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

            Music has always been a part of my life, I  know that sounds cliche but it has. Growing up I played all kinds of sports, my main sport being hockey. My family has a deer camp in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and that is where I was first introduced to live music. My cousins all played and were fantastic, still are. I always looked forward to going to camp to watch them play. I was always so busy with hockey so I didn’t get to go as much I like to. When I graduated high school, I was given the opportunity to play in the United States Hockey League, the top junior hockey league in the country. I played a couple years and decided to hang up the skates and start going to college. I was young, figuring out life, and then I decided to teach myself guitar. Haven’t looked back since.

2.    When did you start listening to country music and when did you know you wanted a career in it?

            I grew up listening to traditional country music, Motown, and Irish drinking songs. True story. My dad always listened to Johnny Cash, Merle, Willie, all the good ol’ boys. Mom loved her Motown music. My mother always loved to sing and had me singing karaoke with her since I was a kid.  My family has always loved going to concerts, my first was Bruce Springsteen when I was ten years old. One of our favorite artists is Kenny Chesney. We have been going to see him for the last ten years every summer. One year, Kenny was on tour with Tim McGraw, and I remember watching them in awe. At the time I was just starting to really get into playing gigs and such and I just remember watching them thinking, I want to do that. I want to play music and have people be in that moment with me someday. 

3.    Who are some of your musical icons?

            I have to say I have so many influences in the music industry. Eric Church is in a league of his own. His song writing is great but his performance is magnificent. His presence and attitude is inspiring. Kip Moore has a style and a way with words that have inspired me in so many ways. He also is an incredible performer, he has the kind of fun people want to see on stage. Kid Rock, good hometown guy, is one of the best performers I have ever seen in my life. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny his talent. Johnny Cash, one of the best story tellers to ever put pen to paper. Garth Brooks, amazing performer and still going strong. James Taylor, Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Pink, Adam Levine, Donna Summers, I could go on and on.  These are just a few influences, but they inspire me in some fashion every time I put pen to paper. 

4.    How did you come up with the title “Dynamite,” for your latest EP?

            When I moved to Nashville, I had this vision of what I wanted to accomplish. I have written plenty of songs up to this point in life and wanted to try some new things. I wrote a lot of ballads and love songs and wanted to try to get into some more upbeat melodies. I went and saw my neighbor at the time, Eric Paul, play at a place in Printers Alley called, Alley Taps. I was blown away at his overall stage presence and incredible guitar skill. We became great friends over time and started jamming a bit. I had this idea in my head for some lyrics but it was really about the music. I wrote Dynamite so I could have Eric Paul play on the track. He nailed it, I love the song and what we did with it. So I decided to make an EP and that song would be the title track. It’s powerful and that’s why I chose that to be the name of the record.

5.    What is your favorite song off “Dynamite?”

            It’s hard to say. I wrote all the songs, so naturally I love them all for different reasons. I think my favorite song on the record is Faith. That song means more to me than you could understand. It’s a song about my mother and her battle with cancer and my internal battle with God. It’s beautiful. 

6.    Is there anything new coming up with your music in 2019?

            I am getting ready to release a new single, Coming Home, February 8, 2019 if all goes according to plan. The music industry can get crazy sometimes haha. I have other songs in the works and plan to tour around the midwest as much as possible this year. 

7.    How would you describe your music in three to five words?

            Real. Relatable. Honest.

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes?

            “Be fabulous”- Bill Burton

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share?

            We are all good people. Just always be the best version of yourself.