Thank you for talking with us and congrats on your new album, Don't Stop! What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about pursuing a career in music? Get used to "no." Don't fear it, it's just a word. Let it motivate you. Jeff Smith (co-writer and producer) told me that.
Who have been some of your biggest musical influences growing up and do the same artists currently continue to influence you now? Lynyrd Skynyrd and KISS were the big two growing up and yes they both still influence me. I have a side gig as Ace Frehley in a KISS tribute band called KISS AMERICA, so KISS is still a very big influence on me. Not just the music, but the stage show and how they connect with their audience. On my new album, the last track "Mood" has an extended guitar solo at the end where both of those bands' influences shine through!
You recently released your new single, "Unwind," that you also co-wrote. Tell us about the writing process and where the idea came from. I wrote "Unwind" with Jeff Smith and Julie Wood. They are both SUPER talented. I try to soak up every second I spend with them, hang on every word, they're just fantastic! My wife came home from work one day right when COVID was really getting scary, and I could see that she'd had a really bad day. So I took it upon myself to help her relax, help her unwind. Jeff and I pretty much had the first verse and chorus but were stuck on the second verse, so Jeff ran into Julie, played her the song, and lucky for us she was into jumping on board to help us finish it. After that, it came together VERY quickly. It was a gift from the music gods!
Since every project has a story, what’s the story behind Don't Stop? Look....this is a tough business. There are TONS of people trying to do what I'm doing. The only thing I can control is the music. All I can do is keep putting music out. Lucky for me the writing and recording process is so much fun and during the shutdown, Jeff Smith and I bought some studio gear and figured out how to become completely self-contained. We write, record, produce, mix and master our own stuff now. So with all this time off from touring, we wrote songs. We started with "Miss Another Sunset" and before we knew it, we had an entire album. So that's where the album title came from. Just don't stop...keep putting out music because it's FUN!
Is there one song in particular you’re most excited about people hearing on Don't Stop? "Even" is my favorite song on the album. I also wrote that one with Jeff and Julie. I just love its feel, vibe and its message of "LOVE WINS."
Where is your favorite place to eat in your hometown? Mac and Bob's in Salem, VA.
Most memorable meal while touring. Where were you and what did it involve? I'm vegan, so I'm pretty limited while on the road but I really like Fushipoke in Sarasota, FL.
If I was a bartender, what would you order? Margarita.
If you could share a meal with any four individuals, living or dead, who would they be? My grandmother on my mom's side - I never met her and by all accounts, she was an extraordinary human. I would want my mother at this meal also. She's still living but I would love to be able to spend time with both her and my grandmother. Bob Lazar - because I'm fascinated by UFOs. Bear Grylls - His book "Facing Up: A Remarkable Journey to the Summit of Mt. Everest" is absolutely incredible!
Let's Talk Nashville:
Where's your favorite place to eat in Nashville? Jonathan's
Breakfast: Pancake Pantry
Lunch: Kalamatas in Green Hills
Dinner: Jonathan's
Nashville Hidden Restaurant Gem: Drake's in Cool Springs
Best place to relax with a beer and listen to music: Phil Vassar's back porch
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? Food - Blender Bombs. They're this amazing company in Charleston, SC that my sister turned me onto. They make these smoothie boosters in a bunch of different flavors that I blend into my smoothie. I use them EVERY DAY! Drink - Gatorade Zero......because I wanna be like Mike.
Website: https://adamrutledgemusic.com/
About Adam Rutledge: Adam Rutledge’s sleek, raw and soulful voice brings authenticity to his songwriting and performances. He has a knack for writing razor sharp stories that cut straight to the heart. That’s how he caught the attention of hit singer-songwriter and fellow Virginian, Phil Vassar, which opened doors for Rutledge to become Vassar’s opening act. Rutledge has also shared the stage with Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, LOCASH, Eli Young Band, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson, Tyler Farr and many more. In 2018 Rutledge released his EP, Runway, which featured seven songs "everyone can relate to brought to life with his warm, evocative voice and searing guitar (Deborah Evans Price, Billboard/Sounds Like Nashville)" and "storytelling that features clever turns of phrase (Sterling Whitaker, Taste of Country)." Rutledge's first full-length album, Don't Stop, is available now.