Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Houston Bernard of New England

Houston Bernard shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Houston, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
There is no such thing as a normal day. There is a lot of traveling as summer is very busy for a country artist with shows. I have been in San Diego and all over New England, Im heading to Alaska in a couple weeks to play at the Alaska state fair; which was my favorite place to go as a child, but we left when I was 12.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
A Country Music Maverick with a Rich Musical Heritage

Houston Bernard’s love for country music is deeply ingrained in his family history, with a lineage that includes songwriters, touring musicians, and even an outlaw gunfighter who inspired The Eagles’ song “Bitter Creek” on their album Desperado. Born in Oklahoma and raised in Alaska, and Massachusetts, Houston is also an Army veteran who has seamlessly transitioned into a successful career as an independent country music recording artist, captivating audiences nationwide with his energetic performances.

Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, from Bruce Springsteen to Dolly Parton, Houston infuses his music with the rich country and rockabilly roots of his family. With original songs like “All We Are Is Memories,” “People We Are,” and “American Dream,” Houston has amassed hundreds of thousands of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. His music has been featured on prominent platforms such as Country Rebel, CMT.com, The Heartland Network, and The Country Network.

Having shared the stage with country legends such as Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Granger Smith, and Clint Black, Houston’s dynamic live performances showcase his powerhouse vocals and undeniable stage presence. His latest single, “Ever Gonna Be,” produced by hitmaker Bill McDermott at Nashville’s Omni Sound Studios, is a testament to his ability to craft country anthems that resonate with listeners undergoing life transitions.

Nominated for an impressive seven awards at the 2024 Josie Music Awards, including Music Video of the Year & Best Performance in a Music Video (Winner) for “In My Blood,” Single of the Year for “Don’t Feel Like a Livin,” and EP of the Year for “Songs for the People,” which debuted with over 1 million streams, Houston Bernard is making a significant impact in the country music scene. With nominations for Vocalist and Artist of the Year, Houston’s talent and dedication to his craft are undeniable. As he continues to rise in the music industry, Houston Bernard is a true country music maverick, moving forward with the same passion and determination that have defined his musical journey thus far.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
When I was about 14 years old, I had moved from Alaska to Worcester, Massachusetts.
I did not fit in, it was a culture shock. I looked up to the coolest guy in school, he was a DJ and a rapper and eventually the president of the school. We were at a dance and he was DJing, I jumped off the stage and did the half splits like Elvis, Prince etc and he thought that was the coolest thing. We eventually started a band, did some recording, but he always made me feel like I had potential, I needed that over the next few years especially, I followed him to NYC, where I got involved in the scene there and toured N.America and Europe with that solo electroPunk project, I gained so much confidence from that time. None of that would have been possible without the support of Kaz Gamble.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, many times. Its very hard to be an artist. But, what I learned is that if you manage your expectations to just expressing yourself and that is enough, then that is enough. If you expect yourself to be famous or have some other wild expectations, which we all have had at some point, then you are destined to fail. Its like that kind of success is like winning the lottery, you really have no control over that, but you do have control over improving, meeting new people, being kind etc. That is what I changed my focus to and now I pace myself an Im happier than I have ever been in life and in my music.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Family and Friends.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What will you regret not doing? 
I will regret not trying my best and considering every opportunity.

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