IT’S not every day someone from Bearsden scores a top three hit on the iTunes country music chart but singer-songwriter Kevin McGuire is all about breaking the trend.

After finding his ‘own little world’ in country music in his final years at school, Kevin took inspiration from the genre and incorporated it into his own brand of country-pop.

“Growing up I always used to check out country music myself”, Kevin explains.

“I never knew anyone who listened to it. Not even my parents.

“I just kind of took an interest in it when I was young and I would also make an effort to check out the country charts online and download a bunch of the top tracks and listen to them.

“From the start of secondary no one else I knew was into it so it felt like my own little world.

“I would describe my sound as country-pop but to be more specific more country style song writing.

“Instead of using synths, I’ll use banjos in the production then there’s a little bit of r&b influences as well.”

Growing up with a strong interest in performing, it wasn’t until Kevin became a teenager that he was fully committed and encouraged to start gigging having learned how to play guitar, drums and piano.

Having the opportunity to perform at school shows inspired the performer to go in hot pursuit of the superstar dream.

Along the way, he managed to secure himself support slots with X Factor creation Union J and Deacon Blue, giving him a taste of the big time.

He explains: “It was amazing. I can’t really pick one I didn’t enjoy.

“The main thing supporting big acts like that does is gets you used to playing in front of a large audience.

“And to get a good reception from them is special.

“Supporting Union J was one that really took me aback because they were massive at the time and the crowd was full of screaming teenage girls.

“It wasn’t daunting, they were really welcoming and that was a turning point. I knew then that I had to go for it and I wouldn’t be scared by a big audience.

“I’m more nervous playing in front of a room of my friends and family.

“Getting used to performing on big stages with big crowds is the main thing that I took away from those experiences.”

With the experience firmly under his belt, Kevin is now setting his sights on his latest hometown headline spot at city centre venue Broadcast.

In the audience will be his most important critics including friends, family and the fans who have supported him from the very beginning.

With months of preparation coming down to just a few hours, the pressure is on for the singer-songwriter.

He says: “You have to remember not to take it too seriously.”

The performance will be a chance to showcase his latest EP, due for release in March, and perform latest track ‘3am’ which has proved to be a hit among country music fans.

“The feedback for ‘3am’ has been amazing so far”, Kevin explains.

“It was supposed to be a taster session for what I’ve got coming up but I managed to get to number three on the country iTunes chart.

“The single was to introduce me as an artist. I didn’t expect it to even chart properly so it’s really set me up for what I want to do now.

“It’s been incredible and has exceeded my expectations.”

With a ‘country’ style of song writing, which he explains means trying to tell a story with every track, allows him to forge a connection with the listener.

Being able to relate to his lyrics is something which has kept fans loyal and interested in his work.

He explains: “It’s a big thing that gives me encouragement when people come and say to me that they can really relate to my lyrics and it helped them through a difficult time or it made me feel better about their situation.

“The way I see songwriting, it’s basically being able to tell people your feelings and emotions without actually having to answer anything.

“It’s a way of letting out how you feel without them actually asking you questions.

“I think in songwriting you always have to be honest and the more honest you are with people in situations, the better connection you have with the public and your audience.

“Once you lose that its very difficult to appeal to people.

“I always try to be as honest as possible and if it means people know more about my personal life then I’m fine with that.”

Having worked solidly for the past few years, Kevin is understandably keen to get the year going and, luckily for him, it’s set to be his busiest year to date.

As well as the release of ‘3am’, he will be taking on two headline shows, filming a music video and going on the ever challenging press tour.

“I’ve got some shows already confirmed for the rest of the year so its looking good. I can’t complain”, he adds.

“I’ve been doing this for a while now and there’s some days where you feel that you’re not making any progress but some days you might be in the studio or waiting for things to happen.

“This is going to be my busiest year to date and hopefully all the years of practice and hard work will finally pay off.”

Kevin will play Broadcast on Saturday 4th February.