Every once in a while comes an artist that you know is going to be a star with just one sung syllable. Curb Records emerging artist Mo Pitney is one, if not the most, anticipated new artists to possess that ability.
The Cherry Valley, IL. native, whom began playing drums at eight years old, has always had music in his blood; when he was just a baby in his grandmothers arms, he would react to her singing “Home On the Range” and other various songs. Growing up he found himself adapting into more of a bluegrass style, then evolving into his own sound which landed him a record deal before he made the inevitable move to Nashville. That sound, as we’re coming to realize, fills a traditional void let in today’s contemporary country; with his debut “Country” and new single “A Boy and A Girl Thing” evoking the sounds of Don Williams, Conway Twitty and other legendary country performers, it can be attested that Pitney did not choose the traditional route, but that the traditional route picked him. And in a genre that has become incredibly pop-sounding, Pitney has been approached numerous times with the concept that he is the saving face of traditional country music. That’s a lot of pressure for any artist, particularly a newcomer, but Mo takes it in stride – “It’s been a crazy ride the past few years, but I just do what I do and do what it does. When making this [upcoming] album, I locked myself into a room and refused to listen to the radio. I didn’t want to set any boundaries on what it would sound like. I just wanted to write from my heart and cut the ones that kind of struck a chord with me.”
Those traditional sounds have landed him several performances on the coveted stage of the Grand Ole Opry – still in the infancy of his career, Pitney basks on his favorite performance: during his first performance inside the historic circle, Pitney received a standing ovation for his second song of the night, “Clean Up on Aisle 5.” “It was surreal” he says, a bit flabbergasted at the thought that it had actually occurred. With every performance, either in the hallowed halls of the Opry or playing local county fairs, Pitney impresses with every sound that protrudes from his lips. Beginning with a pre-show ritual of prayer with his band mates, no one expects such a deep and rich voice to escape from Pitney’s tall and thin frame; to put it eloquently, Pitney’s vocals are reminiscint of an imaginary child of Kix Brooks and Chris Young. He also performs each show with confidence, knowing who he is and what his music is – he sticks close to his beliefs regardless if he’s playing in front of 10 people or 10,000. Sticking with your beliefs are the fundamentals of advice he would give any artist in Nashville -“Just be yourself, and find what makes you, you.” Keeping true to himself, Pitney also performs his favorite cover, Merle Haggard’s legendary “The Farmers Daughter”: “The vocal range is perfect for me,” says Pitney, “and just the story of the song moves me.”
With his new single “A Boy and A Girl Thing” going for radio adds come August 31 and his anticipated albums projected release in November, Pitney is already establishing himself as a serious and reliable hit-maker in the making. Influenced by the sounds of legendary country artist Don Williams, “Boy and A Girl Thing” also adapts a slowed down groove comparable to James Taylors “The Handyman.” You can read our review on the single here.
For more information on this promising talent, please go over to MoPitney.com, Like him onFacebook, and Follow him on Twitter. As always, check back with The Country Note for interviews with your favorite artists.