Love Classic Country? You’ll Love, New Artist Randall King!! [2022] Randall King counts his influences as Keith Whitley, George Strait, Alan Jackson and John Anderson. He creates straight, traditional country and he really does sound a bit like George Strait. “If we can’t do it live, we don’t put it into the recording. It’s more traditional,” King commented during the interview. He set his goals alongside his dad when he was 7, one of them being to play the Grand Ol Opry….check!
Sue Bonzell:
He has over 120 million lifetime streams and he’s been named a 2022 artist to watch. Randall King is here. Randall, how are you?
Randall King:
I’m doing good. It’s good to be here.
Sue Bonzell:
I am so glad you’re here. Now, you just got back from Texas. Right?
Randall King:
Yeah. We did a three week run down there in Texas. So in the last two months, I’ve been all over the country. We went East Coast, I was in Hawaii for three days. We went West Coast. We went Central America, in Texas. So if there’s a corner of the country, I was at it.
Sue Bonzell:
So tell me about, okay. There was something that happened at the show in Texas in Lubbock, which you’re from, right?
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
So tell me about that. That was fun, wasn’t it?
Randall King:
I spent 12 years in Lubbock, I went to Texas Tech.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay.
Randall King:
I don’t know how long I went to Texas Tech, a year and a half. But they have $18,000 of my money so I consider myself a Red Raider.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes.
Randall King:
Yeah. So we were down there, Lubbock is, West Texas is real flat so there’s nothing catching the wind. So when a wind comes in and there’s no cotton, it’s all dirt out there so it just blows. Well, it looks like a thunderhead rolling in, it’s actually a dust storm. So it brings this dust storm in. We were playing an outdoor festival there, outside the city limits.
Sue Bonzell:
It was outdoor too. Ooh.
Randall King:
And all day long, the dust was just hitting us like.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh man.
Randall King:
There’s dust in the bus and the trailer, we had to dump out our merch, all our gear, wipe it down.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh man.
Randall King:
My girlfriend was out selling merch so she was outside selling so all day long, hitting her in the face. She was like, “I’m never coming back to Lubbock.” I was like yeah, you got one. I haven’t lived in Lubbock in a year, over a year. I’ve been three days out of 365 and out of one of those three days.
Sue Bonzell:
Of course.
Randall King:
Of course is the dust storm. So it was her second experience of Lubbock.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. And then you end up with rodeo boogers. That’s what we used to call them. Rodeo boogers.
Randall King:
Yeah, absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
You go to the rodeo and-
Randall King:
Got the dust up in there and take a Q-tip or whatever you got to do-
Sue Bonzell:
Whatever you got to do, man.
Randall King:
It’s a mess.
Sue Bonzell:
It’s a real thing. It’s like that’s real life.
Randall King:
Yeah. She’s from Virginia so she used to green.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh yeah.
Randall King:
The first time she ever saw West Texas, she was like, “What is this?”
Sue Bonzell:
What is this?
Randall King:
I was like, this is Texas dude. This is flat. This the best sunset you’ll ever see because you see the whole thing.
Sue Bonzell:
This is the whole thing.
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
From start to finish, the whole thing. Well, okay. Let’s talk a little bit about your music now. The first time I heard you, I was like double take. Is that George Strait? I literally was like, “He sounds like George Strait.”
Randall King:
Thank you.
Sue Bonzell:
So I know that’s one of your influences, tell me about your music and what you’re making right now, which is amazing.
Randall King:
For my biggest influence is really with who I am in my music. It’s Keith Whitley. Strait, I grew up on Strait and everybody grew up on Strait, this is a high compliment.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes.
Randall King:
I think we aim a little more on the Keith Whitley side, man. We blend traditional country into the new country. It’s old school meets new school. But there’s no tracks. There’s no… It’s straight country. If we can’t do it live, we don’t put it in the recording for the most part.
Sue Bonzell:
I love it.
Randall King:
So it’s traditional, it’s straight country.
Sue Bonzell:
I love that. Well, it’s funny because I was like, okay, sounds like George Strait and I’m like, and his last name is king. Hmm, the king. King George. It’s kind of all coming around, right?
Randall King:
Taps right into it.
Sue Bonzell:
This is the way my brain works seriously, I’m crazy like that. So now you have a new EP with several songs on it. Tell me about the songs and kind of how they all go together because there’s a theme to this, right?
Randall King:
We have a full length record. We just dropped a full length record.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, it’s a full length.
Randall King:
Yes ma’am.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay.
Randall King:
It’s called Shot Glass. It’s my first major label debut.
Sue Bonzell:
Nice.
Randall King:
Record. Now I’ve got another record out, this is up top records. This is my second full length, but this one, it’s called Shot Glass. Everything ties back into that song title because there’s a line in there that says, “How did all that fit into a shot glass?” And it’s talking about memories. When you take a shot, you’re hit with memories. So with the CD, it’s all 11 songs tying right back into it. When you get done with the record, you sit there and you look at the record. You go, “Man, how did all that fit into a shot glass?”
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, it’s all starting to make sense now.
Randall King:
Yes ma’am.
Sue Bonzell:
I love this. Now you mentioned your girlfriend. She’s an artist herself. She’s amazing. And you guys, I see you on some of your socials singing together.
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
How much fun is that?
Randall King:
I mean it’s great. No, it’s amazing to have somebody that is so talented like that, man. It’s just we share a passion. It’s a deeper level of connection.
Sue Bonzell:
Totally.
Randall King:
Than just, I don’t think your typical relationship is man. She definitely keeps me on the edge, no doubt.
Sue Bonzell:
Well, she should, right?
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
That’s right.
Randall King:
Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
Now you guys, I have seen some posts with a new addition to your little family. You have a puppy.
Randall King:
We got a new Rottweiler puppy. He is 14 weeks old now.
Sue Bonzell:
He is so cute.
Randall King:
He’s a ham man. He’s a ham.
Sue Bonzell:
Yeah. How’s that going?
Randall King:
Well, for the last 48 hours, we’ve been trying to get him straightened out because he’s had the runs.
Sue Bonzell:
Fabulous.
Randall King:
And it’s been all over the apartment and in the car, he’s been traveling with us.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh.
Randall King:
So he did just a little under the weather, but we getting him straightened out. But he’s a character, man. He’s a character.
Sue Bonzell:
So I was going to say, you did take him on the road with you?
Randall King:
Oh yeah. He’s a road dog.
Sue Bonzell:
Yeah.
Randall King:
Yeah. He takes over the whole back lounge on the bus. My guys were like, “Bro, really? We can’t…” We would be back there. Nah, man. I got my dog. My dog is important.
Sue Bonzell:
And all the guys are like, “We don’t sound like that.”
Randall King:
No, he takes over. He takes over wherever he goes man say. They’re trying to walk around to the bus and he’s just taking a nap in the middle of the floor. Dude, you have all back lounge. Right now we got to step over you. But he’s cute though.
Sue Bonzell:
But he’s cute. So he kind gets away with that, right. And what’s his name?
Randall King:
Zadkiel.
Sue Bonzell:
Say now, what now?
Randall King:
Zadkiel.
Sue Bonzell:
And what does that mean?
Randall King:
That is the angel of grace and mercy, it’s one of the angels administered to Jesus.
Sue Bonzell:
There you go. See? The things you learn today.
Randall King:
There you go.
Sue Bonzell:
Learning about the puppy
Randall King:
You can thank Brittany Warthan for that name too.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. There you go.
Randall King:
We like, we call him Zaddy. Zaddy daddy.
Sue Bonzell:
Zaddy daddy.
Randall King:
Zaddy daddy.
Sue Bonzell:
That’s cute. Big Z.
Randall King:
Yeah. Bug Z, Big Z, Z.
Sue Bonzell:
How cute. Okay. So you also, you’ve kind of had a big year so far. And it’s not even the years barely even started, but did you do your Grand Ole Opry debut this year?
Randall King:
We did man. March, the last that’s what in the last two months have been insane. We’ve been all over the place. I did a two week run with Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence and we hit markets we ain’t been to yet. So Wisconsin, Kentucky, West Virginia, we’ve hit all these markets that we’re just kind of getting our foot in the door in. So we were all over the country there and right in the middle of that two week run, I made my Grand Ole Opry debut. And that was, I mean that was amazing. I don’t even have the words to really describe that that kind of event because it’s just something that stays with you for a lot.
And it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was nine years old with my dad and we wrote out goals when I was a kid at the things that I was going to do. I’ve been playing guitar since I was seven and I’d go on the road with dad and I’d ride in the passenger seat. We’d stop at truck stops, we’d go in and I’d play guitar in some corner booth, people would throw me a couple dollar bills and dad built the dream and he sat there and he goes, “All right well, do you want to do in life? Let’s write out your goals.” One of goals was to play the Grand Ole Opry. And I got to that one, that one came true for me.
Sue Bonzell:
That is amazing and what a blessing your dad is to have done that with you because a lot of people don’t have that. That is so cool. So I mean I know when the first time I went to the Grand Ole Opry, it was literal. I mean, I can’t even imagine what it’s like as an artist stepping into the circle, but as a fan, because I don’t play any music whatsoever. As a fan, long time fan, the first time I went, I was literally having a physical, emotional experience. Like man, this is just… I mean the history and the legends and just the everything that’s that makes it what it is. So that’s pretty cool.
Randall King:
Yeah, it was amazing. I sound checked in it, which was my first time really stepping on it. But it’s kind of, it’s kind of like a mulligan because you got a sound check and then they brought my dad up. My dad stood in the circle with me.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh man. That is so awesome.
Randall King:
For us it’s a full circle moment because not only did he build that dream with me as a kid, my dad’s a major Hank Sr. fan.
Sue Bonzell:
Ah. Yeah?
Randall King:
And when we opened for Co Jo at The Ryman in 2019, and my sister Leanna was still alive and she was there and we all stood up there together in a circle.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh man.
Randall King:
My dad was always saying, he can’t sing where the lick, but he would always sing Hank Sr. to us. And he got up there and he sang Cajun Baby, which is my sister’s song.
Sue Bonzell:
Aw.
Randall King:
And I promise you, she was standing in that circle that day.
Sue Bonzell:
Absolutely.
Randall King:
Soundcheck too.
Sue Bonzell:
Wow. That’s cool. Oh my gosh. I have chills all over. That is amazing. That is so amazing. Thank you for sharing that. That’s so cool. Well, we can do something a little fun if you’d like.
Randall King:
Yeah, come on.
Sue Bonzell:
You want to do a little something fun?
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. All right. Let’s see. I think that, well before we actually get to the fun thing, because I play a little game. I like to play little game, before we do that.
Randall King:
I like games.
Sue Bonzell:
Games are fun. We’re going to play a little game. Before we do that, I would love it if you would play us a song, are you ready to do that? Okay, great. So when we come back, Randall King is going to play us a song and then stick around because we’re going to play a fun game.
Randall King:
What’s up man? Name’s Randall king. This is a song off my new record, Shot Glass as a tip of hat to one of hometown heroes, Mr. Roger Miller and cold beer. It’s called Roger, Miller Lite.
(Singing).
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, that’s Randall King. Okay, your new song off the album Shot Glass. So Roger, Miller Lite, so much fun. So much fun, thank you for playing.
Randall King:
Very [inaudible 00:13:11] tune, tips a hat to one of my heroes.
Sue Bonzell:
Exactly. Okay, we should be drinking beer. I feel like we should have been drinking beer for that one.
Randall King:
That’s always a good thing to do before playing games.
Sue Bonzell:
Dang it. Okay. All right. I’m taking notes right now. Well, before you leave, I do want to play a little game. You want to play a little game?
Randall King:
Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
You down?
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
You competitive?
Randall King:
I’m going to win.
Sue Bonzell:
He’s going to win.
Randall King:
Whatever we do.
Sue Bonzell:
All right. Well the games that I play here at Up N Country, you always win.
Randall King:
No, that’s not true. My girlfriend wins probably about 90% of the time.
Sue Bonzell:
You always win with this one. So let me get my special handy dandy little basket, my cute little basket.
Randall King:
Oh, okay.
Sue Bonzell:
We’re going to play a little game.
Randall King:
All right.
Sue Bonzell:
This is my patented game, it’s called truth or truth.
Randall King:
Yeah. You found this in the shelves on Walmart?
Sue Bonzell:
Yeah, pretty much. Yeah. It’s a homemade job right here. It’s truth or truth. We don’t do play truth or dare because I don’t want you to break anything so we’re going to play truth or truth.
Randall King:
That’s a good move. It’s quality.
Sue Bonzell:
This is how you win. All right, so I’m going to have you pick your question.
Randall King:
All right. What is one thing on your bucket list?
Sue Bonzell:
You just talked about that too, the original bucket list.
Randall King:
Mm-hmm (affirmative). The original bucket list.
Sue Bonzell:
You already crossed the things off of that one.
Randall King:
It was to play the Grand Ole Opry so obviously we knocked that one off.
Sue Bonzell:
Check, winning.
Randall King:
Man, it’s definitely, it’s going and seeing places. So for me, like I want to go see Rome. I want to see the actual Roman Coliseum. I want to see the all the original of-
Sue Bonzell:
All the art and all the yeah.
Randall King:
Of the Roman empire. I’m obsessed with history on that side of it.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. All right.
Randall King:
I want to see that. So that’s a bucket list for me.
Sue Bonzell:
And you can have some good pasta and wine too.
Randall King:
Pasta and wine.
Sue Bonzell:
So there are perks.
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
Good perks.
Randall King:
Absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. That’s a good one. Okay. It’s on the bucket list, I like it.
Randall King:
You want your question back?
Sue Bonzell:
Here, I’ll hang on to that and you’re going to do another one though.
Randall King:
Yeah, [inaudible 00:15:00].
Sue Bonzell:
We’re going to just do a couple of them. I won’t put you through too much.
Randall King:
Well, that’s the one thing you’d do if you knew there were no consequences. I knew there was no consequences.
Sue Bonzell:
Would you break the law? I don’t know.
Randall King:
Yeah, I would probably rob a bank, go old Western style. Let’s go, no consequences. Yeah. Take the bank.
Sue Bonzell:
You can even walk in there without a mask, which in the last two years, it’s been weird to walk into a bank without a mask. I mean, come on.
Randall King:
Yeah, you can get on airplanes without masking now, that’s nice.
Sue Bonzell:
I know, right? Woo-hoo.
Randall King:
We’re back to normal, come on. Yeah. So rob a bank.
Sue Bonzell:
Rob a bank. Okay. Yeah. Why not? You think? Yeah. If you can get away with it.
Randall King:
Yeah.
Sue Bonzell:
No consequences, you’re good.
Randall King:
That or not pay taxes. It was kind of the same thing.
Sue Bonzell:
Oh that’s, yeah.
Randall King:
Kind of the same thing.
Sue Bonzell:
That’s kind of like stealing your own money back. It’s your own money.
Randall King:
Exactly.
Sue Bonzell:
I like that one too. I like that answer better I think. I’ll take that one.
Randall King:
You’ll take that one.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay. We’ll do one more.
Randall King:
All right. Come on. Have you ever lied to get out of a bad date? If so, what was the lie? Yeah, I’ve definitely used the, “Hey, I can’t meet up. I got to go. I got called in. I got to go do a radio interview.”
Sue Bonzell:
I got a gig. I got to go do an interview with Sue Bonzell at Up N Country.
Randall King:
I got a gig. I got to be back here. You got to be back over here. It’s good meet you. Okay, bye. I’ve definitely done that. Yeah, absolutely.
Sue Bonzell:
Yeah.
Randall King:
What the specific lie, couldn’t tell you. I don’t remember.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay.
Randall King:
But definitely I’ve used, I’ve played the card of yeah, I got to go.
Sue Bonzell:
I’m a very busy man. Very important. Very important guy. Okay. Well, so CMA Fest coming up, I hear you’re playing.
Randall King:
Yes ma’am.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes.
Randall King:
We’re on that Saturday.
Sue Bonzell:
Yay.
Randall King:
At Ascend, the Ascend stage.
Sue Bonzell:
At Ascend. Okay, good. And where else will you be playing around Nashville? Or sort of nearby?
Randall King:
So I know we’re doing the Ascend at CMA Fest and then I believe we’re back at, I think we’re back at the Nashville Palace.
Sue Bonzell:
Yay. Oh, I love that place.
Randall King:
Either I think September maybe? Sometime around there.
Sue Bonzell:
Okay, good.
Randall King:
Yeah, we love the Palace.
Sue Bonzell:
I love the Palace too.
Randall King:
It’s old school honky tonk, can’t go around. There’s a big picture of Dean Dillon up on the wall.
Sue Bonzell:
He’s like, “I fit right in here,” right?
Randall King:
The first time I walked in the bar, I went, “Oh yeah. Yeah, this is my kind of place.” This is like urban cowboy.
Sue Bonzell:
Right?
Randall King:
With a little bit of that new school flair.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes, exactly. Exactly. Oh, good. Okay. Well, if you don’t already, make sure you follow Randall King on socials. Amazing musician, go get his album Shot Glass. Thank you so much for being here Randall.
Randall King:
Thank you guys for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Sue Bonzell:
Yes.
Thanks for watching Up N Country. Be sure to like and subscribe and leave us a comment. We do new episodes every Tuesday and be sure to follow Up N Country on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. And you can follow me too @SueBonzell on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
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