Russ Kendrick Martin is a smoky-throated singer with a ripped-from-the-headlines approach to his songwriting. Touring extensively through the Midwest & Southeast with The Low-Budget Roadshow--a one-man performance that blends finely-crafted original songs with a fresh approach to storytelling -- Kendrick Martin weaves his own blue collar experience into his tunes.

His new album, Road Poems, was released earlier this month and here he answers his Essential 8 where he speaks about his Mom and songwriting, shares the story behind "Miles," touring Europe, and much more.

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My Mom was my first musical mentor. She was a gospel singer; she sang at church—in fact all of her siblings are musicians. Mom kept a guitar around the house and she was always singing and playing. She had a huge voice – it came from somewhere deep inside her. She taught me to reach deeper in my playing and singing. She also cautioned me not to write too many slow songs.

Please choose one song and tell the story behind it.
I wrote Miles about my friend M.J. “Eb” Eberhart. He's one of only two people who have hiked every mile of every National Scenic Trail in the U.S. His trail name is Nimblewill Nomad. When I met him in Summer 2009 he was about halfway along his journey on the 4,600 mile North Country Trail. I was working at a radio station situated just a short distance off the trail. Eb stopped in for an on-air interview with me. We talked for about ten minutes, then hiked together for a couple of hours. At the time he was 70 years old. He had retired from his career as an optometrist several years before we met. He decided to start walking—and that's what he did until 2017 when he retired from long-distance hiking after walking the entire length of Route 66 from Chicago to the West Coast-at the age of 78. Now he's the caretaker of Flagg Mountain in Alabama. Something about his spirit and his wisdom stuck with me. The short hike we took together felt like a life-changing event—at the very least, it changed my perspective on life.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
It's definitely a combination. Having worked in small town journalism for a number of years, some of my songs come directly from news headlines; others come from paying attention to those around me—friends, family & strangers. I like to sprinkle in as much personal experience as possible—and occasionally I just make it up as I go along.

To date, The Big Nowhere have released two albums and three EPs on their own DevilShake label. Their newest, Forever, is a fiery ten-song collection that showcases the band's distinctive style; a style which has seen them playing with the likes of Justin Townes Earle, First Aid Kit, and Jonny Fritz as well as in the National Archive at the British Museum. Here Simon and Billy answer their Essential 8 where they share the story behind their album's artwork as well as the song "Wonderland," their biggest success and much more.

Please choose one song and tell the story behind it.
One of our favourite tracks on the new album (‘Forever’) is ‘Wonderland’. It’s kind of a salacious modern-noir story, and tells the story of the Four On The Floor Murders in Laurel Canyon in 1981. The bodies of four men were found at 8763 Wonderland Avenue, dead and beaten to a pulp. It all started when small-time crook and drug dealer Eddie Nash suffered a home invasion and robbery, his bodyguard being shot during the commission of the crime. Eddie Nash suspected legendary porn star and frequent customer John Holmes of being involved after spotting him wearing a ring Nash said was taken during the robbery. Also caught up in the proceeding ‘interrogation’ of Holmes by Nash was Scott Thornson, another regular customer of Nash’s, and the then open-secret boyfriend of Liberace. Holmes was said to have implicated four people in the robbery, and then taken by Nash and some associates to find them. All we know for sure is what happened next.
 
Which song gets the best crowd response?
It’s a song from our 'Christmas In The Gutter' EP, ‘To The End Of The World’ – it’s kinda of a junk-band anthem for the impending apocalypse, with a sing-a-long bar-room chorus of ‘WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!’. We encourage the audience to bang, crash or smack whatever they have and when they hear the lyrics, they usually don’t need any encouragement to sing along! It’s at once blasphemous, profane, boozy, utterly ridiculous and life-affirming. Legendary singer-songwriter Tom Robinson played it regularly on his BBC radio show (also using it as the opening track on the final broadcast of his original ‘Introducing’ show), declaring it “Genius.”.
 
Where do you get inspiration from when writing?
From stories we’ve come across, to drunk texts, overheard conversations, to sometimes even mis-remembering something we’ve written. We have songs on albums we’ve never played live, and songs we’ve played live since the very first show we did that have never been recorded. Sometimes a half-snatched idea when we’re falling asleep, or even sometimes the song appears fully-formed. Some we’ve had one line, or a chorus, or even two chords for years, and one day it just falls into place. Picking up an unfamiliar instrument can be a great inspiration, as your hands then don’t go to the same places automatically.  

Nashville-based troubadour Matt Campbell released his latest offering, The Man With Everything, on November 9th. Recorded and produced with Joseph Lekkas (Flour Sack Cape Records), the critically lauded collection is an honest portrait of a songwriter striving to understand his place in the world with songs drawn straight from American culture. Here, Campbell answers his Essential 8 where he thoughtfully discusses his musical mentor, the value of being gracious, his first concert, and much more.
​
Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
G. Brown, a music journalist from Denver.  I met him when I was just beginning to perform, but I remembered him from radio and TV when I was a kid.  He let me tag along to some concerts with him and we struck up a friendship.  Though he is older than me, we’re both Denver kids and the city’s culture informs a lot of who we are.   He has always been encouraging and supportive, but never hesitates to add a dose of reality anytime I get ahead of myself.  He’s observed the music industry for over 40 years, so he may know a few things I don’t.  Really, going to him for thoughts or career advice is a small part of it these days.  I’m proud to have him as a friend.  My longtime friend Mike Wolf, a fellow Denver kid who ended up in Nashville, has been a constant compatriot in seeking out different sounds and genres.  We’ve played together on and off for more than 10 years.  He makes an appearance on the latest record.  Gary Fielder, a lawyer from Denver, was also an early encouraging force.  He really opened my eyes to some great songwriters.  His brother, Jeff, is a prominent musician in Seattle.  Their family music recordings were a big influence on me early on.

Is there a story behind your album’s title?
The lyric is “The man with everything, may yet be empty still” from the song Twice As Big.  It’s part self-realization, part cautionary.  It was the last song to get written out of the group.  I realized it was the most concise representation of the themes of the collection.  Perception, expectation, inward and outward happiness, etc...

Do you have any touring tips?
I think it’s important to be gracious and polite to the folks you encounter.  You’re the guest at a venue or in a town or someone’s home, no matter how big you think you are.  The sound person, the bartender, the door person, etc… They’re there to help facilitate your experience, hopefully.  Be a professional.  It can be a hard lesson to learn.

What has been your biggest struggle/success so far?
My biggest struggle has always been that my ambition outweighs my resources.  It bothers me to see artists with more resources show such little ambition.  But, it’s a success that I’ve continued to make music and ideas come to life through perseverance.  I find ways to get things done, regardless of circumstance.

What’s your favorite venue and why?
On the whole, the next venue is my favorite.  I appreciate the space to present my songs and I’ve always felt very grateful for venues that open their doors to me.  There are a couple places that hold a special place for me though…  Leon Gallery in Denver, The Westport Saloon in KC, and Robert’s Western World in Nashville.
 
Who would you love to collaborate with?
I’ve never worked with a true producer and I’d like to see what might happen.  I enjoy the records that Dave Cobb has produced.  Daniel Lanois has produced some classics too.
 
Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended?
It sounds funny, but the duo Nelson was my first show.  It was 7th grade and my friend’s sister worked at the venue.  We went backstage, totally oblivious to the fact we were way out of place.  I remember thinking it was special that we had seen them play and now we were “hanging out” with the band.  In reality, we stood silent until his sister got done with work and took us home.  The first concert that had an effect on me was Bob Dylan at the old Omaha Civic Auditorium, maybe 1999 or 2000.  I have an uncle who is a big Dylan fan and he would play it in the car or at the house when we were young.  My cousins and I hated it.  Sitting there though, hearing the songs, watching him play and hold the audience…  I was blown away.  I started to understand the timeless quality of songs and their ability to cross all sorts of lines, in this case generational.  I called my uncle the next day and thanked him.  I hadn’t played a note of music in my life before that and it was 6 years before I put out my first record, but that night I started to become a different person.

Have you met any of your heroes? If so, how did it go?
I’ve had the privilege to meet a lot of folks I respect.  The most memorable have been very kind and extremely humble.  Kris Kristofferson tops that list.

Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
To be on Columbia Records.  I’m not sure that’s a realistic goal given the music industry these days, but to me that would be as good as it gets.

​Website/Facebook

A self-taught musician, Irish-born singer-songwriter Bob Bradshaw entered Berklee School of Music in his 40's to complete his education, receiving his degree in 2009. His latest release, 2017's American Echoes, received accolades for its infectious blend of folk, blues, country, and jazz. Recently Bradshaw released “Niagara Barrel Ride Blues,” a blues ballad showcasing his warm, laid-back vocals and rich storytelling talents; and “Albuquerque,” a wistful work which harkens back to the “countrypolitan” 60’s songs of Jimmy Webb/Glen Campbell. Here, Bradshaw answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, Van Morrison, Dylan, and more. 

With any particular song, was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect?
It’s probably more accurate to say that there was an ‘a-ha’ moment when I realized a particular song I thought was finished was, if fact, incomplete and imperfect. Most songs actually.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
Just be yourself. (Easier said than done, of course)

What has been your biggest struggle so far?
Probably lack of confidence in my material. Only recently – after twenty years of writing and seven albums - do I feel I have a really strong hour and a half!

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
Anywhere and everywhere. Other songs. Conversations. Poetry.

When/where do you do your best writing?
At home, in my music room. I can take notes and record ideas on the road but I pretty much have to chain myself to my desk to get the final draft of anything completed.

Do you have a favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended?
The first favorite was probably Van Morrison back in the early eighties. A great rock band with horns, great songs. And Van was intense!

Is there a recent release you cannot stop listening to?
The new Bob Dylan Bootleg release, More Blood More Tracks.​ Fascinating to hear the alternate takes of those great songs, and I’ve never been more impressed with Dylan as a singer. He inhabits, ‘acts out’ the songs, wistful on one take, angry on another – he must have learned that from the old blues guys, or from Sinatra.

Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?
It’s probably my suite of ‘drinking’ songs – ‘From The 2-step To The 12-step Once Again’, ‘When I was God’ and ‘A Bird never Flew On Just One Wing.”

​Website

Originating from Sydney, international award-winning songwriter Karen Craigie has been writing, recording and singing since she was a child, releasing singles and albums under numerous monikers, and writing and co-writing songs for her own catalogue as well as a number of other artists. 

On November 30th, Karen will release her third LP and the first under her own name through Buttercup Records Australia.  A powerful combination of cleverly crafted lyrics and heartfelt vocals, Mountains of Gold is delivered with the signature production of Golden Guitar-winning producer Matt Fell, with each song telling a unique story and drawing on a range of influences spanning country, pop and rock.
 
Karen reflects “This record was born in such a creative and warm environment. I had these insanely talented musicians and songwriters all around me whilst I was recording. Matt has an incredible collection of talented musicians and songwriters- Josh Schuberth, Amber Rae Slade, Michael Carpenter - all just hanging out and very willing to help.” 
 
Ahead of the release, Karen kindly took the time to answer her Essential 8 where she shares the story behind "So Long," discusses the album's artwork, songwriting, Australian country artists, and much more.

Please choose one song and tell the story behind it.
The second single – So Long, from my new album was inspired by the fictional relationship between Tim Riggins and Lyla Garrity on the TV show Friday Night Lights. I was re-watching that series whilst I was writing the album and I was under a little bit of pressure to get songs written and finished in time to go into the studio. I was taking a walk along the canal near my home and I had Tim and Lyla floating around in my head and this song just came out almost fully formed as though a radio switched on in my head and the song was playing. It is certainly influenced by personal experience and really isn’t about Tim and Lyla specifically but their dramatic, doomed and very bitter-sweet affair was certainly the trigger for the song. It is one of my favorite songs that I have written.

Can you please share the story behind your album’s artwork.
I have been a fan of the work of a fantastic artist based in Melbourne, Australia – Natalie Ex. She is a beautiful illustrator and her work is a quirky mix of cartoon, Japanese-influenced manga and very minimalist black and white line drawings. She created some family portraits for me which hang in the entry hall of my home. I love them so much I thought at the time that it would be great to get her to do my album art work. I sent her some of the music and she storyboarded some sketches. We settled with an image that she perfected into the lovely artwork of the album. In the limited-edition vinyl version of my album (via Buttercup Records Australia) I have even incorporated the original black and white portrait she did for me as part of my family portraiture. It appears on the lyrics insert and is a great finishing touch to the overall album art.

When/where do you do your best writing?
​For a long as I have been writing songs, they have always come to me whilst I was doing something else. Often whilst I am driving, or working and very often in the early hours when I was trying to sleep. I have attempted a few times to sit down and write but it doesn’t work for me. Even when I am co-writing, I need to hear what is done and then go about my business until the rest of the song comes to me. This package of songs for the album was an entirely different experience altogether. I had a whole lot of songs and had a date that I had to go into the studio well in advance of the recording actually happening. As the date got closer I changed my mind about almost every song and suddenly felt that I had no songs ready to record. I needed at least 6 more. I was really determined to get it done and the pressure of the deadline worked well. I wrote half of the songs on the album in the space of about 5 days whilst taking long walks. The melody and some of the lyrics came on those walks. I would finish the songs at home and ended up finalizing them properly in the studio.

​"Our songs tell stories that anyone who’s been in relationships or set out on a road trip can relate to, no matter where they come from.” _ John Lilly

Recently, West Virginia's Blue Yonder released their second full-length album, Rough and Ready Heart. Recorded at Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, NC and produced by Gar Ragland, the seasoned acoustic trio was joined by guest musicians Russ Hicks (pedal steel guitar) and Tony Creasman (drums/percussion) bringing to life 12 original songs which offer a range of Americana from honky-tonk to swing, rockabilly to bluegrass, and mournful ballads to inspirational anthems. Here, Lilly answers his Essential 8 and speaks about keeping the faith, the day that changed his life, the Opry, and much more.

​What has been your biggest struggle so far?
John Lilly: Keeping the faith. I (we) have been doing this a long, long time. Every day I remind myself that it is all about the music, not stardom, fame, wealth or the other trappings of success. We measure success in our own terms.
​
What has been your biggest success?
JL: Success for me is writing a memorable song. When I hear someone humming one of my tunes as they leave a show or another musician singing one of my songs, I know I have done something right!

Which song of yours gets the best crowd response?
JL: In 1984, I wrote a song called “A Little Yodel Goes a Long Way.” The first night I sang it at a gig, the audience insisted on hearing it four times! It quickly became something of a theme song for me and remains so at my solo gigs.

Are there any songs you are tired of playing and why?
JL: That damned yodeling song! Yodeling is a novelty, and sometimes I wish it would go away. After hearing some fool yodel, are you really going to take him seriously when he sings about divorce or alcohol or loneliness? No, you want him to shut up and yodel!

Hailing from Oregon, Neil Gregory Johnson is best known for his freewheeling finger-style guitar and soulful vocals which relay stories of love lost, life on the road, and life as an ex-barfly turned family man. Earlier this year, Johnson released his debut E.P."Extended Play Catalogue Vol. 1" and here he thoughtfully answered his Essential 8 where he spoke of musical mentors, songwriting  and inspiration, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and more!

Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
I grew up in a musical family, so my parents are both indirectly and directly my mentors, I've been watching them perform and have performed with them most of my life.

I learned and still learn a lot from my dads willingness to improv and jam and sing with heart. His taste in music is very Neil Youngesque, which I appreciate. He tends to be more reserved with an audience.

I learned how to entertain from my mother. Over the years I've gotten to watch all the different ways she can interact with an audience, her gravelly vocal style, and her catalogue of old rock n roll, country, and soul. She is brilliant songwriter as well. It never ceases to amaze me. She tends to be a lot more extrovert, she tells jokes and keeps people on their toes.

I like to think that I've tried to take the best of both performing styles from them. Also, thanks to them I feel like I have a well rounded taste in music.
 
Where do you draw inspiration from when writing?
A good conversation with an interesting person can get my wheels turning. Learning experiences tend to make for good fodder. Sometimes if I feel like a song is a little to surface or shallow, I like to go a little deeper and maybe a little more poetic.

I love puns, limericks, and spoonerisms. I like to add reference, I also love cultural slang and riddles.
There isn't good or bad way to write in my opinion, just habits.

One of my sub conscious habits is to write for the anti-hero. My favorite people are real, unabashadly flawed, and not afraid to admit it. So I try to represent those people and I aspire to be that as well.
“Three Days on The Wagon” and “Loving & Leaving” from my e.p. are good examples of anti-hero songs.
 
What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? 
 “You gotta put butts in seats.”
(That's your value in the music industry.)
 - Ramblin' Jack Elliot

“No music stand allowed on stage, it's cheating.”
(How you supposed to entertain people when you're staring at a sheet of music?)
 - Momma Dawn Day (my mother)

“Hang 10 when you're playing those leads.”
(Hang your feet off the stage, play for the audience, and enjoy your moment.)
 - Dino Denino of The Dino Denino Blues Band

Hailing from Oklahoma, alternative country four-piece (and siblings), VOTH - Caleb (guitar/vocals), Hannah (vocals), Cody (vocals), Jacob (drums) -recently released their latest single, "Sweetest Regret,” which showcases the foursome's finely-etched harmonies and detailed songwriting. Here, Caleb answers his Essential 8 where he speaks about songwriting and Rodeo Houston, shares the story behind "I Choose Us," and much more.

What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
- I remember sitting down one night and saying to myself, "I'm going to write a hit." I had the biggest writers block for days and couldn't get anything down worth sharing. I was super bummed about it. So I got on Facebook and was scrolling and stumbled upon an article that interviewed Brent Cobb and he said that when he stopped trying to write a "hit" and truly wrote from the heart, that's when the best songs came out. That night I waited until I was super tired and then thought about what my heart was feeling. A line came to me about love and I wrote it down. It was, "They say that love is a give and take so, take it out on me." I started to think about all of the songs that are written about Hollywood love stories or the songs that are written about horrible breakups. I thought, not many songs are written about the in between - you know the struggle. So "I Choose Us" came out from deciding to write from the heart instead of writing for a hit. So to answer your question, if I was to give one piece of advice, it would be to truly write from the heart.

Please choose one song and tell the story behind it.
- The song, "I Choose Us", was written about a couple that is fighting for their marriage. I was writing what I thought would be a fictitious song and actually titled it, "Take It Out On Me." After I showed it to my siblings, we actually realized that it was very similar to my parents' story. It was kind of an epiphany that I wrote a song subconsciously about my parents' early marriage. They really fought to stay together and later on decided to tell each other - "I Choose Us" on a regular basis to signify their commitment to each other. So we decided to re-title the song, "I Choose Us". It has since been our most successful song.
 
Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
- We mainly write from personal experiences or personal experiences from people close to us. I never understood how some people could just write complete fiction. There has to be some element of personal experience for us to really get into the song. I believe emotion drives so much of the feel and atmosphere of a song and in order to have emotion, you have to have some attachment. We try to really attach ourselves to our music. 

Hunter Perrin digs into his Texas roots with his latest recording, Wild Card, due December 7th. Recorded at The Station House in the Echo Park neighborhood of L.A., Perrin utilized 1950’s equipment to help reinforce his unique take on Americana music resulting in an album with strains of Buck Owens, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, and Duane Eddy, all while sounding at home to modern audiences who are dialed in to the worlds of JD McPherson and Wilco. Ahead of the album's release, Perrin kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 where he spoke about songwriting, Billy Gibbons, John Fogerty, eating regional on the road, and much more.
​
​Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you?
My guitar teacher Reid Farrell.  He is a legend in Houston, TX.  For years, he toured with Archie Bell and the Drells spreading the H-town love with the “Tighten Up.”  He took me and my cousin to meet ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons when we were 12 and that really changed everything.  Bring your own unique spin on things to all that you do.  Play with soul.  Play down low.  Focus on your rhythm and your sound.

Where do you draw inspiration from when writing? 
A lot of the writing for this album happened while on the road.  I’d be out playing guitar and singing backup for someone and come back after the gig and have an idea.  Backstage at a venue.  Hotel room.  The Train Museum at Travel Town.  From my life.  Who I am.  Who I was.  Who I want to be.  The news.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I can’t force it, but it usually happens when I’m busy.  My brain is active and I’m in a good place to experiment with emotions, mood, storytelling, humor.  It seems to help when it’s quiet after a lot of activity.  I’ve written a lot at my wife’s family’s place in Wyoming.  You can walk all day there and not see another person.  I like to go there after touring and let all of the things that have been jammed up in my head just slowly trickle out.

Growing up in the small river town of Holladay, TN Dustin Hensley never felt like he fit in. “I love where I’m from, but I always knew there was more. And I was determined to go there. Wherever there was.” After years of playing the likes of Pentecostal revivals, the occasional funeral service and every other place he could, Hensley journeyed to Nashville. 
​
After years spent navigating the troubled waters of Music City, Hensley has a new excitement for his music and his future. Teaming up with artist/producer Tripp Weir. Hensley believes he’s finally found his sound, and his team.

His current single, “If I’m Being Honest” is the perfect blend of pure country storytelling complete with 90’s era guitar riffs, arena-filling drum fills, infectious pop melodies and 808 drum beats. Here, Hensley answers his Essential 8 and talks songwriting, the road, his guilty pleasure artists, and much more.
 
When/where do you do your best writing?
The shower, mainly. At least that’s where I get a lot of my ideas to take in to a session. For me,  it’s the one place in the world now that there are no distractions. No phones, no screens. Just me and my thoughts. Which can be a scary place at times haha.

What do you love most about being on the road?
Exactly that. Being on the road. I have a strong love for weird truck stops. They’re my favorite thing. Also, you get really close to the people you’re traveling with. Trauma bonding I suppose haha. You learn things about each other that normally you probably wouldn’t. SO many great inside jokes and stories come from being 8 deep in a van for hours on end. It’s the worst at times, but truly the best.
 
What has been your biggest struggle so far?
This business is tough, no matter what happens to you good or bad. I’ve had a lot of “almosts,” more than I can count. And I’m still not where I want to be. However, I feel that the artists who made the biggest impact had struggles along the way and things didn’t go smoothly for them. So in that theory, with all of the bad record deals and situations I’ve been in, I’m gonna be alright haha. Eventually.
 
What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out?
Get another job haha. Kidding. Sort of. I’d say just to believe in yourself. Without a shadow of a doubt, you have to believe that it’s going to work out. Almost to a fault. But also, and I can’t stress this enough - be good to people and appreciate wherever it is that you are. Now, that’s easier said than done, but I truly believe that there is beauty in heartache and struggle. Some of the best pieces of art have come from pain. So feel everything, be good to those around you/ respectful of their time, and trust that you deserve a place at the table.