- Hi Austin, can you tell me a little bit about yourself, before you became a country singer?
Before I was a country singer I was a big baseball player. I played baseball from the age of 5 all the way through one year of college. I loved baseball and still do today. I weirdly find small correlations between being a baseball player and being a musician. Work ethic, being on a stage where everyone is watching, and allowing myself to be coached are all things I’ve learned from baseball.
- When did you know you wanted to become a country singer?
I knew I wanted to be a country singer when I walked out onto the baseball field and didn’t love it anymore. All I wanted to do was go home, plug my guitar in and play music. I sang the national anthem for every sporting event in Arizona by the age of 5 and was also on the Rosie O’ Donnel show twice at a young age, so Music was in my blood. However, it wasn’t until that day in college that I considered making music a career.
- Who are some of your musical icons?
I have a lot of icons in music, but my biggest hero is Garth Brooks. I have listened and danced to his music since I was able to walk. When I was younger I loved the sound of his music, but as I get older I appreciate the lyricism and stories in his music. I also love Garth’s ability to entertain. I’ve mimicked Garth’s moves since I was 3 years old and study concerts of his like a quarterback would study game tape. With all that said about Garth, I am also a huge fan of artists like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Toby Keith, Johnny Cash, Bon Jovi, and Sublime. I have a very wide spectrum of musical taste.
- Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years with your music?
In the next 5-10 years I see myself having a career in music and being able to tour the world. I see many number 1 songs and a couple of entertainer of the year awards. I think it’s important to reach for the top because I want to be the best at whatever I do. That’s the baseball player in me speaking. I don’t want these next 10 years to go by fast but I know they will. With that said I want to enjoy these next 10 years and never take a moment for granted.
- If you could do a duet with a singer or group who would it be and why?
If I could write a duet I would love to write one with Sam Hunt. I think Sam is one of the best writers in Country Music right now and brings a style that many can’t imitate. He is so fresh and is allowing different genres to form within country music. He truly is a trailblazer and I would love to have the opportunity to write with him. I recently got a song of his that he wrote with Will Rambeaux and Sherrie Austin and I am so excited to have it on my upcoming album.
- Is there anything new coming up in your career? 2016? 2017?
In 2017 I am going on a Sorority Tour. I’m super excited about this! I will be hitting 10-15 sororities mostly in the southeast. Be on the lookout for a sorority near you!
- What is one accomplishment that you are most proud of so for in music career?
So far I am extremely proud of the team that I have formed. In music it’s just like sports, you’re only as strong as your weakest player. I have the most incredible people around me that support me and keep me grounded. They tell me to go left instead of right and when they ask me to jump I say how high. I am currently with an artist development company called Go-Long Entertainment and they are truly the best in the business. This run by some of the smartest people I know and they all are the best at what they do.
- If you had to give advice to an up and coming country artist what would you tell them?
The biggest advice I have for up and coming Country artists is to stay humble. “Nashville is an extremely small town when it comes to the music industry and people don’t tolerate negative attitudes/behaviors.”
- What is one of your favorite quotes?
One of my favorite quotes is something my grandpa told my dad and something my dad now tells me. It’s very simple but it is more than a couple words, it’s a lifestyle. My dad tells me, “Austin, you’re a winner.” It makes me proud to hear him say that, and it helps me continue to work hard. I want to make everyone that knows me proud and when I’m gone I want to be remembered as someone who brought a smile to everyone I met
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