Recently we grabbed a quick chat with the sensational Donica Knight, following the release of her fantastic country rock and soul EP Can’t Buy a Southern Girl. It’s a record well worth checking out, her socials are at the bottom, and in the meantime – here’s how the interview went..
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The Can’t Buy a Southern Girl EP is out now – great songs, brilliant performances – how did you come to choose these particular songs for this project, and what inspired the title?
Before creating this record I spent several months in the writing room with the producer of Can’t Buy A Southern Girl, Jim Huff. He called in several of his writer friends and before you knew it we had several songs ready to rock. I fell in love with several of the new songs and decided to create an EP. My first album was titled A Southern Girls Heart so it felt fitting to connect the titles. Can’t Buy A Southern Girl was chosen and is also the lyrics in my first single Love Ain’t A Prize.
The music on the EP is fantastic, there’s a brilliant rock and roll vibe to it all, but there’s also a hell of a lot of soul. Your voice in particular is one that really reaches out – it’s raw sounding, yet superbly powerful. Did singing come naturally to you, and who was it you were listening to when you were a child – who inspired you to follow this path?
Haha, thank you for that! Growing up I was always considered the “little girl with a big voice” and yes it did come naturally. My favorite vocalist is Bonnie Raitt, but I am also influenced by Etta James, Patsy Cline, Eva Cassidy, Ms Aretha Franklin, Ann Wilson and Janis Joplin. I love the way Shania Twain puts on a show and I am inspired my her and Hank Williams Sr. songwriting.
What’s your favourite song to perform live at the moment, and why?
That is a tough one because each tune is different and was specifically written for my live performances. At the current moment if I had to chose I would say the bonus track to my new album Blood On My Boots. It is the only ballad and is a military tribute song full of passion.
What is it that drives you, motivates and inspires you to consistently put your heart and soul into your music?
The calling I heard a few years ago, the way I see my gift help others and make them happy, and the encouragement/support from my friends, family and fans!
Who would be your ideal artist or band to collaborate with?
Bonnie Raitt !!!! … and Craig Morgan.
What are you most excited about in 2016 – what’s coming up that fans can also look forward to?
I am going on my first ever radio tour! It starts next week and I could not be more excited to be traveling all over the United States sharing my music.
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Stay up to date with all things Donica Knight over on Facebook and Twitter. Head over to her Website for your copy of Can’t Buy a Southern Girl, and don’t miss out on those radio tour dates across the US. Great songs from a brilliantly talented performer. Get involved.
