PAUL BOGART

If you were to look up the phrase “three chords and the truth” in the dictionary, you might see pictures of country legends like Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash…but more recently, you might also see Paul Bogart. Though his songs are fresh and he himself is young, he is an old soul with a knack for capturing time-honored traditions and summing up classic sentiments in catchy, three-minute songs. Exuding sincerity and a rare, down-to-earth charm, Paul Bogart is, simply put, the epitome of country music. “All of my music just fits under a cowboy hat,” Paul says with an honest laugh, explaining the straightforward appeal of his sound. “I want people to shoot straight with me - to just be real - and that’s what my music is: real, sincere songs that people can relate to.” Possessing elements of a quippy, good-natured Brad Paisley song along with the Wranglers-and-spurs appeal of a George Strait tune, Bogart’s music additionally radiates something that’s been missing from the country scene: authenticity. “From the time I was just a kid roping calves, my dad taught me that if you’re good, people will see that – there’s never any need to brag.” That attitude still permeates everything Bogart does today, whether it’s touring the country playing upwards of 65 dates a year or writing with some of Nashville’s biggest names in country music. Though he clearly has the heart of a cowboy and the spirit of a gentleman, Bogart also possesses an unrivaled work ethic that displays itself with passion and integrity. “I started competing in the American Quarterhorse Association at age 12, and still haven’t stopped today. That organization, along with rodeo scholarships, singlehandedly got me through college,” he says with sincere gratitude. With several World Championship titles under his belt by his early twenties, he was also becoming increasingly passionate about music. But, Bogart is proof though that one love need not compromise the other. “One night, I had a gig playing at a local high school in Tulsa, but I was also supposed to compete in the World Championship show in Oklahoma City just a couple hours later,” he explains. “I couldn’t give up either opportunity, so I rented a helicopter, ran offstage after the concert, flew to the arena and roped in the World Show twenty minutes later,” he says with a smile. His can-do attitude and naturally positive disposition have served him well in every arena of life, but his story in the music industry actually begins with a fairy tale-esque incident that embodies the stuff Nashville dreams are made of. Having been born and raised in Oologah, Oklahoma, Bogart was playing shows everywhere around the area, including Tulsa and Oklahoma City, by the time he was in college. However, he had yet to play a hometown show, so during his junior year at Rogers State University, he contacted a local school to see if they needed anyone to play for a fundraiser. The event planner accepted, and soon, homemade makeshift flyers were posted everywhere around town announcing the show. A few days later, Bogart received a phone call at his parent’s house that threw him for a loop. “I picked up the phone and this guy on the other end says, ‘Hi, my name is Floyd and I work for Garth Brooks. Garth saw your flyers and wants to meet you.’ Well, I thought it was a joke, so I made up some excuse about having to check my schedule!” he recounts incredulously. “A week later the guy called back and asked again if I had time to meet with Garth, and this time I said, ‘Sir, are you serious?’ He verified everything, and sure enough, Garth had somehow gotten a hold of my college demo album and wanted to talk music.” As further proof of Bogart’s commitment and integrity to any task at hand, he fielded a phone call to his dorm room phone line a few weeks later that was straight from Garth Brooks himself – inviting Bogart out to lunch with a few other guys who were in town – but instead of blowing off the class he was en route to, he politely informed Garth that he had to get to class. “Looking back, I can’t believe that I turned down lunch with Garth Brooks to attend a college class, but to be honest, I had to work really hard to keep my rodeo scholarships and every class session was essential!” Brooks and Bogart eventually connected and the relationship that ensued from that initial meeting turned into a huge source of encouragement for Bogart, with Brooks urging Bogart to make the quintessential move to Nashville to see if it was a good fit. “I remember Garth telling me, ‘You’re a successful team roper because you’re in Oklahoma; if you want to be a successful musician, you need to move to Nashville.’” Bogart did end up taking the leap and moving to Music City the summer after his graduation from Rogers State, and with determination and integrity, he chose to work hard and start from scratch rather than exploit his connection with one of country’s living legends. After taking an initial job as his landlord’s fix-it man, Paul got right to work writing and playing with anyone and everyone he could. He soon found himself writing with the likes of Jim Beavers (Dierks Bentley, “Sideways”), Billy Montana (Jo Dee Messina, “Bring On the Rain”), Tom Douglas (Lady Antebellum, “I Run to You”), and Jamie O’Hara (The Judds, “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Ol’ Days)”), to name a few. Bogart states, “I just appreciate the opportunity to simply be in the same room with these writers, playing and learning from them.” His growing resume actually extends beyond the streets of Music Row and all the way to cable TV, having written the theme song for the Outdoors Channel’s hit show “Inside Outdoors TV,” in addition to the music for the all-things hunting and outdoors show, “Bringin’ It Home with Hazel Creek.” These opportunities have been a perfect fit, as Bogart considers himself to be an avid outdoorsman. “Hunting is my other true love. I fell in love with bow hunting in college and my wife actually bought me a rifle as a wedding gift – now that’s a good woman!” More than just a good woman, Bogart cites his wife as being everything from his inspiration and muse to his source of encouragement and honest opinions. “So much of what I write was inspired by a conversation I had with Tanya,” he confesses. “We were high school sweethearts and she still continues to amaze me today.” Originally from Oklahoma as well, Tanya moved to Nashville a year after Bogart deemed it a place they could raise a family together. “I asked for her father’s blessing and a year later we were married. I can’t wait to see what the next phase of our life together brings.” The life he’s building right now seems to suit him to a tee, as he recounts stories of scribbling down song lyrics while driving down the interstate pulling a horse trailer on the way back from a roping competition, or playing shows in legendary venues like Cain’s Ballroom, a place that’s hosted everyone from Willie Nelson to Don Williams, Bogart’s personal icon. “I wore out my Don Williams’ ‘Greatest Hits’ album,” he recalls. “But I also grew up listening to The Beach Boys and The Beatles.” It’s evident that sing-along melodies and old-fashioned fun were prominent in Bogart’s childhood because his music has an assured sense of humor, yet still maintains a pure veracity. “My audience ranges from teenage kids to 70 year-old’s,” he says honestly. “It’s for anyone who loves their country, loves God, loves their spouse. If you can relate to any of those things, you can probably relate to my music.” That music is quickly becoming a staple around town, and it’s easy to see why. His songs are infectiously unforgettable and his fine-tuned performances never fail to garner an invitation back. The sincerity and truth that resonates from Bogart’s music is disarming, yet confident; his sound is affable, but sincere – much like the singer/songwriter himself. Though he now calls Nashville home, his music is just beginning to catapult him to every corner of the country. And after just one listen, you realize there really is a cowboy hat on top of it all.