Interview: Grayson Capps of Willie Sugarcapps

(Photo by MCE Photography/Chad Edwards)

Anyone remotely familiar with the Alabama music scene has likely had the pleasure of seeing Grayson Capps perform with one project or another. Capps, an American singer/songwriter from Brewton, AL, started his first two bands while studying at Tulane University in the early 90s. Many of Capps' songs were also featured in the 2004 film A Love Song For Bobby Long, based off of his father's (Ronald Everett Capps) novel Off Magazine Street. Capps' music has also been included in the movies Joyride 2 (2008) and Straw Dogs (2011). Capps' latest project is an Americana/folk supergroup known as Willie Sugarcapps. We couldn't be more excited to be a part of bringing Willie Sugarcapps to Montgomery, AL on Thursday, May 28th (Tickets can be purchased by clicking here) . We recently caught up with Grayson to learn a little bit more about his background and his latest work.

Interview by Jordan Kirkland - Live & Listen

Growing up in southern Alabama clearly gave way for quite a variety of musical influences. When did you begin playing music, and who were some of your biggest influences early on?

Grayson: I started playing music when I was in high school, and I was influenced mostly by my father and friends who would come by the house. Most importantly was probably Fred Stokes who played around Brewton some. He had an old beat up Martin guitar and a resonant baritone voice. I listened to a lot of different records then from Hank Williams to Tom T. Hall to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee over to Eartha Kitt and Serge Gainsbourg and Hurricane Smith and many, many more since then.

How did growing up in Brewton and later Mobile/Fairhope affect your writing and your musical career?

Grayson: Growing up in LA (Lower Alabama) affected me the most by the sheer love of words and poetry and melody and humor. People around here love music, and that love is infectious like some kind of pleasant disease. As far as my musical career is concerned, I have had a lot of support from family and friends over the years that has kept me going.

Let's talk about the different projects and groups you have been involved with. How has your musical career progressed over the many years?

Grayson: I've been in bands since the late 80's/early 90's. I've been on several record labels. I've travelled many many miles. The experiences I have accumulated came slow and hard, but I feel well seasoned, still hungry and more ready for what's coming next than I have ever been.

Willie Sugarcapps was formed in March of 2012. You guys have now been performing for over three years. Tell us about the background of this band. How would you best describe the overall sound and meaning behind this group's music?

Grayson: Well, the background of this band is way to extensive for me to delve into from John Travolta to Jim Dandy to Neil Young to Jimmy Buffet to Nash Vegas and all points in between. We have LA in common, and we met at a songwriters' round at the Frog Pond in Silverhill, Al. We had a chemistry right off, acknowledged the beauty of the music and harmonies that we could make together, acknowledged that we all wanted to spend more time at home and less time on the road for our families, acknowledged that we were sick of bands and bullshit and that we all wanted a little icing on the gravy of our careers. Upon deciding to play some gigs together we recorded a record to sell at shows. I don't know what you call it, but to us it's music like we like and know. Speaking largely for myself but probably everyone else in WSC, family precedes the once prevalent rock star dreams. At this point in my life I want to say f*%$ off Rolling Stone Magazine, MTV, Star Search, Billboard, Hangout Fest and all you other bought out mother#@$kers who don't do anything for anybody without getting your palm greased for it. Willie Sugarcapps plays for the love of music and the love of the people experiencing the music!

(Photo by MCE Photography/Chad Edwards)

You have lived in Alabama for the majority of your life and perform in various venues across the state quite often. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music scene across Alabama?

Grayson: Inland Alabama is pretty dry and picky, not knowing how to digest anything other than cover bands for the most part. There are a few inland oasis's and festivals, but down south along the Gulf Coast is one of the best music scenes in the entire world. Everywhere you go there's a musician and an audience and plenty of dogs. The dogs especially love music down here.

I understand that a new Willie Sugarcapps album, recorded in Muscle Shoals, will be released in August of this year. How will this album differ than the previous studio release?

Grayson: We spent more time on this record and it shows. This is a kickass group of songs; some of the best songs any of us have ever written.

Willie Sugarcapps will headline The Capri Theatre on Thursday, May 28th. What can those attending the show expect from the live Willie Sugarcapps experience?

Grayson: Electricity and a pregnant lady!

Willie Sugarcapp's will play The Capri Theatre in Montgomery, AL on Thursday, May 29th. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. The show will also serve as a fundraising event for future renovations to The Capri Theatre.