1. Hi Cat, can you tell us all a little bit about yourself before becoming a country artist? Before focusing strictly on my artistry, I was touring the globe as a corporate singer. This primarily consisted of cruise ship tours, but I also participated in a few national tours as well as local Nashville gigs. Before that, I was studying music obsessively. Singing is all I’ve ever wanted to do.
2. What is the background single behind your brand-new single “Take It In?” Take It In was written with my good friend and fellow country artist, Janelle Arthur. We met on one of the national tours I sang on. She and I hit it off and co-wrote Take It In over zoom in 2020. I remember going into the write with the first verse just about finished but was totally stuck on where it should go from there. Janelle really grounded the song and gave it this timeless angle that I didn’t even see was there! She is an incredible musician.
3. What made you want a career in country music? Gosh. I remember watching American Idol as a kid and looking at Carrie Underwood and thinking “that’s all I ever want to do.” Singing brings me immense joy, and I know it is what I was put on this earth to do. While I gather inspiration for many genres, country music is in my bones. It’s where I’m meant to be. 
4. Who are some of your musical icons?  Of course ALL the great women of country music. There are too many to count, but certainly Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, and Miranda Lambert are at the top of that list…and it could go on and on! 
5. What is your recording process like when making and creating new music? My producer, Luke Nagel, and I vibe really well. He understands my obsessiveness with how the vocal sounds, so he pushes me to get the best take, and I meticulously critique the edit. But what we get is a fantastic result! I’m a total nerd in the studio and love asking questions and coming up with new ideas. 
6. What are a few of your favorite venues to perform at? I have loved playing around Nashville. Of course the Sheraton Grande Skye Lounge was the most special venue as it hosted the Take It In release party. But some of my other favorite performance venues have been Marathon Music Works, Exit/In and, last but certainly not least, Nissan Stadium for the Tennessee Titans v Kansas City Chiefs game preshow! 
7. How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words? Honest, Relatable, Clever, Catchy, Creative
8. What is one of your favorite quotes? My best friend always tells me “Cat! Every day in every way we’re getting better and better.” I love that. It’s exactly the standard I want to live by. 
9. Is there anything else you would like to share? Independent female artists in country music haven’t necessarily had the best luck off the bat – especially when it comes to radio play. To see my first single land on not one but two Spotify editorial playlists feels so rewarding. The platform plays such a pivotal role in the development of independent artists and I’m so grateful for the support they’ve shown me this week. 

Hello Josh, can you tell all of us a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician?“Sure! I work as a social worker in Baltimore and play at weddings and private events on the weekends. I started releasing country music at the end of 2021 and the response has been amazing so far.  Moving to Nashville to perform and record my own music is the ultimate goal.”
Who are some of your musician icons? “Randy Travis and Vince Gill are my songwriting icons, if I can write 1/2 as good as them that’d be great.” What is the background story behind your brand-new single “Kinda Man?” “I originally wrote the song from a female perspective about a girl who is being taken advantage of by a dishonest man. Then my friend suggested I switch it to a man being taken advantage of by a woman and then it became really interesting!” What made you want a career in country music?“I’ve been releasing acoustic pop since 2016 but have always loved country music, so last year I decided to start releasing country and haven’t looked back!
How would you describe your music in 3 to 5 words? “A different take on country’. What is your recording process like when creating and making new music? I record all my music in my bedroom, which I think gives my music a unique and intimate vibe’ 
What are a few of your favorite venues to perform at? ‘Live Oak’ and ‘The Listening Room’ 
What is one of your favorite quotes? ‘It’s all about the song’ 
Is there anything else you would like to share? ‘I’m really grateful to be featured on this blog’ 

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Hi Ashlyn, can you tell us all a little bit about yourself before you became a country musician?

• I was majoring in Elementary Education at Clemson University. I always loved kids and grew up with 5 younger siblings who I adore. I wanted to have a practical back-up plan, but when the pandemic hit, I realized I would never be fulfilled in any field other than music. I changed my major to Performing Arts Voice and decided to stop hiding my original songs from the world. I was always a singer, whether it was in church or school choir or national anthems for basketball and football games. I’d say that my inner child would be overjoyed with the path I’ve chosen and where I’m at today.

What made you want a career in country music?

• I grew up in the south. My family loved all kinds of music- from rock and R&B to gospel, pop, country, etc. I admired Hannah Montana and quite literally wanted to be her as a child. She was a popstar with that famous country twang and that is exactly what I’ve always aimed for in my music. I first went to Nashville when I was 17 and got to visit the Grand Ole Opry with someone who is like a second mother to me. She encouraged me to sing in the circle during a tour. I was so scared, I almost didn’t do it. But when I started to sing “I Will Always Love You”, people actually cared to hear me. I felt at home there. 

Who are some of your musical icons?

• Miley Cyrus, Carrie Underwood, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato

What is the background story behind your brand new single “Blind Horse Blues?”

• “Blindhorse Blues” is an upbeat breakup song based on the iconic honky tonk bar in my hometown, the Blind Horse Saloon. I first went here with my boyfriend and was amazed at the history it holds. Ask any country singer about the Blind Horse Saloon in Greenville and they’ll have a story or two to tell. This place was my mom’s old stomping grounds and now I get to sing about it.

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

• Fun, Pop, Twangy, Angsty

What are a few of your favorite venues to play at?

• Being that I started all this in the middle of a pandemic, I haven’t been able to play many live shows! I will say, the biggest place I have performed at is the Spectrum Center. I’ve sang the national anthem for the Charlotte Hornets a few times and there’s not much I can compare to singing in front of such a large crowd.

What is your recording process like when creating and making new music?

• My favorite songwriting technique is something called top-lining which is basically humming and singing random words until you get a hook or something catches your ear. This is how my best songs are written. I like to find a catchy melody first and then pick out the words later. But sometimes it’s the other way around!

What is one of your favorite quotes?

• “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”

Is there anything else you would like to share?

• I’d just like to say a huge thank you to my FOUR incredible parents. Not many people can say that their broken home turned into a blessing- I was raised differently than most and I am forever grateful for the different perspectives they’ve given me. My Mom & Stepdad and my Dad & Stepmom are all polar opposites and somehow managed to work as a team while I was growing up. They made sure I never went without and always did their very best in raising me. They gave me a huuuuuge family and more blessings than I can count, not to mention my love and knowledge for music.