ARTIST INERVIEW: COLE TAYLOR

Full Name: John Cole Taylor   Age: 23   Hometown || Currently Live: Hometown- Cuthbert GA/ Currently live in Nashville TN   What made you want to start writing /singing songs? I grew up singing in church and one day somebody was like Cole you sound really good. So I took that and ran with it. My older brother introduced me to Karaoke tracks so I remember my first one was “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis and I practiced and practiced and finally got up and sang in front of a crowd of about 50 at Faith Baptist Church in my hometown. That lead to fall festivals, and festivals lead to singing the Star Spangled Banner at my high school and that lead to getting a guitar player and playing small dive bars when I was 15 to learning how to play myself to writing my own songs. THEN I found out I could make some money doing it and that really lead to me focus on my craft because I knew it’s something I could see myself doing as a career.    Do you play any instruments? I play guitar    Did you teach yourself? I did teach myself. The first song I ever learned to play was “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band.   Who are your biggest musical inspirations? Musical Inspirations for me goes from Left Field to Right Field. Of course Luke Bryan because we are from around the same part of Georgia so seeing a small town guy like me do something I dream of doing and sing songs that I grew up living is very inspirational. My other influences are Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Doug Stone, Keith Whitley, Shenandoah, and Travis Tritt, those guys had a way of telling a story in a song and making you believe every single word that came out of their mouth, whether they wrote the songs or not and the story telling of country music is what made me fall in love with it, but I also grew up listening to a lot of Usher, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Nelly and for me that is where a lot of my melodies and phrasing for my songs come from is that influence in my life.    Where do you get inspiration to write your songs? With my music I really grab inspiration from the stuff that I see going around that I know my fans would want to hear. I write songs for the people that don’t know how to put their feelings into words. I write songs for the Good Ole’ Boy in Georgia thats trying to figure out the words to say to tell this girl at a party he has a thing for her. I write songs for the guy wanting to build up the courage to call a girl up and tell her just cause she just got dumped she doesn’t have to sit at home alone on a Friday. From the windows rolled down to some dude sitting at a bar by himself and everywhere in between. Every day I try to bring a song to life that I feel will touch someone someday.    You recently had the opportunity to write a really cool jam for FGL. How did this collaboration come about? Matt and I wrote the tune back in December and I got a call around March saying that FGL wanted the song but they wanted the verses to be a little different so Rodney came in and did his thing on the verse and turned the song into magic. Rodney has such a great way of saying things and telling a story and it was all in the hands of FGL and their team then and Thank the Lord it made the record and I love seeing the feedback from all of the fans about it!     Favorite songs you have written/recorded? This is a REALLY tough one because all of them are like my kids, if you will, haha. I love all of them but I would have to say See You Around or Break That Lonely is definitely my favorites that I have recorded   What moment in your music career is your favorite so far? This used to be a hard one but definitely October 14, 2014 when I went to Target at 3:15 after my morning write and picked up 3 copies of “Anything Goes” by Florida Georgia Line to see my song “Sippin On Fire” that I co-wrote with Matt Dragstrem and Rodney Clawson on there. Definitely one of the coolest feelings opening up that CD case and seeing my name on the credits.   Finish this sentence…if I could sing a song with anyone I would choose______. Justin Timberlake   If I could play any venue I would choose_____. Red Rocks   If I weren’t a singer/songwriter I would be ______. Well I went to school to study accounting and I have 13 hours left in that degree but in all honesty I would probably be helping my dad skin and process deer at the family business in Georgia. Taylor’s Outdoor Advantage   I'm afraid of _____. Not taking advantage of every opportunity I get.   I never get tired of_____. Singing   Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don’t know! I don’t like pies, or cake, or chocolate candy. I’m a weird guy I know it! haha  

C O N N E C T TWITTER || FACEBOOK || INSTAGRAM   P U R C H A S E IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, PICK UP FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE'S NEW ALBUM 'ANYTHING GOES' TO HEAR COLE'S SONG "SIPPIN ON FIRE" HERE!

ARTIST INTERVIEW: RYAN BIZARRI

Full Name: Ryan Michael Bizarri   Age: 40   Hometown/Currently Live: Coal Valley, Illinois / Nashville, Tennessee   What made you want to start writing /singing songs? My dad, my grandpa & Garth Brooks   Do you play any instruments? Guitar   Did you teach yourself? Dad taught me a couple chords then I did have a teacher for a moment but mostly self taught.   Who are your biggest musical inspirations? Tony Arata, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley Where do you get inspiration to write your songs? Just living life.   Favorite songs you have written/recorded? "Eat, Sleep, Love You, Repeat" and "I Could Have Been Beautiful"   You recently got the honor of having a song you co-wrote get released by country star Rodney Atkins.   What was the inspiration behind the song? My wife and daughter. What were your thoughts after learning the song would not only be in his new album, but primarily be his next single? An overwhelming feeling that all of my prayers had finally been answered and in fact, God had been hearing me all along. What moment in your music career is your favorite so far? My mentor, Tony Arata called me once upon a time to tell me he had just listened to "I Could Have Been Beautiful" and that not only did it move him, he said if given the chance, it could be song of the year.   Finish this sentence…if I could sing a song with anyone I would choose______. George Strait; for my grandpa.   If I could play any venue I would choose____. I play the Bluebird frequently so I'd choose The Opry.   If I wasn’t a singer/songwriter I would be … boring.   I"m afraid of ______. bad songs.   I never get tired of_______. taco pizza.   Can we expect any new music coming in the future? Yes, I plan to release some individual tracks digitally in 2015.   Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don’t know! ​ If I told you then everyone would know. What would I say to the next interviewer who asks that same question?

 

Purchase Eat Sleep Love You Repeat HERE!!

[SPECIAL THANKS to Ryan Bizarri for working with me on this interview! Can't wait to see Eat Sleep Love You Repeat climb the charts!] 

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….

A Cliché In A Corner Booth…

Recently I had someone email me and ask me what my favorite new RADIO song was. Well after thinking long and hard I narrowed it down to one.

I've never been a HUGE Tyler Farr fan but recently that has changed. I liked Redneck Crazy, I really liked Whiskey In My Water, and I LOVE A Guy Walks Into A Bar. 

[SIDENOTE: My ALL TIME favorite T. Farr song is Ain't Even Drinkin…LOOK IT UP!]

This song is one that doesn't get old. I can honestly say it's one of the only "radio songs" I listen to on a regular  basis. 

"A guy walks into a bar, orders a drink. Sees a girl that catches his eye. Asks her if she wants another.They fall for each other and end up lovers. They laugh, cry, hold on tight, make it work for a little while. Then one night her taillights fade out into the dark...and a guy walks into a bar." 

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: KELSEA BALLERINI

A little over a year ago I made the greatest discovery of my life. That of course being Kelsea Ballerini’s music. They say “love at first sight” is real. What about “love at first listen?” Can that be a thing? In my mind it should be. I can honestly say I’ve listened to Kelsea’s music EVERY SINGLE DAY since the first time I heard her. Normally I would get tired of hearing the same songs and artists over and over. But not with Kelsea. 
Every single day I find a new reason to love her and her music.

Kelsea is the girl with the big voice, the amazing songwriting skills, the fun personality, the sweet soul and the kind heart. She has the whole package and I adore everything about her. [Side note: I totally envy her shoe collection.]

Kelsea is headed down the road to fame. No really, watch out Carrie and Miranda, there is a new girl blowing up her radio tour. I cannot wait to see this amazing girl perform on the CMA’s, headline her own tour, and win a Grammy. I’d be willing to bet anything she accomplishes all three of these things faster than anyone could imagine.  

At times we fit into lyrics more than we fit into life.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE TO Y'ALL..

MEET MY FRIEND KELSEA

Full Name:

Kelsea Nicole Ballerini

Age: 
20

 Hometown/currently live:

Knoxville/Nashville

What made you want to start writing songs? 

I grew up really loving storytelling and journaling, and eventually that mixed with my love of music and turned into writing songs. I was 13 and needed an outlet to vent about how awkward being a 13 year old is, and songwriting just happened to become that outlet for me.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I can fake it pretty well on guitar.  I’m no Keith Urban or Josh Kerr, but I can carry my own if I need to. Plus, I love writing songs by myself so being able to play a little helps. 

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Beyonce, Gavin DeGraw. Anything with a good groove and catchy lyrics.

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Life, love, or lack thereof. Haha. It’s hard for me to write about things that I haven’t experienced. I just believe if I am going to put music out there and share it with people, it should be honest and real. 

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

That’s a hard one. I would say it’s a tie between my single “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “The First Time”. Two totally different songs, but both are special to me for different reasons. And both we have officially cut for the album!

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?
Hearing “Love Me Like You Mean It” on the radio! That was such a ‘holy cow is this real life’ moment. And it’s amazing to be able to share those kind of moments with my co-writers and close friends Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, and Lance Carpenter. 

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

For: Kelly Clarkson  With: Hillary Lindsay

Where do you see yourself in a year?     

Hopefully i’ll have a record out and will be traveling around the country sharing my songs and meeting people!

Five years: 
Same thing! Maybe get hitched. Maybe get a cool apartment in Nashville. Who knows! 

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be…

Either a veterinarian or a makeup artist. But I can’t emotionally handle blood or sad things, so most likely a makeup artist. 

I'm afraid of ______.

SPIDERS, dolls, haunted houses, storms. Kind of everything. I’m a child.

I never get tired of_______.

music. and shoes. 

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

I danced for 10 years! Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop. And then when I was 13 I grew like 6 inches in one year and got really long and awkward and lost all of my coordination. Watching me dance now is just an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. 

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
PLUS CHECK OUT A FEW OF MY FAVORITE KELSEA SONGS: DIBS YEAH BOY THE FIRST TIME PETER PAN

[DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW KELSEA FOR UPDATES] TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KelseaBallerini FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kelseaballerini INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/kelseaballerini WEBSITE: http://www.kelseaballerini.com

I would like to thank Kelsea for taking the time out of her busy radio-tour schedule to work with me. I am so excited to see her career finally starting to take off. I cannot wait to see her perform REALLY SOON! She, along with everyone else who knows me, should expect me in the very front row singing along to every song. And maybe we will even awkward dance together.  Love you Kels…oh and I mean it.