Carrot Top and Country music may not seem synonymous to many, however the red-headed comedian has earned super-fan status with a number of the genre’s most credible artists.

The 59-year-old comedian, whose legal name is Scott Thompson, got his first introduction to Country music in his youth after his Dad started dating a Country girl. “One day my Dad just came home with Cowboy boots and was playing Country music,” he remembered of his dad’s early days dating the Country-loving woman. “The whole family was like, ‘What happened to dad?’ We all had to like it and love it because it’s what he played in the house.”

Lucky for young Carrot Top, the music was easy for him to love as he quickly fell in love with some of the genre’s most classic artists from the late ’70’s and ’80s.

“I was listening to Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard and Willie [Nelson]. Then, of course I got into… everyone.” Becoming an avid fan was just the beginning for the Florida native, who eventually met some of his favorite artists as he gained success with his own career in comedy. One artist he connected with most was Toby Keith.

“Toby and I had become really close and good friends over the years and he was coming out to do some shows just recently,” he reflected. “He called me and he said, ‘Hey man, you gonna be in town?’” After attending Keith’s first show in town, Carrot said Toby reached out the next day asking him to sing on stage with him. Initially unsure if they could make it work due to scheduling conflicts — Carrot Top credits Toby for making the request a reality.

“He called me during the day… and said ‘I want you to come up and sing.’ I said, ‘I won’t get there in time. If I ran, I mean really ran… and you started late maybe I’d get there'… he goes, ‘That’s perfect.’”

“I ran literally in the building and he said ‘Carrot Top is in the house,’ he put his arm around me and he said we’ve been friends for 30 years and… we both sang it ['Courtesy of the Red White & Blue’].” While the moment itself was one that would be impressed in Carrot’s mind forever — it became an even more cherished memory after Toby’s passing earlier this year. His final on-stage performance was the one alongside Carrot Top that night.

“It was just a moment, the best,” he said. “The last song he sang on stage was with me, so it’s a pretty cool moment to have.”

Knowing his special moment with Keith cannot be topped, Carrot Top is still seeking another "cool" Country music moment as he shared he’s written lyrics for his very first Country song.

“So, I have this idea… I guess it’s called a hook,” he said before sharing he’s written part of a Country song he is serious about going the distance with. “I’ve got this song and it’s huge, it’s gonna be a hit, I’m telling you! I don’t even know anything about music but I know a Country song when I hear it and it’s the most amazing thing.”

The comedian proved his intentions are no joke after sharing he previously pitched the hook to Toby Keith in addition to Travis Tritt, Shania Twain and Brooks & Dunn. Recently, he got a text from Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn promising Carrot that they’re going to “make it happen.”

“I’m not making this up — four days ago, I get a text from Kix Brooks and it said, ‘Scott… by the way, I haven’t forgotten about your song, we’re going to make this happen,” he shared. “I don’t even have to have credit, I just want to hear it on the radio and say, ‘I had something to do with it,’ or ‘I helped write it.’”

Could Carrot Top be Country music’s next big surprise? Guess we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, hear more about his love for Country music, thoughts on AI, comedy career and so much more by checking out his entire conversation with Audacy’s Rob + Holly above.

Words by Monica Rivera Interview by Rob + Holly