One on One: The Cheaters

I was given the opportunity to do a One on One feature with a incredible up and coming country duo "The Cheaters" after listening to their music I could not give up the chance in taking part in this. I'm such a huge fan of country music and I absolutely love "The Cheaters" great music, outstanding vocals. They are full of energy! I know you all will be hooked once you start listening to this band.

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Chef D: Thank you again for taking part in One on One, can you tell the readers a little about yourselves and the band "The Cheaters"

Cheaters: We (The Cheaters) are a country rock band that has been touring together for 10 years now and has released 4 studio albums. We have played over 1,000 shows together, including the US, Europe, Asia, and Guam. We are originally from Maryland. However, we signed a management deal with Rusty Harmon (Former Manager, Hootie and The Blowfish) 2 years ago and now live together just south of Nashville in Thompson's Station, TN. We probably spend more time with each other than we actually get to spend with our own family.
Speaking of family...Brett and his significant other, Judith have been together for over 10 years now. He also is a proud Daddy of his beautiful 9 year old daughter named Dylan. She is his entire world and the sweetest kid ever. Me...I just recently got married in Mexico to my wife Emily. Her and I have been together for almost 9 years now. She is my rock and I just can't imagine life without her. Both Judith and Emily have always been so supportive of our music career and both still continue to make many sacrifices to make it easier for us to pursue our dream of touring the world.
Both collectively as a band and individuals...Brett and I are very positive people that love touring the world playing music, meeting new people along the way, and enjoy being on stage! We've been at it for a long time and never plan on stopping...EVER.

Chef D: Are you working on any upcoming projects, and is there a tour in the plans?

Cheaters: We just released our fourth studio record "Waitin' On Right Now" back on July 8th. We also just recently announced our first single "She Got A Way," which will go to radio in October. The music video will be shot in southern California Oct 1st and 2nd. Shooting locations include Malibu, Hermosa Beach, and Los Angeles. We're so pumped for this!

Chef D: How long have you've been involved in music, and who are your influences?

Cheaters: Brett and I both started playing guitar 20 years ago. However, we've had this band together for 10 years now. We love playing country music, but our biggest influences come from southern rock and blues. Brett grew up touring in blues bands playing Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, and Jimi Hendrix. I was a little more into Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, and more of the bands that had an edgy rock/soul sound. This is why our biggest influence collectively as a band, was always The Black Crowes. Although, after moving to Nashville and collaborating with other writers in town, we started to lean a little more country in the songs we were writing and performing. With this new direction, Brett has really started to take a liking to Brad Paisley's guitar playing, while I have really been diggin' on the vibes of artists like The Cadillac Three.

Chef D: Do you have a favorite band or artist that you hope to one day work with? And is there a city or country that you would love to visit and bring your show to..

Cheaters: We have always liked Eric Church. We had the privilege of opening up for him in Dewey Beach, Deleware back in the summer of 2008. There was maybe 500 people there. It's been so cool to see him grow and become a super star. We loved his music then, and still love it now. It would be great to reconnect with him again. He seems to really get the country rock thing. As far as traveling the world goes, we've been lucky to get to play several other countries. We played a festival in Lithuania in 2007 and it was awesome! However, we would really like to get farther south in Europe and hit Italy. We have always wanted to go there.

Chef D: Can you share with the readers and the fans something that they don't know about you guys...

Cheaters: This is probably the most un-rockstar response ever. But, we have no tattoos and both have college degrees. Brett has a degree in Economics and I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology. People always assume we have tattoos because of our edgier sound and image. But, nope. Man, we're so normal...BORING! :)

Chef D: Do you write your own music? And if so where do you get the inspiration for your songs.

Cheaters: Yes, we write a lot of our own music. We actually wrote every song on our first three records and half of the tunes on our most recent EP "Waitin' On Right Now." Since moving to Nashville, we have been collaborating a lot with other notable writers in town. The inspiration for these songs come from real life experiences with about places we go and people we meet along the way.

Chef D: What is your motto or the advice you live by?

Cheaters: Brett and I are very positive people and always look for the good in everyone. With that being said, we really value our fans and make sure we always let them know how appreciative we are of their support. We make it a point to always try and make a good impression with everyone we meet. That is why we always live by this quote...
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou

Chef D: Do you have a favorite song you guys love to perform on stage and is a fan favorite..

Cheaters: We love playing our new single "She Got A Way." This song means so much to us. It was the first one we ever co-wrote in Nashville with other writers outside of just band members. The chorus is absolutely infectious and turns into a crowd sing along every time. There is no better feeling as a musician than backing away from the mic and just letting the crowd take over and sing the words to your own song. We were very lucky to be able to write this with Preston Brust and Chris Lucas of Locash Cowboys and Phil Barton. These guys have all written #1's. So, the fact that they agreed to write with us is something we have never taken for granted. A lot of artists/writers are in town for years and never get the opportunity to collaborate with people like that.

Chef D: Here's a fun question for you both, What five things you can't live without?

Cheaters:
Jason
1. My wife Emily
2. My 2 black labs Maggie and Celia
3. Music
4. The Beach
5. Last, but certainly not least...our FANS!!!

Brett
1. Coffee
2. Sunshine
3. A hot shower
4. My guitar
5. An old pair of jeans

Chef D: And finally when at home what is a dish that is a family favorite can you share the recipe with us

Cheaters: Ok, this is an easy one. We're from Maryland and grew up around the Chesapeake Bay. If you've ever been there, then you know everyone eats steamed crabs seasoned with Old Bay. And of course the best drink with that is draft beer! It's so much more than just the food though. It's about the gathering. Everyone gets together, sets up fold out tables in the backyards and covers them with brown paper. You just pour the steamed crabs in a big pile and we all dig in. You can dip the crab meat in vinegar or butter (or both). Oh, one last thing. Don't bother to wipe your hands until you are completely done... :)
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Old Bay Blue Crab

Ingredients

-36 Live Blue Crabs
-1/2 Cup Old Bay
-1/2 Cup Salt
-3 Cups Beer
-3 Cups Distilled White Vinegar
-Another 1/4 Cup of Old Bay

Directions
Combine 1/2 cup seafood seasoning, salt, beer, and vinegar in a large stockpot over high heat. Bring to a strong simmer.
Right before cooking, carefully place each crab upside down and stick a knife through the shell, just behind mouth.
Fit a screen over the beer mixture and layer the crabs on the screen. Be sure that the crabs are above the simmering liquid. Cover.
Steam crabs until they turn bright orange and all of the blue/green color is gone, 20 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup seafood seasoning before serving.
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Thanks again to The Cheaters for taking part in One on One!