Interview: Billy McKnight of the Soul Circus Cowboys

1. Your new single, “That’s the Way We Roll” was released to radio on March 31^st, and is the first song released from the album.  What made you choose this as your first single?  We chose “That’s The Way We Roll” as our first single simply because of the message. If you come to a Soul Circus Cowboys show you will get a high energy a lot of fun rockin time.
2. What artists have had an influence on your style of music and on this album?  So many starting with the Great Southern rock artist Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, Marshall Tucker to our current Tim McGraw‘s, Garth Brooks any artist who have that edge. In Tampa southern rock still lives big
3. How would you describe your music, and this album specifically, to someone who isn’t familiar with the Soul Circus Cowboys?  Our music is influenced by a group of guys who have been around the business all of their lives. We are big fans of country music and southern rock and we try to write or perform songs with lived lyrics and our own experiences. This can range from Journey to Bad Company all the way to George Strait. We have big harmonies in a lot of energy and we like to connect with real-life situations.
4. Being that you’re from South Florida, you have played several shows down here, as well as in Nashville and Wyoming.  What are your touring plans in the near future looking like now that you have an album to support?  Our touring plan this year is to reach as many cities possible. Of course the cities that are playing our current single are our first choice. We will reach out to those radio stations and see if we can come visit them and perhaps put on a show. We are very excited and ready to go.
5. Have you been on a radio tour for the album yet?  And if so, how have the folks at country radio reacted to the new single?  We have not been on a radio tour as of yet. We are in our first week of the release; however, we were number one in streaming and number three in downloads at radio and I believe that is a very positive sign.
6. How has living in South Florida influenced your style of music?  Living in South Florida we are heavily influenced by big bands when we were growing up. Field parties, concerts and water were very popular. It was normal to see southern rock bands with 6 to 8 players in it I remember those times like yesterday, a lot of fun.
7. Soul Circus Cowboys…that is a unique name.  How did you come up with it?  Coming up with our name wasn’t so simple we wanted to capture who we were and what we represented. Of course being a country act Cowboys was simple. We try to land or vocals to a soulful touch is where the Soul came from. We love to cut up and get a little crazy was the Circus part it worked out right we love the name and it seems to be catching on.
8. What would you say has been the biggest “Wow!” moment of your career?  We have had a lot of “WOW” moments, one that is recent is opening up for the legendary Steve Miller Band and him giving us a positive shout out in front of a full audience. I think all of us look at each other and said “Wow!”
9. What are your thoughts on today’s Country Music?  The music is constantly changing, I’m a fan of the music that’s on radio today there are a lot of great acts. I also know there’s a lot of great acts that aren’t getting on but that’s the good thing about the internet nowadays, if you’re a music fan you can find your influences.
10. What advice would you give to an aspiring artist trying to make it in the music business?  The best advice I can give is never give up, it is a lifestyle own it. Always hone in on your craft and never stop writing there are rewards along the way no matter what level.