David Lewis doesn’t just see the traditional country uprising happening, he wants to be a part of it. And after a successful 2024 that saw the release of his new EP, the staunchly traditional Honky Tonk Bound, and the success that its lead single, “Ain’t Gonna Change Me,” has found, he’s setting up to put himself right in the middle of it.
After debuting himself in 2019 with his excellent album Country Music Therapy, which he wrote and co-produced himself while still a high school student, Lewis took the next three years to hone his craft before returning with a new single release. Older and wiser, Lewis also returned more confident in his artistry; a confidence that is palpable on his newest effort.
We chatted with Lewis all about Honky Tonk Bound, as well as confidence, new music, his favorite sad country songs and more!
Pro Country: Your bio lists artists like Merle Haggard, George Strait and Brooks & Dunn as major influences in your younger years. What was it about the traditional stylings of country music that struck a chord with you?
David Lewis: I think the writing was a big influence. I loved the twang of the guitars: the steel guitars, the fiddle were something I just vibed with.
Growing up on a ranch, it related to a lot of the things I was doing in my life. I fell in love with it sitting in the backseat of my dad’s old Ram and listening to those guys on the radio
PC: You began performing in your church’s worship band very early in your life. Even in those early years, what was it about performing that connected with you so early in your life?
DL: I’ve always loved being on stage. Something that really connected with me would be when people would come up to me after a service and tell me how a song had impacted them. That always struck a chord with me. I felt like I was called to do the same thing, but through country music. I wanted to relate to people that way.
PC: With that early start with music and performing, when did it become clear that music was something that you wanted to, and actually could, pursue as a career?
DL: when I was about 10 years-old, I had my first paying gig. It was 100 bucks for a show at a trail ride in a tent. I remember getting that hundred dollar bill and thinking, “What?! I can make money for just playing for a few hours?” For the longest time, I was only making five bucks to mow the lawn [laughs]. I thought it was a lot of fun and an easy way to make money. It wasn’t until high school, though, that I really found my love for performing country music and wanting to make it a career. I started to brand and formed a band and all of that. That’s when I realized I could do it.
I still went to college to get a degree; my parents thought it would be smart to get one, and they were absolutely right, but I can’t see myself doing anything other than music.
PC: As a senior in high school, you released and co-produced your debut album, Country Music Therapy. As someone with a deep, long love of music, what emotions came with releasing music for the first time, and how challenging was it to learn the craft of producing for the project?
DL: I learned so much. I wrote all of those songs in high school too. I was a high school kid going into the studio to release music seriously for the first time. I wanted to do it right. I had influences and I wanted to help produce my own sound. I was really excited. I didn’t even release a single; I put out the whole album because I was ready to get music out. I was trying to soak in as much knowledge as I could and was trying to be a sponge in the studio with all of the musicians.
PC: Three and a half years passed between the release of Country Music Therapy and your next single release, “Hard To Hold A Bottle.” After that layoff, how much were you looking forward to having new music to release again, and how did you grow in those three and a half years?
DL: I was excited and determined to show my growth. In those three years, I was constantly working on my vocals, my guitar playing and my writing. I wanted the next product I put out to show growth. I was determined to prove myself as an artist and how seriously I was taking it.
PC: The lead single, “Ain’t Gonna Change Me,” from your new EP, Honky Tonk Bound, went viral on Instagram several times both before and after its release. What was it like to see the life that the song was having out of the gate, and what has it been like to see it continuing to grow?
DL: It’s a big encouragement. I haven’t seen any of my other songs do what this one has done. It’s really cool to see that people dig that sound and what I’m doing as an artist. I’ve never felt a feeling like this.
PC: “Ain’t Gonna Change Me” was sent to radio earlier this month and cracked the top 85 in its first week. How excited are you to see what the song can do at radio after its positive response on social media?
DL: I’m so excited. I’m excited to see what it does. I’m hopeful that we can take it all the way. This is my second song out to radio. My first one, “Bring the Rain,” broke the top 50 in Texas. We’ve got high hopes of doing something really cool with this one.
PC: “Tomorrow’s Problem” is one of our favorite songs on Honky Tonk Bound, and is a song you wrote with fellow artist, Jake Bush. Can you take us in the room and talk about how the song came together?
DL: We were out at a writers’ retreat. Me, Jake and another artist from Nashville had a scheduled write. It didn’t end up working out; the other writer wasn’t feeling very good, so Jake and I decided to go off on our own and we started kicking around ideas. I’d just gotten married at the time, and I was telling him that I was learning what a “honey do” list is [laughs]. I would always tell my wife, “that’s tomorrow’s problem, let’s do that later.” We were kicking that can down the road, and we thought “Tomorrow’s Problem” would be a great title for a song, and we made it into a love song.
That was one of our first writes together, and we hit it off right away. He and I wrote every week for a while. There’s going to be some more songs coming out with him as a co-writer on, and I’m really excited to get those out.
PC: As lovers of sad songs, we also love “You Were Right.” Can you tell us a few of your favorite sad country songs?
DL: I would say “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” “Spilled Whiskey” by Darlye Singletary, and lastly; probably the saddest country song I’ve ever heard in my life, “These Days I Barely Get By.” Oh my gosh, that one is a downer [laughs]. I remember singing that one to somebody, and they said, “Golly, that’s depressing!” But that’s country music.
PC: What do you hope listeners take away from Honky Tonk Bound after listening all the way through?
DL: I hope they have fun with it. I hope they see what artists like me are trying to do with bringing back the old school country sound. I’m getting ready for that wave of country music to come back. I can see it now with guys like Zach Top and Braxton Keith. I’m trying to ride that wave too.
PC: Earlier, you mentioned more new music coming down the pipeline. What information, if any, can you give about what’s coming next? What can listeners expect to hear?
DL: You can expect to hear more country music. We’re going to work on a big project this year.
PC: You already have a busy tour schedule laid out into the spring. How much are you looking forward to staying busy on the road and on the stage this year?
DL: Man, I’m ready. We’ve had a few band rehearsals recently, and we’re really excited about the performances we’re going to put on for people. We’re ready to see fans and ready to hit the road.
PC: Along with your road schedule, what do you have planned for 2025?
DL: We have some cool shows lined up, and a few tours as well. We just announced that we’re going to be playing at Chilifest, which is a big one here in Texas. I’ll also be going back to my Alma Mater, Texas State, and playing a bucket list venue for me there. We have a lot of exciting stuff coming up!
PC: Is there anything you’d like to add?
DL: I always say after my shows: God Bless country music, let’s bring it back!
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