Thank you so much for chatting with us! What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about pursuing a career in music? Several successful music industry friends have said “ignore the hometown critics." There’s a whole world out there, and that’s where you will find your audience.
Looking back, what was the first album or “vinyl” you bought? I remember as a kid going to the record store with my mom and brother. I bought a Brother’s Johnson album that I had been hearing on the local AM soul radio station. It was produced by Quincy Jones, and had a stellar lineup of session players. Still have that record.
Where did you grow up and how has that influenced your style of music? Three out of the five band members in Once Great Estate are Southerners. There’s some Appalachian mountain influences, some Florida Southern Rock royalty, and a bunch or traditional blues, jazz, and bluegrass. That early Athens, Georgia scene was pretty influential as well.
What’s your advice for young artists trying to establish a name for themselves? Especially young females that may see you as a role model. Find your voice (not just as an artist but as a human) and be comfortable with who you are. Don’t follow trends. Pave your own way. If you’ve got something interesting to say, and a memorable way of saying it, people will notice.
What’s the story behind your album title? Our album title is “Even the Undertaker." Mark Twain had a saying, “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die, even the undertaker will be sorry”. That’s a great sentiment, to live such an exemplary life that even the undertaker will be sad to see you go.
Where is your favorite place to eat in your hometown? Our favorite restaurant is Cabo’s Bar and Grill. It’s a great longtime local spot with the owner’s old surfboards hanging from the ceiling. While we were recording our album during the pandemic, we got some takeout from there. We accidentally grabbed the wrong order, but didn’t notice until we got back to the studio. A few minutes later, one of the restaurant staff was at the studio door with our food. We hadn’t even called them, and were just going to eat whatever we had. That’s some great customer service.
Southerners know good cookin’. What should every Southern kitchen be stocked with? Must have boiled peanuts, and an old dog to pick up the floor droppings while you cook.
If I was a bartender, what would you order? I’ll take a Bourbon neat. Or an Old Fashioned.
What’s your favorite cooking show? There’s a couple great shows on the Vice Network. One is called “Bong Appetite," and the other is called “F**k, That’s Delicious."
If you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand, who would it be and why? This is a band that’s fueled by coffee. Sure, we love our whiskey, but coffee is a daily necessity. There’s a coffee company called Grounds & Hounds, and their motto is “Every cup helps a pup”. Twenty percent of their profits go to rescue groups working to help dogs in need. Everyone in the band has furry rescued family members, so it means a lot to us.
Website: oncegreatestate.com
Facebook: facebook.com/oncegreatestate
Instagram: @tracy_at_if
YouTube: youtube.com/user/tracyhorn007
