The greatest things
in life are unexpected and completely different than anything else you could
ever imagine. This can apply to life and this can apply to music. It’s one thing
to fall into the same category as your peers. It’s something totally different
to be in a category entirely on your own. In my opinion, the greatest artists
are the ones who stand out. The ones who have their own sound. The ones who
aren’t afraid to be different.
The first time I
heard TJ Hamilton I knew he was one of those artists.
He has dreams bigger
than anyone I've ever met. And something tells me he won’t slow down until he
exceeds all expectations and meets all of those goals one by one.
I AM SUPER EXCITED TO INTRODUCE THE MOST GENUINE AND DOWN-TO-EARTH GUY I'VE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET THUS FAR.
Age
27
Hometown/Currently Live
Mounds, Oklahoma.
Population 850.
“I’m currently in
Dallas. I lived in Nashville all last year writing and now I’m working with a
new producer here in Dallas; world renowned producer Jay Oliver. He’s one of the
biggest producers in the rap game in the entire world.”
What made you start singing?
“I was singing in
church as a kid and my mom really wanted me to do it. I grew up an Elvis Presley
fan. Elvis is my favorite musician of all time. You know how
some people express themselves through writing and athletics? Well mine was
through sports. And as a kid music was my release from life. I think everybody
needs something in their life that allows them to be creative. Music was my
way, and my escape, to be creative. You can explain yourself a whole lot better
with a pen and paper rather than going around and trying to tell everyone your
story.”
Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?
“Acoustic Guitar; I
actually didn't teach myself. I was taught by an old friend of mine named Scott
Bell. This guy, in my opinion, is the best guitar player in the entire state
of Oklahoma. He taught me some chords and taught me how to do it. Now I’m able
to strum around when we write and when we play live.”
Who is your biggest musical inspiration?
“Elvis Presley is my
biggest musical inspiration by far. There will never be another Elvis. I feel
like he set the bar. He’s the reason I’m involved in music. He was so influential
not only on the positive side but also on the negative side with people. Most
people didn't know how to react to him when he first came out on the radio. And
I feel like that’s kind of how some people in the country music industry look
at me. They listen and think ‘oh he’s using a beat. He’s changing the game up.’
When I let Sam [Hunt] hear it for the first time he thought it was awesome. He
uses a beat with everything.”
If I could sing a duet with anyone it would be….
“Celine Dion”
If I could write a song with anyone it would be…
“My boy Sam Hunt, for
sure. I loved getting to sit down and write with him. Me and Sam met on the
basketball court in Nashville. We go way back and I consider him a good friend.
I’d love to write with him some more.”
SIDENOTE: THIS IS WHERE I SAID TJ AND SAM NEED TO RECORD AN ALBUM
TOGETHER. I WOULD BE THE FIRST IN LINE TO BUY IT!
“That needs to
happen. It needs to be put out there. I agree with you. It needs to happen.”
Favorite career moment so far?
“I played on ABC
Dallas, the TV station, in front of 5.1 million people. I played a 45 minute
set live and it was just over 5 million people. It was actually only like my
second or third time to play live, ever. Either that or maybe the first time I
ever played live. You are so nervous and so scared. And seeing my parents out
there watching was just really, really cool. It was just a small
whole-in-the-wall place in the middle of Tulsa, Oklahoma. But it was great. The
start of something really great.
Where do you see yourself a year from now?
“With a record deal.
Hopefully pushing my second or third single to country radio.”
5 years from now?
“I plan on having 3
platinum records under my belt and making a significant difference in the
world. Whether that be helping people out in any way possible or just creating
music that helps people. I didn't do this music thing for fame or fortune. I
did it because I love it and I wanted to create music that people like. It just
so happens that you can make money doing that. If you really put your heart
into something it’s amazing what can come out of it.”
I love that you have a plan! No one ever knows how to answer that
question and you completely blew me away with your answer.
“Well I appreciate
that! My notes on my iPhone are crazy. I have it written down to the date where
I want to see myself. I've got a plan and I just think the biggest part of my
plan is seeing all these successful people not doing anything to help anyone
else out. All they want to do is commit another selfish act that brings more
light to them. I just feel like the world would be a much better place if there
were more influential people that did something to better themselves.”
I’m afraid of….
“Sharks and
alligators.”
Never get tired of….
“My mom's home
cooking.”
What’s one random fact about you that maybe no one else knows?
“I am huge sneaker
guy. I have over 700 pairs. I've got all kinds of shoes: Jordan’s, Nikes,
cowboy boots, you name it.”
Do you ever wear the same pair twice?
“You know, I rarely
ever do. I've got like one pair I wear all the time. Just a pair of Nikes. I've
got probably 100 pairs of Converse. I wear them every time I play live.
So that seems to be another thing you have in common with Sam Hunt, huh?
"Oh yeah. We for sure
have that in common. We used to see each other at Urban Outfitters cause we
were always rocking the same things. We for sure have a shoe fetish I guess. We
also both played college football. There’s a lot of similarities between us
that are pretty eerie. Our music sounds similar; the way we write is similar. I
mean we aren't gonna talk about doing drugs or getting people pregnant. It’s
got to be more of a good fun-loving song.”
At the end of my questions I always ask if there is anything anyone
would like to add to the interview. Up until TJ, everyone had always said no. What
he said pretty much sums up this interview and shows everyone the person he is.
“My biggest
inspiration to do music comes from my faith and my family. Those two things are everything
to me. Without those two things I would probably be in a ditch somewhere. My
family, my mother, father, brother, sister, grandparents, you name it. They've
all been behind me 100 percent. Them believing in me has made this process so
much easier.”
FOLLOW TJ HAMILTON FOR UPDATES
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
TJ FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF HIS SCHEDULE TO WORK WITH ME. I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT
HE ALLOWED ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW HIM AS NOT ONLY A FAN BUT AS A
FRIEND. I'VE FOUND MYSELF SEARCHING FOR A MALE ARTIST TO PROMOTE IN DEPTH FOR A
WHILE NOW. I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WITH A HUGE HEART, A GOOD ATTITUDE, AND A
DESIRE TO CREATE GOOD MUSIC IN ORDER TO BENEFIT OTHERS. TJ IS THE GUY I'VE BEEN
WAITING ON.
STICK AROUND, TJ WILL
ALWAYS BE A PART OF THE TENNESSEE LIFE.
EXPECT BACKSTAGE DETAILS WHEN THIS GUY MAKES HIS
OPRY DEBUT AND SELLS OUT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.