EPISODE
07
Episode 7 - Singer & Songwriter behind Nice Job, Cowgirl - Michael Curtis and Garrett Miles
EPISODE LINKS.
SHOW NOTES.
In this episode of ‘McFarland Minutes,’ host Natalie McFarland chats with Michael Curtis and Garrett Miles, artists involved in the ‘Nice Job, Cowgirl’ project. Michael shares his career journey from songwriting for renowned artists like Randy Travis to his reawakening in faith, leading him to write country songs about Jesus. Garrett, an American Idol 2015 contestant, shares his love for music inspired by Elvis and Randy Travis, detailing his journey despite being visually impaired. The duo also introduces their latest venture, Texas Red Records, and their new single ‘Gulf of America.’ Throughout, they emphasize their shared values of faith, family, and love for country music.
00:00 Welcome to McFarland Minutes
00:33 Meet Michael and Garrett
03:14 Michael’s Musical Journey
09:24 Garrett’s Musical Beginnings
17:28 American Idol Experience
19:42 The Audition Experience
21:03 Songwriting Journey
22:12 New Release and Political Views
24:18 Texas Red Records
28:56 Future Plans and Projects
31:50 Soft Launch to Monday
34:06 Where to Follow Garrett Miles
ABOUT THIS EPISODE.
This podcast is all about the heart of creative processes, project highlights, and deep discussions on leadership and mentorship. In our recent episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming two incredible guests, Michael Curtis and Garrett Miles, known for their project with “Nice Job, Cowgirl.”
Natalie McFarland, our host, introduced Michael Curtis and Garrett Miles—two remarkable talents whose musical journeys are inspiring. Michael calls Florence, Alabama, home, and boasts a large family and a successful career as a songwriter and producer. Garrett, originally from Phoenix City, Alabama, now also resides in Florence and is a country music singer with a mission to spread positivity and faith through his work.
We first started working together on the “Nice Job, Cowgirl” song, where Natalie and her team experienced firsthand the sheer speed and creativity Michael and Garrett possess. Their ability to write and record music swiftly. Michael shared insights into his illustrious career, beginning with signing with ASCAP in 1982, his work at Fame Studios, and his adventures in songwriting that brought him back to his Christian faith. From working with notable artists like Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis to the time spent with EMI Christian, Michael’s journey is a testament to staying true to one’s values and passions in the industry.
Garrett recounted his early love for music and the pivotal moment he discovered Elvis, leading him down a path influenced by other greats like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams Sr. A contestant on American Idol, Garrett spoke about the unexpected surprises and fun of auditioning, which eventually connected him to Michael. Their shared belief in using music to inspire continued to fuel their collaborative songwriting endeavors.
The conversation shifted to the founding of Texas Red Records, a label created to champion Garrett and artists of similar values. Michael discussed the label’s mission of promoting family-friendly, faith-driven content and Garrett’s affinity for Texas, with hopes of expanding their musical footprint starting from the Lone Star State.
Among their many projects, the most recent is the fun and lighthearted “Gulf of America” track, which they hope will resonate with audiences far and wide. They are also planning a documentary titled “A Blind Man Sees America,” set to showcase the unique perspective of Garrett’s journey through life and music.
In true McFarland Minutes fashion, the podcast concluded with a reflection on what each guest considers their “soft launch to Monday.” Both Michael and Garrett detailed their Sunday routines revolving around church, music, and spending time with family to reset and prepare for the upcoming week.
As this episode concludes, we find ourselves eagerly awaiting the release of theNice Job, Cowgirl. Though you don’t have to wait, just search Nice Job, Cowgirl by Garrett Miles where you stream your music and click add to playlist.
For more updates and to follow their journey, visit garrettmiles.com and texasredrecords.com. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we promise to bring you more captivating stories from the world of McFarland Productions.
IN THIS EPISODE.
Garrett Miles and Micheal Anthony Curtis
Texas Red Records
Texas Red Records is a newly formed virtual record label founded by Dianne Miller and Michael Curtis. Our vision is to work for and partner with artists who truly have a style and that can be deemed traditional yet unique and diverse, without compromising their faith and God-given talent for fortune and fame.
Texas Red Records (TRR) believes that by helping stay true to their music and who they are, fortune and fame will find them—not as the primary focus, but a natural outcome of their dedication to the MUSIC, which is the true art the Artist.
TRR has a simple formula: Great Artist + Great Song = Great Music!
TRR is proud to reintroduce the world to the one and only Garrett Miles. When Garrett was asked what his music mission was, he replied, “I’m supposed to reach the world for God through traditional country music.”
The entire Texas Red Records team will endeavor to help him achieve that very goal.
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS.
NATALIE MCFARLAND
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
After freelancing her way through college, Natalie established McFarland Productions in 2014, which has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years. Her passion and focus have always remained the same; capturing, understanding, preserving and promoting Ranching, Farming, Western Lifestyle and AgriBusiness. She has always had a love for the western culture and even at a young age it was unmistakably clear she would someday find a career serving the industry.
Natalie grew up on a small ranch, rodeoed, showed horses in a variety of disciplines, showed livestock, and participated in 4H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. She has trained herding dogs and started colts, worked with sheep and cattle and has had the experience of racing to finish up a hayfield before a rainstorm hit. She understands the joys, sorrows, wins, losses and hard work of ranchers and farmers. That’s why McFarland Productions can produce authentic marketing campaigns for the businesses, organizations, events, and brands of the western and agriculture industry – it’s who she is.
With a passion for building community surrounding brands, Natalie focuses on building real connections between companies/brands and the people that make up their community. Telling the stories of your customers and making them apart of the brand’s story is her main focus. Creating real, human, meaningful connections and strengthening community within the western and agriculture industry through strategic marketing services.
SCOUT FOSTER
OUTREACH MARKETING MANAGER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
Scout’s faithfulness to the agriculture and western sports industry is rooted in tradition. Growing up in Central Florida, she stood by her family as they supported different sectors of the industry, including raising beef cattle, bucking bulls for local rodeos, and spending weekends with her grandparents who lived on Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.
Moving away from The Mouse, Scout graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Nation’s top agricultural communications college at Texas Tech University in 2022.
Now residing in Crockett, she and her husband, Lane, keep busy raising beef cattle and bucking bulls with her family. Scout also loves gardening, raising chickens, reading, and her two dogs: Rue and Dill.
