“The problem with major labels is that there are a few people deciding what the masses are going to listen to.
It’s less about the artistry and more about the business.” – Jamie Lee Thurston
Recently Billboard Country published an article that asked the music industry’s top execs to weigh in on the biggest problems facing country music. But what do the actual faces of the industry, aka the artists, think? The Country Note talked to Jamie Lee Thurston to find out his experience with the ever changing industry and what that means for him as an independent artist with new music out. The Vermont born rocker, being the honest self proclaimed rebel he is, doesn’t seem to let politics get in his way or coax him into covering radio friendly tunes just to make a buck. If there is anything that Thurston has learned since he started playing music as a kid, it’s that there is room for all kinds of music and messages, especially when those messages can help someone going through hard times. FAIR WARNING: Brutal Honesty.
“It’s a tough haul . . . a lot of heartbreak,” says Thurston. “I could tell you some things I’ve had to deal with—I’ve been beside myself with depression—and you still have to jump in the shower and put your game face on because you’re doing a show and people are there. You are blessed that they are there because if they’re not there, you’re not either. You realize how lucky you are that anybody gives a shit what you do. I don’t have time for fakeness—no room for ego. I am truly so appreciative of people listening to music or coming to shows or sending me messages. You can have a crappy, emotional day but when you start singing it all goes away. When I play I get so engulfed in what I’m doing. It takes me to another place.”
And sometimes all it takes to go to another place is to stare out a window — “The Window” if you’re Jamie Lee Thurston. He describes the “prison” song as a play on the idea it’s not what you look at, it’s what you see. The song, which he previously recorded for Warner Brothers years ago, also happens to double as the album title due out September 8th. “Subject matter in country music has been diminished to the same ole’ thing,” Thurston says about his choice to include non-traditional subjects, like prison and a positive take on death, hence “The Killing Song.” And while those conversation pieces do set Thurston apart and remind us of the gritty lives of icons like Haggard and Cash, the heartbreak and tender love songs still find their way into the picture. Such is the case with his lead off single, “Givin’ Up Breathin’”. Written in only a day with friend George Teren, “Givin’ Up Breathin’” stemmed from an experience in the kitchen following a bad breakup four years ago. “I literally was drinking too much and walked into the kitchen to drink some more and was like ‘givin’ you up is like givin’ up breathin.’” Thurston states with a sigh. “I relive it (the breakup) every time. That’s the epitome of a blessing and a curse—blessing that you’ve developed enough talent to be able to do that. But you go right back to that place you were in. Makes it real.” He adds nonchalantly, “Country music could use some more REAL.”
If you ask Thurston what he means by the term REAL, he’ll tell you. Having recently attended a Mellencamp concert in Bethel Woods, NY with special guests Emmylou Harris and Carlene Carter, Thurston was mesmerized by the history (Bethel Woods is the birthplace of Woodstock) and the talent on stage. It reminded him of an era when those artists were discovered, without the use of TV shows and the internet.
“There used to be a time when you had to be unique to get a record deal and if you sounded like somebody else, it wasn’t going to happen. And now all of a sudden, how many people sound the same? With advancement in technology and recording space, it’s scary because you don’t have to be able to sing and play to sing and play anymore. It wasn’t even about being able to sing. It was about being able to interpret it and get the emotion out of the song. That’s why you have Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. In country, Randy Travis was turned down by everybody in town. So were Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks. The list goes on and on. Back then, if your records flop, you were allowed to keep making them and perfect your craft. These days . . . you get a single. If it hits, you’re lucky. If it doesn’t, there’s every chance in the world they’ll go, ‘sorry.’”
“I always encourage people who want to sing to be themselves and be unique. Life is short.
And if it was your last day, you’d wanna be doing something you’re passionate about.”
– Jamie Lee Thurston
When asked how the industry changes and technological advances have affected his own career, Jamie shared this: “I’ve been told by execs that not much could be done for me. ‘You’re not pop country and you’re not Chris Stapleton,’ they said. (By the way, Thurston has written with Stapleton and says he is “so good, he can sing the phonebook. He can sing anything”). It used to not be that bad to be different. I’m all for musical diversity. At the end of the day, I don’t think the shelf has to be all regular milk. There’s fat free and chocolate and almond . . . everybody has their place. The internet and technology is a good thing because guys like me that are tired of getting beat up because we’re different can put our music out there and if people don’t’ like it, it’s their right. But at least you’re giving them a chance to judge for themselves. He adds, “I always encourage people who want to sing to be themselves and be unique. Life is short. And if it was your last day, you’d wanna be doing something you’re passionate about.”
Perhaps passion should be his middle name. Thurston grew up on a multitude of musical influences, thanks to his musician of a dad. Bands like ZZ Top, AC/DC, and Lynyrd Skynyrd affected Jamie’s guitar stylings, while Cash and Haggard taught him how to convey the raw emotions that result from simply being a human. The youngest of three and the only boy, Thurston recalls his dreams even as a kid. “Every memory I have of being little was music. As a kid, you lift your feet when you go over a covered bridge—you close your eyes, and make a wish. When we would go over the bridge, my wish was always to be a star, singer, music player, whatever.” At 15, his wishes started to come true. He went on the road with his dad as one of the band’s roadies, even though he wasn’t even old enough to go into the clubs. He flew back and forth to Nashville for years, writing and networking and befriending key players like former Opry Vice President and GM Pete Fisher and hit producer Greg Brown. After getting cuts by artists like Rodney Atkins and Montgomery Gentry, it wasn’t long before Nashville and record deals came calling full time.
And now, Hollywood is taking notice of Thurston’s singing, writing, and producing skills. He not only has a screenplay written on his own life, but Thurston also has a cut on the soundtrack of the motion picture “9/11” starring Charlie Sheen and Whoopi Goldberg. The movie, in theatres this September, features the song, “Why Wouldn’t I” co-penned by Little Texas’ Porter Howell. Thurston is also helping to produce a documentary to help raise awareness and money for veterans with PTSD, as a result of his own battles and having friends serve in the Middle East.
So between movie life and a new album that Thurston himself produced with Mike Purcell . . . where does he go from here? Living and loving life of course . . . and sharing his message of persistence, hope, and wisdom.
“I’m just telling it the way it is. If you do that, you never have to try to remember what you said and I think people appreciate the artist’s honesty and integrity. There are good people and bad people and you’re either one or the other. You’ll find that the good ones are everywhere and they’re on every level of success. And the really good ones continue to help people and build on a good world we live in and not just care about themselves.”
Jamie Lee Thurston is definitely one of those good people. His off the wall sense of humor comes straight from his down to earth, laid back soul. And even though he is a tell it like it is, take no crap kind of a guy, he is still not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve. And it’s that perfect balance of vulnerability and honesty that continues to draw people into his music and into The Window in which he looks out of.
And as Thurston himself says, “You just have to keep the faith that whatever’s meant to be is going to be.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
For more information on all things Jamie Lee Thurston, check out jamieleethurston.com and on Twitter @JamieLThurston and Instagram @JamieLeeThurston.
Grab your copy of The Window, available where music is sold on September 8th.