When I speak to Country music singer-songwriter Mo Pitney he answers the phone in an exaggerated southern drawling voice and I laugh and comment he sounds as if he's on the radio. He admits he has done a lot of radio shows recently so I wouldn't be surprised if he starts sounding like that all the time. And there's no surprise Mo is in demand following his 2016 debut studio album 'Behind This Guitar' which charted at No.10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums in its first week. As a star of mainstream country music, Mo has had rising ovations at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry and is also on Rolling Stone's list of 'Country Artists You Need to Know'. 

Mo Pitney was born in the nineties in Cherry Valley, Illinois where music was a family affair. He learned to play drums at the age of six and the guitar at twelve and grew up on a musical diet of Johnny Cash, James Taylor and Randy Newman. Persuaded to move to Nashville by a songwriting friend, Pitney was inundated with early interest from record labels.

Now it's a few years later and Mo is an established country music artist in and has become a father for the first time. His daughter is only six months and he admits to "dropping some balls." He says of this newfound experience, "There are beautiful moments, scary moments, learning moments. I'm taking it step by step." I ask if this has influenced his writing subject matter and he replies, "I try to incorporate personal experiences. I tell people about love and the inspiration through my life. The bedrock of all my inspiration though is God and his unique ways." Mo adds, inspiration wise, "there is plenty to pull from especially when things are going well with your family. Every one of us experiences the ups and downs and they influence songs. Music is a fun way to relate someone else going through."

One of the singles from the album 'Everywhere' (which was co-written with Phil O'Donnell whose hits include Blake Shelton's 'Doin' What She Likes' and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame legend Dean Dillon, the writer behind George Strait hits) and we discuss the themes within that and Mo replies, "'Everywhere' is one of the more poignant songs and the inspiration is about God, the one who created everything. It is comforting that wherever I might be there he is too." The stunning visuals are about Mo, his life as a musician and of course, God. He says, "they capture as many shots of me and where other people might find themselves on this earth. No matter where you might be, that song will be there too. There are influences of God; a butterfly, friendship, family, space," the list goes on. The song is seeped in traditional country with a memorable hook and beautiful lyrics:

"I open up my eyes and feel you by my side before the morning light even hits me, there's comfort in knowing that anywhere I'm going I know you'll be rolling with me, everywhere, every step, every sunrise, every sunset, every word I say, every night and day, every single moon, everything I do, everywhere, everywhere, everywhere."

'Behind This Guitar' is a very mature album, mainly autobiographical with interesting narratives weaving in and out. Mo says, "Being the first record, the challenge is figuring out the theme. It is trying to catch people up on things I had experienced musically in my life which caused me to write. It's about a young Mo growing up and becoming a musician. The next record will probably be about the things I have learned since." 

The album features Mo's first single, the catchy 'Country', 'Clean Up On Aisle Five' and his tribute which mentions the time, day and date in meeting one of his musical heroes, Merle Haggard with 'I Met Merle Haggard Today' ("it's all 100% true"). Highlights also include 'Behind This Guitar', 'Take The Chance', 'Love Her Like I Lost Her' which is stripped-back and reflective and 'Boy & A Girl Thing' has a fun side and real life narrative. Mo Pitney has a very deep, rich voice, like your first strong coffee in the morning. Lyrically he explores real life observations and relatable themes and his melodies are on point. He also shows he has a sense of humour and not all the tracks are deadly serious. I can imagine Mo really shines on the stage when it's just him and his guitar.

I ask what the most meaningful track on his album is and Mo replies, "The last one, 'Give Me Jesus'. I wanted to sew up the end of the record after telling people about what I've been through, my life and experiences. There are beautiful gifts but none of them can replace the giver. That's why I wanted to end the record on that song."

Mo listens to different types of inspirational music and one of his influences is Andrew Peterson who is a singer-songwriter from Nashville and writes about getting through life. Mo's says it's "a hidden dream down in my heart to someday collaborate with James Taylor."

Mo is excited to come to the UK at the end of August for his tour following shows in the US and Ireland. He says, "The UK audience is respectful, eager to absorb music and good listeners. Sometimes over here they just want to party!" He is not too familiar with all the cities in the UK he will be performing at (Bristol, London, Nottingham, Leeds and Manchester) so is looking forward to planning the route with his wife and making the most of his time here. His favourite aspect of the industry is being on the stage. He says, "When we're all engaged and on the same page and it moves past me playing my songs for a group of people and something special starts to happen." That is the best feeling for him. On the other side, the challenges include, "Staying grounded. There is a funny psychology that comes from being an artist on the stage; pride can really destroy us humans and there is a desire to not be "look at me, look at me". Standing on the stage can be a funny battle to overcome and can get me spinning out and be doubtful about myself. Those are some interesting nights!"

What's next for Mo Pitney? "There will be a transition period learning what the next album might look like, stepping out to say what's the next thought? Hopefully, by the new year, there will be something structured and maybe even something to release!"

As Mo says, "I'm still learning and open to whatever my future might be."

For all Mo Pitney's US and European tour dates see here