Ch.L.: Would you please introduce yourself to the readers and tell us something about your history.

Austin Cody: I’m an average guy who’s been very fortunate to experience some of the things I have. I began performing when I was in the sixth grade and haven’t stopped since I realized that singing is my passion.

Ch.L.: How was the last year for you? Where there any highlights?

Austin Cody: This past year has been monumental for me. I recently had the opportunity to perform at the Ryman Auditorium during the CMA Music Festival, as well as performing in and winning the International Fan Club Organization’s Center Stage Star Search, held in Nashville, TN. I’d say the most valuable aspect of this past year in my career has been meeting lots of incredible people and making countless friends in the country music industry.

Ch.: What changed in your life since you stepped into the music business? Did you make new friends or are you still comfortable with your old friends?

Austin Cody: My old friends will always stay my friends as they are from my home town and they supported me all this time. Of course I also made some new friends which I appreciate a lot and they are incredible people. Not all the people that suddenly come into my life are true friends, though. They may have come into the picture for other reasons, that is why I take a careful look before I call anybody a true friend of mine and why the support of old friends is so important.

Ch.L.: What did you do before you got into the music business?

Austin Cody: I performed as part of a "boy band," which is where I learned about performing and began to build a connection with the music. I view this time period as "training" for what was to come for me in country music.

Ch.: So now that we know a little bit about the artist, what about you as a person?

Austin Cody: I am just a normal person and I am a family man. I enjoy going out to the movies, to dinners, restaurants and to spend a good time with my family and friends. Back home where I live I also have another job - I am a cadet with the sheriff's office. My dad was in the secret service for all his working life and that inspired me to pursue law enforcement as well.

Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe who may be learning about you for the first time. How would you describe the music you play to someone who's never seen or heard you before?

Austin Cody: I would describe my music as easygoing, uplifting and the kind of tunes that just makes people feel good inside.

Ch.L.: What is your current CD and how is it doing?

Austin Cody: My debut CD is titled "Destination You." I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the amount of support this album has received in the short time it has been available. There’s nothing like the feeling of performing your own songs live and hearing the words being sung right back at you by the audience!

Ch.: How did you pick the songs for your debut album?

Austin Cody: What happened was - I recorded a demo of cover songs from Garth Brooks, Clint Black and more - just classics that I loved and sent it to Nashville. I then received a call back from Darren Smith, who is the band leader of the Dancehall Doctors and he said that he was interested in doing a recording with me. So I went down there and we had a meeting and decided to go ahead with it. I was very surprised to find out they did not only want to do a three-song demo, but a complete

album. The following three months we spent selecting the songs from about 300 songs and I also chose one song from my home town. A good friend of mine, Sean Quade, who works at a guitar shop gave me a song for my album. It is song number 10 'Dance Some More'. From the first time I heard the song I liked it because it is so much fun.

Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.

Austin Cody: I’ve made it a point to select songs for my album which I feel portray the types of situations I’ve been in up until this point in my life, and the feelings that I’ve experienced as well. This makes it easy to connect with my fans at concerts, because I’m singing about things that are completely real to me and to many others as well.

Ch.: How can fans get in touch with you and where can they buy your CD?

Austin Cody: The easiest way is via my website: www.austincody.com  The website is updated constantly. It contains concert dates and news, the CD and other merchandise can be bought right from the site. The CD is also available on www.towerrecords.com and www.cdbaby.com Fans can also send messages to me on my guest book and I am quite exited to find out where everything is leading to.

Ch.L.: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

Austin Cody: I enjoy recording songs that have a humorous touch to them, because I am able to add a touch of my goofiness at the same time!

Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?

Austin Cody: I’d say the song which means the most to me is "Places Only Love Can Go." My long time girlfriend and I had split up one weekend before I began recording the album, and this song struck up plenty of emotions and helped me to deal with the situation and see things for the best. She and I are still good friends to this day.

Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?

Austin Cody: Thanks to my awesome management and production team, I have always had the maximum amount of creative control over the entire process. From planning recording sessions to the final mixing and mastering, I’ve been able to add my input from every angle.

Ch.L.: The internet is playing a bigger and bigger part in the world of music. Has the internet hurt or helped you and how would you like to see it evolve?

Austin Cody: The internet has done nothing but help my music find ist way into the ears of listeners all over the world. Through my official website, www.austincody.com, people from all reaches of the world have been able to hear my sound and have become new fans. Needless to say, I am very grateful for the internet.

Austin Cody: Much of today’s contemporary country sound closely resembles pop music, which is a great thing because it is helping to link the fans from both genres, and provides even more reason for people to come together and enjoy lots of great music.

Ch.L.: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

Austin Cody: I think there are a lot of incredible entertainers out there who haven’t been noticed, and some who will never be noticed. A lot of times it seems that in the music industry, (and in most industries) it all comes down to who you know. I would make it so that more performers are seen for the true talent that they possess.

Ch.L.: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing interviews etc. What do you like best, what's your favorite activity?

Austin Cody: My favorite part of being an artist is that at every show I have the chance to meet new people and make a lot of friends. When all is said and done, the entire goal that I have for my music is to give people a great time and leave them with something special to remember. Thanks to everyone I’ve been able to meet, I have plenty of my own memories to look back on.

Ch.L.: Are you doing anything to take country music beyond it’s current borders or are you happy where it is?

Austin Cody: My hope is to begin an era where country music doesn’t stop at the guitar and the microphone. I always strive to get the audience involved in my performance and have them become a part of the show. The fans always enjoy facing off to out-cheer each other, as you can probably imagine, that creates some pretty loud audiences!

Ch.: There are many artists in Nashville - what would you say makes you different from them?

Austin Cody: Since I am only 18 years old, I have time to build my base and move up from there. Whenever I go to concerts I watch everything. I look at how different artists approach performing, recording and take a little bit from all of them and try to combine it and then add my own unique way to it. But no matter what, I always try to be myself. I take for example Keith Urban's guitar playing, Garth Brook's stage presence and so forth. If you act like yourself people will accept you for yourself. That approach was an advice I received from Jimmy Wayne, who told me "Just be yourself."

Ch.: Thank you for the interview Austin.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )