Had some songwriting success in the mid-nineties selling over 6 million records with Tim McGraw, then wound up being a business and entertainment attorney for about 15 years. Now in recovery (from the practice of law) and back writing and playing music. Happier than I've ever been.
Music is emotion. If it doesn't make me feel something, I don't have much use for it. It can be anything from classical to country to rock, it doesn't matter - I just have to feel it. Playing and creating music gives me joy.
A night on stage playing with Paul McCartney and James Taylor. :) Actually, I'm at a point in life that I'm just enjoying making and playing music. Don't really care what comes from it. It just makes me happy.
I would remove politics from everything except the news.
Still remember the first time I heard The Beatles Rubber Soul album. Life changing for me. I also remember seeing Jerry Reed play a free concert at an amusement park in Kansas City in the late 70's, and I remember he played Charley Daniel's hit, The Devil Went Down To Georgia. When the fiddle leads came up, Jerry played them all on guitar. Absolutely blew me away.
So many.... Current acts - Walk Off The Earth, Ok Go, Adelle, Cody Johnson, Foo Fighters. As for lifetime: The Beatles, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Skip Ewing, Wilson Pickett, Queen, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Jerry Reed, Randy Travis, Radney Foster. The list goes on and on and on...
Chicks and cash... lol No. Actually, everything in my life (kids, wife, dreams, etc.), but mostly the need to try and reach people on an emotional level
Honesty and a sense that we all feel and aspire to the same things.
My favorite place in the world.
It's getting harder and harder to find new ways to make a living in this business, but the nice thing is that the internet has pretty much leveled the playing field, which allows for a burst of creativity and obscure acts, that might not ever have been signed by a major label, having the opportunity to get their music heard.
Just starting out with it, but any place that provides a fair opportunity for musicians to market themselves and share their music is ok with me.
Trying to get noticed in the digital age.
Sure. I often go to writers nights or live venues here in Nashville to hear and support other musicians.
Consistency. Just keep pushing to expand your reach and looking for new opportunities to share your music.
Cody Johnson (although he just got signed to Warner Bros.), Radney Foster (a fantastic writer/artist), Skip Ewing (best writer I've ever heard... ever)