Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
https://youtu.be/QxI6CAoGZRc
The man from Loris, SC doesn’t fabricate adolescent yearnings or glean off trends. He lives his life chopping trees, raising his daughter, and being kind to strangers—and when he lays down at night, he lies open to the possibility of a song or two wafting in. It’s this organic, open approach to songwriting that lends so much life to each tune he pens. Whether he muses on misty-eyed memories or drunken river romps, each note is crafted and infused with a nearly tangible realness.
After releasing a series of singles in the past year, Coates is now looking to start playing live shows and flooding tear ducts as he pieces together more songs to make us laugh, cry, and howl at the moon.
Coates’s father, Rev Weldon L Coates, passed in 2015—but that doesn’t mean he’s not still around to help out his son. The country crooner’s new single “Raise Her Right” is a transliteration of the good Reverend Coates’s message to his son and granddaughter, relayed in a dream. Over a sentimental arrangement of slide guitars, emphatic percussion, and depthy piano, Coates describes the dream sequence in which he and his dad sit on a heavenly porch discussing life, death, memories, and fatherhood. Get the tissues ready: this one’s a tear-jerker.
For an extra dose of sentiment, turn to the music video for “Raise Her Right.” After a brief intro in which Coates calls his mom to let her know about his dream, the music picks up, and we’re waltzed from scene to scene of the musician’s life. We get to see him and his daughter through the eyes of his late father: perched somewhere nearby, lovingly watching over the daddy-daughter duo as they play, dance, and sing together. An extra touch of authenticity shines through in the family photos scattered throughout—you know, just in case you weren’t bawling already.
What did you learn about yourself as a person or an artist when creating “Raise Her Right”?
I learned that I had a gift for writing songs that I didn’t know I had.
Why is it important to be vulnerable in your songs? How do you hope that vulnerability resonates with listeners?
Every man has a vulnerable side. I don’t have a problem showing mine when I’m singing about my deceased father and my little girl.
Who are your biggest inspirations in life and music, and why?
My biggest inspiration in life are my daddy and little girl. My daddy was a really good man a man that would do anything he could to help someone. He was a loving man he loved everybody and everybody loved him. My little girl is my heart and my soul. She the reason I drive myself to give her the best life ever. My music inspirations are George Jones and George Strait. I grew up listening to them I love the old sad country music.
The “Raise Her Right” song and music video are highly emotional. What was the experience of writing the song and filming the music video like?
I woke up at 2:30am one morning with the course of this song in my head so I got up an wrote it down then went back to bed. I got up at 5am got dressed to go to work and the melody to the song hit me. I honestly believe it was my daddy that sent the chorus and melody of this song to me that morning. So, this song really means a lot cause he helped me write it from heaven. I really enjoyed filming the video because I got to do it with my little girl.
What does the country genre mean to you? How has it impacted your music style and taste?
No matter what style of music comes alon,g I’ll always love the old sad country.
Can you share any current or upcoming projects you have in store with your audience?
I’m still writing songs and hopefully I’ll start doing some live shows sooner than later.
