Essex County~ Q&A!!!

  1. Hi guys, can you tell us all a little bit about yourselves before becoming a country music group?

We are three brothers born in Essex county England Nate Lead vocals and drums , Mark lead vocals & guitar  ,Kieran Bass lead vocals and guitars. 

It started when Our middle brother mark Won “ guitarist of the year “ back in 1996 when he was 11 years old in front of a crowd of thousands watching along with legendary guitar players such as Brian May , Steve Vai , Eric Clapton & Jan cryka 

Not long after we ended up getting a record deal to where we were on tour with such acts as back street boys , Britney Spears , spice girls , Westlife , 911 and many more in 1998 to 2000. Our single was a song called “ 24 hours from you “ which we had a top 20 hit in the UK and a top 5 in Asia. Due to very bad managment we ended up as a casualty of the music industry, but that’s another story. 

  1. How did you come up with “Essex County,” for the name of your group and was there anything else you were going to choose instead?

Well we were in a sushi restaurant in Nashville with producer Ron Fair and Rob Beckham to where we had a discussion about the name and what we were gonna be called We had to

 move on from the name “ Next of kin “ as there was another band by the same name in the USA 

Ron asked “ where do you live in England ? “ I replied and said “ Essex county “ he said “ well that’s your name and it stuck haha 

  1. What is the background story behind your new single “Next to Me?’

Well steve dorff is a long time friend we met in Los angeles in 2011 and we spent a lot of time writing and recording music Andrew dorff his son was a prolific writer and had so many great songs we just wanted to sing and perform When Andrew passed a few years back we just thought it we would honour him by releasing this song Steve dorff produced it. So it’s like a family effort It’s heart warming. 

  1. How would you all describe your music in 3 to 5 words? If Bryan Adams , Eagles and def leopard & richard Marx’s had a baby  I think that would be us guys 😂
  2. Be What are a few of your favorite venues to play at?

We’ve played the Ryman auditorium in nashville amazing venue , Franklin theatre in Tennessee outstanding place , Bridgestone arena Nashville , Wembley stadium London unforgettable, most arenas up and down the UK. But there’s a great Restuarant in nashville that has live music called pucketts. Possibly might beat most of these arenas haha 

  1. Who are some of your musical icons?

John Mayer , richard Marx’s , the Eagles , whitesnake , the weekend , randy travis , chris young , Brad paisley , restless heart , james taylor , Free , Bruce Hornsby, toto , Jordan Davis 

  1. What made you all want a career in country music?

When you strip away the big guitars and drums and production everyone always says we are soo country in style And wE LOVE performing acoustically, it just shows our raw ability and you can’t hide behind anything it’s you a guitar and a mic And that’s fundamentally what country music is about. 

  1. What is your recording process like when creating and making new music?

Well when you’ve got a well crafted song it’s much easier , we go into rehearsals and just play it over and over even take it out to gigs play it iron it’s out find out what’s missing and then lay those parts down in the studio and then listen back and add additional parts where you think it needs something else 

  1. What are a few of your favorite quotes?

Success is the best revenge – if you knew our entire life story you’d know why this our favourite quote 

  1. Is there anything else you all would like to share?

Please keep an eye out on all our socials as we have some exciting news coming up in the next couple of weeks and please join us on our journey as we’re heading back to nashville very soon too so this latest news might be the last gig we have e in the uk for a moment till we’re back so keep watching 

Essex County~ Artist Spotlight!!!

Country music has hip-shaking Georgia fellas, wonderful duos and more than its good amount of tall, dark, and foreseen singing songs about one, loss and alcohol. 

The genre has never mastered anything like Essex County. Combined with  British brothers Nate, Mark and Kieran Bass, the trio’s easily one of the country music’s most crafty and nuanced groups. The band’s sound is pleasant with compact, family harmonies, joined by mixture of active vocal dimensions and expanded by putting country and rock influences that are displayed in songs that sway from soulful and heartfelt to holler-and-swaller. 

Mentioned that they are hoping to be the “biggest country act to ever come from the United Kingdom,” said the band’s Grammy-winning producer Ron Fair, who has produced albums that have sold more than 100 million copies. “Mark is a master on the guitar. Kieran is lockstep in all the harmony parts and a terrific dependable singer with a wonderful tone. And Nate has this old-time tone that’s old school, but also new school. It’s fancy, but it’s very manful and enjoyable.  Their pathway to Nashville started at London’s Wembley Stadium when they were kids- but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

Six months after the brother started music lessons Mark 10, (guitar) Kieran 8, (bass) and Nate 12, (drums)- the family watched from the audience at Wembley Stadium as Queen’s Brian May, and famous guitarists Steve Vai and Eric Clapton named Mark the top guitarist in England for Guitarist magazine. 

The prize was an axe valued at more than $30,000. The instrument was stolen before he the building. The next year, the brothers were playing an instrumental set of Joe Satirani covers in a London music store when a music executive approached them and asked if they could sing. The executive shared interest in signing them a record deal- with a proposal that led them to two years touring Europe and a shady business associate who took their money and cost the family its home. “Going through all of that, makes your family bond strong,” Nate shares. “You realize the money and fame isn’t as important.”

Their father David is  an outgoing carpet fitter who showed them how to find fun in every situation. Their mother Diane, is a nurse who taught each of them how to write songs. They penned “Can’t Find Me,” with them and the song remains one of the most popular in all their setlist. On family vacations, they listened to country music. George Strait and The Eagles were part of their family vacation song list. As they got older the brothers were exposed to American rock bands, like Bon Jovi. They then expanded their country music experience with harmony kind of bands like Restless Heart, Rascal Flatts and Diamond Rio.

They married their influences into an edgy, different sounds that grabbed the attention of foreign princes, known television producers and even a cruise line chief who offered them thousands of dollars to be the house band for hision of foreign prince fleet. It was while playing on the open seas that Essex County met a couple from Indiana, who told them they should try their luck in Nashville. Their advice was the same their mother had told them since they were children. Their mother noticed that bands in Europe were having success taking songs from Nashville and turning them into pop hits. First, the idea seemed too crazy. But when the Americans offered to help pay for the trip, the trio reconsidered.“Mum was like, this is where you’re going to make it,” Nate recalled. “So you jump the ship and you go.” 

Now as adults, the men realize the family’s hard times were stepping stones on their road to Nashville. Essex County met its manager Rob Beckham on a trip to the United States in 2018. Beckham introduced them too Fair, who was responsible for producing their songs “So Good” and “Memphis,” and set up recording process sessions with their other producer, Hall of Fame songwriter Steve Droff. Droff’s work has been seen on albums selling more than 150 million copies.

The brothers jumped into the songwriting community, writing songs with top Nashville writers Victoria Shaw, Jeffery Steele, Desmond Child and Kent Blazy. “We written with all the songwriters that “Mum played for us in the car,” Kieran said. “To be writing with them is surreal.”

With multiple tracks recorded as well as three music videos, a mini-documentary and a Chevrolet commercial, the men are set to make history as country music’s first British Invasion. 

“It means a new chapter in our lives to be here now,” Mark said. “This place here suits us down to the ground. “It’s been a very long journey to Nashville,” Nate added. “Through perseverance and the love of music, we just kept going. This whole community, the songwriters, just everyone who is playing music kind of lifts you. This just feels right. It feels amazing.

On January 28, 2022 the boys put out their brand-new single “Next to Me.” This new song and other songs from the band are available on both Spotify and Apple Music. If you would like to find out more about this great country trio then please check out their website at (https://www.essexcountyband.com/lads).

Social Media Accounts: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essexcountyofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essexcountymusic

Twitter: https://twitter.com/essex_countyUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NextOfKinOfficial

Kendra Kay~ KK’s Apple Crisp

10 cups Apples (I prefer gala apples) peeled, cored and sliced

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup water

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup flour

1 cup packed brown sugar

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Place the sliced apples in a 9×13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly overall.

Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

Kendra Kay~ Q&A!!!

I was born and raised in Elkhorn, Manitoba. Growing up my life revolved around all things horses and sports. My family chuckwagon raced in the summer months and I spent my winters at the rink playing hockey. I was always an outdoor kid that loved to keep busy, and I was involved in every sport and event our little town had to offer. 

What made you want a career in country music?
I always enjoyed singing, and country music was the only type of music I have ever known. I sang in front of a crowd for the first time when I was 8 years old and started entering singing competitions when I was around 11 years old. It wasn’t until an injury while I was playing AAA hockey that really turned me to the idea of music. My parents took me on a trip to Nashville to record a demo and I fell in love with the music scene in Music City. I recorded my first single later that year and haven’t looked back. 

How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?

Modern country with traditional elements 

What is the background story behind your brand-new single “Wild?”

Wild is a song that I was pitched. The first time I heard it, I knew I wanted to take this song into the studio. Once I seen the song writer credits (with Carly Pearce having a hand in writing this one) I knew why I loved the lyrics so much. This song is all about letting go with the person your with and letting love run Wild.

Who are some of your musical icons?

I have always loved the artist in the 80’s & 90’s. Of course I was (and still am) a huge fan of the greats like Shania Twain & Geroge Strait. But I also loved artists like Patty Loveless, Pam Tillis and Terri Clark – women of country in that era were so strong and really created a strong place for themselves and that’s the type of female country artist I strive to be.  

What are a few of your favorite venues to play at?

I have had the opportunity to play at so many amazing venues over the years, but some of my favourites are The Burton Cumming’s Theatre and the Club Regent Casino both in Winnipeg. I think, as a Manitoban, I had set goals of venues I wanted to concur and get the opportunity to play at and I was lucky enough to perform on both of those stages right at home!

What is your recording process like when making and creating new music?

I usually like to put a rough demo version of all the songs I have in my recording pile to see how they work with my voice and to get an idea of what they are going to sound like. Once I have nailed down the songs that make the final cut for full studio recording, I like to start with vocals. A stripped-down acoustic version of the song that lets me really focus on just my vocals. I let my producer know the vison I have on the musical side of the song and let them build the track based on that!

What is one of your favorite quotes?

“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I always like to take the opportunity to thanks everyone who has ever supported me on my musical journey. From listening to my music, coming to my shows, following me on social media or even reading interviews like this one, you give me an opportunity to chase my dreams and I appreciate everyone for that. 

Kendra Kay~ Artist Spotlight!!

Couple of artists showcase the motivation of country music like the award-winning recording artist Kendra Kay. Kay was raised on the Canadian prairies and is shining bright as a “Canada’s Country Girl” (Harlton Empire), Kay has had a wonderful year including signing on worldwide with Sakamoto Agency, winning the 2019 MCMA Female Artist of the Year, also earning the MCMA Fan’s Choice Award for the second year in a row. Also, she has collected half a million streams, 17 weeks in the Top 100 Canada Country Airplay and earned a Top Ten spot in the 2020 CBC Searchlight competition. 

Known for her powerful vocals, down-to-earth charisma and high-energy concerts, Kay has solidly started herself as an artist to watch and a rising country star (Brandon Sun) in the Canadian country music scene. Her single “Steady,” is an updated take on the traditional country sound, written by a talented group of female songwriters including Madeline Merlo (NBC Songland), Victoria Banks (Jessica Simpson, Sara Evans) and Karen Kosowski (Brett Kissel, Tim Hicks, with Kosowski also combining the reigns on assembly duties. Also her sophomore EP “More to Me,” co-produced by country star Terri Clark, with added production credits going to the CCMA Producer of the Year winner Murray Pulver and Juno Award winner Jeff Jones. 

Joined with her 5-piece band and love for country music, she has played shows across Canada including the CFL Banjo Bowl Halftime Show at Investor’s Group Stadium, played along with Tim Hicks on his “Get Loud: tour, and played with country legend Patricia Conroy. She has played in big festivals such as Dauphin’s CountryFest MainStage, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Canadian Music Week, Sunfest Country Music Festival, Canadian Country Music Week and gave direct help to artists such as Corb Lund, James Barker Band, Jess Moskaluke and Aaron Prichett. 

In January 2022, Kay put out her latest new single “Wild.” This song and other great tunes from Kay are featured both on Spotify and Apple Music. If you would like to find out more about the kind-hearted and talented Kendra Kay then please go take a look at her website (http://www.kendrakaymusic.com).

Social Media Accounts:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kendrakmusic?lang=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0xPkmc7nXv31emdwlk3KFA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KendraKMusic/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/kendrakaymusic