It’s always exciting to see extremely talented musicians from different paths come together to create something new; through the brainstorming of ideas and collaborating their own individual masteries, an original project can be born. That’s what happened when guitarist and vocalist Marc Copely and frontman James Dolan decided to assemble an acoustic project. Enter upright bassist/banjoist Byron House (Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton), violinist/fiddler/vocalist Erin Slaver (Martina McBride, Rod Stewart), drummer/percussionist Shawn Pelton (Sheryl Crow, Levon Helm, Saturday Night Live band) and guitarist/vocalist Carolyn Dawn Johnson (Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride) and JD and The Straight Shot was formed.
The band’s latest album The Great Divide was recorded at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville and will be released tomorrow (3/15). We caught up with Marc Copely to talk about the band’s creation, his point of view as band member and producer and the new album.
CN: Before we get into JD and The Straight Shot as a whole, let’s start with Marc Copely. Tell us a little bit about yourself. Which musicians have influenced you both personally and as an artist?
MC: If I listed them all, the list would be huge. Some of my biggest influences are producer/musicians such as Daniel Lanois and John Leventhal. Add them into the usual suspects like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Django Reinhardt. Then add Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell in there and that’s a good start!
CN: Each member of JD & The Straight Shot has had their own successful careers – performing alongside iconic artists like Martina McBride, Levon Helm, Rod Stewart, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton just to name a few – tell us how you all came together to form this ensemble band.
MC: When JD & The Straight Shot frontman Jim and I spoke about putting together a great acoustic-based band, the talented players we have are musicians I either knew or found that fit the bill.
CN: In addition to being the band’s guitarist, you are also the producer. How did the opportunity come about to produce both of the band’s albums Good Luck and Good Night and the upcoming release The Great Divide?
MC: Jim and the band are the reason I had the opportunity to produce the albums. Everyone was into it, and gave me a chance to work with them to help build and define our band’s sound.
CN: Is there any difficulty in balancing both roles?
MC: None at all, outside of editing my own playing!
CN: From a producer’s standpoint and then as a band member, in what ways do the two albums differ?
MC: I think The Great Divide is a continuation of what we had started with Good Luck and Goodnight, so they have a familiar feel and sound which I’m happy about.
CN: The band’s current single “The Great Divide” is also the title track. What was the reasoning in choosing this for the album’s title?
MC: We liked the song and thought it was a strong statement so we went with it.
CN: JD & The Straight Shot draws inspiration from legendary bands and songwriters like Fleetwood Mac and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to the more recent Americana sounds of The Civil Wars. How would you describe JD & The Straight Shot’s sound?
MC: I would say we are American Roots music for sure. Our sound comes from country, blues, psychedelic rock and folk, which all have a common musical and conceptual thread.
CN: The new album is stated as being “comprised of friends whose joy in telling stories together shines through each sparkling track.” What was the songwriting process like for this album? Are any of the tracks written individually, or where they all collaborations?
MC: Most tracks on The Great Divide were collaborations with all of us except for “Take it Slow,” which Carolyn wrote and “It Must Be Night” which I brought in. There are a couple songs like “Anything But Love” and “Bees” that we’re pretty far along that Jim brought in too.
CN: You personally have worked with B.B. King and Rosanne Cash, so you have been surrounded by blues, folk and country royalty. How is working with JD & The Straight Shot different for you as a guitarist? How do you like performing with an all-acoustic band?
MC: I love the all-acoustic concept. It gives me a chance to also work on my mandolin playing which I’m currently super passionate about. As a guitar player it’s pretty similar outside of the all-acoustic format.
CN: What has been a highlight of being a member of JD & The Straight Shot so far?
MC: Opening for the Eagles!
CN: Do you have a favorite song to play live?
MC: A couple. “Perdition” is one that the audience always loves and I also think that song is a blast to play. Lately we’ve been playing our version of The Allman Brothers Band’s “Jessica” and I’m playing mandolin on it. I feel like I’m about to run off the rails at any point, so that’s fun.
CN: If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be and why?
MC: I would say curious. I’m always trying to learn something new and interested in taking on challenges.
CN: The Great Divide drops on March 15 – What’s next on the horizon for the band? Will there be a tour to support the album?
MC: Yes! We’ll be out on the road to play our tunes for you all!
Pre-save/add The Great Divide on Spotify or Apple Music here.
For more information on JD and The Straight Shot, visit their website at www.jdandthestraightshot.com and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.