When you read the credits on any of Midland’s albums, you’ll notice a few names show up a lot as co-writers, like Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, who co-wrote five of the songs with Midland on their Let It Roll album, including their latest single, “Cheatin’ Songs.” Because Midland’s musical style is so unique in today’s country music landscape, we wondered if they could write with just anybody, or if they relied on certain co-writers to help them craft their musical vision. “With the guys that, you know, the Shane McAnally’s, Josh Osborne’s the Jonathan Singleton’s, there is a shared reverence for the same artistry and the same kind of idea,” explains Mark Wystrach, “and it makes it very easy to write these songs. It makes it easier.”
It’s not to say that Midland couldn’t work with new writers or other writers, but Cameron Duddy says, “There are a select few in this world that you, if you’re lucky enough, get a chance to stumble upon and get the opportunity to write with and have it work. And I don’t know how, but we found not one, not two, not three or four, but like five or six people that we went back to, a couple times, to write with, and it works.”
Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne also co-produced both of Midland’s albums, along with Dan Huff, so it’s safe to say they really have their fingers on the pulse of what makes Midland’s songs so unique.
Midland – write with certain writers :38
Cameron Duddy – “There are a select few in this world that you, if you’re lucky enough, get a chance to stumble upon and get the opportunity to write with and have it work. And I don’t know how, but we found not one, not two, not three or four, but like five or six people that we went back to, a couple times, to write with, and it works.”
Mark Wystrach – “With the guys that, you know, the Shane McAnally’s, Josh Osborne’s the Jonathan Singleton’s, there is a shared reverence for the same artistry and the same kind of idea, and it makes it very easy to write these songs. It makes it easier.”