It was just over a year since Buddy Jewell was crowned the first "Nashville Star." He kindly took time out of his busy schedule of touring and recording his sophomore album to answer our email questions.
AboutCountry: Do you play any other instruments besides the guitar?
Buddy Jewell: No...just the radio!! LOL
AboutCountry: What has been the most exciting thing to happen to you since you won "Nashville Star?"
Buddy Jewell: So many things that I can't choose just one...playing the Opry...getting nominated for ACM, CMA and Flameworthy Awards, meeting Dolly Parton, having my first album go gold...
AboutCountry: Where do you find inspiration for your songs that you write?
Buddy Jewell: I'm sure that they all come from God in one way or another, but, I try to pay attention to people talking (they may say something really clever in a conversation). I read billboards, bumper stickers, books, etc...and of course, I listen to what my kids say!! LOL I get a lot of ideas late at night after the house quiets down. I had a friend tell me that it was only then that I slowed down long enough to hear what God has to say to me...I like the sound of that!!
AboutCountry: How many songs did you have to listen to before the final songs were chosen for the album?
Buddy Jewell: Several hundred...most of which were listened to by Clint and Tracy Gershon before I got them.....I'll bet her ears are still ringing!! LOL
AboutCountry: Out of the various things you do as an artist, such as recording, doing interviews, touring, etc. What do you like best?
Buddy Jewell: Meeting my fans!! They are the best ones on the planet!!
AboutCountry: When you get time off, what do you do to relax?
Buddy Jewell: Sleep!! LOL
AboutCountry: What's a typical day for Buddy Jewell like?
Buddy Jewell: We roll into town in the wee hours of the morning. I sleep on the bus until the hotel has our rooms ready, eat breakfast around 9:30 or 10. Shower, maybe even get in a workout a couple of days a week. Then the bus pulls out for load in around 12:30 or 1pm. Soundcheck at 3pm...dinner at 5pm...nap for about 45 before we do the meet and greet, which is usually one hour before showtime.. Do the show, stay afterwards and sign autographs, pose for pics and goof off with the fans in line!! (the fun part!!) Then we leave the venue about 2 1/2 hours after the show ends, head back to the hotel to shower and crawl back on the bus...watch a little tv with the band and go to bed around 2am or so...get up the next day and do it all over again...pretty glamorous, huh? LOL
AboutCountry: If you could change anything about country music, what would it be?
Buddy Jewell: You'd see my name at the top of the charts more instead of Alan, George, Toby, Kenny and Tim!! LOL
AboutCountry: What do you think of the Nashville Star 2 Tour?
Buddy Jewell: I think its great...I'm sure they'll put on a great show.
AboutCountry: Do you wish they would have done that with you and john Arthur, Miranda and Brandon last year?
Buddy Jewell: That would've been fun, but it worked out well for me that it didn't happen...I was getting a lot of offers to perform by myself and honestly, I could make more money doing that than on a Nashville Star tour, because of the contract that we were under with Nashville Star.
AboutCountry:Do you keep in contact with the other contestants from the first season of Nashville Star?
Buddy Jewell: Almost everyone of them...We really became close last year...I think I'll always be friends with most of them.
AboutCountry: Are you already working on a sophomore album?
Buddy Jewell: Yes.
AboutCountry: If so, are you or will you be collaborating with Clint Black again?
Buddy Jewell: No, Garth Fundis, who produced folks like Keith Whitley, Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood and Collin Raye will be doing the producing this time. Clint and I talked about it and he's cool with me trying someone else this time around.
AboutCountry: Do you know when your next album will be out?
Buddy Jewell: No.
AboutCountry: I just love your smile and have heard others say the same... is there any chance that your next album cover will have a picture of you smiling instead of a serious pose?
Buddy Jewell: Me...serious? LOL
AboutCountry: What's it been like to achieve "instant fame" after so long struggling?
Buddy Jewell: I don't know about the "instant" thing....It's more like a swollen toe...It started out small and keeps getting bigger everyday!! LOL I'm having a blast with it...Still can't believe its really happening to me but I'm sure grateful to be so blessed!
