JOHN TEAGUE
Written & Interviewed by Robin Lynn Hayes | Owner/Program Director of Kindred Spirit Radio
I met with John Teague recently at the Happy Cow Bar and Grill, located in New Braunfels, Texas. John was sitting at a picnic table alongside his band and two of his most loyal and caring fans and now friends, Dan and Leslie Blake. John and the band were enjoying homemade food that the Blake’s brought them to feast on pre-show. It looked and smelled delicious, and I couldn’t help but smile as I interviewed John in between bites of the obviously delicious food.
I’d done my research prior to this interview and learned that John’s hometown is Winnie, Texas and I’d known he was a U.S. Army vet from prior conversations we’d had. John Teague proudly served our Country for four years that included a tour in Iraq. On behalf of all Americans, I’d like to thank John for his service.
The members of Teague Brothers have been playing music for years, although their debut album “Harvest Day” dropped in 2019, producing several quality original and memorable songs.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
Both my parents played music. They were experts in their craft. My Dad played in bands, and they had me in their early 20’s. Music was just “around me all the time.” My parents never really “taught me how to play”. My mom got me my first guitar one Christmas when I was a kid. It was a B. C. Rich. I used it to play in a talent show in high school. I was really into Heavy Metal. Country Music wasn’t something I got into until after I got out of the military.
How did you learn to sing, write and play music?
I’m pretty much self-taught. I wrote stories as a kid on a yellow tablet. They turned into songs as a teenager and the stories I’d written were mostly horror stories. My love for writing and creating would naturally blend into music. The songs I wrote at 17 were for a Heavy Metal band and I lied about my age to join the band. I was 16 at the time and I was a singer. When I turned 17, I admitted I lied and the guys, who were in their 20’s, they understood because we were playing in 21+ clubs and it’s what I thought I needed to do at that time. We toured at out-of-town gigs and played around Houston and Dallas. It was very much a Heavy Metal Band. I played after school most of the time.
What skills do you think are most useful as a working artist in the Texas Music Industry?
I believe it’s helpful to focus on being a good performer and musician, to let things naturally fall into place. Don’t try too hard. Focus on being yourself and have good work ethic. Don’t look at what everyone else is doing all the time. Focus on being yourself and what you’re doing. Having a good work ethic is the key! Focus on your own goals, what you hope to achieve, and what you need to do. Be accountable to yourself first! I’m very honest with myself and I try to always remain accountable and humble.
Tell me about a memorable performance you’ve had as a musician.
I played for about 9,000 people at a Shane Smith and the Saints show. This was before they did all the Yellowstone stuff. I was at a German Fest, and it was incredible!
How do you think social media had changed the music industry?
I know social media is important, but to me, all things point to the stage. I want you to go to a show. I want to meet you. I want to see you! That’s the interaction I want. Show up and listen and watch and we can be friends. It’s kind of a Grass Roots, boots on the ground kind of thing. That’s what I love!
What kind of venues are your favorite to play?
My favorite for me personally, are listening rooms where you get to sit in, and I get to tell some stories about the songs. I also like shows where it’s rowdy and your friends are there, and people sing along. I like to play where there’s interaction.
If you could share a stage and do a song swap, who would you like to play alongside?
I’d love to share the stage with Robert Earl King or Adam Hood. Those are real storytellers. Those two guys would be great to play with!
What are some of your favorite things that your fans have done at shows?
Well, Dan and Leslie Blake send me a text message before a show that says, “What do you want to eat?” That’s just who they are. They’re the best. I just love them! I guess I just like when the fans show up and listen, truly listen to the music. Treat a live show like you’re at the movie theatre. Don’t talk over the music like you wouldn’t talk over a movie in a movie theatre. Listen. I like when people truly listen….I think we could all use a little less talking and add a little more listening. Enjoy the show. You paid money to see a show. Enjoy it!
How long have you been a “professional” musician?
I started getting paid to play as a musician at a young age, but I don’t even know what that term means exactly. I think I felt like I was actually a working musician in my 30’s. This is probably because I was proactively pursuing a career in something besides the military. I began to have some mild success, but it’s really kind of a spectrum and there’s really no “hard line”, if that makes sense. I believe you need to earn the title “professional”. Just being paid for your work doesn’t make you a professional, in my opinion.
How do you feel about social media, specifically the social media support it can give a music career?
I feel like whenever we can all be a community it’s a good thing. Honestly, social media is one of the most important metrics that people use these days. “How many listeners do they have? How many Facebook followers do they have? How many Instagram followers do they have?” We all know you can buy followers and listeners. What does this matter, really?
What advice would you give an artist just starting out in the music industry?
I would say that you’re going to hear that you need to not do radio because you need to focus on your Spotify. You’re going to hear you need to focus on your Tic Toc and forget about Facebook. You’ll hear all these things that contradict. The reality is, you have to do everything. Everything matters! If you don’t nurture one aspect of everything that you are, especially if you’re taking this seriously, you’ll miss something important. You have to do it all! This included the live shows, spending the money to make a real record. Trying hard, caring about how you look and sound live. It all matters! You also need to make sure you’re doing radio because every time I go to a place and the people are singing along, guess what? The songs they’re singing along to are songs they heard on the radio. You have to nurture it all, do it all. It’s not easy, but eventually you’ll get the support, you’ll feel that momentum. Things will start moving forward for you if you write and play good music. Put all the effort you possibly can into everything you do and do everything with intent. Make sure you care about everything you do like it’s your kid or a child. If you do all this, I promise that you’ll start seeing things move forward for you in a positive way.
What do you admire about the Texas Music Scene?
What I admire most is that we have one and no one else does like Texas. There really isn’t a scene like this anywhere else in the Country. It’s a real thing. People can make a solid career here in Texas playing just in Texas. You can stay inside Texas and your people will follow you and support you. They’ll show up for you if you do the work!
Do you have a favorite song?
I love all my songs like they’re my kids. My favorite song is usually the last song I wrote. The “Last Thing You Heard” is very visual to me and I can see the story and it’s fun to go perform it and act out the story. I like when a song is relatable to something that everyone is going through.
How would you describe your genre of music?
First, I want to say I genuinely appreciate everyone who’s supported me and the band in the Texas Music Industry, especially Linda (Wilson) and the Texas Country Music Association. They’ve been so damn supportive of the whole Texas music scene, and I love it! I’m so glad and appreciative of what they’re doing for all of us. I’m not sure what “genre” my music falls into, but I’m not all that “Country” so I’m nominated in the Roots/Alternative for the TCMA Awards this year. It’s obvious that me and Aaron Watson are not the same. I’m not “tall hat” Country Music, so that’s a good category to put my music in. I just like to play my music and what sounds and feels good for me. I’ll continue to work as hard as I can and do what I can do the very best that I can.
Mountains or Beaches?
Mountains 100%.
Cheetos or Doritos?
Pringles every time! (laughing)