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

I was just a small-town girl in Pennsylvania, really. I was going to school, hanging out with friends. Being a normal teen. 

2.     Who are some of your musical icons?

My biggest musical icons have to be Patsy Cline, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash. All rebels. The way I like musicians. 

3.     What is the background story behind your brand new single “Beck and Call?”

I was in this on and off again relationship a year or so back. Extremely fun when it was good, and tiring when it was bad. I felt like ‘I love you when you’re here at my beck and call, but the moment you’re gone I just don’t.’ I feel like a lot of ladies especially my age love the attention, but hate the actual relationship. 

4.     What was your recording process like when creating new music?

Usually we lay down a rough track – just a simple recording on a phone. We choose usually from over 3-4 songs, but sometimes we just know one is amazing. Then, we go in the studio and track with the band and choose a sound. And finally record vocals. Once it’s mixed and mastered, then all my fans get to enjoy it.

5.     Is there any other goals you have set for yourself as a musician for this year?

Yes! This year was a big changing point for me. I wanted to make music not for radio, not to become “famous” but just pure artistry. Every legend I know did music because it was healing for them, or it was their best friend. That’s my relationships with music too. So, I just want to make lyrics that matter, and melodies that are tight. Just music that will last longer than my lifetime. 

6.     How would you describe your music in three to five words?

Soulful, gritty, feminine, edgy. 

7.     What kind of advice would you give to a up and coming country musician?

Be yourself! There are so many people trying to be the same thing. Find what you love to sing truly and do it. Own your own music, and write. It helps. 🙂

8.     Where are some of your favorite venues or events to play at?

Bluebird Café because of the energy in there. I played when I was 11 years old. It was amazing. I love mudding events too. I have a special place in my heart for rednecks. 

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

I have new music coming very soon during quarantine. I’m releasing a Spotify single for all the country fans. Stay safe! 

10.  What is one of your favorite quotes?

It’s a Janis Joplin quote. “On stage I make love to twenty thousand people; and then I go home alone.” 

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

I grew up just outside of Knoxville, TN and developed a love for music early on. My parents enrolled my sister and I in piano lessons and always encouraged us to be involved in music. My grandfather played guitar, sang and wrote songs. He was the one who bought me my first guitar long before I ever had the desire to learn to play. Whether I was pursuing it fulltime or hardly pursuing it at all, music has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember.

In addition to being a musician, and more importantly, I am a husband, a father of three, and a small business owner. Over the last couple of years, those closest to me have encouraged me to spend more time on my music. I am fortunate to have those folks in my life and I’m grateful to be at a point where I’m able to spend a little more time writing, recording and performing. 

2.     What was the first country concert you ever attended?

 I’d say the first country concert I ever attended was probably Robert Earl Keen or Steve Earle. I know those guys are on the edge of what many might consider “country,” but to me they have always been primarily country artists.

3. How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words? 

I have heard my music called “Eclectic Country.” I don’t think I have a better description than that.

4.     What is the background story behind your latest single “Sure Feels Right?” 

Like many folks in this town, I moved to Nashville in 2004 with hopes of making a career out of writing songs. It didn’t take me long to realize that my writing style and process were not a natural fit on Music Row. I did not listen to the modern country music of the day and therefore had no frame of reference for the types of songs that publishers and artists were looking for. I was naïve and I learned some tough lessons. I quickly decided to get a job and put my music on the shelf. Over the next several years, I hardly wrote at all until I wrote “Sure Feels Right.” This was the song that ultimately reignited my passion for writing. As I look back now, this song was a turning point for me in many ways. Our best laid plans often don’t work out like we plan and sometimes that’s exactly what we need. 

5.     Is there anything else new coming up with your music career?

I will be releasing my first studio album, “Three Reasons” in June 2020. We will celebrate the release with two shows in the Nashville area. The first will be June 19 at the Mockingbird Theater at the Factory in Franklin and the second will be at Douglas Corner Café on June 20. We had several other regional shows scheduled to help support the release, but those have all been postponed as a result of COVID-19.

6.     What is your recording process like when creating new music?

My recording process is probably quite different than most… In addition to writing songs and playing in a band, I own and operate a small business and it’s challenging for me to take extended periods of time off. So rather than blocking off a week or two to write and record, I simply just try to squeeze it in when I can. We actually recorded the upcoming record over the span of about a year. We’d often joke at the end of a day in the studio that we’d see each other in a month!

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

 I have had the privilege to play so many great places over the years, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I tend to be drawn to venues that just have a cool vibe. I like smaller rooms that feel more intimate and I absolutely love a good dive bar.

8.     What is one of your favorite quotes?

 John Prine was perhaps my all-time favorite songwriter and we just lost him… Kris Kristofferson once said, “If God’s got a favorite songwriter, I think it’s John Prine.” 

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

I’d just like to encourage folks to support their favorite artists right now more than ever. With the current pandemic situation, there are many musicians who have lost a huge portion of their livelihood. If you value their music, show them some love by attending their Livestreams, buying some merch or just sending a simple word of encouragement.

1.     Hello Chloe, can you tell me a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician? Hello, thank you for having me! I have been singing since before I could talk. I would always be humming a tune on the swings in my backyard or in the school cafeteria. My parents used to play The Beatles and The Beach Boys around the house so I grew up listening to good music. When I was eight years old I started teaching myself chords on the guitar and writing songs. I performed “The Sound of Music” at my school talent show that year and once I heard the applause from the audience I realized music was what I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life. Now I am a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. One of my songs was featured on the 100th episode of the TV show Nashville, and many of my other songs have been featured on TV shows such as Heartland, The Vineyard, Bellevue, and Hudson & Rex. My music has also been on Spotify editor-curated playlists such as Wild Country and New Music Nashville. 

2.     What was one of the first country album you ever bought? One of the first country albums I ever bought was “Fearless” by Taylor Swift. I was a big Taylor Swift fan when I was young, and I went to almost all of her concerts. 

3.     What is the background story behind your latest single “Didn’t Want You?” When I was writing this song with Smith Curry and Tiffany Goss, we all had this moment when we came up with the title and we looked at each other and realized all of us—and, probably, everyone else who would listen to this song—had been in a position where you want to love someone but that person’s mind is somewhere else. Every time I play “Didn’t Want You” at a live show people come up to me and share their stories and express how much they can relate to the song. Though it is a difficult situation to be in, so many people have felt that way and by putting it into a song we are basically saying, “you are not alone.”

4.     Is there anything new coming up with your music in 2020? I am currently working in the studio to create new music! I am so excited to share these new songs with the world because I feel like they share truths that people can connect with, just like what has already happened with “Didn’t Want You.” Stay tuned on social media and other platforms to learn about release dates!

5.     How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words? In 3 to 5 words, I would describe my music as edgy modern country. It has a Billie Eilish pop flair with classic country themes. Besides Billie Eilish, one of the artists who has influenced both me and my music the most is Maren Morris. She took the country music scene by storm with her unique sound and honest lyrics. I wish to create songs that are as raw and real as those she has released.

6.     What are some of your favorite events or venues to play at? I have performed at such legendary venues as The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, the Opry City Stage and The Bitter End in New York, and the House of Blues in New Orleans. Whiskey Jam is one of my favorite events to play in Nashville because the crowd is so lively and responsive to the music!

7.     What is your recording process like when making new music? Each song I’ve written has had a different writing and recording process. I want to always write lyrics that are relatable for others, because hearing songs that seemed to be about the exact situations I was going through is the reason I fell in love with country music. I always want to make sure that the sound of the record reflects the mood of the song so it can emphasize the emotional impact of the lyrics.

8.     What is one of your favorite quotes? One of my favorite quotes is “Music is the strongest form of magic” (Marilyn Manson). There is nothing more supernatural to me than starting with a blank page and ending with lyrics and a melody. 

9.     Is there anything else you would like share? If you want to stay up to date with my music, my Instagram, FaceBook, and Twitter are all under Chloe Collins Music! My songs are also available on Spotify and Apple Music!

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

I grew up in a small town in Upstate NY.  My parents divorced when I was very young, and I have a sister who is a year younger than me. I was raised in a Catholic household so family values are very important to me. I was raised to be very polite, respect your elders, and all in all, do good. I think those values have definitely set the stone for my career.

2.     What was one of the first country album you ever bought?

Shania Twain! & Faith Hill. I believe I got them both at the same time for Easter from my father.

4.     Is there anything else new coming up with your music in 2020?

I’m focusing on writing a lot more during these times. I will be releasing a few more singles before releasing a full EP. I did have some shows and festivals booked for 2020, but now they are all postponed. I will share those dates with everyone as soon as I know them 🙂

5.     How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words?

Well, I like to think of Country, pop and alternative all compressed into one genre. I would say it’s pretty rich, and moody but it really depends on the song or the type of mood I am in when I’m writing. 

6.     What is your recording process like when creating new music?

Once the song is all written, usually that day, we create a demo. Most of my demos are just acoustic with a guitar. Pretty stripped down. Everyone does it different. I have a lot go friends who demo the track pretty fully with most instruments. But I like mine stripped down. That way I don’t feel any ties to something. Then, on the day of recording, I work with the instrumentalists on the track with the sound. We record full band first. Then I will go in and lay down the vocal track.

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

Festivals hands down. I think I am more of a festival player than anything else. I have a lot of energy on stage. I like being able to jump around. My favorite stages have the catwalk (LOL). The vibe and energy from people at festivals is unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced! It really gets me amped up! But, I’ve also played many stripped down acoustic shows. Those are a lot more chill, stress free. 

8.     What is one of your favorite quotes?

Quote- I have a lot. But my absolute favorite poem is “Footsteps in the Sand.” My mom gave me a giant poster with the poem on it when I was in college.

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

I want to thank you so much for having me! You have always shown me so much support throughout the years and I want to make sure that you know, you are appreciated! ❤