Born and raised in Toronto Ontario, our next Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase finalist, David Boyd Janes, is quickly making himself known among the country music community. His solo career into country music began only last September 2017 and already he has made some serious waves.
David traveled down to Nashville with his band and producer this past February 2018 to return with his debut 7 song EP “Thoughts Become Things” This EP currently has over 50,000 streams on Spotify since its release and can now be found on Spotify / Apple music / Google Play and all other music platforms.
David Boyd Janes (provided photo)
His first single “Summertime Feeling” broke the Top 100 on Canadian Country Radio in only its first 3 weeks of being released and his latest single “Whiskey Won’t” is currently being played internationally on SiriusXM and on mainstream country stations across Canada. This summer David has already competed in, and won, the Country Wild Emerging Artist. He made the Top 40 in the Hoedown Showdown at the Magna Hoedown. He’s also been selected as the 2019 CMAO Spotlight Artist at Lucknow’s Music in the Fields and now he’s setting his sights on the holy grail…the Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist title.
David Janes will perform with 7 of his peers next Thursday at Boots and Hearts but before his moment in the spotlight he took the time to answer a few questions for us…
#1: Hundreds, if not thousands, of musicians submit for their chance to make the top 8 in this annual showcase. You are facing off against 7 of your peers for a chance at the title of 2019 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist of the Year a title shared with artists like Tebey, The Reklaws, James Barker Band and Jade Eagleson to name a few. What made you apply for this opportunity?
ANSWER: I made a big decision April 29 2017. That decision was to take one last swing at the plate of music. Chevy Music is helping emerging Canadian artists turn their musical passions into professions and I felt like this is the perfect opportunity for me to take that shot. I look up to and have had the chance to meet a few of the past winners and have a great deal of respect for what they have done with their careers. I have always been a fan out in the crowd and I cannot wait to have the opportunity to be on the stage this time.
After a 3 year relationship ended I found myself sitting in an empty condo on Marine Parade Drive in Toronto questioning many things. I picked up my guitar and wrote a song called “Letting You Go” that is available on all streaming platforms and here we are. I cashed in all my chips as they say and just went for it. Thoughts Become Things and I can’t wait to step foot on that stage and show the fans and Boots and Hearts what I have planned. I’m not thinking about the title Im just keeping a clear mind to deliver a fun energetic show. I am so grateful for the opportunity! This all feels like a dream and I hope I never wake up.
#2: Every artist I’ve spoken to has a story about how / when they decided to pursue music as a career. Describe the moment that you knew that music was the path for you.
ANSWER: This is a hard one because there are many moments. From a young age I knew I belonged on a stage. I just love to entertain people and see the smiles out in the crowd. I think the real smack on the head was as I mentioned above. After an abrupt breakup it just hit me. I need to get back out there and start living my passion. A funny thing happened actually. I had a meeting with my old boss to discuss my decision to walk away from heating and cooling sales and pursue music and he told me “You don’t even look like a salesman anyone, you look like a country singer” I just smiled and told him that’s who I am and thank you for the compliment. I don’t think he was too happy. It’s incredibly important that we follow our dreams and live within our passions. Life is just too short!
#3: What’s your all-time favourite movie?
ANSWER: Step Brothers / Wedding Crashers / Hangover 1 / Anchorman 1 / 40 Year old Virgin
( I can’t pick between them)
#4: Your ideal brain food?
ANSWER: Bananas with oats and peanuts
David Boyd Janes (provided photo)
#5: If you could see any artist in concert, who would you see (living or dead)?
ANSWER: George Jones / Elvis Presley / Frank Sinatra / Garth Brooks / Alan Jackson / Luke Combs and Ashley Mcbryde to name just a few.
#6: Name a fictional character most like you?
ANSWER: Robin Hood ( I am always willing to stand up for others and protect the ones I love and care for, even the people I don’t know personally. I am also a hopeless romantic at heart 🙂
#7: If you were a superhero what would be your superhero name?
ANSWER: Boyd Janes 😉 That’s my dads name and my superhero
#8: Who are your musical influences that inspired you to follow in their path? What artists today, if any, inspire you to continue down that path?
ANSWER: George Jones / Elvis Presley / Johnny Cash / Frank Sinatra / Garth Brooks / Alan Jackson / Luke Combs and Ashley Mcbryde to name just a few all inspire me on different levels.
#9: You’re going on a world tour as a headliner, who would you pick to open your tour for you each night?
ANSWER: I think Jade Eagleson, Gord Bamford, Brett Kissel and I would put on one hell of a world tour! But Let me warm up the stage for these Canadian beauties!
#10: Tell us why you should be crowned the 2019 Boots and Hearts Emerging Artist Showcase winner?
ANSWER: I don’t think its right to say I should be crowned anything. I’m just a singer doing what he loves and whatever happens along the way I will show maxim gratitude for it. There are just so many talented artist out there that deserve to be on that stage. I am just grateful the stars lined up for me to have that chance. I will say this, I can guarantee I would continue to be a positive role model just as past winners have been for me.
Want to know more about David Boyd Janes? Visit him online at any, or all, of the following:
Website: www.davidboydjanes.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidboydjanes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidboydjanes/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidboydjanes/
Thanks to David for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to answer our questions. We look forward to catching up with him next week at Boot and Hearts and wish him the best of luck in the competition Thursday afternoon.
