I should be the one to say what I do. It's just not done that way anymore in Nashville, and I can't do it the other way. That's how our record label came about.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I've had big record label presidents look me in the face and say, 'Your music sucks, you don't know who you are, your music is all over the place, and we don't know how to market this stuff. Pick a lane and come back to us.'
Stop doing what the record companies are doing and do what's in your heart.
This is a very screwed-up business. Record labels don't sign a lot of bands these days. We just want to find a home and stay there and make records and do our thing and not have to look over our shoulder.
More labels should be like that. Instead of putting these records out myself, I should have just signed with them, but they probably don't like my music (laughs).
It is hard, though, 'cos record labels love to boss you around. I won't let them do that anymore.
But now I realize that this record business really needs me. No one else is trying to take a chance or do something different.
I'm really lucky that my record companies have been patient with me and leave me alone and give me the time to make it right in my mind.
As frustrating as it is to not have a record come out, I have to make sure that it's worth putting out. I have to be trying to say something, for one. I have to not oversell what I'm trying to say. I can't 'Bono' it.
I hate record labels. They think they know everything. I want to hear them try to sing it.
There's nothing like Nashville for making records.