RB: Back to the process of making the album. We talked about what was the most difficult aspect, but what was the most fun part of making your first record?
Douglas Kent: My favorite part about making the record was that I got to work with my friends every day. I feel very fortunate to have had their expertise, input, and….sarcasm.
RB: As I understand it, many of your friends and roommates actually play on the album. Can you tell us about all the musicians who played on the album with you?
Douglas Kent: Mark Henne is playing drums on the record. He’s out of Phili, and is one of the best drummers around. He’s toured all over the country with numerous groups, and I’m fortunate to have him on board with me.
Morgan Patrick Thompson is playing bass and did most of the engineering for the album. I am so grateful to him for all of his tireless efforts, and the amazing bass playing that he added to every song. He’s truly one of the best bass players that people have never heard of…not for long though.
Geoff Queen…well what can I say? The guy is a bad ass. He’s a good friend of mine who used to play pedal steel for Bonnie Bishop and Sunny Sweeney, and he’s currently on the road with Seth James. For my record, he not only played the pedal steel, but also supplied his talents on the lead guitar, lap steel, dobro, and rhythm electric. He had so many great ideas that really added a lot to each track. Geoff really made a huge difference.
Shawn Dean played fiddle. Believe it or not, I actually met Shawn through Craigslist…and no, it wasn’t a missed connection. He was looking for a country singer, and I was looking for a fiddle player. Neither of us had any idea that, years later, we would be such good friends or that we’d still making music together. He’s an amazing player out of Twin Falls, Idaho, and he is well on his way to becoming one of the premier names in the world of country/bluegrass fiddle.
Brennen Leigh is also on the record. She sang with me on the song “Where Did the Good Times Go”. She is an amazing talent, and I am very lucky to have her incredible voice on my record. I would HIGHLY recommend getting her new album, “The Box” which she recorded at Cherry Ridge Studios with producer Tommy Detamore.
RB: To support the album, you and many of the musicians named will be playing all over the state. Playing shows is nothing new to you, though. So are there any shows that you have played in the past that are particularly memorable?
Douglas Kent: I recently performed at Austin’s annual Buck Owens Birthday Bash. It was really an honor to share a bill with SO many amazing musicians. Right before I started my performance, I looked around the stage, and realized that not only was I about to perform with some of my musical heroes, but these same guys are also personal friends with some of our country music icons...I think the whole room could tell that I was nervous, but I didn’t care. That was a great night, for me.
RB: One last question then we will let you go. When people come to see you play live, what can they expect?
Douglas Kent: I’ve been a fan of live music for my entire life. By this point, I know what I like, and I make sure that my shows are something that I would want to watch. When people come to see me, they can expect a rowdy, energetic performance that is laced with dancing songs and slow ballads….the shows are ALWAYS fun.
That was Douglas Kent everybody. His album “The Way I Am” comes out this fall. Make sure to stop by his home page, www.douglaskentmusic.com, and his MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/douglaskent to hear live versions of some of the songs off the album and to find out when he is playing near you. You can also get this information at http://www.roofbeamrecords.com/Artists.html.
Til next time.
jmp
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Douglas Kent Q&A- Part 2 of 3
RB: Let’s talk about the album for a little bit. “The Way I Am” is being released this fall and it is your debut studio album. Since this is your first album, tell us what the recording process was like for you and what you found to be the most difficult aspect.
Douglas Kent: The process was an extremely challenging experience, but was well worth the effort and was a lot of fun! We always found reasons to smile and laugh, even when we were tired and frustrated. The most difficult part was the scheduling. Everyone had really busy schedules, and it was up to me to juggle everyone’s day-to-day in order to get the record finished.
RB: After going through the process, what about this album are you most excited about?
Douglas Kent: This album has been a long time coming. It’s been several years overdue. So, I’d have to say that I’m the most excited just to have a record out that I can be proud of…and I am definitely proud of this record.
RB: What do you want people who hear this album to know about it?
Douglas Kent: The album is titled, “The Way I Am” for a reason. Not only does every track represent a facet of my personality, but it also showcases the many reasons that I love country music.
RB: I know this would be like asking someone, “Which of your children do you love most?” but what is your favorite track or tracks on “The Way I Am?”
Douglas Kent: Hmmm…you’re right. That’s a tough decision to make. I’m proud of all the songs. Really, my favorite would change depending on my mood at any particular time, and that makes me happy because that was my goal with this record. I wanted to have a wide spectrum of songs that the listener could easily apply to multiple situations and personal emotions.
RB: I love the story behind the song “Blood on the Strings” (one on the fifteen songs off the upcoming album.) Can you share that story with the readers?
Douglas Kent: My very first official billing in Austin was at a bar, more like a shack, that was tucked away amongst a slew of warehouses and industrial shops. At the time I didn’t have a guitar of my own, so my dad drove down from Dallas to watch the show and to let me borrow his guitar. Apparently, I played my little 20 year-old heart out, because, by the end of my 30 minute set, I realized that I’d cut my finger and was bleeding profusely. After the music, and the bleeding, had stopped, I packed up the guitar, handed it back to my dad, and apologized for all the blood on the strings. He paused and said, “Blood on the strings, huh? That sounds like a good idea for a song.” I agreed. A few years, and five drafts, later, the song was finished.
To hear a live version of “Blood on the Strings,” and other tracks, head over to Douglas Kent’s MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/douglaskent, or http://www.roofbeamrecords.com/Artists.html.
Check back next week for Part 3 of our Q&A with Douglas Kent to read more about the album and what to expect when you see Douglas Kent live.
jmp
Douglas Kent: The process was an extremely challenging experience, but was well worth the effort and was a lot of fun! We always found reasons to smile and laugh, even when we were tired and frustrated. The most difficult part was the scheduling. Everyone had really busy schedules, and it was up to me to juggle everyone’s day-to-day in order to get the record finished.
RB: After going through the process, what about this album are you most excited about?
Douglas Kent: This album has been a long time coming. It’s been several years overdue. So, I’d have to say that I’m the most excited just to have a record out that I can be proud of…and I am definitely proud of this record.
RB: What do you want people who hear this album to know about it?
Douglas Kent: The album is titled, “The Way I Am” for a reason. Not only does every track represent a facet of my personality, but it also showcases the many reasons that I love country music.
RB: I know this would be like asking someone, “Which of your children do you love most?” but what is your favorite track or tracks on “The Way I Am?”
Douglas Kent: Hmmm…you’re right. That’s a tough decision to make. I’m proud of all the songs. Really, my favorite would change depending on my mood at any particular time, and that makes me happy because that was my goal with this record. I wanted to have a wide spectrum of songs that the listener could easily apply to multiple situations and personal emotions.
RB: I love the story behind the song “Blood on the Strings” (one on the fifteen songs off the upcoming album.) Can you share that story with the readers?
Douglas Kent: My very first official billing in Austin was at a bar, more like a shack, that was tucked away amongst a slew of warehouses and industrial shops. At the time I didn’t have a guitar of my own, so my dad drove down from Dallas to watch the show and to let me borrow his guitar. Apparently, I played my little 20 year-old heart out, because, by the end of my 30 minute set, I realized that I’d cut my finger and was bleeding profusely. After the music, and the bleeding, had stopped, I packed up the guitar, handed it back to my dad, and apologized for all the blood on the strings. He paused and said, “Blood on the strings, huh? That sounds like a good idea for a song.” I agreed. A few years, and five drafts, later, the song was finished.
-----------------------------------------------------------
To hear a live version of “Blood on the Strings,” and other tracks, head over to Douglas Kent’s MySpace page, http://www.myspace.com/douglaskent, or http://www.roofbeamrecords.com/Artists.html.
Check back next week for Part 3 of our Q&A with Douglas Kent to read more about the album and what to expect when you see Douglas Kent live.
jmp
Monday, September 14, 2009
Douglas Kent Q&A- Part 1 of 3
RB: Here he is, with his first album coming out this fall- “The Way I Am”- the man himself, Douglas Kent. Let’s get right into it. We’ll start real basic. What is it about country music that you love?
Douglas Kent: It cuts through the B.S. We’ve all got a little red-neck in us, and country music celebrates that fact. Every once in a while though, you hear a country song that will cross genres and take your breath away. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does…damn, it feels good.
RB: Some people may not know this, but you are not a typical country song writer. Unlike many country artists, you don’t write a lot of love songs, so where does the inspiration for the music come from if not love?
Douglas Kent: My inspiration comes from my life. I’m not gonna write songs filled with a bunch of B.S. Some songs are fictional…Some are autobiographical…but regardless, I’m not gonna lie about who I am, what I do, or how I feel.
RB: I am guessing that is what you look for in other musicians. Well, you and everyone else knew this question was coming, so let’s hit you with it early: who are your musical influences?
Douglas Kent: Oh, the eternal question…I’m never very good at answering this, but I’ll see what I can do. I’d definitely have to say Jason Boland, Willie Nelson, and John Prine, just to name a few. I’m sure there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind first.
RB: What is it about these guys that connect and inspire you?
Douglas Kent: They are honest. Even if the songs are fictional, the delivery is real…it makes the music honest.
RB: One more general question about you then we will discuss the album, “The Way I Am”- which comes out this fall everybody. As a hard working musician, you must need a break? What sort of things do you do to take a break from music?
Douglas Kent: I’m a simple guy. All I need is a dirty honky-tonk, a cold Lone Star, and a pretty girl. That’s all it takes to make me happy.
Check back next Monday for Part 2 of the Douglas Kent interview to read an interesting story about one of the songs off "The Way I Am" and to hear more about the upcoming album. As always, you can get more Douglas Kent at http://www.douglaskentmusic.com/ or at http://www.roofbeam records.com/.
If you have any questions you would like to ask or say to Douglas Kent, please leave a comment. We would love to hear your thoughts.
jmp
Douglas Kent: It cuts through the B.S. We’ve all got a little red-neck in us, and country music celebrates that fact. Every once in a while though, you hear a country song that will cross genres and take your breath away. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does…damn, it feels good.
RB: Some people may not know this, but you are not a typical country song writer. Unlike many country artists, you don’t write a lot of love songs, so where does the inspiration for the music come from if not love?
Douglas Kent: My inspiration comes from my life. I’m not gonna write songs filled with a bunch of B.S. Some songs are fictional…Some are autobiographical…but regardless, I’m not gonna lie about who I am, what I do, or how I feel.
RB: I am guessing that is what you look for in other musicians. Well, you and everyone else knew this question was coming, so let’s hit you with it early: who are your musical influences?
Douglas Kent: Oh, the eternal question…I’m never very good at answering this, but I’ll see what I can do. I’d definitely have to say Jason Boland, Willie Nelson, and John Prine, just to name a few. I’m sure there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind first.
RB: What is it about these guys that connect and inspire you?
Douglas Kent: They are honest. Even if the songs are fictional, the delivery is real…it makes the music honest.
RB: One more general question about you then we will discuss the album, “The Way I Am”- which comes out this fall everybody. As a hard working musician, you must need a break? What sort of things do you do to take a break from music?
Douglas Kent: I’m a simple guy. All I need is a dirty honky-tonk, a cold Lone Star, and a pretty girl. That’s all it takes to make me happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Check back next Monday for Part 2 of the Douglas Kent interview to read an interesting story about one of the songs off "The Way I Am" and to hear more about the upcoming album. As always, you can get more Douglas Kent at http://www.douglaskentmusic.com/ or at http://www.roofbeam records.com/.
If you have any questions you would like to ask or say to Douglas Kent, please leave a comment. We would love to hear your thoughts.
jmp
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