Before I go any further I need to offer up my sincerest apologies to the talented group of Nu-Blu and to Kyle Watson at Webster PR. This interview slipped through the cracks during my fall slide to oblivion
I am happy to post the interview with them today as well as a link to my previous REVIEW of their album - All The Way
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions on
such short notice. I look forward to introducing you to my readers.
1 – The bio on your website is a great introduction. I know
this is your fifth album. I’ve read about your journey, Carolyn. I’d love to
hear how the other members of your group came to this point in their careers.
Daniel: I started playing guitar at
age 13, moving to the banjo in high school.
I spent several years playing in local bands, but it wasn’t until I met
Carolyn and started playing bass in her rock band that I realized that I had
met someone that had the same drive and dreams that I had for playing
music. When the rock band dissolved we
decided to start Nu-Blu, the rest is history, lol.
Levi: I started playing the banjo at
age 9. After a year and a half of lessons, I began performing on the weekends
in a classic country variety show called the “Rand Ole Opry”. It was my first
paying gig. After a year there I started touring the country playing bluegrass
gospel with the Cagle Family. With Daniel and Carolyn living in the same town
as I, we all knew each other and band practice would be much closer, so I
didn’t hesitate when Daniel asked me to
play with Nu-Blu. I was thirteen when I joined the band, and it has been an
awesome experience being a part of the group and developing the sound over the
past 9 years.
Austin: I played drums for years,
and had always loved bluegrass and country music. I had gotten a mandolin when I
was about 13 years old, but didn't do anything with it. In the spring of 2007 I
picked it back up again. I didn't do much but practice to David Grisman albums.
A few years later I had been in a couple bluegrass bands. I got hired by Nu Blu
when I was 20, and thats really when I started to cut my teeth in the bluegrass
circuit.
2 – Carolyn, your illness in 2003 had to have been a very
scary experience for someone who had been involved in music your entire life.
What did you learn about yourself on that journey back to health? And how does
that translate into the evolution of your music?
I learned that life is too short to
not be happy, and to appreciate the small things every day. This transfer to my
music by making me more determined than ever to go after my dreams.
3 – All The Way is an amazing melting
pot of the various strains of Bluegrass, Americana and country. How does this
album differ from your previous four?
We spread our musical wings a little more on
"All the Way" than we have on any other project and let our hair down
so to speak. In our earlier projects, we were still learning and experimenting
with trying to balance what felt right and what we felt we had to do to conform
to how people expected us to sound. This
time, we just did "us". It felt right and we are very excited and
proud of how it turned out.
4 – You collaborated with other talented artists. How did
you come to work with legendary Sam Moore and what did you absorb (I dislike
the word ‘take’) from the experience?
We wanted someone who was friends
with George Jones to sing on, "Jesus and Jones". We have always loved
Sam's sound and his ability to own any song that he sings. After he brought the
house down at the George Jones tribute show back in Nov. he was an obvious
choice. Our publicist Kirt Webster made the connection for us and the rest is
history. Recording with "The Legend" that is Sam Moore, is without a
doubt, the highlight of my musical career. I took away an even deeper appreciation for Sam and deep
sense of gratitude for him and all the people involved in helping to make it
all happen.
5 – You teamed up with Sam Moore for Jesus and Jones. What about that particular song captured you?
I loved the song the first time I
heard it. It's a wonderfully written tribute to the life and music of George
Jones with an almost contagious tune that you just can't stop humming.
6 – One of my favorite tracks is That’s What Makes the Bluegrass Blue. Aside from one of my favorite
bluegrass artists, Rhonda Vincent accompanying you, the story drew me in.
Whether one you’ve recorded or by someone else, do you have a favorite
bluegrass tune? And what about that song do you connect with?
Carolyn: "Goodbye for a While" on Blue Highway's, "Still Climbing Mountains" CD. After having my strokes in 2003, there were some very scary days when we weren't
really sure how extensive the damage was and if I was in the clear or there may
be another stroke coming. Daniel and I were best friends at that point and he
stayed by my side through it all. I asked
him to do the unthinkable, and sing this song at my funeral if I didn't make
it. He reluctantly agreed. Thankfully, he never had to come through on that
promise.
Daniel: I’ve always been drawn to
the the song by Lonesome River Band “Running Hard on a Broken Heart.” It really helps tell the story of lost love
and the road.
Levi: “Restless” on Alison Kraussand Union Station’s Lonely Runs Both Ways
album, or any other song on that album. I’ve always been drawn to this album
for its perfect combination of great song selection and excellent recording
quality.
Austin: Lonesome River by RalphStanley. I think it epitomizes what true bluegrass is.
7 – A Little Good News is a classic with as much relevance
today as when Ann Murray recorded the song in 1983. All The Way is a bit of
good news. What were you looking for when selecting the tracks to be included
on this album?
We always look for songs that are well
written and that speak to us. I like the really hard hitting emotional songs
the best. You know the ones that hit you right where you live and make you feel
like they were written just for you. If a song makes me tear up. it will likely
have that affect on someone else, too. That's the song I'm gonna want to sing.
8 – Which artists have most influenced your music and style?
Carolyn: Pat Benatar, Alison Krauss,
Bonnie Raitt
Daniel: Tony Rice, Eddy VanHalen,
Ritchy Sambora
Levi: Ron Block, Ron Stewart, and JonStickley
Austin: David Grisman, DonStiernberg, and Chris Thile
You can find out more about NU-BLU on their WEBSITE as well as any of the following links:
To order or download their ALL THE WAY CD, click iTunes
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