ELVIS SUMMERS

WHEN NOT PERFORMING, COUNTRY SINGER BUILDS TINY HOUSES

By David C. Lannan

OPENING ACT

Elvis Summers from Fallbrook, California started in music with piano lessons and later “messed around with a few local bands. Helping out where I could, singing backup vocals. I never had anything solid on my own. Just a kid dreaming about going somewhere really.”

Practice forever. Lessons are a good thing. You can always get better and learn more things, keep honing your craft, always.

Q&A WITH ELVIS SUMMERS

DL: Did you have singing and/or music lessons?

ES: Before ever messing around with little local bands, my parents wanted me to learn the piano, so they started me on lessons. Between thinking the piano was boring and my learning disabilities and not being able to focus well, I decided I wanted to play the drums instead. Looking back I wish I had appreciated the piano like I do today, cause it would have been much nicer learning music that early in life.

DL: What instruments do you play, if any?

ES: I mostly just sing. I am learning guitar and will move to other instruments later. I'm a late bloomer so I’m a little behind on things, but it's never to late to do what you want in life. Never.

DL: Are there other singers or musicians in your family?

ES: My father I think is where I got my musical talent from. He did music early in his life. He even wrote a song with Carlos Santana's father once upon a time. My mom, love her to death, but she can't hum on key she says.

DL: If you are a songwriter, what are some of your favorite songs you have written and why?

ES: I have written an 18 song album called "Late Bloomer". I love ALL the songs and most of them are my favorites. I think they're all favorites because every song I write has a deep meaning for me. I am emotionally charged with each one, and each song tells a story. They're all about important subjects and emotions that most of which has been stuck inside my head most of my life, and now everything is spilling out, so they all mean a lot to me. Hopefully other people will resonate with them like I do.

DL: Who are some of the biggest musical influences in your life?

ES: This will probably be a huge head scratcher for most people, especially since I wrote and sing a country album. I have many influences for sure, and across many genres, but my top 3 favorite bands are all pop punk bands. Blink 182, Greenday and Simple Plan. They have always been my biggest motivators. I just woke up country one night. Also Pink, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Ice Cube and Eminem are ALL wicked awesome too! I could list 100's more, but I think if the music is good and its telling a story that I can feel or relate to, then its gonna influence me.

DL: What is your favorite style or genre of music and why?

ES: Pop punk music always spoke to me growing up. It was faster paced and motivating, left me feeling pumped and good and I could resonate with the messages that the bands were singing about. That being said IDK if I could say I have a favorite now, because I love so many things now. Country, classical, hip hop, rock, punk, pop, Ubuntu voices, etc...there is so much to hear and feel....it's all very inspiring and motivating.

DL: What awards have you won or been nominated for?

ES: I haven't won or been nominated for any thing music yet, but I have been recognized a little bit for my non profit work, building tiny houses for Veterans and the houseless.

DL: Where is/are your favorite place(s) to perform?

ES: I think my favorite places to perform, other than the shower, will be anywhere that people come to listen to my music and especially when they like it, imma be a huge fan of that.

DL: Do you remember the first song you sang in public?

ES: I can't remember my first, but I've rocked the hell out of some pretty killer karaoke bars in my day, and its always been a good time!

DL: What is your inspiration for your songs?

ES: I have many inspirations. Most are just stories and feelings from my life, but I definitely have to say my parents are big ones too. The first two tracks on the album are written about my parents.

DL: What do you find most challenging about the music business?

ES: The most challenging so far is probably getting heard by the right people. Starting out its hard to get anyone in the industry that can change your life to hear your music. I still have a lot to experience so I'm sure there will be more challenges ahead, looking forward to it!

DL: What is your favorite part of the music business and why? Your least favorite?

ES: My favorite part is the connection with people. So many different kinds of people coming together for different reasons, but coming together. The least favorite I'm not sure, cause you can't have to good without the bad, so I try to appreciate it all.

DL: If you could perform with anyone in the music business who would it be and why?

ES: Oh man, besides everyone, um... P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, Ice Cube, Eminem, Bruno Mars, Steven Tyler, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Bon Jovi, Ludacris, Norman Sann, Garth Brooks, Walk off the Earth, Oasis....just to name a few....Cause they are all wicked awesome!

DL: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get in the music business as a singer/songwriter or musician?

ES: Follow your dreams. Don't let anyone bring you down, it's your dream and your life. Even if you aren't good at it, if it brings you happiness and joy, Do it, Live it, Love it. Practice forever. Lessons are a good thing. You can always get better and learn more things, keep honing your craft, always.

DL: Have you always wanted to be a singer/musician? If not, and you couldn’t be in the music business what career would you choose and why?

ES: Ever since I was a kid I wanted to be a rock star. My top two favorite things in life are helping people and music. If my music doesn't travel enough for a career, I will still make it, and still help people.

DL: Is there anything you would like to add about your music journey or life in general?

ES: 11 years ago I brought tiny houses for the houseless to Los Angeles (The Tiny House Project,

www.thetinyhouse.org) and ever since I've been building and helping veterans and the houseless. When funds for my non profit dried up, I thought well maybe I can lean on my other passion, music. So I wrote an album with the hopes that it will open some doors and opportunities for me to keep helping people. They are all songs from my heart and hopefully people will feel my Stories and join me along this road. "Late Bloomer" is my first album, but I’m already writing more songs for the next album so there is lots more to come.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Elvis Summers is making a difference with his music and compassion for the less fortunate. His new single, "Scroll My Lide Away," comes out April 3rd.

ENCORE: You can learn more about Elvis at his website, www.Elvissummersmusic.com

You can hear his music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and keep up to date on social media and his website.

In addition to writing this blog for KICR, David C. Lannan is a freelance writer with feature stories published across the country and a graphic designer. If you would like to be considered for a future blog, please go to https://tally.so/r/mJP9ZR fill out and submit the form.