Ep.323 – Unpacking the Power of Music with Zach McKenzie
Transcript
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Speaker C:That's right, James. Go to bonescoffee.com to kickstart your new coffee addiction and use the code musicspeaks for 10% off today. If you're anything like me, free time is limited. So things like yard work are just not doable. And if you're also like me, you don't even own a lawnmower. That is why all above landscaping is the right choice. All above includes a variety of options when it comes to your landscaping needs lawn installation design, irrigation, debris removal maintenance, and much more. If you're in the city of Sumter and you're looking for reliable service at a friendly price, give all above landscaping a call today. It's 803-464-7414 mention that you heard this ad on this podcast and you'll get a special discount on your first service. Again, that's 803-464-7414 call all above landscaping today. Like so many of you, we battle depression through life's ups and downs.
Speaker B:Music has always been the one thing we could rely on to get us through the tough times we all face.
Speaker A:Follow us on our journey as we discuss the healing power of music, share our stories through songs and lyrics, interview.
Speaker C:Musicians and other artists, break down genres.
Speaker A:Deep dive into band biographies, and much, much more.
Speaker B:This is the Widower tale music speaks podcast with Blake Moseley, James Tufts, and Amanda Dolan.
Speaker C:Like so many of you, we battle depression through life's ups and downs.
Speaker B:Music has always been the one thing we could rely on to get us through the tough times we all faced.
Speaker A:Follow us on our journey as we discuss the healing power of music, share our stories through songs and lyrics, interview.
Speaker C:Musicians and other artists, break down joggers.
Speaker A:Deep dive into band biographies, and much, much more.
Speaker B:This is the Woodworth Music speaks podcast.
Speaker C:With Blake Mosley, James Tufts, and Amanda Dolan.
Speaker B:Hey, everybody. Welcome back to Wyndham. Words Fail Music speaks podcast, the podcast where we fight depression with the power of music. I'm your professional handicap host, James Cox, and I got another great interview today. I want to. I want to tell you about it first before we have him on. His name is Zach McKinsey. Did I say that right? Yes, Zack McKenzie. All right. Because sometimes I'm not the best speller and I'm not the best, uh, speaker also. But I'm. But I'm learning, you know?
Speaker D:Oh, you're good.
Speaker B:So Zach McKinsey, the talented winner of 2012 Arkansas American Idol, just released his latest single, the day that I found you, which is great song. Everybody needs to check it out. Now. Pause this. Check it out. Come back. You know it's all good. You know. He released it on March 29, 2024. So he just released it. This soulful and heartfelt track showcases McKenzie's powerful vocals and emotive songwriting, promising to captivate listeners with its raw emotion and relatable lyrics. Born in 1987 in playing Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Zachary Wayne McKenzie discovered his passion for music at a young age. Thanks to his family regular church attendance, he further honed his musical talents by participating in the high school choir before graduating in 2005. Following the brief stint at Bible College, McKenzie decided to pursue his a career in music, a decision that would ultimately lead him to the spotlight. After winning the American Idol in Arkansas in 2012, McKenzie auditioned for a twelve season of American Idol where judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban Unetus voted to send to Hollywood. Although he was home during the group stage, McKinsey's talent and passion for the music continued to shine. Zach, what's going on, man?
Speaker D:Not a whole lot. James, how are you?
Speaker B:All right, good, good. That is a lot of. A lot of information that I know. So you are in Arkansas right now, right? Or are you located somewhere else?
Speaker D:I live in Conway, Arkansas at the moment, so.
Speaker B:So how is the music scene over there in Arkansas? Okay.
Speaker D:It's not bad. It's pretty good. There's a lot of restaurants, there's a lot of small music venues. There's a lot of bars that have live music and different genres. It's pretty good in the. In the little rock metropolitan area, I.
Speaker B:Hear it's like the smaller version of Nashville. Is that true?
Speaker D:If that's the case, much smaller version of mad? Yes.
Speaker B:Well, it's. It has its moments too, you know?
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah. So, uh. So, okay, so I listen to the new song of yours and Angel Wings. Right? Angel Wings, by far is my favorite, but my favorite song of all time you've written so far. Um, there's a lot of genre categories that one can fit in, right?
Speaker D:Yes.
Speaker B:So. So in the bio, irish country, soul and gospel. Right, but I feel like you don't fit in one category. You fit in multiple categories. Do you feel like that's. That's correct or do you feel like you fit in one more than the other?
Speaker D:Honestly, I think that's. I think that's correct, because I love all kinds of music. There's not. There's not a specific genre that I just. I said that's the one I got to be in because I love country with all my heart. I love gospel with all of my heart. I love classic Motown music. I even like some swing music. There's some booble and spring Sinatra. Like, I just. I like to listen to all different kinds of music. And I think the music I come out with really reflects that. That I. That I'm. That I'm very open minded when it comes to the genre.
Speaker B:Yeah. Yeah. Cuz I. Okay, so I'm back in high school, I was a religious heavy metal fan. Right.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker B:I used to listen nothing, but I got, you know, and then as I grew up, I listened everything but comes. So I was raised on country. Country is my number one genre.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:But if it wasn't country, it would be Motown. Um, what, what would be considered your ultimately favorite genre of all time?
Speaker D:My favorite genre of all time? That is very hard to answer. Uh, because I think, I think it depends on the day, really. Because if I'm having a good day and I'm in a good mood, I want to listen to Motown. If I, if I'm dry, you know, it's the kind of music you just want to listen to with the top down and just big smile on your face. If you're in a bad mood, Motown has a way of putting you in a good mood. So for those reasons, I guess classic r and B would be my favorite to listen to. But in all honesty, I equally love country music. And I love, I love Johnny Cash. I love Loretta Lynn. I love Hank Williams senior. I think some of the best songwriting is in country music. And I even like a lot of the newer, newer country music. I don't really, I don't really have a preference in terms of timeline. I like, I really, I really, really do like it all. That's an honest answer.
Speaker B:I am going to agree with you that country is, like, by far, besides Motown, of course, it's my favorite genre because it has more of a storytelling aspect that you don't find in other genres.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Because country is so true to the soul.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:I mean, I mean, they grabbed me from the, from day one. Is that, is that what you think too? Or like, do you, do you agree that country is going away from storytelling now? Because we used to be, Johnny Cash had had a. Yeah. Album called, um, ride that train where there was twelve songs about, about. And there was a concept about going to, going to a receipt in train.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Real storytelling. Do you find that true now or do you find it like country's going away from storytelling right now?
Speaker D:I think, I think there's a part of it that might be, but I think there's a lot of country music that still exists today that's being put on the radio today that is still, still telling great stories. I mean, I think till you can't by Cody Johnson tells a really good story. I think that, I think a lot of Scottie McCreary's songs are good storytelling songs and, you know, much like Motown music, I think country music has kind of come into the feel good aspect of things that, that there's a lot of music out there that might not necessarily be telling a story the way Johnny Cash would have, but it's still very much country, and it's still. It feels good. So I would say that some of it is moving away from that.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:But at the same time, I don't think it's completely abandoned either. I think that there's still a lot of artists and a lot of good songs that are, that are telling a really heartfelt story in the country genre even today.
Speaker B:Right. Well, two artists that could just come to mind between storytelling now it's Chris Stapleton and combs.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:I find it, like, fantastic, you know?
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:So, yeah. So let's go all the way back to your childhood days.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Do you remember your first memory of hearing music for the first time?
Speaker D:I can't say that I remember when I heard music for the first time, there wasn't a moment where I'm like, oh, that's music. But there is. The big picture would be that I grew up in the church, and we had a very, very, very strong music department. In our church, we did mostly southern gospel. We had a choir, and that was really my roots. But I will say there was a moment that I do remember when I was probably about eight or nine years old, we rented the movie my girlfriend, Dan Aykroyd, Jimmy Lee Curtis, that. That movie. Macaulay Culkin.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:And at the end of the that movie, during the credits, they actually played the song my girl by the Temptations. And that was the first time I had heard that song. And I remember rewinding the tape. It was taped back then, rewinding the tape. I don't know how many times, a hundred times, because I wanted to hear the song.
Speaker B:Yeah, yeah.
Speaker D:Over and over and over and over and over and over and over. Because it's, it like we talked about Motown music feeling really good. It was such a feel good song. It was such a. I mean, it's the kind of music you want to listen to on a sunny day, blue skies, you know, where you're feeling good and free. You want to listen to that kind of music. And the song I just come out with, I feel like, really reflects that. So I don't remember the moment I heard music for the first time, but I remember the moment I heard something that caught my attention that's like, you know, maybe an eight or nine, eight year old or a nine year old might not know what his future is gonna look like.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker D:But you know that this song is gonna have something to do with it. I know it's strange, but, like, yeah, that's. That was. That's the best way to describe it, in my opinion.
Speaker B:So by hearing that song, I know you probably didn't know it then, but in the back of your mind, did you ultimately want to become a musician because of that one song?
Speaker D:I would say that that definitely played a huge part of it. It wasn't. It wasn't the ultimate, you know, like I said, at eight years old, I didn't decide, but I would say that that kind of song. That song definitely played a part. And as I got to be a teenager and into my early twenties, there were other artists and specific songs and specific moments that kind of played a role into all that.
Speaker B:Right. So we learned, indeed, by you and people who know you. You won the american idol in Arkansas.
Speaker D:Yeah, it was called Arkansas Idol. It was a competition in Rogers, Arkansas. A couple hundred people auditioned, and somehow I ended up winning because of that. I got to go sing for the. I got to go to the. From the line at American Idol that season.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah. Cuz I. If. If you can just. Cuz cuz I think you're the first person who interviewed has been on American Idol. So, you know, so this is very interesting to me. So if. If you don't mind, can you take us through the whole day or over, like, what's the span of, like, a week or something? Because I know they have to freak.
Speaker D:Out, you know, actually, the entire experience was a span of about three or four months.
Speaker B:Really?
Speaker D:Yeah, because I went and tried out in Oklahoma City after I won Arkansas Idol and got past the first round and.
Speaker B:Right.
Speaker D:I went through three or four different things. I had to come back home and go back to Oklahoma City. Come back home, go back to Oklahoma City to three or four times before I even met the judges did the celebrity judges. Right. And that was a. That was a three day thing. I think. I think we got there, and they filmed a lot of stuff of us waiting in the tents. That was a two day thing. And then the next day, the judges were there, and. And everyone that had made it to that point got to sing for the judges, and then another couple of months passed, and I finally got to go to Hollywood. I got my golden ticket. Right. Then I went to Hollywood week, and I was there three or four days. I think. I think they did the first round and they made it through, and then they did the group rounds, and that's where I went home.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:So. So it's not like, well, I know they have the. Okay, so which judge? I took you by supply price, because we see these high class celebrities on tv. They're doing wild things. Right. So which. Which judge really surprised you that he or she was, like, the nicest person ever made?
Speaker D:This might surprise some people.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:Nicki Minaj.
Speaker B:Really?
Speaker D:Yes. My experience, Nicki Minaj was super sweet and super nice. Now I see how she is on tv. And so, you know, who am I? I can't judge anybody, but, yeah, my experience of actually being there and seeing her and in person, she was super sweet to me, and they all were really, though, nobody was. Was mean. But I just, you know, she seemed to be the one, because she was the first one that showed up in Hollywood week. We were all in the theater, and she was the first judge to show up. And she was talking to everybody and asking, like, everybody as a whole, like, how's everybody doing? We. She said that. She said that she had watched everyone's audition the night before so that we would be fresh in our, in our mind. So, yeah, you know, that was. I would say that she was probably the. The nicest judge, but they were all. They were all for really, really cool.
Speaker B:Yeah. So we found out that they sent you home, but that does not mean that. That you stopped doing music comes. I'm sure you got opportunities to watch who playing, uh, venues for different art, for different stuff after you got off, right?
Speaker D:Yes. Uh, ended up going to Nashville for about three years.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:And played out there full time. And, of course I did. I've never really had an issue being back home, coming off of American Idol, and coming back home from Nashville play. Usually, I usually just get on the phone and get on the emails, and I try to play as often as I can. I do this for a living. This is full time for me. So.
Speaker B:I'm actually reading that you are. You became a director in 2022. You directed a short, like, like a, like a short movie.
Speaker D:I did.
Speaker B:Okay. So. So did you always want to try after the music or, like, music was one and only thing? I mean, like, like, like, how did you. How did you directing come about?
Speaker D:Well, I've always loved movies. I said, you know, kind of time together with the story I told earlier. We rented my girl as a kid, I was. I was obsessed with movies. I still am. I'm a film buff, and I've got my favorite directors, my favorite actors. I've got my favorite movies, and I. Part of my creativity, sometimes it comes in the form of writing a song and then other times I feel like this would make a good movie. So I write a movie, you know, I write a script instead. And it was always something I just wanted to try. I would say music is my day job and probably always will be. And that was when I really got out on my own and started pursuing music or started, you know, making a life plan. It was music, right? Still is, but I want to make a little room for that. And, you know, all I've done right now is make a short film, but I've got a lot of ideas, and I've got some plans for the future. But I will say that music is probably gonna be my day job. Yeah.
Speaker B:Right? Yes, always. Every. Yeah. So for anybody who wants to. Well, okay, so destroyer film is. Is on anywhere because it's a Jordan road. Is it? Is this a title for anybody who wants to go out there?
Speaker D:And, yes, it's called Jonette Road, and we're looking to put it into the film festival circuit, hopefully this summer. That's the plan. It's not available yet, because I believe there's some rules that you can't. You can't enter it if it's available.
Speaker B:So, yeah, they're. They're always so picky about that kind of stuff, you know, who knows? You know? So. Dilemma, you know? So.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Okay, so playing in Nashville. We'll play now. What is your favorite live performance memory, and how do you prepare for a show?
Speaker D:What is my favorite live performance memory? That's a good question.
Speaker B:Because I know you played a lot in Nashville and Arkansas, and.
Speaker D:I got the opportunity, uh, in a group I was in to open for Josh Turner nice. A couple of years ago, and, uh, there was a lot of people there. It was in hot springs, Arkansas. And, uh, just the energy of that. That crowd and getting to perform in that kind of, uh, venue for that kind of crowd, I thought, boy, I could get used to this. Really fun. Of course. Of course. My mind went, don't get too excited. Next week you're gonna be back in the. In the boat.
Speaker B:No.
Speaker D:Yeah, no, that was probably my favorite. That's probably been. That. That's definitely one of my favorites. If I really had time to think about it, I'd probably think of a few more. But, you know, I don't really have, like, a ritual preparing for a show. I just usually just say a little prayer and just go on. And this doesn't matter if this is in front of a big crowd, opening for a big name, or if this is me just with my guitar, playing for a restaurant. I usually just say a little prayer. I hope this goes well, you know, because you never know what's going to happen being an independent artist. You're not going to be everyone's cup of tea. You know, everyone's got their stories, but that's really it, to say a little prayer and then go do my thing.
Speaker B:So. So I. Well, I guess you say you're like. Like, we like to talk about mental health on this. On this podcast tremendously. And how. And how depression can. Can. Music can have an effect on medic. On depression. And I guess. I guess you. Well, you just said. You said a prayer for the show. Before you go on, do you listen to any kind of music, like, way before I'm getting on to get your juices flowing?
Speaker D:I mean, before I go on. Before I go.
Speaker B:Yes, sometimes.
Speaker D:Yeah, sometimes I'll. I need to get in the right frame of mind. And usually my biggest anxiety is, is that something's gonna happen that's not supposed to happen. I'm gonna. I'm gonna not hear myself and I'm gonna be off key or. Or there's gonna be a frog in my throat right before the big note. I'm not gonna hit it or something. My biggest anxiety is that something's gonna go wrong. And, like, I, you know, I grew up in church. I'm very open about that. So, you know, that. That's really the reason for the prayers that I hope nothing. Nothing really goes wrong. But sometimes I do have to listen to some music, you know, my personal favorites, like being Motown.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:I like. I like to listen to some old rascal flats. I like to listen to some Gavin Degraw just. Just to put myself in the frame of mind that I, you know, that I feel like I need to be in.
Speaker B:Well, speaking of a lot of cool country artists in the past, I'm going to ask you this because I'm always generally curious. Who would you consider to be the king of country music? Male and female equipment, king and queen?
Speaker D:I think 100%. Loretta Lynn is the queen of country music.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:I. George Strait is the one who actually has the title. Like, he's known as the king of.
Speaker B:Country, but that is. Yes, that's the main answer.
Speaker D:Disagree with that, I think. But I think there's definitely some others that might be in that conversation, you know, like maybe.
Speaker B:Yeah, or maybe. Maybe. Well, I don't consider cars Brooks to be anything like, you know, prince or something. Maybe Clinton black. I don't know. Maybe Dwight Yocomb. Yeah, I don't know. But they're, they're definitely not kings, but they're. But they're up there, you know?
Speaker D:Yeah. Well, I have. I have what's called a Mount Rushmore country music.
Speaker B:Okay. Yeah. Cuz. Cuz I was asking.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Yeah. Okay. So now that we said that, who is your for? If. If you could do Mount Rushmore, and.
Speaker D:I have reasons for all four, please.
Speaker B:Give it to us. Yes.
Speaker D:I think Hank Williams Sr. Belongs on there because he is the one who. He didn't create country music, but he brought it to a mainstream audience. I think Loretta Lynn belongs on there because she opened up doors for women in country music, and she really changed up the game. She was one of the first ones to use drums, really, in her live performance, and, and she was really kind of the first edgy songwriter, so definitely her, I think Johnny Cash, because Johnny Cash crossed over. He was the first country artist to cross over and into multiple. He brought eyes to country music that weren't listening. He was the first to do that. And fourth, people might disagree, but I'm gonna say the fourth one is gonna be Garth Brooks, because he was the first one to take country music to an international audience.
Speaker B:Yeah. So that's fair to say, because he was huge in the nineties.
Speaker D:He was. So those are my four, and I have. I feel like those are good reasons and.
Speaker B:And those are great, great musicians to have the four. Yeah. So, yeah. So thank you for that. Um, now, when you are on tour, um, what has been the most challenging aspect of your musical career so far, and how do you overcome them?
Speaker D:Uh, well, I don't tour really too much because right now, a lot of my. A lot of my shows are at home. But I would say it, you know, there have been times I have been out on the road and, you know, I get homesick. I love. There's no place like home. I like being in my own bed. I like. I like. I like being. There's no place like home. So there's. There's probably the biggest obstacle right there. And. But I don't really tour too much, if I'm being honest with you. I don't. I don't go on the road, not like I used to. I'm typically just playing local residencies. I have. I have a show every Sunday, a show every Tuesday. But I will say, one obstacle I will say is sometimes it is difficult to keep the schedule busy because you never know. Anything in the music business can happen. Gigs can get canceled, and unlike other jobs, if you don't go to the gig, you don't get paid. So, you know, when I was a kid, I really liked snow days because I didn't mean I didn't have to go to school. But now, as an adult, I don't like snow days because it showed this year in Arkansas for about three days, and I had to miss a gig. And I'm like, oh, I hate that. I don't want. Because it's like, I'm not on salary, so if I don't go to the gig, I don't get paid. So that's probably the biggest, biggest obstacle. But I have been very blessed with.
Speaker B:With.
Speaker D:With some gigs that I have and to be able to make a living.
Speaker B:When you did go on, go, um, the Nashville and I had a bottles all those venues, and so was there one that was really, really. You're, like, rowdy. Like, you couldn't, like, stand being in there.
Speaker D:Couldn't say. Well, I wouldn't. I don't want to say in particular if there was one. I'm not really big on the super late night crowd. I will say that my fiance and I went to Nashville to record the single that just come out beginning of the year. And we did go to downtown Broadway for New Year's Eve.
Speaker B:Nice.
Speaker D:And I realized in that moment that I have gotten old, because you couldn't move in any of these places. I mean, it was. It was impossible to get close to the stage, and it just. It just really wasn't like I. It wasn't like I remembered it. I was like, I remember this being a lot more fun when I was 25 years old, so. Yeah.
Speaker B:Cool, cool. So I wanted to dive. Dive deep into two songs we mentioned before, angel Winks and the day I found you.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker B:And I think that these are person songs from your personal experiences. Am I correct, or am I not like you?
Speaker D:You are. You are very correct. Yes, sir.
Speaker B:Okay. Okay, okay. Um, yeah, so can you. Can you explain to me angels wings? Because I really, really love that song to death.
Speaker D:Thank you so much. I'm glad you like it. That one. You went back in time with that one?
Speaker B:Nine years. Yes, sir.
Speaker D:I was single at the time. I wrote that, and that was really about this idea. I'm also a screen. I write screenwrite, so my mind always kind of goes, how would this play out in a movie? And in my mind, where I kind of had this idea of this love story, and it's a fictional love story about a guy who. Kind of a guy in my position, who's really just a musician, but if he was to be with somebody better than him, somebody that, somebody he doesn't feel like he deserves, somebody that's got their life together and he doesn't have it figured out. But she loves him anyway. So he's telling her, you know, you won't say goodbye, you won't leave, but you can do better. And in the course, let me hold on then. Let. If that's the case, then let me hold on to your angel wings while you're flying, because I can't fly, but you can. So let me hold on to you while you're flying so that I can fly, too. And that's. That's the idea of the song. And what's interesting is I feel that way about the woman I'm with now. And I wrote this song years before I met. I feel like she is somebody who's got a great head on her shoulders, and she knows. She knows what she wants out of life, both personal and with career. And sometimes I don't always feel that way about myself. And she's my rock. And, you know, there's so many moments I feel like I'm holding on to her angel wings while she's flying. And, you know, she's. She's gracious enough to let me fly with her, even though I can't fly myself. That. That's the whole idea of that song.
Speaker B:Right. Nice. Well, I guess the day I found you is. Is about her fiance, right?
Speaker D:It is a. It is 100% about her, yes.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:Yes.
Speaker B:So I saw, I guess. Yeah. So I guess both songs are very, very, like, personal for you more than any other song, correct?
Speaker D:Yeah. And it's interesting because a lot of personal songs, I would say that I write a lot of them myself, but there. There's these particular. These two in particular that you're talking about, I wrote myself, but there is a lot of songs that I would still say are personal, that I co work with people. You know, there might have been something missing, like a bridge or something, and it came together. But the day that I found you is just a description of how it feels to finally have this thing that maybe you kind of gave up looking for.
Speaker B:So you.
Speaker D:You weren't looking anymore and then you found it.
Speaker B:Yeah, well, I'm still looking to find her somewhere, you know, but, um, it's okay. So a lot of people don't like sharing their personal songs, and I'm. And I know that you're a writer and you must have, like, 50,000 songs already that you're written. Is there when, when you're coming up with album. Uh, has there been some songs like, like, I'm not ready to share this one with the world just yet. Maybe in the next album or.
Speaker D:I don't think I've ever quite felt that way. Okay. Honest. Usually if I write something and it's super, it, if I feel really good about it, yeah, I want to go ahead and get it out. But to me, it all comes down to the song. If it's, if it's strong or not even, you know, there's times I write songs and I think it's the next big hit. Yeah, sleep on it, listen to it the next day and, wow, that really isn't very good at all. Why did I think that was good? Why did I write that?
Speaker B:Right?
Speaker D:Yeah, I wouldn't release it like, well, I don't think it's that good, so I think I could do better.
Speaker B:Well, as a writer, I'm sure you, you've, you've over thought some songs too. And some songs do you give him to somebody and they're like, oh, this really good? Like, nah, I don't think so. Has that ever happened to you? I mean, it's like, it has.
Speaker D:And one interesting thing is, you know, they say artists subjective, right? So there's times I've written a song and someone heard it and they, it, to them, it took on a whole different meaning right, from what I was thinking when I wrote it, they took it a different way. And that, to me, you know, you talk about, this is a show dedicated to mental health and how music, you know, speaks. Music is powerful because I've written songs before with a completely different objective or mindset and someone heard it and thought, wow, that really speaks to me because of this. I'm like, wow, I wasn't even thinking of that when I wrote it. That to me, that, that tells you right there how powerful music can be. I would say my dad likes a couple of songs and my dad's one of my biggest fans that I don't really like. Songs that I wrote early on, like a long time ago that I don't think would work today at all. Why don't you do that one? I'm like, that songs horrible. It's not very good. He said it's one of my favorites and I appreciate it. But, yeah, to answer your question, that does happen. There's people that, that I don't think I did a really good job writing, but I still appreciate it.
Speaker B:Well, I mean, yeah, you're right. I mean, music in art is subjective. Um, I I wouldn't agree with your dad because just because you think it's not good doesn't mean that somebody else won't dig it the best, because, like. Like, each song has a different meaning for the individual, you know?
Speaker D:Right.
Speaker B:And that song might bring them out of their funk, bring them. Bring them back from some kind of horrible deal, you know? So I would say, you know. Right. Respectively respectfully think, you know, that you should maybe think about releasing one song and see if it works, you know? I don't know.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:You know, so maybe. I don't know. Yeah. All right. Just an idea, you know? Yeah.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:All right, so, um. So I have one last. One less question for you, and I. And I think it's the hardest question I've ever asked you so far, but we'll see, you know, this, you know, very, very quickly.
Speaker D:Okay.
Speaker B:Okay. So, an artist, album, or song that you can think of right now, but you can't tell me, your dad or your fiancee, how. How it makes you feel deep inside your soul.
Speaker D:So an album, an artist, or a song that I. That I haven't told anybody that you.
Speaker B:Can listen to, but you can't tell how. But you can't tell anybody how it makes you feel. Demon slide.
Speaker D:Oh, that is a really tough question.
Speaker B:I don't.
Speaker D:Yeah, so, I don't know that that is really, really tough because, like, there's. There's a ton of albums that have made me feel a ton of different ways. I can't really say that there's something that. I can't really say that there's something that makes me feel in a way that I can't share it. You know, like, there's no secrets or anything. But I. I would say one of my. One of my favorite groups was rascal flats, and they. They've recently broken up over the last couple of years, and. But I really liked what they did early on, and I would say that. Melt by rascal flats, that's an album.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:And the reason, again, there's no, like, real secret or anything that I can't tell anybody. It's just. There's an innocence to it that also reflects where I was at the time that album came out. I was in high school. Hadn't really experienced life yet. Things didn't get overly complicated. You know, as you grow up, certain things get complicated. Life happens. And that album came out during a time when, you know, before I had to worry about paying bills, before I had to worry about, you know, typical adult stuff. That we all deal with. So when I listen to that song now, that that album now, a little bit of that innocence kind of comes back a little bit, and it makes me feel. It makes me feel like a kid again. So, yeah. I don't know if that answers your.
Speaker B:Question, but that answered my question. Right. Because, I mean, you can't really express how mixed feeling. That's what I wanted, you know?
Speaker D:Yeah. That's the best way to put it. It's hard to put into words how.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:How it makes me feel. It's just, you know, we can't go back in time and be a kid again. But when I listen to that album, it kind of makes me smile because it makes me think of that time before things got complicated from life.
Speaker B:Yeah.
Speaker D:Growing up, you know? Yeah. So, yeah.
Speaker B:Cuz, uh, I think that as a. As a. Well, as a kid, you're like, nothing can. Can be better than right now. And then when you're adults, you're like, I want to go back as a kid. You know?
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:Can I not pay bills anymore then? You know? But, uh. Yeah, but, um. Yeah, um. Rascal fast is by far, like, one of my favorite country bands.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:And. And I'm. And I didn't know they broke up until, like, last year. Something. I'm like, oh, no.
Speaker D:Yeah, I've gone to see them. I saw them live when they were still together. And. Yeah, my fiance and I went to go see Gary, the lead singer. He's still tour. He's still touring, right? Yeah, we went to go see him in Oklahoma last summer, and he sings just as good as he ever did. He's great.
Speaker B:I wonder why they broke up. Did. Did. Did they publicly say why you broke up?
Speaker D:Yeah, from what I remember, it was just. I think they just felt like it was time to take a break and move on. I think they'll be back together.
Speaker B:Oh, yeah.
Speaker D:Well, I think we're gonna see a reunion.
Speaker B:Yeah. Yeah, reunions are the best ever. Yeah. Sometimes you'll see bands now coming back from, you know, 30 years ago, you know, but. Yeah, yeah, I don't know about kiss. Kiss might come back again, even though they're on their 45th retirement. It's like, you know, so. All right, so, um, do we have any new songs coming out in the future, in any album that your fans can.
Speaker D:Can, uh, yes, I'm gonna be following up. The day that I found you with a. Was an album.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker D:It's gonna be a country album. I'm gonna dig a little deep into my country roots on this one. I've already got some. I've already got some songs. One song in particular. I'm really excited about that. I think it's gonna be the next single. Yeah. Called don't dish it out if you can't take it is the name of the song.
Speaker B:There you go. There you go. Yeah, that's. That's perfect. And nowadays, people need to realize that.
Speaker D:Yeah.
Speaker B:That's awesome saying. So. Thank you for that. So you are on Facebook, Instagram, tick tock, all the other little fun stuff.
Speaker D:I've got a YouTube channel. You can catch my single on all the. All the platforms. It's on Spotify, YouTube, music. Yeah, you can follow me on Instagram and tick tock and Facebook.
Speaker B:Nice. Nice. Well, hopefully tick tock will be around until.
Speaker D:I hope we'll.
Speaker B:We're gonna see. So. Yes. So we honestly thank you for so much for coming on, and we hope you guys come back on anytime you want to.
Speaker D:Absolutely. Thank you for having me.
Speaker B:Yes, sir. And everybody out there listening, listen to the day that I found her is this new single. And go all the way back in time and listen to angel wings. Angel wings is by far, like, the best song I've ever heard so far.
Speaker D:Thank you. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Speaker B:Yeah, sure. So, for everybody listening out there, always remember, when words fail, music speaks. Bye, guys.
In today’s episode, sponsored by BetterHelp and in partnership with Bones Coffee Company and All Above Landscaping, our hosts Blake Mosley, James Todd, and Amanda Dolan dive deep into the therapeutic essence of music with the talented musician and filmmaker, Zach McKenzie. Main Themes:
- The Therapeutic Power of Music: Exploring the undeniable connection between music and mental well-being, this episode shines a light on how melodies can mend and words can heal.
- Zach McKenzie’s Musical Journey: Zach takes us on a journey through his eclectic musical influences, spanning various genres, and shares how country music’s narrative depth resonates with his soul. From an audition for American Idol to memorable interactions with celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Zach’s anecdotes offer a backstage pass to his life.
- Music as a Coping Mechanism: Delving into the anxieties that often accompany live performances, Zach discusses how music acts as a crucial coping mechanism, not only for artists on stage but also for individuals facing the challenges of daily life.
- The Challenges of Touring and Industry Uncertainties: The conversation takes a realistic turn as it addresses the not-so-glamorous aspects of the music industry, including the emotional toll of touring and the uncertainties looming over aspiring artists.
- Songwriting: A Personal and Subjective Process: Zach provides insight into his songwriting process, emphasizing the subjective nature of music creation and the personal stories that fuel his songs. This segment highlights how music serves as a canvas for both artists and listeners to project their experiences and emotions.
- The Nostalgic Impact of Music and Future Endeavors: Reflecting on the impact of a significant high school album, Zach and the hosts speculate on new country music releases and the exciting possibility of reuniting with former bandmates. Additionally, Zach shares his aspirations for focusing on his music career and submitting his work to film festivals.
Better Help: Thank you to our sponsor BetterHelp, you can use my link http://www.betterhelp.com/musicspeaks for 10% off your first month of therapy.
Bones Coffee: Get 10% any order on bonescoffee.com with code: MUSICSPEAKS
Website @ whenwordsfailmusicspeaks.com YouTube @ whenwordsfailmusicspeaks Facebook @ WWFMSPodcast Instagram @ when_words_fail_podcast Twitter @ WhenWordsFailMS)
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