Dan Fox shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Dan, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I’ve thought a lot about this myself. For a long time, I carried my own struggles quietly, and eventually I realized something that many of us are wrestling with simply being content with who we are and how we’re living our lives.
To me, being content isn’t about comfort—it’s about living in a way that feels meaningful. It’s about honestly asking ourselves – am I doing what I truly want to do in this life? I could be wrong, but I don’t think most people are pursuing their real passions. And I completely understand why. It’s frightening to take risks. It’s frightening to fail.
But failure is one of the greatest teachers we have. We spend so much time celebrating our successes, yet it’s our failures that shape us, challenge us, and ultimately build our character.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dan Fox, the lead guitarist for The Fox Brothers Band. We’re a country rock band—though honestly, it’s hard to pin down exactly what we are. We’re drawn to the storytelling of country music, but we also love big, powerful instrumentation. Our rhythm section is a huge part of our sound, and we lean into it.
This past year has been incredible for us. We had the privilege of opening for Chris Janson at Concert on the Slopes in Park City, played alongside Lakeview and Colt Graves at the Trails Hero Music Festival, and opened for Neon Trees at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. We also released our latest single, The River Cowboy.
The River Cowboy is especially meaningful because it tells personal stories about our family. We never rush to release music—we want every song to feel intentional, like a true piece of art.
Above all, we love connecting with our fans, whether it’s someone who has followed us for years or someone hearing us for the first time. We’re deeply grateful for the support our community continues to show us.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
This might sound like a sad answer, but for a long time I never felt like I was good enough. I didn’t grow up with natural confidence. Everything felt out of reach, like success was reserved for special people—not for someone like me.
But over time, I’ve learned that hard work, discipline, and perseverance can take you farther than you’d ever expect. When it comes to playing guitar, I’m not trying to be the greatest—I’m trying to be the greatest version of myself. That’s something I can actually control. I can choose to dig in, to put in the work, and to stay creative with my music.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It’s okay to fail—what matters is that you learn and grow from those failures. I think society often treats success as the main measure of acceptance, and while success can reflect hard work, it’s only part of the story.
We need to encourage the younger generation to understand that mistakes are normal and failures are part of the process. What’s important is giving yourself the space to reflect on them, learn from them, and create a plan to move forward.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Hopefully this doesn’t come back to bite me, but I think the industry today teaches musicians more about commerce than creativity. It’s all about getting more likes, writing songs that boost streaming numbers, and chasing whatever’s popular enough to grab attention.
But the message musicians really need to hear is this…create the art you love. What you want to say in your music matters more than any algorithm or trend. That’s how the greatest musicians did it—they didn’t try to please everyone. They made music they wanted to hear, music that meant something to them.
Unfortunately, the industry often misleads eager artists into thinking they need to craft the “perfect” song for listeners instead of making something true to themselves. But real artistry starts with authenticity, not formulas.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
This is a tough question. As a musician, there are going to be nights when the crowd isn’t as big as you hoped, or the energy you’re giving on stage isn’t matched by anything you can see or feel in return. But every time I step onto a stage, I still want to give my best. Because I know there’s always someone out there who needs it.
If I can turn someone’s day around—even just one person—and leave them feeling lighter or more hopeful, then that’s enough for me. And if I see one pair of eyes light up because we start a song that speaks to their soul, honestly… what more could I ask for?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefoxbrothersband.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoxbrothersband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoxBrothersBand/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFoxBrothersBand
- Other: Spotify Link:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3BEjUKmuUxnySoje6mzICp?si=Iw3sOd0xRauY-nfl6V8vhw
Image Credits
Alexia Nester
