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Exclusive Interview with Dan Hardick

Dan Hardick

About Dan Hardick

Why country music ?
~ I grew up listening to a lot of country. Cut my teeth on Waylon and Willie. My first guitar was an acoustic guitar, and I just naturally started writing country songs. Over the years I went through a lot of different styles, but none of them felt as comfortable to me as country.

If everything would be possible (waking the dead included) , which two people should sing the ultimate country duet?
~ It would be really hard to beat George and Tammy, but I would like to hear Marty Robbins and Dolly Parton..

What song you ever recorded means the most to you and why?
~ Maybe I am taking a hint from the previous question, but my song "Wake the Dead" means a lot to me. It’s about going home to Oklahoma to my grandmother’s funeral with my cousins…although all that might not come through in the lyrics…it’s about how I felt at that time and place, so it means a lot to me.

Who would you like to write a song for you?
~ Easy. Billy Joe Shaver.

Whisky wine beer or water?
~ Tequila. OK, whisky, but it depends highly on who made it. I had some whisky about a year ago that tasted like bacon in a bottle. Otherwise and ice cold beer always hits the spot.

What is the question interviewers never asked you while you were always hoping they would. (and give us your answer)?
~ Why are you still doing this?
It took me years of failure and a couple of gunny sacks full of songs to figure this out, but the short answer is, because I love writing songs..

Describe the ultimate recording studio (not the technique but the facilities)
~ For me, it’s roomy, dimly lit, and not overly baffled. Comfortable headphones, chairs and sofas (I spend as much time listening as I do recording) Also, since I am in Austin…it needs to have really good air conditioning. As far as equipment: Nicely isolated drum booths, and maybe vocal booths, but I don’t mind doing overdubs so those aren’t crucial. Equipment-wise, a couple of really nice condenser mics and really nice mic-pres. I have an Avalon that I really like. For me, equipment is secondary to musicianship and the feel of the take, but the atmosphere of the room contributes highly to the groove. Let’s call it feng shuei.

Johnny or June ?
~ I’m taking June because she’s the underdog…and she was a serious ass kicker – or at least she seemed like it.

Give us your top 3 country songs ever.
~ Dang. Impossible. Here goes: He Stopped Loving Her Today – George Jones, El Paso – Marty Robbins, You Never Even Call Me by My Name (because I love singing it) and about a hundred others at least.

What is your most important message to our readers?
~ You are what you love.

Fingerpistol Country Singer

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