Tag: Syracuse

LISTEN: MacKenzie Grant, “Coffee and Wine”

Posted on by Editor

Artist: MacKenzie Grant
Hometown: Syracuse, New York; Nashville, Tennessee
Song: “Coffee and Wine”
Album: Wonder World
Release Date: March 18, 2022
Label: Blackbird Record Label

In Their Words: “I think a marriage or any long-term committed relationship can start to feel like a fever dream, especially when you’re young and have little kids. If you and your partner are struggling, add in sleepless nights and exhaustion, you are just surviving for a while, in the trenches, coping. ‘Coffee and Wine’ is about pulling back from those situations, maybe after years, to take stock of what the state of your partnership really is. So many people I know, including myself, have been through a divorce. It’s heartbreaking to see how you both have been coping with everything as best you can, with whatever crutches you might have used, and you finally just realize that it’s not going to work. This song is about that moment of realization, coming up for air in the midst of things, and processing the grief and loss of what you hoped for in a marriage and facing the truth that it’s over.” — MacKenzie Grant

Photo Credit: Bram Fairhead

BGS 5+5: Martin Sexton

Posted on by Editor

Artist: Martin Sexton
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Latest album: 2020 Vision
Personal nicknames: Wolfman (band and crew would call me that on the walkies)

Which artist has influenced you the most…and how?

There are just so many of equal importance. Everyone from Black Sabbath to Pavarotti, from Mel Tormé to Mel Blanc (voice of every Looney Tunes character and then some). And The Beatles to… The Beatles.

What’s your favorite memory from being on stage?

My favorite memory on stage would have to be performing live with Peter Frampton playing “Do You Feel Like We Do” in Madison Square Garden. When he said my name with his voice box through the PA, I had to pinch myself.

What was the first moment that you knew you wanted to be a musician?

Sneaking up to the attic as a 9-year-old to listen to my older brothers’ records. I would put the headphones on and put the needle on Frampton Comes Alive. The sound of the opening licks of “Do you Feel Like We Do” and the howling of the audience in stereo was the spark that lit my flame and fueled my dreams.

What rituals do you have, either in the studio or before a show?

The ritual I have before every show is to have some quiet time alone, think about what I’m going to do in a show as I do some vocal warm-ups and say a prayer to my higher power for the strength to give the best performance I possibly can that night. And to say thank you for the opportunity.

If you had to write a mission statement for your career, what would it be?

I stated this years ago and try to stay true to it today: “My mission is to utilize the power of music to foster a sense of unity connecting people of all kinds to each other. With this strength and joy I advocate always being true to one’s heart and chasing your own dreams.”

Photo credit: Jo Chattman