By: Andrew Vaughan

Those who accuse Nashville of producing cookie-cutter acts and singers have obviously missed out on James Otto. First off, he’s country for sure, but he’s also rock and soul in equal measure. He’s a veteran songwriter who suddenly hit it big in 2008 with the hit “Just Got Started Loving You”. He’s the son of an Army Airborne Ranger who spent two years in the Navy himself before penning the sublime “Soldiers and Jesus”. He’s worked with Shania, the Music Mafia crowd, and loves some good old-fashioned rock and roll.
He’s a one-off, a rare gem, and a fascinating character to chat to—as AMC discovered recently.

Did you hang with Matt Lange when you worked with Shania?
I got to talk to him here and there (at dinner, in the backstage area). He was always very kind and complimentary.

You must have a couple of great stories from the early Music Mafia days. Anything that stands out in your memory about performing with those guys?
I have lots of great stories and none I'd put in print!

What rock acts are on your iPod?
Lots. Foo Fighters, Tom Petty, AC/DC, Van Halen...just to name a few.

Advice for those starting out?
I heard this somewhere: The music business is tough. If you can see yourself doing anything else and being happy, then do that. If not, move to town, get a good job, and after work hit the scene and write, play, and meet people everyday.

Why is Hank Jr. important to you?
Hank made country music cool to a 12-year-old kid, and at that time I had country music—my grandparents' music. So I'd say he changed my life pretty drastically.

What's the secret to writing a good song?
Writing from the heart. When you do that other people tend to identify with what your saying.

What's the secret to writing a hit?
If I knew I'd write one every time I sat down.

What was the first gig you ever attended?
I saw my dad and his brother rehearse for their rock band back in the ‘70s.

What's the most memorable gig you attended?
That's tough. I've seen lots of great concerts, but probably Guns N’ Roses and Metallica in Seattle.

What the best gig you ever played?
That's even tougher cause I've been lucky enough to play a ton of great gigs!

Can country ever really be as cool as rock?
Cooler sometimes! Especially these days. [There's] not many great new rock bands these days but there are a bunch of great new country bands and artists right now.