#wesleyspangler

This month we have a treat for ya’ll!  Wesley Spangler is a singer/songwriter from Southern Maryland. This guy has opened for such acts as Rodney Atkins, Colt Ford, Sam Grow, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Zac Brown, Jimmy Buffet, Tim McGraw and many others.  He’s  been featured on over 15 different radio and internet stations in 4 countries.  Check out what he has to say about music, songwriting and the music business in Maryland.

1. Tell us about your musical background, how you got into songwriting, and any current projects

I got into music through a friend in high school (Brian Feldmeier). He played drums when I met him and he said to me he was looking for a guitarist to form a band. I said "I play guitar!"  ...then I tried my best to learn and borrowed Brian's dad's guitar and away things went! LOL!!

2. What influences you as a songwriter?

Life and my social activities influence my songwriting most. All the songs on my current CD are based on stories in my life. Good or bad, they are parts of me and my life I felt I needed to share.

3. What do you think about the current state of the music industry? Do you think it’s more difficult to build a career in music today than say 20 years ago?

It seems to me the current state of music is based a lot on the current needs on people for "instant gratification". I feel big record companies, and most small ones want you to basically hand them a finished product to market instead of the idea I had of a record company working with artists from the start in all phases from recording to promoting. I don't know this from personal experience, and hope I am wrong.

4. Who are some of your favorite songwriters right now?

Some of my favorites are Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and hundreds of others and many different genres. There are tons of great writers out there!

5. If you haven't already, are you open to working with another songwriter or a team of

I've written every song I have recorded on my own and would definitely welcome the idea of collaborating with others in the writing process. I have a ton stories in my head to tell through songs but the ideas of others can in some cases, take a good song to the next level and make it a

6. How important is outside opinions of your working songs?

Outside opinions are crucial to help develop songwriting skills! The more, the better. You can't learn based on you own idea of what is good.

7. Do you think it would be beneficial to have an unbiased team of songwriters in the studio with you while you record music?

I can only imagine that an unbiased tem in the studio could help. I think the right suggestion while listening to a song could help, and what better time to change a song, then while in the

8. What’s the most unique location you’ve ever written a song?

The most unique location I have written at was a Walmart parking lot for the song Brand New Good Old Days. I was on my way to the studio to record a song and forgot my lyric sheet. I was not sure of the words and had an idea for another in my said, so I said: "What the heck, I'll just write another." It has ended up being my more requested originals to date too.

9. You’ve performed alongside some house hold names like Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, etc… What is your dream tour to be a part of?

My dream tour would be performing with.....well, there are tons of artists I'd love to perform with! I have had the honor of performing alongside with several greats, any of which I'd love to do a tour with, from Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley to Zac Brown and Colt Ford.

10. What do you think of the scene in Maryland for your style of music?

The Maryland scene for country music is doing well! It's full of great musicians and better, great people! The fans are the best! They always go above and beyond when it comes to support. I can't say enough that I appreciate them coming to shows. It's a tough thing to make time for and isn't always free. It means the world to me every time I see familiar faces at shows! It is the reason I give back as much I as can! Especially to our military! I can't thank them enough for what they do and I do shout outs at EVERY show to let them know!