Texas native Gary Kyle recently released the first of two EP's entitled "Rewind White," which centers on the Americana side of the singer-songwriter. The six-song set, with its balance of poignant ballads and energetic dance hall numbers, has a little something for every music lover - and showcases Gary's compelling versatility. The father of five (with number six on the way) kindly took the time to answer a few questions via email about the EP, what's ahead, and more.

You recently released a new EP, Rewind (White) which is the first half of an album you are releasing in two parts. What spurred you to do an album this way and do the EPs differ in any significant ways?
We got into the studio and recorded 12 new tracks. After listening back for a couple months we realized that there are six tracks that are very "Texas country"/"Red dirt" sounding tracks, and the other six tracks sound more of a "Nashville" style.

Why is the significance of the title, Rewind?
"Rewind" is the track that hits home for a lot of people. We all wish that we could take some things back in life, but our decisions have made us who we are today. Rewind...do over...second chance. Life is hard and everyone stumbles and falls, but we are all given the chance to stand back up. Tomorrow is a new day & we must remind ourselves that the view from the windshield is much bigger than the rearview mirror.
 
“Tornado” is such a fantastic energetic track as is “So Good So Far.” Was there any particular reason you placed those songs as the EP’s anchors?
I always love kicking off a new record with a fun song, and I thought "Tornado" was the right pick for that; not to mention, it was co-written by the great Dean Dillon.("Tennessee Whiskey", "Empty Glass", etc.) We knew that we were going to release that to radio. We put "So Good So Far" last as the "barn burner" on the record to showcase the musicianship of the guys in the band... So good so far...Can't wait for Rewind Blue.

A new feature here at TDC, The Essential 8 offers an artist a varied list of questions and asks them to choose 8 to answer, allowing readers and music lovers to gain insight into their process and get to know them on multiple levels.

First up is Jason Wilber, who as John Prine's guitarist and co-executive producer, helped the legendary singer/songwriter to a #2 debut on Billboard's Country Album Chart for Better or Worse, a Grammy win for Fair & Square, and Grammy nominations for Live On Tour and In Spite of Ourselves.  Released earlier this year, Wilber's  tenth studio album, Reaction Time, was produced by Paul Mahern and comes teeming with a diverse assemblage of stripped-down alt-country instrumentation and Wilber's signature vocals that toggle between Father John Misty, Jason Isbell, and Ryan Adams. Reaction Time's ten tracks feature catchy, noodling guitars and pedal steel that nod to the Bakersfield Sound, while ethereal textures pay homage to modern indie/folk and Americana, and sweeping string arrangements channel Bluegrass. Check out what Wilber had to say about the album and more in our first Essential 8.

What’s the story behind the album’s title, Reaction Time? 

Reaction Time is kind of a hacker’s love song. A mysterious courtship shot through the lens of the information age. It’s about the way our emotions still rule our minds, even though we are surrounded by computers and mathematical systems. We live in a time in which our devices and software give us almost superhuman powers compared to even 20 years ago.


In some respects, we do more, know more, and connect more in a day than our recent ancestors did in a month or even a year. But physically and psychologically we are still pretty much the same as we’ve been for a very long time. We are healthier, for the most part, but our bodies, our emotions, and our psyches are still essentially the same as they were in ancient times. So I think this creates a disconnect that people experience in lots of different ways. It reminds me a bit of the way Ray Bradbury and other science fiction writers of his era portrayed the future. Everything around us is different, but inside we’re still the same.


Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? 

All kinds of places. Certainly other works of art. Books, movies, music, paintings, sculpture, etc. It can be anything really. Any work where the creator's inspiration and intent shines through and connects with my aesthetic sense or my emotions. In my opinion, art is mainly about emotions. As opposed to logic. Even when artwork has overtly logical components, like geometric shapes, for instance, there still has to be an emotional “ah-ha” in order for me to be drawn in.


In terms of those works inspiring my own work, this happens in different ways. Sometimes, it’s very obvious. I will hear, see, or experience something that gives me a “creative buzz” for lack of a better term, and I’ll get sparks and flashes of ideas and inspirations that I do my best to immediately write down or record right there on the spot. Other times, it will be more cumulative. I will wake up in the morning or in the middle of the night with an idea. I’m sure these are stirred up by things I’ve recently done or seen, but there isn’t always an obvious link. And that’s OK too, I try not to question the “muse”. The origins don’t really concern me. I feel like my role is to capture the ideas and shape them into something that my instincts tell me is good and complete. It’s great feeling when that happens.


When/where do you do your best writing?

Typically it’s when I’m in my own house, right after I wake up, or sometime in the next few hours after waking. Occasionally, I will get an idea in the evening or afternoon, and it can be somewhere else, but mostly it’s mornings at home. I intentionally don’t focus too much on why and when inspiration strikes, but I do try to structure my schedule and priorities around be able to respond when it does.


What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?

Incorporate everything that excites you in other people’s art into your own art. To me, this doesn’t necessarily mean copying things. It’s more about extracting the underlying principles and then adding them to your own palette. 

What’s your favorite food on the road?

Well, my favorite food is pizza and beer, good BBQ a close second. But the food I eat mostly is salad. Yes, this makes me sad.


Do you have any touring tips?

Sure, lots of them. Here are a few. All pretty common sense:
 
1. Pace yourself
2. Get plenty of sleep
3. Eat good food
4. Don’t overdo it with your vices (see #1)
5. Learn to recognize when you need space and when the other people around you need space, and act accordingly. Go for a walk, give yourself a timeout. 
6. Find positive things to engage your mind and senses (museums are good!)
7. Get some exercise on a regular basis
8. Don’t bitch about stuff any more than you absolutely have to because you will encounter tons of stuff that could be better in some way, to put it mildly. This will probably happen every hour of every day you are on the road. Learn to choose your battles. Both for your own sanity and for the sake of your road family, who is also dealing with all the same annoying stuff and doesn’t want to also have to listen to you bitching about it. This should probably be #1 on the list! :)


What do you love most about being on the road?

Seeing cool places and things; connecting with old friends; meeting new and interesting people; having lots of time to daydream. And of course, that short period of time during the day when you actually get to play music is almost always a highlight.


Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?

I guess it’s my song “Heaven”, which is on my new record Reaction Time and features my friend Iris Dement on harmony vocals. It’s a song I wrote a long time ago and it seems to connect with all kinds of people. It’s kind of a pragmatic midwesterner’s vision of the afterlife. 


Reaction Time is available now. For more information:
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​Award-winning songwriter Kendell Marvel has written hits for Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, and more.  This month he made his solo debut with LOWDOWN & LONESOME, a concept album, produced by Keith Gattis, that is reminiscent of the classic country greats combined with a southern rock edge.  The ten tracks, including nine originals and one cover, take the listener on a journey of heartbreak, vices and points in between. Recently, Marvel graciously took some time to answer a few questions about the album via email.

As a well-regarded songwriter, was being an artist and releasing your own album always a goal or desire of yours? And if so, why was now the right time to finally release your debut album?
I originally moved here to be an artist, but songwriting took off for me. I saw credible acts such as Cody Jinks, Jason Isbell, and Chris Stapleton having success without mainstream radio and thought now is the time if I’m ever gonna do it.

Lowdown & Lonesome is, of course, the opening track on the record, but why did you choose that song, about hitting rock bottom, for the album’s title?
We set out to make a concept record - I thought Lowdown & Lonesome was a great tune to build the record around. In all songs on the album, I’m either lowdown or I’m lonesome.

The album features all-star players and was produced by Keith Gattis. Why did you want to work with him and what did he bring to the project?
Keith and I are old friends and I have always loved the way his records sound. I knew he was the only guy who could make the kind of record I wanted to make.

Nashville by way of Florida singer-songwriter Parker Willingham pens songs that are experience driven, focusing on down to earth themes like relationships and small-town life. Songs of those nature can be found on his latest release, You Get Me Every Time. The twelve-track recording, produced by Kate Hart, is filled with originals and co-writes and features “One Kiss At A Time,” “Flipside,” and the title track. Recently, Willingham kindly took the time to chat via email about his roots, the album, and more.​​​

You were planning on a baseball career; what happened to turn your attention to music? And was music something that was there the whole time you were playing sports or something new?
I’d always enjoyed singing. When I was in high school, though, sports (baseball primarily) were my concentration. I never really thought about making music a career. I used to sing in the locker room and on the school bus to and from games; all of my friends used to tell me, ‘STOP SINGING!’  It really wasn’t until my sister signed me up for a singing competition at a local festival that I put baseball aside and picked up the guitar with any kind of seriousness (well, as serious as I can be).  I sang in a few competitions and out in public, and that experience turned a new leaf for me—which led to new gigs and opportunities.  I get a rush outta playing on stage.

You enjoy a variety of music from Styx to Skynyrd and Brooks and the Eagles. What eventually made you gravitate toward Country and who do you consider your influences artistically?
I’m a country music ‘fan;’ but creatively, I’ve always gravitated more toward blues and rock music. (I dig the rhythm.)  I think all three genres tend to go hand in hand. My musical influences range in styles from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, along with George Strait and Garth Brooks.

Did you write all the songs on the album? If so, where do you draw from and if not, what drew you to record the songs?
I wrote more than half of the tunes on the new album (YOU GET ME EVERY TIME).  The song ideas came from real life experiences, feelings and the place where I grew up.  There are a few cuts on the project that I did not write; I was drawn to those tracks because I really liked the lyrics. I resonated with the storylines and the people who wrote them.

Throughout its eight-year history, The Festy Experience has worked hard to produce a diverse festival experience that illustrates its core values: a family-friendly atmosphere, a love of craft food & beer, appreciation for the outdoors, and of course, stellar music. This year The Festy Experience will be held October 5-8 in the Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia. The lineup comprises a carefully curated blend of national and local roots music acts including Ani DiFranco, Phoebe Hunt, and Elephant Revival, whose member Charlie Rose kindly took some time to answer a few questions via email about The Festy, the importance of giving back, and more.

This is the Festy’s 8th year. How many years have you been involved and what makes the Festy special such that it has you returning? If this is your first time performing, what made you want to be a part of it?
​
This is Elephant Revival’s third year playing Festy. We love to be a part of music gatherings and celebrations. The Festy is a great opportunity to come together with fans and friends in other bands and make a joyful noise!
 

Being that performing is what you do, do you also like to catch live music? Is there anyone, in particular, whom you are excited to see or are planning on seeing for the first time at Festy?

Haha, I don't care much for music myself ;) (just kidding). I'm really excited to see Phoebe Hunt and her amazing band! Also, Della Mae is a must see. And any and all Stringdusters will get my ears to perk up! 

​Throughout its eight-year history, The Festy Experience has worked hard to produce a diverse festival experience that illustrates its core values: a family-friendly atmosphere, a love of craft food & beer, appreciation for the outdoors, and of course, stellar music. This year The Festy Experience will be held October 5-8 in the Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia. The (largely female) lineup comprises a carefully curated blend of national and local roots music acts including Ani DiFranco, Phoebe Hunt, and Joan Osborne who graciously took some time to chat about The Festy, her critically acclaimed new album Songs of Bob Dylan, and more.

This is your first appearance at The Festy, what drew you to want to be a part of the festival?
I am a big lover and appreciator of outdoor festivals. In general, they’re such wonderful laid-back experiences that I’ll always say yes to.  They’re a really great way to connect with the fans in a fun and casual way, and I always end up meeting other musicians or hearing a band I did not already know and become friends with, or a fan of, them.

Outdoor festivals are something special. Do you find that you adjust your set list for them as opposed to say playing in a theatre or club?
Yes, because acoustically, playing in a big field outdoors is entirely different from playing a theatre or club. I wouldn’t do a whole show of ballads or slow songs because that would fall flat, so we try to keep the energy up. We adjust the set list a bit to try to load it with tunes that are more suitable to an outdoor environment.

You mentioned that you always end up meeting different musicians. As a performer, do you enjoy seeing live music?
Oh, absolutely. That is one of the reasons I love doing festivals because normally when I am on tour I don’t have the chance to go out at night and see other bands because I’m working. And when I am at home, I try to stay at home and hang with my daughter and family. So, a festival is the perfect chance to catch bands that are on before or after me as well as hang out and meet people in the green room. It’s a great thing.

Is there anyone performing at The Festy that you are excited to see again or for the first time?
I’m so excited to see Jerry Douglas. I worked with him years and years ago in Scotland when we did The Transatlantic Sessions, but I have not worked with him since. I’m also looking forward to seeing The Infamous Stringdusters and perhaps discovering someone new. 

Throughout its eight-year history, The Festy Experience has worked hard to produce a diverse festival experience that illustrates its core values: a family-friendly atmosphere, a love of craft food & beer, appreciation for the outdoors, and of course, stellar music. This year The Festy Experience will be held October 5-8 in the Blue Ridge Bowl at Infinity Downs Farm in Arrington, Virginia. The (largely female) lineup comprises a carefully curated blend of national and local roots music acts including Ani DiFranco, Phoebe Hunt, and EmiSunshine who graciously took some time to chat via email about The Festy, her stellar new album Ragged Dreams, and more.

The Festy is in its 8th year. Have you performed or attended before?
I was at Festy last year; the event is like a big family gathering--the artists and fans… all together. It's a very relaxed atmosphere and the most awesome musical experience ever (for everyone).
 
You will be the emcee at The Festy this year, which is really exciting! How did that come about and what do your duties entail? 
Well, when organizers extended the invitation, I had to think about it some; I mean, I'm still learning. I watched Jim Lauderdale last year and he's the best! I'm 13; I don't know exactly what my duties are but I'm up for anything. I've been researching each band (and that's been fun to get to know them and learn about their music and careers). I just want to be hospitable and welcoming to everyone...  I hope to do a good job!  I just want to be me.
 
Being that you are a performer, do you enjoy seeing live music and is there anyone you are excited to see at The Festy either again or for the first time?
I really love going to live shows…going to concerts during my off time.  While all of the artists on the Festy bill are amazing, I'm really very excited to see the Jerry Douglas Band, Sam Bush, and Joan Osborne. I love the Infamous Stringdusters; oh...and I love Cabinet…and well, just about all of the performers that will take the stage.  It's going to be a thrill for everyone.
 
Switching gears a bit, you recently released a new album, Ragged Dreams, which is simply wonderful. To me, you write with the perspective of someone who seems to have an old soul. Where do you draw from when writing? 
I'm an eavesdropper! I listen to everything; I take everything in. I draw from everyday life and what's happening around me--within family and friends, our community and around the country.…and sometimes 'real life' is just hard, or sad, or tragic; that's what I like to write about. I also use my imagination to create stories and situations. Sometimes a scary movie will give me an idea for a song (I LOVE scary movies). My mom taught me to write (she's a great writer as well); I draw from her and she from me.  She starts a line and I finish; it's really a great way to write.

Singer-songwriter Jesse Terry delivers a personal, honest, and lushly orchestrated album with his fourth full-length, Stargazer, which was released on September 15th. Infused with the warmth of a beautifully arranged string quartet, “Stargazer” brings a sense of hope that Terry carries within himself. A few days ahead of the album's release, Terry took the time to chat about the project, songwriting, and more.

​Even though you released an EP in 2015, your last full-length came out in 2013. How did things pull together for Stargazer?
Technically it’s been four years, but with the EP released in 2015, it doesn’t feel like that long ago. During those years, I was touring all over the world [Terry frequently plays in the UK, Europe, and New Zealand] and needed time to write, prepare, and plan for this record. Time flew by, and here we are.

Stargazer has a few different touches than your previous records.
Yeah, there’s a bit that’s different. There was a lot more pre-production, a lot more arranging, and a lot more thought about what we could do to make it interesting and exciting. For example, I had the idea to use strings on the album because it was something my favorite artists and inspirations, like The Beatles, Roy Orbison, and ELO, did. We brought in a string arranger [Danny Mitchell] and an amazing string section to play on the album which, for me, was a dream come true. 

Why did you choose to title the album Stargazer, which is also the first track on the record?
I had been playing the song out for about a year, and it was one of those songs that just had an impact on people. I felt the strings, which to me bring so much emotion to any song, added a cosmic, dreamy, and magical element to the record. It just seemed like the perfect title. Additionally, Sarah Darling put "Stargazer" on her album, which was incredibly humbling and exciting, and the positive response to the song there put extra validation on the fact that the song should be the title. 

With two albums, Heroes & Hometowns and Let Love In, under her belt, Ayla Brown brings new music to her fans both new and old with the release of her new single, "Label," a mid-tempo country rocker which ponders the relatable question many of us face when in a relationship - "what are we?" Recently, Brown took the time to answer a few questions via email about her roots, the single, and more. 

Before we dive into the single, when did you first become interested in music and know you wanted to pursue it professionally?
I became interested in music at a very young age, but I never even took the stage until I was much older. My first performance (in front of people) was when I was 12 years old. I sang the National Anthem at a high school girl’s basketball game and still to this day I remember how nervous I was. After I was done, the announcer called me over to the table and handed me an envelope with a check in it for $12! I ran to my mom and excitingly said, “Mom, I just got paid to sing the Anthem! If I did every home game, this could be my living someday!” I always love telling that story because I am doing this for a living and I couldn’t be happier.
​
Do you have any musical influences/inspirations?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Celine Dion. To me, she is everything. (If I could only hit the high notes like she can though!) But, over the years my musical loves have expanded to artists like Brandi Carlile, Josh Turner, Brett Young, and Holly Williams. I am a big fan of artists who writer their own music. I feel as though that’s the best way to get to know an artist.

Recently, you released your new single, “Label.” Did you write it? If so please tell the story behind the song and if not, what drew you to the song?
I co-wrote “Label” with Erik Halbig in a little writing room in Nashville on a cold winter day. I had the idea to write a song about a label on the bottle, but like most songs, it evolved into a song about a relationship. In many relationships you end up dating a person for a number of months and all of a sudden you reflect on where the relationship is headed and you say, “Are we just a fling? Or are we a thing? If so, we should probably put a label on it.” I guess in a nut shell, that’s what this song is about.

Will there be a music video for it?
I hope so! Music videos are expensive. I am an independent artist and everything I make musically is re-invested back into my career. I love that aspect of my career, but in cases like these, it becomes hard to keep spending money. If there’s anyone out there who wants to help me with a video I am ALL EARS! haha

Hailing from North Carolina, singer-songwriter Erin McLendon earned her Bachelor's of Music degree in Commercial Voice (with an emphasis in Music Business) at Belmont, but she continues to “study” music as an extension of her personal and artistic growth embracing various styles into something that is uniquely her own. Recently, the newcomer released her latest project, MAKING IT UP AS WE GO, a seven-track collection of tunes with clever and relatable storylines that make for a welcome listen. Via email, McLendon kindly took the time to answer a few questions about her roots, the record, and more. Get to know her in the interview below!

You graduated Belmont with a Bachelor's of Music degree in Commercial Voice with an emphasis in Music Business, did you always know music was something you wanted to pursue?  
Being a recording artist and stage performer has been a dream since childhood, but it wasn’t on my radar as a viable career path until I visited colleges and learned that I could major in music business. The education offered so many potentials to open different doors in the music and entertainment sector.

I hear a lot of varied sounds on the album, which I love, so where do you draw from artistically?
I listened to a variety of artists growing up. My parents listened to two entirely different radio stations taking us to and from school. My Dad tuned into a station that played Queen, The Beatles, Jimmy Buffett, Aerosmith and Phil Collins. While my Mom listened to Aretha Franklin, Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Buble and Rod Stewart.  In middle school, I changed the channel to listen to country music. I loved all the musical stylings of the artists I grew up listening to and I’ve always been a "curious" listener; I like to explore various genres and learn from them. What drew me to country/Americana was the honesty and rawness of the lyrics. I don't really follow any genre-specific rules; I incorporate sounds and lyrics that I am drawn to and that I find interesting. I’m a firm believer that if you shut yourself off to other genres of music, you’re limiting yourself and your music from being the best that it can be.

Did you write all the tracks on the album? If so where do you pull from when writing and if not, what drew you to record the songs?
I wrote and co-wrote all of the songs on my new album (MAKING IT UP AS WE GO); "Honolulu Love" is a solo write -- a song that I wrote coming back from Hawaii. I really love going into writing sessions with an idea or two and seeing where it goes. Most of the songs on the new album reveal where I am in my life right now.  I’m at a place where I’m very comfortable and happy with who I am, with what I’m doing and where things are going!

Why did you choose to title the album Making It Up As We Go, which is also a track on the record?
"Making It Up As We Go" is actually one of the most auto-biographical songs I’ve ever written. When you graduate from college, you’re suddenly expected to know exactly what you want to do and how you’re going to do it. But, let’s be honest; that’s ridiculous. I’m five years out of college now and I look back at who I was then; "that girl" is almost completely different from the woman I am today. I chose “Making It Up As We Go” as the title track because I think it offers a message to remind ourselves that everyone grows and changes as they go through life. Every day is a mystery as to what’s actually going to happen; so…we’re all literally “making it up as we go!