Local country artist signs with record label
Local Nebraska country artist D.J. Bridwell officially signed with an independent record label, Third & James Records, and so far he said it has been an incredible experience.
“It’s kind of crazy how it all happened," said Bridwell. "It’s the highlight of my summer. Definitely thrilling.”
This signing is over a decade in the making.
“I was probably 26 when I started writing my own material," said Bridwell. "I remember playing, you know, in the old smoky bars back when you could still smoke in the bars."
Now, Bridwell continues to sing songs close to his heart.
“We’ve all been through heartbreak and so I tend to write a lot of that kind of stuff," said Bridwell. "The other guys, the band members, they really bring the life out of those songs.”
These songs will now will have a wider reach, Bridwells said.
“For the last few years maybe we’ve struggled with getting quality music out because let’s face it, it’s a pretty big expense on musicians’ part," said Bridwell. "And as far as what musicians make in a bar, it’s not as much as it may seem.”
While this new opportunity may open new arenas, Birdwell said he already has been living his dream.
“My hopes and dreams of course would be, as anybody, was to play and sell out arenas," said Bridwell. "In the meantime, if I’m making people smile and getting to go do what I love to do for a living, that would absolutely be my ultimate goal. Being able to support me and my family by doing what I love to do.”
If you’d like to see D.J. Bridwell perform live, he will have a show at Joe’s Honkey-Tonk in Kearney Friday night. Get tickets here.
The band’s first single under Third & James, Backseat, will be released October 23.
