Donice Morace’s Sophomore Album, This Life I Love
Vidor, Texas native. Claiborne West Park, Lions Club Veteran Memorial Park. Where would you take a visitor to your hometown?
I’d show them our City Hall where I have a Hall Of Fame Star on the sidewalk along with the many stars that came from Vidor. I’d also show them the location of George Jones’s cafe.
Joe Diffie, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Daryle Singletary. Neotraditional is a style of country music that emphasizes the instrumental background and a traditional country vocal style. To truly appreciate the neotraditional style, which songs would you recommend for new fans to add to their playlists?
A few recent ones… “You In A Honky Tonk” by Randall King, “State You Left Me In” by Jake Worthington, and “Honky Damn Tonk” by Wyatt McCubbin.
Your father bought your first guitar for you when you were just 6 years old. It would be at a George Strait concert when you were in college at Texas A&M when you decided to make music your career choice. You’ve been inspired by Keith Whitley, George Jones, and Conway Twitty. However, your career blueprint (Honky Tonk 101) was influenced by Tracy Byrd and Mark Chesnutt. What makes these two artists such important role models for your own career?
I was able to see them in person before they signed record deals. They made my pipe dreams seem attainable. I could study them and they were gracious enough to allow me to pick their brains about the business side.
Playing in Atlanta, Georgia at the Cowboy’s Atlanta, opening for Lonestar, Kenny Chesney and Merle Haggard. Can you describe what it was like to open for Haggard, one of your music heroes?
You know I’ve always heard that you never want to meet your heroes, but it was almost a religious experience for me. He had some time to waste before his show, and he brought me on the bus with him to chat. As a kid in his early 20’s, that was pretty surreal for me.
2017, Debut EP, self-titled.
2019, Debut album, Long Live the Cowboy.
To your sophomore album, This Life I Love (including the single “Goin’ Goin’”). How has your music evolved from the first EP to your latest release?
I think you want to grow with every album. With that said, I’ve kept it country while being a little more selective with songs that are radio friendly.
2022, Texas Country Music Association Emerging Artist of the Year. “It’s always nice to be recognized for hard work. I’ve been grinding for a long time, so it was extra sweet to win the TCMA ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’ award. There was some tough competition for this award, and I’m so grateful and proud for my team that we came home with it.”
You performed “Through the Jukebox” before accepting the award at the Fort Worth Stockyards at Billy Bob’s Texas. How does the song showcase you as an artist?
It is me in a nutshell…pure honkytonk music. I want people to dance to my songs, and that one does it every time.
Hats. If you were to design your own clothing line, what would your logo look like?
I have a DM ranch logo that I use for my merchandise. I like it, and I’ve had a lot of compliments on it.
Workouts, sweating to country music. What songs are on your workout playlist?
“Let’s Build A Fire” by Cody Johnson, “Freight Train” by Aaron Watson, “Heartache Medication” by Jon Pardi, maybe some Turnpike Troubadours.
Houston Astros fan. What song would you use as your walk-up?
The first line of “Rock and a Hard Place” by Bailey Zimmerman…”We’ve been swinging and missing” I’m a terrible baseball player…lol
What’s ahead?
We’re already putting songs together for the next album. We’ll be in the studio in the next couple of months with some brand new stuff for you guys.