Directlyrics

Dakota Bradley Interview: On 'Won't Be Young Forever', Meeting Tim McGraw & Upcoming Album!

We reviewed Dakota Bradley’s latest single ‘Won’t Be Young Forever’ last month, and this week we caught up with the up-and-coming country singer for an exclusive Q&A. Our goal? That 20-year-old Dakota told us about everything; from his beginnings, his big break on 'The Ellen Show', getting signed to a record label, meeting country legend Tim McGraw, and his upcoming music!

Dakota discovered his passion for music when he was just a kid. It all started with him finding an old guitar in the family basement. From that day, his life changed. He learned to play classics by Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith or Motley Crue. At school, he formed a band with a few friends, and together they won 'Battle of the Bands' competition in Dakota's native St. Louis. However, he had to say goodbye to St. Louis as a teen. And it wasn't a pretty goodbye. His entire house was devastated by a fire, and Dakota’s family decided to move to Nashville. Bradley would take this tragic experience as ‘fuel’ and motivation to his dreams.

Bradley and newly-met friend in his Nashville school recorded a performance cover Michael Jackson's ‘The Girl Is Mine’, uploaded it to YouTube, and it unexpectedly became a viral hit overnight. They were invited to perform on 'The Elle Show', which kind be labelled as Dakora’s ‘big break’. Time later, Byron Gallimore, president of Streamsound Records, called him and offered Dakota a deal with his label. What he said? 'Yes’, obviously. From that point forward, Dakota’s music career has been in constant growing. He's become the protégé of Tim McGraw (he was introduced by Byron), he released last year a song called ‘Somethin’ Like Somethin’ (which Tim co-produced), and Dakota's now working on his full-length debut album with Streamsound Records.

He’s released a new single, though, to make the waiting more tolerable. The song is entitled ‘Won’t Be Young Forever’, and it’s a stellar country mid-tempo that reminds us to live life to the fullest.

THE INTERVIEW

1. I was going through your bio the other day and I read it was a fire, which devastated your house in St. Louis when you were an early teen, what prompted your family’s move to Nashville. As weird as this question may sound, do you think that without that fire occurring, you wouldn’t be the musician you are today? (You signed with your first manager in Nashville, if I’m not mistaken)

I don't think I would be the musician or the writer I am today because the fire completely turned my life in a different direction. It changed the way I thought and made me stop holding on to and caring for material objects. In a way, it freed me from a lot of my insecurities. It made me not really care of about "things" and focus on what makes me happy. It motivated me to move forward and not look back.

2. Another turning point in your life - and one that definitely helped putting Dakota Bradley on the radar - was your appearance on 'The Ellen Show' a few years ago. You and friend had covered Michael Jackson’s ‘The Girl Is Mine’ and your video went viral on YouTube. First, tell us what was the origin of the cover (was for fun? why this particular song?) and second, remember for us the whole process of actually making to ‘The Ellen Show’.

We randomly picked that song because my friend CJ (the guy in the video) sounds just like Michael Jackson. We wanted to collaborate and put a video up on YouTube together. So we searched for a cool duet song with two guys and that is how found "The Girl Is Mine." We were just having fun and never dreamed we would end up singing on Ellen!

I was at home and got an email from a producer for the Ellen Show, they said they were interested and wanted to have us perform on the show. I called the producer and within two weeks, we were heading to LA. It was surreal. We never met Ellen until we walked out on the stage to do the interview. She was amazing! I will be forever grateful for her giving us a shot. She kicked-off my career!

3. While in Nashville, one day you got the call from Grammy-winning producer Byron Gallimore (who has produced records for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill or Sugarland). And he eventually signed you to his own label, Streamsound Records. How did Byron discover you? And, what emotions did you go through when you realized you were about to sign your first label deal?

I was discovered by Bryon through his wife Missi. I performed at a little store in Franklin, TN and the owner was friend of the Gallimore's. He told them about my Ellen performance and I was invited to perform for Byron's daughter's birthday party. After the party, Byron and I talked music and guitars and got to know each other... six months later, I was signed to my record deal!

When I signed my record deal, I felt every emotion you can imagine! I felt extremely accomplished, but at the same time the pressure was on. I always believed in myself and this proved to me that if you believe in yourself enough, and never give up, your dreams can come true.

4. Byron Gallimore was the one who introduced you to country legend Tim McGraw (a dear friend of him). We have read about the ‘anecdote’ from the sort of audition you had before Tim… and it is one involving ‘blood’. Could you tell DL readers about it?

I was in Blackbird studios playing three songs for Tim and had so much adrenaline...I dropped my pick. I kept playing and my finger got cut open from the strings...and started to bleed everywhere! The blood went all over the strings and in my guitar. To this day, there is still a blood stain on my guitar.

5. You are now kind of Tim McGraw’s protégé. And he even produced a song for you! ‘Somethin’ Like Somethin’ was that song… which you released last year. How was like working with Tim in the studio?

Working in the studio with Tim was fun and entertaining; he even brought ice cream in one day. He made the stressful recording process fun. Even though we had a blast in the studio, I learned so much from Tim. He taught me how to control my voice and how to sing with technique. He was so chill and really helped me keep calm. Every time I am around him I learn something new.

6. I heard ‘Somethin’ Like Somethin’ for the first time the other day and I loved it. It’s very pop-influenced, though. Did you have your mind made up back then about the kind of artist you wanted to be? Pop? Country?

I have always had a love for all genres of music but never thought of a specific sound when I dreamed of being an artist. When we got in the studio, I knew exactly what music I wanted to produce - and that was country music. Honestly, in my opinion, "Somethin' Like Somethin'“ is country through and through- the message of the song and the production.

7. How many songs – since signing to Streamsound Records - have you written / recorded to date?

I am always writing songs! I write every single day. Since the signing, I have written over 700 songs. We have recorded about 14 in the studio to date.

8. Is you full-length debut album in the works? Will you release that first (any tentative release date yet?) or will you do what's common nowadays and release an EP as a sort of prelude?

I don't really know what that answer is. We are in the works for completing a debut album, but we are still cutting new music. When I find out, you'll be one of the first to know!

9.Hearing a duet of you with Tim McGraw is just a matter of time, right? Have you talked about it at all?

It would be a dream come true if I could record a duet with Tim McGraw. I have talked about it, but no serious talk yet.

10. You will be opening for Tim McGraw on concert on September 12th. There's still plenty of time ahead. But what can people attending that concert expect from a Dakota Bradley live show? And, have you thought about a set list yet?

I played one stadium show before and it was the best show I have ever performed in my life! I make it my goal to not leave the stage until every single person there is having fun. I want to cause a small scale pandemonium of excitement! I try to put on a show that I would want to see. I pour my heart into every riff, every note, every word.

11.What are few singers that have inspired Dakota Bradley?

The top five singers that have inspired me have been Stevie Ray Vaughan, Steven Tyler, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, John Mayer... the list goes on and on. They all inspire me with their stage presence and where they have taken their career. Their musical abilities and stage performance are just top notch. They're all just larger than life on stage!

12.What’s your Top 5 songs of the moment?

1 "Chocolate" by 1975

2 "Young Girls" Bruno Mars

3. "Who You Love" John Mayer and Katy Perry

4. "Whatever She's Got" David Nail

5. "Automatic" Miranda Lambert

13.What would do in a regular free day?

On a regular, free day, I would wake up, workout for an hour or two, go eat sushi and then hang out my band and play music.

14.If you could visit any country in the world you haven’t been to yet, which would it be and why?

I would love to go to Africa and help people in need. I have always wanted to do that and hope I will get to someday soon!

15.Thank you for your time, Dakota! Best of luck with everything. Any last thing you would like to share with our readers at Direct Lyrics?

I hope I get to meet everyone one day at a show. Share the love and hit me up on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!