HELLO NATALIE NICHOLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US! CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, WHO IS TERA LYNNE IN YOUR OWN WORDS?
I am deep feeling, deep thinking, color loving, creative spirit who needs outdoors, animals, and music to keep sane. I love riding my motorcycle with my dad and boyfriend and I am a sucker for a good bouquet of flowers. I love cooking homemade meals and being places I’ve never been before. Travel is the secret to keeping an open mind!
WHEN DID YOU FIRST BEGIN TO CREATE MUSIC?
I can remember scratching words to paper with my guitar in hand when I was little – like 8 years old. I have always been infatuated with music. My grandma plays mean piano and has a wonderful voice. I can recall sitting next to her on the bench just being absolutely captivated and attempting to sing along.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE CREDIT TO FOR YOUR SUCCESS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
Myself. My supportive family. My momma watching over me from above. And anybody I have ever been lucky enough to share a stage, a cowrite, or a studio with. Music takes a village. Technically, yes you can do it on your own, but I truly believe music was meant for a community.
WHO IS THAT ONE PERSON OR EVENT THAT HAS INFLUENCED YOUR GROWTH THE MOST AND HOW?
I think if I were being honest I would have to credit Christopher Griffiths for opening my eyes to my own power inside of me. He is the one who basically grabbed me by my cheeks one day and stared directly into my soul and said “What are you doing? You need to make a record. And I want to be a part of it. I believe in you. And you should believe in you. You are more than what you are currently doing.” And he was right. And we did. And now I am talking to you 🙂 I was stuck in a bit of a rut, was making good money playing the shows I was playing but wasn’t very focused on growing myself as an artist, I was distracted and tired, I was also dealing with my moms cancer journey. Chris’s love and encouragement really allowed me to sit down, take a breath, refocus, and find what was inside of me that needed to come out in song. Not only for my healing, but for those who will be able to heal from listening.
WHAT IS THAT ONE THING THAT YOU ALWAYS KEEP IN YOUR MIND WHILE PREPARING YOUR CONTENT FOR SOCIAL MEDIA?
“Is this positive? Is this honest? Does this serve a purpose? Does this represent me as the artist I strive to be?” And every once in a while … “What will my grandma think?” lol!
THERE ARE MANY WHO ASPIRE TO DO WHAT YOU DO, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR THEM?
You have to do what your heart and soul desire. If that is making music, then you must put in the WORK to do it. Making the music and being the creative artist you are born to be is only a part of a successful career. You must be able to have the discipline and foresight to DO THE WORK.
YOUR LATEST SINGLE “I UNDERSTAND (I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND)” IS THE PERFECT SONG FOR 2020! THANK YOU FOR RECORDING THIS AND FOR RELEASING IT FOR EVERYONE TO HEAR. DID YOU GO INTO THE WRITE WANTING TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT THE HISTORIC EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE?
Honestly when we got to the write, Graham Nancarrow, John Bohlinger and myself, all three of us came in pretty empty handed. Once we had all gotten settled, tuned up, and pens at the ready, we all looked at each other with blank stares hoping the other had bought a line or two, or melody they’d been working on. But none of us had. So it turned into friends having coffee and sharing good conversation. The riots in Nashville and the tornado had really just happened, and our community was a walking gaping wound. We started to speak of the heaviness of the world around us. The horror of watching the tornado destroy our city, but the magic of watching us all coming together to clean up and provide for one another. We spoke of the gut wrenching pains of the riots. We started to ask each other what we could do? What was our place in all of this? And how could we help? That’s when we decided that no matter what was going on, we are artists, and our art is what we have to offer the world. We must use our art to raise the decibel of those who’s voices are not being heard. Those fighting the good fight. “I Understand (I Will Never Understand)” is really an olive branch of love to anyone we have ever come across that is struggling. It is a song stating that we are fully aware we will never understand the pain and suffering of another, but we are going to show up to help, support, and love them through it. In any fashion they need us.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
I just want to say thank you. Thank you for giving this song a chance at a real life. For allowing it to reach an audience that maybe has never seen me play before, or even heard my music yet. This song is meant for a healing easy listening experience. I hope it does exactly that to the minds, hearts, and souls of those who take the minute to listen! Check out the video. THANK YOU! I am forever grateful.
To know more about Tera Lynne Fister visit: www.IAmFister.com and don’t forget to follow her Facebook @iamfister, Twitter @iamfister and Instagram @iamfister
