Q: Who are you and where are you from?
A: Hi, my name is Dalton. I was born in Memphis, Tennessee. I grew up in Dallas, and I moved to Lubbock right out of high school to play music.
Q: Who has been your music mentor?
A: Wade, Cody, and Ray Wylie. Hands down. Without them I don’t know what I would be doing right now. They were the reasons I got started, and they sort of took me under their wings for some weird reason, and taught me how to do all this.
Q: How has your most recent album, Corners, changed your life?
A: I mean, it’s changed a little. We’ve been on some fun tours, seen some pretty states, and met some cool people. But we are still in a van and eating gas station food. Just with 10 more songs at our live shows!
Q: What does your songwriting process look like?
A: I’m not sure. I normally just start writing. Find a starting point. Maybe a line I like. Then make it rhyme. Then add music to it.
Q: What have been the biggest challenges that you have faced throughout your music career?
A: Well, we’ve only been doing this for 5 years. So calling myself a “career” musician, to me, is far from the truth. Probably getting some gear stolen. Quitting drugs. Losing debit cards and IDs. Blown tires are always big hurdles. I don’t think we have hit the really hard “hurdles” yet. Just minor stuff. All repairable and replaceable.
Q: How has Red, your grandmother, influenced your music career?
A: Not so much music, but she’s always supportive. She really pushes me to go back to college. Ha. She’s the person who raised me, and growing up we always had music going on around the house.
Q: How often do you people watch?
A: All. The. Time. An unhealthy amount. 80% of the time during our shows I’m zoned out, flying on auto pilot and muscle memory… oddly staring and watching people. Reading shirts. Looking at dumb hats. Watching the dancers thinking, “HE’S GONNA DROP HER… Nah never mind. He just flipped her.” Stuff like that.
Q: When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
A: They normally beat around the bush and just ask for handouts. Or expect me to know the answers. When I don’t. I’m still all new at this. I just tell them to write songs. Stay away from stereotypical stuff. And pay more attention to Kristofferson rather than the Texas Regional Radio Report.
Q: What is your spirit animal and why?
A: My drummer. Yeah. He’s gonna read this. I said that right. MY drummer. Stop bringing your dog on the road. You clown. That’s gonna be great when he reads that. Ha. Seriously, our drummer. Chase. He is the glue that holds us together. He’s very neutral. Because he doesn’t like any of us. So he’s kinda like that momma/poppa bear rolled into one. He handles everything. He’s the most honest human that I know. And I honestly wish I could be more of who he is. He’s just an all-around good dude.
Q: If they made a movie about your life, what actor would you want to play you?
A: Rick Springfield in 1983. Or that cop from Stranger Things.
Q: What are some small things that make your day better?
A: My cigarettes and my grandmother’s coffee. The early morning conversations she and I have outside before everyone is awake. And the late night heated arguments about politics my father and I have when everyone is in bed. Hands down.
Q: Name an artist from any genre besides country that you are a huge fan of and why.
A: Post Malone. That dude is raw talent.
Q: What are three things you cannot live without?
A: Music, coffee, and my books.
Q: Fill in the blank: It’s not a party until…
A: I’m not too sure. I’m normally in bed by 11 these days. I guess balloons?
Q: What part of MusicFest are you most looking forward to?
A: The Dosey Doe’s MusicFest Media Lounge “On Air”. Hands down.