Eric Paslay

Paslay is a 27-year-old artist, who also happens to write his own music and perform it with a conviction and passion few others can match. Born in Texas and raised on on country, rock and Texas Honky Tonk, Paslay's steady diet of music began at an early age and informs who he is as a writer.

"When people ask me who my influences are, my response is always to say every great song I've ever heard. I grew up listening to Johnny Cash, Rodney Crowell, Eric Clapton, Brooks & Dunn, Tom Petty --- any artist who is also a songwriter - those are the ones i naturally gravitate toward."

Paslay moved to Tennessee in 2003 to attend Middle Tennessee State University and study music business. He was president of the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) chapter at MTSU, which he credits with helping him become a better songwriter. He also did the smart thing by interning at hot publishing company Cal IV Entertainment.

"We've been fortunate to work with some great writers over the years, from Bob McDill to Dave Berg" said Cal IV's Daniel Hill. "I first knew Eric as a really nice guy and a hard working intern. But once i heard his voice and his songs, the light bulb went on."

The publishing company quickly signed the young writer and within a few months, took him in to the studio to record his songs. The resulting tracks confirmed what the early rough demos suggested - Paslay is one of the freshest sounds to hit Nashville in a long time.

"Music has always been a part of my world," Paslay said. "My grandfather and his brothers had a band called Arnold Schiller and the Moonlight Serenaders. They played dances all around Central Texas because he loved music. He had a passion for it. He died when I was young, so I never got to know him well, but my parents say we are very much alike - both redheaded musicians. I guess he rubbed off on me a little bit."

And no doubt Paslay's music is going to rub off on a lot of people.