Everything’s Bigger in Texas: My 24 Hours in Dallas with Raising Cane’s & Koe Wetzel

If you had told me that just 24 hours after landing back in Orlando from Nashville, I’d be boarding another flight for Texas… I probably would’ve laughed. But that’s exactly what happened.

Fresh off my whirlwind trip with Raising Cane’s and Luke Bryan, I unpacked, repacked, and found myself heading to Dallas for another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Because when Raising Cane’s calls, you answer. And this time? Country-rock powerhouse Koe Wetzel was waiting.

From Nashville to Dallas in 24 Hours

There’s something surreal about living out of a carry-on while chasing stories you once only dreamed of writing. One minute I was reflecting on a full-circle journalism moment in Tennessee… the next, I was landing in Texas thinking, Okay, what is my life right now?

Raising Cane’s flew me out to Dallas for a special collaboration event with Koe Wetzel, and just like the Luke Bryan experience, the setup was centered around community. The event was set up similarly to the Nashville celebration with Luke Bryan, with media access, an opportunity to participate in the press conference, and time to connect beyond the headlines.

I landed in Dallas the night before the big Raising Cane’s event, and after the whirlwind of back-to-back travel, checking into the Sandman Signature Hotel in Dallas felt like a reset button. Since I had the evening free, I decided to grab dinner at Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill, conveniently located inside the hotel. And naturally… I ordered the nachos.

When they arrived at the table, I actually laughed. The plate was massive. Layered high, loaded with cheese and toppings, and big enough to feed a small group. But hey, everything’s bigger in Texas, right?

After attempting to finish a very respectable portion, I wasn’t quite ready to call it a night. So I wandered down the road to a nearby bar, and I am so glad I did. The bartenders were instantly warm and welcoming. Within minutes, it felt less like I was a visitor passing through and more like I had stumbled into a circle of new friends. They made me a pecan old-fashioned, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had.

We swapped stories, talked music and reality television, and by the end of the night, we were following each other on social media and promising to stay in touch. And we actually have.

As I boarded my flight home (again), I couldn’t help but think about how wildly fast this chapter of life is moving. One week: Nashville with Luke Bryan. The next: Dallas with Koe Wetzel. If this is what “whirlwind” looks like, I’ll gladly keep spinning.