Big Sky Country Drops Debut Album - From New York To Nashville

I've been lucky to work with and meet some of the most talented people in the Northeast!  Whenever I see a musician take the next step from New York to Nashville, I always feel proud of our regional Country Music scene. The latest act to make the leap is Big Sky Country. I have shared the stage with this incredible group of talented musicians since the beginning, and it's awesome to see their dreams realized by dropping their debut album. I took a few moments to chat with the band about this incredible milestone. 

Brad-  First, can you tell me how long the band has been together, and how it formed?

BSC has been together in full since 2013, however the band officially began in 2012. Buddy Tricarick, the drummer for Skeeter Creek at the time, decided he wanted to start more of a "b-side" band and play songs that were a little less common and more unique. He enlisted the help of local sound engineer, Bud DeVoe, and together they started Big Sky Country. Between the two, they put the word out to people they knew and secured 6 of 7 members. I finally joined via a Craigslist ad in April of 2013, and off we went. We've been blessed to only go through a few changes over our 11 years, but here is our current line up:

Ashley Gardner - Lead Vocals
Chris Dukes - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Eric Baumes - Bass Guitar
Brad Gardner - Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Rikk Anderson - Pedal Steel
Mike Lemme - Lead Guitar/Album Lead Producer & Mixer
Kyle Phillips - Drums

Ashley-  How does it feel to hear your voice on the car radio speakers, or playing on a streaming service?

After having this goal and dream for so many years, it’s extremely gratifying and fulfilling. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions when you put yourself out there and share something personal you worked so hard on. But the moment I heard the first song released and saw our name and picture displayed, I couldn’t wait to write and share more!

Ashley- When you recorded your album, did you channel any influences from other artists?

It’s hard to name one specific artist as an influence because I think I’ve had many who inspire me. I listen to a wide variety of music genres, and after covering so many different kinds of artists over the years I think I’ve taken influence from them all in some way to craft and find my own voice. I think this album shows that variety because each song is so different from one another.

Chris- When you recorded your album, how did you select the songs to record?

We had so many song starts that we were excited about and frankly still are, but we really wanted to choose the songs we thought represented us best as a band for this first album.  We spent a lot of time working on our sound and talking about which songs we’d finish and which we’d save for the future.  The good news is we’re really proud of this album and there’s definitely more to come.  Some aren’t finished and some haven’t been written yet, but we’re very excited about the future!

Chris- Above all the recordings, what is the one song you hope people listen to and like on the album?

I genuinely do love all these songs for different reasons and picking one is so hard, but my favorite has to be “With You.” I wrote it in the morning over coffee on my last birthday about how good I have it because of my family.  On top of that, I’m so lucky to work with these talented folks who helped me take the song to a whole new level on the final recording and I’m really proud of the finished product.

Mike- What was the most fun part about recording an album?  What was the least fun?

The thing I had most fun with while recording this album was being part of the initial idea and seeing it transform into the final version. With our band we mostly play covers and are fortunate to have such solid musicians that we can cover a wide variety of different sounds, styles, and country genres which it truly shows in this album. It became super fun while creating a pop/rock Hardy-type song with 'Natural Disaster', while keeping up with the twangy sounds of 'Hell of a Party', even 2000s rock sounding songs like 'Wreckin’ This', and new hip-hop style country like our song, 'Strong Stuff'. It was challenging to keep all of these sounds unique and genuine yet still recognizable as Big Sky Country, and I couldn’t be happier with how they came out. I'm super proud of these guys.

Brad- What is the one song, so far, that seems to be a fan favorite?

We are so grateful that we have such a strong and supportive country music community here in the Capital District. Our fans have been incredibly receptive to each of the 5 original songs we released as singles or on our EP, but I would say 'Too Many Times' has been the fan favorite thus far. It's an upbeat "true" country song featuring driving drums, classic country guitar, and gobs of pedal steel, as well as 5-part harmonies. It reminds me very much of Vince Gill's hit "Liza Jane" and Travis Tritt's "T-R-O-U-B-L-E".

Brad- What is the best part about your job?

No doubt, it's the people. First, every time we get together to play music we're performing with a group of our very best friends. The smiles and laughter you see from us on stage is not fake, it's not for show; it's real. We are having a blast together. And as much as we love the music we play together, sometimes we're having so much fun before the show or on break that we don't want to go on! Second, the fans that we've met are second to none. They are absolutely salt of the earth, down home, good people. Every night we form new friendships, and even better, we watch many of our regulars form great friendships with one another. One of the things that we are the most proud of (and this has happened countless times) is when a venue owner or manager comments to us at the end of the night about how pleasant and respectful our crowds always are. For those reading, please know how much that means to us.

Brad- You've checked off an original album, what is next on Big Sky Country's bucket list?

This album was a big one for us. It's something we've been wanting to do for many years. We have a lot of goals as a group that include a second album, some regional touring, and maybe even seeing a major artist singing one of our tracks. But the item that's currently front and center in our minds? Hands down - performing these songs on the main stage at SPAC.

Brad- What is the best live show you've ever played as a band, and why?

We have played so many memorable shows in our 11 years. Opening for artists like Craig Campbell, Raelynn, and Craig Morgan. Ashley singing with Lee Brice. Filling giant venues like Vapor and Tin Rooster to capacity and beyond. Hearing screaming crowds at places like Lake George Beach Club or seeing Shepard Park light up with cell phone lights during Watermelon Moonshine. But for me personally, it was opening for Jake Owen at The Palace in Albany. To step on that stage in that gorgeous theater, where so many of the industries very best have performed, was surreal. We played very well that night and the crowd let us know it. The crew treated us like old friends, and we got to watch Jake's set from backstage. I was lucky enough to be able to bring my father along that night, and Jake's drum tech took him under the drum riser during the set and had him help with some of the production points. Overall, it was a night I don't think I'll ever forget.

Brad- What is your message to the fans?

What else is there to say other than "Thank You"? Your enthusiasm and support is unmatched. It's a true honor to have you travel so far to see us - to spend your time, your energy, your hard earned money to come out to watch us perform. It is humbling to say the least. We hope you enjoy listening to this album as much as we've enjoyed making it.

Download The New Album Here!