What was life like growing up in Texas? So I grew up a military brat and moved all over! By the time I was seven, I moved to Texas and lived there the longest. It quickly became home for me. I love the culture and food. It’s really hard to beat, but I go back often enough to not miss it too bad!
They say Texas does food bigger and better than anywhere else, what was your favorite meal growing up? Yes!! Everything really is bigger in Texas! Mostly fried too, ha ha. I mean honestly its Tex-Mex. I’m very spoiled to good Mexican food and beef. Burgers, brisket, steak... Texas has the best!
You can't forget the Texas Barbecue. What sets apart Texas barbecue from Tennessee barbecue? It’s hard to explain it but it’s completely different. I do love Memphis style BBQ, but Texas is just a different play field. They do not play around when it comes to meat and they are not stingy on their portions. One of my favorite BBQ joints in Texas is Hard Eight BBQ.
Was there ever music playing in the kitchen growing up? Mostly, just me singing. I’d sing non-stop. It probably drove my family crazy! They’d tell me no humming at the dinner table. I was like oh you can hear me? Ha ha!
You recently released your new single, "Living the Dream," that you also co-wrote. Tell us about the writing process and where the idea came from. I wrote my latest single with my friend Lyndsey Highlander when I first moved to town two years ago which came about from the time leading up to my move, and my time spent in the music industry since age sixteen, so that makes a total of nine years now! We wrote it as our anthem to keep on going no matter what. It was very therapeutic and inspiring for me, but also a song I hoped would inspire others to chase after their dreams wholeheartedly!
How was it filming the video for "Living the Dream?" It was a lot of fun and super unique! I’m very excited to share it with y’all soon. Keep your eyes and ears open!
Is there any news for the forthcoming album? I’m currently writing and planning to begin tracking in September. I’m stoked about it! Fingers crossed we stay on track time wise to release it this fall.
What pushed you to try out for Season 14 of American Idol? I really wasn’t planning on auditioning. At that time, I was touring across Texas and having great radio success on the Texas charts. I was approached to have audition and thought well why not?!
Do you feel like, no matter what happens, American Idol has positively impacted your career? Sure. I learned a lot about Hollywood and the music industry. The process definitely helped me grow as an artist.
Can you tell us more about the “Music Biz Besties Songwriter’s Series” at Just Love Coffee? I co-host an all female Songwriter Series once a month. The main inspiration was to provide females, and specifically newcomers with a stage to perform! When I first moved to town, I was totally clueless about getting into the scene. Music Biz Besties has become a great community to have a in my corner and for so many other singer/songwriters too! I love being a part of it!
Finally, if you could be sponsored by one food/drink brand who would it be and why? This is really hard.. I’d say Coca-Cola! I love an ice-cold Coke and always wanted to be in one of those cool commercials drinking one on stage.
