Straight-up, I found Lawson's "Nashville to Jesus" to be one of the year's best so far. (Read full Suite review here). So I was eager to get further insights into his music and his thinking. Not exactly a straight path.....
Suite: Kevin, I wasn’t able to find out much about your background or the road that got you here, but it sounds like you’ve been playing professionally for a long time? What do you love most about the life of a professional musician?
Kevin: I’d have to say the money. The money and the job security..oh yeah, and the sweet benefit package!
Suite: One of the things I dug most about your music is its earthiness, its straight-up honesty. Is that a position you’ve come to take deliberately, or is it more just who you are ?
Kevin: I’d say that’s more about who I am as a person and artist...My songs are pretty confessional. Very real words from my heart. I wouldn’t feel comfortable getting up in front of people otherwise …”I’m sorry bout the way I did things..I’m sorry about the way I behaved!” The person I was saying that to needed to hear an apology from me ,…not some fruity lofty analogy that could be interpreted as an apology..but an actual apology.
Suite: What do you find most helpful about this approach?
Kevin: I’m bearing my heart and that translates to people, whether they hear me in a church or a bar or on an Ipod.
Suite: Does it ever make your job harder?
Kevin: No…the truth will set you free.
Suite: My favorite track on “Nashville to Jesus” is “Storm.” Was it written with anyone in particular in mind?
Kevin: It’s about 2 people in a relationship that’s going nowhere but their pride keeps them together.
Suite: I won’t ask you who, LOL, but do you find yourself using music to work through things in your own life?
Kevin: Absolutely! That’s probably the reason I am whatever it is I am. I’m a work in progress that comes with a soundtrack!
Suite: I know these are some heavy questions, so I’ll ease up here: what would we find on your nightstand if we looked right now?
Kevin: Some change, guitar picks, ear plugs, receipts, The Gospel According to the Beatles, Practicing His Presence, Chloraseptic , and a black fur sleeping mask named Barry!
Visit Kevin Lawson's website to find out more about "Nashville to Jesus".... and maybe more details about Barry.
