Episode Summary

Main Focus: Parker McCollum’s Switzerland Snowboarding Trip

Country musician Parker McCollum joins Ari Shaffir to talk about travel, music, and a snowboarding trip to Zermatt, Switzerland.

• The group originally planned to snowboard in Japan but changed plans because of COVID-era travel restrictions.
• Parker went with bandmates and his photographer; one friend who didn’t snowboard came along and spent the trip at the house.
• The journey involved flights, a car ride, and a small vehicle to reach their lodging. Parker’s snowboard was lost in transit, and severe jet lag made the trip exhausting.
• They snowboarded for about six days. Parker enjoyed the dramatic scenery and long runs, but preferred the varied terrain and opportunities for jumps and trees at resorts in the United States.
• Zermatt’s Matterhorn views, snowy village, and a small mountainside chalet where they stopped for champagne were highlights.
• The group tried local Swiss dishes, including fondue, though Parker’s favorite food from the trip is now hard for him to remember.
• Parker said he was glad he went, calling it a trip of a lifetime, but the travel and jet lag made him unsure whether he would return soon.

Snowboarding Stories and Reflections

• Parker described nearly wiping out on his first run after a child cut across his path. He bruised his hip but continued snowboarding.
• He had previously broken his collarbone while skiing in Colorado shortly before a music festival performance, making him more cautious on the slopes.
• The conversation covers the appeal of fresh morning runs, terrain parks, mountain jumps, and the risks of attempting one last run while tired.
• Ari and Parker also discuss how travel differs from touring: touring means moving between shows, while travel offers time to explore a place.

Music and Career

• Parker talks about not knowing exactly whether his music fits the labels “country” or “Americana.”
• He grew up listening to artists including George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, and Randy Travis, but says his own sound doesn’t simply resemble the music he admired.
• He says his latest album was his favorite he had made and that he created it to impress himself, not to win awards. It later received the ACM Album of the Year award.
• Parker describes becoming more professional on tour and prioritizing rest and strong performances. He says sobriety and being mentally present have made performing more fulfilling.

Other Conversation

• Ari promotes the show, its Patreon, and upcoming travel-themed episodes.
• The hosts briefly discuss Japan as a destination, noting its reputation for excellent snowfall and interest in country and bluegrass music.
• They share comic tangents about travel, airport fatigue, tourist pickpocketing, and their experiences with snow sports.
• Parker’s travel advice is jokingly simple: stay home, since travel can involve crowds and theft.

Closing

After the interview, Ari calls the episode “scary bad” in keeping with the show’s Halloween theme, while noting that Parker is a great musician. He also previews future travel episodes and mentions that he is visiting Tunisia.