Never Forget Your Roots

           Picture a five-year-old boy riding around southern Mississippi in his Dad’s 1986 F-150 listening to the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Charlie Daniels, and Van Halen.  This is one of Derek Norsworthy’s first memories of music.  “Dad had this old blue cassette box that had an assortment of rock and country tapes in there, and I remember knowing at that point I wanted to be like the guys on the tapes,” said Norsworthy.

            The first step toward this goal was starting a band when he was fifteen.  With no designated singer, Norsworthy grabbed the mic for the first time.  “I had been writing songs for a couple years at that point, so it kind of felt right to learn to sing them in the band,” said Norsworthy.  The band stayed together through high school, recording two albums, playing shows, and building a local following.  After graduation the band split up.  “By this point I was completely ate up with playing music, and I knew it was what I was meant to do.  I pieced a band back together, started playing regional college towns, frat parties, and opening for a number of national acts,” said Norsworthy.  He did this all while going to college for a nursing degree. Despite doubts from his professors Norsworthy worked hard, stayed focused, graduated, and became a certified RN.

            Life after college started out much the same as high school.  The band fizzled out.  He decided to take a leap of faith and establish himself as a solo artist.  In 2014 he released his first solo EP, “Derek Norsworthy”.  Within the first eight hours of release, it debuted at number 165 on iTunes for total country sales.  He outsold artist such as, Chris Young, Will Hoge, and The Eli Young Band.  “The further I’ve so called ‘come’ in music, the more I’ve learned that it takes intense resilience, perseverance, determination, grit, and faith to become an established artist,” he said.

            To pay it forward, Norsworthy wanted to promote music education programs in schools, so he started the Roots Foundation.  “Where I’m from you either go to work at the plant or shipyard.  Music or art isn’t really thought of as a career.  That never set well with me.  I believe people should be empowered and given the opportunity to be whatever their heart desires,” said Norsworthy.  The Roots Foundation partnered with the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance to educate elementary school aged children in music.  They show the kids how to get started in music via seminars or personal instruction.

            The Roots Foundation works closely with special needs children in Mississippi.  To make sure no one who has an interest in music is left behind, the foundation helps raise money and provide entertainment for several special needs events.  “It’s amazing the impact that music has on people despite any condition, and I absolutely love the philanthropy as much as being on stage,” said Norsworthy.

            His career came full circle two years ago.  “I was around eight-years-old, and my dad’s band was playing a large festival.  I didn’t really get to go to many shows being so young, but he brought me to this one because it was a very kid friendly festival.  I got to sit beside him on the drum kit throughout the whole show and watched the crowd.  It was awesome!  I had the chance to headline the very same festival as a solo artist.  It was a surreal moment for me,” said Norsworthy.

            He has never wavered from his southern rock and country roots, remembering the songs that shaped him when he was young.  Those song’s music and lyrics inspired him as an artist.  “It seems great songs were being written back then and the most important thing to me is lyrics.  I feel that’s why I gravitate to and have been influenced by old country and southern rock,” said Norsworthy.

            Currently Norsworthy is in the studio with Grammy award winning producer Skidd Mills working on a new EP, which will be released this summer (look for a special guest singer on one of Norsworthy’s favorite tracks).  In support of the EP, he will be back touring this summer, booking CMA Fest for the first time, as well as participating in a Midwest tour.  “Every day is a blessing.  Getting to wake up and have a chance to inspire others amazes me more than anything.  I can’t wait to get back out and share the new music with everyone,” said Norsworthy.

Website: http://www.dereknorsworthy.com

Facebook: @dereknorsworthymusicpage
Twitter: @DerekNorsworthy

Check out my novella, now available for purchase!

Summary: In the summer of 1986, ten-year-old Evan Minor runs an errand for his mom down to the corner store.  There he sees Joe Scott, a World War II veteran, playing the guitar on the front porch.  Evan is mesmerized by the sound.  The next day Mr. Scott agrees to give Evan lessons.  Over the next ten years they develop a bond.  Evan confides to Mr. Scott about his strained relationship with his father and his desire to move to Nashville to become a singer.  By sharing stories about the war and country music Mr. Scott teaches Evan about life, love and music.  Is it enough to inspire Evan to follow his dreams?




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Finding a Balance

Jordan Covington, from Burlington, North Carolina, burst onto the country music scene in 2013 with his debut single, “Way Back”.  That same year he was asked to play at the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida whose line up also included; Toby Keith, Brantley Gilbert, and Brett Eldredge.  “One of the best feelings is when somebody tells you that they love your song(s).  I remember someone telling me that “Way Back” was the soundtrack to their life,” said Covington.

Since then he’s had the opportunity to open for Dustin Lynch, Confederate Railroad, and Kristian Bush of Sugarland.

                It wasn’t until college that Covington started singing publicly.  “I give credit to my roommate (at Appalachian State) for encouraging me to share my talent and believe that I was actually good at it.  Before then, I was pretty quiet and didn’t have much to say,” said Covington.  He went on to start a band, record a handful of songs, and travel the southeast playing bars, clubs, restaurants, and festivals.

                Covington’s songwriting process hasn’t changed much since he first started writing back in high school and college.  “I usually get my ideas while I’m driving and I’ll pull out my iPhone and record the melody or jot down some lyrics.  Once I have the idea and title I’ll sometimes story map the song and make sure it has three connected ideas that are all based around the title,” said Covington.  Growing up he went to a ton of concerts (such as Alan Jackson and George Strait) where he began to develop his own philosophy on performing and songwriting.  He goes on to explain,  “I recognize the platform these guys have and how it can be used to set a good example for people, but you’ve got to have the right songs to represent that, so I focus my songwriting around real life events and not as much fantasy stuff.  Of course not every song can be serious and true.  You have to have some fun and step out of the box every once in a while.”

                Balancing music and life’s obligations is Covington’s most difficult challenge.  In the last few years he’s gotten married, had his first baby, lost his band, changed jobs, bought a fixer upper house, and welcomed his second child.  “I’ve been trying to write new songs in between all of that and maintain communication with the audience I built over the last three years.  It seems like life has owned me in the last three years, but it’s turning me into the man I want to be and giving me the song ideas that I hope to write to inspire families, fathers working class people, etc.,”  said Covington.

                There is no doubt that music and songwriting remain a passion of Covington’s.  This year he’ll look to start a Kickstarter with the goal of recording a six song EP in Nashville.  He also wants to begin utilizing his YouTube channel to create weekly content.  “I’m really looking forward to my songwriting achieving that level of near-perfection that really moves people and leaves a mark on listeners,” said Covington.

Check out Jordan Covington on social media:

• Facebook: @JordanCovingtonMusic
• Twitter: @ JCOVMUSIC
• YouTube: Jordan Covington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kristen's current novella is available for purchase through PayPal

Summary: In the summer of 1986, ten-year-old Evan Minor runs an errand for his mom down to the corner store.  There he sees Joe Scott, a World War II veteran, playing the guitar on the front porch.  Evan is mesmerized by the sound.  The next day Mr. Scott agrees to give Evan lessons.  Over the next ten years they develop a bond.  Evan confides to Mr. Scott about his strained relationship with his father and his desire to move to Nashville to become a singer.  By sharing stories about the war and country music Mr. Scott teaches Evan about life, love and music.  Is it enough to inspire Evan to follow his dreams?






 I will send the book to you in the mail after purchase.
Thank you for your support!