10 Questions with ... Blaine Larsen

1) You released two albums on BNA and have since made the move to Treehouse Records. Your song "Chillin" is currently climbing the charts and your next CD "Not Too Bad" will be released this summer. From an artist's perspective, what are the differences between recording for a major label and a newer, smaller imprint?

There is a lot more freedom and no red tape! For instance, "Chillin'" came after we were done with the album, or so we thought - but it was better than what we had recorded, so we put it on, and lo and behold, it's a single. On a major label, with the lawyers and all the layers, that might not have happened! Treehouse affords me the opportunity to have complete control of my music. They have always said, "You make the music, we'll figure out how to sell it!"

2) You're both a husband and a father at only 24 years old. First tell us about your family and secondly share the difficulties you all endure from your being gone from home so much.

My wife Sammie and Zoe (2-year-old daughter) are great. Zoe already loves music. Sammie is a "normal" person, not in the business. It's tough being gone and missing Zoe learning things. She's moving so fast that if I'm gone a week, she's almost a different person when I get back. As well, Sammie and I have to make time when I am home to have time to just be a married couple. Sammie is so understanding and behind me 110% and has been since high school.

3) You played the Grand Ole Opry on May 1st, right before the Opry House flooded. Was what it like that night at the Opry? And what stories can share with us from behind the scenes? Did you or your family suffer any losses from the flooding in Nashville?

It was just a normal night at the Opry. No one knew what was coming. I ended up driving to Indianapolis straight from the Opry that night. It was very eerie to find out it flooded right after we finished playing. I'm just grateful that I didn't park my truck there for the week like I had planned! No troubles where I live in terms of flooding - we were very lucky!

4) Tell us about Compassion International and your involvement with this charity.

CI is a great charity! They are a religious based charity that is combating the global food crisis by finding sponsors for children in poverty situations. The sponsors correspond with their sponsored children and can even visit them! As a matter of fact I am traveling with Compassion to Columbia for 5 days this fall as an ambassador. I am so excited!

5) You seem to really be maturing as a songwriter. Who have you been writing with lately and how have you met some of these folks?

I write with a lot of people, but most recently have written with Phil O'Donnell, Jim Lauderdale, Ed Hill, Don Poytress, Wynn Varble, etc. I met co-writers various ways - mainly just being in the songwriting community for so long, you run in the same crowd.

6) Your most well-known writing credit has to be George Strait's "I Gotta Get To You." Who did you write that with and how did you get George's attention?

My co-writers on that song are my producer Jimmy Richey and the great Jim Lauderdale! I don't really know how George found out about my song. I think maybe George's producer was listening to Jim Lauderdale songs.

7) Tell us what the moment was like when you first heard that George was cutting your song. Where were you and what happened that day?

Surprisingly, I found out that George was cutting my song in a unique way. My drummer is the drummer for George and he called me from the studio in Key West and said "Take a listen to this! George is cutting the vocal on your song RIGHT NOW!" I was driving down the road in my truck when I got the call. Talk about a game-changer! I had to pull over - I got a bit emotional. I mean, George is KING George. It doesn't get any bigger than that.

8) With the success of "I Gotta Get To You," what has that meant to you?

Some additional money! :) Actually, it's given me some added stature in the songwriter community. It also validates my decision years ago to come to Nashville. I get the validation, my wife gets the money!

9) You've also got a song of your own on the charts now called "Chillin." Is there a story behind the song? In other words, what inspired you to write it?

The story on the song is pretty basic. I was busy as can be (and still am) and I just wanted a moment to "Chill." I was daydreaming about what I would love to be doing at that moment, and that's where it all started from. People chill out in various ways, but I love to be on the lake, love to fish, etc. - that's my "chillin" recipe!

10) When you're not on the road or in the studio or at a writing session, what does Blaine Larsen do to chill?

I love to play with my daughter, fly planes and I love to fish. In that order. :)

1) Name some of your favorite country artists and songs.

Merle Haggard "I'm Always On A Mountain I Fall", Don Williams "Hollywood Don't Need You", & George Strait "Nobody In His Right Mind Wouldn't Left Her."

2) When you're on the road, what's the one place you HAVE to stop at?

I have to stop at either Jamba Juice or "the Buck" - Starbucks!

3) What was the first concert you ever went to?

Debbie Gibson - just joking! It was Clint Black & Lila McCann.