Your Country's Right Here: Randy Houser Changes His Tune

posted in: Country • Exclusive Interviews • Music News

Randy Houser wants to set the record straight about a few things including his new bride Jessa Lee Yantz.

Although the two have been quite open about their personal lives, including sharing details about the September nuptials in the Dominican Republic, there’s one factual error that is consistently repeated much to Houser’s surprise.

“She doesn’t really write a lot of songs. I don’t know how that all got started,” said Houser with a laugh when asked if he was planning to co-write any songs with his bride who is constantly referred to in the media as a singer/songwriter. “She is a terrific singer. We haven’t made any plans to [write or perform together]. I tend to want to keep that separate. I don’t see that in the future.”

What he does see in the future, though, is a more mature sound, stronger tours and additional chances to work with a host of other performers. One of those many upcoming events will be the “Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise” to the Caribbean in October.  But there will most assuredly be plenty of chances to see Houser perform long before that including at charity events.

Although House recently signed with independent label Stoney Creek Records and is in the process of writing his debut album and planning an upcoming tour, he is takinga bit of time to slow down and savor different opportunities. Take his recent acoustic performance just before Thanksgiving at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Corporate Citizenship Awards at the Newseum in Washington, DC. Not only did Houser play about half a dozen songs, talk about his charitable work and bring awareness to companies that uphold social responsibility and meet-and-greet fans, but he took time for a bit of sightseeing, too.

“When CMT asked me, we just decided to do it,” he said. “My wife and I had wanted to go to DC and just go play and meet people and hang out and it was just a great thing to do. It was a ball!”

Although Houser generally performs in major venues, he said he welcomed the chance to just play his songs acoustically. And why not? After all, even though he’s performed since he was a child, he is incredibly well know for penning a host of songs for others including everyone from Trace Adkins (“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk”) to Justin Moore (“Back That Thing Up”).

“I am very comfortable just with my guitar,” he said. “I like bare songs, baring yourself out there. When I am playing like that, I get to drive the boat and get to do it all. I get to play whatever the crowd is looking for, and you can’t do that when you’re playing with a band.”

Now that the New Year is unfolding, keep an ear out for new Houser music in the not too distant future.

“It’s really early in the process,” he said. “I’m writing a bunch of new songs and have a lot of stuff down on paper, and am just [starting to record] a few things. I have got a couple of songs that I am pretty sure will be on there.”

Houser said that while the songs will certainly have the tone and feel of his past work, he said fans will hear a bit more “grown up” sound on this record.

“I’m not saying it’s just for adults, but I think it’s probably a little smarter,” he said of his work crediting much of his newfound inspiration to his wife who he calls his life’s greatest blessing. “There are things I don’t want to sing about and write about anymore. The other thing is, I want to be respectful of my wife. I don’t wants to record songs and have anyone think my old life style is still part of me.”

As much success as Houser found with his part work, including “Boots On” and “They Call Me Cadillac,” it seems as if his best songs are yet to come.

Find out more about Randy Houser, his music, and upcoming concert dates on his Web site.