• Artist Name: Demi Michelle
• Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

1. What project(s) are you currently working on?

Along with being in my fairy-tale chapter with Happy Ever After Doesn’t Last Forever, I’m currently writing and recording music for my next project, which will be pop. I’m a multi-genre songwriter, so I shift between pop and country often.

2. What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I’ve loved music ever since I was young. When I was ten years old, I started playing classical piano, and that led to me joining chorus in middle school, taking voice lessons in high school, and eventually double majoring in music and creative writing in college. I started writing songs when I was in undergrad and released my debut single in 2019. In many ways, I always knew I wanted music to be a huge part of my life, but I started pursuing a career after I graduated undergrad. Since I still play piano, my music life is split between my songwriting journey and performing in classical recitals.

3. If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Along with pursuing music, I’m also involved in the publishing industry, mostly as a freelance editor and an agented young adult thriller author. I love being in both music and publishing because I’m constantly engaging with the arts.

4. What is your favorite downtime activity?

Downtime? I need to have more of that! I’m always doing something for music or publishing, but when I do have time to relax, mostly at night, I enjoy reading books and listening to podcasts.

5. Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

This is going to sound wild, but I don’t really have one right now. What I will say, though, is that it used to be Shawn Mendes. From around 2015 to 2019, I was in such a phase. I actually met him three times in three different cities. Sometimes, I remember those years and think girl, were you okay? Thankfully, I’m way more chill about everything now.

6. Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

I’m not a big sports girl, but I would let my city down if I said anything other than the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penguins. Black and gold forever!

7. What is the last movie that you watched?

I recently rewatched Midnight Sun, starring Bella Thorne. It’s one of my all-time favorites.

8. What is the last album you listened to?

To Be Honest by Tenille Arts.

9. If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Ooh, this is a hard one. There are so many amazing albums. Right now, it’s a tie between Subject to Change by Kelsea Ballerini and Reputation by Taylor Swift.

10. What is the greatest country song of all time?

This question is even harder. I’m super indecisive, so I can’t just pick one. I’ll say “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young, “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood, and “If I Die Young” by The Band Perry. My current favorite that I think will end up holding a forever spot on my all-time-favorites list is “Don’t Ruin Flowers” by Tenille Arts.

11. What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

I loved playing in Kirksville, Missouri. It’s a super small town where my sister lived for a few years, so most times when I visited, I played shows. Kirksville is such a community-focused and friendly place, and the people there always embraced me with open arms.

12. What is your favorite meal?

My favorite meal is chicken noodle soup or wedding soup, steak, crispy fries, and chocolate cake for dessert. Though, I’m obsessed with Chipotle, so you can find me there at least once a week.

13. Who is your dream duet partner?

Kelsea Ballerini for sure. She’s my favorite country artist, and I met her on her tour last year. I actually recorded my own rendition of “Homecoming Queen.” Performing that with her someday would be a dream come true.

14. Who would you like to go on tour with?

Kelsea!

15. What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

If I had to choose my top career goal, I would say having one of my songs recorded by a famous artist. I’ve always considered myself a songwriter first, so this is one of my biggest music dreams.

Outpost Drive – photo by Saskia Jo

Artist Name: Outpost Drive
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama and Hay-On-Wye, England

What project(s) are you currently working on?

Willow: The last two years have been entirely occupied by recording our debut album in the isolation of the English Countryside. For both of us this is the greatest artistic statement we’ve ever created.

Mary Bragg: Tell me why we’re literally demoing and tracklisting our 2nd and 3rd albums before the debut album has even come out haha we’re insane – just so many songs we want out in the world!!! We’re always songwriting and so much happens between a song being written to the actual release so the songs just keep mounting up (thank God and long may that continue!). It’s a good problem to have haha

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

Willow: When I was a kid my parents encouraged me to learn guitar. I started out playing classical and almost gave up as I was obsessed with rock music. Right at the point of losing interest I was luckily given an electric guitar and amp for my 11th birthday…from that moment on I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life.

Mary Bragg: I don’t remember a time when this wasn’t the only thing I actually cared about and wanted to do in my life. I tried to run away from pursuing a music career for a few years due to low confidence and thinking I needed to pursue something more “realistic” but there is nothing more real than listening to your gut and following the dream… surrendering to that draw no matter what it takes (& damn it takes a lot!). Music is the greatest thing in the world – it’s all I’ve ever wanted & it is a privilege to get to do this. I’ll never stop pinching myself that it’s actually happening

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Willow: Honestly I have no plan B, so it’s difficult imagining an alternative. Maybe something equally hard like being a painter, writer or running an apple farm.

Mary Bragg: I’m only just barely qualified to be a barista so I really need this music thing to work out or y’all will have to come see me at my coffee cart when I’m 85. Become obsessed with Outpost Drive okay? Okay brainwashing routine complete

What is your favorite downtime activity?

Willow: Can’t beat a classic movie to let the mind unwind. But I’m more of an active rester and like doing adventurous things like hiking in nature, exploring beautiful old buildings and towns, or going to a great restaurant. Anything old and beautiful intrigues me.

Mary Bragg: I love to paint!! It immediately calms me down & it’s a real passion of mine. I also love to read As an anxious girl, I look for things that can distract me from the tornado in my mind. OOH also I love to play Tiny Wings on my phone haha I’ve loved that game since middle school I’m pretty sure – so fun & it’s something non-work related to do on my phone which I need sometimes

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Willow: my wife.

Mary Bragg: ^^ trained him right! Willow’s is actually Candice Swanepoel and.. same

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

Willow: I don’t really watch sports except for sometimes the English football and rugby team when they’re playing the world cup.

Mary Bragg: I’ve never been a big sports girl, but I am an Alabama football fan by birth & I do love a tailgate.

What is the last movie that you watched?

Willow: Prometheus.

Mary Bragg: Meet the Robinson’s (a classic and Willow had never seen it which is a criminal offense as a literal Robinson).

What is the last album you listened to?

Willow: I’ve been obsessed with Djo’s latest album ‘The Crux’, Leif Vollebekk’s ‘Revelation’ and Charlie Crockett’s ‘$10 Cowboy’.

Mary Bragg: Clouds by Joni Mitchell.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Willow: Sticky Fingers by The Rolling Stones.

Mary Bragg: Use Your Illusion I & II by Guns N’ Roses 100000000%.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

Mary Bragg: Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’ by Charley Pride.

Willow: Shake The Frost by Tyler Childers.

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

Willow: We’ve been to so many great places so it’s hard to choose, but I’d have to go for York in the UK. It’s a city of medieval beauty up there with the best.

Mary Bragg: Damn it Willow!!!!! Yeah I was gonna say York, but we also spent a week up in Scotland last year and that whole country is a GEM. I love everywhere we went up there!

What is your favorite meal?

Willow: anything my mum cooks.

Mary Bragg: Willow’s mom makes this insane carrot lentil dahl & it’s my faveeeeee – she is a chef extraordinaire.

Who is your dream duet partner?

Willow: my wife

Mary Bragg: Willow is kissing the wedding ringggg today okay I’m here for it right back at ya.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

Willow: The Rolling Stones, Zach Bryan, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Red Clay Strays.

Mary Bragg: In no particular order: Sierra Ferrell, The Red Clay Strays, Alabama Shakes, Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers, The War & Treaty, Taylor Swift, Leif Vollebekk, Carter Faith, Lizzy McAlpine, Gracie Abrams, Paramore, Phoebe Briders, Florence & The Machine, AURORA, Sam Fender – I could go on for hours – luckily for us, our music is quite genre-bending so I could see our music slotting in well with almost all the artists I love.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

Willow: I have three venues that are my metrics for having ‘made it’. Headline shows at The Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden and The Hollywood Bowl.

Mary Bragg: Travel the world playing shows and hearing people singing the lyrics back! Being on stage is the happiest place in the world to me. Ultimately, I leave it all up to God – he always has ways of surprising me with something better than I could ever imagine. Our aspirations are as high as they get, and I know he’s got some big plans for us. I’m excited to keep watching them unfold

How can fans connect with you on Social Media?

Outpost Drive on everything! Come and say hi!

@outpostdrive

Artist Name:  CJ Land
Hometown:  Templeton, CA

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I have a new album I recorded here in Nashville “Storm Chaser”

Artist Name:  Gatlin Johnson
Hometown:  Lubbock, TX

What project(s) are you currently working on?

We’re going to cut our next single, “Wish I Could Hate You,” in a couple of weeks. This is the song everyone has been asking about after our shows all year and I can’t wait to share it in 2026.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I was inspired to pursue a career in music when I was at a sold out Billy Bob’s show. I saw how many people cared about and connected to real, honest songwriting. Immediately, I wanted to share some of what I had written.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

If I wasn’t pursuing music, I would most definitely be a football coach right now. I’ve always been and still am passionate about football.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

My favorite downtime activity is fishing. I grew up bass fishing with my dad and it’s become something the band and I sneak in between sound check and show time almost everywhere we go.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

My biggest celebrity crush is Megan Moroney. I’ve never really had a celebrity crush my whole life but if I had to choose I would choose her.

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

My favorite sports teams are Texas Tech and the Texas Rangers. I grew up a huge fan of Texas Rangers baseball, we went to games all the time when I was a kid. I’m currently a student at Texas Tech so I follow all the sports in Lubbock.

What is the last movie that you watched?

The last movie I watched was Love Actually.

What is the last album you listened to?

The last album I listened to was “In Vino Veritas” by The Wyatt Weaver Band. I met those guys up in Iowa of all places and they’ve got a great sound. Really enjoy the old school southern rock meets Texas thing they’ve got going.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could only listen to one albums for the rest of my life it would “Live Country Music Councert” by Willie Nelson. One of the best bands paired with some of the best songwriting you’ll ever hear.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

I don’t know what the greatest country song of all time is but my favorite country song of all time is “Me and Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson.

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

This is a tough choice because I haven’t disliked any town we’ve played so far. So far, my favorite city is between Chicago, Illinois and Turkey, Texas. These places could not be more different but I loved them for those differences. Turkey, TX is full of people who care about Texas songwriters and take care of us in a way that’s hard to understand from the outside looking in. Chicago has really great food and it’s amazing to me that people up there enjoy Texas music.

What is your favorite meal?

Fried Venison back-strap and homestyle mashed potatoes is my favorite meal because it puts me back at home everytime.

Who is your dream duet partner?

My dream duet partner is Wade Bowen. I’ve always looked up to him and his songwriting. He’s also got one of the best voices in the country music scene.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

I’d like to go on tour with Flatland Cavalry. From the brief interactions I’ve had with them, they are some of the kindest people on Earth and I think it would be really cool to tour the country with another band from Lubbock, Texas.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

My ultimate career goal is to make a living playing to crowds who really care about my songs. I think it’s the coolest thing in the world to connect with people I’ve never met through words that I wrote.

Artist Name: Wood Burnt Red
Hometown: Malvern, Worcestershire (England)

What project(s) are you currently working on?

The promotion of our latest Single “Simple Place” and a run of shows for next year. We’d also love to do a Debut Headline tour.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I’ve always had a special connection to music. Like I would play my own soundtrack in my head during different experiences. Every time I think of a memory, there is a song that goes with it. My folks, mostly my mum, always encouraged me from a young age to play piano, that led on to guitar and bands, which naturally lead to song writing from a young age. So I guess I’ve just always done it… it would be weird not to.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

Pursuing a career in music! It’s always been my biggest passion. But here’s the inside scoop, we are all in full-time work, to support our families, just trying to pave our way to our dream job of playing for a living.

I am a Lineman, I work on the overhead power lines, not running the lines in sport. Which is a job I do love also.

Eddie, the drummer, is a Plumbing and Heating engineer, as well as general handy man.

Rob, the guitarist, works in engineering, also incredible handy at DIY.

And Russ, the bassist, works in Insurance. So during the day, we’re just in and amongst the daily grind like everyone else, and chasing the dream when we can.

Failing that, id be a BBQ chef with a food truck 100%…

What is your favourite downtime activity?

Definitely BBQing and spending time with my family, drinking a few beers with the boys, going to see live music… and also playing music!

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

Anna Kendrick, funny and stunning of more recent times.

But I’ll always hold a place in my heart for Sheryl Crow, even as she gets older, shes like a fine wine.

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

Manchester United and Dallas Cowboys.

What is the last movie that you watched?

Happy Gilmore 2, and it did not disappoint.

What is the last album you listened to?

“American Grin” by Jason Scott And The High Heat, and its awesome.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

THE WHIPPOORWILL by Blackberry Smoke, hands down, no brainer.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

This is a very hard question to answer, there are so many things to take in to consideration for so something to be counted as the GOAT. Like a full catalogue of songs that could fill that title. Songs like “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, or “Crazy” by Patsy Cline or even “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. But, I’m going to go with something from more recent times and say “Whiskey Lullaby” by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss. It just hits me every time without fail, and I think its timeless.

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

Probably York. An amazing place with stunning architecture.

What is your favorite meal?

Anything BBQ or Lasagna

Who is your dream duet partner?

I would love to write and perform with Stephen Wilson Jr. His voice is just so cool. Full of feeling and soul, and his writing is next level.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

Id love to be a worldwide support for Blackberry Smoke, these guys are my heroes.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

We’re not greedy, we’d just love to earn enough to support our families doing what we love doing. To play a sold-out tour of smaller venues. To travel and see the world and have fans singing our songs back everywhere we go, that’s the dream.