‘Love Kickin’ In’ high-energy anthem
Adam Rutledge has a reputation for bringing contagious high energy to the stage that quickly cranks up the audience at his live shows. Adam has appeared with hot acts such as Brothers Osborn, Chris Janson, Eli Young Band, Cassadee Pope and Phil Vassar. In fact, Adam’s career is now managed by Phil Vassar (along with Amy Millslagle of i81 Entertainment).
He has a strong presence on social media with around 12,000 Instagram followers and thousands more on Facebook. Adam was in Nashville for CMA Fest 2018, playing at Music City Light Stage, Bridgestone Arena Plaza. He has a brand new EP, RUNWAY, that includes his new single, ‘Love Kickin’ In.’
Taking a few minutes away from the CMA Fest hustle and bustle, Adam sat down with me to catch up on what’s new with him.
This is one of a series of interviews that I conducted with rising singer/songwriters during CMA Fest to find out about their new music, their musical influences and their experience at CMA Fest.
Airfield serves as video backdrop
Preshias Harris: Tell us about what’s been going on with your career since you dropped your single.
Adam Rutledge: Yeah, so it’s been exciting! I’ve shot a music video for the single which we’re really excited about. It’ll be out in a few weeks. We shot it at an old, abandoned airport on a runway. It was a beautiful backdrop for the video. And I’m promoting another record coming out June 22nd.
PH: Tell me about any radio tours you’ve got planned.
AR: We’re in the process of planning radio tours right now.
PH: You’ve got a lot of wheels moving in your career. Which is the most exciting one?
AR: Being right here with you! No, it’s all so exciting. I can’t just pick one. There’s the new record, the video and working with so many talented people. I’m just one percent of all this! It’s everybody else that makes this all work for me. I’m just thankful for all the good people on my team.
PH: How long did it take you to get the songs for your CD?
AR: Some of them I’ve had written for years. Some of them I’d released on my own, years ago, and we went back and re-recorded and re-mixed them. And some of them were pitched to me and they are pretty new, so the songs span a large period of my life, actually.
PH: I’m going to ask you something that every artist hates when I ask it but I’m going to ask it anyway. What’s your favorite song on the album? Or a special one that means more to you personally?
‘Rub A Little Dirt On It’
AR: I’ve got two answers to that. My favorite song on the album is ‘Love Kickin’ In.’ It’s my current single and it’s a fun song. One that’s special to me is ‘Rub a Little Dirt On It.’ I met my wife in high school and the song is a bit about my wife and I, so that’s a song that hits home for me.
PH: Tell me about your home town and some of the music you were listening to growing up that has influenced your music today.
AR: Oh yeah. I’m from Salem, Virginia, and I grew up on Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kiss, the Marshall Tucker Band. Southern rock, classic rock stuff. I heard a live version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Free Bird’ and that’s why I picked up guitar. I heard that and I was, like, I just have to do that! My dad took me to see Kiss when I was a kid, and I saw that spectacle and I knew I had to be on stage. I had to do that!
A ‘ten year’ journey
PH: So many artists I talk to tell me it has taken them around ten years to find success; that Nashville is a ‘ten year town.’ How long have you been working on your career, singing, performing?
AR: I started this venture in 2008, 2009. So, yes, it’s been a ten year [journey].
PH: If you could put a movie title to your life, what would it be?
AR: That’s a tough one. There are so many things to do right now that I’m losing a little bit of enjoying the success. So, what would the title of that movie be?!
Maybe that movie title hasn’t been written yet. Meanwhile, catch Adam’s new single and EP, find his tour updates at his website and follow him on Facebook and Instagram
Note: I originally posted this story here on the European website for Country Music News International magazine and radio show.
Preshias Harrisis a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com