Page 45 - Poze Magazine Volume 77

Pozemagazine 2024

Can you describe the inspiration behind your latest
release "Honky Tonk Southern Sky" and how it pays
homage to the legendary icons of honky-tonk music?

We seem to live in a world where country music has
become trendy and cool for school. For me, country
music has always been a place where you could
express all of who you are, and sometimes that means
sharing the other side of who and what you may have
been. Honky Tonk music always gave the storyteller, the
songwriter, and the creative artist a chance to share the
other side of life, love, and family, even if it meant
showing the darker side of the artist. In today’s world, it’s
not so trendy to be so honest with the audience in case
we may offend or not fight the same fight as the current
political climate. People like Hank Williams, Buck Owens,
Loretta Lynn, and so many others were never afraid to
share their darkness, pain, or truth in case they upset
anyone. As long as there was a good melody and a bar,
they could express themselves authentically and
unapologetically until the last orders were called. So I
guess the inspiration for Honky Tonk Southern Sky is all
those Punks of Country and Honky Tonk Music.

What elements and influences did you incorporate into
the creation of this single to create a timeless tribute?

“The biggest element for me was Brad Bergan, who
engineered the track, yet it was his tone on the electric
guitar that just made the track for me. From the
moment I heard him play the part, the track reminded
me of Waylon Jennings, especially his 80’s album “Music
Man''. For me, Brad is one of Australia’s top Honky Tonk
players. Just ask Allan Tomkins of Tomkins Custom
Guitars, a highly respected Honky Tonk bassist, whose
custom guitar you can hear on the track (yes, a bit of
shameless promotion for Allan, lol).
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