(CSC) 1. Thanks for catching up with us from the road. What has touring with Merle Haggard been like so far and how did the opportunity initially come together?

(Chris)

We met Merle in North Carolina. He came to eastern North Carolina where we’re from. We have a little family band; me and my brother and our dad plays bass. We opened for Merle that night and the following night we went to see the show and I got backstage and went onto Merle’s bus. We hit it off once we started to visit. We sat and jammed a little bit, talked about the night before, the opening night. It has been about two years ago that we met Merle and started playing with him.  

(CSC) 2.  Tell us about the creative process behind your latest album “Hillbilly Fever.”

(Chris)

We cut that actually before we met Merle. It’s a traditional country album which is what we’re trying to do; keep country music alive. We did that probably a year before we met Merle and we released that. We’re in the process now of working on a few albums with Merle.

(CSC) 3. Obviously music is a big part of your family. How has your upbringing influenced the type of music that you perform?

(Chris)

Yes sir it is. We were brought up in church and we do a lot of traditional Gospel music. We’re real country as you can tell by the way we talk. (Laughs) So we’re really into the 50’s and 60’s style of country music. The older stuff is what we really are curriers of I guess is what you’d call it.

(CSC) 4. What is it like being able to share the stage with your father? Are there any challenges or pressure that comes with it?

(Chris)

Our Dad plays with us only when we’re back at home sir. He’s almost like a brother when he’s on stage with us you know; he’s just part of the group. It’s really easy when we’re all three together playing and sharing that time together. It’s the same thing with Merle; he’s like a father to us. We really appreciate him and what he does for us!!

(Taylor)

It’s kind of like a sense of comfort. Merle’s the same way. He’s like a father. I couldn’t ask for anybody better to work for. 

(CSC) 5. You’ve got a very unique style that is rarely seen with younger artists today. Why do you choose to wear the vintage outfits?

(Taylor)

Yes sir. We feel like you know, when people come and pay to see a show, you need to give it your best. You don’t need to go out there looking like you’ve been working on a car! You know if they pay big money to see a show with their hard earned money, you have to give all you got! We’ve just always kind of been into that. It’s just our sense of style I guess. It’s what we think is cool!

(Chris)

You know it’s something different that you don’t see very much anymore with the newer artists.

(CSC) 6. What trait or talent does each one of you personally contribute to your duo?

(Chris)

Well I do a lot of the writing and I sing a lot of lead. Taylor sings some lead and does all the harmonies so we both work together to try to do what we’re doing musically.

(CSC) 7. You’ve shared the stage with some pretty significant names such as Willie Nelson, Don Helms, and Ray Price. What have you learned from being around those class acts?

(Chris)

Just playing at how to be confident on stage and treat your audience with respect.  We always try to make sure that they’re a part of the show and make sure they’re having a good time. That’s what it’s all about!!

(CSC) 8. If you had to describe the style of your music to those who are unfamiliar with it, how would you best do that?

(Chris)

Probably retro music; you know we do some newer music but the newer music we do still sort of has a vintage groove to it. I guess that is what you’d call it because it’s not really country as far as today’s country.

(Taylor)

Retro, it’s kind of Rock-a-Billy.  It’s kind of a mixture of everything that is old. (Laughs)

(CSC) 9. If you had the chance to meet any country artist past or present who would it be and why?

(Taylor)

Johnny Cash for me; there’s something about his music. The words he uses the phrases and the way he sings. It’s just real soulful and you can tell that from the moment you listen to him. I’d loved to have met him, if I could have met anybody.

(Chris)

Probably Merle is my biggest influence ever. So after meeting him the only other one I’d like to meet is Charley Pride. I feel the same about Charley Pride as I do about Merle. Oh man I love Charley. I’d love to meet him one day. His music is so inspiring to me and I admire his longevity.  

(CSC) 10. What is one thing about yourself artistically that you are most proud of and why?

(Chris)

I’m just proud of the fact that what I do know so far has helped me to be lucky enough to be in the position I am in now to tour with the great Merle Haggard. I don’t think I’m great by any means but evidently I was good enough at what I did that I got the chance to be with Merle. I’m particularly proud to be with him.  

(Taylor)

And that’s about the same for me. (Laughs)

(CSC) 11. What are some of your goals that you strive to achieve in the next few years as a new group on the horizon?

(Chris)

My biggest goal is to continue writing. I want to be a good writer. I want to write stuff people can relate to; songs that touch and make people feel something. All the newer stuff, to me, doesn’t make me feel anything. It’s just sort of happy-go-lucky. I want to make people feel something again like traditional country. I don’t want to make it so vanilla. I want them to feel something when they hear it.

(Taylor)

I’d like to have at least one song that we could be remembered by. I’d love to have a “Workin Man Blues” or a “Momma Tried.” (Laughs)

Enjoy pictures from the interview below: (Thanks to Donna Stroup for the photos!!)