We recently connected with Chip Oliphant and have shared our conversation below.
Chip, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by being open to new opportunities and finding inspiration in life’s surprises. I believe that in order to create anything, especially art, you need to have an open mind and a true understanding of how to express yourself. If you take an open minded approach each and every day, you will find that creativity doesn’t seem to dry up. There is always something that will unexpectedly present itself throughout the course of a day, and as a songwriter, I choose which moments to use as a tool to inspire creativity.
Sometimes you may write an entire song in 15-20 minutes. (I love when that happens). Alternatively, other times you might only write down a few words and need to come back to it on another date or time. I have revisited ideas that I wrote down 2-3 years ago when I need a creative spark to get me going on a new song. I have learned to not underestimate the power of simply writing down a single line, phrase or recording a melody on my phone to use as a potential tool for creating a song in the future. That old saying “by doing a little bit each day, you can get a lot accomplished”, rings true with songwriting!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a Singer-songwriter, music producer, recording and performing artist based out of Houston, Tx. My “sound” is a blend of traditional genres, such as, Country, Blues/Rock, Bluegrass and Texas Swing. Some of my musical influences include Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. With over 16 years of experience in LIVE performance and playing music professionally, I have fit into many roles as a singer-songwriter and musician throughout my career. From playing solo, duo, trio acoustic shows and song-swaps with fellow troubadours, to being a cornerstone in two notable Texas bands, Hill Country Jane and Phineus Reb. Most recently, I launched my debut solo album “Chip Oliphant: The Big Band Project” and started performing my own brand of original music LIVE in the greater Houston area and beyond.
Since the young age of 8 years old, I began learning how to play guitar and sing. My passion and appreciation for the instrument and for singing became apparent immediately. Growing up in a musical family allowed me to be submerged in music every day of my youth. Some of my earliest influences were hearing my mom and dad play guitar and harmonize bluegrass-gospel songs together around the house and listening to my dad play classic songs by Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and The Eagles. Also, my two older brothers helped enhance my musical taste diversely. My middle brother would teach me how to play Robert Earl Keen songs out of guitar songbooks and as well as other Texas songwriters such as Pat Green and Lyle Lovett. My oldest brother, a multi-instrumentalist, was constantly practicing saxophone and electric guitar back in those days, which influenced me in the big-band jazz and blues/rock genres. This led me to discover the music of guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King and Jimmy Hendrix. Needless to say, I have had music in my blood since the day I was born and throughout my life, I have been molded, shaped and polished into an artist that blends a plethora of musical styles to create my own original niche sound.
I have had the pleasure of playing in multiple bands throughout my music career. Two particular bands that have held a special place in my journey are Hill Country Jane and Phineus Reb. Both bands have released singles and albums in years past. HCJ released the single, “Southern Sunday” off of their album “Homegrown” in 2014 which climbed the Texas Music Chart to number 47. The other band, PRB released a couple of singles from the album, “Stages: Phineus Reb’s Awakening” one of which, “Let it Be” gained national radio recognition in 2019. PRB was also featured on the television show, “Houston Life” and played LIVE on set at Channel 2 Studios. As well as being selected to play a concert for the Houston Astros/PGA tour collaborative event, “Houston Open” in 2019. Still to this day, I continue to work with each band from time to time and perform LIVE shows all over Texas and the U.S.A. at local bars and breweries, music venues, music festivals, fairs, rodeos, private and corporate events, etc. I have also had the honor to share the stage and meet some amazing artists such as, The Bellamy Brothers, Clay Walker, Johnny Lee, Johnny Rodriguez, Roger Creager, Kevin Fowler, Stoney Larue, Glen Templeton, Bri Bagwell, Granger Smith, Brandon Rhyder, Rich O’ Toole, Bleu Edmondson, Sundance Head, Shooter Jennings, Mike Zito, Whiskey Myers, Bad Company, Mickey and the Motorcars, The Dirty River Boys, Two Tons of Steel, Statesboro Revue, LANCO and many more!
The most contemporary highlights for me have been the CD release of my debut solo album, “Chip Oliphant: The Big Band Project” (May, 2021). This album was produced, mixed and mastered by myself and Brian Thomas at Cottagewood Studios in Spendora, Tx and it includes multiple Grammy award winning music contributors. All 12 songs presented on the album were written by me with 2 songs being co-writes. A total of 19 incredibly talented musicians played on the record to assemble a quintessential unity of muse, hence the name, “The Big Band Project”. I have also released 3 singles (Sept. ‘22, Feb. ‘23, April ‘23) since the debut album and plan to release my sophomore album in the Summer of 2024. Last year in May 2023, I was presented an awesome sponsorship opportunity to partner with Four-Sixes Grit & Glory. I immediately accepted and recruited Texas Artists, Jason Allen and Susan Hickman to join the “6666 G&G Artist Showcase” team. Since then, we have been blessed with the direct support of Four-Sixes at multiple LIVE shows, from corporate events, music venues, and even in the Recording Studio. I recently wrote a song entitled, “Grit & Glory”, all 3 of us artists sing on the recording and we plan to release it sometime in mid to late 2024. It’s going to be a great year of new music!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Performing to a LIVE audience.
Stage experience is something that you truly have to pay your dues for. It is a skill that is not acquired overnight and takes time through trial and error to find what works best for you. Connecting with the listener and engaging with an audience is the most important attribute you can learn as a performing artist. If you are someone that is interested in pursuing performing arts as a career, my advice would be to find a stage and get in front of an audience as often as possible!
2. Learning to write songs that fit your niche.
Songwriting is a skill that takes time to develop. Specifically, figuring out what your niche sound is and where your style fits in the spectrum of music genres. In order to be a truly unique artist in music, you need to have original songs. Otherwise, you are more suited to be in a cover band. (There is nothing wrong with that- if that’s what you’re going for). But, if you are trying to separate yourself from the pack, start writing songs ASAP to find your own voice and sound!
3. Networking within your industry.
Having an outgoing personality and being a supporter of fellow friends and peers is a great way to help others and yourself in the music industry. Yes, focusing on your personal skills and talent is important, but it’s also very important to appreciate the hard work and skills that others are developing as well. We are all one big family. So, if you’re just starting out in the music business, go to as many events and meet as many people in the industry that you possibly can! “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
I have been very blessed with great parents and an amazing support system from my family. There are so many impactful things that my parents have done for me through the years to help me become the man I am today, that I would run out of room writing the list down. If I had to choose just one that has helped me the most, it would be…to never give up on yourself. There will always be ups and downs in life and the number one belief they have instilled in me is to just keep moving forward. Onward and upward!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chipoliphant.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chipoliphant
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chip-Oliphant-Music-101809042016636/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCkHGu-SxIVcQd8B_rqrWOCw
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2UAJ3nT3wH5o1QQcVdQ7S3?si=VjzAGP2tRH-1YAiKK5vw3Q https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chip-oliphant/1593811273
Image Credits
Gabrielle Robinson Ray Jenkins Chasity Duncan Cody Kouba Brooke Oliphant
