If you like to use hashtags, hang out on the beach and worry about nothing, than you’ll love the song and music video “#Winning” from Kevin MaC.
MaC has been taking the music industry by the handles for the last several years. It’s earned him spots opening for artists like Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry. His debut EP “Six Pack” is in production now, with the debut single “#Winning” out now!
This music video is everything I wanted it to be to match what #Winning Is all about! The Beach, no worries, living easy with great friends.
Kayla Woodson is an up and coming singer/songwriter who released a self-titled EP earlier this year. Louisiana born, Woodson is no stranger to the music business. In 2004 she trained at Bocelli School of Music in Italy and represented USA in Romania later that year. Since then, she moved to Nashville and attended Belmont University. She wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on her self-titled EP.
Earlier this month we got to chat with Woodson about the path she took to Nashville and what’s next for her!
Variety Beat: What was it like traveling to Romania and representing USA at a young age? Did that experience help you later on in your career?
Kayla Woodson: Traveling to Romania was such a great experience, especially getting to experience it with my family! At that time, I knew it was important to be representing the USA, but I don’t really think it sank in a lot as a 10-year-old. It was awesome to get to meet so many people from all over the world and to have the experience of singing an original song on stage and then people reacting to it like they did. I also remember being so excited to have people do my hair and makeup and to have my own background dancers on stage while I was singing! I guess I did something right because I ended up placing 2nd in the world, which is an accomplishment that I’m very proud of.
I think that Romania did help me later in my career, because it showed me that music really is a universal language. You always hear that, but that experience really showed me how true it is. The love of music is one thing that can bring everyone across the world together, and I think that is very important. It was also eye opening for me at a young age to be on a huge stage in front of television cameras and having to talk with paparazzi and such! All and all, it was an awesome experience!
VB: You released a EP in April, can you tell us a little bit about that project and the inspiration behind the songs?
KW: Ahh yes!! I was really itching to get some music out there that I feel represents me as the artist I have become. I’m super excited about the EP being released for everyone to hear!
I started the planning process in September/October and by Thanksgiving we were in the studio recording. I wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the EP, so it was an awesome feeling to know where they came from and how they ended up on the EP. I couldn’t be more proud! Each song was inspired by something I had experienced or seen or heard about that triggered something not only in me but also in my co-writers. It’s a great feeling when you start writing a song and that spark just hits everyone. These songs portray emotions that I feel like everyone has felt sometime in their life and can relate to, and I’m so proud to be able to share them!
VB: Who are some of your biggest influences and Inspirations?
KW: Oh man, I have quite a bit! Obviously, country powerhouses such as Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Miranda Lambert. One of my biggest inspirations is Dolly Parton because she is not only one of the best performers and singers, but she is also in my opinion one of the best songwriters out there.
On the other hand though, my dad also raised me on some 80’s rock like Guns N Roses, Journey, and so forth, so I grab some of my vibe from artists like that. Also, I’m originally from Waggaman, Louisiana (right outside of New Orleans) and being from there gives me some more R&B influences like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. I’m thankful I grew up hearing and then singing all these different genres of music, because I think that mix of influences helps to set my music apart.
VB: You just released a music video for “Fan The Flame” what was shooting that like? Can you tell us more about the meaning behind the song?
KW: Shooting the video was such a fun process! I really wanted something visual with that song since we put it out as the debut single on the EP. Some friends helped me brainstorm ideas, I rented a camera, and we shot the video and edited it all ourselves. It was definitely a lot of work, but I think it turned out very well for doing it ourselves haha.
When I explain “Fan for the Flame” to people, I always tell them its about that sense of strength and independence that we all have. It’s basically claiming that you won’t tolerate being walked on and mistreated. I feel like the first line of the chorus explains the song perfectly when it says “Fool me once shame on me, next time I’ll be ready.” Basically saying if you wrong me once, don’t expect to get away with it again, because I’ll be ready and I’ll be stronger.
VB: 2016 has been a big year for you, you graduated from Belmont, Released your EP, played numerous places in Nashville including CMAfest. What’s next for you?
KW: Man, it has been a crazy year so far and it’s only August!! Right now I’m really working to just get this new music to new audiences. Country music fans are amazing, and it’s been super cool to see that there are people from all over the country (and even some overseas!) listening to the EP and supporting me. We’re also getting things ready to hopefully be playing more shows in different parts of the country soon, which is so exciting because performing my own music live on stage is really what I love to do most! Other than that, I’m just always working on new music, working to be a better songwriter and artist.
Her EP which is self titled is available at all major digital retailers and more information can be found at kaylawoodson.com Listen to her EP below!
There are a lot of up-and-coming Country Music Artists, but it’s always amazing to see such young and fresh talent. Liddy Clark is 18 years old and already making waves in the genre and has just released a lyric video for her powerful song “Painted By Numbers.”
It’s not easy being a female in Country Music, and probably even more challenging being a young artist. However, maybe the reason Taylor Swift is so popular today is because her first album was released when she was 16 years old. As a teenager, you can only relate to older artists to a certain level, but a lot of times there is a noticeable gap, where young girls aren’t being related to the way they need to.
That’s not to say other artists songs aren’t relatable, but as a young girl, not having experienced certain things in life, it’s not as easy to follow their journey. Young girls and teens have a lot of influence. They become passionate about artists they love and request their songs with an inspiring level of devotion. That is why it’s hard to ignore such young and fresh talent.
Clark is releasing a song she wrote when she was 15 years old and hopes her vulnerability will help others who may be experiencing similar feelings. When talking about “Painted By Numbers” she told Celeb Secrets Country:
“Painted By Numbers has always been a journey song for me and to be able to share my experiences of insecurity and doubt with others can hopefully allow people to understand that everyone has their flaws. I truly hope that this song will help people learn to accept others and themselves for the things they like and don’t like.”
Clark’s songwriting at just 15 shows enormous talent and we can’t wait to hear more form her!
If I’m not bone thin / Flat stomach showing skin / I’m not doing something right / If I don’t look like a model / Whose only meal comes from a bottle / I should skip dinner tonight… No, Not Me/ I’ll never be / A perfect size in these jeans / I’m not a beauty queen / But I swear there’s only one me / So starting today / I live life my own way / And nothing can make me change / I’m not painted by numbers.
Clark’s message will inspire girls and women to have more confidence in themselves and realize their worth. Everyone has something that nobody else has and that’s what makes us unique, that’s what makes each life special.
Watch: Liddy Clark’s “Painted By Numbers” Lyric Video
April Kry puts her own Spin on Maren Morris‘ new single “80s Mercedes.” Kry adds her soulful voice to the song that is all about having fun and paying homage to the past! Something Kry does with her music on a daily basis! She performs covers of songs ranging from George Strait to Chris Lane.
Kry flawlessly meshes the new sound of country with the more traditional sound. In her cover of “80s Mercedes” she adds her own sound to the song which is influenced by 90s country. Which is fitting since one line of the song is; “I’m an 90s baby in a 80s Mercedes.” Kry, who says one of her main influences is Martina McBride is looking to put her own mark on Country music.
“Her songs, her voice – she’s one of my biggest inspirations,” says Kry about McBride. “I realized that country music was all about storytelling, and that’s exactly where I wanted to be. “
Kry is off to a strong start, she’s released a handful of singles as well as an album in 2012. She also has a new single due out next month!
“I love country music, and I love putting my own spin on it too, and if people are surprised by such a big voice coming from the tiny girl, then great. I love to shatter expectations.”
The video for Kry’s cover is light, airy and perfect for summer! It’s a unique cover in the sense that it comes with her own music video for the song and it’s not just an acoustic cover or done in a bedroom! We are loving the feeling of cruisin’ around town!
WATCH: APRIL KRY COVER MAREN MORRIS’ “80s MERCEDES”
Visit April Kry’s Facebook page to stay up to date!
Nestor AnDress is gearing up to release his music video for his single “Drunk At A Bar” and we took the opportunity to get to know him better as an artist. Having a great song on the radio, gets fans wondering about the artist singing it, and as a new artist, there isn’t always a lot of information readily available for fans to really get a feeling they know the act they are falling in love with.
“Drunk At A Bar” isn’t another bro country song (despite the way the title may sound). The idea behind it reveals the male subject wanting to be kissed without any cares or worries and just a throw of a passionate
Kiss me like it’s New Year’s Eve / Like you don’t want me to leave / Like a bullet caught me / Kiss me like there’s no one else / Like you hear wedding bells / Like there’s nobody watching.
LISTEN TO NESTOR ANDRESS SING “DRUNK AT A BAR”
Check out our interview with AnDress below!
Variety Beat: Nothing connects fans to music quite like feeling we know where they’re coming from. Can you tell us about yourself and growing up in Texas?
Nestor AnDress: That’s a beautiful concept. I’ll use but one word to tell you about myself. That word is PASSSION. I believe it has everything to do with not only how I grew up, but whom I grew up with. I have a mother that is both strong and fragile and I am truly blessed to call her so because she is the main ingredient to why I am the way that I am. She has never let me quit and has pushed me to always be the best version of myself. I’m a competitor. In high school I was named the “Best All Around” in our yearbook. My mom would tell you that I am exactly like my father was, but I couldn’t tell you from experience. Which is the very thing that has wired my passion of love, but in my mom’s case, it was loss of it. So I want to give it, share it and inspire love!
Variety Beat: When did you decide you wanted to pursue music as a career and what pushed you to make that move?
Nestor AnDress: It wasn’t until college. I initially wanted to be a lawyer. I have always disliked bullies and have known that I have a gift of expressing myself and standing up for those who couldn’t.
I taught myself how to play guitar, found out I could sing, could naturally move a crowd and with years of poetry writing….BAM. I fell in love! It was my mom that reinforced my calling to go for it. At a rodeo in Texas, I called my mom up on stage to perform the song I wrote for her called “Momma.” She heard the crowd singing it back and it was then after that she told me I was born for this.
Variety Beat: You put out an EP earlier this year called ‘Falling In Love’ and there’s a song on it called “When You Lie” that you are very proud of. Can you talk about what makes this song so special?
Nestor AnDress: I sure did and I’m shocked, but mostly humbled that the EP went to #22 on the iTunes Country Album Chart. I’m proud of all of my songs, but “When You Lie” hits a deep chord on me. The chorus to the song was initially a poem that I had written 2 years ago following a break up from a relationship I thought would go the distance. With this song I would only hope to not share in the pain, but compassion. Love doesn’t always turn out like you had hoped it would, but don’t ever be afraid of it.
Variety Beat: You have a video coming out this summer for your single “Drunk at a Bar,” can you tell us a little bit about the song and what made you decide to put it out as a single?
Nestor AnDress: “Drunk At A Bar” is a song I wrote with my friend Devin Barker. I’m so excited to release this music video. I also wrote the script for the music video with the Director, Chris Stanton. Creating this and putting our vision into action was an amazing experience. “Drunk At A Bar” was written about the desire for the one who ignites your fire. No guard up, no shame, forget about the world, you’re mine kind of kiss.
Variety Beat: You’re obviously in love with Country Music and pouring your heart into the music. It can often take a long time to really break through and get your music heard. What do you hope to be able to give to the genre that it may be missing? What’s the story you want to tell?
Nestor AnDress: I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel. I just want to “give away” my version of it. More than anything I want to make music my audience can experience and feel, not just hear.
Variety Beat: You’re going to re-release your EP with new songs and acoustic versions. Can you give any more details on the project?
Nestor AnDress: I am stripping down a few songs and producing them in a way that feels like they are live in your living room, back porch or bon-fire. I am also reading it with documentary series behind the songs.
Variety Beat: It can be hard to keep the connection with fans active with the gaps in music releases. Artists are using all kinds of social media to allow fans to feel closer to them when they can’t be out on tour or may not have any new music out. What platforms do you use to engage with fans and do you plan on increasing your time on social media so you can gain new fans?
Nestor AnDress: I hang out on Twitter (@NestorAnDressTX), Instagram (@NestorAnDressTX), Snapchat (Nestor_UnDress) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NestorAnDressFans). Recently, I have been using Facebook Live at my shows or Periscope so friends, family and fans can tune in from all over the country. I check my social media pages to make sure I am getting to know my fans and answering any questions that they have. I would like to set up a Facebook Live Q&A, a Facebook Live acoustic jam session from my living room and book a Stageit show in the near future. #NothingButTheGoodTimes
Variety Beat: You recently opened for Brothers Osbourne. What was that like and do you have more fun gigs planned for this year?
Nestor AnDress: Every show I go to whether it’s a writers round in Nashville, an award show or an arena show, I constantly approach those shows as a learning experience. I never want to stop growing, learning and working on my craft. Opening up for the Brother’s Osborne was a very humbling experience and I have nothing but great things to say about John, T.J. and their crew. Loving their new record!
