Sometimes it seems like country has forgotten its wild roots – or least outgrown them, changing as it has to reflect an ever-evolving world. Then there’s a guy like Colby Acuff.
A fourth generation Idaho native with a rugged spirit true to his mountain home, honest-to-a-fault lyrics and a sound as raw as the remote wilderness, Acuff’s untamed brand of country stands proudly apart in today’s format, pure and untouched by modern gimmicks.
Self-taught and largely self-contained, he’s already used it to find success on his own terms – and with new major-label backing from Sony Music Nashville, plans to do the same nationwide. … Just don’t expect him to follow the pack.
“If you wanna do something right, you’ve gotta do it yourself,” Acuff says, speaking with the hardscrabble charm of an old-soul troubadour.
Hailing from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, a Rocky Mountain oasis near the very top of the continental U.S., that proudly-independent attitude forms the heart of Acuff’s outgoing personality – and a creative drive stretching all the way back.
Growing up, Acuff was always busy with three things – fishing, duck hunting and making music – and it was music that captured his imagination. He learned piano at 5, drums at 9 and guitar at 11, took the stage for the first time at 12 and was even writing songs by 15 – and even those early efforts were unique, inspired by bold artistic outliers.
Favorites included bluegrass trailblazers like Flatt & Scruggs, who broke away from the great Bill Monroe to go their own way, plus country “outlaws” like Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson – some of the first to successfully buck the Nashville system. Even modern-day mavericks like Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers have his admiration, although Acuff has always followed his own winding path. So winding, in fact, he eventually wondered what else he could do … and with typical go-your-own-way flair, went and found out.
Brought to you from the mountains of North Idaho is an independent country artist with an old soul. Acuff's blend of old-school storytelling and powerful voice takes you to an unfamiliar place of honest country music. Acuff grew up listening to country music of all kinds. From bluegrass to outlaw country. His inspirations from a young age were Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, and many more.
Acuff had drawn inspiration for his songs throughout his life, songs like "Moscow Drinking Team" talks about the days when he was attending the University of Idaho, as well as "Dying Breed" which conveys his life when he was a fly fishing guide on the Coeur d' Alene river.
Acuff dropped "Life of a Rolling Stone" in January of 2020 but everything got put on hold due to COVID-19. he had lost everything, but instead of giving up he doubled down on his dream and one year later he dropped his independent sophomore album "If I were the Devil" which put him on the map. In the first 6 months, the album has done over 6 million total streams and has been featured on over 50 media outlets including Whiskey Riff, and CMT.
Going forward into 2022 Acuff is working on his third album and second national tour. Acuff's third project is one that he has wanted to release for a long time. The sound will consist of a more honkey-tonk sound that he had found playing across the country. Be on the lookout for his new album and his tour dates for 2022.
Country Music Singer/Songwriter Michael Moeller,writes the songs that live inside of him.With a guitar and a voice,he tells a story of love, loss and life.