If the name Tony Stampley doesn’t sound familiar, you definitely know his work. A songwriter since he was a teenager, Stampley’s story to Music City is filled with the names of some of country’s biggest stars across the decades. His resume includes songs cut by icons including Moe Bandy, John Anderson, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, George Jones, and Mark Chesnutt. Oh and some guy named Hank Williams, Jr. who has 17 of Stampley’s songs in his catalogue. Like every great songwriter, Stampley is able put his pen to paper and express feelings that are not only his, but are also universal. His current single “Colorblind“, which was written during another time of unrest in our Country but whose message is still valid today, will be included on his upcoming album Heal The World.
We caught up with Mr. Stampley to talk about his upbringing in a musical family, his good friend Hank Jr., his latest single and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
TS: I’m from Springhill, Louisiana. Country star, Joe Stampley, is my father. I have 3 beautiful children, Tara, Michael, and Meagan with my wife Melissa. I’ve had 17 songs recorded by Hank Williams Jr.. I was on Dreamworks Records Nashville, and I’ve sang the National Anthem 3 times at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium. I’m a longtime Cowboys fan and friends with the Jones family. This is going to be their year. Superbowl baby!
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
TS: So far, so good on the coronavirus. I’m holding on pretty good except for the fact that I want to get out and perform and promote my new CD. With most of the big honky-tonks closed, I’m just waiting for the times to get better and things to get back to normal.
CN: Growing up in a very musical household had to provide so many memories. Would you share a favorite memory or moment from this time in your life?
TS: Yes. Joe Stampley and the Uniques would practice in our garage. I can remember them doing a show in Magnolia, Arkansas with Paul Revere and the Raiders at the high school auditorium. Left a big impression on me as a kid.
CN: Which musicians have influenced you both personally and as an artist throughout your career?
TS: My dad, of course, Hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard, George Jones, Elvis Presley, Elton John, Kiss, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and many others.
CN: Which current artists grab your attention?
TS: Luke Combs and Chris Janson
CN: You began writing songs at the age of 15, in fact on the very same guitar you play today. Do you remember your mindset at that time?
TS: I was just trying to rhyme and make the song make sense
CN: Was writing something that came naturally to you?
TS: Writing comes very natural to me. Like my friend Willie Nelson said, “The hardest part is picking up the guitar.”
CN: Did you look at it as a hobby or did you know deep down that this was what you were going to pursue as a career?
TS: I knew in the 9th grade that being a singer and songwriter was what I wanted to do.
CN: Can you take us through your songwriting process?
TS: I usually start with a good idea. Then I will put a melody to it. If co-writing, we run ideas by each other and agree on one we both like. Then we write it, and put it down on my I-phone recorder.
CN: Your mom is credited with introducing you to Hank Williams Jr. and his Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound album when you were in high school. Being a fan of his music, you wrote a few songs for him – which you would sing on the road with your father – and upon moving to Nashville, the songs were pitched to Hank Jr. himself. What was going through your mind when he recorded not one but three of those first five songs?
TS: I thought “this was easy.” It gets harder.
CN: Later this year Hank Jr. will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. What does that mean to you as someone who has had a place in his career as a songwriter – 17 cuts as of last count – as a fan and also as a friend?
TS: I’m so happy for Hank Williams Jr. to finally get inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was long overdue. As a fan and personal friend of Hank Jr, this is so awesome! I know how much this means to him. I am so proud he has recorded a lot of my songs. It really opened a lot of doors for me. Congrats Bocephus!
CN: In addition to Hank Jr. you have written songs for some of Country Music’s greats including George Jones, Randy Travis, Travis Tritt, John Anderson, Mark Chestnut, Billy Currington and more. It may not be an easy question to ask, but is there any one song that you’ve written that has really stuck with you through the years?
TS: Yes, there is one. The song “Doctor Jesus” comes to mind. When I would sing that song live, it seemed like the Holy Spirit would move across the crowd. People would clap really loud, then it got silent and you could hear a pin drop I could also see the crowds ooh and ahh and singing on the song. Randy Travis and Ken Mellons also recorded this song. It’s on my current CD, “Heal the World”
CN: Recently you released a very timely single titled “Colorblind” which you co-wrote with Bonnie Swayze at a time when our Nation was going through the events in Ferguson. What was that songwriting session with Bonnie like?
TS: Actually, we wrote Colorblind a couple of years after the events that happened in Ferguson. The songwriting session with my co-writer and dear friend, Bonnie Swayze was super easy and fun. She brings me a lot of great ideas and we just sit down and knock’em out. Always fun writing with her. It was truly something that was on her heart.
CN: Fast-forward six years later and the song fits even more now. In addition to the song’s obvious message, what else do you hope it can provide to our Country’s citizens at this time?
TS: Hopefully, it will make a difference in this crazy world we are living in. We’re praying for peace and unity for our country and the world we all live in.
CN: “Colorblind” will be included on your upcoming album Heal The World, again very apropos for today. Can you share any information on what fans can expect on this release?
TS: It is full of hope and positive message songs. I purposely didn’t put a cheating or drinking song on it. What the world needs now is love, and lots of it. There is a contemporary song on the CD I wrote with Paul Overstreet called, “Maybe I Could Write a Song.” I believe from listener’s reactions, it can help bring people together.
CN: Are there any artists that you haven’t collaborated with that you would welcome the opportunity to?
TS: Luke Combs comes to mind. He’s been putting out some great songs. I believe our styles would go good together. He is a country boy like me.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
TS: Christian, because without Jesus you ain’t got a prayer.
CN: New single, upcoming album. What else is next on the horizon for you?
TS: Next on the horizon for me is writing songs with my friend Chris Janson. I wrote the first single off of my CD with Chris’s wife, Kelly Lynn called “Daily Bread.” The video for “Daily Bread” played on GAC for a solid year. I thought that was pretty cool.
“Colorblind” can be downloaded/streamed here.
For more information on Tony Stampley, follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.