Rising Stars: Meet Brian Sutherland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Sutherland.

Hi Brian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you for having me! Music has always interested me, even from a young age. I would mimic people’s voices when they spoke, trying to copy their accents or phrasing. Singers especially tugged on my ear. I was always singing. In middle school, I volunteered for orchestra class and an after-school guitar program (partly to get out of PE in Florida, if I’m being honest), and it stuck. I fell in love with cello and guitar the same day and haven’t looked back. I started singing songs and covers when I was 15 and playing in the bars soon after. I went to college for cello and played wine bars in central Florida and the church band on Sunday mornings. When I graduated in 2011, music became my full-time career between teaching privately, playing out, writing, and recording. In 2016 I was invited to perform for BMI in my hometown, Fort Myers, FL as a regional artist for the Island Hopper Songwriters Festival. There, I met professional songwriters and fell in love with writing songs for a living. I had no idea that it was a career path I could pursue. My wife Holly and I soon decided to move to Nashville and chase this crazy dream. 5 years later, we’ve laid roots here, met some of our best friends, brought our daughter home, and are loving our life.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I want to know if any road in the music industry is smooth, but I’ve generally been lucky to stay working and hungry. I’ve had my fair share of showing up to play for no more than the staff at a bar, but overall I’ve had a blast doing what I do.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. I’ve been an artist performing my music, a ‘hired gun’ for many artists from country and Americana to classic rock and rap. I’ve played in pit orchestras for musicals, symphonies, and everything in between. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be humbled several times in my life. For instance, I remember playing at the Grand Ole Opry, then driving back to Florida to play at a wine bar the next night.

What matters most to you?
My daughter. She is the center of my wife and I’s world. I believe wholeheartedly that if she sees me working hard and chasing my dreams, she’ll know that she can do anything she believes she can, and then she will, and she’ll be unstoppable.

Contact Info:

• Website: sutherlandsongs.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/bssongs

Image Credits
1st Photo: Annie Loughead, 2nd Photo: Christie Martin, 3rd Photo: Sarah Kauss