1.     Hi Kurt, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country singer?

I grew up in South Florida and was always either fishing, surfing, or just hanging out at the beach. I have always had a very strong bond with the ocean and that definitely was the center of all my activities besides school and music. (It still is).  As far as music goes, I started getting piano lessons when I was 4 years old and dedicated about 2-3 hours every day to practicing classical music. I always loved music and my dad saw that in me from a very young age, so I was incredibly lucky to get such an early start.

2.     How did you become a country music fan and how did you know you wanted a career in music?

I was raised in a music filled household. My dad always had music on, whether it was on the way to school, after dinner in the living room, or just hanging out in the back yard on the weekends. His favorite music is southern rock n’ roll and my idol when I was really young was always Elvis Presley. I pretty much taught myself to sing by singing along to all the old Elvis records, so I think southern music was what just came naturally to me. When I was about 12 my older cousin introduced me to Johnny Cash and I fell in love with it, the honesty, the stories, and the truth in his music was something I had never heard before. My musical tastes are all over the place but I dig being able to pull influences from all sorts of genres. Once I got to high school started to teach myself guitar, I began to sing all the music the my dad raised me on. I won a couple talent shows so that gave me a little confidence. Once I got to FSU for college I started playing in bars acoustically and then started a band and I haven’t looked back since.

3.     Who are some of your musical icons?

Like I said before, I am really into a bunch of different music. I would say some of my icons are the Eagles, AC/DC, Chris Cornell, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Kenny Chesney, Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, and Sublime. Depending on my mood or where I am emotionally, they each have their role.

4.     What is the story behind your newest single “Lipstick and Wine?”

I originally came up with the title when I was writing another song of mine called “Rollin’ On”. I was at my great friend/producer Eric Durrance’s house and somehow the words “Lipstick and Wine” came up in conversation. I immediately wrote that title down in my phone, but didn’t know what it was about. A few months later the whole song hit me at once and I wrote it in less than 20 minutes. I had some personal memories and some ideas that all came together to make the song. I thought about how powerful senses can be and how a certain smell, taste, song, or sight could bring you back in time to a moment that you cherish. Thats really what the song is about, something as simple as the taste of a kiss and a certain bottle of wine on a first date. That taste never left the his mind and it represents the beginning of his relationship with his girlfriend or wife. Every time he kisses her or drinks that bottle of wine, it brings him back in time to that once in a lifetime moment, I thought that was magical and really loved the idea.

5.     Is there anything coming up with your music for 2018?

After the new year we are going to be promoting Lipstick and Wine on social media and out on the road. Later on in the year I have another song that we recorded at the same time as Lipstick and Wine that we will be releasing as a follow up. I don’t know what this year will bring, but I do know that anything is possible and I’m going to work my butt off on the road while trying to get as many people to hear my music.

6.     If you could sing a duet with a famous singer or group who would it be and why?

Thats a great question! One singer that comes to mind is Chris Cornell. Unfortunately he has passed away, but he has been my favorite singer ever since I was introduced to his music in high school. He had such an incredible range and such a beautiful, powerful voice. It would have been amazing just to be in his presence and to make music with him.

7.     Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years with your music?

I just hope to be lucky enough to be able to write songs and play music for people for a living. I really love meeting new fans on the road and sharing my music with them, the emotional power of music has always been the driving factor of everything I do. If I can make a living while making that connection with people, I would be stoked.

8.     What is one of your favorite quotes?

I have always been a huge fan of Bob Marley, if there was a way to find out which artist you have listened to the most during your life, I would bet that he would be at the top of my list. There was a famous 60 Minutes interview where he said, Possessions make you rich? I don’t have that type of richness. My richness is life, forever. I always loved that and to me, that quote really represents one of his most important messages.

9.     Is there anything else you would like share?

I just want to thank you for adding my new song to your playlist and for taking the time to listen to it, I really do appreciate it.