A Chat with George Vineyard (28.04.26)
A kid singing to the radio soon became a passion for country music. Hailing from a farm in the Missouri Ozarks, singer-songwriter George Vineyard found a true love for honest storytelling set to moving melodies. Today, we speak with the US-based musician about his single, ‘Something In The Orange’, what music means to him, and much more.
OSR: In your biography, I read that you were writing songs and poetry as early as age 11. Did this interest in music and storytelling push you to be a musician, or was it something that just happened?
Vineyard: Yes, poetry and writing songs pushed me to be a musician. I always wanted to be one, I just didn’t know if that was the path for me. Ultimately, I decided to make the most of this life I’ve got.
OSR: You recently released your single, ‘Something In The Orange’, which is a popular song by Zach Bryan. I’m a little confused because the credits for Bryan’s version note him as the main writer and composer. Then again, this is an original song you wrote a while ago. No offence, but is it original or a cover?
Vineyard: It’s an original. Zach and I met in the Navy. Where I wrote ‘Something In The Orange’, ‘I Remember Everything’, ‘Nine Ball’ and ‘Heading South’. Zach got out of the Navy before I did, while I was trying to make things work with a woman who didn’t want me to go to Nashville. The same woman I wrote ‘Something In The Orange’ about.
OSR: What was the recording and production for ‘Something In The Orange’ like? Was it challenging or just smooth sailing?
Vineyard: Recording the song was definitely an experience. Especially being an amateur musician. When you play a song with your guitar, you know the chord changes, the strumming pattern, and you’ve got the beat down. So you know when to sing. But for newer artists, a producer will play the music. So I just had to sing into a microphone. So I did struggle a little bit with when to sing. However, it was a fun process.
OSR: Which do you find more challenging when writing music: the melody or the lyrics?
Vineyard: I would say the melody is more challenging for me. But sometimes I’m writing lyrics while humming a melody I like. Sometimes, humming that melody helps me write the next line.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Vineyard: I think music is good for the soul. I would fall asleep listening to the radio as early as 10. And since high school, my car rides might as well be concerts.
OSR: If you could describe your music in a single sentence, what would that be?
Vineyard: My music is my story, my perspective, and my truth.
OSR: If you could speak to younger George Vineyard and give him advice, what would it be?
Vineyard: To learn to play the guitar I got when I was a kid.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
Vineyard: What I hope to share with people through my music is my philosophy. How to deal with heartache, resistance in life, and things you can’t control. Just give it all to God.
OSR: What can we expect from George Vineyard in the future? Any tours or more releases?
Vineyard: I’ve got three albums I’m working on. A heartbreak album that’s completed. An album about my life that’s ongoing. And an album of hymns. If you don’t already know, country music came out of hymns and folk music. I think that’s so cool, and I’d love to continue that. My next release is actually called ‘A Hymn For The Road’.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Vineyard: Don’t put off the hard way for the easy way, because the easy way eventually becomes hard.
Many thanks to George Vineyard for speaking with us. Find out more about George Vineyard on his Facebook, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Nashville Entertainment Weekly.
