wild, honest, and surprisingly emotional ride.

Chuck opens up about his journey from small-town farm kid and college baseball player to Nashville recording artist, radio host, entrepreneur, and autism dad. He shares the real story behind Stealing Cinderella, what it was like to be turned down by RCA the first time, and how he fought his way back to a record deal.

Chuck also talks candidly about raising his nonverbal autistic son Tucker, early intervention, therapies, and the emotional roller coaster of getting an autism diagnosis at Vanderbilt. He explains how that journey has changed his priorities and why he and his wife Cassie (Jason Aldean’s sister) feel called to help other parents find resources.

Chuck also teases his upcoming movie on Great American Family Network and Amazon Prime, where he sings multiple songs and steps deeper into acting.

3:06 Early mornings, syndicated radio, and sleep routines  
5:05 Family trip out West: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone, elk and bison  
7:48 Buffalo vs bison and bear talk  
10:00 Hunting, backlash on social media, and eating what you kill  
13:44 Health, wild game, and clean eating  
14:17 Chuck on being 47, staying in shape, and raising his autistic son  
15:12 Tucker’s autism journey: early signs, testing at Vanderbilt, and therapies  
18:49 Nonverbal progress, speech breakthroughs, and hope  
19:37 Faith, calling, and why parenting Tucker matters more than career  
20:00 Connecting with other autism parents (Joe Don Rooney story)  
22:19 Treatments, Lucavorin, red light therapy, and access to resources  
24:50 “We wouldn’t trade him for anything” – embracing Tucker’s journey  

26:17 Belt obsessions, airplane routines, and sensory quirks  
26:28 Chuck’s early life: small-town farm kid and college baseball player  
28:46 Discovering his voice in college, almost joining a pop group  
31:45 First trip to Nashville, meeting RCA’s Jim Catino and singing a cappella  
33:56 Development deal, not getting picked up, and starting over  
36:18 Four years of grinding, learning to write, and finding his sound  
42:40 Second chance: Clint Higham, Chesney camp, and full RCA deal  
45:47 Writing Stealing Cinderella from a personal love story  
50:00 Singing Stealing Cinderella at Coach Fulmer’s daughter’s wedding 
1:00:13 The day after: Jason Aldean’s “blessing” phone call  
1:02:30 Why Cassie’s three kids changed how Chuck approached relationships  
1:03:58 Blended family life: ages of the kids and how fast time moves  
1:05:25 What Jason Aldean is really like offstage: loyalty, mystery, and staying the same guy  
1:06:29 Jason’s laugh, tight inner circle, and “it could all go away” mindset  
1:08:01 Mellorosa Wine: starting a wine company with Jason Aldean  
1:09:00 Where to find Mellorosa (online, Kroger, ABC, Princess Cruises, Dubai)  
1:09:33 The Cuban family story behind the name and “toast to freedom”  
1:22:33 Gas station chaos: Bucky’s pump hogs and parking-lot etiquette  
1:25:29 Red velvet “Whitey” vs “Witty’s” custard mix-up  
1:27:31 Red Clay Strays controversy: “radio is dead” comment and why radio still matters  
1:30:39 Burning bridges you haven’t crossed yet and respecting country radio  
1:35:05 Youth sports parents losing their minds vs just being a dad  
1:38:01 CMT Awards “edit the chorus” story and learning to be grateful  
1:41:03 Road rage story: 75 in a 70 and killing them with kindness  
1:43:45 Locker room etiquette: naked close talkers and lifetime fitness stories  
1:46:00 Chuck’s upcoming movie: Great American Family Network & Amazon Prime  


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