An Interview with Pam Ross: Crafting “Pam Music” with a Heartfelt Blend of Rock, Americana, and Country
Pam Ross is making waves in the music world with her signature fusion of rock, Americana, and country — a sound she lovingly refers to as “Pam Music.” Her latest single, “Doublewide,” captures her unique style and has sparked buzz among fans. In this interview, Pam shares the inspiration behind her new releases, including the upcoming LP “Outside the Box,” and gives us a glimpse into her creative journey, from songwriting in Texas to performing in Nashville. Join us as Pam reflects on her evolving artistry, musical roots, and exciting plans for 2025.
Q: Pam, your recent single “Doublewide” has generated a lot of buzz! Can you tell us the story behind the song and what inspired the fun, country-rock vibe?
A: It started with me coming up with the opening hook of sliding down the guitar neck. I then came up with the opening chords and went from there. The whole song took about 30 minutes to write.
Q: “Outside the Box” is your upcoming LP, and fans are eager to hear it. How does this project differ from your previous work, and what themes or messages are you hoping to convey through the album?
A: It differs in that I had it mixed and mastered by Marc Frigo in Nashville, which gives the album a more polished, professional sound. I also did more backing vocals and spent more time with production. It’s still filled with songs crossing genres, so that will remain the same. I don’t have any messages in my music. I just want people to enjoy it and feel some emotion, whether it be happy, sad, exited, etc.
Q: Your next single, “Kansas,” will be released soon as well. Can you give us a sneak peek into the song’s meaning and how it fits into the broader narrative of “Outside the Box”?
A: I wrote this song awhile ago while living back home in Seabrook, TX, which is on Galveston Bay. It’s about wanting to escape the painful memories of a break-up by going somewhere desolate and no one knows you. I had driven through Kansas once and didn’t see anything but cow pastures for over 100 miles, so that place came to mind as fit well with the song’s theme.
Q: You’ve performed recently in Nashville, a city known for its rich musical heritage. How did those shows shape your artistic direction, and how has the city influenced your sound?
A: I lived there for a couple years when I was younger and really wish I could live there again. I LOVE playing in Nashville. The networking is great. I’ve had the chance to play with so many talented songwriters there. Working with people in Nashville has really helped my songwriting. I would say it’s impacted me lyrically the most. I’ve learned to improve the imagery in my songs and how to really tighten up the lyrics to paint a solid picture…if that’s the way I am approaching a particular song.
Q: Congratulations on your award nominations and wins, including Musician of the Year and Fan Favorite! How do these accolades impact your motivation as an artist, and what do they mean to you personally?
A: It always feels like a great accomplishment to win an award. It’s like getting some acknowledgement that my hard work is getting noticed. There’s millions songwriters out there competing for people to listen to their music and it’s truly amazing to be recognized by receiving an award.
Q: You’ve built a career on blending rock, Americana, and country music in what you call “Pam Music.” How did you develop this signature style, and what artists or influences helped shape your sound?
A: It wasn’t anything I had to develop. It came naturally because I listen to different styles of music. If you looked at the song list on my phone, you would find Elton John, Johnny Cash, Van Halen, Dolly Parton, Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Glen Campbell, REM, Nirvana, The Bee Gees, Foo Fighters, The Pretenders, Waylon Jennings, Metallica, The Black Eyed Peas, Tim McGraw, Bruno Mars, Clint Black, and more. It’s a diverse list and that all comes out in my songwriting.
Q: As someone with deep roots in both Texas and North Carolina, how have these regions influenced your songwriting and the stories you tell through your music?
A: Well, I don’t have deep roots in North Carolina. I’ve only lived there for 4 years. I have deep roots in Houston, Texas and Pittsburgh. When I think of Pittsburgh, I think of music I heard as a kid. My mom was big into classic country and my siblings were into rock, so I had that dual influence going on. In Texas, I found a big americana scene, but it’s also where I lived when grunge took over. The grunge bands were big in Houston along with variations of country. It’s all played a part in how I write.
Q: With “Outside the Box” on the horizon and “Doublewide” making waves, what’s next for you in terms of touring, collaborations, or creative projects? What should fans look forward to in 2025?
A: I finally got a band together and we play our first show on November 1. There’s still a lot of material for them to learn, so that project will be taking a lot of my time. I’ll also be traveling to Nashville as much as I can and have shows in other parts of the country, so I’ll be busy. I’ll be releasing songs from Outside the Box through most of 2025 and will be looking at getting back into the studio at the end of that year.
