What project(s) are you currently working on?
We are in the process of recording my album. This is music that I am really proud of and I am so excited to share it with everyone, especially because we are not able to play it out on tour this summer due to COVID-19. Although my career started in 2014 with my first nationwide PBS television special and live album that went with it, this will be my first full-length studio album. I have only released EP’s up to this point so I really can’t wait.
What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?
I knew ever since I was very small that this was what I wanted to do. My parents tell me that I was singing for as long as they can remember. In the second grade I was cast as Dorothy in my school play and I got to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by myself at the end of the show. I remember so vividly, finishing the song, looking around at everyone applauding, and saying to myself, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And I am doing just that.
If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?
A lot of people don’t know this about me but I have a Masters Degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Adolescent Education. I always loved working with kids and making a difference for people so I would definitely be teaching if I wasn’t playing music. I learned so much about people and never judging a book by its cover teaching and I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world.
What is your favorite downtime activity?
My favorite downtime activity is playing with my rescue dog, Audrey. I fostered her when the quarantine started and I believe I am now a Foster Fail! She has totally stolen my heart and I am going to work out my traveling schedule with some babysitters for when I tour overseas so I will be able to keep her forever. She was found in an abandoned house in Texas with a spinal injury and both of her back feet severed. She is now a totally spoiled princess and living the life she deserves.
Who is your biggest celebrity crush?
I never really had celebrity crushes oddly enough but I guess if I had to choose, I’ve been obsessed with the show ‘”You” on Netflix, which I can’t believe I took so long to watch. As crazy as Joe is, the lead character, I love him so much lol.
Who is your favorite sports team(s)?
I like the New York Yankees 😊
What is the last movie that you watched?
The Platform on Netflix. It was extremely creepy but really made you think about society and the way people act. It was so interesting but also disturbing!
What is the last album you listened to?
Richard Marx – Stories to Tell. It is an acoustic album of many of his greatest hits. Richard Marx is one of my biggest influences and I got to perform with him this February. It was one of the best days of my entire career for me.
If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is a hard question! The music I listen to depends so much on my mood. One of my favorite albums of all time is Phil Vassar’s self-titled album. I also got to perform with him a few years ago and that was really a dream come true. I think I could listen to that album forever.
What is the greatest country song of all time?
There are so many amazing songs that it is incredibly difficult to pick just one but one of my favorites of all time is Mark Wills – “Don’t Laugh at Me”. I listened to that song almost every day growing up and it always makes me cry. That’s what a good song should do….really make you feel something.
What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?
I have literally toured around the world… from Mexico to Lithuania… so it is so hard to pick because every place has something so different and wonderful. One of my favorite places is definitely Germany because Germans just have so much energy at concerts and have such a good time. The food is also so fabulous there!
What is your favorite meal?
An egg everything bagel with low-fat veggie cream cheese.
Who is your dream duet partner
Neil Diamond. He sings every word with such passion and I am a huge fan.
Who would you like to go on tour with?
Blake Shelton seems like such a nice and fun person and I think our music would fit good together. I am also a really big Gwen Stefani fan. I studied her so much growing up, so that would be awesome to go on the road with them.
What is your ultimate career goal(s)?
My ultimate career goals would be to just get bigger and better every single year than I was the year before. I feel like when you set really hard goals for yourself, that’s when you get disappointed. As long as I am just always progressing, even if it’s just baby steps, I will always be happy and feel successful.
