Home Town: McLoud, OK
Clarksville Creative Sound
Artist Profile
Music Genres: Traditional Country, Western Swing
Describe yourself as an artist: I love classic country and western swing, which has inspired me in many ways, including playing fiddle.
What makes you unique as an artist: I am a singer, songwriter as well as a musician who plays fiddle and guitar. A lot of artists are one or the other, but I am all of those.
What instruments do you play? Fiddle, Guitar, and Mandolin
Tell us about yourself (Personality, Principles): I am an outgoing, talkative, and friendly person. I love my family, God, and friends. It’s important to me to be personable to my fans because they support me and my music.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music? I enjoy competing in pageants. I was the 2020 McLoud Blackberry Queen and the 2022 Miss SWOSU First Runner Up. It is my hope to qualify to compete in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant someday.
What inspired you to start playing and performing music? My dad and my Pa are both musicians, so I have been around music and performing my entire life. My fiddle teacher, Mary Mayhew, whom I started taking lessons from when I was 6 years old, inspired me and pushed me to keep growing as a musician.
In your opinion, what makes a song great? A catchy melody that you will find singing in your head after you’ve heard it, paired with a good hook, lyrics, and you can dance to it.
Do you write Music: Yes
If so describe your creative process in your songwriting: My creative process usually starts with me singing a melody in my head with my guitar, putting together a chord progression. Once I like the progression, I then start putting lyrics to it, which can come to me randomly, such as whatever I am feeling at the time or just seeing something and it sparks an idea.
When did you first perform and what was it like? My first performance was around 7 years old with my dad’s band. He brought me on stage, and I sang “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” It was such a memorable experience, and it felt like I was meant to be there and has ever since; it just felt like what I was meant to do.
Who are your influences? My parents, grandparents, God, Loretta Lynn, Leona Williams, Tammy Wynette, Emmy Lou Harris, Bob Wills, and Bobby Flores, just to name a few.
What awards have you won for your music? I started out winning talent shows during my school years. I have won numerous awards from Oklahoma Country Music Singers Association and Nacmai—including Youth Female Vocalist of the Year, Youth Duo of the Year with my brother, Instrumentalist of the Year, and Traditional Country Band of the Year with my family band, The McKedys. The Josie Music Awards Fans Choice for our family band, The McKedys, Eastern Oklahoma County Best Musician, Uncle Tom’s Country Beats Radio Female Artist of the Year, and the 2024 CMA of Texas Rising Star.
What advice would you give someone that is trying to break into music? The most important thing is to listen over and over again to the big artists in whatever genre you want to learn and nitpick it, get the style in your head and learn the songs by heart. Then, I would suggest you learn to play as many instruments as you can, and finally, put yourself around other musicians by going to jam sessions, concerts, etc., and ask questions and be open and willing to learn from them.
If you could Meet anyone, living or otherwise, who would it be? I would have loved to have met Loretta Lynn, Bob Wills, and Johnny Gimble. I would like to meet Leona Williams, George Strait, and Dolly Parton.