Currently on a three-and-a-half month tour and having released a new album last year, the Texas-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist originally from Canada has now put out eleven CDs and has recently written his second and third books, which are ready for publishing. In-studio this time, he previously appeared on Episode 19 of our show, telling of his amazing recovery from a long battle with drugs and alcohol.
“I don’t care how old you are. You have to look at every song as a new creation, and you have doubts about it.”
“You’re on the way down if you think you’ve arrived.”
“You can’t take your audience for granted. Number one you’ve gotta love your audience as much as you can in your heart ‘ cause that shows when you perform live and every song is important, beyond what you can even describe.”
“You’ve always gotta dig deeper because if you’re not digging deeper, someone else is and you’re gonna be left behind.”
“Read voraciously (and) travel… Go to some of the venues that are heralded… When you walk into those rooms, those rooms, they speak to you, they breathe the stories that have been there before you.”
“That’s how I like to write my songs and my books; I wanna be a common, everyday individual.”
“I signed my first deal with Duke Street/MCA Records and thought, ‘Wow, I finally, made it.’ I finally got to the starting line is more like it. That’s when the work really begins. And labels will try to change you. Don’t trust the suits. If you have an idea and it’s your music and you believe in it strongly, you stick to your guns.”
“In Canada they tried to make me the Canadian John Cougar, and I didn’t want that.”
“If you’re working, that’s your best form of distribution. CD Baby, online, record stores – that means nothing. I mean, it’s a help, but it’s not the main thing. You’ll always sell more live.”
“For the average musician you’ve really gotta be an indie, do-it-yourself kinda guy. And there’s a way to do it and you can make a good livelihood at it. You gotta work real hard. Nothing comes easy. And you can’t coast.”
“Cherish your mistakes. They’re your best teachers.”
“You’ve got to give it your all, and all, and then some. Whether it’s ten thousand people or ten people, you dig down deep and you give it.”
“I would suggest (that) if you’ve got it in your heart to volunteer and to make someone’s day and spread a little joy, look into (performing at a prison). It’s very rewarding.”
"Blue Highway"
"When I'm Holding You"