#INTERVIEW - CHRISTIAN ARTIST MATT WINTERS INTRODUCES INSPIRING NEW SINGLE, "JESUS IS THE DOOR" AND TALKS HIS OWN PERSONAL TRUTH

Over the past few months during a time of deep rooted personal change, I have found myself tuning more into the songs with messages that that tune in to my heart. A friend sent me a message and asked me if I'd mind listening to Matt Winters, an independent Christian artist, who has recently released a new song "Jesus is the Door", which he also happened to co-write. I listened to the song and it hit me in the right place and I listened to other songs Matt has released and knew he has a special gift that only God can give. I know this song will leave a mark on someone who needs to hear it as it did on me.

Meet Matt Winters

Listen to "A Broken Man Like Me" Album on Spotify

Hi Matt. For those who don't know you, please tell us a little about yourself. Who were your earliest musical influences?

Hi, I’m Matt Winters I grew up in Millport, Alabama, I've been here all my life. I sang Southern Rock and Country music about 15 years all over the South. Some of my family were my early music influences as my whole family sang Gospel music, The Bryant Family. As a side note, my uncle taught me to play guitar at age 15.

Describe your journey of faith.

My journey of faith is my testimony for sure I found my self broken spiritually. And I knew that I was at the end of the line and it was time to accept Jesus as my savior.

How do you, in today’s climate and industry, maintain your beliefs and integrity while trying to grow a larger audience?

Starting out small is fine. I’m completely ok with waiting and watching as God opens doors for me . I’m learning to be patient and really enjoy seeing God work and use these songs. I’ve got a front row view as I perform these songs and watch crowds connect to this music. It’s a very humbling experience watching God work through you.

So you have a new song out, “Jesus is the Door”. Tell me about it. What is the inspiration behind it and how does it inspire you?

“Jesus is the Door” is new song. I just loved it the first time I heard it. There is a message in this song that is so powerful and true. We all make mistakes, we all sin daily, but we have to put our faith in Jesus because Jesus is the Door. It’s a great feeling to see people singing along with you on a song of your own. This song has had lots of feedback from people in the Gospel music industry. I just can’t wait to see where it goes!!


What do you find are your biggest challenges as a Christian artist?

I guess the biggest challenge is being patient. We want to reach as many people as we can through my music. There is a sense of urgency to do so, we haven’t cut any corners on the making of this album and we’ve used some of the biggest names in music on this album and I couldn’t be more pleased.

If you could change anything about today's music industry, what would it be?

I’m new to this but if I could change one thing in the industry, it would be everyone’s focus. We need to focus more on the One that allows us to do what we do and give Him all the praise, honor, and glory. We need to remember we are here to win lost souls for Jesus.

What are some common misconceptions about the Christian music genre that you’ve recognized?

Well like it or not, it’s dog eat dog. So far I’ve been blessed to be able to work with some great people who have helped me thus far, very gifted and talented people such as Bob Sellers, Shannon Knight, Bev McCann, Les Butler and Mark Fain and I’m thankful for the help and support of this new album that they have shown. It means a lot when you're the new guy 😀.

What keeps you motivated and passionate about continuing to create and perform music?

What keeps me motivated and passionate is that I’ve always loved music and singing, but now I’m singing for Jesus. I’m on the winning team and I know he’s gonna use me to inspire people and lead them to Christ.

If you could go back and give advice to your younger self just starting in music, what would it be?

Get in church, get saved, line your life up with God's will and let Him lead you. I’ve wasted years not following Jesus and although I have those memories, I wish I would have started Christian Music years ago.

How would you like to be remembered as an artist, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?

I’m taking it one step at a time , but honestly it would be great to be remembered for someone that didn’t change, no matter what level of success I achieve in my singing career. A person that loves people, loves Jesus and loves singing about Him. As far as this album goes, I hope it finds someone out there that is broken and they too can know that no matter how broken you are, God can still use you!!

How can people connect with you?

People can follow me on Facebook at Matt Winters Ministry. They can contact me there or via email at mattwinters34@yahoo.com.

SITTING DOWN WITH JASON CRABB: HIS TRUTH

I had the opportunity to sit down for a little personal time with one of Christian music's favorite artists, Jason Crabb, while he was playing in Kinston, NC this past Friday night. What a great guy. There is nothing about Jason that isn't genuine or honest. He doesn't play a part, he doesn't pretend to be someone in the room and someone else out of the room. What you see is exactly what you get, he speaks from his heart and he speaks his personal truth. I think I could be good friends with this one. Thank you Jason for taking your time, especially so last minute, to just talk honestly about life, the Lord, the music and what truly drives you. I left forever changed Friday night and I thank you for that.

Describe your journey of faith

Well my journey of faith started when I was a young kid. I grew up in the church, my dad was a pastor, grew up a PK (pastor’s kid). Um, there were a lot of twists and turns, we moved to a lot of different churches. He pastored quite a few different churches around, the Church of God is what he pastors. Then we kinda took a trail that was not so positive. My dad got out of church and um, just, things went really downhill, really fast.  My parents separated for awhile, the divorced and the my dad remarried, married a lady who a lot of people know. Cathy Crabb. She’s kind of the Crabb Family matriarch so to speak. She had 2 daughters, one of them loved to sing, the other didn’t and that’s how the Crabb Family started, a blended family. My mom still lives back in the same town we grew up in, an incredible woman. Of course a lot of people know my dad was a songwriter for the group and you know, it really was an incredible journey. We traveled on the road for 14 years as a family, then I came off the road with them and I’ve been on the road now traveling for 16 years solo so I’m going into my 31st year on the road with about 170 dates a year.

How do you, in today’s climate and industry, how do you maintain your beliefs and integrity while trying to grow a larger audience?

Well, the thing about it is, there are a lot of things about it you can include yourself in. There are some things, you know, well, let’s put it like this … I remember back into day, you had to go “Okay, does this stage look right for me?” Ok, let me put it like this, do I trust myself in this place? I think that’s the best way to look at it. You have to do that yourself. A lot of times, the problem is with artists they look at how other people look at them on that stage. The best way to look at it is“Do you trust yourself” in that place? Because if you do, of course, follow the steps of Jesus, because He was the only perfect One but goodness, He sat with prostitutes and tax collectors and the people in the city were going around asking “Who’s this man sitting with unclean folk?” Well who’s to say who’s unclean? The ones making the judgement sounded to me like they might be the most questionable. You know what I’m saying? So, I think the best way is to just look and see if you honestly have that judge of character on yourself and say, no matter what anyone else thinks, “God opened this door for me” and decide if it’s a door He opened for you and if it’s not, ask yourself if you trust yourself in that place. He’s not going put you anywhere He doesn’t trust you or you don’t trust yourself.

So you have a new song out with Dylan Scott called “Good Morning Mercy”, tell us about this one.

Dylan’s a good one, I saw my buddy just got nominated for an ACM Award this week. Very excited about that for him. I am very proud of him, if anyone deserves it, he does. I love how he involves his family in his music. Country music to me is a really neat platform of music. Country music, if it’s authentic country, then it involves many things, it’s kind of like a patchwork quilt. It’s like here’s my wife, here are my children, the town I grew up, here’s the farm, here’s grandma, here’s grandpa and it’s all the little pieces that tell the story. It’s family, friends, faith, my country, our veterans, my experience … they’re all part of the story. Those things create the most beautiful quit. Then there’s a different kind of country, the commercial side of it, driven more by the sponsors. It’s like “Hey, I love music” but I’m playing the music in angles vs here’s my life. I’ve got an angle for this that I know I can do so the beat’s gonna have to be here, it’s gonna have to appeal to the sponsor and be about the part. You know what I’m saying. It’s very industry driven vs. here’s the authentic. There are those artists like Chris Stapleton and Tyler Childers that you don’t have a question in your mind that they’re singing about what matters to them, what drives them. That’s who Dylan Scott is. He’s that kind of person, he’s refreshing, he’s what we need. It’s nice to be able to do a song with someone like that. This song is something we were both driven to do, the content matters to us.

You have another song out, “Do It For You”. What’s the story there?

Well, there are a lot of stories behind this one. The funny thing is we were writing to create and make sure we have our next single. We were kinda positive that we did and I do believe that the song we had will be a single. We already had one and were gonna go with it. The label said why don’t we write a couple more just to make sure this is exactly what we want. So my publicist got with another publishing company and said “You bring some of your writers and we’ll bring some of our writers and we’ll have a great big writer’s circus camp kinda thing.” We have 12 different writers  that showed up in one day and under one roof in Nashville and we all went into different rooms. My goal was to go 30 min in this room while they were writing, 30 minutes in this room, 30 minutes in that room and feel the way the song was going. I was with Jay, we were writing, had a great song and me and Phil, one of my very favorite writers, not one hour into the write comes in and says “We’re finished with this song, I want you to come of listen  to it and see what you think” and I didn’t even get to get in there yet. I went in there and went, “I don’t know how we’ll beat this song.” I just knew this was the right song and I told them that. This is the single. I just knew it, it felt right and it was. So many people need encouragement right now, they can’t see past their current situation and circumstance. We’re people of emotion, we make so many decisions based on how we feel and what’s around us at the moment and sometimes if we don’t have that glimpse of hope, it seems like a doomsday. But, when someone walks up and you’re in that situation and says “Hey look, I’ve been just where you’re at, I know what you’re going through but I also know the God that made a way for me and if you need that highway through the sea, He’ll do it. If you need that mountain to be moved out of your way, He’s the One to move it and He’s the God of all miracles. There ain’t nothin’ He can’t do. If He did it for me, He can do if for you.

What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

Hmmm … you know, this might sound very weird because of what I do, but when I’m in the truck, I very seldom listen to music. I love silence. When I do turn on music, it’s usually the old country stuff, you know. This is really funny because I tried to explain this the other day when I was doing a tv talk show and I know it’s not aired yet and I’m gonna get killed for it (laughs) but we were talking about worship and what it means to me and when is your alone time with God? I said “Y’all are gonna laugh and think I’m crazy and I’ll get letters for this, but there’s something that happens when I listen old familiar country music.” It takes me to a place of family and thankfulness and I know it’s not every country song, I’m not saying that but there are certain songs that take me there  that make me go “God, thank You for my upbringing. Thank You for this wonderful lfe. Thank You for my family.” Isn’t that crazy? You remember that Michael Bolton song, “When I’m Back on My Feet Again” … that was an incredible “man in the mirror” kinda thing. There are songs that make you look deeper.

God has a unique way of redeeming our past What song of yours demonstrates the unique way He’s redeemed you?

Hmmm, boy. There is one song called “I Will Love You” that I recorded some time ago. It says:

Angels see you face to face

If I could I'd take their place

And pour out my heart to you

But what they don't understand

Is to know your grace first hand

How it feels to love like I do.

Yes you bring me to my knees with your kindness 

Theres nothing that I can hold back

The thing that got me with that song is that angels are created with choice and they chose the Lord. They chose to be there. It’s different when you’ve experienced the grace of God.They’ve never experienced His grace. Only we have. Only we have been through self-inflicted hell, selfish ways to where we have just failed ourselves and God comes and wraps His arms around you and loves us back and redeems us. Only us as humans can worship in grace and know what forgiveness and love are all about. So, that songs gets me a lot. There’s a song my dad wrote awhile ago called “Shepherd’s Call”.  It’s an old tune, one of the best he’s ever written. “There on that ledge one step would have ended it all. But I felt the hand, and I heard the Shepherd's call” and that it doesn’t put you right into a place … it’s truth. It’s just truth. I should have fallen actually, maybe I was going over the edge and He just grabbed me. I’d ask the reader to not judge me on this statement, but just hear my heart in it, but when Jesus told the disciples, I forget exactly who He was talking to, He said “leave the ships and leave the nets”. They said “Let me go home and tell my family bye” and He said “No, let’s leave that too, it’s time to go” and one of the hardest things is that my youngest daughter is going to go to prom pretty soon, she’s gonna be all dressed up and I’m gonna be on the road. Ball games, you know things, things and moments I’ve missed. That’s the hardest thing so I feel like the road gets a lot of me and my family gets, I don’t want to say the left overs because when I’m home, I try to give them all of me, but they’re all mine. My gosh, I love my family so much. I’m trying to wade through the balance of life, it’s so tough. That’s the hardest part.

Do you have a new album on the way?

I have a new EP coming out that I”m very excited about, has some great songs on there. There’s a song on there that will probably be the next single called “Hallelujah Story”, man people just love it. You don’t have to introduce it or say anything, the song introduces itself. It’s coming soon so just watch the social media pages for the official announcement.

Head over to his website, www.jasoncrabb.com and connect with him on social media using @jasoncrabbmusic. Download and stream his music and be sure to purchase his merchandise. You know, in reality, the big corporations and sponsors don't stand behind Christian artists like they do mainstream artists so they depend on your support.

TALKING ABOUT MAMA WITH HIT SONGWRITER JASON MATTHEWS

Sunday is Mother's Day. I think this past year has made us all more aware of the importance of a mother and the love that exists between the hearts of a mother and child. Due to Covid-19, unfortunately not everyone has been able to spend time with their mothers, they've had to send their love over phone lines, Zoom calls, email, and many other such impersonal ways of connection in today's world. Single moms who have been unemployed struggle to make the bills and put food on the table, they have become homeschool teachers, they are working the front lines in hospitals, retail, and restaurants. They've long been our heroes and even more so in the current environment. It's been a weird and unsettled 14 or so months but things are slowly starting to come back around to a sense of normalcy and just in time to celebrate the women who not only gave us birth, but continue to teach us and love us every day. 

There are a lot of songs about mothers that have been released over the years but one always stands out with me and has become probably my favorite of all of them, "That's What Mamas Do" by hit songwriter Jason Matthews. Jason is the pen behind many great songs including "Must Be Doin' Something Right" by Billy Currington, "Country Man" by Luke Bryan, "Break Down Here" by Trace Adkins and Julie Roberts, "That's Just Jesse" by Kevin Denny and others. "That's What Mamas Do" was recognized by Southern Living as one of the "All Time Greatest Mother and Son Wedding Dance Songs", taking it's place at #20 resting between "Days Like This" by Van Morrison and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" by Stevie Wonder. 

I have been a longtime fan of Jason and have been blessed to call him a friend after meeting he and his wife, Debbie, several years ago and we recently caught up to not only discuss the song, but to talk about his own relationship with his mother over the years, his recent battle with throat cancer and what drives him to create the music. I wanted you to get to know Jason the person and not just Jason the writer. He's more than a name in the liner notes, he's more than the first breath of a song, he's a pretty amazing person first and foremost. 

1.) How did “That’s What Mamas Do” come about? What made you know this was a song you needed to write?

My wife’s mother was dying of cancer and I just felt completely helpless watching her waste away every day. I wanted to write a song to honor her. My friend and co-writer, Mike Mobley, came by to write and he had that title and a lot of what would become the first verse. I thought he had been reading my mail. So we dug in and really went for it with this song. It had to be written right because it was for her. At the end, I realized we had written a song for all the mothers in the world. I hope you can hear the care we put into this song when you listen it; it means a lot to me.

2.) Describe the relationship you have with your own mother? What was your life like growing up ?

Well, for starters, I love her! I don’t get to see her often enough because I live in Tennessee. And last year was terrible because I didn’t get to see her at all due to Covid. I have a lot of guilt about that. I grew up in Harrells, NC, farm country, about an hour from the beach, and about one minute from church. I was an only child out in the country, so I had a lot of time by myself. I think all of that time spent in my own head played a huge hand in making me a good writer.

3.) In what ways do you think you’re much like your mother?

My mother loves to read and I guess I inherited that from her. Her sense of humor, too. She loves to laugh. She has an inner strength that I think rubbed off on me, as well.

4.) What are some of the most important values you hold that you learned from her?

She has a stubborn streak and I do, too. And I can tell you, if it wasn’t for that stubborn streak, I never would have made it in the music business, it’s ruthless. My mother took me to church as a small child. I remember being in awe of the sanctuary with its high vaulted ceiling. It has a way of making you look up. I’m a Christian because of my mother.

5.) What made you decide to be a songwriter?

I was the weird kid that carried a notebook around with them everywhere, writing poetry and short stories. I thought I wanted be Stephen King until I saw Eric Clapton play the guitar. As soon as I had learned three chords, I wrote a song. It was my natural inclination. When people heard the first song I wrote, they said it, “sounded like something that ought to be on the radio.” Of course, it didn’t, but it gave me the right amount of encouragement to keep doing it. I found that through songwriting I could do the three things I love to do more than anything else in this world: sing, write, and play guitar. I am so blessed to have been able to do what I love for a living; most people can’t say that.

6.) Did your mother have any influence in your love of music and writing?

Much of my deep love for music comes from riding in the car with my mother to the grocery store and Grandma’s house as a child. The radio was always on. Music was magical and ever present like air. Also, when I would sing in the choir, she would say, “you sang so purty” in the car after church. It gave me a reason to keep doing it. The words you speak over your children can make a world better for someone who’s being beaten by the world.

7.) You recently fought your own battle with throat cancer. How did you discover the symptoms, what kind of treatment did you undergo and how are you now?

I started having pain in the back of my throat when I ate supper at night. Then I started spitting up blood. The first doctor told me it was TMJ. He’s no longer my doctor. My wife kept pushing for an MRI and it revealed a tumor that was taking up 3/4 of my throat. My general practitioner asked me who I wanted to see and I said, without skipping a beat, Vanderbilt Ear, Nose, And Throat in Nashville. They deal with singers all the time. I had my suspicions of what this was, yet no one had said the word “cancer” yet, so I was hopeful it wasn’t. Nothing prepares you for the moment the doctor walks in and says, “I’ve got some bad news. You have cancer.” Fortunately, my cancer was highly treatable and curable. I went through 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. Radiation was 5 days a week. Chemo was one day a week. Your sense of taste is the first thing to go. The radiation shuts down your salivary glands and your tastebuds. You stop wanting to eat. I was losing 5-10 lbs a week. The world’s worst diet plan. But it wasn’t really painful until about 4 weeks after treatment ended. That’s when the real pain showed up and it stuck around for about 3-4 months. Think blowtorch to the back of your throat. And you think it will never go away, until one day, it just does. And my voice started coming back, ‘cause for a while that was gone too. And then I could sing a little. No range at first. And then that started coming back. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to find that I was not only gonna be able to sing again, but sing better than ever. God is an awesome God. And you don’t really know that, until you’ve personally seen Him work miracles in your life in your darkest moment when you’re completely helpless. I didn’t do it. He did.

8.) What did you learn about yourself and did you learn about those around you during your rough year?

I was deathly afraid of the fitted radiation mask they put over my face because they strapped it down to the table with clamps so that my head wouldn’t move. The radiation beams were mapped out to beyond the millimeter to target the exact right spots. I thought I wouldn’t get through it. I thought I would suffocate. But they told me they could give me oxygen, and that helped because I knew I would be able to breathe at least. It was the longest 10 minutes of my day. So I decided I would start talking to God while I was in the mask. I learned that God can make the unbearable bearable. I also learned that my wife is the greatest person I’ve ever met on Planet Earth. She was with me every day for every treatment and somehow still was able to sell real estate while dealing with me. She became the number one realtor in her office that year. She’s Superwoman.

9.) What drives you the most when it comes to your writing?

I’ve always wanted to write songs that were worthy of becoming part of the soundtrack of people’s lives. I want to create songs that matter. I want to do the most with the talents God gave me. I want to hear God say at the end of this journey, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

10.) Which song you have written is your favorite and why? Which song did you find the most difficult to write?

“That’s What Mama’s Do” is definitely in my top three, but I think my favorite song I’ve ever written is “For Pete’s Sake.” My co-writer, Kerry Kurt Phillips, had an English bulldog named Pete who was in the room for every song we ever wrote. He came real close to getting his name on those songs! Well, I went over to Kerry’s one day to write and Pete wasn’t there. Dogs get old. Well, the first thought I had was that we should write a song to honor Pete. And that title popped into my head as we were walking to lunch. We came back and started writing it and 6 months later we had “For Pete’s Sake”. Every time I sing it, it still gets to me.

11.) What’s next for you? Have you considered releasing another album of originals?

I’m writing again and loving the songs that are coming out. Very excited about being able to sing and create again! And, yes, I am working on a new record that will very much be a product of these past 2-3 years. Very personal.

12.) If there was one thing you could change about this industry to make it an easier road for up and coming songwriters, what would you change?

I don’t know that I would necessarily make it an easier road. It’s difficult for a reason: fire tempers steel. The difficulty refines you and makes you better. But if I could, I would make the business more equitable in general for songwriters. The way the business has changed, the ones that receive the most benefit are the owners of the master recording and the ones who receive the least benefit are the copyright owners. Hard to make a living in this new streaming system unless you are an artist too with other income streams. And when money shrinks, camps form, wagons get circled, and outside cuts virtually disappear. Not a “best song wins” kind of system. That, in and of itself, hurts the up and comer, because historically your foot in the door has always been having a better song than the next guy. Having the new and interesting point of view. Those things appear to be shrinking in importance and I think that’s a terrible development.

13.) What advice was given to you that you would pass down to a struggling writer?

Write, write, and write some more. You have a songwriting muscle and it gets stronger the more you use it. Read the chapter in “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell on the 10000 hour rule. I firmly believe in that. Also, do it for the love of it and notfor the love of money. There are lots of ways to make a lot of money and songwriting is probably last on that list. However, there aren’t a lot of ways to move large groups of people with words. I believe songs can change the world for good. The problem is that not many people are currently

trying. Change that.

You can connect with Jason on his website at https://jasonmatthews.net and on social media. His music is available on all digital outlets. 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: CLARK HILL RETURNS WITH A NEW SINGLE AND A NEW SENSE OF SELF

Singer/songwriter Clark Hill is back in action, y'all! He's been out of the spotlight for awhile since his last single (a personal favorite of mine, "Perfect to Me"), dealing with the hands that life has dealt him and now after tiring of trying to be what everyone else wants him to be, he's decided that it's time to just be Clark and do things his way and put himself back out there with a great new single being released tomorrow, March 23 called "Drink in My Hand." I had a chance to talk to Clark recently and I can honestly say that he answered my questions with a personal, raw honesty that I haven't found with any other artist I've ever interviewed. Check out our interview below.

I really hope that you will take the time to get to know and see the Clark Hill that I've gotten to know and that you'll connect with him and support him on his new journey. GO CLARK!!!

Who is Clark Hill? What makes you tick? Who are you personally and as an artist/songwriter?

There are tons of things that make me tick really… I would be hard pressed to explain any of them thoroughly but If I had one place I would want to show how I tick the most is how reflective I am. I constantly have this unusual push to get better at whatever it is that I am doing. Some would see it as competitive drive but honestly I don’t know exactly what it is yet. I think one of the things that interests me most about building a fan base and connecting with people for years at a time is that we all get to find that answer together. But to start the journey, we will start with that. Every day I wake up with something to prove and it’s not always a good thing… honestly it can be a negative things frequently but for some reason I have this push that has me wanting to prove myself at something. I also am relatively self conscious as a person. This revelation is kinda new to me but I am starting to see it more and more and I see how I overcompensate or how it shows itself in negative ways. So now I work towards finding the positive and find myself working towards it. All of these things define me as a person at the core and ultimately show themselves in my stage presence and my writing.

Tell me a little about your background, your previous job as an EMT and how you got from where you were to where you are now in your personal life, your mindset and tell me about your journey to country music and what obstacles have you encountered alng the road and how have you overcome them?

I found my self behind the 8 ball, per se, very early in life. I found out I had a kid on the way at 16 and its been up hill ever since lol. My short lived EMT/Fireman career was what I did right out of high school. I made the decision to not go play college football and instead I focused on what I thought would be my future. Ultimately I found my self getting in some trouble early in life and I had to step away from the career and focus on my life. I have spent years and years trying to overcome bad teenage mistakes and they all seem to kinda play together. That would be why my mindset plays towards country music. I have a story to tell that I think others need to hear. They need to hear that others have fallen flat on their faces and hurt others in the process and, more so, they need to hear that when you fall, it ain't the end! I know I enjoy that part of music and entertainment more than anything. Connecting with people and them getting to find out who I really am, not who the internet says I am, is and unexplainable joy. There are definitely moments that the obstacles feel too much, even right now, I am trying to find out how to get back to fans. It seems like an easy answer, but sometimes it just doesn't feel easy. I am learning that in entertainment sometimes past decisions, of all types, hurt you more than current ones and being personality that constantly seeks affirmation from others… that’s a hard spot to be in to be looking to others for my confidence and sense of belonging, only to find that people aren’t quick to do that nowadays. As for overcoming these issues, I go back to what makes me tick. I wake up, and find a way to prove that I belong, even if just for a few hours.

Your last single, "Perfect to Me" was released in 2017 and now you have FINALLY announced a release date of March 23 for your latest single,"Drink in My Hand." Why has it taken you such a long time to release a follow up and tell me about how you decided this was the right time and the right song to come back.

Short answer … I mentally and emotionally got lost in the crowd, and by crowd I really mean my own head. I have had a lot of changes in my life in the last few years… from my wife and I divorcing to adapting to being a single parent (although I do have an awesome fiancé that helps with the kiddos as well as my family), the pressure just came from a different angle so I’ve had to adapt. Also I think if I’m being honest, I lost focus of just putting out great music and wanting someone to hand me something. I had really hoped that I would get into a magic situation I guess and find the help I need. As an independent artist is so easy to get persuaded that someone can help you and then you find your self making the wrong business decisions that then trickle down to your personal life and then finally into your writing. Now seemed to be write because all the people that support me personally kept asking when new music was coming and when I realized that I didn’t have an answer, I finally decided that I needed to stop procrastinating and release it …. even if only a few people listened to it. If I was going to be true to who I was, I needed to release my music to folks so they could hear the story, not because I wanted to be famous. If this song reaches one person then it did what I wanted.

Since you started singing, has there been a moment where you were just done and something or someone really pulled you up by the hand and inspired you to keep going?

It’s hard to pick any one thing. The biggest issue I keep having within music is financial. It’s such a tough business because of the strain of the financial burden. The sleepless nights, tough drives/rides, the soul searching, etc, etc - those things aren’t what bothers me, but looking for the formula to do what I believe God wants me to be doing AND to provide for my family and balance my emotional responses to the ups and downs have been by far the toughest thing. As far as what’s pulled me up, it's ALWAYS been the people. I am a people person and as much as social media and our current culture has changed things, PEOPLE are still the center of the world. Think back to 2020 and the first few months of 2021, I don’t think that anyone being honest would say that music was normal. Not because we couldn’t write or produce great content but it was because the people were missing! So sometimes it was a show, sometimes a memory. Recently it's been friends that I’ve made in music that have accomplished great things or some of us would consider “famous” reaching out at just the right time… but again… it simply and honestly comes down to PEOPLE.

How do you think the music industry has changed in the past few years? What do you see as being changed for the better and what about for the "not so good"? What would you do if you could make one change?

The biggest things I’m seeing is the reliance on social media followings. Sometimes they equate to ticket sales and sometimes they don’t, but it does appear that the larger following you have, the more likely you are to get support from the marketing and financial support systems that ultimately push artist to new heights. I struggle with that primarily because my strongest moments are the "face to face, looking into peoples eyes" moments. That’s why I personally don’t see it as good because it’s hard to get someone to give you a chance just off of “it factor”, now I have to figure out the metrics as well. If I could change that, I don’t know that I would though because it also helps us artists that are as raw as it gets and are willing to say “Hey, I changed and I didn’t mean to but the real me is coming back.” It helps us to be able to connect, REALLY connect with people on a deeper level.

Who are your personal and musical influences and why? It's ok if you include me :-)

Obviously you! All kidding aside, your kindness and acceptance is a positive influence on me as an artist! Elvis, Garth Brooks … that's the short answer. I am drawn to the legendary artists, the folks with deep stories that ultimately may never be told. Garth interests me the most in that capacity because of how guarded his brand is. I know there has to be something so deep that makes him who he is. I would love to become close enough to him one day to share a moment with him that might reveal that deepness within. Personally there are too many to tell. My family is my biggest influence. I also have a deep spiritual side that kinda moves in the background too.

Is there any piece of advice that someone’s given you that really stands out in your mind and has been a motivational factor for you? Likewise, what advice would you give to someone just getting started in music?

Don’t give up! Not trying to be too simple, but honestly that's the best advice I’ve gotten and the best I could give. We simplify that statement sometimes but ultimately it is at the core of all things difficult. The difference between those that make it and those that don’t is sometimes just that simple.

What does your music say about you to the listener?

I think It says that I have a story to tell and that I want the chance to share it and I also hope that it’s coming off in a way that shows that I want people to share in the evolution of it.

Is there an album and video in the works? What’s coming down the pipe that  we can look forward to?

I don’t know yet to be honest. I wanna see how fans respond to this one and go from there. I will definitely be releasing some more stuff soon, mainly because I have some good stuff that people haven’t heard and I’m dying to see if y’all like it.

If you could write a letter to your 16 year old self, what would you tell yourself?

My hardest thing in life, even right now, I would tell him to live for RIGHT NOW, not yesterday, not tomorrow. Most of my biggest mistakes in life have come from the absence of that very mindset. Right now is the most important moment of my life.

If you were to write a biography of your life to this point, what would you title it?

So I’m actually writing one believe it or not, lol. I have so much to tell that is heard to tell in short answers so I have been working on it as the urging of a TV Personality/Writer friend of mine. She’s a huge inspiration at perseverance and I started writing my story because of her, but so far I have been working with the name “The Label That Defines You”. I fight so much to define my life and that of others by labels. Doctor. Lawyer. Preacher. Singer. etc. yet I spend every day trying to prove to folks that a label doesn’t define me. I felt like this was an awesome opportunity to show my struggle with a core belief and how I wanted to change it for myself and others. It's kinda like my response of living for right now.

What is the most important personal attribute that you bring to your work?

Vulnerability. It hurts, but it’s ultimately who I am.

There is a lot of criticism in the music industry, especially now with social media. How do you handle criticism and online negativity?

I’ve slowly gotten better about realizing that those that criticize honestly don’t know me. I try to work from an angle of empathy and carry myself in a way that I believe will when people over when they finally get to know me.

What one word best describes Clark Hill?

Passion

How can fans connect with you online?

instagram.com/clarkhillmusic

facebook.com/clarkhillmusic

twitter.com/clarkhillmusic

JUST A MINUTE: GETTING TO KNOW SINGER/SONGWRITER NATE BARNES

Artist: Nate Barnes

Interviewer: Jennifer Smith

Date: 3/9/2021

In a world of so much uncertainty, there was nothing uncertain about the path Michigan native Nate Barnes he needed to take, the road that lead him straight to music and a home at Quartz Hill Records.

Being a virtual unknown who just marched right in with a highly praised and well received debut single, "You Ain't Pretty", I was intrigued to find out more about the person behind the song ... Who is Nate Barnes? What sets him apart? Why should I talk to my audience about he and his music?

Nate was kind enough to take some time on a plane ride between radio stops to shed some light on this and more. Check out my interview below with Nate and then once you've finished reading, please download or stream "You Ain't Pretty", watch the video below and talk about it to other music fans. 

Thank you Nate for spending some time on us!

Q: Who is Nate Barnes - tell us a little about yourself, both personally and as a songwriter. What did you do before you realized music was where you wanted to be? What drives you?

What made you chose country music versus another genre?

A: I’m just a small-town boy from South Haven, Michigan. I worked at a nuclear power plant for the last 12 years as a carrier and I worked at a blueberry farm on and off. I’ve been gigging and playing music since I was in middle school. I started writing music around 11-12 years old on piano and guitar. I also love playing drums. This whole thing started when I was a young boy when my granddad would have westerns on the tv and blues or country playing on the radio and he would tell me stories for hours about blues musicians and life. I loved every minute of it. He was the best storyteller I’ve ever known and he loved and knew so much about music. My granddad never knew it but he breathed this desire into me to do music and to tell stories to people – to touch people’s lives through song. That desire never left me. I knew at a young age that this was what I was going do. Even when I tried to run away from it, it kept calling me back. It wasn’t until my buddy Dennis - my mentor - came into my life when I was 20 that I knew I wanted to be a part of country music. He showed me country music in a way I had never heard it before. It was like this was the missing piece I’d been searching for my whole life. It just felt like home. Country music tells the truth and there’s no fluff. Before that I wasn’t ready to go there.

Q: How long have you been in Nashville and tell us a little about your journey as an artist and as a songwriter, the obstacles you encountered and what led you to Quartz Hill and how you knew they were the right fit for you.

A: I’ve been in Nashville for a year and a half now. It’s been a rough, but exciting and new world for me. I left everything and everyone I knew in Michigan - and a dang good job in the nuclear industry. I packed my stuff and my dog in my truck and moved down here in a hotel room for over a year in the middle of a pandemic! It sounds crazy but this opportunity Benny Brown has given me is so big. . I’m so blessed and honored to be here and part of the amazing Quartz Hill Records team. Benny, Paul Brown and Jason Sellers have changed my life forever. It’s been amazing to see my dreams coming true.

Q: Your debut single is “You Ain’t Pretty” - Why this song? What is the “behind the song” story?

A: It’s simply about building people up and not tearing them down. So many people these days don’t like who they are and are struggling with inner demons. So, this cuts out all that doubt and fear and goes to the real truth - that you are something so special.

Q: Since being in Nashville, has there been a moment, other than connecting with Quartz Hill and signing a deal, that really inspired you and told you to keep going?

A: Sounds kinda funny but my dog Nash. He truly provided me with so much love through all this and helped me stay focused. And definitely the Quartz Hill team - we are a family and we’ve got each other’s backs. We’re in this together.

Q: You’re currently on a radio tour for the single. How is that going and are you learning things you hadn’t known about the industry that are helping with your growth?

A: It’s going great! It’s been awesome getting to know everyone at radio. They have been so kind to us and I truly appreciate everyone that has met with us. I’m also definitely learning a lot. I mean I have the best of the best on this team. April Rider - who is head of our promotion staff - has been so amazing and she put an awesome team together. They all are teaching me things every day. Like be yourself be honest and genuine and real. Play every song like it’s the first time but the last time. Stay in the moment and really care about people.

Q: Who are your personal and writing influences and why?

A: Just life and all the experiences I’ve had. I’d like to say that, boy, I’ve lived some life good and some life bad so I’m not letting any of that go to waste. I write about god, my family, my heartache and my pain and also things I’ve overcome in my life. I love writing songs with grit and honesty that gives people hope.

Q: Is there any piece of advice that someone’s given you that really stands out in your mind and has been a motivational factor for you?

A: There are so many people that have helped inspire to get where I’m at, to be honest with you but my favorite is a quote from Wayne Dyer: “Don’t die with your music still Inside you.” I believe in that so strongly. We only get one life and I sure don’t want to lay on my death bed and say, man, I could’ve done more or why did I say no? I’d say don’t give up on your dreams and most importantly don’t give on yourself. Give it all you got and I promise your life will be amazing whatever that is.

Q: If there was one thing you could change about your journey and the music industry,

what would it be and why?

A: Well absolutely nothing. I literally was working at a nuclear power plant a year and a half ago. Now I’m writing this on a plane to Vegas to meet radio and have the biggest shot and opportunity of my life to do music and touch people’s lives through song! I’m loving every minute of it and am so proud to be a part of this team.

Q: Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction or did it simply gradually evolve in

whatever direction it found?

A: It definitely evolved from playing churches and then in some rock bands and then into country.

Q: What does your music say about you to the listener?

A: That’s hard to say – it’s really up to the listener to decide. That’s the best part - these songs aren’t about me, they are about the listeners, their lives and what it means to them.

Q: If we were to look at the artists you are listening to, who would be the most played artists on your current playlist?

A: Tyler Childers, Luke Combs, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait, Jon Pardi and Lainey Wilson

Q: Tell us what's coming down the pipe that we can look forward to.

A: CMT world premiered the music video for “You Ain’t Pretty” a few weeks ago and you can also see it on my YouTube channel. We plan to have an EP out a little later this year.

Q: How can fans connect with you online?

A: They can find me at @natebarnesmusic on all platforms and can also head over to my website for the latest news, updates and tour stop information at https://www.natebarnesmusic.com.

Q: If you could write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would you tell yourself?

A: Don’t give up. What you’re going through is meant for something bigger than you. Just forgive yourself and others and quit worrying about what others think of you.

ARTIST INTERVIEW: MEET R.T. JOHNSON - A NEW BREATH OF FRESH COUNTRY AUTHENTICITY

Artist: R.T. Johnson
Interviewer: Jennifer Smith
Date: 8/13/2019

Follow Jenn on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics

Ok, so y'all are gonna LOVE this guy. If you are looking for genuine, authentic and an artist who sincerely appreciates everything about being a country music artist, R.T. Johnson is your guy. He's lived his music, he lives it every day. He's a true storyteller who tells his story through song and he connects in a place that seems to sadly be disappearing in country music these days and that is relatability. The best thing about R.T.? He's exactly who you see and who he is is exactly who you get. He's humble, he's kind, he's a bit shy (yes you are R.T.) and he never takes a minute of being on a stage or the relationships he's made for granted. He's a much needed breath of fresh country air. Yep, you're really gonna like this fella. His debut single, video and EP are on the way soon so we'll let ya know as soon as we get the word! Meanwhile, keep R.T. Johnson on your radar. This is gonna be one hell of a ride! Huge thank you to R.T. for being gracious with his time.

Lovin' Lyrics: For those who might not be familiar with you, let’s talk a little bit about who you are, your background and where you started with music.

R.T. Johnson: My name is R.T. Johnson Jr. I grew up on a tobacco farm where I worked with my daddy and granddaddy, Thurman Johnson. Grandaddy passed away in 2008 and daddy and I took over the farm and worked it until 2015. The tobacco company cut us out of our contract, which put us out of business, so I went to work at the Research Station in Lewiston, NC where I worked for about 2 years, after which I got my insurance license and started selling P&C and crop insurance with a very good friend of mine and a sponsor Jamie Harmon, with Pittman insurance Agency. I worked there about a year and had an opportunity to get a job just selling crop insurance and then moved on to Phil Coggin Agency in Ahoskie, NC, which also happens to be a very good sponsor of ours. I got my start is music when I was a kid, probably 10 years old, singing in church with my granddaddy, Roy C. Bazemore ,who was a well known Gospel singer in our area. As I got older, as happens in life, my voice started to change and during that process, it was difficult to stay on pitch so I quit singing for about 6 or 7 years. In 2003, I started my first band, Backdraft, and slowly started to begin singing again, even though I was technically just the lead guitar player and backup vocals. Then in 2010, I started my next band Moonshine and we became rather popular in our area. When I started Moonshine, I knew I was gonna have to be the lead vocalist and by doing that, it helped me get my courage up to start back singing again. I have had so much support from my friends in family, and that's what has help lead me to be an all around better musician and singer and has lead me to where I am today.

Lovin' Lyrics: Do you write any of your own music or do you prefer to get your music from outside writers?

R.T. Johnson: I do write a lot of my own music, and I also co write with a good friend of mine, Zack Boyd, That guy is a lyrical genius and is very easy to write with. I did get some of the songs off of my upcoming album pitched to me by songwriters out in Nashville, which I think are excellent songs and I feel really blessed to have had the opportunity to record them.

Lovin' Lyrics: Who were your early influences and what have they instilled in you that you want to reflect in your music?

R.T. Johnson: My early influences were AC/DC, Waylon Jennings, and Hank Jr. I think Angus Young is one of the most talented and gifted guitar players I've  ever heard. His guitar licks are so tasteful and musical. He can express so much with just one note and one bend of a string. On the country side, my influences were and still very much are Hank Williams Jr. and Waylon. Waylon Jennings had got a style you just have to love and his songs reflect a life that I have lived through music. Hank Jr has to be one of the best vocalists ever. He can hit the highest notes and then can go right on to hit notes that Johnny Cash could hit. I strive to be that kind of singer with that kind of range and I have tried to teach myself to be able to do that.

Lovin' Lyrics: What advice would you give someone trying to get their music heard? Is there a piece of advice that was given to you that you always keep in mind?

R.T. Johnson: My advice to someone that wants to get their music heard is don't ever give up, and you have got to learn not to take "no" for an answer. When someone tells you no, try to be better, try to write that better song, strive to be a better musician. Let it make you push yourself harder. Another thing I had to learn is that not everybody has the same goals as you. If you have a band and everyone is not on the same page as you and what you want, get on the ball and find somebody that is, life is short and a mistake I made was not chasing my dream harder earlier on in my career. I finally realized what I wanted and what I needed to do and I did it. Yes, it has caused a few hard feelings along the way, but my choices and all my hard work has started to pay off and I'm totally happy and content with the decisions I had to make. This business will make you want to just give up at times, but you can't do that.

Lovin' Lyrics: You just signed with Cash Creek Records, an indie label out of Nashville. Congratulations! How did you connect with Kimo Forrest and tell us a little about what’s going on since the signing, I know your debut album is coming up for release soon. Talk about the album and and what else we can expect to see in the near future.

R.T. Johnson: Yes, I just got a deal with CCB Nashville and I am so thankful for those guys believing in me like they do. Kimo Forrest and Monty Devita are great people, really fun and just enjoyable to be around. How I got to know Kimo? We played a show with John Michael Montgomery in January of  2018. His sound engineer, Mr. Kirk Willie, liked what he heard from us and got us out to his studio in Kentucky and we started recording the album with him. I asked him when we were there who played guitar on the album and he told me Kimo Forrest and that he played guitar for Alabama. A little while after that, I went and watched an Alabama concert and I heard that guitar sound that I had heard on my cd, so I took a picture of Kimo and sent it to Kirk and asked him, "Hey is this the guy that played on my record?" and he said "Yes sir". So I'.m sitting there watching a legendary band and am now knowing their guitar player played on my album. I can't explain the feeling that come over me. LOL. It was like "This is really happening! Holy Hell!" LOL. A couple of weeks later, Kimo got my number, messaged me and we have become good friends. He, Monty and Jim have come out here and played with me when I first went out on my own and didn't have a band behind me and helped me cover some shows. I will forever be grateful for that. They are some of the best people you will ever meet and I can't praise them enough. I am very thankful and lucky to be associated with those guys.

My 5 song EP is titled "Man I Made". We will be having a CD release party on August 24th at Drifters Bar and Grill in Ahoskie, NC. My single, "Thirsty Weather" will make it's way to country radio on  August 26th. We teamed up with a radio promoter, Jennifer Blair. I'm excited to get to work with her. I met her in Nashville when I and played at the first Cash Creek Club Live show with T. Graham Brown. She's great people. We also shot a video for "Thirsty Weather" which will be released very soon. I am  really excited to see where it is all gonna take me. I will be going to Nashville and playing the Cash Creek Club and we are hopefully gonna put a tour together in 2020 and hit the road. We are working with a few agents all over the country and we are gonna take this dream of mine of wanting to be a full time musician and make it happen.

Lovin' Lyrics: What have you learned about yourself as an independent artist? What are your biggest struggles in the industry?

R.T. Johnson: I have learned that since being an independent artist is just that, you're not depending on someone else. It's up to you what you want to make of yourself and it will make you go out there and bust your butt to get where you want to be. Nothing comes easy in this business. I have missed birthdays, weddings, and a lot of important things over the years chasing this dream of mine. I have had a few failed relationships and a lot of different things, but if you really want this, you can't let things like that stop you. I had to come to realization that when you are a musician, a relationship can be hard, but it can also work. You just have to work extra hard at it and if you have the right one you will have the support you need. Thankfully, I have found that, as hard as it may get for us sometimes, and what I mean by that, is me not being around, Before I get on that stage every night, she tells me good luck and that I got this. I am so thankful for that. Ali Peaks has been a blessing to me. I was going down a bad road and her coming in my life saved my life. One of the hardest thing about being a musician is being away from she and her kids, who I love like my own.

Lovin' Lyrics: If you could change one thing about the industry today, what would it be and why?

R.T. Johnson: If I could change on thing about the industry today, it would be to make it so there was no possible way for people to get songs for free. Nobody wants to get up in the morning and go to work and not get paid. It's the same scenario for musicians. We put our hearts, souls and every bit of talent that the Good Lord has given us into every show. We play every note and put the work into every song we write. Some people think that being a musician is not having a real job, well let me tell you, it's the hardest job I've ever had and I've been in a tobacco patch in 100 degree weather sweating my tail off for most of my life. It's not just about having fun partying and getting up there and playing for 3 hours. We get there 4 hours before a show to set up and sound check, then 2 to 3 hours after the show to tear down. Its a long, hard, all day's work just to put on a 3 hour show.

Lovin' Lyrics: What is a favorite music related memory that always makes you smile when you think back on it? Was there a moment in your career that really made you just stop, breathe and take it all in?

R.T. Johnson: I wrote a song in 2009 titled "Firewater." We released the song in 2014,and I carried it to the radio station in Ahoskie, NC to Mr. Don Upchurch. He began to spin the song every morning and he would always advertise us and where we were going to be playing. He would always say "You better go out and see them boys because they are goin' places". About a month after he started playing the song, we played a show at Chubbies Bar and Grill in Ahoskie and I had never seen that kind of crowd before at one of MY shows. The bar was packed and they were still lined up outside. We played "Firewater" and the crowd was singing every word so loud I just quit singing and it took me a min to take that all in. We played that song 4 times that night. That was one of the best feelings in the world.

Lovin' Lyrics: What venues do you most enjoy playing and what artists have you opened for?

R.T. Johnson: I enjoy every stage I get on. Any and every time I can get on a stage I am one happy fella. I have shared the stage with Trick Pony, Black Hawk, Confederate Railroad, Muscadine Bloodline, Jesse Keith Whitley, Jason Michael Carroll, Marshall Tucker Band, Clay Walker, Deana Carter, Lonestar, David Allen Coe, Joe Diffie, John Michael Montgomery, Emerson Drive, Aaron Tippin, T.Graham Brown, Diamond Rio, Jimmy Van Zant, Cash Creek, Jawga Boys, Parmalee and I have played shows for the Grave Digger himself,. Mr Dennis Anderson I have even more shows lined up with some more folks. I have been very blessed and I am excited to be able to do these things. I have been blessed to share the stage with some of my idols that I grew up listening to and once in a while I slap myself to make sure I'm not dreaming

Lovin' Lyrics: When you’re not on stage, where can you most likely be found?

R.T. Johnson: When I'm not on stage, I can be found with my family or with my girlfriend and the kids which are family too, or I'll be on my Ranger bass boat fishing in a bass tournament every chance I get. LOL!

Lovin' Lyrics: Fill in the blank  -“Today’s country is ---------“

R.T. Johnson: Today's country is what it is. It's not what I consider country like I like, but I do enjoy listening and playing some of the music coming out today. I guess it's just considered today's kinda country. I don't know. LOL!

Lovin' Lyrics: If you could use just one word to describe your music, what word would you use?

R.T. Johnson: If I could describe my music in one word it would be "real" and what I mean by that is that is comes straight from the heart.

Lovin' Lyrics: If you had the opportunity to ask one of your favorite artists one question, what would you ask them?

R.T. Johnson: If I could ask my favorite artist one question, it would be to advice on how I could become a better musician and a better person and I would try to get pointers on how to do handle the highs and lows of the business. When you get to a certain point, people watch your every move and I would just like to understand how to handle that aspect of it all.

Connect with R.T. on Facebook and stay tuned for updates!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH "THE UNDERDOG": AARON WATSON

ARTIST: Aaron Watson
INTERVIEWER: Charlie Woods
VENUE: Jam in the Valley - Varysburg, NY
DATE: 7/13/19

Follow Charlie on Twitter at @convictcharlie

While at Jam in the Valley in Varysburg, NY on July 13, I had an opportunity to sit down with Aaron Watson, one of my personal favorite artists for the past seven or so year. I've purchased everything he has released since I first began following him (thanks to Adam Drake who is a former radio programmer on Texas Regional Radio and shared "Barbed Wired Halo."). I have watched Aaron's career arc rise and it has been great. I'm so glad I was finally able to sit down with him and ask some questions. He couldn’t have been more gracious.

Charlie: What made you go all in on promotion for “Outta Style” and say this is the one to push hard?

Aaron: I thought it was time to be aggressive from a business standpoint. I wasn’t able to afford it early in my career. I thought it was a reasonable and achievable goal. We also wanted to get radio into an indie artist mindset.

Charlie: Every time I take a look at your tour schedule, it is filled with new areas, new places, and even new countries. Does it feel like to you, in that regard, that the music is growing? (The closest he has been to me is at The Dusty Armadillo, about a 4 hour drive)

Aaron: It has been amazing, the power of the internet, and social media to an indie artist. We couldn’t get on shelves in major outlets like Target, which we now have been able to do. In the last 4 years, we have been to 40 states and also 11 countries. I’m just a salesman selling a song.

Charlie: You wrote all 20 songs on your last album. People don’t realize what a feat that is. Do you prefer to write or co-write?

Aaron: I just love to write. I am always around myself and wherever I go there I am, so I write with me.

Charlie: Does your family sometimes travel with you?

Aaron: From time to time, if it makes sense. They are each involved with their own things and I respect their lives.

Charlie: How many employees are at your own indie owned Big Label Records? Big Label Records was established in 2006 by Aaron and his longtime manager Gino Genaro, and is headed by Tony Morreale.

Aaron: We have two dozen full time employees. In addition, we also have part time and contract labor. In the near future we are signing new acts. We are searching for heart and soul.

Charlie: Can you explain some of the differences between Texas Regional Radio and mainstream country radio?

Aaron: Regional Radio has more freedom and a bit more rebelling. There is a lot of politics on mainstream radio. I have been told for years why we can’t play you on mainstream. It took me 18 years to get our first top ten. I have never been bitter, only thankful. I don’t care if they play my music at 3:00 am or 3:00 pm. I make my music for the fans, first and foremost.

Charlie: My favorite song on the new album is “Blood Brothers.” What was the meaning behind that one? It has a similar feel to “We Shall Be Free” by Garth Brooks.

Aaron: My nephew is African American. I don’t see color when I see him. He is just my nephew. He doesn’t see color either. It is great to see life in that way from a kid’s perspective. That is also why children are such a blessing. It was written from the heart.

Charlie: Jordan Lehning was co-producer on the new album. What drew you to work with him?

Aaron: I liked our conversation and we got along on the phone. His father is a major producer. Jordan did Rodney Crowell’s latest and if he’s good enough for him, he is good enough for me. He is full of fire.

Charlie: What does country music mean to you?

Aaron: It is everything. It is my life, livelihood, my passion, my hobby, and my job. It is what I have to do and what I want to do.

Charlie: What is your current favorite out there now by another artist?

Aaron: I have been listening to Roy Orbison’s son and the Philharmonic Symphony.

For more information on Aaron and his music, go to his website at www.aaronwatson.com. Connect with him on social media and download/stream his music on most digital outlets. Request his music on your local stations if they're not already on board.

INTERVIEW: GETTING TO KNOW STEPHANIE QUAYLE, ONE OF CMT'S NEXT WOMEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC CLASS OF 2019

ARTIST: Stephanie Quayle
INTERVIEWER: Charlie Woods
DATE: July 12, 2019
VENUE: Jam in the Valley - Varysburg, NY

Follow Charlie on Twitter at @ConvictCharlie

If you're a supporter of females in country music, we highly recommend adding Stephanie Quayle to your list of artists. Newly inducted as a member of CMT's Next Women of Country Class of 2019,
Stephanie is breaking through with a banner year and making her presence known in this genre, not only through her vocals, but through her attitude, work ethic and relationships with other females in the genre, pushing them towards success as hard as she pushes herself.

Our "boots on the ground" favorite on site rep, Charlie Woods, had the chance to sit down with Stephanie for a few minutes before her performance at Jam in the Valley (and in an air conditioned SUV - ooh hoity toity ... LOL) and get to know her a little better.

Thank you to both  Stephanie and Charlie for taking the time out of their busy day so we can bring you up close and personal with this outstanding representative for the female voice. Thank you also to E.J. Bernas for making this happen. We appreciate you!

Charlie: You have a great bio. What attracted you to country music at such a young age and how did you go from living on a buffalo ranch to Music City?

Stephanie: Predominantly it was traditional country music. There was a silver am radio on the window. I was 15 years old in Freeburg, Switzerland. There was a band next to me at the cafe. They were looking for a singer. I have been on fire for music ever since. It has been 8 years in November that I have been in Nashville.

Charlie: You are a member of the 2019 CMT Next Women of Country and a role model for upcoming female artists. What advice would you give a young female artist getting started and some great advice you have received?

Stephanie: A little girl came to the show last night and I’m mentoring her. I got to see her and talk a little bit. It was so much fun. If you’re not having fun don’t do it. There are so many hours offstage that go into a show. The best advice I got was from my mother. She said “Only good will come of this.” No matter what is hard or worthwhile, life is going to happen. My parents never told me I can’t do something. If you want it bad enough, you will make it happen through all of the obstacles.

Charlie: What has been your biggest challenge as a female in a predominantly male industry and how are you adapting to and overcoming those challenges?

Stephanie: I don’t let the noise get between my ears. Any female that is in country music we cheer them on.

Charlie: What is your favorite song that you have released and why?

Stephanie: “Drinking with Dolly” was the first song released to country radio. It is a timeless and classic song. I played it on my Opry debut. The coolest thing is that I received a letter from Dolly Parton about the song.

Charlie: Tell us about a typical radio tour for you
.
Stephanie: Some days it is 5am- 1am. There may be 3 different stations we meet in a single day. You walk into a room full of strangers. It is sometimes for one person or a bigger group. You have to chase the momentum and grab onto it.

Charlie: What is the funniest thing that has happened to you lately?

Stephanie: Stanley is my horse. He was in my video for “If I was a Cowboy.” He thinks everything is a treat, especially my hair.

Charlie: What is your favorite current song out now by another artist?

Stephanie: Ashley McBryde's “Girl Going Nowhere”

Charlie: Your fan base, A Flock of Quayle, absolutely loves you. What would you say to them right now?

Stephanie: I am immeasurably grateful every single time I get to see them. Whether that is through social media or at a show. They take my breath away. It is great to see the friendships that happened because of the group of people that came together for me.

Charlie: What is your definition of country music?

Stephanie: Stories set to three cords and a truth.



Connect with Stephanie on social media, follow her on Spotify and Apple Music, and keep up with the latest happenings on her website at www.stephaniequayle.com. 
Request her latest single, "If I Was a Cowboy" on your local country stations. 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: CATCHING UP WITH JOHN KING

Artist: John King
Interviewer: Jennifer Smith
Follow Jenn on Twitter at @Lovinlyrics

Meet John King, a singer/songwriter who began with a humble start in small Georgia town of Demorest, graduated from the University of Georgia and made his move to Nashville to pursue his passion for music, signing his first record deal with Black River Entertainment in 2014 and penning his first #1 co-write, "We Went", cut by Randy Houser. After parting ways, John is now signed with Starstruck Entertainment, which hosts an impressive roster of names including Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson, and is currently on the road in support of his latest single, "Try Saying Goodbye", which is gaining a lot of praise from fans and with 286K streams in only two weeks, it's also turning ears in country radio with multiple stations already spinning the song.

I first had the pleasure of meeting John and interviewing him when he released his first single, "Tonight Tonight" a few years ago and have loved seeing him grow in his talent. John is not ashamed to share his love of family and faith in an industry that doesn't always think that particularly fits the image they're trying to sell for young artists but he takes his own path and that path has led him to good things and right to a large dedicated following. He takes great pride in his relationship with his fans. He's easily one of the most fan friendly artists on social media and we love him for that.

Check out our latest interview with John and find out more about him, what's been going on and what's on the way.

John's headed towards his best year yet and we're more than happy to sit and take it all in.

Q: Who is John King? Why should people tune into your music and what makes you unique among the rest of the crowd? 

John: Well I grew up in a small town in North GA. Started off working hard labor jobs like construction until I finally made my way to Nashville and started this wild ride as a Country Artist. Have always had a passion for music.. songwriting, performing, all of it. I think what makes my music different is the attention to detail in the lyric. I love songs that are honest, REAL and make you feel something. 

Q: Let's talk about the new single, "Try Saying Goodbye". It's such a great song and showing up on play lists and "Best of" Lists media-wide. Where did the inspiration come from? Is there a story behind it? Did you write this one on your own or was it a collaborative process?

John:  I wrote this song with my good friends Jamie Paulin and Paul DiGiovanni (who also produced the song) over a year ago. The morning of the write we were talking about relationships and how every couple has disagreements along the way at some point. Then we got to talking about how hard it is to say sorry.. to admit you're wrong (even when you know you are). Somebody threw out the line "Yeah sorry is hard but it's a whole lot harder to say goodbye".. That's when I knew we had a song. The inspiration for the song came about when I was looking back on my relationship with my wife. We've been together since we were 15 years old.. she's the only girlfriend I've ever had. There were so many points in our relationship where it would have been easy to just give up, say goodbye. But we always found a way to stick it out, not let pride get in the way. Now we have a beautiful baby girl and such a wonderful life together. This song reminds me of the amazing things I would have missed out on if I had chosen a different path. 

Q: You're currently on tour promoting the new music and word on the street is that a video for the single is on the way AND I'm hoping a new album too? Alright, start talking, let's hear all about it. 

John: Yes! The video will be premiering on CMT Feb 15!! This is hands down the best video I've ever been a part of. My buddy Jeff Johnson directed it and did such a great job of bringing the raw emotion from the song into the video. I remember watching the actors perform the scenes live and getting emotional because it was SO believable. I feel like the song has a message that needs to be heard. The video just makes the emotion even more palpable. Cannot wait for the world to see it! We also have plans to release more music to go with it this year! Not sure if it will be a full length or an EP yet but it's definitely coming! 

Q: Can you explain your creative process? What inspires you?

John: Real life.. conversations, experiences, emotions. Even if it's not something I've been through first hand, I love to jump in other people's shoes. As a songwriter it's very liberating to have that kind of creative freedom. I feel like my antenna is always up when it comes to seeking out inspiration. 

Q: Has there been one particular moment in your musical career that you’re most proud of? And not sure if it's one and the same, but I'd love to hear about the experience of having your first #1 single as a writer with "We Went" by one of my favorite guys ever, Randy Houser.  

John: Ha ha, that was definitely one of the proudest moments so far in my career. Randy is such a good guy. For him to take a song written by 3 young guys in town that had never had a hit and turn that song into a number 1 is just so cool. From the moment we wrote that song I knew it would do something special, but I never saw it taking that journey.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren't in this industry? 

John: Haha I have no other talents.. this is it for me. It was music or bust!

Q: Do you have a hobby outside of music that you turn to in order to kick start your creativity?

John: I love being outdoors.. anything from fishing, hunting, camping. I try to go as much as I can just to clear my head and get me back on level ground. 

Q: You're a new dad to a gorgeous daughter, Scarlett. Let's brag on her a bit. How are you adjusting to adulting and being a dad? Any advice for future suitors? What advice would you give to her as a teenager going out into the world? What advice were you given that has stuck with you?

John: It is the best thing in my life!! Baby Scarlett is 8 months old and growing like a weed. I never knew I could love someone so much. I'm trying to soak up every second. It's already going by so fast and I'm constantly wishing I could slow down time. I told her mama that no boys can come around here until she's at least 30!! So I'm just gonna pretend like that day ain't coming haha. 

Q: What’s the most interesting thing about you that most people probably don't know?

John: I worked as a Potter for a few summers growing up! I'm not great but can make bowls and stuff haha. 

Q: Bonus random off the top of my head query - Who would win a fight between Spiderman and Batman? If you could be any superhero, who would you choose and why and would you feel funny wearing weird looking tights and a cape? What superpower would you choose to use in the music industry to help make it easier for new artists who are having trouble getting their music heard? LOL!

John: Batman would win hands down! I enjoy wearing tights so it'd be perfect.. I'd go with a tech superhero that can hack everybody's phones and put "Try Saying Goodbye" on it! 

Q: Just because I wanna know - what do you want to be when you grow up?

John: I'm doing it! Writing, Performing, Touring all over the world. So Blessed to be doing what I love. 


Connect with John online:

Website - https://www.johnkingcountry.com
Twitter - @johnkingcountry
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnkingcountry
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnkingcountry
  
Download "Try Saying Goodbye" on iTunes or stream on Spotify! Don't forget to leave feedback if you purchase on iTunes!