American band JD & The Straight Shot sees singer-songwriter Jim Dolan (owner of Cablevision and sports team the New York Knicks) fronting a four-person group, which has a strong Americana and blues sound.

The band's new album 'Ballyhoo' out this month and we caught up with them to talk about their music and new record.

The genres you employ in your music (Americana, blues) have seen a huge rise in popularity lately – why do you think that is?

This music is reflective of American Heritage (thus Americana). The roots of the music lie in the traditional music that was brought over by all those who came to America either willingly or unwillingly. So like America, it is a mixture.

Your new album, ‘Ballyhoo’, is coming this month. What can you tell us about it?

Ballyhoo is 100% acoustic. It is heavy with harmonies. The songs all have a story to tell. Chuck Ainlay produced it. It was recorded half in Nashville and half in New York.

What inspires you to create music?

Music is the language of the soul. So I guess our souls have something to say.

Tell us about your creative process. Do you have a method that you stick to for writing, or is it more fluid?

Our writing is different almost every time. Sometimes lyrics first, sometimes melody or chord progression come first. We tend to bring ideas to each other. Almost all the songs end up as collaborations.

What are your biggest influences where your music is concerned?

Eric Clapton, Allman Brothers, Paul Simon, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, lots of others

Jim Dolan, you’re the chief executive of Cablevision and the owner of the Knicks and the Rangers. How has it been bridging the gap between businessman and musician? Do you feel you have to work harder to do that than you would otherwise?

Not that difficult doing both with today’s technology. Harder to start all over with a career like musician rather than be content with all that I have accomplished. I have to prove myself all over again. There are plenty of critics that would like to write me off as a rich guy with a hobby.

When did you first start playing and writing music?

When I was 17.

'Violet's Song' featured on the soundtrack to the amazing ‘August: Osage County’. How did that come about? Would you like to do more film work?

We screened the film early on and wrote it the next day. Love the exposure. 

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