Ethan Payne – The Moon Over Georgia

By: Dustin Bradley

Q) What has life been like after “American Idol?”

A) It’s been non-stop going to Nashville co-writing with hit writers and working on my album. I have a manager and a publicist now and that keeps me busy. I’ll be releasing my album very soon and hope to be touring and doing more shows outside of Georgia.

Q) How has new found fame been treating you?

A) I can’t go to the grocery store without people recognizing me. [laughs] So, there has been lots of interesting life changes. Also, you learn life lessons quickly and who your real friends are after being on TV. That is facts.

Q) Who are your biggest music influences?

A) Luke Bryan and John Mayer are two of my biggest. Keith Whitley has been a huge influence. I love his music. Also, Otis Redding is from my hometown Macon as are the Allman Brothers, so they have also been huge influences. My mom and grandma listened to Alabama and Shenandoah so those were groups I listened to growing up and who influenced my own music.

Q) What led you to the decision to cover “The Moon Over Georgia” and release it as your first post-idol single?

A) When I was growing up my parents would listen to Shenandoah and “The Moon Over Georgia” was always one song that stuck out the most to me. My manager re-introduced that song to me and being that I’m from Georgia, it felt like the right song to introduce myself with. The guys from Shenandoah have since reached out to me that they love my version, and that really meant a lot to me.

Q) Your cover of the single is very much influenced by and sung in the style of 1990’s country music which is what I grew up on and that is drastically different than country music today, have you always been interested in 90’s country?

A) Yes I have. I grew up listening to lots of artists from the 90s era and I love the storytelling of that era. It’s something that has always been drawn to me. I hope to bring back the storytelling of that era into the current music scene with my own style of music.

Q) Are you hoping to introduce the younger generation and other Gen Zer’s to that era of country music?

A) Yes we are because I feel like it’s important for younger fans to know where the history of country music storytelling came from. To me, that’s what real country music is and always has been.

Q) Can we expect more covers soon? Maybe perhaps an EP?

A) Actually, I’m working on a full-length album which I plan on releasing in the next month or two. I can’t wait for people to hear it.

Q) Are you writing any original songs or planning on releasing any original tunes? If so, what for you is your writing process like?

A) I have been doing a lot of co-writing in Nashville since “American Idol.” My songs are usually from my own life experiences. It’s fun to get into a room with other songwriters and have a song be born out of the magic in the room.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) I would love to work with Carrie Underwood or Gabby Barrett. Those are my girls.

Q) Did you watch the recent premiere of “American Idol?” If so, are there any new contests that you hope make it past Hollywood week?

A) Francisco Martin is awesome, but he needs to overcome the nerves. If he can do that, I think he’ll go far.

Q) What is the best piece advice you received while on the show?

A) Luke Bryan told me to never stop doing what you love and that meant more than anything coming from him.

Q) I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk to you today! Before we go is there anything that you’d like to say to the fans out there and to anyone who is looking to share their talents with the world?

A) Never let anything bring you down in life. There’s always a way to turn your worst into your best. Don’t let any obstacle stand in your way. If you set your heart and mind to do something that you really want to do, there’s no way that you’ll ever fail.