ARTIST INTERVIEW: THE SPRINGS

I N T E R V I E W

      T H E   S P R I N G S

Full Names: 
Holly Carol Helms and Stewart Elijah Halcomb

Ages: 
Holly, 22 & Stewart, 24

Hometown/currently live:

Holly, New Market, AL

Stewart, Enterprise, AL.

We both live in Nashville, TN now.

What made you want to start writing songs?

For me, I met a couple, Donny and Susan Grace that was involved with NSAI while I was singing at a karaoke contest in Guntersville, AL. They came up and introduced themselves to me and asked me if I had ever thought about writing and I was about 16 at the time so I was young and didn't really know much about writing so I hadn't. They sort of took me under their belt and helped me get started. -Holly

My high school was hit by a tornado in March of 2007. That day I went home and wrote my very first song. I realized in that moment how much music can really touch lives and how you can influence so many people with such little words. -Stewart

 Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I can play a couple chords on the guitar haha. Stewart is MUCH better than I am at guitar! I can play a good tambourine hahah! -Holly

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Mine would have to be LeAnn Womack.

She's so soulful and country and I love it.

Probably Conway Twitter or Garth Brooks. I grew up on them so they were a huge influence in my music and writing -Stewart

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

I would say from each other and from the people we are around! Our love for each other is expressed in a lot of our music on our new album! We try to be happy people haha. -Stewart

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

My favorite is probably a song we wrote called "21". I lost my grandmother and cousin both in drunk driving incidents. Stewart lost a good friend in one back in Dec of 2013 so that song is very special to the both of us and we wrote it together.

-Holly

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

I think just being able to be on stage together every night and being able to travel together is the best thing ever. Our relationship and career is so healthy and just awesome because we aren't apart that much!

-Stewart

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______.

If I could write a song for someone if would be Carrie Underwood. There's a song on our new album called "Don't Tell Him That" that I think would be perfect for her haha -Holly

If I could write a song with and for someone it would be Garth Brooks. The man is a genius and such an awesome artist! I'd love to have that opportunity haha. -Stewart

Where do you see yourself in a year? 5 years?

In a year we will be getting married haha, so probably wedding planning and playing music at the same time haha. In 5 years hopefully with a big song cut by an artist or maybe even one of our songs with us singing it on the radio haha! -Holly

If I wasn"t a songwriter I would be…

I originally wanted to be a pediatrician so I would probably still be in school for that haha -Stewart

A news anchor. -Holly

I'm afraid of ______.

I am afraid of falling on stage. I always wear heels and my ankles are so wobbly. I am waiting to pull a Luke Bryan haha! -Holly

I never get tired of_______.

I never get tired of music. Although we are around it all the time singing and songwriting is in my blood. Even if we are on vacation it's what we listen to and it's all we talk about haha. -Stewart

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don"t know!

Holly is very socially awkward. Once you REALLY get to know her she's fine but she is very shy in her own way when you first meet her haha. -Stewart

Stewart was valedictorian of his high school class. He's VERY smart. I call him a closet nerd haha. -Holly

Holly and Stewart are giving away 7 FREE SONGS AND EXCLUSIVE ACCESS at www.thespringsband.com.

S T AY  C O N N E C T E D
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SPECIAL THANKS TO HOLLY AND STEWART FOR THIS INTERVIEW! I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE MET THEM AND VEEN ABLE TO SHARE THEIR INTERVIEW WITH YALL!!

ARTIST INTERVIEW: OLIVIA LANE

I N T E R V I E W

OLIVIA JOY LANE

Age:

Newly 23! 

Hometown/currently live:

I was born and raised in Houston, Texas but Nashville is my current home.

What made you want to start writing songs?

The first song I ever wrote was called "Indiana" and it was about me and my high school boyfriend breaking up right before college. I was DEVASTATED. I was searching for a way to get this emotion out of system so I decided to try and write my feelings out and then put the words to a melody that captured the sadness I was feeling; Then I was hooked to songwriting.  For me, it's an emotional release but also about connecting with other's who might be experiencing the same emotions I am.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I do! I've been playing guitar since about 8th grade and then recently I picked up the mandolin which is SO fun! About 4 months ago my producer Ilya Toshinskiy mentioned I should learn to play mando and I was like "HAH yeah suuuure" and he was like "No...you really should". So I ended up picking it up and teaching myself! Since the mandolin is pretty predominant in my sound and production, it made total sense. It's such a fun instrument to play! Currently I'm toying around with a harmonica. I don't read music very well, just learn and play by ear!

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

OH boy…there are so many. I would say the big female voices out there like Trisha Yearwood, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Loveless, Sara Evans, Patsy Cline…the list goes ON! I listen to every genre from The Eagles to Michael Jackson so my musical inspirations vary from all walks of music. 

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Everyone. Everywhere. Everything in my life. It's hard to pinpoint where exactly the ideas in my head come from. Some songs are very personal while other's come from a melody that popped into my head or a story I heard that I liked. The process is so dynamic but that's what makes it fun!

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

I would have to say my single "Steal Me Away." I wrote it pretty soon after I moved to Nashville and I was on CLOUD 9 after the songwriting session with my producer and Lee Thomas Miller, the other co-writers. I called my manger and said "I'M SO EXCITED THIS SONG IS GOING TO BE ON THE EP!" and he said "Well we'll see you've got 6 more months of writing." He had a point but I've heard artists talking about these "gut feelings" about songs and this was for sure a gut feeling happening with "Steal Me Away." 

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?

Theres so many!!! But I'll talk about 2 highlights. I'm on a radio tour currently for my song "Steal Me Away" so hearing it on the radio has been pretty mind-blowing!!! The other highlight was performing back in February at Galveston Mardi Gras. It was INSANE! The energy from the crowd mixed with the insane fun my band and I have onstage, it was incredible!!! My guitar got nailed with a huge bulky mardi gras necklace…it was stressful and amazing all at the same time.

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______. 

WITH THE EAGLES!!! 

Where do you see yourself in a year?           

In a year I want to be touring steadily, continuously building a long term career and meeting as many people as I can!

5 years?

In 5 years I hope to be singing my songs along with crowds of any size, coffee shops to stadiums! I just want to meet as many people as I can, have fun with what I'm doing and put a smile on someone's face with my music. 

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be…

A Zumba instructor (which I did in college and LOVED it) or a kindergarten teacher.

I"m afraid of ______.

Doctor shots. I HATE THEM. Terrified.

I never get tired of_______.

Cupcakes :) 

 Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don"t know! ​

I sleep with the covers over my head and make a little breathing hole so I don't suffocate. It's SO bizarre. I use to do it because I was afraid of the dark but now it's just habit. Also my head gets cold. I should probably invest in a sleeping night cap or something. 

F O L L O W   O L I V I A 
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Special thanks to Olivia for taking this time to work with me on this interview! I am a huge fan of her music and cannot wait to see the success she has in the future!

Images Provided || OliviaLane.com

ARTIST INTERVIEW: KELSEA BALLERINI

A little over a year ago I made the greatest discovery of my life. That of course being Kelsea Ballerini’s music. They say “love at first sight” is real. What about “love at first listen?” Can that be a thing? In my mind it should be. I can honestly say I’ve listened to Kelsea’s music EVERY SINGLE DAY since the first time I heard her. Normally I would get tired of hearing the same songs and artists over and over. But not with Kelsea. 
Every single day I find a new reason to love her and her music.

Kelsea is the girl with the big voice, the amazing songwriting skills, the fun personality, the sweet soul and the kind heart. She has the whole package and I adore everything about her. [Side note: I totally envy her shoe collection.]

Kelsea is headed down the road to fame. No really, watch out Carrie and Miranda, there is a new girl blowing up her radio tour. I cannot wait to see this amazing girl perform on the CMA’s, headline her own tour, and win a Grammy. I’d be willing to bet anything she accomplishes all three of these things faster than anyone could imagine.  

At times we fit into lyrics more than we fit into life.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE TO Y'ALL..

MEET MY FRIEND KELSEA

Full Name:

Kelsea Nicole Ballerini

Age: 
20

 Hometown/currently live:

Knoxville/Nashville

What made you want to start writing songs? 

I grew up really loving storytelling and journaling, and eventually that mixed with my love of music and turned into writing songs. I was 13 and needed an outlet to vent about how awkward being a 13 year old is, and songwriting just happened to become that outlet for me.

Do you play any instruments? Did you teach yourself?

I can fake it pretty well on guitar.  I’m no Keith Urban or Josh Kerr, but I can carry my own if I need to. Plus, I love writing songs by myself so being able to play a little helps. 

Who are your biggest musical inspirations?

Kelly Clarkson, Shania Twain, Beyonce, Gavin DeGraw. Anything with a good groove and catchy lyrics.

Where do you get inspiration to write your songs?

Life, love, or lack thereof. Haha. It’s hard for me to write about things that I haven’t experienced. I just believe if I am going to put music out there and share it with people, it should be honest and real. 

Favorite songs you have written/co-written?

That’s a hard one. I would say it’s a tie between my single “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “The First Time”. Two totally different songs, but both are special to me for different reasons. And both we have officially cut for the album!

What moment in your music career is your favorite so far?
Hearing “Love Me Like You Mean It” on the radio! That was such a ‘holy cow is this real life’ moment. And it’s amazing to be able to share those kind of moments with my co-writers and close friends Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead, and Lance Carpenter. 

Finish this sentence…if I could write a song for or with anyone I would choose______.

For: Kelly Clarkson  With: Hillary Lindsay

Where do you see yourself in a year?     

Hopefully i’ll have a record out and will be traveling around the country sharing my songs and meeting people!

Five years: 
Same thing! Maybe get hitched. Maybe get a cool apartment in Nashville. Who knows! 

If I wasn't a songwriter I would be…

Either a veterinarian or a makeup artist. But I can’t emotionally handle blood or sad things, so most likely a makeup artist. 

I'm afraid of ______.

SPIDERS, dolls, haunted houses, storms. Kind of everything. I’m a child.

I never get tired of_______.

music. and shoes. 

Okay, I always ask people to tell me one thing about themselves that is random or strange that most people don't know! 

I danced for 10 years! Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop. And then when I was 13 I grew like 6 inches in one year and got really long and awkward and lost all of my coordination. Watching me dance now is just an unfortunate situation for everyone involved. 

HEAD OVER AND PURCHASE KELSEA BALLERINI'S NEW SINGLE  LOVE ME LIKE YOU MEAN IT ON ITUNES https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-me-like-you-mean-it-single/id892763915
PLUS CHECK OUT A FEW OF MY FAVORITE KELSEA SONGS: DIBS YEAH BOY THE FIRST TIME PETER PAN

[DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW KELSEA FOR UPDATES] TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KelseaBallerini FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kelseaballerini INSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/kelseaballerini WEBSITE: http://www.kelseaballerini.com

I would like to thank Kelsea for taking the time out of her busy radio-tour schedule to work with me. I am so excited to see her career finally starting to take off. I cannot wait to see her perform REALLY SOON! She, along with everyone else who knows me, should expect me in the very front row singing along to every song. And maybe we will even awkward dance together.  Love you Kels…oh and I mean it.