Finding a contemporary artist that can do justice to classic covers is a rarity – many put a modern spin on what are now hallowed pieces of the country music catalog. But not newcomer Denny Strickland. With guidance from a member of Johnny Cash’s entourage and the legendary Kris Kristtoferson, Strickland is making the strides to, one day, become a legend himself.
TCN: So “How Far You Wanna Go” – that’s just a seductive title in itself and it peaked at #28 on MusicRow chart –
DS: Yes thank you so much…
TCN: So what is going on now?
DS: Well we are starting a new chapter in my career. We have a new single coming out. It’s titled “Stay Gone.” It’s a relationship based song, and you can already tell by the title it’s pretty deep..
TCN: “Stay Gone” – I know a couple of people I’d like to say that to. Ex-boyfriends. So is that kind of what the song’s implying?
DS: It is. It’s a relationship song that went south. We’ve all been there. We’ve all had those relationships were we thought you know what, I think it’s better if we just agree to go separate ways. And that’s basically what it’s saying in the title. And we’re so excited – we were talking about the video and how that paints the picture. And when I get in the studio and when I’m recording I’m already thinking – my mind’s going a hundred miles an hour thinking about “well, this would be great for a scene.” And right now you have every element of that for the listener because everybody watches videos and that’s just secondary now.
TCN: Of course and then when they hear the song whether it’s on the radio or they have the CD that’s what they’re thinking about when they hear the song, outside of their own imagination.
DS: Well it sets the mood. When I’m in the car, I’m sitting there and I watch the video on every one. It’s addicting.
TCN: So when it comes to the creative process, are you more going off your own experiences or going off of others? Is it more from an empathetic standpoint?
DS: Well it definitely hits home for me. And yeah, I’m probably going to portray that figure in the video. But no, definitely it’s real. I did it. I went through a breakup.
TCN: So what does 2016 looking like for you?
DS: It looks really good. Really good. I got a lot of stuff coming up.
TCN: And CMA Fest – Everyone’s starting already to plan for that. Do you plan on partaking in it this year?
DS: We’re doing all we can. We’re going to try to push the envelope.
DS: We’ve done three more of those styled acoustic covers and we’re paying homage to the legends. Because I’m contemporary, and you know we had fun with it. We got “The Ride” by David Allan Coe. “Loving Her Was Easier” by Kris Kristofferson. I had a memorable experience with Kris that I can touch on. And the last one was “Outlaw Woman” by Hank Jr. Those really just all fit and just called my name out. Just touched me and I thought you know we need to do this.
TCN: So tell us about Kris Kristofferson.
DS: We did a show together. My first manager was Marshall Grant, upright bassist for Johnny Cash and longtime Statler Brothers manager. And because of my relationship with Marshall I met Kris. And we met at a time in my life where I was losing someone very close and that was Marshall. He had an aneurism, passed and I was a pallbearer with the Statlers but that’s another story. But Kris took me under his wing that night at the show when we were in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the college. They had the big concert, raising money for the Johnny Cash project.
TCN: And you’re from Jonesboro?
DS: I am. I was going to college when that happened. And to be amongst my peers and all that at once was just overwhelming in a way and it was very touching at the same time. But Kris, I had a chance to see him at NAMM last year. Well earlier this year. Well I guess it is 2016 so it was last year. I thanked him. I didn’t have a chance to thank Kris for what he did for me. And his publicist recognized me and I got to walk with him for a little while while he was going to one of his events. And we chatted a little bit about Marshall and the funeral and everything. Of course he wanted to know how it went. He didn’t have an opportunity to go because he was in Maui, Hawaii. But, I mean it just all came together. I think things happen for a reason. Things just – when you’re lining up the stars you just gotta run with it, because it doesn’t happen every day.
TCN: So if one of your videos could define you, which one would it be?
DS: Of the five videos? It just depends on your demographic. I mean my favorite – one of the classics. Maybe “Swerve On.” I mean honestly “Swerve On” was my favorite because I wrote the script.
TCN: Did you really? Tell us about that.
DS: “Swerve On” was my first debut single to MusicRow, first introduction to radio. And because that song I built so many relationships with radio. They were like “Who’s this guy” and I tell you what – it paints the picture perfect of the club, the trucks. I just had a lot of fun. We stayed up – oh God we’d start at 3 in the morning and then get done about 1 in the morning, the next day.
TCN: I can imagine that must be exhausting. Rewarding but exhausting.
DS: Oh it was great. It was because I got to see my ideas on paper get portrayed in a video. And I was starring in it so that was even more of a plus.
TCN: Just based on the experience you’ve had in Nashville with pushing songs to radio, and doing everything – if there is one thing you could tell a new artist coming up that you wish someone had told you when you started this journey, what would it be?
DS: Go out and go to everything you can. Parties. Events. Just get in there. You know what – just make friends, make sure you get that pass to get into those events. Do it all you can. Be at as many places as you can. That’s really where you mingle and build those relationships at those parties and the events. Radio. You gotta get in with radio. That’s how you’re going to be heard.
For more information on Denny Strickland, visit his official website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.