Grammy Nominees: Brandon Lake, Molly Tuttle, Feid, Zach Top, Jesse Welles

Besides yourself, of course, who will you be openly rooting for on Grammy night?

Winning a Grammy for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” would mean a lot on numerous levels. My producer, who’s also my best friend, is so deserving, and it’d be incredible to see Jason (Jelly Roll) win his first Grammy. This song has traveled all around the world and touched so many more people than I ever thought possible. I also just got put on to Turnstile and think their music is amazing. Reawakened the punk-rock lover in me.

Grammys aside, name an award or honor you’ve won that means the most to you.

It meant a lot to win Guitar Player of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards when I was 24. When I was growing up my dad and I would fly out for the IBMA conference and awards so that I could participate in a program they had called “Kids on Bluegrass.” That was where I first met other kids my age who loved bluegrass music and now happen to be fellow Grammy nominees like Sierra Hull and Sarah Jarosz. In addition to making lifelong friends and finding a supportive music community, I also saw many of my heroes like Tony Rice, Del McCoury and Bryan Sutton win awards. To me they were the biggest rock stars in the world (and still are).

What stands out most about the process of creating FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado?

The sense of freedom I felt throughout the entire process. I let go of any expectations about how the album should sound and just created for the pure fun of it, especially since I produced the whole album myself. I’ve produced on my own many times before, but this experience was different. I wasn’t surrounded by my usual team, so every decision fell on me. It was intense, but it was also one of the most creatively liberating experiences I’ve ever had.

What’s your absolute favorite moment on Ain’t in It for My Health?

I don’t know that I have a favorite moment, but one thing that strikes me about the record is all the guitar work on it. I remember as a kid discovering Tony Rice and trying to copy everything he was doing. And then, later on, when I picked up the Telecaster, guys like Danny Gatton, Roy Nichols and, of course, Brent Mason, who plays on all my stuff, really inspired me. I’m no Tony, and I’m even further from being any of those Tele legends, but I hope all the guitar stuff on the record might catch some kid’s ear out there and make them fall in love with guitar the way I did.

What’s your all-time favorite Grammy moment, either as a participant or a viewer?

I’ve always liked the moment at the 1975 Grammys when Paul Simon and John Lennon presented Record of the Year. It was the most ’70s thing ever. Their hair, their clothes, the cardboard cutouts zooming across the background as they named off the nominees, which included Elton John for “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and Joni Mitchell for “Help Me.” Great music was being made across all genres. John is especially quirky, Paul was especially Paul, and to top it off Art Garfunkel came up and accepted the award on behalf of Olivia Newton-John when she won for “I Honestly Love You.” There is a moment when Art quips to Paul, “Still writing?,” and the sarcasm and drama are apparent. It’s wonderful.