Much like he was on the mound, Brett Myers is giving everything he has to create a name for himself in the music industry. And he is doing it by being his "own man."
Unlike the mainstream pop-country that appears in your head when you think of the genre, Myers has set out to be different. When asked about the country music of today, Myers does not agree with the direction it is going. His first album, "Backwoods Rebel," describes the former Phillies' starter and his music accurately - rebellious and unconventional. Myers' music is country with a twist of rock but holds back from the mainstream pop country of today.
"They kill it, don't get me wrong," Myers said this week in a phone interview with CSNPhilly.com. "But it's not my cup of tea. Every song is about a girl and sitting on a tailgate. I think it is pop country that is out now. Country music is about songwriting and storytelling. I see these guys like Luke Bryan singing these songs, and I see they have six guys write the song. I mean, does it really take six guys to write a song? That frustrates me because I am a singer and songwriter. I live in this world. I don't live in their fairytale world that they are singing about.
"I think a lot of people want to listen to their music because it takes them away from their everyday life. But I want to write about everyday life stuff. I can only write about what I know and what I've seen. I don't feel like this country music stuff we listen to today really grasps real-life stuff like country music is supposed to be."
For the last two years Myers has dedicated himself to this craft and produced two albums - he is working on his third. At first, it was strictly writing and no singing. The former pitcher was convinced to sing and now has the itch to play in front of live audiences.
The end goal: get back to the City of Brotherly Love.
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"My main priority this year is to play a couple shows in Philly," Myers said. "That's all I want to do is play a show at the Fillmore or one of those venues they have in Philly. I know half the people there would come to watch me suck. And the other half would come to see me (do well). That's the way Philly is and I am perfectly OK with it. I would enjoy it."
The misconception with Myers' post-retirement career is most people do not see it as a serious endeavor. He wants to clear the air. Myers is as serious as it can be when it comes to his music, but he still hasn't had the chance to play in a big venue in Philadelphia.
He has played a few shows in Florida - his home state - but knows Philadelphia is his best chance to validate his music career.
"The two shows we've done, I can tell you we don't suck," Myers said. "I got two guys from ‘Puddle of Mudd' in the band. An original member from ‘Shinedown' in the band. These guys have platinum records on their walls. And I think to myself, 'Why would they be a part of this if they thought it sucked?'"
He does not want a promotional team behind him; instead, he wants to go against the grain and make it in the industry on his own.
"Twitter, Instagram, try to do some podcasts here and there," Myers said. "My buddies have a syndicated radio show that I go on and put my music on. A couple people in Philly have written articles about when I first came out with my album. Good or bad.
"With the second album, I didn't get the same publicity as the first because it wasn't a shock. So not many people know it's been out since August. I am working on the third one now, but this is why I need to play live (for more publicity)."
As he did with baseball, Myers doesn't do this because he wants to make money. He loves it.
"I'm not going to do it if doesn't make sense," he said. "Because I'm doing it for nothing. I'm putting my own money into this thing, but my band is not going to play for free. If I can make enough money to pay them and pay for our expenses. I don't care if I make a dollar out of this.
"I want to create my own genre. Meaning I am southern rock and country, that's how I classify my music. I don't just say, 'Yeah I'm a country music artist' or whatever. Because I know I am not mainstream country. That's what people think country is right now, pop country. I don't offer that and I never will. I don't believe in selling out to make a dollar. I'm writing this for me and people who want to enjoy it."
Country music and his children have his full attention these days, which makes it is hard for Myers to keep up with his old team. He did offer some words about the front office dealing with the young players and how there is always a chance the Phillies could surprise people in this season.
"Honestly I don't know what their clubhouse personalities are so I really couldn't tell you if they have the same similarities," he said. "But you know, we were that young team coming up. It took us a while to figure it out, but Pat Gillick and his team put together a great group of personalities with a good mixture of young talent and veterans.
"I wish them the best, but you never know what the season has in store for anyone. Teams look good on paper then can't perform on the field. That's what makes baseball so great you never know what's going to happen. It's just so unpredictable."
