New album and single from a country artist on the rise
By Preshias Harris
Recently, I caught up with David Adam Byrnes, a singer-songwriter on the verge of major stardom with a new album, Neon Town, set for release in October.
I have known Arkansas-born David Adam for years, both as an industry friend and a fan of his music. I sent him a “12 Pack” of questions, and reading his answers (via e-mail) made me laugh and smile! It was definitely my dose of sunshine for the week.
But first, the big news about his new album. From a small-town Arkansas kid to a mainstream songwriting scholarship in Nashville to a return to his independent country music roots, David Adam Byrnes is making the scene in Texas with singles flying up the Texas radio chart.
On October 2nd, Byrnes released his new album Neon Town, and for several months its presence has already been felt with three back-to-back #1 hit singles. The very week the second single, “I Can Give You One,” hits #1 in Texas, the virus pandemic hits the world. Shows canceled, album release canceled…life as we know it, canceled. After months of shutdown David decided that the show must go on. On April 10th he released his new single “Neon Town,” the title track to the new album, and it has also reached the #1 spot.
His new single “Old School” is well on course to the top of the chart, and the hilarious music video is turning heads as well, premiered by CMT.com. There’s even a quick reference to Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin’” in the video that fits right in when you watch the video! In an interview with CMT, Byrnes said, “As fun as the song is, I just feel men need to get back to being a gentleman and treating women like ladies. It’s as simple as holding or opening the door, picking up the check, and having the overall manners that a man should have towards a woman. Some may call it ‘Old School.’”
Watch the video at https://youtu.be/hRagZaMxU9g
In celebration of his new album release, Byrnes is giving away 5 pairs of Durango cowboy boots to a handful of lucky winners who pre-order the album at www.davidadambyrnes.com
A Preshias “12 Pack” with David Adam Byrnes
[1] Preshias Harris: Tell me, David, what is your earliest musical memory?
David Adam Byrnes: I can’t say an exact time but I remember standing on our fireplace and the front porch with my guitar and toy microphone when I was 3 or 4 pretending I was putting on concerts. As far as a real audience it would be when I was 5 and started singing at nursing homes on Monday nights.
[2] PH: If you were to be left on a deserted island for one year and you
could pick three albums to be there with you and couldn’t pick any of
your own, what would you pick?
DAB:
- Strait out of the Box by George Strait. That way you get a whole lot of King George in one CD
- Saving The Honkytonk by Mark Chesnutt. It’s just hands down one of my all-time favorites
- I’d find a loophole hear and just make a playlist of all my favorite Daryle Singletary songs on one CD. He had a huge hand in my career musically as well as personally
[3] PH: Which song or album are you listening to the most right now?
DAB: I went diving for a record I forgot about and have been on a kick with Joe Nichols’ “It’s All Good” record. That’s just good country music right there.
[4] PH: Please finish the sentence: I would love to have been there in musical history when…..?
DAB: The late 80’s when Randy Travis and George Strait hit and country started moving back to its roots and away from the overly pop sounds of the 70’s and early 80’s. I’d a loved to just seen how it took place, the fan reactions, and how it shook up Music Row with my own eyes. That era of country is what truly made me.
[5] PH: Your house is on fire – all your family, children and pets are saved. By the trick of fate you are told you can run in and get one item to carry out, what will you save from the flames?
DAB: Probably my cowboy hat George Strait signed for me when I was 9 years old. That’s always been my prized possession.
[6] PH: If you could have dinner with George Washington or George Strait, which one would you chose and why?
DAB: King George, that’s my hero… I don’t know that I could validate it any better than saying that! lol
[7] PH: Which one of superman’s powers would you like to have?
DAB: Flying, it would make some of these long trips go by a lot faster on the road.
[8] PH: If you could record or perform a song with another artist or group, (dead or alive) who would that “dream duet” be?
DAB: Absolute dream would be a combo with George Strait, Keith Whitley, and Merle Haggard.
[9] PH: If you could be given credit for writing one song that has
already been written, what would be your song?
DAB: “Where She Told Me To Go” by Eric Church. That hands down may be the best written song I’ve ever heard.
[10] PH: What is your “Ick” food and what is your ‘yum’ food?
DAB: “Ick” would be Sushi… There ain’t enough flavor in the world to cover up the taste of it for me! “Yum” is definitely steak; pretty sure I’d eat it every night if I could.
[11] PH: If you had a $10,000 gift card, where would you go to spend it?
DAB: Probably a boat store or Amazon Prime… you know, choices 🙂
[12] PH: If you could get a phone call from one person in the world right now (living or deceased) whom would you like to hear from?
DAB: God. I sure have a lot of questions for him.
*** BONUS QUESTION***
PH: If a movie would be made about your life what would it be called?
DAB: As much as I’m joking, this is serious… “The little David That Could.” For all the letdowns, heartache, and setbacks I’ve had in my career…. I’m still here!
Catch up with David Adam Byrnes’ music, merch and tour schedule at www.davidadambyrnes.com
Preshias Harris is 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