I used to interview country artists, but my disease started to impact my life more, and I had to give up the life I had dreamed of ever since I was a little girl.

In my book/devotional Walking in the Valley with God, which you can read HERE, I talk about how I became an interviewer and how I started doing this.

It piques people’s interest a lot when they find out I used to do this, and I get asked a lot of questions, so I thought I would answer some popular questions I get about becoming an interviewer, the artists I’ve talked to, relationships in the industry, and more!

What inspired you to start your own country music page/business? I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for country music, so I always knew I wanted to do something that had to do with the genre I love so much. I got diagnosed with a disease and needed to find something to give me a break from doctor appointments and being at home more than the average person. It all started as an Instagram account, and then it evolved into something I never would have imagined.

Did you have any connections in the industry when you started, or did you build them from scratch? I built the entire thing from scratch, and that’s why I was most proud of it. I had no contacts in any capacity who could advise me on how to gain a following, build a website, or connect with PR firms, managers, or artists. It took time, but I also learned so much from trial and error, and it made the big-name artists I got that much more exciting because I knew I had done everything to lead up to this.

What were some of the biggest challenges when you were just getting started? Getting PR Firms and Managers to take me seriously. A lot of them wouldn’t respond to my e-mails, but those that did wanted specific analytics that I didn’t have at the time. I did get frustrated because I just wanted someone to give me that breakthrough, but I am glad I got to where I was by myself. I had the drive and I had the dedication, I just had to keep at it and pray, work, and keep e-mailing.

How did you decide what your brand/page would look and feel like? I didn’t, haha. I just started creating. This was the very first website I ever created, and I had no idea what I was doing, so I just started piecing random things together, and it worked. I think the reason it worked was because I wasn’t really thinking about it too much, and it flowed because it came out of what I liked, not what anyone else liked or disliked.

About Interacting with Country Artists

Who was the very first artist you got to interview, and what was that like? My first ever interview was with a singer named Chase Martin. I had followed her for a couple of years prior, and when I started my Instagram account, I asked if I could interview her, and she said yes. This was over the phone or by e-mail. My first in-person interview was at a local concert where I got to interview all of the artists performing that night; Payton Howie, Marcella, Kylie Trout, Presley Tennant, and Honey County. It really got me hooked on interviewing, and everything stemmed from there.

Have you ever been nervous before interviewing a big star? How did you handle it? Absolutely! I got nervous before every interview I did, but especially before interviewing RaeLynn. She’s a massive name in country music, and I’ve been a fan of hers for years. I always took a couple of deep breaths and prayed, asking God to bless me in the interview process and that this be a successful interview. RaeLynn was incredible to interview; she was so sweet and had the best answers for me. It was almost like talking to a friend, and it calmed me down a lot, and I could focus on the questions and her answers.

What’s the most surprising or unexpected thing a country artist has shared with you? A good number of artists shared with me about music videos they have yet to release or projects they were working on. I wasn’t able to publish this news in the article as it was confidential material, but it was so awesome that they shared information about their upcoming music with me. There have been a handful of times I have also received albums from country artists months in advance, before the album would be available to the public.

Were there any moments where you thought, “Wow, I can’t believe I get to do this”? Yes! I was blessed to meet so many incredible people through this, and the connections I have made with some of the artists and managers are something that lasts to this day. I would have inspiring and fascinating conversations day in and day out, and that’s what truly made this so special. I remember after getting off the phone call with RaeLynn, thinking if you had told younger me she would be doing this, she would be freaking out and probably wouldn’t believe it. It’s definitely a God thing.

Do artists act differently off-camera or behind the scenes than they do on stage? There was only one artist in particular that I would say was a little bit different than what I saw in videos.

Have you ever been on a tour bus? What was that like? I have! It was such a cool experience, and I was internally fangirling but had to play it cool. One of the bands that invited me on their tour bus was so cool about the whole thing and was so kind to my friend and me; he was photographing the interview.

Have you ever gotten free concert tickets? Yes, I have been given free concert tickets a few times. The first interview I ever did, I got my tickets comped, a photo pass, and a meet and greet. It was pretty great, and the tour manager treated my friend and me like royalty and gave us all the exciting perks. We were interviewing an opening act and accidentally ran into the main artist backstage, which is also a story for another time.

About Building Relationships & Reputation

How do you build trust with artists so they’ll open up in interviews? I don’t really push for artists to open up in interviews if they don’t want to. I like to build a comfortable space, but they are also so used to being interviewed that there’s really nothing I can do to drastically make them trust me, per se. I was always myself in every interview, and I think that’s so important because artists are so used to maybe a too professional setting rather than something that really wants to know about the music and what they want fans to take from it. It was always important to me that I was a “fan” first and foremost, without the fangirling, of course. By a fan for the fans is what I started saying because no one knows what fans want more than the fans.

Have you made genuine friendships with people in the industry? Yes. I talk to a lot of artists to this day, and they’ve always been really supportive of me, no matter what. I am really grateful for this, and it’s like I still get to take a little bit of what I’ve done and carry it with me.

What advice would you give someone who wants to network in country music without coming across as fake? Just be yourself. This industry is extremely hard to fake out, so if you’re acting like someone you’re not trying to be, they will sniff it out. You also have to be exceptionally you and not try to copy another brand, style, or vibe. It’s a breath of fresh air in the industry to be one hundred percent you, and artists will see that and appreciate it.

About Personal Takeaways

Has meeting and working with country artists changed the way you see the genre? No. Country artists are some of the most authentic people I’ve ever known. What they sing about is who they are. I think if anything, I have tons more respect for those who work behind the scenes, such as photographers and stylists, because I’ve actually gotten to know these wonderful individuals and see the work they put into what they do.

What’s the most meaningful conversation you’ve had with a country artist? Any conversation I’ve had with an artist where, after I’ve interviewed them, they ask about me. I think that’s super special, and for them to want to know who I am makes me feel like I’ve done the job as an interviewer right.

Do you have a favorite interview or moment that will always stick with you? My interviews with Josh Kerr (singer/songwriter), RaeLynn, and Tiffany Gifford (Stylist) have always stuck out to me years after doing them. Tiffany and I talked for over an hour, and she was one of the nicest people I have ever interviewed. Josh was also incredibly kind, and his answers were so honest that they gave country music fans or music fans in general a look inside the life of a songwriter. RaeLynn is a powerhouse, and I mentioned being a fan of hers earlier. The first interview didn’t work out, and instead of cancelling it, she rescheduled and apologized for that and thanked me for still wanting to do another interview with her. There is so much authenticity in these interviews.

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of starting something similar? Don’t give up. Getting started is the hardest part. It requires the most determination and stamina, but it will always be the part you are most proud of. Don’t feel bad if you don’t get responses back for an interview request - just keep emailing different firms and circle back to ones you didn’t hear from in a few months.