Hey Guys,
Hope everyone has been doing well and enjoying this weather outside! Let me apologize for not keeping up date, I have been so busy with auditions and school, and took a brief hiatus but now I am back and ready to GO! GO! GO!
My recent interview was with up and coming country star Payton Taylor. If you haven't heard of her you MUST check her out, she is one word.. AMAZING! She is also a dear friend of mine and we use to do community theatre together. The one thing I can say about this young lady is how much of a big heart she has for people. With her on the verge of becoming a superstar she hasn't forgotten what is important in life: Family, Friend Fans, and of course Fans.
She has not one mean bone in her body and that is something I admire about her, and one of the reasons I also did a piece on her!
I want to thank her for taking time out of her schedule to talk with me, she has been so supportive of my new project! I hope you all enjoy this interview and make sure you spread the word about Payton, who knows, maybe you will see her on the big screen soon! Keep up with her at www.paytontaylor.com
Hey Payton, Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions! Where are you from and how did you get into country music? Did you grow up listening to a lot of music?
Payton: Hey Ryan! Thank you so much for interviewing me. I'm originally from the southern New Jersey town of Washington Township. I grew up around music. I was involved in my church choir and community theater for most of my childhood. It wasn't until 2009 when I made my first trip to Nashville that I discovered country music and fell love with it– It's culture, its people, and its way of life. I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
You certainly have been quite the busy bee, you have your debut album out called “Shine”, and your currently working on another one. What can we expect to hear on this album that is different from the first? Is there a release date?
Payton: I'm so thrilled to be working on my next album project. So much has changed since the release of my debut EP "Shine" in 2011. One of the biggest discoveries I made after the release of my first album was song writing. After two years of honing my craft as a songwriter, I'm happy to release my next project which will feature six original songs that I have written or co-written. I have a much deeper personal connection to all the songs on this project and I can't wait to share them. We released the first single of the upcoming project, "Small Town Paradise", at the 2013 CMA festival in Nashville Tennessee. "Small Town Paradise" was officially released to radio September 16th. Since the official radio release, I have been on a radio tour across the country promoting my song to new fans. The response has been great thus far, and the new project is tentatively set to release early spring of 2014
Recently you were invited to attend the CMA Festival how was that? What was it like? Did a lot of fans come out to it?
Payton: Having the CMA recognize me as an emerging artist at the 2014 CMA festival was an incredible honor. Over the three days of the festival, I had the opportunity to meet thousands of country music fans from all over the world. It was an amazing three days I'll never forget!
What do your sponsors do, like what is their role in helping you?
Payton: I'm fortunate to have several sponsors who believe in my music and support my career. Some provide funds to help defray the costs from touring, while others provide products in exchange for me promoting their company. I cannot thank Damon System Braces, Daisy Rock Guitars, Breedlove Guitars, LZ Boots, and Corello enough for believing in me.
I know that you went through a lot in middle school, and being bullied was something that you had to go through unfortunately. What work are you doing to help stop bullying?
Payton: I don't think I was the victim of an excessive amount of bullying. In fact I think everyone deals with some form bullying on different levels. I'm not part of any official anti-bullying campaign, but I dealt with bullying by surrounding myself with people that had similar interests and a small group of friends who were always very encouraging and supportive. I try to lead by example and I hope fans that deal with similar issues can find hope and inspiration in how I've dealt with it in the past.
What was the best advice you were ever given growing up?
Payton: I've been fortunate enough to have many mentors guiding my way during this entire journey. My producer, Lynn Nichols, told me one day in the studio "there is no shortcut to the finish line". He has shown me that to become successful, you must cut your teeth and pay your dues just like everyone else! Also, Randy Pausch quotes in his book (my favorite book) The Last Lecture, "The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people". Some days I feel like I hit a lot of brick walls, but that bit of advice always keeps me going.
What is it like being on tour? Do you have a lot of late nights? As a friend of yours I remember you saying that you were traveling in your tour bus named Gretchen, is Gretchen still a part of your life?
Payton: Being on tour is not glamorous as it seems! If we have late nights, they're not being spent out partying. Our late nights usually consist of loading out gear in the middle of the night and getting to sleep around 3 AM or even later! The entire band is jam packed into our 2004 Ford Windstar minivan. Gretchen, the back end of a Ford pick up, was our trusty trailer that we attached the back of our minivan. Gretchen attracted so much attention when we were driving down the road we wrote our name on the windows! Unfortunately, Gretchen bit to dust in the middle of the mountains in Virginia. I sure do miss her!
Would you ever consider doing any TV or Film work? Or are you content in music?
Payton: That's a good question! Right now, I have so many things to learn in music. I'm growing in so many ways; as a vocalist, as a songwriter, as a guitarist, and as a performer. Although doing some TV or film work isn't out of the question, I think I've got my hands full with music right now! (and I wouldn't have it any other way!)
Who is your role model that has inspired you to be who you are today?
Payton: Although I have always found new inspirations and role models as I have grown musically, I'd say my biggest role model of all has always been Dolly Parton. She's a one woman powerhouse with the voice of an angel! Dolly's beautiful song interpretation, song writing, business savvy, and genuineness are all qualities that I admire.
How can we keep in touch with you Payton, and follow what you’re up to?
Payton: Y'all can keep up in touch with me by going to my website paytontaylor.com and signing up for my email list! Also on the website, I've got links to my Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube sites! I'd love to keep in touch with y'all!
Where does the inspiration come from when you are writing your songs?
Payton: I believe inspiration can really come from anything. Whether it's from a personal experience I've had, or whether it's from something I've observed throughout my life, I believe a song is like taking a picture of something you want to remember; it's a musical 'snapshot' of a moment or event you want to capture.
Will you be touring the country outside of Nashville anytime soon?
Payton: Our 2013 touring season is coming to a close. Our 2014 touring season is looking like we're going to be having more shows and even more cities! So, make sure you stay updated at www.paytontaylor.com!
Q: What advice can you give to performers who have hopes of making it big one day like you?
Payton:1. Be prepared to work, and work hard! Every minute of your day must be invested into bettering yourself to become whatever you hope to be.
2. Don't let competition make you feel intimidated. There will always be someone bigger, taller, stronger, or better than you. Instead of becoming discouraged, use it as inspiration to become the best that you can be!
3. In the words of my late grandfather, "be a mosquito!". In other words, do not take no for an answer. Keep pushing until you finally break through and NEVER give up.
4. Be nice to others. Life has a strange ways of working. Sometimes opportunities will lie in the most unlikely of places. I do believe in karma; if you give good; good will come back to you.
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Well... There 'ya have it folks spoken from a true country gal herself! What an amazingly talented busy young lady she is! I was so honored she allowed me to ask her these questions. Make sure you spread the word and check her out.
PLEASE!!! Continue to check me out on my blog (here), my website, and YouTube, I am currently working on getting a Facebook and Twitter Page set up so I can commute easier with my followers! If you know someone who is doing good things, or if there is an event coming up that you want me to cover or do a story on, please let me know! Email me at thepositivenewsmaker@gmail.com
Thank You so much guys I appreciate all the support I have gotten from you all, it means the world!
Best Wishes,
xx Rye My
www.ryangmyers.com
www.thepositivenewsmaker.blogspot.com
www.youtube.com/positivenewsmaker.com
