Chapter 18 #2
ACKER then takes the lead on “How do you incorporate modern influences like hip-hop or pop into country without losing the true country essence?” He explains that country is all about roots, and there isn’t a single type of person—no matter their race, economic background, sexuality, etc.
—that doesn’t have roots in the country.
“We all started there,” ACKER says, “or at least our ancestors did, before technology, when music told and preserved and passed on stories that couldn’t easily be written down.
But more importantly, so many of us have mixed roots.
I’m from Georgia, so I grew up around country music, but I also grew up in Atlanta where my local community is big on trap.
For me, I write what comes natural, and that includes both of those influences.
As far as keeping the ‘essence’ of country, sure, you could talk about certain instruments or chord progressions or how much twang to use, but really if you’ve got that earthy country spirit in any capacity, I think it shines through.
That doesn’t mean you can’t create the ‘sound’ by focusing on tropes and musical technicalities, but we’re certainly not limited to that. ”
The moderator finishes by asking us what advice we’d each give to our younger selves, and instead of saying what I should say, which is, “Hold out for what you really want,” I lie and say, “I’d tell myself: ‘Throw away the distressed jeans, you look like a jackass.’” Everybody laughs.
The rest of the day goes by more quickly than I expected, which I appreciate.
I spot Daisy Malloy at the Artist Luncheon and I consider heading over to her table, since she’s been hanging out with Harmony so much lately and might have some insights, but I remember this isn’t high school and I’m a grown-ass man who can talk to Harmony myself, so I eat with the guys from a band called Steer Clear instead.
Later, I meet some promising young songwriters at the Roundtable Chats, do my second panel, perform “In Harm’s Way” with a pang in my chest, ignore some emails from Braden (based on the truncated subject line preview, I think it’s something to do with booking an interview), eat a western cheeseburger alone in my Bronco Raptor and—even though I think about skipping it—head over to the evening mixer.
There’s an open bar, and it’s basically the same people from the conference standing around chatting. I order myself a tequila neat and while I’m waiting, ACKER appears in my periphery.
“Those were some wise words you had this morning,” he tells me before ordering a bourbon and Coke for himself.
While the bartender works on our drinks, I reply, “I don’t really remember what I said, but … thanks.”
“About the distressed jeans.”
I chuckle. “Oh right.” We shake hands and I add, “It was an honor to be on the same panel with you. Love your stuff. Especially that snappy snare in ‘Live It Up.’ I must’ve had that song on repeat for two days straight.”
“Thank you very much,” he replies brightly. “You’re not bad yourself. To be honest, I don’t know that I would have been too familiar with your music were you not such a popular media subject lately, but I was able to check you out a while back. I’m impressed.”
“I appreciate that—although, really, I’m just following the formula. ‘Anatomy of a Country Hit’ and whatnot.”
The bartender hands me my drink.
“Sure, maybe with your earlier work,” ACKER replies, “but what you’ve been putting out these days is … different. It’s sort of … raw. In a good way. Don’t be afraid to own that.”
Raw?
I consider my last few songs. They’re all about Harmony of course.
“In Harm’s Way,” “Everyone’s a Comedian,” “Truth Ain’t Pretty.
” I was pushing my luck with “In Harm’s Way,” since it wasn’t completely on brand for me; it was “close enough,” A every day more and more artists are doing their own thing, standing up for their art, chipping away at barriers.”
“You shouldn’t have to fight at all. You’re a genius and that’s all anyone should pay attention to.”
“Unfortunately, that’s the way the world works. It’s the only world we’ve got … just like this is the only life we’ve got … so we have to make the most of it.”
One life. Make the most of it. I’ve heard that a thousand times, from family members, from motivational speakers, from social media when people share and reshare those little quote graphics. But it’s starting to hit differently.
It’s like a seed planted in my head. I can’t tend to it right now because I’m smack in the middle of a new album and a major PR stunt, but I give it a sprinkle of mental water and vow to come back to it later.
I look at ACKER with awe, and I think how someone like me, with all my privilege, really should get his shit together. I order another drink, hoping that when the dust settles on this phase of my career, maybe I’ll have a clear view to carve a better path for myself.