Camden Followell of Muldrow hopes to be the next big country star.
Followell, 15, is excited about being able to sing for his hometown for the first time at this year’s Old Settler’s Day on Oct. 7 in Muldrow City Park.
Followell, who plays the guitar and sings mainly old time country music, says he has been a musician for as long as he can remember.
“I got my first guitar when I was five years old. I was in and out of playing it for awhile then when I got older, I started taking my music more seriously,” Followell said.
Followell said he enjoys singing older country and western songs recorded by such artists as Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, and Southern Rock musicians, “The Eagles.”
“I love all kinds of music. I grew up listening to classic rock music and thought that was the direction I was going to go, but I enjoy the older country and western music because I was raised around it. My family on my Nana’s side is musically inclined. My dad plays the guitar, just not as much anymore and when I would visit my Nana and Papa, they would play some of the older country and western music,” he said.
Also when my family gathered for reunions and other get-togethers, they would play and sing. It was fun and I always enjoyed it. I wanted to sing like they do but do it better, he said, grinning.
“I sing ‘Take It Easy’ by the Eagles, ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’ by Johnny Cash, ‘Mama Tried’ by Merle Haggard and many other songs I like singing,” he said.
Followell said he also likes some of the older rock bands such as “The Doors” and modern country artists including Zac Bryan, Tyler Childers and ZZ Top.
Followell has performed at the Little Ole Opry in Westfork, Ark., and at the Willow Wagon Wheel in Alma, Ark., but this is the first time he will get to sing before his home crowd.
In addition to his music, he enjoys collecting vinyl records and spending time with his girlfriend, Brooke.
“Yes, I have sung for her,” he said, smiling.
A sophomore at Muldrow High School, Followell said he plans to do more with his music after high school.
“If that doesn’t work out, I plan to go to OU and study law,” he said.
Although he takes his music seriously and has even written a few songs he plans to record on an album, Followell said he has no plans to appear on such shows as “The Voice” or “American Idol.”
“I am taking guitar lessons from Gary Hutchinson, the lead guitarist for ‘Oreo Blue.’ His band opened for ZZ Top last summer and I got to attend,” he said.
“I love the fact that Oklahoma has become the hot spot for country music in the last five years and there’s been an insurrection of new country music artists. Here in Sequoyah County, there seems to be several venues for upcoming musicians to play. I think that’s great,” he said.
“I enjoy living here in Muldrow because it’s a tight knit community where everyone knows everyone.
“I do look forward to singing my songs on that big stage in Muldrow Park. The show will begin at 11 a.m.,” he said.
“There was supposed to be someone else performing but it conflicted with their schedule. Guess I’ll just have to sing longer,” he said.
