Country Music Bistro caught up with up and coming country music artist Derek Norsworthy and asked him a few questions about his hometown and career. Read on below to learn more about this talented guy that you are sure to see great things from!
CMB: So you grew up in southern Mississippi, tells us a little about your hometown.
Derek: I’m from a small town on the Mississippi Gulf Coast called Escatawpa. It’s a pretty laid back place. Most people tend to work in the shipyard, oil refinery or raise cattle and spend a lot of time on the water. I took the whole music path, so I’m definitely guilty of spending more time on the water than the other trends. (Laughing) I’m not sure if it’s because I REALLY like the water or maybe there’s not much else do at home. I played football, baseball, soccer and ran track in high school, so I guess it’s safe to say sports were a focal point for me growing up. What did do I for fun? Well, I guess the obvious is watersports. I spent a lot of time on the river wakeboarding, hanging out on the sandbar and offshore fishing. However, in high school we usually had bonfire parties on the weekends at whoever’s house we could get permission to hang out at that night. It may sound boring but you’d be surprised how crazy that could get at times. I’m talking like 50-100 people, loud music, jet ski’s in pools, etc. I definitely have a ton of stories from those experiences.
CMB: At what age did you become interested in music and how did that happen?
Derek: Well my dad was drummer so music has always been big a part of my life. I would have to say it became very serious to me towards the end of high school. I sang in a band that was really starting to catch some regional traction and became very passionate about perfecting my craft as a songwriter. At some point during that time one of my dad’s close friends made the statement “a good song never dies”. As cliché as it sounds there is something intriguing about that statement that I feel you only know by seeing the power a song can have on people. I was actually offered JUCO scholarships for football and baseball but decided to turn them down to focus more on music. I’d definitely say at that point I’d decided to live a life of music.
CMB: You say that you strive for an “unique mainstream sound”, please explain what that means and how you accomplish it.
Derek: Its evident songwriters are always testing the boundaries of mainstream music, which to me is the awesome when it’s done with essence. However, I feel that sometimes in chasing a particular sound musicians/writers leave the message they are trying to convey “hollow”. I find it extremely important to be vulnerable as a songwriter. Whether you are talking about a party, simple story or the worst heartbreak of your life, give the listener ALL of that part of you. It’s a standard I hold myself accountable to in everything I write. I want make people say “I’ve felt that exact feeling” or “I’d like to have a beer with that guy”, it has to be personable. People deserve to feel truth in what you sing.
CMB: You accredit life’s experiences to be what music expresses…tell us about the life experiences that your music portrays.
Derek: Live it, feel it, write it, sing it and the music will be conveyed in a relative way. I believe the best songs (happy, sad, etc.) come from real experiences. Whether it’s observed or actual experiences, I feel I need that insight before putting it on paper because someone out there has felt, or lived it that situation.
CMB: What was opening for the band Alabama like? Were you nervous?
Derek: The Alabama show was surreal. I grew up hearing those guys on the radio, singing along to their songs and seeing their records around the house. (Laughing) It’s like when you’re little you think guys like that live on another planet and just come here to play music. I never would have dreamed I’d get the chance to open for a group of that magnitude. I don’t know the exact number but it was somewhere around 30,000 in attendance that night. The energy from the crowd was electric. I can’t say I was nervous but the feeling of performing on stage before one of your childhood heroes is one I’ll never forget. It validated that dreams come true and perseverance pays off. It was a true blessing.
CMB: What are your career hopes for 2015?
Derek: I begin recording my new album this summer and look forward to meeting as many new fans as possible. As always, I’m focused on improving my craft and connecting with fans. Right now, I’m in the process of securing a great run of tour dates and really looking forward to performing to a global audience.
CMB: If you could play a song swap with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be?
Derek: Tough question! I don’t even know where to start but I guess if I had to pick one it would be Tom Petty. It’s so hard to narrow that question down because there are so many (Hank, Kristofferson, Waylon, The Eagles, Strait, Skynyrd) that come to mind right off hand.
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