The story of Cousin Sleepy begins with a four-year-old sneaking into his grandparents’ bedroom to strum a forbidden guitar—a moment that would spark a lifelong love affair with music. Today, the Oklahoma native is crafting a sound as rich and varied as his upbringing, blending roots rock, blues, hip-hop, and reggae into something entirely his own. “I’m not just your average cool cat when I say I’m inspired by all music,” he laughs. From mowing lawns to buy Bob Marley CDs as a kid to touring with reggae bands and fronting metal acts, Sleepy’s journey is a testament to the power of musical curiosity.
Cousin Sleepy’s sound is a melting pot of influences, shaped by a family where Merle Haggard, Pennywise, and gospel hymns shared equal airtime. His latest single, “Place 2 B,” captures this eclectic spirit—a laid-back, genre-defying groove that feels like a sunset jam session with friends. But his proudest moment? A recent hometown show where his wife, son, and daughter stood in the crowd. “The weather was beautiful, and the day with them there felt like Heaven,” he recalls. For Sleepy, music isn’t just a career; it’s a legacy he’s building for his grandchildren.
The road hasn’t always been smooth. As an independent artist, he’s grappled with the demands of content creation and balancing family life. “Finding time to get songs done with work and family is tough,” he admits. Yet, his resolve is unshakable. This spring, he’s dropping “SLO-MO SUMMER,” a breezy, water-themed anthem featuring San Diego’s C-DUB of Rollin’ Roots. It’s a taste of his upcoming debut album, set for release on May 27—a project he describes as “close to done, just adding the final touches.”
Sleepy’s connection with fans is as genuine as his music. Whether through lively shows or heartfelt social media exchanges, he’s built a community around shared passion. His advice to aspiring artists? “Do whatever genre you love the most—don’t just try to be part of everything else.” It’s a mantra he lives by, whether channeling his Rasta influences or paying homage to his blues mentors.
What’s next? “I’m not gonna slow down again,” he declares. With collaborations brewing and an album on the horizon, Cousin Sleepy is just getting started. Keep an ear out: this Oklahoma storyteller is turning life’s chaos into soul-stirring anthems, one genre-bending track at a time.