We were recently introduced to an outstanding teen singer whose vocal talent belies her young age. Her voice is so polished and airplay-ready that we wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t all over country/pop radio within the space of a year or two. Yes, its that good.
Meet Brittany Ray.
First off, tell us a little bit about yourself, outside of music that is…
I live in Dubuque, Iowa, but someday aspire to live in a big, exciting city! Like Nashville, or maybe Los Angeles. I have two brothers, one younger and one older, so I’m the middle child, and also the only girl. I have seven poodles, and also one cat. So around my house it can get kind of crazy. I graduated from high school a week ago and am going to college in Nashville this fall! When I’m not doing anything musical, I like exercising and being active; yoga and running my favorites. My favorite color is pink, and I love chocolate!
Your debut single was recorded with a major country star. How in the heck did you manage to pull that off…tell us the story! : )
When I was in eighth grade I was in this competition in New York called IMTA, or International Model and Talent Agency. Here, agents and casting directors came from all over the world to watch people like me perform their talents, (acting, singing, dancing, etc.) I won the singing competition in IMTA when I was there, and this got the attention of some of the people who were watching. These people led me to other people and connections, which eventually led me to recording with Richie McDonald! [check out the video, then keep scrolling to read the rest of the interview! – Editor]
What was the best part about the recording session(s)?
It was all lots of fun, but I loved recording the video for Love Is Worth It. Me and Richie didn’t have to worry about sounding good singing, because we were lip syncing to the track and could put a lot of emotion into our actions and just let go!
How much vocal training do you usually do?
I had a vocal teacher for a year when I was preparing for choir events in high school, but apart from that I don’t really do much vocal training.
What tips do you have for young teens that want to start singing?
Joining choir is a good way to start singing, because it gets you involved in your school, and also you learn the technicalities of it all which could come in handy in the future, like harmonizing!
What inspires you when you are writing a song?
Other songs inspire me. If I listen to a really great song, with beautiful lyrics and a beautiful melody, I’m so inspired to write a song that is amazing like that.
What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome in your career so far?
Staying motivated to not give up. This business is hard, but it’s important to not lose hope and just give it your all!
Who is your favorite musician?
My favorite musician is probably Sara Bareilles. Her voice is so powerful and the music she writes is very beautiful. My favorite band is Green Day, they’ve been my favorite for many years and some things just never change!
Name a song that has affected you profoundly, and tell us why?
Breathe by Anna Nalick. This song has helped me calm down in situations when I’m upset or just overwhelmed. Anyone can relate to this song or find comfort in it. “Life’s like an hourglass glued to the table, no one can find the rewind button, so cradle your head in your hands, and breathe; just breathe.”
What’s next for you?
I’m going to be doing some performances this summer, writing more songs, doing more covers, then moving to Nashville by the end of the summer!
Anything else we should know?
My Youtube channel is http://youtube.com/brittanyraymusic1. Check it out and subscribe to see my videos! Thanks!
You can also follow Brittany on her other profiles (and should, seriously!)
Twitter: http://twitter.com/brittanyray344
Facebook: http://facebook.com/brittanyray344