Caleb Johnson – Born From Southern Ground

By starrymag | June 10, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) My sound would be it’s a soulful visceral bombastic rock and roll sound.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) My musical influences range from Queen to Aretha Franklin to Iron Madden to Soundgarden to Otis Redding to Wilson Pickett to Bob Seger to Led Zeppelin. Just lots of different genres and styles.

Q) Talk about the message behind your song “Born and Raised.”

A) I wrote that song as kind of like an anthem of where you are from and your influences and your family life – just being proud of that and embracing it. I just wanted a big rock anthem that could mean a lot to just about anybody. It’s definitely a tribute to where I’m from and where I grew up. It’s a song that encapsulates all of those elements. It’s not just where I grew up, but the musical influences that raised me to be who I am. It’s just to give honor and props to those things.

Q) The other song you have out now is “Solid Gold.” What kind of responses have you gotten from fans?

A) The response has been great! That song was actually written by Jay Buchanan who is the lead singer of the band Rival Sons and also Blair Daly who is one of the best songwriters I’ve had the pleasure of working with. The song can resonate with anybody because the message of it is persistence and never giving up and keeping the flame alive and striving for your dreams. It’s another anthemic powerful song that just can resonate with people on so many levels. It’s a song I love to perform.

Q) What is your song writing process?

A) Songwriting for me just has to come from an honest place. That would be the biggest thing – just being honest and staying true to myself to tell the most honest story as possible. If you don’t believe it then your audience doesn’t believe it.

Q) What songs off your upcoming album Born From Southern Ground are you looking forward to performing live?

A) The songs I’m looking forward to performing live are pretty much the entire record. I think we’re going to be doing the whole record live. So, I would say I’m looking forward to singing and performing them all live.

Q) How much hand do you have in production of your music?

A) Everything. This record was fully produced by me. I had the help of my co-producer Brian Sutton. But this record was produced by me and funded by me. This record is truly my vision. It’s my vision come to life so what people hear is what I heard in my head creating this record. I couldn’t be prouder of it. I think it’s an amazing record and I’m really excited for people to get to hear it.

Q) How do you plan to celebrate the album’s release?

A) We’re going to do a two night stand in my hometown of Asheville, NC. We’re doing the 13^th and the 14^th at The Grey Eagle. It’s a two-night album release show so we’ll be celebrating where I was born and raised. I’m taking it back to where it all started!

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform?

A) I love performing in Asheville. I love performing in New Orleans. I love performing in Chicago. I actually really enjoy performing in older theaters like The Sanger Theater. There are just too many to name! I like performing in old kind of theaters like in small towns. It’s really awesome. There is a lot of history and a lot of fun.

Q) We were so proud of your time on “American Idol!” What was some advice the judges gave you that you took to heart?

A) I don’t think I really got any advice from the judges. I would say that the biggest thing I took from that show was to stay true to yourself, believe in your gut and follow your dreams and visions. Strive to create the best possible art that you can.

Q) Who is your dream collaboration?

A) I would love to collaborate with JB Campbell from Rival Sons and Tyler Bryant from Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown. I’d love to collaborate with Black Stone Cherry. The Struts. Rickey Medlocke. Kings of Leon. I’d love to collaborate with Jimmy Page and Jack White. Marcus King and Warren Haynes. Tons of people!

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way to connect with your fans?

A) Social media is the name of the game! It’s become a huge part of this sort of the entertainment industry now. So, I think it’s great to be able to connect with your fans on a little bit more of a personal level and sort of get to know them. Get some feedback on what they love and what they don’t love. I definitely like to keep a little bit of a distance with some aspects because you have to have a personal life and disconnect at some point. It’s definitely very much a fun thing to do – interacting with the fans on Instagram, Twitter or whatever and post videos. I’ve posted some videos of my acoustic covers. Just some fun stuff like that. It’s definitely become a huge thing more than it was four or five years ago. It definitely helps a lot.

Q) Is there anything else about Born From Southern Ground that you want us to be sure we share with our readers?

A) These songs on the record were cut live in the studio. These are live performances. All of the songs were co-written by me. It’s going to be a kick ass rock and roll record and I’m excited for people to hear it!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your music?

A) Thank you so much for taking the ride with me. There are so many more awesome moments and music.