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Opry North

Name: R.J. “Dusty” Woods

Age: N/A

Birth date: July 11

Birthplace: Vancouver, BC

Hometown: Red Deer, AB

Resides in: Red Deer, AB

Pets: None

Group Name: Dusty Woods

Instruments played: Guitar, Bass, Keyboard & vocals

Started performing at age: 12

Most memorable performance: Outdoor bluegrass festival, Prince George, BC – 1983

What do you do to relax: “Relax? What’s that? (Fishing).”

Finished CD’s: 4

CD’s for sale: “The Sound Of Lonesome”

“Too Old To Boogie – Too Young To Die”

“Straight Up – No Rocks”

“One Man, One Guitar: Dusty Unplugged”

Management: None

Record Label: Independent

Website: http://clik.to/dustyw1

Dusty Woods has been waiting for his profile for some months now, as it was in early summer when we received his package, complete with answers all filled out and his signed CD. Now, we all know some of those ‘other’ Albertans who have succeeded in making their name in country music, but how many of them have stayed home to make it work out? Dusty, that’s who…he’s still there, he’s still working and he strikes me as a fella I’d like very much. I seem to take to those ‘tell-it-like-it-is’ types that will never stray from their beliefs, guys like some of my other favourites – Scotty Campbell and Stompin’ Tom, to name a couple. I will admit right here that I don’t know Dusty, having never been to Alberta; but I know that if anyone will take it upon themselves to work that hard to hand write the answers to the profile questions to do some self-promotion then well…that’s someone who will always get my vote! It’s always been my firm belief that no will care about your career as much as you yourself, so if you don’t have the gumption to get up and do some of the work then why should anyone else worry about it!? And obviously, Dusty sees things my way.

I, like you, must travel to Dusty’s website to check out his bio and learn more about the personal ‘him’. I learned he has been playing since he was a teenager, he was influenced by a variety of performers with some of them being (admittedly) not really country…but he has firm beliefs about the definition of his music. And, (I hope Dusty will forgive this little transgression, but it’s so good I had to use it) he says, “If it makes you wanna dance, it’s Honky-Tonk. If it makes you GOTTA dance, it’s Hardcore Honky-Tonk.” How is that for knowing what he does, and why? He’s been working at this for a long time and he won’t give up doing what he loves to do. I find that to be very admirable, and want to say that it’s people like Dusty Woods who make this work so rewarding…those artists who work to climb that hill and deserve that little ride up that we may help them to get. And he has been working himself to help other independent Canadian country artists at the same time. Dedicated, selfless and supportive of others in their journey too…let’s hear it for the spirit of working together! It’s our battle cry; obviously we’re not alone. (And ‘they’ said it couldn’t be done…)

Here are the responses that Dusty sent in and I know you will find them fascinating, as I did. I always love hearing the advice, opinions and experiences that each artist has to share, and it will give you a better understanding of the ‘glamorous’ world of entertaining. Days, weeks and months of hard work to get that hour or two of glory that will let you stand up there, with the faces looking upwards at you, as you connect in a way that has no equal when you’ve always wanted to be a performer.

Looking back on your earliest experiences in the music industry what did you learn that made the most difference at that time?

“Learned how to entertain and how important it is.”

What is the one part of the music industry that you had to learn about that you hadn’t really thought of when you started out?

“Rip offs, B.S., etc.”

What two things would you say are the most important things to do or have to succeed to the level you’d wanted to out of the following: practice, ambition/determination, organizational ability, creating enough buzz.

“Got to have determination (stubbornness) and ability to treat music as a business. Love it all you want but take care of business first.”

Being aware of the highly competitive nature of the music industry were you given any guidance or support from established performers on your way up, and how valuable has that been?

“Learned mainly by example…most established performers seem too insecure to help anyone. They think (we) might be a ‘threat’.”

The world of press kits, promo shots, making contacts and networking may seem overwhelming to someone just starting out. What’s the best advice you could give someone regarding getting all this sorted out?

“Find cheap or free alternatives at first. Don’t go broke on peripherals. Make your show top notch first. The rest will follow.”

As an up & coming artist did you find it was difficult to get your name and your sound out into the public at times? That there was a shortage of showcase media be it print or electronic to fill the void between the clubs and the stadiums?

“Actually, I’m not up to the stadium level yet. Still trying to cut back on the cheap bars.”

Looking back, do you feel that focusing on being a songwriter, learning about producing or learning about the whole process, was the thing you should have done as opposed to what you did do? Or, are you satisfied with your route and wouldn’t have changed a thing?

“The only thing I’d change is I’d keep at it more consistently. I ‘retired’ several times and lost momentum.”

With success comes a lot of responsibility. How do you decide when it’s time to delegate some of the load, who to delegate to and what you’ll keep for yourself?

“Right now I’ve split the workload with my wife. She’s great at the business aspects and a computer whiz. I do the musical end of things.”

If the success you’ve worked for seems to be overwhelming you and you’d like to step back for a breather is that acceptable or is there pressure to keep the push on while you’re hot?

“I’ll let you know if/when I get ‘hot’.”

Some people are content to stay on the same path they’ve always been on after they’re successful. Others see it as a good time to show versatility and go in a different direction. Not always to people’s liking. Can you see yourself breaking out into a slightly different direction instead of staying on the safe road?

“Nope. I prefer to ‘dance with the one that brung me’. Most of my music is traditional country with a little extra kick. That’s what people are responding to.”

The team you choose to help out when things take off plays a large part in how stress free things become. What qualities must you look for to be sure the person you’ve chosen is right for the team?

“Competence, honesty and loyalty. I believe in finding the best people for a job and letting them do it.”

With the arrival of the cyber age, with online stores, MP3’s and the like how do you see the music industry changing? Can you see contracts in the future outlining who has what rights in relation to the Internet?

“Probably. I just hope the major labels don’t manage to tie all of that up the way they’ve done with the mainstream music.”

Will there be such an importance in being signed by a major label do you think, with the ability to produce, promote and sell material independently taking off?

“I’d hope to see the rise of online Indie distributors and promoters. Right now we’re all just getting started and the few ‘artist services’ are (I think) questionable.”

Can you see such independent productions being accepted into the same leagues as the major label productions by both or either the industry or public?

“The industry will resist because it’s harder for the majors to keep their monopoly. The public will take a while as they’re used to listening to whatever is on the radio.”

What, if any, preparation did you have to do to get started or advance? Has there been vocal, dance, maybe business instruction along the way?

“No. I learned by doing. Mostly I worked for/with people who were better than me and copied every lick or joke or bit of stage craft I saw.”

What surprised you the most about being in music? What elements caught you off guard or weren’t what you’d expected?

“1. The constant battle with some agents, bar owners etc.

2. Wasn’t prepared for music to become a job.”

What part of the up & coming process would you change if you could? Or do you feel that everyone should take some bumps along the way?

“More bumps please! Too many kids coming up who’ve never had to sweat through 4-5 sets in some fairly dangerous places. Mommy and Daddy buy the equipment and a lot of newcomers worry more about their hair and clothes than the music.”

What was it like when you first started recording? How prepared did you feel going in and how prepared were you really?

“I started recording myself when it looked like nobody else was going to. I was prepared as far as arrangements and material but I’m still learning every time I record.”

They say to be good at what you do you have to keep learning. What areas of the music business do you want to start learning more about next?

“I’d like to investigate some of that ‘fame & fortune’ stuff I keep hearing about. Never tried it but I think I’m about ready.”

If you had to choose one part of the music industry and do only that one thing what would it be?

“Live performing.”

What did you discover about touring that you hadn’t expected?

“No matter how big your name is on the marquee you’ve still got to find a place to do your laundry.”

Any tips to make things run smoother?

“Always try to be friendly to the staff where you’re playing. A good waitress who likes you is more precious than gold!”

Are there any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

“I’m working on an album/song cycle about Canadian history. Hope to get it out within a year.”

What would you like to do for 2001 that you haven’t tried before?

“For 2001 I’m hoping to get some solid airplay, play some concerts and expand my fan base.”

We would like to thank Dusty Woods for his contributions to make this profile possible. It was a pleasure to meet him and I got quite a chuckle from many of his answers, probably they’d work in well with some stories he’d be able to tell. The life of a Canadian country entertainer, we’ve been learning, is very rarely dull. Thanks Dusty.

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