MuzicNotez: First off, it’s an honor to be doing this interview with you Doug, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us.
What motivated you to start creating music? What age did you begin?
Doug Briney: Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity.
I honestly can’t remember my life without music. I sang my first solo in church when I was only two years old and have been singing ever since.
MuzicNotez: Who were your musical influences, idols, or bands growing up that have helped mold you into the musician you are today? Or helped mold the music that you create?
Doug Briney: Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood, Alabama, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. My first record I ever owned was a Kenny Rogers album and my first concert was Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers at Knott’s Berry Farm.
MuzicNotez: What’s the greatest concert you’ve ever been to or performed?
Doug Briney: You know the funnest concert I have been to was in Anchorage, Alaska and was Montgomery Gentry. I enjoyed it completely and was fortunate enough to get back stage meet and greet passes. The best concert I’ve done I’d have to say was at the Anchorage Folk Festival this past January. It just seemed everything clicked and the crowd was really into it. It was magical.
MuzicNotez: You’re known for your great performances on stage, do you do anything in particular to get ready to perform? Any traditions?
I like to mingle with the audience before I start. Meet some folks and thank them for being there. For me it helps me to connect with them and I think them with me. The danger of course is someone will always want to talk until it is time to perform so I have to be careful not to fall into the trap of talking with only one person.
MuzicNotez: What’s the ultimate goal you want your music to achieve, or for you to achieve in your career as a musician? Any particular message you wish to send?
Doug Briney: My ultimate goal is to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Anyone out there that can help me with that, give me a call! The ultimate goal for my music, that’s a bit harder to define, I’d like to have my music to be something that people enjoy, relate to, sing along with and even hit the billboards.
MuzicNotez: You’re from Alaska, a place not commonly known for country music, what’s the country music scene like there?
Doug Briney: There are a lot of good artist there. Playing venues and making it is very tough. There just simply aren’t the venues available to support folks trying to make a living that way. Country music is however the largest demographic in Alaska and has the largest radio stations. I heard Blake Shelton say once, he had been to Alaska and was amazed that people were trying to make it there as he had hit all the bars in a single night.
MuzicNotez: Your first full album “It’s All Country” is a pretty self-explanatory title, where did the inspiration come from for the music within it though?
Doug Briney: I am a member of the Independent Country Music Association (ICoMA) headed up by Alan Shepherd. Through the ICoMA I found a great writer Pat Kelley. Six of the songs on It’s All Country came from Pat or were co-written by him. I had a hard time selecting songs but once I found Pat’s music it became much easier. When I was done recording the project I called Pat and asked if I could use that song title as the title for the album. I just felt it summed up the album nicely.
MuzicNotez: You received the 2013 Independent Country Music Association award for Best Live Performance. How does it feel to be rewarded for your well known talents?
Doug Briney: The easiest way for me to describe it is simply to say I’m humbled. It really means a lot to me. I love to sing our National Anthem and am very proud of our country and am always honored when asked to perform it.
MuzicNotez: This is just the beginning for your music career, so what lies ahead for you? What can we expect?
Doug Briney: A lot more touring and shows. My family and I just re-located to Nashville, TN so that I could do more touring and shows. That is what I’m looking forward to. I’m getting ready to release my second project, “Super Country Cowboy” and with it folks can expect a little more “edge” to my sound while still staying true to who I am as an artist.
MuzicNotez: Anything else you wish to say about yourself or your music? Any message for your fans?
Doug Briney: I just want to invite folks to check out my webpage, www.dougbriney.com to check out performance dates and places as well as where they can get the latest news and music. Thanks again for the opportunity to share.