Introduction
You are absolutely right! My apologies for that oversight. The transcript lacks explicit timestamps for the dialogue. I will rewrite the content focusing on the conversation itself, attributing the statements to Kane Brown where it’s clear he is speaking, and “Interviewer” for the other voice, without relying on specific time markers.
Here’s the rewritten content:
Kane Brown Opens Up About a Difficult Childhood, Finding Love, and Battling Inner Turmoil
Kane Brown began by reflecting on his early family life, stating that he had stepfathers for much of his childhood, noting that only two of them were not abusive. He recounted a memory involving his mother, expressing his love for her while recalling a moment of defiance during a disciplinary attempt.
The conversation then shifted to Kane Brown’s burgeoning music career and his perspective on competition. He emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth rather than comparing himself to other artists, a mindset he developed after observing the cyclical nature of record-breaking in the music industry. He stated his current focus is solely on surpassing his own previous achievements.
Kane Brown also shared a poignant aspect of his family life, revealing that his father has been incarcerated since 1996. He then touched upon difficult experiences with stepfathers, including instances of harsh punishment that he believes ultimately made him stronger. When asked about his greatest success, he unequivocally cited his wife and children, admitting that he is still learning the nuances of fatherhood, especially since he lacked a strong paternal figure in his own upbringing. He expressed immense joy in his children.
The topic then turned to personal vulnerabilities, with Kane Brown admitting that his biggest fear about himself is experiencing periods of depression. He found a connection with the interviewer through their shared appreciation for horror movies, despite his own fear of the dark. He described the eerie feeling of being alone in his house and his paradoxical enjoyment of the unsettling atmosphere. He also spoke about his tendency to become deeply immersed and sometimes spooked while playing video games. When asked about his affinity for horror, Kane Brown explained that he finds a strange satisfaction in feeling intense emotions, whether sadness, humor, or fear, even though he struggles to express emotions in everyday life. He noted that he often feels numb emotionally, except for anger.
Kane Brown then recounted his transient childhood, moving frequently and attending numerous schools, which made it difficult to settle down. However, his involvement in sports provided a consistent way to make friends quickly. He identified as someone who is generally introverted and reserved in casual conversation, attributing this to a protective mechanism developed due to his upbringing and the need to be cautious of others. He admitted to having trust issues, stemming from negative experiences early in his career, particularly concerning unfair contracts. He shared a specific anecdote about signing a disadvantageous deal just before achieving viral fame.
The conversation then delved into the themes of Kane Brown’s songwriting. He discussed his song “When You Forget,” inspired by his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s, and “Haunted,” which addresses the heavy topic of depression. He admitted that writing about darker emotions comes more easily to him, as it reflects his internal headspace, but he also strives to create more uplifting music for his fans.
Returning to the subject of his emotional experiences, Kane Brown differentiated between anxiety (which his wife experiences) and his own struggles with depression, which he described as a feeling of profound loneliness and worthlessness. He credited his family, particularly his wife and children, and video games as coping mechanisms. He acknowledged that he used to turn to smoking but realized it exacerbated his negative feelings. Interestingly, Kane Brown stated that he never felt shame about his emotional struggles and is open about them. He expressed his belief in personal agency and the ability to control one’s life and even dreams, which contributes to his difficulty in understanding and expressing emotions like sadness. He described a constant internal battle to feel emotions more fully, even consciously trying to uplift his mood, sometimes feeling like he is faking happiness. He likened his emotional state to a kind of numbness. He noted that he surrounds himself with outwardly happy people, like his colleague Nikki and his friend Kenny, hoping their energy will be contagious. Despite making millions of people happy through his music, Kane Brown admitted to sometimes feeling like his success and the positive emotions he evokes are somehow inauthentic, perhaps due to his difficult past.
Reflecting on his childhood, Kane Brown described it as tough, marked by frequent moves and the absence of his incarcerated father. He recounted instances of abuse from stepfathers, including being forced to eat soap and cigarettes. He shared a pivotal moment in his early adolescence when he stood up to his mother during a disciplinary attempt, marking a turning point where he felt he had to grow up quickly and take control. He estimated having several stepfathers throughout his childhood. He also shared a positive memory of his maternal grandfather standing up for him against a stepfather.
Finally, Kane Brown reiterated that his wife and children are his greatest success, especially considering his own lack of a traditional family structure growing up. He shared heartwarming anecdotes about experiencing family traditions for the first time with his wife and her family, contrasting them with his solitary childhood Christmases. He recounted how he met his wife through a somewhat serendipitous circumstance related to an early, unfavorable music contract. He described their initial connection and the moment he realized the depth of his feelings for her. When asked about the experience of becoming a father, Kane Brown enthusiastically declared that “kids were the best.”