Marinade: Combine 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil and and mix together. Place 1 lb chicken cut into 1 inch pieces in a bowl and add marinade. Toss.
Sauce: In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch/water mixture, 1/4 cup of sriracha , 1 tablespoon brown sugar. In a medium skillet, heat sauce slowly until thickens.
Cook chicken in a large skillet until meat is white and juices run clear(drain). Throw in two cans of sliced water chestnuts(drained), handful of peanuts, half of one sweet onion diced then pour in sauce and let sit on low heat for 10 minutes.
1. Hi Brett & Taryn, can you two tell me a little about yourselves before you became country music duo?
Brett Stafford Smith is a lifelong songwriter from Alabama who played drums and guitar in 5 bands growing up and through college in Auburn. Brett moved to Nashville and played the bar scene on Broadway for a few years but longed to be a part of something musically bigger than himself: a band. It was at a gig in Music City that he met Taryn Stevens. Taryn, a traveling nurse living in Nashville by way of Michigan, was raised playing the piano, but had never practiced percussion before meeting Brett. The two began to spend time together, forming an unbreakable bond through their mutual love of good times, music, and each other.
2. How did you guys come up with your group name “Stafford Stevens” and was there any other choices you were going to choose instead?
Stafford is Brett’s mothers maiden name and Stevens is Taryn’s last name. We actually never even had another option because we just liked the way our names sounded side by side.
3. How do you guys feel to finally have your debut EP “The Demo” out? Taryn-I’m a bit taken a back it’s on Spotify and iTunes because I moved here with the intention of only being here 3 months. I never thought I would be playing music and much less start a band and release original music. But we are both thrilled to share the work we put in over the last 6 months. Brett- We did all the tracking, mixing, and mastering from home so this is truly our work. I hope we can make it on Spotify playlists and be a part of people’s summer soundtrack. ‘B.Y.O.B Weekend Party’ is that good time groove that friends have compared to Little Big Town’s ‘Pontoon.’ “We can’t walk on water but we all learned to ski!!”
4. Can you guys choose one song from your new EP and just give a little background about the song? Brett- I wrote “League of Your Own” with Jordan Fletcher after I had seen Taryn tackle so many thing all at once. She works as a nurse, in nurse practitioner school, sells exogenous ketons, writes personal workout programs and diets, and then decides to learn drums. She’s just unlike most people in the way she takes on new challenges.
5. Is there anything else coming up with your music for 2018? Taryn- We plan to shoot a music video for ‘League of Your Own’ in the coming months and will be playing around Nashville for showcases and songwriter events. We hope to venture out and feel like we are equipped to be a solid opening act. Brett- We’ve started working on new original songs that aren’t on ‘The Demo’ and there’s a tune that stands out and states “It don’t matter what you drinking, it’s who you drinking with.” It’s a seize the moment type song with soul and a pulse.
6. Where do you guys see your music careers in the next 5 to 10 years? Brett-I just hope it’s alive and kicking. We would like to incorporate other instruments to help grow the sound. I would love to be co-writing for other artists and have a great catalog of songs by then. Taryn- I would like to be doing some keyboard work on stage and help do some background vocals.
7. Who are some of your guys musical icons? Taryn- I would have to say Brett. He’s the first person to show me behind the scenes of this “musicians world.” It’s a mysterious community in Nashville that I knew nothing about. Now I’ve learned about song writing and constructing a song for live performances. There’s another Brett I like alot too; Brett Eldridge and I also enjoy Jana Krammer. Brett- I spent high school collecting everything Dave Matthews touched. I feel in love with Ray Lamontagne’s voice in college and the rawness of The Avett Brothers. At a young age I was listening to country then got away from it until I heard ‘Springsteen” by Eric Church in a bar in Alabama. It had a Kings of Leon vibe to it and really thought the sound was beautiful. It honestly re-opened the door to country music for me.
8. What are your guys favorite quotes? Taryn-“Better ingredients, better pizza, Papa Johns” Brett- “You had a purpose before anyone had an opinion” Timothy Pina
9. Anything else to share? Our six song EP “The Demo” was released on 2/22 and can be found everywhere. We hope everyone can find a song on there that speaks to them. Find on Instagram at Staffordstevensband to keep up with the latest happenings, shows, and 1 minute covers.
Stafford Stevens, can be described as a modern-garage country music duo with a little bit of bluegrass in them. This two-piece band is made up of female drummer (Taryn Stevens) and male guitarist (Brett Stafford Smith). Smith is a songwriter from Alabama. Smith moved to Nashville and played the bar scene on Broadway for a couple years but wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself. When he was a playing a show one night, he met Stevens. Stevens, was a traveling nurse living in Nashville by way of Michigan. As a child she learned how to play the piano, but had never practiced drumming before meeting Smith. The two of them began to spend a lot of time together and formed a strong bond through their love of fun times, music and each other.
As their connection grew, Smith started looking for a drummer for a two-piece project he was working on. To his surprise, Stevens offered to learn how to play the drums so Smith started teaching her basics and almost directly it seemed Stevens took to the drums. Smith impulsively knew that he and Stevens had their own separate gifts of music, but together they refined a new harmonious sound. This revelation marked the start of Stafford Stevens.
This duo has played shows in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Michigan. Their debut EP “The Demo,” just came out this month. On this EP, there are songs titled “League of Your Own,” and “B.Y.O.B Weekend Party.” If you would like to find out more about the newest hot country music duo then check out their website https://www.staffordstevensband.com.
Cole Swindell “Break Up in the End”: Swindell’s new ballad, tells the story about a girl he was dating and how she ended things. Swindell also shares how he would go through this moment all over again, even though they keep breaking up each time.
Chase Rice “Amen”: “Amen” is a song about Rice’s father. His father passed away when the singer was only 22. This song shares about Rice’s beliefs and his way of his life.
Swon Brothers “What Ever Happened”: “What Ever Happened,” was a conclusion of the Swon Brothers thoughts about the world and how much thing has changed since they were children.
Kacey Musgraves “Butterflies”: Musgraves inspiring country-pop sound on her song “Butterflies,” her vocals speak about the freedom one gets when finding their life partner.
Shawn Austin “Get Me There”: Austin sings this wonderful ballad “Get Me There”, as if he is telling his new love interest all the things he is going to do as her new boyfriend.
Hi Chris, can you tell me a little bit about yourself, before you became a country singer/songwriter?
A: Sure. I’m a small town kid from Pulaski/Lawrenceburg TN raised by my grandparents. Music was always around me and part of my life, but I was always into sports more growing up. Had a life changing experience when I had a near fatal car accident while working in 2007. Spent 28 days in a coma over a month in ICU and 4 months in a wheelchair. Was told I might not walk with out a limp. Had 22 surgeries. Somewhere in that time during the 20 months of rehab I taught myself to play the guitar a little better. One day the girl I dated at the time brought home a newspaper with an ad for a house band try out in Muscle Shoals. Called the guy hosting it, took a little convincing but he let me come out and I got the gig. Lost it 4 months later and starting recruiting my Nashville friends that are now road players for some of the hottest country acts out there. After playing for me in small town dive bars, they recruited me to come up to Nashville. I came took about 2 years of being called at 6:35pm for a 6:00pm gig before I got my own time slots.
How did you become a country fan and how did you know you wanted a career in it?
A: My family has always been musically inclined. My grandparents played at small dance halls growing up, I was always there.
What is one of your favorite songs that you ever recorded?
A: KISSING
Is there anything coming up with your music for 2018?
A: Making as many people as I can smile, releasing new music. Playing more shows out west and playing as many stages as I possibly can spreading my own music.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years with your music?
A: Hopefully on a stage making people happy and smiling.
If you could sing a duet with a famous singer or group whom would it be and why?
A: Dolly Parton. Because it’s Dolly. And she’s a fellow Tennessean.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
A: Sleep when you’re dead. Live while you’re here.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
A: 2018 was a big year!! Climbed a mountain, cohosted John Rich’s 4-day CMA event with John. Released my first single. Was a Nash Next Finalist. Was an opening act was for Charlie Daniels at Talladega 500. Also opened for Dylan Scott, Chase Bryant, and many more.
Chris Shrader grew up in a tiny town of Pulaski, TN. As a child, Shrader would receive his allowance by assisting his dad with jobs around the county. Also some of his money would go to his family so they could have a little extra cash. While riding to different jobs, Shrader and his dad would sing along to the radio. His dad saw that Shrader had talent and always inspired him to sing. But growing up, Shrader was like a normal kid and only cared about girls, sports and making money. However, if his family was having a family gathering, his dad offered him money if he sang.
When Shrader was 14, his parents bought him a mandolin for Christmas. Country music has always been apart of Shrader’s life, ever since he was a baby. Also Shrader was a great football player and had the opportunity to play in college, but things did not work out. He then went to find a job that could take his mind off of football. He finally found his dream career and that was music. But while starting his job as a musician he got in a bad car accident that almost cost his life. He was in a coma for 28 days and over a month in the ICU. Then Shrader was in a wheelchair for four months and had 22 surgeries. During this time he started to play the guitar.
He taught himself from the Internet, and then interviewed for a frontman slot in a house band for four nights a week at Sundance in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. After playing at the Sundance Saloon for six months, he then started to recruit Nashville-based singers to play with him at different nightspots and dance halls in Tennessee. By the end of 2010, the friends he had recruited started recruiting him to move to Nashville. So in summer of 2011 he made Music City his new home. Shrader is an endorsed artist with GHS Springs, Taylor Guitars and Clayton Picks.
If you would like to hear Chris Shrader music then check out his tunes on Spotify and iTunes.
– 1.5 oz silver tequila (we like Casamigos $$$ or Olmeca Altos $$)
– 2 slices ruby red grapefruit
– .25 oz fresh lime juice
– 3.5 oz Jarritos grapefruit soda
– ice
In a tall glass, muddle 1 slice of grapefruit. Add tequila, lime juice, and Jarritos soda in that order (you can modify the tequila/Jarritos ratio to your personal taste). Garnish with the other slice of grapefruit and enjoy!
DD: 1. How did you guys formed your country music group. NM– We’ve been playing music together for several years, but we formed Neon Moon in 2016 after embarking on a 52 week songwriting project that took place between 2014-2015. After we finished the project, we had several songs that we just really loved and wanted to keep for ourselves.
DD: 2. How did you come up with your group Neon Moon and was there any other names you were maybe going to choose instead?
NM- It was a nod to the Brooks & Dunn song of the same name. We both grew up on 90’s country and wanted to incorporate something from that time period into our own project. We toyed with a few other names, but none of them really stuck the way Neon Moon did.
DD: 3. What is the background behind your song “Smoke.”
NM- During that 52 week songwriting project, we had to write a lot and we were continually trying to find ideas and inspiration in anything we could. We turned to television and movies for a lot of ideas actually! Smoke came from a line in Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban) were a kid says “It’s like trying to catch smoke. Trying to catch smoke with your bare hands”. We were inspired by the line so we brought it to the table for a co-write with a girl here in Nashville named Lacy Green.
DD: 4. Who are some of your guys musical icons.
NM- Of course Brooks & Dunn! Also Dwight Yoakam & Dolly Parton from the country genre. Aretha Franklin, Coldplay, John Mayer, and The 1975. We LOVE indie pop. There’s a group that is newer to the country scene but they are super amazing and could be the ones that usher in a 90’s country revival called Midland. They’re so great! DD: 5. Where do you guys see your music in the next 5 to 10 years?
NM- Hopefully still relevant and being listened to. We push ourselves to write the best songs that we can, and a truly good song can stand the test of time and be relevant forever. I just hope that in 5-10 years we’ll be fortunate enough to have people who want to listen. DD: 6. If you guys sing a duet with a famous singer or group who would it be and why?
NM- Dwight Yoakam. He’s the coolest dude on the planet! DD: 7. Is there anything coming up with your music for 2018?
NM- We’re touring some, as well as playing some hometown shows here in Nashville. We’re also writing songs and gearing up for a full length release sometime in the near future. We’d like to find a good home/label to put it out, but it’s still a long way off.
DD: 8. What is one of guys favorite quotes? – “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.” – Dolly Parton DD: 9. Is there anything else you guys would like to share?
NM- Thanks for listening to our music! Check out our website, facebook, instagram, etc. We have some really cool videos available! Spread the word and share with your country music loving friends!
Neon Moon was started in 2015. This country duo started a love of songwriting early on as group. Josh and Noelle devoted one year of their time to writing a new track every week and then posting it on YouTube. They named this project Our52Songs.
In 2017, they chose 5 of their favorite songs from Our52Songs, and traveled to Forty-One-Fifteen in historic East Nashville’s Inglewood neighborhood and created a 6 songs album there. They name their first album 6:53 after the 52 song project plus one more they wrote and recorded on a later date to make 6 songs out of 53. While listening to album you can hear some inspiration from country musicians like Loretta Lynn, Fleetwood Mac and Dolly Parton.
After recording their first album, CMChat exclusively showcase their music video for the song “If I Knew” and it was shared 390 times. They also played WestHaven’s Porchfest on the Lighting 100’S sponsored stage. They also played at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge for their 6:53 release concert.
If you would like to find out more about Neon Moon then check out website https://neonmoonmusic.com.
The Perfect Paloma
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