MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Says Daughter's Country Music Aspirations Prompted Move To Nashville

MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has told Rolling Stone India that his family's recent move to Nashville was prompted largely by his daughter's decision to launch a country music career. He said: "The reason we moved out here was because I've made four records out here and all those times I was recording, I did live here. It really was comfortable to be here. The last time we were here, Electra was only two years old. We didn't know that she had the gift and once she started singing — I heard her sing one time and I was really convinced."

He continued: "I don't profess to be a singer first and foremost — I'm a guitar player that sings more than a singer who plays guitar. But with her, she really is. That's her strong point. For her, this is music city. It's all about country. It's where she's flourishing."

Mustaine added: "I could do my job from anywhere — MEGADETH is that successful. I can do stuff on the Net from a desert island if I wanted to. But I think for her, to be here right now and work with other songwriters builds her name. She just goes in and meets people and doesn't tell them who her dad is. [Laughs]"

Asked if he has met any country singers around town, Mustaine said: "Well, through her, yeah. It's interesting to me, because I'd have never thought that I'd have country singers who were MEGADETH fans. If you think about it, all the great guitar players that are in country bands are metal guys, believe it or not. It's funny, if you go to a restaurant here and somebody who serves you food is probably as good at guitar as you are. They just haven't had that break. There are so many talented people out here, it's mind-blowing."

He continued: "The country music scene is so different from metal. Like, Steven Tyler [AEROSMITH] moved out here and he had done a songwriting session with somebody and did it the way that we do it. He has the same background that I do — a rock background. When you write songs, you keep writing. Out here in the country thing, you have a three-hour session. You sit down with some guy and another guy and usually there's three people — one does the music, one does lyrics and another does melody. And in three hours, they've got a song. I'm thinking, 'Fuck me!' If I could write a song in three hours, my life would be so easy. [Laughs] If I was that good where I could put together a song that's exceptional in a matter of three hours, it would certainly change my life a lot."

Mustaine added: "For me, it's kinda weird. Songs aren't ever done until they're done. Sometimes they're quick, sometimes they're slow."

Grammy-winning country singer Steve Wariner revealed to The Tennessean earlier this year that he recorded a steel guitar part for a new MEGADETH song. Wariner met Mustaine in the recording studio, after which the MEGADETH leader came to see Wariner perform.

"Worlds collide," Wariner said. "It's funny. Imagine MEGADETH with steel guitar. That's what I did, and Dave Mustaine is the nicest guy in the world. Isn't that crazy? It's out of my world. You know me, I'm a traditional country guy. But the stuff I played on is awesome."

Back in November 2013, MEGADETH played at the tribute concert honoring the late Country Music Hall Of Famer George Jones at Nashville, Tennessee's Bridgestone Arena.

MEGADETH was joined by Jamey Johnson for a performance of Jones' song "Wild Irish Rose".

Mustaine and his family moved to Tennessee in October 2014 after living in Fallbrook, California for many years.

Due in January 2016, the new MEGADETH album, "Dystopia", will be the band's first to feature LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian guitarist Kiko Loureiro, best known for his work with ANGRA.