Laura Marie: The Musical Peacemaker

 

 The singer Laura Marie is a Texas Living Legend whose music evokes peace, love, and tranquillity in a world that needs it. She has just released a new album titled: “Last Of The Ones” which is one of her best albums at the present time.

The songs in this album are gems in their own right at a time when most artists record an album with one song is being a great one and the others just simply existing to fill the remaining space in a recording.

The first song: “What’s It Like” is an upbeat song which is Pop Rock and Americana in its consistency. It examines what is like to be another person from the position of weakness. The end result of the song is the conclusion that a person has to be them self.

The second song:”The Moon And The Sun” in the opinion of the underwriter is a song that deals with life and the about the relationship between the Moon, the Sun, and the personality of the person. The song “Love You Like Me” is another upbeat song which makes people think.

The song “Love You Like Me” is a song that is based on the common sense notion of the need to slow down, get a grip, and enjoy the moment. In other words, the people should learn how to live one day at a time without the need to concentrate on the past and the future.

The past is past, the future is yet to come, and the present which is the greatest gift from God is the present. The present should be cherished as stated in the verses of this great song. The Last Of The Ones is the title track in this album of the 21^st Century.

It deals with the need to find oneself and spend time with one self or with others. The song challenges people to find their inner self and to make peace with whom and what they are. It is a great lesson for those who have looked in vain for alternative roads to salvation without any results.

The song “Quiet Now” is another example of the songs by Laura Marie which deals with the inner self.  The last song the underwriter heard was “Find A Way” which challenges people to do the opposite of their bad intentions.

When the underwriter hears the verses of “Find A Way”, he attempts to be quiet when he wants to talk. It is also a lesson for those who want to say unkind words and challenges people to say kind words instead of words that hurt.

The Album deserves to be heard and is recommended for those who are seeking inner peace and tranquillity. Laura Marie has done more for peace within the USA with this album and this is the reason why her albums are popular in America.

http://www.helium.com/items/1898457-laura-marie-last-of-the-ones

Laura Marie: Music To Refresh and Soothe The Soul

Laura Marie is an example of the latest in singer-songwriters from the Lone Star State of Texas to make a difference in the music world of her home state and the world. While she has been compared to Norah Jones, Chrissy Hynde, and Carole King in the genre of Americana, Pop, and Rock Music; her style is unique.

She was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and started music at an early age by performing with bands such as the group Things Between and Sofa Kingdom. Laura Marie also worked in different areas related to music such as a backup vocal singer and voice overs.

Laura Marie studied music education at St. Mary’s University and graduated with a degree in that career with high honours. She continued her work in the music field as choir director for a local grade school until she made the decision to initiate a career as a singer.

Laura Marie proceeded to give concerts in distinct establishments of San Antonio, Texas such as Bohemeos, Dirty Dog, Casa Chiapas, Tin Roof, Candlelight Coffeehouse, Guadalupe Street Coffee, Rockhills Cafe, and Little Aussie Cafe and Bakery. She was an immediate success in the San Antonio area.

The first album of Laura Marie was released in the year 2007. The title is “Drawn” and was co-produced by Mack Damon. Mack Damon is a five time winner of the Grammy Award whose magic touch produces great hits in artists that deserve to be heard.

The album was well received and played in different venues such as radio stations including Radio Free Texas and Phoenix Radio. In the year 2010, Laura Marie released her second CD titled “Last Of The Ones” which consolidated her hold in the Texas Americana Scene.

The songs such as “Love You Like Me” is one of the songs from this newly released CD. It evokes a desire to view the positive aspects of love and loyalty in love as perceived by the writer. It is a great song that is an alternative to the current mainstream music love songs because the song has meaning and feelings.

The “Last Of The Ones” has other gems such as “What’s It Like”, “The Moon The Sun”, and “Last Of The Ones” which are examples of the versatility of Laura Marie. The Album is one of the few that is worth listening to entirely since the verses and the music are relaxing and tranquil.

Laura Marie is one of the greatest in Texas and Americana Music who deserves to be heard since she is down to earth. The world is better because of her music and personality.

http://www.helium.com/items/1897865-laura-marie

Christen Sawyer: Country Rock and Roll Angel From Texas

In the Lone Star State of Texas, the people of that noble state and the world awoke to the sound of a country and rock and roll angel interpreting a song titled “Crazy”. The country rock and roll angel that started a fire with that song is none other than Christen Sawyer.

She has managed to surprise the people of Texas and neighbouring states such as Oklahoma with the song and a concert. Christen Sawyer also managed to give interviews in the radio stations in her state as well as in the other states.

The beauty of the song “Crazy” inspired people to ask for more and the song “One Too Many [Saturday Nights]” started to hit the charts in Texas. The rest of the hits followed such as “Picture Unperfect”, “I’m Already Gone”, and “Better Off Broken”.

The demand for Christen Sawyer was big that she represented the radio station 93 Q Country of Houston, Texas in the 2009 Colgate Country Showdown.  She was also a finalist for the Best Country Music Singer Competition in Houston, Texas for the program Next Rising Star LA.

The career of Christen Sawyer took off with thunder and lightning as she was nominated and won the 2010 Texas Music Awards for Best Female Vocalist. She has been recently seen diving into the Dirt Music scene and has received support from Red Dirt Hurricane.

The concert of this country rock and roll angel at the Red Dirt Hurricane Stage, Texas Music Hall Of Fame, Texas Reds Festival, Lone Star Saloon, and the Schotzis Bar have been sold out with the public demanding more and more.

Christen Sawyer once confessed in her webpage that she wanted her music to conquer the world. It appears that she has been successful since people in Florida, Europe, as well as Asia and the rest of the American Continent have heard her music and liked it.

The beauty of Christen Sawyer is that her reputation for having an angelic voice for country and rock music has an electrical power of toughness as characterized in Texas. She is one of the few artists that have been true to form at a time when the world appears to be lost in mainstream music that became predictable.

The other reason for the appeal of Christen Sawyer is that this young and talented singer is down to earth. She feels comfortable in a college setting as well as on stage. It is people like Christen Sawyer who make a difference in the world with her music.

The world will be hearing more from the Country Rock and Roll Angel with an Electric Charge in the years and decades to come.

http://www.helium.com/items/1885569-christen-sawyer-texas-country-rock-angel

NEW BOOK: “Texas On My Heart, Mind, And Soul Articles And Interviews About the 2010 TMA Nominees”

http://www.lulu.com/product/tapa-dura/texas-on-my-mind-heart-and-soul-articles-about-2010-tma-nomin/10661352

Music To Your Ears From Texas

http://www.bigstar97.com/samHTMweb/home.html

http://www.radiofreetexas.org/

Jessica Shepherd: A Positive Influence In Texas Music And The World

When it appears that everything is lost in the music world, someone arises from afar to jolt our conscience with their music and their good deeds. They even reinforce the person’s belief in God and in goodwill to humanity.

The Lone Star State of Texas is home to an artist who is a postive influence in every sphere of life. Jessica Shepherd is a truly great Texan and International Artist who is being nominated for the Texas Music Awards in the Best Female Vocalist Category.

I have had the honour of interviewing her and this was the result of an E Mail interview between Florida and Texas.

1. How did you start in the music business? 

By following what my heart was, and is still telling me.  From my participation in high school musicals, I made the connection that singing is my true passion.  From that point forward, I have stayed on this path and all that it encompasses.

2. What were your influences and how were you able to form your own style from these influences?

As a very young girl I remember browsing my Grandmother’s record collection and finding an Ertha Kit album. (pretty mature musical taste for a 4 year old, huh?)  I must have worn that record out, although at this moment I can’t recall a single song from it.  I also watched (as most of my generation do) a lot of TV.  It was my babysitter.  I just loved  the Dean Martin Show and the Carol Burnet Show.  I have recently realized, that I too enjoy music with a sense of humor, and perhaps Burnet’s sensibilities and style have influenced mine the most.

 

When I received a voice scholarship in college, I began lessons with a classical voice instructor, Ephraim Cheng.  He was wonderful, but I realized that the techniques I was learning for the classical style of music were not helping me in the real world. (I was already moonlighting in a cover band, playing in nightclubs and having difficulty keeping my voice healthy.)

 

Finding the right coach for me, Debbie Beinhorn, was and still is the most positive thing that has affected my life in music (other than moving to Austin).  I studied with her for a year and learned her contemporary style singing techniques.  I then parlayed this into a full time position as her Senior Voice Instructor teaching thousands of students myself over the course of 5 years. 

 

The Singers Workshop was a bevy of talent, opportunity, and music business resources for me.  Teaching voice lessons became my day job while I continued to pursue my music goals at night, playing in multiple cover bands and original music groups, where I also started my songwriting craft.  Debbie taught me how to “make soup” as she called it.  Find the singers that I liked the most, emulate them by learning what they do and then making my own style from that process.

 

It was during this time in Houston, TX that I met and befriended Shelley King (Texas State Musician 2008) and also discovered Carolyn Wonderland.  Shelley has influenced me greatly as we have had a long-term friendship.  We have supported each other through the years by performing together, writing, and recording music.  Ms. King makes an appearance on You’re Country Now singing backing vocals on several tracks.  Both Shelley and Carolyn are incredibly talented, independent, strong women.  I have always admired them and looked to them both for direction on how to navigate the winding roads of the music business.  Their talent speaks for itself.

3. Your first album is “Travellingirl” and it was a world success even in Australia.  How long did it take you to record and produce “Travellingirl”?

 

Travellingirl was produced by Yoggie Musgrove and David Valley respectively.  I began recording 6 songs with Yoggie in Jan. 2000.  Yoggie brought to my music the amazing talents of the late and great, Stephen Bruton on lead guitar (Crazy Heart movie soundtrack, Bonnie Raitt – the list is endless), Nick Connolly on keyboards (Delbert McClinton), and Brannen Temple on drums (Janet Jackson, Beyonce), Yoggie played Bass and has an impressively long list of credits as well.  By March, I had a 3 song demo and passed it around during the South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, TX.

 

In September of that year, I took a trip to Australia with my sister and brought along as many of my demos as I could stuff in my suitcase.  Every town we visited, I went to the radio stations and handed them personally my CD demo and simply asked them to listen and spin it if they liked it.  By December of that year, I was having chart success on the independent radio charts in Australia (“Fool” written by Kate McCarthy, had made it to the Top 30). 

 

It appeared that time was of great importance, so I sought out David Valley, to produce 4 additional songs while I completed the others with Yoggie.  David brought the talents of Kevin Higgins on acoustic guitar (multiple Texas Music Award winner and nominee), Mark Tokach on lead guitar (now with Charlie Robison) and members of the Cosmic Dust Devils (Kevin’s band).

 

So, over a year and a half, with some marketing research and a “Loretta Lynn” approach to radio promotion in the middle.

 

 

 

4. How long did it take you to record and produce “You’re Country Now”?  

 

2 years.  I like working with different producers and audio engineers.  It really helps me hone my skills in this aspect of the music world.  I will probably continue this strategy for a while, but I hope to master more efficiency time wise.  I recorded and co-produced 6 songs with Scott Harris at Stinson Studios, 3 with Jason Richard (Clockright Studios) and 1 with David Valley (Sonic Arts).  In my experience to date, art always takes longer and costs more than I expect, to create.  But,I always strive to do the very best that I can in that moment and then let it go.  I find that my “babies” take on a life of their own…  It’s fascinating to me to be a part of that process as well.

 

5. In the album “You’re Country Now”, you recorded a song titled “God By Your Side”. What is the significance of God in your life? 

God is number One in my heart, I guess that is why I trust my heart the most.

What can we do as a nation to rediscover God? 

Go within…whatever that looks like for you – prayer, meditation, yoga, running, hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, etc.  As there are interpretations of God, so there are many ways to get to the space of “center” and “oneness” simultaneously.  A daily practice is most helpful in my ability to “hear” what I call God.  And always, always, treat others as you would treat yourself – be kind!!  This is just one way we can manifest the love of God here on earth – but a really important one if you want to make friends in the music business. 

 

Speaking of friends, James Dunnam and I co-wrote “God By Your Side”.  He and I perform this song in our 8 piece gospel band, The Rockin’ Gospel Project, 2009 Nominees by the Texas Music Awards for Best Vocal Group.

I ask this question since I was born and raised in Ohio with a fear that our nation is losing God.

 

All paths lead to God.  It may not look like it to us, and certainly, the path of light is easier and better in my humble opinion.  But, it is just too plain difficult for a finite mind to comprehend infinity – I sure do like trying to, though!  All of this questioning only strengthens my faith.  It is clear to me that as humans evolve so does God – or rather, our understanding of God.  Personally, I welcome differing opinions – it’s all good.  We need a new paradigm in religion; discussion is far more preferable than the historical alternative (war).

6. What was your reaction when you found out that you were nominated for the TMA?

 

JUST ONE??  Ha Ha!!  I really DO work at curtailing my arrogance…. But it’s not instinctual… he heh… I think I jumped up and down a few times and hooped and hollered for a few minutes.  But, of course!!  I am completely honored to be one of the top five, Best Female Vocalists from over 43,000 nominations in the entire state of Texas this year!!  Based on that statistic alone, I have already won.  I am grateful to Jinelle and Lucky Boyd for co-founding the Texas Music Awards – they are a Texas treasure!  We Texans owe them a significant amount of honor and respect for stepping up to the plate and making the Texas Music Awards happen!

 

 

 

 

 

7. What is meant by “Western Knight”? 

This song is co-written with Cindy Maples, she wrote the lyrics and gave them to me to write the music and arrange the song.  It was originally intended as a song for her daughter, Kristen Hart (another fabulous singer and budding songwriter).  I liked Cindy’s idea of taking the Cinderella story to a “Western” sensibility – I am a Texas woman born and raised, after all.  I figured we could use a different slant on what a knight in shining armor might be today.  I love Laurie Gibson’s fiddle playing on this track.  She and her sister, Sally Gibson (the Gibson Sisters) also sing backing vocals on this song.  Being from Bandera, they know how to put down some sweet,“deep in the heart of Texas” styled harmonies.  The cowboys in Texas sure do like two-stepping to the song – I think they can relate to the lyrics.  I like performing the whistling parts  –  suits the song perfectly if I do say so myself.  He heh…

8. What are your future plans pertaining to music? 

Write, write, write, record, record, and record some more…  Oh yeah, I suppose I ought to get out and show off my brand new, smokin’ hot band too!  The Jessica Shepherd Band members currently include, Kyle Judd on Lead Guitar and vocals, David Valley on Bass and vocals, Joni Lovvorn on Drums and vocals.  I play acoustic guitar, mandolin and harmonica on occasion for some different musical textures.  This is our core group and I must say, we’re pretty darn good.  We have additional fabulous talent join us depending on what city we’re playing in – Laurie Gibson on fiddle and vocals when we play in the hill country (Laurie played all the fiddle parts on You’re Country Now) and when we’re in Austin, Trisha Keefer on fiddle and Danny B. Harvey joins us on Lead Guitar too. 

 

We have begun recording our live shows and I hope to have a live CD to release at the end of this year.  I am planning a radio tour in the state of Texas and live performances.  I would like to tour Europe and visit Australia again to re-connect with my friends and fans.

9. What is your recommendation for those wanting to follow in your footsteps? 

Today’s musical “game” is so completely different from just 10 years ago.  Digital distribution has forever changed the face of the music business.  Right now, it feels like it’s not such a good thing, as record stores are closing left and right and record companies are failing.  No longer is a “record deal” the Holy Grail.  The power has been returned to the artist.  It’s a double-edged sword and works to your advantage and disadvantage, if you are not a self motivated person.  Of course, nothing replaces talent.  If you’ve got it, then read on…

 

If you don’t come from a musical family (like me) build your musical team ASAP  (Actually, it’s great advice for anyone, but you may already know this if your family is musical).  Network, get out, play every opportunity you get, and get educated!  Cultivate and nurture your business relationships – and if you don’t get any opportunities offered to you, then make it happen!  The ONE thing I DO know about this business is that if you don’t have the burning desire within you to do what is required, you will fall to the wayside.  It’s a marathon, honey – they just don’t tell you how long you gotta run…

 

The other thing that is REALLY important is to get yourself to a musical city.  Move if you’re not in one.  Just do it.  When I moved from Houston to Austin, my musical life and career changed for the better.  It is a whole other playing field when you get around professional musicians and start making those connections.  It may seem obvious, but it wasn’t to me until after I had moved.  Also, keep in mind the genre of music you play and look for the city that has an abundance of your style of music and a “scene” that is getting press and attention in national magazines, etc.

10. Do you have any words of encouragement or a message for your fans.

Please remember, success is relative and also subjective…. Much like art.  How you evaluate success is up to you.  For me, getting to do what I love and love what I do is success – everything else is gravy.

 

To my fans – THANK YOU for your support!!  You make it possible for me to do what I do – I am forever grateful.  I look forward to seeing more of you in the near future and hope that I will continue to be worthy of your kind attentions.

 

Adios, Via con Dios and much Love to you all!

 

Jessica Shepherd

 

Skylark Records

P.O. Box 9332

Austin, TX 78766

(512) 275-6573 Booking & Mgt.

www.jessicashepherd.com

www.twitter.com/Travellingirl10

www.facebook.com

www.reverbnation.com/jessicashepherd

www.myspace.com/jessicashepherdband

Jessica, I would like to thank you for your time and patience with the interview. It was a pleasure to have this interview and you deserve the best. I hope one day to see your concerts in Florida with my family.

Dewey Thomas from NASA To The Texas Music Awards 2010

In the Texas Music Awards, another artists nominated for Rising Star in the Texas Music Award is Dewey Wayne. Dewey Wayne once worked for NASA before becoming a singer. Here is the interview conducted via E Mail between Texas and Florida

 

1. When and where did you start your music career?
In college at Auburn University, I began playing lead guitar in local rock bands. Then, I decided to find a way of getting out to play without having to rely on other band members. So I picked up the acoustic and started singing and writing songs. When I moved to Houston in 2005, I got a band together, and here I am!
 
2. Was it easy or difficult to transition from a job at NASA to a singer/songwriter?
 I just put all my effort of engineering into music now. In some respects, making a career in music is tougher and more time consuming. But I do miss being a rocket engineer sometimes. I still read all the articles NASA puts out.
 
3. Who were your musical idols and how were you able to form your own style of music?
 I have too many influences to count. I think that every song from every artist I have ever heard has had some kind of influence on me. But my big ones were Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Sr and Jr, and Alabama. The Alabama boys were from my home county and I listened to them more than anyone growing up.
 
4. What was your inspiration for “Here For The Music”
The album started out as a collection of what I thought were my best songs. So they didn’t really have a common theme. I wrote “Here for the Music” about all the reasons I love music. Then put a hard-hitting and high energy feel to it. I thought it brought together all the songs in that it related to all of them. So it worked great as the title track.
 
5. You do the majority of your concerts in Texas. When will you perform in the rest of the USA and maybe the world?
I’m working on it. Texas is great because people love original music. It’s done really well for us. We try and get over to Alabama every now and then. I’m also working of getting some stuff in Colorado and Oklahoma.
 
6. What sets your music apart from the music produced by Hollywood?
We are 100% independent. We do our own production, promotion, booking, etc. That means that we are not limited by what the “Big Machine” says is the right formula for good music. I’m not sure if there is one thing that separates us. But the production quality is just as good, and the songs are exactly what we think sounds like great music. I’ve tried to capture the old stuff I grew up on and put my own spin on it.
 
7. What is your advice for those who dream of a career in music?
Keep doing it. It’s all about persistence. All your heroes were rejected themselves at some point. Take as much advise from people you respect as much as possible, and keep on keepin’ on!
 
8. What would you like to say to your fans?
“Y’all give me a holler sometime! I love hearing from you guys!”
 
9. Where can people buy your albums?
 My website at deweywayne.com and CD Baby. iTunes and Amazon coming soon.
 
10. What was your reaction when you found out about being nominated for the TMA?
I was beside myself! I feel very honored to be among the guys that are nominated with me.

 Thank You Dewey for taking the time in this interview. It was a pleasure and an honor.

 

 

 

Jessica Shepherd

The Lone Star State of Texas is home to two artists whose first names begin with Jessica and whose last name begin with the letter S. The difference between Jessica Shepherd and Jessica Simpson is that Jessica Shepherd has not received enough publicity for her efforts in promoting true Texas and Americana Music.

Jessica Shepherd is also nominated for the Texas Music Award in the category of Female Vocalist of the Year. The reason has been the music from her latest album “You’re Country Now”. She has previous albums such as “Travellingirl” and has been prominent in concerts around Texas, North America and as far as Australia.

Her music in her latest album such as “Honky Tonk Angel” and “God By Your Side” reverberates around a world that is hungry and thirsty for fresh music. In the case of “God By Your Side”, the world hungers and thrists for a spiritual uplifting from the song. It shows the side of artists such as Jessica Shepherd who probably received inspiration from God when writing and recording this timeless piece.

“God By Your Side” [in the opinion of the underwriiter is based on the belief that everything else may fail the person but that God is always there. This timeless dedication to God deserves a prize in the world of Gospel because what is written and sang for God deserves nothing more.

The song titled “Honky Tonk Angel” is great in rhythm and the verses are also vivid. It gives people the sense of life in the areas of Texas and other Southern States. “Do Your Damn Job” appears to be a response to the song released by Johnny Paycheck “Take This Job And Shove It”.

It is an interesting piece taking into account the state of economic affairs in the United States of America. Regardless, this is an artist who has truly made many strides to arriive where she is at the present time.  The music interpreted by Jessica Shepherd has a wide range in Texas Music Style.

She feels at ease interpreting a Texas Ballad as well as Texas and Americana Country Music.  It is a music that will survive for a long time and may be an inspiration for future generations. Regardless of who wins in the Texas Music Awards in the category of Female Singer of the year, she is still a musical force to be reckoned with in the present and the future.

http://www.helium.com/items/1757405-jessica-shepherd

Chip Murrey and Texas Underground

The Texas Musical Awards in the category of rising star has another nominee by the name of Chip Murrey and the Texas Underground. The album which they recorded is called “Pay Dirt”. The group has advanced in the world of Texas Music and around the world since the people are tired of the same mediocre and predictable material from Hollywood.

The music is fresh and reminds people of how music should be played. When Chip Murrey and Texas Underground perform in front of a live audience, the people feel like a wind of freedom has come to where they are at. It is because of the people who comprise of the group such as Chip Murrey, Mike Ray, Mike Madden, and Paul Sisson

The underwriter has not had the honor of visiting Texas to see such a live and active concert but was able to hear some of the music in their website. The “Song About Texas”is a song that was written with pride by Chip Murrey. It is a song that promotes the love of Texas and love of country in general at a time when no one expresses love for their area.

The “Song About Texas” describes a Texas that is beautiful with cities such as San Antonio,Dallas, Abilene, Palestine, Rio Grande, and the Big Bend. It also talks about the women in Texas in a respectful way compared with songs by other artists who classify the women of their area of birth or residence in terms that do not deserve to be printed..

The “Texas Heat” talks about the climate in Texas in positive terms and how the couples survive in the climate. It is also a great song that evokes Texas in a positive way. Before commenting about the next song, the underwriter remembers hearing a song called “You Gonna Miss Me Early In The Morning” interpreted by Bobby Darin. He heard the song during a trip to North Carolina. It was a catchy tune.

Chip Murrey and the Texas Underground wrote and recorded the song “You Gonna Miss Me” which was superior to the Bobby Darin version. It had raw emotion and is a response to people who have been scorned in love and life. The attitude is that “”I may be gone but you will regret that I left” attitude.

After hearing the various songs recorded by Chip Murrey and the Texas Underground, the underwriter decided to cast his vote for the group as “Rising Star 2010″ for the Texas Music Awards. They deserve the honor for bringing the truth and a down to earth nature to the world of music especially in Texas.

http://www.helium.com/items/1755628-chip-murrey-texas-underground

Kevin Myers and TMA

Another artist to be interviewed is Kevin Myers who is nominated in the category of the Rising Star Award. It was great for him to take time to be interviewed by the underwriter and Now Public.

 1. Where you were born and how did you get started ?
I was born in Corpus Christi, TX and grew up near there in the little town of Alice, TX.  After High School, I moved north to San Marcos, TX for college.  I learned to play guitar in High School but never really took it seriously.  At a party in college I ran into a guy named Wayne Hubbard, who was playing his guitar and singing songs he had written.  He had recently dropped out college in Huntsville, TX and moved down to San Marcos to try and start his music career.  I sat down and played along with him.  He asked if I wanted to play some shows with him.  We auditioned for our first gig the next week and spent the next few years playing around the state.  One happy hour at Cheatham Street Warehouse, I met a songwriter named Jason Wade.  He gave me a copy of Townes Van Zandt’s “Live at the Old Quarter”.  After listening to it that same night, I wrote my first song and I have not stopped since.  I started playing my own shows around then, about 8 years ago.
 
2. What were your musical influences during your career?
The greatest three songwriters to ever live: Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, and Guy Clark. 
 
3. Your debut album “Horseshoe” has been a success. Lucky Boyd has given you a positive review and after hearing parts of the CD, I am impressed with its down to earth quality. How long did it take you to work on the debut album?
 My brother-in-law, Rick Green, is an author and public speaker.  He wrote a book called “Freedom’s Frame” and suggested I write a song about the current state of the union.  I wrote the song a couple days later, recorded it on the laptop, and gave it to Rick.  He played it for a few people, who then arranged for me to play it at 10,000 seat venues in Oregon and Colorado.  It would have been foolish not to have a CD to sell with such a large captive audience.  The problem was I only had a couple months till showtime and had nothing professionally recorded.  I sent some songs to Rich Brotherton, who runs a studio called Ace Recording in Austin, TX.  In addition to being a phenomenal producer, Brotherton plays lead guitar for the Robert Earl Keen band.  I had always been a fan, so I was very exited when he agreed to work with me.  He only had two weeks open during the necessary time frame.  We were able to record the entire CD, “Horseshoe”, start to mastered finish in 13 days.  It was a marathon, but an incredible experience.  I had just enough time to get the artwork done and have “Horseshoe” printed before heading out of state to play.  I was fortunate enough to nearly sell out of my first thousand CDs in the first 2 shows.
 
4. In “Horseshoe”, the music and the storyteller evokes an era when the music in Texas as well as America was pure. Why have we abandoned our musical traditions and what can be done to recover them as you have done with your debut album?
I think the trend in music has followed the culture downward.  The greatest generation seems to be gone.  I think people are spoiled and driven by instant gratification more than we used to be.  We have had to sacrifice less, so we appreciate less.  In turn, we have less to feel, less to say, and music becomes more of a business.  Those calling the shots are typically not artists.  Those who decide what is “marketable” don’t create.  This is why the Independent music scene is so important, because its unaffected nature preserves our musical traditions.
 
5. It appears that you have toured or are touring in Texas, Oregon, and Colorado. Do you have plans to go on tours in other areas of the country or even abroad?
I accept opportunities as they come, but don’t market myself too much or try to fill up the calendar.  I am married, want to have a family soon, and am content with my day job.  With that said, my ultimate dream would be to write songs full time, but on my own terms.  Kind of like Bruce Robison and Guy Clark have done.  That would be the life.
 
6. What can Kevin Myers offer that the Hollywood Establishment and other “mainstream” media cannot offer?
I would like to think I can offer authenticity.  I don’t try to force songwriting.  I don’t have any deadlines or guidelines.  I just write the songs down when they choose to come and I don’t view it as a job.
 
7. You recorded in your album “Freedom’s Frame” and  “Outlaw Ways”, What was the purpose and significance in these two songs?
I wrote “Outlaw Ways” when I first started writing.  It was meant to be a redemption song that everyone can feel through their own faults and failures, but disguised as a classic tale of the forlorn outlaw.  I originally wrote it without the chorus, but the chorus found its way in.  “Freedom’s Frame” is a call for people to re-examine the founding principles that made this country great and a reminder that the government derives its powers from the consent of the governed, not the other way around.  Whenever government becomes destructive “we the people” have the right and the duty to alter or abolish it.
 
8. What was your initial reaction when your received the news about being nominated for an Award by the TMA [Texas Music Academy]?
I was honored.  I never anticipated recording a CD this year, let alone being nominated for an award.  I think the Boyd’s seem like genuine people and I like what they have done with www.mytexasmusic.com.  They focus, first and foremost, on quality of music rather than popularity. 
 
9. What is your recommendation to those who want to follow in your footsteps and become a singer and musician?
Don’t rush it.  If it is meant to happen it will happen.  Listen to the songs that inspire you and try to write songs like that.  Don’t record an album until your songs sound like your own and your individual style has fully developed.
 
10. Where can people buy “Horsehoe”?
 You can download it on Itunes, or link to purchase physical copies at my website www.kevinmyersmusic.com.  The following online retailers are selling it:  www.cdbaby.com or www.mytexasmusic.com.

 

 

 

 

 
Roberto,
 
Thank you for the questions and your time.
 
Kevin