THE DIRT INTERVIEW!!! BRANDON JACKSON!!!
It's my pleasure to bring you Oklahoma Dirt's "Artist of the Week" Stillwater's own Brandon Jackson! Brandon has been there and back and is still putting out his best work yet! He's nominated in two categories on the Big Star 97 Music Awards. You can go to www.bsma.bigstar97.com to vote! It's always a pleasure to talk to such a great guy and fantastic musician. Let's see how he did with TEN DIRT QUESTIONS!
1) As with any business or career, there are ups and downs. What are the most rewarding aspects of your music career the average fan wouldn't probably guess?
BRANDON: There are many, but one that comes to mind is the fact that I get to do exactly what I feel I was meant to do. I love that I get to perform, sing, play guitar, and write music for a living! Whether it's for 5 people or 5,000, I just love to be on stage and play my music. As long as people want to hear what I'm creating, I will continue to do it.
2) What are the most trying aspects?
BRANDON: It's a business. I don't think a lot of people think about that. It's called the Music BUSINESS and even though we're song-writers and performers, it's still a job. I would do this for free if I could, but the reality is I also do this to provide for my family. I'm essentially a small business owner, and just like any small business owner, you want to do the right things to make the best "product" for your customers and to get that product to as many of those customers and potential customers as possible. It's hard when you're trying to work with someone who doesn't get that, and thinks you just go out and party all the time or a venue that feels they don't need to pay you that much because "all you're doing is playing music." The truth is, for that 2 hours on stage, there has been hours and hours of work already put into it just to play that show. I also laugh when I meet some people who don't know what I do and when I tell them, they say "wow that's cool, but what do you REALLY do, you know your real job?" It's not always easy, but I'm honored to say that for the last 10 years I've been able to provide for my family doing what I love as a full time musician.
3) Define a perfect fan.
BRANDON: Obviously no one's perfect, but I have to say I really love the fan that is truly interested in the music they are hearing. They support live music and have no preconceived notions of what they want to hear. They just want to listen and enjoy the music that is being played for them. I love that. Because I never want to be a juke box and just play the same ole songs and requests everyone does. I want to try something different, and maybe present something to the fans that they may not even know they like yet. And the fan that is willing to be there and experience that, in my opinion, is a true fan. They may not like everything I do, but they are willing to sit back and enjoy the ride.
4) Coolest venues to play?
BRANDON: Larry Joe Taylor Festival, Cain's Ballroom, & Billy Bob's. The history alone of all 3 of those venues/festivals is just awesome.
5) You hear the term "sellout" in our music scene sometimes. Is that a real thing, and what is your take on "selling out?"
BRANDON: Yeah, that term is thrown around here and there. I see it this way: No one has goals to just be mediocre and average. As a Red Dirt/Texas Artist, I feel the same way (see my answer to questions #2). I'm always gonna work and adapt to make sure I'm continuing to succeed and get bigger & better. That's not selling out. But if I do that and ignore the fact that one of the major reasons I'm having such great success is the fans that support me, then I have just sold out. I would be focused more on ways to make more money, instead of creating a product (music/my sound) that my fans want to hear and that I feel is true to me. We, as artists, can never forget that we are here because of the support and dedication of our fans. And even though that number may increase through-out a career, we can never forget where we came from.
6) What is in your CD player right now?
BRANDON: Right now actually in the van, I have Kimberly Dunn's second EP. I played an acoustic show with her a while back and was blown away with her voice and music. She's just getting started, but she has the potential to really break out over these next few years in the Red Dirt/Texas Music scene. Check her out at www.kimberlydunnmusic.com
7) What artists do you feel should be more noticed?
BRANDON: Well, that transitioned well! Haha! Along with Kimberly, there are a ton of amazing artists out there that people haven't heard of yet. Brison Bursey (www.brisonbursey.com) is a guy that's been around a bit, but he's an amazing song-writer along with John David Kent & Gary Kyle. There are so many others I'm leaving out! These guys (and girl) are a few people that I've played acoustic with and thought, "why are they not HUGE?" Really, I would say this: if you don't know their name, that doesn't mean they suck. The big artists you know & love now, all started out as unknowns. Give them a chance. If you go to a show and think they suck, then so be it. At least it won't be because you don't know who they are. :)
8) On a day off... What are the Top three local/Oklahoma acts you'd go out to watch?
BRANDON: No particular order: Ryan Reid, Chad Sullins, & Jake Moffat. I try to make it out and support live music here in Stillwater and around the state as much as possible. It's important.
9) Oklahoma artists are all over the Texas Music Charts. Do those charts help or hurt Oklahoma musicians?
BRANDON: Oh I don't think they hurt at all. There are stations all over Oklahoma that report to those charts too, not just Texas stations. I think some people feel like those Texas stations will only play "Texas" artists, but in my experience, if you have a good song they like & feel like their listeners will like it as well, they'll play it no matter where you're from.
10) I got to see your set along with all of the other Oklahoma musicians that played the Steve Rice benefit show at Oklahoma Joe's. I've heard accounts of that night ranging from "off the hook" and "incredible" to "that experience impacted my life." What was your experience like as a musician, a fan, a friend and a member of the Oklahoma music community?
BRANDON: My first impression was; "what a great turn out!" Not only the fans, but all the musicians who came out to show their support. We're all one big family as musicians and we all try to support one another as much as possible, and I thought that show was a great example of that. It's always fun to get together and have a chance to play with one another too. We're all out playing shows and don't get that opportunity a whole lot, so to get to hang out and play some tunes with each other is another great thing about it. I was proud to be a part of it.
There you have it, folks! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did! If you did, visit Brandon's fan page on Facebook and his website www.brandonjacksonmusic.com and buy his music! Or better yet, see him live! He is amazing!
(photo courtesy of Stills by BJ)
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