Fresh Find - Kerry Degman
- Freshly Brewed Country
- Jul 31, 2015
- 4 min read
We are happy to announce Kerry Degman as our latest Fresh Find here at Freshly Brewed Country!
When you think of Portland, Oregon, you think of the 90’s and Kerry Degman is no exception. Sonically influenced by the greats of his childhood like Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks while boldly brewed in the more classic country tradition of storytellers such as James Taylor and Townes Van Zandt.
What began as a hobby on a foggy London evening, Kerry purchased a guitar looking to kill some downtime at the hotel while traveling as a world famous model. Having played the trombone and piano throughout his childhood, it didn’t take long before enough chords could be arranged into one tear jerking, heartbreak tune after another.
One evening in a NY Cigar shop, Kerry met soon to be manager and business partner, Paul Martin, whom after hearing of Kerry’s talent as a troubadour, convinced him to move to Nashville, TN and begin writing for an album.
The result? Red Light, a sharp, sweeping compilation of brooding and romantic epilogues fostering emotions so relatable you’d think they were written about you. It’s an album steeped in memories, anchored by a sultry baritone voice and sweetened by a combination of pedal steel, accordion, fiddle, acoustic guitar, and B3 organ. From breakup anthems like the title track “Red Light,” to patriotic power ballads like “Pray For A Soldier In Pain,” Red Light is the sound of a new talent that’s ready to make waves, one cowboy-laden narrative at a time.
Be sure to download music from Kerry Degman on iTunes today.
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Want to know a little more about Kerry Degman? If so, then check out our interview with the country singer.
FBC: What made you want to get involved in the country music world?
KD: I was living in Los Angeles as a full time surf bum, but I put a ton of hrs on my guitar. I posted a video covering Zac Brown's Highway 20 Ride. It had a good amount of attention, but I didn't really know what to do with it. The next week I had a job in NYC so I flew out, and after shooting I walked into this small little cigar lounge that unfortunately isn't around anymore. I was talking to all the fellas that seemed to practically live there, when one of them brought up that he watched my video. He insisted I make a career out of it. Well, he is now my manager and co-owner of a couple of my other companies, including our non-profit. As for why i chose the country genre, that is what my folks played around me growing up, so naturally thats what i chose to listen to on my own. When the time came to put lyrics to my first song it was: 1) the worst song I've ever heard to this day and 2) very country. I guess thats just what I knew, so that's the sound that came out.
FBC: What song of yours is your favorite and why?
KD: Oh geez. That's like asking a mother which of her kids is her favorite. All of my songs are about significant times in my life. From memories of my Longshoreman Grandfather - a breakup with a longtime girlfriend - to a song called You're Beautiful that is about my wife spending too much time in front of the vanity getting ready. I suppose if I had to pick, I'd say that Pray For A Soldier In Pain holds the most weight just because the topic of veteran suicides has been weighing pretty heavily on my heart lately. I love sharing that message so I love singing that song.
FBC: Can you share some information on the #sing2serve and the Force Network Fund?
KD: 22 veterans commit suicide every day here in America. Thats over 8,000 every year. And just to put it in perspective, we've lost a little over 3,000 in the entire Iraq/Afghanistan war since 2003. And unfortunately, mental health is a topic most people don't care to talk about. When I heard those statistics it just broke my heart. I wrote the song Pray For A Soldier In Pain to help raise awareness and resources to end the epidemic. I believe if we can't talk about it, let's sing about it to start. I encourage people to cover the song and share with their friends the hashtag #sing2serve. All proceeds from the song are donated to the Force Network Fund which I cofounded with NHL superstar, Cam Atkinson.
FBC: What is your favorite memory of the country music industry so far?
KD: I got to open for Alabama last summer in Connecticut at a food and wine festival. That might go down as the best career memory forever more.
FBC: If you could do a country duet with any star who would it be and why?
KD: The first album I ever purchased was Ropin' The Wind, at a used CD shop. I don't remember how young i was: 5th or 6th grade maybe. Wouldn't that just complete the circle to get to sing with Garth Brooks?
Stay up to date on the latest Kerry Degman news by following him on social media.
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