Born and raised in Nashville, Buzz Cason could very well have forged a venerable career steeped in traditional country music. Having come of age in the fifties, though, he was transfixed by early rock ‘n’ roll, its rebellious spirit and edgy cultural icons like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis inspiring the music he most wanted to make. A lifetime of songwriting, producing, publishing, and performing followed, with often-covered classics like “Everlasting Love” and “Soldier of Love” bearing his name and singular artistry.
On his latest album, Passion, Cason, 77, combines his formative influences and varied experiences with stark, soulful conviction.
Standout moments include “Will You Love Me,” which Cason aptly describes as having “a true rock ‘n’ roll energy about it,” and “Just as Gone,” co-written with veteran songwriter (and “I Can Help” hitmaker) Billy Swan and featuring Sugarcane Jane guitarist Anthony Crawford.
“I always like to record with him,” Cason said of Crawford in a recent telephone conversation. “He played all the instruments. He played that cool guitar lick on there all through it.”
Other highlights, like the primal rumble of “Like a Dog” and the shivering rhythm and blues of “That’s the Way it Is,” further reflect Cason’s rock ‘n’ roll roots while at the same time exemplifying his unquenchable enthusiasm toward his craft.
The album is quite eclectic. Was there anything you were shooting for as far as how it sounded or did the songs just evolve?
I let the song dictate the direction it needs to go in. I started out thinking I would keep one sound through and through, but it seems to never work out that way with me.
Are there songs you’ll write but then for whatever reason—the way you’ve produced them, for instance—believe they’re not right for you to sing?
No, I pretty much write it in the vocal style I feel it as I write it. I just have a feeling for it. That’s the way I deliver it. Now, I may change the vocal style somewhat when I get in the studio, but I’ll put them down in my writing room, just put them down on tape and listen to it and see, evaluate kind of which direction it should go.… I’m flexible and I can change things around because especially with my son, Parker Cason, produced a couple of things on there. I kind of lead with his direction.
“I don’t compare myself to any of the Guy Clarks or Ray Wiley Hubbards or any of the other guys. I’d like to be in that category at some point.”
Do you think you’ve become a better storyteller over the years?
Yeah, I believe so. I think I started out kind of late, really getting serious about my writing. So it’s just catching up, maybe. I hope I have another record or two in me, anyway. I don’t compare myself to any of the Guy Clarks or Ray Wiley Hubbards or any of the other guys. I’d like to be in that category at some point.
I have the luxury of having my own studio and I can go in there anytime I want to and put stuff down. That’s kind of why I’ve been so prolific. I’ve been able to have the freedom of recording quite a bit. We’re kind of backlogged on songs. I’ve got several other [songs] that haven’t been put down yet. It’s a fun process, it really is.
Your records by and large don’t fall into any particular category. You’re from Nashville but you’re not part of the Nashville establishment. Have you ever felt any resistance in trying to get your music appreciated when you don’t consciously try to mold your music into what other people would perhaps wish it would sound like?
No, it’s actually kind of worked in my favor. I was afraid of that, [that] people would say, “Well, this guy can’t decide who he is.” But at my stage of the game it doesn’t really matter. I’m not trying to build a career. I’m just trying to do music as it flows out. I think it’s actually kind of helped me.… Years ago if I had said, “Okay, I’m going to be a country artist,” I might not have pulled it off. I don’t know. Or, “I’m going to be a rock guy.” I would probably lean toward more contemporary rock medium more than anything else.
All your experience working in recording studios, having worked with so many different artists through the years, couldn’t help but inform the music you’ve made.
That’s right, yeah. You pick up things from different guys. Mainly when I was doing background vocals it was working with people like Kenny Rogers and we were cutting hit singles, it was a very commercial kind of direction of music.
I was going to ask you what keeps you going at this point in your career—what keeps you interested and enthusiastic about making music—but the title track of the new album answered my question: “Passion.”
Priorities, you know? Simple things in life that you come to love. It’s kind of an exaggeration because [as the lyrics say] I wouldn’t give up my vinyl and my old CDs, but it’s like examples of things; material things that don’t seem to matter as much as real love and family and all that.
Your ability to make music is a passion in itself.
Yeah, that’s true. I figure I’ll just rock ‘til I drop, I guess. As long as I’m getting inspired.
Passion is available on ArenA Recordings. Please visit Buzz Cason’s official website for more information.
