Photo credit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/JJ-Lawhorn/150382864985809

May 4th 2012, JJ Lawhorn took the stage at the Hat Factory in Richmond, Va. The moment he started playing his guitar, the crowd was into it. Playing songs off of his self titled EP, he rocked the stage showing Richmond, Va why he is the next best thing coming into the country music scene. Signed with Average Joe’s Entertainment, Lawhorn has two songs coming out on the upcoming “Mud Diggers 3”  album being released next Tuesday, June 12th. Country Underground got the opportunity to sit down with Lawhorn back in May at the Hat Factory to talk to him about what he has going on this year and to get a closer look at who this kid is coming out of Hanover, Va.

CU: Who were you inspirations growing up?
Lawhorn: I have alot of inspirations in music. But mainly like old school blues like Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley as well as old school country artists like Hank Sr, Earnest Tubb. A little bluegrass as well as old school outlaw country like Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard. I’ve got a lot of different influences.

CU: When did you realize this is what you wanted to do?
Lawhorn: Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to do this but I never thought it was possible because I just didn’t see anyway I could be introduced into it. There wasn’t any way I could get into it. I was thinking, “this probably isn’t realistic”. So I was going to be a farmer up until my junior year in high school.

CU: Being able to sit down with Colt Ford, what is it like?
Lawhorn: When you meet Colt, you realize that he’ll treat you just like kin, he is genuinely a good person. He’d sign a stack of autographs for you if you asked him to and talk to you the whole time. It’s like a dream come true being able to chill with the people I rocked out to.

CU: Opening up for all these artists like Justin Moore, Craig Campbell, Trace Adkins, how do you feel about that?
Lawhorn: I feel like, I’m just blessed because they have been putting me out in front of all these great acts. It’s a great way to start to be able to play in front of those big acts. It gives me good exposure, and a good way to get the word out.
CU: Where else are you playing at this year?
Lawhorn: Mexico with Colt Ford, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Gracin, John Michael Montgomery. Maine, New York, Cancun, pretty much all sorts of places.

CU: So what about any sort of CD release?
Lawhorn: All I can say is the album will be out later this year.

CU: Whats the one thing you are looking forward to?
Lawhorn: The one thing I am looking forward to man is to play at The Grand Ole Opry.

CU: One thing you could say to your fans right now what is it?
Lawhorn: One thing I could say to my fans? Thank you first off, without fans, you can’t do anything. Y’all make it [happen]. If there was one thing I could say to anybody it would be thank you. That and keep it real man.

Be on the lookout for JJ Lawhorn on the upcoming Mud Diggers 3 album June 12th. Also for more information about JJ Lawhorn check out http://www.facebook.com/pages/JJ-Lawhorn/150382864985809
http://jjlawhorn.com/