LISTEN: Josh Grider, “Life’s a Party”

Artist: Josh Grider
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
Song: “Life’s a Party”
Album: Long Way From Las Cruces
Release Date: November 12, 2021

In Their Words: “Bobby Hamrick, Jamie Floyd, and I wrote ‘Life’s a Party’ a couple years ago. Jamie brought the idea in and it struck a nerve with everyone in the room, and we knew it was special as soon as we’d finished it. The song has been in and out of the hands of George Strait, Reba McEntire, and Randy Rogers Band. For whatever reason it just didn’t end up getting cut, so when it came time to make Long Way From Las Cruces it was a no-brainer. (Jamie also released a beautiful version of this tune in 2020.) We didn’t track the initial session with steel, but the song was just begging for it, so Adam Odor (engineer) made a call to Zach Moulton (Mike and the Moonpies) and he came in and just nailed it. I think ‘Life’s a Party’ is one of the best examples in my career of song and production coming together to make something greater than the sum of its parts.” — Josh Grider


Photo credit: Chris Compton

3×3: Stranger Friends on Pianos, Pickles, and Prime Ministers

Artist: Jamie Floyd and John Martin (of Stranger Friends)
Hometown: 
Stillwater, OK & West Palm Beach, FL
Latest Album: Stranger Friends
Personal Nicknames: I’ve never had an official nickname, but I’ve always loved giving nicknames! My good friend, Sean McCabe, is better known as Freeze. Back in college, he wanted to meet a specific girl. We set up a little meeting at Aspen Coffee Shop in Stillwater and, as you can tell by his nickname, he froze up and didn’t say a word to her. After years of co-workers, friends, and family embracing the nickname, Sean actually got Freeze tattooed on his hand. You can’t make this stuff up! — JM

If you could go back (or forward) to live in any decade, when would you choose?

JM: Maybe the ‘60s, so I could say I saw the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and the Elvis Comeback Special.

Who would be your dream co-writer?

JM: Bob Dylan. I know he wouldn’t need me … but to watch him work would be like getting to watch Van Gogh paint.

JF: Take me back and put me in a room with a piano and Ray Charles.

If a song started playing every time you entered the room, what would you want it to be?

JM: Very tough question. Maybe I’d go with Pharrell’s “Happy” because it’s difficult to hear that song and not feel good!

What was your favorite grade in school?

JM: For me, 10th grade — leaving campus for lunch changed everything!

JF: 7th grade was my favorite grade. I got into speech and debate. I would get into real political debates with my social studies teachers during class. My passion for advocacy started all the way back then. Today, I have handful of organizations that are important to me, and I use my voice to help in any way I can.

What are you most afraid of?

JM: That’s a toss-up — snakes or spiders … ahhh!!

Who is your celebrity crush?

JM: My wife, Glenda. She is a recurring guest on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, so she is a celebrity to me!

JF: Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada. I think he counts as a celebrity. What a humanitarian with a huge heart for all people.

Hitting the grey carpet at the @SESAC Awards! • • #Nashville #sesacawards #strangerfriends

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Pickles or olives?

JM: Neither?? I’ve never knowingly had either.

JF: I am a total crazed foodie — all the pickles and all the olives (Castelvetrano Olives are my fave), please & thank you.

Plane, train, or automobile?

JM: Automobile. I like driving because it’s a great place to listen to music and clear the mind.

JF: Planes are my pick. You can see it all from the sky.

Which is worse — rainy days or Mondays?

JM: Actually, I love both. Rainy days remind me of Oklahoma, and Mondays are the first chance at the new week.

JF: Rainy days get me down. I’m a Florida girl. I have to have sunshine.


Photo credit: Joshua Black Wilkins