Hudson Westbrook Shares How He Stays Grounded Amid His Rising Country Career
“I’m a normal dude at home,” Westbrook admitted.
Hudson Westbrook; Photo by Libby Danforth
Despite the whirlwind that Hudson Westbrook is experiencing as a rising country artist, he makes a point to keep things as normal as possible when he’s back home.
Between being on the road, recording and writing new music, Westbrook rarely has time off to be “normal.” This chaotic schedule has led him to realize that it is more important now than ever in his life to enjoy the simple moments and slow down at home when he has the chance.
“I’m a normal dude at home. That is important because you’re gonna go insane if you’re not,” he admits to Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music Country.
Whether he’s cooking a meal, taking care of his yard, spending time outside or heading to Lubbock for a weekend to visit friends at Texas Tech, he appreciates having those everyday experiences to return to. Plus, doing these simple tasks and having these regular experiences helps put things into perspective.
“I’m like, whoa, this is what y’all are doing and I’m over here at Apple Music, you know what I mean? It’s just a whole different world. And the more I experience that world, it makes me more grateful to do what I do,” he added.
This year, Westbrook has also found joy in making music that feels completely himself. At the start of his career, he acknowledges that he took a more serious approach to songwriting and ended up with a lot of “mature songs,” such as “House Again,” “Sober,” and “5 To 9.” With his sophomore album, Made You Look, he consciously chose to step back and write tracks with more “personality” and a younger feel to them.
“I’m 22. I wanted to write those songs so that when I’m 23, 24, 25, 26, whatever, I want to get serious and really get into my songwriting,” he explained. “I want to spend the next three years being that. Knowing I got that out of my system of being a kid and saying what I wanted to say instead of what they wanted me to say.”
He spent two years writing the songs that make up the collection. It opens with its title track, a song that has already been making waves across country music thanks to its catchy melody and clever storytelling. From there, Westbrook takes listeners through a mix of themes and emotions, with songs that range from heartbreak and reflection to feel-good moments, sadness and the kind of tracks that make the perfect soundtrack for a long road trip.
Made You Look features 16 original songs, all co-written by Westbrook alongside a close-knit group of just 10 collaborators. The result is a collection that proves how much growth he has experienced in just two and a half years, while giving him room to explore new sides of his sound.
Westbrook admitted that he “put a lot of myself into this one.” Listeners will hear the rising artist dig deeper into the authentic country sound with modern touches that first drew fans to his music. He lets his heart do the talking while delivering something for everyone to relate to.
Now that the album is officially out, he is looking forward to hearing what fans think of the songs that have taken up so much of his time and creativity.
“My Album Made You Look is out now. I hope y’all love it as much as I do,” Westbrook wrote on Instagram.
He also made sure to give credit to the listeners who have supported him along the way, writing, “So grateful for the best fans in the world… y’all are the reason I do this.”
Made You Look Tracklist
1. “Made You Look” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Joybeth Taylor, Neil Medley, Beau Bailey)
2. “Love On The Line” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver)
3. “The Joker” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Dan Alley, Neil Medley, Beau Bailey)
4. “One Night Wonder” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Beau Bailey)
5. “All In” (Hudson Westbrook, Marv Green)
6. “Permanent” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Reid Haughton)
7. “Thin Ice” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Reid Haughton, Kenny Whitmire)
8. “Hey Dallas” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Reid Haughton, Beau Bailey)
9. “Don’t Worry Bout Me” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Neil Medley, Beau Bailey, Ryan Beaver)
10. “Hits Me” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver)
11. “Odds of Getting Even” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver)
12. “Nowhere Bound” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Neil Medley, Beau Bailey)
13. “Fienin’” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Dan Alley, Reid Haughton)
14. “Lights Out” (Hudson Westbrook, Reid Haughton, Lukas Scott, Beau Bailey)
15. “Backwards” (Hudson Westbrook, Lukas Scott, Reid Haughton, Nicolette Hayford)
16. “Texas Tear” (Hudson Westbrook, Dan Alley, Ryan Beaver)
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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