Interview Flashback - The 9513’s Interview With Singer/Songwriter Rachel Proctor

I have been blessed to write contributions/reviews/interviews/opinion pieces for several country music and roots-oriented websites and publications over the years including Saving Country Music, Nashville Scene, Country California, Country Weekly, American Noise, The 9513 and Engine 145. As a regular contributor to the last two in that list, I did close to a 100 interviews with different artists- and since both of those great sites have come down, I will reprint some of those interviews here to give them a home in perpetuity. This interview was originally published in July 2010 on The 9513.

Rachel Proctor was born in West Virginia almost quite literally into music. She began singing in front of crowds at the ripe old age of six and traveled all over the country to participate in talent competitions- culminating in her starring on the American Idol show of 1989, the hit TV show Star Search. At eighteen, Proctor moved to Nashville and became the youngest staff writer ever signed to Warner-Chappell Music. She spent the better half of the 90’s singing in a band with a then-unknown Blake Shelton. But she continued to hone her songwriting skills and artists such as Tanya Tucker, Lisa McCann, Danielle Peck, The Lynns, Nashville Star winner Erika Jo, Kenny Loggins, Katrina Elam, Blake Shelton and Martina McBride all recorded her penned songs in those early days.

Proctor signed to BNA Records finally in 2002 and released her debut album Where I Belong. It spawned chart hits "Days Like This" (#24 in 2003), "Didn't I" (#43 in 2003), “Where I Belong” (#37 in 2004) and her highest chart hit, "Me and Emily" (#18 in 2004). The last track, a song about a young parent escaping from domestic abuse, became an anthem for abused women across the world and earned a direct commendation from then-President Bush.

After losing her record deal after BNA was purchased, she kept with her songwriting roots, co-writing country/pop singer Jessica Simpson's 2008 singles "Come On Over" and "Remember That" and Jesse Lee's 2009 debut single "It's a Girl Thing". This last October, she went the indie route and self-released a brand new album called What Didn’t Kill Me.

“This album is a collection of songs from the last 5 years of my life. There have been a lot of ups and downs & loves and losses that have made me grow both as singer and as a songwriter. I've always believed in writing from the heart about my own life experiences.”

Each of the 11 songs of the album are written or co-written by Proctor and that life experience from the last few years is poured out best on the title track off of the album. She uses the loss of her major label record deal and her scrape for musical relevance as inspiration on a great autobiographical song about getting stronger from the stuff that knocks you down. Overall, Proctor has focused more on striking equilibrium between fast up-tempo numbers and those introspective ballads that marked her radio success the first go-around.

The 9513 caught Rachel for a quick interview in between songwriting assignments to talk about her album and upcoming projects.

Ken Morton, Jr.: You just launched a brand new album of all new material called What Didn’t Kill Me. What will fans will hear on the album?

Rachel Proctor: What Didn't Kill Me is a little edgier and more personal than my previous releases. I wrote most of the songs with Bruce Wallace so the album definitely has its own sound. Somewhere between Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.

KMJ: You’ve mentioned before there’s a deeper meaning behind the album’s title. How so?

RP: I went through a lot of ups and downs after leaving BNA Records. There was a lot of soul searching and healing that happened in the years between "Where I Belong" and "What Didn't Kill Me." I've found that it's true what they say... Everything we go through good or bad makes us who we are and hopefully makes us stronger.

KMJ: I would say it’s decidedly more up-tempo and edgier than your previous release- is that fair assessment?

RP: Absolutely!

KMJ: Any favorite songs on the album?

RP: It's a toss up between "Wrong" and "Don't Let It Hit Ya"

KMJ: You’ve had a tremendous amount of success as a songwriter, a more moderate amount of success as a singer and performer. Do you envision yourself as one or the other or do the two things go hand in hand?

RP: They most definitely go hand in hand. I don't think I could do one without the other.

KMJ: On your first release, you had four charted hits, but one single in particular really resonated deeply with America. Talk to me about “Me and Emily.” What did that song mean to you and to those that identified so much with the song?

RP: The song was a gift from God from the very beginning. I feel blessed to have written it. I met so many wonderfully strong women because of the song and I'm very thankful for that.

KMJ: What was it like touring around as nobody’s with Blake Shelton back in the 90’s?

RP: It was an absolute blast. Blake is so fun to work with.

KMJ: Jessica Simpson certainly caused lots of discussion with her release of your song “Come On Over”- most of it fairly polarizing on both ends of the argument spectrum. What was it like being the songwriter behind that track?

RP: It was one of the most exciting times for me as a writer. Jessica is an amazing girl and working with her was a great experience. She recorded two of my songs and I am very proud of the cuts. Her whole album is really well written and produced. People are missing out if they don't at least give it a listen. They may find they really like it. I still listen to it myself.

KMJ: Any other songs out there either in the recording process or on-hold that we should keep an eye out for?

RP: I have two songs on Jennette McCurdy's album. I co-wrote her first single "Not That Far Away" with her and Blair Daly. I also have a cut on Jewel's new album called "Bad As It Gets." I'm excited about writing a song with Margaret Durante called "Maybe Tonight" that is available as a free download on her website www.margaretdurante.com

KMJ: What new projects are you working on?

RP: I'm focused on songwriting right now. I've been trying to write by myself more which I have never really done. I feel a new project on the horizon with some of this new stuff.

KMJ: Are you still hopeful for another major record deal opportunity?

RP: If the right deal came along I would truly consider it but I'm not actively seeking it out. I love my life as a songwriter.

KMJ: What is country music to Rachel Proctor?

RP: To me country music is about real life. It doesn't matter to me if it's stone cold country or contemporary country. It's all about a great song.

Rascal Flatts Covers Kenny Loggins, Foreigner, Huey Lewis & More On Jukebox EP

Artist: Rascal Flatts
EP: Jukebox
Label: Big Machine
Release date: 12/7/19

Superstar vocal group Rascal Flatts is sharing their eclectic JUKEBOX (Big Machine Records) with fans today. The group of tracks is a surprise release for fans, and a project inspired by a highlight during the group’s live set, where they perform a medley of their most-loved songs. JUXEBOX features special spins on Foreigner’s iconic 1977 rock anthem “Feels Like The First Time,” the soulful 1980 hit “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates as well as Kenny Loggins’ classic “Heart To Heart.” Each track is given new life with Rascal Flatts' signature harmonies.

A fourth song, “Do You Believe In Love” by Huey Lewis and the News, will be available exclusively to Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers.

“We always enjoy songs that resonate with each of us individually, ones that we can all connect to,” said Gary LeVox. “These four tracks are just that, the handpicked, personal favorites and the ones we love collectively with our own fingerprint on them.”

JUKEBOX Official Track List:

1. Feels Like The First Time
2. Do You Believe In Love**
3. You Make My Dreams
4. Heart To Heart

**Amazon Music Exclusive Track

New Music Video From Blue Sky Riders- "Feelin' Brave"

Kenny Loggins' Blue Sky Riders Launch Kickstarter Campaign For New Album

Blue Sky Riders is a musical trio consisting of singer/songwriters Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman and Gary Burr. The band released their debut album, Finally Home, on their own record label, 3Dream Records, on January 29, 2013. Earlier today, Loggins announced that the trio is headed back into the studio to work on what they hope to be a sophomore crowd-funded album through Kickstarter.

Says Loggins, "Thanks for watching my video and giving me the chance to invite you to help me and my new band - Blue Sky Riders. As an artist, I’m thrilled there’s a way for me to make you a part of my newest musical journey. The business of making music is reinventing itself and this crowd-funding thing is just as cool for me as it is for you.

I’m launching this Kickstarter Campaign for a couple of reasons – to generate funding for recording our next album and to connect directly with the folks who love music enough to support its creation. As a band, we’ve come up with some cool ways to get you more involved: everything from your ideas for T-shirts to helping us name the new album. (And if you kick in some serious bucks we’ll even let you sing with us on a song). But it’s not just about the money, (granted that’s a BIG deal) - it’s about staying creative and vital by embracing the new way that music is made."

Loggins goes on to say that he, Gary and Georgia are also committed to engaging with their supporters through project updates, videos, social media interaction, and before/during their live shows. The band has created a pretty cool reward structure with music, autographed merchandise, behind the scenes video content, tickets to the launch-party show, sitting in on a recording session, and even the chance for the band to write a song just for you and yours.

You can learn more about the project that goes live later this month HERE.

New Music Video From Kenny Loggins and Blue Sky Riders- "O Holy Night"

CMA Awards Night Video Performances

Blake Shelton & Kenny Loggins- "Footloose"
Miranda Lambert- "Baggage Claim"

Vince Gill, Keith Urban & Brad Paisley- Glen Campbell Tribute
Eric Church- "Drink in my Hand"
The Band Perry- "All Your Life"
Taylor Swift- "Ours"

TNS Video History- Kenny Loggins- "Conviction of the Heart"

TNS Video History- Blue Sky Riders- "Dream"

Blue Sky Riders Perform Dream on GDLA: MyFoxLA.com

Hear It Here- Blake Shelton Covers Kenny Loggins' "Footloose"

• Wikipedia defines a guilty pleasure is something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it. Often, the "guilt" involved is simply fear of others discovering one's lowbrow or otherwise embarrassing tastes, rather than actual moral guilt.
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• Yeah... this is a lot like that. Click on the box to go to Mediabase and hear the new single that will be the audio centerpiece of the remake on the film Footloose.
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Kenny Loggins Forms New Country Band Blue Sky Riders With Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman

Kenny Loggins has joined forces with legendary Nashville songwriter Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman and formed a brand new country trio called the Blue Sky Riders.

“The best part,” says Kenny Loggins of that meeting with Gary Burr as he wrote for “How About Now,” his well-received 2008 release, “was that when we sang together, we sounded like brothers. The last time I experienced that kind of blend was with Jimmy Messina in 1971.”

Loggins, one of the premiere voices in modern popular music, called Burr, one of Nashville’s most accomplished writers, afterward and asked if he’d like to form a band. Then he suggested they look for a third, female voice. "I’ve got the perfect person,” said Burr. “Georgia Middleman. She’s the best I’ve ever worked with.” Loggins flew to Nashville and the three sat down to write.

“What a meeting!” says Loggins. “We wrote our first song and were singing with a three-part blend that comes once in a lifetime.”

With that, Blue Sky Riders was a reality.

Middleman, a renowned singer/songwriter, says the experience has reminded her of the Joseph Campbell line, “Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.”

“I’m definitely looking bliss in the eye right now,” she says.

All three sing lead amid the three-part harmonies that told each of them from the beginning that they had something special.

For Loggins, Blue Sky Riders is a new creative step forward in a career filled with magic moments. His hits, early on as half of Loggins and Messina and then as a solo artist, include “Danny’s Song,” “House at Pooh Corner,” “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” “Angry Eyes,” “Whenever I Call You Friend” (with Stevie Nicks) and “This Is It,” a series of movie theme songs, including “I’m Alright” (Caddyshack), “Footloose” (Footloose), “Danger Zone” (Top Gun), and “Nobody’s Fool” (Caddyshack II), and later AC smashes including “Conviction of the Heart,” “The Real Thing,” “If You Believe” and “For the First Time.” His songs have been covered by artists including Barbra Streisand, Lynn Anderson, Anne Murray and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Loggins and Michael McDonald co-wrote “What A Fool Believes,” which received a Grammy for Song of the Year, and “This Is It,” which earned Loggins a Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal.

Burr is a member of the Country Music Songwriters Hall of Fame and has been named Songwriter of the Year by ASCAP, Billboard and NSAI with 13 #1 hits under his belt. His hits include Juice Newton’s “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me,” Conway Twitty’s “That’s My Job” and Wynonna’s “To Be Loved By You,” and his songs have been covered by LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Garth Brooks, RIcky Skaggs and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among many others. He has written and performed with Ringo Starr, had a worldwide hit with the Ricky Martin/Christina Aguilera smash “Nobody Wants to be Lonely,” and topped the charts with Kelly Clarkson’s “Before Your Love” and Clay Aiken’s “This is the Night.” He has toured with Carole King and produced Olivia Newton John, and early in his career spent three years as lead singer of Pure Prairie League.

Middleman was still a teenager when she began opening for artists like Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Drawn to Nashville’s creative energy, she quickly landed a publishing deal with Polygram and released the well-received Endless Possibiities on Giant Records. She wrote Keith Urban’s 2010 chart-topper “I’m In,” and singles including Tracy Lawrence’s “It’s All How You Look At It” and Sarah Buxton’s “Innocence.” Her songs have been recorded by Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Terri Clark, Mark Chesnutt and Joe Nichols, among many others. She has toured with Radney Foster and sung backup for Jack Ingram, Marty Raybon, the Warren Brothers and many other Nashville artists.

The trio will open for Loggins on his summer tour as they continue to work on an album’s worth of songs. You can here some of their early songs HERE.

TNS Video History- Kenny Loggins- "The Real Thing"

TNS Video History- Kenny Loggins- "Conviction of the Heart"

Watch Live Music From Kenny Loggins From Sirius/XM

Watch an excerpt from SIRIUS/XM's Artist Confidential with Kenny Loggins, as he answers questions about songwriting and performs his early 80s classic "I'm Alright," the theme from the great golf film "Caddyshack." Get broadcast times for the full schedule and a free trial at www.sirius.com/thebridge.



Email subscribers can hit the headline to view the video.

New Music Video From Kenny Loggins For "First There Is A Mountain"

Kenny Loggins and Disney have collaborated on a family-friendly album of classic songs called "All Join In." Loggins and has released his first music video for the album that you can view here.

From Disney: "All Join In, is a lovingly crafted, extremely entertaining, up-tempo collection of uplifting songs - a musical gumbo to please long time fans, parents and children alike. The album includes fresh, creative takes of classics: The Beatles' "All Together Now" and "Two Of Us" (the latter being his first studio recording in decades with Jim Messina), Randy Newman's "You've Got A Friend In Me", the Del Vikings' 1950's classic "Come Go With Me," Traffic's "You Can All Join In" (appropriately joined by the song's writer and former Traffic member Dave Mason) and Donovan's 1960's classic "First There Is A Mountain.""

Kenny Loggins Set To Release New Album 7/21

All Join In, Kenny Loggins’ new album of up-tempo music for the whole family, is set to be released on July 21st, on Walt Disney Records.

This lovingly crafted, extremely entertaining collection of classic songs, is a musical gumbo sure to please long time fans, parents and children alike.

The album features creative takes on classics such as: The Beatles "All Together Now”, Randy Newman's “You’ve Got A Friend In Me", the Del Vikings Fifties classic “Come Go With Me” Traffic’s “You Can All Join In” (appropriately joined by the song’s writer and former Traffic member Dave Mason) and Donovan’s Sixties classic “First There Is A Mountain.”