When most of us thinks about Country Music, we probably imagine a dusty road deep in Texas. Maybe a day trip to the lake just outside Nashville with a 6-pack and some friends. Some other writers have pointed out that perhaps country is hyper-focused on pickup trucks, who knows. One thing’s for sure, when I came across Beamer Wigley’s music through our ReverbNation campaign, I was blown away. As someone who doesn’t normally listen to much current country music, I found myself drawn in by his songs, lyrics, and melodies. I could go on, but I’ll leave the rest to the Q&A. Get to know Beamer Wigley!
Click on the Spotify player at the bottom of the article!
Get to Know Beamer Wigley
Tristan: We’ll start at the beginning. Where were you born, and where did you grow up? Did that affect your taste in music?
Beamer Wigley: Well I was born in Kingston Ontario, but my folks moved out to Penticton BC when I was six weeks old, and that’s where I grew up! I wouldn’t say that where I was shaped my musical interests, it was more the music that I heard around me in the house.
T: I read about you loving Keith Urban and Brad Paisley at a young age. Were your parents or friends fans of country music? What about the music caught your attention?
Beamer Wigley: My parents always had music playing in the house, it wasn’t necessarily Country. There was Rock, Jazz, Oldies, Latin, so many different sounds. Country always stood out to me for some reason. Maybe it was the stories, or the melodic guitar parts. It just always spoke to me.
T: As a kid you competed in a young musician competition, performed for musicals, and won the Penticton Youth Arts Award at 11 years old. Did your parents provide lots of support early on? Have they continued that support as you’ve grown as a musician?
Beamer Wigley: There are no words to describe how much time, energy and love they have poured into helping me to live my dreams. And there are no words that could ever describe how thankful I am that they have been so supportive.
Writing From an Early Age
T: I’ve checked out the music video for “I Knew” (which has over 100k views already!) and love the song. How old were you when you started writing music? What pushed you to start writing your own songs?
Beamer Wigley: I wrote my first song when I was 7. For some reason 7 year old me wanted to write about nature (to this day I still have no idea why). But I guess I wanted to start writing because it was a way to go beyond just playing guitar and singing. It was my way of showing who I was through music, sort of a creative outlet for all my emotions.
T: Looking back at early recordings, what do like about them to this day? What about your process or mindset has changed the most since then?
Beamer Wigley: I love the heart that they had. Even though I was super young, I still poured my heart and soul into my work and I think that shows. I think just about everything has changed in regards to the process and mindset. I didn’t know a lot about songwriting, studio work, production. Now that I know so much more it has entirely shifted the way I approach everything.
Being a Musician Today
T: With social media being so integral in having an online persona and brand, how have you utilized social media as an artist? Do you have much interaction with fans?
Beamer Wigley: Social media is SOOOOO important now! It’s a really cool way to connect with fans from all over the globe. The way I approach it is to show people a side of me they normally wouldn’t get to see, and the way that I’m able to interact with someone who likes my music from anywhere in the world is so cool! Whenever I get a message or a comment from someone saying that they like what I’m doing or that they like my music, it makes my day!
T: On a similar note, many artists these days spend hours in front of webcams and phone cameras recording covers, bits of songs, and acoustic versions to keep fans engaged and to find new listeners. You obviously got your start before the web craze, but how do you feel about YouTube and Instagram musicians?
Beamer Wigley: I think it’s so awesome that so many artists have been able to reach so many people online. As an artist being able to find people who connect with your music and your message is so important. So with the new media outlets it makes it a lot easier to find those people!
Influences Past and Present
T: Looking over some of the artists you’ve been able to open for and work alongside (Dwight Yoakam?!?), who have you been influenced by recently? Who are some artists that everyone needs to check out?
Beamer Wigley: Yea I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible artists over the years, the amount that I’ve learned from them is crazy! Right now the influence is coming from bands like 5 Seconds of Summer, and guys like Thomas Rhett. The stuff I’m listening to right now is all over the map. But if I had to narrow it down to 3 artists, Alec Benjamin, Carly Pearce, and Jude Smith.
T: Final question. You’re stranded with only 3 albums to listen to for the rest of your days. What albums do you pick, and why those ones?
Beamer Wigley: OHHHHH NOOO THAT”S TOUGH!!!! Jeez!!! Ok let me think.
1: Keith Urban – Golden Road
This is the record that helped me fall in love with country music. If you listen to my music you will hear VERY heavy influences from this record.
2: Hunter Hayes – Storyline
Another one that helped shape who I am as an artist. This record really spoke to me in a melodic way. The harmonies, guitar parts, piano riffs. It all helped me see another way to approach writing music.
3 Eagles – The Very Best of Eagles
The Eagles are one of the greatest bands of all time. I would not survive if I didn’t have some classic rock!
As a fellow Eagles fan, and a recent Beamer Wigley fan, I want everyone to check out his music video (earlier in the article), as well as his music below!
Connect with Beamer Wigley
If you use Apple Music, click here to head to his artist page.
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Enjoy the music of Beamer Wigley on all streaming platforms!
Check out the other ReverbNation Selection Q&A’s:
– Q&A with DJ Scandalous