You started out as an acoustic solo artist, were you actively looking to form a band

BW- No. I started off in the church singing in the choir in the youth room. Everybody kept coming and saying they liked my voice. So I started writing songs and decided to try and something with it. Once I found out I could make money doing what I loved, that’s when I decided to get a band and get serious about it.

You gained notoriety performing cover songs on YouTube. Which ones brought you the attention

BW-My first one was called Worlds Apart. It’s a Christian song. After that, I did Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. Then I moved on to some Brantley Gilbert,  Jason Aldean and Bruno Mars. People liked the spin I put on them and that got me a good initial fan base

How has fan response been now that you have an album to tour behind

BW- Man, it’s been great, especially since we don’t play as many covers now We’re doing our own material and that really means something to us. The stories we’re telling are ours out there now and not someone else’s.

Do you fear that you might give up some creative control if you sign with a label

BW- No. that’s what everyone says will happen. I’m not going to sign with the first person that offers me something. I’m doing just fine right now, so I’m just going to keep doing what I do and hopefully somebody will want me for who I am and what I have to offer instead of wanting to change things

How important is social media in building a following

BW- It’s huge. That’s where everyone gets their music nowadays. Even Pandora and Spotify. Other people see what you’re listening to. YouTube and Facebook are prime places to get exposure. That’s where everyone talks about it.

You are a more traditional country artist what are your thoughts on contemporary country music being accused as being too pop oriented

BW- It doesn’t bother me. I like it. I’m just a lover of music and stories. One of my favorite bands is Florida Georgia Line. I listen to them nonstop.

You have shared the stage with some pretty big names what have you taken away from those experiences

BW- Mainly how to put on a better show. They know not only how to get the people in the front row into the show, they know how to get the people up top and in the back row. You’ve got to be able to put something on that they’ll remember, Also, they’re where you want to be, so it’s important to pay attention to find out what works

What is the music scene like in Valdosta

BW- It’s not the greatest but it’s not the worst. It’s not really a big country scene. A lot of acts come from Athens and Atlanta

Who are some of your influences in country and rock

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BW- Mainly Keith Urban. If I could have him playing guitar on every one of my songs, that would be the ideal situation. Of course Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert. As far as rock, some of my favorites are everyone from the Scorpions toHendrix. Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park are two of my favorites

How much of a hand do you have in the writing process

BW- I write every song. I haven’t recorded a song that I didn’t have at least a hand in writing. We tried two songs that I didn’t write, but we didn’t put them out there because I just didn’t feel it. I probably sounded the same but I just didn’t feel the story

How did you become involved with Waves for Water

BW- Whenever we saw what happened, I just asked my manager, ”How can we get involved” We’re just trying to raise awareness. Some people down here in South Georgia don’t even realize the severity of hat happened

Sometimes an artists’ second release is the toughest, are you worried about a “sophomore slump”

BW- I never have been but you’re the third person in the last three days that’s asked me that, so I guess I am a little. You’ll never know where the top of the mountain is until you go down the other side. So I’m just going to keep climbing

Is there anyone you’d like to play with or open for

BW- I’d love to play with Eric Church just once. That would be epic.