Episode 255: Country Music Star Brad Tursi
About this episode
Country music and cars are the through-line as Brad Tursi talks about growing up around his dad’s used-car business in Connecticut, then later chasing classic Saabs, a 1969 Camaro, and a more fun-to-drive Austin-Healey. The conversation also digs into songwriting—how releases changed, how some songs were “kicking around for 10, 12 years,” and how relationships and touring shape the themes. Between album talk and personal milestones, “Colorado” ties back to his wife’s family cabin near Black Canyon.
Country Music Star Brad Tursi
Saab 900
"The Saab 900. Saab 900. Oh yeah. [875.8s] I mean, I remember the car. I mean, those were great cars. Honestly, very funky, [879.9s] ignition switch down on the right near the handbrake, right? Just past the manual transmission."
A Saab 900 is a classic Swedish car. The speaker remembers it because it was fun to drive and had a manual gearbox, and they even describe where the ignition switch was located.
The Saab 900 is a classic Swedish compact that became known for its distinctive styling and practical, durable ownership experience. In this segment, the host highlights specific driving feel details like the ignition switch location and that it was paired with a manual transmission.
manual transmission
"ignition switch down on the right near the handbrake, right? Just past the manual transmission. [886.0s] Yeah. And that's, you know, I was definitely a stick guy growing up."
A manual transmission is the kind of car where you shift gears yourself. You use the clutch pedal and a stick to choose the gear.
A manual transmission is a gearbox that requires the driver to select gears using a clutch and gear lever. The speaker uses it to describe the physical layout around the ignition switch and to emphasize that they were a “stick guy.”
Saab 9000
"Yeah. And that's, you know, I was definitely a stick guy growing up. My second car was a Saab [891.7s] 9000. There you go. Yeah. Just added a zero to the end. Yeah. And you went up a model. It was great."
The Saab 9000 is a bigger, nicer version of the Saab 900. The speaker says it was their second Saab and that it felt like moving up a model.
The Saab 9000 is the larger, more upscale sibling of the Saab 900, still from Saab’s classic era. Here, the speaker describes it as a step up (“added a zero”), reinforcing that it was a meaningful upgrade in their personal lineup.
parking brake
"And the Saab, I must have not had it in gear or had the parking brake, [913.7s] but it had rolled back into the middle of the street out of the driveway."
The parking brake is the brake you pull on to keep the car from rolling when it’s parked. The speaker is saying their car rolled because it wasn’t secured properly.
The parking brake (often called the handbrake) is a mechanical brake used to hold a car stationary when parked. The speaker says their Saab rolled out of the driveway because it wasn’t in gear or the parking brake wasn’t applied.
Chevrolet Chevelle
".... So I actually flew down to Florida to look at a Chevelle, like a 66 Chevelle with my buddy, Pete, who's, y..."
The Chevelle is an older Chevrolet model from the 1960s. A “1966 Chevelle” is a specific version from that year. People talk about it because it’s a well-known classic car that collectors often look for.
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic American mid-size car, and the “66 Chevelle” specifically refers to the 1966 model year. It’s discussed a lot because it’s a popular platform for enthusiasts and collectors, with a strong aftermarket and lots of surviving examples. Mentioning a specific year like 1966 signals the car’s identity and desirability in the classic-car world.
Chevrolet Camaro
"saw this, it was a 69 Camaro RSSS with a 396 and it was in the showroom and the Chevelle happened, ... So it was a 69 Camaro, you know, numbers matching and all that stuff."
A 1969 Camaro is a classic American muscle car from the late 1960s. People care about them because they look great and are part of car history.
A 1969 Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car era icon, known for its big styling and V8 options. In this segment, the host also ties it to enthusiast value signals like originality and documentation.
396
"saw this, it was a 69 Camaro RSSS with a 396 and it was in the showroom"
“396” is the engine size, measured in cubic inches. Bigger numbers usually mean a bigger V8 engine and often more power.
“396” refers to the engine displacement—396 cubic inches—commonly associated with big-block V8 power in late-1960s muscle cars. It’s a shorthand enthusiasts use to indicate a specific, larger engine option rather than a generic “V8.”
numbers matching
"So it was a 69 Camaro, you know, numbers matching and all that stuff."
“Numbers matching” means the big parts in the car are the original ones that were meant to be there. Collectors like it because it usually means the car is more authentic.
“Numbers matching” means the car’s major components (commonly the engine and transmission) have identification numbers that match the vehicle’s original records. For classic cars, it’s a major authenticity and value marker because it suggests the car hasn’t been heavily swapped over its life.
classic garage
"I'd luckily have a great mechanic, Greg, right down the street. That's his specialty is like, there's just crazy cars everywhere."
They’re talking about a shop that specializes in working on older classic cars. The point is that the mechanic knows how to fix these kinds of vehicles.
“Classic garage” here is used as the name/identity of the mechanic’s shop specializing in classic cars. It’s not a generic phrase in context—the speaker is pointing to a specialist they trust for older vehicles.
Cadillac Lyric
"...hat you just put Camaro into a new song. Did that lyric survive a writing session? Oh, God. I mean, I thi..."
The Lyriq is an electric SUV made by Cadillac. Instead of using gasoline, it runs on a battery and an electric motor. It’s designed to feel like a luxury vehicle while being powered by electricity.
The Cadillac Lyriq is an all-electric luxury SUV from Cadillac, built to bring an EV experience into a more comfort-and-tech-focused package. It’s often mentioned in pop-culture and media because it represents Cadillac’s modern shift toward electric vehicles. In a podcast, it may come up as part of a broader discussion about contemporary car branding and technology.
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
"...you know. And just to remind you, my friend had a Miata. Great. Great car."
The Miata is a small two-seat convertible made by Mazda. It’s designed to be light and easy to drive, so it feels fun even at normal speeds. People often mention it because it’s a straightforward car that’s enjoyable to own and drive.
The Mazda MX-5, commonly called the Miata, is a lightweight two-seat roadster known for being fun and easy to drive. It often comes up in car conversations because it delivers a classic “small, simple, driver-focused” feel without needing big power. That’s why it’s a frequent reference point when someone wants to describe a great everyday enthusiast car.
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