(Interview conducted at the Waldorf, MD date on June 18th, 2011 of Willie Nelson's Country Throwdown Tour 2011)
You've been on Country Throwdown for a little over three weeks now, how has the tour been so far for you?
Caitlyn: It's been absolutely unbelievable. It's so much fun, I've never done a tour like this at all. It's the best that I've ever done in my whole life.
What do you anticipate for the rest of the tour?
Caitlyn: Well, what's really great is that I feel like, just this week, we all kind of broke through on relationships, so we're kind of starting to feel like a big ol' family, so I'm just looking forward to cultivating those friendships and relationships more and I don't want it to be over.
Do you have a favorite city that you've played on the tour?
Caitlyn: They've all been unique and fantastic and it's all kind of a blur. You know we played Orange Beach, Alabama, and we all got to go to a water park and hang out. Alabama's really cool. We played Little Rock and that was really fun, I took some adventures on that trip too. Every city has been really special I would say, if it's not too cheesy to say.
What about not just on this tour but on other tours?
Caitlyn: I love playing Nashville. People really appreciate music there like no other place in America. I love it.
Do you have a least favorite city that you've played?
Caitlyn: I hate to say.. there's been a few places but I don't want to say them, because I'm trying to go back there and make friends.
Do you have any crazy tour stories that you're willing to share?
Caitlyn: We've all been having so much fun, I don't know if there's too many crazy stories.
Brent Cobb: We played Demolition Derby with an inflatable Miller Lite can...
Caitlyn: We had a deep friend peanut butter and jelly sandwich, that's about as crazy as it gets.
Lukas Nelson: That's pretty nasty sounding.
What are your plans for after the tour?
Caitlyn: After the tour, I'm going to be going into the studio to cut some songs on my record. So, I've got some big plans for the fall so I'm very excited.
You released three independent albums and you're working on a new one. Will the new one be independently released too?
Caitlyn: Actually, the goal is to cut some sides and then shop it around to some labels is what we're going to be doing. I mean, if the label situation works out then cool, but worse case scenario is I can just release another record so that's cool too.
What are your favorite parts about being able to release your own album?
Caitlyn: I mean, all of the freedom in the world when you do it independently and I mean that's kind of the point into going in and cutting the sides before you shop to labels because then I can kind of control it on how I want it to sound like and then shop it around. That's what's really special about doing it independently.
Who are some of your influences?
Caitlyn: Alison Krauss, Patti Griffin, Mindy Smith, Beatles, Dixie Chicks, old time music and 90's country.
Is there anything you're currently listening to?
Caitlyn: I'm actually trying to be more schooled in older country so right now in my CD player is some Roger Miller and I just got a new Bobbie Gentry record. Learning some history.
If you could make up an ideal tour, who are four artists that you'd take with you on tour?
Caitlyn: Lukas Nelson... that's a difficult question...
Lukas Nelson: Wait, did you ask "Who wouldn't you take on tour"?
Caitlyn: I think it would be fun to do Patti Griffin, Alison Krauss definitely. I would do the Dixie Chicks too. You know what would be awesome, if Eva Cassidy was alive still. If she was alive I'd bring her along because she's amazing.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what are three things that you would take with you?
Caitlyn: My husband, my guitar, and I would bring some rum. Because you need rum when you're on a desert island. A crate of rum.
What are three things that can always be found in your fridge?
Caitlyn: Alright! Now we're talking! I always go with the vanilla yogurt, big yogurt fan. There's always broccoli, for some reason I always find broccoli. Oh and grapefruit, I'm a grapefruit freak.
What's the best Halloween costume you've ever worn?
Caitlyn: I'm obsessed with Harry Potter, so one year I went as Professor Trelawney. Which was pretty fun. I've also gone as other Harry Potter characters too.
What's your favorite home-cooked meal?
Caitlyn: I love a vegetable chicken curry. I make that like once a week with broccoli and carrots.
What are three things you always take with you on tour?
Caitlyn: My guitar, I pack my favorite dresses, and I bring my notebooks because I love to write in my journals. I can't go anywhere without my books.
Since Father's Day this weekend, what's the best advice your father has given you?
Caitlyn: He's always told me to keep going. He's always been so encouraging. The best advice he's given me is to just do what I do and keep doing it.
What advice would you give to any fan who's attending Country Throwdown?
Caitlyn: I would tell them to party and drink a lot of water. Party hard and drink a lot of water!
And do you have any closing statements?
Caitlyn: I just want to thank all the people coming out to the Country Throwdown. It just means a lot that they would spend their money to come to a concert and see us all play, so thanks everybody!
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