Project WILD would like you to know each of the 2016 Top 12 even better. We prepared five questions for each of the artists/bands to help us learn a little more.
1. What brought you to country music?
Music was a huge part of my upbringing, in fact, I’m not sure I can think of a time my parents didn’t have a stereo blasting anything from Travis Tritt and Willie Nelson to Elvis Presley or Patsy Cline. I was influenced by many different genres growing up and have always appreciated good music for what it is regardless of genre. In particular, I remember hearing the album No Fences by Garth Brooks for the first time and being completely blown away! The songwriting was unreal and the way he sang those songs made me realize I really wanted to do the same thing.
2. When did you write your first song – as an artist or as a band?
The first band I ever played in was with a group in the summer of grade 8 formed with a couple friends. We ended up writing a handful of songs that summer and played them at our first live performance in front of our school talent show. A couple years later during a recording session, I was feeling very inspired by the experience and wrote my first uncollaborated song.
3. If you could go on tour opening for any performing artist right now who would it be?
Two artists I have always admired are Garth Brooks and Eric Church; I would absolutely love to open for one or both of them. I feel like their live shows are second to none and that hey are true pioneers in the country music industry. In my opinion, they have paved a road completely of their own.
4. What is the best trend in country music right now?
Seeing artists such as Kacey Musgraves, Mo Pitney, Chris Stapleton, and Aaron Watson getting recognition strictly based on their music & songwriting talents excites me. I believe it is important to recognize that people are hungry for quality and authenticity in music more now than ever.
5. What part of Project WILD are you most looking forward to?
More than anything I am excited to grow as an artist and learn as much as I possibly can. The music industry has so many different “areas” and it’s important to me that I work at strengthening my skills and becoming a more well rounded artist. I am especially excited to work on the charity fundraising event as one of our assignments as I have always had a desire to get involved with, or create, a charity event. I have had a few opportunities to get involved with community events over the past few years and understand how important it is to help out whenever possible.
