‘I can’t wait to play for you guys’
LISA HOBBS – News Editor
It’s September and that means the Warren County A & L Fair is right around the corner. To heighten people’s excitement, Warren County Way interviewed the lead guitarist for Lonestar, Michael Britt.
“I’m looking forward to performing in Warren County. I don’t think I’ve ever been there. We live in Tennessee, but we don’t get to play here very often. So, I’m glad we’re getting to play close to home where we can get people to come out and see us, including my neighbors and friends,” said Britt.
He says the band has generated a new show called “It keeps getting better.” The show includes all 10 of the band’s No. 1 songs, as well as other hits.
“We also do some cool stuff that, maybe, people aren’t used to hearing from us. We came out with a cover album last year called ‘Iconic’ volume one and we are already working on ‘Iconic’ volume two. We are going to play a couple of those songs. We always end our shows with a rock medley and some of our other bigger rock songs. I think the show’s going great. I can’t wait to play it for you guys.”
Britt began practicing with a guitar in his teens. He went to college for a while before realizing he’d rather be performing music for a living, and he received that opportunity in 1990. After a couple of years and a couple of bands, he moved from Texas to Tennessee in 1992. He met some other guys from Texas who had also moved to Tennessee and they named themselves Texassee – an amalgamation. The name was eventually changed to Lonestar.
Which musical artists inspired you the most?
“Personally, The Eagles and Alabama were probably my two biggest influences. They had so many hit songs and they were great. They had great harmonies and cool guitar parts, which is all I need.”
What genre of music do you like?
“I still listen to some country, but not most of the stuff that’s on the radio today. Most of the stuff I listen to is older rock.”
How do you approach learning new styles or techniques?
“When I find something that I want to learn, I work at it until I can do it. It’s kind of been that way my whole life. I remember it started with Dire Straits and Sultans of Swing and learning every lick that I could. Now, when I think something’s really cool, I want to learn how to do that. I’m constantly learning, even to this day.”
What’s the most challenging piece you’ve ever learned?
“That’s a tricky one. There’s a Dave Mathews Band song called Satellite. There’s a tricky guitar part to play. I don’t want to say that I struggle with it, because I do get it. I don’t know how he played the things that they’ve done. It’s crazy.”
Which piece do you like performing the most?
“Amazed is always great, because it’s such a huge hit and people love that song. Usually, it’s whatever is new to the set. We’ve been playing the same songs for so many years. Anytime we add a new song to the show, that’s my favorite for a bit.”
How often do you practice?
“I don’t necessarily practice a lot. We rehearse when we work-up a new show. Other than that, I don’t consider it practicing. I just play music. When I get home, I pick up the guitar and try to create something or just work my fingers out to something I don’t want to forget.”
What’s your favorite guitar?
“Oh, that’s a good one. I have a lot of guitars. Tom Anderson makes my favorite guitars. He’s a builder in California. He’s awesome. I have eight of his guitars. I’ve also got some Gibson guitars that I’ve been enjoying lately.”
What guitar would you recommend for a beginner?
“A beginner? That’s a tough one. PRS is making some really good lower priced guitars that I would recommend, I think. Paul Reed Smith is the brand, but they make a series called SE that are good, well-made guitars.”
How would you describe yourself as a musician?
“That’s a tough one because I always feel like I’m the imposter in the room. Like everyone else is always better than me and I’m struggling to keep up, even though that’s not true. That’s my mental stance. I always think that someone else is better than me, so it makes me want to keep improving. I follow so many guitar players that are truly gifted. They are the best in the world. So, there’s no way I’d ever think I’m that great when I listen to them play.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life?
“It’s a little strenuous. It’s a little easier now that my kids are grown. When they were small, it was a lot harder. You want to be there for them when you can. Now that they are in college and away, it’s still tough being on the road all the time. My wife is really good about keeping in touch and making sure we are always connected.”
Anyone you’d like to perform with but haven’t yet?
“That’s a big question. There are probably lots. I don’t want to just call names out, because there are so many. I love Keith Urban. That would be cool. We toured with him back when The Ranch was brand new. We shared labels. He’s like one of my favorite artists in the country realm.”
The Ranch is a 1997 collaborative country album by Urban and his short-lived backing band, The Ranch, released by Capitol Nashville and later re-issued in 2004 as Keith Urban in The Ranch with bonus tracks.
Lonestar takes the stage on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m.