In a country music world full of drum loops and snap tracks, it’s always refreshing to hear the sounds of steel guitar and fiddle ringing through the speakers again.
Richard Lynch did just that and then some on his newest album Think I’ll Carry It On. Comprised of 12 songs all written or co-written by Lynch, the album shows Lynch professing his love for real, traditional country music.
Read along as Lynch talks about the experience that made him realize he wanted to pursue a career in music, all things Think I’ll Carry It On, his charity work, and more!
Pro Country: Who were your biggest musical influences growing up?
Richard Lynch: Most of all, my Dad, who was a terrific country musician. Then it would be folks like Conway Twitty, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams Sr.; those true legends.
PC: When did you realize that you wanted to pursue music as a career?
RL: At a very early age, my Dad called me to the stage at a show where he was performing with Porter Wagner. I sang a “Tiger by The Tail,” and was instantly bitten by the country music bug.
PC: “She’s Got Me Drinkin’ Again” from the A Better Place album was one of the first songs that earned a lot of success on streaming platforms. Was it at all validating to you to have that level of success on your second album?
RL: It was a fun song to do, and people still love it when we perform it in our shows. Obviously doing a duet with Billy Yates was special.
PC: Throughout your career, you have released a handful of songs that talk about today’s “country music,” and you even have a TV show where you celebrate traditional country music. How important is it for you to be a strong voice and proponent of traditional country music?
RL: I believe there is a huge need to maintain the traditions of real country music. It is truly reflected by our fan response.
PC: “Cut and Paste” has become one of your signature songs, garnering more than 150,000 streams on Spotify and nearly 50,000 views on YouTube. What do you think it is about that song that has connected with people?
RL: Well that song is very, very traditional in style but speaks very clearly about today’s high tech world.
PC: What is the significance of naming your newest album Think I’ll Carry It On?
RL: That is actually a line from my song “Back in 1953.” I think it sums up my desire to keep real country music alive.
PC: “Love Tattoo” from Think I’ll Carry It On is a duet with Ronnie McDowell, who has had several hits in his career. What was it like for you to work with an artist of that caliber on the album?
RL: Ronnie is a terrific guy and an amazing entertainer. He is also a veteran, so cutting that song with him was very special.
PC: You originally released “Love Tattoo” as a more up-tempo song in 2014. What inspired you to re-record it as a ballad and make it a duet?
RL: It was timing. I had an opportunity to record with Ronnie, and when we went back in the studio it just all came together.
PC: “Back in 1953” is one of the standout tracks on Think I’ll Carry It On. Can you talk about the inspiration behind that song?
RL: That song is really special to me. It is based on a true part of my life centering around a guitar my Dad gave me when I was a teenager.
PC: What do you hope listeners take away from the Think I’ll Carry it On album after listening all the way through?
RL: I am extremely proud of this album, as I wrote or co-wrote all the tracks. I hope that people can see my love of pure country music and hope it will give me more attention as a writer.
PC: In 2015, you were inducted into the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame, and this year, you were inducted into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame. What does it mean to you to be recognized in that way?
RL: I am very proud of the many awards I have received. It is very humbling for me to be recognized in this way.
PC: You created the Love Tattoo Foundation which honors and assists the American Veterans who carry mental or physical scars, from serving our country. What inspired you to create the foundation, and how rewarding has it been for you?
RL: The inspiration came from a very deep respect for those who serve our country. We can’t do enough to thank them for their sacrifices. It’s an honor to help them anyway we can.
PC: What are your plans for the rest of 2019 and beyond?
RL: Well we hope to continue on with some great events in 2019 and we have some very special shows coming in 2020 and we hope to release even more new music.
PC: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
RL: Thank you for your interest in my music, and by all means keep it country!
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