AJ is a country-rock musician originally from New Jersey. AJ’s previous albums include East Coast Cowboy (2012), his self-titled album, AJ Penta (2016), and his latest single, Little Lady (2020). Now, AJ is expected to release new upcoming singles recorded with Grammy and Emmy-winning producer and engineer Ken Royster out of the capital of country music, Nashville, Tennessee. The East Coast Cowboy is widely known for having a rock and roll country style and playing guitar for other artists like Demi Lovato, Louis Fonzie, and several other country artists.
So, what’s it like negotiating deals with record executives?
AJ explains, “ I’ve had several meetings with various record labels, and as I said, the feedback I mostly get is that they don’t like my music because it doesn’t sound like what everyone else is doing. That’s one of the great things about Amalien records/Ingrooves Music and what drew me in. AJ claims, “ They’re into my unique sound. I’ve been told that I toe the line between classic rock and country.” This is how AJ would classify his music, and that’s why he is currently negotiating a deal with the label. “One of the executives at the label was probably making fun of me, but anyway, he commented that I look like a guido from New Jersey playing country music because of my leather jacket, which I thought was hysterical yet accurate.” That distinctive sense of style definitely comes through in the East Coast Cowboy’s songs. One of the biggest things AJ noticed was that none of the record labels understood his style – none of them had any attitude. AJ explains, “ I’ve always wanted my music to have a little bit of toughness to it.”
Then and now
It all started when AJ was taking an acting class as an elective at Monmouth University in New Jersey. He shares, “ Everyone in the acting class was part of the theater program, and the professor was actually head of the theater department. They informed me that the musical was going to be about Tommy Walker, a rock opera, based on The Who album titled Tommy. Being a fan of the British invasion and The Who, I thought it would be a cool experience.”
That’s how AJ met Thor, the actor that ended up playing Tommy in the musical. Thor was a singer in a metal band. He can play almost every instrument. I began hanging out at Thor’s band rehearsals, and every once in a while I would jump behind the drum kit since I had a little bit of drum training from middle school. That’s when Thor had the idea that AJ should play guitar. AJ explains, “He showed me a power chord and like three other chords, and told me that’s all I would need to sell a million records.” He continues, “Knowing as much about music and the industry as I do now, he was absolutely right.”
AJ admits, “ I instantly became obsessed with the guitar. I literally couldn’t put it down.” The Drummer in Thor’s band worked at Bayshore music in Middletown, New Jersey. AJ literally walked in the next day and bought an acoustic guitar from him with his discount.” AJ met up with Thor again just a few days later and played him the songs he had written. He had only been playing guitar for about four days at this point. One of the songs was called, “A Devil’s Deal.”
This track ended up on AJ’s first album titled, East Coast Cowboy (2012). AJ admits the song was written after only playing guitar for ten minutes with the chords Thor had taught him. Thor immediately saw AJ’s ability to write and perform and mentioned an open mic night at a bar down the street. AJ spent his childhood performing in martial arts competitions in arenas with tons of people, but this was very different. AJ elaborates, “ I just thought if I make a mistake at least I won’t get kicked in the face.” He claims, “Looking foolish in front of a bar full of people seemed pretty inconsequential compared to a broken nose.” So, AJ just said, “Hell, I’ll take a chance.” AJ continues, “There were about thirty different acts performing: from acoustic guitar singer-songwriters to rappers to pianists. I of course played the only song I had written at that point. At the end of the night, unbeknownst to me, it was actually a contest and when they announced the winners I wound up taking second place- with a song I wrote after playing guitar for about ten minutes and only knowing three chords.
Without delay, he was welcomed into the scene playing country blues and rock and roll, where he played guitar for country star Rod Black. He suddenly became known as the East Coast Cowboy. He embraced the Nashville country scene, finding his place in southern rock tours. AJ went on to open for artists like Bon Jovi and Buckcherry at the Bamboozle festival.
Words of wisdom
AJ offers this advice, “ Even if you lose, you still learn. Therefore, you are better than you were before, so you haven’t really lost anything.” As the proverb goes, a cowboy is tougher than nails and stronger than steel. Sounds like the East Coast Cowboy is definitely that. AJ shares his last piece of advice, “Write your own music. There is always going to be somebody who has a better voice, but if you write your own music, you will always have something unique to offer ” He continues, “ Never sell out. Remain in control. Take the time and put in the hard work – don’t sell your soul.”
