Q: I love the energy of “Outa Style.” What inspired you to write the song?
Chad Bushnell: I wrote this song on a rainy day at home. I was supposed to go shoe horses that day, but the weather was too bad. I had recently opened for Aaron Watson at Ace of Spades in Sacramento so I thought I would try something different and write a Texas Country Style song. I started playing my guitar and singing and “Outa Style” just sort of came to me.
Q: Walk us through your writing and production process in making “Outa Style”.
Bushnell: I had recently heard my buddy Clayton Andrade sing 3am at a show and liked how he did it live. I had also been listening to Texas Red Dirt Country recently so I wanted to write something that would fit in that market. Since I had recently opened for Aaron Watson, I decided to contact him personally and asked if I could record some of my music where he was working. He was very nice about it so I pursued the studio in Texas. I brought in my ideas with the musicians and producers in the studio and this is how it turned out.
Q: I love the rich sound on “Outa Style.” What first got you into music?
Bushnell: Thank you! I was inspired to pursue my dream of being a professional country singer at a young age after my father played in a local country band. I felt like I couldn’t get enough of the live, traditional country sound as a kid. I still feel that way today. I was also inspired by my great grandmother who had me play at church with her in my younger days. I have always been a huge fan of Southern Gospel and Christian Country music.
Q: What has been one of the highlights of your music career so far?
Bushnell: I have been so blessed throughout my life. I have gotten to meet and open for one of my country music heroes Dwight Yoakam. I also got to meet the legendary Merle Haggard and open for Kris Kristofferson and Ben Haggard (son of Merle Haggard) at a benefit show in Redding, Ca.
Q: What has been, so far, your favorite song to perform and why?
Bushnell: This is kind of a tough one and I have a few answers. My favorite original song to perform is You Can Drive My Truck because it is a country rock song and I always love the energy my band puts in it towards the end of my live shows. My favorite cover song to perform is Liza Jane by one of my all time favorite country singers Vince Gill. It’s my first choice of songs to perform when I play on Broadway in Nashville, TN.
Q: What would you like to say to your fans out there?
Bushnell: I couldn’t do this without the support of my fans and am grateful for them everyday. I can’t wait to get out to more areas this summer and keep meeting new people. 2022 is going to be a great year.
Interviewed by Katrina Yang
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