He is without a doubt a Texas Red Dirt Country artist, and while Brody Caster may not have been born in the state itself, he got there as quick as he could. The singer/songwriter is actually from Southeast Kansas, and he still goes home to see the family and perform shows in and around his hometown of Douglass. “I love and appreciate where I’m from. I also knew to pursue this particular kind of music, I wanted to be in Texas.”
Caster is proof that talent, discipline and drive can get you a long way in a short amount of time. He also remembers when a career in the music business seemed to be a world away.
That all changed in 2015, when Caster sang on the Grand Ole Opry with his National High School Honor Choir. He was only 17 at the time, but knew then that he was going to find a way to a turn his music ambitions into a career.
After graduating college, ambitious singer/songwriter decided it was time to make the move to Texas. Upon arrival, he started playing open mic nights and acoustic shows any and everywhere.
But soon the pandemic would hit, so he used that time to write new songs. He also put a band together. And in November of 2020, Caster started to see his determination pay off. He won the new artist scholarship at the Texas Country Music Awards. His single “Started with a Song” won the local music showdown on Fort Worth’s 95.9 The Ranch, and charted on the TRRR.
For the past few months, Brody Caster has been releasing singles off his upcoming self-tilted debut album, which is set for release on March 4th. He and his band are currently playing shows across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. He doesn’t have much downtime these days, but we talked with him between shows to find out more about this Red Dirt career that’s gone into overdrive and keeps him on the road.
Brody, you’re from Kansas. Out of all the musical genres why did you choose to pursue Texas Red Dirt Country?
Growing up in Kansas, all I knew was mainstream country. I was listening to 90s and early 00s country, and fell in love with that classic and neo-traditional style. Around the 2012-2015 timeframe, the mainstream country sound was transitioning more to a pop sound. My Junior year of high school, somebody showed me a Casey Donahew CD, and at first I was skeptical. It all seemed unpolished and raw to me.
But as the mainstream market continued to go more pop/rock, I was missing that neo-traditional country sound I loved. So, I thought to myself, ‘Maybe I need to give this Texas Red Dirt Scene another chance.’ I revisited that Donahew record, and then started listening to more and more Texas/Red Dirt Artists.
Eventually I discovered Cody Johnson’s music. He was the first artist in this scene that I heard and went “Whoa, this is amazing. There is something here.” From there, I dove into the scene and became absolutely enthralled with it.
Had you been to Texas, before deciding to move here?
Yes. I have always loved Texas. We came here as kids for several vacations. I have a cousin that lives in Nacogdoches.
How did you get involved with the Texas Country Music Association?
I got involved with the TCMA through the Vice President Monty Dawson. I met him at an open mic night it Decatur, TX. I played a couple of my songs, and afterwards he pulled me aside and introduced himself. We ended up developing a great friendship and he got me involved with the TCMA. He introduced me to President Linda Wilson, who’s been amazing to me and the band and very helpful for our careers!
Who are your musical heroes?
Alan Jackson has got to be my biggest influence (hence the mustache and mullet!) [laughs] I’m also huge fan of Brooks & Dunn, Travis Tritt, Joe Diffie, Cody Johnson, The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke… also Dion and the Belmonts.
Which of your musical heroes have you met and what impact did that have on you?
A couple years before he passed away, I got the privilege of opening up for Charlie Daniels. Before I went on stage, they let me onto his tour bus to meet him briefly. I’ll never forget that moment. He shook my hand, complemented my hat on how big it was, and told me to knock’em dead. After my set, I watched him walk on stage and start his show. He had just turned 80 I believe. He almost needed help getting up the stairs onto the stage, but the second his boot hit that stage, he lit up and was 22 again, running around sawing that fiddle! It was a pretty surreal experience. I grew up listening to his songs in my dad’s truck. “Uneasy Rider”, “Devil Went Down to Georgia”, and “Drinkin My Baby Goodbye” all became favorites of mine, as a kid, and getting to hear them live after opening the show for him was quite an amazing feeling.
What’s your approach to writing a song?
I’ve written songs using many different methods and techniques. I’ve found what works best for me, is just trying to be as honest and relatable as possible. I try not to write about things that I don’t know about. I’ve found it’s always easier to write from personal experiences and firsthand life lessons.
How do you keep yourself disciplined to write consistently?
I just block out a time on my calendar, just like I would for a gig or a meeting. The more you power through those lack of inspiration moments or those “writers block” periods, the easier it’s going to be to write, when you get those bursts of inspiration or great hook ideas.
What artists would you like to go on the road with?
I’m a huge fan of what Randall King, Mike Ryan and Muscadine Bloodline are currently doing. Opening a tour for them would be awesome!
What are some of the best compliments you’ve received about your music?
I’ve been told that I sound like Sammy Kershaw and Joe Diffie had a baby… haha! Also, I’ve had a couple of folks tell me that my song “Go Down Swinging” from our upcoming debut record, will be their first dance song at their wedding, and the wedding is three years away. The fact that it means so much to them, that they asked permission to play it at their wedding in three years means a lot to me.
What are your career goals?
As cool as it would be to tour around and sell out arenas and make millions of dollars each year, that’s not why I’m pursuing music. I want to make a living playing music and writing songs. I don’t need to be playing to 80,000 fans each night. You put me in a honkytonk or on a festival with a few hundred people in the crowd, and they’re singing the words to everyone of my songs back to me, that be a dream come true. I’d love to get 50 acres or so of land and build a little barndominium. Nothing fancy… just someplace where I can raise a few cows and raise a family, and music pays for all that, I’d be the happiest man on earth.
Learn more about Brody Caster’s music by visiting: broadycastermusic.com
Photo Credits: Courtney Ritter Photography
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