Tebey

Kawartha’s Own Solo Artist, Writer, Producer

Interview by Jay Cooper, Contributor / Musician

Tebey is a Canadian country music singer and multi-genre songwriter. Now living in Nashville, the Peterborough native has four albums under his belt, including his latest EP “Love A Girl” which features his GOLD-certified single “Denim on Denim” and his latest No.1 single, “Who’s Gonna Love You”. I had the honour of speaking to Tebey, and here is what was talked about.

A Taste of the Kawarthas (ATOTK): Jay Cooper, a Taste of the Kawarthas magazine, from Peterborough Ontario. Tebey (T): How are ya?

ATOTK: I’m well. Four albums, Canadian Country song of the year, Billboard Chart topper, Producer of the Year and songwriting connections that include One Direction. T: Yeah, man, it’s been a good run over the last 10 years or so. It’s been great to make a living being in the music business, I’m one of the lucky ones.

ATOTK: Your connection to Peterborough and the area goes way back. T: Yeah, I call Peterborough my hometown, I was born there. Lived there until my parents took me to Burlington Ontario when I was young, but my parents are still there in Peterborough, pretty much my whole family.

ATOTK: Why do you love the Kawarthas so much? T: Oh man, just good people, it’s not too big, not to small. That’s why I’m a fan of Peterborough and the whole Kawarthas in general. Peterborough is a great city, but you get outside of the city and you have some of the best lakes in the country. I’m a golfer. You have some great courses. It’s just a great part of the country to be in.

ATOTK: Tebey Golf Classic on May 31st at Black Diamond Golf Course just happened. T: We are into our 3rd year and it benefits a great organization, The Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation. It’s for people that are struggling with mental health, which is something that is close to my heart. I have struggled with depression and anxiety for years. I have written numerous letters to my fans to let them know if they are struggling with mental health issues, they’re not the only one. I wanted this tournament to be where I was born and raised and bringing Country music and golf together, two things that I love. It’s just an all around great time.

ATOTK: Music wise, you started singing at a very young age and were competing in singing contests. Your connection to Nashville started early.

T: Yeah, I grew up singing in church. I had a record deal in Nashville when I was still in high school, so my Dad and I moved down to Nashville. But when I was 20, I moved back up and just wrote songs for people,. If I wasn’t going to be an artist, I was going to be a songwriter. I put in the time and effort and had success with that. Eventually, it brought me back full circle to being an artist. For the last 5 or 6 years we have had a good amount of hits. We are getting ready for my first headlining tour in Feb 2020. I miss Canada, but these days Nashville is home to me.

“It’s great to make a living being in the music business.”

Photo by Francesca Ludikar

ATOTK: What are some of the artists you have written for and worked with? T: In 2004 I had a couple of songs on Canadian Idol and worked with Shawn Desman. We had a couple of hits together. I was back in Nashville in 2008, and worked with everyone from One Direction to Fifth Harmony to Cher. I had a single with Cher, which was really cool. And then I had my first US Number One country song recorded by Justin Moore called ‘Someone Else Will’. It was Number One on the Billboard charts last year.

ATOTK: ‘Denim on Denim’ and ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ were huge hits for you. Congrats once again. T: Thank you, but I feel like I have a long way to go. I just take it one single at a time. I’m not one to rest on my laurels. I have a lot more songs in me, and hope to have hit songs whether I’m writing them or singing them.

ATOTK: What instruments do you play and how do you write songs? T: Usually on the guitar, but to be super honest I’m not a great guitar player at all. I’m very average to be honest. (he laughs) I play a little piano but mostly guitar. I’m not a phenomenal musician but I think that helps my melodies. So I mix it up with melodies if that makes any sense. (he laughs)

ATOTK: What’s your thoughts when you went to a record store and bought a record compared to now with all these streaming services? T: Music evolves and the music industry evolves as well as leaning to a streaming only type of platform. A lot of people don’t purchase albums anymore and a lot of artists aren’t even making them.I think people like a new single everyday, and that’s why albums fall by the wayside. Because people aren’t interested in listening to a whole collective piece of work.

ATOTK: Are video’s still important? T: Well, they are. But videos like the Thriller million dollar videos just aren’t there anymore simply because we just don’t have a platform like MTV or MuchMusic. They don’t really exist anymore, so it’s all about YouTube. So they’re not as important as they use to be.

ATOTK: We featured Jade Eagleson last issue. Are there other up and comers that you have your eye on? T: Jade’s fantastic. My new artist I just signed for my record label is Matt Lang. He’s from Quebec and his numbers are massive in Quebec along with the tickets he’s selling. I went to Montreal and he sold out a 1000 maximum club. Which is mind blowing for being a brand new artist. We signed him to my new label, Jayward Artist Group, under Sony Music and his release comes in August.

ATOTK: Best Gig you ever had? T: Playing the Calgary Sandledome last year with Brad Paisley, that was pretty cool. And I got to throw out the first pitch at a Jays game a few years ago. So that was pretty cool too. (he laughs)

ATOTK: Worst gig ever, like Spinal Tap puppet show bad? T: (he laughs) The worst gig I ever had was not because of the crowd or the venue. I had an extreme case of laryngitis, and it was out in Vancouver. It was a Grey Cup kick off party with Tim Hicks, and the day before I completely lost my voice. I had to go to the doctor to try and get back even 20% of my voice. Made it through the show somehow, but that was the worst. (he laughs)

ATOTK: Why country music? You write so many different ways. T: It’s just where I always felt at home as an artist. But I love all kinds of music and I’m not the most country guy. I don’t own a ranch and all that other stuff (he laughs), I just love country music and what it stands for. It’s not just cowboys in hats anymore. I’m proud to be a county artist.

ATOTK: What would you like to say to all your fans and supporters? T: Thank you so much for letting me do this for a living. I’m definitely lucky and I don’t take it for granted. After every show I sign as many autographs as I can. Without the people coming to shows and buying the music I have no career. Thank you everyone.

ATOTK: Thank you so much, Tebey. T: Your welcome!

Watch for Tebey’s solo tour coming in February 2020.

Website: www.tebeyofficial.com Facebook: TebeyMusic Twitter & Instagram: @TebeyMusic