Nate Botsford Says He Draws Inspiration From Johnny Cash and Van Morrison

Portland singer and songwriter Nate Botsford hit the big time in the music industry, winning a national music competition with his bluegrass/country rock-style songs, and now he’s getting help from music producer Billy Mann, who also produced

well-known artists like Pink, John Legend, and Cher.

Inspired by vintage singer-songwriters such as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison, as well as his grandfather, a big-band pianist, Botsford began his journey into country/folk/pop when most kids his age were still riding their bicycles.

As a solo artist, Botsford is a veteran of “American Idol” rounds in Portland and in Kansas City. In 2010, he released the EP “Pearl”; in 2015, he landed one of two finalist spots in the Aloft Hotels’ Project Aloft online songwriting contest, which attracted nearly 1,000 entrants and was judged by producers from Nashville and L.A. Botsford’s prize included a mentoring session and opening slot with Ingrid Michaelson in New York, with a 25-city solo tour to follow in 2016. Shortly after that victory, he was booked as an opener for Napa’s Live in the Vineyard show on a bill with acts including Barenaked Ladies and Spearhead’s Michael Franti.

It was at Live in the Vineyard that Sutter Home had the chance to meet with him and invited him to perform in our Sutter Home Vibe & Vine Greenroom. We were stoked when he said yes, and as the showbiz saying goes, the rest is history.

If you enjoyed watching Botsford perform his hit song “Hourglass” last week, in this week’s interview with him, check out the other great performances in our Vibe & Vine Greenroom — by following us on YouTube.