Recently, I had the pleasure of chatting with a Florida native, who just so happens to be a name you need to know. Stephen Ellrod, a current student at Florida Southern College, is studying Marketing and Management Information Systems, but his real passion is music. He started at fourteen and has been pursuing it ever since. I could go on about his talent for hours, but I'll let him do the talking.
Natalie: What made you decide to pursue music?
Stephen: At fourteen, my parents gave me a drum set and my brother was given a guitar so naturally we formed a rock band. From there, we played hundreds of shows and went on a two-month tour around the US. As I explored my individual writing more, I actually got some attention from a band named Lonestar which convinced me to pursue a country route while adding my own flare to it!
Natalie: Do you come from a musical family?
Stephen: I do! My mother and father are probably the best musicians I know of. Their talent honestly amazes me. On top of that, I learned a lot about how to write music from my brother; he's a good singer, guitarist, and one of the best lyricists I know.
Natalie: What is your favorite instrument to play?
Stephen: I play the guitar, the piano, the drums and I sing. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to go with the drums. There's nothing better than being the one to really bring the emotion and power behind a song while also guiding the song.
Natalie: Do you write your own music? What song are you most proud of?
Stephen: I write my own music, but usually, the music is co-written with some good buddies of mine. I'd say the song I'm most proud of is either “Only She Knows," which is yet to be released, or “The Last Time." “Only She Knows" really digs deep into love and how only she knows the rhythm of my heartbeat. The last time is a cool take on a “love lost" song because it speaks on all the first times and good times in a relationship, until the chorus when you see that the love is gone. It's a heavy song told in a really cool way and accompanied by some of the most unique country rock vibes that we — Brock Berryhill, Evan Coffman and myself — have ever been able to create.
Natalie: What is your favorite part about preforming?
Stephen: My favorite part is getting to bring happiness and excitement out of the crowd. Nothing even comes close to the feeling that all these people are so happy because they're hearing you sing. The most rewarding part is getting to relate to people with the stories of things that are happening or have happened in your life.
Natalie: You've recently released music videos; tell me about that process.
Stephen: Making music videos is some of the most fun in the business, but the process is definitely a long one. I work with an amazing producer Nick Rua, who works for Diamond View Studios out of Tampa. We usually take about a 12-15 hour day working on different angles and lightings and getting the right emotion for the shot.
Natalie: Where do you hope to go from here?
Stephen: I am moving over to Nashville next year. The producers and writers I have been working with have told me it's time so I can become what I see myself being in 10 years; a country artist. I want to step onto stages in every country to see the joy that comes over the fans faces and love every second of my career.
Natalie: Where can the readers find your music/ how can they best support you?
Stephen: You can find my music anywhere, from YouTube, iTunes, and Spotify to Amazon, Zune, and Rdio. You name it; we're on it! The best support is to spread the music and come see me in concert!
Stephen hopes to be preforming in Tallahassee very soon, but if you can't wait until his next concert, you can book him for your events! Below are the links to some of his music and webpages. Check him out and be sure to share, share, share! Not if, but when he makes it big, you can claim that you knew him before he was famous. My favorite song of his is either “Country on the Coast" or “Can't Fool Me." If you are looking for good summer songs, look no further. These will have you driving around with your windows down in no time.
Reverbnation
Interested in booking? Send him an email at stephenellrodbooking@gmail.com
