ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2015, Volume 17 | Page 68
Kelli: What a silly statement--ha, ha! Women can write, sing, perform, and talk about experiences that other
women can relate to, that coming from a man, it just wouldn't have the same effect. Honestly, the statement
is so ridiculous I hate to give it too much thought. Women will always have a place in Country music!
Chad: I agree, K-bird. Our band wouldn't be where we are without our female singer. As far the direction of
Country music goes, I know there's a TON of people who just flat out hate where the genre is seemingly
headed. It is way more “popish” than it's ever been. I get the frustration, but things will always evolve and I
tend to think it's not quite as big of a deal as some people do. I mean, it's music. If people like it, cool. If
you don't, there's plenty of independent music out there to choose from. Nobody's holding a gun to your
head and saying, "Listen to FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE--or else!" Buy CHRIS STAPLETON’S new album, “The
Traveler", if you hate the new Country. It's old school and incredible. Oh and Fairview Union's new album
just dropped too. I also recommend that one.
Kiki: What is the best piece of advice you’d give to all those budding artists strumming guitars in their
bedrooms and penning lyrics? And what was the biggest mistake either of you ever made? And your smartest
move?
Photo credit: Jessica Brooks
Photo credit: Jessica Brooks
Chad: Advice…hmm...one thing is for certain: If you're getting into this business to be rich and famous,
you're in the wrong business. I'm not being a “Debbie Downer” here either, but it's reality. This business is
the hardest of the hard, so you had better love it. Being the next TAYLOR SWIFT or FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE
is about as likely as winning the power ball lottery--and very similar actually. Set reasonable goals for
yourself and go from there. Oh, and for the younger generation--work harder at your music then you do at
having a good Facebook or Twitter or whatever following. If your music sucks, what's the point? One of the
dumbest things—well, we’ve done plenty of dumb things, but none that we really regret ‘cause we try to learn
from our mistakes. The dumbest thing was probably taking my songs to Music Row to play them for people
before I or the songs were ready—but I needed to hear that “butt chewing” I took so I would work to get beer.
The smartest thing, I have to credit to Kelli…we got an opening spot for CHASE RICE—who is now a Country
star—but at the time was relatively unknown. I thought it was a waste of time and didn’t want to do it. THAT
would have been the dumbest thing—but Kelli pushed me to accept the offer to open. We did—and it was at
the “Tennessee Valley Fair”. The gig paid nothing and we played to only a handful of people…but a huge
radio station was there that night and so was the lady who booked the fair. The radio station people loved