Artis Greene

I first met Artis Greene at Chaney’s Dairy Barn on one of the famous Songwriter’s nights a few years ago.  I was immediately struck with the level of his talent and showmanship. Although Artis lives and works in Bowling Green, I realized that many folks around here may not have heard of him yet.  Artis will be performing at Java City on February 28th at noon and I wanted people to get to know this unique performer.

Artis, I recently read somewhere that you are originally from Maysville, KY;  can you tell us a bit about what brought you to Bowling Green and a bit about your personal and musical history?

My music bought me to Bowling Green, as a singer and especially a songwriter to be closer to Nashville. I was raised up singing in my home’s own church even singing in the Gospel Ensemble at MSU and the choirs in high school always kept me connected to music.

Who has influenced you as a musician?  Was it anyone local?

George Strait, Patsy Cline, Elton John, Merle Haggard, Smokey Robinson and even Michael Jackson were some of my influences and some of them as songwriters also.

Listening to your music, it seems to me to be roots-rock oriented but, how would you describe your music?

I think of my music that I write as more of Country with a splash of Pop-soul. that’s because of my influences. My late father John D. Greene was my biggest influence in life.

 

Do you write a lot of your music?  Where to you get the ideas for your songs?

Yes write a lot of my music, I think that is how an artist defines him or herself. I get ideas from life experiences of love, laughter, pain whether mine or something I hear about or see somewhere.

Are you currently working on a recording project? 

I’m working on a new CD with all new original music maybe a remake of a classic.   Don’t know yet, and of course Gospel which will be one of my originals.

I notice you have a Facebook page.  Does the Internet help you as a musician?

Yes, the Internet helps me promote my shows a lot.

I know that you work full-time but have you been playing anywhere lately?

Donny Hyatt and myself play at several places when scheduled, Spillway, Cabana’s and other places.

Where do you want go with your music?

I would love to be recognized nationally as a songwriter/singer, but I just love doing this on any level.

Thanks for taking time to talk to us Artis! We are really looking forward to hearing you and Donny at Java city on the 28th.

About the author: JackMontgomery is a librarian, author and Professor at Western KentuckyUniversity where he handles bookings for musical acts in UniversityLibraries, Java City coffeehouse. Jack has also been a professionalmusician since 1969 and performs with a celtic quartet calledWatersprite. Visit him at MySpace/shadowdancerjackor on Facebook.