Fresh Find - Johnny Bulford
- Freshly Brewed Country
- Jul 28, 2015
- 4 min read
We are happy to announce Johnny Bulford as our latest Fresh Find here at Freshly Brewed Country!
Music was always happening in the Bulford household, so the foundation was already laid for Johnny Bulford to be smitten with the arts; having received an album of Garth Brooks at the age of 11, he found himself mesmerized by the music. At the age of twelve Johnny attended a Brooks concert and at that tender age he realized his calling in life; he looked at his mother and said "That's what I want to do."
Acquiring a guitar and learning to play shortly thereafter, Johnny started writing songs and by the age of 15 was performing throughout central Florida, even venturing as far north as Alabama. While landing the opportunity to open for touring artists such as Josh Turner and Emerson Drive as they made their way through Florida, Johnny released his first independent album "Southern Thing".
Battling the love of music and academics, he began attending classes at the University of Central Florida in 2003 as a business marketing major with a minor in English; a self-professed nerd with high SAT scores and a scholar in Florida's "Bright Futures" program, Bulford handled the demands of academics while performing and promoting his second self-released album "What Happens Here Stays Here".
In 2004 Johnny entered the Colgate Country Showdown, a nation-wide competition showcasing the best of up and coming talent - making it only to the state level the first time around and to regional the second, the expression "third time's the charm" proved evident as Johnny won the entire competition of over 50,000 artists from all over the United States and secured himself a prize of $100,000 in 2008 with his original piece "How Could I Not".
During these years he made many trips to Nashville, developing relationships with label executives and left them wanting to hear more. He became actively involved in local charities, such as the Russell Home for Atypical Children, and he was commissioned by the veteran’s group ‘Remembering the Brave’ to write a song for fallen soldiers, which has been played at numerous events for America’s Gold Star families.
With only one more class to finish before graduation, Johnny made the ultimate choice; realizing it was difficult to build a fan base while attending college in Florida, he packed up and made Nashville home. Securing a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music as a staff writer shortly after his Colgate victory, the ball immediately started rolling for the Florida native.
Still writing and releasing independent music of his own, such as his 2009 independent album "Livin It Up", Johnny secured his first album cut with "Flashlight", a song on RCA recording artist Chris Young's 2011 album "Neon", co-written by Bulford, Young, and Robert Arthur. Bulford, along with fellow co-writers Jon Stone and Phil Barton, secured his first #1 hit on April 24, 2011 with Lee Brice's "A Woman Like You".
It was the "game-changer" for Bulford; honored at the 42nd Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner for "A Woman Like You", Bulford stood on stage not far from his idol Garth Brooks. With his third single "Lonely Eyes", co-written with Jason Matthews and Laura Veltz, off of Chris Young's 2013 album "A.M." quickly climbing the charts it is only a matter of time before more accolades are accumulated.
When not writing lyrical magic, Bulford can be found touring the southeast with his five piece band. A resident of Nashville, TN, he is captivating audiences far and wide with his showmanship, boy-next-door personality, distinctive voice and beautifully passionate written originals that are reminiscent of greats Vince Gill, James Taylor, and his idol Garth Brooks.
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We know you wanted to learn more about Johnny Bulford, so be sure to check out our interview with the country singer below.
FBC: What made you want to get involved in the country music world?
JB: My Grandma Bulford played me a Garth Brooks cassette in the car while I was visiting her. Not long after that, I saw him live at the Amway Arena on his "Sevens" tour and I was hooked!
FBC: What song of yours is your favorite and why?
JB: That is a really tough question because I love them all for different reasons. Some because they are the most honest I've ever been, some because they seem to connect with an audience a lot, or some because they have been the most successful. It really depends on the situation. In my truck, by myself I really love "On My Way To You", but on stage with an audience singing along, "Lonely Eyes" and "A Woman Like You" definitely get the #1 and #2 slot! Haha
FBC: What do you use for inspiration to write your songs?
JB: Depends on what I am writing about. If it's a love song, Janell Wheeler hands down. If it's about any thing else my inspiration could come from a book I read or a movie I saw, or a story I heard or my own life experience.
FBC: What has been your favorite experience on the music journey so far and why?
JB: There are so many, but just recently I got to do a writers round with Chris Young and Cory Crowder at the Ryman Auditorium. Yup, that was pretty awesome!
FBC: Who is your country music idol and why?
JB: It has been Garth since the beginning. The versatility in his records and the electricity of his performances are undeniable!
FBC: What are three fun facts about you that you want your fans to know?
JB: 1) I am a big nerd! Books, video games, sci fi! You name it, I love it! 2) I played a lot of different sports growing up, specifically baseball and football. After a knee injury just before college, I focused all of my energy into music. Since then I have become the worst sports fan ever. Hence the line, "I'd be a better football fan" in "A Woman Like You!" 3) I love Nashville with all my heart and miss Florida with just as much of it at the same time!
Stay up to date on the latest Johnny Bulford news by following him on social media.
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