Simon Balkey

When asked what drives Simon Balkey to sing and write music he replied without hesitation, “Country music just seems to be about my life. That song, 'We Rode in Trucks' by Luke Bryan is me. It's my life.” Simon knew at a young age that it was his destiny to write and sing Country music. Born in New Mexico, he was surrounded by a nurturing musical family. His early influences ranged from Kenny Rogers and Merle Haggard to Guns N' Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Strait, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. “I listened to a lot of Honky Tonk Country and Southern Rock with a whole lot of other stuff mixed in.” By his early teens, Simon was writing his own songs and playing guitar. He recalls his first real song was written around age 14, however his family would claim he had been writing and singing since Kindergarten. “It’s funny, I still have elementary school notebooks with lyrics from the Eagles and Kenny Rogers between the homework assignments.” By his late teens his talent was recognized and he began performing in lounges at local casinos and anywhere else they would have him. Simon went on to study Chemistry in college but continued to write and perform. One of his biggest thrills was winning a national contest to the CMA awards. He and 49 other winners across the country won tickets to the 1996 CMA awards and spent the week attending private concerts, meeting the likes of Kenny Chesney, Tammy Wynette, David Lee Murphy, Jeff Carson, Ricochet, and others. A few years later, Simon had the opportunity to audition for the already established band, Wyld Country. He was welcomed into the band and continued writing and performing with them across the state of New Mexico, Southern Colorado, and West Texas. Simon provided lead vocals and rhythm guitar for 7 of the last 16 years Wyld Country had been entertaining audiences. The group gained recognition through hundreds of performances as they watched their fan base begin to grow. “We always had a great time wherever we played, but one of the most memorable things for me was opening for Mark Chesnutt.” Simon has found that more and more, his own songs are beginning to be requested during performances. “I know that I’m not where I need to be as a songwriter [said Simon] but I’m trying to get better everyday, it’s the coolest feeling when you see people singing your songs. Something I definitely won’t ever forget is when I was at a bandmates house and all of a sudden I hear my song, and it's on someone's cell phone as their ring tone. It was amazing. Funny thing is, that I don’t have my music online for that kind of thing yet so I know somebody put in a lot of work to get it on there. Which makes it even more surprising.” Simon is slated to head to Nashville end of 2008 to cut an album and . He will be working with some well known artists/producers in the industry. Geno Lesage and Johnny Garcia. Geno Lesage’s feelings about working with Simon: I am very much looking forward to working with Simon. I see the same talent in him as I have seen in artists I have been able to help achieve their goals. Simon has a passion for what he does and in my experience those are the artists who rise above the others. He also has the live stage presence which is so crucial for getting signed. I am ready to get on board with Simon Balkey and would not be surprised to see him win the Horizon Award in the near future. -Geno has worked with Collin Raye since the start of Collin’s career in music as his piano player and bandleader. During that time they had 15 number one hits. Since 1999 Geno has been producing emerging artists, as well as producing 3 records for Collin Raye, one of which was an international hit.- -Johnny Garcia has been on the road with both Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood for the past several years as the lead guitarist. Garcia is also owns and manages an up and coming publishing company. Simon's songwriting comes from the heart. His inspiration is derived from what is going on in his life, his love of his Country Music, and his family, especially his wife and two young sons. He is 100% whole-hearted Country, and wants to be able to share his music with whoever will take a listen. Simon transforms his life into song, and hopes that his music can make a personal connection with his audience and inspire them in the way country music has inspired him. When asked what his biggest musical achievement is thus far, he said “being a part of thousands of peoples most memorable life moments, I’ve played a lot of private gigs and I am truly thankful they chose us to be a part of their unforgettable moments. When asked what do you see in your future with regard to music, he replied, “you know, all I can do is lay it all out there for this project with my writing, singing, and performing and pray that it’s enough to get some label attention; man that would be something.” His pride in his roots, his love of Country music and his family are evident in his songs, and in the passion with wh