Ollie Gabriel – Country Boy

By starrymag | January 14, 2025

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound? It’s changed quite a bit recently!

A) My sound is country with a lot of soul, rock and hip hop influences. I’ve always allowed myself to expand and try new things as an artist.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I grew up on all different types of music. I love country acts like Garth Brooks and Merle Haggard, R&B/soul legends like Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield and from Michael Jackson to Metallica. I’ve really been influenced by everything that life has shown me.

 

Q) What inspired you to go back to your Southern roots?

A) It was time to embrace the simplicity of life, coming to country music now feels really natural.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Country Boy.”

A) It’s an ode to the way I was brought up. There’s a certain confidence and energy that I attribute to growing up in the country. The song is me expressing gratitude for how southwest Louisiana shaped me.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I grew up in the Cajun heartland…pastures, trucks with big tires, horses and cowboys and cowgirls. The video shows a little bit of that.

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) There’s never any rhyme or reason. Sometimes a song melody and lyrics will come to me before the music, and other times I’ll be inspired by a music progression. I just try to stay open to inspiration however it comes.

 

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

A) I produce all of my music, sometimes with collaborators but most times not. “Country Boy” was written and produced by me. I made that track first and then I brought in talented musicians to layer some real instruments.

 

Q) With “Country Boy” out now, is this a hint at an EP or full album to come?

A) Definitely a full album to come!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) My fav place to perform is Nashville because one day I wanna be in the Hall of Fame!

 

Q) Your music has been featured on iconic shows like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Shameless” and “Ray Donovan.”  What has this incredible recognition meant to you?

A) It’s just confirmation for me that with patience and faith, any dream is possible. I’ve had many big successes in my life, but it all started as a kid with just a dream and no idea how any of it will happen. Anytime I have a win, big or small, I always try to remember that.

 

Q) We loved you on “Songland.” What did you take away from your experience on the show?

A) Thank you! “Songland” was again confirmation for me that I’m a hitmaker. I don’t really need validation anymore, but it’s always nice to be recognized. I was more excited about taking my song “Something New” to radio independently and reaching the Top 30 billboard, and being one of the ten most played songs on SiriusXM Heart and Soul that year. That experience gave me that making a hit is small part music, and big part money and access.

 

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

A) I’d love to do a song with Pharell [Williams].

 

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

A) I want to tell everyone who supports me that it means the world that my art moves them in some way. I also want to tell them that whatever they are dreaming about for their life is possible with faith and to believe in themselves.