Scott Reeves

Man On A Mission

Interview By: Jill

For a decade we knew him as Ryan McNeil on the Young and the Restless.  Fate, family, faith and friendship combined together to bring us Scott Reeves in a return engagement that was definitely worth the wait.

 

The sign says "Welcome to Blue County" - and make a note that it's "county" and not "country" - there's no "R".  Many have made the mistake but once you've heard this new country duo - it's a guarantee that you'll never forget their name.

Fans of the Young and the Restless will be quick to recognize a familiar face in Blue County. Scott Reeves, who for a decade played Ryan McNeil, is one half of this hot new country act. Reeves' partner in crime is his best friend Aaron Benward and together these two are causing quite a commotion in Music City. And although their current success may seem fast and furious, this partnership has been years in the making and it's their faithful friendship that fuels their fire.

"In this marriage of Blue County," Scott begins, "our friendship is and always has been our first priority. We would never do anything to jeopardize the relationship that Aaron and I have. Gosh, when we became friends, it was such a rare, special friendship.  It took us five years to decide to come up with the idea of doing this together." He further explains how circumstance solidified their bond. "We are both very faith based and we have the same beliefs - we totally believe it was a divine appointment. And I think that God was just preparing us throughout our life for this moment.  We couldn't have done this ten years ago and we never would have been ready for it. When we met, we had both been down different, but very similar paths and we both had gone through our growth spurts, our growing pains and our maturing. We definitely met each other at the right time. It was God's timing."

Ironically, it was the music that took their friendship to a whole new level. "It was amazing." marvels Scott, "When we decided to do music together, we felt so at peace at where we were. It was really effortless." he continues, "That was the amazing thing ... that was the really miraculous thing - when we did it, we went "Wow, this is what we are suppose to be doing".  It was so comfortable and right - it wasn't like we were having to struggle or trying to wiggle and make it fit.  Nothing was forced."

Many associate Reeves with acting, but it is his ties to music that have always been a mainstay - especially country music. "That's all that I grew up listening to.  My uncle Jack Reeves - he's been a country artist his entire life and he's still doing it. So, he was a musical influence on me." In the past decade, country music has changed dramatically, so where does Blue County fit in? "The sound of country music is so broad now; it crosses borders" states Reeves, "Our sound is more of a progressive country.  It's almost like 80's rock with a little bit of fiddle."

The Blue County experience has also tapped into Reeves' creative side and provided him the opportunity to pen his own music. "I started delving into that about a year ago," he begins, "Aaron was very inspiring as far as that goes, he's been doing it for about 8 years and he's really grown into a really gifted song writer. I have just been kind of dabbling with it and it's fairly new to me to put pen to paper. We co-wrote two of the songs on the album and that was great." The Nashville community has also been important to the evolution of Blue County's sound, "We have been fortunate and blessed to be surrounded by some of the best songwriters in the world." Reeves marvels, "Nashville is such a safe place, everybody there is so supportive. They really provide you a place that you can grow and take risks." 

Last month "Days Of Our Lives" viewers were treated to an appearance by Blue County in a rollicking, rip-roaring fantasy sequence involving Judy Evan Luciano as Bonnie Lockhart.  The lighthearted romp was set to the beat of their current single "Good Little Girls". "That was Judy in a wig," Reeves laughs, "she rode the bull, she did everything - it was hysterical.  We were just so grateful to be on there and they have been so behind us.  We had a good time and  a lot of fun."  

There is no doubt that the driving force behind Blue County's spirit - and that is love of family. Married since 1990 to actress Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton on Days of Our Lives) who he proudly touts as "his biggest promoter", the couple have two children, daughter Emily and son Larry. Family is the factor that makes the duo's harmonies even sweeter. Reeves affirms, "Aaron and I both, we're married with children. God is our first priority; our families are next and then everything else just falls into place."  The demanding schedule that comes with a career in music can make things difficult, but for Reeves balance is achievable. "Definitely the hardest part about this whole thing, has been time away - but at the same time, God has provided us the time we need with our families.  We are back and forth - they get to come with us quite a bit. We get to be home more than people realize and we wouldn't have it any other way.  We would never forsake our families for this."  

Reeves also extends the term "family" to his many friends from his years on "The Young and the Restless". "I was there for over a decade and it was a job that most people dream about having.  They became like my family and I got to do what I loved to do everyday." He also adds, "I have been in touch with pretty much everyone there and they have been so supportive of what I am doing now. It's really cool to be able to share that with those people". 

It was back in November of 2001, that Y&R fans bid farewell to Reeves and his alter-ego Ryan McNeil.  The character of Ryan was a soap actor's dream - first starting out as the reformed bad boy who finally found true love -  then in greatest of soap opera fashion, took a bullet and ended his run in an emotional deathbed scene.  It was a bittersweet farewell; for ten years many enjoyed the roller coaster ride that was Ryan McNeil's life. Many longtime fans still consider the intense love triangle between Ryan McNeil, Victoria Newman and Nina Chancellor one of the show's highlights.  When reminded of this this, Reeves responded, "That's awesome. It's so flattering, the way the fans embraced us is just really amazing." Reeves has nothing but good things to say about his years on Y&R, but explains that in the end, he was ready to move on. "You know, the last year and a half that I was on the show, I had been contemplating leaving and pursuing other things - particularly music. I have been playing music for myself for quite a while and just near the end of my run, they incorporated it to a degree on the show." With great affection he adds, "It will definitely always be a part of my past - and a part that I am proud of and I miss the people so much.  I miss the fans, but the great thing about it is, everywhere I go when we're doing concerts, I get to run into so many of my fans from my previous career. They get to see me in an entirely different light."  

The light that is shining on Reeves and Benward right now is a pretty bright one; the momentum of the success of their first album is rapidly gaining them recognition as well as the honour of an Academy of Country Music Award nomination in the "Country Duo" category.  "Brooks and Dunn really set the bar for duos," Reeves states with sincere admiration, "and to be grouped in with them and Montgomery Gentry - I mean people who are at the top of their field - has totally blown us away.  We didn't even have an album out when we found out.  We are definitely humbled and we're very grateful; we want to make sure that we do with it, what we are suppose to do."

The ACMA's will be televised live from Las Vegas and on May 26th this month and keep your eyes out for Blue County - and not just as nominees.  "We are presenting on the show," Reeves excitedly confirms, "which is another amazing thing and we might be performing on the show.  Which would be incredible.  Doors have been opening left and right.  I know we're here for a reason and we don't want to take advantage of that. Because it's happened so quickly and unconventionally, we're very careful to make sure we take the right step."

The word "unconventional" has been used a lot to describe Blue County; an ACMA nomination without a circulating album is unheard of in the music industry. But once you listen to their new album - any preconceived notions about how they got there can be safely set aside - these guys are just that good. The album is jam-packed with chart bound songs, including the moving ballad "Walk on Water" which draws a powerful parallel to articulate the importance of staying true to yourself, stating, "You don't have to walk on water, it's how you walk on land." On this particular song, Reeves adds, "Everybody loves that song ... that is basically our mission statement.  We do not finish a concert without closing with that acoustically."

Acknowledging the powerful connection that their music makes with the fans, Reeves stresses, "I want people to realize that we want to make a statement. We have a message - we want people to know that it's really not about us.  Our goal is to basically, ten years from now, be who we are right now.  We want to take people on a journey and touch people's hearts - and just maybe allow them to escape for a little while.  We want people to know that we're two men, we're real and that we are just no different than anyone else."

Like a well crafted puzzle, the life of Scott Reeves all just magically and miraculously falls into place with ease; a successful acting career, a promising music career and a solid support network comprised of family, friends, fans and unfaltering faith.

Music to one's ears indeed.

 

Blue County's debut album is in stores now and you can listen to their entire album at CMT.com.  For all the latest news on the guys, check out their official website. 

I would like to thank Scott Reeves for taking the time to talk with me and to Rachel Raju for setting the interview up.

 

 

Pictures courtesy of CMT.com, curb.com, soapcity.com and bluecountyfans.com

 

 

 

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