When you are an independent music artist, everything becomes so important in order to stay connected with your fans and the music. Social media, websites, promotions and more importantly, writing songs and performing. Aaron Lewis could see that from the first time he heard Travis Marvin back in 2015.
“A little more than two years ago I was asked to open for Aaron at the Harrah’s VooDoo Lounge in North Kansas City,” Marvin explained in an interview with CCM. “I had never met or seen Aaron before. He finished his sound check and I waited until the stage manager said I could take the stage to setup for my show. Aaron stuck around side stage while we were setting up, not saying much at all. I played three of my songs for sound check. When I finished he walked over and I introduced myself and shook his hand. He asked if all three of those songs were mine and they were – “Time of Our Lies,” “Typically Taken” and “Why I Like Dreaming.” The three songs I think that won me a direct opening spot. Aaron asked if I had management, a record deal or anything else in the works. I didn’t. He made a phone call to a record Rep and asked them to take a listen. They never did. But, he also asked if I was interested in being his opener full time. I said of course, if you’re paying I’m playing for you. Four months later his CAA agent was calling me to give me my first tour opening for Aaron Lewis.”
Since then Marvin has been opening shows all over the country for Lewis, spanning several tours and lots of miles including Lewis’ last stop on The Road Tour at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina, Ohio in December of 2015.
“It’s been a really fun, but an educating ride for me,” Marvin confessed. “I’ve been all over this country twice now, playing in front of 10’s of thousands of people. I lived on a bus for weeks at a time (honestly, it was fun for the first day) and seen more countryside than the average person will in their lifetime. Standing on stage in a different city and state night after night has been the coolest experience of my career to this date.”
Marvin started his career in country music almost a decade ago and has released a few EP’s along the way, including his latest, Simple. The EP was released last year and is getting radio play and climbing up the independent music charts with the song, “Never Had a First Time.” You can take a listen to the song below.
Though Marvin is still an independent artist, he doesn’t have any regrets and has gained a lot of experience through all of the hard work. “I’m happy where I am, ” he stated. “While at the same time, I wouldn’t turn down any good deals that came my way. The work is harder without the label, no doubt. But, I would have never learned what I know now had I received a label offer early in my career.”
Marvin will finish out his touring with Lewis when he performs at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina on Thursday, September 28. After that, he plans to move to Nashville full-time to work on the next step in his music career. “I have a lot of work to do, said the Kansas native. “I’m going to write, work out, and practice my singing and guitar playing. I’ll do that from November to February, with very few shows that are currently booked with my band in Kansas,” he added. “I will network, promote my music and ability and let’s see what happens. At the end of the day, I am going to be walking away with at least the gift that God has given me. Nobody can take that from me, except Him. But, I know that whomever decides to take a chance, take that “risk” with me, WE are going to win.”
Travis Marvin will open the show for Aaron Lewis at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina, Ohio on Thursday, September 28. The show is Sold Out.
