Exclusive Interview with Country Star Toby Keith at ACM Awards 2012

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Journey of Red Solo Cup Mezcal
3. The Making of the Viral Video
4. Knowing Your Audience
5. Leveraging the Power of the Internet
6. Collaborating with Michael Solomon
7. Red Solo Cup's Success as a Crossover Hit
8. The Potential Partnership with Ford
9. Red Solo Cup's Performance in the Market
10. Toby Keith's Upcoming Tour and International Shows

The Journey of Red Solo Cup Mezcal

Imagine sitting at a bar and taking a sip of premium mezcal that has been slowly smoked over cactus leaves. That's exactly what Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup Mezcal offers to its customers. Since its launch in the US in April, Red Solo Cup Mezcal has become the number one premium mezcal brand in the country. But how did this journey begin?

The idea for Red Solo Cup Mezcal came about during Toby Keith's European tour in late October. As the buzz around the product started to grow, Toby Keith decided to Create a viral video to promote it. The video featured Toby Keith, along with his friends Larry Bird and Roger Clemens, having fun and showcasing the product. Little did they know that this video would receive a staggering 17 million hits and lead to the ACM award for Red Solo Cup.

The Making of the Viral Video

The process of creating the viral video for Red Solo Cup Mezcal was a unique journey in itself. Toby Keith wanted to give his audience a chance to experience the product and the song that inspired it. By releasing the video for free, he ensured that anyone who wanted to see it could do so. This organic approach allowed the video to gain traction and reach a wide audience.

One of the challenges that Toby Keith faced during the video shoot was convincing the Warner Brothers that this was a genuine video. Initially, the Warner Brothers thought they were shooting an episode of a Show called "Pumped" and were hesitant to buy into the concept. However, as the shoot progressed, they realized the authenticity and potential of the video. This realization led to excitement and a renewed energy from everyone involved.

Knowing Your Audience

Throughout his career, Toby Keith has shown a deep understanding of his audience. He recognized that certain songs, like "Weed with Willie," had the potential to become crowd favorites. Despite Never being a single or having radio airplay, these songs gained popularity through live performances. Toby Keith applied the same approach to Red Solo Cup, believing that if the masses knew the song, it could become a big hit.

The decision to give the video away for free was a strategic move aimed at reaching as many people as possible. Toby Keith wanted to ensure the song had a chance to be heard and embraced by his audience. The viral nature of the video, combined with the catchy lyrics and infectious melody, quickly captured the Attention of millions.

Leveraging the Power of the Internet

Toby Keith acknowledged that in his 17-year career, he had never had the opportunity to fully utilize the internet to promote his music. With Red Solo Cup, he saw the potential to leverage the internet and reach a broader audience. This approach proved successful, with the song gaining traction and surpassing all expectations.

The rapid growth of the video's popularity led to partnerships with Island Def Jam's and airplay on pop radio stations. Toby Keith's Red Solo Cup became his only song to achieve significant crossover success. It was a moment of pride for Toby Keith, as he had often been labeled as "too country" by his peers. Finally, his unique Blend of country and pop had found a place in the mainstream music scene.

Collaborating with Michael Solomon

Behind every successful video, there is a talented director who understands the artist's vision. For Toby Keith, that person was Michael Solomon. Throughout their collaboration, Michael Solomon captured Toby Keith's personality and showcased it in his videos. Together, they created a connection between Toby Keith and his fans that went beyond just the music.

Michael Solomon's ability to produce music videos with antics, fun, and personality played a crucial role in Toby Keith's success. Their collective effort created videos that resonated with the fans and made Toby Keith a household name. It's a partnership that Toby Keith deeply appreciates and credits for his success.

Stay tuned for more exciting content on the journey of Red Solo Cup Mezcal!

Highlights:

• Red Solo Cup Mezcal: A premium smoked cactus version of tequila that has taken the US by storm.
• The viral video: A humorous and engaging video that garnered over 17 million hits and an ACM award.
• Understanding the audience: Toby Keith's ability to connect with his fans and give them what they want.
• Leveraging the power of the internet: The strategic decision to release the video for free and reach a broader audience.
• Collaborating with Michael Solomon: The partnership that brought Toby Keith's personality to life in his music videos.
• Crossover success: Red Solo Cup's breakthrough into the pop music scene, defying the "too country" label.

FAQ

Q: How did Red Solo Cup Mezcal become the number one premium mezcal in the US? A: Red Solo Cup Mezcal's journey to success began with a viral video that garnered millions of hits. The video, along with Toby Keith's understanding of his audience, led to widespread popularity and recognition.

Q: How did Toby Keith know that Red Solo Cup would be a hit? A: Toby Keith recognized the potential of Red Solo Cup based on how well it performed during live performances. He understood his audience and believed that if the masses knew the song, it could become a big hit.

Q: What role did the internet play in Red Solo Cup's success? A: The internet played a significant role in the success of Red Solo Cup. Toby Keith leveraged the power of the internet by releasing the video for free, allowing it to reach a wide audience and gain popularity.

Q: Who directed the viral video for Red Solo Cup Mezcal? A: The viral video for Red Solo Cup Mezcal was directed by Michael Solomon. Toby Keith credits Michael for capturing his personality and creating videos that resonate with his fans.

Q: Did Red Solo Cup Mezcal achieve crossover success? A: Yes, Red Solo Cup Mezcal achieved crossover success, becoming Toby Keith's only song to receive significant airplay on pop radio stations. It defied the "too country" label and found a place in the mainstream music scene.