Born and raised in The Golden State with music instilled in his genes, Stephen Styles combines classic country grit and southern rock attitude for his own niche – aka “Zero To Hillbilly” – in the music scene. His musical DNA comes from his father, Wayne Moore, who was the bassist for the ’60s musical group Nashville West (members went on to The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers). All these pieces influence Styles’ music of authenticity and unfiltered lyrics, and his fans love him for it. His high-energy on stage has open the doors to performing alongside Brantley Gilbert, Drew Baldridge, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Eric Paslay, Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Thompson Square and more.
We recently caught up with Styles to talk about his musical history, his latest single “Bar By Now” and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little about yourself?
SS: Yeah, for folks who may not know me yet, I’m Stephen Styles. I’m a country music artist/singer-songwriter, California Boy, born and raised.
Music’s in my DNA. It’s always been a big part of who I am. I grew up around it. My Pop was a musician. He was part of the house band for Bakerfield International Records, played Bass for Vern Gosdin, but most known for his Band Nashville West along with Clarence White, Gib Guilbeau, and Gene Parsons. Somewhere along the way I realized telling stories through song was what I was meant to do. I played in my first band at 12 years old. While it’s taking me longer than most to get to this point, I wanted to do it my way but often times couldn’t get out of my own way. Ha! I didn’t want to compromise or chase a trend.
I’ve spent a lot of time working trying to stay true to myself while chasing this dream. I have a song that I wrote called “Worth Every Penny” that’s says All the smiles I didn’t fake and all the deals I didn’t take are worth every penny, I didn’t make. At the end of the day, I’m just a guy who loves making music, connecting with people, and hopefully leaving something behind that folks can feel.
CN: Your current single “Bar By Now” is climbing the Music Row Country Breakout chart. It is also being played nationally and internationally in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Portugal. Any thought on doing an international tour in the future?
SS: Would love to do that! Anyone going that way and need an opening act, DM me. Haha! 70 percent of all my streaming is from International streams, 4 of the top 6 cities streaming my music are in Australia. So yes, definitely need to find a way to make that happen!
CN: You are also releasing digital singles and your latest is “Whiskey And Vinyl.” Tell me more about this song and the inspiration behind it.
SS: Sometimes whiskey will make you say things you wish you didn’t say, and most of the time it makes you tell the cold hard truth, Vinyl is raw, imperfect and real. Everyone chases demons and for me music is my therapy. It knows exactly what you’re going through. It makes you feel like you’re not alone, sometimes it’s the only thing that understands you.
This song reflects all that. Whether you’re on high or rolling 7’s we all sit alone with our thoughts. And music heals. It was inspired by my own need for healing. Verse 2 says Take a shot and one more to numb the pain, Turn down the lights to he stopped loving her today, I can hear heaven calling, sit back and let the tears start falling, get lost in the melody and let it take my soul. Self-reflection is a beautiful thing and music can take you there.
CN: I’m reading in your bio that your sound is rooted in classic country grit with a southern rock edge, known as “Zero to Hillbilly.” You even have a song named this and it’s gotten over half a million streams. Tell me more about this phrase and how it came to be?
SS: I like to say if my sound was a cocktail, it would be built on a strong pour of California country, smooth on the front, but with some desert dust in it. Then a heavy splash of Outlaw Country, the kind that burns a little and doesn’t ask for permission. Stir in some Texas Red Dirt for grit and honesty, add a measured shot of Nashville for polish and balance, just enough shine to catch the light and then finish it with a float of Southern Rock on top—dark, smokey, and loud enough to let you know it’s there. No umbrella, No garnish. No ice, but strong enough to tell the truth. Ha!
Zero to Hillbilly, for me, is not just a phrase, it’s a statement. It’s coming from nothing and turning it into something. No short cuts, no handouts, just grit, hard work and staying true to yourself. Wear it like badge of honor, it’s your roots, its backbone, its calluses on your hands, not some polished made-up version of something, it’s mud in your veins, music that means something. It means I built this from the ground up.
CN: When did you first realize country music was more than something you loved – that it was what you wanted to do?
SS: That’s an easy one. It’s when I figured out it was the only thing I liked to do that didn’t make me miserable while doing it.
CN: What does the perfect day off look like for you when you’re not on stage, on the road, or in the studio?
SS: Day off…what’s that?! Haha! Heck, I’m still grinding, we’re still building the team. I would say on average I’m doing 17 plus hour days. I’m out there trying to make things happen, chasing leads, chasing dreams, non-stop networking, calling the people that tell you you’re the best thing since sliced bread yet they won’t return your phone call, but you keep calling them anyway. There is a reason they build walls so high in the music business, because not everybody has what it takes to get over it, get around it, or in my case knock the damn thing down! Ain’t nobody willing to do for you what you ain’t willing to do for yourself!
CN: You have shared the stage with artists such as Brantley Gilbert, Drew Baldridge, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Eric Paslay, Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Thompson Square, and more. If you could go on tour with one artist right now, who would it be and why?
SS: First off… every one of those names gave me a shot and I am grateful for every opportunity that comes my way in this business. It ain’t easy. What Artist would I like tour with right now? That would have to be Cody Jinx! Why!? …Because he’s Zero to Hillbilly! No short cuts, no handouts, just grit, hard work and he stayed true to himself. There ain’t no spit on that shine!! He figured it out, he stays real and honest. There is a diehard demographic that appeals to that and they are as loyal as they come. I care about you and you care about me. I’m no better than you and your no better than me… That’s where I’d like to find myself.
CN: What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
SS: My favorite thing is making the music. I could literally lock myself in the studio 24/7 and live off door dash. HA! I get lost in time. There is something about digging in, carving out a song and then laying it down and having it come to life.
CN: What’s been your most “pinch-me” moment so far?
SS: Aw man, this was early on but it would have to be, still to this day late nights around the piano singing harmony and hearing the stories straight from the horse’s mouth with the legend herself miss Rita Coolidge. Casey and I were close friends at that time and still are till this day. I was in between places to stay, some people call that homeless, we’ve been telling the truth why stop now. Haha! They invited me to stay in the guest house till I found a place, and I overstayed my welcome of course. But it was in that guest house where I wrote my first song and learned the craft of songwriting and the importance of lyric. I can’t leave out the special bond between me and her African gray “Romeo” but that’s a story for a different time.
CN: What else can fans look forward to this year?
SS: New music for sure! We are also working on more tour dates!
More social media presence from me this year!
I promise to bring you more content and keep you up-to-date on the day to day!
I look forward to meeting and connecting with you all!
For more information on Stephen Styles, visit his website stephenstylesband.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.