Oklahoma country singer Devin Derrick connects with Cash family
A version of this story ran in Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Singer Devin Derrick to cap off CMA party
After almost 20 years of touring, country singer Devin Derrick’s recording career is off to an auspicious start.
Derrick, who was born in Oklahoma City and raised in the Edmond area, made his debut album “Honkytonk Mood” last year at the famed Cash Cabin Studio, where the legendary Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash recorded their later material. Their son, John Carter Cash, produced Derrick’s album.
“Oh, it was awesome. I was just surrounded by all the memorabilia of Johnny Cash,” he said. “The aura of Johnny Cash was there when I was in the studio.”
Derrick will sign autographs from 6:30 to 10 tonight at a CMA Awards watch party at the Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233 NW Expressway. He is set to perform after the awards show, airing live on ABC, ends at 10 p.m.
Early start
Derrick, 37, was steeped in country music practically from birth. His dad, Harvey Derrick, is a country singer. His parents owned the Derrick Club in Edmond when he was a baby.
“When was 3 months old they put me in a crib next to the stage and I listened to bands play six nights a week,” he said. “Whenever I was 5 they put me up on stage, and everything just built up.”
He started touring when he was 17 and moved to Nashville after graduating Edmond High School in 1990. He is now based in Edmond, and his band, manager and sound crew all hail from Oklahoma.
“Through the years, I just learned the business, and in 2002, Johnny Cash’s rep knocked on my tour bus door and asked me for a demo,” Derrick said. “I didn’t quite believe it because in this business you hear a lot of people saying, ‘I work for so-and-so … I’ll make you famous.’”
He didn’t hear back from the representative, Jack Propps, until 2006. Cash had died in 2003, but Propps was calling on behalf of John Carter Cash, who offered to produce and record Derrick’s album. at the Cash Cabin outside Nashville.
“That’s when the roller coaster ride started. He gave me 200 songs to choose from, and then we narrowed it down … and 12 of them made it on to the CD,” Derrick said.
Special songs
Derrick’s album of traditional country tracks includes “Lady,” written by Johnny Cash.
“He wrote that for June Carter, his wife, and they were gonna play it at his funeral as a surprise. But June Carter passed four months before Johnny did, and so John Carter asked me if I would record that, which was a really huge honor,” he said.
Derrick’s debut also features “Hangin’ Her Dreams on the Line,” the title track to his father’s 1986 album, released in England.
“He was always singing, wanting to start bands,” Harvey Derrick said. “We’re very, very, very proud of him and hope he gets that one lucky break that he’s been looking for.”
Going on
What: CMA Awards Watch Party.
When: 6:30 to 10 tonight.
Where: Oklahoma City Marriott, 3233 NW Expressway.
Activities: Autograph signing by Devin Derrick, line dancing lessons, chair massages and the awards show on a big-screen TV. A silent auction and raffle will raise money for charity. Derrick will perform after the awards show.
Reservations: Required by 4 p.m. today. Call 834-0023.
“Honkytonk Mood”
Oklahoma country singer Devin Derrick’s debut CD, “Honkytonk Mood,” is available at http://www.devinderrick.com/, iTunes and Rhapsody. It will soon be available at Walmart, Derrick said.
-BAM
Related posts:
- Video: Devin Derrick interview and performance
- ACM@UCO planning prospective student mixer tonight
- Oklahoma singer-songwriter K.C. Clifford to appear on “The Biggest Loser” Tuesday
- Jason Aldean savoring country music success
- List of fall country music releases
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