Sometimes a step back makes for a better life. That’s certainly true for Pat Green. Although the Texas-based sensation has found plenty of success on major labels — arguably beginning with his 2003 hit single “Wave on Wave” from the album of the same title — he’s now ready to move to the next step in his career. Right now, Green is talking with those who will offer his new music — and artistic input — a new home.
| Onstage |
| Pat Green When: 7 p.m. doors, Wednesday |
| Where: 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW |
| Details: $35; 9:30.com; 800-955-5566 |
“I’m looking for the right record label that will take this record where I want it to go,” he said. “I’ve been on the biggest labels in the world and they’ve been great. I’ll never regret that. Now I’m ready to go to the other side.”
Grabbing the gold ring in country music while he was still a college student, Green was a true road warrior, supporting his music through headlining gigs and concerts with everyone from Gretchen Wilson and Keith Urban to Kenny Chesney. Now that he’s a bit older and a bit more settled, he’s looking to wring a bit more creativity and artistic flavor out of his music.
That doesn’t mean his concerts — during which he’s been known to sprinkle covers of well-known rock and pop songs including Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” into the sets — don’t rock, though.
Partway through recording his new album, Green is still taking his rocking brand of country on the road and finding his fans are as fired up as ever. But don’t make the mistake of getting too wild during the concerts, Green cautions, when asked about fights at concerts by Miranda Lambert and Toby Keith.
“We have been pretty fortunate through the years,” said Green of the audiences’ behaviors. “I don’t tolerate fighting, though. I stop the show and do embarrass them till they stop. Fighting? Really. I don’t understand people hitting other people.”
What he clearly does understand is how to write a hard-hitting country song, and he’s finding plenty of fodder for material these days in his life and while on the road.
At his show, expect a mix of some newer material along with some of the older songs that perhaps “didn’t get a lot of love” when they were first introduced.
“Everything affects the way you write, comes out in your expression of yourself,” he said. “I want to put on a big, fun show and write the best songs I can right now. I don’t worry about people that judge me. I feel good with what I’m doing right now.”
