Page 154 - July ONLINE VERSION

Nashville or Bust! ZGP: Where does a lyric or melody come
from for you?
By Tammy Yosich WS: From everyday life, from being a ‘book
worm’ and film buff. The inspiration for poetry,
Walter Suggs’ life is one most reflective of a traditional country song. Writing poetry was a therapeutic outlet for lyrics, and a melody literally can emerge from
the more challenging times, including being a broke musician working at a local Pizza Hut. The dream had been anything at any time, if your mind is open to the
to finish college and move to Nashville. Due to some unfortunate circumstances – being robbed by a roommate invite.
and falling for a Craigslist scam – Suggs has finally made it to Nashville with an associate’s degree in hand.
ZGP: Are there therapeutic qualities to music
Today, Suggs is resting comfortably in his safe, affordable apartment in East Nashville, writing music and net- for the performer and the listener?
working with some of Nashville’s legends; maybe Suggs’ real-life country song is now being played in reverse. WS: For me personally, the actual writing
This summer, Suggs will be in the studio putting together his first music project in six years, and in August will music and practicing my instruments is actually
release his first single. The hard work, sacrifice, and lessons learned are finally paying off for this rising country therapeutic for me. Working on songs at the end
music artist. of the day, every day, is like teenagers in the old
days writing in their diaries or journals.
With a little help from Suggs’ friends and family along the way, he has enjoyed music and the arts since he was
a child. His father was a disc jockey (DJ) playing the day’s hits, and his mom has always had a network of Wash-
ington, DC musicians. His mom got him his first acting gig when he was five years old and another when he was The
ten. ZGP Magazine’s Editor in Chief, Shelley Mascia’s husband, James, put Suggs in touch with a publishing com-
pany a few years back to pursue his writing. However, if you are over thirty, you can understand your twenties as ScareKrow
a time to ‘find yourself, and if you are younger than thirty, you’ll soon learn that your linear path to the future is
curvier than you anticipate. However, like Suggs, you will always return to your passion. For Suggs, it has always
been music and acting; and for us music lovers, we are excited to see both forces of nature play out.
Music is Life,
ZGP Magazine is blessed to have Suggs provide some insight for this edition. ZGP: For fun, if you could go on tour with any That’s why our hearts
musician/group (living or dead) who would it have beats.
ZGP: Where are you from? Where are you now? be?
WS: I am from the Washington, D.C. area and I current- WS: It’s a dream of mine to go on a big tour Music is My Life
ly live in Nashville, Tennessee.
with a few of my favorite fellow country artists; and the lyrics are my story
to be playing my music with them. Then, simply
ZGP: What made you want to become a musician? sitting backstage listening to them play the hits.
Were your parents or grandparents’ musicians?
WS: Funny story, actually Jem and the Holograms and ZGP: What type of music, other than your
Martina McBride made me want to be a musician. Mc-
Bride, in 2010 when I was in high school had a ad cam- own, do you listen to?
WS: I actually listen to hip hop music everyday
paign with the juice company, “Sunny D” and encouraged when I’m running errands and when I’m doing
children to shine at something they felt passionate about. housework. Hip Hop is how I learned to write
From that campaign, I began to take music seriously. and inspired by 2Pac’s mom, who said when he
Years later in college, after trying different genres out,
McBride and country music legend Tammy Wynette was a kid, he kept a book of poetry that eventu-
ally turned into songs. This is exactly what has
made me fall in love with country music again.
happened to me.
ZGP: Who are some of your favorite musicians? ZGP: Do you have a favorite venue or city you
WS: Even though I create country and blues music,
Aaliyah is actually may favorite singer of all time. Along WS: Nothing like Nashville honky-tonks
because they have writer’s rounds, and it is how
with Martina McBride and Tammy Wynette, I mean who newer artists cut their teeth. The honky-tonks
doesn’t love Bob Marley. BB King and it was Carlos San- tend to be kinder and has a lot of history that
tana who made me pick up a guitar years ago. does something for you while you play.

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