Josh Goodlett has a fantastic voice.  He has an excellent variety and can easily fit in a commercial spotlight. Local radio stations and tv have applauded him for his diversity and excellent sound.  With a touch of Gospel, good solid Country and convincing lyrics we’ll certainly miss him when Nashville scoops him up.

It started at age 8 for Josh. Watching his uncle jam on guitar, singing in choir and more his destiny was sealed in music. His turning point was at age 17 when he was hugely applauded by his church after singing an emotionally packed “Amazing Grace”.  He hasn’t looked back since!

 

Currently, he has a stellar album, “Let’s Go Crazy” that is easily a hit with anyone who listens to it.  Reverbnation has him ranked highly here in Louisville, KY and there are eyes and ears on him from all over the nation.  We think you’ll agree that if you’re a fan of modern country music then you’d love Josh Goodlett.  We’re going to get with him right now so you can get to know him a bit more personally!

 

THE INTERVIEW

 

Daniel/LLM: Let’s start this interview off with originality. Tell us how you would appear in slow motion out of a blizzard entering the stage ready to rock our faces off.

 

Josh Goodlett: {laughs} "Well, I would have to first shave off the Duck Dynasty beard I grew to keep my face warm.  As I'm taking off my camo, insulated bib overalls, hopping on one foot, trying to change into my cowboy boots from my hunting boots!"

 

Daniel/LLM: To be honest, I was barely a Country music fan until late last year. So it’s extra cool for me to get into this genre with some of our local talent. And you sir, blow me away! I didn’t see that you were a national act too which is hard for me to believe because of your style. So, are you well known outside of the Louisville and Southern Indiana area?

 

Josh Goodlett: We are not really well known yet, outside of Louisville and Southern Indiana. However, we are getting there! Currently we have some stations spinning our music in Georgia, in New York and there are several global internet stations that are playing our songs as well. So, we are starting to get some attention around us, other than our local area.

 

Daniel/LLM: I read that you have one album out. The songs you have on Reverbnation are all damn good. So talk to us a bit about this album, “Let’s Go Crazy”. What is fueling this passion and how does it stand out from other artists?

 

Josh Goodlett: To be completely honest, I have worked for two and a half years developing “my” style. I didn’t want to be like or sound like anyone else. I wanted to be “me” and sound like “me”. I took a lot of rock influences, mixed that with Country influences, and combining the two styles I grew up on, I was able to work hard and come up with what you hear now, “me”! As far as what “fuels the passion”, honestly, it came down to everyone telling me that I couldn’t do it! I was told that I had the talent, but everyone was convinced I couldn’t… So, that fueled that desire and that fire even more, and now I am “doing it”, with the grace of God, support of my family, friends, and my fans, I am doing what everyone said I “couldn’t” do. Being told “you can’t do that” is a great motivator for some people. It definitely was for me. As far as what makes my “passion and desire” stand out from other artists, it is difficult to answer that, because I would have to be able to know what “fuels” each of them, I can only speak for myself and what “fuels me”.

 

Daniel/LLM: That just sounds smart! Do you have another album coming soon? If so, how will it differ? Was there any big things that happened in your life between the first one and this next one? Like marriage? A kid? An alien encounter?

 

Josh Goodlett: Right now, the target date for the release of the second album is the spring of 2014. It will be different from the first album, because it will be stronger lyrically and musically. What I mean by that is, I am starting to come into my own and getting more familiar and comfortable with my own style and my songwriting abilities continue to get stronger each day. As far as, “what has happened in my life”, I have received more support than I could’ve ever imagined! I am still in awe at the amazing support I get from the fans and the encouragement from everyone around me! I am so glad you asked about an “alien encounter”, when he showed up last night, outside my window, I thought I was just seeing things! But, I would like to thank him (or her) for the great inspiration for the lyrics for a song idea!

 

Daniel/LLM: See how fate works? (laughs) Country music seems to focus a lot on everyday life. Do you think anyone would ever write about an alien encounter? If you ever had one would you write a song about it?

 

Josh Goodlett: I tell you, it would depend on how weird the encounter was, but if the spaceship looked like a Chevy, absolutely! I would write about it!

 

Daniel/LLM: We like odd questions around here, as you can tell. But we love deep ones too. Do youwrite all of your own material?

 

Josh Goodlett: {laughing} “Odd” questions is an understatement! We all have to laugh at times, so no worries! Seriously though, no, I do not write all of my material. While I do believe that I am a very good songwriter, I have a strong belief that there are songs out there that need to be heard, and stories that need to be told, and these writers pour their heart and soul into these songs, and all they want is for it to be heard. As a songwriter, I appreciate that. So I am open to recording something written by someone else. However, In order to record someone else’s songs, it has to touch me, it has to hold true to who I am. I have to feel the lyrics and the meaning of the song before I would record it.

Daniel/LLM: “I Use What I Got” is my favorite. What’s the story behind this one? To me, I feel it’s about focusing on the good aspects of one’s self. What was going on in your mind when writing this one?

 

Josh Goodlett: Well, this is a perfect example of someone else writing a song that I “feel” or that “speaks to me”. I did not write that song. “I Use What I Got”, was written by Brett James. The lyrics, the meaning, the feeling of this song, it all just “fits” me which is why I recorded it. In the chorus it says, “Pass every no, after no, after no ‘til I get a yes.” So, it has become my anthem, me saying “ok… you were wrong.”

 

Daniel/LLM: Well, you pick ‘em good! Do you tour a lot or play a lot of shows? What is going on for the rest of the year concerning playing out and about?

 

Josh Goodlett: We are scheduling something new every day, it seems which is a blessing! Right now, we are working on a mini-tour, going outside of the Louisville/Southern Indiana area, and as far as the rest of the year, We have some exciting things coming up, some I can not disclose right now, but what I can tell you is September is packed. We just finished a show at Churchill Downs, for the opening of Downs After Dark. We are playing PBR Louisville; and we are working with Aiden’s Lego Legacy, which is a benefit being held at Cabelas in Louisville, for an amazing young man, Aiden, who is fighting a battle with leukemia for the second time; September 21st, we will be at Baxter’s 942.

September 27th, we will be at Down River Bar & Grill in Southern Indiana; September 28th, we will be headlining the World Chicken Festival in London, KY; and to finish out the month, on September 29th, we will be playing at the Heart of Fire Church (better known as the “Pope’s House”) for a Wounded Warrior Benefit. October is starting to fill up too, and what I can disclose at this time is we will be playing 4th Street Live! in Louisville on October 11th, opening for Thompson Square! Stay tuned and watch our website, Facebook and Twitter pages for exciting news soon!

 

Daniel/LLM: That’s pretty cool stuff, man!  I hope to have staff there covering all these wonderful events. It’s good to see you playing excellent music for all of these things! The city needs that, for sure. When it comes to this city, does it feel easy enough to get a show booked or does Country music feel hard to score gigs to? I ask because Hip Hop doesn’t get a lot of local love and local Rock is questionable.

 

Josh Goodlett: Yes, it was very difficult getting those first gigs lined up, very difficult to get them booked, at first. It took a long time to build my name and build this band. However, once we started playing and got there it was word of mouth and our reputation as to our quality and our abilities that have them calling us to book shows. You have to prove yourself, and I think that is with anything in life. You have to find those that are willing to give you that chance, but then it’s up to you to prove to them that you have what it takes. That is what we have spent so much time, practice and hard work to provide. We give it 110% at every show we have and to give any less, would not be “true” to who we are.

 

Daniel/LLM: You’re really living in Sellersburg, Indiana, a neighboring town of ours. With such a small town, where are a few highlights for Country music lovers coming through Southern Indiana?

 

Josh Goodlett: I would say, PBR Louisville at 4th Street Live! and Down River Bar and Grill.

 

Daniel/LLM: Would you agree that Pizza King, or that Sir Danno’s has some of the most epic tasting pizza ever?

 

Josh Goodlett: I will have to go with Pizza King.

 

Daniel/LLM: If every pizza you ever got had seashells on it instead of what you wanted and the only way to change this was to say the names of 3 artists you’d love to tour with, who would they be?

 

Josh Goodlett: Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, and Justin Moore.

 

Daniel/LLM: I had to ask something unique. Where can people go for more about you? I know you have a main website coming real soon.

 

Josh Goodlett: Yeah, those “unique” and “interesting” questions keep coming up! {laughs} As far as where to find out more about us, we almost have the website completed, but you can visit it and see the show dates and some information, that is www.JoshGoodlett.com, also, check us out on Facebook.com/JoshGoodlettMusic, Reverbnation.com/JoshGoodlett, and on Twitter @JoshGoodlett. We are also listed on BandsInTown and we have an app you can download off Reverb Nation that will keep you up-to-date!

 

Daniel/LLM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

 

Josh Goodlett: I would like to first, thank God for giving us the opportunity to do what we do, forblessing us with the talent and the support to keep going forward! Of course, I have to thank my band, obviously, without the top-notch musicians we have, it would just be me standing there singing, they bring it all together, and “complete me” and they support me, always. (Tony Cain, Mike Miller, Tim Carver and Mark Coogle) Also, thank you to my family and friends for the support, encouragement and for allowing me to follow this dream. And of course, to our fans… a HUGE THANK YOU to them for coming out to the shows, supporting us, following us and for always believing in us! Without them, we would not be where we are and they are the backbone of this journey we are taking! Also, Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Louisville Limelight, we are honored for the opportunity.

 

Daniel/LLM: It was certainly a pleasure. With a great sense of humor, a humble soul and wonderful music it’d be a shame not to have you in it! I like to end these with a signature last question, the style I’ve become known for. So, with a mind as sharp as yours this should be great! Let’s say that you were eating your favorite chips at an incredible rate. Because of this, a few of your fingers went numb. This sucked because you had to write a song immediately. Now, you can only play 3 chords. Luckily, it only takes 3-4 chords anymore to write a commercial hit. What were the chips, what notes would you play and which song of yours would best represent this situation?

 

Josh Goodlett: {laughs} Wow! I was hoping the “hard” ones were over! Let’s see, the chips would have to be Cheetos, as far as the notes, probably G D A, and the song…. I have not written it yet! I was hoping to put something together with the “Chevy” spaceship and the “alien’s” suggestions!

 

Daniel/LLM: (laughs) I’d certainly promote that one! Was this interview original enough to have another one when your next album comes out?

 

Josh Goodlett: Absolutely! I am looking forward to it! Thank you for a very “interesting” interview!

 

Daniel/LLM: Awesome! I’ll hold you to that! Thanks a lot Josh for being part of our dream that is Louisville Limelight and for letting us in on that personality and those stellar songs. We wish you the best!

 

Story and interview by

Daniel C. Morrison – Louisville Limelight Magazine