According to a recent press release: "Small Town Titans have released an acoustic version of their brand new single titled “Too Much To Dream” that was based off of a poem written by one of their fans, Don Mattox, a veteran of the U.S. Military. In addition, the band has launched a PledgeMusic Campaign for pre-orders of the official single which will be accompanied by a music video." We get Jonny Ross to answer our 10 Quick Ones about the new release, his influences, and more...

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Nothing really hidden. What makes our latest single “Too Much To Dream” pretty cool is the fact that no one in the band wrote the lyrics. They were written by a fan and veteran of our U.S. military for 20 years. He wrote a poem called “Chemical Dream Catcher” and wanted to turn into a song but didn’t have any musical ability. He sent it over to us and we were blown away by his words. We arranged it for melodies and lyrics and sent it back to him. Everyone fell in love with it pretty quickly.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I don’t have a definitive reason with what got me into music itself. I’ve loved it for as long as I can remember. It’s so great when you’re a kid because you have no outside influences on what’s cool and what’s not. You’re so innocent and if a song speaks to you so be it.  The moment I realized I wanted to be a musician was after my first major concert, Velvet Revolver. I saw what rock n’ roll was all about first hand that night and have never looked back.

3. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Foo Fighters, Avenged Sevenfold, Nickelback, Motley Crue, and Nirvana

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be?

Oooh man... probably Dave Grohl but this is a tough one.

5. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before?

Straight up no nonsense rock n’ roll. We don’t sound as modern as other new bands if that makes sense. We don’t do the backing tracks and digital loops or anything like that. We do drums, guitars, bass and vocals with songs that start out in the jam room every time. It will never go out of style!

6. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Hands down, it’s meeting and playing for fans. They give you life and motivation to not quit. It’s one thing to write a song you’re proud of. It’s an entirely different euphoric feeling when a lot of people learn the words and come out to the shows. It’s a pleasure to meet everyone afterwards too. Sometimes we get to hear amazing stories about why certain songs matter to our fans. It makes you grateful to even do this.

7. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Jeez... no one really cooks! Haha that’s not entirely true but I can’t remember the last time one of us cooked for the whole band. There’s no stove on the bus! The drinking is a toss up haha. Usually Phil takes it easy, but if he wants to slam some Guinness look out! Ben and I will pretty much start whenever in the evening if we’re up to it. If one guy wants a drink, he usually just brings 2 more with him. J The first to bust out the guitar is definitely Ben.

8. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I love music so much that I believe I would love to help other bands out in any way I could, at this point probably as an adviser or manager. Away from music, I’ve always been a big WWE fan. I guess it would be pretty amazing to work for that company in some capacity, probably marketing.

9. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”?

Great question. Truly, I wouldn’t change a thing, because even decisions you make that could have gone better teach you a valuable lesson. You win more in terms of knowledge and experience when you lose.   I will say we should’ve fired our last manager sooner. Things have been going great since we put our career back in our hands. No one will ever care more about your career than you.

10. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Wow... off of the top of my head, Nevermind. I’d be a sponge in there soaking up all the little tricks and secrets that made that record what it was. It still sounds amazing and it’s going to forever!

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