Kansas native and ‘mild dude’ Logan Mize: ‘I’m not a typical country artist’

When Wichita, Kansas, country singer-songwriter Logan Mize called the morning of Feb. 3, he was looking at about a foot of snow in Salt Lake City, and it was the morning after the Super Bowl in Miami, where Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs orchestrated an incredible fourth-quarter comeback against Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’ve been a Chiefs fan since birth, so it was a lot of fun yesterday,” Mize, 34, said. “We had the day off after performing in Grand Junction, Colorado, so we watched the Super Bowl in a sports bar in Salt Lake City. Then we’re off to Reno tomorrow.”

After the first question about the Super Bowl, the interview shifted to Mize’s date at the Pin downtown on Sunday.

What can audiences expect in your show at the Pin on Feb. 16?

Man, we’ve played in Spokane several times. The last time was an acoustic set I think about six months ago at Knitting Factory. This time, it’s the full band. It should be really fun, man. This is a fun band, and we’ll be energetic. It feels like a rock and roll kind of deal along the lines of John Mellencamp and Tom Petty.

What’s the inspiration behind the song “I Ain’t Gonna Grow Up,” which also is your tour name?

Our last single, “Better Off Gone,” was uptempo but also a sad song, and we toured on that song for two years. It was time for something fun, upbeat and happy-go-lucky, a drinking song to chill out to, and I partnered on it with my friend Willie Jones.

That’s my next question, Logan. How is it working and touring with Willie Jones?

It’s great. We’re only two days into this tour, but Willie’s a high-energy guy and hilarious to be around. We watched the Super Bowl together.

You’re only two days into this new tour?

Yes, we’ve played two dates, in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. Next up is Reno, then dates in California before we’re in Spokane on Feb. 16.

What do you remember about performing in Spokane?

It has been really good experiences. We’ve play acoustic shows two or three times at Knitting Factory. The last show was with Jeremy McComb and Dillon Carmichael, and it was a lot of fun.

How does it feel to be called “one of country music’s hottest rising acts” even though you’ve been around for a decade?

I’ll take it, man (laughs)! I didn’t know I was being called that, but I’ve put a lot of work into my career. My motivation isn’t necessarily to be famous. I mean I’d like to make money, but, at the end of the day, I really enjoy writing songs and playing them. I get to do what I love. It’s a blessing, and I’m having a lot of fun.

You’ve toured with Eric Church, Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum. I’m a country fan and have seen those three artists multiple times. What was it like to tour with them?

I know Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum pretty well – I’ve been invited to parties at her house in Nashville. Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum is great and down to earth.

Dierks is amazing and the nicest guy. After a show, he invited me on his bus and gave me feedback: “This was good, keep doing it, this was not so good.” He really cares, and he’s really nice.

He was in my hometown of Wichita playing an arena, and he got to a point in his hit song “I Hold On” where he changed the lyric to “I hold on … singing every Logan Mize song.” I was told that the crowd went wild when Dierks gave me the shout-out.

Who are your music inspirations?

Man, I grew up listening to Elton John – he was my first real inspiration. My mom was into Aerosmith. We listened to Tom Petty, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen. There were 2,000 people in our farm town, but my parents didn’t listen to country at all. They’re really artsy.

I also was inspired by Don Williams and 1990s country like Alan Jackson, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Patty Loveless.

What’s next for you after the tour ends?

We have music coming out all year long, a single out a month, and we’re working on an album. It’s been a never-ending tour the last four years, and we play a lot of fairs in the summer.

Tell me one thing your fans would be surprised to learn about you.

Oh, gosh, I don’t know. I feel like I’m an open book. I’m not a typical country artist. I’m not a hunter. I’d rather sit around and listen to jazz and drink tea. I’m a mild dude.