Rising Stars: Meet Garrett Cline

Today we’d like to introduce you to Garrett Cline.

Hi Garrett, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a family that loved music. We were (and still are) very active in our local church and from a very young age, I traveled with my Dad to concerts he was playing/singing. Music was always just an intricate part of our lives. I never remember deciding I was going to love music, I just did. It was just like breathing, it always came naturally. I started playing guitar at the age of ten and my brother was on the drums at seven. From there we were actively playing on a regular basis in our church bands, both leading youth and adult services. Getting to play with such incredible older musicians at such young age was a big part of my growth as musician and as a man. I switched over to bass in youth group because we had 10 guitar players and no bass players. Dad played bass so I had access to good instruments, so it made sense. In those youth worship bands I met my now wife, Jacquelyn and we began to write music together with another friend and that formed into a deep relationship between us, and then also a musical connection with her and my brother. We were married in 2011 and after college our rock band split up, but Jacq, my brother Darrick and I continued to lead worship together and write music. We spent several years leading at student camps and church events across the southeast and serving in our local church.

In 2014, I was asked to join Dylan Scott’s band on a recommendation from my friends Dallas and Lonnie Wilson. I had not planned on joining a country tour but our motto in my house has always been “the yes is on the table.” So, without a tryout or even meeting Dylan, Dylan hired me. That doesn’t speak of my character as much as it does of the trustworthiness of the Wilson’s. After one week out with Dylan, I was able to hire my brother Darrick on the drums and we’ve now been with Dylan for eight years. In that time we’ve gotten to record Gold, Platinum and Double Platinum records and be a part of hits such as “My Girl”, “Hooked”, etc. It’s been an amazing experience and we have developed some incredible relationships.

In 2020, when the world shut down, even though it was an incredibly tough time for us and so many others, Jacquelyn, Darrick and I were able to reignite our passion to write worship music. We began to work with producer Curt Gibbs and write songs with some new and old friends and release our first few songs as CLINE. Since then we’ve been writing with some incredible people and hope to release more music soon.

Coming out of the pandemic, I think we all had a fresh level of gratitude for what God has allowed us to do. Even just writing all of this out just causes me to pause and say “thank you”. I’m currently still touring with Dylan Scott, serving my local church, doing as many sessions as possible, working hard on getting CLINE music ready to be released and trying to grow as a songwriter.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I don’t believe anything worth doing is easy. There are different challenges in each season of life, but a couple that come to mind are 1) the days that I have to be away from my family. Jacquelyn and I now have two kids (ages one and four) and heading out to bus call is not getting any easier. But, I have an amazing wife who loves what we do, and we take on the challenges together. She holds it down at home when I’m gone and we are enjoying getting to write and record music together again. 2) learning to enjoy the moment your in, and not look backwards or forwards. This is tricky. I’ve always been someone who wants to be in three places at once. I love my family, I love touring, I love my church. But I can’t be at all three places at the same time. So I’ve really learned to take to heart this quote from my Dad: “Enjoy the work that the Lord has given you TODAY.” Tomorrow will be a new day. So when I’m with my wife and kids, I try to be ALL IN. When I’m on stage with Dylan, ALL IN. When I’m leading worship with Jacquelyn and Darrick, ALL IN. I haven’t perfected it, but I’m getting there.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Most recently, I’m most proud of something that’s not even out in the world yet. Our new music we’re writing for CLINE has been the most fulfilling and rewarding thing I’ve ever been a part of. I am really proud of the accolades that we’ve received and all that we have accomplished with Dylan as well. Receiving that first platinum record was and is a dream that I can’t believe came true. But here recently, just being in the room when a song sparks with legends like Tony Wood and Michael Farren has been emotionally and spiritually some of the best moments I’ve ever experienced “professionally.”

One of the things that I love about what has come about from just saying “Yes” to whatever is on the table is that I’ve gotten to do so many different things. I love writing songs, I love just getting to be the bass player, I love getting to do sessions, I have loved being able to offer remote session experiences where I send someone bass tracks from my bedroom. It’s just incredible to me that I’ve gotten to be a part of so many different facets of being a musician in this industry.

As far as what sets me apart, I guess you should really ask the people I work with. haha. But I guess I can answer that what I hope sets me apart is my integrity and authenticity. I want people that I get to partner in work with to say that I am real, that I am honest and that I love people.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
This list is probably too long and there’s no way I can mention everyone. But I do want to honor some people. First off, following Jesus has been instrumental in my life. Living surrendered to Him is what keeps this train on the tracks.

From there my Dad and Mom have been incredible supporters my whole life. I remember watching a Keith Urban DVD when I was 14 and finding out about the bass player Mark Hill (who has sense also become a great mentor to me). When I found out he was a session player, I told Dad that I think that would be something that I would want to do. He never told me to have a plan B. He just said “you can absolutely do that.” I think everyone needs a believer in their lives, and Dad has always been that.

My wife Jacquelyn has sacrificed more than anyone else for me to live out these dreams. She has been at home keeping our lives together while sending me out on the road. For several years that was 200 days a year. She is the reason we have made it this far.

Another really important group of people are the Pastors at our home church, Steve Ayers, Jamie Ward and Keith Scarborough to name a few. They have supported us with words of affirmation and even financially in tough times. We would not be still able to chase down dreams if it wasn’t for their support and kindness throughout this journey.

And more recently I’ve had just some really great friendships that understand the music business and are just amazing people. I can call and they tell me everything is going to be ok! haha. These are people like Curt Gibbs, Tony Wood, Jeff Tuerff, Heath Balltzglier, Cam Pumphrey, Jordyn Thomas, Scotty Wilbanks, Joshua Magnin, Jonathan Mason, Trevor Mathiesen, and the list could go on and on (I know I’m going to wish I included more people). These people have all done amazing things and are legends in their own right, and yet for some reason take time out of their day to guide me through life and the music biz.

Contact Info:

• Website: clinemusic.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/clinemusic

Image Credits
Tristan Cusick