One of the most amazing things to me about this project,
there are 26 songs on it.
And you have writing credit on 25,
only because one is a Hank Jr. cover.
You are absolutely an amazing and prolific writer.
And I mean, and you write some really great songs.
So how important is it for you to be known as a songwriter
as much as a performer, a singer?
It's definitely important to me.
I do think I've been misunderstood in the past
because I think maybe I didn't explain things.
Maybe the way I should.
There are artists in this business that don't write songs
or don't write all their songs.
I think maybe in the past I may have come across
as being, you know.
Judgmental.
Yeah, and that's not the case at all.
And I'd like to clear that up.
There's talented songwriters.
I mean, talented is the understatement of the century
for the talent and the blessed songwriters
we have in this town.
And if it weren't for singers that didn't write
and artists that didn't write,
those songwriters wouldn't have their opportunity
to do what it is that they're so, so, so, so good at.
So I do care and I'm very, very appreciative
to the singers and the artists in this business
who understand that they're not writers
and aren't trying to be writers,
that just want to give writing credit to where it's due.
But I feel like where my strength is,
where what it is about me that works
is that I sing things that I write.
So I write things that I'm able to sing,
but that I'd tell my story
and that I write with those other talented people in town
and I'm able to come together with them and tell my story
and I'm able to have a hand in it,
I guess is what I'm trying to say.
Well, and I think that maybe people misinterpreted
that just because it's not right for you,
that you're not saying it's wrong for other people to do it,
it's just not the way that you choose to do it.
Exactly, exactly.
I get it, I totally get it.
You know, and like I said,
I think in the past it's been misunderstood
and I never meant to come across that way.
To me, I'm honored to be able to have written the songs
that I wrote with these incredibly talented people
that went on this record.
And I'm extremely thankful that God blessed me
with the ability to have a hand in telling my story.
Well, and I just hope that, you know,
maybe especially through this album
that people begin to realize, I mean,
what an incredible and prolific writer you are.
Because I think that's something
that's been overlooked a bit.
In the past, maybe people didn't realize
that you write everything that you sing
and when you really get down and digest the lyrics
and figure out how profound they are
and how well-written these songs are
and then to realize that you wrote them all,
hopefully you'll get more credit in that arena.
Because I think you're an incredible writer.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
And here's one that he co-wrote
with Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip.
This is Bullet in a Bonfire,
Brantley Gilbert on Big Machine Radio.