A Dirty Dozen with GEORGE SHINGLETON – December 2020

According to a recent press release: “Nashville-based country singer-songwriter George Shingleton is set to release a new album, Out All Nighter, on December 4, 2020 via Rock Ridge Music. In order to provide the rightful, righteous soundtrack to grappling with one’s inner demons, Shingleton has been able to wrangle his own internal good vs. evil wrestling match into a number of heartfelt songs that are infused with his patented lived-in, whiskey-tinged vocals. Produced by Dave Pahanish (who has co-written #1 singles by the likes of Jimmy Wayne, Toby Keith, and Keith Urban), Out All Nighter offers eight gutbucket country songs charged with chronicling the aforementioned daily interpersonal push-pulls between sin and redemption.” We get George to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

Photo credit: Robby Klein

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

The new album is called Out All Nighter. It’s really a collection of songs that tell real stories and experiences that I’ve lived in the past, and some that I’m still living.  I think folks will catch all of the religious undertones in the lyrics first, but they will realize, at the same time, that it’s not a gospel album that is preaching to or at you. As far as something of a gold nugget on it, it would have to be the cover of Merle Haggard’s “Misery and Gin” that’s on there. I think people will like that. I hope, anyway.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’m gonna have to say what I always say, and go with church. That’s where I heard my first musical note that I can remember. I was around the age of 4 when I clicked with music, though. I started beating a tambourine in the services, and I was hooked on it from then on.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

There’s definitely not any one song, performer, or show that has been the only influence on me. I’m not sure I could even pinpoint one out. I would say authenticity of different artists and their lyrics have the most influence.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

I’m gonna go with: a lot of different gospel music was/is a big influence, and Ronnie Van Zant, Greg Allman, Hank Williams Jr., and Merle Haggard are probably the folks that have helped shape what I sound like also.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Ronnie Van Zant, without a doubt. I love his honest writing and the way he sang.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I feel like I have a soulful, country sound. Lots of influences in there. I’m not sure there is anyone I’ve been compared to that makes me cringe. Most people say things to try to be complimentary, I think. I don’t mind being compared to folks who have had success in the industry at all. Maybe that’s a good sign.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I haven’t had a lot on the road experience with the band in general, and not much at all this past year, considering the circumstances. I’ve done a lot of traveling with my good friend/sometimes co-writer/always guitar player, Shane Sanders. He’s the guy doing all the guitar work on everything we record. When we’re out on the road, he’s good about looking for places that are usually better for us than fast food. Neither one of us do much cooking, especially when we’re on the go.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I don’t normally get too starstruck, but I would say the last time was at a Jamey Johnson show. Willie came out on stage to surprise everyone, and I was pretty much in awe the whole time he played. Talk about a legend…

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician, to me, is getting to make people feel something. You know you’re doing something right when you can tell the people who are listening get it. There’s not much more fulfilling than that. If I wasn’t a musician, I would want just a small farm. Big enough to be self-sufficient. There’s something about being outside, on a piece of ground you’re working for, that seems very therapeutic to me.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I don’t really have one in either category.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

There’s not a lot in my career I would change, I don’t think. I feel like everything we’ve done so far has been a stepping stone, even if they were the wrong stones to step on at times.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I wish I could sit in to listen on so many records. There’s way too many, but I’m gonna go with, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Pronounced. I was 16 the first time I was introduced to those guys, and it was this album. I was raised on all gospel music, and I had heard some country music along the way. The first time I heard multiple electric lead guitars was this music, and I haven’t stopped listening since!

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Category: Interviews