About Haley & Michaels
Why country music ?
~ We grew up 3 miles apart from each other in Northern California but never met until we were both in Nashville. When we met we bonded over our mutual love of country music, and specifically the fact that we grew up listening to the same country radio station, 95.3 KRTY in San Jose.
My (Ryan) dad is a pedal steel player and owned a music store so I was introduced to country as early as I can remember. My (Shannon) mom always had music playing in the house, but I found country on the radio and instantly fell in love.
If everything would be possible (waking the dead included) , which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ We want to hear what Johnny and June would be doing together if they were making music today.
Living and working together means you are together almost all of the time. How do you like to spend your time when you are on your own for a day.
~ We spend a lot of time together for sure, and we are grateful we get to do what we love together. When we are on our own, Ryan plays soccer and does yoga. Shannon writes for fun or hikes. We both try to make time to spend with our friends when possible as well. And, of course, we both draft fantasy football teams on “time off” together and separately.
Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ Allen Shamblin.
What is the one thing that readers/fans would be surprised to know about you?
~ We write jingles that are pretty ridiculous and sing them every morning to start our day (usually while wearing our Jedi robes). Somehow they don’t get old.
Solving a work related problem with a colleague normally takes another approach than solving a problem with your partner. How do you handle this?
~ That’s a great way to say it. It’s true. You approach things differently with a work colleague than you do with your partner. It’s been important for us to try to keep the problem solving separated. Meaning, not letting the relationship be affected by a work disagreement, or not getting so comfortable that you approach everything like you’re married. At first it took a lot of conscious effort. Sometimes we still don’t get it right but for the most part we have found a way to make the separation.
What is the question interviewers never seem to ask you and…you wish they would?
~ Our wedding song, “Giving It All (To You)” has been such a special part of our journey and we always love incorporating it into our interviews because we are so grateful for the ways it has changed our lives. So questions about that song are always cool. Hoda discovered it and invited us to perform it on the Today Show. And the best part of our journey so far is that it has become other people’s wedding song as well.
What do you prefer: Playing in a small bar in Nashville or in a huge stadium during half time?
~ Definitely a huge stadium during half time!
Johnny or June ?
~ Ah, very tough to pick between Johnny and June. Ryan will have to give the edge to Johnny simply because he’s the “man in black”, and if you know Ryan you know that he does not wear anything other than black. Shannon will go with June because she’s a powerhouse, leading woman who inspired and paved the way for so many.
Are you still nervous before going on stage and if so, do you use any “rituals” to calm you nerves.
~ We don’t really get nervous any more, or at least the feelings don’t translate themselves as nerves. But we do have rituals. Ryan has to brush his teeth before singing, no matter where we are. Also we always put our hands in the middle with our band and say “Madison Square Garden”. That started when we were playing tiny clubs for about 15 people and the idea was to play every show like it’s Madison Square Garden.
What was the most memorable day in your musical career and tell us why.
~ Playing Monday Night Football halftime for the San Francisco 49ers vs Cleveland Browns was the most memorable so far. First of all it was the first big stadium we’ve ever performed at. But mainly because we are both such diehard 49ers fans and playing our song “Hail Mary” during that game was such a powerful, full-circle moment because we wrote the song about our struggles in the music business and not going down without a fight. So to get to have such a career and personal highlight come from that song felt like we were truly living out the lyrics.
