Dale LePage: On the Downbeat with Country Musician Houston Bernard
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Dale LePage, GoLocalWorcester Music Contributor
They say there are no fans like country music fans, and Houston Bernard has certainly assembled a lot of them along his music journey throughout New England and New York.
When I interviewed Houston Bernard, he was fresh off his high from auditioning for television mega show, America’s Got Talent, and had just received a call from the show to make an appointment for a second audition.
This was not Houston’s first brush with fame. Early in his career one of his songs was in heavy rotation on MTV and Logo, as well and being included in magazines and documentaries with artists like the Beastie Boys, Terry Richardson, Nancy Sinatra, Scissor Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, and Peaches.
How much of your shows today is your own material?
I used to only perform my own music, but I find that playing music people already know in between my original music is always a good idea. We are in the studio now working on my 5th solo album of Original music.
Can you tell me about your band?
The Houston Bernard Band is made up of 6 players. Sam Crawford Lead Guitar and vocals; Ben Blanchard, Keys and vocals; Jameson Stewart, Bass; Patrick Dalton, Drums and vocals; Karen Sarkisian, Steel Guitar and sometimes fiddle player; and guest players. These guys are pro and its a privilege to be able to play with them.
When did you know music was your passion?
My uncle and father were known as the Rebel Brothers and were a staple in the Nashville and OKC country music scenes in the 1970s. They played back-up for artists such as Tanya Tucker, Dave Dudley, Wanda Jackson and Sleepy LaBeef, regularly crossing paths and swapping stories with the likes of Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, Kiss and Willie Nelson. Johnny Bernard (uncle) has written songs for many country artists in Nashville including Reba McEntire.
You describe yourself as having an outlaw sprit. Can you tell me what that means to you?
My Great Grandfather was the famous gunfighter George 'Bittercreek' Newcomb, a famous outlaw (captured in the Time-Life 'Gunfighters' book) who ran with the Dalton, James and Doolan gangs and a was Most Wanted man in the 1890s. It's this outlaw spirit that I carry with me to every show.
Find out more about Houston Bernard: http://www.houstonbernard.com/
Dale LePage is host of the television show, WooTube on Charter TV3, and a three-time winner of the Central Massachusetts Entertainer of the Year Award from Worcester Living Magazine. See more from Dale Lepage by visiting www.DaleLepage.com.
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