ARTIST INTERVIEW: OLIVIA LANE

I N T E R V I E W

OLIVIA JOY LANE

Age:

Newly 23! 

Hometown/currently live:

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas but Nashville is my current home.

What made you want to start writing songs?

The first song I ever wrote was called "Indiana" and it was about me and my high school boyfriend breaking up right before college. I was DEVASTATED. I was searching for a way to get this emotion out of system so I decided to try and write my feelings out and then put the words to a melody that captured the sadness I was feeling; Then I was hooked to songwriting.  For me, it's an emotional release but also about connecting with other's who might be experiencing the same emotions I am.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I do! I've been playing guitar since about 8th grade and then recently I picked up the mandolin which is SO fun! About 4 months ago my producer Ilya Toshinskiy mentioned I should learn to play mando and I was like "HAH yeah suuuure" and he was like "No...you really should". So I ended up picking it up and teaching myself! Since the mandolin is pretty predominant in my sound and production, it made total sense. It's such a fun instrument to play! Currently I'm toying around with a harmonica. I don't read music very well, just learn and play by ear!

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

OH boy…there are so many. I would say the big female voices out there like Trisha Yearwood, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Loveless, Sara Evans, Patsy Cline…the list goes ON! I listen to every genre from The Eagles to Michael Jackson so my musical inspirations vary from all walks of music. 

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Everyone. Everywhere. Everything in my life. It's hard to pinpoint where exactly the ideas in my head come from. Some songs are very personal while other's come from a melody that popped into my head or a story I heard that I liked. The process is so dynamic but that's what makes it fun!

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

I would have to say my single "Steal Me Away." I wrote it pretty soon after I moved to Nashville and I was on CLOUD 9 after the songwriting session with my producer and Lee Thomas Miller, the other co-writers. I called my manger and said "I'M SO EXCITED THIS SONG IS GOING TO BE ON THE EP!" and he said "Well we'll see you've got 6 more months of writing." He had a point but I've heard artists talking about these "gut feelings" about songs and this was for sure a gut feeling happening with "Steal Me Away." 

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

Theres so many!!! But I'll talk about 2 highlights. I'm on a radio tour currently for my song "Steal Me Away" so hearing it on the radio has been pretty mind-blowing!!! The other highlight was performing back in February at Galveston Mardi Gras. It was INSANE! The energy from the crowd mixed with the insane fun my band and I have onstage, it was incredible!!! My guitar got nailed with a huge bulky mardi gras necklace…it was stressful and amazing all at the same time.

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______. 

WITH THE EAGLES!!! 

Where do you see yourself in a year?           

In a year I want to be touring steadily, continuously building a long term career and meeting as many people as I can!

5 years?

In 5 years I hope to be singing my songs along with crowds of any size, coffee shops to stadiums! I just want to meet as many people as I can, have fun with what I'm doing and put a smile on someone's face with my music. 

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be…

A Zumba instructor (which I did in college and LOVED it) or a kindergarten teacher.

I"m afraid of ______.

Doctor shots. I HATE THEM. Terrified.

I never get tired of_______.

Cupcakes :) 

 Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don"t know! ​

I sleep with the covers over my head and make a little breathing hole so I don't suffocate. It's SO bizarre. I use to do it because I was afraid of the dark but now it's just habit. Also my head gets cold. I should probably invest in a sleeping night cap or something. 

F O L L O W   O L I V I A 
TWITTER || FB || INSTAGRAM || WEBSITE

Special thanks to Olivia for taking this time to work with me on this interview! I am a huge fan of her music and cannot wait to see the success she has in the future!

Images Provided || OliviaLane.com

THE SKY'S DROPPIN' JUPITER AROUND US LIKE SOME OLD TRAIN...

SEPTEMBER IS HEREEEEE! In Knoxville, Labor Day Weekend is a big deal. Every year they host a firework show called Boomsday! Normally I'm not into fireworks or big crowds, but this year I knew I had to go! 

About three months ago I started hearing rumors about a concert or two that would be happening at Boomsday. At first I heard Rodney Atkins, then Native Run, and then…I heard the one name that made me jump for joy. Obviously I'm talking about Kelsea Ballerini! 

So…for the past month and a half I've been waiting for the moment to see Kelsea perform at Boomsday. 

I called in reinforcements and asked my best friend Nikki to join me for Boomsday! After some reassuring that we would NOT be staying for fireworks, she agreed. We met up with my friends Jeff and Kristina around 5pm and spent the next few hours listening to music and sweating…no really, it was MISERABLY HOT!!!

First up on the stage?  

Jackie and I both grew up in Blount County and we have TONS of mutual friends! This however, was my first time getting to meet him and see him perform live. Listen up y'all, I'm OBSESSED! He put on a great show and I am officially a HUGE fan! 

[SIDENOTE: Look for his interview on my website SOON!] 

CHECK OUT MY FAVORITE JACKIE LEE SONG HERE!

My friends and I ended up walking over to another stage to see another artist and ended up missing Lindsay Ell! I'm still terribly upset about this!!

BUT…I MADE IT BACK JUST IN TIME TO SEEEEEEEEEE….

So I've only seen Kelsea perform her songs live one other time and it was in the basement of WIVK in Knoxville while she was here on her radio tour! So being able to see her on stage and singing in front of tons of other people was a super exciting moment for me! 

Kelsea sang XO, Dibs, The First Time, a cover of Lady A's Downtown, and her new single Love Me Like You Mean It. Naturally I was in the front row singing every single word and awkwardly dancing. No really, VERY awkward. I'm 100% sure I was embarrassing myself but I don't mind one little bit. 

SIDENOTE: I SANG WITH KELSEA….okay, I'm lying a little bit. I sang in Kelsea's microphone…with about ten other girls…and I was off key….and STILL awkward dancing. Regardless though, I can check that off my bucket list. 

After her set I of course spent the next hour taking pictures and hanging out with everyone.

Special shout-out to these two studs! I've seen these guys perform many times and together, they make a great pair! I am so glad Jacob Simmons and Josh Kerr are part of Kelsea's team. 

[Oh and thanks Caty and Sutton for sharing Jacob with Knoxville for the evening! On behalf of everyone else, we appreciate it!]

Kelsea Ballerini: you are the cutest and sweetest girl ever! Thanks for being my favorite singer/songwriter and friend! I love you AND I mean it!

[I leave you with just a few more pictures from the amazing night]

So until next time Boomsday….

ARTIST INTERVIEW: LOGAN BRILL

So a few weeks ago at the Tennessee Theatre a super talented singer/songwriter who grew up near my hometown in Knoxville, TN opened for country superstar Josh Turner. Her name? Logan Brill. After going home and finding her music on Soundcloud I knew I had to reach out to her for an interview. I was lucky enough to do a phone interview with her a few days after the big show! 

EVERYONE MEET MY NEW FRIEND AND FELLOW EAST TENNESSEAN

LOGAN BRILL

Full Name

Katherine Logan Brill

Age

23

Hometown/currently live

Grew up in Knoxville; Moved to Nashville a little over 5 years ago. 

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

Guitar; "I guess I taught myself but guided by my dad who played guitar as a hobby.  He had a farm out in Morgan County, Tennessee which is pretty mush in the middle of nowhere. When I would go out there on weekends there was no TV, no neighbors, or anything. I kinda just picked it up. I just really enjoyed going on weekends and sitting on the front porch and pick around at it. My dad started teaching me little chords. He kind of guided me, I guess, as far as learning more actual chords and stuff." 

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

"This is a hard one for me. I feel like they are all over the board. I grew up listening to a lot of jazz and blues stuff (Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Buddy Guy). I was also inspired by a lot of the music that my parents grew up listening to in the 70's. I loved The Eagles and Emmylou Harris. It was more on the country side of things. Now it kind of changes every week really. I feel like recently it's been Patty Griffin and Bonnie Raitt pretty consistently." 

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

"Yes, I do write. A lot of the stuff on the album I borrowed from other songwriters. Whenever I'm in town I write a couple times per week either by myself or with other songwriters in Nashville. I enjoy it."

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

"I feel like there's been a lot of really awesome moments. Honestly one of them for me was this past show at the Tennessee Theatre with Josh Turner. It was great to play in my hometown. Some of my personal favorite shows I've been to were at the Tennessee Theatre. Being able to go out and stand on that same stage my songs to friends and family that I haven't seen in a long time. People were coming out of the woodworks! I saw my preschool teacher, my fourth grade teacher, old friends from high school, friends, and family. It was just cool to come back." 

Finish this sentence…if I could sing a duet with anyone I would choose______. 

"Probably Bonnie Raitt She's been such an inspiration to me. Especially with her blues influence but also does the Americana Country stuff from time to time."

Finish this sentence…if I could sing at any location I would choose______. 

"Honestly probably Red Rocks. Or the Ryman. That's like the top in Nashville. It's a tie for me. I would really like to play both. Red Rocks has such a reputation for being such a cool venue. I feel like there and the Ryman are tied for me."

Where do you see yourself in a year or five years?

"Continuing to move forward with my career. And just continuing to play more headlining shows. It's nice to have a full hour and half to play my own stuff. Hopefully I'll be able to be touring more and continuing to move onward and upward!"

If I wasn't a singer I would be… 

"Well there are a few things I always put in the back of my mind as a plan B. I actually got my degree in French from Belmont. Because I thought if nothing else I could be a teach it or be a translator. I probably would do that. Maybe a French teacher. I love kids. Who knows!"

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don't know! 

"I'm a vegetarian, is that weird? I don't eat meat. I've actually been a vegetarian since I was 12. So that's a fun fact. Not that it's fun, but it's a fact!"

HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE LOGAN BRILL SONGS:

FOLLOW LOGAN FOR MUSIC/SHOW UPDATES:

TWITTER || FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM

SPECIAL THANKS TO LOGAN BRILL FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HER BUSY SCHEDULE TO WORK WITH ME ON THIS INTERVIEW  I ABSOLUTELY LOVED GETTING TO TALK TO HER AND GETTING TO KNOW HER BETTER. IF YOU LOVE HER MUSIC THEN STAY TUNED TO MY WEBSITE! SHE WILL BE FEATURED A FEW MORE TIMES IN THE MONTHS TO COME! CANNOT WAIT FOR HER TO BE BACK IN KNOXVILLE FOR HER SHOW IN OCTOBER! 

[PICTURES PROVIDED BY CASSANDRA LEETE  & TAYLOR SMITH]

ARTIST INTERVIEW: JOSH KERR

I've always admired someone who can sing. But the more I listened to great music and traveled to Nashville the more I realized there was so much more to music than the artist who sang the songs. Then, I met Josh Kerr. He made me realize who I admire most in the music industry. Songwriters. 

It's one thing to have an amazing voice but it's something totally different to be able to put words on paper and with music. Josh Kerr can do both. 

Most everyone who is familiar with my blog or follows me on Twitter knows I'm always listening to his Soundcloud page and sharing his lyrics. The thing I look for when I'm listening to a song is that it is relatable. I've not heard a single song by Josh that I didn't relate to. And because of that, I will be a fan of his music forever. 

Because behind every favorite song, there is an untold story.

SO WITHOUT FURTHER INTRODUCTION, 
MEET MY FRIEND JOSH KERR

Full Name:   
Joshua Peter Kerr

Age:   
22
  
Hometown/currently live: 
   Hamburg, NY/Nashville, TN
  
What made you want to start writing songs?  
Music has always been a big part of my life. Writing songs became a creative outlet for me when I was about 16 years old. It wasn't until I was 18 that I found out you can write songs for a living. That changed my life.
  
Do you play any instruments?   
Guitar is my main instrument of choice these days, but I dabble in bass and piano from time to time. Little known fact: I actually went to college on a trumpet scholarship.
  
Did you teach yourself?  
Yes and no. My dad taught me how to play the bass and beginner chords on the guitar. From there I learned off of YouTube until college when I had my first lesson!
  
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?   
JOHN MAYER, Bruno Mars, Dave Barnes, Sam Hunt, anything with cool phrasing and a great groove. I'm really into the band MAGIC! right now.  

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?   
95% of the time its from my personal life. It's just easier to write songs when you've actually gone through the situation. The best songs are real and honest.

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?  
Definitely gotta say Kelsea Ballerini's current single "Love Me Like You Mean It." Forest, Lance and Kelsea are some of the most talented writers in town. "Got You Girl" that I wrote with two of my best friends, Kelsea and Ryan Griffin. I'm also a big fan of "Lay It On Me" that I wrote with Dylan Scott. 

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?  
Three days ago I got to watch Kelsea hear her single on the radio for the first time. Watching her reaction was priceless. It was almost unreal to hear a song on the radio that I wrote. That's every songwriter's dream.
[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=916032621745303] 


Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______.  
  Ryan Tedder, hands down.

Where do you see yourself in a year?  
Writing songs and playing guitar on a major tour with Kelsea. Hopefully also accepting a Number 1 award for Love Me ;).        

5 years?   
Married and doing exactly what I'm doing now.

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be____
an elementary special ed teacher.

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don't know!   
I played lacrosse for 14 years and always dreamed of being a professional athlete. Then I stopped growing when I reached 5'7'' so it was time to reconsider my dreams.

Check Out A Few Of My Favorite Josh Kerr Songs:
[MORE ON SOUNCLOUD HERE]
[DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW JOSH FOR UPDATES AND NEW MUSIC]
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/joshkerrmusic FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/joshkerrmusic INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/joshkerrmusic WEBSITE: http://www.joshkerrmusic.com SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/josh-kerr-4




AND HEAD OVER AND PURCHASE KELSEA BALLERINI'S NEW SINGLE  LOVE ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT ON ITUNES https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-me-like-you-mean-it-single/id892763915 [CO-WRITTEN BY JOSH KERR]

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JOSH KERR FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK WITH ME. I AM ALWAYS TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT HIM AND SHARING HIS MUSIC WITH MY CLOSE FRIENDS. BUT NOW, I'M HAPPY I CAN FINALLY SHARE IT WITH ALL MY BLOG FOLLOWERS. IF YOU ARE A FAN, STICK AROUND. HE'LL ALWAYS HAVE A SPOT ON MY BLOG. 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: JOHN KING

Any country artist who can get away with writing a song titled "Hooker Shoes" 
deserves a little respect and recognition in my book. When I found Black River Publishing artist John King a while back I knew he would be someone I would listen to on a regular basis. 
Sometimes it becomes difficult to find someone who is a bit of "old country" and a bit of  "new country". I think John King is both. He has the deep southern drawl that the country greats like Garth and George have. He has the upbeat, fun party anthem in "Tonight Tonight" like the rest of the new artists have. The mix of both old/new helps make John truly standout as an artist. 
Sit down and listen to his music. What do you hear? A great voice right? Well what about the lyrics? Chances are John King had a hand in writing those too. Nine out of the eleven songs on his album he had a hand in writing. So you can be a fan of his voice, his thick southern drawl, his lyrics, and his fun single all at once. 
Appreciate it all, it's getting more difficult to find these days.  

The best songs are the ones that give you goosebumps in the middle of a hot Southern summer. 

MEET SINGER/SONGWRITER JOHN KING

Full Name:

John Lee King

Age:

25

Hometown/currently live:

Habersham County, GA

When did you start singing?

I started singing in church when I was about 12 years old

What made you want to start singing?

I really didn't want to start singing lol... I was playing in bands in middle school and we would be out in the garage jamming on some Lynyrd Skynrd, Metallica, Allman Brothers, etc. Finally one day my mom walks out and say.. "You know one day one of you boys has to start singing".. So I just figured I would! I kind of did it out of necessity to begin with. Then I started really loving it.

What instruments do you play? Did you teach yourself?

I taught myself how to play drums when I was 11.. then my little bro Andrew (who is my drummer now) got way better than me lol. So I decided I would move to guitar. I started playing pretty seriously when I was 12 or 13 and that was when I started writing songs. 

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Steve Earl, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, Garth Brooks.. the list goes on and on!

Do you write your own music?

Yes I've been writing since I was a kid. My parents raised me on some of the great singer/songwriters like Jackson Browne, The Eagles, Neil Young, Johnny Cash, etc. I always loved what these guys did lyrically and it inspired me to start writing at an early age. I wrote 9 of the 11 songs on my first record (which is coming out at the end of summer).

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Usually from everyday life situations. I tend to draw ideas from something I hear in passing, a movie, scripture, books I'm readying, etc. It's just always different. 

What is your favorite song you've written?

That's tough to say.. they are all my babies lol! I really love this new song I just wrote and recorded called "Heatwave". It's a cool summertime song but with a different feel than most summertime songs. You gotta hear it!

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

Well so far breaking the top 50 on the country charts with our song "Tonight Tonight" has been the most amazing feeling. It's just such an honor to see my name up on the country charts with all these amazingly talented artists. Then to be playing the song live at shows and seeing people singing along.. man it's a great feeling. I'm just praying it keeps climbing and that you guys keep loving the song! 

Favorite person you've opened for/played with?

Really enjoyed opening for Jason Aldean. He is just a class act. He sings great live, has an amazing band and his fans are die hard.. plus he's a fellow GA boy!

Finish this sentence…if I could sing a duet with anyone I would choose______.

Katy Perry.. Love her voice and I just think she has the coolest personality. Please sing with me Katy!! :)

If I could play at any location I would choose ______. 

I've always wanted to play Red Rocks in Colorado. I hear it's just gorgeous out there.

Where do you see yourself in a year?           5 years?

Hopefully as a premiere act on tour!! I'm gonna keep writing and recording the best songs I can possibly make and just pray that the fans keep coming out and supporting the music!

If I wasn't a singer I would be….._______. Why?

Preacher probably!! Ever since I was a kid I thought I might like to give preaching a shot. Who knows I just might do it one day!! 

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don't know! ​

Well I'm pretty awesome at doing the worm.. I guess that's pretty strange right?? Lol

[DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW JOSH FOR UPDATES AND NEW MUSIC]

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/johnkingcountry FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/johnkingcountry INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/johnkingcountry WEBSITE: http://www.johnkingcountry.com
AND HEAD OVER AND PURCHASE HIS NEW SINGLE TONIGHT TONIGHT ON iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tonight-tonight-single/id836907271

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JOHN KING FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK WITH ME. I AM SO EXCITED THAT I WAS ABLE TO SHARE HIS MUSIC AND A BIT OF HIS BACKGROUND INFORMATION WITH ALL MY BLOG READERS. REMEMBER TO BE A FAN OF OLD COUNTRY, OF NEW COUNTRY, AND OF THE GUYS  WHO ARE A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS GUY SUCCEED!