Videos by Cooper Slough – For a full version of the song click here.
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
For residents who have been in western Kansas over the last decade and are fans of live music, chances are the name of Victoria native Blaine Younger is already familiar. Now a contest sponsored by Country Music Television and the Nashville Songwriters Association International could help that name become known nationwide as Youngers’ song, “PatiOasis,” is a finalist in a contest that started with about 2,400 entries.
“The contest is kinda a crazy deal,” Younger said.
This is the first time being on the top 10 list.
He said he was ecstatic to be named as a finalist and began talking about the ranking this month.
The contest is open to public vote, and the winner will be named from the entry that receives the most votes.
He joined the NSAI a few years ago, after taking a break from music and refocusing on songwriting and is happy to be a part of the organization.
“They teach you more about in-depth songwriting,” he said, including better ways to get music published.
National exposure may be new to the Victoria native, but playing music is familiar ground for the former Victoria resident.
“I started playing piano as little as 5 years old,” he said, but it wasn’t until high school he began learning guitar and writing songs.
He used that talent to become a well-known area musician after a few years around Hays.
After graduating from K-State and spending a year in Nashville, Younger returned to the Hays area and was the front-runner of the Blaine Younger Band for about five years.
After the regional successes with the Younger Band, he moved to the Kansas City area and started back up about three years ago as a singer-songwriter.
“I like that setting, so that’s where I’m focused,” he said.
Out of that effort came “PatiOasis,” a song Younger said is drawn from his experiences living in western Kansas.
“It’s all about Hays, Kansas, if you ask me,” he said. “It’s about making a Patio Oasis in your backyard, with your family and friends.”
To view and vote in the NSAI/CMT contest click here and for more about Younger visit his facebook page.
PatiOasis – Blaine Younger