EAR CANDY: Dibs On The Country Dudes

Who’s Got Dibs?

From their dashing good looks & charming personalities to their incredible musical talent & country souls, it’s no surprise these ten men are making a name for themselves in country music. 

Ladies & Gents, be prepared to fall in love.

Don’t You Wanna Fall – Frankie Ballard

Bring You Back – Brett Eldredge

Take You Home – Thomas Rhett

Little Bit of You – Chase Bryant

Don’t Tell Me – Joel Crouse

Vandalizer – Sam Hunt

Girls Look Hot in Trucks – Love & Theft

50 Shades of Crazy – Chase Rice

I N H A L E   T H E   E A R   C A N D Y 

xox Christy

EAR CANDY: FREE SPIRITED JAMS

Free Spirited Jams

Lately I’ve been obsessing over songs about letting go of your daily worries, being young, and living a free spirited life!

You’re probably wondering why is Kenny Chesney on this playlist? He’s been heard time after time, however I think he is one soul who will never get old, he’s had hit after hit and I think this is his next jam. It is basically my theme song.

xoxoxox
Carly

 

ARTIST INTERVIEW: KASEY LANSDALE

Singing has taken me all over the world and introduced me to some amazing people, and I feel lucky every day when I wake up because I get to do what I love. I’m just so happy no one has given me a good shake and told me to get a real job yet!”

Full Name: 
Kasey Lansdale

Age: 
The age where you start replying with a lady never tells.

Hometown/currently live: 
Nacogdoches, TX. Citizen of the world

What made you want to start writing songs and singing? 
I’ve always known I wanted to sing and write. It wasn’t a conscious decision, it was in the blood.

Do you play any instruments? 
I play both guitar and piano enough to write songs.

Did you teach yourself? 
Guitar I took lessons in college, and piano is a self-learning discovery process. I do have a friend showing me a few things which has helped immensely.

Who are your biggest musical inspirations? 
I was always a fan of Reba, especially her early work. The Motown singers of the 50’s and 60’s, Patsy, Loretta. 

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs? 
Sometimes I’ll just hear a hook that sounds good, and I think how I can build a story over that. Sometimes it’s a personal experience, or something I’ve heard someone else go through. Not every song has to be profound, sometimes it’s just whatever is on your mind that day.

Favorite songs you have written/co-written? 
I am always partial to Crossroads written with Julie Gibb. It’s probably the most raw, and personal song I’ve ever been a part of. We have great writing chemistry because we are good friends. I wasn’t afraid to expose that side during our collaborations. I also really like Sorry Ain’t Enough, the single from the Restless album. I didn’t know it while we were writing it, but it’s a source of inner power for me. Every time I sing it, I feel strong, physically and more important, mentally.

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far? 
I’ve been really blessed and had many experiences that when in the moment I felt if I died now, I could be content, but most recently was probably in Cannes, France, at the film festival. The biggest in the world, and I am there listening to my music in a movie surrounded by so many amazing people.

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose.. Reba. There’s never anyone who can replace your idol as a child. Even if styles grow and change, there’s always that soft spot for the people who shaped you, better or worse.

Finish this sentence…if I could sing a song with anyone I would choose.. Otis Redding. To be honest it changes depending on my mood, what I am listening to at that time, but he’s someone I am in awe of every time he opened his mouth.

Where do you see yourself in a year? 5 years?   
This is always a question I hate to answer to tell you the truth. I don’t want to set any sort of limit on myself, or decide this has to be done at this point etc. I think so long as I still love what I do, and it’s making sense for me as an artist, a person, I carry on, and try to remember what brought me to country music in the first place. Remembering the passion I have for the singers and the stories, and the genre itself.      

If I wasn't a singer/songwriter I would be… 
I would do this one way or another, but I would also write more fiction. (Which I do in my downtown) and probably teach yoga, or travel abroad and teach English. (Though I speak Texan, which could prove a problem.)

I'm afraid of… 
random acts of violence. Those that aren’t rooted in anything but hate.

I never get tired of watching… 
Friends. It makes me laugh every time, even though I have seen that show a million times.

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don’t know! 
This is another one of those that I find hard to answer. I am pretty open, and last time I was asked this I said that I speak basic Italian might surprise some people, but now cat’s out of the bag. I suppose with February around the corner I could mention that my family has a long standing tradition of watching the Puppy Bowl. It’s become a thing. Not sure if I should be ashamed of that or not, but it’s puppies, what’s not to love.

C O N N E C T
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I N H A L E   T H E   E A R   C A N D Y

ARTIST INTERVIEW: BLAIR HANKS

Full Name:

Blaire Hanks

Age:

22

Hometown || Currently Live

I'm originally from Macclenny FL but I've been in Nashville about 4 years now

What made you want to start writing /singing songs?

It's always been my passion for as long as I can remember! I can remember before I really knew how to play an instrument I would write raps and come up with clever hooks and when I saw I could start incorporating that with my guitar while learning how to play I fell in love! It was always something I did to just escape or express feelings but as I got better at it and started writing actual real songs I realized it was something I needed to chase full time

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I play guitar! That's the only instrument I can play fluently! I'm still learning piano! But yes I taught myself how to play! I took like a couple months of lessons and just didn't like going so I just started a watching YouTube videos and playing along to other songs by ear!

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Well being a FL boy I grew up on a lot of Bob Marley and he's always been my favorite! But I have so many inspirations from Keith Whitley to Wiz to Sinatra! I have a huge love for so many different artists

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

My inspirations come from either something I'm going through physically/emotionally at the time or what I feel is a good time party vibe that would sound killer live! I love making beats and if you can put a killer beat in front of me I can usually roll with something!

Favorite songs you have written/recorded?

My favorite of all my songs so far is a song I wrote bout two years ago called "Pray"! It's just a deep song and I personally favor! Haven't recorded it yet but hoping to very soon! I do have a live version of me singing it on YouTube though

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

My favorite moment happens every time I get a message from someone saying how much they love my music! That's an unbeatable feeling

If I could sing a song with anyone I would choose

Carrie Underwood

If I could play any venue I would choose

PCB spring break with Luke

If I wasn’t a singer/songwriter I would be…

The owner my own surf shop/bar somewhere on the coast

I’m afraid of…

SPIDERS!!

I never get tired of…

my fans interaction with and love for me! That's the best feeling!

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

Oh this is easy because I'm a really weird individual haha but something strange I do is when I'm in a restaurant I can't sit with my back towards the door! I hate it! I have to be facing the door!

C O N N E C T

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I N H A L E   T H E   E A R  C A N D Y

 P U R C H A S E    H E R E

ARTIST INTERVIEW: DREW BALDRIDGE

Full Name

ANDREW RAY BALDRIDGE

Age

23

Hometown || Currently Live

Patoka IL // Nash

What made you want to start singing/writing?

Well I always sang growing up but I never thought it would turn into anything! On my 18^th birthday my mom surprised me with tickets to a Josh Turner concert. That was the night I realized I wanted to do country music.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I started off on Piano in Kindergarten but now I just play guitar. I’ve had several people help me learn things along the way.

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

My dad when I was younger sang in the church so that’s where I started. But big names I grew up listening to also influenced me. They are very random but I loved Eric Church, Backstreet Boys, Michael Jackson, and Brooks and Dunn.

Where do you get inspiration to write?

I get inspiration from everything! Something as little as someone writing a Facebook post to me going through a cruicial time in my life. All things can turn into a song.

Do you have a favorite song that you’ve written or co-written?

I love the song God’s Front Porch. It’s my best written song in my opinion.

What moment in your career is your favorite thus far?

When I opened up for Josh Turner up in the Northeast. We did a 4 day run and it was the most exciting days of my life. I’ll never forget when he came out on stage, paused his show, and told everyone to ‘give it up for Drew Baldridge’. I cried like a baby! Haha

Finish this sentence, If I could write a song for  or with anyone I would choose….?

Eric Church hands down.

If I could sing a song with anyone I would choose….?

Carrie Underwood or Bruno Mars just cause he is awesome. Haha

Where do you see yourself in a year?

In a year I see myself really growing my fanbase and continuing my music expansion across the Midwest. I’ve been really lucky to have a grassroots following and we are gonna continue to grow that.

5 years?

In five years I see myself with a record deal and making great music fro my fans! I would love to have radio play across the country and also be touring!

If I wasn’t a singer/songwriter I would be…?

I always wanted to be a physical therapist but I don’t think I could do anything else now. I love what I do!

I’m afraid of…?

Squirrels when I deer hunt. Haha. Those things get wild!!

I never get tired of…?

PIZZA. Best food in the world!

What is one thing people may not know about you?

I got bit by a bear when I was really young at a circus and ever since then my mom has called me “Drew bear”.

C O N N E C T

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F E E D   Y O U R   A D D I C T I O N

ARTIST INTERVIEW: CANAAN SMITH

//And I feel proud that I’m not feeling the pressure to keep up with what’s going on. I feel like the music that we are making is something that stands apart and I’m excited to share it with people.//

Anyone can fit the mold. Only the greatest artists step out of their comfort zones and stay true to themselves. And for that reason, they stand out and find the greatest of success.

You know his name, you’ve heard his voice, you’ve jammed to his new single Love You Like That.

Now it’s time to get to know the down-to-earth soul behind the music.

Meet the guy I’d bet all my money on being a star…

Canaan Smith

 

Age:

32

Hometown || Currently Living:

Williamsburg, Virginia // Nashville TN

When did you move to Nashville?

I’ve lived in Nashville for the past ten years.

Did you move to sing and write?

Yes. Yeah I moved here with that crazy dream that we all get. But to actually come through and make is the coolest thing. I definitely moved here with those intentions to sing and I feel lucky to actually get to do it.

What inspired you to want to become a singer/songwriter?

Just to tell my stories, ya know. I just always knew. I picked up guitar when I was twelve. My older brother took lessons first and I kinda thought it was cool that he played. So I started to play and I just couldn’t put it down. It became the place that I would go to. I was really big into sports when I was a kid but once I started playing guitar it went away. I used to shoot the lights out of a basketball but now I can’t hit the broadside of a barn. I’m so bad because I traded it all for guitar and music. It just became part of who I am more so than anything else.

So you mentioned guitar, did you teach yourself?

I took a couple start-up lessons from a family friend that showed me a couple chords. But from that I just taught myself by listening to records and stuff.

Your tone is so unique and unlike anything I’ve ever heard in country music. Is that something you’ve developed over time?

Um, no I think it’s just how I sing and talk I guess? I don’t know. I’m not trying to be anything except just being myself. I guess that’s where it comes from.

What is your favorite career moment this far?

Man they are all so awesome. Each milestone is so important and I have so much to be thankful for. Playing the Opry for the first time was incredible. Signing a record deal was incredible. And then, you know, just like getting to hear your song come on the radio. It’s so hard to beat that feeling. Those moments just show the progress and being able to finally see your dreams come true that you’ve had for so long. I had to pull over the car when I heard Love You Like That on the radio. I was in Nashville actually and heard it on the radio and I had to pull over at a gas station just to take it all in. You can’t really describe it, it’s just pretty amazing.

If you could write a song for/with someone whom would you choose?

There are some hero songwriters in mind that I’ve gotten to be in the room with which is so cool to have that happen already. I’d pick an artist maybe. Like maybe Eric Church. Or somebody like my all time favorite, George Strait. I know he didn’t write a lot but it’d be cool just to sit in a room with him.

If you could tour with anyone, who would it be?

I think that Eric Church would a good fit. I think Keith Urban would be a good fit. Those guys, yeah I just respect everything they do as artists.

Where do you see yourself when you look down the road at your career?

I wanna still be on top of my game. That just meaning I wanna have the best songs. I wanna sell out venues and stadiums. And more importantly than that, I just want people to continue to relate to my music. And if they are doing that, everything else will fall into place.

Okay, let’s talk about your new single.

What was the inspiration behind Love You Like That?

My wife. I met my wife on the road a couple years ago. And just shortly after I met her, I wrote this song. And I wanted a love song that wasn’t all fluffy and girly. I needed a tough guy love song. It’s about being a shoulder to lean on. Strong as whiskey and that kind of stuff. You know, what they want to hear and a guy can feel okay singing it. It really just means when a man wants to protect and keep a woman close. You know that’s what the song is saying.

If I weren’t a singer I would be….

LOST

I’m afraid of…

Snakes

I never get tired of….

Music

Last question, what’s a little fun fact or a random thing that no one really knows about you?

I’m pretty good at helping my wife with stuff around the house. I like to build stuff. I’ve built some furniture.

So what does 2015 look like for Canaan Smith?

2015 is just gonna be the year we hopefully will really start to breakout and I’m super stoked about the album. I’m going in to cut the rest of album here in a few weeks.

C O N N E C T

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F E E D   Y O U R   A D D I C T I O N

>>SPECIAL THANKS TO CANAAN SMITH FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HIS SUPER BUSY SCHEDULE TO SIT DOWN WITH ME FOR AN INTERVIEW. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING! 2015 JUST MIGHT BE HIS YEAR!!<<

MAKE SURE Y'ALL FIND A CITY NEAR YOU AND CATCH CANAAN ON THE DAN + SHAY TOUR!