10 Questions with ... Cody Braun

1) Your new album, "Somewhere In Time" hits stores on February 9th. What one thing in the studio stood out in particular in recording this album?

We had more fun making this record than we ever have before. Partly because it was a record we have been wanting to make for almost 10 years, and partly because we were in complete control. Another treat for us was having Pinto Bennett and friends in the studio with us for a few days.

2) Do your fans know who Pinto Bennett is and if not, what do you hope they learn?

I think Pintos music will be new to the majority of our fans. We just hope people listen to the songs and come to love and enjoy Pinto's music as much as we have for so long. We hope people will go out and buy all of Pinto's old records after they hear the teaser portion of songs that are on "Somewhere in Time."

3) How did you derive the song list for the album from all of Pinto Bennett's recordings?

It was tough. With a lifetime of songs to choose from it was difficult to pick just 12 to record. So we recorded 14. We picked some of our very favorites and tried to pick the songs that best represented Pinto's writing as well as songs that we thought would work well with the band.

4) You have had the chance to work with some big name artists. Who do you hope to share the stage with in 2010?

Tom Petty would be fun.

5) What is your craziest stage antic?

Watching my brother Willy balance on monitor wedges can be quite entertaining, especially when he sometimes slips.

6) How do you maintain such a loyal group of fans?

I think by sticking to our guns musically is what has kept our fans loyal for so long. We have never tried to steer our music by force in one direction or the other. When we make records we make them for us first, the fans second and the corporate masses last. We have never shortened a song to fit a radio format or tried to play music that is not 100% us. Our musical tastes have changed naturally over the years as we have grown as people and musicians, but we have been lucky enough to develop a sound that is our own and that we are comfortable and confident living in.

7) Your Celebrity Softball Jam benefits several local Austin organizations (Miracle League/Little League of Austin/Scholarship Fund of the Austin Elks Lodge #201). Why is it important for you to contribute to these non-profits and has a goal for funds raised in 2010 bet set?

Really, our love for baseball is what started the softball jam. The band, our management team, and the Ryan family saw this as an opportunity to give back to the Austin Community and have a great time doing it. We were all floored with the success of last year's event and hope to keep building it up every year. Keeping baseball alive and well in America is important to us and helping special needs children enjoy a game some of us take for granted is a blast.

8) How do you want to continue to improve your Charity event?

We just hope it builds every year and that our friends continue to come out and help us raise money for some very deserving kids. As long as everyone has a good time that's all we can ask for.

9) What's the most memorable thing a fan has done for you?

We have a buddy in Idaho who named a pig after us.

10) What national names would you want to join you on a record that has not before?

Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, or John Fogerty.