Jordan Walker. Johnny McGuire. Together they are Walker McGuire. The country duo met at a writers round in Nashville, Tennessee, and although they are not brothers by blood, the two harmonize together and mesh so well, you’d think they’ve known each other their whole lives. The new country duo, signed to BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records, takes on the opposites attract method and bring a fresh new sound to modern country music. The two boys took some time to talk to NECM about themselves and Walker McGuire, as well as their singles and album release.
Jordan, described as the “super country guy” of the group, and Johnny, the rootsier of the two, combine together to create pulsating, yet authentic and modern country music. After meeting onstage at a writers round in Tennessee, the two were said to have been puzzle pieces fitting together and the “yin and yang” of writing music. Right then and there the two formed their duo, which was over five years ago. However, despite the fact that they have different styles, the group blends their raspy draws and crisp vocals to create an undeniable brotherly bond. Walker McGuire, as described by Jordan, is “two guys who really love music with simple lyrics and we try to put that into our songs as much as possible and it just so happens that our voices work well together, with him having a low raspy voice and me sounding like Alison Krauss.” When explaining how the two linked up together, Johnny said “we were just hanging out listening to each other’s music and I dug his sound and he dug mine so we got together and wrote together. He is the first guy I’ve ever co-written with in my life and I think it’s the same for Jordan. It just grew organically.” They’re matchup can be described as love at first sight – or better yet, love at first listen!
The group has single out ‘Til Tomorrow’ and the it is racking up the streams on Spotify. “It’s been, I guess the biggest word to describe it is unbelievable.” Jordan said. “As a kid, you dream of hearing your song on the radio, and its funny I actually just heard ours on the radio a little while ago. It’s crazy, you hear on the radio your Luke Bryan’s, Jason Aldean’s, your Dustin Lynch’s and all of a sudden, it’s us! It’s been five years, but it feels like yesterday that we met. It’s one of those pinch yourself moments whenever it comes on!” Spotify has also helped the guys bring in attention to their single. “For the most part it’s probably our moms playing the song over and over again!” Jordan joked. Johnny added in that “Spotify is just such an important instrument in today’s younger generations. The older generations are definitely catching on. It’s a way for growing artists who don’t really have the power to be heard a lot of other ways. It gives the exposure that is so desperately needed in the beginning of your career. It was a big part of our success years later.” Spotify helps discover music that is unsigned by new artists. Spotify offices are dedicated to finding that new talent and putting out for the world to hear.
As far as a meaning behind their single goes, the boys say it’s a vague overview of a situation they have been in before, as well as many other people. The single was written with Brian Harper and Trey Matthews and it was actually written about four years ago. “We walked in and I was like ‘guys, I wanna write a song about going out and trying to drink someone off your mind.’ When I said that idea they all loved it and we got to writing it,” Jordan said. “No names will be named about the girl you’re thinking about. We love it, man. It’s in the cornerstone of our career and setlist every night.” This was the first song that made the guys realize that their voices sounded really good together, Johnny informed us. Fitting that it is their first single! “You only have one first single!” Jordan piped in – and it couldn’t be more true.
With being two different personalities and styles of music, collaborating can sometimes be difficult. As well finding a means for writing songs the way that they do. Johnny told us that “there’s a big part of our influences that make us write the way that we do. We like simple words that have powerful meanings and can relate to people and move them. We grew up on the 90’s rock and differ a little bit in the country aspect of it. We like stuff that makes you move and makes you feel good.” As far as collaborating, the guys don’t really ever have a hard time with that. “Ironically enough, that’s not even hard for us! It’s kind of our advantage that we’re so different. That gives us the edge over other people. It’s hard for us to find outside songs that fit to our style, but when we do, we jump right on them and take them. It’s our double edged sword.” With their producer, Mickey Cones, their style and sound will never wavier. “We found exactly what we were looking for with Mickey,” Jordan said, “he walked in and was like ‘I wanna make a whole record around y’all vocals. I’m infatuated with how your two vocals sound together and I wanna make them instruments to this record.’ He’s Grammy nominated and he was the first guy to hone in on us vocally.”
Walker McGuire’s next step is to release a full length album with 14 or so songs which is set to release September 15th. The guys are absolutely pumped about this movement forward, and are already looking towards the second album! Congrats guys, we can’t wait to hear it! Through their label BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records, the guys can make this possible. “It’s a dream come true working with them! We wanted one to fit us like a family fit and cared about us and our music, and they were every bit of what we were looking for. It was huge for us!”
Be sure to check out Walker McGuire’s new single ‘Til Tomorrow’ which you can buy on iTunes here and be on the lookout for the future debut album release! make sure to follow the duo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram . These guys were super cool, funny and gave a great interview. Wanna thank them both for taking the time to speak with us here at New England Country Music. We can’t wait to see your future stuff and are looking forward to what’s to come with Walker McGuire!