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T-Time – The Making of a Band
Social networking is an amazing thing. The two that I’m involved with is Facebook and Twitter. They offer many opportunities if used correctly. One of the things that it has offered me is a chance to connect with many artists that are trying to make it in the music industry.
I recently had the opportunity to do a phone interview with Waylon Owings. Who is he, you ask? Let me share a little bit about him and his band. The band that he’s in is called Outshyne, based out of South Carolina. I’ve mentioned them before in one of my previous blogs about what music means to me. I said then that I was going to be watching them as their music career grows. Outshyne started back around 2009 and was formed out of a love for country but is considered more country rock. I always check artists out when they start following me so I went to YouTube and did a little research on their music and really liked what I heard so I followed them back. It also made me start thinking about what it takes to make it in the music industry, whether it’s country or another genre.
Outshyne’s members are Waylon who sings lead vocals/guitar; Josh, who plays guitar/vocals; Casey Joe, who plays guitar/vocals; Jason plays bass and last but not least Matt, aka Smiley who plays drums. Except for Casey, the other members had played in a rock band together before forming Outshyne. Most bands, when they start out, do it because they love music and for fun…sometimes they get lucky and it turns into a career and therefore there must be goals that they set. When talking to Waylon, I asked him that question and he said that of course it’s always to get their music out there to as many people as they can reach and to grow their fan base but also to continue to have that personal touch with their fans for as long as they can. One thing that they always do after a show is to mingle with the people and fans. Twitter has helped them to reach out and gain new fans while Facebook is a great way for them to continue to keep in touch and share with them any news about the band.
While performing on the road and recording is their job, there has to be some give and take with family time. So the guys have learned to separate that time and try very hard to keep it just for family and keep them first. In fact, one of MY favorite songs of theirs is called “Tell Her I Need Her” which Waylon wrote after feeling a little guilty about taking his wife of 8 years for granted so he now schedules time to call her whenever he’s out on the road along with letting her know how much he appreciates what she has to give up for him and the band to work towards their goals. The band members know that it’s important for each of them to keep that contact with family and friends. It keeps them grounded. Like so many artists there is always someone or something that inspires them. For Waylon, it’s his dad. He gave Waylon his first guitar but did not pressure to Waylon to learn it. His dad loved and had a passion for music and wanted to pass that it onto Waylon. Apparently it worked. And his father believed in his son’s musical abilities so much that he wanted to help Waylon achieve that dream of sharing his music. Unfortunately while taking a demo CD to someone his father was killed in an automobile accident when Waylon was 17, but it’s what inspires him to continue. Even though they’ve only been around for a short time and they know that it takes a lot of hard work and making the right connections, they continue to do what they love.
They’ve opened for artists such as Justin Moore, Colt Ford, Jake Owen, Joe Nichols, Florida Georgia Line, who by the way wrote a song that they were not going to use so gave it to Outshyne to use and Waylon is most honored in having opened for Gary Allen because he has been a huge fan and inspiration for him. And that’s where making these connections start moving a new artist’s career into a whole new direction. Even though they haven’t signed with a big label, they’re not worried about it because so many artists are going with an independent label and are successful. But one of their proudest accomplishments is the creation of their CD Country Boy in Me. This is a band that gives back…they try to do a few benefit concerts each month. Is this a band 
that I think has the perseverance to make it? Yes I do. It’s about connections and having the right people believe so much in your music that they will do what needs to be done to get your music into the right hands. I will definitely be going to hear them whenever they finally make it to Michigan! Thanks for letting me share. Tracy
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