Gency Brown

Hello friends. This time, we have a special guest in the cabin. I’d like to introduce you to the main character of my debut novel, A Right Fine Life. California born Randy Walters is an award-winning singer songwriter who is a real Nashville success story.

G: Welcome, Randy, to The Little Brown Cabin.

R: Thanks. It’s an honor to be here. What a beautiful setting.

G: Yes, I love it here. I know you like to fish. Maybe we can wet a hook later and catch a few.

R: Hey now, that would be great.

G: Then let’s not waste time. How old were you when you started playing the guitar?

R: I had fooled around with my Uncle Robert’s guitar every time we visited them, since I was like five. I think I got serious about it when a middle school teacher taught us some chords and let us play. After that, I was all in.

G: And they say music in school isn’t important. You do a benefit every year for the school system in your hometown, right?

R: Yes, for the past four years we’ve been able to provide instruments and vocal coaching in most grades. It’s so fun to see the kids light up when you put a shiny new trumpet or something in their hands.

G: You worked hard for years. At twenty-three, you finally felt ready to go for the big time. A little later than most, wasn’t it?

R: Yes, and I had to deal with that some. Not only did I feel like I needed to make it quick, some promoters and venue managers only wanted the kids. If they would just let me give them a sample of my music, they usually went for it. An extra step for me, though. Besides my age, I’m sure you remember from the story I had to change my music some, too. What the young folks were bringing was way different. My mentor, Tom, helped me mix in some new sound with my classic country. Kind of made it new and different.

G: Tell us a little about Bakersfield and why you wanted to start there.

R: When Buck Owens created The Crystal Palace, and the industry dubbed the music of Buck, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, and others as the Bakersfield Sound, Country Music blew up around there. It was like Nashville, Branson, and your hometown opry all rolled into one. It had long been a goal for this Cali boy to perform there. I don’t know, though. Maybe I was still scared and wanting the reassurance of making it there first. It turned out to be harder than I thought.

G: It sure worked for you in the end. Meeting Tom and then Aaron didn’t hurt your career any.

R: I can’t believe how lucky I was. I could never repay those guys. Aaron, being a veteran star, gave me a spot on his tour for two years. That experience was priceless.

G: I’m sure a lot of our readers connect with you because of the love and respect you have for family. Tell us about your relationship with your mother.

R: Wow. My strength, my guide, my best friend. I could go on. She has been there for me at every turn. She truly believes I can do anything I set my mind to. Like at ten when I wanted to jump off the barn, and she made me a cape out of her best tablecloth. She stood ready to catch me if I missed the haystack, she aimed me toward. She’s the best.

G: And your dad?

R: I hope he doesn’t come across too harsh in the story. He was a great father. About the time my son, Jimmy, became a teenager, I realized that my dad not only loved me, but he was extremely proud of me. I miss him every day. My son is everything to me and I try to tell him all the time.

G: Let’s talk about Nashville. I know you struggled right along with so many others striving for that stardom. Can you tell us what it’s like to finally win the awards and recognition?

R: You know, it’s truly hard to explain. Fans rarely realize that when someone walks up there to get that award, just how many years and how much work got them there. When it’s what you’ve worked for and suddenly, they call your name, it’s just total silence at first. You don’t even hear the shouts and applause. I swear my heart stopped every time. I wish every performer could experience it for themselves.

G: You had your share of hardships. How did you keep bouncing back?

R: It was tough not making rent a few times, constantly trying to get paying gigs, and seeing others fail all around me. The worst was losing a close friend. I saw signs of trouble but didn’t know how to help. Belief in my goal and the support of some good friends kept me going. I use that experience to guide the way I live and what I focus on.

G: Yours is quite a story, Randy. Is there a piece of advice you give to young people wanting to make it in the music business?

R: Be yourself. Stay true to your values. Never forget the important things in life. Family, friends, and your own kind of music.

G: You mean right fine music, don’t you? Thanks, Randy, for sharing with us.

R: I had fun. Now we fish?

I hope you enjoyed meeting Randy Walters. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to hear about the release date for his story, A Right Fine Life, later this year.