Buck T. Edwards

Interview with Buck T. Edwards


Buck T. Edwards remind people alot of Waylon Jennings and Roger Miller. He use traditional sounds and instruments (steel guitars, acoustics, fiddles, etc. ) coupled with honest, sometimes humorous lyrics that everyone can relate to and sing along with. He also like to tell stories and humorous monologues between the songs. But, it seems to be the hat, the sunglasses and the big smile that is connecting the strongest with fans. J

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? What were the highlights?


B.T.E.: It was a pretty amazing year, I got to play on the side stage at a George Strait show and was the only country artist at a couple big festivals in New England. The reaction was always the same, „who is this guy and why aren’t you famous?“ lol I posed for alot of pictures with fans all over and met some great people.
Ch.L.: What's your latest CD and how's it doing?


B.T.E.: The CD is called „ If you don’t get it by midnite“ and it’s enjoyed airplay in over 30 countries and accross the USA. The CD also peaked at #13 on the World Music Chart at Airplay Direct and charted on several other charts as well.

Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?


B.T.E.: The song is about a would-be lothario’s unsuccessful attempt to take home a beautiful woman. The situation seems to be one that many people can relate to and the humorous chorus grabs people’s attention quickly. I find that women in particular really the lyric and singing along. I think it let’s them poke fun at their boyfriends. J


Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding the songs for the your CD?


B.T.E.: I write all the songs, lol. And unfortunately they usually come from personal experience and things I’ve observed. Sometimes it’s hard on my girlfriends as they want to know which girl I wrote each song about. Lol For me, if it’s a good song and it connects with an audience I have to play it. J

Ch.L.: Who do you look up musiccally and how deep do your musical roots run?

B.T.E.: This year I really got into Hank Snow and George Strait. My first influences were Roger Miller, Johnny Cash etc. I also love Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Trace Adkins among others. My roots run deep. I learned the guitar from my crazy Canadian uncles at my grandparents camp. We would have a big singalong at the end of every reunion in the summer and once I started playing I was hooked. I was never a great lead player so I got into songwriting as my niche. That having been said, the first two country bands I was in somehow hired me as the lead guitar player so I couldn’t have been all that bad. J Later I won a big summer long kareoke contest with an Alan Jackson song and decided to do my own thing. I started traveling around playing open mic nights to test out songs and really learn how to entertain people and make them laugh. There’s no shortcuts in this world. I’ve played live thousands of times and that’s where you learn to connect with an audience.

Ch.L.: What do you think about today's Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

B.T.E.: I think we’ve strayed a little from our roots and need to get back to them. If you look at the biggest selling country artists of the last decade, (Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, George Strait, etc.) they usually have a traditional sound. And still, the industry wants to go pop. It makes no sense to me so I’m going to keep writing country that sounds like country and let the chips fall where they may. J

Ch.L.: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between „traditional“ and „new“ country music?

B.T.E.: Definitely the lyrics, a great song comes from the heart. I write alot in first person about situations that have happened to me or that I’ve seen. John Lennon was very honest this way and he did pretty well. J Alot of new country songs I just don’t believe the lyric. They’re written by committee and while they can be entertaining and I appreciate the craft. They don’t seem to have a very long shelf life. Go out to a country bar and you’ll see what I mean. People still sing Johnny Cash and George Jones while alot of newer stuff just fades away.

Ch.L.: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing

B.T.E.: Making people smile. I was at an awards show the other day and a fan came running up to ask for my autograph and would I pose for a photo. She almost fainted when I said „of course!“ lol I will stay after a show until everyone has had a chance to meet me and say hello. I get a lot of good stories from them too!

Ch.L.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond it's courrent borders or are you happy where it is?

B.T.E.: I love the country and cowboy spirit I see in Europe and other places around the world and the way they respect the roots and traditions of our genre. I am absolutely commited to taking country music world wide and getting a chance to meet and connect with cultures from around the world. I think this is music’s greatest strength.


Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )
www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka


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- Christian Lamitschka