Hailing from Tennessee, The Dugger brothers (Jordan and Seth) are the sons of pastors devoted to a small Tennessee community nestled at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. The siblings began singing at their parents’ church and in 2014 made their debut in country music with the album, Fly. Recently, the duo released their sophomore CD, East Tennessee Son, and here answer their Essential 8+ and talk everything from musical mentors, sacrifice and struggle, working with a sibling, and much more!
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Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
SETH:  Brad Paisley is a big influence on the both of us.  He’s a “crazy good” guitar player and I (personally) spent hours listening to his music to learn his licks on fiddle, as Jordan did on guitar, as children.

JORDAN:  We learned a lot from our parents who are also performers.  They were (and still are) great coaches.  We learned a lot about harmonies and stage performance watching and performing with them.

SETH:  My dad is a charismatic entertainer and very interactive with the crowd. He’s funny and emotional. 

JORDAN:  Because of his charisma, he’s become a Southern Gospel performer with an enthusiastic and devoted group of fans and followers. 

When/where do you do your best writing?
JORDAN:  We like to write from the comfort of our living room—“right” from our couch in our “assigned” seats.
SETH:  …and we like to write before we eat so that we’re motivated to finish the song!

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
Well, it’s not really advice, but these are word to ponder as a new artists: “You’ll have $5,000 worth of gear loaded in a car worth $500 bucks and you’ll travel 50 miles to make $5 bucks.”

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Pursuing a career in music is an investment in heart and time, and a lot of time is spent on the road and away from loved ones; so be prepared to make the investment and suffer the loss to get to the “pay off!”

What’s your favorite food on the road?
SETH:  Did someone say food?
JORDAN:  I’m hungry; pull over.

What has been your biggest success?
We’re still alive and blessed to continue to write, record and play music as a full-time job!

Favorite thing to do on a day off?
SETH:  I like to go to amusement parks. Dollywood is the best!
JORDAN: A whole day off?  What’s that?  I’d go to movies or get a massage, or both, on a day off.

Nashville-based artist Rocky Bottom is a harmonica blowing, foot stomping, string breaking, story telling one man show who needs nothing more than a suitcase and a stage. 
With a cocktail of folk, country, and rock and roll, the singer-songwriter will bring his new rootsy EP, Dive Bars and Tips Jars, to the masses on March 21st 2018. In advance of the release, he kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk the origin of the EP's title, inspiration, his favorite concert, and much more.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
A lot of my songs are usually either painfully true or ridiculously fictional (definitely the case on the new EP) but I think with either one I just draw from a certain emotion I have at the time (which usually strikes at the most inconvenient times) and roll with it from there. 

What's the story behind your EP's title?
I've been playing bars for a living for a long time now, and when you do that there's definitely gonna be some crazy times involved. I've found my self in some strange places and situations over the years. Some people went to college, some learned a trade. I never wanted to do any of that so I learned 100's of songs and played music for drunks. 

What's the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
I'd say right now when ever I leave it's the thought that the run will end and I gotta go back home. I really enjoy being on the road when ever I get to do it, even the bad parts that come with it. Nashville isn't a bad place to come back to at all though so that makes it easier.

Hailing from Norway, Borgar Storebråten recently released his debut album, Road To Revelation, a collection of original material that would fit nicely in any Americana music lover's library. Here, Borgar answers his Essential 8 and talks the origin of his album's title, inspiration, his dream collaborators, and more! 

What’s the story behind your album’s title?
This record has been all about “the road” for me. This was the first time I did something in my own name, and I had no idea starting out what would be on the other end of the process. “The road to revelation” is in that matter a reminder to myself in the meaning of “why am I doing this”. I started writing because I felt miserable if I didn’t. But I started making music to evolve together with other people. In another perspective, I think it is the whole “carrot and the stick” thing. We are so obsessed of making the most out of the end of the tale. And by doing that, in my opinion, you are missing out on the whole story.
 
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
Mostly people I guess, or more specifically the relationships between people. I spend a lot of my time working on describing feelings, sounds, tastes etc. Since I was quite young I have had a love for poetry and Edgar Allan Poe in particular. It is something very special with how a single word can change the meaning or perception of a whole story.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
Anytime and anywhere really. I don’t believe that you necessarily need to light candles and drink wine to write a good song. I believe in craftsmanship and long hours. When that’s said, I have nothing against “setting the mood” for a writing session. But I don’t want to depend on it in order to write great songs. 

Multi award-winning musician Christina Martin blends Americana and Pop/Rock sounds into engaging melodies with standout messages. On her sixth studio album, Impossible To Hold, Christina continues her significant evolution as one of Canada’s top artists, with a matchless quality that has further developed lyrically, emotionally, and sonically. In advance of the album's release on March 23rd, Martin answered her Essential 8 and talked songwriting, struggle, success, and more.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
Usually at home in my office, and usually in the morning after a coffee when there is nothing else happening in my day.   I write more after a long tour where I’ve met a lot of people and seen a lot of new places, then back home I have time to reflect and get to work on creating new music.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
It’s a little bit of everything.  I think when you are open and living your life fully, there will always be something to inspire a song.  Finding the time to write is another story.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Get to work! 

After leaving his home state of Iowa, traveling the world, touring over 200 days per year with The Effects, who opened for Kings of Leon, Shinedown, and the Toadies, Jeffrey Krantz  made the decision to “live the dream” and eventually found himself in Nashville. Following the release of his self-produced solo album, Krantz  joined forces with Erik Theiling (bass), Tee Tallent (keys) and Monica Lewellen (percussion/vocals), and together they forge a dynamic psychedelic/pop/rock edge equipped with an in-your-face attitude,  provocative lyrics, and no-holds-barred rock and roll groove. Recently, the foursome released the dreamy "Until We Meet Again," from their upcoming EP The Pennock Tapes (April 27th) and here Krantz answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, the Beatles, his bucket list items (golf!), and more.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
All of the above. Mostly from personal experience I’d have to say, but we have songs about observing other people, as well as some that are talking to someone else, or just about a made up character.

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
The Beatles I’d have to say were the biggest mentors for me, and still are to this day. They cover everything I love about music. Great melodies, words, and interesting music to back it up. I love how eclectic they were as well. I’ve got a love for so many different sounds, and they made it okay to get out there like that.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I’d have to say I do most of my writing at home at night on my old 1970’s Yamaha acoustic. I like to light some candles and incense, get my mind right, and then just see what takes me away.

What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
I’d have to say the parts that are so time consuming, like long drives, and just waiting around at the venue.

Born and raised in Wolfe County in the Southeastern region of Kentucky, Tyler Booth has been writing songs and honing his craft for years. But, it's his voice - a smooth baritone accompanied by a sweet southern drawl -  that caught the attention of one of Nashville's finest songwriters in Phil O'Donnell. Recently, the two worked together on Booth's self-titled EP which contains six songs that showcase Tyler's unique voice via ballads and foot stompers. Here, Booth took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk musical mentors, songwriting, what he's listening to, and more!

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My Dad honestly. He managed my Uncle Gene and their band Stitch Rivet when I was growing up. I saw how hard they worked and it was always something I wanted to try. Dad has always believed in me, even when I tried to sing rock. Thankfully we figured out a few years ago that my voice is way more country than rock. But my Dad has always been the guy I always go to.

Why did you chose to anchor the album with the songs you did?
Phil O'Donnell was given a demo that I did. He liked what he heard and invited me down to Nashville. He had a whole bunch of songs that he wanted my voice for. Phil has wrote or worked with just about everybody in Nashville, so having him help was a true blessing. Phil helped me pick songs that fit who I am. I wrote "Surrender" and co-wrote "Greyhound or a Slow Train" with Moose Brown and Don Sampson. Those guys have wrote some of the biggest songs in Country music, so together we picked what we thought suited my voice. So far people seem to like em. So I'm really blessed to work with those guys.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
Most of what I write is about life. Whether it's about me or somebody or some story I've heard, it has to make sense for other people or you're wasting everybody's time. I had a guy tell me that if I don't believe what I'm singing, ain't nobody else going to believe it. I always remember that when I sit down to write a song.

What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
The best advice I could give is practice every day. Write everyday. Sing every day until it becomes a habit. Songwriting is no different than shooting a basketball or hitting a baseball. The more you do it, the better you get at it because you find out who you are along the way. 

With a rich, deep voice and distinctive writing style, Montana singer-songwriter Doug Adkins will release his 9th studio album, Dirt Roads and Fence Lines, on April 30th. Full of imagery and storytelling about life growing up in Montana and the Midwest, the album gives the listener a powerful opportunity to connect with the artist through words and imagery. Here, Adkins answers his Essential 8 and talks musical mentors, the origin of the album's title, and more.
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​Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? 
Would it be Cliché’ if I said, “yes, my mom?”  But that would be the truth! At 6 years old with my sister Betty Jo who was 7 and my sister Jacklyn who was 9 years old, we were driving around North East Montana performing in matching red outfits for elderly homes, fairs.  Our mother, who had a short singing career of her own taught us how to sing together, how to harmonize and how to perform.   I remember a concert in Germany a few years back where I was very sick before the show, and I could her my mother’s voice saying “put on your best shirt, your biggest smile, and go knock em’ dead!” 

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? 
I don’t know if I’ve ever had a song I thought was perfect.  I‘ve maybe had a few phrases, for example in this first radio single “Second Hand Heart,” there is a line that says “I don’t need you to fall, I’m just happy here dancing.”  At that point in the song, he already saw that she was still hurting from her recent breakup, and after she says to him that she could never love again, he takes all the pressure off the situation by saying to her, “I don’t need you to fall (in love), I’m just happy here dancing.”  A perfect song?  Not yet, but sometimes a good phrase is enough! 

Hailing from West London by way of New York City, twenty-two year-old Jennings Couch is a man who embodies the virtues of his environments while grounding his songwriting in reflections of his life experiences and observations. After receiving accolades on his previous single, "Serotonin," Couch released his new track, the driving "Stay Out," which deals with the pain of heartbreak, this past January. In advance of his forthcoming EP, Couch took the time to answer his Essential 8 and talk songwriting, the pros and cons of the road, his obsession with antiques, and more!

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
I draw most of my inspiration from things that I enjoy. This can be sciences like physics or astronomy to philosophical ideas about human behaviour. I’m really interested in taking a complex idea and turning into a good song that people can relate to.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I actually do my best writing anywhere except in my own house. For some reason I cannot write well at home! I think it’s because I’m always there and I know it too well, but as soon as I go on a holiday or I’m in an unfamiliar place I just get so many awesome ideas.

Do you write from personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made up stories, something else or a combination?
I would say I mostly write about personal experience, the experience of others and observations that I make. I find these allow for songs that listeners can more easily relate to. Plus, I’m not very good at writing stories so to put one into a song would be extra difficult!

What's the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
I would say you have to remain open-minded but focused at the same time. You need to know what you love, understand what sound your trying to portray no matter how long it takes you to find it. As musicians we constantly change and evolve and I’m still trying to find ‘my’ sound. Someone once told me to “put your blinders on and run”, meaning do what you do and don’t stop. Perseverance is key.