Old Dominion surprised itself with hit debut
By John Benson
Old Dominion’s singer-guitarist Matthew Ramsey is the first one to tell you the band’s commercial success is a fluke.
“We definitely came to Nashville with different goals than being in a successful band,” said Ramsey, calling from the Music City. “We came down here to be songwriters and studio musicians. We were just buddies making music together for fun and maybe a little extra cash. We’d do shows and play the songs we were writing.”
Over the years, the quintet – Ramsey, Brad Tursi (guitar), Trevor Rosen (guitar, vocals), Geoff Sprung (bass) and Whit Sellers (drums) – enjoyed success in the Music City as songwriters penning tunes for the likes of Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban and The Band Perry.
However, somewhere along the way Old Dominion caught the ear of record labels. This led to the band’s 2015 debut “Meat and Candy,” which much to their surprise found radio success with singles “Dirt on a Road,” “Nowhere Fast,” “Break Up with Him” and “Song for Another Time.”
The next thing Ramsey knew, the group – seemingly overnight – won an Academy of Country Music (ACM) award while being nominated for two Country Music Awards (CMA). What may be confusing for some readers out there is the disingenuous notion that none of the Old Dominion members sought stardom.
“Well, you know, in some aspect, those people would be right,” Ramsey said. “When you’re a kid, of course you want to be a rock star. Everybody does. But there’s also reality that’s sort of in your face at all times. The chances of being a rock star are pretty slim, but there are definitely other avenues that you can be a musician and have a career.
“So when I came down here, I told myself I’m not moving to Nashville to be a star, because that just doesn’t happen. I’m moving to write the best song I possibly can, and I’m still working on that.”
When Ramsey looks back to the songwriting on “Meat and Candy,” he points to “Song for Another Time” as a high-water mark of the album.
“It’s complex, yet it was an easy song to write and it came out great,” Ramsey said. “I’m very proud of it. I’m proud of the entire album. I think we turned in exactly what we wanted to in terms of the songwriting.”
Songwriting is exactly what the band is doing right now as it works on its highly-anticipated sophomore release. In fact, Old Dominion is road-testing new tunes – the poppy “Be with Me” and the up-tempo “No Such Thing as a Broken Heart” – on its current headlining tour, which comes through Youngstown for a Thursday show at Stambaugh Auditorium.
As for the title of the band’s debut, it’s pointed out to Ramsey that people often crave meat and are addicted to candy. With that in mind, would he prefer fans felt a craving or addiction toward Old Dominion?
“You know, I think I’d rather us be a craving than an addiction,” Ramsey laughed. “People definitely try to quit what they’re addicted to.”