Leave it to Miranda Lambert to keep it country, even behind the scenes.
The Texan songstress recently joined Joe Rogan on his massively popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast and, as expected, the conversation covered everything from dogs and dive bars to Tito’s and Cheetos. While Miranda Lambert might be known for firecracker lyrics and setting honky tonk stages ablaze, it turns out she has one of the simplest backstage demands in the business, and it had Joe Rogan cracking up in disbelief.
Rogan and Lambert had been talking about feeding their dogs, which somehow led to Cheetos being brought up. That was when Miranda revealed the not-so-secret recipe to her tour rider.
“People are always like, ‘What’s on your rider?’ I’m like, ‘Cheetos and Tito’s,'” she said with a grin. “That’s kind of all I need.”
Joe nearly lost it.
“That’s it? That’s your rider? Cheetos and Tito’s? That’s hilarious,” he replied while sounding genuinely shocked. “Some people have wacky riders.”
Lambert then admitted they might throw in a cheese tray or some Lay’s chips because, apparently, the grease helps with your voice, but overall, she keeps it low maintenance when it comes to the backstage spread. In her words, “We just want chips.” And considering she shared that Aretha Franklin snacked on Lay’s in the studio, it is hard to argue with greatness.
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Meanwhile, Rogan explained why he cut alcohol out of his own routine. It was not because he could not stop drinking, but because he got tired of feeling like hell the next day. Whether it was wine at dinner or drinks at the comedy club, the aftermath just was not worth it.
Miranda, on the other hand, still embraces a good drink now and then, within reason.
“I feel like that’s showbiz. That’s part of our culture. We have to bring the party too,” she said. “It’s like, how am I supposed to bring the party if I’m not partying with you?”
She admitted that back in the honky tonk days, she came up in beer-soaked bars where you almost had to drink to connect with the crowd. That attitude has not completely disappeared, but she has learned how to pace herself.
“I live by the two martini rule,” she joked. “I don’t know how anybody does more than that and doesn’t feel like death.”
Joe agreed, saying that while he still enjoys an occasional glass of wine, he no longer drinks like he used to. The two bonded over the balancing act that is loving a good drink while staying mentally and physically sharp in careers that demand the spotlight.
It was a surprisingly wholesome and hilarious exchange between two people from very different worlds. Miranda came across as exactly who fans have always hoped she is, a no-nonsense, fun-loving country queen who would rather sip vodka and eat chips than ask for a thousand fancy requests backstage. No green M&Ms or velvet couches for her. Just give her a bottle of Tito’s and a bag of Cheetos, and she is ready to hit the stage.
At the end of the day, that might be what makes Miranda Lambert such a force in country music. She is as real as they come, equal parts glam and grit with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
