The Real Lives of David Allan Coe’s Daughters – Tanya Montana & Shelli Coe :: Ep 47 Circling the Drain Podcast

On this episode of Circling The Drain, Johnny B,  Jay Harper and Jim McCarthy sit down with Tanya Montana and Shelli Coe, daughters of outlaw country legend David Allan Coe. They share what it was really like growing up on the road, clear the air about racist allegations and the infamous X‑rated albums, and explain the truth behind the estate, the will, and why the kids aren’t “silver spoon” heirs.

Tanya and Shelli talk about their own musical journeys, the Goodbye Girls Nashville shop, reconnecting with long‑lost siblings, and how their mom Jody quietly held the whole family together. This is one of the most honest, emotional, and human conversations you’ll hear about fame, family, and faith in country music.

Timed Highlights / Chapters:

02:00 – Growing up as Coe kids and Tyler’s guitar chops on the road with Blackberry Smoke

05:01 – Shelli’s Texas roots, Dripping Springs, Willie Nelson’s grandkids and writing songs from childhood

06:25 – The family album, Heavenly Father, Holy Mother and 3‑year‑old Shelli on tape

07:26 – Tanya’s childhood on the road, faxes with her dad and discovering songwriting

09:57 – From accounting to artist: opening Goodbye Girls and being thrown on stage at GG Happy Hour

12:10 – Todd Snider discovers Tanya at the shop and offers to record her for free

13:20 – Silver Bullet: DIY iPhone video, political talk show bumper music and fan reactions

15:06 – Why radio and “Billy Sherrill rules” don’t define modern independent artists

16:07 – Billy Sherrill, David Allan Coe’s genre‑bending catalog and embracing creative risk