Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Buckner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up on a Burley tobacco farm & cattle ranch deep in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, Andy spent his early childhood being a ranch hand while listening to gospel, bluegrass, southern rock, & classic country music. Andy started singing in church at the young age of 3, & joined his family band by the age of 7. Singing lead, & mainly playing bass, & at times guitar, mandolin, & banjo. Andy traveled regionally & all over the south east with his family band playing bluegrass and gospel music at many churches, revivals, & festivals across the south east. As time went on Andy later joined bluegrass band Cumberland River, & had 13 original songs featured on FX hit show series “Justified”. At the same time Andy became the first freshman to make the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band at East Tennessee State University. A few years later Andy became a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” where he gained national attention, & expanded his writing circle even more in Nashville. Then later joined powerhouse IBMA award winning bluegrass band Sideline as their lead singer & guitarist. Pinning their number one song “Just A Guy In A Bar”. Blending honkytonk & gritty cowboy seclusion, Country artist Andy Buckner’s music embodies a balance of party anthems, & instantly relatable heartache healers. There’s no doubt his cowboy lifestyle with horses & family rodeos, mixed with influences such as Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Allan, Charlie Daniels, Keith Whitley, Merle Haggard, & Marty Stuart completely round out his southern soul approach. Andy’s grainy, soulful voice, embraces his North Carolina roots, & shares authentic songs inspired by his upbringing. Buckner is currently working with powerhouse producer Carson Chamberlain. Chamberlain’s musical background covers stints as a musician, bandleader, & tour manager, for artists like Keith Whitley & Alan Jackson. Chamberlain was also VP of A&R for Mercury Nashville. Chamberlain’s producing credits include projects for Zach Top, Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, & Mark Wills among others. Buckner has been creating a buzz on tour with Zach Top, Treaty Oak Revival, & Easton Corbin, & is looking to release new music soon.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing about this road has been smooth, but that’s what makes me appreciate it even more. Nothing has been handed to me. I grew up poor, I didn’t have the money nor the connections to get anywhere. I’ve been very blessed to have made some of the best friends & mentors the business has to offer. Once you find that group of believers that champion what you do, anything is possible.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Singer, Songwriter, Musician.
Country Artist Andy Buckner
I’m most proud of being a Daddy to my little girls.
Authenticity sets me apart from others. I’m not looking to chase a trend. If you’re chasing something, then you’re already behind. I’m Andy Buckner, take it or leave it.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Heroes, that became mentors, that became best friends;
My Lord & Savior Jesus Christ
My wife Jordan
My daughters Whitley, Avery, & Brooklynn
My Dad & Mom
My Mamaw Lillie for always encouraging me to sing
My family & friends
* Jason “Rowdy” Cope, guitarist for Jamey Johnson & founder of the southern rock powerhouse band The Steel Woods, my first believer, & became one of my closest friends. Introduced me to so many singers, musicians, & songwriters in Nashville.
* Ronnie Bowman, lead singer of the bluegrass band The Lonesome River Band, pinned many number one songs for artists including; Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, & many more, my first believer, my first co-write, who became one of my closest friends in Nashville, & later on introduced me to so many writers in Nashville.
* Shawn Camp, singer, songwriter, musician, former artist on Warner records, member of bluegrass band The Earls of Leicester, pinned number one songs for artists including; George Strait, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner, & many more, another writer in Nashville, who became one of my closest friends & mentors in the business.
* Michael White, singer, songwriter, musician, former artist on Warner Records, pinned songs for artists including; Alan Jackson, Conway Twitty, Brooks & Dunn, & many more, another writer in Nashville, who became of of my closest friends & mentors in the buisness. Introduced me to Carson Chamberlain.
* Kenny & Karen Woodard, believers & champions of what I do, became like a second set of parents, they help push my career.
* Carson Chamberlain, songwriter, musician, former band mate & tour manger for Keith Whitley, former tour manager of Alan Jackson, more info about him in my previous answers you can use, changed my life with producing my newest music, getting me a pub deal, & helping me navigate this crazy world of music in Nashville. Became one my best friends.
* Believers, mentors, & friends I have to mention who spend time on me, write with me, & help push what I’m doing;
* Rita Chamberlain, Keith Stegall, Clint Daniels, Jeff Hyde, Wyatt McCubbin, Mark Neslar, Tim Nichols, Garry Harrison, Rick Huckaby, Adam Worley, Joel Shewmake, Cody Atkins, Elijah Wise, & there are more I know but we’d be here a long time. So thankful for so many.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andybuckner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abucknermusic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndyBucknerMusic/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@andybucknermusic?si=EN3sRRmwTRM-HJWI
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@abucknermusic?_r=1&_t=ZP-98H94QQKxSg
