If you were to write an intro for “Rock & Roll” before it played on the radio, what would you want listeners to know about the song?
One-part Lynyrd Skynyrd, one-part Morgan Wallen, “Rock & Roll” is a country rock song about Nashville neon nightlife and the live music scene in Music City.
6 Things You Don’t Know About Me:
2013, formed Plaid Brixx, an alternative pop trio. What inspired you to put together the trio?
I have been in bands since I was around 10 years old. I formed Plaid Brixx when I moved back home to Ohio after college; I wanted to start playing my songs live. The original idea for that project was to form a punk band, but it ultimately became a pop rock project and we had some great success.
Multi-instrumentalist. Which instruments do you hope to learn to play in the next year?
I stopped trying to learn new instruments after I learned all the core rock instruments—vocals, bass, drums and guitar. Now I just work to master them!
Influences, Paul Cauthen, The Black Keys, James Brown, Rolling Stones, The Beatles. How have artists like these influenced your music career?
I’ve always enjoyed listening to all genres of music and studying their various production and musical styles. I like to combine genres and themes to create interesting new twists. I’ve studied every major musical movement in US history and its contexts—knowing where we’ve been with music allows me to try to go to places we’ve not been before.
Live show highlights “soulful sing along vocals, handstands, acrobatics as well as fan participation.” Do you have a daily exercise program to stay in shape for these very active performances?
I’m a certified yoga instructor. I do a ton of hot yoga in a 100-degree room, as well as high-intensity interval training, mat Pilates and weightlifting. I try to practice a bit of gymnastics as well. (I’m always working to improve my handstand game so I can keep walking across the stage upside down!)
2024, waterfall series. What can fans expect from this new series?
We’ll be rolling out even more fun and catchy songs, and video content in 2024. Still trying to figure out what the next single is, but all the tunes I’ve cooked up so far are fantastic!
Written, produced and scored for independent films. Producing songs and albums for other artists. How did you get involved in producing for other artists?
I started by producing my friends’ albums for free to improve my production abilities. I work hard with concentration to get better at producing my own songs. I study what other producers and writers do and learn from them. It’s a continuing process.
Can you share 12 songs that have influenced your life and career?
“Tuesday’s Gone” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
This is probably my favorite song ever written. I listen to it quite often.
“Save a Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” by Big & Rich
Big & Rich was my first introduction to the naughty side of country. Maybe I was just at the right age to hear that stuff (because it’s always been around), but this was my first exposure and I love this song.
“Hey Jude” by The Beatles
I think the Beatles are one of the most important acts of all time and no matter what genre you listen to today, the Beatles probably had some kind of influence.
“Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
I love the message of this song. It’s about being a good person and always growing. You don’t need a yacht to live a wonderful life; in fact, you may have done it wrong if you own a yacht!
“Thunderstruck” by AC/DC
The guitar performance in this song, and any AC/DC song, still inspires me to this day. Angus Young’s guitar tone and the energy they inject into their recordings is incredible!
“Master Of Puppets” by Metallica
One of the first major metal songs I learned on guitar. I taught myself most of the song, aside from the insane solos, when I was around 12 years old.
“All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi is an incredible guitar player, and his chord voicings are next level! This song is a Bob Dylan cover; as a kid hearing it, I realized for the first time that people make new recordings of other artist’s songs. To be honest, Jimi made it so much better that it’s not really Bob Dylan’s song anymore. (Kind of like when Johnny Cash covered Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor said, “It’s his song now.”)
“All The Small Things” by Blink-182
Blink-182 is pretty much why I picked up a guitar in the first place, I saw them playing on MTV and was like, “I need to play guitar immediately!” (I was 7 years old.)
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli
I danced to this song with my wife at our wedding. We did a fully choreographed 2-minute dance. (We took dance lessons and worked hard to get right!)
“Cocaine Country Dancing” by Paul Cauthen
This song is all attitude, and it reminds me that how you sing is just as important as the lyrics you sing!
“That’s All Right” by Elvis Presley
One of the best recordings of all time. I love how simple and to the point it is. It’s bare bones, but because of the players on the record, they were able to convey so much energy.
“Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” by James Brown
The man is truly one of the best and hardest working performers of all time, and his music continues to impact modern-day music. Truly one of the most incredible artists to ever live.
