Five Questions With… Cortney Tidwell

Cortney Tidwell is a true Nashville treasure, but as it always seems to go, the rest of the world is catching up to her faster than her own hometown. Her stunning voice and genre-defying style have garnered glowing reviews in Europe, but she remains the Queen of the Underground here in Music City. We predict that will change soon. Her latest record, Boys, finally gets a US release this month courtesy of Removador Records, and she makes a rare live appearance at the Exit/In on February 5th.

WOTT: What’s the story, Cortney? How’d you get into this whole music thing, and how did you end up where you are now?

Well, music has always been at the heart of my family. My mother and grandfather were both country singers, and my father and his father started a record label. I was immersed from the beginning. Grew up in studios and although I started to move away from it, I got back into it after some heartbreak.

WOTT: What is your earliest musical memory? Do you think your children will want to follow in Mom’s rock-n-roll footsteps?

I hope so. my family didn’t encourage me I have to say, because of the heartache it brought to the family, but I always tell my boys it’s their destiny. Isn’t that awful? Todd (Tidwell, Cortney’s husband) and I both want to start a family band. It’s coming. Soon.

WOTT: What are the best and worst shows you’ve ever played, and why?

This is a funny question, one I’ve thought a lot about recently because I’ve found. through performing, that the shows that you presume to be terrible are always the ones that turn out great, and the ones you think are going to be wonderful, turn out to be shit. If I’m having a good time performing, then its a good show. If mommy ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. It helps to have amazing musicians to feed off of. I love playing with the band. They inspire me.

WOTT: What is in your cassette / turntable / iPod / CD / eight-track player, and why does that particular music hit you right now?

I’m listening to a lot of old time country. Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Loretta. I’m feeling nostalgic really trying to find old stuff.

WOTT: We remember when you were booking shows and playing at Guido’s, now you’ve got two records that are critically acclaimed worldwide, you’re touring Europe, etc. Still, when you play here, it’s often at Springwater. My point is, basically, you never really changed who you were to get where you are, the tastemakers and what not sort of came to you. Could you maybe speak to that, and the importance of remaining who you are in your creative endeavors?

Music is just heart and soul for me. I never sought out a record contract or fame or fortune. I simply play music because I enjoy it. The way I fell into things with the record deal etc, was just pure and simple luck. I was just doing what I knew how to do and that was play shows. I was just simply playing a show and someone approached me. I was opening for Lou Barlow, for which I personally e-mailed Lou – I didnt know him at the time personally, just a big fan of his – and asked if I could open for him… he said yes. Luck. It’s all luck. I was at the right place at the right time. I’m not saying that putting out records and getting paid to do so never crossed my mind, but I never ran out looking for it. I was just doing my thing. I’m still just trying to do my thing. Things change once you sign on the dotted line. Now I’m struggle to stay true, to live up to the expectations, but… as long as I fufill my own, it’s cool.

Interview conducted by Ryan Ervin