- Name: Brinley Aaron Addington
- Hometown: Kingsport, TN
- Dream Collaboration: Vince Gill or Alison Krauss
- Current Favorite Song: I absolutely love sad songs, so I’m going with Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End.” It’s such an honest, well written song, and the melody kills me.
- Favorite Quote: “Anything worth having is worth working for.”
- Describe Your Music in 3 Words: Country damn music!
You just released your debut EP, “Songs From A Bar,” (Congratulations!) Could you tell us a bit about the songs on this EP and how it all came together? We started working on this project about a year ago, and honestly didn’t intend to do a “theme” project; but, while we were sifting through songs, we found that our favorites were the honky-tonky, bar-themed songs. I just wanted to make a record that was fun to listen to – and was kind of a throwback to the country music I grew up on in the 90’s – and from that, “Songs From A Bar” was born.
Your debut single “No Thanks,” was released just before the EP, how did you decide to release this song first and what is the story behind it? “No Thanks” is one of the songs I didn’t write on the EP, but I knew the second I heard it that I had to cut it. It’s just pure fun to listen to, and I love what it says. I’m not big on going to clubs or fancy places to get a drink; I’d rather just go to a bar, grab a Miller Lite, and listen to country music. We just felt like this song was a great introduction to me and this new music.
You’ve worked with an immense amount of country artists on songwriting projects, what would you say are some of the most memorable or meaningful songs and collaborations that you’ve been a part of? I’ve had a lot of opportunities that I can’t believe have happened – “pinch me” moments. But, the most meaningful songs I’ve been a part of are songs I’ve written with my friends. Guys and girls that I’ve known since I moved to Nashville, that you share history with and communicate on a different level with, those are my favorites.
Could you tell us a bit about your songwriting process? I feel like writing a song is different for me every time. Sometimes it starts with a lyric. Sometimes it starts with a melody. Sometimes it comes from a real place – or something that happened to me, or someone I know – and sometimes it’s just, “Hey… that sounds like a good idea.” I love not knowing where the idea is going to come from and how the song is going to begin. Keeps things interesting.
Do you remember the first song you ever wrote? Yes! It was a song called “Don’t Walk On Me” and it’s absolutely terrible. Ha! My friends back home still yell for it when I play in town.
What’s next on the horizon for you in 2018? We’re gearing up to play some shows in the near future and will hopefully start recording some more new music here soon as well. Going to be a fun year!
We always like to end off with our favorite quote: “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” Part of me wants to say “Be a NASCAR driver,” but honestly, I’d probably just keep doing what I’m doing. Writing and singing country songs – that’s really all I’ve ever wanted to do.
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