Get to know: Bobby Starnes

Bobby Starnes is proof that you can be a successful songwriter and producer without being a part of the Nashville system. He has worked with a number of renowned artists across the spectrum and turned many songs - his and others' - into hits.Acts like Carson Peters, Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes, Blue Highway (with his childhood friend Tim Stafford), Dave Eggar, Ralph Stanley II and more have recorded with Starnes at Hat Creek Recording Company, the studio he has operated for years as a writer and producer.His clients have achieved great success under his tutelage and the help of his collaborators (which includes the incomparable Jim Price, among others), and he shows no sign of slowing down. He keeps writing hits and keeps turning out quality recordings - all from our little corner of East Tennessee.A graphic artist by trade, Starnes could craft and design his own songbook at this point, and it would have a good shot at the top of the charts. Take a few moments and get to know Bobby Starnes.When did you decide music was going to be a big part of your life, and how did you first get involved?"I've been playing guitar since age 7. I got turned on to songwriting at age 12. At age 14, I got a song that I had written published into the kid's magazine, 'Highlights.' I thought that was really cool so I've been writing songs ever since."I went out on the road around age 20 and I did that full time for a few years, but the lifestyle wasn't for me. I played locally for a few years, but at age 30 I decided to lay my electric guitar aside and concentrate all my musical energy on songwriting. I didn't get my first major cut until age 40. Since then I've had well over 100 cuts and 6 number ones."Is this current project the first, or have you been involved in other things?"As a music producer, I'm always working on a project. As a songwriter, I never stop working. I write everyday. I'm always looking and listening for the next hook - it's crazy where a song idea or hook will come from."What is it about music that makes you want to perform or be involved?"When someone cuts a song I have written or co-written, it is like winning the lottery. It's very rewarding. But every new song is like a new baby; some of them come out a little prettier than others, but you love them all."I just enjoy the whole process of writing. It's like figuring out a puzzle. You start with a hook, or cool line, or a clever idea and you have to figure out how to tell the complete story in three minutes or less. It can be very challenging at times, but the reward is worth the struggle. Then again, I've written songs in 5 minutes or less. You just never know... but I will chase an idea as far as I can and as long as it takes."How would you describe your music/band/project?"All original. I haven't played a cover song in 30 years."Is this something you see yourself doing as a career?"It's more of a passion for me. I've been blessed to make a little money at songwriting, but in today's market, with streaming, there's very little money to be made at songwriting. Very little. So to answer your question, no."What are your other interests? Do you have any surprise talents or hobbies?"Well, I'm also a graphic artist. A lot of people know me as a graphic artist and don't even know anything about my songwriting career. As a graphic artist, I was the very first person to create any electronic-generated art for many major higher education book publishers, such as McGraw-Hill, Prentice Hall, Pearson Education, Simon Shuster, Oxford University Press and many others (sorry for the name dropping)."Who are your influences/favorites (worldwide and local)?"I have many musical influences. I love all kinds of music, so I've listened to a lot of different kinds of music. In no particular order: Merle Haggard (he has to be first), James Taylor, George Benson, Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bill Monroe, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Tony Rice, Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Jeff Walker, John Prine, Jimmy Buffett, Kim Williams, Tim Stafford... how much room do you have? I could go on and on."If you could tell people one thing they should know about you, what would it be?"First and foremost, I am a God-fearing Christian. After that, it doesn't matter."How can people contact you about booking and information?"I'm on Facebook and Instagram (Hat Creek Recording Company). That's about it for social media, but you can contact me through Facebook Messenger, I guess."I really don't play many gigs unless it's really good money - I don't mean to be snobby, but I stay way too busy as it is. I do a few songwriter festivals and workshops each year. Those are a lot of fun. If it's not a listening room/crowd I'm probably not interested."