Written by Courtney Ludwig on Thursday, 31 March 2011. Posted in Tucson Music Scene
On a Wednesday night, out and about, Carolyn Cary also known to many as trouble and the host of the Breakfast Club Show, decided to stop into one of her few favorite hot spots, The Bashful Bandit, there she saw one of our future guests on the Breakfast Show, Andy Hersey.
Andy Hersey appeared on the Breakfast Club show at the very same place he was found, The Bashful Bandit Sunday March 27, 2011. The room slowly getting filled as more people showed up to listen to another great artist perform and free Breakfast cooked by the Bandits own, Mike.
The unique landmark known to some as a Dive Biker Bar is more than that and is slowly taking a change from what people know it as without turning their back on the clientele the bar has catered to for so many years to also catering to some new clientele. Karaoke on Monday nights, College night on Tuesday Nights, Wednesday nights is no cover opening the stage to musicians, Friday & Saturday nights is for some of the best local bands of Tucson and Sunday mornings come have breakfast & coffee or a beer and enjoy watching and listening to some new music and get to know these musicians by an interview done by the great and beautiful Trouble.
In a booth just Andy Hersey and I, I was able to pick this singer/songwriters brain for a minute to find out some of his thoughts…..
As a man who has been through tough times himself he has rose above and speaks out through the words and notes of his music. He used to be apart of bands but realized that his bands were getting paid by him although it was not a paying gig or not and knew that he would not be able to stay afloat going down that route, so he became a solo artist, not looking to be a rock star or to have fans but has people he plays music for.
“When we are writing set lists as artists, make them laugh, make them cry, make them think, make them think, make them cry, make them laugh, you cannot drive the audience all night, it gets boring”
If Andy had to sum up his music in one word he would say Country, two words Traditional Country, but ultimately combining all the work together it could be called Folk, but Mr. Hersey can safely say his music is known first as Country but also Ranch Rock.
Andy Hersey has recorded 2 albums, Compa?ero Blanco – recorded in 2001-2002 at Porcupine Studios in Chandler, AZ and the other Between God & Country – recorded in 2007 at 16ton Recording Studios in Nashville, TN, Andy is currently in the process of working on another album(to be released endof spring) to be done here in Tucson, AZ, the sound, the look will be all Tucson. Andy’s goal in this next recording is to be a poet with the singer/songwriter sound.
About how Andy handles himself in public before even before a gig:
“For everyone we encounter we learn something from. If we defer all ego, respect is earned, be strong enough to go stand on your own to feet, fall on your ass on your own as an artist as a songwriter, go up there with no neck and just play, it will either work or it won’t, music is Devine”
Andy Hersey has 2 boys, Kyle 16 years and Steven 18 years of age and he is open to letting his kids do what they want including music and he supports his kids 100%, although those close to him also know that his music and performing takes priority and he may even miss a birthday or an anniversary from time to time but although that is a possibility his family is never put on a back burner and forgotten.
Andy is influences of music are Chris Darveson, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams, Tom T Hall (Story songs, Andy loves story songs), Jack Elliot, Stevie Ray Vaughn (Andy used to sit in front of the CD player for hours trying to figured out what Stevie was doing)
As far as Andy getting nervous before a gig, this is what he had to say:
“yes but at the same time I am not playing a ticketed gig where people buy tickets and they know what they are going to see, it’s about background and finding something in common with everyone in the room”
I felt good around Andy as a person and musician and it was great to interview and take pictures, he is very humble and honest individual. If you are in the area at the time Andy plays any of his gigs mentioned, you should really stop by and check him out, his music is amazing.
Besides releasing another CD by the end of Spring you can see Andy Hersey in the flesh on Wednesday’s at the Bashful Bandit, Thursdays at The Stakeout in Marana, Saturdays, if he called to do so Andy Hersey will open up for industry type shows. You can also check out more info on Andy Hersey on his website:www.andyhersey.com
A Thank you to the Bashful Bandit for making the Breakfast Club Show happen Sunday morning with a real home cooked breakfast and great music
