Backstage with: Callum kerr

Photo credit: Hannah Brown

Backstage with: Callum kerr

Callum Kerr is a triple-threat in the industry: a talented actor, singer and musician, but if you’re not familiar with his music, you owe it to yourself to rectify that because this is a guy that belongs to be on a stage with his guitar and his band, playing country music. Callum sums his journey up best simply with: Scottish born, Texas raised, Nashville livin’ and it’s a journey that’s led him to releasing his debut EP ‘Roots Under Me’ next month on July 25th and making his official Grand Ole Opry debut the very next night, as well as playing his first CMA Fest, which is where Nikki had the pleasure of sitting down with him and chatting about all of the above.

NB: Callum, awesome to meet you, mate – thanks for taking the time.

CK: My pleasure.

NB: I gotta say, it’s nice to hear an accent from a little closer to home.

CK: I was gonna say the same.

NB: I was at your show on the CMA Close Up Stage yesterday, it was the first time I got to see you live. I really loved it.

CK: Oh, thank you.

NB: When the opportunity to chat to you came up, it was such an easy yes, and it required so little research.

CK: Oh, thanks. You’d heard the music and stuff before?

NB: Yeah, I think it was towards the end of the last year, you just randomly popped up on my TikTok.

CK: So it works.

NB: It works.

CK: That's amazing.

NB: It was a video of you singing ‘Tamed by Tennessee, and I was like, that sounds really cool, and he's Scottish. What’s not to love?

CK: That's amazing.

NB: So how are you finding your first CMA Fest so far?

CK: It's been amazing so far. We're only halfway through day two, but you know, treat it as a marathon, not a sprint. So we're trying to pace ourselves. But it's been amazing. Got to play the Spotlight Stage yesterday, which you said that you managed to get down to. We did it acoustic, since it was our first time. And so it was just me and another guitar player. And then we have two full band shows at the weekend, one on the BMI stage and one at Category 10 on Sunday.

NB: I gotta say, I love country music when an artist can just break it down and play it acoustic like you did yesterday, but there’s something about a full band show as well, so I’ll be coming down to your set at Category 10 too.

CK: I'm really looking forward to playing there, and I love doing the acoustic stuff as well. But like you say, there is an energy that you get playing with a full band, and it sounds more like the real production. And I just, I can't wait. I can't believe we're halfway done already.

NB: I know, I just wish the weather was a bit better today.

CK: I know, trust Tennessee to give you some thunderstorms and lightning.

NB: It’s all good though; just adds to the drama of the backdrop.

CK: Exactly. There were some artists that were supposed to play this morning that never got to play, so fingers crossed it doesn’t get any worse and we still get to play tomorrow.

NB: I really hope so.

CK: I’ll play in the rain.

NB: Hey man, for your set, I’ll stand in the rain.

CK: Hey there we go – that’s a good deal. It might just be the two of us out there, but –

NB: I’ll still be lovin’ it. And you’ve got plenty to be looking forward to coming up, and speaking of which, congrats on your invite to make your Grand Ole Opry debut.

CK: Thank you. Thank you so much.

NB: What does that mean to you to get that invite?

CK: So, you'll know as well as I, the Opry kind of transcends Nashville. We know about the Grand Ole Opry in Scotland and in the UK, and it's just such a cool place. So many legends got to play there. And I'm just, I can't believe that they asked me. It's amazing, and I just can't wait. I've got family coming over, friends coming over from Scotland, people coming from Texas, and so I guess, you know, everyone else also thinks that it's a big deal, and everyone's just excited. I just can't wait. There's almost no words. I'm like, just get me up there, I can't wait to play it. You know, you get to play with the house band, the Opry house band. They're just amazing. That auditorium sounds brilliant.

NB: It's gorgeous in there. I love how you got your invite as well. You were at the end of your set at Whiskey Jam, which is another Nashville institution itself.

CK: Yeah.

NB: Only to then be told that you've got that invite. That was pretty cool.

CK: Yeah, yeah. I love Ward, who does Whiskey Jam. He's done a great job. And pretty much anyone who's anyone has played Whiskey Jam at some point in their career. You know, he has videos of 2012 Chris Stapleton playing his first Whiskey Jam, and Luke Combs, and Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson, and everybody's gone through it. So I loved playing that, and to get invited to the Opry at the end of playing, that was crazy.

NB: What was it that led you into country music?

CK: I moved to Texas when I was 17, and as soon as I landed, or even, actually, before I landed, my boss, the guy who was going to be my boss was like, “do you listen to country?” and I was like, “no send me some stuff,” and he started sending me songs. I was like, Oh, this is great. I love this. I was always kind of a rock fan, but I got to Texas and I just loved the sound of it, and I loved the swagger, but it's also heartfelt. It was just so up my street that I was like, this is already my favourite kind of music. But, you know, even at the time, I didn't really think I was gonna pick a career in it. And then I did an acting job on a show called Monarch, where I played a Texas country singer, and I was like, okay, maybe this could be a career? And then one opportunity led to another, and then here I am, you know, making TikToks about my new song coming out. And like, oh my god, we're really doing this.

NB: I love the TikTok you did recently taking the piss out of being a TV actor “trying country” - it's got such a Scottish or a UK sense of humour to it, but did you feel that in the beginning, though, that sort of negative connotation coming from the show, even though you played a country music character?

CK: Yeah, a little bit. I wanted to do it the proper way, and I wanted to come and write music with people that are, you know, from here, and really, really kind of dissolve myself into the Nashville way of life. I didn't want to just get songs out because I was on a TV show and a lot of people were like, “Dude, we like your accent - why don't you keep it when you sing? And I'm like, because I'm not singing Scottish country music. I'm singing country music that I've been inspired by, that I like writing, you know, American country music, and so I wanted to take my time and really make sure that I was learning it and getting it right. And I feel like, so far, you know, I've not had too many haters in the comments saying, “this is not country – he’s Scottish! And I always say every generation needs a guy with a weird accent. You know, before me, it was Keith Urban. This generation, I'm gonna take that place.

NB: Exactly! And it's not done Keith any harm. He’s doing okay.

CK: Exactly, yeah. I mean, if you're respectful, I think, and you come in and do it properly, and you write the right songs and record the right songs, and you're half decent. I think the best thing about the South in general, is that people are very accommodating. As long as you come in and you're respecting their culture and their music.

NB: 100% and I think being yourself as well, that authenticity, it comes through, if you're trying to be somebody else, people will see right through that.

CK: Totally. And you get that a lot with people, you know, trying country music just because it's popular just now. And I'm like, you can't just try it. You have to like it and respect it and appreciate it to then take it on for yourself, and that's definitely what I tried to do. But whether that comes across or not, we'll see. But it's been a great journey so far.

NB: Well, for me, it comes across, and I love a lot of country music, but anytime I get to see a UK artist just makes me so much happier. The fact that you're here: you're flying the flag for UK country artists, you’re making great music, you’ve got the Opry coming up, and you're bringing out your debut EP that same weekend. Can you speak a little bit about that, the journey to making it?

CK: Yeah, so I think we rattled it down from about 50 songs in the pack, and we got it all the way down to six, and we had to cut some that we really liked. But I think the six that we got, they really hit every different angle we wanted. We didn't want all of them to have the same message. We wanted a bit of a mixed bag. So we've got heartbreak songs or falling in love songs, or being in love songs, or drinking because you're sad songs, drinking because you're happy songs. And, you know, reminiscent on our hometown songs. And it's funny because those totally relate to where I grew up as well, in Scotland. So, yeah, I loved it. I loved making the EP. It took us about a year to do it because I had some acting work in the middle, but I love what we've done. The Huffs produced it really well, and it's music that I would listen to if it wasn't me on the track. So I just hope that other people can enjoy it as much as we loved making it.

NB: I think they will. And like you said about it being relatable everywhere, like Cold Beer, Cold. I've totally got a couple friends who are just like that girl in the song.

CK: Yeah, I love that song, and loved recording it, and they put a darker guitar on it, if you know what I mean, like, kind of rockier guitar. And yeah, I had such a blast, and that one was fun because it's not a falling in love song, and it's not a heartbreak song. It's just like a girl puts all her drinks on your tab and then pisses off. And it's like, that's funny, you know? It's like, all of that happening in like a one-hour period. And so we liked it. It was a little bit funnier, kind of tongue in cheek, and yeah, we had a great time recording that whole album. Yeah, I'm just so glad that the Huffs were the ones that produced it. I couldn't be more thankful.

NB: You’re releasing the third song from the EP next Friday, which you played in your set yesterday – I gotta say, I love that you played in front of your dad as well.

CK: Yeah. He was like, the set was great. You got to work on your chat, though. And I was like, Dude, if you turn up, I'm going to make fun of you a little bit.

NB: It's just gotta be done.

CK: Oh yeah, it's gotta be done. He'd do the same thing.

NB: Can you tell us a little bit more about the three songs that we haven't heard yet?

CK: From the last three, I would say they're definitely high energy, fun songs. I've teased a couple of them. One's called, It Ain't Working, and another one's called, Used to Love This Town. And then there's one other that I actually played yesterday called Silver Lining, but I don't think I'm gonna tease that one. I'm gonna leave that until it comes out, so that there's something on the album that people haven't heard on social media. But, yeah, just every song has its own unique thing that it does, and I'm just excited for it to come out.

NB: Who are some of the artists that inspired you to get into country music?

CK: It was mid to late, 2000s you know, early 2010s, so, Dierks Bentley and Jason Aldean and Toby Keith, and honestly, the Zac Brown Band were huge at that time, I loved their music. And Florida, Georgia Line, Eric Church, those were the dudes that were really huge in the charts, so I listened to a lot of them. And I've been following all the way up to everyone that's doing everything now, and all the modern stuff. And I love it all, but starting to play around town, you know, I went back and listened to Joe Diffie, and even all the way back to, like, Merle Haggard and all those guys. So at this point, I'm just a fan from like the 60s onwards. I used to have a Dierks Bentley song as my alarm clock. I loved the song so much that I set it as my alarm clock. So I was like, there's no way I'm ever gonna hate this song, I thought it was such an upbeat song. I was like, I'm gonna spring outta bed every morning. And it happened for like, three days, and I was like, ugh this song again! But those are the guys that really got me into country, made me fall in love with it. And since then, there's too many to mention. So I'm just obsessed. I'm just a huge fan of the whole genre throughout the ages now.

NB: Are there any artists you’re particularly looking forward to seeing across CMA Fest?

CK: Yeah, I’ve got a bunch of friends playing. One of our - my fiancé’s best friend from college - girl called Lauren Watkins.

NB: Oh, she's really good.

CK: Yeah, love Lauren. So we were just with them at dinner last week celebrating her new song coming out. And now she's playing at CMA Fest as well. I’ll hopefully try and catch Caleb Lee Hutchison. I'm trying to think, on Sunday, once we're done with our gig, we're going to Nissan Stadium. Zach Top’s playing, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley are there, so I'll get to see them live, which is cool. Talking about the guys that made me love country music. You know, who else? Dylan Scott. I've heard that he's one of the hardest working dudes in this town, and I love his voice, and he's great live. So hopefully I can see him as well.

NB: Well, I hope you enjoy it. Thanks again for taking the time, I've enjoyed this.

CK: Me too, yeah, and I appreciate it. Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure.

Whatever Gets You There is out now

Callum performed 'Whatever Gets You There' live at Category 10

Callum's debut EP 'Roots Under Me' is out July 25th via ONErpm/Huff Co. Pre-save here: