Interview with Pam Ross

April 01, 2024

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I always wanted to play music.  There wasn’t any “aha moment” when I realized I wanted to play music for a living.  It’s something that was always there from my earliest memories.  

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I work out a lot.  I go running and lift weights. Believe it or not, I also like mowing my lawn.  All of those activities clear my head.  I’ve written a lot of lyrics while mowing the lawn.  When I’m recording or when I’m down to the final mixing sessions in the studio, I will listen to my music while I’m out running and decide on what changes need to be made, etc.  It’s a great chance to really listen without interruption and get a good feel for the song.   

How long have you been making music?

Umm, I’ve been writing lyrics since I was in 8th grade and started playing guitar when I was 15, so basically my whole life.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

I’m currently based in Fuquay Varina, NC, which is a suburb of Raleigh.  We moved there in 2020 from Houston.  I can’t really say how this place has influenced my music.  I already had my own style of songwriting before I came here.  

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

That would probably be the Exit Inn in Nashville for the BMI songwriter showcase.  Roger Sovine, who used to be the VP there, set me up in two of these shows.  It was really awesome.  The Exit Inn is a great venue, and the place was packed each time.  Some performers had full bands, but I went on stage with just my acoustic guitar.  That was an incredible experience.  

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

My favorite place to play right now is the Commodore Grille in Nashville.  It’s a wonderful venue for songwriters to showcase their talent.  If you’re a songwriter, this is a place you want to play.  If you love just listening to great original music, this is one of the best places in Nashville to go.  

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

The Foo Fighters, Dolly Parton, Elton John, and Garth Brooks.  

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

The advice I would give to someone just starting out is: Be Yourself!  I often see people trying to copy their favorite artist.  I see it a lot in Nashville.  Folks trying to look and sound just like whoever is big in the industry at the time.  Labels are looking for the next big thing, not what they already have. You can’t shine in someone else’s shadow.  One of the best gifts God gave us is or individuality.  Don’t waste it trying to be someone else.  

What would I tell myself when I was young and starting out?  Ummm, be more open minded to suggestions from others.  I knew what I wanted and wouldn’t listen to anyone back then.  I should have been more flexible.  It would have made the road a lot easier.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I don’t I have one particular song that means the most.  Falling Off the Merry Go Round means a lot to me due to the nature of the song.  I rarely play the song out but it is my highest streaming song.  Another song that means a lot is Tonight, which will be on my next album.  I wrote it when my wife and I were going through a tough time.  There’s a lot of my personal life in that song.  

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

My favorite song to play changes.  Right now, my favorite song to play is Doublewide, which will be on my next record.  It’s a fun song with a cool riff.

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

I pick up my guitar and start messing around with chords and riffs until something hits me.  Sometimes I do that on the keyboard, but 98% of the time I start writing on my guitar.  I start writing the lyrics once I have a rhythm that I like.  Then I finish the song writing music and lyrics simultaneously.  

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.

No, I’m really not a political songwriter.  Falling Off the Merry Go Round definitely had a message, but aside from that, I don’t have any particular message.  I just want people to enjoy my music and have a good time while they’re listening to it.  

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

Well, I’m going to re-release Fire In the Hole in April because I wasn’t signed on with MTS when the song originally came out.  Releasing it under them will give it a lot more exposure.  There is also a video for that you can check out on Youtube.  I’m also working on a new album.  It will have 7 songs and I’ll start releasing singles from it this summer.  

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

Like I said, I have a new album coming out.  That’s my big focus for the future right now.  I’m also focusing on playing more in Nashville.  

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

They can check me at

Reply

or to participate.