Published: February 10, 2008 10:41 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Acoustic / Country
The Nashville music sensation, Blue Eyed Grass, is creating a nice buzz in the music industry. The dynamic duo (Jayron Weaver and Delnora Reed) has blended their different musical taste to create something that will have fans wanting more. Junior’s Cave believe that the duo is destined to leave a mark on the music industry. Check out this recent spotlight we have the pleasure to conduct with the members of the group. And make sure to review their EPK (Electronic Press Kit) on Sonicbids.com.
Isaac-Joseph: How is everyone doing today?
Blue Eyed Grass: We are doing great! We're taking a break from rehearsal and enjoying the chance, having just worked through our set list, to reflect on how these songs came together in the first place.
Isaac-Joseph: Your music has a nice acoustical feel to it. What I really like about the music is that when you are listening to it I feel I am listening to a story being told. How do you approach your music?
Blue Eyed Grass: It is interesting that you note the "story" aspect. We each feel that a song must have something more than a catchy hook or smooth melody - it must tell a story that folks can relate to. Most of our songs start with a feeling/Mood and a few guitar chords we like, and then we build it out from there lyrically.
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music excites you the most right now as an entertainer?
Blue Eyed Grass: We have been writing new songs again and we are enjoying that process - but the most exciting part is taking music this new and airing it for an audience.
We recently opened for Craig Morgan and as part of that performance we played a song called Algonquin Sky - it was wonderful to see hundreds of folks enjoy hearing something we had put the finishing touches on a week earlier!
Isaac-Joseph: What aspect of making music gets you the most discouraged you the most?
Blue Eyed Grass: The hardest part is having to buckle down and rehearse set lists when new song ideas keep bubbling up. The most discouraging part is being so taken with the
material we are writing and performing and yet toiling in the modern music market trying to get it far enough out into the real world to find out if it really is as good as we think it is - so we are working hard to increase our online presence as well as build out our
touring schedule.
Isaac-Joseph: You have some new releases. Expound on your new project and what can we expect from them.
Blue Eyed Grass: We released our Debut CD, titled "Blue Eyed Grass" in November. It is entirely made up of songs that we wrote and we play all of the instruments on the CD.
Delnora even doubled as the Producer – working tirelessly to make sure that the recording you hear matches the music that has been haunting her for some time now. As far as what you can expect: "Edgy new songs that are the Best fusion of "good grass" and country!"
It is available on iTunes and CD Baby, and you can check them out on our new website: www.blueeyedgrass.net
Isaac-Joseph: What's the most unusual place you've ever played a show or made a recording? How did the qualities of that place affect the show/recording?
Blue Eyed Grass: During the warmer months we love to practice outdoors. Cedars of Lebanon State Park is a favorite backdrop. Our most unusual show was an impromptu performance for a Boy Scout troop who were using the adjacent campsite - when we started rehearsing, a few of the troop at a time started drifting over until we had a great little audience.
Isaac-Joseph: In what ways does the place where you live (or places where you have lived); affect the music you create, or your taste in music?
Blue Eyed Grass: We both grew up in families with well-established musical traditions. Jayron's folks had a Bluegrass/Southern Gospel group who gathered for Friday night jams that included a variety of musical styles. Delnora's great grandfather, Henry Reed, is a fixture in the Library of Congress for his mastery of Old Time fiddle tunes and his legacy is strong within her family. Living around Nashville has also influenced our music - both in what it offers by way of mainstream Country and what we see lacking in the
current scene, which is why we were drawn toward this project in the first place. We hope the result is something clean, fresh and true that still kicks butt!
Isaac-Joseph: When was the last time you wrote a song? What can you tell us about it?
Blue Eyed Grass: We wrote a new song Yesterday! - Jayron had the opening line when he arrived for rehearsal and a few hours later we were making a scratch recording and
discussing whether or not we could have it ready for inclusion in our next set list. It is a strong country song that you could picture Blake Shelton singing.
Isaac-Joseph: As you create more music, do you find yourself getting more or less interested in seeking out and listening to new music made by other people...and why do you think that is?
Blue Eyed Grass: I think we are constantly exploring other folks music - both in reexamining our roots and to make sure that we are not simply drifting musically into somebody else's well-worn groove.
Isaac-Joseph: Lately, what musical periods or styles do you find yourself most drawn to as a listener? (Old or new music? Music like yours or different from yours?)
Blue Eyed Grass: We both listen to a wide variety of music – everything from Rascal Flatts and Brad Paisley to Goo Goo Dolls and U2, with abundant sampling of alternative, indie, bluegrass, gospel, emo, and even reggae thrown in for good measure. As we prepare for our upcoming shows in West Virginia, which is where Delnora grew up, we have also been revisiting many of the songs that she cut her teeth performing - songs from folks like the Judds and Dan Seals, as well as songs written by her multi-talented dad, Tim Reed.
Isaac-Joseph: Name a band or musician, past or present, who you flat-out LOVE and think more people should be listening to. What's one of your all-time favorite recordings by this band/musician?
Blue Eyed Grass: We are big Nickel Creek fans. (So hard to do!!! But if we had to choose one song..."When you come back down")
Isaac-Joseph: What is your favorite song of yours that you enjoy performing on stage?
Blue Eyed Grass: Still probably has to be the first song we ever wrote together..."Fill Me UP". There's only ONE First! :-)
Isaac-Joseph: This is what we call our Shout Out time. Elaborate on any and everyone that matters the most to you:
Blue Eyed Grass: We both come from strong families - they have consistently encouraged each of us to explore our gifts and talents - and often made sacrifices so that
we could grow as artists and make honest music that we hope will stand the test of time. So a huge shouts out to both our Families as well as ALL our new fans!! WE
LOVE YOU and pray for a lifetime of this!!
