Dec. 11, 2017
1. What's the title of your winning song and the inspiration behind it? “Devil on my Breath”. When Jared (Co-writer) and I wrote “Devil on my Breath”, It was our first write together. I didn’t know what to expect walking in. We first talked for a while and then started throwing ideas back and forth, and it just took off from there. Honestly, this is one of those songs that just wrote itself. It just happened. It was like magic. 2. Who were your co-writers? Jared Anderson. I am so grateful that I get to work with him. You have those certain people you just click with, and every time you get to write with them you know you’re going to get something great. He’s one of those people. He’s such a talented writer, musician, and just an all around great person. 3. Do you plan on making this a career? When I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep at night music is what I constantly think about. That is how it has been since I was four years old. I can’t escape it. It is in my DNA. So, it is more of I have to make it a career. It’s the only thing I ever planned on doing since I was little. I have never wanted to do anything else. I can remember walking around the house making up songs about things I saw, or standing on the kitchen chair singing and making my family and friends watch me for hours. As cliché as it sounds It’s what I love and what makes me, me. Without music there is no me. It saved me from a lot of things growing up. 4. What are your favorite genres to write? I just try to write things I’d want to hear regardless of the genre. I also want to write music that others would enjoy. I want to move people with music. I like a variety of different genres, but Country Music is in my blood and what I raised on. 5. What skill set do you bring to a co-write? It depends on the write. Sometimes I’ve got a hook. Other times it’s a melody. Once I brought in a half-written song because I was stuck and needed another perspective. Sometimes it is just a really good idea. Every write is different. 6. What advice would you give to other aspiring songwriters? I am still an aspiring songwriter myself, so I don’t think I have the right to give anyone advice, but the best piece of advice I ever received is to be authentic and timeless. Nothing has ever gone wrong with being either of those two things. Perseverance also comes to mind. You are going to have many times where you’ll want to quit, throw the towel in, pack your stuff up and move as far away as you can, but don’t do it. Push through those times, persevere. We all want to know we have a purpose; a reason for what we do. If you love it, give it everything you have, don’t give it up. Hone your craft. Find your strengths and get better at your weaknesses.