 Courtesy: Music City Media
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!
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. What makes the duo/band “work?” JORDAN: I think we both bring a lot to the table as individuals; something that the other doesn’t have. Our talents naturally complement one another. SETH: We both push each other and don’t settle. We don’t settle until WE feel like what we write, record or perform is good. What’s the biggest sacrifice that you’ve made in your music career and what have been some of your biggest hurdles? JORDAN: We’ve sacrificed relationships and the potential to start a family. Right now, music is (and has to be) our priority. SETH: There is nothing else right now; music is our focus and it would be unfair to enter into a committed relationship because of the time commitment and attention that our music career requires. JORDAN: As for the hurdles: As a new artist, there are plenty of hurdles and it takes tenacity, hard work and patience to endure. SETH: It’s a marathon not a sprint. Building an “artist career” takes time. One of the hurdles is to keep of good mind to stay positive and keep up with the challenges. JORDAN: We’re up for the challenge! What have you learned from your duo (brother) performing partner? JORDAN: From an artistic perspective, Seth has taught me how to change up the lead melody to fit the harmonies. He’s great with harmonies and… he can “beat box” like nobody’s business! From a personal perspective, my brother is teaching me to “chill” and not worry so much. …and he’s teaching me some of his dance moves! SETH: Jordan pushes me on the creative side; he’s helped me to put my head down, work hard and take responsibility. He’s a great performer (who’s amazing on sax as well as guitar); he’s taught me to be a better live entertainer. But…there’s no way he’ll learn my dance moves. Describe how you balance one another as brothers and as partners on stage and in the music business. SETH: I’ve become the financial advisor and accountant. I’m also the more flexible one, which makes Jordan frequently revisit his decisions…or my flexibility makes our decisions more difficult to make. He “thinks” a lot. I’m also the “video content creator and editor;” aka “George!” JORDAN: I kind of wear the sales and booking hats while Seth tells me what I can and cannot spend. Website IG Purchase Close to home, Dugger Band is actively involved with organizations lending assistance to those who have suffered from the tragic Gatlinburg fires (Mountain Tough Recovery Team, East Tennessee Foundation and Dollywood Foundation). Their single, “East Tennessee Son,” (Sept. 2017) has taken on a whole new meaning since the devastating November 2016 event; as such, Dugger Band is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the single to assist these charities in rebuilding homes.
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