Nashville-based duo Great Peacock, formed by Alabama native Blount Floyd and Mississippi-born Andrew Nelson, combine rock and roll guitars with country influences and a heavy dose of harmony. The result is what Nelson calls “pop, with folk tendencies.” In the past year, they have tackled a heavy touring schedule, making appearances on Paste’s South by Southwest stage, PBS’ Bluegrass Underground, and Music City Roots. Blount put together this playlist, inspired by the hours spent in their touring van and it includes some of their most listened-to songs. He laughed, “These are some of the songs we jam out to while chasing the rock-and-roll dragon.”

Name(s): Blount Floyd and Andrew Nelson
Band: Great Peacock
Instrument(s) you play: BF – vocals, acoustic git-fiddle, keyboard, drums and percussion; AN – vocals and guitar
Place of Birth/Hometowns: BF – Dothan, Alabama; AN – Floewood, Mississippi
Presently residing: Nashville, Tennessee

AC: When did you start playing music?

AN: I started playing when I was about 15.
BF: I started playing fiddle around age 10 and my parents have some horrible home videos of me wearing a Garth Brooks-style western shirt, squeaking away something awful. I started playing guitar around the 8^th grade.

AC: What are some of your proudest moments as a musician (or in your life)?

BF: Playing Bluegrass Underground was a pretty surreal experience.
AN: Every time I write a new song that won’t get out of my head. There’s the same excitement and pride that follows every time. It’s the ultimate drug.

AC: What do you do when you’re not playing music?

BF: Working, mostly. But, I spend a lot of time with my wife and pup. I don’t go fishing nearly as much as I would like to, but it is one of my favorite things to do.
AN: I try to get as far from the city as possible and enjoy the country.

AC: What makes your heart sing?

AN: Being in love. Knowing that I somehow matter in the midst of billions of other human beings.
BF: Auburn football. But it also makes me weep.

AC: Tell us about your playlist.

The Alan Parsons Project – “Sirius”
This is the best “walk out” song of all time.

Dwight Twilly Band – “Looking for the Magic”
Clay Houle, who plays guitar with us, would play this song constantly when we were on the road with him. That’s when we knew he’d fit right in.

Noah and the Whale – “Waiting For My Chance to Come”
One of my favorite bands – every record. They can pull anything off: folksy, somber, whatever. I think this is a pop masterpiece that would have Tom Petty asking, “Did I write that one?”

Brooks and Dunn – “My Maria”
I don’t know why, but we’ve probably listened to this song more than any other. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a 90s country song.

The Outlaws – “Ghost Riders In the Sky”
We are constantly threatening to cover this one.

Van Halen – “Hot For Teacher”
We once listened to only Van Halen for a 5 hour trip. This song has it all: a drum solo that mimics a Harley, animal-style guitar, and a David Lee Roth talking bridge.

The Magic Math – “Living Is a Miracle”
Nick Recio, who plays drums with us, also played with this band. I think it could possibly be one of the best songs I’ve ever heard.

Bruce Springsteen – “Tougher Than the Rest”
From (what I think is) the most underrated Springsteen album. We blast this one.

Steve Earle and The Dukes – “I Ain’t Ever Satisfied”
This song floors me. The chorus is insane.

Fire Mountain – “At the Seams”
Fire Mountain are label mates with us. This is my favorite song from their amazing new record.

Midlake – “Acts of Man”
This song is chill, man. Ben Cunningham, who plays bass with us, is a huge Midlake fan. Since he first played is this song, we play it a lot.

Ryan Paris – “Dolce Vita”
One word: party. What a sweet life!

Great Peacock’s debut LP, Making Ghosts, is scheduled for release in early 2015. View their upcoming tour dates here.

Photo courtesy of Chris Bartelski.