We were lucky to catch up with Robert Eskridge recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Robert thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
As an Independent Country artist, trying to compete at a National level with National Touring Acts with major record labels behind them makes it a daunting challenge.
You not only write, publish, record and process your material, but the social media, marketing, promotion and ongoing support of the product once it goes live is a full time job!
Robert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Early Life:
Country singer / songwriter Robert Eskridge was born on November 10, 1968, in Wilmington, Delaware. As a kid he bounced back and forth between Delaware, and Eastern Kentucky, where he graduated from Morehead State University.
Eskridge started playing in the local bars and honky-tonks at the age of 16, and throughout college in various bands in the Lexington, Ky area. Key early highlights in Nashville, he took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, had a Saturday night performance at the world-famous Ernest Tubb Record Shop, as well as the old Stock Yard and Bull Pen Lounge – where he played frequently with the George Jones Band.
As music was just starting to take off, the start of a young family re-prioritized his music career, but he still played locally with his band Southern Daze in the tri-state area.
Recent Times:
With two full albums released, Eskridge and Southern Daze has had good success as an Independent Country Artists. 8 radio releases from their first two albums, all were top 10 singles!
Buck Wild and Whiskey Crazy was an Indie World Country #1 and New Music Weekly Top 10
Simple Things, the title track, was an Indie World Country #1, EACM #1 and New Music Weekly Top 5
You’re My Destiny hit #1 in Canada and EACM #1 and peaked at #16 New Music Weekly Main #9 New Music Weekly Digital.
I Can’t Win for Losing You – hit #1 on the New Music Weekly charts in Nashville and held on for two weeks! #5 in Europe
Glasses UP was a Top 10 New Music Weekly, #1 in EACM (Europe)
My Girl Kicks it Country – hit the Music Row Charts as well as #1 in EACM
TAKES released to country radio on 3/20/2023
When Life Happens was NMW top 10, National Country Radio top 10, Music Row Charted
Latest single in the spring of 2024 – Better Way – is one of country radio’s most added songs!
Key Nominations / Awards:
– ACMA New Male Artist of the Year nominee 2020
– New Music Weekly New Male Artist of the Year nominee 2021
– Josie Music Awards Nominee: Song, Entertainer and Male artist of the Year 2021
– 92.9 Nash FM Ky Proud Headliner
– Josie Music Awards Nominee: Song, Entertainer and Male artist of the Year 2022
– CMA Fest artist – 2022 (opportunity this year but had prior trip planned)
– Josie Music Awards Nominee: Song, Group, Artist of the Year 2023
– Josie Music Award Nominee: Country Artist, Group and Entertainers of the Year 2024
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
In order to get country radio to initially start playing my songs, we were going toe to toe with every major label and not getting anywhere. We had a great product, but still not gaining any traction as an Independent.
My wife and I were just discussing how this was a Bucket List item for me and a few days later she created Bucket List Records, we started back to the stations and program directors and now that we have a Record Label behind us, started getting air play. We then moved with a great promoter out of Nashville and things started flying in 2019… first #1 Indie Single. Tons of airplay on radio all over…
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of being an artist is when your song reaches someone… whether its a direct comment, email, a show follow up.. to know that a song you placed out there connected at a level that really meant something to them means the world to me. Never did this for money!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.roberteskridgecountry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roberteskridgecountry/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roberteskridgecountry/
- Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/robert-eskridge/1449611161
Image Credits
Robert Eskridge