As 2022 comes to a close, it’s only fitting to reflect on the year that was. While some artists optimistically look ahead with New Year’s resolutions, others started early and left old habits behind in the weeks leading up to 2023.
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American Songwriter chatted with several acts to learn their stance on New Year’s resolutions and whether they had a 2023 goal in mind. Read below to learn New Year’s resolutions from Old Crow Medicine Show, King Calaway, Debbie Gibson, Pentatonix, Alana Springsteen, Ayron Jones, the White Buffalo, Guitar Gabby, and more.
Alana Springsteen:
“To be more present. This past year feels like a blur. There were so many incredible moments and milestones, but it all went by so fast. I’ve been trying to be more conscious of living in the moment and not thinking too far ahead. I’m kicking off 2023 with that mindset. On a lighter note, I have a baking obsession and I’d love to learn how to bake a great loaf of sourdough.”
Ayron Jones
“My New Year’s resolution is to take better care of myself. If there’s one thing touring has taught me, it’s the importance of health and self-care. So, next year, my focus is music, body, and mind.”
Debbie Gibson:
“To worry less and go to a deeper level on all things in life and art by creating more space. There was a lot of intense ‘hustle’ type energy in 2022 which served me well but now I know what I need to do to get to the next layer and that’s to calm things down a bit.”
Deana Carter:
“I think New Year’s resolutions can be a bit daunting. … But thanking God every day for His goodness and my blessings is always at the top of the list! I always vow to be the healthiest I can be and try to drop some bad habits picked up throughout the previous year. And I also want to stay committed to giving in donations throughout the year and not just at the holidays.”
Guitar Gabby:
“I would say my 2023 resolution is to grow my efficiency. I have always been efficient in general, but I can sometimes lose motivation in my efficiency if I don’t have certain aspects of my life in my habitual self-care. For me, the self-care that equals efficiency is yoga, eating healthy, vitamins and supplements, spiritual well-being, family time (including my dogs), and some sort of artistic expression. These things give me the physical, spiritual, and mental well-being that I need to be the most efficient version of myself. As I enter new elevations in life, I realize the need to pivot my self-care routing to account for my life in that stage. I love the feeling of fulfillment that being balanced brings.”
King Calaway’s Simon Dumas:
“I’m working on flexibility. My hamstring is just not … I was talking about this yesterday with someone else. [In the] New Year I’m just going to try and get a bit more flexible in my legs.”
King Calaway’s Caleb Miller:
“I think just more discipline in every area. And stretching. More disciplined hamstrings.”
King Calaway’s Chad Michael Jervis:
“To find more happiness. … I feel like a lot of times we run so quickly from show to show, from tour to tour. Taking a step back and just absorbing everything and just being like, ‘Wow like this is our life. We get to do this, and this is what we’ve all dreamed of doing for our entire lives.’ So, just appreciate it more, find happiness in everything and just keep rolling on.”
King Calaway’s Chris Deaton:
“I’d say for me, keep in touch with family and loved ones and friends. I’m with these guys 24/7 every single day, all the time and I love it, but sometimes I need to remember to reach out to my mom, see how she’s doing. Reach out to an old friend and check-in, personal stuff.”
Landon Parker:
“My New Year’s resolution is to continuously work on being the best husband and dad I can be, get back into the gym heavily, call my grandma more often, and learn a new instrument! Possibly mandolin or piano.”
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor:
“Busk.”
Pentatonix’s Matt Sallee:
“For me, it would be a continuation. I told myself this year, I wanted to be intentional with my time and really be present with my time with people. I was better at it this year than I’ve ever been, but I want to continue it into the next year and be even better. Because I really love the people in my life, especially these four people [Pentatonix members], so I just want to always make sure I’m not thinking about the next thing or trying to push forward in time and try to take each day and live it to its fullest, as the saying says.”
Pentatonix’s Mitch Grassi:
“Resolutions make me anxious. For me, I think it’s just being more present. That’s how I get the most out of life and everything.”
Phil Vassar:
“I’ve never been one for New Year’s resolutions… But I do know I’m excited to write more songs this year!”
Tank and the Bangas’ Tarriona “Tank” Ball:
“I’d like to be more consistent and have more discipline with myself.”
The White Buffalo’s Jake Smith:
“I already quit smoking, so I’m eight days in of no cigarettes … So pre-New Year’s resolution. Not even a resolution, just a goal.”
Photo: Gettyimages.com
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