Cody McCarver Interview
By Jessica P. Wallin
Cody McCarver is an up-and-coming country/Southern rock star from Dunlap, Tennessee. His music video for “Red Flag” which is featured on CMT, features guest stars Dennis Haskins, best known as Dustin “Dirty Sanchez” Diamond’s sidekick Mr. Belding on “Saved by the Bell”, Rob Zombie’s brother Spider from Powerman 5000, and W. Earl Brown, who stars as Ben Stiller’s special needs brother in There’s Something About Mary and as Meatloaf in the VH1 made-for-TV biopic. With such entertainment heavyweights on his side, McCarver is bound to go far in the music industry. Last week Cody came to Chickamauga to play for Down Home Days, and I got to talk with him about his new album, Peace, Love, and Coondawgs.
How did you enjoy playing in Chickamauga?
I had a blast at Down Home Days. They always have the best in country music, and I felt it was a privilege just to be there.
Your new album is called Peace, Love, and Coondawgs. Care to explain its meaning and origin?
I had a friend years ago in Atlanta who told me she liked country and couldn’t figure out whether I was a redneck or a rocker or a hillbilly. So she would always say to me “Peace Love & Coondawgs.” When I was looking for an attitude for the CD, it just fit. I wanted to hit somewhere between L.A. (where I recorded it), New York City, and my hometown of Dunlap, therefore “PEACE, Love, & Coondawgs”
How did you break into the music business? Do you have one of those cool success stories?
I started playing piano in Church at age 9. Then the rest was just a LOT of hard work out on the road paying those dues.
Who are your major influences?
Waylon Jennings, John Mellencamp, Lynard Skynard, Marshall Tucker Band, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Danny Shirley.
Your single is called “Red Flag”. What does it mean to pull a red flag?
Well a red flag can be anything BAD, obviously. But in this case, I am telling a girl or females in general what to look out for from bad men coming on to them. In the song my favorite line is “when he callled just to say I called, how come you didn’t call me back?” That’s a red flag. I have said those words so many times haha! So I am a red flag, I guess. “When some guys say my ex-old lady was a nag/that’s a red flag.” In the video I look into the camera and say “she was.”
The music video is very cool and fun to watch. What was it like making the video with such entertainment icons?
It was amazing to work with these guys. I would have never thought that SPIDER from Powermann 5000 was so well-versed in country music. He is just like me, he appreciates good music of any kind. W. Earl Brown from the HBO series Deadwood has a great band called The Sacred Cowboys. Earl was in the movies There’s Something about Mary and Scream. Dennis Haskins, who is from Chattanooga and is truly a pop culture figure, played “Mr. Belding” on Saved By the Bell. He has been a friend for many years and was such a pleasure to work with.
What do you hope to accomplish with your music career?
I want to write songs that touch the world and do something good with my success. I also want to help others who aren’t as fortunate as I am.
What’s your favorite song on your album, and why?
“Look What You’ve Done”, because it’s about my daughter.
Do you write your own songs?
I write some of my songs, but I would never pass on recording a great song written by someone else. I definitely am not the best writer I know.
Most musicians today have some kind of stance musically on the war in Iraq. Does this issue come through in your music? If so, do you gravitate toward Neil Young-type protest songs or Toby Keith “We’ll put a boot in your ass”-type songs?
My stance is I am American. I never want to see a war or see anyone hurt because of political reasons. But no matter what your beliefs are, those men and women fighting for our country and freedom are the most important thing. Say a prayer that they make it home SAFE.
What sets you apart from other country music artists?
I recorded this CD at Capital Studios in Los Angeles. I did that because I didn’t want to sound like everything else coming out of Nashville. This CD is “real”, and I think you can tell that from one listen.
Billy Ray Cyrus is on “Dancing with the Stars”. If given the opportunity, would you ever do something like that? Why or why not?
No, but never say never, haha.
If you could play with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Johnny Cash; he was the man!
Enigma is mainly a rock magazine, and its readers are mostly rock and indie fans. As a country music artist, what do you have to offer Enigma’s Chattanooga-area readers?
I think that the readers of Enigma are true music fans. I am a true music fan. I don’t look at someone and say “THEY’RE NOT COUNTRY” and then not listen to them. I am just a guy who recorded a real CD that would hopefully be appreciated by all walks of life. If I accomplished that, then “Peace Love and Coondawgs ” was the perfect title.
Thanks so much for your time. I wish you all the best to you and your music career!
http://www.myspace.com/codymccarver
http://www.codymccarver.com
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