Showing posts with label Whitney Duncan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Whitney Duncan. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Monday, February 1, 2021
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Interview Flashback - On The Road With Whitney Duncan
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 October 2009 on The 9513.
Whitney Duncan didn’t say “I want to be a country music singer” with her very first words, but she might of well have. With a passion that belied her age, Whitney sang at school events, including multiple elementary and middle school graduations as well as finished as a medalist at a talent competition at Loretta Lynn's ranch.
Country music was always her first love. She begged to go to the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville and managed to get up on stage and play when she was barely a teenager. She began travelling to and from Nashville from her home in Scotts Hill, TN in high school, writing with some of Nashville’s best writers. By her senior year, she had landed a record deal. Almost immediately, Duncan landed a duet with country legend Kenny Rogers but the first big record release still eluded her. She’d write and co-write cuts for Lee Ann Womack, Katie Arminger and Crystal Shawanda in the meantime.
In 2007, Duncan participated on the USA network show Nashville Star and self-released her debut album. After placing on Nashville Star, she signed to Warner Bros. Records Nashville and the life of the recording star started in motion. Her first solo single, "When I Said I Would" tasted the charts at #48 but it is her third single, “Skinny Dippin’,” that is making its mark. It is in the Top 20 on the Music Row charts and just entered the Billboard Top 50. Meanwhile, the sexy video for the latest single has been a staple across the country music video stations.
KEN MORTON, JR.- Have you been given the key to the city from the mayor of Scotts Hill yet?
WHITNEY DUNCAN- I was! It was awesome. A few years ago, they did that. They had a little parade in town. This town has the nicest people and the coolest people ever.
KMJ- I understand it was your grandfather that introduced you to country music. Tell me about that influence.
WD- I could always hear him singing around the house and he had such a great voice. But he would never perform in front of other people or anything. And he was always such a big fan of country music. He definitely introduced me to it- and Elvis. I would go to my grandparents house on the weekends a lot and I was a total granddaddy’s girl. I would go and we would watch Elvis performances, movies and everything. I was obsessed with Elvis from age four. We would also constantly watch the Jerry Lee Lewis movie Great Balls Of Fire. Oh my gosh. We would watch that movie every single weekend. As a little girl, I could say the words to the movie before they came out of the actor’s mouths. When I find out that Dennis Quaid was not Jerry Lee Lewis, I think I cried. (Laughter) When I finally saw the real Jerry Lee Lewis, I said, “That’s not Jerry Lee Lewis!” I had in my mind that Dennis Quaid was Jerry Lee Lewis. I was pretty heartbroken. Not to say that Jerry Lee Lewis isn’t good-looking or anything, but he is no Dennis Quaid. I would say that Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis- both of them- made me want to sing. My parents never played or anything but they both loved music and we always had it around the house and playing in the car. My dad didn’t like country too much. He would listen to the Rolling Stones, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and all that stuff. My mom would listen to nothing but country. There would always be that battle.
And of course, my mom always won. She loved Tanya Tucker, Tammy Wynette, Travis Tritt, Don Williams and all that stuff. I had a lot of different influences growing up in music.
KMJ- And just how early were you performing at the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge?
WD- Too young! When I wanted to go somewhere, my parents were the best. I could talk them into anything. I always wanted to go Tootsies. And during the day, there’s lots of tourists and stuff in there. So I got to go up and play with the house band. I did “Stand By Your Man.” Of course. But I had to get out of there when it started to get dark and they started to serve alcohol. I think I was 10, 11 or 12.
KMJ- Most acts get complimentary beer- for you it was Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples.
WD- (Laughter) Exactly! Looking back, that was fun.
KMJ- Your most recent single “Skinny Dippin’” sold an impressive 50,000 digital downloads partly due to a pretty racy music video that any warm-blooded male found appealing. Any hesitations in that video shoot?
WD- We got a lot of treatment ideas for that video. I was very picky on what I would do and what I wouldn’t do. The song is such a visual song in itself. It had to line up with the song and even make the song better. I really think this treatment did that. It kept it young and flirty and fun. And even funny in some places. Instead of… well lets just say that a lot of the ideas we got were… over the top. When were agreeing to do this, I was saying, “I won’t do that. I will not do that. I certainly won’t do that.” It was hard. And I thought they pulled it off great. I don’t think it’s too racy of a video for sure. When I sent it to my parents, that was my test. If it went too far, they won’t like it. Because they’re the most conservative people you’ve even known. When I sent it to them, Mom loved it and thought it was beautiful. I was good to go. If Mom and Dad approve, then we’re good.
KMJ- Your first singles have flirted with the big charts thus far, and your most recent single seems to making a dent. Any sense on why the first couple of singles haven’t made a bigger splash at radio yet?
WD- In places that they’re playing it in daytime hours, it is connecting. That’s what’s so awesome. It’s selling like crazy. On the Music Row charts, it’s up to number 17. Stations that are playing it are getting a reaction from their audiences. On stations that don’t play it, you can’t get a reaction from something you can’t hear. It’s really hard as a new artist. You have stations that will only play a certain amount of songs. And they don’t necessarily always want to take a chance on a new artist. That makes it really difficult. It’s sad that it is that hard. It’s hard for that new artist to get a song played these days. When it’s played, it gets a reaction, though. And that’s really all you can ask for.
KMJ- What can we can we expect on your upcoming album, “Right Road Now?”
WD- I co-wrote the whole thing and I’m most excited about that. It’s a wide variety. “Skinny Dippin’” is the fun side of me but there are many other songs that are deep and dark and I like that too. It’s a big variety of stuff from fun, happy and up-tempo to the other side. There’s something for everyone. I was very picky with songs- I always have been. These are my favorites.
KMJ- Has Warner Brothers set a release date yet?
WD- All I know is early in 2010. It’s been changed so many times, it’s ridiculous. When they get a date, they’ll tell me and that’s when I’ll get excited.
KMJ- How frustrating is it for the artist to be in that record label “holding pattern?” It seems a bit like purgatory from the outside looking in.
WD- I don’t focus on that part too much. I totally understand what they’re doing and it makes complete sense. You want to put out a record when you have the most audience. That part makes sense to me. Until you get that, there’s no real reason to put it out. People can get a taste of it on i-Tunes. You can even buy the digital EP that will hopefully tide you over until the record comes out. Granted, no one will be happier than me the day it comes out. For sure. You put your heart and soul into something like this for so long, you want to get it out for the fans. Ultimately, that’s the whole point of music.
KMJ- You performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time this month- how was that experience?
WD- I am not one to get nervous. I never get nervous. But when I walked on that stage, I thought I was going to vomit. I was SO nervous. I wasn’t even nervous before. Walking into my dressing room was a really cool moment. When I stood on the side of the stage, John Conlee was introducing me. And I love him and his voice. I always have. That’s really cool. When I walked out there, it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the Opry. It was a really cool moment.
KMJ- Any special behind-the-scenes moments for you?
WD- I got to take my picture with Little Jimmy Dickens! That was so cool. He’s such a nice guy. I also got my picture taken with John Conlee. All my parents got to come backstage. As special as this was for me it was more special for my grandparents. The Grand Ole Opry is the be-all end-all for them. They used to come up to my house every Saturday and we would all watch the Grand Ole Opry together. This, for them, was like the fact that I had finally made it. He’s always told me I would have made it when I get invited to play on the Grand Ole Opry. My granddaddy never goes anywhere, but you bet he came to the Grand Ole Opry that night.
KMJ- You’ve written cuts for other artists like Lee Ann Womack, Katie Armiger and Crystal Shawanda- any other songs out there on hold or being cut by other artist?
WD- Yes! I got a LeAnn Rimes cut. It’s a beautiful song and I was upset at first when it didn’t get to make my record. But it’s a big ballad and gorgeous and I can’t wait for you all to hear it.
KMJ- When a singer/songwriter has a song cut by another artist, is there as much pride on that song as if you cut it yourself?
WD- I think probably even more so. I’m really hard on my songs. But when someone else cuts it, they’re saying they love it to. They love it enough to want to cut it themselves.
KMJ- What is country music to Whitney Duncan?
WD- It’s definitely my life. From an early age, I’ve never wanted to do anything else. And I’ve never doubted it for a minute. There have been times in which I’ve asked if I’d ever get my chance or shot. I’ve kept with it and I love it. I don’t know what I would do without it. There’s really nothing else I’d rather do.
Country music was always her first love. She begged to go to the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in downtown Nashville and managed to get up on stage and play when she was barely a teenager. She began travelling to and from Nashville from her home in Scotts Hill, TN in high school, writing with some of Nashville’s best writers. By her senior year, she had landed a record deal. Almost immediately, Duncan landed a duet with country legend Kenny Rogers but the first big record release still eluded her. She’d write and co-write cuts for Lee Ann Womack, Katie Arminger and Crystal Shawanda in the meantime.
In 2007, Duncan participated on the USA network show Nashville Star and self-released her debut album. After placing on Nashville Star, she signed to Warner Bros. Records Nashville and the life of the recording star started in motion. Her first solo single, "When I Said I Would" tasted the charts at #48 but it is her third single, “Skinny Dippin’,” that is making its mark. It is in the Top 20 on the Music Row charts and just entered the Billboard Top 50. Meanwhile, the sexy video for the latest single has been a staple across the country music video stations.
KEN MORTON, JR.- Have you been given the key to the city from the mayor of Scotts Hill yet?
WHITNEY DUNCAN- I was! It was awesome. A few years ago, they did that. They had a little parade in town. This town has the nicest people and the coolest people ever.
KMJ- I understand it was your grandfather that introduced you to country music. Tell me about that influence.
WD- I could always hear him singing around the house and he had such a great voice. But he would never perform in front of other people or anything. And he was always such a big fan of country music. He definitely introduced me to it- and Elvis. I would go to my grandparents house on the weekends a lot and I was a total granddaddy’s girl. I would go and we would watch Elvis performances, movies and everything. I was obsessed with Elvis from age four. We would also constantly watch the Jerry Lee Lewis movie Great Balls Of Fire. Oh my gosh. We would watch that movie every single weekend. As a little girl, I could say the words to the movie before they came out of the actor’s mouths. When I find out that Dennis Quaid was not Jerry Lee Lewis, I think I cried. (Laughter) When I finally saw the real Jerry Lee Lewis, I said, “That’s not Jerry Lee Lewis!” I had in my mind that Dennis Quaid was Jerry Lee Lewis. I was pretty heartbroken. Not to say that Jerry Lee Lewis isn’t good-looking or anything, but he is no Dennis Quaid. I would say that Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis- both of them- made me want to sing. My parents never played or anything but they both loved music and we always had it around the house and playing in the car. My dad didn’t like country too much. He would listen to the Rolling Stones, John Cougar Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and all that stuff. My mom would listen to nothing but country. There would always be that battle.
And of course, my mom always won. She loved Tanya Tucker, Tammy Wynette, Travis Tritt, Don Williams and all that stuff. I had a lot of different influences growing up in music.
KMJ- And just how early were you performing at the famed Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge?
WD- Too young! When I wanted to go somewhere, my parents were the best. I could talk them into anything. I always wanted to go Tootsies. And during the day, there’s lots of tourists and stuff in there. So I got to go up and play with the house band. I did “Stand By Your Man.” Of course. But I had to get out of there when it started to get dark and they started to serve alcohol. I think I was 10, 11 or 12.
KMJ- Most acts get complimentary beer- for you it was Roy Rogers and Shirley Temples.
WD- (Laughter) Exactly! Looking back, that was fun.
KMJ- Your most recent single “Skinny Dippin’” sold an impressive 50,000 digital downloads partly due to a pretty racy music video that any warm-blooded male found appealing. Any hesitations in that video shoot?
WD- We got a lot of treatment ideas for that video. I was very picky on what I would do and what I wouldn’t do. The song is such a visual song in itself. It had to line up with the song and even make the song better. I really think this treatment did that. It kept it young and flirty and fun. And even funny in some places. Instead of… well lets just say that a lot of the ideas we got were… over the top. When were agreeing to do this, I was saying, “I won’t do that. I will not do that. I certainly won’t do that.” It was hard. And I thought they pulled it off great. I don’t think it’s too racy of a video for sure. When I sent it to my parents, that was my test. If it went too far, they won’t like it. Because they’re the most conservative people you’ve even known. When I sent it to them, Mom loved it and thought it was beautiful. I was good to go. If Mom and Dad approve, then we’re good.
KMJ- Your first singles have flirted with the big charts thus far, and your most recent single seems to making a dent. Any sense on why the first couple of singles haven’t made a bigger splash at radio yet?
WD- In places that they’re playing it in daytime hours, it is connecting. That’s what’s so awesome. It’s selling like crazy. On the Music Row charts, it’s up to number 17. Stations that are playing it are getting a reaction from their audiences. On stations that don’t play it, you can’t get a reaction from something you can’t hear. It’s really hard as a new artist. You have stations that will only play a certain amount of songs. And they don’t necessarily always want to take a chance on a new artist. That makes it really difficult. It’s sad that it is that hard. It’s hard for that new artist to get a song played these days. When it’s played, it gets a reaction, though. And that’s really all you can ask for.
KMJ- What can we can we expect on your upcoming album, “Right Road Now?”
WD- I co-wrote the whole thing and I’m most excited about that. It’s a wide variety. “Skinny Dippin’” is the fun side of me but there are many other songs that are deep and dark and I like that too. It’s a big variety of stuff from fun, happy and up-tempo to the other side. There’s something for everyone. I was very picky with songs- I always have been. These are my favorites.
KMJ- Has Warner Brothers set a release date yet?
WD- All I know is early in 2010. It’s been changed so many times, it’s ridiculous. When they get a date, they’ll tell me and that’s when I’ll get excited.
KMJ- How frustrating is it for the artist to be in that record label “holding pattern?” It seems a bit like purgatory from the outside looking in.
WD- I don’t focus on that part too much. I totally understand what they’re doing and it makes complete sense. You want to put out a record when you have the most audience. That part makes sense to me. Until you get that, there’s no real reason to put it out. People can get a taste of it on i-Tunes. You can even buy the digital EP that will hopefully tide you over until the record comes out. Granted, no one will be happier than me the day it comes out. For sure. You put your heart and soul into something like this for so long, you want to get it out for the fans. Ultimately, that’s the whole point of music.
KMJ- You performed at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time this month- how was that experience?
WD- I am not one to get nervous. I never get nervous. But when I walked on that stage, I thought I was going to vomit. I was SO nervous. I wasn’t even nervous before. Walking into my dressing room was a really cool moment. When I stood on the side of the stage, John Conlee was introducing me. And I love him and his voice. I always have. That’s really cool. When I walked out there, it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the Opry. It was a really cool moment.
KMJ- Any special behind-the-scenes moments for you?
WD- I got to take my picture with Little Jimmy Dickens! That was so cool. He’s such a nice guy. I also got my picture taken with John Conlee. All my parents got to come backstage. As special as this was for me it was more special for my grandparents. The Grand Ole Opry is the be-all end-all for them. They used to come up to my house every Saturday and we would all watch the Grand Ole Opry together. This, for them, was like the fact that I had finally made it. He’s always told me I would have made it when I get invited to play on the Grand Ole Opry. My granddaddy never goes anywhere, but you bet he came to the Grand Ole Opry that night.
KMJ- You’ve written cuts for other artists like Lee Ann Womack, Katie Armiger and Crystal Shawanda- any other songs out there on hold or being cut by other artist?
WD- Yes! I got a LeAnn Rimes cut. It’s a beautiful song and I was upset at first when it didn’t get to make my record. But it’s a big ballad and gorgeous and I can’t wait for you all to hear it.
KMJ- When a singer/songwriter has a song cut by another artist, is there as much pride on that song as if you cut it yourself?
WD- I think probably even more so. I’m really hard on my songs. But when someone else cuts it, they’re saying they love it to. They love it enough to want to cut it themselves.
KMJ- What is country music to Whitney Duncan?
WD- It’s definitely my life. From an early age, I’ve never wanted to do anything else. And I’ve never doubted it for a minute. There have been times in which I’ve asked if I’d ever get my chance or shot. I’ve kept with it and I love it. I don’t know what I would do without it. There’s really nothing else I’d rather do.
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Lady A's Dave Haywood Lends A Hand To Upcoming Post Monroe EP
Album: Post Monroe EP
Label: KCH Entertainment
Release date: May 13, 2016
Ashlee Hewitt, Whitney Duncan and Shelby McLeod meld their distinct voices, backgrounds and life experiences together to create Post Monroe. “Our sound is our voices,” Ashlee explains. “They’re different. They’re unique. The blend of them together makes Post Monroe what it is.”
Their debut single and EP is produced by Grammy Award winning Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum and Chuck Ainlay.
"I have had such an amazing time being on the production side of the music-making process with Post Monroe. I truly believe that these girls are the real deal – from the writing room to the studio – they have a unique perspective and fresh sound that I can’t wait for people to hear," says Haywood.
The songs themselves are extremely important to the songwriting threesome. “Most the time when we’re writing it’s like a therapy sessions, where someone shares something that’s happened to them and it’s like, ‘Well, that’s the hook!'” Ashlee says. “We are strong women and we’re vulnerable,” Shelby adds. “There are many sides to every woman. We like writing songs that speak from all those sides.”
Each member can approach a song or idea from a different perspective. Ashlee is married with a three-year-old son, Tuff, while Whitney is newlywed and Shelby, the youngest, is still living the single life. “We’re all in different places but also similar at the same time,” Whitney explains.
Ashlee grew up on a farm in Lancaster, Minn. — “way up by Canada” — and started singing at the age of three. Between the ages of 13 and 18, she played nearly 150 shows a year across Minnesota and North Dakota. “I knew I wanted to do music so I just packed up and came to Nashville,” she recalls of the move she made at 18.
Whitney is a native of Scotts Hill, Tenn., and grew up visiting Nashville. She played the fairs and festivals circuit as well and began coming to Nashville at the age of 15 to write with the city’s elite songwriters. “I’d skip school and my dad would bring me to Nashville and then turn around and go to work,” Whitney remembers. “It was a two-hour drive and he’d drive again to get me after work.” Like Ashlee, Whitney pursued a career as a female solo artist before realizing their dream to start a band.
Shelby was raised in Madison, Ga., and spent her childhood singing and doing musical theatre. While she hoped to move to Nashville after high school, her father — who she admits is her “hero” — insisted she go to college. Four years later, after graduating with a degree in communications, Shelby moved to Music City and within two months she landed a job working for Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment. “I wanted to get a job in the industry to learn and go in the back door like everybody does,” Shelby admits. “Oh, I’ll slip through and someone will love me. I learned so much and I loved working there."
But her plan worked. It was that job that brought Shelby to her future bandmates. Whitney and Ashlee had met through a mutual friend and discovered their mutual love for songwriting and desire to start a trio. “I met Shelby at Starstruck and I didn’t know she could sing, I just thought she was gorgeous,” Whitney recalls. “Then a friend told me she could sing and we brought her in for a meeting and all sang together … it was magic.” “When we got the first demo back, everyone was in awe,” Ashlee adds.
The trio adopted a name that Ashlee had been holding on to for quite a while. “I was living in L.A. in 2008 and I heard someone describe a fashion style as Post Monroe … after Marilyn Monroe,” she explains. “Immediately, I was like that sounds like a band name! I went and got all the social media and websites and everything and blocked them.”
“I love Marilyn Monroe and her timeless beauty but I think it’s nice to leave it open for interpretation, too,” Whitney says. “In country music, we have Bill Monroe. There are some great Monroes.”
Whitney is a native of Scotts Hill, Tenn., and grew up visiting Nashville. She played the fairs and festivals circuit as well and began coming to Nashville at the age of 15 to write with the city’s elite songwriters. “I’d skip school and my dad would bring me to Nashville and then turn around and go to work,” Whitney remembers. “It was a two-hour drive and he’d drive again to get me after work.” Like Ashlee, Whitney pursued a career as a female solo artist before realizing their dream to start a band.
Shelby was raised in Madison, Ga., and spent her childhood singing and doing musical theatre. While she hoped to move to Nashville after high school, her father — who she admits is her “hero” — insisted she go to college. Four years later, after graduating with a degree in communications, Shelby moved to Music City and within two months she landed a job working for Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment. “I wanted to get a job in the industry to learn and go in the back door like everybody does,” Shelby admits. “Oh, I’ll slip through and someone will love me. I learned so much and I loved working there."
But her plan worked. It was that job that brought Shelby to her future bandmates. Whitney and Ashlee had met through a mutual friend and discovered their mutual love for songwriting and desire to start a trio. “I met Shelby at Starstruck and I didn’t know she could sing, I just thought she was gorgeous,” Whitney recalls. “Then a friend told me she could sing and we brought her in for a meeting and all sang together … it was magic.” “When we got the first demo back, everyone was in awe,” Ashlee adds.
The trio adopted a name that Ashlee had been holding on to for quite a while. “I was living in L.A. in 2008 and I heard someone describe a fashion style as Post Monroe … after Marilyn Monroe,” she explains. “Immediately, I was like that sounds like a band name! I went and got all the social media and websites and everything and blocked them.”
“I love Marilyn Monroe and her timeless beauty but I think it’s nice to leave it open for interpretation, too,” Whitney says. “In country music, we have Bill Monroe. There are some great Monroes.”
1. Half Hearted
2. Lucky One
3. Red Hot American Summer (Post Monroe, Blair Daly)
4. Dixie Dust (Post Monroe, Dave Haywood, Dave Thomson)
5. Hell on Me
Monday, November 10, 2014
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Whitney Duncan Releases Her One Shot EP
One Shot Track Listing:
01 Something in the Kiss
02 That's How You Make Love
03 Since
04 Can't Sleep Anyway
05 We Got Tonight (feat. Jonathan Singleton)
06 One Shot
07 More Lonely
08 Judgement Day
Monday, July 30, 2012
Hear It Here- New Music From Whitney Duncan- "That's How You Make Love"
Survivor television star and country music artist Whitney Duncan promised her fans some new music this past month and she's made good with that promise with the release of "That's How You Make Love" today. Take a quick listen below.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The 9513 Interview With Whitney Duncan
Over at The 9513, I was able to interview the up and comer new artist, Whitney Duncan and I thought I'd share it here with all my readers.After placing on the country music reality television show Nashville Star, Whitney Duncan signed to Warner Brothers. Her first solo single, “When I Said I Would” tasted the charts at #48 but it is her third single, “Skinny Dippin’,” that is making its mark. It is in the Top 20 on the Music Row charts and just entered the Billboard Top 50 and has a very racy video that turns heads.
Read a snippet of the interview below or head over HERE to read the entire thing.
"I am not one to get nervous. I never get nervous. But when I walked on that stage, I thought I was going to vomit. I was so nervous. I wasn’t even nervous before. Walking into my dressing room was a really cool moment. When I stood on the side of the stage, John Conlee was introducing me. And I love him and his voice. I always have. That’s really cool. When I walked out there, it hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the Opry. It was a really cool moment."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Whitney Duncan Autographed Memorabilia Giveaway
That Nashville Sound is doing another exciting giveaway in conjunction with Warner Brothers Nashville. We're giving away three prize packs that include an autographed poster, autographed EP and a cardboard table stand featuring the lovely Ms. Duncan! Just be an email subscriber by 11/8/10 and you're entered to win!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Whitney Duncan Launches New Music Video For Skinny Dippin’
Um… you got to love a music video where the clothing is optional, don’t you? This is why summer is the best season…
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