1. Hi Tori, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you
became a country musician?
So I grew up in a small town in North Florida called Lake City. I was a
Pastor’s kid all my life and I was involved in church plays and musicals
from the time I could speak. I started writing songs when I was around 8
years old, so I really don’t remember much of my life without music being
a huge part of it! It was just something that came natural to me.
2. When did you become a fan of country music and when did you
know you wanted a career in it?
I grew up with Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, George Strait and Rascal Flatts
playing in the car on every drive and in my house all the time. One thing
that really drew me in to every one of the country songs I heard was the
story behind it. The lyrics could make me feel like I had experienced what
they were singing about, or take me back to a time when I did experience
that. I always loved music in general, but I think the songwriting and
personal aspect of country music is what drew me in to that genre.
3. What is the story behind your latest single “Fight for Me?”
So I moved to Nashville for the summer of 2017, and Fight For Me was
one of the first songs I wrote while I was there. It was a rainy day in my
apartment, and I sat down at the piano and decided to write something
kinda heavy. I wanted there to be a lot of emotion in this story. When I
thought of those three words, “Fight For Me,” it was like a movie started
playing in my head and the story of the song just unfolded and in literally
30 minutes I had the song basically done. It was that simple. It doesn’t
always happen like that, but for Fight For Me it did.
4. Who are some of your musical icons?
Tori Kelly, Taylor Swift, Dan + Shay, Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett,
Carrie Underwood, ahh I could name so many! Taylor swift was the first
country artist (back when she was country) who made me want to write
my own songs. When her first album came out I would try to write songs
that sounded like hers. But seriously all of those artists have inspired me
in so many ways and that list could go on forever.
5. Is there anything new coming up with your music for the rest of
2018?                                                                                                                                    YES!! I have LOTS of new music coming very soon! I’m
working really hard in the studio right now to get these songs
perfect but they are coming soon and I am stoked about it!
6. Where do you see your music career in the next 5 to 10 years?
In the next five years I’d love to have released a full length album and be
touring the US or even the world sharing my music! Also, my dream is to
have the means to open up and orphanage in Africa, so hopefully within
the next 10 years that’ll be happening!
7. If you could sing a duet with a famous singer or group who
would it be and why?
This is a tough one… Probably Dan + Shay because they have magical
vocals and I really love their songwriting and feel like it matches my vibe
really well!
8. What is one of your favorite quotes?
Don’t be a copy when you were created to be an original…
9. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Y’all follow my Instagram @torijacksonmusic for updates on
new music and shows!