1.    Hello Karissa, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician?

Hi!! Growing up, I loved all genres of music and really used music as a crutch to get me through the ups and downs of school. I’ve been singing since I was little and always dreamed of being on stage. My EP titled, “Blossom” is a prime example of this. I titled my new EP after the music venue in my hometown, Blossom Music Center. This place has been a constant source of inspiration for me. It is where I have seen my idols perform and is where I hope to someday rock the stage.

2.    Who are some of your musical icons?

Some of my musical icons include: Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, Shania Twain, Zac Brown Band,  Adele and so many more.

3.    What was the first country CD you ever bought?

I honestly can’t think of the first CD but it was probably Gretchen Wilson.  I have a lot of George Strait and Garth Brooks CD’s as well.

4.    What is the background story behind your newest single “Me and Luke?”

I was in the writing room with Leslie Satcher and Alex Seier and I started showing Leslie some of the music I released last year. As I was showing her she was like, “You are kind of like a female Luke Bryan”. I was grinning ear to ear, it was one of the best compliments I have ever received. From there we decided to write a song about Luke Bryan and his fans. All of us were Luke Bryan fan’s, so this song was easy to write. There were a lot of laughs involved in creating this song!

5.    How have you grown as a musician in 2019?

2019, was a huge growing period for me. I am releasing new music and making new friendships in the music industry. I can only hope to keep growing and learning as an artist and person. This year has been nothing but positive for me and I hope it only goes up from here!

6.    Is there anything new else coming up with your music in 2019?

In May, the first single off my EP titled “Blossom”was released called, “Vacay” and in June the second single, “Me and Luke”.  My EP will be fully released in July and I am so excited to have this project out there in the world. I have worked so hard on it and really love each song on the EP. I hope others can love and relate to my songs! The work never stops so I am still writing and playing new music constantly in hopes to keep releasing music.

7.    What are some of your favorite venues or events to play at?

In Nashville, I love playing writers rounds at venues like, The Listening Room, Belcourt Taps, The Local, Douglas Corner, The Back Corner and more!

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes?

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

-Mother Theresa

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share?

For more information please visit karissaella.com or follow me on social media at karissaellamusic! Thanks!

1.    Hi Braxton, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician? Well when I was a little boy I took piano lessons, and those lessons lasted for about ten years. The reason I quit piano was because of my little brother, he played guitar and told me that I couldn’t play “his instrument” . Naturally being the competitive brother I am I picked up one of his guitars and haven’t put it down since. My dream has always been to be a musician, I love making music, and entertaining others. In fact it has been a running joke in my family that since I was little I would tell people “I wanna be a Rockstar”. So to answer your question I’ve always been a country musician to the best of my knowledge, the only difference between then and now is a waist size and a leg length. 

 2.    When did you start listening country music and when did you know you wanted a career in it? I’ve really always listened to country music, but I will listen to any kind of music as long as it is good music. I started when I was younger listening to any country music that was on the local radio, and as I got older I found a love for the older style of country music. I was interested in the stories that these old songs would tell and the message that they were trying to convey. 3. Who are some of your musical icons? My musical icons consist of the older country stars such as: Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and some of the newer artist such as: George Strait, Dwight Yoakum, Chris LeDoux, Garth Brooks, Brooks and Dunn, Cody Johnson, and Flatland Cavalry.

4.    What is the background story behind your latest single “Make Up Your Mind?” Make Up Your Mind was written about a girl who lived in fort worth and i was trying to date her but she was about to move out of Texas, so she was faced with this dilemma and I wrote the song because she had a difficult time trying to make up her mind, we are still friends.

5.    What are some of your favorite venues or events to play at? I enjoy playing everywhere because singing and playing is what I love to do. If I wasn’t playing at a bar or a wedding, I would be doing the same thing in my Livingroom.

 6.    Is there anything else coming up with your music in 2019? Yes, I am in the middle of a new project at the moment and I hope to release that sometime soon. I will also hopefully start the recording of my first EP this fall, so be on the lookout for some big things.

7.    How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?Meaningful, with some old school.

8.    What is one of your favorite quotes? My favorite quote is really more of a statement and is the title to one of Merle Haggards most popular songs, “Mama Tried”.

9.    Is there anything else you would like to share? Choose a career in life that you love, so that it doesn’t feel like work. You can follow me on all social medias and YouTube @ Braxton Keith, and keep your eyes open for my new music coming out soon.

1.   Hi Eric, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician? I was your typical rowdy country kid growing up just outside of the great small town of Latham, Illinois on the family farm. We grew corn & soybeans and operated a greenhouse business with trees, shrubs, and all kinds of plants. I grew up working around all that, while being a member of the local 4-H Club, marching band, church youth group, and being strong advocate for bonfires on the weekends (still am!) 😉 I started taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and studied classically before drifting into playing country music.
2.   What is the first country album you ever bought and when did you know you wanted a career in it?The first country album I remember purchasing was Lonestar’s “I’m Already There.” I later became obsessed with their version of Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis.” My mom took me to a ‘Sam Goody’ store at the mall. Country music was always in my veins, growing up and listening to it on the farm, but I remember loving the music that Phil Vassar was releasing, especially since he was a piano player. His song “Carlene” was a feel-good story song about old high school friends reconnecting after many years…That opening piano riff had me from the start! 
3.   Who are some of your musical icons?Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Phil Vassar
4.   What is the background story behind your brand new single “Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac?”Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac evolved from an idea one of my co-writers brought to our writing session. I immediately gravitated toward the idea because it sounded like a really cool title…(Plus, I’m a big fan of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” having played it on the piano thousands of times at church, so it was another reason it resonated with me). My co-writers and I wanted to paint a fun, energetic picture of a modern, small town date night in a classic car: cruising down main street, swinging by the local Hardee’s, parking at the local drive-in movie and stealing kisses from your significant other. While the “party” is happening in the car, we incorporated all the “topical” features of the throwback “time machine” that make the Cadillac what it is: fins on the back, hank on the radio, and whitewall tires. Also in the chorus, we reference “The Jeffersons,” a popular sitcom from the 70’s and 80’s that also ties in the “throwback” factor. “Swing Low, Sweet Old Cadillac” is a feel-good song that anyone can dance and sing along to.
5.   Is there anything new else coming up in your career in 2019?I’ll be following up my single with an EP, and I am excited to be out on the road promoting my new music, making new country fans! I have some really cool things in the works with Hardee’s fast food chains. We have partnered together to create my first music video, and I’m fortunate to have been chosen as one of their brand ambassadors. 
6.   Where are some of your of favorite venues or events to play at?My all-time favorite venue to play is The Bluebird Cafe, here in Nashville, TN. It’s such a historical place to play as a songwriter and is a true “listening room” where the audience listens intently to every word you sing. It’s awesome to be able to share music with folks from all over the world who come to Music City for THE MUSIC! 
7.   How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?Energetic, Vivid, Soulful, Empowering, Piano-centric
8.   What is one of your favorite quotes?“Surround yourself with good people” (My dad)