TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 1 • Issue 2 Winter 2018
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Neal Nachman
DIRECTOR OF SALES AND PROMOTIONS: Liz Stokes GRAPHIC ARTIST: Neal Nachman
PAGE 4
PAGE 28
PAGE 6
PAGE 32
PAGE 10
PAGE 36
DIRECTOR OF MULTI-MEDIA: Kenny Moore ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Liz Stokes LEGAL COUNSEL: Shobha N. Lizaso
EDITORIAL INQUIRIES: info@countrybeatmagazine.com WRITERS: Alanna Conaway Terry Canter Corrina Drost Kelly Geist Marianne Horner Liz Stokes
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Neal Nachman Joe Orlando
PUBLISHED BY: Full Access Media Group 9713 Takomah Trail Tampa, FL 33617 813.400.3110 (Office) • 813.200.3916 (Fax)
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION AND MARKETING BY: Comag Marketing Group
© 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED No part of Country Beat Magazine may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior written consent from Full Access Media Group.
VISIT US ON THE WEB @ www.countrybeatmagazine.com
Country Beat Magazine
IST H T T AR TLIG O SP
PAGE 16
PAGE 40
PAGE 22
PAGE 46 3
Time To Get Dressed signed in person after Thompson Square’s next performance on the Grand Ole Opry, also set for November 13. With nationwide concerts scheduled through December 14, Thompson Square will continue thrilling audiences on the road this holiday season – delivering hits such as the 2x-Platinum #1 smash “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” the GOLD-certified follow-up, “If I Didn’t Have You,” and new songs from their latest album, MASTERPIECE. Including 11 tracks inspired by their own fairytale romance, the couple continues to perfect their acclaimed vocal blend while Thompson Square To Release Children’s Book exploring sounds like soulful R&B, laid-back Inspired By Son Cooper reggae and thundering hard rock. Multi-Platinum, 2X Grammy nominees Thompson Square are beginning a heartwarming new chapter with the upcoming release of their first children’s book, Time To Get Dressed. Written by the Country duo’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson and illustrated by Ana Patankar, Time To Get Dressed features cute and colorful full-page pictures and a sing-song storyline – meant to teach children how to get ready for their day and inspired by the duo’s two-year-old son, Cooper. “We wrote a Children’s Book y’all!!! Time To Get Dressed is so special to us,” exclaimed Shawna. Kenny Chesney & Thomas Rhett Join Jason “It started out as a song Keifer would sing to Aldean To Headline 2019 Tortuga Music Festival Cooper and has evolved into a book everyone can The seventh-annual Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga read to their kiddos! We’re thrilled to be able to Music Festival, in partnership with Live Nation, announced today that 8-time Country Music share a part of our family with yours.” Association and Academy of Country Music Set for official release via Amazon and the duo’s Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney and website on November 13, pre-orders for multi-platinum superstar Thomas Rhett will join Thompson Square’s Time To Get Dressed begin Jason Aldean, who was recently announced, TODAY (10/29) at www.thompsonsquare.com. as their 2019 headliners. Chesney, a huge Priced at $9.99, those who pre-order will receive champion of the festival and its work around a signed copy of the lovable lesson book – PLUS ocean conservation and stewardship since its a digital-download code for the bouncy “Time first year, will return to headline for the fourth time. To Get Dressed” companion song, sung by It was also revealed that Danielle Bradbery, Kane Thompson Square and sure to help your little Brown, Sheryl Crow, Delta Rae, Lindsay Ell, one remember what he or she learned. Morgan Evans, Flo Rida, Chris Janson, Jillian The smiling tune is only available with Time To Jacqueline, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, Cody Get Dressed pre-orders for now, going wide after Johnson, Elle King, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, the book’s release, and fans can get their copy of Midland, Maren Morris, David Lee Murphy, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Michael Ray, 4
Country Beat Magazine
Trombone Shorty, Mitchell Tenpenny and The Wailers will take the stage, with more acts to be announced in the coming weeks. The three-day, oceanfront experience will take place on April 12, 13, 14 of 2019 on the shores of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida, and passes will go on sale October 26 at 10am ET. For more information on tickets, hotel packages and more visit tortugamusicfestival.com.
Maren Morris Achieves Multi-Platinum Success Following her jaw-dropping performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” with folk rock liberator Brandi Carlile, CMT Artist of the Year Maren Morris was presented THREE RIAA plaques celebrating the success of singles from her debut album Hero by Sony Music Nashville label executives.
Morris was awarded Platinum certification for “I Could Use a Love Song” and “80s Mercedes” and 2X-Platinum certification for her career-launching “My Church.”
Morgan Wallen Toasts “Up Down” With Rooftop #1 Party Big Loud Records’ rising star MORGAN WALLEN toasted his first #1 hit yesterday (10/17), partying in rooftop-style for his PLATINUM-certified charttopper, “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line). Taking over the Thompson Hotel’s vibey L.A. Jackson rooftop bar in Nashville, BIG LOUD, BMI, ASCAP, Wallen and the backwoods anthem’s talented writers – BRAD CLAWSON, HARDY and
CJ SOLAR – were on top of the world as they turned their Shiners “Up Down” in celebration, along with many of the industry pros who made the smash possible, including FGL’s TYLER HUBBARD. Each said a few words in appreciation, and then received mementos to commemorate Wallen’s career first. A surprise announcement came later on, when Wallen revealed the details of his 2019 headlining tour. Beginning January 5 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the IF I KNOW ME TOUR will hit 26 cities from coast-to-coast including a hometown show in Knoxville, Tennessee, plus stops in Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California and more before wrapping in Salt Lake City, Utah, on March 30.
Dylan Scott Unleashes Intimate Stripped EP Curb Records rising star DYLAN SCOTT is proud to announce the release of his STRIPPED EP, a raw-and-unfiltered collection of acoustic Country heat out today (10/26). Now available across all digital platforms, the ntimate STRIPPED is the audio-only companion to Scott’s popular STRIPPED acoustic-video series, an artistic high point of five plaintive clips which have combined to tally over 25 MILLION YouTube views so far. Featuring the PLATINUM-certified #1, “My Girl,” and four others with their rich songwriting foundations on full display, the STRIPPED EP includes tracks from Scott’s self-titled Top 5 album debut (DYLAN SCOTT / DYLAN SCOTT DELUXE EDITION) and the insatiable romance of “Give Me More.” Coming soon from the hitmaker will be the party starting Friday-night jam, “Nothing To Do Town,” a brand new song due on November 16. Written by Scott with John Taylor and Matthew Alderman, it follows Scott’s second consecutive Top 5 radio smash – the GOLD-certified “Hooked” – and also serves as the name of his headlining NOTHING TO DO TOWN TOUR, which kicks off January 17 in New York City with special guest Seth Ennis.
Country Beat Magazine
5
Photo by: Joseph Llanes
By Kelly Geist Whether you are a country music fan or not, Martina McBride is a household name. With a career spanning over 25 years, a 3-time winner of the Academy of Country Music “Top Female Vocalist Award,” and a 4-time winner of “Female Vocalist of the Year,” but the Country Music Association, and a 14-time Grammy Award Nominee, McBride has earned herself a coveted place as country music royalty. The songstresses’ last album, Reckless, was released in April 2016 and two years prior, her first cookbook “Around the Table: Recipes and Inspiration for Gatherings Throughout the Year” was published. Fast forward to present day 2018 and McBride is back with a new Christmas album, “It’s the Holiday Season,” her second cookbook “Martina’s Kitchen Mix: My Recipe Playlist for Real Life,” and a new series, “Martina’s Table,” set to debut on The Food Network, Sunday November 18th at 12 P.M. ET/PT. Amidst a promotional book tour, and a music tour about to begin in support of the new album, we set out to steal a bit of McBride’s time to chat about all of these amazing projects. With so much ground to cover, focus initially turned to the new cookbook. Coming off of a very successful first book effort, how would this newest release differ from the original? “It’s just a collection of recipes that I’ve been cooking over the last couple of years. It doesn’t 6
have all the party tips. The first was more like an entertaining book, a lot of timelines and tips, it wasn’t just a straight recipe book. It had some stories and anecdotes. But, with the new book, I really love these recipes. I think there are a lot healthier recipes with this book than the last book. There are a few more fish recipes, some more vegetarian options. I’ve started cooking a little bit healthier in the last 3 years, as we all probably have. It’s a good mixture, it has things on the healthier side, but then it also has these decadent recipes that are more like comfort food too.” She’s certainly on point with the public evolving attitudes toward food, which can often be the influence of younger generations, family, and friends, which help along the way. McBride’s eldest daughter Delaney, works as a personal chef and has been an inspiration regarding some of the changes in her families cooking routines. “I’ve learned some stuff from her. She’s cooked for people that are on Whole 30 and all different kinds of diets. I’ve learned some substitutions and different things, like you can use almond mil and almond flour and the healthier options.” That being said, sometimes it’s nice to fall back on old favorites (or new favorites!), and of course there will always be those times when you’re stressed for time and need something quick. For Martina, that’s her White Bean Stew. “You can really put it together in about 10, maybe
Country Beat Magazine
Photo by: Joseph Llanes
15 minutes at the most. It’s really healthy and super tasty. I made it last night for supper because we needed something on the table quick.” Recipes like that are only one piece that make up the beauty of Martina’s new book. There are fun additions like “Ad Libs,” “Don’t Knock It Til You Try It,” an accompanying playlist, and stunning photography, which could truly stand on its own, even outside of the book. These components make for a truly satisfying, and completely approachable, culinary adventure. “We all have these kind of interesting/strange recipes. Every family has recipes that have been handed down, but they were part of my childhood and I still make them for my family. I didn’t put the ‘Don’t Knock It Til You Try It’ recipes in the last book, so my editor came up with that idea and I think it’s really cute.” “One thing I love about the book is all the variations. One of my goals is to encourage people to get creative. For me in the last year and a half, I used to be a strict recipe follower, I’d just get the recipe and I’d make it exactly like it said. I’m not a chef; I’m a home cook. I’m just starting to be able to be to the point where I can probably whip something up from whatever is in my fridge. Part of my evolution as a home cook is taking some chances. Once you cook more, get more confident in the kitchen, and you try new spices and herbs, you go ‘Oh, that would taste great in my…’ It’s just really not being afraid to experiment.” “I wanted this book to be presented in a way that wouldn’t be intimidating. My whole goal is to encourage people to actually cook at home, entertain at home, and not be overwhelmed by it. There easy to find ingredients. You don’t need any special equipment. You don’t need any specialty stores. It’s real simple recipes that taste really good. That’s what I was going after.” From cocktails to desserts, there’s nothing missed here. The small bite chapter is perfect for the approaching holidays, as is Martina’s newly released Christmas album. “It’s the Holiday Season” is a thoroughly balanced blend of traditional Christmas songs combined with a jazzy backing band that somehow makes the old refreshingly new. “I wanted the album to be a classic. Something that stands the test of time. That people will listen to year after year, after year. I really just kind of wanted to have a big band kind of swing approach to it, so I hired one of the top arrangers, Patrick Williams, who sadly passed away before the record was completed. But, he’s worked with everybody from Sinatra to Dean Martin. He wrote
for a lot of television shows. He has a resume that’s crazy and I worked with him once before and loved the way he arranges. A lot of what your hearing comes from him actually. His arrangements are really classic sounding and what you would expect, but also unexpected and fresh sounding. I think that’s what drew me to his arrangements. It’s just an interesting combination of unexpected musical elements and very familiar musical elements.” Accompanying the new book and album is the upcoming “Martina’s Table” on The Food Network, but what can fans expect from the new endeavor? “My show is very down to earth. We show how I entertain and cook in real life. Like I said, I’m a home cook. For instance, every episode has a story line. In the first season, my two daughters come home from California and we do my oldest daughter’s birthday dinner. We have a Thanksgiving episode and we have a day off on tour where I cook out with my crew. It’s really just a glimpse behind the scenes into my real life.” Undoubtedly, Martina is a real life celebrity with celebrity friends, is it safe to assume some of her famous friends may be making appearances as well? “We have one episode that has a Christmas brunch for friends, so we have Faith Hill, Cheryl Crow, Karen Fairchild, and Kimberly Schlapman from Little Big Town. It’s really fun.” No doubt that’s the brunch to be at! Martina is certainly a busy woman and will not be slowing down anytime soon, as she will be touring through Saturday, December 8th in support of “It’s the Holiday Season,” before finally getting home to enjoy her own family Christmas in Nashville with her husband and daughters. You can find Martina’s exclusive insider videos at FoodNetwork.com/MartinasTable. For all the latest updates on the show follow #MartinasTable.
Country Beat Magazine
7
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Jason Myers
Chase Rice is a brand new man. After having success throughout 2014 with his Ignite the Night album, he is back with his sophomore project, Lambs & Lions, and the new music isn’t the only thing that’s got him fired up. “I know who I am now,” Chase tells Country Beat Magazine. “I know who I am as an artist. For me, that’s the most freeing place a person can be, when they know who they are and know their purpose. When I can walk up to anyone and say this is who I am, this is what I do and nobody else in this world can do this, that’s a good feeling. “I am the best at what I do – and that’s not in a cocky way,” he is quick to add. “I would say that for any artist – Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Eminem, Garth Brooks – it doesn’t matter. Nobody in the world can do what those guys do. Just like nobody in this world can write the article you’re about to write, you know? So when I realized that, and I really realized that as a person, nobody in the world can do what Chase Rice does … to me, that’s the most freeing place a human being can be. That’s not cocky; that’s freedom. That’s the way we’re meant to live, and that’s joy right there.” That excitement and satisfaction is also something that reflects in his new music. Chase released Lambs & Lions on November 17, 2017, marking his first endeavor with Broken Bow Records. “This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Chase says of where he goes from here. “There’s a lot of different stuff going on for me and my career right now. It’s a lot of great stuff. It’s been two 10
By Alanna Conaway
years in the making, but things are finally where it needs to be.” Not only is Chase’s music where it needs to be, but also the same applies for his Head Down Eyes Up brand, which continues to grow in its apparel line. The phrase was one that came to Chase after he started his junior year at the University of North Carolina and was injured on the very first football game of the season. Devastated, Chase began rehab for his ankle injury and recalls the moment he had his head down in frustration, but was looking up at himself in the mirror of the weight room with determination in his eyes. That moment and that saying stuck with him as he embarked on his country music career, and since he has released an apparel line for both men and women to keep the saying alive. “We’ve got a lot of plans for this year and next year with new product and new ways to get people wearing Head Down Eyes Up and keep that mentality going,” Chase says. “It’s already a success story, and now it’s just continuing to build on that. There will be some good stuff coming in the new year.” Over the past 12 months since Lambs & Lions was released, Chase’s fans have helped make two album tracks not only become staples in Chase’s live shows, but also huge hits on country radio: “Three Chords and the Truth” and his latest release from the album, “Eyes on You,” which to date has been the biggest song of his career.
Country Beat Magazine
Photo by: Jason Myers
Like most of the tracks on Lambs & Lions, Chase took part in writing “Eyes on You,” along with the help of co-writers Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano. The tune shows Chase’s softer, more tender, romantic side, singing about all the places he’s been to, but only has one memory of them all – the view of the girl by his side. When it came time to shoot the song’s music video, Chase wanted it to be as vulnerable as the lyrics, so who better to play his love interest than his girlfriend at the time. “We wanted it to be very real,” explains Chase who says his real-life buddy was also cast in the video. “Everything about that video was what things I would really do … I would snowboard, I would fly fish, I would travel with friends, and we wanted to document that. That makes it amazing. It’s like man, I’m not actually working!” However, there was a wrench thrown into the video shoot when Chase tore his pectoral muscle snowboarding as they were close to wrapping their last run of the first day. “We had two more days to shoot, so our goal was to not get hurt,” Chase says with a grin. “I just put my hand down on the mountain as I was going down pretty fast, and there was too much pressure on that part of the body I guess. It just snapped real quick. I was like ok… this is going to make for an interesting two days, but here we go [laughs]! I was icing a lot throughout the whole video and wimping my way through it with my arm, trying to not hurt it even worse. But it’s part of the cool story of what that video was. It’s going to be something to look back on and say that scar’s from that video.” Chase had surgery a month after finishing the video, and in true Head Down Eyes Up mentality, he didn’t miss a show due to the recovery process. “I’m fully good to go now,” says Chase, who performed only two days post-surgery. Besides not wanting to disappoint fans who had bought tickets to the show, there was one other factor in his determination to take the stage. The show happened to fall on the 10-year anniversary of losing his father. “It was extremely, extremely painful, but for me it was worth it,” says Chase, who bought a smaller guitar that he could wrap his arm around with ease for the occasion. “I wanted to play ‘Jack Daniels and Jesus’ with just me and a guitar. I wrote the date on that guitar, and it will be a memory I will always have.” Even after 10 years, Chase still has days where he struggles with missing his father, but says he’s healed up now for the most part. What has helped him the most in the journey is talking freely about his father, which not only keeps his memory alive, but also helps keep his father’s spirit in his heart. “Somebody asked me the other day, what do you miss most about your dad,” he says softly. “I thought about it for a second. I was kind of stumped. I said I miss being
a son. That was the first time that I realized that. I’m still my mom’s son, but I’m not my dad’s son anymore.” As far as a family of his own someday, Chase is for certain that is something his future holds. “I’d give up music for that,” Chase says of having his own kids. “Now, that’s not the plan [laughs]! I can do both, but that’s how important that is to me.” Until that day, he continues to soak up the precious time spent with his niece and nephew, and does what he can to be the best role model that Uncle Chase can be. “My life, doing what I do, it tends to be all about me. I honestly don’t prefer that, but that’s just the life that I live right now,” he explains. “Having people in your life that remind you that it’s not all about you, is the biggest thing any entertainer or famous person can have. Those two, when they get around me, they don’t know me as a singer. They don’t know me as the artist or the old football player. They just know me as Uncle Chase. That’s why it’s so special for me to be around them. They don’t care what I do, and I couldn’t love them any more than I do. I need more of that in my life.” But if there’s one thing Chase Rice can tell you, it’s that good things come to those who wait. He is living proof. “Everything just seems to be in a good place right now,” Chase says, smiling. “There will be some more good stuff coming in the new year, and let me tell you … I am ready!”
Country Beat Magazine
11
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
By Liz Stokes
One of the most talented and talked about new male artists that has been breaking the charts and has had a very impressive year is Kane Brown. I had the chance to talk with him about his new album, new headlining tour and upcoming wedding!
Kane's new album "Experiment" will be coming out November 9th, and I asked him how this came about and he said, "Honestly, it was just me wanting to have fun. I really focused on the lyrics and then something came to me. I found all the writers that I wanted to write with. I knew how to make them work together, which ones I wanted in the room at the same time. And then went with one of the best producers in the world, Dann Huff. And I told him I wanted all the extinct instruments on this record and make it sound just awesome as possible and a lot of guitar solos, and that's what he did. It's going to a rocking tour. We got Danielle Bradbery and Jimmie Allen out as well and everybody's got super crazy talent. Everybody's different, so there's gonna be a lot of diversity on this tour. And it's just gonna be a good time."
The name for Kane's new album is "Experiment." He tells me, "We couldn't find a name, and then 16
all of a sudden during all these interviews, I just kept saying, ‘Oh, you know, I was just experimenting with different sounds,’ and the experiment title just came to me right there. I was like, ‘Wow, let's call it Experiment.’”
Things just seem to come to Kane. He explains, "Yeah, I feel like that's how life works. Everything's there that you need, you just gotta listen for it."
I asked Kane if there is a favorite song on the album and he said, "There's not a favorite song, which is awesome to me. I feel like that's how you know it's a good record to yourself. Just because my first album, I only wrote seven of the 11 songs. I could pick and choose maybe four out of the whole album that I loved. And with this one, I literally love every song, even the one that I didn't write is one of my favorite songs on there probably." Kane tells me that he had several musical influences growing up and that, "I really listened to everybody. I will have to say that the first artist I ever knew of was Tim McGraw. My mom always played Shania Twain, so I definitely have to say her. The person I would have to say that got me to want to start singing the most other than Tim
Country Beat Magazine
or Shania was probably Chris Brown. Whenever he was coming up, at 16 years old, before all that mess happened with him. Because I was in middle school and he was just the hottest thing at the time. Then I got into high school and started listening to country music again, and it completely changed from 90's to what it is now. Chris Young came to mind, so I started listening to his songs. I learned his songs, and he's the one that inspired me to get into country today." Having had his first album do so well, I asked Kane if that puts more pressure on him to release and make the second one. He said, "It does, I didn't expect my last album to do as well as it did. But with this album now, just listening to it, I've listened to these songs probably over 100 times, and they still haven't got old to me. And I just feel like this album just blows the last album out of the water!"
Kane has become the first artist to have simultaneous number ones on all five main country charts: Top Country Albums, Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, Country Digital Song Sales and Country Streaming Songs. Along with that, he has been nominated for several CMT, ACM and Billboard Awards. He won CMT's Collaborative Video of the year with "What Ifs" featuring long time friend and artist Lauren Alaina. Kane also won Favorite Country Male Artist, Favorite Country Album and Favorite Country Song with "Heaven." Kane tells me, "It was awesome, because I hadn't had an award yet and the talent that was up there on the screen, like Carrie Underwood and Ludicrous. So I was sitting there by my fiance, and I didn't even know I was nominated for it. And after they said all of them, I was sitting there and she's like, "Do you think you'll win?" I'm not even looking up. I'm like, ‘I'm not worried about it. I ain't gonna win.’ And they said, ‘Kane Brown’ and I was like freaked out. It was an awesome show, it was a great feeling!"
long, because my whole family does. I found that a way to beat it was just by surrounding yourself with good people, positive and happy people. It's been working. The way I look at life has just been amazing. It's been helping me out a lot, and I feel like that's honestly also what helped me write this record, too."
Kane tells me his greatest musical accomplishment to date is, "Probably just getting my name out there. And honestly just being a role model to a bunch of kids. I feel like that's my main focus. Just trying to tell people, no matter where you come from or what dream you have, you can Some people only see the positive and good always do it. And just showing kids that, I guess, things that Kane does or is involved in. He says, is the biggest focus for me towards my music. "I try and never let anything negative come into my life, even if me or my fiance starts to argue or Fans of Kane Brown, don't forget to pick up his something, I'm like, ‘Babe, please let's not argue.’ new album, "Experiment," on November 9th and I hate negative stuff. Let's just be positive, just check your listings for his upcoming headlining because I've suffered with depression for so tour, "Live Forever Tour" starting in January 2019!!
Like Us on Facebook & Follow Us on Twitter... Country Beat Magazine
17
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
One of the most unique sounding bands in country music for me is Old Dominion. Along with their unique sound, they are very entertaining to watch and their songs are very catchy. I had the pleasure to talk with lead singer Matthew Ramsey about whats in store for them and what fans can expect next out of this talented band. The band consists of Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen (guitar & keyboards), Whit Sellers (drums), Geoff Sprung (bass guitar), and Brad Tursi (guitar).
By Liz Stokes
answer. But that's really what we're there to do, is play music. That's why we became a band really, it was because we love playing music. We wait all day for the opportunity to do that. There's a lot of things about touring that are tiring and sort of mundane, but once we get to step on a stage, it's all worth it. That's really what we all love the most. And we enjoy each others company. We're friends, for one thing, so we"re always usually laughing right up until the moment that we go on stage. Then we're laughing onstage Earlier this year, they were on tour with Kenny because we're quite honestly, living a dream Chesney and Matthew tells me, "This was our with your buddies. It's pretty fun." third year with him, so kind of an old hat at this point. I say that, but it doesn't get old. As always, Some people may not know that the band every night was pretty special. We can't wait to members are all hit songwriters and have wrote get out there and kind of have our own show some huge hits for a lot of other artists like Luke with our crowd, and do our thing with our Happy Bryan, Cole Swindell, Blake Sheldon and many Endings World Tour. It's been a long summer and more. I asked Matthew how does it feel to have we got a little taste of what our headlining tour their own hit songs and he said, "It's super would be like earlier in the year, but we're ready validating as a songwriter be able to be the artist to get back at it." that is delivering that message. We moved to Nashville to be songwriters. That was the goal. It I asked Matthew what he likes most about wasn't ever to be a successful band. When we touring and he said, "Honestly, the shows. It's achieved that as a songwriter I thought, ‘It's like, kind of like an easy answer and maybe a cheesy 22
Country Beat Magazine
that's what we wanted. We achieved our goal. Then we started to have hits of our own and started to realize how much we were missing when we have that direct connection with the audience and your song. It's an unbelievable feeling to be able to stand on stage and feel that. You don't necessarily get that when you're the songwriter and someone else is singing."
I asked Matthew what the writing process is like and he says, "It's kind of everything. We write together a lot. Sometimes we pair off and write with another writer, or three of us will go write with someone else. Then we just start bringing song after song after song. When we get one we love, we play it for everybody. Everyone listens and chimes in on what they think, whether or not it could work. So it's sort of all over the place. It's really all about getting as many great songs as we can together and then trying to figure out which ones stand out amongst that group."
Since having a lot of success with their first album, I asked if that puts more pressure for the next album and he says, "I think we felt a little pressure. I don't think we felt as much pressure as we do now. There was definitely pressure to keep it going. Everyone's always talking about the Sophomore slump. We knew that was a thing but it wasn't new to us. We'd been a band for a long time by that point. We'd been writing for a long time at that point. So we just kind of said, ‘Let's just keep our head down and keep doing what we do and hopefully, it will continue to work. Now I feel like we might feel a little bit more pressure because we've won some awards and suddenly we're Vocal Group of the Year, it comes with a certain amount of pressure itself."
a living writing songs. That's the nature of the songs that we're trying to write. We write tons and tons of bad songs, but we do have a pretty good feeling of what is going to be a hit song. Now that's not to say, I mean, I'm sure we will definitely have flops. That's going to happen, but so far, so good!" I asked Matthew if he thinks that because they have been around the music industry for so long before breaking out as a band, that it makes them appreciate their success even more. He states, "It definitely does. I think if this had happened to us when we were 20, it wouldn't go so well. I think we are definitely very appreciative of this. Like I always say, we're kind of always just waiting on someone to tap us on the shoulder and tell us, go home. When they do that, we'll gladly do it because what an amazing ride we've had so far. We've certainly achieved more than most people get to, so from here on out, it's just gravy."
One of Matthews favorite songs to perform live right now is, "No Such Thing as a Broken Heart." He says, "I love the way that song feels and what it says. And how the crowd responds to it when they all sing with it. I think it's an empowering type of song to sing. It's not just a little diddy, it actually has a message."
Lastly, I asked Matthew what would he consider his biggest musical accomplishment to date is. He said, "That's tough, because I think an easy answer is winning the ACM award. Really, that's not it. I just think that people pay their money to come see us play. When we step on a stage and there's six thousand people there that have paid for a ticket and know our music. I think the biggest award that we could get, is people actually wanting to hear us play. They get dressed up and they find a date, and they pay for a babysitter, and they make it a night to come see us play. To me, that's all you could ever want."
Old Dominion has had several hit songs like, "Break Up with Him," "No Such Thing as a Broken Heart," and "Hotel Key," to name just a few. I asked Matthew what is their secret to all these hit songs. He said, "I think it goes back to the songwriting, honestly. It goes back to the years Don't miss Old Dominion on their Happy Endings that we spent trying. We're not just trying to write Tour and follow them on social media as they any song. We're trying to write hit songs. We're are currently working on new music! trying to write a song that appeals to the masses. That's what we moved to Nashville to do; to make Country Beat Magazine
23
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Rachel Deeb
by Liz Stokes
including number one on country airplay. Carly says, " I think the most rewarding thing is seeing how much it has been accepted and loved in the country music world. I've had the year that every new artist dreams of, but probably doesn't get. I've been really lucky. The most challenging, hands down, was the first three to four months on a thing we call the Radio Tour. That tested my Carly says, "I'm a big fan of the late 90s and early limits on every level." 2000’s women. So Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Shania and Sara Evans. I grew up loving bluegrass, "Every Little Thing is the one that I'm most proud Alison Krauss, Reba, Dolly, all those women. One of. I think fans have really gravitated towards a of the most challenging parts about getting my song that's called, "If My Name Was Whiskey," name out there is constantly being told no. Saying and I love that song as well," says Carly. Carly that my music, I should have been out in the early won CMT’s Breakthrough Video of the Year for 2000’s because that was the era that my music "Every Little Thing" this year and she said, "I really would have worked. I just wasn't unique enough, thought that a male artist would win it. And when all those things; that was rough. That caused a they called my name, I was sitting with my best lot of internal doubt because those were my girlfriend, and 30 seconds before they called my early 20’s. Such a shaping time as a woman, and name, she leaned over to me and said, ‘What it can mess with your head because, Carly do you want me to do if you win?’ I just looked at Pearce, at the end of the day, is Carly, and that her and was like, ‘Shut up.’ She was like, "Do you want me to hug you?" I'm like, ‘I don't know, I don't was hard at times." know.’ When they called my name, we looked at I asked Carly what is the process for songwriting each other and just screamed. I mean, I'm sure and she said, "It depends. Sometimes it comes you saw it. It was one of the coolest, maybe the easier because it's a situation that I have to get coolest thing that has happened to me so far, off my chest immediately. Sometimes the lyric because the award shows are what you dream comes to me. Sometimes something melodic of as a little girl. Just to hear my name called comes to me. Every song's different." "Every Little was crazy." Thing" has had an overwhelming response, One of the most talked about new artists of 2018 is Carly Pearce. Her song, "Every Little Thing" has brought much success to her and has also won her the CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year, and was nominated for Female Video of the Year. I had the chance to talk with Carly about the past year and what's in store for her fans.
28
Country Beat Magazine
Photo by: Harper Smith
If you know anything about Carly's song “Every Little Thing,� is that someone broke her heart and at the CMT Award’s show, she thanked him and I asked her how satisfying was that. She responded, " It's extremely satisfying. I mean, I'm not a vindictive person by any means, but that human being, always told me I would never make it in music. He broke up with me because I was chasing a music career and didn't want to get engaged. Just to be able to not have to say a word because it says everything, is really, really awesome. I hope that it's empowering for people who are going through breakups to see how happy I am after writing something that is pretty much as devastating as you can get, and I really felt that way."
Having tons of success from the song and album, I asked Carly if that puts more pressure on her to prepare for her next album and she said, "I think I'd be lying to you if I said no. Yeah, for sure. I think that when you have a successful first record, everybody always says the hardest is the second album. I just continue to remember why the first album worked, and it's because I was 100% authentic to myself. I have to do that while still evolving, for sure, and making sure that I create something that's an evolution from the second, but also, write what I know and write what makes me feel and stay true to who I am."
People ask Carly all the time, "When did you know you wanted to sing," and she said, "I have never known a day that I didn't want to sing. I feel like it was wired into my brain, and I knew from a very small age that this was my destiny. That can be a blessing or a curse because, at times, it can be really difficult to make this thing work. I think when you know, you know, and I knew."
Now Carly has been on some pretty major tours this year like Blake Sheldon, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts and Luke Bryan. I asked her what was that been like and she responded, "I think you learn something different from each. None of them tour the same, nobody put on a show the same. Nobody writes the same kind of songs, so I think that's really special that I get to kind of see how each one of these guys do this." Carly has performed at the Grand Ole Opry over 50 times, which some people dream about performing there once. I asked what that experience has been like for her and she said, "It is one of the most precious things to me. It will forever be one of the most precious things. I love the Grand Ole Opry so much and feel like they've really taken me
under their wing and wanted to be there as part of the story from the beginning. As an artist, you understand the importance of the Opry and understand that is the most precious stage that you'll ever walk on and the most precious circle that you'll ever stand on." And the first time she performed there, she said, "I tried really hard to not throw up! I was so terrified and just really understood the importance of it. It was one of the most special nights of my life. I remember it very, very, very vividly and will never forget it."
Carly says one of her favorite songs that she likes to perform live is, "Hide The Wine." She explains, "It is probably my favorite to perform, I think just because it's super fun, and you see the crowd really get into it. It's just a really sassy, fun song." Carly tells me, "I have the biggest love affair with my fans and I will forever keep reminding them that they're giving me truly the life of my dreams!" Check out Carly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for upcoming tour dates. This will definitely be a show you don't want to miss.
Country Beat Magazine
29
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
By Liz Stokes
Photo by: Ryan Smith
By Liz Stokes
Best known for his his song "The Way I Talk" and "Up Down" featuring Florida Georgia Line. This up and coming artist has found success with his unique voice and hard work. Currently on tour with Luke Bryan, Morgan Wallen talks to us about his new songs and his new debut album "If I Know Me and what it's like touring with Luke Bryan." Currently on tour with Luke Bryan, I asked Morgan how it has been going and he said, "It's been awesome, we've had a great time with Luke. Luke's a super good guy and everyone that's on the team, that is part of his crew has been really great to us. Obviously we get to perform for his fans, people every night, it's incredible and great exposure for us and a great learning experience as well. Just trying to watch and take notes from Luke and what he does, while doing his thing. It's been a fun summer so far for sure! I think the most I enjoy about touring is getting to see different places and different walks of life and different cultures and how they relate to the same songs. It's cool to see how music can bring so many different types of people together and there's so many, you start seeing a lot of fans that you can recognize. I'll see some familiar faces in the crowd and that's kind of cool too. To see familiar faces is kind of comforting in that kind of way, but I think the best part is just getting to play music that you love, that you get to call this a job, is still pretty crazy to me." 32
Some of Morgan's musical influences growing up are Classic Rock and Christian music, which he says, "I know it's kind of a strange combo. My dad really loved classic rock like the Eagles, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Marshall Tucker band, Allman brothers, all that kind of stuff and I loved it too. So even now, if I have to play music, if you ask me to pick one kind of thing, I'm probably going to play the Eagles. It's hard for me to say that I have one favorite band because I appreciate so much music, but I really do love the Eagles and I also love Eric Church too. He really is the person who got me into country music. I listened to country music growing up and I was really fond of country, but it was mostly classic rock like I said. I found Eric Church and his music just really hit me in a way that no other music really did. I started digging deeper into his kind of album, I mean that was when he was first starting. You know I think that really opened the door to country music for me and listened to a lot of country music. When I started writing songs, country is what came out of me, so I'm very grateful that it is, cause I feel at home. It's all real stuff and I think that's cool." Some people don't know that Morgan was on the Voice in 2014, and I asked him if that experience helped prepare him for getting into the music industry and he said, "Yes, you know it was cool. I think it was a stepping stone kind of thing. Got me some exposure, but really I'm thankful for how
Country Beat Magazine
Photo by: Ryan Smith
it went on there. I'm not like a flashy kind of student and that's what you kinda gotta be on there to win, so I never really even thought I was going to win. I just wanted it to open some doors for me and that's what it did. I got to meet some people, ended up getting me to Nashville and introducing me to people who helped me get a record deal and a focus deal. I think it was just that plan and I'm very thankful for the way it went. My time there, I appreciate it all. It was a good experience for sure. It's hard to get your music to be the thing that people care more about and I think the fact that I didn't get there and I didn't do that, is a blessing, because the Voice, to be the best thing I ever did, I wanted to be known for something that was me, and that I got to play and not something that someone else did." Morgan is a songwriter and has written some pretty big hits, like Jason Aldean's number one song, "You Made it Easy." I asked Morgan how does that differ now that he has his own number one song, "Up Down," that he collaborated with Florida Georgia Line and he said, "Both of them are awesome, It' cool to have both of them, but I think it's really cool to have Jason Aldean do a song that you're a part of, because I'm a Jason Aldean fan. My dad loves Jason a lot, so that was cool. That moment I got to call him and say, "Guess what, Jason Aldean got to use that song." That was one of the coolest moments of my life, so far. Getting to tell him that, and then just to see someone else's version of a song that you're part of, that's cool. To see the success it has is really crazy. I'm grateful for Jason, for using the song and for keeping his word. He said as soon as he heard it, 'Yep that's going to be my next single on my next album,' and he did what he said and I appreciate him for that. Just getting to be a part of his career and seeing him do something with the song and then the number one for an artist. Most people know the album for the 'You Make It Easy' song, but if you know "Up Down," you know I sing as well. It helps with your credibility, especially for the fans. Exposure with the video and that kind of thing. The songwriting thing is more like a Nashville credibility, so I may get a little more respect and that kind of thing in Nashville, than anywhere else. The artist thing is more for the general population, for the real people. But it's cool both ways." One of Morgans favorite songs to perform live is "Up Down." He says, "When I'm in these bigger places playing with Luke Bryan, that's the song that people know the most. That one out here is definitely the highlight. It's really cool to see no matter where we go, literally everywhere in the
country, everybody knows that song. It's pretty crazy. It doesn't matter where we're at, you can let them sing that tonight. Not the whole song obviously, but it's cool that we all can have that moment together, no matter where we're at. It makes it more comfortable for me and my guys on stage that we have that to look forward to. We're still getting started and everybody doesn't know all of our music, I mean our core fans do. We're out here with Luke Bryan, tens of thousands of people and they don't all know us yet, so it's cool to know that they atleast know the one song, and hopefully make them true fans as well with the other music we play and that kind of thing." Morgan tells me that his greatest musical accomplishment to date is, "I think having the number one on the radio. When you move to Nashville, that's what you want. You want to get signed, you want to be on a record label, you want them to go crazy on it and you want people to hear your music. You want people to love your music and the fact that someone is going to want it and that it has sold the way it had. I still feel the same as I did when I first started all this, but it's cool to know that it helps you feel like you're really in the right place. And that you're really doing the right thing, where God wants you to be in the world, and having a number one just solidifies that."
Country Beat Magazine
33
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Singer/songwriter Walker Hayes was tempted to give up his dream of making it in the music business. After a decade of ups and downs, he had hit another low point and couldn’t decide whether to persist or hang it all up. That’s when a pivotal moment happened that now has begun to reshape his destiny. The Mobile, Alabama native had inked a deal with Capitol Records Nashville which released the singles “Pants” and “Why Wait for Summer” in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Unfortunately, neither song moved past #40 on the Billboard charts, and Hayes soon lost his contract. Instead of hitting the road to perform, the father of six worked the graveyard shift in retail while continuing to write songs.
I had a chance to talk with Walker about his newest album, "BOOM," that was released December 2017 and what's to come for the rest of 2018. He shared many personal struggles that he feels that are an important part of his journey and hopes that it will help others as well.
One of the songs on the album "Boom" is called "Craig" and I asked Walker what was the story behind this emotional song. He said, "A lot of this album has to do with kind of my transition or recovery from basically two or three years ago; I was an alcoholic. Laney and I were just broke as can be. Laney's my wife, and I was working at Costco. Assuming a lot of pressure that I definitely had.. I don't have any ill feelings, but I was feeling 36
By Liz Stokes
pressure from our families and friends to kind of just continue this dream. To press on to bigger and better things for my family, in order to be a better dad. Just basically make more money. Cause we were struggling, and again, I was drinking a lot. But we were at our toughest time. We just had our sixth kid, which didn't make sense to a lot of people. They were like, 'Are you guys kidding me? You can barely pay for five. You have one car.' So Laney met Craig's wife Laura at one of our son's basketball games. She just really liked Laura. Laney's never met a stranger, she's that type of person. And Laura invited her to this church called Redeeming Grace. I'm not a big organized religion type of person. It's not like my top priority on the list is to make it to some type of thing like that, once a week. But, my wife kind of dragged me there on a Saturday night. We showed up at this church and the most incredible relationship was conceived. This guy named Craig, walked up at this church. There's just kids everywhere, a lot of large families like ours. Craig just began to invest his friendship and love and kindness. First, it started with just them opening their home, having dinner with us, but then it became Craig and his wife on date night. They would come out wherever I was playing and would have dinner, and sit. While I was playing on stage, I always saw them talking to people and I realized what they were doing. They were talking to people saying, 'Man, this guy's really good. Can't you all imagine him
Country Beat Magazine
playing in stadiums and stuff.' My wife and I always say that Craig and Laura have this incredible gift to recognize needs in people's lives. They're not people who ask, 'Hey, can I help you? Can I pray for you?' They just do stuff and you're always like, 'For real? Like, how did you think of it? How did you decide to do that anyway?' They became just true friends and Craig was always so encouraging. At one point about two years into our relationship, Craig shows up at my son Beckett's baseball game, and he has the keys and title to his own minivan. I think he was prepared for me to kind of fight back, because it wasn't my proudest moment. At the same time, he's helping me and I think he understood. He was telling me, 'Hey, man. you need this. This has happened to me, so it's okay, it's alright.' For once during that whole time, I was okay with the fact that we were just down. I was doing everything I could and then it was okay to get help from a friend. Because when you look at Craig, he was someone I respected. So when he said, 'Man, me too. At one time in my life someone did this for me.' It really made me feel better and I did. I drove it home. And it was one of those needs that weeks after he gave that to us, we realized more and more how much we needed it and it carried us through a really, really tough time. I feel like guys especially just struggle with communicating gratitude or love. So I decided I was gonna write him this song. And so I did, I worked on it for many many months. And finally got to where I felt like it explained what he meant to me. We sent it to him and Laura, and they listened to it in a theater parking lot on a date night. They cried, he sent me a text. He just said, 'Speechless.' Laura texted Laney and I and said, 'Craig wanted to call you, but he literally can't talk right now.' It's obviously a very impactful song. People hear it and they remember where they heard it and they tell me about it. And they tell me who it reminds them of."
and when they talk about it. I wanted a place to gather all of that and give it back to something. And then there may be a use for this song as well."
I asked Walker how did he come up with the title of his album "Boom" and he said, "That's a very lighthearted thing. In the past 2 1/2-3 years, I was basically rescued by a guy named Shane McAnally. He's a phenomenal songwriter, producer and great friend. He's another Craig of mine. And basically since he signed me, his team, and my manager Robert Carlton, we would text each other as the journey went along. We released those eight tracks and it got a lot of great feedback and a lot of buzz in Nashville. If one of the songs got a million streams, we would text each other and say, 'Hey, You Broke Up With Me got a million streams today. Boom!' Or, 'Dude, guess what? Bobby Bones played "Beer in the Fridge" and everybody freaked out, boom!' It's like we just ended it, it was like a happy period on the end or our written form of an exclamation point. When we were thinking of a title, the album, it's heavy. It's a lot of emotion packed into one. So we all agreed we just wanted one word because the album has so many lyrics. I can't even remember who said, Boom, but it seemed right. We just felt so good about all the music we had just created. It was like, if you put this on somebody's desk and they were like, 'Hey, what's your music like?' You would just put it down and go, 'Boom!'"
"You Broke Up With Me" went Platinum this year and I asked Walker if that moment kind of solidified all the hard work that he has been doing over the years. He said, "That moment for me personally and my wife, we can hold hands and say this together. I'm getting goosebumps trying to articulate to you what it means. But I think that moment put us right over that hump. That just says, 'Hey, we did it.' We're not in the business of proving the naysayers wrong. But I just wanted to prove me right for a second. It was an emotional phone call that night. I found out that it went Platinum when I was in New York, and I remember walking off that stage before my show and calling Laney and just saying, 'We just made it, it's Platinum!' That was just a moment for us to kind of high five virtually through the phone and we had drove in a U-Haul from our honeymoon to Nashville 14 years ago, and now, "We did it." No one can say, 'Why did you do that?' It feels great and it's fleeting, but I'm on to the next one!"
Since then, Walker has set up the "Craig Fund," and Walker says, "There's so many people who want to give back. That's what I noticed with the song and so many people would come up and say, 'Hey, we are donating a car to so and so family in honor of your song.' It's amazing. And I realized just how much there's a need right now for positive stuff among the media and the press. Really, everybody knows the dark side sells a lot and people are attracted to that like moths to a flame. With Craig, this positivity is infectious too. People want to give back and they want to do something wholesome when they hear this song Walker Hayes has definitely made it! Country Beat Magazine
37
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman
By Kelly Geist
With the influence and popularity of country music on a seemingly unstoppable rise, it appears that the genre has been taking more of a pop influenced turn, but not all country artists are taking that route. Traditional country artists are back in the game and fans are embracing the change.
Take Texas native, and Nashville transplant, Carlton Anderson for example. Anderson, with his steadfast belief in authenticity over trends, is taking over country music airwaves with his catchy new single “Drop Everything,” and it seems fans are doing just that. However, with musical tastes always developing, is there such a thing as being “too country for country” in 2018?
“Honestly I don’t know how you can be too country for country music, but these are some of the critiques I’ve had over the years. Right now, I feel like it’s a great time for country music, because we are kind of shifting back to a country sound, to kind of even out where the genre has done over the last couple years. We’re not trying to bring back the 60s, 70s, 80s, or the 90s, we’re just trying to have that new tradition for 2018, for that sound. And who’s going to be a part of that. That’s where we fit in. It’s a good time. If we’d have tried to do this a few years ago, it wouldn’t have worked, but the way that things are shifting now, it’s a good time to be in the mix.”
Although being a lifelong singer, Anderson never considered a solo career until after high school. “I didn’t pick up a guitar until I was 17. I was kinda a late bloomer on that end too. It just wasn't something that people did in my family. I picked up a guitar and kinda made it my only option. I’ve been doing music full time now for 7 years and that’s what’s been keeping my life going for me.”
40
Of course, like any kid with a country music dream, Nashville is the place to go, and that’s just what he did. Anderson was accepted to Belmont University where he studied the music business while performing on Broadway in the heart of Nashville. He found a home there at the Swingin’ Doors, where they agreed to let him play a few songs. “I was instilled with a really good work ethic. Growing up we weren’t really given anything. You always gotta work for what you get and that’s what I’ve always known. That’s what I applied to the music business when I came. With Belmont, it got me to town. I was very fortunate, my grandparents were able to co-sign on a loan. It just wasn’t something people did, go to college, in my family. I was the first to graduate. Some of it helped (music business degree), but just like any other business, you gotta get your hands dirty and you gotta go do it. That’s the best way to learn and the best way to figure out where you fit in.”
Coming from a deep Texas upbringing, with family ingrained in the oil fields and military service, it took a bit of convincing for the family to get behind Anderson,
Country Beat Magazine
“My Mom was always my biggest fan. It took a little while for everyone else to catch on, but once they realized that this is what I was gonna do, they jumped on board. It wasn’t like I had to convince ‘em, it was just more like ‘What the heck?’ I mean no one in my family does music. It was really off of left of center for me to do this.”
Certainly “getting your hands dirty” in the clubs of Nashville meant a lot of shows and doing your best to win over tourists and locals alike, a challenge no doubt. “The place I played at wasn’t your usual downtown Nashville crowd. They came to listen and they came to watch the music.
It wasn’t just ‘Hey, let’s go get hammered while we’re on vacation.’ I’m very thankful for that bar, for just being that kind of place where people go to actually listen to music, where we weren’t background, where we were part of the experience.”
That gritty Nashville exposure, combined with Anderson's raw talent, and a true love of country music, led to a record deal with Arista and collaborating with big names like Rhett Akins, Matt Dragsrem, and Ashley Gorley. “I’m glad to be a vessel for it. I’m glad that all these guys want to write and that they want me to be a part of it. The more the merrier is always my thing.
I think the more people we can get included the better.”
Notwithstanding, even when you’ve got your own hits, as well as a powerhouse songwriting team, it’s still fun to pay homage to your heroes and Anderson has many to think back on. “I love playing ‘Run,’ but anything by George Strait really. I have the hardest time picking favorites. One of the first songs I learned was ‘Tell Lorrie I love Her,’ which is a Keith Whitley song. ‘Time Marches On,’ Tracey Lawrence. These are kinda my go-to’s really.” Seems like fitting choices for the ever polite, baritone voiced, country rooted crooner. Anderson sincerely encompasses all the warmth and solidarity that country music has come to be known for and this newcomer is a a welcome addition to the community.
Fans new and old can rest easy knowing that this is just the beginning of a sure to be long career for Carlton Anderson.
“I’m a fan of this genre. I’m just thankful to be a part of it and thankful to be with Arista, that’s allowing me to make the music I want to make. You can expect more country music like this from me very soon.” Carlton Anderson is currently touring the U.S. now through December 2018.
Country Beat Magazine
41
By Kelly Geist
If you haven’t already heard of country artist submit songs for evaluation.” Seems like fate Lance Carpenter, then it’s time to catch up! here, but Carpenters fairy tale doesn’t end here, Named by the Huffington Post as one of the it’s really just the beginning musically. NSAI top 10 country artists to watch in 2018, Lance wasn’t clamoring for Carpenters songs. Instead Carpenter is that and so much more. “When we they offered some suggestions for the aspiring got the call from Huntington Post for that I songwriter.
was honored. That was really the only word that came to mind. For someone to find us, independently, and to think that we deserve to be among those lists of artists, that kind of puts a fire in my heart, and earn that and work hard for the fans and prove them right.”
“The only songs I’d written were like 5 and 6 minute stories. They didn’t have choruses, they didn’t have bridges, they weren’t very dynamic because I only knew 3 or 4 chords. I couldn’t sing or emote back then like I do now. I had just never done it and I didn’t know what I was doing. Hard work is definitely not a new concept for this After a few evaluations, they said, ‘Man you’re farm raised, former FEMA responder, in any way. really creative, but you don’t know much about the commercial music business. You should “My degree in college was emergency administration come to song camp.'” and management. I’ve got post grad work on Homeland Security for the State Department of Not being one to give up, Carpenter took their Emergency Management in Arkansas for about advice and attended song writing camp in 3 1/2 years. And then Hurricane Katrina hit and February 2008. Taught over the course of a I switched over and started working with FEMA weekend by pro writers, Carpenter was able to under the Department of Homeland Security. I learn song structure, form, character development, did that for almost 8 years before resigning and and the basic elements of putting a commercial doing music full time. I was in Maine in 2007 song together. working a flood and met a guy that had a gig on It’s safe to say that songwriting camp changed the Tuesday nights. Kinda like an acoustic Pearl Jam. entire future for Carpenter. We became friends. He found out I played a little “It grabbed a hold of my heart and the passion bit. I didn’t have to perform, just like read the grew. I visited Nashville every few months and chords, read the lyrics, be background on stage, eventually moved here in 2011. Then I got a for the first time in my life.” publishing deal in 2012. I kept that federal job “I went back to the hotel and Googled ‘songwriting’ for another 16-17 months before I finally resigned and I found the Nashville Songwriters Association because I knew music was gonna be my life.” International (NSAI). I joined online. You could 46
Country Beat Magazine
Surely fans are grateful for that.
Carpenter is presently riding a wave of success with his current single, “Anyone Else,” a duet recorded with label mate Krystal Keith, daughter of country music legend Toby Keith. Carpenter had come across this song many years prior on an industry comp disc and he’d been holding it in his mind (and on his phone) ever since.
“I heard that song and I thought ‘Man if I ever cut a duet one of these days, I’m gonna record that song.' It’s great. I would say every word in that.”
Ozark, Arkansas.
“In 2015, there was a huge festival back in my hometown called ‘Thunder on the Mountain’ that cancelled two weeks out from the event. I was supposed to play with the Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, The Band Perry...there were about 45 bands playing. They had some issues between the promoter and money people. Well, it was my hometown and I had family coming in from out of state that had took time off work, rented RV’s and it was gonna be a big mess. About 5 miles from this venue, a guy I graduated High School with, his aunt owns a venue that has a stage. A lot smaller than the one on top, but I thought 'I’m gonna call them and see if I can use their stage. At least have 2 or 3 bands. Have something for people to do.’ They all thought I was crazy!”
Once Carpenter started writing he did record the music to “Anyone Else,” still not knowing who the perfect female counterpart would be. Of course, until he heard Krystal and everything fell together. Being one to never back down from a challenge, “I sent her an email and said, ‘Crazy idea. Would Carpenter pulled off an entire festival in a mere you be willing to put the female part on this song two weeks. and just see what it sounds like?’” “I turned what I thought was gonna be 2 or 3 As we now know Krystal agreed and it’s country bands in one day, into a 3 day, 23 band, 2 stage, with 3 national headlining artists. We come in music bliss. and put on our own full festival in 14 days. It After the label, and one Toby Keith heard it, they about killed me. I lost about 30 pounds. I didn’t knew it had to be released to the masses, which eat. I didn’t sleep. I learned so much, because led to Carpenter signing to Keith's Nashville label all the contracts you have to deal with, all the Show Dog Records. insurance, all the vendors, the port-a-potties. Thankfully the seamless match up between Things I never ever dreamed you had to deal Carpenter and Keith won’t end here as the pair with to be successful. That whole first year, and plan to work together professionally on upcoming even the second year, I was still learning.” projects. And although both artists work so well Seems Carpenter is a hero in and out of the together, Keith plans to take some time to work music business. It’s just his nature to help and on an EP as well as is expecting a child in early have fun doing it. 2019 and Carpenter will be focused on recording “My hometown is small and there’s not a whole and releasing a full length LP as well. lot goes on there. This is kinda my opportunity to Whilst Carpenter began playing guitar as a hobby go back and give back. I do the Lance Carpenter in high school, rudimentarily learning songs by Scholarship fund where I give High School Metallica and Nirvana, he was heavily influenced Seniors scholarships that I raise money for by the big country names of the nineties such as throughout the year. We always have charities Garth Brooks, Alabama, and Travis Tritt. Music that we donate to. It’s a chance to just go home was more of a therapy for Carpenter rather than and have a weekend of music and fun and food.” a career goal. It was only after various chance encounters that it became clear it was to be his Certainly this small town is bursting with pride in their local hero, who grew up working hard on calling. his family's cattle farm, as is the music community To see Carpenter perform today, you’d never as a whole, who has found a multi-talented, know that during the early days, he barely moved fun-loving, ambassador of country music with a away from the microphone. Now, the bigger the true heart of gold. stage, the bigger the party! Lance Carpenter is currently touring now through Carpenter loves a good time and to his credit November 16 and his single “Anyone Else” has entered into the fourth year of the annual is burning up airwaves on radio and streaming Music of Mulberry Festival in his hometown of music everywhere! Country Beat Magazine
47
Photo by: Neal Nachman
Photo by: Neal Nachman