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Charles Kelly
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Sarah Harrelson
Knight and welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast. This is the podcast where we talk to artists and get their stories, their songs, their journeys that shape them today. We take a walk with a voice that's become a staple of country and pop music over the past couple of decades. Charles Kelly, a Grammy winning singer, songwriter, founding member of the chart topping trio Lady A. From his early days growing up in Augusta, Georgia to forming a band with his brothers that caught the attention of James Brown, Charles has always followed the music wherever it led him. He's written songs for some of the biggest names in country, released acclaimed solo work, and opened up about his personal journey, including his path to sobriety and the lessons he's learned along the way. With a brand new solo album, Songs for a New Moon out now, and a growing family at home, Charles is embracing a new chapter. One filled with optimism, fresh perspective, and as always, unforgettable songs. Before we listen to the Taking a Walk podcast episode with Charles Kelly of Lady A fame, let's take a look at the great career of this Grammy winning artist. And for that we go to our correspondent in Nashville and Sarah Harrelson.
Cindy Crawford
Thanks Buzz. I am really looking forward to this interview because I grew up, of course, listening to Lady A and hearing Charles Kelly's voice. But when he released his first solo country album, the driver in 2016, I just fell in love with that album. It's always been one of my favorites, so I'm really excited to finish listening. I've already listened to a little bit of Songs for a New Moon, his new soft rock album, and it's filled with a lot of 80 cents. And of course his vocals are always amazing, but I am so curious to hear why he took this sort of direction with his music and I also got to meet him when I was working in Nashville backstage at the CMT awards probably around 2015, and got to escort him backstage, and he was such a great guy, so I can only imagine that's how the interview went as well. Once again, I'm Sarah Harrelson, based right here in Nashville, 10, Tennessee. And back to you, Buzz.
Sarah Harrelson
Thanks so much, Sarah. Now, Charles Kelly on Taking a Walk. Charles Kelly. Welcome to Taking a Walk, my friend.
Charles Kelly
Hey, how we doing?
Sarah Harrelson
Oh, doing great. Doing great. Thank you for being here. So since we call this podcast Taking a Walk, if you could take a walk with someone living or dead, doesn't have to be musical, but it could be someone involved with music, who would you take a walk with? And where would you take that saunter?
Charles Kelly
Oh, gosh, Paul McCartney for sure. Well, there he is right there. There he is. Yeah, this is a kind of a wall. I've got a bunch of different influences up here and all kinds of different genres of artists, but hugely influenced by. By just everything but Beatles, I think. I think Paul McCartney and, you know, one of the best songwriters of all time. And he's just one of those guys I still haven't, you know, haven't gotten to meet. I've been lucky enough to meet Bruce Springsteen. We got to do a show, open it up for Bruce in London, actually, at Hyde park. Long time ago. That was pretty cool. Funny story about that. We. We had, like, you know, anytime in between songs, you know, these are die hard Bruce Springsteen fans. And, you know, they're like, bruce between. I remember Hillary goes, are they booing us? And he's like, no, they're saying, Bruce, like, don't take it. Like they're die hard fans. Like, they're. They're ready for us to sing need you now and. And get off the stage so Bruce can come up here.
Sarah Harrelson
Where would you go with Paul for that walk, do you know?
Charles Kelly
Oh, my gosh, somewhere, you know, I would love to, like, just, you know, walk through, like, I don't know, maybe. Maybe Abbey Road Studios, you know, or something like that and just hear some of those stories. But I don't know, anywhere, really. I mean, it just. Just to be able to just have a moment with him would be. Would be pretty amazing. You know what that was? My first tattoo was. Was a lyric from Blackbird. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.
Sarah Harrelson
Yeah, you were reading my questions. I was going to ask you about that. And why do those words resonate with you to this day?
Charles Kelly
I basically got this. This tattoo. To me, it means it was around the time that I felt like my Whole life was leading up to this band and leading up to this chase, you know, of being a musician. And, you know, I felt like all my life I was only waiting for this moment to, like, have a chance to, like, follow my dream, you know. And so that's. That was my first tattoo. Then I had another one about a year later. And then I didn't get another one for, like, five or six years. And then all of a sudden, I kind of went crazy, which is all over me now.
Sarah Harrelson
Expression.
Charles Kelly
Exactly. Artistic expression.
Sarah Harrelson
We're going to talk about Songs for a New Moon. Congratulations on your. Your new solo album, But I want to go back to Augusta, Georgia, as the. The youngest of three brothers musically inclined. What was it like being in the Kelly household? Was it. Was it always filled with music?
Charles Kelly
It was chaos. Yeah, it was. I had. So I have two. My oldest siblings. My sister Christy and John were 10 years older than me. And then Josh and I, you know, we're 10 years younger, about the same age. And so we always had, like, so many different styles of music coming in and out. My mom loved R B, my dad loved country. And then, you know, my oldest siblings would bring home whatever was happening, you know, so it could have been Dave Matthews Band, it could have been Nirvana. It could have been just anything, you know, I mean, it was like, I got. I remember my oldest brother was obsessed with, like, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. So I, like. I had this mix of, like, you know, listening to Delilah and Richard Marks in the car with my mom, to Garth Brooks with my dad, to, you know, Ozzy Osbourne with my oldest brother. And so it was like this weird kind of like I just gravitated to whatever felt great, you know, and felt right. And so I do remember, though, in my room. So, like, when my older siblings moved out, you know, I ended up getting, like, you know, we had, like, the hole upstairs to ourselves. And I remember my brother and I dragging out this old record player. It was a piece of furniture, you know, that you would. That you lift up the. The top and there's the record player in there. And being. I was highly intrigued by it. And so I dug around, found all these records. I remember, lo and behold, I found the Fleetwood Mac Groomers record. And so we've got Stevie back there. But that was the first actual, like, vinyl. I think I was probably 9 or 10 years old, and I remember just sitting in my room, like, playing it over and over again. I mean, it had such an effect. Like, no one told me to play it. I just was like, out of all these records, I was like, this is the one. This is the one that's, like, blowing my mind. So, you know, there's a lot of those Fleetwood Mac influences in the band, and even on this record, there's a song called Kisses Thing Goodbye that is so reminiscent of a Fleetwood Mac, you know, kind of basic base of music down there. You know, a lot of those just great pulsating bass grooves and stuff, you know, that they were so known for.
Sarah Harrelson
And I think musical diversity really is. Is an amazing part of the creative process for you. It really. It feels that way. It just feels, you know, the rich experiences really play out in your music.
Charles Kelly
It always has been. I mean, I think with the band and especially, you know, as a solo artist, I mean, I think. I think you can't help but be influenced as. Influenced by everything, especially, you know, as. As we keep moving on in music, I feel like, you know, the genre border is. Is wide open. And I think that's because, you know, it's not like we grow up with one station in our town that we listen to. You know, we kind of grew up with everything, and especially this generation now. I mean, they're just putting together a little playlist. You know, they're listening to Drake and then turn around listening to Morgan Wallen and turn around listening to Taylor Swift, you know, so it's everything. And I think that's what's so cool about where we are. And I hope it pushes, you know, the sound of Music, because two. I mean, you know, there's. There's only so many chords, and so, you know, we're all trying to find something that feels fresh. And for me, you know, with this project, I wanted it to feel very throwback and nostalgic, but still have a fresh, you know, current energy to it. And so it was fun kind of, you know, kind of toeing that line about. About how much, you know, because I never wanted the music to feel like a character of the 80s, you know, I didn't want it to be like, okay, he's just throwing together these, you know, this wild, you know, throwback, poking fun at thing, you know, and it's. It's not. It really, truly is a celebration and a nod at all the my heroes.
Sarah Harrelson
You know, you and your. Your bros. You formed Inside Blue as. As teens, and you caught the attention of the one and only James Brown.
Charles Kelly
Yeah, well, at least his manager. Yeah, it was pretty cool that time.
Sarah Harrelson
I remember my.
Charles Kelly
Our parents kind of were a little hesitant of us signing any deals that early, but, but it was cool to even have that opportunity. It's funny, you did your research and I, it's so funny. That whole time went by so fast, I barely even remember it because we had a band, you know, all through like middle school and high school and, and you know, we had a little, little tiny bit of buzz going but, you know, nothing really ended up coming of it. And I put music down all through college and everything and, and my brother Josh got a record deal out of college and eventually moved to Nashville. And he's the reason I gave this a shot. I moved to Nashville, you know, with, with a ton of encouragement from him and you know, was lucky enough to run into Hillary and you know, talk my buddy Dave into moving to town and we started this band. But. But yeah, those early years, it was pretty cool. I mean, we had this little five song episode and you know, it was Inside Blue because we did a little, little bit of blues. We also, you know, it was very much, you know, rock and roll stuff too. And so it was, it was just. It's funny that anybody was interested because if you go back and listen to those songs, they were, they were pretty weak. They must have seen something in us.
Sarah Harrelson
I guarantee they did. And look, everything starts as a, as a germ and then of an idea and then it evolves and the passion flows. So give yourself more credit back for Inside for sure. Now I have a friend that does this other podcast called Celebrity Jobber and he asked the question, if you weren't going to be a musician, what would you have been? Did you have a plan B or were you a. No plan B guy?
Charles Kelly
No, I, I did. I mean, I went to the University of Georgia. I. To me, music was, was just going to be something in my life and maybe a party trick. You know, I always kind of assumed I would have some, you know, like cover band on the weekends I would play with. But I studied finance at Georgia and Dave and I did too, David as well. And yeah, you know, I was going to try to move to Atlanta, get a job, you know, do that whole thing. And then, you know, maybe if I went, went to a wedding on the weekend, I'd hop up with a band and say, hey guys, you know, a little Lionel Richie, you know, something like that. And that would be kind of my party trick. But, but so yeah, some. Something in the business world hopefully. But I will say when I graduated I worked with my oldest brother and, and we were, he was, he like flipped houses and did some commercial real estate. So I Had this degree. And I remember, like, literally a week after I graduate, I go into work and. And, you know, he's like, well, one of our workers didn't come in today, so you gotta. You gotta hop into the dump truck and take this. Take this stuff to the dump. And I just remember going like, this is not what I thought it was going to be.
Sarah Harrelson
Somehow you knew it triggered you.
Charles Kelly
Yeah, exactly. Was that.
Sarah Harrelson
And it was a motivating trigger.
Charles Kelly
It was. It was. I mean, I. I think I could have found happiness in. In anything. I mean, to me, I love. I love putting in a hard day's work. I mean, that's just. I really do. I mean, even to this day, there's something I just love about, you know, about working hard. I learned that from my dad and. But to be able to find something, though, that you actually, you know, wake up and just feel, like, so lucky that you get to do and, you know, a lot of times, especially being, you know, on St. Writing songs, it doesn't feel like work. The work comes in when. With the travel. I feel like that's where. That's where we earn the word. You know, we work for a living. But the rest of it, that's just all. That's all fun.
Sarah Harrelson
All right, so I do want to dig into the process for Songs for a New Moon and the work behind that process. And I guess the first thing when I think of writing sessions is that the type of thing when you're in that process, that your nervous enthusiasm, in a good way, keeps you up at night because, you know, the next morning you're waking up and you're going into a session.
Charles Kelly
Exactly. I mean, I call it a lot of, you know, I had a lot of cautious optimism. I've. I've been doing this for, you know, close. Close to two decades now. And I know it's just, you know, you get so. You get so caught up in. In. Okay, I want to make something special that sometimes you have to just step back and just do it. I feel like it' literally go in, and if it's moving you, there's a good chance it can move other people. I think anytime in the past when I've tried to go in there and be like, all right, we got to write a hit like this, or whatever. And so I really try to get out of my own way, honestly. And I think to be able to start writing music under a different bed of music brought out something different in me. And it was the most fun I've ever had. I mean, I Was writing with guys like Josh Kear, who needs you now with. I mean, he's one of the best songwriters in town and he, you know, when you got a guy like that saying, when are we doing this again? This is so fresh. Because I think everybody needed to be pulled out of their box a little bit, you know, and this project allowed them to kind of show how versatile they. They all are. And, and for me too, it brought out just this new sense of, like, okay, there's no rules, you know, I. I don't have to make a country record. I can, I can go out here and try to do something different and fresh because like you said, I am influenced by so many different styles. But I think the common thread needed to be I needed to still sound authentically myself, you know, I didn't try to put on some, you know, 80s voice that didn't sound like me or, you know, whatever. Whatever that might be, you know, it still is my voice to the core. And I don't know, there was. There was just, I don't know, this like, cool little hint of like, man, I think we're on to something here, you know, and I don't know where it'll go and what it'll be. And there was a sense of wanting to make sure we stayed precious with, like, staying there. And I think that's one reason I wanted to release it myself and like, pay for it myself, because I was like, I know exactly what's going to happen when I take this into the label. They're going to go, okay, you've been known as a country artist. We got to throw some mandolin on this. We got to throw some steel guitar. And it just, it didn't feel like the music needed that. And so. So I really have to give a lot of praise too, to Big Machine for allowing me to just do this on my own as well, you know, I mean, I really just felt like I wanted this to be, you know, success or failure on my own terms, if that. If that makes sense, you know.
Buzz
We'll be right back with more of the Taking a Walk podcast.
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Buzz
Have a meet and greet with Black Panther.
Cindy Crawford
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iHeart Podcast Host
And I can't wait to sunbathe on the private island. And the kids? Kids will be fine, girl, they're good.
Charles Kelly
Exactly.
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Buzz
Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
Sarah Harrelson
So take us through some of your favorite tracks or, or all of your favorite tracks. We got time, Charles.
Charles Kelly
Oh, God. I think, I mean, the first song, Can't Lose youe, is what really kicked off the project. I mean, there's something about that song. I think it encompassed everything I wanted to say as well. I, I, you know, I'm getting close to. At the end of this month, I'll be three years sober. And so it was just a lot of growth, you know, spiritually, mentally, and, you know, with my relationship with my wife. And I wanted to put that into the music, you know, and I wanted to be a it to be a joyful record, you know, and feel really redemptive and positive. And so I feel like that song encompassed kind of everything I was going for. And then from there it was like, once we had that song, the rest just kind of really came out really easily. I mean, I think my. One of my favorites is a song called Can't Be Alone Tonight. There's just something about it that it reminds me of all those great 80s like, ballads that just feel great there. There's also a song called Never Let yout Go. And we got the great Dan Huff. So he's also a great producer, but he used to play electric guitar on all those massive 80s and 90s hits that you've. Almost anything you've ever heard. I mean, he's played with Michael Jackson, Journey, I mean, all these crazy bands, you know, in the studio. And to have him. If you listen to that song, I think it's the 10th track off the record. There's just this epic electric guitar tone in, in solo section that he has that just, I don't know, there's something about it where I was like, that's what I was going for. It has a key change. It has the, the electric guitar sound that only Dan could do. So there's a lot of those moments throughout the record. But, But I will say it changes which my, you know, which one is my favorite.
Sarah Harrelson
I would expect it would. Right, because if they're a while, you're living with it for so long, and in your mind you're going through the hard work that led up to the creation. So when you're in the studio and, and working on this and then you leave for the day, do you leave with tracks that you can listen to as you're driving, driving home to kind of like think about it?
Charles Kelly
That makes it exciting. You Know, that's the great thing about, you know, this whole record. I worked with Lindsay Rhymes and another guy named Sam Ellis and. And you know, being able to actually, you know, they program most of this stuff. So what we would do is we'd have pretty fully fleshed out, professional sounding demo and then, you know, we would go and harvest out. We had like a drum day where we went. This guy, Aaron Sterling then laid real drums on it. Or we go, you know, lay base. If we didn't like the way that, that one of them played the bass. You know, we had a saxophone player come in or something like that. But we, when we would leave each day, we would have a pretty solid foundation and feel for what we were going for.
Sarah Harrelson
And then when you walk in the next day, then you've got like the ability to know what you want to tweak, right?
Charles Kelly
Yeah. So we would leave there, we would have pretty much a, you know, a full form of a song. And we were even able to, like, sometimes we come back and tweak lyrics if we got to live with it and we're like, okay, I don't like the way this hook is turning and flipping. But, you know, that's the difference, I will say, in how a lot of, a lot of people write now than. Than we did when I first started. You know, we used to go in there with an acoustic guitar. It sometimes you couldn't quite tell what it was going to be. I mean, need you now is one of those examples. I remember we had this little acoustic, really rough sounding recording off of our computer. And you know, we almost didn't cut the song because it didn't sound as big as like the other demos we had. And so, you know, to be able to like now really get an idea of how the song is going to sound when you leave. It's a big, you know, it's just such a nice advantage to the writing process.
Sarah Harrelson
Charles, what is recovery taught you that kind of leads into your musical process?
Charles Kelly
Oh, man. I think gratitude more than anything. I think, you know, I think I was holding on to a lot of fear, you know, fear of a lot of stuff. I mean, fear of losing success, fear of like, of so many things I didn't even know that I was kind of fearful of, you know, and you kind of drink to kind of calm all that down. But I just think it brought a sense of gratitude of like, we're what I have and how much, you know, I don't, I don't want to lose this and how much I Just love it. And I think it also just made me enjoy the quiet moments of life. You know, I'm. I'm into so many different things. I mean, a small thing that I just love now that I used to never do is read. I mean, I've probably read a hundred books since I've, you know, gotten sober. And like, I feel like my mind's expanding a little bit. I feel like I'm calming down and I'm just. I'm realizing that some of the best things happen too, when you get out of your own way. And, you know, I feel like I really tried to do that with this record now. And like, I don't know, I'm just kind of really just enjoying. Enjoying the journey of it. I mean, all the ups and downs are such a big part of. Of what makes life kind of fun, you know, and celebrating the little wins that come along and. But really, I just. I think it gave me a little bit more of a purpose to life and what I was going for. I used to live and die by the music business and successes and failures, and now I just. I realize that, like, it. It's not the end all be all, you know, and it should be fun. And I feel like I'm enjoying it again in a way. I. That I kind of did when I first started. Because I think when you don't know what's going to happen, you just. You do celebrate any tiny little win that you get. And once you've had success, well, then you have a bar of that what, what you think everything should reach for it to be, quote, unquote, a. You know, especially with something like need you now, it's like, well, that's going to come along once in a lifetime. Like, so if that's my bar, I'm never going to be happy, you know.
Sarah Harrelson
Very well put. Do you get nervous before you're presenting to, I don't know, like a Scott Borchetta or something like that?
Charles Kelly
Yeah, always. I mean, always you're a little nervous. I mean, I think there's nothing more heartbreaking. Sometimes for an artist, when you play something for your management or label or friends even, and they're just like, yeah, that's nice, I like that. And you're like, shoot, that was not the expectation or it was not the response I wanted, but. But I just, again, just, you know, I think for this I just knew I was digging it so much and I was enjoying it, that I was like, no matter what anybody says, like, I've got to do this and I don't know, just for everybody on my team to kind of follow me down this journey. But I got a lot of encouragement. I mean, early, right from the get go, like when, when, you know, my team heard can't lose you and another song called Run, they were like this, whatever this is, keep doing it. And so I did get a whole lot of encouragement. My wife was really big with that too. Just kept saying, like, this is. You're on to something. Just keep going down this road. Don't put a timeline on it and see where it goes, you know.
Sarah Harrelson
So, new album, growing family, fresh outlook. What are you most excited about as far as the next chapter?
Charles Kelly
Oh, gosh, I just. It just, it's fun to see people respond to something in a fresh way, you know, I think that's what makes putting this out solo kind of fun too, because I am a new artist in a way. You know, I mean, I put a solo record out, you know, about eight or nine years ago, but, you know, it's still a fresh introduction in a new sound. And so there's, there's, you know, a certain vulnerability and like, healthy kind of anxiety about what's. What it's going to do. And I think that actually makes it kind of fun. I'm allowed to fail. It's okay. It's, it's. It's a little more scary when Lady A fails. You know, a project comes out, fails, but when I fail, it's like, okay, cool. That was something fun anyway. So, you know, I can always kind of play it off that, that, you know, I didn't, I didn't care if it went big. Obviously I do. I think any artist wants it to be heard. I mean, you know, I'm not looking for, for this to be some giant, you know, Sabrina Carpenter, global smash. But I tell you, if it could reach. Reach a really great audience and I was able to actually go out and do some shows, you know, and have a, have a, you know, have a, have a packed house somewhere and be able to actually perform these songs. I think that's what gets me the most excited because it's such a fun bed of music that even when I was just rehearsing with the guys, you know, we did some content of just a kind of a live show of some of these songs that we're gonna, you know, share online. I couldn't stop dancing. I was like, I've never, like, moved like this and I'm sure I look ridiculous, but I can't help myself. I was like, I can't help but move when I sing this music. So I think it would just be a very joyful show, you know. So I'm hoping that can can come about at some point.
Sarah Harrelson
In closing, if you could go back and give advice to your younger self, maybe that 14 year old writing songs with Dave, what would you say?
Charles Kelly
Oh, gosh, well, first off, I'd say learn how to play piano. That, you know, that was, that's one thing. If I could go to any young kid, it'd be like, learn how to play piano. I can play guitar and I used to. I grew up playing drums. That was my instrument in the band. I played drums and sang. But I wish I could have played. I wish I could play the piano. I feel like I would. I would have written a heck of a lot more songs, you know, if I was able to do that. But I think the advice would just be just enjoy the journey. I mean, I think in the beginning, you know, the first 10 years, it was so much fun and in the middle of that career it kind of got where I was not enjoying it. And I think you have to love it, you have to enjoy it and you have to just, I don't know, sometimes just remind yourself that you get to do what you love to do. So I think that would be the thing I would love to have told myself early on. Well, also too just you never know where life's going to go. I mean, my 14 year old self would have never dreamed I was actually going to do this for a living.
Sarah Harrelson
You know, Charles, this is why I love what I do. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to talk to you. Congratulations on this chapter, Songs for a New Moon. And thanks for all the great music you continue to give us, my friend.
Charles Kelly
Thank you, Buzz. Appreciate you, buddy.
Buzz
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Podcast Summary: "Charles Kelley: New Moons, New Beginnings"
Podcast Information:
The episode titled "Charles Kelley: New Moons, New Beginnings" features an in-depth conversation with the renowned Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Charles Kelley, best known as a founding member of the chart-topping trio Lady A (formerly Lady Antebellum). Host Buzz Knight, alongside correspondent Sarah Harrelson, navigates through Charles's illustrious career, personal journey, and his latest musical endeavors.
Charles Kelley opens up about his formative years in Augusta, Georgia, highlighting the diverse musical environment of his household. Growing up as the youngest of three musically inclined brothers, Charles was exposed to various genres, shaping his eclectic taste in music.
[08:55] Charles Kelley: "It was chaos. My mom loved R&B, my dad loved country, and my older siblings brought home everything from Dave Matthews Band to Nirvana and Led Zeppelin."
This mix of influences allowed Charles to gravitate towards what felt right, ultimately leading him to a career that blends elements from different musical styles. A pivotal moment from his childhood was discovering Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way," which left a lasting impact on him, evident in his music's pulsating bass grooves reminiscent of the band's style.
[10:00] Charles Kelley: "I remember sitting in my room, playing that Fleetwood Mac record over and over. It was the one that was just blowing my mind."
Charles reminisces about his early days forming bands with his brothers. The initial group, Inside Blue, caught the attention of music legend James Brown’s management, marking a significant early milestone.
[12:56] Charles Kelley: "Having a band get noticed by James Brown's manager was pretty cool, even if things didn't fully materialize at the time."
Despite initial hesitations from their parents about signing deals at a young age, the experience was invaluable, laying the groundwork for his future in the music industry.
Moving to Nashville was a decisive step for Charles, driven by encouragement from his brother Josh who had secured a record deal. This move led to the formation of Lady A, a band that would achieve widespread acclaim and numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards.
[14:15] Sarah Harrelson: "The early years with Inside Blue set the stage for what was to come with Lady A."
Charles's solo journey marks a significant evolution in his career. His latest album, "Songs for a New Moon," represents a departure from his country roots into a soft rock territory infused with 80s nostalgia.
[05:48] Sarah Harrelson: "With a brand new solo album, 'Songs for a New Moon,' Charles is embracing a new chapter filled with optimism and fresh perspectives."
Musical Process and Collaborations
In creating "Songs for a New Moon," Charles collaborated with esteemed songwriters like Josh Kear, aiming to blend throwback sounds with a contemporary energy. The involvement of Grammy-winning producer Dan Huff added a distinctive electric guitar tone, characteristic of 80s and 90s hits, to tracks like "Never Let You Go."
[17:08] Charles Kelley: "Writing with guys like Josh Kear brought out something different in me. There were no rules; I didn't have to make a country record."
The album's production process involved detailed writing sessions, where songs were developed into fully fleshed-out tracks with live drums and bass, allowing for iterative tweaks and enhancements.
[25:16] Charles Kelley: "We would leave each day with a solid foundation and know what we wanted to tweak the next day."
A significant portion of the conversation delves into Charles's personal journey towards sobriety, which has profoundly influenced his music and outlook on life.
[24:51] Sarah Harrelson: "Charles, what is recovery taught you that leads into your musical process?"
Charles shares that sobriety brought him immense gratitude and a newfound appreciation for the quiet moments in life. This personal growth is palpable in his music, infusing it with themes of redemption, positivity, and spiritual growth.
[27:09] Charles Kelley: "Recovery brought a sense of gratitude. I'm celebrating the little wins and enjoying the journey in a way I hadn’t before."
He credits sobriety for allowing him to enjoy his work without the pressures of the music industry's demands, leading to a more authentic and joyful creative process.
Looking ahead, Charles expresses excitement about his evolving role as a solo artist and the opportunities it presents to connect with new audiences. He envisions performing his new music live, hoping to create joyful and engaging experiences for his fans.
[30:24] Charles Kelley: "I'm excited about performing these new songs and sharing them with a packed house. It's such a fun set of music that even during rehearsals, I couldn't stop dancing."
Charles also reflects on embracing vulnerability and the freedom to fail, which allows him to explore his creativity without the constraints often imposed by group dynamics in Lady A.
In a heartfelt segment, Charles offers advice to his younger self, emphasizing the importance of learning musical instruments and enjoying the journey.
[32:20] Charles Kelley: "Learn how to play piano. Enjoy the journey and remind yourself that you get to do what you love."
This advice underscores the significance of continuous learning and maintaining passion throughout one's career.
Sarah Harrelson concludes the interview by congratulating Charles on his new album and expressing gratitude for his continued contribution to music.
[33:23] Sarah Harrelson: "Congratulations on this chapter, 'Songs for a New Moon,' and thanks for all the great music you continue to give us, my friend."
Charles reciprocates the appreciation, setting a positive tone for the closure of the episode.
[33:37] Charles Kelley: "Thank you, Buzz. Appreciate you, buddy."
The episode "Charles Kelley: New Moons, New Beginnings" offers a comprehensive look into Charles Kelley's life, both personal and professional. From his early influences and the formation of Lady A to his transformative journey towards sobriety and his adventurous solo career, Charles presents a narrative of growth, resilience, and creative exploration. His latest work, "Songs for a New Moon," embodies his quest for fresh beginnings and authenticity, making this episode a must-listen for fans and those interested in the profound journeys behind successful artists.
Notable Quotes:
Charles Kelley (08:55): "It was chaos. My mom loved R&B, my dad loved country, and my older siblings brought home everything from Dave Matthews Band to Nirvana and Led Zeppelin."
Charles Kelley (10:00): "I remember sitting in my room, playing that Fleetwood Mac record over and over. It was the one that was just blowing my mind."
Charles Kelley (17:08): "Writing with guys like Josh Kear brought out something different in me. There were no rules; I didn't have to make a country record."
Charles Kelley (24:51): "Recovery brought a sense of gratitude. I'm celebrating the little wins and enjoying the journey in a way I hadn’t before."
Charles Kelley (27:09): "I realize that it's not the end all be all, and it should be fun."
Charles Kelley (30:24): "I'm excited about performing these new songs and sharing them with a packed house. It's such a fun set of music that even during rehearsals, I couldn't stop dancing."
Charles Kelley (32:20): "Learn how to play piano. Enjoy the journey and remind yourself that you get to do what you love."
This summary encapsulates the essence of the podcast episode, providing listeners with a detailed overview of Charles Kelley's insights, experiences, and aspirations, enriched with direct quotes and timestamps for reference.