Whiskey Myers Interview

In Depth Interview with Cody Tate and John Jeffers

How much have your friends and families played a part in your career so far?

My dad played music all his life, so I just grew up playing with him. Once I got into junior high and high school I had a few other friends that liked to play. Now I play with my best friends in the band, so I guess you could say they all played a part. -Cody Tate


Well, they played a huge role from the beginning. We started the band in 2007 and had a huge friends and family base right off the bat. Having such a large turnout for a nobody band at their first gig ultimately led to more gigs in the future. We’ve had nothing but the upmost support from our families from the get-go and we couldn’t be more grateful and humbled by it. -John Jeffers



I was in a sound engineering technical school right out of high school and the teacher had to leave one day, so we all recorded each other that day. I was playing and realized I wanted to be on that side of the glass rather than being the one recording everything. -Cody Tate


You know it’s kinda funny, we didn’t technically choose the career path. It really chose us and sort of just happened. One thing led to another and we formed a band. Here we are almost 12 years later. -John Jeffers


Who are your musical inspirations and why?

My dad was my biggest inspiration, but both my parents actually played a big part. They encouraged me to pursue music for as long as it took. -Cody Tate


My parents were really my biggest musical inspirations. A long time ago I would’ve said some bullshit about the biggest band in the world, but now in a more mature state of mind I know who it really was all along. My mom was in several bands growing up and my dad wrote music throughout his life and still to this day. He taught myself as well as Cody Cannon how to play guitar. When I discovered the musical abilities my parents had, it made a huge impact on me – especially when I first started writing and playing music. -John Jeffers


What song of yours best describes you and why?

There’s a song that will be on our next album coming in 2019 that I wrote called “Bitch.” The arrangement and expression in it sets a tone about myself and how I like to play rock n’ roll. If we had to just choose one... -John Jeffers



There are a few, but playing the main stage at Download Fest was amazing. Sharing the same stage as Guns N' Roses was an incredible experience. -Cody Tate


Getting to play music for a living and provide for my family makes me grateful for all gigs, and I think we try to treat all of them just that way. But to pick a favorite, it’d probably be Download Fest in the U.K. overseas. 100,000 people standing in the pouring rain on a Sunday is pretty rad in my book. -John Jeffers



I would have to say Red Rocks in Colorado because it's such an iconic setting. -Cody Tate


Maybe headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. It’s a beautiful venue. And just because we haven’t done it. Yet. -John Jeffers



Finishing our first self-produced album is a major accomplishment for myself. As for the future, we want to be the first band to play live from the moon. Yeah... on the moon. -John Jeffers


What do you like best about being a musician and why?

Well I get to play music for one, and we get to meet so many great people, both in the industry and fans alike. -Cody Tate


The creative process of music and composing as a band. There’s nothing like it in the world. Magic happens. And you get to meet and interact with so many different people from around the world – all kinds of kinds. I’ve always really enjoyed that and getting to travel the world to places you never thought you would never see. -John Jeffers



I would probably try my hand at being a professional bowler. -Cody Tate


Music was in me the whole time, I just didn’t know it. I’d still be writing and composing music somehow. -John Jeffers


What has been the best gig you have been to as a fan and can you tell us about it?

Jazz Fest 2006 or 2007 I can't remember the year. Gary Brown, Wes Gibson and I saw ZZ Top and right after they got off stage we got the call that we had our first gig. The next day's headliner was The Allman Brothers Band. That was probably the best show I've ever seen. -Cody Tate


Changing this question to the gig I most regret. I wish I would’ve taken the tickets to Tom Petty at Wrigley field in Chicago. -John Jeffers


What would your ideal festival line up be and why?

Whiskey Myers, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Come on man... you know why. -John Jeffers



Play what you want to, because if you're not having fun then the people can tell. -Cody Tate


Always stay true to yourself! -John Jeffers



I like to play golf, I'm not very good but I try. -Cody Tate


Family. Then golf, hunt, fish, swim. Hell, anything recreational! Fun is key. -John Jeffers


Do you think social media and the internet are a good thing in the music industry and how do you cope with using social media to build a profile in music?

We were on social media as it all started, before the band, so we’ve adapted appropriately with how it has evolved over the years. I wonder if MySpace is still around? -John Jeffers



They say image is everything. We just never tried to look a certain way. Part of that “staying true to yourself” advice. -John Jeffers


What would your ideal day consist of?

That depends on if we have a show that night or if we're off. A show day would be a round of golf followed by a shower and nap, then dinner and a sold-out show. A day off would be laying by the pool with an ice-cold Miller Lite. -Cody Tate


Wake up, coffee, then try to be creative in any way possible for at least an hour before starting the day, whether that’s lyrical, music composition or art design. -John Jeffers



THANK YOU!!!!! Because we have the best and most loyal fan base on Earth. -Cody Tate


Thank you! You’ve given us the opportunity to do what we love for a living and we’re forever grateful and humbled. -John Jeffers


How would you answer the question who are Whiskey Myers?

A bunch of guys from small towns in East Texas playing rock n' roll. -Cody Tate


Bunch of country kids playing rock n’ roll. -John Jeffers


What was the first record or song you purchased and why?

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love. Who wouldn’t buy that? -John Jeffers



I'd say be patient. It's a marathon for most, if you're lucky. -Cody Tate


It’s a tough, long road. Cutthroat. True respect comes from staying true to yourself about your music. -John Jeffers



Billy Gibbons, because he's one of the best guitarists to walk the planet and he's a fellow Texan. -Cody Tate


Snoop Dogg. That’d be a great crossroads! -John Jeffers



I think “Hole and a Half” kicks ass and I'm proud as shit to have written it. -Cody Tate


What has the rest of year got in store for you in terms of new releases, gigs and appearances?

We're going back into the studio to do some finishing touches on the new album. We're always on the road touring, but we usually take some time off around the holidays to spend with family. -Cody Tate


We have a new album coming out in 2019 that’s self-produced by us and we’re proud of it. -John Jeffers