Ricky
Young Interview
Young Interview
Lamitschka:
Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing
Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing
about
you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music
you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music
you
play to someone who has never seen or heard you?
play to someone who has never seen or heard you?
Ricky
Young: Not of the norm. Because my background has been so eclectic,
my
Young: Not of the norm. Because my background has been so eclectic,
my
style
is just that. It’s rock, it’s country, it’s soulful, it’s
music. People ask who I sound like, and I can’t give them a good
answer!
is just that. It’s rock, it’s country, it’s soulful, it’s
music. People ask who I sound like, and I can’t give them a good
answer!
Lamitschka:
How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?
Ricky
Young: It was the best in my career. I was found by a Grammy award
winning producer in Raleigh NC while playing a cancer benefit. We
talked for hours and he asked if I’d like to work with him. I was
humbled and happily obliged. Then, 6 months later, I released my
first record, Spinning My Wheels, which did even better than
expected. Soon after, I shot my first video, and that was the
highlight of 2012. Only 5 weeks into releasing it on YouTube, it hit
over 400,000 views. I’m very proud of the guys that we worked with
and it was definitely a success!
Young: It was the best in my career. I was found by a Grammy award
winning producer in Raleigh NC while playing a cancer benefit. We
talked for hours and he asked if I’d like to work with him. I was
humbled and happily obliged. Then, 6 months later, I released my
first record, Spinning My Wheels, which did even better than
expected. Soon after, I shot my first video, and that was the
highlight of 2012. Only 5 weeks into releasing it on YouTube, it hit
over 400,000 views. I’m very proud of the guys that we worked with
and it was definitely a success!
Lamitschka:
What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?
Ricky
Young: Spinning My Wheels. It’s doing better than expected. But I
haven’t toured since I released it, so this Spring I will hit the
road and I would expect to see sales to go on the incline.
Young: Spinning My Wheels. It’s doing better than expected. But I
haven’t toured since I released it, so this Spring I will hit the
road and I would expect to see sales to go on the incline.
Lamitschka:
How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story
How did you choose the title for the CD? Is there a story
behind
the name?
the name?
Ricky
Young: Of the 16 songs, it’s the one that makes most sense in my
life. I’ve been fortunate to be successful in an outside sales
position for the last 6 years. But all the while, I wasn’t doing
what I think God intended me to do. So, Spinning My Wheels just made
the most sense.
Young: Of the 16 songs, it’s the one that makes most sense in my
life. I’ve been fortunate to be successful in an outside sales
position for the last 6 years. But all the while, I wasn’t doing
what I think God intended me to do. So, Spinning My Wheels just made
the most sense.
Lamitschka:
Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about
Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about
finding
the songs for your CD?
the songs for your CD?
Ricky
Young: I do write, all the time. I only put 3 of my originals on my
record. You realize quickly in Nashville that there are amazing
songwriters, and when you are trying to put out a record, it’s
always a good thing to find the best songs. So, I was fortunate to
find a lot of
Young: I do write, all the time. I only put 3 of my originals on my
record. You realize quickly in Nashville that there are amazing
songwriters, and when you are trying to put out a record, it’s
always a good thing to find the best songs. So, I was fortunate to
find a lot of
good
ones.
ones.
Lamitschka:
What will your next single be?
What will your next single be?
Ricky
Young: Could You Love Me Again. It’s the song that I shot the
video of. We are actively trying to get CMT and GAC on board.
Everyone who has seen it in Nashville has loved the video and song,
so it certainly makes sense to make this the next single.
Young: Could You Love Me Again. It’s the song that I shot the
video of. We are actively trying to get CMT and GAC on board.
Everyone who has seen it in Nashville has loved the video and song,
so it certainly makes sense to make this the next single.
Lamitschka:
What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
What kind of songs do you like to record the most?
Ricky
Young: I’ve always been a sucker for the ballads, and apparently
my female following agree. Paris Over Paradise seems to be the fav of
the ladies. It’s a song that I wrote, and it’s a semi-sad, yet
affecting ballad.
Young: I’ve always been a sucker for the ballads, and apparently
my female following agree. Paris Over Paradise seems to be the fav of
the ladies. It’s a song that I wrote, and it’s a semi-sad, yet
affecting ballad.
Lamitschka:
You did a duet with Lee Brice. How did that happen to come about?
You did a duet with Lee Brice. How did that happen to come about?
Ricky
Young: Lee has been a long time friend of mine from South Carolina.
We played some church stuff together growing up. He moved to
Nashville 10 years before I did and made his mark early by getting a
publishing deal with Curb. A record deal with them came later. I’ve
always been a fan and friend of his and through the years we always
kept in touch. When I told him about the producer who found me, he
told me he’d help me in any way. So he sent me a ton of his songs
to listen to and told me I could cut any of them that I wanted to. I
ended up cutting 6 of his. Later, I asked him if he’d sing a duo on
I Carry It With Me, and he quickly said he’d love to. It’s a
perfect song for us. It really gives an insight on the life we grew
up in, and how we both moved away yet still keep our core family
values with us. It’s my favorite song on the record for many
reasons.
Young: Lee has been a long time friend of mine from South Carolina.
We played some church stuff together growing up. He moved to
Nashville 10 years before I did and made his mark early by getting a
publishing deal with Curb. A record deal with them came later. I’ve
always been a fan and friend of his and through the years we always
kept in touch. When I told him about the producer who found me, he
told me he’d help me in any way. So he sent me a ton of his songs
to listen to and told me I could cut any of them that I wanted to. I
ended up cutting 6 of his. Later, I asked him if he’d sing a duo on
I Carry It With Me, and he quickly said he’d love to. It’s a
perfect song for us. It really gives an insight on the life we grew
up in, and how we both moved away yet still keep our core family
values with us. It’s my favorite song on the record for many
reasons.
Lamitschka:
What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and
what’s the story behind it?
What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and
what’s the story behind it?
Ricky
Young: I was pretty hands on this round. I will only expect to get
more involved from a creative standpoint as I continue to write and
record.
Young: I was pretty hands on this round. I will only expect to get
more involved from a creative standpoint as I continue to write and
record.
Lamitschka:
Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been
affected by your music?
Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been
affected by your music?
Ricky
Young: I get a lot of messages on facebook and youtube about how my
songs
Young: I get a lot of messages on facebook and youtube about how my
songs
are
affecting people. I always respond and am so humbled that people care
about my music and that they really believe in what I am doing. I
certainly do so it’s great to get some positive feedback.
affecting people. I always respond and am so humbled that people care
about my music and that they really believe in what I am doing. I
certainly do so it’s great to get some positive feedback.
Lamitschka:
Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots
Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots
run?
Ricky
Young: Pretty deep! Some of my influences are Hootie and the
Blowfish, Garth Brooks, James Taylor, R Kelly (1993), Boyz to Men.
Young: Pretty deep! Some of my influences are Hootie and the
Blowfish, Garth Brooks, James Taylor, R Kelly (1993), Boyz to Men.
Lamitschka:
What do you think about today’s music industry?
What do you think about today’s music industry?
Ricky
Young: I know it’s tough for record labels. With the digital
download era in full effect, people aren’t buying records, yet
singles. So, revenue has declined so it is forcing everyone involved
with music to figure out new business plans and strategies. Music has
definitely progressed to the more modern feel, in all genres.
Young: I know it’s tough for record labels. With the digital
download era in full effect, people aren’t buying records, yet
singles. So, revenue has declined so it is forcing everyone involved
with music to figure out new business plans and strategies. Music has
definitely progressed to the more modern feel, in all genres.
Lamitschka:
As an artist, you do so many tasks such as recording, touring,
interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?
As an artist, you do so many tasks such as recording, touring,
interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?
Ricky
Young: Touring. I think most artists would agree that nothing is
better than performing to a live audience. It’s what I look forward
to the most in the coming years.
Young: Touring. I think most artists would agree that nothing is
better than performing to a live audience. It’s what I look forward
to the most in the coming years.
Lamitschka:
Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders or
are you happy where it is?
Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders or
are you happy where it is?
Ricky
Young: Oh no, I’m just at the beginning. I like to think outside
the box, so I don’t believe in borders. I’ll try anything and see
if it works!
Young: Oh no, I’m just at the beginning. I like to think outside
the box, so I don’t believe in borders. I’ll try anything and see
if it works!
Christian
Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com
)
Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com
)