by Bob Payne WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DAVRIK
posted May 20, 2008
 Bob Payne |
Shooter Jennings is appearing at Rhythm and Brews this Wednesday, along with the Greg Amell Band. I spoke with Shooter on Monday by phone.
BP – Good afternoon, Shooter. Happy Birthday.
SJ – Thank you, Bob
BP – You have released four CD’s in the past 3 or 4 years.
SJ – Yes, 3 studio records and one live one.
BP - I remember some cuts from “Put the O back in Country” received a lot of airplay on country radio, but the next couple of CD’s didn’t get a lot of love from radio. What’s up with that?
SJ - Yeah, they definitely ran us off after the first one. They haven’t gotten behind us like they did on the first one. They made a decision to stay away, and I really though the last record would pull them back in, but no. It’s a battle, but I think it’s a battle that can be won.
BP – Is it the old adage - You’re too rock for country and too country for rock? Or is the music business just that messed up?
SJ –It’s probably a little of both. I am constantly changing things up. Everything is so categorized now. I really thought if country radio was ever going to pick up on a record, it would have been the last one, with the steel and all, but it wasn’t to be.
BP – Your daddy was a rebel and an “outlaw.” There was a point in his life where he decided to do things his way. The apple doesn’t appear to fall far from the tree, does it?
SJ – Yeah, that’s true. I love country music and I thought the last record was great, with the horns and steel. I love to mix things up and be cutting edge. Not that I would ever pander to them, but I did try and try to accommodate the country music industry with some good music.
BP – Tinsley Ellis told me a few weeks ago that the best advice he could give an up and coming artist was to be yourself. Don’t try to mold yourself into something that you aren’t. I thought that was good advice.
SJ – That’s what my dad always told me. I have always tried to do what I felt like doing.
BP – I liked your video from “Walk of Life”. How did you end up with the Dire Straits song?
SJ – I was just sitting on the bus, and it came on the radio, and I thought it would be a great song to do. We went in the studio and put it down. We have a new video coming out soon, too. “This ‘Ol Wheel” is coming out on video.
BP – Great song. Maybe the video will generate some extra interest.
BP - You do a lot of interviews. What is the one thing nobody has ever asked you that you would like asked?
SJ – Geez, I don’t know. You stumped me on that one. I don’t know right off hand. Hmm. So many people ask me the same questions over and over again.
BP – Well, I’m glad I asked you one you have never been asked!
SJ – Yeah, man…you did. I just can’t think of a good answer right now. That’s a good one. (Laughs) I guess I like to talk about where music is going. We are going towards a time of change, and I want to be on the front line. I am really excited about the future of music. The future of rock and roll and the future of country are both on the same path. Some pretty oppressive forces control the business, but times are changing and radio will eventually lose its grip, as they aren’t selling near as many records as they used to.
BP - The Internet, MySpace, and satellite radio are becoming so important.
SJ – I have a radio show on Sirius radio, and it is so inspiring. I get to pick what music I want to play, with no outside interference. I can play new music and old music – anything I want that’s out there. Once you have had satellite radio, it’s hard to go back to regular radio. There is some really good stuff out there.
BP – It has to be pretty neat to be a young musician and to be on the cutting edge of technology changes.
SJ – It is. The technology part of the business is great. I am part of the computer generation and I try to stay up with all the technology.
BP – What’s new on the horizon?
SJ – A real cutting edge CD. Without giving too much away, I can tell you it is going to be quite different.
BP – Shooter, I’ll let you go to get back to your family. Thank-you.
SJ – Thank you. See You Wednesday.
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