Natalie Grove
Performing country music has been a thrill ride for Austin Webb, one he appreciates every time he steps behind the microphone.
Webb will perform on the Spirit Mountain Casino stage both Friday and Saturday and is also the featured artist at noon Friday in an acoustic set at a barbecue lunch and auction that is a fund-raiser for the Sweet Home Community Foundation, which provides grants to local charity projects. Admission is $60, which includes two adult beverages, a commemorative reception poster and a reception gift as well as the opportunity to bid on fan Oregon Jamboree VIP package and area high school and sports packages. No Jamboree ticket is needed to attend the event. .
“It’s going to be awesome… I can’t wait to get out there,” Webb said. “I love being around people and I’ve been fortunate to meet thousands and thousands of country music fans and they’re the best. I look forward to meeting people.”
Originally from Greenville, S.C., Webb started writing poetry at 9 and recorded his first record at 15.
“I recorded my first record in six months and just got really excited – I’m still excited. I’m just excited that the fire hasn’t burned out yet. I don’t think it will anytime soon.”
More recently, Webb’s career has taken him to Nashville, Tenn. after winning a local songwriting competition.
“When I first moved to town, it was rough. It was like the roaches were kicking me out of the room,” Webb said. Now, several songs and many odd jobs later, things are looking bright.
“I am looking forward to having a hit new song that’s going to break me through to real commercial success where I’ll be able to follow my dreams even further and to pursue the path some of my heroes have taken and be on that same page,” he said.
Webb describes his music as “country soul,” which he defines as “passionate country music,” influenced by his experience growing up with soul music, old country music, and Motown. “Country living with a soulful sound,” he says.
His influences and musical inspirations include his heroes Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Jason Aldean, and Luke Bryan.
“I like Luke’s personality and I think he’s got star power, and I hope to attain that level,” Webb said. “I look up to those guys a lot. Every time I’ve met Luke, he’s been a really nice guy. He really cares about his fans. I think that’s something most country music musicians do. The more I’ve learned the more I’m excited about that, just caring about your fans and respecting where you come from and how you got there.”
Webb says being a musician isn’t always what popular stereotypes make it appear to be.
“You can’t just do drugs and drink all the time and think you’ll be a rockstar, because you’ll fizzle out in a minute. You got to work out and eat right, treat people right, and do right. It’s not what the movies think.”
“There’s a lot of non-glamour to it – Instagram and social media and everything else make our lives look like they’re awesome all the time, you know, but who’s going to post bad days on Instagram?”
“The main goal is to be happy with what you’re doing. You play music, and you’ve got to love it. The only reason I got into it was strictly because I loved the way it felt and the way it could evoke emotion and the way it made me feel. And so as you continue as a new artist or new player, and can continue feeling good about themselves and feeling good about what they’re doing, I’d say keep going. That’s what you want.”
His newest single “Slip on By,” is about “living in the moment” and “cherishing every single day.”
“I just try to live day by day. I’m going to die one day and it’s hardly going to matter how much money I make. I just want to help a lot of people that can’t help themselves and feel good about that, loving people and being compassionate. That’s what I think success is.”