Acclaimed songwriter Kostas chatted with Greek-American journalist Markos Papadatos about his respected career in the music industry, Greek heritage, and the timeless art of storytelling.
Bob Dylan once said: “An artist has gotta be careful never really to arrive at a place where he thinks he’s at somewhere. You always have to realize that you’re constantly in a state of becoming.” This quote applies to Kostas.
From his early beginnings as the son of Greek immigrants in Montana to becoming an esteemed Nashville songwriter and a 2019 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Kostas has built a remarkable career rooted in musical tradition, authenticity, and a lifelong passion for songwriting.
For distinguished songwriter Kostas, music has never simply been a profession. It has been a constant companion throughout his life, connecting his Greek roots with the sounds of American rock and roll and country music.
Early years… migrating from Greece to Montana
From growing up in Montana as the son of Greek immigrants to finding his place in Nashville’s songwriting community, his journey has been shaped by perseverance, curiosity, and an appreciation for the great songwriters who came before him.
From the Greek music that accompanied his childhood to the rock and roll and country influences that shaped his artistry, Kostas has followed a musical path that reflects both his heritage and his individuality.
In 2019, Kostas received one of the most meaningful recognitions of his career when he was inducted into the National Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Reflecting on the honor, he described it as a “special moment” and as an opportunity to be recognized among an extraordinary group of songwriters.
“Well, that was an interesting day or night when it came around,” he recalled. “I think it’s an honor to be among that group of songwriters. I am glad they gave me that award because it’s just nice to be remembered for what we do.”
His appreciation for music, however, began long before Nashville entered the picture.
He was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, and his family immigrated to the United States in December of 1956. His parents, Kostas, and one of his mother’s sisters arrived in America with the support of a sponsoring family that had a small farm in Savage, an agricultural community in eastern Montana.
Arriving in a new country as a young child, he faced an unfamiliar world. He did not speak English and knew very little about American culture. What he did know was Greek music.
He gravitated toward the songs of legendary Greek vocalist Stelios Kazantzidis and other performers whose recordings connected him to the musical traditions of his homeland.
“Music has always been like a second shadow,” Kostas reflected. “It follows me around, and I follow it, too.”
The family eventually relocated from Savage to Billings, Montana, where Kostas began developing his independence at an early age. He recalled selling newspapers and shining shoes after school, even while attending second and third grade.
At the same time, his fascination with music continued to grow. He listened to the radio while also enjoying the Greek records that relatives sent from overseas, featuring popular songs from back home.
In 1959, his parents bought him his first guitar, opening another important chapter in his musical journey.
His father was an enthusiastic bouzouki player who never quite fulfilled his own musical ambitions, but Kostas remembered him as a wonderful singer and a man of tremendous character.
“He had the heart of a lion when it came to being who he was. He was a good man,” Kostas said.
The two shared a special musical connection. Kostas would accompany his father as he performed traditional Greek songs, learning the melodies and becoming familiar with the music that had shaped his family’s cultural identity.
Those early experiences would remain an important part of his artistic foundation.
Musical influences
Growing up in Billings, Montana, during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, however, Kostas was not necessarily destined to become a country songwriter. In fact, he identified more with the long-haired hippie culture of the era and was passionate about rock and roll.
He found inspiration in The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and other influential artists of the period. Yet country music was never far away.
On weekends, he frequently filled in for musicians who needed someone to join their bands.
Many of those performers were country musicians, giving him an opportunity to immerse himself in a genre that would eventually become central to his professional career.
In many ways, Kostas grew up between two musical worlds: rock and roll and country music.
Kostas sees a natural connection between the genres, particularly through the influence of rockabilly, which brought together elements of both musical traditions.
Artists such as Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Burnette helped establish that sound during the 1950s, while Chuck Berry and Ray Charles were among the other influential performers who shaped the musical landscape.
Songwriting career
For Kostas, those musical influences were never mutually exclusive. They were different expressions of the same creative spirit.
His professional songwriting journey eventually took him to Nashville, although that opportunity came later in life.
By the time he secured a songwriting deal in the country music capital, he was already in his 40s. He had spent years performing in bars throughout Montana, making a living as a musician while wondering what the future might hold.
Although he loved performing, he knew he did not want to spend the rest of his life playing in bars.
Everything changed when he received a phone call from Tony Brown, an executive at MCA Records in Nashville.
Brown invited him to Nashville in 1988, and Kostas subsequently signed a songwriting deal. That opportunity opened the door to the next phase of his career.
As he recalled, “I signed a songwriting deal back then, and whatever happened from that point on just happened.”
Greek roots and heritage
Looking back at his Greek heritage, Kostas still maintains a deep appreciation for the country of his family’s origins. He has not returned to Greece in quite some time, with his last visit dating back to the early 1990s.
Over the years, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives passed away, gradually changing the personal connections that once brought him back to Greece.
He explained that his visits had originally centered on spending time with his grandparents and extended family.
As those generations passed, his connection to Greece increasingly became one rooted in memories.
“I figure life is in the form of my memories,” he said.
While he looks back fondly on those experiences, he admitted that he no longer has the same desire to travel that he had when he was younger.
Personal favorite song in his musical catalog
When reflecting on his songwriting catalog, Kostas finds it difficult to select just one personal favorite. Instead, he points to several songs that hold a special place in his heart.
Among them are “Timber, I’m Falling in Love,” “Crying Shame,” “I Ain’t That Lonely Yet,” and “I Can Love You Better.”
Advice for young and aspiring singer-songwriters
For aspiring singer-songwriters hoping to follow a similar path, Kostas offered advice rooted in musical history and respect for the craft.
He believes young artists should spend time studying the great singers, songwriters, and songs that helped establish the foundations of popular music.
“My advice to any aspiring singer-songwriter: go back and listen to what the great singer-songwriters did,” he advised. “Go back and listen to great singers, great songwriters, and great songs. Let that become your model. Let that be the light you follow in life.”
He encouraged emerging artists to learn from the music that came before them and to establish a strong creative foundation.
Kostas also expressed concern about the direction of some contemporary music, suggesting that much of what is being released today does not maintain the same connection to the traditional sounds of country and rock and roll.
Although he does not regularly follow current radio programming or keep up with newer artists, he continues to appreciate the work of influential songwriters such as Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan, whose music helped define his generation.
Kostas on Shawn Camp
His respect for musical authenticity also extends to fellow songwriter Shawn Camp, whom he praised following Camp’s 2026 induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Kostas described the recognition as well deserved, noting Camp’s appreciation for bluegrass, rockabilly, and traditional country music.
“Shawn likes a little bluegrass. He likes a little rockabilly. He likes a little straight-ahead country. He likes the best of what the world was and had to give,” Kostas explained.
He added that Camp has always aspired to write songs that reflect those musical traditions.
“So, he knows what he’s doing, and he deserves to be where he is,” he said.
Success
Despite his impressive accomplishments and industry recognition, Kostas has a refreshingly grounded perspective on the meaning of success.
For Kostas, success is not necessarily measured by awards, commercial achievements, or public recognition.
Instead, it comes down to personal fulfillment and being comfortable with the person you have become.
“I think success for me is being happy in your own skin,” he explained. “It’s about being content with who you are and looking at your future, your past, and your present, and being content with where you came from, what you did, how you’ve changed, and where you’re going.”
It is a philosophy that seems to reflect the journey of a songwriter who has experienced different cultures, musical eras, and chapters of life while remaining connected to his roots.
Message for the fans and listeners of the music he composed
For fans and listeners, Kostas offered a heartfelt message of appreciation.
“I would say thank you for listening and thank you for giving back in love what I gave to you in love.”
For Kostas, those words beautifully capture the relationship between a songwriter and the audience.
Songs may begin as personal expressions, but their meaning grows through the people who embrace them, carry them through life’s experiences, and make them part of their own stories.
