Country music’s Eric Durrance —who notched a No. 17 music video on cable-TV's Great American Country countdown with Turn It Off, the second single from his Angels Fly Away CD—has been working hard to build upon his breakthrough success at country radio and with music fans.
Most recently, the music video for his Turn It Off single found top-countdown favor with GAC viewers. But make no mistake, Durrance said, the song's seemingly overnight success is a direct result of his fan-building, career-forging work as the opening act on Country Music Television's 2008 tour, which was headlined by country star Jason Aldean and fellow country-newcomers Lady Antebellum.
Country Music Newcomer Garners Strong Fan Following During CMT Concert Tour
During the multiple-city fall tour, Durrance shared in a May 18, 2009, telephone interview with Suite101, he and his band made a multitude of new fans who were surprised by the former hit-making Christian artist's high-energy opening performances that were nothing short of "headliner-quality" shows.
"We were so ready and so pumped to just get out there and take our music to the people," the Tallahassee, Fla., native said, referring to the CMT tour. "We knew that most people wouldn't know who we were this first go-around, but we also were confident that if they gave our music a chance, if they watched our live show, we could win them over."
Country Fans Push Artist's Music Video to Top of GAC Countdown
And win new fans, Durrance did. In fact, as he noted, "We had just one brand-new single when we hit the road, and that was the title track from the Angels Fly Away CD. But after seeing us live, those fans we made during the tour with Jason (Aldean) went back home and made Turn It Off, our second single from the album, the success it was. It was the votes of those country fans that put the Turn It Off music video in the No. 17 spot, and for that, we are so humbled and grateful."
Just like a hard-luck country song, however, the former Dove Award nominee and lead-singer for Christian rockers Big Dismal closed out the CMT tour on a high note only to learn via a phone call from his mom that his home had been destroyed.
“We had so many great things happen career-wise for us—just an unforgettable year—but when we closed the CMT tour , I went home to Florida (for Thanksgiving) and found my home, my farmhouse, had burned to the ground,” he said.
Personal Loss Inspires Country Singer's Songwriting, New Music Project
“Personally, it was devastating, but I just tried to stop and count my blessings and all I had to be thankful for, and then from there, I began writing what I feel like is some of my strongest material to date. … And I’m excited to share it with the fans and country radio.”
Thus, from the ashes of what was his beloved home, Durrance worked to create new music. And since that time, he said, he's experienced one of the most prolific songwriting periods of his career to date—something he views as a blessing that resulted from the ordeal.
Consequently, Durrance anticipates much of the music he's recently penned will be contained on his next recorded project that, unlike his last studio record, will feature the charismatic performer's live-show lineup, versus studio players.
New Country Songs Will Better Reflect Musicians Live Sound, He Says
Although the yet-to-be titled album’s sound has no projected release date at this writing, "We’ve been working really hard in the studio on our new music and I know our current fans will be pleased,” he shared. "We had so many comments on our live show, so having my band on a record will really capture that sound the CMT audiences have told me they really connected with."
Moreover, the brunet singer-songwriter—who penned 8 Second Ride, a cut on fellow country singer and Florida native Jake Owens’ latest CD—added that his upcoming studio effort will showcase more of his original songs than ever before; thus, giving listeners more musical insight into the seasoned performer.
Eric Durrance Participates in Country Weekly Magazine Fashion Show for Charity
In other country news, Durrance will take to the catwalk June 10, 2009, in the name of charity when he makes his modeling debut as part of the 2009 Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon.
The now Music City-based artist, in spite of having never modeled before, will trade the comfort zone of his guitar-and-mic for fashion-forward western attire and the runway to help raise money for Musicians on Call, a 10-year-old charity that works to provide recorded music for hospital patients to help maximize the healing/recovery process.
“I don't know that I am much of a model, but I'm going to give it my best shot," he said, laughing. "It's for a great cause, ... and when it comes down to it, that's what this is all about—teaming to help others where you can. I'm excited to take part, honored to have been invited and ready to give it my all!"
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
Join the Conversation