Pop culture’s microscopic focus on fame and celebrity means that Anderson East’s recognition has risen more because of his recent status as Miranda Lambert’s boyfriend than for his incredible musical abilities. The saving grace is that East is so phenomenal that it really doesn’t matter how you get to him, just as long as you get to him.
Born Michael Anderson in Athens, Ala., a mere 27 years ago, East comes from the Southern tradition of church-inspired musical aptitude; his father sang in the choir and his mother played piano. East wrote his first song for his 7th grade talent show and later taught himself piano and began writing songs in high school. Read more about the musician in this week’s Sound Advice.
Anderson East plays 20th Century Theater Thursday. More info/tickets: the20thcenturytheatre.com.
This article appears in Feb 10-17, 2016.