Byline: Kaylea Berry/Reporter
TVLSA, Oklahoma – MCN citizen Lance Gouge releases his first single, “This Time,” onto music platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and many others on August 23.
Gouge likes to play and sing Country or Country Rock genres. “I never thought I would write a love song,” Gouge said. “But ‘This Time’ is a country love song that he felt people could relate to and would like to hear.
Gouge is the son of Geebon and Jenna Gouge and brother to Hanna George and Madeline Hart. Growing up in a home full of musicians and singers, it’s no surprise he’s followed in his family’s footsteps.
He taught himself to play guitar at a young age, but his grandma, Karen Robertson, likes to take credit because she showed him his first chords. Gouge started playing guitar on the praise and worship team around 13.
“The first time I sang in front of someone was at church when my dad made me, and I was out of my comfort zone and couldn’t do it, “Gouge said. “It didn’t sound too good the first time, so I didn’t think I could do it any other time.”
It was not until after high school that he began to sing and play more. He started recording himself on his dad’s computer while they lived together. After moving out, Gouge bought his equipment to continue recording.
“I didn’t think I would end up on all the platforms. I just did it for fun,” he said. “Then everybody was telling me I need to release it, so I said, ‘Okay, I will.'”
Gouge undertook the effort to produce the work himself.
“It’s been tough,” Gouge said.” I had to look it up myself because I’ve always wanted to put a song out.”.
When asked who his most prominent supporter has been, he replied, “Probably my best friend Eddieson and my dad. My mom is one of my biggest supporters too.”
Gouge shared that one time when he was singing at a friend’s house, his friend told him he needed to start singing more. The encouragement increased Gouge’s confidence leading him to perform locally at TJ’s Bar and Grill in Beggs.
“I didn’t really think everyone was going to like it.,” Gouge said. I thought it was going to be a few people the first time, but it happened to be a lot of people.”
His friends continue to push him to get himself out there. He has returned to TJ’s to play when requested by friends. They have been calling around to different places to get him more shows. In the meantime, he’s been working on more songs.
He’s currently working on four to five songs and hopes to release an album. However, these songs will have a country-rock style, with electric guitars and drums.
Gouge has written two of the songs he plans to release and has had help from his sister Hanna and her husband Tyler with others. He’s also had friends reach out with songs.
“I have a friend that writes music, and he wants to send them to me so I can play them,” said Gouge. “I’ve just got to find a chord progression and stuff like that for all the songs.”
He has a few other songs in mind that will be on the album. One piece is about him and his friends hanging out fishing and hunting. There is no time frame for his future songs or album but be on the lookout.
You will be able to hear ‘This Time’ on all music platforms starting Tuesday, August 23.
