Q & A with family trio The Henningsens

Aaron, Clara and Brian Henningsen

I was first introduced to The Henningsens when I had the opportunity to see them perform at a fair in Mineral Wells, WV in July 2013 and instantly became a fan. Their vocals are flawless, are incredibly gifted songwriters and are three of the nicest people you will meet. Thank you Aaron, Clara and Brian for taking the time to do this interview it is greatly appreciated.

How did the idea of starting a trio come to fruition?

We started out first just writing country music. And we went and played our very first country song at the bluebird Café in Nashville in 2007. That was the first time we had ever played together. But it wasn't until almost a year later that we decided to become a trio. We would play a lot of writers nights and we were constantly having people tell us that we should be a band and get a record deal. The most important was Paul Worley who was producing The Band Perry and Lady Antebellum to at the time.

What was the first song that the 3 of you wrote together?

It was called Just Between You and Me. It was a song from Clara's perspective to a boy explaining that God and her dad were important figures in her life.

How would you describe your sound musically?

It's sort of a modern throwback. Our songs are lyric driven in the style of classic country. We like to tell stories but our sound ranges from a very traditional country to catchy and hooky modern country with some rock.

What do you think is the key to having a successful career that lasts for decades?

We are trying to figure that out! You have to be aware of what is current but also know that you can't follow trends. Your music should appeal to a broad range of ages. So much music today is focused on only the younger audience. We have many younger fans but we also have many moms and dads, and grandparents listening.

You have had the opportunity to tour with some big name artists such as Brad Paisley, what have you learned from being out on the road with artists like Brad?

We have learned that major artist are just people like everybody else. However they have a lot of pressure on them. It seems like the ones that go far are the nice ones, and very easy to work with. They value their fans very much and also their crews. Country maybe unique in this.

You released a 5 song EP in 2013 and have been writing & recording a full length album, Can you say what the status of the album is and is there a tentatively released date yet?

We are about halfway done with the process. Somewhere around Christmas is the target.

When you are out on the road touring what do you like to do in your down time?

What downtime! Just kidding, it's actually very busy when you're on the road. A typical day would be wake up get breakfast then you have to load in equipment most of the morning. Then you do a sound check in the early afternoon. We might have a couple or three hours off in an afternoon. Sometimes we just sit around the bus and relax. But a lot of times we will be writing or rehearsing for the show. Occasionally we will get out to see some sights in whatever city we are in, normally this doesn't happen if there's a meet and greet.

What is your favorite part of being a country artist & touring the country?

Meeting all sorts of people. It's cool to know somebody on Facebook but it's cooler to know them in person. Also dad is sort of a history buff so it's neat for him to see historic sites. Aaron and Clara like to try different foods.

What song do you wish you had written?

Brian: I Hope You Dance. Clara: The House That Built Me. Aaron: All your life :(

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive who would it be and why?

For Aaron: Colonel Sanders, because he would cook me dinner. 

Brian: C.S. Lewis, because he had such an ability to think through complex ideas and to see truth where it was obscure.
Clara: John Wayne, because he reminds me of my grandfathers.

What are 3 things you have to have while on the road touring?

Coffee, Oikos Greek Yogurt, Sunchips

If given the opportunity who would you want to do a CMT Crossroads episode with?

The Eagles, Mumford and Sons, Bruno Mars

Who would you like to play a show with that you haven't gotten to already?

Keith Urban

If you could write a song with any songwriter that you haven't written with who would it be?

Jimmy Webb

Favorite artists/bands at the moment (any genre)?

The Bottle Rockets, Ed Sheeran, The Lone Bellow

Last album you listened to from beginning to end?

The Bottle Rockets-South Broadway Athletic Club

Last concert you attended?

Our own. Brain: The Bottle Rockets at music City Winery, Clara: Nickel Creek, Aaron doesn't go to concerts :(

Favorite tv show/movie?

Downtown Abby, O'Brother Where Art Thou, Nacho Libre

What are a few of your go-to places in Nashville?

The Grand Ole Opry, Arnold's Meat and Three, Pucketts Restaurant

What advice would you give an aspiring singer/songwriter/musician?

Know who you are artistically and spiritually then become the best You that you can be. Make your presence known. Whether it's through YouTube videos, playing at small coffee shops, or coming to Nashville and playing writers nights. You can't be discovered if you are never seen.

Keep up with all things The Henningsens on their Official Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.. If you can download their self titled EP on iTunes and well as their current single Why I Farm and watch the music video on YouTube.

NASHVILLE’S ALLISON VELTZ COMPETING AS PART OF “A&E’S PROJECT STARTUP

Nashville’s ALLISON VELTZ is joining 50 artists from across the country to compete in “A&E PROJECT STARTUP,” a crowdfunding initiative in partnership with RocketHub and Ovation TV, to gain support for her passion project, The White Room EP. In less than 48 hours, Veltz’s campaign has been fully funded, allowing her to take the next steps in the creative process.

Named for the music room in her East Nashville home where she will also record this intimate project, The White Room’s five songs are co-written by Veltz and include guest appearances by Carly Pearce and Josh Matheny. Additional funding for her RocketHub and Ovation TV campaign will allow her to tour in 2016 in support of the project’s release.

“I want to keep it simple, raw and real,” shared Veltz. “I’m excited to be pulling back the curtain and letting people in on the process. The amazing thing about crowdfunding is my fans get to be part of everything now, instead of waiting until I’m on their radios.”

The crowdfunding competition, which launched earlier this week and runs through November 18th shines a spotlight on our country’s brightest up-and-coming artistic minds, including musicians, novelists, photographers, inventors and more, and helps to jump-start their creative works. Three projects will be selected at the end of the campaign, based on creativity, buzzworthiness and potential for additional crowdfunding success. Winners will receive an award of $5,000 toward their artistic creations. In addition, the winners will receive exposure on Ovation TV, America’s only Arts & Culture network.

To contribute to Allison Veltz’s RocketHub campaign and learn more about her story andThe White Room EP, visit https://www.rockethub.com/projects/61452-i-want-to-make-the-white-room-ep-with-you#description-tab and follow Allison’s journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Concert Review: Jason Michael Carroll - Belleville, WV - 9/19/15

This was my third time seeing Jason Michael Carroll live and he never disappoints. He has such a passion for what he does & it truly shows. He has one of the best vocal ranges I have heard from anyone. In my opinion he should be played on country radio & be up for Male Vocalist awards over some of the other artists that are almost every year.

He puts on a very high energy show but also has some great ballads he performs acoustic with just a guitar. He sang I Can Sleep When I'm Dead, Let Me, Alyssa Lies, Living Our Love Song, Close Enough, God Only Knows, Here's To You, God Only Knows, What Color Is Your Sky, My Favorite, Stray. He had a request to sing Purple Rain from someone in the meet & greet so he sang that and it was amazing. He sang Country Roads acoustic which as someone born & raised in WV I loved it. A few of the highlights of the night for me where when he came out he smiled & waved at me, he held my hand while singing Meet Me In The Barn, later on I thought he wanted to shake my hand again but he pointed at my phone so I handed it to him and he took a selfie while singing, then finally he came over again while singing and mouth "How are you?" to me. To say I had a blast would be an understatement. He appreciates his fans and it truly shows. He certainly doesn't need awards to validate his career but as a fans of his from the start I wold love for him to win ACM's, CMA's, etc since he actually writes & records country music which in this day and age is few and far between.

If he comes to your area you should make a point to go see him live because there is no way you won't be a fan after you do. You can purchase his new album What Color Is Your Sky on iTunes. Check out his tour dates on his Official Website and follow him on his social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

Dylan Scott releases new single Crazy Over Me

Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott releases his new single Crazy Over Me to iTunes and other digital media outlets. Request it now on your local country radio station as well as Sirius XM The Highway. I have had the opportunity to meet Dylan twice in the past year and a half and I can tell you first hand that he puts his heart and soul into his music and appreciates his fans so much & is always willing to meet everyone he can. In my opinion he has one of the best & most soulful voices in country music & deserves all the success in the world. The song is currently #19 on the iTunes Country Songs chart, please buy the song, rate & review it and ask others to do the same and lets get this song all the way to #1 for Dylan. He works so hard & deserves it.

You can keep up with Dylan on his Official Website, Facebook, Twitter.

Concert Review: Wheels Up Tour 2015 - Lady Antebellum & Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini: This was the first time I had the chance to see Kelsea Ballerini perform in person and I was pleasantly surprised. She seems like a down to earth and sweet person and she is great interacting with the audience. I think she has learned a lot being out on the road with Lady Antebellum. A few songs that stuck out to me where The First Time, Square Pegs, Peter Pan and of course her #1 single Love Me Like You Mean it. The highlight of her set for me was the medley of 90's songs as those were some of the songs I grew up listening to. Overall I can say I think she will have a lot of success in country music & be up for many awards in the future.

Lady Antebellum: This was my 6th time seeing Lady A but my first time seeing them headline and let me tell you they put on one of the best shows i've ever seen. To me it is worthy of them being nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards. They took the stage singing their current single Long Stretch of Love. They sang many of their hits over the years including Bartender, Downtown, Freestyle,  Compass, Our Kind Of Love, American Honey, Just A Kiss, I Run To You, Lookin For A Good Time, Love Don't Live Here, 747, Hello World, Perfect Day. The acoustic set in the middle of the arena was a highlight for me. During that portion they sang Dancing Away With My Heart, One Great Mystery (a new favorite of mine & song I hope is the next single). Kelsea Ballerini came out and sang one of my favorite Shania Twain songs Any Man Of Mine. To end the night the encore songs were Need You Now and We Owned The Night. A few songs that I would have loved to hear were Wanted You More & Goodbye Town but they have so many hits it's not possible to fit them all in which I understand. If you have the chance to see this tour I wouldn't pass it up. I plan on seeing Lady Antebellum many more times in the future.

Dave & I after the concert. Thanks for coming out to take pictures with the fans. :)

Charles & I after the concert. Thanks for coming out to take pictures with the fans. :) 

The Henningsens release Why I Farm music video

The first time I heard The Henningsens debut single American Beautiful I instantly became a fan of theirs. I had the oppurtunity to see them live later that year & meet them. They are infinitely talented & one of the things I love about them is how great they are to their fans. They are all around great people. I Miss You was the follow up single to American Beautiful and I think it should have done a lot better at radio but i'm a bit biased. I love all of their songs they release.

They released their newest song Why I Farm which is kind of a tribute to everyone that makes farming their career and livelihood. All of The Henningsen family grew up on a farm that has been in their family for over 100 years. 

You can purchase the song on iTunes and watch the music video on YouTube. You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. 

Concert Review: Kristen Kelly & Trent Tomlinson

Kristen Kelly and Trent Tomlinson played the final night of the annual Jackson County Junior Fair on Saturday, July 25, 2015 in Cottageville, WV. While I have been a fan of both Kristen and Trent for quite a few years this is the first oppurtunity I have had to see both of them in concert and they did not disappoint. 

I have heard a lot of country female voices and let me tell you I have not heard one with more soul & power than Kristen Kelly's and she makes it seem effortless. I personally think the industry is doing a disservice to country music fans by not playing her songs more on the radio & having her on an arena tour. She sang a mixture of her old songs as well as songs from her recently released EP titled Fire which is available at her shows as well as on  iTunes. A few of the songs she sang are Fire, Renegade, Getting Over Someone (personal favorite of mine), Bad Decisions, He Loves To Make Me Cry, Ex-Old Man and her current single Kiss By Kiss. She also sang a few covers of a couple soul songs & as well classic country songs. I encourage everyone to call your local country radio stations and request Kiss By Kiss. I was able to meet her after the concert and she is a very sweet & friendly person. I recommend meeting her if you have the chance.

I have been a fan of Trent Tomlinson since I was in high school but never had the oppurtunity to see him in concert until now but it was worth the wait. He puts on a high energy show but  also sings a few songs with just an acoustic guitar which I love. It was particularly moving to see him sing One Wing In The Fire as he said his father passed away two months ago from a heart attack and it was difficult for him to get through the song. He has written a lot of songs that other artists have recorded such as Already Calling You Mine by Parmalee and In Color by Jamey Johnson. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Trent's version of those songs. A few of his songs that he performed are Drunker Than Me, Come Back To Bed, Hey Batter Batter, Angels Like Her, Country Is My Rock, & The Bottle. Trent's meet & greet was on his tour bus so after he met everyone else he came out and met me and was extremely friendly and when he went to sign my picture he asked me what my name was and I told him and then he was like from Twitter? I said yes. We hugged, took the picture and he said it was great to meet you sweetheart. I'd always heard he was great to his fans and I can tell you firsthand that he is indeed. 

I had an amazing evening and would go see Kristen and Trent again given the oppurtunity.

You can follow Kristen on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

You can follow Trent on Facebook, Twitter