Q&A: Whiskey Myers

After an appearance in an episode of Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone, Texas Southern rock group Whiskey Myers are on a course toward massive success.

Their recent album, Mud, hit No. 1 on iTunes, with their previous two albums, Firewater and Early Morning Shakes, not far behind.

Now band members Cody Cannon, Cody Tate, John Jeffers, Jeff Hogg, Jamey Gleaves, and Tony Kent are taking Whiskey Myers on the road, performing all over the U.S. and overseas later this year. Recently, we talked with the band about their recent success, generational advice from Roger Miller, and shooting for the moon. They answered questions as a group via email.

Cowboys & Indians: You all are currently on tour. What do you hope your fans will take away from your shows?
Whiskey Myers: Just to have a real good time at the shows. That’s why our fans have been coming out — to just enjoy themselves, hear good music, and have a good night.

C&I: What can we expect from your live performances?
Whiskey Myers: A high-energy rock ’n’ roll show. As we always say: We’re just a bunch of rednecks trying to play rock ’n’ roll. 

C&I: You’re all incredibly talented players and have merged to form a sound that explores many different genres. What does each member uniquely bring to the band?
Whiskey Myers: We each bring something different. Everybody has a unique skill set and their own musical and life influences. So when you put all of that together, the specific mix is what makes us sound like us. 

C&I: Who or what were some key influences for your sound?
Whiskey Myers: Everything, man. From Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Allman Brothers Band, and Led Zeppelin to country artists like Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings — even bands like Nirvana. It really varies and you see that come through in the music we make.

C&I: After your album Early Morning Shakes hit No. 1 on iTunes Country Charts, you got to share the stage with artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hank Williams Jr., and Jamey Johnson. What has been some of the best advice you’ve received from your peers and idols?
Whiskey Myers: “Don’t ever put your pills and your spare change in the same pocket, because I just took 28 cents.” Jamey Johnson told us that, and Roger Miller told him that, so that’s two generations of advice right there.

C&I: Did you learn anything performance-wise while watching them on stage?
Whiskey Myers: You just kind of take in the whole vibe, but at the same time you don’t want to emulate anybody too much. You want to still be yourself. We did learn little things from everybody we’ve toured with because they are all such great bands, so you soak things in just by being part of their shows.

C&I: Is there a particular song you’re most proud of or that one of you is most attached to?
Whiskey Myers: No, they’re all special to us and all have their own stories, whether it’s how they came together or how they’ve impacted fans. It’s impossible to pick just one.

C&I: Is there a certain track you really enjoy playing live?
Whiskey Myers: Probably “How Far” and “Mud.” Those are always fun for us at the live shows.

C&I: Are there any specific venues you’re looking forward to performing in?
Whiskey Myers: Shit, yeah: Irving Plaza in New York City. And then Red Rocks out in Colorado is our No. 1 bucket list venue.

C&I: You’re based in Texas. How has that influenced you as musicians? As a band?
Whiskey Myers: Texas influenced us a lot, especially being from East Texas, where you get a lot of the Southern rock sound with a crossroads of blues, country, and rock ’n’ roll. There are just so many great artists from Texas, like George Strait, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Waylon Jennings, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly ... and you could keep going. We write a lot about where we’re from, and we write a lot of music that speaks to the blue-collar mentality. 

C&I: What’s your approach to songwriting?
Whiskey Myers: We have no style at all. Good songs just come to you. They are more of a gift. You can’t think too hard about any of it.

C&I: What’s something fans may not know about you?
Whiskey Myers: Cody Tate — who we call Bill — got a tattoo when he lost a bet to John Jeffers and it’s a secret tattoo. But he does have one, so if you ever come across Bill, make sure you ask him to show it to you.

C&I: What’s next for the group?
Whiskey Myers: We’re on the road into 2019 for the Die Rockin’ Tour, which includes a bunch of European dates we’re excited about. We’re also finishing up our new album, which will be out in early 2019 and we actually self-produced, which has been an incredible experience. But more importantly, ever since Day One, we always wanted to be the first band to play on the moon. It has never happened, but that’s still our No. 1 goal. Everything we do as a band has always worked toward that singular goal.

For more information on Whiskey Myers, visit their website. Buy Mud on Amazon. Watch Whiskey Myers Yellowstone videos.