Everyone needs to go to Church at least once in their lifetime. Austin Church that is.
A feel-good musician with a folksy sound and a whimsical attitude, Church is back after a 20-year stint as a singer/songwriter/composer in the bustling music capital of Nashville, Tenn.
A collaborator on the song "Brand New Country Star" with Jimmy Buffett, Austin co-wrote the song under his given name, Vernon M. Arnold, in 1973.
I spoke with Church about his early encounter with Buffett and his music. So let's Shake, Rattle & Know: Austin Church.
SRK: How do you best describe your style of music?
Church: I would say it's Americana folk-country. It's alternative country music that is very singer-songwriter oriented. It goes outside of the box of traditional country music.
Although it maintains some elements of traditional country music, it also has some jazz elements to it. It has things you won't find in mainstream country music. I love jazz and paid tribute to jazz in a song I co-wrote called "Sh-Boon," which was recorded by Lyle Lovett. . . . That song also appears on my first CD, "Dreamin' Backwards."
SRK: You came from Nashville, a music hub, to Brevard County. What brought you here?
Church: My parents came into poor health, and I need to be home with them in their final days. After 20 years of being on the road and in Nashville, I needed to be back home.
I wouldn't change a thing either. I am not one of those artists so obsessed with the music scene that I couldn't get away from it.It was time to be with my folks. They supported me all my life and loved me unconditionally as my brothers have too, so it was the right thing to do. My heart told me, I needed to be here.
SRK: How did you have the opportunity to write a song with Buffett?
Church: I was a regular at a club in Athens, Ga., called The Last Resort. They had a lot of touring folk artists come through there, and one day Jimmy Buffett made his way through.
This was when he was just coming up and had the hit song "Come Monday" on the radio. He was just on his rise up. He had given up on Nashville, moved to Key West and started to make a name for himself with his laid-back style of music.
It was 1973, and he came through, and we just hit it off great. The club owner had us over for dinner and we just began talking about life on the road and how artists were acting at the time.
It was just me, Jimmy and a bottle of Jim Beam and I realized, "Wow, I'm writing a song with Jimmy Buffett." The song was "Brand New Country Star" and was recorded on one of his early albums.
SRK: Club owners seem to be looking more for cover artists than original artists these days. Is it hard to find routine gigs as an original artist?
Church: It's challenging. What I have to do is find libraries, concert venues or schools where people are more into the craft of writing. Occasionally you find clubs that are really into the singer/songwriting thing. You really have to beat the bushes to find a home for your music.
My music tends to be uplifting and is hopeful music, so a lot of churches provide me an opportunity to play. Folk Festivals are a great place for my style of music. You have to constantly re-invent yourself and find out what will entertain folks along the way.
Sometimes we add a lead guitar and snare drum and play as "Austin Church and the Keys." We adapt and have different variations to keep things lively.
SRK: What can you tell us about your new CD?
Church: It's called "Propitious Melange," which, loosely translated, means a mixture of good vibes. One song that I really hope goes worldwide is called "Pick Up a Guitar Instead of a Gun." It's meant for would-be gang members or others that thrive on violence, if we all just come to our senses and turned to music instead of violence.
If only our projectiles could be notes and not flying lead. I am proud of that song, because of its relevance in today's world. If we all were just jamming and strumming, we wouldn't be killing.
There is also a song called "Sad Celebrity Circus." It's a social commentary on everything from Britney Spears to the late Anna Nicole Smith and the pitfalls that can ensue by being a celebrity.
We live in a sea of "look at me" scenarios. It's an urge for people to realize there are great obscure places where happiness lives. It's a circus.
SRK: How much has the business changed since you first got started?
Church: The performing has changed a lot. There are fewer venues for an artist to play. Live music has changed to computerized tracks or karaoke artists. Club owners feel it is more reasonable or something.
When I started, that was unheard of. When an artist played, it was all live with a band. I guess technology changed the business. The business is more corporate now than ever before. Everyone has handlers that take care of wardrobe, makeup, fitness and everything that shapes and molds an artist into a creation.
You used to have to pick up a guitar and take off and work your way up. Now it seems bands are molded from the beginning, and if you are older than 20-something, you are beyond the pail or over the hill.
