Seventeen-year-old country singer, Austin Michael, from Van Alstyne, Texas is a roper, rider, and American Idol-er who loves hunting, fishing, country music, and people! He has loved and lived country music all his life and is excited to get the chance to pursue his dream.
The crazy ride of American Idol has taught him a few things which he has taken into the studio over the past several months. Work hard. Play hard. And believe in yourself. He recently co-wrote his first song “Country Cred” and out of that song created his first music video that has been getting great feedback.
Alan Mercer: Austin, I heard your debut album and I love it. When is it available for download?
Austin Michael: It’s available on October 9.
Alan M: I didn’t get to watch you on ‘American Idol’ but when I heard your first couple of songs, I looked up the video on YouTube and I was so impressed. I guess that really kickstarted your career.
Austin M: No doubt, absolutely 100% it launched my career. I never thought I was going to be a part of the music industry, but I did always look up to the famous Country music singers. It was always a thought in my head that it would be really cool to be able to do that, but it didn’t seem real.
Alan M: How did you get on ‘American Idol?’
Austin M: My sister has always been my biggest fan. My older sister asked me to send her a video of me singing and I had just posted one on Instagram and she saw it and freaked out. Then she sent it to one of her friends and her friend freaked out and sent it to ‘American Idol.’ Then the producers got in contact with me and asked if I wanted to be on the show. I didn’t really think I could even sing, but if they thought I could, then I’d give it a shot.
AM: You didn’t think you could sing!?!
Austin M: Especially at that time.
Alan M: Now, you know you can sing.
Austin M: I could say so, I guess.
Alan M: I do like the way you lassoed Katy Perry!
Austin M: Because I did that, it became my image. I was known as the Roper Kid.
Alan M: All that was authentic wasn’t it?
Austin M: Yes, it was all completely real, nothing scripted.
Alan M: I can’t believe you had your rope with you!
Austin M: My family didn’t know I packed my rope and they looked at me like I was crazy when I pulled it out at our hotel. I just brought it because I enjoyed it.
Alan M: Who produced your album?
Austin M: Split Window Studios and SIE Talent. I went through them. They manage me and they have a recording studio in Sherman, Texas. It looks like a barn on the outside and I wondered what I would sound like in there. Then I walked in and saw a completely professionally done with high dollar equipment. Everything was top of the line. I was not expecting that! I am very pleased with how the album turned out.
Alan M: Did you write any of the songs on the album?
Austin M: I did write 6 of the songs.
Alan M: What are the titles of the ones you wrote?
Austin M: I wrote “Feel It Too,’ ‘Hard To Say Goodbye,’’Bleedin Heart,’ and ‘Things My Grandpa Said,’ ‘Country Cred,’ and one other one.
Alan M: I heard ‘Country Cred’ first.
Austin M: I had ‘Country Cred’ as my original and then I did 2 covers of Rap songs we made Country. Those were ‘Panini’ and ‘Circles.’
Alan M: How are you dealing with the covid 19 lifestyle as a teenager?
Austin M: From the average teenage mindset, I would say it’s devastating, like the end of the world, but for me, I didn’t grow up as a popular kid. I was never the cool guy. I never had a lot of friends and I ended up getting home schooled. I focused on myself and did the things I wanted to do. I got interested in welding and woodworking and working on the ranch with cows and motorcycles.
Alan M: So, you are all around creative.
Austin M: I guess you could say that.
Alan M: have you thought of how you are going to promote your album with no shows going on?
Austin M: That is the most devastating part for me. Most teenagers are missing going out to party, but for me it was always playing live music and I can’t do that right now.
Alan M: It really slows down the artistic growth.
Austin M: It’s especially hard for an upcoming, developing artist like me.
Alan M: It seems like a long time now, but it will happen, and you will be out on the road and doing shows again someday. Hopefully, next year.
Austin M: As far as album promotion goes, we will do whatever we can. It’s difficult to deal with releasing it now during this pandemic.
Alan M: But people need new music now.
Austin M: Exactly! People need that space filled with new content. I have been teasing fans on Tic Toc and Instagram with snippets of my new songs and that does get them excited.
Alan M: Your voice is so deep and big. It sounds like you’ve been singing for 20 years already. (Laughter)
Austin M: I’ve been singing for two years.
Alan M: You have a STAR quality Austin.
Austin M: Thank you, I appreciate it.
Alan M: So, you are ready to go, right? Ready to open some big shows?
Austin M: Oh yeah, I’m ready. We’re talking to venues about playing shows after they open up again. It’s not about the fame and having people look up to me. That’s not the reason I am doing this. I don’t need that, but I want to make people happy while at the same time, do what I love.
