Exclusive Interview: Chandler Dozier Talks ‘Bakersfield East,’ Finding His Voice in Country Music, and More

Independent country music has always thrived on authenticity, and rising artist Chandler Dozier is carrying that torch with his debut EP, Bakersfield East. Rooted in the sounds of his North Carolina upbringing and sharpened by his time in Nashville, Chandler blends the Bakersfield tradition of Buck Owens and Merle Haggard with his own modern sensibility. The result is a collection of songs that pay homage to the legends while carving out a lane all his own.

In Bakersfield East, Chandler delivers fiddle-driven shuffles, heartfelt ballads, and even a reimagined Hank Williams classic, proving his versatility and deep reverence for the genre’s history. From the clever storytelling of “It’s Not Me, It’s You” to the moving inspiration behind “When You Land in Charlotte,” the EP showcases both his artistry and his knack for turning personal moments into timeless country songs.

Pop Culturalist caught up with Chandler Dozier to chat about the making of Bakersfield East, the influences that shaped his sound, and the lessons he’s carrying forward as he steps boldly into the spotlight.

PC: You’ve shared that a trip to Nashville and a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame was when you realized this was the path for you. What was it about that experience—the environment and the history—that made you fall in love with country music?
Chandler: There was a film playing when you walked in. It showed a fiddle convention in the early 1900s in Star, North Carolina, which is about fifteen minutes from where I’m from. That, combined with seeing all the history, instruments, and outfits, really drew me into country music. I almost immediately started diving into legendary artists like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

PC: If you had to choose one song from Bakersfield East that best represents you as an artist, which would it be and why?
Chandler: “It’s Not Me, It’s You” represents me best because it’s an uptempo country shuffle, which is my favorite sound in country music. The clever lyrics, combined with the heavy use of fiddle, steel, and electric guitar, really capture what my sound will generally be like.

PC: There’s so much versatility in your sound on this EP. Who or what has had the greatest influence on helping you shape and discover your voice as an artist?
Chandler: I would say Merle Haggard’s career showed me that you can benefit from having a range of different sounds that work together to create a diverse repertoire.

PC: This debut EP reunites you with a special group of collaborators you’ve worked with before. How did their involvement challenge you or push you to grow as an artist?
Chandler: They’re some of the best musicians I know, and working with them has made me a better musician. In turn, that pushed me to make this EP the best it could be.

PC: You’ve got your own modern-day book of hooks. What’s the strangest place where inspiration has popped up and found its way into a song on this EP?
Chandler: Yes, I keep a list of hooks in my phone. “When You Land in Charlotte” was inspired by dropping my mom off at the airport after she visited me in Nashville. As she got out of the car, I said, “Call me when you land in Charlotte.” From there, I turned it into a heartbreak story.

PC: This is your debut EP—what’s something you learned from this project that you’ll carry with you into the next?
Chandler: In the future, I’d like to work with a producer to help with the recording process. It was tough trying to direct everyone while also playing in the session instead of being in the control booth.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Chandler: Ella Fitzgerald.

PC: First album you bought?
Chandler: Buck Owens and his Buckaroos’s Live at Carnegie Hall.

PC: First concert you attended?
Chandler: Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Chandler: Who Needs Pictures by Brad Paisley, because it was the first time I realized an artist could play lead guitar, write, and sing their own songs. I was so impressed by that.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Chandler: The Ryman Auditorium.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Chandler: Beef jerky.

To keep up with Chandler, follow him on Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Listen to Bakersfield East wherever you stream music.