12 Questions with Derek Hoke

Twelve is an iconic number. There were the 12 Tribes of Israel, there are 12 eggs in a dozen, and 12-step programs. Twelve is also a sublime mathematical number, there are 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 disciples of Christ, 12 months in a year, 12 strikes to a perfect game in bowling . . . we could go on and on.

So, what better number of questions to ask one of our favorite artists. Our first guinea pig interviewee is Nashville singer/songwriter Derek Hoke. We love his debut, Goodbye Rock ‘n’ Roll, which we reviewed a while back.

So, what does Derek have to say for himself? Read on.

CMP: What’s for supper?
Derek Hoke: Lately it’s been Mexican. I’m a taco junkie.

CMP: List five items currently in your refrigerator.
DH: Limes, lemons, apples, some sort of Japanese sauce, and a lonely piece of cake.

CMP: Buck Owens or Roy Clark?
DH: Well, if you catch a Hee-Haw re-run at the right time, both of ’em!

CMP: What are you listening to these days?
DH: The Black Keys “Brothers”, The Broken Bells, and Jerry Douglas “Everything Is Gonna Work Out Fine.”

CMP: What was your first paying job?
DH: Washing cars at my grandfather’s drywall business.

CMP: What was your first paying music gig?
DH: Playing at a dive bar in S.C. called the Wooden Nickle. I was in high school at the time. Think I made 10 bucks.

CMP: Did you always know you wanted to be a musician? (John Prine was a mailman, you know.)
DH: I’ve always played music, but I had a brief stint as an insurance adjuster. After realizing all I did was blow my paychecks on CDs and guitars, I knew it wasn’t for me.

CMP: What record or artist changed your life when you first heard it, him or her?
DH: Paul McCartney’s first solo record [McCartney, 1970]. I’ve always loved the Beatles, but there’s just something about the sweet innocence of that record that draws me in every time.

CMP: For you, which comes first, the lyric or the melody?
DH: I usually just start mumbling a little catch phrase or whistle a little melodic line that pops into my head. If it stirs up something I’ll start to try and develop it. Sometimes it’s just a little annoying jingle I’ve created out of nowhere, but sometimes it turns into a nice little tune. A song is born!

CMP: What does Nashville mean to you?
DH: Home, friends, tradition, progress.

CMP: If you were voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame tomorrow, what would you say in your acceptance speech?
DH:: “I think you have the wrong guy.”

CMP: What’s next for Derek Hoke?
DH:: Music and Arts festivals in Chicago and Bristol (TN), writing for next record. Just keep having fun!

Stalk follow Derek on Twitter @derekhoke or catch him playing around Nashville.

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3 Responses

  1. Hi John — Glad you found it helpful. What exactly is the problem yo8ru#217;&e having with your ComboBox? Is it coming up empty when you edit that cell in your grid, is it losing the value after editing is done, or is the problem something else?Bart

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