A Dirty Dozen with BILLY McKNIGHT from SOUL CIRCUS COWBOYS – June 2022

According to a recent press release: “A country band boasting Southern Rock attitude, Soul Circus Cowboys has put out record after record of powerful music that drips lived experience and robust sound. SCC is currently made up of Billy McKnight (lead vocals), Dewey Buxton (acoustic guitar/vocals), Ron Zebron (lead guitar/vocals), James Caulk (Bass), and Steven O’Reilly (Drums).” We get singer Billy to discuss new music, influences, and more…

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 “Sunshine State” video is pretty straight up. How wonderful it is! Our little piece of paradise here in Florida. We are a Tampa Bay band and there are several songs on the record that talk about how we live down here. The “Sunshine State” video really gives you a good view of what it looks like. The only thing that’s really hidden that someone might not see is how much fun it is to be here 🙂

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

My mom got me into music at a very young age. Her and my aunt used to play guitar in harmonize. As I was growing up. I thought I was going to be a football player when that fell through and I graduated high school. I joined my first band and then I never looked back.

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

Being raised in Florida I took a liking to Southern Rock acts like Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, and Marshall Tucker. I always loved country lyrics and I always love the big guitars in rock songs so we consider ourselves more edgier than traditional country. More southern rock.

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

I would love to collaborate and do a duet with Dolly Parton cuz she is the queen.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

A couple of us like playing Golden Tee to unwind. It’s a golf video game and it’s very competitive and you have to play it a lot to stay good at it lol.

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?

Definitely southern rock. We expressed that a lot and sometimes we’ll have a fan that will say that ain’t country and unlike nope, it’s southern rock lol. That being said, I love the storytelling of country music and we do have more traditional country songs in our repertoire.

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?

Ronnie is always the first to break out the guitars and then Dewey to follow. I usually do the grilling.

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

I was in Nashville one time eating lunch and James Gandolfini was there. I got to meet him and he was very cordial. That was awesome.

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 about being a musician for me is the creative part and then connecting with an audience. It is the ultimate compliment.

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 always wanted to be asked how can you be successful in music without being a big star. There are so many steps before getting to the big people and if you work hard and do everything just like the big labels will do. Your salary will go up every year and you’ll meet thousands of people that will never forget you.

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 are a million moments that I would have done differently. However, when I first moved to Nashville I was already writing songs. The songwriters were so great and way beyond me that I took a backseat to that and worked on singing and performing. I wish I would have continued writing. I love writing songs and now I write or co-write most of the ones we do.

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?

Probably Prince because his studio work is beyond amazing. He played every instrument and did most of the vocals in harmonies. I think he is the best there’s ever been.

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Category: Interviews