KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of a back story as to how you began performing?

BC: I started out my musical journey by singing in my church’s youth band when I was about 13/14. They had an audition to join the band, and for some reason, I just knew I had to try out. I went into it having absolutely no music experience other than beating on some drums. After making the band, I started teaching myself piano, which eventually led to guitar as well. I started writing worship songs for our youth band and found that I had a passion it. So I decided to major in songwriting in college which eventually evolved my writing into secular country songs. Now I’m performing all over town and loving every minute of it!

KIC: We read that you graduated high school at 15 and completed a master certificate for songwriting through Berklee at 18. What’s next?

BC: I actually graduated from Berklee at 17 believe it or not! But hopefully the next step in my life/career will be to tour the US and get the opportunity to meet all the amazing fans that I have had the pleasure to connect with through Facebook and Twitter.

KIC: You currently live in Texas, but your EP was made in Nashville. Do you have any plans to relocate to pursue your music?

BC: I’ve thought about this question quite a bit myself. I don’t currently have plans to relocate, because hopefully I’ll be on the road for the majority of my time. But if it came down to me needing to relocate, I’m definitely ready and willing to up and move!

KIC: What is the writing process like for your music? Where do you get your inspiration from?

BC: I would say I don’t really have a set writing process, or a specific place that I draw inspiration from. I love to write encouraging songs and especially songs that make girls in particular, feel beautiful and special. Sometimes I’ll get a cool lyric or melody out of the blue (usually while driving or in the shower!), and I’ll write it down and record it on my iPhone, then revisit it later with my guitar or piano to finish it.

KIC: You can play drums, piano, guitar – which is your favorite?

BC: Even though my first instrument was technically drums, I consider myself very amateur. I haven’t really even sat down behind a drum kit in years. It’s probably scary how bad I am! My next instrument was keys, and I truly love the sound of a sweet piano. Guitar was the last instrument I learned, but I feel like I’m just as proficient on it, if not more than on keys. To answer the question of which is my favorite, I prefer piano on slower, mellow songs. And I prefer guitar on upbeat, driving songs that I can really perform to.

KIC: You’ve performed as part of a church-based band (The All Out Band) and as a solo country artist. Which do you prefer?

BC: I definitely prefer the solo artist approach. I had a great experience and learned a lot while working with a band. It’s definitely fun to have a tight relationship with the musicians you play with. But it can become very difficult when you have 4 different musical opinions and everyone’s voice is equal. You have to come to many compromises to keep everyone happy.

KIC: iTunes has you listed as a rising star of country, alongside some big names – How does that feel?

BC: That is something that I’m so truly grateful for. It’s such an honor and it’s so humbling to know that someone with a voice in the business put that label on my music. It’s so rewarding and satisfying after working so hard to get your name out there, then finally getting noticed. And then to see that I’m next to some amazing artists that I listen to constantly on the radio and my iPod, is so exciting!

KIC: What’s your favorite song that you’ve ever written?

BC: My favorite song that’s recorded is probably “Most Beautiful Thing.” Because it’s so melodic and the message behind it really hits the core of what I want to relay as an artist.

Then there’s a new song that I can’t wait to share with the world titled “Miracle”, that tells a story of some complications that I faced as a baby and how I got to where I am today. It’s the most emotional and close to my heart song that I’ve ever written. Tears were shed on my guitar while I was writing it, and that was definitely a first for me. Sorry, but that’s all the info you get about it for now!

KIC: And what’s one song that you WISH you had written?

BC: Geez, there are literally sooo many amazing songs that I wish I had written. But based on songs that I’m currently really into, I would have to say I wish I wrote “Everybody” by Keith Urban.

KIC: You can tour with any two artists out there – who would you put on the bill?

BC: I would die if I could tour with Keith Urban and/or John Mayer. They are  two of my biggest musical influences and they are both ridiculously talented on their instrument and incredible songwriters. They’re different genres, but I think it would be a cool mixture! I kinda like to think my style is kinda right in the middle of both of them.

KIC: What’s one thing you’d like our readers to take away from this interview?

BC: I’m truly in love with music. I don’t consider it a job, hobby, or anything else. It’s really just my life. And I’m so incredibly grateful to all the people that help me pursue my dream of being an artist by buying my record. I hope that you can be encouraged and uplifted through my songs. Also, I LOVE getting tweets and Facebook messages. They encourage me more than you know! So don’t be shy!

KIC Lightning Round:

All time favorite country song: So hard! But probably “Bless the Broken Road” because it’s one that I really connect with in a different way every time I hear it.

Dream Duet Partner: Guy: Keith Urban, John Mayer, or Gary LeVox (Rascal Flatts), Girl: Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, or Taylor Swift (Why not. Haha)

Guilty Pleasure: Coconut and Strawberry Banana Frozen Yogurt and Oreo Ice Cream! Not at the same time though…

Favorite Easter Candy: I try not to eat too much candy. But those little marshmallow bunnies are pretty darn good!

Favorite Vacation Destination: Anywhere on a beach or the top of a ski resort! Two opposites, I know. But I can’t help it!

Twitter or Facebook: Twitter

Favorite song to cover: “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes

We’d like to thank Brandon for taking the time out to talk to us! For more info on Brandon, visit his website, like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter and visit his YouTube channel!

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Although she may be only nineteen, and technically, a Nashville newbie, Tiffany Houghton has always been driven by her love for music. When I asked Tiffany how she got into performing, without skipping a beat, she responded “Oh, I was born. I’ve always loved music. They say that I could sing before I could talk. I’ve always loved to perform,” She tells us. “I’d get on our kitchen counter and sing to the family. But I really got professionally into music when I was 10 and moved to NY, and did some Broadway and musicals and some acting.”

Growing up, one of her first gigs was a “dream come true” and involved performing for both the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers. “I must’ve been 11 and one of the first times I performed, this sweet old man chased me down to get my autograph, and I thought I made it. It was so fun, I LOVED that.”

Only weeks after her eighteenth birthday, the pint-sized powerhouse packed up her life and headed for Nashville. While such a decision would be hard for anyone, Tiffany knew it was what she needed to do. “I have a deep rudder. I knew no matter what happened that I always wanted to do this. I don’t think I knew that it was going to be as hard as it was those first few weeks, but I knew that it was the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do with my life.“

Today, Tiffany has called Nashville home for about 14 months, and has placed her focus squarely on country music. Since moving to Nashville, she’s been introduced to the world of co-writing, and she tells us, “I write because I can’t not write.” For such a young artist, her lyrics have an uncanny depth and power, which she says she’s drawn from real life experiences. “I’ve written in a journal since I was 7 years old, I’ve always just pulled lyrics from my stories. And I tend to be a little dramatic so it works perfectly for song writing.”

Although each song on her EP is unique and a favorite in its own right, Tiffany named “Different” as the one song people should listen to if they’re only going to pick one. “Out of all my songs, I think that’s the one people need to hear. They need to know that our differences make us beautiful and I think it’s hard to remember that all the time.”

Also on her EP, her first single “Only One.” She recalls that the song was inspired by a devastating “little high school breakup.” However, that boy (who is surely kicking himself now) proved to be a great muse and led to quite the epiphany. “I looked at the clock and it was 4:38…I came to this realization where I was like ‘he was the only one,’ and then I was like what if I said that differently like ‘wait, he’s only one.’ And I like freaked out and sped home…that song kinda wrote itself to be honest; it all spilled out.”

One highlight of the EP is the touching ballad, “Like He Treats her,” inspired by none other than Tiffany’s own parents. Now, prepare to “Awww” outloud. “My parents have always been such an inspiration to me and…my mom was 18 years old when they got married.” Tiffany says about the track. “Today, they’re so in love and they’ve been such a great example to me of what true love is.  And so I wrote that song when they were leaving to go on their little Sunday walk and they were holding hands and I was just like ‘Awwww!’ I wrote it for them for their 25^th anniversary.”

Tiffany lists artists like Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks as her inspiration, and we can completely hear the influences. If she could tour with anyone, she doesn’t hesitate in naming Hunter Hayes. She’s also a big fan of Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and Luke Bryan. (Ed. Note: Who isn’t?!) “I looooooooove me some Luke Bryan.” She smiles. “He is so cute”

Tiffany has one simple message for her fans. “I love them. This year has been so wonderful to see my fans and watch my fan base grow, and see how engaged they are.” She continues, “They legitimately care about the things I have to say  and my music. It’s so uplifting and they help me every day to continue pursuing this.”

As she kicks off 2013, Tiffany plans to continue to write and record music. She’ll also be releasing music and videos online while performing around Nashville. Right now she’s focusing on recording and releasing individual singles that she can’t help but share, and we can’t wait.

“When I was a kid, on weekends, my Dad and I would go pick up a new CD at Barnes & Nobles and listen to it for the next few weeks on the way to school.” Tiffany tells us. “I decided I want to be that for some little girl.” And, we think she’s well on her way.

Lightning Round:

All-time favorite country song: “Black Eyes, Blue Tears” by Shania Twain

Guilty Pleasure: Nutella

Celebrity Crush: Channing Tatum

Last Song Listened To: The new Fall Out Boy (her manager is a HUGE fan) song – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark”

Favorite American Idol Judge: Paula Abdul…Oh, and Keith Urban!

Favorite Broadway Show: Wicked

We’d like to thank Tiffany for taking the time to talk with us! For more information on Tiffany Houghton, check out her official website, ‘like’ her on Facebook, follow her on Twitter and check out her Youtube page.

Here’s Tiffany’s first single “Only One”:

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Although this may sound silly, it’s a perfect anecdote about this family band, a determined, but fun-loving group determined to make their dreams come true. Whether those dreams involve finding the Texan Eiffel Tower or making great music, they’re well on their way.

For those not yet familiar with the band, they’re made up of siblings Angel Mary and Christian Wolf and their “Papa Wolf,” Antoine, who also doubles as the band’s manager. As for where they got their unique name from, Angel Mary told us that it was actually inspired by one of her idols, Johnny Cash. She said, “I’m a big Johnny Cash fan, and he has a name, Johnny Cash and the Tennesse Two when he first started out, and he’s influenced me so much so I wanted him to be a part of the name, and he has that song “The Beast in Me” which talks about how he was fighting that other side, talking to God…and I feel like there’s a wolf, definitely, in every man.”

Although the singing siblings grew up on music, it was only about a year and a half ago that they put this project together, which has really snowballed through social networking and meeting fans. They described 2012’s CMA Fest as one of their career highlights so far. According to Christian, it was “amazing,” having grown up attending the event. “It was just really cool to be on the other side.” Angel Mary says a highlight of the event for her was sitting next to Lynn Anderson (“I Never Promised You a Rose Garden”). “I’m still a fan myself, it was exciting to sit next to such a legend”

Another career highlight: Opening for John Michael Montgomery and David Allan Coe, naming them as “both legends in their own right.” Angel Mary tells us that she “never thought I’d be on the same stage as them.”

The band’s rollicking first single, “Cowboy” is themed around old western movies and the universal appeal of cowboys. To put it simply, “Boys want to be cowboys and girls want to be with cowboys.”

The band is joined on the track by family friend, Doug Phelps of the Kentucky HeadHunters, who worked with them on much of their EP, including the duet “Waiting on You.” “We write most of our music, but sometimes we include other writers to get other perspectives, so I asked Doug if he had any songs and he pitched us “Waiting on You…” Antoine tells us. “So he came in the studio when we were recording it…And Angel saw it as a duet. Doug jumped in the booth and cut it on the first take, so “Waiting on You” became a duet”

As their career continues to take off, I asked them who they’d love to tour with and they immediately jumped on Jason Aldean, which seems like a good rowdy country pairing. As for dream duets, the boys in the band pick Dolly Parton, while Angel Mary says she’d pick Johnny Cash if he were alive. Her other choice? Big & Rich. “They’re cool, they have their own thing going on, they’re a little crazy, and we’re a little crazy too so we’d probably do a great song”

As the band kicks off 2013, they’ve got big plans, including the release of the video for “Cowboy” to CMT & GAC. They’ll also appear in a documentary called Music City USA, with artists like Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Hank Williams III. They also plan to record a version of “Folsom City Blues,” which is a staple in their live show. If that’s not cool enough, John Carter Cash is going to play acoustic guitar on it, and they’ll record at the cabin where Johnny Cash recorded a lot of his songs.

When I asked them what they’d like readers to take away from this interview, the answer was simple and sincere. “We’re real people making real music, we’re excited about meeting fans and being touchable people. We’re all just the same, being here in this world just trying to live our dreams and doing what we love to do. And we just appreciate the opportunity to share our music.”

For more information on Angel Mary & the Tennessee Werewolves, visit their official site, follow them on Twitter, Facebook & Youtube.

Check out their first single “Cowboy” here:

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Read on to meet the sarcastic, hilarious and uber-talented, Sean Patrick McGraw.

KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of a back story as to how you became a singer/songwriter?

SPM: I’m a failed athlete…not really. Well yeah, kinda. I was told I couldn’t play football anymore when I was a freshman in high school so I bought I guitar and learned “Stairway to Heaven.” The rest is history.

KIC: Montgomery Gentry recorded & released your song, “My So Called Life.” How did that come about & how did it feel?

SPM: I felt like the prettiest girl in the world…about to be rich. Moral: don’t go with yer gut. Truthfully it was nice. I’d like that to happen about a dozen more times in the next six months and then I’d know what it feels like to be Rhett Akins.

KIC: You released your last album in 2011 – do you have plans to release a new one?

SPM: I quit. Didn’t anyone tell you??? Haha. I have a new record written and mostly recorded. We’re just waiting til I can drop (or gain) 20lbs for the photo shoot, start dating a former American Idol contestant, and maybe get arrested. You know, marketing.

KIC: Like Miranda Lambert & Chris Young, you had a brief stint on “Nashville Star.” How did you end up there and would you ever give reality TV another shot on a show like “The Voice” or “X Factor”?

SPM: I ended up on reality TV when my back was against the wall.

Would I do it again? Dead serious. Not a flippin’ chance.

KIC: You’ve played at the Stagecoach Music Festival, opened for huge acts and headlined your own shows. What’s been the highlight of your career thus far?

SPM: After I got the boot from “Nashville Star” I had Emmy Lou Harris walk across a crowded room to give me a hug and tell me that SHE thought I was great. True Story.

KIC: You’ve opened for everyone from Toby Keith, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean & Miranda Lambert – Which would you say you learned the most from? And who would you still love to tour with?

SPM: It’s really more what have they learned from me. I mean, Toby had NO charisma when I started the tour with him and I’m like “DUDE, yer good, get out there and own it.”….I’d like to think it worked. Oh you were talking about Toby Keith? I thought you meant Toby MaGuire! Toby Keith, now that guy puts on a show…

I’d love to tour with Eric Church again. That dude is the SHIT.

KIC: Have you held any odd jobs while also pursuing your music career?

SPM: I was the guy who painted the numbers in a numbered parking lot and I’ve been the guy who put the sticks in popsicles. God’s honest truth. But the oddest job I’ve ever had IS pursuing a music career.

KIC: Which artist would you describe as your biggest musical influences?

SPM: Paul McCartney, maybe Bob Seger, definitely Jack Daniels…but please print that I said Hank Sr, Johnny Cash and all the usual influences that hat-guys reference.

KIC: What inspires you when you’re writing a song?

SPM: Getting drunk and/or getting my heart broken…getting my heart broken because of something I did when I was drunk??…truthfully: the thought of creating something that someone else would record and release and that my intellectual property might be worth something that could pay my bills as opposed to me serving drinks ever again at someplace like the Blackstone Brewery is very inspiring. Doesn’t mean that inspiration translates into something artful or soulful. My best songs come from awful places. Really. Someone you love dying, a divorce, a dream not coming true: it all goes somewhere. Sadly it ain’t the radio.

KIC: You can only pick one of your songs to define you and your career -what song do you choose?

SPM: The song “Cowboys and Angels” (NOT the Dustin Lynch song) from my “Long Way From Slowing Down” CD (released years before the Dustin Lynch song) is a piece of work I’m very proud of. The characters are scarred and tragic and heroic and the story gets told in under three minutes. The song is the best compromise I’ve made yet between art and commerce and is a waaaay better song than the Dustin Lynch version of my hook.

KIC: What’s one thing you’d like our readers to take away about you after reading this interview?

SPM: That I’m funny, of course…..not serious sometimes and serious as a goddamned heartbeat at others.

Lightning Round:
All time favorite country song?: “Good Year For The Roses”

Songwriting: Alone or with others?: With the voices in my head…does that count as alone?

Favorite junk food?: I eat very healthy and I don’t think chocolate or fried chicken count and I LOVE both but I eat fried chicken about once every decade….um, let’s see what’s the most disgusting thing you can get at a gas station at 3am? Oh wait I know. French Fries. Totally nutritionally a waste of calories. I’m Irish. I love taters. I love beer. I love fried anything.

Go-to-karaoke song: Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” if I’m trying to be funny. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” if I’m trying to hook up.

New Year’s Resolution: Drink more, smoke more, have more fun.

How many cowboy hats do you own?: I have absolutely NO idea, At least twenty.

Last song listened to: “Love Letter” Bonnie Raitt.

Dream duet partner: I want to sing high Harmony to Neil Finn performing Crowded House’s “Woodface” record in sequence.

Taylor Swift, Country or pop? I’d like to go on record as saying I think she is stellar at both. Seriously. “We are Never Getting Back Together” is a GREAT pop song. I could sing it after hearing it ONCE. And her last single “Begin Again” tears at my heart strings. It’s a great piece of commercial country songwriting and a great vocal performance. I am in awe of her talent. To think that I was making a CD with Nathan Chapman in the basement of his house and that she was making her debut CD in that same basement on days when he and I weren’t working….kind of blows my mind. Really, I’m an admirer and defender of her genius. Go figure.

For more information on Sean, follow him on Twitter @seanpatrickmc, on Facebook and at his official site, http://seanpatrickmcgraw.com.

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KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of a back story as to how you became a singer/songwriter?

AE: The story of how I ended up on this path actually starts way back when I was only nine years old and tried out to sing the part of Belle from Beauty and the Beast in a school concert, having no idea whether or not I even had a voice worth listening to. Well, needless to say, I ended up getting the part and my music teacher had no idea what kind of monster she had just created (laughs). For the longest time though, I just used my voice to sing at local concerts and high school/college events and what not, but that all changed the day I stumbled upon a songwriting group a few years ago and discovered that songwriting is such amazing therapy. Once that happened, I knew I needed to get my music recorded and share it with the world!

KIC: You’re from New Jersey, which isn’t exactly the breeding ground for country music. How did you get into country and develop your sound?

AE: I have always loved and followed country music despite the fact that there isn’t a huge market for it in New Jersey and I swear that I should’ve been born in the south. Not that I’m not proud of where I’m from – because I very much am – but I always felt a little out of place amongst all of the crazy hustle and bustle of the northeast. Country music comes from the heart – with some added sarcasm here and there of course – and that is exactly who I am and what I relate to.  A bunch of people in the industry from the New Jersey area definitely tried to push me in the pop/dance direction of course, since that is what everyone there knows, but after dodging everyone’s not so gentle nudges for a couple of years, I sat back, refocused, took the reigns on my own career and recorded what’s truly in my heart.

KIC: You used the fan-funding site, SellaBand.com, to have people invest in your project where you had huge success. How did that come about?

AE: It was kind of random actually. I had seen an article about Sellaband years ago back when fan-funding was a brand new concept. I thought it was a really unique idea, so I checked it out and left it on the backburner for a little while until I could study it for a little while and fully understand how it all worked. Once I saw what it could do and how amazing it is, I decided to pursue a recording project and met so many amazing music lovers in the process. I am so blessed to have had so much support and success! I wouldn’t be where I am without it.

KIC: You recently released your EP “Things You Left Behind.” How did that project come together?

AE: After my Sellaband project was fully funded, I set forth on my mission to find the perfect recording studio for my music and actually stumbled around for a little while until I remembered a few friends of mine in the industry raving about the recording studios and musicians in Nashville. Being a country artist that was kind of a “duh” moment! Besides, I am the kind of girl who loves an adventure, so I figured why not look into it? Well, a simple Google search and a few emails later, and I knew I this EP was meant to be recorded at Blackbird Studio. Not only is the studio owned by one of my idols, Martina McBride, but I literally got goosebumps when I first browsed their website and every step of the way along the whole process of pre-production and production. One of my rules in life is to follow two things: goosebumps and butterflies. Hasn’t failed me yet.

KIC: What song is your favorite on the EP?

AE: I’d have to say my favorite is the title track, “Things You Left Behind”, which was written by ASCAP Country Song of the Year Writer Rachel Thibodeau. The first time I heard the demo of the song, I bawled my eyes out. I knew right then and there that I needed to record it.

KIC: Outside of your music career, you’ve been a Rat Rock Girl for the Jersey Shore Radio Station, 95.9 WRAT. What have you learned from that job that has influenced your own music career?

AE: My time as the Rat Rock Girl and the experience that has come along with it has proven to be invaluable. I could honestly write a book on everything that I’ve learned! But I think the most important thing I’ve taken away from the whole experience is just really how to relate to fans one on one. A lot of what I did with the station gave me the opportunity to really talk to the fans and get to know them – a truly humbling and amazing experience. I’ve also learned a lot about the behind the scenes of how radio works and knowing as much about the inner workings of this business as possible is the key to longevity as an artist.

KIC: Does your love of rock music affect your country sound? Should we expect the first ever ‘a little bit country, a little bit rock n roll’ EP?”

AE: (laughs) I absolutely love rock music but singing it just isn’t my thing. I do think that my love for it influences my lyrics and what I write though. That’s part of what draws me to both genres – the lyrics are so real in each of them although their sentiments are very different. I definitely carry some of that rock edginess over into my writing style though – and in what I like to wear! I love dressing a little crazier than what you’d expect from a typical country artist.

KIC: What artists would you describe as your biggest musical influences?

AE: Oh wow – the list goes on! I am one of the biggest fans of music in general so I take a little bit from each and every “true” artist that I encounter. As far as my biggest influences go, however, I would have to say Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Aretha Franklin – all women with big voices! I also grew up listening to Shania Twain, so her spunk and sass has definitely made its way into who I am as an artist too. I’m also very influenced by some of the more recent artists like Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Adele.

KIC: What is your writing process like? Do you have a dream collaboration?

AE: I almost always co-write, so the writing process is very different depending on who I am writing with. Ideally I like to jot down some lyrics and song ideas before a session and then sit down with the team in a room and start throwing all of our ideas in the air and just hash out the song. Junk food and comfy clothes during a writing session are key (laughs). As far as a dream collaboration goes, I’ve already been able to have one of those when I wrote with Rachel Thibodeau and Jason Sever – those two are genius! So I guess the next dream collaboration I need to make happen is to pen a duet between myself and an idol of mine – Chris Daughtry – along with another one of my favorite songwriters, Kara DioGuardi. So I guess there’s your ‘little bit country, little bit of rock n roll’!

KIC: If you could tour with any act currently in country music, who would you choose?

AE: Miranda Lambert, hands down! Can you imagine the fun we’d have on tour? It’d be like the trouble causing, drinking whiskey and vodka til we fall down, girl power tour. And Blake would have to join us on a few tour stops too to add to the fun and craziness. Wait – I love this idea! Now I need to make this happen!

KIC: If you had to give up your entire album collection that you own, what one album would you hide somewhere to save?

AE: I’d have to say Adele’s ‘21’ album. I was obsessed with the entire album before it really got the notoriety that it did. The album covers an entire range of emotions and it’s so much fun to sing along to!

KIC: What’s one thing you’d like our readers to take away about you after reading this interview?

AE: My music playing in their ears (laughs)! Seriously though, the best thing about music is its healing properties so I want everyone who hasn’t heard my music yet to be better for having heard my art.

Lightning Round:
All time favorite country song? “Crazy” by Patsy Cline
Guilty pleasure: Coffee and lots of it
Go-to-karaoke song: “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood
Last song listened to: “Love Like Crazy” by Lee Brice
Celebrity crush: Adam Levine – yum!
Favorite Holiday Tradition: Baking Christmas cookies!
What one gift do you want to find under the tree this year? Some mistletoe and a nice boy to go along with it (laughs)
Favorite Christmas song: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

For more info on Apryl, visit her website at www.aprylevans.com or like her on Facebook.

Check out April singing “Things You Left Behind” from her EP at New Jersey’s legendary Stony Pony!

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WH: I really just fell into it when I realized I hated school. I’d say its a mix of rock n roll and country influences.

KIC: When you’re writing songs, from where do you draw your inspiration?
WH: Just everyday real life experiences mostly

KIC: Do you prefer writing alone or with someone else?
WH: Whichever one gets the song written

KIC:  Do you always write songs with the intention that you’ll release them, or do you ever write with other artists in mind?
WH: For a long time it was just for me. Over the last year or so I’ve been lucky enough to try writing for other folks too. I find it very freeing as a writer.

KIC: People may not know that you’re the man behind Eli Young Band’s ”Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” What’s the story behind that song and how did the Eli Young Band wind up recording it and taking it to number one?
WH: I wrote that with my friend Eric Paslay. It was for my album ‘The Wreckage’. It was really this story of my life growing up and falling in love with music. I released it as a single and absolutely NOTHING happened with it. I shouldn’t say nothing because EYB heard it and cut it. That’s led to far more success for me as an artist and songwriter and far more success for that song than I could’ve ever imagined.

KIC: We read about how you celebrated “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” hitting #1 (hint to our readers: He put a self-congratulating banner on his front lawn.) What’s the story behind that and where can we get one?
WH: That’s a one of a kind sign. It now resides in my shed. I’d joked with my wife and manager that since I didn’t (at that time) have a publishing deal that I should congratulate myself like all the big music row folks do. We laughed. Then they made the damn sign and put it up. It was really funny how much of a reaction it got.

KIC: What was it like performing at the CMA’s this year?
WH: Surreal. I’m so flattered that the EYB guys asked me to do it. I’m very lucky to count those fellas as friends.

KIC: You’ve performed at the Grand Ol’ Opry, shared the stage with Vince Gill, appeared on CMT…but what has been the biggest “pinch me”moment of your career so far?
WH: First night at the Opry with Vince is way way up there. The CMA nomination for sure. It’s been a crazy year on the whole

KIC: You’ve toured with everyone from Shinedown to Needtobreathe to the Civil Wars to ZZ Top to Sugarland. How does playing with such diverse artists affect your style on-stage? Who have you learned the most from?
WH: One of the things I love most about what I do is that I don’t change hardly at all between any of those artists. And I’m proud that what I do translates to that broad a spectrum of people. We’ve been fortunate to learn from all of them but I think the Shinedown folks really taught us the most. They went so above and beyond to make sure their fans got the experience they deserved. They were so giving of their time. Just really really inspirational.

KIC: If you could put together your dream tour starring yourself and two other artists, who would join you on the road?
WH: Man that’s too tough to answer.

KIC: Over the years, you’ve been an artist who’s toured many albums and songs to develop quite the grassroots following. How has your fan base grown and diversified over the years?
WH: It’s incredible to watch. I’m so fortunate that these people have stuck with me and they seem to grow and change right along with me. It’s great to see 50 year olds and teenagers side by side at a show. I hope that that as well as the country fan/rock fan keeps mixing as well.

KIC:  You released “Modern American Protest Music” on September 18th and on your website, you admit that it’s a different type of record for you. What was your goal with that project?
WH: Really just to get the songs heard. Part of that ‘announcement’ as well as simply the title of the album is to let folks know what they’re getting into. It’s a batch of socio-political themed songs and I didn’t want anyone coming into thinking it was just another record about love and girls and cars etc. it’s a bit of a challenging record to the listener but I think it’s something I needed to get out of my head to make way for more songs and the next album

KIC: If you could define your career by only ONE song you’ve ever written, what song would you choose?
WH: Even If It Breaks Your Heart

Lightning round:

All-time Favorite Country Song: This changes by the minute. But right this second lets say ‘The Grand Tour’ by George Jones
Guilty Pleasure: Don’t really have any guilt about any of my pleasures
Favorite Food: Italian
Writing or Performing: Yes please
Last song you listened to: ‘Bad Ol Days’. It’s mine from the new album I’m finishing as we speak
Would you rather be rich or famous: Neither. I’ll take healthy and happy.
You can have dinner with anyone, dead or alive. Who do you pick?: Martin Luther King Jr
Taylor Swift, yay or nay?: Big big yay

Will Hoge’s “Modern American Protest Music” is available now. For more info, you can visit his official website at www.willhoge.com or follow him on Twitter.

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2. EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Lucas Hoge
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We had the opportunity to interview Dave, and if you’re not a fan already, read on and let him win you over. We talk career highlights, “God Gave Me You,” dream collaborations and burping on stage.

KIC: For our readers who are ‘meeting’ you for the first time, how would you describe your sound?

DB: It’s a little bit ADD. ha! A little all over the place – blue eyed soul, pop, bits of country!

KIC: Where were you the first time you heard yourself on the radio? How did you react? And be honest, do you still turn it up and sing along if you hear one of your songs?

DB: That’s a good question! I think I was pulling into my house, honestly, and yes, I JAMMED in the garage!!!

KIC: People may not know that you recorded “God Gave Me You” before Blake Shelton. How did he end up recording it?

DB: He heard it on the radio driving home really late one night and really affected him, from what I’m told. I think he and Miranda were in a place in their relationship that GGMY really spoke to. He then came back to his producer and played him the song and they recorded it for his album, and the rest, as they say, is history!

KIC: When you heard Blake’s cut of the song, did you immediately know it would be a hit?

DB: I wish I knew what hits sound like, but I do know that it sounded huge!

KIC: What is your writing process like? What inspires you?

DB: Typically, other music inspires me. I hear an album or a song and I’m usually off to the races!

KIC: What artists would be your top pick to record one of your songs?

DB: Whew – that’s a good question. Bonnie Raitt, David Nail – LOVE his voice and style, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts, for a few!

KIC: Is there one moment that you would say is the highlight of your career so far?

DB: There are so many! Getting to open for Bonnie Raitt, writing with Lamont Dozier, being nominated for a Grammy and CMA!

KIC: What has been your most embarrassing on stage moment?

DB:  Having to stop a song because i burped in the middle of a lyric.

KIC: If you could only pick one of your songs to define you as an artist, which would you pick?

DB: Grace’s Amazing Hands

KIC: Your most recent album is called “Stories to Tell” and has a bit of a different vibe than some of your previous offerings. What do you feel is the story this album is telling?

DB: That there are so many stories we each have to tell. SO many. Each one like a song on an album, different, sad, fun, slow, fast, but strung together because they are all our stories

KIC: What can we expect from Dave in 2013?

DB: Playing shows and writing songs, hopefully!!

Lightning round:
All-time Favorite Country Song: Walkaway Joe

Coke or Pepsi: Pepsi

World Series or Super Bowl: World Cup

Guilty Pleasure: 80′s R&B

Writing or Performing: Both

Dream Duet Partner: Bonnie Raitt or Stevie Wonder

Favorite Candy: Sour Patch Kids

NY or LA: LA!

We’d like to thank Dave for taking the time to do this interview! For more info, you can check out his website at www.davebarnes.com, follow him on Twitter @davebarnesmusic, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/davebarnesmusic and YouTube at The Official Dave Barnes Channel.

Since he listed it as his defining song, his Dave’s “Grace’s Amazing Hands”:

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JillandKate took some time out of their busy schedule to chat with Keepin’ It Country about the Wreckers, embarrassing on-stage moments, boys in skinny jeans and some of their favorite things. Read on for more!

KIC: For those readers who may be ‘meeting’ you for the first time in this blog, can you give us a little bit of back story as to how Jill and Kate became JillandKate?

J&K: We both went to semester-long music program on Martha’s Vineyard called the Contemporary Music Center while we were in college. We met and one of our homework assignments was to co-write a song with another student–we decided to write one together and that’s kind of where it all began. Our voices blended well and we were able to write easily together so we decided to form a duo. Since then we’ve released 3 full length albums & one EP.  

KIC: How would you describe your musical style?

J&K: It’s kind of a mix between pop/folk & country. Lots of harmony. A little sad, a little sweet…hopefully our sound is something people can relate to.

KIC: Aside from your own albums, many people know you from your tours with Kelly Clarkson. How did you end up getting that job?

J&K: We had met via some mutual friends and we ended up playing a show at a tiny place in Los Angeles that she came out to. A few weeks later she saw us again and asked if we’d be interested in singing backup for her because she thought we sounded so much like her background vocals on her record. Our first gig with her was the Daytona 500 in 2007. 

KIC: We would imagine that singing backup and having your own act are VERY different experiences. Do you plan to continue doing both or do you hope to eventually go out as JillandKate full-time?

J&K: They are very different experiences :) We’re excited that Heart of Stone is finally out and we hope to continue promoting that as much as we can! It’s always been our hope to do our own music full-time. We are excited to be moving in that direction!

KIC: Independently, you’ve put out a few albums. Are you looking to stay on your own or are you hoping to possibly be signed by a major label?  Will we get to hear JillandKate on the radio?

J&K: Right now we are not actively seeking a record deal, but we aren’t opposed to it either. Hopefully you will hear us on the radio sometime in the near future… :)

KIC: Since this is a country blog, you girls live in Nashville and we can hear some country influences in your music, would you ever consider going fully country? (PS: You remind us a lot of the Wreckers, in a very good way!)

J&K: Oh man…we LOVE The Wreckers…what a great album. Thank you :) Honestly, whatever comes out of us kind of comes out. If it’s a little more country we’re cool with that. We will probably always naturally lean in that country/folk genre, but we have so many different influences too, so you never know.  

KIC: What had been your most memorable on-stage moment thus far? What about most embarrassing?

J&K: Playing the Hollywood Bowl was pretty unreal. I (Kate) got to see Ray Charles perform there way back when and so it was a very surreal moment to be up on that stage thinking about when I had been in the crowd watching him play. 

Jill’s most embarrassing moment was probably falling flat on her back while on stage at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving halftime show performing with Kelly. It’s a long story and we can all laugh about it now, but at the time it was pretty embarrassing. Oh, and it hurt a LOT too. :)

KIC: If you could work with anyone in music, who would be your dream collaboration?

J&K: It’s funny–a few of them are actually in country music….Amy Grant & Vince Gill. Keith Urban. Chris Martin.

KIC: What is the songwriting process like for you guys and where do you draw your inspiration? Do you always write together and would you consider writing for other artists?

J&K: Each song kind of comes about in a different way. Sometimes one of us will have a line or melody and come to the other and we will work from there. Sometimes we just sit down with no plan and try and write about a theme or topic. It’s funny when inspiration strikes…sometimes the shower…or in the car…sometimes right before going to sleep. We would definitely write for other artists if it came about. It’s not something we do on a regular basis, but with songwriting it’s good to be open to anything. If another artist wanted to sing one of our songs, we’d be flattered. 

KIC: You released Heart of Stone a few weeks ago and kicked off that release with special shows, Skype sessions and in-house performances. What has been your favorite part of releasing this record?

J&K: It has been such a blast playing the new songs and meeting fans, etc. The in-house performances were super fun. It’s so nice to be in that intimate environment and play songs in someone’s living room. That is totally our vibe. They even made us cookies, fudge, and other goodies which really you can’t beat! 

KIC: We’ve heard artists say that it’s hard for them to pick a favorite song on their album, but do you guys have favorites on Heart of Stone?

Jill: Mine is “Burn It Down.” It’s a very personal song about our experience living out in Los Angeles when we were still in the early stages of making music. We were in our early 20′s which is a really hard time in life. Los Angeles is also a tough town. On top of that, this is a tough industry. 

Kate: Mine would probably be “Breakdown”…I don’t know if lyrically it just keeps hitting home for me…or the production that I love…when we first got mixes of our record this is the one I would keep coming back to. 

KIC: Although we love the whole album, some of our favorites on the album are “Heart of Stone,” “Skinny Jeans,” and “Life, Breath and Everything.” Can you speak to what inspired those tracks, or any of your faves?

J&K: “Life & Breath & Everything” This song is really a prayer. It’s another personal song about battling depression. It’s a spiritual song. It’s sad and happy…dark, but hopeful.

“Skinny Jeans” was inspired by a guy Kate dated a while back that wore Skinny Jeans and was mean to her. He was nice at first and then just turned into a jerk. It happens. You learn from it and move on…but first write a song about it! 

“Heart of Stone” was kind of the culmination of the last few years for us. As you grow older you can have so many life experiences that shape you for the good and bad…this song is kind of a realization that you don’t want your heart to be hard and turn to stone. Even though life is hard and people will hurt you and screw you over, you don’t want get too jaded. It doesn’t do anyone any good to start closing off to people and experiences. 

Keepin’ It Country Quick-fire round:

1. Who’s your celebrity crush:   Jill: Ben Affleck, Kate: David Beckham

2. All-time favorite country song: 

Jill: “It’s a Great Day To Be Alive” –It always puts me in a great mood!

Kate: “Whenever You Come Around” Vince Gill or “This is Me You’re Talking To” Trisha Yearwood

3. Favorite Kelly Clarkson song:

Jill: Sober,  Kate: Maybe

4. Guilty pleasure: Jill: Boy bands, Kate: Cheesy movies

5. Favorite junk food: Jill: Ice cream, Kate: Any Haribo candy :)

6. Facebook or Twitter: Twitter…cause it’s so instantaneous…but Facebook cause you can get more info…it’s hard to choose :)   (Instagram might be our new favorite though!)

7. Fave vacation spot: Anywhere with white sandy beaches & fruity frozen beverages. Loved the Maldives…it was unreal! We also love going to South Africa. It is a beautiful and inspiring country…and the people there are some of the most amazing people on earth. 

8. Weirdest fan gift/encounter: Once we got a roll of toilet paper from a fan and he signed it. The next time we saw him, he gave us a whole package of toilet paper. Totally random. But hey, you can never have too much toilet paper I guess. :)

We’d like to thank JillandKate for taking the time to do this interview! For more info on J&K, you can check out their website at www.jillandkate.com, follow them on Twitter @JillandKate, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jillandkate, and YouTube at JillandKateMusic.

JillandKate release a YouTube video on the 17th of every month as part of their “Songs on the 17th” series, which includes originals and covers. Check out their most recent video, filmed in a not-too-shabby Irish castle, and you may see some familiar faces…

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For some of our readers who might not know much about you, can you tell us a little bit about yourselves?

Jenny: Absolutely! We were born in Wisconsin and we always loved to sing!  We would sing in our backyard, to our neighbors, then our dad got a job transfer out to California right around the time we were 7 and 9. We started doing acting and everything in LA, and we just loved the entertainment business so much. We fell in love with country music so that took us out to Nashville. We also love writing music. In Nashville we’ve been pursuing things for about 2 years now as Jenny & Ashley. Our dad works in Miami so we’re between the two places.

Ashley: And we’re sisters! I’m 14 almost 15 and Jenny is 16. Ever since then we’ve been pursuing our county music dream and just seeing where it takes us!

On your site, Ashley – you said you never really knew what it felt like to belong, until you picked up a microphone. How old were you girls when you realized this was what you wanted to do and what made you feel so ‘at home?’

Ashley: I would say I was about 10 years old. I know that’s really young, but music can just take you there and catch you off guard no matter what age you’re at. It made me feel like at home because when you’re on stage, nobody judges – well i’m sure they judge you, but you feel like you can do whatever you want and they’ll accept you. You can be yourself and do crazy things, and it doesn’t really matter as long as you’re yourself & you have talent it will take you wherever. You can just have fun and make people get up and smile, and it makes me feel like I have a purpose. That’s really just what was important to me when I was that age.

Jenny: I would say ever since I was young, I’m talking when I was like 6 years old, I started doing modeling. I just honestly loved being in front of the camera. I was more with adults a lot and I really just loved working. I really enjoyed it and thought it was always fun when I would get cast. With music and everything, especially when you write your own music, you can basically take your values and the messages you want to send to people and portray them and I think that’s really cool.

Being able to tour around the country & perform at a young age is a big dream many kids your age have. What keeps you grounded?

Ashley: I’d say family, definitely. I’m a teenager in this world, especially in this day and age, it’s so hard to stay grounded to what you believe in. But we have such an amazing family that supports us and without that I don’t know what we would do.

Jenny: I would say what keeps me grounded is my faith. I have a really strong relationship with the Lord and I’m a very strong Christian. That definitely helps me stay grounded and make smart decisions. I would definitely credit that for helping me stay grounded.

Most of the artists listed on your site that influence you lyrically & vocally (Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, and Shania Twain) are country artists. Who are some of your pop influences?

Ashley: I’d definitely say Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Jessie J because what I wanna do when I’m on stage is make people smile and have a good time. I feel like they’re letting the world go behind them on stage, and that’s what I love to do. I feel like all those artists know how to make people have fun and let loose.

Jenny: I’ve always loved the way Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera perform. The fact that they were able to bring dance into having killer vocals, especially Christina, I love the diva side of that. I also have to say Nicki Minaj. I know all the words to “Super Bass!”

For your “Songs About You” EP, you worked with Tim McGraw’s co-producer Darran Smith and his band the Dance Hall Doctors. What was that experience like?

It was really, really special because our first real studio experience was with a band that was beyond talented. We just wanted to watch them jam out, hang out, mess with different things; it was really, really cool. We got to record on Music Row; so many legends have recorded in that studio, at Loud Studios, and being able to see all the plaques of the different Legends there was really amazing.

If you could go on tour with any artist right now, who would it be and why?

Jenny: I just heard that Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes are going on tour together and if I could be on that tour with them, that would be a dream come true! Carrie Underwood can sing her heart out, she is one of the best performers I think, and Hunter Hayes is just flippin’ adorable.

Ashley: Taylor Swift is a huge inspiration of mine, so definitely I’d say Taylor Swift. I’ve never been to a show, unfortunately, but her show is apparently like a broadway musical put on, it’s amazing. I love to go on tour with her.

You both either wrote or co-wrote every song on your “Our Kinda Life” EP. What’s a typical writing session like for you?

Ashley: I just love writing in general. A typical writing session for me is a variety things. Sometimes i’ll just sit on my guitar and write songs. For example, “My Kinda Life,” I wrote all on my own in my own room with my guitar. I write a lot of stuff on my own but I also write with writers, it’s really great to have more than one head in the room to put different ideas together.

Jenny: I really like relaxed writing sessions. I think that if you can get to know your co-writer; I do a lot of co-writing, I think it’s more fun. It definitely brings together a great song when you have different perspectives. Ashley and I write with Bridgette Tatum and Alissa Moreno, and they are two incredible writers out of Nashville and the fact that we all bring completely different things to the table – Bridgette is such a country girl, Alyssa is from LA, she’s very earthy, and Ashley and I are just so young and youthful. Bringing all the different styles together is such a relaxed tone. We’ll just talk for the first hour instead of write [laughs], and then we’ll figure something out.

Ashley: We’ll have snacks, just sit on the floor, bring out pillows. Writing is really chill for us, that’s how we get the most inspirational stuff out of our minds.

You touched on this a little bit, but do you prefer to write together or individually, and how old were you when you each wrote your first song?

Ashley: I wrote my first song when I was around 10ish, we write together and separately, I don’t think I have a preference. Both of them we get good songs out of.

Jenny: I probably wrote my first song when I was around 12. I personally love co-writes. I’m not as strong writing on my own because I really just love sitting in a room and I get the most creative when I’m with people in that social relaxed setting. So many ideas come together when you’re talking to different people about different things, and just about life. So, I definitely prefer co-writing.

What would you say is the coolest thing about what you get to do & what have been some of your favorite moments so far in your careers?

Jenny: I would say the coolest thing we get to do see is see all the different audiences and meet all different kinds of people all over the country. I think Ashley and I both agree that the concert that we did in Nashville, TN at the Wilderness Lodge for the “Indescribable” music video – we got do it at a water park in a wave pool; and we were on top of the wave pool and all the fans were swimming while we were singing and it was honestly the best experience. I don’t think many artists are able to experience that so I felt really honored to be able to do that with Ashley.

Have you had any fan encounters that really stand out in your mind or any that have really inspired you?

Ashley: There was one I think in North Carolina or something, where this guy came up to us and was like ‘can you sign my abs?’ [laughs] and luckily, he had a six pack so it was pretty fun, but that was always so, so funny.

Jenny: That shows Ashley! [laughs] I would say, we’ve had about 6 times, all in different places, people will come up to us with inspirational stories. There was one girl who is a dancer, and her mom had breast cancer and she had just gotten on remission. She was like “You guys just inspired me to follow me dreams. We’re now able to pay for dance classes and I just kinda lost hope, but by watching you guys do what you love to do just really shows me that I can follow my dreams.” And I just thought that was really cool. There’s been so many other encounters where people will come up and sing for us because they have dreams of being a singer. The amount of talent and passion out there from people is incredible and we’re very lucky that we get to go around and see all of that.

That’s really awesome, it’s really cool to be able to inspire people too. I think that’s a really neat thing about what you get to do.

Jenny: Absolutely, I wear a ring on my right hand and it says on it “Inspire.” I got it made when I was in Disney World and I wear it every single day. That is my goal and I keep it on my body so I remember!

Any funny stories from being on the road that you’d like to share?

Ashley: Oh boy, do we! [laughs] This past summer when we were on tour, we were in our rental car, it was in a really small town, and were driving through, I think it was McDonalds. It was me, my mom, Jenny, Julie, which is our manager, and we’re like “Mom! Do a funny accent!” So, we pull up to the thing and my mom is like *speaks in accent* “Hello, can I please have this” and she like uses this bad accent so it sounded Australian, mixed with English and whatever. So, we get up to the place where you’re supposed to pay and she totally blanked that she had an accent cause she talked with an American accent and they’re like ‘what just happened.’ [Laughs]

Jenny: Sometimes we’ll get good nights of sleep when we’re on tour, but there are some nights when we’ll get to bed and we’ll only have like 4 hours of sleep so we get the “sleepy haha’s” is what we call them and it’s where everything is just hilarious. So we decided to make webisodes on it so it’s on your Facebook and Youtube. Any time that we have a super funny moment, we’ll record it on our iPad or on our phone and we share it to our fans. The next morning we’ll be like “Why in the world did we just post that for the world to see?!” But [laughs] it’s funny!

That is funny, but it’s also cool that you do that because a lot of fans enjoy seeing that kind of stuff. You don’t get to see that side of a lot of artist these days.

Ashley: Jenny and I would say that that is totally, totally true. We’re totally not the always business girls. We’re teenage girls, we love to have fun and we love to show people that side of us.

I saw on your blog that you recorded your own version of Carrie Underwood’s “Good Girl.” Can you tell us a little bit about what makes it different & when we can expect to hear it?

Jenny: Yes, we created our own arrangement of it and it’s much more J&A style!

Ashley: Most definitely. It’s like a Colbie Caillat slash Jason Mraz-y feel, if you can imagine that. Hers is a total power song, but we made it our own.

Jenny: You’ll be able to see it within the next month. Me, I’m the good girl, and Ashley is the bad girl. It was so fun to film.

Let’s get to know both of you a little better.

- Current favorite songs?

Jenny: I would say I have two. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson, that’s Ashley and I’s jam. and Wanted by Hunter Hayes.

Ashley: I’ve gotta say, I heard it on the radio the other day, “Better Than I Used To Be” by Tim McGraw. I love that song, it’s so beautifully written and the way he sings it is amazing. And I also love “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson. Oh my gosh, she is awesome. Ever since American Idol, we have been her number one fans.

- When you’re not singing, you like to….

Jenny: I would say I love to go shopping! I’m very girly, I love picking out new clothes & shoes. I love going to the beach, we are living in Miami as well for my dad’s job so we just go and hang out at the beach which is awesome. Because I travel so much, it’s kinda hard to have too many friends, but I do have some really great ones and it’s always fun to come home to hang out with them.

Ashley: Mine is definitely to ride horses, I’ve always loved riding horses. I love jumping on trampolines, and just chilling with my friends. Any time I get with my friends I cherish it, I love it.

- Is there one TV show you can’t miss is?

Jenny: I would say Smash, the new show about Marilyn Monroe and broadway. I’ve always been a huge Marilyn Monroe person, I just love her.

Ashley: I love the CSI – CSI Miami and NY, and whatever CSI’s there are, there’s so many. But I’m obsessed with CSI and Criminal Minds, that kind of stuff.

- What is your ultimate dream & goal as a singer?

Ashley: My ultimate dream is to sell out an arena, I’ve always wanted to do that. My goal is to just like I said before make people to let loose and have fun. I just want people to forget about their worries and just have fun whenever they listen to us.

Jenny: Like I said before, how many people I can inspire. One, one thousand, one million how ever many people I can get to by the time I die. I want to make sure that i can show people that it’s okay to be who you want to be and to follow your dreams.

- Tell us something your fans might not know about you.

 Ashley: I usually don’t play guitar with a pick, unless my guitar teacher is forcing me to [laughs]. I just don’t like playing guitars with picks I don’t know why.

Jenny: Which is funny, because she’s not the normal kind of player. She taught herself how to play, she plays it by ear she doesn’t like to read notes. She’s just totally not the normal guitar player. I would say one thing that my fans probably don’t know about me is that I’m a school nerd [laughs]. I love learning. If I went to high school, I’d be the person who would be class president and super into school, I love learning.

That’s great, It’s really good to inspire kids your age to be like that too.

Jenny: Absolutely, I think valuing your education – this is what my dad always tells me – is that people can take a lot of things from you, but no one can take your education from you and I think that definitely stays with me all the way through.

Any big plans coming up for this year?

Jenny: Yes! We are working on writing our album, and we’re also co-writing with a lot of cool writers in Nashville, super talented people. We’re playing shows all around the country, we actually have one this weekend in Glen County, California, so we’re really excited about that. Yeah, just some great things coming up!

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2. Jenny & Ashley Release New Christmas Music Video
3. Jenny & Ashley’s New Music Video

Reba shares her advice for surviving and gaining success in the music business as well as tips for keeping a healthy voice. She also discusses her personal life and how she has managed to juggle it all, and talks about some of her favorite aspects of the job and being a performer.

It is a really great interview, check it out:

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