21 ADVENTURE
AUSTIN WEBB Country Artist
22 ADVENTURE
Copy by Sofia Denton, Photo by Chris Becerra
I
t doesn’t take long after meeting country singer-songwriter Austin Webb to realize that he is a passionate and unique country music performer. He is handsome, with a rock edge and a swagger a bit like Harry Connick Jr. And his southern drawl is definitely sexy, ladies! Watching Webb perform will make you want to get up and dance. The performance is refreshing and way too much fun. Hits like “Raise ‘Em Up” are the perfect blend between classic country twang, pop harmony, and a unique rock edge. He draws in the crowd to have a good time. His singing voice is raspy and soulful. A great blend for traditional country with a new sound.
Webb is an up-and-coming country artist whose music combines the genres of country and soul. These two genres are evident as he performs. His ballad, “Slip on By”, is heartfelt and soulful. It’s the kind of song that draws us in to stop, take a moment and reflect-- The lyrics remind us of what’s important in life- to appreciate every moment. The stirring lyrics leading into the second chorus grab at the heart strings, “It ain’t easy always looking back, but it seems these days that it’s all I have. And what hurts me the most is knowing what could have been.” Webb sings the second chorus with soulful passion. “Hear the sound of my little boy saying, Daddy can you come play with me? But I was too busy. Then one day my baby grew up and went to war, I never thought he’d be gone in the blink of an eye. Don’t let it slip on, don’t let it slip on, don’t let it slip on by.” Webb grew up in Williamston, S.C. listening to Mowtown, R&B, rock, and retro-country from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. He loved authors like Oscar Wilde, O Henry, Walt Whitman and Dylan Thomas. As a budding poet at age 16, his writing poetic ability came through his singing when he picked up a guitar for the first time.
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23 COMMUNITY
AUSTIN WEBB Country Artist
24 ADVENTURE His journey to the job hasn’t come easy. He bagan playing in Atlanta, GA, working odd jobs (he worked 25 different odd jobs in his pursuit to become a star), including working at a BMW plant. “I’ve always had to work hard for everything… nothing was ever handed to me. My family is not very rich, they’re just regular people, so I had to do a lot of things for myself, and so I’ve always had a pretty good work ethic.” His first trip to Nashville was spontaneous, influenced by a bad breakup. In the moment, he turned his car around and headed to Music City, driving all night. He took time to stop, pay tribute and play a few songs on his guitar at the grave of Johnny Cash, which turned out to be an eventful moment. “I was driving in the middle of the night from my small town in South Carolina and I drove to Hendersonville, Tennessee, where Johnny Cash is buried,” Webb begins. “I went to his grave about 4 o’clock in the morning. I sat there smoking cigarette after cigarette playing guitar for about an hour and I felt something that changed — that put me in the right direction.” After his trip to Nashville, Webb went on to win a songwriting competition, the Nashville Connection. He then moved to Nashville and was offered a publishing deal from Grammy award-wining producer, Byron Gallimore of Streamsound Records. Streamsound records is the Nashville-based label, founded by Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Sugarland), veteran industry execs Jim Wilkes and Tim McHugh. Webb is letting fans get to know him a little more intimately through his ‘Follow’ mini-series. During the first episode, he shares the story about what brought him to Nashville and gets a little goofy. Webb discusses what he thinks makes a good song, and why he sings country music. “The best songs that are written are the ones you can see and then on top of that the ones you can feel,” he says adding, “I sing country songs, but I think there’s a lot of soul in it. There’s a lot of passion that I believe comes across.” Webb’s ‘Follow’ series on AXS-TV every Sunday at 11:30AM ET.
Webb performing live- photos provided by The Oregon Jamboree
Q/
A
What was the inspiration or motivator that influenced you to become a country music singer-songwriter? Kris Kristofferson is my biggest influence as a songwriter and Elvis is my biggest influence as a performer. I was born country, I couldn’t help it. What two qualities describe you as an artist? Passion and soulful. What would surprise us about you? I used to wear new socks every single day. Where do you hang your hat when not on the road? I live in Nashville, TN. What is your favorite decorating style? Do you decorate yourself? I get most of my stuff from thrift stores and yard sales. I like the Southwestern/Northwestern Native American style of art and décor.
25 ADVENTURE
Q/
A
Do you have a favorite piece of furniture in your home? My favorite piece of furniture is my table for vinyl records in my reading room. Do you cook? I like to cook. I don’t really have recipes, but I use a lot of Mrs.Dash seasoning! We know that life on the road can be a challenge: Do you have a personal ritual or routine that keeps you motivated and balanced? It’s different each week. The word “balance” can’t even come close to describing how weird it is to manage. It can be exhausting. For instance, I’m writing from my home in Nashville, TN at 4PM. I woke up at 5 AM this morning in Grand Rapids, MI. You’re either born to travel, or not. I keep thinking I was born to do it. What does a typical day look like for you? There’s no such thing. Hah, every day is totally different. Only thing the same is the music. How do you and your band overcome the obstacles faced at this stage in your career? Do you work well together? Yes, we all work together very hard. My band works hard for me and I do the same for them. My main goal at this stage in my career is to be invited back. We clean up our green rooms, be courteous and just generally easy to work with. That’s the best thing I believe any artist can do.
Webb performing live- photos provided by The Oregon Jamboree