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.
We recently had a chance to catch up with one of our favorite new artists, Scott DeCarlo. Scott's been out of the scene for awhile, his last single, "I See Trouble Comin'" released back in the summer of 2013. He may have been off the radar but he certainly hasn't been idle. He's had a lot going on and is back with a rockin' new single, "Tippin' It Up". The release date is currently unavailable.
Lovin' Lyrics:You've been off the scene for awhile, what's been going on? We're glad you're back!
Scott DeCarlo: Hey there, it’s great to be back. I took some much needed time to sort life out, find direction in music, love, how I live and where I live. I married the love of my life who, just so happened to be and still is my best friend. I moved out of Nashville because the town is going insane with all of the unnecessary growth and bought a small farm back in South Central NJ.
Lovin' Lyrics:Some may not know this, but you're not only a singer/songwriter, but you're also a NJ police officer. Is there anything you've learned as a police officer that's crossed over into your music career?
Scott DeCarlo: I’m laughing inside. I learned that “politics” is the role in all areas of life. I saw it first in government work but it is the founding principle in music as well. It’s not what you know, how well you do what you do or how hard you try. If you wanna make it in the business you gotta know how to play the political game (I am terrible at it by the way). I left law enforcement completely last year because I realized that music, writing and performing is the fire in my soul. I need to do it or the fire will burn out. When you lose your soul, what do you have? I didn’t make the decision to run out and be a rock star, that’s not what true artistry is and the decision didn’t come easy either. I've built a true following from the ground up and I believe in follow through. Mostly I believe in the organic truth in the eyes staring back at you from the audience to the stage.
Lovin' Lyrics:You have new music on the way. Tell me a little about the new single and what else is coming down the pipe.
Scott DeCarlo: Ahh “Tippin It Up!” I'm excited about this for many reasons. I got to write it with Shane Minor who is also an ex cop and a friend of mine who has some big hits out there (“Chillin’It” by Cole Swindell and “Live a Little” by Kenny Chesney among so many others), he is difficult to get a write in with too. We got together and he’s like “Whatya got?” I mentioned a couple of ideas and then got to this one. I had in a voice note, played it for him and he’s like “yeah, lets do that one”. It excites me because it’s a bit different from the previous releases, but I was able to produce it with another friend and great producer in Nashville, “Brad Winters.” I’ve been getting out and about and doing some low-key shows in NY and NJ and the response has been huge so I can’t wait to see what radio thinks of it. Coming down the pipe, I’ve got a few songs up my sleeve that I’m considering releasing. I may actually release a ballad I wrote with J.Michael Harter called “What I Didn’t Do.” I posted a snippet of a video of it and it had hit like 2000 views in about 5 hours. That tells me either it’s really good, or I need to bury it! Lol!!!
Lovin' Lyrics: If you've learned one major thing since you've gotten into music, what would that one lasting lesson be and what advice would you pass on from your own life to those coming into the business?
Scott DeCarlo: There are so many lessons that I’ve learned that people getting into the business really need to live and learn for themselves. No one can tell you what your career will be and no one can tell you what it won’t be either. We create our own destiny as long as we keep control of ourselves. I would pass on that the music business is just that, “A Business” and you’d better remember that. But the music industry doesn’t make or break your business, the fans do. The FANS are what is most important, So, write for yourself, perform for your fans and live without the promise of tomorrow.
Lovin' Lyrics:We always ask who your influences are but how do you see yourself as an influence to someone else trying to make it?
Scott DeCarlo: I really, REALLY, don’t see myself as an influence. Maybe there’s someone just starting out and they see my persistence and ambition. I would tell them I don’t know if I’m too stupid to stop or too smart? Only time will tell. But maybe they’ll see my love for music, my need to perform and my need to give every ounce of my being in each and every performance and they’ll think that’s pretty influential. Lovin' Lyrics:Can we expect a new video soon? Scott DeCarlo: Yes we can! I did a live shoot for “Tippin It up” at a recent show and I am hoping to get out at least one more by year's end and hopefully more in 2017.
Lovin' Lyrics: What would you change about the current music industry if you were able? Scott DeCarlo:I have never been a signed artist and have only had little interactions with booking agents and managers. I do this on my own and it’s working. I don’t really know the industry. Maybe that will change but I guess I’d like to see more new artists on the CMA Stage.
Lovin' Lyrics: You do a lot of charity work and giving back through your music. Tell us about some work that you do? Scott DeCarlo: I couldn’t pin point one charity really. If something touches my heart and I can help, I’ll give and perform whatever I can. I used to do a yearly Christmas benefit and we’d choose a new charity each year to donate to but mostly the charities that benefit children get my attention.
Lovin' Lyrics:If you could sum up Scott DeCarlo in one word, what would it be and why? Scott DeCarlo: “Happy!” I get to wake up everyday next to the woman I love, write the music I love, perform for the fans I love and live life forward. Live and learn, appreciate all experiences, never forget where I’ve been but have no regrets.
You can find previous singles from Scott on iTunes. Keep an eye out for the new single, "Tippin' It Up" and if you like it, please request it on your local stations and tell people about it. Keep the love of music going.
If you've been watching this season of America's Got Talent, then you've seen the bald guy with the beard, tennis shoes and the huge voice who took America by storm last week with his kick ass rendition of "Jolene" by country music legend, Dolly Parton. Don't let the appearance fool you, there is some serious depth and talent behind those tattoos and those tennis shoes have stood on many famous stages across the country. This week, he will perform on one of the biggest and most famous stages on America, Radio City Music Hall in his fight to the #1 spot.
While the name and music is new to most of America, we've been blessed to know him for about 7 years now and absolutely love him. Benton is a stay at home dad to the world's cutest kid, he was an artist on the now defunct Golden Records label in Nashville which shut down a few years ago with no notice, and he is a loving husband who is now getting a second chance at his dreams on the successful NBC talent show featuring judges radio shock jock Howard Stern, Mel B of the Spice Girls, comedian Howie Mandel and supermodel Heidi Klum. The show airs on Tuesday nights at 8pm ET and starting next week, the live shows will begin where fans actually vote for their favorites. Our vote lies with Benton and we hope yours will as well once you listen to his amazing voice and take the time to get to know what a wonderful and humble person he is. Benton Blount is what second chances were made for.
Benton called me last week during his dinner break and was more than happy to answer some questions and talk to me about the show, his back story and what music means to him. Check out what he had to say. Lovin Lyrics: Hey Benton! How are ya?
Benton Blount: Doin' good, just on a little dinner break trying to eat a little bit before I go back to work. It's a lot of work to do this show, more than I thought it would be, in a good way.
Lovin' Lyrics: Is it tiring you out just a little? Benton Blount: Yeahhhhhh ... it's a little tiring but I'm refueling and getting back to it, definitely worth it.
Lovin' Lyrics: You've come a long way man, I mean after all the time we've waited for your audition to be shown then you come out as a pretty big presence on the show.
Benton Blount: Well, I think a lot of it is, it's funny when you go on TV, people tend to think you're just new. I am new obviously, nobody knows who I am, but I've been doing this for a long time and have had the good fortune to work in Nashville, doing the label thing and the radio tour thing so I know how to talk on the radio, camera angles, not standing where you're not supposed to be on camera, the stuff that many people don't know how to do yet doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with that, it's just they haven't had the opportunity to do it so it shows in my footage and they liked my style of music. It's been cool to see how much they've put into putting me on some of these episodes.
Lovin' Lyrics: It was kinda funny what Howard Stern said about you having your tennis shoes on and his remark about your "putting a lot of effort into dressing" for the show and then you completely blew him away, tennis shoes and all. Is that going to influence you, are you gonna change anything about your dress or are you just gonna keep being Benton?
Benton Blount: Yeah, the next round, I think I am gonna change it up and try something a little different. I've had different outfits in the past that I've been comfortable in. I think more than anything, I just wear what I'm comfortable going out on the road in. They asked me if I was OK with trying something different and I said I'd have to see it first. They laid it out and I liked the way it looked. It will definitely be a little more cleaned up, but it's not like I'm gonna be in a suit and tie or anything but I'm not gonna be in a t-shirt and tennis shoes kinda thing either. I think the show has been so successful because they know what they're doing and what needs to be done so when they give me advice, I try to take it. I'm not opposed to trying something different. I won't change who I am but I'm willing to try what they recommend if I feel like it still fits in with who I am.
Lovin' Lyrics: So not everyone knows your back story, I'm lucky enough to know it since connecting with you several years back. There are those who don't know about the problems you've had in the past, your record label unexpectedly shutting down with no warning just a few days shy of your debut single release. You've obviously gotten past that, but do you think it held you back or did it give you even more motivation to keep moving forward?
Benton Blount: Um, there was a period for about a month where I really just took time to look at the situation and do some reflecting. I wasn't angry. I went through a couple of moments where I wanted to get angry but I have such a strong friend and fan base that it's hard to really get angry because they motivated me to keep pushing on, more than that it was more about time to reflect on myself as an artist and figure out what kind of artist I wanted to be and what direction I wanted to take. It was really hard to get my bearings to move forward. Even though I couldn't see it then, now that I look at it, it was really the best thing that could have happened because it propelled me to where I am now.
Lovin' Lyrics: It's been so wonderful to see you come as far as you have. We've seen you at the top of your game and we've seen you at the bottom of your game now here you are, you're at the highest point in your career since we've known you and for you to be on this kind of stage and now, like we were talking about earlier, you've kind of stepped outside the Nashville circle and the country music circle of those who knew you. Benton Blount: Yeah, um. I love Nashville, I love everything about Nashville, the good and the bad. I just got so tired of the politics and the way that things worked. I mean, I love my country radio friends and I know they wouldn't mind me saying this because I know they'd agree but the way the industry works, even if you're really talented they won't play you on the radio without the perfect combination and I just got tired of that and decided to do something different and go a different direction, praying one day that maybe my favorite country stations would play my music. I love playing music in general and I love country, so it's not like I completely turned my back on it or anything but I figured I would try it my way, a different way. Lovin' Lyrics: That's great. You know how I feel about radio play. (*laughs*)
Benton Blount: Mmmmm hmmm (*laughs*)
Lovin' Lyrics: I don't think it all comes down to radio play and once you hit your stride, I think everything will eventually fall into place and be where it needs to be and you can be just as successful without being a Top 40 player. This is your chance to do it, you're an example of a second chance. You literally are a poster boy for second chances and how if you don't let them keep you down, you'll get that chance you've worked so hard for and believed in. Here's that chance.
Benton Blount: Yeah, and that's another reason I went the way I did. In Nashville, the other thing they don't like to talk about that I'll talk about is that there are super talented people out there that are one top of the world one day and if your label closes or your next song isn't as big as the one before, you become a virtual unknown again. Record labels won't touch them, radio won't play them, and they're kinda left out there in the wind. This was my way of dealing with all of that and giving myself a shot at a second chance.
Lovin' Lyrics: How was it when you got to the auditions and you made it through? Was it intimidating at all? Was it like, "OK, this is a pretty eclectic group of people. How am I gonna blend and even more important, how am I going to stand out?"
Benton Blount: Well, I've kinda always been a stand out, even when I was in Nashville country music. I mean the songs that I wrote, I think we even talked about this, I'm not the kind of guy that's gonna write about a John Deere tractor, cowboy hats, cowboy boots, tailgating, tan lines and all that. There's nothing wrong with that, it's just not me. So coming into something like this, at first, you think people are gonna see you as the country guy, can I fit in with all of this and can I do this in the middle of the largest city in the country with all of this hip, current stuff going on when the reality of it is I've always been an outcast, stand out kind of person to begin with so it's perfect. I was already home before I even walked out to audition.
Lovin' Lyrics: Yeah and you said it best when we talked earlier, you said you're just doing what you've always done, you're just on a much bigger stage and playing to a much wider, much larger audience. Well, I took some questions from a few fans online and wanted to make this about them as well ....
Lovin' Lyrics: Darlene Louf wants to know who or what influenced you?
Benton Blount: I grew up listening to a lot of different music. Of course there are my country favorites like Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, Garth Brooks and I did listen to a lot of outlaw country like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. I didn't listen to it to the point where I felt like I was a product of it, because I'm the product of a lot of different musical influences. I didn't have a lot of money to be able to go out and buy a lot of music so whatever they played on the radio was pretty much what I had to listen to. I listen to rock and roll, I listen to rap, Motown, I listen to everything pretty much. I guess it all kinda influenced me. It's hard to narrow it down to a certain influence when there were so many different ones. Where I grew up that's kinda how it was. A country music fan didn't meant that you had to wear a cowboy hat and cowboy boots. Country music was about who we were. Travis Tritt was a super big influence of mine but at the same time Hootie and the Blowfish, Edwin McCain and alot of these, at the time, college bands told stories. They just got up with their guitars and told a story. I love that so any of those groups that just got up and told a good story, I consider them my main influences.
Lovin' Lyrics: Anyone that watches you sing can tell you do it because you love it. It really comes across in your performances that you do it for the love of the music and I think that's why people love you so much. You're so humble. Thank you for that.
Benton Blount: Thank you for saying that. I've literally lived my music life just loving the music and it's nice to know that people can see that when I'm performing. At the end of the day, it's the fans I'm trying to please and no one else.
Lovin' Lyrics: Emily Arnold wants to know what the biggest lesson is that you've learned as an artist?
Benton Blount: Hmmm ... I would say just be yourself. There are alot of artists who change who they are and that's not me. What I mean by that is stick to what you are comfortable with. You can try different things but if it's not something you're comfortable with, you don't have to do it. Find what it is that you can do and make a career out of it. Don't be hard headed, don't think "your way or the highway." Sometimes thinking that way comes as the expense of your career. Don't feel like you have to change who you are just because the musical environment around you is changing. Find what works best for you and works well for the industry at the same time.
Lovin' Lyrics: Oooh good answer! OK I have a couple from John Lisa before we let you go finish your sushi. With all the ups and downs with your career, what gives you the drive to not give up? Benton Blount: Right now, it's my family. It's always really been my family. It was my mother growing up, it was just me and her. She worked three jobs to make sure I had everything I could ever need and want. When she allowed me to pursue music, I knew I was gonna do what I could to make her proud of me. A lot of people thought I was just gonna goof off with this thing and have fun but I was determined to take it seriously. I wanted her to be proud of her son and what she sacrificed for me. Of course that moved into when I got married and had my own family. I'm doing it for the people that I'm supposed to be taking care of, those who depend on me. Just the fact knowing that I was doing it for them pushed me through the hardest times. When people in the industry, not everyone, who called me their friend when I was on top of the mountain and then they forgot who I was as soon as I started to fall down. I'll never forget that. I remember watching them turn away when I was falling and that was a horrible feeling. I do it now for family, friends and those fans who didn't turn away, who stuck by me at the bottom and every day since then to where I am now. I also do it for the tradition of country music, it's what I love, the telling of stories. I do it for all those reasons, the reasons that last and aren't temporary. By that I mean a record deal is temporary, a hit single is temporary, a person in the business who is going to promise you the world is very temporary. Those things are at the bottom of my priority list where are they're at the top of other people's lists. That way I won't be disappointed. I already know there's a good chance that they're gonna go away so I focus on things and people who are gonna still be here.
Lovin' Lyrics: Wow, you're just full of great answers tonight. I love you more and more every time you open your mouth. What's the one thing that you want people to get or feel from your music?
Benton Blount: I talked about this a little bit on the show. I want people to have an experience when they come to see a show and not an experience like, and I say things sometimes that I don't mean to sound like I'm talking bad about someone, but you go see some big name artists play, you get fireballs, smoke, things going on behind them on a big screen and all this stuff going on. That's not the kind of experience I'm talking about, I think it's cool and I wish I could have all of that but I want to be able to walk out on stage and engage the audience to where when they leave, they feel like they were part of the concert, not that they just went to one. Playing songs they can sing along to, playing songs that mean something to them, performing to a level where someone would want to come see me also play acoustic, just me and a guitar, something that's going to mean something to a fan twenty years from now and stay with them. I want to create an atmosphere of everyone being part of something more than just a show. That's how I've always done it, regardless of the size stage I'm on.
Lovin Lyrics: So you're on the live shows starting this Tuesday, August 11. Are you nervous?
Benton Blount: Ya know, I'm really not as nervous as I thought I would be. I enjoy being on stage so when I'm doing all this behind the scenes camera stuff, that's what I'm least comfortable with. So when I get on that stage, that's where I'm most comfortable.
Lovin' Lyrics: Who are your favorite competitors? There are some characters out there this year.
Benton Blount: Well, the funny part about it is that there are a lot of great people that I like that are one the show. The funny part is that the really good ones and the ones I've become good friends with are in my round on Tuesday. Honestly feel like I have one of the hardest rounds out of all the quarterfinal shows. We have Piff the Magic Dragon who is amazingly funny. He's already got a large fan base and already has a Vegas show. I have the band Triple Threat who have the One Direction fan base and the teenage girls and that's dangerous. Every one of the acts I'm going up against are amazingly talented and they're good friends. It's gonna be intense so I really have to step up my game.
Lovin' Lyrics: Which judge do you find the most intimidating?
Benton Blount: At first it was Howard Stern because he's Howard Stern, he says just what he thinks and is to the point but then I saw that he liked what I was doing so now I have to say Mel B. She's not easily impressed. She said a lot of nice things about me but wasn't overly impressed so I really have to step up my game this week and impress her.
Lovin' Lyrics: Well, thank you for giving us some of your very limited free time. I know you have sushi to eat and phone calls to make so I won't ask you the million other questions I could. We really appreciate your time and wish you all the luck next week. We'll be here with the rest of #TeamBenton.
Benton Blount: Thank you so much. It was nice to actually talk to you instead of just online all the time. We'll talk again soon. Don't forget to watch and vote on Tuesday.
So there ya have it, tune in on Tuesday, August 11, at 8pm ET and cheer on Benton on America's Got Talent. Download the free app and be sure to get your votes in there and via the other methods they'll provide at the end of the show. Join #TeamBenton and stand behind Benton all the way to the top!
Connect with Benton online at www.bentonblount.com, Twitter at @BentonBlount, Facebook, and Instagram.
Mickey Guyton is one of our favorite new female country voices. She's really come out with her vocal guns blazing and hit the bullseye with listeners and industry insiders alike with her debut single, "Better Than You Left Me." She made such an impact that she's been asked to support Brad Paisley on his new tour! With her self-titled debut EP just released, we thought we'd ask Mickey four quick questions to let fans see her personality and why we love her. Check out what she had to say!
Head over to iTunes now and pick up your copy of the new EP -> DOWNLOAD HERE
Over the next couple of days, we'll be posting interview pieces from Alabama about the making of the new cd, "Alabama & Friends". This first one is “How did the making of this record come about?”
Country Aircheck went "Off the Record" with one of our favorite artists, George Ducas. George is one of country music's most prolific songwriters having written such hits as "A Real Fine Place to Start" (Sara Evans), "Beer Run" (Garth Brooks) and "Always the Love Songs" (Eli Young Band), but he's also established himself as a standout artist as well with his own hits like "Lipstick Promises", "Teardrops" and "Every Time She Passes By". He's released a new cd, "Volume Up, Windows Down" and has a brand new single that was released to country radio last month, "Cowtown". Check out what George had to say in the interview.
You can find out more about George at www.georgeducas.com and you can follow him on Twitter at @george_ducas. He does work his own Twitter account and is very personable, always interactive with his fans. He's great!
So glad we had a chance to catch up with one of our favorite new artists, Craig Campbell, after his sound check at City Limits Saloon in Raleigh, NC on 1/8/13. Thanks to Craig for always being so accommodating for us and allowing us time out of his crazy schedule and thanks to Ingrid for covering the interview for me since I wasn't able to make it to Raleigh this time. (Sorry for the background noise and activity, City Limits is a hard place to find a good spot unless the artist has their bus. Craig flew in this time and didn't have his bus.) Be sure to request Craig's latest single, "Outta My Head" on your local stations.
Carol at KDFI FM out of Witchita caught up with Steve during the whirlwind known as CMA Week in Nashville. Check out what he had to say ... always love his interviews and sense of humor. Yes ladies, he is spoken for not only by his wife but by two of the most important ladies in his life, his girls Ava and Ella.
Carol also caught up with several other major artists like Eric Church, Sugarland and more. You can watch them here as well!
Check out the exclusive interview that Nashville.com conducted with Steve Holy right before his September 11th appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Thanks to our friends, David and Jerry at Nashville.com for bringing the personal side of Steve to their audience and showing there's more to him than just a classic voice and top quality music.
Steve Holy Opens Up About Agressive Women, Personal Heroes and More
Exclusive Interview . . . From the time of his breakout smash “Good Morning Beautiful,” which topped the charts for five weeks in 2002, Steve Holy’s distinctive voice has been a welcome addition to the genre. Whether singing a heartfelt romantic ballad, a playful romp like his second No. 1, “Brand New Girlfriend,” or a powerfully emotionally pledge of commitment as in “Love Don’t Run,” Holy brings something unique with every outing. And that’s certainly the case with his latest single, “Hauled Off and Kissed Me,” a rollicking tune he co-wrote about the more aggressive nature of modern women, and definitely a good thing, according to Steve. The Texas native recently sat down to chat with Nashville.com about his new music, his daughters, and the fear that drives him. Here’s some of what he had to say.
Nash: How was your summer? Had much time to spend with your daughters, or has it been non-stop on the road?
Steve: I’m on day 9 now of a 14-day run with my daughters. My youngest, Ella, was just about 3 months old when I hit the road with “Love Don’t Run,” and she’s about two-and-a-half now. I was there about every day for the first two years with Ava is 4 now and it’s great being on the road with them.
Nash: Tell me about your favorite moment in ever show . . . something you really look forward to each night. Is it right before you’re introduced and you hear the crowd’s energy and you know they’re ready? Is it the first song . . . getting into it and getting a great reaction? Or is it something that varies from night to night?
Steve: A lot of people wouldn’t consider me a shy person, but I kind of am. And I get pretty tense before I go on. Then, usually about song three, it kind of kicks in and it just starts to flow. And fortunately I don’t think I’ve had many bad shows. But I never got 100 percent comfortable . . . and I guess fear is a good thing. I have a little fear before I go on.
Nash: I know you’ve got an Opry appearance coming up soon. And I’m sure a lot of your musical heroes have played on that stage. Can you talk a bit about who some of your personal heroes are, whether musical or in your personal life? And, really, I tend to not like to use that “hero” word for people other than soldiers, firefighters, police officers and others who put themselves on the line for the rest of us. But you know what I mean.
Steve: Yeah, I do. And I’m the same way about who we should think of as heroes. I’m star struck by the military and firefighters, what they do for us. I’m a very patriotic person, as well. But I’ve been asked, “If you could have a sit-down dinner, who would be the four people at your table?” And I would have to say, Jesus Christ, first. I would want him at my table. I would want Ronald Reagan at that table. And I’d want Elvis to be there. And Roy Orbison, number four.
Nash: Let’s talk about the single a bit. I love the concept of a woman who’d just “haul off and kiss me.” How many times in your life have you experienced that, having a woman just totally unexpectedly and totally out of the blue, just lay one on you?
Steve: This song is really more about the fact that it seems like girls have gotten more aggressive through the years (chuckles). I really think these days, girls are more the aggressor. More than ever, women are taking charge. More women than ever are in charge of Fortune 500 companies. And in politics, and on and on and on. Women are in charge more than ever.
Nash: Are you comfortable with that, in terms of the social aspect of it? Are you young enough to embrace it or still enough of a fossil to feel like, well the guy’s supposed to make the first move, pay for the date and open the car door and all of that?
Steve: I’ll just say, for guys’ sake, thank God for aggressive women! (laughs)
Nash: I think back to high school, sitting by the phone for a half hour, sweating bullets and hyperventilating before getting up the nerve to call someone and ask her out. So, in that sense, a lot of that traditional pressure has been lifted from guys.
Steve: I was that guy in high school. And my technique was like, “Hey, you don’t want to go to the prom with me, do you?” Very positive.
Nash: I had a similar technique selling Cub Scout candy door-to-door. “You don’t want to buy any candy do you? I didn’t think so. Sorry to bother you.” Not a born salesman.
Nash: Talking about sweating before asking someone out, I remember in high school I was planning to ask out the homecoming queen who worked at a women’s clothing store in Murfreesboro. And I walked around in the store for 30 minutes and finally lost my nerve, but then thought, “Well, why did I come in here? She’s going to wonder why I came in.” And since I couldn’t do what I went there to do, I bought my sister a purse! She loved it, and I think said, “why don’t you try to ask her out again this weekend; I need some matching shoes.” Steve: That is hilarious! (big laugh)
Nash: What else is going on for you musically? On the road for the next few months? Is there more new music that will follow the current single?
Steve: All of the above. I’m going to be cutting soon, hopefully, but there’s no rush. As a result of the success of Love Don’t Run—and “Hauled Off” is on that album—we’ve had a very busy last couple of years.
Nash: Anything on the calendar you’re really looking forward to in the next few months?
Steve: Well, this will sound like a canned response I know, but we look forward to every show we do. My guys and I make sure we have a blast on stage, whether it’s for 50 people or thousands, and you can’t hide that from an audience. They get caught up in it. And, of course, doing the Opry is always a highlight.
Nash: I’ve gotta tell you something quickly before I let you go. A few years ago, right after Heidi Newfield had gotten married, she called me at home one night to do an interview about the wedding. Her mother had died not long before that, and she was telling me a very emotional story about placing a rose on the seat where her mother would have sat during the wedding. I was sitting in the kitchen, which has some exposed wooden beams, and while we were talking, I heard this strange sound from above. And I looked up in time to see a cat barfing on my shoulder. But I couldn’t say anything because it was such a powerful moment Heidi was describing. I told her about it later and she roared and couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed anything wrong at the time. I told you all that because . . . it sort of just happened again. While we were talking, another cat just hurled on the tile kitchen floor. I may have to start doing these interviews out on the porch. So far, you and Heidi are the only ones to bring that out of my cats, so you’re in a pretty elite group! I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not, but I thought I’d mention it.
Steve: Heidi’s a friend, and I can’t wait to share that with her. (big laugh) Nice to know I’m in such good company.
Nash: Congrats again on the new song. Can’t wait to hear some more new music. Thanks for doing this, Steve.
We spent some quality time with the guys from Parmalee before their show at City Limits Saloon in Raleigh, NC this past Friday night and they were so much fun! (The laughing probably gives that away though.) What a great group of guys and the talent they possess is just ridiculous. We'll be posting our review of the show later today or tomorrow once I wake up and recover from the party. There is no "musta had a good time", we DID have a good time and so did a sold out house full of energetic fans. Thanks Matt, Barry, Scott and Josh for a great night! Let's do it again soon!
Thanks to the Tim Gates,Brad Hull and Matt Lopez of Due West for taking the time out of their crazy schedule to catch up with us and share what's been going on with them. We love this group and if you love quality music, you will too if you don't already. Their latest single, "Things You Can't Do in a Car" is inching towards the coveted "Top 30" on the Music Row Charts and currently sits at #45. Please request the new single on your local country station!
Question 1: We'd love a little background on each of you. How did you get started and how did you come together as Due West?
Tim: "We all met at a songwriter's party that Dan Truman of the group, Diamond Rio, invited me to. I remember breaking into a Shenandoah song and when I hit the chorus, Matt and Brad joined in on harmony. It was a wall of sound and I liked it. I later invited them to come sing with me on the stage of the Alabama Grill (a restaurant that I was managing) every Friday night and they agreed. We later realized we should take it further, called it Due West and started this journey."
Matt: "I knew that I wanted to make music for a living as far back as I can remember. I tried to go the college route, but quickly discovered it wasn't what I wanted. I was living in New Jersey in 1998 and attended the Garth Brooks concert in Central Park in New York City. It was in that moment that I was 100% committed to making the move to Music City. After some twists and turns in the road of life, I finally made my way and officially landed in Nashville in January of 2003. Later that year at a guitar pull, Tim, Brad and I sang together for the first time."
Brad: "I always love music and wanted to work in the music industry in some capacity. I was intrigued by the "behind the scenes" type of jobs and wanted to pursue one of those paths. I transferred my college credits to Belmont University in Nashville and discovered I wanted to be a record producer or a music publisher. After graduation, I tried to land a few music industry jobs but this little side band that I was singing with was the thing that just kept coming to the forefront of my pursuit, instead of the few "real jobs" that I had. This little side band that started as a chance meeting at a songwriter party and grew into a steady gig at the Alabama Grill, eventually became Due West."
Question 2: Who are your musical influences and do you remember what it was that first made you decide this is what you wanted to do?
Brad: "Our musical influences span across many artists, decades and genres. Tim is our stone cold country fan who listens to his favorite music on vinyl. He loves everything from Buck Owens and Patsy Cline to Willie Nelson and Keith Whitley. Matt is our pop influenced member who loves everything from the soaring melodies and harmonies of the 70's to the groovy beats of R&B and hip-hop. My influences probably lie somewhere in the middle of those two as I grew up listening to Motown, the Beach Boys and George Strait. I would say that my very first concert, which happened to be George Strait, was the moment that made me want to do the music thing for a living. As I became mesmerized by that show, I knew I wanted to strum guitar and sing harmony in a band."
Question 3: How long did it take to finally get your music noticed?
Brad: "I think that getting our music noticed is an ongoing process and I'm not sure that it ever ends. We have been making music together for about 8 years now but from the first time that we played original songs together as Due West at the Alabama Grill in front of an audience who didn't care, to the most recent show we played together to a growing audience of actual fans, we have just been trying to get our music heard. Every step along the way, whether we're playing to a restaurant crowd or to a label executive, a booking agent, or a large amphitheater crowd, we love the process of connecting with new audiences and having them "discover" Due West."
Question 4: Has there ever been a moment on stage that really hit you and made you stop and think "Wow! This is really happening"?
Matt: "Just in the last few weeks or so, we've been traveling with our full band on a tour bus. We're showing up to some pretty cool venues and appearing on the bill with some other artists who we're fans of. At those recent shows, it's really started to feel like we've reached a new level. The stages are getting bigger, the audiences are getting bigger and it's just feeling way more legit than before."
Question 5: Love your song, "When the Smoke Clears". The harmonies are amazing. (Little Big Town and Lady A have a run for their money in that area with you guys!) Did any of you write the song? Do you write most of your own music?
Matt: "Thanks for the compliments - that's great company to be mentioned with! We're big fans of harmony groups: Little Big Town, in my opinion, is the most underrated vocal group in town. The song "When the Smoke Clears" is a song I wrote several years back with my amazing friend/songwriter, Don Rollins. I remember playing it for these guys one night at the Alabama Grill and they (especially Tim) just loved it. The moment I really "heard it" for the first time was when Tim first sang it . He's got the perfect country soul in his voice to really capture the sentiment of the lyric and melody. I'm proud of that song and what it could still potentially be for us."
Question 6: You have a new single out, "Things You Can't Do In a Car", which we LOVE. What's each of your favorite things to do that you actually can do in a car?
Tim: "When I'm back in my hometown in southern Utah, I love to drive up to a lake called Gates Lake with my dogs and fishing poles in the back."
Brad: "Well, I currently don't have a truck, but if I did, I would load it up with the equipment needed to get a few overdue household chores done."
Matt: "I have very fond memories of going to the dump as a kid with my dad (who has since passed). We would take a load of garbage after cleaning out the garage or a truck bed full of grass clippings and such from a day of yard work. I remember it always being an adventure and I was fascinated with the whole layout and system of a dump. Now I have my dad's old truck out here in Tennessee and so when the opportunity comes, I load up the family and we all go on an adventure to take a load of stuff to the county landfill."
Question 7: Are you in the process of recording a new cd? If so, when can we expect it to be released?
Tim: "We have recorded 4 songs so far with our new producer, Garth Fundis, and will get back in the studio this fall to finish recording. The release date is unknown at this time."
Question 8: Question from @TiffBenton on Twitter: Do you plan of featuring Joanna Smith on "Farm Girl"?
Matt: "Ha! Ha! If we ended up recording that song - and I really hope we do - she will be featured as one of the writers on the song. If you mean some sort of duet or something along those lines, we'd be honored to record and perform with Joanna, we're big fans of hers."
Question 9: Question from @ChuckDauphin on Twitter: Do you remember your first radio stop and can you tell us a little about it?
Tim: "I remember our first official radio visit was in Dickson, Tennessee with the one and only Chuck Dauphin. I was nervous before we entered because there was a bullet hole in the window, but when we walked in, my nerves went away because of the familiar atmosphere. The radio station reminded me of the station I worked in as a kid back home. There were classic country records all over the walls and Chuck was a great guy and obviously a huge fan of country music. I remember the interview went very well and Chuck became a fan. It was a great visit for all of us."
Question 10: Question from @ShansMusic on Twitter: Is there a megastar you'd love to open for?
Brad: "I can't think of a megastar that I WOULDN'T love to open for but I can think of 3 megastars off the top of my head that I'd love to open for, each for a different reason. Brad Paisley because I think that would be a perfect fit for us music wise and personality wise. I hear that his tours are a lot of fun! Kenny Chesney because there isn't a bigger show out there to be a part of. It would be amazing to play in front of THAT many people. George Strait because he's George Strait ... he's one artist I get starstruck by. "
Thanks again to Matt, Brad and Tim for talking to us and giving us the chance to go "behind the scenes" with Due West. Check these guys out if you haven't already, they are outstanding and we'll support them until the world stops spinning. Don't forget to request "Things You Can't Do In a Car" today!
Thank you to Matt Kennon for all he does in spreading the importance of today's important issues in his music and for spending some time with us. Please excuse the background noise, this interview was held during a san Jose Giants baseball game and this was the quietest spot available :-) Thanks again to our west coast contributor, Tiffany Sears Benton for doing this interview for us! We appreciate you, Tiffany!
Pick up your copy of Matt's latest cd, "77", on iTunes and Amazon. It includes his hit single, "You Had to Pick on Me" as well as previously unreleased versions of "The Call" and "You Can Still Wear White".
Thank you again to our west coast contributors, Tiffany and Ann Marie, for catching this interview for us with Jerrod Niemann before his show at Shoreline Amphitheatre on April 27, 2012. Jerrod has fast become a Lovin' Lyrics favorite. Be sure you go get his new single, "Shinin' on Me" on iTunes and Amazon and request it on your local country station!
Huge thank you to JT Hodges for sitting down with Lovin' Lyrics west coast team members, Tiffany and Ann Marie, before his KRTY show at Shoreline Amphitheatre on April 27, 2012. Great to hear what's going on with him, what we can expect in the near future and a little about who he is. If you're in Raleigh, NC on 5/18/12, be sure to catch him at City Limits Saloon along with James Wesley. We'll be there! Hope to see you as well! Oh yeah, stay tuned for our review of the KRTY 20th Birthday Party along with show photos coming soon!
Pick up your copy of JT's latest hit single, "Goodbyes Made You Mine" on iTunes and Amazon.com. You can watch the brand new video just released on CMT.com as well!
I have to say that Bucky Covington is one of the best interviews we've had to date. He's so personable, animated and genuine. That's what fans love about him and that's why they continue to show unstoppable support and love for Bucky and his music. Thank you to Bucky for a great show in Raleigh and for being so kind to let us catch up with him before his show. Please go download his new single, "I Wanna Be That Feeling" oniTunes and Amazon and stay tuned here for Bucky updates as we get them! His new cd will be released soon. Thank you to Ingrid Ward for standing in for me at this interview and making it such a great one! She is my right arm when it comes to show coverage and getting the photos/reviews you look forward to.
(Turn up your volume, we had a little environmental noise)
We were able to catch a few personal minutes with Craig Campbell before his show at City Limits Saloon in Raleigh, NC this past weekend and had a blast. What a great guy and man can he put on one hell of a show!
If you're not familiar with Craig, we gotta fix that because he's one artist you can't afford to miss out on. With two hit singles already under his big belt buckle, "Family Man" and "Fish", he's recently released his third and it's already kicking ass, "When I Get It". Go to www.craigcampbell.tv to find out more about this wonderful new artist, follow him on Twitter and Facebook too! Be sure to "like" his Campbell's Corral Facebook Fan Page!
Request "When I Get It" on your local country station, text your request, email or call. Also request on GAC and CMT, let them know you love the video! Thank you to Craig, Bigger Picture Group, and Monarch Publicity for putting this together. We appreciate you all!
If you don't know who JT Hodges is yet, then you haven't been listening to the right country radio stations or keeping up with the best in new country music.
Showdog Universal's JT Hodges is the protege of Toby Keith and with just one hit song, "Hunt You Down", under his belt, JT has already been included in several lists of artists to watch in 2012, Country Weekly's "Next Male Artist Destined for Superstardom"contest, and the biggest honor of them all, a 2012 Academy of Country Music New Artist of the Year nominee. That's quite a list of achievements for someone who was virtually unknown this time last year and it's only getting better from here with a new song that's already making headway on country stations nationwide, "Goodbyes Made You Mine".
JT Hodges also happens to be a very down to earth guy who hasn't let all of this attention go to his head. He makes it a point to personally reach out and interact with his fan base on social media which is why country music fans are tuning in to hear more from him. He's just an everyday guy with ambition and determination and those traits are paying off in spades. He took a few minutes out of his crazy schedule to sit down and talk with us recently and tell us a little about his background, what's going on, how he's feeling and what's up next. Thank you to JT for allowing us the opportunity to talk with him and for helping us bring you a closer insight to who he is as an artist.
Introduction: "Hey JT, thanks so much for sitting down to do this interview, I know you must be interviewed to death right now with all of the hoopla following your ACM New Artist of the Year nomination. I know ALOT of people are really happy and excited for you to be nominated and especially after just one great song! Congratulations on the nomination, you have officially started 'Hodges-Mania' "
Q1: "Obvious first question, how are ya feeling right now about the nomination and where were you when you got the news?"
A1: "I'm on cloud nine. I actually was in Missouri for the holidays when I got the news."
Q2: "How did you wind up on the road to country music? Musical background, a wild hair, drunken dare or something you knew you were gonna do from an early age?"
A2: "I grew up around music in Fort Worth Texas and country music was predominant, so I think it naturally just makes the most sense for me. Hey, a great song is a great song no matter what, I just happens to think songs are just a little better in country music. Ha :) "
Q3: "You're not only a performer but you write alot of your own music. What or who inspires you as an artist?"
A3: "I'm inspired by great song, period. Performing wise, there have been so many great artists that have inspired me, too many to name. I do always love going back and watching Elvis Presley performances ... Man,he commanded a stage! So did Garth. "
Q4: "Tell us about the day you found out that you were finally going to be signed to a record deal."
A4: "I was ecstatic. I was ready to go to work right away. I thought to myself, okay, I got an opportunity now so don't waste it."
Q5: "Your first single, "Hunt You Down", has been accepted by the radio, CMT, GAC and your fans very well. Where were you when you first heard your music on the radio or saw the video on television?"
A5: "I first heard the song on the radio in Lakeland, Florida. WQYK in Tampa was the first station to play it. I first saw the video at my house...that was a pretty cool feeling."
Q6: "I know you probably get asked this a million times, but where did you get the idea for "Hunt You Down?"
A6: "It was inspired by a spontaneous night Memphis, Tennessee."
Q7: "I have a question from Facebook - What's the craziest thing a fan has asked of you or experience you've had with a fan?"
A7: "It was crazy but at the same time it was very flattering. I had a fan that wanted me to put a signature on a napkin and also write down part of the chorus lyrics to Hunt You Down. She later went and got a tattoo around her ankle with my signature and the lyrics. Isn't that cool :) ?"
NOTE: Later found out who that fan was and she sent in a photo of the tattoo! See the picture of the ankle tattoo below! Now that's dedication to an artist and truly appreciating their music! I love it!
Q8: "You were on the Toby Keith Locked and Loaded Tour this past summer, give us a little inside scoop on that. Pranks? "Incidents"? Things You'll Remember? Things You'd Rather Not Remember? LOL"
A8: "Touring with Toby and Eric was fantastic. It was during football season mostly so on Saturdays we got to watch college football before the shows, drink some beers. On the last date of the tour Eric and Toby's crew and came out with kazoos on hunt you down. We all pranked Toby with red solo cops and dressed as Eric in sunglasses and a hat during their sets. Great times on a great tour."
Q9: "You've got a new single coming out in February, "Goodbyes Made You Mine". Can you tell us a little about it?"
A9: "'Goodbyes Made You Mine' is really a song about promises kept. It's looking that special someone right in the eye and saying they can trust you. They can let go of all that happened in the past, there's no need to worry anymore, you're not like all the rest. You're the man, really. Ha :)"
NOTE - JT, there are ALOT of women out there that would wanna kiss you on the cheek for this song ... you ARE the man, really. LOL!
Q10: "You made your Opry debut in November, congratulations! Describe the experience of standing in that historic circle and knowing you'd finally made it. I was listening online by the way, you did great!"
A10: "Well, thanks for listening, I appreciate that. You know, being up on that stage at the famous Ryman Auditorium, for the most prestigious of all shows in my opinion, is a memory I always get to have for the rest of my life. It was absolutely incredible to get the opportunity to sing my story in the place where the greatest are told."
Q11: "Any idea when can we expect the new cd? There are alot of people getting pretty anxious out there including Melissa K on Facebook! LOL. I want to be the first to review it!"
A11: "Everybody out there getting anxious can expect an album out this year, probably by late spring, early summer. Believe me, I'm just as anxious to get it out to you as you are to hear it."
Bonus Q12: "Does your dog only drink from Red Solo Cups? LOL"
A12: "Is there any other way?"
Be sure to request "Goodbyes Made You Mine" on your local country radio station and also let GAC and CMT know they need to play the video. Thank you to all who support JT and his music. It's because of you that the good things happen for the good people.
Collin Raye performed locally at the Morehead Center for Performing Arts in Morehead City, NC on January 13, 2012. We were blessed to have been given the opportunity to catch a few minutes with him and find out what's been going on with him personally and with his career and the new cd, "His Love Remains". Excuse the poor lighting and audio, the venue was very dark and the acoustics for speaking weren't that great. I think he's such an interesting person and we'd like to thank Collin and his management for allowing us to time to talk with him so we can share it with you.
Listen to Jared's latest single, "Don't Mind" on the player below.
If you don't know who Jared Blake is, get ready because you will be hearing his name and his music a lot more in the coming months.
Jared was a featured contestant on season one of NBC's hit musical reality contest, "The Voice", as a member of Blake Shelton's team. While Jared didn't win the title of "The Voice", he's sure proving that his voice is one to be reckoned with and that just because you don't win a reality show contest doesn't mean you don't win in reality itself. Jared's not an unknown presence in the music industry, having worked with such high profile names as Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich and the Goo Goo Dolls among others. He's just now starting to make his mark and etch his fresh, unbroached sound into the genre of country music. He was known on the show as "the country rocker" and he's living up to that around Nashville. His new cd is in the works along with a few other projects that we'll find out about soon enough and his music from "The Voice" has reached as high as #16 on the iTunes charts. Jared may be known for being on "The Voice", but if the rabid sales of "Don't Mind" are any indication, he will be known by HIS voice.
Thank you to Jared for taking a few minutes to sit down and catch us up on what's been going on, his time on the show and a little more about what Jared Blake is all about and who he is.
LL: So tell us a little about Jared Blake, who are you as a person and an artist? Give us a glimpse into your background and what brought you to where you are right now.
Jared: I grew up in Arkansas in a town of 2,000 people and one stoplight. Growing up in the sticks, there wasn't much to do so I started playing music. I started playing piano and stayed glued to that about 2-3 hours a day. It was easy, so I got bored with that quickly. I picked up a guitar around 14 years old, and since that was harder, I decided to stick with that. I started writing songs when I was 16 because I had started singing at talent competitions and original songs gave you extra points. I, of course, wanted to win and did. That started a passion for songwriting, so I moved to the only town I had ever been to outside of Star City, Arkansas and that was Branson, MO. I met one of my best friends there, Eric Landes. We started writing together and got introduced to a couple of people from Nashville who told us about getting paid to write songs. We immediately moved to Nashville at age 20.
The songs I had written with Eric got me my first publishing deal with MoFamous Music and Mosaic. My first time in the studio was at Universal and the sides were produced by Bobby Pinson (BMI songwriter of the year award); Gretchen Wilson even sang backup for me! I sang a lot of demos for other artists and songwriters which led to my second writer deal with Sony/ATV and Love Monkey Music (Bob DiPiero). I signed with them in 2006 where I wrote/recorded about 200 songs over the next few years. I had a chance to write with many legendary songwriters that had written songs that brought me to want to write to begin with. Continuing to write with these guys has been a true blessing and some of the highlights of my career.
I've had a lot of opportunities with record labels, things just haven't panned out. I believe that things all happen for a reason and at a time when it's supposed to happen, not when you tell it to happen.
LL: People are obviously gonna know you from the first season of NBC's "The Voice" as a member of "Team Blake". After being on the show, having Blake Shelton as your coach and being in such an intense musical environment, is there anything you learned on the show that's helped you in your music and do you feel it's made you stronger in your music?
Jared: (laughing) I don't know that a reality show is going to effect your own music. I will say that the best advice I got on the show came from Reba and Blake. Reba said that she thought I was perfect the way I was and to go out there and be me. That's the best thing an artist can ever hear. Blake said something similar, you know, in a Blake-kinda way. I think it was more like a...go do what you do man. So, it made me stronger to be okay with being me.
LL: How would you describe the Jared Blake fan base?
Jared: (laughing) They come in all ages, shapes and sizes. We've tried to research where they live, who they are, and it's probably been the most confused my team has ever been. Trying to sift through the music fans from the tv fans might take a little time, but they have been really amazing! I love 'em all and they are why I get to do what I love every day. I will never lose sight of that fact.
LL: Ok, gotta ask because I KNOW there's been something ... what's the weirdest or scariest "encounter" you've had with a fan? While on the subject of fans, what's the nicest thing a fan has done for you?
Jared: Weirdest: A twitter fan asked me to poop on their chest...did you want me to go that far? (laughs) Otherwise, I'd say there was a mom that let her little girl run through Chicago traffic, knock on my window, and ask me for my bandana. I gave to to her, of course.
Nicest: A group of my fans donated their money to help me produce my new single. Any time a fan buys music, it's the biggest compliment I could possibly receive. It means they are invested in me, my career, and even supporting my family. I also hope it means it's touched their life in some way.
LL: Tell me a little bit about what goes into your songwriting and your music and where do you draw your inspiration? What's your favorite song you've written so far?
Jared: I draw inspiration from EVERYTHING. It happens to be what is hitting my heart and soul at that moment. I've tried to write about what people want to hear like a cute little love song, or breakups, you know...common things. I just can only write what I feel. Anyone who listens to my music can hear my life story over the years. Some days I'm feeling cheery and sometimes I'm in a darker place. You can hear all of that. I guess that's why people think I sing from my soul. I do.
My favorite song...Change. It's only my favorite because I continuously hear that it helps people through some hard time in their life. We all get caught up in where we want to be and what song is going to get us there. It's only when people tell you about a song affecting their life do I see that there's a much bigger picture behind the music. It's easy to forget for an artist. I hope more and more people continue to share their thoughts on music so we can be reminded.
LL: You're a family guy, you have kids. How does this new popularity affect your lifestyle at home and how much has it changed your everyday life?
Jared: It hasn't changed the kids at all. If they see someone looking at us, they will usually walk up to them and say hi. They've just always believed that I was a superstar. I can't really explain it.
I get to do music for a living now. That's the most amazing feeling in the world. Seeing someone sing a song that I wrote gets me every time I see it. Sometimes, I almost stop singing...it shocks me. I've teared up talking about that. People still stop me when I go out and talk to me about the show, Blake Shelton's height, Christina's attitude, CeeLo's arms, and ask why I wore that shiny bandana. I know. My only excuse is you get caught up and wardrobe, on those shows, is always pushing the limits. (laughing)
LL: Who has been your biggest influence and why?
Jared:My fiance Jenn. I've never actually seen anyone else ever naturally exude what I have always tried to be. She is just that, kind-hearted, intelligent, and really funny. I have to back it up to when I met her for this to make sense. Most people know, because of the show, that I had some issues in my past. Things that I learned about myself and worked to change were all qualities that I had to work hard to become. She had all those qualities and was always just being herself. She has done everything that has helped me progress in music and life. She pushed me to be on "The Voice". She has risked losing everything to stand behind me and what she believes in. She's even typing this for me as I speak because I type so slow (laughing). Is that weird?
LL: Is there any artist you'd like to write or perform with?
Jared: Ha, tons! How big of a list do you want? Top 3 that fit my mood today: (If they had to be alive) Miranda Lambert, Kid Rock, and Kris Kristofferson. I'd always add Johnny Cash if he were still around.
LL: What's your favorite and least favorite thing about being on the road?
Jared: Favorite thing: That I get to be!! and even better that I meet fans when I get there!
Least favorite: That I don't have enough money yet to bring all my kids, or there was that time when I didn't get paid by a promoter. Trusting other people with your career is difficult for me.
LL: Tell us about the new album you've got in the works, when can we expect the finished product? What's your favorite song off the cd and why?
Jared: You can expect total chaos in the new album (laughs). I'm going to be looking to take people for a ride of emotions on the album. People can expect to see a lot of sides of Jared Blake. It will feel a little country, a little rock, and all soul. As far as a favorite, I can't choose. That would be like picking a favorite child over your others.
LL: Ok, we'll wrap things up here, we really appreciate your time. How can we find you on the internet? You have a website, Twitter, Facebook and other internet sites that fans should know? Where are your next couple of shows taking you?
Jared: If you remember "Jared Blake Music", you've got them all. Website, Facebook, Twitter, and all. I'm home for the holidays and working on the new album and more business. I'm going to try to get in some acoustic shows in TX, TN and FL very soon. I'll be doing a couple of fundraisers in Nashville also.
LL: Anything else you'd like to throw in here that I haven't mentioned? Any other projects on the Jared Blake horizon we should know about?
Jared: I'm under contract to not to ;)
Thank you again to Jared for taking time out of his insane schedule to talk to us. We're looking forward to the new cd and these other "confidential" projects he has up his sleeve. You can check out Jared's online sites listed below and also purchase his music online.
