Published: September 2, 2009 9:26 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight September 2009 Edition
Doug Swindell
Doug Swindell
With enriching and colorful tracks like "Baby Don't Love Me" and "Somethin I Need", it's no wonder that Blues Singer/Songwriter Doug Swindell is creating such a buzz in the music industry. Swindell's music is full of life's lessons and pains. In this recent interview with our online magazine, Doug Swindell speaks candidly about his music, his influences, and his future in the music industry.
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Doug: I was 5 or 6 years old when my dad bought a stereo system, you know, one of those cabinets like a big pc of furniture? So, he started picking up albums left and right, and I was instantly hooked. I mean I listened to the stuff daily, Ricky Nelson, Elvis, The New Christy Minstrels, Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass, The Leonard Bernstein Orchestra, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and so on. I was wearing out his turntable so he bought me a little transistor radio, and I'd fall asleep at night listening to the top 40 of the day on KELI am 1430 in Tulsa, with that little rubber ear piece. It was the 60's and after the Beatles hit, everything was jamming in waves, Motown, the British invasion, it was an awesome time for Rock and Roll. I was digging it all, but the one thing that really caught my ear was these British rockers playing these great cover songs....The Blues!...by artists I hadn't heard of. That's when I discovered the blues...the American blues and its classic greats. I've been influenced ever since. Oh yeah, I don't remember anyone in my family playing anything...
Isaac: What drew you to pick up an instrument in the first place?
Doug: Just the love of music for sure, but we had an old piano my mom had picked up somewhere, and I was always banging around on it, then one of my dad's friends showed up at the house with an acoustic guitar one night. While they were playing cards at the kitchen table, I was in the living room scratching up this guy's guitar. But my first love was the drums...it didn't matter, a marching band, or sitting behind the drummer for the band playing at the park.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Doug: I could never have imagined it any other way.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Doug: That's a tough one...there are so many....but at this point I would have to say Eric Clapton, for several reasons. I've never met him, of course, but I've seen him plenty of times and the man is so gracious. He strikes me as very warm hearted and compassionate, and what he has done over his career, crossing the genres of blues and rock, the people he has played with and influenced, the versatility and styling of his music....I bet we could all learn a thing or two from him.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Doug: Again, there are so many, but here are some that stand out (in no particular order) Hendrix, Clapton, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Robert Johnson, Son House, T-Bone Walker, Miles Davis, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Page, Albert Collins, Albert Lee, I should probably stop here....except to say two of the guitar players I can't get enough of right now are Johnny A, and Sonny Landreth...man those cats can burn it down.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Doug: The ultimate goal for me is to create music that people like and it speaks to them in some way, so that they remember it.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Doug: Probably the same two obstacles for everyone, in all things...time and money.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Doug: Sure, if it's in you, it's just something you can't help doing.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Doug: It holds true to all things in life...your passions...be patient, be strong and confident, and don't let little things get you down. Remain positive and move forward...it's not about how fast you get there. A wise old man once told me....when your passion speaks, listen to it...it feeds the soul.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Doug: It's my own blend of Blues Rock.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Doug: Hmmm....I'm just not able to say...I love the whole process of creating.
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
