Q: What do you contribute to the final product of your music?

A: I'm a solo artist... I sing, play guitar and write. I also have my own label and music publishing company KashKow Music. So it's music 24-7.

Q: What is your personal idea of success? At what point will you feel like you've "arrived"?

A: Success can be so many different things. I've won a lot of awards and got tons of nominations. I got airplay all over the world, had my songs reaching #1 on a lot of charts. Had hundred thousands of spins on every single that I've released. Been invited to play and headlines festivals around the globe. Got to work with some of my heroes I grew up listening to. Been on TV shows in UK, USA, France, Germany, Sweden, Australia... Had my songs cut by artists from all around the world. So yeah I think I have arrived.

Q: Have you experienced any embarrassing yet funny failures in your music career thus far?

A: I haven't really had any super embarrassing moments. If I f-ck up on stage I make a thing of it, or the guys in the band make a thing of it. So we get to laugh with the crowd. And maybe do it again on purpose later in the show just to laugh even more about it.

Q: How long did it take before you could actually finish a song and think, "THIS IS GREAT STUFF!"?

A: I think you're on that learning curve as long as you keep writing... I've been writing songs as long as I can remember. I think I was around 15 or 16 when I started to feel that "hey this is pretty good" When I got my first cut with another artist and that album went Gold and they won a Grammy for best album. I felt "I must be doing something right" And that gave me a lot of confidence to write even more. But like I said before, as long as you write you keep learning.

Q: What would be your backup plan if you weren't so invested in your music?

A: If I wasn't working with music I would probably work as a physiotherapist of some sort. I am trained to be a Polarity Therapist. I'm very interested in health and helping other people to feel better. I had my own practice in my old hometown. But I got so busy working with music so I closed it down and started focusing on my music career. I don't regret that one single second. I spend an hour in the gym almost every day. keeping fit and healthy is my religion As you can see in my latest video "Stomp A Little Louder" I try to stay in shape.

Q: How much time do you put into your music career?

A: I do something every day... I don't really know how many hours I put in. One day it could be just one hour while other days it could be ten... It's a labor of love.

Q: Who would your dream collaboration be with?

A: I've had a real dream collaboration. My latest single "Stomp A Little Louder" did I actually write with Mr country legend himself Steve Wariner. And he plays the guitars on the track alongside his son Ryan. I would love to do a duet with Brooks And Dunn... I know they parted ways a few years ago but that would be such a dream come through. I'm a huge Brooks And Dunn fan. it broke my heart when they split up. Mutt Lange is one of my favorite producers, to work with him on a few songs or even a whole album would be amazing. I'm a big fan of Jeffrey Steele's writing. I think he is one of the best songwriters in the world. So carve some tunes with him is high on my bucket list.

Q: What's the best advice you could give to someone trying to make it in the industry? 

A: Be honest... As a writer as an artist as human.... and never give up no matter what other people are saying.

What if I listened to all the "experts" that told me...
-You're too old
-Don't write country songs
-Radio will never play your songs
-There's no audience for that
-Sure you can sing and your songs are great but it will never work
-Quit... Don't go there... Are you crazy

Then I never would have...
-Been writing songs with the country legend Steve Wariner
-Been invited to play and represent Sweden at the CMA Fest in Nashville
-Won "Favorite Country Group" at IMN Country Music Awards
-Been nominated for "Best International Artist" and "Video Of The Year" at ICoMA Country Music Awards (2013)
-Had My songs played on thousands of radio stations all around the world
-Done radio and TV interviews in Italy, France, England, Ireland, Australia, USA, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Germany...
-Been nominated for "Song Of The Year" and "Video Of the Year" at Nashville Universe Awards
-Been "Artist Of The Month" on Sky TV in UK
-Play at country festivals in the USA, UK, France, Sweden...
-Got fans from all corners of the world
-Been nominated again and won at 2014 ICoMA Country Music Awards for "Best International Country Artist."
-Been nominated for "Song Of The Year" (Hayride) and "Video Of The Year" (Unreachable Dream) at ICoMA Awards 2014
-Been invited to play at BCMA in London 2014
-Received 3 Nominations at 2014 International Music and Entertainment Awards
-Been nominated for Best European Country Act of the Year, 2014 BCMA Awards
-Been nominated for Best Male Country Artist, Best Country Song (Mamas Kitchen) and Best Country Video (Mamas Kitchen) at IMC AWARDS in LA 2015
- My songs reaching #1 on different charts all over the world
- Been nominated for Best New Country Artist at New Music Weekly Awards in Nashville/LA 2015
- Been nominated for "Best Country Video" "Best Country Song" and "Best Male Country Artist" at IMC Awards in Los Angeles 2015
-Won "Best Country Video" at IMC Awards in Los Angeles 2015
-Won best Country/Rock song at The Akademia Awards in LA 2015 for I Belong To You
-And... The biggest thing of all.... winning "Best European Country Act Of The Year" at The British CMA in London. (2013)

Good thing I didn't listen to anybody else but myself!

Are you feeling inspired? Because we are! Clearly, there's a correlation between how passionate you are about your music and how much success can come from it. The more time, energy and love you poor into your craft; the more you will get from it! We're glad we got the chance to get some insight on Hicks' music and look forward to his future work. Be sure to follow his career and check out his official site for updates.