The Midnight Revival On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Guernslye Honoré
Always be prepared. Talent is not enough. Don’t be lazy and try to “wing it”.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing The Midnight Revival.
Formed by veteran musicians/producers Adam Sizemore & Chris Bragg, together they bring in some of the most talented musicians greater Nashville has to offer. A nod to the the greats who paved the way, such as The Allman Brothers Band, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Neil Young, Black Crowes, Chris Stapleton & more while adding in their own special blend of ingredients to create their fabulous sound. The instrumentation, arrangements and multiple part harmonies create an enjoyable blend of 60’s and 70’s nostalgia, seasoned with a raw modern edge.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I grew up in the San Fernando Valley which is located in Northwestern Los Angeles. My father was an outlaw biker type and my mother was an aspiring Cosmetologist. They were both creative people and loved music. My father was a former drummer and a very talented harmonica player who played gigs from time to time. My mother was a talented singer and she is actually the one who taught me what harmony singing was. Starting at a very young age, we would listen to vinyl records at home and we would ride in her tiny old Toyota listening to old tapes of the Eagles, Beatles, Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, etc. My parent’s relationship was rocky at best and eventually, my father’s demons got the better of him and it was time for a change. My mother left my father so that he could face his demons and so we could be in a safer environment and have a fighting chance. We ended up in low income housing as my mother worked day and night to provide for us. Even though we were away from my father and the direct peril of addiction, our new home had new challenges and It was there that I saw the best and the worst in people. But, it was also through the experiences there that I learned to be creative as an outlet for my experiences. I began to write stories, make up songs, draw and sing. This kept me out of trouble for the most part and gave me an opportunity to get away at least in my mind from the struggles, violence and poverty within the neighborhood around me.
My father moved on and started another family in the Fresno area. My mother eventually remarried and bore my brother. My brother’s father and I did not have a good relationship at all but, despite the turmoil, he still supported my music, being in bands and songwriting……even though many songs were written about him. Little did he know. My mother, the peacemaker, tried her very best to keep things at home as “normal” as possible but, eventually I ran away from home. I never returned. I moved in with my cousins, finished high school, rented the attic from one of my bandmates and enrolled in the local Community College majoring in Graphic Art/Design. I worked odd jobs, had a Graphic Design business but, music is and always was the glue that held my soul together.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and how did your journey begin?
Music has always been a huge part of my life and journey but, honestly, I didn’t pursue music as a career for a very long time. A friend of mine, Jason “Rowdy” Cope heard me sing and play guitar at a bar one night while hanging with friends and offered me a job on the spot to play in a western themed bar in Hollywood, California. I thought he was joking at first, but quickly learned that he was quite serious. That was my first paying residency. I was officially a professional musician and Jason “Rowdy” Cope who has unfortunately since passed on went on to become the guitarist for Jamey Johnson and was a founding member of The Steel Woods right here in Nashville.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
There are too many interesting stories to tell but a few quick highlights. I‘ve had the opportunity to perform with many well known musicians such as Steven Adler (Guns N Roses), Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), members of Gov’t Mule, Billy Preston and many others. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform on many Movie Trailers and that’s how I met Chris Bragg from The Midnight Revival.
It has been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We make mistakes all the time and we try our best not to repeat them. I cant cite any specific examples but, the lesson learned in general is to be prepared for anything.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’ve been blessed with many people that have believed in me along the way but, a few I will never forget and always be grateful to are Ron Rogers who helped mentor me and helped me develop my style and taught me to take things more seriously as a Musician and Songwriter, David Dalsass was one of my favorite music teachers and encouraged me to write music even if the subject matter was controversial, David “Uncle Dave” Trifari is a family member who paid for me to get voice coaching and encouraged me to pursue my musical goals. Jason Cope who gave me my first professional gig and Chris Bragg who gave me my first professional recording gig.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Chris Bragg and I are excited about our band, The Midnight Revival. We can’t wait for y’all to hear what we’ve been cooking.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in music, film, and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
1. Well, music is culture and culture overall is a direct influence on many art forms including music, film and television. One can not exist without the other.
2. Diversity is important because it is the gateway to style and to different genres of art.
3. Representation in Music, Film and Television is important because it creates the opportunity for many to see inside a unique perspective. It gives a voice to those creating it.
Diversity has been affecting not just our culture, but all the cultures in the world since the inception of creativity. It’s the sole reason why we have and continue to be interested in creating unique types of art and media.
As a successful music star, you’ve likely faced challenges along the way. How do you stay motivated? How do you overcome obstacles in your career?
A solid support system is key. Whether it be friends, family and for me personally, a strong spiritual foundation. It’s also imperative that your support system is honest with you and doesn’t try to sugarcoat everything. Keeping it real is essential.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
1 . Don’t be discouraged, it’s supposed to be difficult.
2 . Always be prepared. Talent is not enough. Don’t be lazy and try to “wing it”.
3 . Don’t just feel gratitude, display it, convey it. Most importantly…mean it.
4 . Take risks. Take chances. Don’t be afraid to fail.
5 . Don’t be a jerk. There are plenty of them. Be the example you wish you had.
Can you share some insights into your creative process? How do you approach songwriting? How do you approach musical collaborations?
Our creative process in The Midnight Revival is brought forth through our personal experience as well as stories that need to be told or hold some relevance to us.
Your music has resonated with so many fans worldwide. What do you believe sets your music apart?
We really try to not try so hard. We want to be familiar, yet brand new. We try to create subject matter that is relatable but not necessarily predictable all the time. We also like to take a chance or two musically here and there.
How do you connect with your audience?
I think being honest, humble and fun is the way into an audience member’s heart and mind.
With your busy schedule and demanding performances, how do you prioritize self-care and maintain a balance between your personal life and career in the music industry?
Taking personal time to reflect and be grateful, maintaining discipline in your day to day, keeping in contact with the things and people that you love and inspire you. Also, take time to enjoy life and laughter is everything. That’s what balances me
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
Music has always helped keep me out of trouble as a kid and it gave me a positive outlet. I would love to see music become a bigger part of schools and the education system again.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
There are so many influential people that I would love to meet and have a conversation with for many different reasons, however, as far as someone contemporary I’d have to say Jelly Roll or Struggle Jennings. Not just because I am a huge fan of their music but because they have put it all out on the table. They share their respective stories unapologetically and put their money where their mouths are. I love the example Jelly and Struggle set by giving back to their community and helping to positively inspire the youth of today. I’d love to swap stories over a cup of coffee or some eggs and bacon.
How can our readers continue to follow your work online?
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
