From penning several songs for the legendary Garth Brooks to making waves with his own career, country artist/writer, Mitch Rossell is just getting started. Check out the exclusive YMC interview below!
Tell us a little bit about the writing process for “Then Again” with Gary Burr.
Gary is a talented dude. That was his hook and I immediately gravitated towards it and we started trying to think of ways to hook it and make it interesting. I love the way it turned out.
You released an acoustic version of “Then Again” in early October, how did the collab with Music Travel Love come about?
Music Travel Love are the real deal. Great vocalists, great players, and really great guys. We had so much fun hanging and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them take "Then Again" to places that I couldn't lol!
You scored your first No. 1 as a songwriter with Garth Brooks’ “Ask Me How I Know,” what was the inspiration behind that track?
That song is really personal for me. I was always the guy that just wouldn't let anybody close enough to really fall in love. I dated some great girls and I just was never at a place in my life where I was ready for it if that makes sense. I had a good heart and good intentions, but I hurt a few of them as well as myself because of those walls I had built.
You had an incredible opportunity to go on tour with Garth as well, what went through your mind before you got on stage each night? Do you have any fun stories from the tour you’d like to share?
Don't screw this up. Ha! Ok in all seriousness, I was usually anxious, excited, nervous, jacked-up, I mean there are so many emotions. The more shows I did the more I settled in, and honestly, Garth's crowds treat you like family so that made it a lot easier. One crazy story I have is when we were playing in Jersey, it was actually the weekend "Ask Me How I Know" went number 1, I was on stage and had just finished my first song. I was talking to introduce my second song and the power for the entire arena went out. I wasn't able to finish my set but Garth told me to be by the stage when "Ask Me How I Know" came up in his set and he brought me up to sing it with him. More than made up for my opening slot getting cut short!
How do you think your music and/or writing has developed since you’ve started making music?
It's night and day honestly. For me, writing songs is like a muscle. The more you do it the more you sharpen your ax and grow. I've also been fortunate to write with some incredibly talented people and I've learned a lot from them and applied it to my craft.
What do you hope fans take away from your music after they listen to it?
I hope they just feel something deep in their gut, something authentic that moves them. I want to make music that becomes the fabric of peoples' lives. Timeless, honest, and unforgettable.
Any advice you have for artists and songwriters just getting their start in Music City?
I don't pretend to have the answers but I would just say be yourself. I've been given that advice and while it may sound broad and simple, it's actually the opposite. There is only ONE you, period. No one on the planet can do what you do the way you do it. That's your x-factor, don't forget it.
