(G-C): Lets get Georgia more familiar with the members of South 70. Take us around the band and give us a little history of each of their music background and how they have joined South 70.

(South 70): 

(Simone) I got my first real set of drums when I was 7, and around that same time got my first taste of the stage at a VFW wedding reception when my Dad charmed the leader of a local polka band to let me sit in on Proud Mary.  I loved it, and lots of bands, a music degree and a drawer full of songs later and here I am – making and playing music with these four incredible people who are like family to me.

(Geoff) Prior to meeting and joining up with Simone in January of 2006, I spent approximately 15 years considering music to be little more than a hobby. I gained performance, singing, and songwriting experience by playing in various bands in my hometown of upstate South Carolina, as well as from a brief singer/songwriter run in the Atlanta area. South 70 was the inspiration for me to finally consider music as a career.

(Kylie) I started singing at church with my mom at age 5.  Through the years I joined everything I could in order to sing or dance on stage - school choir, pageants, talent shows, plays, youth group bands, etc.  I started working the country music scene about a year before auditioning for South 70.  This is it!  These people are the hard working, talented, kind, wonderful people I have been hoping to make music with my whole life.

(James) My parents put me into piano lessons when I was 6 after they found me picking out the intro themes to my favorite cartoons on my toy piano. I studied classical piano for 14 years and originally went to school ad a music major... that is, until I realized I wanted to be in a band more than I wanted to be a piano teacher. I picked up the bass guitar after struggling for months to find a bassist for our first band, and have preferred bass ever since. I played in a half dozen or so rock bands in Spartanburg SC, including one with a certain singer/songwriter by the name of Geoff Reid. We had a nice run for a couple of years, but eventually we would both move on up to South 70. We would never look back! We are all so proud of the group we've become and the music we make, and we just want to share that with the world.

(JD) I was into music my entire life in one way or another. When I was younger I would sing in the church and school choirs and would learn my first instrument, the piano. In 5th grade I picked up the trumpet in school, playing it into college on a scholarship where I switched to guitar.

At that time, I transferred to and graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music where I focused on rock and blues. As a working guitarist in the Atlanta area, I met Kylie at an audition for Wild Bill’s lead guitarist and about 1 year later was asked to join South 70. The rest is history.

(G-C): How did South 70 start and where did the bands name come from? 

South 70:

(Simone) After I left Sugarland, I started visualizing the kind of band I wanted to start.  Based on my roots and the songs I’d been writing, I knew it would be a country band, but I also knew I wanted it to rock.  I met Geoff through the Atlanta music scene and we just clicked – personally, musically and as songwriters.  Like most bands, we’ve encountered line-up changes, but unlike most bands, we’ve persevered and become better and stronger by not being afraid to make changes.  As for the band’s name, South 70 is a road that runs through urban Atlanta and down into the rural areas south of the city.  It basically connects high-rise buildings and neon to barns and pastures.  South 70’s music reflects a similar melding of rock and country, symbolic of bringing city glitz and country grit together. 

(G-C): How would you all describe South 70's style of country music? 

(South 70):

Classic Southern Rock meets Main-Stream Country.  It’s Country songwriting/stories with Classic Southern Rock instrumentation. 

(G-C): You all have a great set of original songs. Is there one main songwriter in the band or is most of the songwriting contributed by all?

(South 70):

(Simone) Thanks.  We’re all really proud of our extensive catalogue of original songs.  So far, Geoff and I have been the main songwriters in the band.  However, the 5 of us just recently wrote our first song together on a road trip.  We can’t share the name of it just yet since it hasn’t been sent off for copyright, but it’s hilarious and y’all are gonna love it!  As I’ve always said though, even when someone brings in a completed song, it’s typically better once everyone in the band has touched it.  We truly are a real band, which in my opinion is a group of musicians dedicated to investing the time necessary to develop a recognizably unique sound and work as a team to preserve that foundation while consistently evolving. 

(G-C): What current or past band would South 70 be most like?

(South 70):

If we had to make a comparison, maybe a combination of Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, and the Eagles.

(G-C): You all have played in various venues. What would be your favorite place to play and why?

(South 70):

A couple recent shows stand out.  The DuQuoin State Fair because we all love huge stages, huge sound, and huge crowds, and Big Stix Bar and Grill in Breese, Illinois because of the type of crowd - redneck, loud, and they love some original country music!

(G-C): You all just released a brand new cd, "Bring It On". What was that experience like recording a new cd?

(South 70):

Exciting and challenging - The studio requires more musical precision compared to a stage, where it's more about the entertainment factor (capturing an audience with stage presence, passion, etc). Learning how to find the right combination of Passion and Precision to be captured on a recorded track is quite a challenge. Overall, it was an amazing experience. We all learned so much about each other. 

(G-C): What one tip would you give to any new band just starting out?

(South 70):

If you really want to start a BAND designed for long-term success, find the right PEOPLE to work with, not just the right "talent." Then, work hard and practice. Take pride in the instrument that you play and become the best musician that you can. A band is a lot like a sports team. All of the members need to be able to work together with a common attitude, and a common goal. If you share a similar work ethic and positive attitude, you will have a much better chance of going the distance. 

(G-C): What are the short and long range goals for South 70?

(South 70):

They’re really one in the same:  To be the best country rock band ever!