Country Music Artist Josh London Comes to Snellville

Josh London, a new-to-the-scene country artist, will perform tonight at the Wild Wing Café. He comes to us on the heels of a nearly six month tour, singing and playing guitar with a small band. He performs regularly throughout the southeast. We caught up with London right before a performance in Lexington, Ky., where he got his start.

Snellville Patch: How would you describe your music?
Josh London: It’s definitely country. I grew up listening to a lot of traditional country, like Hank Williams and George Jones, as a younger kid. We also listened to a lot of gospel. Then I picked up an electric guitar and got into rock. So I guess you could say it’s a blend of all those things.  

Patch: When did you get started singing and playing?
London: I started playing 14 years ago, and have been singing about four years. The long trips home to Lexington were about 2 ½ hours. I always sang but not publicly. I played on front porches for friends and then went onto clubs and bars. I started acoustic and doing the bar scene by myself. Now the band varies week to week.  

Patch: Are your songs original?
London: Yes. What’s on the album are mine. By the end of the year we plan on recording a new CD. We’re beginning to co-write some. My favorite is “Say it Ain’t Over,” which is kind of a power ballad.  

Patch: Do you enjoy being on the road?
London: I love it! It’s not all fun and games. You have to do 10 people’s jobs. It’s fun playing for a new crowd. I’ve never been to Snellville and like to go to different places, so I thought that would be cool!  

Patch: Who are you most inspired by musically? 
London: The first thing that turned me on to country music was George Jones’ Greatest Hits. I got it when I was four as a present. Randy Rogers, from Texas, is a strong inspiration, and another guy named Radney Foster. Their writing style is very similar to mine. Despite some of the more upbeat songs, I like the sad songs. People can relate to emotion. When real life hits, emotion is where people have a connection to music. Anyone can relate to emotional pain or stress. If I ever do feel that way, I go write it right then. 

Patch: Can you share a memorable experience?
London: I went to school at Lexington [University of Kentucky]. I would tell the audience every once in a while that I wrote these songs but was shy about it. After I released the CD I almost considered not putting a particular song on the CD, Whiskey Night. I finally decided to, and found out that it was the best-seller. It was the very first one I wrote. People were yelling to play that song, and everyone would sing it. I didn’t expect it.  

Patch: Is there anything you would like to tell your audience? 
London: I love to meet people as much as I can; I love to talk to people and see where they come from. When you go to a different city every time, you don’t get to talk to people, but I love to do that. I get tired of talking about myself. I guess what I’m saying is, if you come to the show, come talk to me!  

London performs tonight at 8 p.m.  Visit his website for more tour dates, London's bio and music.  The Wild Wing Café features live music Thursday – Sunday evenings.