Interview with Luke Laird
by Janelle Landauer
How and when did your first break in the music industry come about?
I would say my first major break came when Bill Luther, who’s also a songwriter introduced me to Chris Oglesby. At the time, Chris was working for BMG Music Publishing. He was the first publisher to show a real interest in my songs. After playing songs for him for about 2 years, he offered me my first publishing deal.
What goals have you accomplished and what do you still hope to accomplish with your music career?
So far, I’ve accomplished the goal of being able to make a living doing what I love to do..make music! I hope to continue to be able to write songs and make music for as long as I’m around (aka..living) ha!
Who has been the greatest influence in your life (music related or not)?
Without a doubt, my parents. They instilled self confidence and always have encouraged me to follow my heart.
If you could collaborate with anyone else musically, who would it be and why?
Wow. Tough question. I would love to continue working with my usual co-writers. I would also like to work with more writers/producers/artists in other genres. Can’t think of anyone in particular, but maybe….get ready….John Prine, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Natasha Bedingfield, Ryan Tedder, Rick Rubin…why not?
What advice would you give to those who plan to get into the music business?
Be willing to work hard and ask lots of questions. That’s the best way to learn. If you want to be a songwriter, in Nashville, grab one of the local papers, like the Nashville Scene, and see where the open mic nights are. Open mics are a great place to hone your craft. It’s also a good place to see what your competition is. I used to play writers nights at the Broken Spoke as well as the Hall of Fame lounge. However, in the end, to do this professionally you have to understand that you/us(songwriters) have to write songs that are competitive with what you hear on the radio and current major label albums.
Can you tell us more about your co-writing experiences with Carrie Underwood and Hillary Lindsey? And, how and when did the song idea for “So Small” come about?
I was out of my league with Carrie and Hillary, if you know what I mean! Ha! Seriously though, Hillary and I are great friends and have written many songs together. Sitting in a room with Carrie and Hillary was like a free V.I.P. concert. They are both incredible singers and to hear them in that setting was unbelievable. “So Small” came about when we were talking about another writer (that Hillary and I know), losing his father. We were talking about how hard we work as writers, trying to get our songs heard and recorded, and how at the end of the day, your family, friends and the ones closest to you, are what REALLY matters. It’s nice to have a hit song, but way better to have love. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s true. That being said, having been a part of “So Small” has been an unbelievable experience and I feel truly blessed to have been part of it.
Can you talk a little about what emotion’s you felt when you received word that Carrie was going to record 3 of your songs for her new album, Carnival Ride?
I just thought to myself…..wow….it’s really happening! I’m really in Nashville getting to write songs. I don’t deserve this.
How did it feel to see your song, “So Small” go through the stages from Carrie recording it, releasing it as a single, the making of the video and the song going #1 on the charts?
The whole experience was incredible. Everyday I woke up I kept almost having to pinch myself. This being my first single, I couldn’t believe how fortunate I was to have all the pieces fall into place. Everything from having the opportunity to write the song with the artist, to it being the lead single from Carnival Ride, to the video, everything. It was just such a blessing.
I notice that you and Hillary co-write a lot together… When did you first meet her and how did you initially get in touch?
I was writing with Bill Luther. He and I had started a song and thought Hillary would be the right fit to come in and help us finish it. That same day (the first day we met), after we finished the first song, we wrote it so fast that Bill said, “That was painless.” We then immediately wrote “Painless”, which ended up being recorded by Lee Ann Womack. That was my first released cut. Hillary and I just hit it off and have become great friends and co-writers.
Can you explain the process that goes on from the point after you write the songs? (Do you sing on / make the demos? Pitch the songs to the artists, etc?)
Typically, we go into the studio and demo 4 to 5 new songs. Some of the songs I’ll sing. Some a co-writer will sing. If it’s a song that I don’t feel my voice is best for, I’ll hire an outside demo singer. After the songs are recorded, I turn them into my publisher (Universal Music Publishing). From there, they pitch the songs to record labels, artists, producers, etc. Sometimes, if the right door is opened, I’ll pitch my own songs.
Do you have a favorite song that you’ve written so far? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite song?
It’s called “Watered Down”. I wrote it with Hillary over 3 years ago. No one has recorded it yet.
Who are some of the other artists/songwriters you have written with or for?
Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Lee Ann Womack, Emily West, Phil Stacey
When you write songs, do you ever have a certain artist in mind for the song, or do you just write hoping someone will pick it up later on?
I do it both ways. Sometimes I’ll just write to write, and sometimes I may have someone in mind.
Are there any new projects that you’re currently working on that you’d like to tell us more about?
There are a couple of new things I’m excited about, however I hate to say anything right now, just because I don’t want to say I have a new cut only to have it dropped from the album. Ha! That happens a lot.
Finally, is there anything you would like to say to all the country music fans and all our readers?
I hope I didn’t bore you to death in this interview. Come visit me at www.myspace.com/lairdtunes And to all the music fans, thank you very much, because if it weren’t you, I’d still be trying to chase my dream of being an NBA basketball player, a professional wrestler, or the next Tony Hawk. Pretty funny, huh?
Added: March 23, 2008
