TenilleArts
What is your favourite songwriting experience so far?
I’ve had the opportunity to write with a lot of amazing songwriters since I started writing when I was 14 years old and I definitely have a couple favourite co-writers (Adam Wheeler & Mark Narmore) but my favourite songwriting experience was when I wrote a song about my family and our family farm. I sat down by myself late at night and the song just came to me as if it was writing itself. I cried while writing it just thinking about my amazing childhood there and my family. I kept it to myself for a few months and finally surprised my family with the song and I think it will always be one of their favourites as well as mine! It’s called “Grew Up Slow”.
Which CCMA Nominated artists would you love to write with?
I’d honestly love to write with any of them, and I hope I get the chance to, but I’d have to say that Dean Brody is very high up on that list. I really admire his story telling and I’m a huge fan of his music.
Which artists (from anywhere) do you look up to the most?
I really look up to Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, The Dixie Chicks, and Shania Twain. They are all such strong females in the industry and they continue to dominate. I grew up listening to their music! Shania Twain is someone I love a lot because she broke out of Canada and became a worldwide star. I like to dream big like that and I’d love to represent Canada in the country world someday :)
What has brought you here to this moment, becoming a discovery artist?
A lot of hard work, ups and downs, late nights, practicing and writing every single day, and dreaming big. I’ve always had supportive people around me and I don’t allow negative people to be in my life. I travelled to Nashville for the first time at age 15 and experienced first hand exactly what I DIDN’T want. Since then I have promised myself to be 100% real and who I am. If you’re authentic and true to yourself I really don’t think there is anything that can stop you from accomplishing what you want. I live by the quote “20 seconds of insane courage” and it has lead me to where I am today.
How did it feel when you found out?
I have wanted this for SO long so when I finally got the call from Don Green that I was in the 2016 CCMA Discovery Program, I just remember trying to hold back tears and not sound like a mess on the phone. I was instantly excited/nervous for everything to come, and then I called my mom and cried a little more :) Happy tears!! My family was really excited.
What can we expect from you over the next year?
MUSIC! I have been hard at work writing, recording and performing and I can’t wait to share my music with everyone for the first time. I will be making an announcement close to the CCMA’s, so I really encourage everyone to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat to be the first ones to know!
I plan to continue working hard on my Canadian and US career and if it goes as planned, it will be a very successful year! I’d also love to perform all over Canada very soon :)
