One on One with RaeLynn

So, maybe you have heard of this show called “The Voice” and maybe you have heard of this amazing talent that Blake Shelton so intellegently … I know Blake, don’t get excited those words may never be used together like that again.  But Wow, does RaeLynn ever know how to get a convo going.  A spunky, yet adorable 21-year-old from Baytown, Texas.  I had the chance to sit down with her a week or so ago while she was in Toronto on a quick promo tour.  And she was just so much fun to chat with.  Here is how it went.

Corey: First off, we would like to welcome you to Canada for the first time. And appreciate you taking the time to chat with Sound Check.  Let’s kick things off with the release of your EP ME.  Maybe tell us how it feels to finally get that out to the masses?

RaeLynn: Ya, I have been working on the record for 3 years now.  These songs that are on the EP are the first songs that I have written for the record.   As you know when you get older you grow as a person and grow as an artist and I’ve just written more songs.  I didn’t want these songs to sit in the vault and never come out.   So I asked my label before I go on tour if I could release some of the songs and they allowed me to release the Me EP with some of the songs that I had recently recorded plus my couple singles.

Corey: Your single God Made Girls did very well and you have been nominated for some CMT Awards your first nominations congratulations. That must make you feel pretty good?

RaeLynn:  Thank you so much, I was hoping that I might get the nomination for Breakthrough Video because just what you hear and stuff but I did not expect Female Video of The Year.  Geezz, freaking out, I was blown away and could not believe it and am so thankful.

Corey:  Where were you when that phone call or text came in?

RaeLynn:  I was actually sleeping at my house in Nashville because I never get to sleep in.  My phone was blowing up because Lady Antebellum had announced the nominees on the Today Show and everyone is calling me and I was like “what’s going on” finally when I realized I screamed and woke my cousin up.  It was all pretty funny.  (As she concludes with a giggle)

Corey:  So the rest of 2015 is pretty busy for you.   You are about to embark on the dates with Rascal Flatts and Scotty McCreery on the Riot Tour and then in the latter part of the year your back on the road with Miranda Lambert how exciting is that?

RaeLynn:  It’s always exciting going on the road with her, because all of her band and crew is like family to me.  But for her to invite me back out with her to be direct support was just so special.   And I am so excited to be hitting the road with the Flatts.   I haven’t really been on tour with anyone else other than Miranda so I am excited to get a new experience with them.   I really love their music so much and it’s going to be really exciting to see them every night and to see another tour besides Miranda.

Corey:  There audience seems to be a great fit for you.

RaeLynn:  I completely agree, they have such a great fan base and they are such good people so I am really looking forward to it.

Corey: Craziest thing you have done for the love of music?  Picking up and moving to Nashville at 18 was that the craziest?

RaeLynn:  Ya, it’s was a pretty crazy experience moving to Nashville by myself at 18 but I figured it out.  I am pretty independent.  But that was defiantly a leap of faith for me for sure.

Corey:  So you have had some pretty great mentors over the last 3 years who would you say has given you the best music industry advice?

RaeLynn: I would have to say the best advice I have been given is to always stay humble and never let it get to our head.  This is our job, but I am also so thankful that I get to do this every day and be able to be an influence to younger girls.   And it’s really important to know the importance of that.  You can’t just post anything on Instagram or Twitter because you have lots of eyes looking at you.  It’s just really important to know that you’re an example and I don’t take that lightly and I want to be the best person I can be for my fans.   But still stay true to myself.

Corey:  You touched on Social Media there, maybe tell us how Social Media has helped you since The Voice?

RaeLynn:  Ya, it’s kinda funny.  When I left the voice I had just over 60,000 followers on Twitter and now I have 125,000.  I have been able to double that following by just being myself.  And staying connected with my fans and we know it’s all word of mouth.    I have been doing shows and I had my single God Made Girls that did very well but I’ll do twitter chats and I reply to them.  I always want my fans to feel like I’m reachable.   I don’t want ever to feel untouchable to my fans.   That’s why I love Instagram & Twitter so much it makes me feel like my fans are with me every day.   I have a friend that I haven’t seen in 3 years but I follow her on Instagram and I feel like I have seen her whole life and that part of social media is so special.

Corey:  And fans react to the behind the scene stuff more to right?

RaeLynn:  They do, I have come to realize that my fans react to my personal post more than my professional posts like about tickets or meet and greets they will reply.   When I post about how I am feeling that day or a picture with my boyfriend and they love it.   That’s just what it is, people just want to feel they are in your life.   I was the same when I was growing up I was obsessed with Hilary Duff and when she got married and pregnant I was obsessed with her and was OMG she is a real person.  Well of course she is a real person you know, but there is just something really cool about it.

Corey:  Lets switch gears, maybe let us in on your favorite songs to cover might be and anything new for the Flatts tour?

RaeLynn:  The two songs I have been covering lately are Jolene by Dolly Parton and I just love doing that song.   And the other is a song is All About The Base, Meghan Trainor is one of my dear friends so I love to do that one.   And the new one for the Rascal Flatts tour is Hella Good by No Doubt so that will be fun.

Corey:  Thank so much for doing this RaeLynn, we really appreciate it.  We are big fans and look forward to full Album in the New Year and can’t wait to see you on the big stage in August with Rascal Flatts in Toronto at the Molson Amphitheatre August 27^th

If social media is your thing you have to follow RaeLynn

Website:  https://www.raelynnofficial.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaeLynnOfficial

Instagram: https://instagram.com/raelynnofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaeLynnOfficial

Corey Kelly / @CoreyKelly76