Stays true to his roots with ‘Where I’m Coming From’
Shane Owens makes no apologies for playing traditional country music, the kind he grew up listening to in rural Alabama. That influence is evident in every song on his latest album, ‘Where I’m Comin’ From,’ that includes songs written by some of country music’s top songwriters. The style might be traditional, but Shane’s voice definitely puts the songs in the here and now.
The album includes the single, ‘Lie,’ a witty song about, uh, stretching the truth. You can see the very funny music video of the song here at YouTube.
This is one of a series of interviews that I conducted with rising singer/songwriters during CMA Fest to find out about their new music, their musical influences and their experience at CMA Fest.
Shane has played his share of bars and honky-tonks, but has also shared the stage with some of country music’s top names.
I met up with Shane while he was in town, playing dates at CMA Fest 2018.
Preshias Harris: How did it feel to re-cut one of John Anderson’s songs?
Shane Owens: Well you know, John’s a legend in this business, and he’s a traditional artist and paved the way for a lot of traditional artists like myself, and I believe that. I take great pride in my traditional country sound and sticking to my roots. He [Anderson] should be a Country Music Hall of Famer. I love John, I’ve actually had the opportunity to do a lot of shows with him over the years, opening up for him. He’s a great guy! Nobody can sing a country song like John Anderson. He stands out by himself. You know it’s going to be a John Anderson song as soon as you hear his voice.
PH: Do you have a favorite John Anderson song?
SO: ‘Swingin’! I remember when that came out, when I was a kid, I thought that’s the coolest thing. [sings] “Just a-swingin’…” and I thought, that’s awesome!
It’s a Southern Thing
PH: What’s your favorite song on your album?
SO: It’s hard to pick one, but if I had to pick any, it’d be a song we just cut called ‘It’s A Southern Thing,’ written by Bob DiPiero who wrote ‘Live Like You Were Dying’ for Tim McGraw and he’s had so many Number One hits. So, you know, for him to believe in what I’m doing and pitch me that song, it was great. But it explains me in a nutshell. I’m from Alabama, down in the South, and we love our country music. And we love our cheese grits and our catfish fried, so I think that song was just awesome for me to get ahold of and it’s called ‘It’s A Southern Thing.’
PH: Tell us what is one of the highlights of this CMA Fest for you?
SO: It’s always a highlight to get out there and shake hands and hug the necks of our country music friends. A lot of people call them ‘fans.’ I like to call them ‘friends.’ The people out there that support us artists and in country music we’ve got some of the most faithful fans in any genre of music. We owe them a great debt of gratitude.
PH: You’ve been described as a singer who makes traditional country music for a modern world. What is your personal approach to your music?
SO: I grew up listening to Keith Whitley and Randy Travis and George Straight and Merle Haggard and George Jones. I’ve always tried to pattern myself after those guys because I think they’re the best country singers ever. I was blessed to do a few shows with George Jones. I just love to do traditional country music and Randy Travis was executive producer on my last record. When you’ve got people of that stature believing in what you do, it just fires me up.
Randy Travis ‘passes the baton’
PH: There’s a quote on your website from Randy Travis, who says, “To Shane, I gladly pass the baton.” That must feel like quite an honor. Give us some insight on Randy Travis as your executive producer.
SO: He is such a nice guy. You know, he was one of my heroes growing up. I just idolize Randy Travis. He touched everybody’s heart with all his music and well over 16 Number One hits. He’s just a great guy, and for me to be able to work with one of my heroes, it’s one of those things that doesn’t come along every day – or in a lifetime – so I love what Randy has done for country music and for newer fans such as myself.
Catch up with Shane Owens’ music, merch and tour schedule here and on Facebook here, Twitter here and Instagram here. Download Shane Owens’ latest single ‘Lie’ here.
Note: I originally posted this story here on the European website for Country Music News International magazine and radio show.
Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com
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