Todd Barrow – Country’s Just Cooler

By: Robert Warren

Q) What inspired you to write your new hit single “Country’s Just Cooler?”

A) The song came to me after listening to so many country tunes on the radio with no substance. I’m always trying to point country fans back to the more classic/traditional sounds I grew up listening to. I wrote this song for that very reason!

Q) You’ve obviously got a heartbeat for country growing up in Grand Prairie, with country at core, but when did you have that moment that you just thought, “Country’s Just Cooler,” than other genres in the music industry? 

A) Yes, growing up in Grand Prairie I learned about country living. I bought a vinyl record called Closer You Get by Alabama and I was hooked……

Q) You have a sense of optimism in a lot of your songs like “Country’s Just Cooler,” tending to keep much of them upbeat, what drives that optimism of yours? 

A) We live in a world of negativity. I want to make people happy and enjoy life. I try to keep things extremely positive with my music.

Q) In “Country’s Just Cooler,” you sing about wanting to go back to the days of Hank and Haggard. What songs may have impacted you the most of Hank, and Haggard, and why?  

A)  I am a fan of Hank Williams and Merle Haggard. My favorite Hank Williams song is “Your Cheatin Heart.” I really like Merle Haggard’s song “Sit Here and Drink.”

Q) What drives you most as an artist when you create songs like “Country’s Just Cooler,” is it the idea, creating lyrics, putting together the beat, playing the instrument, or getting up on stage and performing, and why? 

A) When I create songs like, “Country’s Just Cooler” it starts with a theme followed by a melody then the lyrics. I get excited when chords start to come together on my guitar and can’t wait to play for a live audience!

Q) What do you hope people take away from your song “Country’s Just Cooler?” 

A) I hope they really get the full picture of a good time when out getting social. Feel the heartbeat of country music and the message!

Q) When you reflect back on the fact that you were first found at Cook Children’s Medical Center, when the audio tech wasn’t around and then you set up the audio for Sonny Burgess, how do you feel you have grown as an artist? 

A) I have grown in leaps and bounds. My music career has advanced in many ways since meeting Sonny Burgess. Changed my whole outlook for the music industry.

Q) What song of yours sticks to you like glue, where you just have a strong connection to it and what connects you about it? 

A) The song “Long Haired Country Boy” by Charlie Daniels. The passion in every line of the song. I admire him so much and had a chance to go back stage before/after his show!

Q) What have you learned or taken from your mentor Sonny Burgess throughout your career?

A) The list is long, but in a nutshell, he taught me to always stay humble, love people, and have fun playing the music. I’ve learned about recording studio techniques, writing hit songs and stage performance!

Q) How do you feel social media has affected you as an artist and do you feel a deeper attachment to it during the time of COVID-19? 

A) Social media is king in today’s music market. This is the new way for a bigger presence as an artist. Learning how to get heard with the amount of people trying to make it. COVID-19 impacted the entire world especially in the world of music and arts. I had to learn how to use live streaming on Facebook to reach fans. Performing live music from my house.

Q) How would you describe the attachment artists can feel to their songs they produce and why do you think it is (or isn’t) special? 

A) When artist write or perform a song, they are sharing themselves with the general public.  As an artist, I pour my heart into the song expressing my feelings and life experiences.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and your music?

A) You are all special to me and I’m grateful for your support as we journey together on this earth. I have new music coming out soon that you will love!!! Big Thank You to Jamie and Starry Mag for this interview!