Casey Ahern – photo by Emma Winkler
• Hometown: Oak Park, California
What project(s) are you currently working on?
Currently, a lot of my time is spent on all the promotion of my latest release, “Just a Dance.” However, it is the lead single off my forthcoming EP, entitled Where I Run, which is set to release next year. So I’m starting to think of the cover art for that, which has my mind going wild with ideas!
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
Sundays were always family day in my house growing up and every morning, there’d be music playing in the kitchen. Then during afternoon drives on the car radio. And at night, while watching old musicals, such as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Doris Day classics. Music was always surrounding me and once I started taking guitar and singing lessons and it just clicked. It was more than just a realization that music is what I want to do, it was discovering my soul’s purpose and I never questioned it. A fire was lit deep in my heart and continues to burn to this day.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
I always say that if I wasn’t doing music, I’d be living in a box on the street, ha ha! But seriously, I love change and music allows me to constantly experience change whether it be through traveling or discovering new sounds. So if I wasn’t doing it, I think I would never be satisfied and constantly transferring from odd job to odd job just in search of that feeling of change.
What is your favorite downtime activity?
Aside from music, in my spare time, I fly planes! Our neighbor, who was the first California Highway Patrol pilot, had passed away, and at his funeral, some of the guys he worked with told stories about flying and even performed some flyovers and aerobatic stunts. It left me starry-eyed and wanting to be a part of that. Long story short, I got my private pilot’s certificate, and now I’m training for my instrument rating. I absolutely love what I do with music, but there is an aspect of it that is a job. Flying gives me that true freedom since I’m so focused on what’s going on in the plane, I don’t have time to think about what’s going on down on the ground.
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
Funny enough, I actually don’t have one! I can look at a guy and think, “Oh, he’s cute,” but for me it really comes down to personality. If I’ve never talked to him in person, how do I really know what he’s like?
Who is your favorite sports team(s)?
Growing up, my dad’s football team was always the Indianapolis Colts. We’d spend Sundays watching the games and during the Super Bowl, we always host some sort of party. So the Colts just stuck with me, and I can’t help but root for them every season.
What is the last movie that you watched?
I never saw “The Great Gatsby” with Leonardo DiCaprio, so I finally decided to sit down and watch it recently. I thought the coolest aspect of the movie was the aesthetics and production that went into making that film.
What is the last album you listened to?
I recently saw Riley Green play a show in Los Angeles, and as per my pre-show tradition, I listened to his latest album, Different ‘Round Here. Listening to his album, it brought me back to the earlier 2000s sound of country music that I love.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a tough one, but if I had to listen to only one album for the rest of my life, I’d have to choose Jason Aldean‘s Wide Open album. I love each and every one of the songs on there, and they all mean something to me. Also, there are different vibes and moods throughout the album, so I feel like I could make it work with whatever is going on in my life at that moment.
What is the greatest country song of all time?
I’m not sure if there’s a winner for greatest country song of all time, but for me, one of the definite contenders is “In Color” by Jamey Johnson. The story told in the lyrics and the emotion behind his voice and the music makes me tear up every time I listen to it. I’m extremely close with my family and it reminds me of when we all sit around telling stories while looking through old photos. Just how much those memories with them mean to me and how amazing life is, even through the tough times.
What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
I was driving back to California from Nashville and stopped in Flagstaff, AZ. I don’t know exactly what it was, maybe the mountain air and scenery, but I absolutely loved it there. I remember coming around a bend on the I-40 and down in the valley, surrounded by pines, was a freight train a mile long, and that moment still plays in my mind when I picture the beauty of Flagstaff.
What is your favorite meal?
My friends constantly make fun of me because I’m an extremely plain eater. And they’d probably roll their eyes at my answer, but my favorite is chicken seasoned with Tajin in a bowl with avocado and lettuce. I like to keep it simple, ha ha!
Who is your dream duet partner?
Personally, I think Cody Johnson has an incredible and smooth voice, so I would love to do a duet with him. I think the blend of the voices would be really cool to hear and see what harmonies we could come up with that compliment that.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
Multiple times have I seen Keith Urban live, and I’ve never been disappointed! I think it would not only be an unbelievable opportunity to go on tour with him, but an incredible learning experience. He’s such a talented artist all around and killer guitarist, so it would be amazing to be around that energy and level of experience.
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
Ultimately, I just want to be doing music 24/7. If I could be on the road, in a different city every night, just doing what I’m passionate about and connecting with people who are moved by the music I create, my soul would be more than happy!