Johnny Boyd

Music is in His DNA!

We caught up with the talented, Johnny Boyd of The Eldridge Band in Nashville.

When did you first get into music?

I have very early memories of music affecting me. It’s just always been a part of me. My father always had old funk and seventies rock playing, so I’m sure that had an effect. My mother is an artist and always pushed me to pursue any creative endeavors with passion. I was lucky to have their support early on. I started guitar around age 14 and piano around the age of 18.

Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?

For one, I just love music. I love rehearsing, recording and playing live. I believe that one of the main appeals for me was the ability to be on the outside looking in. I think an artist has to have a unique perspective and quite often that perspective comes from not living a “normal” life. There are downsides to that. Some people are busy climbing a corporate ladder. Some are running a business of their own. Some people thrive in those environments, I do not. So, a career in music or art in general was always going to be my path. Music just happens to be my favorite art form.

How has your music evolved since you first began creating music?

Learning to leave space in compositions is a big one. I met Jon Eldridge around 2005 and started a band with him shortly thereafter. He’s definitely been a huge part of my writing for well over a decade. I think over time the focus of his and my writing has been to leave room for each instrument. Developing a full sound where each person compliments the others. Sometimes, that is harder to do than one might think.

Jon Eldridge, Caroline Browning, Johnny Boyd, and Will Morrison.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

I’d definitely go with passion, and probably be lying if I didn’t say pride. I mean, there is certainly a desire to prove oneself in any field. Especially in the art world. Creating something and just throwing it in a pile doesn’t do it for me. You have to get out there and face the final judgment, you have to present the piece and accept the response. Its terrifying sometimes, but in the end, without that step you haven’t really completed the process. At least for me it’s that way. Being in the business is just part of being able to do that.

Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas?

My looks, for sure. I mean, come on! Nah, obviously not that. It does feel crowded out there sometimes, but I just remind myself of how many different forms of music I love. I feel like there is room for everyone. But as far as what makes it unique, I’d say its our mission to blend the older sounds of our influences into a modern context. We work very hard on creating a big sound that we can backup live. I’s noticed that our mix of guitar driven songs and piano driven songs seems to set us apart when playing live.

What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

At first it was stage fright. I got over that by getting on stage and sucking until one day I didn’t. There is really no other way. I think it is a very important stage to go through. And it saddens me when I see someone let that fear stop them. It’s funny how looking back on those days brings a smile to my face now. There’s a life lesson there for sure. Being that afraid and pushing through it has had an impact elsewhere in my life as well.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art?

I mean, maybe. If you want big muscles, you have to suffer in a gym, right? There is that sort of suffering, which I think anyone has to go through to get good at anything. But then there is the aspect of taking huge risks and very often not being rewarded financially. You suffer some there. And there is also the emotional cost of exposing yourself to criticism and expressing some of your deepest thoughts in lyrical form. But it wouldn’t be very good art if you didn’t do those things. To me, it’s just part of the package.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

It’s opened the way for a lot of great artists who may never have been exposed. It’s flooded the market some, but there is a cost to everything. The major downside for me is the lack of a huge market for physical album sales. I like having a tangible object in my hand. I wish we could get back to that a little more. But the ability to connect with people on the internet is undeniable.

Have you done or plan on doing any Live-stream Concerts? If you have, how has the response been from your fans?

We just completed an in-studio live performance at Sputnik Sound here in Nashville. We will be releasing that over the next couple of weeks. Maybe a song or two as video “singles” and then the entire piece. It was a ton of fun to produce and I look forward to getting it out. We are also planning to do some live-stream performances to coincide with the release of the album. I miss the crowd, though. Its just not the same without them.

If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be?

I think its a little top heavy. I suppose that it has always been, with a few at the top and the rest slugging it out. On the other hand, the labels don’t really have a complete grip on everything anymore. You can self produce and release on the internet, so its become more egalitarian in that sense. If I could change anything about it, I’d hire someone smarter than me to fix it.

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why?

The Complete Recordings of Robert Johnson Literally the album that taught all of my heroes how to play. Just a young man way, way ahead of his time.

Hank Williams Sr. Complete Recordings His voice is so haunting. Another young guy, I think he died when he was 29. To think that someone could posses that much emotion in their voice at that age just blows my mind. His songwriting is something to be studied.

Nirvana - In Utero Because Nirvana!

Avett Brothers – Emotionalism I’m originally from South Carolina. These guys are from North Carolina. I got into them early on and its been a blast watching them get the success that they deserve. It’s always cool to catch a band early in their career and follow along as they progress. And that’s what I love about this band. They don’t stagnate. They grow with every release. This group helped me understand that success in this business is possible without changing who you are or what you stand for.

Aretha Frankilin - Young, Gifted and Black It’s the album that reminds me that no matter what I do, how much I practice, no matter how hard I try . . . . there are just some people who you will never catch up with. She’s a freak of nature and this album is my favorite of hers. The soulfulness of her voice and her ability to remain in complete control of it is mind-blowing to me.

What is the best advise you have received?

Once you begin to take note of the things that you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.

The Eldridge Band: Johnny Boyd, Jon Eldridge, Caroline Browning and Will Morrison. Photo by Sarah Adams Boyd Tell us about your current project. Are you working on new music? An EP or Album?

We just dropped our new single, “The End”. We recorded an entire album at Sputnik Sound in Nashville, TN with Mike Fahey. Vance Powell mixed it for us and we are very proud of this one. We will release another single in about a month and then drop the album. We are always writing and figuring out the next move. We will be producing and recording the next album this summer.

What’s next for you?

To keep moving. Write, rehearse, record, release. Rinse and repeat. We are dying to get back to live shows and we hope that will happen sooner than later. We will tour as soon as that is a possibility.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

We are on all of the major streaming platforms. Check out our socials, we go by The Eldridge Band. We also have a website, www.theeldridgeband.com, where you can access some other content and grab yourself a t-shirt. And our absolute favorite way to connect is in person at live shows. We know that’s not happening at the moment, but when things get back to normal, come catch a show and we’d love to grab a beer with any music lover out there.