We spent a little time with Levi and asked him about life, love and music. In the tradition of Feed the Band we have a delicious recipe down below and at the bottom a giveaway to check out. Please welcome Levi to the Southern Fellow family. Let’s get to it! Here is our interview with Levi Riggs.

Tell us about your road to Nashville.

I started writing songs and playing guitar in college at Purdue University. My senior year, I front-loaded my classes so I could go to a recording studio and record my original songs. I needed to step-up the production in my songs, so my first few trips to Nashville were aimed at finding great producers to help me. I began working with Matt McClure, Paul Compton and Eddie Gore. I learned a lot from all of them and they’re now great friends of mine. My first big single was with Flying Island Entertainment, an independent label. We really made a big splash at radio stations nationwide with my song “My Best Friend’s A Girl.” I still work a lot at Historic RCA Studios in Nashville writing and recording original music and spend the majority of my time out playing that music with my band across the country.

You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be and why?

“Cash Black.” It’s a new color I made up. I actually just wrote and recorded a song called “Cash Black.” There’s nothing darker than that! Johnny Cash is a huge influence of mine and in his song, “Man In Black,” he talks about how he carries off darkness on his back and tries to make the world a better place. That’s what I try to do with the people I impact as well.

 If you could not play music, what do you think you would be doing?

I would probably be working in the agricultural industry full-time. I come from a farming family and always worked hard on the farm as a kid. Farmers are some of the hardest working and most dedicated people I know. They feed the world, and that’s a very noble cause to support.  It’s rewarding to see the faith that is planted with a seed in spring become a huge blessing in the fall at harvest.

Who has inspired you the most and how has that person contributed to your music?

My biggest inspiration is Elvis Presley. He was a little bit of everything from a musical standpoint: country, rock, gospel and soul. Listening to his catalogue of music, I learned how to sing all of those styles very well. He really poured his heart into his music. I try to make that passion shine through in my performances as well. He also spent a lot of time with his fans. I have always tried to make my fans and the overall fan experience my focal point – especially when I am interacting with them in meet-and-greet situations and on social media.

We are always developing recipes here at Southern Fellow; when writing music, what recipe do you use?

I almost always start with writing a great chorus. It has to be sing-able. I want my fans to be able to sing along with me when I sing it. I always write with my fans in mind. I build my songs around the hook.  It has to have a great melody and concept. Then I build the verses around the chorus to tell the story of the song.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that people may not know?

I met my wife at a concert. After 17 days, we got engaged. After two months, we were married. We’ve been married for 10 years now.  When you know, you know!